Today was yucky and windy so definitely not a day that a 12 year old girl can walk even a couple of blocks to a bus stop, her hair may get messed up! Naturally that put her mother and dog in the car at 7:15 am this morning to send her off to the stop. However, when we got there we found we had forgotten our violin, this cannot be! Certainly her mother could drop it off on "her way" to work. Yes, of course! Work is in Shoreview and school is in Plymouth, right next to each other, NOT. Therefore, I said I'd run home and get it and be right back. Of course upon my return, no daughter, the bus was on time for the first time all school year. "Now what?" I said to the dog. No response, but she happily stuck her head out into the wind. I know, I thought, I'd pursue the bus! So, I put my cute Lucky Irish Slippered foot on the accelerator and took off, guessing at the course of the bus. Sure enough, I guessed right, it was up ahead, I sped up. After following a couple blocks it slowed to pick up a sullen looking, tired teenage kid. I stopped and jumped out of the car, not thinking of my attire. I was wearing my fuzzy blue snowflake print pajama bottoms a pink top, my winter coat and afore said green irish slippers! AND carrying a violin case. The kid took one look at me and got a lot faster about climbing up the steps of the bus, suddenly school didn't look so bad in comparison with facing me in my current state. I ran to the bus and handed off the violin. My daughter's voice was heard from inside saying "Thanks mom!". Warmed my heart, I'm telling you!
Then, I headed home to work out, as I have done every morning for the past two weeks except for Saturdays when work is too early and yesterday when I chose to bake instead, so much healthier! So, I was working out on my step with my barbells when my son came downstairs and sat beside me. He was concerned because his arms were sore from last week at school doing push ups for the Presidential fitness. I explained to him in between huffing and puffing and climbing up and down off my step that often our muscles get sore when we use different ones and that it will eventually go away. I told him when I first started lifting weights again, I noticed stiffness too. But eventually, your muscles get used to it and get stronger. In response, he said, "So then your fat will go away?" Kids so direct they are! I guess two weeks wasn't long enough to get rid of much, but I will keep trying. I'm calling my work out the double I E work out, (If I'm Elected!) clever huh?
I suppose I should change it to the WIE work out, WHEN I'm elected, but I'm not ready to do that yet, maybe when my muscle matter develops!
Thought you'd want to know.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Baking and freezing!
It is SOOOO cold! The funny thing is it probably actually isn't cold really at least not by Minnesota standards, it probably just feels cold because I have been so used to it being warm. I was freezing on Friday and had to go out into the world to pick up a child and take her somewhere else. So, I put on my cape, no not a super hero cape, but it may have well as been by the reaction I got from my daughter when I showed up to pick her up in it. "MOM she said, I told you NOT to wear that in public!". This is not an embarrassing wardrobe choice, people, it is a black fleece cape and I look quite cute in it, if I do say so myself. Black is slimming you know. In fact, the adults complimented me on it, much to my daughter's horror. I think I may be reaching the stage where most things I wear are embarrassing to her and I sincerely wish I didn't take such delight in irritating her with the concept! Poor kid.
Today I baked. This is something I almost never do because there is an inevitable disaster that goes along with most of my baking endeavors. However, this time it was a disaster free affair. I made cheesecake bars and toffee bars and both turned out although when I cut them up they didn't look as nice as the ones pictured in the cookbook. I think that is the case always though. When I put on a shirt I see in a magazine it never looks as good on me as in the magazine even when I was thinner. Or when I put an item in my house like a shelf or something, it never looks the same as in the catalog or store. It has my stamp on it and my stamp is often kind of messy. It is who I am, or whom I am, something like that.
