Ok I agree that maybe I'm going about my blogging a little "wrong" or the hard way, I'm trying to stay organized and categorized the easiest way I know how, for a newbie anyway. So.. I chose blogspot, they seem to be the easiest for me at the moment, I'm allowed 100 blogs, so I'm using mulitples to keep things seperate, I get to the point where I'm creating my 6th (remember I'm allowed 100) and I had to verify my account via txt message because they thought I was creating spam! LOL!
Hmmm which makes me wonder, am I actually doing this the easy way? Maybe blogspot knows more than I do (well of course they do) and knows they should be asking why is someone making so many blogs in such a short time. Well... I never said I was the brightest crayola in the box now did I blogspot? LOL!
Ok I admit, it's 2 am and I shouldn't still be on blogspot, but click here to read this post in my addictions blog, and you'll see why!
Friday, February 18, 2011
What Kids Pay for a Good Education
This post in sorts goes hand in hand with the one I wrote in Sept (below) about Education and expectations of our children. I'll try not to repeat what's below so if this gets a little confusing be sure to read that one! In just the past few months, my son has had to drop out of the City School District Marching Band, a choice he made because he had too many activities going on and needed more time to dedicate to more school work. Then just last week he made the choice, after consulting his school counselor, Academy Director, and me and his dad, he dropped the school Symphonic Band. I hated to see this as he has been in band 6 years. He made the argument that he needed to drop that class in order to pick up a free period to seek out tutoring assistance with some courses he's having trouble in. Who can deny a kid with this kind of argument? Now, about the courses he's seeking help for? Well, these are college credit courses he is taking while in his Sophmore year in High School. During the investigation of his High School Credits in order to drop his band we find out that he is credit wise, actually a Junior. (Mind you that there are ALOT of students like Cody, not only in Albany High but everywhere). Cody fears that as more time passes, more activities he will have to give up, this is where the conversation began that he may drop football his Senior year. Cody has loved his sports since he has began, and they have tremendously helped him in many ways. It is my belief that his sports has encouraged him to hang around more encouraging, goal oriented peers thus keeping him out of situations he could have very well been involved, sports has helped him physically giving him the opportunity to obtain the workouts he needs, given him discipline, and balance so that he is not a student that is buried only in school work only to get burned out before finishing his higher education. These extra curricular activities not only provide entertainment for our children, but life long lessons and friendships. Having to drop them one by one to ensure educational goals and expectations are reached, are making me wonder, is it really worth pushing our kids so fast? I'm not against Education, but I am starting to become against the price kids are paying for it.
(This was originally posted on 12-9-10)
(This was originally posted on 12-9-10)
A Boiling Point
In todays society I think all too often that all too many have forgotten the art of common courtesy.
Today for example, while sitting at work I get a phone call from my husband that we are "evicted" from our home while the City is tearing down the old abandoned apartment building next door, effective IMMEDIATELY.
Okay, I agree that building needs to come down, it's needed to for years. The City has decided to step in and do it and it's a safety hazzard for us to be around our house while this work is in progress. However my complaint is the timing and manner of how we were informed about the situation.
We were told at the exact moment that they were already blocking off traffic and securing the area. They already had equipment there to begin the demolition and we were under the impression that we may not even be allowed to go in for clothes and necessities for the next day. Nearing the the house, the Fire Chief was outside as my mother in law was leaving her downstairs apartment. We approached the porch and he stopped us ( at this point I'm thinking he does not really want to tell me I can't go in) and said he would call as soon as it was possible that we could re enter the home. I explained to him that my main concern was at least one change of clothes for everyone (I could do our laundry need be if we had to stay out longer) and our necesseties, but most importantly my daughters medication. He explained that I could go up and get all of that right then before they started any work and apologized saying "I'm sorry for the last minute notification, if I would have known sooner, I would have contacted you sooner".
At this point I'm thinking, you mean you didn't know last week when you surrounded the building with caution tape??? I had an idea but no clue as to when this was all going to start and was thinking in my head, oh well someone will notify us. YEAH RIGHT! Knowing my temper and nature to argue, I just let it go, went inside and grabbed things I thought we may need, hoping I didn't forget anything. Now that I think about it, I hope my son won't need his text books that are on the table at home.
It was the conversation my husband and I had on our ride back to work that really got my blood to boiling. He told me that earlier when he had spoke to the captain and asked him what if we couldn't find a place for the family to stay for the night at the last minute, the captain replied "The best thing I can do for you is give you the address for the shelter but I don't recommend you staying there unless you absolutely have to." WHAT??????????? What kind of answer is that? This is where I'm thinking once again the art of common courtesy is lost.
Could we have not been informed earlier giving us the time to make arrangements? Could not a better answer been given when my husband asked his question? Luckily we have friends and family that will make sure we have anything that we need during this time of being out of our home, but what would have happened if we didn't????
(This was originally posted 9-27-10)
Today for example, while sitting at work I get a phone call from my husband that we are "evicted" from our home while the City is tearing down the old abandoned apartment building next door, effective IMMEDIATELY.
Okay, I agree that building needs to come down, it's needed to for years. The City has decided to step in and do it and it's a safety hazzard for us to be around our house while this work is in progress. However my complaint is the timing and manner of how we were informed about the situation.
