DDA Chapter 22

[mommykds]

JANET

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mommykds]

LINDSAY,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Anne Marie - I hope your kids have a TERRIFIC first day!!

From what I have read, it seems middle school ROTC (or whatever fluffy little name they give it) is more prevalent in the big urban districts. LA, Chicago, and apparently Dallas. In LA there is a non-profit group started by teachers who are lobbying to get the program stopped entirely! It seems that ROTC is a popular place to divert kids involuntarily when the PE classes are too full. That does NOT seem to be the case with us since DS is ALSO in a PE class.

I also read something about parental permission being required for a student to participate, but I can't remember which district that was.

In Chicago it is an AFTER SCHOOL program, not a credit course during the school day.

I would venture to guess the district doesn't know the school is doing this. If they DO know then shame on them! I will be interested to see what happens over the next few days.

 

[mommykds]

Elizabeth,
Thanks!!! I am enjoying the quiet!

 

[Tammi67]

Oh boy. The weekend we are going in January is marathon weekend, so I was searching on the TPAS board about crowds when I came upon a link to all the marathon information. On Friday the 8th there is a 5K Family Fun Run, which translates to 3 miles. I think I would die if I attempted it. I've NEVER been a runner. I HATE it. It is painful (side cramps) and I hate to SWEAT. But still, I'm intrigued, plus it would be something fun and different for the kids and I to do!

 

[KMH1]

Oh boy. The weekend we are going in January is marathon weekend, so I was searching on the TPAS board about crowds when I came upon a link to all the marathon information. On Friday the 8th there is a 5K Family Fun Run, which translates to 3 miles. I think I would die if I attempted it. I've NEVER been a runner. I HATE it. It is painful (side cramps) and I hate to SWEAT. But still, I'm intrigued, plus it would be something fun and different for the kids and I to do!

Tammi, we were there during marathon weekend last year, and the crowds weren't bad at all. MLK weekend is a different story.

Heidi,

Lindsay!

Janet!

I hope you both have wonderful days!

Elin, neat story about your new book!

Theresa, for a much better day!

Hope all the kids (and parents ) are making the back-to-school transition with ease.

ROTC was a pretty impressive program at the high school where I worked. Of course, these were older kids, and I know the students picked this elective, though some of them were "recruited." Many have gone on to serve our country!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Tammi - Is there a time limit? Because 5K is NOT that bad if you don't have to run the whole time.

Amy - I don't object to the program being offered. For kids who want to participate I think it is great. To involuntarily divert kids into the program and then use the excuse that the electives are overcrowded is wrong. I know the high schools receive funding from the Army for their JROTC programs, and I am wondering if there might be funding at the middle school level as well. For a district with a $64 million deficit I can see how funding is a strong incentive to enroll kids in a class they didn't choose!

 

[Tammi67]

Tammi - Is there a time limit? Because 5K is NOT that bad if you don't have to run the whole time.

Participants must be able to maintain a 15 minute per mile pace.

This is what it says on their website. I'll have to talk to the kids and see if they want to take a morning to do this.

 

[KMH1]

Tammi - Is there a time limit? Because 5K is NOT that bad if you don't have to run the whole time.

Amy - I don't object to the program being offered. For kids who want to participate I think it is great. To involuntarily divert kids into the program and then use the excuse that the electives are overcrowded is wrong. I know the high schools receive funding from the Army for their JROTC programs, and I am wondering if there might be funding at the middle school level as well. For a district with a $64 million deficit I can see how funding is a strong incentive to enroll kids in a class they didn't choose!

I know, Elizabeth. My comment was offered to Tammi who didn't realize ROTC was still offered in schools. Good luck getting C's schedule ironed-out. You couldn't pay me a million dollars to be a guidance counselor or principal (which is why I hold my masters in curriculum development! ).

 

[Glynis]

Theresa - I'm so sorry about yesterday! Today HAS to be better, right??? I'll pray that it is!

Anne Marie - Enjoy your first day of school. I really hope that all goes well for the kids! I'm excited to hear all about it!

Elizabeth - Good luck with all the school stuff. I guess I could understand the ROTC being a PE credit, but since C already has a PE class, I'm at a loss! I'm behind you 100%

Happy Birthday to Janet and Lindsay! I hope you have a great day, ladies!!!

Tammi - the 5K really wouldn't be that bad. Most people walk the mile in under 15 minutes, so you would probably be ok! The year we did the marathon weekend, the crowds were not big at all! We really felt like we had EPCOT to ourselves most of the day that we went. The MK was busier, but it was definitely manageable!