I also saw a movie last evening. The Poseidon adventure. It was really action packed and made me look away from the screen a few times, but I really enjoyed it. The plot was limited but fun to watch. It also wasn't too gross which is nice, there were some unhappy endings of some of the cast members, but the main guys made it including Richard Dreyfuss and some other folks I didn't recognize but probably should know. I find it interesting that they always have a token old guy in these adventure movies. In the Towering Inferno that I bought the other day for nostalgia purposes there was Fred Astaire and the token old guy tends to survive the movie too which is a nice touch. Probably their wisdom that saves them, not the physical dexterity. There is also usually a kid or two as well so the heroes can periodically save them from certain death and then a few capable young women and brainy, athletic guys who figure out the plans and save a select few from whatever disaster ship sinking or fire or whatever that is at hand. Anyway, it is fun to watch it all unfold.
Thought you'd want to know.
Today I baked. This is something I almost never do because there is an inevitable disaster that goes along with most of my baking endeavors. However, this time it was a disaster free affair. I made cheesecake bars and toffee bars and both turned out although when I cut them up they didn't look as nice as the ones pictured in the cookbook. I think that is the case always though. When I put on a shirt I see in a magazine it never looks as good on me as in the magazine even when I was thinner. Or when I put an item in my house like a shelf or something, it never looks the same as in the catalog or store. It has my stamp on it and my stamp is often kind of messy. It is who I am, or whom I am, something like that.
I also saw a movie last evening. The Poseidon adventure. It was really action packed and made me look away from the screen a few times, but I really enjoyed it. The plot was limited but fun to watch. It also wasn't too gross which is nice, there were some unhappy endings of some of the cast members, but the main guys made it including Richard Dreyfuss and some other folks I didn't recognize but probably should know. I find it interesting that they always have a token old guy in these adventure movies. In the Towering Inferno that I bought the other day for nostalgia purposes there was Fred Astaire and the token old guy tends to survive the movie too which is a nice touch. Probably their wisdom that saves them, not the physical dexterity. There is also usually a kid or two as well so the heroes can periodically save them from certain death and then a few capable young women and brainy, athletic guys who figure out the plans and save a select few from whatever disaster ship sinking or fire or whatever that is at hand. Anyway, it is fun to watch it all unfold.
Thought you'd want to know.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Still can't come up with anything...
Today I worked with the media. I sent my profile and photo into Channel 12 and agreed to be interviewed on Election Day and also to record a statement on the air. Perhaps they could use "fuzzy" light when they film me like they do for some actresses! I could be like Garbo or someone! I also sent my photo and profile answers to the Sun Post. Any amount of free publicity is a good thing as my campaign isn't actually rolling in money.
It is interesting how campaigns make money sometimes though after that Senator hackled the President his opponents campaign collected hundreds of thousands of dollars overnight! All it takes is one bully and money starts flying I guess!
Last evening we had our first PTO meeting in the evening. The attendance was great, I was really impressed and the conversation was intense. We discussed the clustering model we are using at RSI which allows high, low and medium levels of students in each class but limits the numbers to allow the teacher to reach more students. That is what I understood. However, a lot of people had concerns.
The main concern seemed to revolve around how they decided where to place the kids and that some kids are not put into what would be classed as a "dumb" class. I don't think that is an issue really. In fact, this model, the way it was explained will bring all students up at least one or two levels by allowing more attention and a different way of instructing.
It seems to be being done that way at my daughter's middle school too. She is not in AP but some of her friends are in it. Yet, my daughter still has classes with her friends. The instructor explained to us that the AP students get a different type of work, but by mixing them together it moves all students up to the level of AP students.
This sounds like a good plan to me. I will admit without putting them down, that my children aren't the brightest in the room. They have other talents though! Anything to help them academically I am happy about.
Thought you'd want to know.
It is interesting how campaigns make money sometimes though after that Senator hackled the President his opponents campaign collected hundreds of thousands of dollars overnight! All it takes is one bully and money starts flying I guess!
Last evening we had our first PTO meeting in the evening. The attendance was great, I was really impressed and the conversation was intense. We discussed the clustering model we are using at RSI which allows high, low and medium levels of students in each class but limits the numbers to allow the teacher to reach more students. That is what I understood. However, a lot of people had concerns.
