DDA Chapter 6

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

So i bought a camera today ( a sony DSC-W120)...After talking to a friend, im wondering if i should have gotten a canon powershot..

I wanted something simple but i want to make sure i will like the pictures--anyone have a sony

Bernadette has a Sony. DH has a Sony but his is a dSLR.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

I just spent the evening at our school PTA meeting. Apparently, the county budget is up for approval and if it isn't approved as it is projected then our school will lose 5 teachers. All schools are slated to lose teachers, our feeder HS will lose 15% of it's teaching staff. Our school superintendent sent over his projected budget- it includes $9 million to convert all of our football fields from grass to Astroturf. Brilliant, let's let the kids lose the wonderful teachers but give the football teams fake grass.

Our school is tiny, total enrollment is about 250 students, and old. If they cut 5 teachers, 4 of those are classroom then the classes will become overcrowded to the point that safety is a big issue. Right now we have 2 4th grade classes, 22 kids in each. One of the teachers up for "excess" is 4th grade. That means 44 kids in one class. And once you start upping the kids to teacher ration test scores drop. I see a lot of phone calls and emails in my future.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well I made it through the day. There were a couple of tense minutes for me but I think I handled myself well. I did also sit down with the director of the division (he is two levels above me) tonight and did some venting. That went really well. I'm meeting with the section managers (one level above me) on Thursday to discuss the issues with them. For the most part, I'm very supported in my role but I have a couple of issues that I want to address with them.

Good for you for handling the day well. I'm sure you'll do well again tomorrow!

And we will have a few matching shirts: Bra Mickey, new Epcot world one (with help from Amy's Kevin), new monorail (with help from Amy's Kevin), and the Solar shirts. That's 4 out of 8 days. Any ideas for more? and what color shirts for the 1st 2? The Bra Mickey goes on yellow.

I love those! I always use white-I find it cooler.

So I decided we should suck it up and buy that August airfare at $188 one way. At least it's done and it is one less thing to worry over. DH said he heard a report that airfare will NOT go down. Momboss and I were talking about it, too, and she also thinks it will keep climbing. She said the flight for Princess over Memorial Day is over $500! Dadboss used to work for American and he was going to call some of the folks over there to see if he can get an idea of what's coming, but Momboss thought they would probably just buy the tickets before it gets worse!

Now to tackle the Le Cellier issue...

I was afraid you would go home early and I'd miss you. I'm so glad you're booked now. I've been watching my Aug airfare since they day I bought it and it hasn't gone up too much but it hasn't dropped at all. Dorinda only paid $89 each way (I paid $129 to, $114 home) but she's flying on Tuesdays. My airfare for May is throught the roof-I paid $109 each way. The flight down has been all over the place up over $200 at times but the flight home is up to $334 and sticking there. I don't see flights coming down.

So i bought a camera today ( a sony DSC-W120)...After talking to a friend, im wondering if i should have gotten a canon powershot..

I wanted something simple but i want to make sure i will like the pictures--anyone have a sony

That Sony looks like a great choice! I've had 3 Sonys and love them.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I just spent the evening at our school PTA meeting. Apparently, the county budget is up for approval and if it isn't approved as it is projected then our school will lose 5 teachers. All schools are slated to lose teachers, our feeder HS will lose 15% of it's teaching staff. Our school superintendent sent over his projected budget- it includes $9 million to convert all of our football fields from grass to Astroturf. Brilliant, let's let the kids lose the wonderful teachers but give the football teams fake grass.

Our school is tiny, total enrollment is about 250 students, and old. If they cut 5 teachers, 4 of those are classroom then the classes will become overcrowded to the point that safety is a big issue. Right now we have 2 4th grade classes, 22 kids in each. One of the teachers up for "excess" is 4th grade. That means 44 kids in one class. And once you start upping the kids to teacher ration test scores drop. I see a lot of phone calls and emails in my future.

Hope someone finds some more reasonable solutions.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Robyn - Isn't there a state law about the max # of kids in a classroom? I read an article that says astroturf is a contributing factor to MSRA because the bacteria don't die. When the kids get scraped it enters their bloodstream. You might Google it and submit the articles.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Thanks for the advice on the camera--i have no idea what im looking at with these things!
I may justreturn it and do some more research--mom talked me into buying it since it was on sale--i hate shopping for cameras!

