Cross Roads Podcast
Cross Roads Podcast
Voting Matters: One Voice Can Change Everything
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Voting isn't just a right—it's a profound responsibility that can literally change the course of history. This week, we dive deep into the importance of local elections, particularly those involving our education system, where even a single vote can make all the difference.
The spotlight turns to concerning issues within Denton ISD, where a new high school is being built even as SchoolDigger statistics reveal troubling educational outcomes. I share my perspective on how our modern education system has transformed teachers from educators into test administrators, binding their hands and stifling their passion. The current focus on standardized testing—aptly called "TOSS"—might be something we should indeed toss out completely.
But the responsibility doesn't rest solely with schools. Parents must establish foundations of common sense and morality at home. Some heartbreaking reviews from both parents and students highlight the disconnection and challenges facing our local education system, from unwelcoming environments to concerning social dynamics where athletics overshadow academics and inclusivity is lacking.
The solution? Getting involved. Electing officials with sound moral character. Attending school board meetings. Understanding what's being taught. Breaking through what Simon and Garfunkel called "The Sound of Silence"—that passive acceptance of status quo that leads to isolation and indifference. Our children's futures depend on our willingness to step up, speak out, and champion positive change in our communities.
On a lighter note, don't miss the newly launched Cross Roads Summer Market every Saturday from 8-11am, featuring fresh local produce straight from the ground. And consider supporting our veterans at the upcoming Fortunata Winery fundraiser on May 9th. Ready to share your story or promote your business? Reach out to crossroadspodcast2023@gmail.com or call 469-230-5956. Let's build our community together!
Cross Roads Podcast. We'll be right back For those who want to be in the know. Who's your daddy? Good morning, crossroads. I'm your host, Steven Kilfoil, bringing you local news and events in and around our area.
Steven Killfoil:This weekend was the voting weekend and it's very important that we exercise that right that is given to us in our Constitution, for several reasons, one being that get the right candidate in for the office. The vote represents the power of the people, of an opportunity to have the wrong candidate get in by chance because you failed to cast your vote and, believe it or not, there have been many elections won by one vote. This is how important voting is, so just wanted to put that in my two cents. We had several important key votes to cast in this election in our area the Denton ISD representatives. I mentioned this in particular because of what I came across while researching the Denton ISD representatives and some of our schools in this area. Denton ISD is in the process of building a new high school in Crossroads to help offset the already heavy population growth we are experiencing in our area.
Steven Killfoil:I looked up some of the statistics on SchoolDigger and what I found was a little disappointing. Coming from a small town and having excellent teachers. I always considered myself blessed with a good, grounded education all through grades 1 through 12. However, even my alma mater isn't ranking too good lately. So the question is why you absolutely cannot blame the teachers, because the Department of Education has successfully tied their hands over the years. In today's modern education system, the teachers have been told to focus on getting the students to pass a barrage of tests, and the schools are now rated on the results of those tests. And when I was in school, there were only two critical tests that you needed to be prepared for the ACT and the CAT. Those results, as well as your academic grade levels, would determine where you would be able to enroll for college or university. Not only that, but there wasn't a thing, as no child left behind. You either passed or failed, and there was no one to blame but yourself. We would do so much better if we would go back to that type of accountability. Now, instead of actually allowing the teachers to teach, our society and government is focused on a test rightly called the toss. My personal opinion on this is that we should toss the toss test out and on its ear and start over letting teachers do what they are so very passionate about, and that is teach.
Steven Killfoil:The next problem is the parents. What they are so very passionate about, and that is teach. The next problem is the parents. Notice, I did not say the students, because the education of common sense and morality should start at home, with the parents. The challenge is you have parents who actually yell and scream at the poor teachers that they have been unfair to their kids. Let me tell you, some of those kids need some good, old-fashioned discipline, love and support. Don't expect the teacher to teach your children things that you, as a parent, should be teaching them at home. First, it is not the teacher's responsibility and second, without a solid foundation in the home life, you cannot possibly expect that student to succeed in their academic life.
Steven Killfoil:I'm going to climb down from my soapbox for now and share a couple of truly sad reviews. And share a couple of truly sad reviews. One was actually given by a student and one was given by an adult parent. I will not list which school these came from, only what their content was. By the parent I quote they worked very hard to make us feel unwelcome and suggested homeschooling, even though both parents worked full-time. The admin staff I met with was extremely unprofessional and not knowledgeable about current Texas education code, or even teens and families. Both parents and the student put in full effort to work with the school and admin, so I am learning now that this is the norm for new people. It was a bizarre like a very bad education film about a school that got left behind and that was from a parent. Now this one was from a student Quote.
Steven Killfoil:Let's phrase it this way I would hope to crash my car before arriving so I didn't have to go anymore. I am a social person. I have moved lots and always made friends. Not here. They are mean, rude and just plain gossipers. It is very much the ideal small-town country school cowboy boots and confederate flags. If you don't play a sport here, good luck. Academics mean nothing and the administration does nothing to solve any issues unless it involves football. There are some great teachers, but sadly they are all. They all left. Counselors don't care. Principals are worse. Please don't send your kid here unless they are a star athlete. Sadly, these two ratings were as late as 2021, which means we have a lot of work to still do. The rank on some of the schools in Denton County is not only shocking but quite sad.