The main concern seemed to revolve around how they decided where to place the kids and that some kids are not put into what would be classed as a "dumb" class. I don't think that is an issue really. In fact, this model, the way it was explained will bring all students up at least one or two levels by allowing more attention and a different way of instructing.
It seems to be being done that way at my daughter's middle school too. She is not in AP but some of her friends are in it. Yet, my daughter still has classes with her friends. The instructor explained to us that the AP students get a different type of work, but by mixing them together it moves all students up to the level of AP students.
This sounds like a good plan to me. I will admit without putting them down, that my children aren't the brightest in the room. They have other talents though! Anything to help them academically I am happy about.
Thought you'd want to know.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Can't think of a title
I think it is best if I just call all my blogs "Untitled" this way, I do not need to stick with a particular pattern of subject matter. If I veer off course no one will say that I am totally "off topic" because I have not actually defined a particular topic. That is my theory and I'm stickin' to it.
This past weekend we had a garage sale for my daughter's girl scout troop to benefit their trip to Duluth this summer. My son chose to sell some of his items in it and they agreed to allow him to do so provided that he gave them half his profit. He sold quite a few of his matchbox cars at around 25 cents each. When told that all profits go toward getting rid of his sister next summer, he found that more profit should go toward the girl scouts and less into his pocket! I bring this up both because I found it hysterical and that how much people give largely depends on how the "cause" or "goal" is explained to them.
We are trying to raise money for technology for the school this year. If we simply say, technology for the school, it is less likely people will donate. If we show people the technology, i.e. the smart boards (which are fabulous!) and the other great technology items we can purchase with the funds they will be more willing to give money toward it.
The same at a District level. People who are upset about their tax dollars being mis-spent by the District need to see the really cool things that those tax dollars go toward. I was at a meeting the other day and I saw a photo of the new technology labs at RMS. They have computers that are put down lower on the desks and a see through window is on the desk so the kids can see the computer and what they are working on through it. But because they are lower down, they can also have an unobstructed view of the teacher. It is REALLY cool. However, my explanation is not cool at all and even I can't get the picture from it. These things people need to see. I think the District needs to "advertise" this type of stuff. Maybe invite the Sun Post or Star Trib or one of the local stations to film the lab and how unique it is. I've never seen anything like it. This will make people more excited about the District and it's innovations.
Thought you'd want to know.
This past weekend we had a garage sale for my daughter's girl scout troop to benefit their trip to Duluth this summer. My son chose to sell some of his items in it and they agreed to allow him to do so provided that he gave them half his profit. He sold quite a few of his matchbox cars at around 25 cents each. When told that all profits go toward getting rid of his sister next summer, he found that more profit should go toward the girl scouts and less into his pocket! I bring this up both because I found it hysterical and that how much people give largely depends on how the "cause" or "goal" is explained to them.
We are trying to raise money for technology for the school this year. If we simply say, technology for the school, it is less likely people will donate. If we show people the technology, i.e. the smart boards (which are fabulous!) and the other great technology items we can purchase with the funds they will be more willing to give money toward it.
The same at a District level. People who are upset about their tax dollars being mis-spent by the District need to see the really cool things that those tax dollars go toward. I was at a meeting the other day and I saw a photo of the new technology labs at RMS. They have computers that are put down lower on the desks and a see through window is on the desk so the kids can see the computer and what they are working on through it. But because they are lower down, they can also have an unobstructed view of the teacher. It is REALLY cool. However, my explanation is not cool at all and even I can't get the picture from it. These things people need to see. I think the District needs to "advertise" this type of stuff. Maybe invite the Sun Post or Star Trib or one of the local stations to film the lab and how unique it is. I've never seen anything like it. This will make people more excited about the District and it's innovations.
