Absolute cuteness. Enough said.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Let It Snow!
I won't be saying that in, say late February or March, but for right now, bring it on. The part that I love the most isn't the snow itself. It's the part that forces us to stay home and just be here, together and (hopefully!) enjoying each others company. Sometimes, with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, times like this are far and few between. So, when something comes along that forces this, it's always welcome in my book.
Sadly, depending on how bad it is, it may mean missing a family party tomorrow. It's not scheduled to start until late afternoon so if we are shoveled out and the worst of it has passed, then we may still make it. I am kind of sad about the possibility of missing it, but if we do, I will be looking forward to a day at home, frolicking in the snow with the kids, and, of course taking pictures.
On the agenda today after Katherine's basketball game? Cinnamon-Applesauce ornaments. Christmas music. Sugar cookie baking. Christmas crafting. Homemade mac n' cheese. Christmas movies.
I live for days like this.
Sadly, depending on how bad it is, it may mean missing a family party tomorrow. It's not scheduled to start until late afternoon so if we are shoveled out and the worst of it has passed, then we may still make it. I am kind of sad about the possibility of missing it, but if we do, I will be looking forward to a day at home, frolicking in the snow with the kids, and, of course taking pictures.
On the agenda today after Katherine's basketball game? Cinnamon-Applesauce ornaments. Christmas music. Sugar cookie baking. Christmas crafting. Homemade mac n' cheese. Christmas movies.
I live for days like this.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Schedule
Tonight's agenda: Mom plays taxi! How is this different from any other night? Well, it isn't really! Although sometimes Dad plays taxi too. Tonight looks like this: bring Kate to basketball practice, leave to bring Em to PTSA (sad I am going to miss), go back to get Kate, then back to Nichols to get Em.
This could be less confusing if I wasn't trying to avoid bringing Julia out past her bed time. Julia goes to bed every night at 7PM and still wakes up at 7AM tired. As much as kindergarten seems to agree with her, this is undoubtedly a side effect. She has always tired more easily (both physically and mentally) than other kids her age. It would also be less annoying if I could drive a stick shift and if Ryun's car sat more than two people comfortably.
Oh well. Such is life.
This could be less confusing if I wasn't trying to avoid bringing Julia out past her bed time. Julia goes to bed every night at 7PM and still wakes up at 7AM tired. As much as kindergarten seems to agree with her, this is undoubtedly a side effect. She has always tired more easily (both physically and mentally) than other kids her age. It would also be less annoying if I could drive a stick shift and if Ryun's car sat more than two people comfortably.
Oh well. Such is life.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Position Statement: Charter Schools
A while back, I applied for a position to be the parent representative for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Unfortunately, I did not get the position, but, I was really proud of myself for applying. It was a big leap for me! As part of the application process, I had to provide position statements in five different areas. I thought it would be interesting to share those here. First up, we have charter schools.
Since the first charter school opened in the United States, the movement has grown to encompass over 3,000 charter schools, operating in many states, and serving over one million students. Charter schools provided educators more flexibility and the freedom to adopt academic themes, missions, instructional methods and curriculum. Charter schools are required to follow the same state educational standards, administer the same state tests, and follow the same state laws as all public schools in the Commonwealth. In Massachusetts, schools are granted a five year charter, approved by the Board Of Education. The charter serves as a contract between the school and the state, detailing how the school will teach students and measure academic success, as well as how the school will be managed and organized. At the end of the five year term, the school must produce positive academic results or run the risk of being closed.
Charter schools have some benefits that may be appealing to those who have been disenchanted with a regular public school education. The simple freedom of choice between schools is an immeasurable benefit. If one school meets the academic goals and expectations better than another the choice to attend lies with the parents and the student. Certainly, freedom surrounding the way in which material is presented to students as well as more flexibility in developing and using curriculum are two of the key benefits. Students learn differently and have different interests. A student that learns by doing might benefit from going to a school that offers a more hands on approach than may be available at the public school alternative. A student that excels in math may find more benefit in a charter school with a more specific focus on math.
The very existence of charter schools, as well as their increasing popularity gives a clear indication that many parents and students are not happy with the education received in traditional public schools. The ability of charter schools to admit students of their own choosing also poses a potential downfall for the public schools from which the students are being removed. If the charter school picks only high performing students, those students’ achievements will not be reflected in the traditional public school’s academic records. Funding for schools is determined in part by the number of students enrolled in the school. If more and more children attend charter schools, funding for the public schools will be lost. Lower funding rates mean less access to programs and resources that might otherwise be available if the funding was there.
In conclusion, there are many things to consider when looking at the positive and negative points of charter schools. As long as there are problems in public schools, school choice and charter schools will be a popular alternative.
Since the first charter school opened in the United States, the movement has grown to encompass over 3,000 charter schools, operating in many states, and serving over one million students. Charter schools provided educators more flexibility and the freedom to adopt academic themes, missions, instructional methods and curriculum. Charter schools are required to follow the same state educational standards, administer the same state tests, and follow the same state laws as all public schools in the Commonwealth. In Massachusetts, schools are granted a five year charter, approved by the Board Of Education. The charter serves as a contract between the school and the state, detailing how the school will teach students and measure academic success, as well as how the school will be managed and organized. At the end of the five year term, the school must produce positive academic results or run the risk of being closed.
