tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.comments2013-08-30T15:03:26.669-04:00The Yellow BusKirahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04221157500759782064noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-44950234273857888102013-08-30T15:03:26.669-04:002013-08-30T15:03:26.669-04:00It's interesting - I am one of your FB friends...It's interesting - I am one of your FB friends that doesn't fall into a "liberal" category. But I am COMPLETELY behind you on this. It, to me, is like unpaid internships. They exist because some people can afford to bankroll their kids not working. It completely shuts out those who can't afford to live without a paycheck. And as a result, some paths - which only have jobs based on unpaid internships - are completely shut out for a huge section of society.<br /><br />I grew up in a so-so public school (my school didn't even offer pre-calc), and yet I have managed to do quite well academically. And, might I add, socially. Having the girls on either side of my locker in high school discuss how they didn't understand how they could have gotten pregnant (standing up doesn't work, and you don't get a "first time free pass", for those without this educational benefit) made me have a bigger appreciation of life outside my home.<br /><br />Superior educational opportunities are just one small piece of a kid's education. And public schools - the feeders to most of society - are just not going to be as good without the pressure of parents who want superior education opportunities for the students.<br /><br />If I thought my kid was in danger, that is one thing. But not having the opportunity to take BC Calculus is not the end of the world. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-51289911578002118592013-08-30T14:21:58.041-04:002013-08-30T14:21:58.041-04:00Hey Kira, I'm glad you have at least one FB fr...Hey Kira, I'm glad you have at least one FB friend who doesn't necessarily react with the rest of the chorus of applause to what you call your liberal-firecracker rants -- but I enjoy reading them anyway. <br />But I think you're wrong here. I will make sacrifices of myself to improve the society around me. But if I were in a situation where I had to choose between two schools for my kids, one which I felt offered superior educational opportunities and one of which might improve above its current sub-standard status only in part because of (and probably after) my kids' presence, I'm going to pick what's best for my kids now.<br />My quick analogy, if somebody's drowning in a lake, I'm not going to go to the town council and argue that the lake's a public nuisance and should be drained, I'm going to save the person. Time for improving the lake situation comes after the immediacy of the situation has been solved. There is no time to wait potentially years to solve problems that are affecting current students. I refuse to condemn parents who make that choice.<br />But, I'll offer this up. I recognize that I grew up in a community with a superior public school. I am more fortunate that my kids attend an even better system. But if I found myself in the situation where I chose, for the good of my children, to enroll them in something other than the local public school, I would be outraged by the fact that I am essentially paying for my kids' education twice (once through tuition for the alternative school, then again through property taxes to support the public school.) I think that's where the moral outrage needs to come from -- those who feel compelled to enroll elsewhere, but yet don't act to hold the public school accountable for pushing them to that outcome.<br />We all support our public schools financially (like them or not), we should all (yes all, even those without kids in the system) do what we can to help them achieve excellence. But it takes time, and I'm not going to judge those who cannot foresee that change benefitting their kids in the short term.<br />ALNAdamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-51128405737768721322013-08-30T10:45:37.401-04:002013-08-30T10:45:37.401-04:00I like the public health comparison, but the term ...I like the public health comparison, but the term is so widely misunderstood that it may not help your case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-49809498040691013342011-12-21T11:23:05.972-05:002011-12-21T11:23:05.972-05:00I completely agree with your stand that is FOR the...I completely agree with your stand that is FOR the girls and BY the girls. Please don't hold all of Girl Scouts responsible...the troop and local leadership...definitely! I have been cookie mom for many years. My cookie meeting is always with the girls. My parents get a note or email summarizing what the girls decided and highlighting the important dates so they can support their daughter, not do the work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-15025078717505854312011-12-20T22:33:20.144-05:002011-12-20T22:33:20.144-05:00very,very well said--Beepvery,very well said--BeepAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-78217139544569510932010-01-04T23:09:24.824-05:002010-01-04T23:09:24.824-05:00The first semester we TA Berkeley requires us to t...The first semester we TA Berkeley requires us to take a half semester pedagogy course. I don't know if I will go into teaching or not yet -- only time will tell.Bennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-39529730705196506132010-01-03T18:42:34.932-05:002010-01-03T18:42:34.932-05:00Good God, I must be old, Ben Caplins is in graduat...Good God, I must be old, Ben Caplins is in graduate school. Why are you taking a pedagogy course? Are you headed into teaching??Kirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221157500759782064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-30825150903215234832010-01-02T22:46:38.568-05:002010-01-02T22:46:38.568-05:00I was Googling around to find some opinions on the...I was Googling around to find some opinions on the grading system and I was surprised to find an old (old as in the time-ordering sense, not the geriatric sense) professor's post on the matter. I could not agree more on the matter and made the same point in my pedagogy course. The grading system as it currently stands just churns out grade-grubbing automatons as often as not. I am very happy in that my current courses put extremely little emphasis on grades.<br /><br />Hope all is well.Benhttp://ghostshipmorphy.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-6010332590454795432009-09-11T17:32:36.188-04:002009-09-11T17:32:36.188-04:00It made me cry, too. Something about the non-cling...It made me cry, too. Something about the non-clinging, completely fine kid that you've raised to be well-adjusted and okay without you tugs at the heart just as much, but differently than, the child you have to pull from your legs. Owwww.AngieNCSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08142401315142084215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-63416092337842267462009-09-08T14:54:26.049-04:002009-09-08T14:54:26.049-04:00This made me cry!This made me cry!Shanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16435882422718386114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-54563898440030802172009-08-25T21:02:54.814-04:002009-08-25T21:02:54.814-04:00You'll see.You'll see.Kirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221157500759782064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-65313666097408744272009-08-25T17:49:49.711-04:002009-08-25T17:49:49.711-04:00Home alone with no little kids. I'm trying rea...Home alone with no little kids. I'm trying really, really hard to feel sympathetic. Really, I am.