Thought you'd want to know.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Closings and feelings
It is really hard for me to title blogs. I never know what to call them, so if you read this blog, don't not read one because the title is dumb, because largely, they will ALL be dumb.
We finished the garage sale today, I was unable to attend the last day because I had to work. However, I heard from my daughter we did really well. We sold the converter box that my husband insisted on buying even though I explained numerous times that we have cable and therefore, need no converter box. Why would we listen to me? So, we bought two and opened one before we realized after deigning to read the instructions that indeed we didn't need it. Therefore, it sat gathering dust having been opened and unable to be returned. We got a good price for that so maybe it was meant to be!
I realized last week that running for school board isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in this district before we can move forward and I think the board needs to be a leader in this effort. As I said before, I like the existing board a lot but I don't think they can do it, I do think a new board needs to be elected or at least a few new members. People perceive the existing board as those who brought the bad news onto them. Whether that is fair or not it is the perception.
The biggest problem with me is ...and I'll be honest here even if it costs me votes, I want to make everyone happy and I can't do it sometimes and that is really frustrating. Often times that leads me to prayer because it is the way I know to "meditate" on a situation. I don't often think of that until I first panic for a while!
I also have gotten better at just letting go. Sometimes you just need to separate yourself either via actual space or perceived space from something in order to see it clearly. Maybe clean a room or take a bath or a walk with a pair of jeans (don't ask!) and give the issue space and then when you come back to it, it may look entirely different or at least not be as large as it was when you left. There are issues that get so big they take over the house and the back yard too. When I've done this, though, and I come back often times, they are hanging out happily in one room. I may be getting too symbolic here, but what I'm trying to say is that stress cannot overtake you if you do not let it do it. There are ways to get past it. Next time you see me tearing some of my hair out remind me of this fact.
Thought you'd want to know.
We finished the garage sale today, I was unable to attend the last day because I had to work. However, I heard from my daughter we did really well. We sold the converter box that my husband insisted on buying even though I explained numerous times that we have cable and therefore, need no converter box. Why would we listen to me? So, we bought two and opened one before we realized after deigning to read the instructions that indeed we didn't need it. Therefore, it sat gathering dust having been opened and unable to be returned. We got a good price for that so maybe it was meant to be!
I realized last week that running for school board isn't all sunshine and rainbows. There are a lot of issues that need to be resolved in this district before we can move forward and I think the board needs to be a leader in this effort. As I said before, I like the existing board a lot but I don't think they can do it, I do think a new board needs to be elected or at least a few new members. People perceive the existing board as those who brought the bad news onto them. Whether that is fair or not it is the perception.
The biggest problem with me is ...and I'll be honest here even if it costs me votes, I want to make everyone happy and I can't do it sometimes and that is really frustrating. Often times that leads me to prayer because it is the way I know to "meditate" on a situation. I don't often think of that until I first panic for a while!
I also have gotten better at just letting go. Sometimes you just need to separate yourself either via actual space or perceived space from something in order to see it clearly. Maybe clean a room or take a bath or a walk with a pair of jeans (don't ask!) and give the issue space and then when you come back to it, it may look entirely different or at least not be as large as it was when you left. There are issues that get so big they take over the house and the back yard too. When I've done this, though, and I come back often times, they are hanging out happily in one room. I may be getting too symbolic here, but what I'm trying to say is that stress cannot overtake you if you do not let it do it. There are ways to get past it. Next time you see me tearing some of my hair out remind me of this fact.
Thought you'd want to know.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Garage sale and finding time to campaign
Well today started out rough. I got a phone call from the gal I'm doing a garage sale with to benefit my daughter's girl scout troop's trip to Duluth at 7:30 am. Then, I laid down again and it occurred to me, it's 7:30!! My daughter needs to get up no later than 6:45 to make her bus at 7:25, it being 7:30 pretty much guaranteed the bus had been missed! I sprinted out of bed, woke her up and in literally 20 minutes was in the car on the way to Plymouth Middle School with a very unhappy 12 year old girl. We made it in the nick of time, although, I had to drop her violin off in the orchestra room for her. Gee I'm glad I put on make-up!
