Gazeta Monneta – 12th issue
When I received the cover of the latest issue of Gazeta Monneta, I was surprised by the number 8 appearing above the beautiful illustration. It shows a lion greeting a woman on whose head there is a little cute mouse. I asked our illustrator Ania Czerwińska why, despite it being the 12th issue of our magazine, it was an eight that appeared on the cover. I learned that this number has an important meaning. Apparently, it symbolizes perfection, infinity and abundance. Some also say that it describes brave, outgoing and ambitious people. And so, everything is in order: both the number and the theme of this issue.
This theme was inspired by the latest polemic of Principal Buśkiewicz-Piskorska on the school blog, which made me look into the topic of courage among young people. Our students have received this idea well, which is why this issue contains many articles emphasizing the value of courage in our lives and reflecting on overcoming our fears and coping with adversity.
I chose June 4 for the release date of this issue of Gazeta Monneta. This is a symbolic date in the history of Poland. It is when the first partially free parliamentary election took place, which ended the era of communist rule and began the period of the Third Polish Republic. I am amazed by the courage of the people who contributed to reaching a difficult compromise and led to a bloodless transition of power from the totalitarian system.
I don’t remember much from that period. What I do remember, though, is the first free election for the President of the country and heated discussions among my family about whom to vote for. At the time, I was a 3rd grade primary school student. We had a wonderful grade teacher. I still remember her warmth and kindness. Back then, we had quite a lot of responsibilities, including commuting three kilometres to do extracurricular sport activities at a school in another housing estate. I remember that we used to take the route on foot through the so-called “Górki Parchackie”. Our teachers accompanied us on our way there, but we had to return without them. Was it brave to walk home from the pool on your own back then? In those days, no one cared whether a child was looked after by an adult. With the key around my neck, I returned home with my peers. There were no cell phones or Internet back then, and even landline phones were rare.
It seems to me that today there are two different ways of bringing up a child. One is being very protective, restricting the child at every step and controlling. The children are to carry a phone all the time and let their parents know when they will return home down to the minute. The parent is to carry their school bag and do everything for them. The other approach to parenting is to give excessive freedom to children and relinquish all control over them. Sometimes it leads to them spending the whole night using their phones or computer screens.
Is there any middle ground? Maybe the bravest thing today is to trust your child and discreetly oversee what they do. But will they come to us if they have a problem? Or maybe teachers will react, or maybe a neighbour will tell you about an unusual situation. We don’t live in a vacuum.
To this day I am grateful to my parents for the trust they had in me. I don’t think I caused them much trouble.
I wish my students as much courage as possible to take on new challenges, to strive for their goals and not to worry so much about the criticism of others. I wish adults would trust young people more. I believe that if young people see that we trust them and discreetly and carefully watch over their safety, they will show us their best selves.
I recently returned from a five-day trip with the third grade of high school to Wilga. There, they carried out very interesting scientific projects, and had a lot of freedom and time dedicated to entertainment: a bonfire, and morning walks in the forest. Throughout this time, they have not betrayed our trust. They passionately drew on adults’ knowledge and had great fun in each other’s company.
Therefore, I will repeat the motto of the summer issue of Gazeta Monneta. Dare! Let’s give young people a little more space and I believe that they will trust us more and show us their best qualities,
Dear readers! I hope you have an exciting read and wonderful summer holidays!
Aleksander Jarnicki
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