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In Cambodian culture, the expression “to have golden bones” is used to describe someone who is greatly blessed. Former U.N. Ambassador Sichan Siv, who visited Lowell High School yesterday, fits the description as someone blessed with brains, guts, determination, and the courage to seize opportunity—as well as a healthy dose of good luck. Siv spoke to a packed auditorium of LHS students yesterday as part of his visit to Lowell and a national tour promoting his book Golden Bones: An Extraordinary Journey from Hell in Cambodia to a New Life in America. As a Cambodian-born American who lived through the killing fields, Siv’s experience resonated with our students, who were enthusiastic and respectful, not only for its status as an amazing immigrant-success story but also because of its message of hope and perseverance through hardship. Siv told the spellbound audience how he threw away his glasses when the Khmer Rouge arrived so he wouldn’t be killed, volunteered to run a crane for them and then taught himself how to do it, and ultimately escaped across the border to a refugee camp in Thailand. At the refugee camp where thousands were cramped into deplorable living conditions and depression was rampant, Siv taught English as a way to provide hope to his fellow refugees, who were waiting for passage to places such as the US, Canada and England.  He told about his entry into the United States, finally, with two dollars in his pocket and an attitude to “adapt to be adopted,” which meant he took whatever work he could get and did his best at it. At first, that work was picking apples; later it became flipping burgers and driving a taxi in New York while earning a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University. Siv also decided to become involved in our government, and so he volunteered on the presidential campaign of George H.W. Bush. With the success of that election, Siv was offered work at the White House. Within 13 years, he went from the killing fields of Cambodia to the White House of the United States. Last night, I saw him again at the Angkor Dance Troupe celebration of the Cambodian New Year. He told the audience how our city epitomizes the American spirit, and I was struck by how true those words were and how happy it made me. For more on Siv, check out his website. I’ll be back with a review of his book later.

I read with interest Marie’s post on the future of public libraries, especially the comment pointing out that Lowell’s library is perhaps the “second or third worst per capita funded library in the state.” This situation is not likely to improve with the looming budget difficulties, but libraries can be havens in tough times, providing a wealth of material for job-seekers, students or individuals who can no longer support a book-buying habit out of the household budget. It is that clean, well-lighted place that we all yearn for at times. The library needs and deserves our support. So, what, besides being a patron and paying your fines, can you do? You can join the Friends of the Pollard Memorial Library, the group that puts on the annual book sale. If interested in supporting them passively with modest dues or being more involved as a volunteer at the sale, contact Janis at friendsofpml@yahoo.com. They also need books for this year’s sale, which can be dropped off tomorrow (or May 2) between 9 am and 12 noon, a the Lowell Senior Center, 276 Broadway. And mark your calendar for Saturday, May 16, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, for the sale. It’s a great way to support a great cause. (If you join the friends, you can go to the Preview Sale, Friday night, May 15, 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm, refeshments served).

The Lowell School Committee will meet tonight in council chambers at 7 pm. Since there’s only one motion on tonight’s agenda and it’s from me, I’m including it here: “Request the Superintendent determine whether the Commissioner of Education would waive the physical education requirement for high school students who participate in school-sponsored sports programs. If allowed, request the Superintendent explore the feasibility, benefits, and drawbacks of instituting such a waiver system at the high school, providing a report with recommendations to the Lowell High Subcommittee.”

As I will explain during my remarks, under former Education Commissioner Dave Driscoll these waivers were allowed. Also, since the high school has very large physical education classes—upwards of 40 students, which was a criticism noted by the re-accreditation team—it makes sense to explore the opportunity. As we examine class scheduling and options for students to take electives under future budget constraints, it is especially worth considering the state’s physical education mandate given the fact that our student athletes practice about two hours a day, six days a week.

Tonight’s meeting, which is televised live on channel 10 (with replays and streaming video offered on demand through LTC), will include a Spotlight on Excellence for the Daley Middle School, winner of this year’s Knowledge Bowl, as well as reports from the Superintendent on an update of student enrollment projections over the next decade, professional development spending, a comparison of teacher attendance, and costs for using our facilities among other things.