5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 12

[BWVPam]

Laura, I thought you guys were doing the cruise. Are you only doing the DL part???

 

[RachelTori]

Laura, I thought you guys were doing the cruise. Are you only doing the DL part???

Only DL - my son's wedding got in the way!

 

[scuba.mom]

Okay explain again what the early release is FOR? Because I think I didn't understand that part..
(our schools do not do early release but in middle school they can stay after school in the library or in a "tutoring classroom" if they want for about an hour every day after school- after the regular day of school... no early releases though)

Early Release is each Wednesday for an hour. The Teachers' negotiated this in their contract under the guise of "We need the time for preparation, meetings, etc" - Like a Teachers' Study Period. The truth of the matter is, they don't stay in the school at all. They are out of there 5 minutes after the last bell for the kids rings.

When we had the hurricanes a few years ago in August, instead of having to make the time up at the end of the school year, we just gave back "Early Release Wednesdays". This added a week back to the school year. I figure if we give back all of the non-sensical time off the kids have throughout the year, we could easily start the Tues after Labor Day and be out by Memorial Day.

 

[kikipug]

I figure if we give back all of the non-sensical time off the kids have throughout the year, we could easily start the Tues after Labor Day and be out by Memorial Day.

Almost 3 weeks is WAY too much for Christmas break, and Thanksgiving break doesn't need to be a full week either! When we lived in NH, the kids only had 2 days of for Thanksgiving, and for Christmas, we'd get on on 12/23 and go back on 1/2.

This summer is making us crazy though... the kids got an extra 2 weeks because of the later start this year... just enough time to push them over the edge... they're so sick of each other they can't get along for 5 minutes.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Early Release is each Wednesday for an hour. The Teachers' negotiated this in their contract under the guise of "We need the time for preparation, meetings, etc" - Like a Teachers' Study Period. The truth of the matter is, they don't stay in the school at all. They are out of there 5 minutes after the last bell for the kids rings.

When we had the hurricanes a few years ago in August, instead of having to make the time up at the end of the school year, we just gave back "Early Release Wednesdays". This added a week back to the school year. I figure if we give back all of the non-sensical time off the kids have throughout the year, we could easily start the Tues after Labor Day and be out by Memorial Day.

Oh, I see. Well I wouldn't like that either! Is it only for that one school? I think there would be a major uproar if they even mentioned doing something like that around here- especially for younger grades (like elementary or something) because it would cause a lot of problems for people that work..

Almost 3 weeks is WAY too much for Christmas break, and Thanksgiving break doesn't need to be a full week either! When we lived in NH, the kids only had 2 days of for Thanksgiving, and for Christmas, we'd get on on 12/23 and go back on 1/2.

This summer is making us crazy though... the kids got an extra 2 weeks because of the later start this year... just enough time to push them over the edge... they're so sick of each other they can't get along for 5 minutes.

they've cut back vacations here- fall break and spring break are no longer "breaks" in my opinion- instead of a week off they are only a Friday plus a weekend and sometimes Fri/weekend and Monday -and what small breaks they do have are usually taken up by making up a snow day or something. they only get off a couple days for thanksgiving. However, they still make Christmas break way too long IMO.

The kids here got an extra 2 weeks because of the later start too (we'll start here aug 27th this year) and ditto on the kids being pushed over the edge and sick of one another. LOL I used to be annoyed that they only got 2mo (and a few days) for summer and not 3 months like I did "in my day" but now... I'm counting the minutes until school starts! LOL

(although I do still hope they start later next year too- otherwise they'd miss far too many days of school for us to go on our next cruise!)

 

[justmestace]

Here she is, with her Snake in the Grass! Sorry about the red-eye; I have a knack for doing that!

How cute!!
I for one would NOT eat that stuff! Ewwwww

 

[justmestace]

I'm kind of on the fly-by today....we're having a "Family Meeting" later....Megan included. For joy, for joy!! not




I'm not too happy with our schools. They started on the 9th this year...way too early....and I know it's just so that they can have their "Teacher In Service" days....where supposedly the teachers go in to do whatever it is they do...pizza parties?......but the kids don't go. And to have their half days. But that's so stupid. Why not just go to school, get your required days with the government in, and then start and get out at the beginning of June and the first of September??
Are all those little half days and Teacher In Service days really that important to the teachers' sanity???

