State Testing and Threatening Kids...

I was at a propaganda meeting about mandatory state testing of third graders tonight. I bit my lip for a long time while they told us how HAPPY our children were preparing for the tests and how relaxed they were.

Finally I couldn't take it anymore and I had to mention my kid, the one who got 35 pages of mandatory homework (study prep) to complete OVER Sprink Break. The work was mandatory and oh, if they completed it they could take part in the Ice Cream Sundae party. If they didn't finish they could sit and watch the others.

Oh, and then last night we got 13 MORE pages to complete that night...

So, remember my kid...he's 9 years old, in tears every day about the work load...not understanding the work (some of the homework is on stuff they have NEVER been taught), etc. Last night he didn't want to go to scouts (for the third week) because he said he HAD to work on his math practice for the test...

So, last night after he had gone to bed we hear sobbing coming from his room....he was hysterically crying about the tests and the work and how if he doesnt get it done everyone will know and he won't get to have ice cream and....

I.am.livid.

So I asked how forcing homework in this manner on children was not contributing to the stress in the children. Yeah, ok...here's the response I got from one of the teacher's. "Well, I have had parents call me telling me their children are in tears, but I just don't see it. They're so happy and they are all getting their work done..." Yeah, because you keep telling them they have to or they WON"T GET TO PARTICPATE IN THE PARTY. You are threatening them...bullying even....

ARGH.....

Thanks, I feel better now.....

Honestly....

Spring Cleaning....

Yup, it's that time....ugh....I love a clean house, but with working more and having five boys and a fairly messy DH, it just seems out of reach sometimes. So, I hired someone to help. No, she's not a housecleaner, she's a "kick you in the butt, work along side you, decluttering queen!" So, for $15 an hour she is pushing me to get stuff decluttered and out of here! Yesterday we tackled the laundry room. Sorted, cleaned, moved, consolidated, put in the trash, bagged for donation, etc. for three hours. DS #1 pitched in to move trash, load donation bags in the cars, and vaccuum. What a HUGE difference we made!

Today, we tackle the playroom and the school room/art room adjacent to it. I am not looking forward to this task....not at all..... Well, I am looking forward to the end result, just not the process. Wish me luck, and if I don't return, look for me under a pile of art paper and pastels....

S.T.R.E.P.

Yup, strep has hit our home. I have fallen and I can barely get up...no pun. Was having a great day Wednesday, went to meetings, did the mom thing, but then around dinner time I started feeling really bad. Went to bed early, but by 1a.m. was in the htroes of chills and sweats that lasted all night long. Dragged myself to the doctor the next afternoon. Wicked case of strep, wicked. So bad my tonsils were bleeding. So, they gave me some serious antibiotics and something new and fun, liquid lidocaine to numb my throat so I could swallow fluids. I felt like I had been hit by a Mack Truck.

Five days of keeping nothing down but minimal fluids, five days of chills and sweats, five days of rapid weight loss - 17 pounds. So, I am now reintroducing foods. I have discovered that graham crackers, jello, and popsicles stay down. I have no real desire to eat. This is good and bad. Love the weight loss, however, sheesh, too much too quickly! So today was exciting, I ate part of a banana!

I am going to lay back down now...

Stay healthy...

Therapy...and thankfulness!

So, here we are again, sitting amongst the patients at the Spinal Cord Rehab center. I am constantly reminded that the true measure of faith and strength and perseverance is in places like this. Places where people are fighting against all odds, places where people struggle to return to normal, or to create a new normal, places where extremem effort is rewarded in the tiniest of ways and often after only a long struggle.

Today is Monday...the day that new families arrive with their children. It is a combination of fear, fatigue, and determination, mixed with excitement at the possibilities that I see on their faces. You can quickly spot the first time parents, their eyes dart from side to side, taking in the environment, the equipment, the other parents, and the other children.

DS is on week two of our visit. We come here every 2-3 months for 2 weeks, staving off what is a progressive debilitating disorder. It's origin is uncertain...residual effect from the brain tumor? Progression of the Syringomyelia? In a nutshell, small cysts are beginning to fill his spinal cord, displacing the nerves and altering their ability to fire messages correctly. Cellular changes indicitive of the presence of a new tumor forming? No one is sure, perhaps a combination?

I look around me and I realize that whenever my life seems challenging, my burden heavy, I am fortunate. My struggles are minimal in comparison, my life is easy. Look around you, somewhere others are struggling more. Remember how fortunate you are...

Dear High School Principal, part two

Dear High School Principal,

Recently I visited two of your classroom with my son, his teacher, and a vice principal looking for a new elective class for him to attend. I wanted to share with you my impressions.

The first class, Art Theory, was fascinating. I was impressed that the class size was small, only 14 students. They were studying the color wheel, many students engaged in a great discussion on tretiary and complimentary colors. The room, while cluttered, was filled with art samples and textbooks. Unfortunately half of the class was completely uninvolved. Four of the students were listening to their iPods during the lecture, two were smacking each other with rulers, and another one appeared to be sleeping. At no time during my 15 minute visit did anyone correct the students behavior....

The second class was a music class. The students were supposed to be learning keyboarding skills. Well, hmm....when we walked in the teacher was sitting at her desk reading a book. Several students were simply sitting at their keyboards fiddling around or doing something else. A handful of students, think four, were actually working on their compositions. At no time during the 15 minutes I visited the class did the teacher engage the students. NOT ONCE... Again, I was accompanied by my son, his homeroom teacher, and a vice principal.

So, which class should I enroll my son in you ask? Neither! Honestly what do you expect me to choose? The keyboarding class where the teacher isn't even speaking with, directing, or engaging her students OR the art class where half of the students
aren't even participating in the class? Why would I choose either of them? Why would anybody?

Thanks again for reinforcing how fabulous high school is...

Dear High School Principal.....

Dear High School Principal,

Thank you for your educational efforts. I am happy to report that utilizing videos in Adaptive PE to occupy the students when the Adaptive PE teacher isn't on site is definitely improving my son's coordination. So glad they didn't take a walk or do something physical. Yes, sitting and watching a movie is definitely a good idea.

In addition, the capable substitutes that were placed in my son's classroom last week presented the students with a rousing example of basketball when they partook of watching the game (I am sure they were able to relate it to math skills). Oh, and the online research of basketball scores was very enlightening to my son. He is ever so thankful for the increased knowledge he has now. Your substitutes are top notch.

Please thank your substitutes for the wise use of my son's educational time.

Sincerely,

Me

Spam rocks....seriously!

Not long ago, my friend Kimber, suggested I send some writing samples to a Canadian magazine. She thought my writing would match what they were looking for in writers. So I did. I collected a sampling of material and sent it on it's way. And I waited....and waited....and then, a few days ag I found IT. In my spam folder. IT.

"Hi Cynthia,

Your creative writing samples came across my desk last week. You have a beautiful writing style and we would love some more information.

Of the writing that you sent us, how much of it is published? Have you worked with other designers before and paired your writing with their artwork? Is this something that interests you?

I will thank Kimber for telling you about Scrapbook & Cards Today.

I look forward to hearing from you and to reading more of your great writing."


Eeeeeeeeekkkkkkk, how exciting is that? I'll be pub; in the Summer or possibly Fall issue, pairing with Kimber for art work!

Sometimes SPAM rocks!