My father was an immigrant. Perhaps this is the cause of my deep empathy for today’s new Americans. He settled in the United States after being discharged from the British navy following World War II. I once asked him why he chose to settle here instead of his homeland. He responded, “In England, my family was in the lower class. I knew if I went back there my opportunities would be few. However, in this country the possibilities are endless even for the lower classes. That is why I settled here, and if I could go back in time, I would do it all over again.”

Probably, his only regret was choosing to live in North Dakota. Every winter he would say, “It gets so bloody cold around here!” In truth, he considered this climate shortcoming as minor to the advantages of being a U.S. citizen.

 Dad started out in Fargo, North Dakota, with $5 in his pocket, a wife at his side and a newborn child in the cradle. He eventually ran his own architectural firm and became one of the most respected business leaders in Bismarck. He accomplished this through drive, hard work, and a strong belief in American possibilities.

His story is far from unique. Many other people throughout history have started from very humble beginnings and accomplished great things because of U.S. opportunities. It is a land where people can succeed if they realize the possibilities and take advantage of them.

Another aspect of America which makes it so great is the generosity of its people. Many citizens are not content unless those struggling from injustices or disadvantages are given assistance to stand on their own. Such people look for ways to help people from homes of poverty or dysfunction to overcome their disadvantages.

They believe that it is great when people “pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.” They also know that a little assistance will make it possible for more to do so. This assistance can take many forms. In CPS, such interventions as preschool programming, after school academic classes, and Foundation scholarships for poor high school students provide this kind of support.

Sometimes reaching out to the poor and helping them find success is not totally selfless. Many people understand that helping others gain success will also help themselves in the long run. For example, helping a poor child attain college training will pay dividends in the contributions that person will be able to give the community. These contributions go beyond the taxes the individual will be able to pay. They also include him or her reaching out to the society as a whole and making it better.

On the flip side, when we do not help the less fortunate find success, we increase the likelihood that these people will become a burden on the public. Without help, they are more likely to require government programs. Some of them may even become part of the criminal class that drains our society in so many ways.

America is a land of endless possibilities. A key service our schools can give is helping students to realize this. Many that come from disadvantaged backgrounds do not raise their sights high enough. They do not realize they can or should. Instead, they often believe they are limited to lives similar to those of their parents. Encouraging these young people to set higher goals and helping them reach them is one of the greatest services that our schools can give.

In doing this, CPS is striving to help all students attain the American dream and become contributing members of our society. As someone has said, “We are offering a hand-up not a handout.” After all, investing in our youth makes a lot more sense and is a lot less expensive than investing in more prisons.

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