Steven Killfoil:So what can we do about it? First, you start by electing officials who have good morals, character and are not out to push some kind of twisted ideology down the throats of people who do not see things their way. Second, get yourself involved in your communities. I don't care if you don't have children. It is your civic duty to get involved.
Steven Killfoil:If you sit back, do nothing and expect the state and federal government to fix it, then, like the famous song by Simon and Garfunkel, sound of Silence rings true. The song highlights a sense of emotional and spiritual emptiness in the modern world, where people are often distracted by technology and superficial interactions, losing touch with their own inner selves and each other. It points to the irony of a society where people talking without speaking, people hearing without listening, indicating that true understanding and connection are missing despite the presence of words and sounds. The lyrics suggest a passive acceptance of the status quo, where individuals are afraid to disturb the sound of silence and challenge the prevailing social norms or injustices. It warns against the dangers of becoming isolated and indifferent, urging listeners to break through the silence and speak up against what is harmful or wrong With.
Steven Killfoil:That being said, I will reemphasize the importance of getting out and casting your vote for the right candidates to help operate the Denton County ISD. As individuals, show up to the meetings, participate, find out exactly what is being taught to our children or your children. You must know exactly what is going on so you can effectively teach and train your child or children to be raised up in the ways of our Lord, so that when they are older and become parents, they will continue to do so as well and will not be influenced by bad or evil teachings. Maddie and I were never blessed with children, but we care deeply for all the little children in our community and wish only the very, very best for them. Yes, folks, it's very important that we get out and participate in election time we have.
Steven Killfoil:Our neighbors up in Pilot Point are going through a tremendous trial right now of emotions, hurts on both sides, and I really pray that God will bring a peace and a blessing to that town, because I really hold Pilot Point close to my heart. I love the folks up there and I truly, truly hope that they're able to find some resolution to their challenges that they're having right now, and this election time is is going to do that. It's going to do just that. So next time you're up there in pilot point, stop in there at the pilot point coffee house. Say hey to jemerson, sit down, have a great cup of coffee or a cold brew. He also makes a mean egg sandwich as well. I haven't been up there in a while and I really need to get back up there because I miss playing with my friends on the Tuesday sessions night. So be looking out for me on that. We've had a lot of things going on here locally with our own HOA and the neighborhood and the town. So my apologies to my friends out there. I will be back on Tuesday sessions, I promise you just bear with me. I've got some things to iron out with the HOA where I'm living and hopefully we can get things moving on pretty good for that.
Steven Killfoil:So for some local news and events around the area this saturday was the first day of the summer market here in crossroads and it was a huge success. Dunn farming had some fantastic veg out there. Maddie and I bought some good uh shards and some onions and brought them home and cooked them right up. It was great. There's nothing more tasty than fresh out of the ground vegetables and that's the place to get them on saturdays. So every saturday morning from now I, I think, until August, from 8 o'clock in the morning to 11 o'clock, crossroads has its summer market going and there are several other markets in and around the area. You should look those up. Pilot Point has one, krugerville has one, providence Village has one. Well, denton has one, providence village has one well, denton has one too. So there's plenty of places to go to get good, fresh farm-raised produce. Just look them up and make sure to head out there and take advantage of that for sure. Okay, well, let's see. What else do we have going on the summer market. Like I said, it's every saturday morning from 8 am to 11 am.
Steven Killfoil:On Friday, May 9th. Market Crossroads Veteran Advisory Committee and join them for a fundraiser at the Fortunata Winery. Tickets are now available with a $30 donation. You can either email Brian Lugano at B-L-A-G-A-N-O at C-R-V-E-T-E-R-A-N-S. org or Christian Cook at C-Cook at C-R-V-E-T-E-R-A-N-S,org to get your tickets. That's c cook@ crossroads veterans. o rg or Brian Lagano at b lagano@ crossroads veterans. o r g. Thirty dollar donation and on the ninth, you can celebrate with them. Help them with their little fundraiser.
Steven Killfoil:It's a great way to give back to the community and to those veterans who fought so hard to keep our freedoms and allow us to be able to do podcasts like this. Get out and vote and not be in fear of being arrested for just merely speaking your mind. I thank God every day and every morning when I wake up that we live in the free republic that we do live in, and I hope and continue that it will continue to be that way. As long as we keep our eyes on the Lord, jesus Christ and God, and never turn our backs on Him or allow our government to do so, we'll be under his protection and we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our freedoms Absolutely.
Steven Killfoil:Hey, for a great read on brain health, check out local author Stefan McDermott's book on Amazon Achieve Optimal Brain Health with Nutrition. Get your copy today. It is written in layman's term with recipes and practical advice that you can use daily. I have several copies of that, so if you would like one, you can reach out to me at. You would like one, you can reach out to me at crossroadspodcast2023atgmailcom For questions or comments. Or if you would like to become on the show, reach out to me crossroadspodcast2023atgmailcom.
Steven Killfoil:We're always looking forward to having exciting new guests. Come on the show and if you own a business and you want to talk about your business, let me know. Call me up, 469-230-5956. And let's get together, let's talk about your business, let's promote it out. That's what Cross Roads Podcast is for getting the information out to our community and our neighbors. And this is going to be a very short one this week Until next week. I'll see you at the top. Have a blessed day and a wonderful week. Bye-bye, Cross Roads Podcast. We'll see you next time. But those who want to be in the know, who's your daddy?
