To All... and to all a good night!
Till next time...
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
bracelets
I wore one for a long time... Livestrong, after my father passed away from cancer ten years ago. I still have it. Now I wear his watch as a testament to his always wanting to be on time. The newest bracelets come in all colors and all causes. They are generally a great way to get a message across, raise some awareness and a few dollars to promote a cause. We are sponsoring an Autism Awareness event in April over at Meadow Breeze Park, might be a good idea to promote that cause with bracelets....
In this bracelet scenario, I just have a hard time thinking that the words on the bracelet represent the cause in the eyes of middle school and elementary students; to some it may. However, at this level of educational development, emotional maturity and social development, the words used in this instance, I feel, are not appropriate. They might cause a disruption to the school day and if so, should be dealt with appropriately. I enjoyed the Easton Express-Times editorial this morning that focused on the school's duty to promote order and to enforce policy and rules. Sometimes it is difficult on those who violate the policy, but the lesson is learned.
In this case involving the ACLU, the message is clear. If life becomes difficult because you have to follow a rule or a policy.... sue those in power! Take away valuable $ that could go to instructional support and throw it away to defend your right to violate school policy. Life is full of rules and many of us have faced the frustration of having to follow them. In this case the remedy is go to legal proceedings so that we can say "it is ok! you won't have to deal with frustration. We will make it go away" Not a good message for our students to learn.
In this bracelet scenario, I just have a hard time thinking that the words on the bracelet represent the cause in the eyes of middle school and elementary students; to some it may. However, at this level of educational development, emotional maturity and social development, the words used in this instance, I feel, are not appropriate. They might cause a disruption to the school day and if so, should be dealt with appropriately. I enjoyed the Easton Express-Times editorial this morning that focused on the school's duty to promote order and to enforce policy and rules. Sometimes it is difficult on those who violate the policy, but the lesson is learned.
In this case involving the ACLU, the message is clear. If life becomes difficult because you have to follow a rule or a policy.... sue those in power! Take away valuable $ that could go to instructional support and throw it away to defend your right to violate school policy. Life is full of rules and many of us have faced the frustration of having to follow them. In this case the remedy is go to legal proceedings so that we can say "it is ok! you won't have to deal with frustration. We will make it go away" Not a good message for our students to learn.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Waste of taxpayer dollars!
Time to throw my two cents into the crazy decision by the ACLU to fight a ban of the "I (heart) Boobies" bracelets worn by students in the Easton, Pa. school district. What a waste of the taxpayers' dollars! If they lose the fight, the ACLU should be made to reimburse the school district for their legal fees and time lost!
I have friends who have weathered the storm and ravages of breast cancer. I have supported numerous fund-raising activities here at school to promote the awareness in our young students about this important fight. My feeling on bringing in NORWESCAP speakers to talk to our young people about the importance of early detection and self-examination in both boys and girls is based on the possibility that we may save a life down the road and that we need to promote good health practices. But the bracelet message gets me a little riled. The term "boobies" in our setting, primary grades and middle school, is one we have come across over the past four years as an incorrect term used by students in a derogatory fashion. I feel this message demeans the message AT THIS LEVEL of education and can pose a disruption to the educational process.
To sue a district because they ask a student to remove a bracelet deemed as an inappropriate message for middle school (or younger) students is a huge waste of taxpayer's money.
This issue has the potential to be a minefield of opinion... Right now here at OCS, we do not have a problem. Students or staff have not reported feeling insulted or uncomfortable concerning this message (as of this post). If that changes so will my actions in promoting a proper response to any complaints I might receive...
Till next time.
I have friends who have weathered the storm and ravages of breast cancer. I have supported numerous fund-raising activities here at school to promote the awareness in our young students about this important fight. My feeling on bringing in NORWESCAP speakers to talk to our young people about the importance of early detection and self-examination in both boys and girls is based on the possibility that we may save a life down the road and that we need to promote good health practices. But the bracelet message gets me a little riled. The term "boobies" in our setting, primary grades and middle school, is one we have come across over the past four years as an incorrect term used by students in a derogatory fashion. I feel this message demeans the message AT THIS LEVEL of education and can pose a disruption to the educational process.
To sue a district because they ask a student to remove a bracelet deemed as an inappropriate message for middle school (or younger) students is a huge waste of taxpayer's money.
This issue has the potential to be a minefield of opinion... Right now here at OCS, we do not have a problem. Students or staff have not reported feeling insulted or uncomfortable concerning this message (as of this post). If that changes so will my actions in promoting a proper response to any complaints I might receive...
Till next time.
Monday, November 1, 2010
November is here?
Holy smokes... November got here quick. It seemed like I just blinked a few times and it was November already! Although as the leaves keep cluttering up my lawn at home, I think I would have noticed soon!
Conferences will start today and of course we have dismissal at 12:30 this week and school will be closed on Thursday and Friday--11/4 and 11/5.
Don't forget to gather up all the old and unused prescriptions that you have. You can drop them off here at the school on Saturday, November 13th from 10 am - 2pm. This is the best and safest method of disposal. The Washington Twp. Police are overseeing the entire project.
Keep an eye and and ear out for upcoming announcements about the Wall of Fame committee and a future presentation that Ms. Dachisen and I planning to give concerning our policies and thoughts about bullying.
Mark your spring calendar... APRIL 9th --- Autism Awareness 5k and fun walk!!
Till next time....
Conferences will start today and of course we have dismissal at 12:30 this week and school will be closed on Thursday and Friday--11/4 and 11/5.
Don't forget to gather up all the old and unused prescriptions that you have. You can drop them off here at the school on Saturday, November 13th from 10 am - 2pm. This is the best and safest method of disposal. The Washington Twp. Police are overseeing the entire project.
Keep an eye and and ear out for upcoming announcements about the Wall of Fame committee and a future presentation that Ms. Dachisen and I planning to give concerning our policies and thoughts about bullying.
Mark your spring calendar... APRIL 9th --- Autism Awareness 5k and fun walk!!
Till next time....
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