We were told at the exact moment that they were already blocking off traffic and securing the area. They already had equipment there to begin the demolition and we were under the impression that we may not even be allowed to go in for clothes and necessities for the next day. Nearing the the house, the Fire Chief was outside as my mother in law was leaving her downstairs apartment. We approached the porch and he stopped us ( at this point I'm thinking he does not really want to tell me I can't go in) and said he would call as soon as it was possible that we could re enter the home. I explained to him that my main concern was at least one change of clothes for everyone (I could do our laundry need be if we had to stay out longer) and our necesseties, but most importantly my daughters medication. He explained that I could go up and get all of that right then before they started any work and apologized saying "I'm sorry for the last minute notification, if I would have known sooner, I would have contacted you sooner".
At this point I'm thinking, you mean you didn't know last week when you surrounded the building with caution tape??? I had an idea but no clue as to when this was all going to start and was thinking in my head, oh well someone will notify us. YEAH RIGHT! Knowing my temper and nature to argue, I just let it go, went inside and grabbed things I thought we may need, hoping I didn't forget anything. Now that I think about it, I hope my son won't need his text books that are on the table at home.
It was the conversation my husband and I had on our ride back to work that really got my blood to boiling. He told me that earlier when he had spoke to the captain and asked him what if we couldn't find a place for the family to stay for the night at the last minute, the captain replied "The best thing I can do for you is give you the address for the shelter but I don't recommend you staying there unless you absolutely have to." WHAT??????????? What kind of answer is that? This is where I'm thinking once again the art of common courtesy is lost.
Could we have not been informed earlier giving us the time to make arrangements? Could not a better answer been given when my husband asked his question? Luckily we have friends and family that will make sure we have anything that we need during this time of being out of our home, but what would have happened if we didn't????
(This was originally posted 9-27-10)
Let Kids Be Kids
We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today. ~Stacia Tauscher
Someone with interests, with opinions, with questions, and so much more.
In todays society we have become overly concerned with filling our kids with so much more knowledge at much younger ages than ever before. Second graders are learning now what some of us did not learn until fourth or 5th grade, High School students are graduating to enroll into college as a second semester sophmore. Don't get me wrong the opportunities for the future are great for our children, but I'm wondering at what cost?
Class times have been shortened to add extra time for more classes, thus, less time on one subject to make room for another. This creates more homework, more studying on ones personal time. I'm not against homework, but there should be a limit. We limit the kids' time for T.V., for video games, and for computer time, why are we not limiting studies just for the sake to give the kids a little time just to be kids? Still another way of making more time for more classes, lets cut gym class to 2 or 3 days a week. What are they thinking? The nation is preaching everywhere about childhood obesity, yet they take away gym class? Tell me it's not educational. In todays society we are not able to allow our children to run outside carefree and enjoy an hour or two. In most cases people do not even feel safe to just sit outside their homes so children can play. The physical activity can be made up however in extra curricular activities that kids join, participate in during after school hours. For instance, both of my children are in activities, by the time they do homework, practices and dinner, it's time for bed and they are more than willing to get there, but with these schedules when have they really had time to be kids?
Kids need to be supported in all their interests, whether it be sports, or arts of some sort, or both. Education in all areas are important in a childs life but we need to remember, they are children, and burying them with so much with no fun can cause a major burn out long before adulthood. There needs to be a balance because they will have enough burden when they are adults so lets remember to help them be kids today.
Then again, this is only my opinion.
(This was originally posted 9-23-10, I apologize for losing the comments while moving it.)
Someone with interests, with opinions, with questions, and so much more.
In todays society we have become overly concerned with filling our kids with so much more knowledge at much younger ages than ever before. Second graders are learning now what some of us did not learn until fourth or 5th grade, High School students are graduating to enroll into college as a second semester sophmore. Don't get me wrong the opportunities for the future are great for our children, but I'm wondering at what cost?
Class times have been shortened to add extra time for more classes, thus, less time on one subject to make room for another. This creates more homework, more studying on ones personal time. I'm not against homework, but there should be a limit. We limit the kids' time for T.V., for video games, and for computer time, why are we not limiting studies just for the sake to give the kids a little time just to be kids? Still another way of making more time for more classes, lets cut gym class to 2 or 3 days a week. What are they thinking? The nation is preaching everywhere about childhood obesity, yet they take away gym class? Tell me it's not educational. In todays society we are not able to allow our children to run outside carefree and enjoy an hour or two. In most cases people do not even feel safe to just sit outside their homes so children can play. The physical activity can be made up however in extra curricular activities that kids join, participate in during after school hours. For instance, both of my children are in activities, by the time they do homework, practices and dinner, it's time for bed and they are more than willing to get there, but with these schedules when have they really had time to be kids?
Kids need to be supported in all their interests, whether it be sports, or arts of some sort, or both. Education in all areas are important in a childs life but we need to remember, they are children, and burying them with so much with no fun can cause a major burn out long before adulthood. There needs to be a balance because they will have enough burden when they are adults so lets remember to help them be kids today.
Then again, this is only my opinion.
(This was originally posted 9-23-10, I apologize for losing the comments while moving it.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)