March 2 was the 116th birthday of the beloved author, Theodor Seuss Geisel, or Dr. Seuss.

In his memory, we wrote this poem questioning the wisdom of required Career and Technical Education, or CTE, in schools. We disagree with such plans that could separate children into workplace tracks as early as preschool.

Cry for the Children

(With apologies to Dr. Seuss)

Poor little ones of three or four,

Pushed down the hall and through the door,

Into a job forevermore.

Dictated is their study course,

And where they'll fit in the workforce.

No choice for her, no choice for he,

I DO NOT LIKE THIS CTE!

Are we teaching workers skills?

Or forcing kids into puppy mills?

Are academics for education,

Or disguised indoctrination?

Amazon, Ford, Dominion Power

Will pay your kid by the hour.

Jobs today, not here next year.

Please plan ahead! Do you hear?

Tell your friend and tell your neighbor

Don't make your student do their labor

K-12 and higher education

Fill youth apprentice expectation

Talent pipeline filled to the brim

Personnel spilling over its rim

Capital One, Car Max, and more

Have workers filling up the floor

No extra funds for Special Ed

Buildings crumbling 'round our heads.

Hours trained outside of School.

No time for arts or Golden Rule.

Money goes to corps in town.

Our tax structure is upside down.

Let’s plan ahead: so we’ll be sure.

Ounce of prevention, pound of cure.

Make a call to your legislator.

No K-12 labor. Choose that later.

Raise teacher wages, no insurance baggage.

They should be paid the national average.

Let’s pay our teachers what they’re worth:

The future of children on this earth.

And save for children the ultimate choice

Of where to use their talents and voice.

KATHRYN FLINN

Chesterfield County

CANDICE GRAHAM

Chesterfield County

FRANCES CRUTCHFIELD

Powhatan County