 

[kikipug]

Oh, I see. Well I wouldn't like that either! Is it only for that one school? I think there would be a major uproar if they even mentioned doing something like that around here- especially for younger grades (like elementary or something) because it would cause a lot of problems for people that work..

It's for the whole county. Anyone who works most likely already has after-school care for their elementary school kids... the private and school-based after school programs all adjust their schedules on Wednesdays to start at 1 instead of 2.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

How cute!!
I for one would NOT eat that stuff! Ewwwww

I don't know if I would or not. What in the world is it? LOL

I'm kind of on the fly-by today....we're having a "Family Meeting" later....Megan included. For joy, for joy!! not




I'm not too happy with our schools. They started on the 9th this year...way too early....and I know it's just so that they can have their "Teacher In Service" days....where supposedly the teachers go in to do whatever it is they do...pizza parties?......but the kids don't go. And to have their half days. But that's so stupid. Why not just go to school, get your required days with the government in, and then start and get out at the beginning of June and the first of September??
Are all those little half days and Teacher In Service days really that important to the teachers' sanity???

yuck, I wouldn't like that either! We have very few teacher inservice days and when we do have the rare one- it's added on to a "long weekend break". Like instead of Fri/sat/sun they consider a break- they'd add a Thurs teacher inservice day. But they don't have teacher inservice days often.

It's for the whole county. Anyone who works most likely already has after-school care for their elementary school kids... the private and school-based after school programs all adjust their schedules on Wednesdays to start at 1 instead of 2.

We live in a smaller town and I guess we don't have the after-school care programs you have there. And most people here don't have after school care and even if they did- it would be at private daycare that would charge by hour/etc. Trust me- there would be an uproar here before it ever got to that stage. The only after-care school based programs we have is the after-school library study or tutoring class after school and I doubt they'd just start that earlier and have them there all afternoon if they released early every Wed. It would be a big mess here.

 

[RachelTori]

I don't know if I would or not. What in the world is it? LOL

Shelley,

How does EEL sound to you?!!! (that's how it sounds to me!!)

 

[justmestace]

Shelley,

How does EEL sound to you?!!! (that's how it sounds to me!!)

Is that what she was eating???!!! EEEEEWWWWWW

We watched the tiny little boats (think crummy rowboat) in Curacao fish for eel, and then bring it up on the beach and stab it to death. Yuk.
No way would I eat that.

I have to say, though, that I think it's awesome that Alicia and some of the other DIS kids WILL try those different dishes.

 

[justmestace]

I ordered the newer Pentax Optio today...the W30. Jordan's digital camera flat out died, so she's taking my Optio W10 (the underwater cameras).

I'm hoping that the screen is a little easier to view underwater. I switched from tinted lenses in my mask to clear ones, and that helped a lot...but Pentax advertises that this newer camera makes it even easier. Plus higher megapixels and all....should make a difference, I hope.

No....still not getting that "camera of my dreams".....a much smaller, cheaper version of Kevin's......someday, maybe......

 

[RachelTori]

I wouldn't try it either, Stacey! It must have been good - Alicia had a big smile on her face after eating it!! It also has shrimp tempura, avocado and cucumber. Tori was brave that evening and tried sushi for the first time in her life!


How'd the family meeting go? As a child, the mention of those things always scared me!

 

[Dancind]

I don't remember how Alicia got started on sushi, but it is her #1 food choice. It was cute, Tori ordered a rainbow roll, and carefully removed all the raw fish pieces from the top. Then she ate most of the rest of the roll, which included raw salmon in the center. I don't think she noticed, she even said it was good! Then she called her Dad to report that she had just eaten sushi for the first time. And she really did!

Hard to believe, but that roll was just the first course. We all followed up with the filet (which was so, so good). Then the lava cake for dessert. I think Alicia was moaning the loudest. The next night we had whole lobster at Narcoosees. I asked the waiter if they could shell it for us in the kitchen, and he said yes, so we ordered it. So good. Laura told you we ate well!