 

[tinknme]

Denise good design choices

Jen glad to hear your interview went well!

Vicki hope all goes well at work

Elizabeth now you can relax, glad to hear dh's airfare is out of the way.

 

[tinknme]

It is really sad that schools think sports are more important than the teachers needed for our children. Don't get me wrong, I am all for sports at school, but not when the cost is our children's education.

I just spent the evening at our school PTA meeting. Apparently, the county budget is up for approval and if it isn't approved as it is projected then our school will lose 5 teachers. All schools are slated to lose teachers, our feeder HS will lose 15% of it's teaching staff. Our school superintendent sent over his projected budget- it includes $9 million to convert all of our football fields from grass to Astroturf. Brilliant, let's let the kids lose the wonderful teachers but give the football teams fake grass.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

think im headed to bed--have a great night all

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I cancelled Le Cellier and I booked Yachtsman. The CM said "You're going to cancel this? Are you SURE?" Yep. I'm sure.

Bernadette - The thing is, with DS and me flying on miles and DH paying for his ticket trying to coordinate the flights was turning into a huge headache. Even if we wanted to go home early I don't think we could have all gotten on the same flight for much cheaper. And most of the flights available with miles now are connecting, not non-stop. So it's done. We ended up paying about $324 for DH round trip, and we paid $150 to transfer miles from DH to DS, so still under $500 for all 3 of us.

I just talked to my mom. Now the behavior I expected to see is coming out. She didn't call the oncologist today, she hasn't scheduled an OB/GYN appt, she hasn't talked to the social worker at the hospital. She is griping that it is just too inconvenient for her to call these people because she has to WORK, and she can't answer her phone during working hours. I don't know if it is denial or if she feels overwhelmed or what, but she is really letting the balls drop. She said she has been having headaches but she doesn't know which pain relievers she can take. She hasn't gotten the calcium, vitamins, or baby aspirin she is supposed to be taking. (I wanted to go to Sam's and get all of that while I was there, but I didn't have my Sam's card. When she figured out WHY I wanted to go she said no. But I also didn't have my debit card or any checks so I wouldn't have been able to pay for the stuff, and that was my whole intent. )
I understand that having cancer could easily become a full-time job in itself, but the thing is, she HAS to take care of herself! She prefers to avoid unpleasant things, like getting divorced, or moving from her house, or completing her tax returns. But avoiding these calls is going to have a VERY bad outcome. DH said I can get mad at her all I want, she won't budge. And he is right. Because this is how she gets.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

Hope someone finds some more reasonable solutions.

Robyn - Isn't there a state law about the max # of kids in a classroom? I read an article that says astroturf is a contributing factor to MSRA because the bacteria don't die. When the kids get scraped it enters their bloodstream. You might Google it and submit the articles.

A group of parents is headed to the school board next week to "be heard". I doubt it will make a difference but we need to make it known that it is unacceptable. Since we are a small community we don't have the numbers that the larger more affluent communities do, which already puts us at a disadvantage.


One of the guidelines is 1 teacher to 32 kids. But it's not a rule, just a guide. There is also a rule that each student should have a 20 sq ft area. One of the 4th grade teachers measured his room and then arranged the desks accordingly. He only fit in 29 desks. He also had to remove his bookcases, the overhead projector and 2 tables the kids use for group work. Our school is old therefore the classrooms are small.

Thanks for the heads up on the MSRA. I'll add that to my emails.

We really love the school. Eric went there as a kid and Emma thrives there now. The teaching staff is great and everyone knows everyone. I came from a small elementary school and the kids that I went to school with from K-12 most of us were top in our classes throughout our years. Obviously not all of them but about 10 just from my class.

 

[tinknme]

I'm sorry Elizabeth

I understand that having cancer could easily become a full-time job in itself, but the thing is, she HAS to take care of herself! She prefers to avoid unpleasant things, like getting divorced, or moving from her house, or completing her tax returns. But avoiding these calls is going to have a VERY bad outcome. DH said I can get mad at her all I want, she won't budge. And he is right. Because this is how she gets.

 

[Mommy2EmMoLu]

It is really sad that schools think sports are more important than the teachers needed for our children. Don't get me wrong, I am all for sports at school, but not when the cost is our children's education.

