The sad truth of kindergarten.

• Author: Rundles, Jeff
• Position: RUNDLES WRAP UP

IN SEPTEMBER I HAD THE MARVELOUS OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE DEDICATION CEREMONY OF DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS' NEWEST educational institution, Joe Shoemaker School, an elementary school in far southeast Denver named in honor of the late former Colorado senator and founder of The Greenway Foundation. It's a beautiful, innovative facility, placed right on Cherry Creek, a fitting tribute to a man who set in motion the amazing now-41-year revitalization of the South Platte River and Cherry Creek, a clean-up and beautification that also includes an environmental education program that touches the lives of thousands of DPS students each and every year.

I was seated in the front row in the school's new gym, and then the kids--mostly pre-K and kindergarteners--streamed in and sat on the floor just inches from me. Teachers were admonishing the kids to sit still, stay quiet, be nice, and they were very good, especially since the program, as nice as it was, must have been torture for youngsters. It got me thinking about that famous book from more than 25 years ago, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten," by Robert Fulghum.

It's been years since I read the book, but looking at those kids made me think of it and my own kindergarten lessons nearly 60 years ago (Pierce School, Mrs. Diggins, Class of '58). The two main things I remember--clearly--were "Cheaters never win, and winners never cheat," and the Golden Rule--basically, treat other people as you would like them to treat you. It's all pabulum and platitudes, of course, but at least it's part of developing a conscience. None of us ever does the right thing all of the time, but at least some of us have the good sense to realize that eventually. We must, as the old sayings go, look at ourselves in the mirror and, eventually, sleep at night.

Ah, there's the rub. There are, apparently, many people--unfortunately too many in business who sleep well every night and have big, ginormous mirrors to admire themselves in spite of actions that would make most of us restless and anti-narcissistic.

The very week of my school visit brought the latest of...