12/16/06 10-day holiday cruise Part 3

[KSDTink]

Ok, I added a fourth one with a long name on the side (tink&cinderella asi it one of the longest in the group. You see how small it has to be to fit. Any longer names would have to be even smaller. That is why I didn't think that format would work too well. I wouldn't worry about changing the poll since the last picture is the same as the other name on the side, just with a longer name to show what that would look like.

Anyway, go the fabulusk's Yahoo site and cast your vote!!!!

 

[KSDTink]

Kat - can run a poll off the yahoo site, if you want to.

Thanks!!!!

 

[fabulusk]

You know Kat - I was just looking at them again. I think down at the bottom would be fine. I just like the date down there too! Do you think there is enough room to put the names closer to the bottom under the date? Just wondering not trying to be difficult. I will go with whatever is decided.

 

[3pirates]

i wish you luck to handle his mischief b/c i was just like him lol

Well then you two are not to meet during this cruise! LOL

Sounds like the offense was probably minor--guilt by association. He gets a lesser punishment for that. I will confirm tomorrow, because I already had a "coffee date" scheduled with the mom of the friend who he says was the rude one. According to DS, teacher took the phone away from friend during his call home and went on a tirade directed at the mom. Guess that will be topic #1 for our "coffee talk."

 

[3pirates]

Ok, I added a fourth one with a long name on the side (tink&cinderella asi it one of the longest in the group. You see how small it has to be to fit. Any longer names would have to be even smaller. That is why I didn't think that format would work too well. I wouldn't worry about changing the poll since the last picture is the same as the other name on the side, just with a longer name to show what that would look like.

Anyway, go the fabulusk's Yahoo site and cast your vote!!!!

I voted, but you wouldn't know it because I'm minshlee over there (already had the yahoo ID.)

Anyhow, I stick with my original opinion, especially after seeing the long name, but really think they're all great!

 

[fabulusk]

Please Oh Lord, let me have a few more years before I have to deal with this! I am always teasing my friends with girls about being so glad to have a boy because they usually have less difficult problems. I guess, I am in for an awakening huh? But I am sure that my DS will have the same issues of saying the wrong things at the wrong time. His dad, DH, is pretty notarious for that!

 

[3pirates]

Please Oh Lord, let me have a few more years before I have to deal with this! I am always teasing my friends with girls about being so glad to have a boy because they usually have less difficult problems. I guess, I am in for an awakening huh? But I am sure that my DS will have the same issues of saying the wrong things at the wrong time. His dad, DH, is pretty notarious for that!

Now that you mention it, I can see where DH may be the problem here, too! I'll go with that!

 

[magicalfam5]

Hi everyone,

Wow, you guys have been posting a lot!! I used to check in once in a while, but I have to check every day to keep up. Has anyone started packing yet?! Usually I have put things aside starting around this far out, but I've been too busy. I voted on the signs but I honestly would be happy with anything. I am sooo computer illiterate, that I was just thrilled I was able to join and view the pictures without one of my kids help. I'll try to post more often, but I can't promise anything. Time is just moving too fast for me.

Judy

 

[Thistle]

Yup, starting packing!!

 

[DCLgodess]

Hi everyone,

Wow, you guys have been posting a lot!! I used to check in once in a while, but I have to check every day to keep up. Has anyone started packing yet?! Usually I have put things aside starting around this far out, but I've been too busy. I voted on the signs but I honestly would be happy with anything. I am sooo computer illiterate, that I was just thrilled I was able to join and view the pictures without one of my kids help. I'll try to post more often, but I can't promise anything. Time is just moving too fast for me.

Judy

the dive gear is ready because we won't use it before the cruise...so its layed out in sets of 4 (by who's equipment it is) and ready to go in the bags....other than that, i'm still using some of the clothes i'll wear on the cruise (shirts and stuff)

 

["Got Disney"]

Robin, is there a Cliff notes version of the Crazy Teenager Book?

I'm afraid my dilemnas are happening too fast for me to read. Got a call from DS14 earlier--calling from teacher's office to tell me that he got in trouble today for saying something immature. He wouldn't say right then what it was, but I'm guessing teacher wanted to insure that discussion was held at our home this evening. He's always been a bit of a but he must be thinking he is big stuff now that he's in 8th grade. (Our middle school is 6th, 7th and 8th grade.)

Can I tell you how much I'm looking forward to talking with him when he gets home?

How funny...geesh kids...well he is only in 8th grade ,he is immature.there for he is going to say stupied things and do stuped things. After all don't we learn from our misstakes? Parenting is such a fun job...know I now why my Mother drank...lol...
Good luck for you both tonight!!!!!
By the way our Middle school is the same 6-7-8 but we have small learning communities..that means 1200 students divided into 4 houses, Cougars,Panthers,Jags,cheetahs. Each house has its own teachers and deans. apprx. 300 each. each house has 6-7 and 8th graders. So my son has the same teachers through 6-7-8 and same students in his classes(but in his classes are only 7th grade like he is except for homeroom. Hard to explain but it is so fantastic. They have rallys and each house competes against each other. There are also all house functions together.
Robin

 

[DCLgodess]

How funny...geesh kids...well he is only in 8th grade ,he is immature.there for he is going to say stupied things and do stuped things. After all don't we learn from our misstakes? Parenting is such a fun job...know I now why my Mother drank...lol...
Good luck for you both tonight!!!!!
By the way our Middle school is the same 6-7-8 but we have small learning communities..that means 1200 students divided into 4 houses, Cougars,Panthers,Jags,cheetahs. Each house has its own teachers and deans. apprx. 300 each. each house has 6-7 and 8th graders. So my son has the same teachers through 6-7-8 and same students in his classes(but in his classes are only 7th grade like he is except for homeroom. Hard to explain but it is so fantastic. They have rallys and each house competes against each other. There are also all house functions together.
Robin

that sounds confusing...