This is the good part about getting the dining plan. The bad part is, way too much good food!

 

[Dancind]

Not so bad for the school schedule here. Charter school starts Aug. 16, she's done on May 20. We could go to WDW before the crowds! But since we are planning to head to the West Coast next summer, I guess we won't. Next year, her senior year, we might buy annual passes at WDW again. Food & Wine, spring break if it's not the busy Easter weeks, then after school is done. She wants her senior trip to include a visit to the Harry Potter park at Islands of Adventure. Hope it's open by then.

Kevin's youngest son was here this weekend with his family. His little girl is so cute! 3 1/2 is a fun age. Maybe he will post a picture, we went to the zoo today. It was HOT. We will see them tonight for New Mexican food, then they head home.

 

[CajunGirl2]

Are all those little half days and Teacher In Service days really that important to the teachers' sanity???

We have the in-service days too ... about once per month. For what it's worth, they do count as a whole day of school. So, if they went the whole day or got out early, it all counts the same.

I don't mind the early release days. Now what DID bother me was in our governor cancelled 2 days of school after Hurricane Katrina due to the fact that there MIGHT be a gas shortage! Now that was a MAJOR inconvenience & expense for working parents.

Ang

 

[CajunGirl2]

Diana & Laura, you both have very beautiful daughters. I bet their dads are ready with the shotguns!!!

Looks like y'all had a good time at WDW.

Ang

 

[CajunGirl2]

I broke my toe today! Stacey, I guess I'm like you were ... wearing that non-bendable "shoe" & on crutches. As usual, I was not watching where I was walking & smashed my foot into a chair in the breakfast room. I new immediately that I broke it. I did go to one of those instant med places. Of course all they could do is bandage it up & say stay off of it. It's sort of poking out though. The dr. said that it was possible that I tore a tendon. He said to give it a week & if it doesn't look better then to go to an ortho doc.

On another note, I booked a cruise for my parents today. I got a Clark Howard travel email with a senior rate for a Carnival Cruise out of New Orleans. It was just too good to pass up. Including port fees & taxes, it was $664 for the 2 of them for a 4 night cruise in Sept. They've never cruise before. I didn't do any sort of research ... I know ... . My parents both turn 65 this year so this is our (my sister & my) birthday present to them. I hope it's not too horrible.

Ang

A UTOP ... sorry guys, but I see to need the extra pixe-dust for myself today! Extra pixie dust to everyone else that needs it too.

 

[RachelTori]

I broke my toe today! Stacey, I guess I'm like you were ... wearing that non-bendable "shoe" & on crutches. As usual, I was not watching where I was walking & smashed my foot into a chair in the breakfast room. I new immediately that I broke it. I did go to one of those instant med places. Of course all they could do is bandage it up & say stay off of it. It's sort of poking out though. The dr. said that it was possible that I tore a tendon. He said to give it a week & if it doesn't look better then to go to an ortho doc.

On another note, I booked a cruise for my parents today. I got a Clark Howard travel email with a senior rate for a Carnival Cruise out of New Orleans. It was just too good to pass up. Including port fees & taxes, it was $664 for the 2 of them for a 4 night cruise in Sept. They've never cruise before. I didn't do any sort of research ... I know ... . My parents both turn 65 this year so this is our (my sister & my) birthday present to them. I hope it's not too horrible.

Ang

A UTOP ... sorry guys, but I see to need the extra pixe-dust for myself today! Extra pixie dust to everyone else that needs it too.

Ouch, Angie! I know that had to hurt. Hope it's going to heal without you having to go to the ortho doc.

How sweet that you and your sister are giving your parents a cruise for their birthday. I'm sure the cruise will be fine. Carnival is acceptable! The good thing is, they haven't been on a Disney cruise, so they won't be disappointed with Carnival!

Feel better - and watch where you're going from now on!

 

[Dancind]

Hi Angie, I think you did a good thing. They will enjoy that cruise, they have nothing to compare it to! It's better to work your way up, right? Careful with that walking stuff!