Charter schools have some benefits that may be appealing to those who have been disenchanted with a regular public school education. The simple freedom of choice between schools is an immeasurable benefit. If one school meets the academic goals and expectations better than another the choice to attend lies with the parents and the student. Certainly, freedom surrounding the way in which material is presented to students as well as more flexibility in developing and using curriculum are two of the key benefits. Students learn differently and have different interests. A student that learns by doing might benefit from going to a school that offers a more hands on approach than may be available at the public school alternative. A student that excels in math may find more benefit in a charter school with a more specific focus on math.
The very existence of charter schools, as well as their increasing popularity gives a clear indication that many parents and students are not happy with the education received in traditional public schools. The ability of charter schools to admit students of their own choosing also poses a potential downfall for the public schools from which the students are being removed. If the charter school picks only high performing students, those students’ achievements will not be reflected in the traditional public school’s academic records. Funding for schools is determined in part by the number of students enrolled in the school. If more and more children attend charter schools, funding for the public schools will be lost. Lower funding rates mean less access to programs and resources that might otherwise be available if the funding was there.
In conclusion, there are many things to consider when looking at the positive and negative points of charter schools. As long as there are problems in public schools, school choice and charter schools will be a popular alternative.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Somehow...
...ten years have passed since Katherine was born.
I have no idea how, because it seems like it was just last week that I was peeling squash and potatoes at my mother's kitchen table, in preparation for a dinner I would not even get to eat. It seems like it was just last week when Thanksgiving Day came and gave me one of the greatest reasons ever to be thankful.
Somehow, ten years have indeed gone by...
...and Katherine has gone from my baby...
...to my beautiful little girl.
Happy Birthday Katherine!
I have no idea how, because it seems like it was just last week that I was peeling squash and potatoes at my mother's kitchen table, in preparation for a dinner I would not even get to eat. It seems like it was just last week when Thanksgiving Day came and gave me one of the greatest reasons ever to be thankful.
Somehow, ten years have indeed gone by...
...and Katherine has gone from my baby...
...to my beautiful little girl.
Happy Birthday Katherine!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
I really have no idea...
...how I fit this all in but somehow I manage.
Tomorrow: Emily has student council. I have school council. Katherine has an after school reading program and Julia will be arriving home...all happening at, of course, the exact same time. Ryun will be at work during all of this so I am thinking a clone of myself might be in order. Or...I could bring Julia to school council with me (since it is our first meeting it will be rather quick). Emily also said she could skip one student council meeting which would make it so she would be home in time for Julia. Hmm...
Oh but it get's better. Here's my Thursday for you:
12:30-2:30 volunteer in Julia's classroom. Go to an appointment at 3. Run home to pick up Emily (and if Ryun gets a late afternoon call and isn't be home, Julia). Go pick up Katherine after day 2 of the after school program. Go eat a quick dinner somewhere. Bring Katherine to dance at 5:30. Bring Emily to Scouts at 6. Pick Katherine up at dance at 6:15. Drop her off at home. Go back out to food shop. Pick Emily up at Scouts at 8.
UPDATE: I totally forgot, Emily doesn't have Scouts this week due to a scheduling change! YAY for a slightly less hectic Thursday!
Tomorrow: Emily has student council. I have school council. Katherine has an after school reading program and Julia will be arriving home...all happening at, of course, the exact same time. Ryun will be at work during all of this so I am thinking a clone of myself might be in order. Or...I could bring Julia to school council with me (since it is our first meeting it will be rather quick). Emily also said she could skip one student council meeting which would make it so she would be home in time for Julia. Hmm...
Oh but it get's better. Here's my Thursday for you:
12:30-2:30 volunteer in Julia's classroom. Go to an appointment at 3. Run home to pick up Emily (and if Ryun gets a late afternoon call and isn't be home, Julia). Go pick up Katherine after day 2 of the after school program. Go eat a quick dinner somewhere. Bring Katherine to dance at 5:30. Bring Emily to Scouts at 6. Pick Katherine up at dance at 6:15. Drop her off at home. Go back out to food shop. Pick Emily up at Scouts at 8.
UPDATE: I totally forgot, Emily doesn't have Scouts this week due to a scheduling change! YAY for a slightly less hectic Thursday!
Monday, November 9, 2009
If Only It Was That Easy!
Julia: "Mom, when did I get my skin?"
Me: "Before you were born."
Julia: "So, when I was in there(pointing to my stomach)?"
Me: "Yes."
Julia: "Yeah, and then you went to a magic circus tent and the person said, "ABRACADABRA, ALAKAZOO GET THAT BABY OUT OF SHARON'S BELLY." Then I was alive!"
Me: "Before you were born."
Julia: "So, when I was in there(pointing to my stomach)?"
Me: "Yes."
Julia: "Yeah, and then you went to a magic circus tent and the person said, "ABRACADABRA, ALAKAZOO GET THAT BABY OUT OF SHARON'S BELLY." Then I was alive!"
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