 

[KSDTink]

I wish I could start packing! I did pull my dinner clothes out and put them in the closet in the spare room. DH would have fit if I started packing this soon! I will get my shorts out and put them aside soon, though. Have to find some things for DD to wear too. We have matching Mickey tiki dresses and she has Tink skort but nothing else nice for dinner at this point. Ugh, she won't go shopping. Though we did get her dressy sandals on clearance the other day. They fit me!!!!

 

["Got Disney"]

that sounds confusing...

Just think of it as 4 Elementary schools in one. Each one with only 300 students. They have 7 periods a day. For instance Branden has all 7 periods except P.E with all the same kids all year long. 1st period Math,same teacher all year. Period 2 History-same kids -same teacher..and so on. He is in the "Cougar house so all Cougars,300 students eat lunch at same time all year...Jags different lunch time and so on.
There are also 5 levels of learning. Branden and his class are all GATE students- gifted and talented education-level 5-all 'A" students hardest level. Level 1 is for the hardest challenged students and you go up from there. As your grades improve you can be moved up levels.

SLC-small learning communities

Cougars - 300 students-10 teachers-1 Dean- 1 Councler

Panthers- 300 students-10 teachers- 1 DEan- 1 councle-

Jags- 300 students - 10 teachers- 1 Dean- 1 councler

Cheetas- the same as above

1 principle for all. The Deans take care of each of there own house for
dicapline(sp ?)

School has 6 P.E teachers, 5 Elective teachers that take care of all the SLC.s

Each SLC has all its classes in the same location on campus so the students arent running from one end of the campus to the other to get to classes.

Soes that make sence?

 

[DCLgodess]

Just think of it as 4 Elementary schools in one. Each one with only 300 students. They have 7 periods a day. For instance Branden has all 7 periods except P.E with all the same kids all year long. 1st period Math,same teacher all year. Period 2 History-same kids -same teacher..and so on. He is in the "Cougar house so all Cougars,300 students eat lunch at same time all year...Jags different lunch time and so on.
There are also 5 levels of learning. Branden and his class are all GATE students- gifted and talented education-level 5-all 'A" students hardest level. Level 1 is for the hardest challenged students and you go up from there. As your grades improve you can be moved up levels.

SLC-small learning communities

Cougars - 300 students-10 teachers-1 Dean- 1 Councler

Panthers- 300 students-10 teachers- 1 DEan- 1 councle-

Jags- 300 students - 10 teachers- 1 Dean- 1 councler

Cheetas- the same as above

1 principle for all. The Deans take care of each of there own house for
dicapline(sp ?)

School has 6 P.E teachers, 5 Elective teachers that take care of all the SLC.s

Each SLC has all its classes in the same location on campus so the students arent running from one end of the campus to the other to get to classes.

Soes that make sence?

in my honest opinion...that seems like a big waste of resources...please keep in mind that is just my OPINION...don't want to offend you...just seems kinda worthless...lol

 

["Got Disney"]

You know Kat - I was just looking at them again. I think down at the bottom would be fine. I just like the date down there too! Do you think there is enough room to put the names closer to the bottom under the date? Just wondering not trying to be difficult. I will go with whatever is decided.

I agree ...everything Angela says.

 

[DCLgodess]

i'll go with whatever is decided as well

 

["Got Disney"]

in my honest opinion...that seems like a big waste of resources...please keep in mind that is just my OPINION...don't want to offend you...just seems kinda worthless...lol

You can never offend me !!!
Our district was the first to try this(we were the quinypigs) and it has proven that grades have gone way up,trouble in our schools has improved dramaticly,and students have shown more pride in school. The teachers all get to know there students and have them for all 3 years so they learn there weaknesses and strenghts.
The students learn with the same students so each year they can move on together. Brandens class has moved onto 7th grade together and they took off in Algebra where they left off last year. It is nice that he has moved on with all "A" students instead of being in a mixed class of A-B-C-D-F students. If had kids in his class that were "F" students it would not only hold them back from there Advanced studies but most students that are "F" students have no interest in learning,not fair to A-orF students.
This program is being picked up already by many districs asross the country. After being part of a SLC I could not imagine sending my kids anywhere else. It really works great.
Yes it costs more $$ but these days schools are running such a muck that am still glad that we can still do this. The resourses are going to teaching the students, and that is a good thing...these days.

 

[DCLgodess]

I guess it just seems so weird to me

 

[3pirates]

It does seem like a lot of effort, but if it is working....results speak for themselves. The benefits you mentioned seem to make sense. A lot of times middle school kids (like my son) aren't so bad once you get to know them. Others, well...... If teachers know them better they can probably better handle them and intercept the real problems and get them on track.

Plus, socially that age needs a tribe. Not that the kids in their group are all their best friends, but it makes sense that there would be a sense of belonging. That probably does help them settle down and think about school.

Schools love to be able to tell others how they are trying new things...Jen, you'd probably like ours better, they go crazy with technology, piloting this new teaching toy, interactive whiteboards, students with calculators synched up with teachers board to check work, etc. etc. etc.

Another subject:

Dee, isn't you orthodontist thing soon?