Team Focker Watch - Version 8: When V's Away.. The "Katt" will Play

[jcc0621]

Also, I'm seriously considering Memorial Day Weekend at - GASP! - Universal. Maybe not even the actual parks - they don't have much to offer a scared-of-most-rides Leo - but Loews Royal Pacific looks pretty nice for some relaxing and they're offering some great rates.

That's where we are staying in August V Make sure you go to the Loews Hotel Website and sign up for their Preferred Club (or whatever it is called) It's free and you get some perks. Milk and cookies in your room. Check it out. Looks cool. If you do go you will have to take lots of pictures for me so I can see it before august!

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

I forgot...

Was anyone placing wagers on whether or not, or how soon, I would change my Aug. ressie at AKV?!

That's change #1.

Why exactly are you going?

I second that.

Just had to share that I got a call from the Vet today. Max's bloodwork from Monday came back perfectly normal!!!!!!!!!!!!

Obviously, I'm very happy that it wasn't really bad, but I'm also a bit confused. When we ran the test in mid-December, his liver function levels were really bad. I think she said normal would be under 13 and his number was 74! On Monday, it was 11.4.

I think we're still going to do an ultrasound later this spring to check things out, but it's not an emergency now. His liver could still be diseased and/or have tumors on it, but at least it's functioning pretty much normally.

Just had to share the good news! Sounds like others are having better news with the kids as well! Maybe this week is turning around???

Great news, Jodi!


Feel better, Mel

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12132008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/outlawing_boyhood_144034.htm

Janet and S'late...here's the link to the article. It's short, but interesting.

 

[Miz Diz]

Does he have a pet?

No. He said he only joined so he could talk to me.
He just joined last night and already has 17 friends.

They have mastered saleology. When we shop, they will pick up something and ask, "is this on sale enough for us to buy it?"

Do I hear Focker cruise?

That would be a blast!

Good Morning all. Jimmy got up for school today no problems.

Good for Jimmy!

And, I'm happy to say, that includes Leo! He had a great day yesterday - I'm so glad!

Good for Leo!

Just had to share that I got a call from the Vet today. Max's bloodwork from Monday came back perfectly normal!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Goofyluver]

Morning. Blah. That's all.

Hope everyone has a wonderful wonderful day.

Can someone send me a good mood? Thanks.

 

[jcc0621]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12132008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/outlawing_boyhood_144034.htm

Janet and S'late...here's the link to the article. It's short, but interesting.

Thanks Kate. Very interesting. I sent it to Jim too!

 

[PrincessV]

Why exactly are you going?

LOL - well, I had to cancel a trip last year and I needed to use my credit by March. This is the only weekend before then that I can get away to visit with friends and family I haven't seen in a few years!

V: Pack your long undies, girl! It's FRIGID up here!

Yup, I had to re-remember how I dressed in winter... I've got a pair of wool tights for under jeans and many, many layers on top.

Just had to share that I got a call from the Vet today. Max's bloodwork from Monday came back perfectly normal!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good news Jodi!

That's where we are staying in August V Make sure you go to the Loews Hotel Website and sign up for their Preferred Club (or whatever it is called) It's free and you get some perks. Milk and cookies in your room. Check it out. Looks cool. If you do go you will have to take lots of pictures for me so I can see it before august!

Ooo, I had no idea - thanks! And I'll definitely report if we go.

That's change #1.

Are you anticipating a second? Third? Fourth?!

Can someone send me a good mood? Thanks.

Does this help:

 

[sorul82?]

Please give me your thoughts:

Mrs. xxxxx,

I wanted to give you a few things that I want to address in our conference just in case there needs to be some research.

1. An IEP for xxxxxxx. Since he was diagnosed with ADHD, I haven't seen any type of IEP put in place for him. He is entitled to have his needs and learning style accomodated, yet all I hear from Mrs. xxxx and teachers prior is that he just seems to be a problem because he can't act like a soldier like the other kids. I do understand all the pressure that is put on schools to perform, but a lot of kids are getting lost. What is the point of No Child Left Behind if kids who need other learning choices are not helped? I am very frustrated and I have sided with the system for too long. It is time for me to speak for my child. I feel that there is mold and those who don't fit that mold are said to need medication. I've heard the same argument for three years that "I have 20 other kids to worry about, I can't spend this much time on your child." I have come to feel that it is all about numbers and meeting quotas just to get bonuses.

2. Another concern is the grading system. I just don't understand it as I am a very concrete facts person. On a recent math test, xxxxx had 25 of 26 correct. That is 96% which is an A and that says he is extending beyond grade level, which should be a 4. Yet, he received a 3 meaning meeting grade level, in other words, "average." So this is saying that he did good, but not great and to be great you have to be perfect. Wow, talk about pressure. As a result, I have become numb, for lack of a better word, to this whole grading system. I'm to the point that I don't put too much stock in the report cards because they aren't a true measure of the performace as it is really up to the teacher. Two children can have the same test results, but get different grades because of the teacher's perspective.

3. I am very concerned with Mrs. xxxx's approach to xxxxxxx. He is a child who needs positive reinforcement, which I shared with her in September. But what I am hearing is that she criticizes him openly and often questions him about his medication in front of other students. Why is she even discussing this topic with him? What if we chose not to medicate? She is so quick to call home if we miss his meds or she will send him to Mr. xxxxxx. Which reinforces the message that if you don't take your meds you can't focus, and if you can't focus you are bad, and you go see Mr. xxxxxxx and all the kids know that you only go see Mr. xxxxxxx if you are bad. He was in tears last Tuesday because he would be a day without his meds and he was afraid of what Mrs. xxxx was going to say to him. This is completely unacceptable and why I want xxxxxxxx removed from her class.

