I hope that you find someone that can make that happen Katie!! I agree.... if you are doing a teachers job, you should be treated as one!!
There's a lot of stuff going on in our area in regards to teachers/salaries/ and especially retirement and health care.
I fully believe that teachers should be well compensated for their jobs. The problem we are having in PA is that the school districts are broke, buildings are falling apart... but the teachers won't give an inch. Our teachers all get healthcare fully paid (whole family!)... even AFTER retirement at age 55 til Medicare kicks in at 65. It's a huge financial burden on the districts.. but the unions won't hear of having them pay for part of it. I don't know anyone that doesn't pay for a portion of their medical insurance.
With the recession.... we all lost a fortune towards our retirements, but the teachers had a huge amount infused into their retirement fund by the State... because their retirement payout is guaranteed. So not only did the taxpayers pay for it originally.... we paid again when we refilled the coffers back up after the fund lost $$. Its causing alot of bitterness in the area. Especially now that they are cutting programs for the kids. We just found out that they are planning to eliminate the Art program at our school for next year... as well as Middle School Sports.
I'm beginning to think that my girls would be better served through PA Cyber School. Math and Language is extremely important, but so is having a well rounded education. Kyle goes to Vo-Tech, but even though he's not in an 'academic' program... he's still required to take Trig and Physics next year as a Junior. He'll do fine (math and science are his strengths) but back when I was in school, I couldn't imagine the 'shop kids' taking those classes!! I wonder how much some that really aren't cut out for it will struggle.
Well, I will think of you when I'm in France at Epcot!
What else are you guys doing around Paris? I would love to do all the touristy-stuff of course and shop and eat! And I would love to see the Moulin Rouge and do a tour of the catacombs! Ooooh la la I'm jealous!
Well... on the to do list (I'm still working on our actual itinerary!)
Arc de Triomphe
the Louve
Eiffel Tower (hoping for ressies ar Altitude 95 there on Ellie's Birthday the 17th)
a full day at Versailles
A castle tour... that visits 3-4 different castles in the region (full day)
various other museums (L'Orangerie, Moderne d art, Invallides)
Notre Dame
Sacre Couer and the Montmarte area (see Moulin Rouge from outside lol! not going to a show though.)
Catacombs, and Luxembourg Gardens (same general area)
this is where we are staying:
Hotel Lion d'Or Louve We have a Studio flat reserved with a kitchenette and 2 beds. The 2nd bed is actually lofted to to the top of the room. The room is small... but the interior walls are mirrored, making it feel larger. Besides... we won't be there much! Its walking distance from most of the touristy attractions.
We leave here on Sept 13th and come back on Sept 26th!
)
What are your fall dates Jen? I'm glad you had a good time with your meets!