Then, I went home and back to Plymouth again to do the garage sale. The good news..we got a lot of traffic today and sold a ton of stuff. We held it at my house which in theory gets more traffic at the beginning of August and didn't get many people at all. It could have been my ever present beagle growling at the patrons from under the check out table, but who knows! If it keeps going like this we'll have a nice trip for the girls.
Now, I'm thinking of campaigning again. I believe the best idea I have is that I'm from Brooklyn Center and so many of the other candidates are from Golden Valley and Plymouth. There isn't anything wrong with those areas, however, I do feel a broader representation of the district is called for. The board is supposed to represent the district population and we have a big district. Now I just need signs and literature, I've found some sign making businesses that I never knew existed so my mission for next week is to visit them and assess costs. Then, the beagle and I will be hitting the trail.
My literature will be published in this blog as it is my one forum aside from Facebook to "advertise", so look for that in the near future!
Thought you'd want to know.
Then, I went home and back to Plymouth again to do the garage sale. The good news..we got a lot of traffic today and sold a ton of stuff. We held it at my house which in theory gets more traffic at the beginning of August and didn't get many people at all. It could have been my ever present beagle growling at the patrons from under the check out table, but who knows! If it keeps going like this we'll have a nice trip for the girls.
Now, I'm thinking of campaigning again. I believe the best idea I have is that I'm from Brooklyn Center and so many of the other candidates are from Golden Valley and Plymouth. There isn't anything wrong with those areas, however, I do feel a broader representation of the district is called for. The board is supposed to represent the district population and we have a big district. Now I just need signs and literature, I've found some sign making businesses that I never knew existed so my mission for next week is to visit them and assess costs. Then, the beagle and I will be hitting the trail.
My literature will be published in this blog as it is my one forum aside from Facebook to "advertise", so look for that in the near future!
Thought you'd want to know.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Endorsement...NOT
So I did not get the endorsement from the RFT (Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers) I so far have not found anyone who did. I am guessing the incumbents maybe did? Don't know, but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. Some people are telling me maybe it is better that I did not get endorsed. I'm not sure but I can only move forward from here. In case you are curious, here is how I answered their questions.
1. Why are you a candidate for school board and what are your qualifications?
I am a parent and someone who is extremely passionate about the continued success of the district. I currently have two children in the district. My daughter is in 7th grade at Plymouth Middle School and my son is in 5th grade at RSIS. I have been very involved in the school district for 7 years through various avenues. I have put the newsletter together, coordinated volunteers, been secretary, vice president and currently president of the PTO; I also co-chaired the South of the Border festival last year at RMS. The reason I chose to run is to increase my level of involvement. This past year’s school closings and the referendum experience has convinced me a new voice needs to be heard and I decided my voice might just be right.
2. How have we improved the public education system in District 281? What challenges remain? I think closing the schools and sticking with the fact that it needed to be done will eventually make a difference in the district as a whole.; I think getting down to the right size made sense. Although, I’m not certain that closing a middle school was the best choice, certainly by the meetings I attended at Plymouth Middle School they seem to have the larger population well in hand. I really feel confident the students will get a quality education there, although I admit I was worried about the larger size at first. I also like the work that is being put into improving MCA scores. From my experience, the students put in a lot of preparation last year in advance of the MCA tests. As to challenges, MCA scores still need improvement and I think the work we have already put in needs to continue and we may need to implement new programs or work with challenged students on a different level starting earlier. I also think getting things in order after the closing of the schools will take some time and that the more information folks have and the clearer it is, the better.
