FoF Stories
Source/Author: Mike Murphy, Headmaster
October 14, 2016
A friend of a friend (FOF) tells you that only students with have taken 10 AP classes got into UF.
The College Counselor shares a report on Naviance that shows the statement to be Pants On Fire False.
The College Counselor shares a report on Naviance that shows the statement to be Pants On Fire False.
A FOF tells a group of people over lunch the ninth grade girls are mean.
Another parent shares that the friend’s child was not invited a recent party. Pants on Fire.
Another parent shares that the friend’s child was not invited a recent party. Pants on Fire.
While sitting in the stands, a FOF shares that the children of Board members get more playing time than other student-athletes.
You look at the roster and note that none of the players on the team have parents on the Board. Pants on Fire.
A FOF reports that the kids who attend a local school are cliquey… and so are the parents.
You later learn the speaker’s child was not accepted for admission. Pants on Fire.
You later learn the speaker’s child was not accepted for admission. Pants on Fire.
During a cocktail hour at a charity event, a FOF tells a group that a local CEO has been fired.
The next day in the paper you read that the CEO is taking over a Fortune 100 firm in NY. Pants on Fire.
Do you ever wish there were a way to instantaneously fact-check some of the generalizations and accusations you hear in your day-to-day life? I admire teachers who teach their students how to seek the different sides of an issue and to check and double check statements that they hear and read. Academic and research integrity rely on people being good fact checkers.
Fact Checking has regrettably become a popular activity for various media outlets. This is regrettable because we have learned that so many statements are half true, false or flat out Pants on Fire lies. I do not deny the importance of fact checking but do believe there is another important skill for adults to model and teach our children.
Teaching our children to get their facts and beliefs straight, to be knowledgeable before they share them is an important skill to learn as we strive to rear and educate respectful, responsible, compassionate people who model integrity.
Having the patience and wisdom to know when we need to hold our tongue before speaking can save the speaker and the person or group he/she may be addressing a great deal of pain, confusion and credibility.
As we seek ways to encourage the recognition and practice of our Five Core Values, we may all find ways to check our facts and reserve our comments so our contributions are positive and constructive.
Cheers!
Mike
Mike
