My husband has been bugging me to add another posting to my blog. I guess I just haven't thought there was much to write about lately.
We seem to be going through the typical "we've been in school a month and the novelty has worn off" mood. The kids don't want to do homework... it's either too easy or too hard. I have been working a lot in the kindergarten class (which wears me out and gives me a headache) and in the 1st/2nd grade split class (which is much more fun since the kids actually want to listen to you). It's time to start doing speeches (4th grade), book reports (2nd grade) and learning to read (K). I feel like I'm homeschooling despite the fact that I seem to recall driving my kids to a large building that says "Highlands Elementary School" every morning.
Oh yes, and Temera has decided to run for polical office. Okay, maybe it's not that political, but in the scheme of elementary school it's a big deal. Preliminary elections are being held today for the Student Council, of which she has thrown her hat in the race for "Activities Director". Hmmm... not sure what someone of that caliber actually does at school, but regardless, that is what she wants to be. Go Temy!
Amanda has managed to move on up to age "7". Friends from school helped her celebrate with a Spa Girlz party (yes, I'm aware of the misspelling). It was a lot of fun and I couldn't have done it without my SIL's help and my mother's help. So... she is now a year older... but sadly, not much wiser.
And me? I have become addicted to watching the news. Every day I am appalled at what is going on in this world. President Obama has said he wants change... boy, are we getting change. Unfortunately, it's not good change. Healthcare... ACORN... Missle Defence... seriously? Change is great... but only if your going forward, not back. I think healthcare insurance companies should all be non-profits. I think ACORN should be dropped like a hot potato. I think Israel needs to just go into Iran and bomb the hell out of them!
Sorry... am I sounding too militant?
Gotta run... have to prepare for my jewelry party tonight. Ah yes... I do have priorities!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
President Obama's Speech
Like every parent, I'm concerned that my children get the best education possible. I know their teachers, I help out in their classrooms, I sign off on every piece of homework they get. I'm grateful there are people out there who have chosen to teach, considering I have no interest, skill or patience to do so myself. This past week a lot of schools and teachers (and parents) have been faced with a difficult decision: Should we let our children watch the President's speech on Tuesday? I have mixed feelings.
President Obama is really the only president my children have known. He is talked about nearly every time we turn the television on. They don't know what his political views are, they don't know who his cabinet is, and they have no idea why the country is so divided when it comes to this one particular man. All they see is the President of the United States... as it should be at their young ages.
I certainly don't want to impart our views on the kids, but suddenly, what should be a simple speech about staying in school and the importance of education has turned into a battle between Democrat and Republican. It is pitting friend against friend and family against family. I find that I'm starting to feel more negative about certain people just because of how they are responding to this "speech".
Knowing full well that there is controversy surrounding what the President is going to say, I can't understand why a few alterations can't be made. For instance, is it necessary for him to speak during school hours? Besides the air time being less expensive, why not speak in the evening when parents can sit with their kids and listen if they so choose. Why are we leaving it up to our educators to answer questions and give their opinions? Why can't the speech be uploaded to the web several days in advance rather than one day in advance so we can have time to think it over? Why is the principal of my school leaving it up to the teachers to decide if they want to view this with their students? And what if my child doesn't view it? Will she be teased by her friends?
I'm grateful that the Education Department has withdrawn their "educational materials" for this speech. Why were they ever put in place to begin with?
I can understand the feeling of some that they don't want the President to impart his political views on the kids... but with the whole world watching, it is hard to believe this speech will be about anything other than education and it's importance.
Despite how I feel about the man himself and the direction he's leading our country into, I am planning on reading the speech before I make any decisions. I, for one, want to be informed before I jump the gun. We owe that to our kids.
President Obama is really the only president my children have known. He is talked about nearly every time we turn the television on. They don't know what his political views are, they don't know who his cabinet is, and they have no idea why the country is so divided when it comes to this one particular man. All they see is the President of the United States... as it should be at their young ages.
I certainly don't want to impart our views on the kids, but suddenly, what should be a simple speech about staying in school and the importance of education has turned into a battle between Democrat and Republican. It is pitting friend against friend and family against family. I find that I'm starting to feel more negative about certain people just because of how they are responding to this "speech".
Knowing full well that there is controversy surrounding what the President is going to say, I can't understand why a few alterations can't be made. For instance, is it necessary for him to speak during school hours? Besides the air time being less expensive, why not speak in the evening when parents can sit with their kids and listen if they so choose. Why are we leaving it up to our educators to answer questions and give their opinions? Why can't the speech be uploaded to the web several days in advance rather than one day in advance so we can have time to think it over? Why is the principal of my school leaving it up to the teachers to decide if they want to view this with their students? And what if my child doesn't view it? Will she be teased by her friends?
I'm grateful that the Education Department has withdrawn their "educational materials" for this speech. Why were they ever put in place to begin with?
I can understand the feeling of some that they don't want the President to impart his political views on the kids... but with the whole world watching, it is hard to believe this speech will be about anything other than education and it's importance.
Despite how I feel about the man himself and the direction he's leading our country into, I am planning on reading the speech before I make any decisions. I, for one, want to be informed before I jump the gun. We owe that to our kids.
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