3. On which district and building committees have you served on?
I was on the referendum committees the past two years. After the first one failed, I honestly couldn’t wait to start on the next one to implement all the things that we learned. I’m so glad that the decision was made to go forward even though it was a Presidential election year. I also enjoyed the fact that the second time, the community was given more power during the process and that the district staff and school board distanced themselves. By doing so, they allowed the community to feel that it was “their” referendum and gave them ownership. I operated the database for the last campaign through some software we purchased called “The Databank” I think that software is terrific and potentially has a lot of uses even outside of campaigning.
Currently I’m on the Communication committee and the Calendar task force.
4. During time of tight revenue, what solutions would you propose? I think looking at expenses in a whole new way is called for…look outside the box. Find savings in new ways and also definitely unload the buildings that the District no longer uses as maintaining them I’m certain is costly.
5. How do you believe District 281 can meet the challenge of attracting and retaining quality employees? I think we already have some of the highest quality employees and I mean that. I have run into very few people who I don’t consider to be exemplary from the Superintendent on down. As to keeping these folks, I think we need to work hard to communicate with the employees so they know where things stand and do not resort to the rumor mill to find the answers. I think making the District’s reputation stronger throughout the State will attract even more quality employees. I think that comes from keeping up the communication of our great successes to anyone who will liste.
6. What do you see as your role in directing administrative staff, including the Superintendent? I see my role as an advisor along with the rest of the board. I am never afraid to share my opinion on any subject. I enjoy writing and would love the opportunity to help with editing messages and help to mold policies as far as the board’s authority would allow. I assume we would continue the monitoring of the Strategic Plan and the progress it continues to make.
7. What role did you play in representing our district at the legislature this past year? I wrote several letters to the Governor about my concerns regarding any cuts to Education spending. During the course of the referendum campaigns I met Sandra Peterson and Ann Rest with whom I expressed my feelings on Education funding and its importance both in our district and to the entire Education system.
8. Would you support contracting with outside providers such as Teach for America to hire classroom teachers? I’d need to hear more about why we think that is necessary. My initial reaction would be no. I feel we have the ability to handle our own hiring and cannot see a logical reason to pay someone else to do it. My feeling on consultants in general is that if you can do it yourself, why would you want to spend money on an outside person? I do see the logic in it occasionally, such as the communication audit that a consultant was hired to do. I felt that was beneficial particularly because the district has a small communication staff and has no time to do such a complex audit. However, something like hiring is a lot more personal and I think keeping that internal makes a lot more sense.
9. Do you have an organized campaign? How is your campaign structured?
Truthfully, this is my first time running and I am learning as I go. I have some folks that have offered to help me, but as to a formal “Campaign Manager” and “Campaign Staff” the answer is no. I also do not have a slogan although my daughter, who has declared herself my Campaign Manager has come up with some lovely ones. I plan to put together some literature and hand it out at conference time and if finances allow also distribute some door to door. I also intend to get a few signs to put in strategic areas closer to the election.
10. Do you have other thoughts you’d like to share with us?
Only that I pondered running for a long time, not because I didn’t want to do it, but because I know it won’t be an easy thing to accomplish and I wanted to give it my best effort. I feel I can do it this year because my children are getting older and I am doing less volunteer work at the schools and have more time to devote to campaigning and if I am elected to serving on the board. The time I have spent in the company of the current board members and the district staff have made me realize that working with those folks on a higher level would be a really wonderful experience.
1. Why are you a candidate for school board and what are your qualifications?
I am a parent and someone who is extremely passionate about the continued success of the district. I currently have two children in the district. My daughter is in 7th grade at Plymouth Middle School and my son is in 5th grade at RSIS. I have been very involved in the school district for 7 years through various avenues. I have put the newsletter together, coordinated volunteers, been secretary, vice president and currently president of the PTO; I also co-chaired the South of the Border festival last year at RMS. The reason I chose to run is to increase my level of involvement. This past year’s school closings and the referendum experience has convinced me a new voice needs to be heard and I decided my voice might just be right.