Well, it's another day of busy errands for me! Timothy goes to the dr., I have to get to the library before fines start accruing, then a trip to the music store for Katie's violin book and some more rosin. Then, hopefully, the last trip for school supplies. Katie got her list from her final class yesterday, and needs everything by tomorrow! After all that is done, I'm hoping for a nap! Wish me luck!!!

I'm also planning on trying a new recipe for a sweet bread made with coconut. It sounds yummy, so I figure I'll try it out on the kids for breakfast tomorrow!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I know, Elizabeth. My comment was offered to Tammi who didn't realize ROTC was still offered in schools. Good luck getting C's schedule ironed-out. You couldn't pay me a million dollars to be a guidance counselor or principal (which is why I hold my masters in curriculum development! ).

I feel bad for the guidance counselors - I really do. They do the best they can. There are 3 of them for 1100+ students. Whoever is in charge of the logistics of making sure there are enough classes for everyone is NOT doing a good job. They seem continually befuddled by what classes are required for each grade level.

Why on earth did they move DS OUT of PE for 2nd semester last year and then put him BACK in it 1st semester this year? If he would have stayed in PE for the full year they could have put him in Computer this semester!

There is also the issue of people moving their kids to other schools or moving out of the area, so they never really know from year to year who is coming back. Then they have all these un-enrolled kids show up for classes because the parents don't understand the enrollment procedures. I understand that the first week of school is a nightmare.

On the other hand, we are on a 6 week marking period. DS is essentially going to lose the first week of instruction in something while he sits in ROTC waiting for a schedule change. Irksome.

 

[babytrees]

Good Morning DDA!!

I was awakened at 7:15 with the dealership calling with what was wrong with the car...Jim of course didn't take the cell phone so I am up for good. Unless I can get a nap in later...I should be cleaning but when I am stressed I don't like to clean. I don't like it when I am not stressed either but at least I tolerate it.

After going through all my emails this morning I am going to email Abi's math teacher...I think Abi's tummy troubles from last night and this morning were from anxiety of a) the folder being lost and b)talking to the teacher...who is also her CorePlus (homeroom) teacher.

 

[KristineN]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANET & LINDSAY

​

 

[babytrees]

Happy Birthday Janet and Lindsay!!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Good Morning DDA!!

I was awakened at 7:15 with the dealership calling with what was wrong with the car...Jim of course didn't take the cell phone so I am up for good. Unless I can get a nap in later...I should be cleaning but when I am stressed I don't like to clean. I don't like it when I am not stressed either but at least I tolerate it.

After going through all my emails this morning I am going to email Abi's math teacher...I think Abi's tummy troubles from last night and this morning were from anxiety of a) the folder being lost and b)talking to the teacher...who is also her CorePlus (homeroom) teacher.

Sorry your day is off to a rough start!
Poor Abi. I hope things get back on track for her soon!

 

[bethbuchall]

Hello, DDA!

Matthew is off at college. Somehow it still doesn't feel quite real and yet it feels as if something is missing or just not quite right. He is alone in his dorm room until Wednesday, because his department had early orientation. The "regular" orientation/move-in starts Wednesday afternoon. It did make it a lot easier not fighting the crowds, but he said that it felt like a ghost town last night. They are keeping him pretty busy today and tomorrow morning, so that will be good. He will get his schedule Thursday, and then we'll figure out how to get his books. It makes me nervous that he doesn't have a schedule yet or most of his classes.

I need to go back and read what I've missed.

Happy Birthday, Janet and Lindsay!

 

[KristineN]

It take a bit of time Beth. I felt "unrest" for a while after Jonathan left. Now if feels a little odd to have him home

 

[mommykds]

Well today was the first day I had to see our new town without the kids...I ran some errands & puttered around town. Also got to do alittle exploring. I am so happy that we have so much close to us but the town still feels spread out. I am not used to how nice the driving is here...people let you pass & they are so polite at the stop signs...it is so good for the blood pressure! NY was never like that, we had traffic everywhere & heaven forbid you pause at a stoplight for more than 1 second after it turned green!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Beth - I hope you and Matthew both settle in soon!

Anne Marie - I am glad you are getting used to your new town! Polite drivers are in rather short supply here.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Hmm. I just spoke to some person at the district level. Not sure exactly what her role is - Parent Resource Specialist. I got her name from the "Constituent Hotline". At any rate, she says they have a new computer system that did all sorts of bizarre things with placing students in courses they didn't ask for. Not sure I believe that. She said I should wait until Friday, then contact the counselor and ask again for a schedule change. If she does not comply with my request I am to phone this lady back and she will set up an appointment with the principal. OK. Well, I will go see the counselor on Thursday and see what she says. If she doesn't move him out of ROTC I will phone this lady back and tell her I want to meet with the principal Monday morning.