I agree that sports are important too. I think that if the schools want the Astroturf then their Booster Clubs should pay for it not the school board or tax dollars.

I went to school with a phenomenal football player. He was being courted by all the major colleges but could add 2+2. The teachers in high school were basically threatened by the principal to pass him.

think im headed to bed--have a great night all

Night Jen, Congrats on the camera.

I cancelled Le Cellier and I booked Yachtsman. The CM said "You're going to cancel this? Are you SURE?" Yep. I'm sure.

Bernadette - The thing is, with DS and me flying on miles and DH paying for his ticket trying to coordinate the flights was turning into a huge headache. Even if we wanted to go home early I don't think we could have all gotten on the same flight for much cheaper. And most of the flights available with miles now are connecting, not non-stop. So it's done. We ended up paying about $324 for DH round trip, and we paid $150 to transfer miles from DH to DS, so still under $500 for all 3 of us.

I just talked to my mom. Now the behavior I expected to see is coming out. She didn't call the oncologist today, she hasn't scheduled an OB/GYN appt, she hasn't talked to the social worker at the hospital. She is griping that it is just too inconvenient for her to call these people because she has to WORK, and she can't answer her phone during working hours. I don't know if it is denial or if she feels overwhelmed or what, but she is really letting the balls drop. She said she has been having headaches but she doesn't know which pain relievers she can take. She hasn't gotten the calcium, vitamins, or baby aspirin she is supposed to be taking. (I wanted to go to Sam's and get all of that while I was there, but I didn't have my Sam's card. When she figured out WHY I wanted to go she said no. But I also didn't have my debit card or any checks so I wouldn't have been able to pay for the stuff, and that was my whole intent. )
I understand that having cancer could easily become a full-time job in itself, but the thing is, she HAS to take care of herself! She prefers to avoid unpleasant things, like getting divorced, or moving from her house, or completing her tax returns. But avoiding these calls is going to have a VERY bad outcome. DH said I can get mad at her all I want, she won't budge. And he is right. Because this is how she gets.

Elizabeth- I sure wish there was something more that I could offer you. But here's a 's

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I'm sorry Elizabeth

Thanks, Janet.

Robyn - Sorry - I made a typo. It is MRSA. I was on hold with Dining and I was typing with one hand.

 

[PNO4TE]

I almost forgot, Lucy's 1st tooth finally broke through her gum this morning! I guess that is why she was up at 4am screaming.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I agree that sports are important too. I think that if the schools want the Astroturf then their Booster Clubs should pay for it not the school board or tax dollars.

I went to school with a phenomenal football player. He was being courted by all the major colleges but could add 2+2. The teachers in high school were basically threatened by the principal to pass him.

Elizabeth- I sure wish there was something more that I could offer you. But here's a 's

Our HS baseball team is always trying to raise money for stuff. I don't really know how they determine who pays for what.

I know there is a proposal right now that would realign the zones for the middle schools. They would offload a bunch of kids into DS's school, putting it at 115% capacity or some insane # like that. The school they would pull the kids from would go to 65% capacity. Who designs these plans? Chimpanzees? It seems like it puts the high school way over capacity, too. I can't remember exactly. I should see if I saved the e-mail.

EDIT:
Well, looky there!

POST 12,000!​

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I saved the e-mail I sent to the school district to protest, but not the original e-mail that outlined the proposal. It would put our school at 107% capacity and put the other one at 66%. I was pretty close going from memory!

I guess I should look up the other school so we can move over there. A school at 66% capacity might be nice!
At least in high school he will have more choices. There are multiple magnet high schools so if our "neighborhood" school is overflowing we'll try to put him somewhere else.

 

[Tammi67]

Elizabeth I know this is very nerve wracking for you(to say the least). Hang in there

Ditto from me.

 

[Tammi67]

Well I made it through the day. There were a couple of tense minutes for me but I think I handled myself well. I did also sit down with the director of the division (he is two levels above me) tonight and did some venting. That went really well. I'm meeting with the section managers (one level above me) on Thursday to discuss the issues with them. For the most part, I'm very supported in my role but I have a couple of issues that I want to address with them.

It sounds like your meetings were productive today. for continued success tomorrow.

 

[Tammi67]

Just wanted to let you guys know that my interview went well today i wont know anythin til may/june, but its over

Sending lots of your way.