4. My last concern is the fact that Mrs. xxxx did not even read xxxxxxxx file before our last conference. She was complaining about him having all 3's on his report card. If she had bothered to read his file, she would have found this to be a 300% improvement and would have shared in our elation for him to have come this far. Instead her comments were, well, he could do better, and she made him aware of this. She should have been praising his accomplishments. She went on to suggest that xxxxxxxx wasn't happy and since my responses didn't satisfy her, she pushed the issue. She had him see the nurse, counselor, and psychologist; all things we have already done. Why was she wasting time going over all this again? Is she had just read his file.... Since it was suggested by the school nurse that he was depressed and his meds were making things worse, we had no choice but to stop meds and seek further help. Since we could not snap our fingers with an immediate result, Mrs. xxxx took it upon herself to call a social worker on us. In the meantime, our pediatrician said that if depression was brought into the picture, they could no longer give xxxxxxxx meds and we needed a psychiatrist. Since that day, we had to find one who we were comfortable with, accepts our insurance, is taking new patients, and has openings. Our appointment is Feb. 9; the soonest available. In the meantime, Mrs. xxxx has been very frustrated and would give xxxxxxxx a hard time about his meds. We did have one more refill, so I did so for the testing. But what if he is truly depressed and his meds make it worse? What if he hurts himself?


What do you think oh wise ones?

 

[sorul82?]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12132008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/outlawing_boyhood_144034.htm

Janet and S'late...here's the link to the article. It's short, but interesting.

Thanks!

No. He said he only joined so he could talk to me.
He just joined last night and already has 17 friends.

I think that is why my DH joined.

 

[HomeschoolMama]

I think it's very well worded, S'Late. But, in #2 you put DS's name.
My only concern would be that I don't want to give the teacher a heads up on what I was going to the principal about. I'd rather catch her off guard. But, I'm mean that way.

 

[jcc0621]

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12132008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/outlawing_boyhood_144034.htm

Janet and S'late...here's the link to the article. It's short, but interesting.

I sent to Jim and he said that this has been researched, etc and that the Philly SD actually makes the teachers go to a seminar regarding it.

Ooo, I had no idea - thanks! And I'll definitely report if we go.

Are you anticipating a second? Third? Fourth?!

Oh, not at all

Please give me your thoughts:

It sounds good to me, and it should also make the principal realize that you aren't going in there with any "sneak attacks". Are you sending this today?

Jodi - about your doggie.

Jen - Why do you need to laugh,,,what did I miss I will tell you Jimmy's favorite joke. It will at least make you smile.

What did the ocean say to the beach???
`
`
`
`
`
Nothing...it just waved

 

[sorul82?]

I think it's very well worded, S'Late. But, in #2 you put DS's name.

Thanks!

 

[jcc0621]

I think it's very well worded, S'Late. But, in #2 you put DS's name.

Oh good catch Dawn

BTW - Are you going to change your ticker or are you still considering your trip and anniversary trip?

 

[sorul82?]

Yup Janet, I plan to hit the send button any moment now.

Should I add that I come with a virtual posse of fiesty mamas who aren't afraid of a good old fashion rumble?

 

[jcc0621]

Don't know if this made the national news or not. The parents SWEAR they aren't racist, yet they name their children this AND he has swatiska tattoos, etc. Some people scare me

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090115_N_J__children_with_Nazi_names_taken_from.html

 

[jcc0621]

Yup Janet, I plan to hit the send button any moment now.

Should I add that I come with a virtual posse of fiesty mamas who aren't afraid of a good old fashion rumble?

Absolutely. It should only take me 10 hours to get there!

 

[sorul82?]

Yup. I'm on the fence. On the one hand, they have the right to name their kid whatever they want. On the other hand, what they heck else are they teaching? Where does it end? Are other names ok? What if they had chosen to name their daughter Mother Teresa? What about Talula does the Hula from Hawaii?

Poor kids won't be able to find pencils and magnets containing their names at Wal-Mart; very frustrating when you are 8 and the Disneyland gift shop has every spelling of your name except the one your mother chose to give you. Not that I am bitter or anything.

 

[sorul82?]

Absolutely. It should only take me 10 hours to get there!

SW had a ding yesterday for $45; Philly to Raleigh.

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Absolutely. It should only take me 10 hours to get there!

I can make it in about 4

Yup. I'm on the fence. On the one hand, they have the right to name their kid whatever they want. On the other hand, what they heck else are they teaching? Where does it end? Are other names ok? What if they had chosen to name their daughter Mother Teresa? What about Talula does the Hula from Hawaii?

Poor kids won't be able to find pencils and magnets containing their names at Wal-Mart; very frustrating when you are 8 and the Disneyland gift shop has every spelling of your name except the one your mother chose to give you. Not that I am bitter or anything.

Yeah, I'm one of those mean Mommas that made it impossible for my kids to get anything with their names on it....well, you're starting to see #1 son's name, but 2 and 3? Forget it. However, they've got good Irish names, not Voldemort kind of names.

 

[Miz Diz]

Did you already send it? There were a couple of typos. Sorry, I'm always editing.