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674371753118722970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-66329091589298433812009-05-27T15:55:35.051-04:002009-05-27T15:55:35.051-04:00Fun... and disposable!Fun... and disposable!Kirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221157500759782064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-41981651286424924412009-05-27T15:16:58.305-04:002009-05-27T15:16:58.305-04:00I just had this conversation with my friend Anne. ...I just had this conversation with my friend Anne. In the past, I've been firmly in the "plastic crap that ends up in the landfill in 48 hours" camp, but I'm rethinking that for the upcoming party. Maybe everybody just gets a big-ass helium balloon. Those are fun, right?AngieNCSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08142401315142084215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-67070807780439959432009-05-05T09:03:00.000-04:002009-05-05T09:03:00.000-04:00So are you saying you'd like to donate some NCSC t...So are you saying you'd like to donate some NCSC tickets to the auction? ;) Just kidding. You're right, of course.Kirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221157500759782064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-79541683929084007152009-05-04T22:19:00.000-04:002009-05-04T22:19:00.000-04:00Oh, I knew where this was going within a couple se...Oh, I knew where this was going within a couple sentences. We have the same experience over and over at the theatre--gift certificates from the day spa, donated books from the independent bookstore around the corner, etc. And we're on the other side of that, too; it's ticket donation season in Asheville, and we've given tickets to every school, church, and nonprofit in town, it seems like. You've totally got it right--we know the people who call to ask, so we want to help, plus we want to promote our own business, (plus we may need the favor returned some day.)<br /><br />Just want to add that your local theatre is up against some of the biggest nationally-owned businesses there are--TV and movies. Don't forget to include locally produced art in your efforts! (I know you won't, Kira.)AngieNCSChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08142401315142084215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-30421885488118134652008-10-13T11:23:00.000-04:002008-10-13T11:23:00.000-04:00I liked it when we did good ole' square dancing in...I liked it when we did good ole' square dancing in gym. A little do-si-do in today's society could do a little good.Heather Klishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995029438700978271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-80891991290330700472008-05-01T02:38:00.000-04:002008-05-01T02:38:00.000-04:00That is adorable! I think I'm going to add "go to ...That is adorable! I think I'm going to add "go to the podre!" to my to-do list just so I can have something I know I'll cross off ;)<BR/><BR/>Love the exclamation points especially :)Michelle | Bleeding Espressohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13578703393987896737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-45801533357182278752008-04-18T19:59:00.000-04:002008-04-18T19:59:00.000-04:00I am truly speechless motherf***er143LizeI am truly speechless motherf***er<BR/><BR/>143Lizemaudsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02878992474449742621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-50690492707324443302008-03-24T19:13:00.000-04:002008-03-24T19:13:00.000-04:00If we run around outside regardless of temperature...If we run around outside regardless of temperature, can we have some of those chocolate-filled, plastic religious eggs? We celebrate all chocolate-driven religious holidays.<BR/><BR/>E and HHeather Klishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10995029438700978271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-48627126527254693432007-12-21T22:14:00.000-05:002007-12-21T22:14:00.000-05:00Hi,Zach had a girlfriend for one day. He just cam...Hi,<BR/><BR/>Zach had a girlfriend for one day. He just came out and told me. I did not react, I just went with it. That was last year.<BR/><BR/>This year he is only dating...boys.<BR/><BR/>The age of 7 is so fickle.<BR/><BR/>Hope all is well~<BR/>Melissa307knoxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17801713436520898399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-7971359540379226082007-11-21T12:06:00.000-05:002007-11-21T12:06:00.000-05:00Jesus Christ. Am I gonna have to start guest blogg...Jesus Christ. Am I gonna have to start guest blogging here?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14674371753118722970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-19039269255582278622007-10-14T21:23:00.000-04:002007-10-14T21:23:00.000-04:00That school has no idea who they are dealing with....That school has no idea who they are dealing with....I am so proud of you, and Lucy & Ben are lucky to have such an amazing advocate. Keep on keeping on! 143Lizemaudsleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02878992474449742621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-12222840657285371162007-10-09T08:41:00.000-04:002007-10-09T08:41:00.000-04:00Yes! What a wonderful letter! I couldn't have said...Yes! What a wonderful letter! I couldn't have said it better myself -- and as a children's physical activity specialist for the past 27 years, I've spent a lot of time fighting for recess.<BR/><BR/>I agree that there comes a time when we must push back. The policy makers are NOT the ones with a background in child development and educational theories. They have NOT spent hours and hours in classrooms with young children. Thus, they have no right to make the decisions that impact children and their teachers.<BR/><BR/>The irony is that, if students are expected to meet strict standards, they actually have a better chance of doing so if they get more, rather than less, physical activity! The research is there to prove it! And if we have any doubts, all we have to do is look to Finland, the country that's number-one in the world in literacy and numeracy. They give their students a 15-minute break after every 45 minutes of instruction and have shorter school days than we do! (See "What Finland's Doing Right" in the September files at my blog: www.raepica.typepad.com.)Rae Picahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00913959864313967861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-96961267638870001.post-84157011058557143362007-09-14T10:19:00.000-04:002007-09-14T10:19:00.000-04:00I guess I think anything you do just because you w...I guess I think anything you do just because you want to, rather than because you are compelled to by some outside force, counts as play. Of course you can enjoy your work, but you do it because you are expected to, or need to, or must, not just because you feel like it. When you cook dinner for your family, it's work, even if you enjoy doing it. When you bake yourself brownies at 9 pm on a Tuesday just because you want them, it's play.Kirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04221157500759782064noreply@blogger.com