2. How have we improved the public education system in District 281? What challenges remain? I think closing the schools and sticking with the fact that it needed to be done will eventually make a difference in the district as a whole.; I think getting down to the right size made sense. Although, I’m not certain that closing a middle school was the best choice, certainly by the meetings I attended at Plymouth Middle School they seem to have the larger population well in hand. I really feel confident the students will get a quality education there, although I admit I was worried about the larger size at first. I also like the work that is being put into improving MCA scores. From my experience, the students put in a lot of preparation last year in advance of the MCA tests. As to challenges, MCA scores still need improvement and I think the work we have already put in needs to continue and we may need to implement new programs or work with challenged students on a different level starting earlier. I also think getting things in order after the closing of the schools will take some time and that the more information folks have and the clearer it is, the better.
3. On which district and building committees have you served on?
I was on the referendum committees the past two years. After the first one failed, I honestly couldn’t wait to start on the next one to implement all the things that we learned. I’m so glad that the decision was made to go forward even though it was a Presidential election year. I also enjoyed the fact that the second time, the community was given more power during the process and that the district staff and school board distanced themselves. By doing so, they allowed the community to feel that it was “their” referendum and gave them ownership. I operated the database for the last campaign through some software we purchased called “The Databank” I think that software is terrific and potentially has a lot of uses even outside of campaigning.
Currently I’m on the Communication committee and the Calendar task force.
4. During time of tight revenue, what solutions would you propose? I think looking at expenses in a whole new way is called for…look outside the box. Find savings in new ways and also definitely unload the buildings that the District no longer uses as maintaining them I’m certain is costly.
5. How do you believe District 281 can meet the challenge of attracting and retaining quality employees? I think we already have some of the highest quality employees and I mean that. I have run into very few people who I don’t consider to be exemplary from the Superintendent on down. As to keeping these folks, I think we need to work hard to communicate with the employees so they know where things stand and do not resort to the rumor mill to find the answers. I think making the District’s reputation stronger throughout the State will attract even more quality employees. I think that comes from keeping up the communication of our great successes to anyone who will liste.
6. What do you see as your role in directing administrative staff, including the Superintendent? I see my role as an advisor along with the rest of the board. I am never afraid to share my opinion on any subject. I enjoy writing and would love the opportunity to help with editing messages and help to mold policies as far as the board’s authority would allow. I assume we would continue the monitoring of the Strategic Plan and the progress it continues to make.
7. What role did you play in representing our district at the legislature this past year? I wrote several letters to the Governor about my concerns regarding any cuts to Education spending. During the course of the referendum campaigns I met Sandra Peterson and Ann Rest with whom I expressed my feelings on Education funding and its importance both in our district and to the entire Education system.
8. Would you support contracting with outside providers such as Teach for America to hire classroom teachers? I’d need to hear more about why we think that is necessary. My initial reaction would be no. I feel we have the ability to handle our own hiring and cannot see a logical reason to pay someone else to do it. My feeling on consultants in general is that if you can do it yourself, why would you want to spend money on an outside person? I do see the logic in it occasionally, such as the communication audit that a consultant was hired to do. I felt that was beneficial particularly because the district has a small communication staff and has no time to do such a complex audit. However, something like hiring is a lot more personal and I think keeping that internal makes a lot more sense.
9. Do you have an organized campaign? How is your campaign structured?
Truthfully, this is my first time running and I am learning as I go. I have some folks that have offered to help me, but as to a formal “Campaign Manager” and “Campaign Staff” the answer is no. I also do not have a slogan although my daughter, who has declared herself my Campaign Manager has come up with some lovely ones. I plan to put together some literature and hand it out at conference time and if finances allow also distribute some door to door. I also intend to get a few signs to put in strategic areas closer to the election.
10. Do you have other thoughts you’d like to share with us?
Only that I pondered running for a long time, not because I didn’t want to do it, but because I know it won’t be an easy thing to accomplish and I wanted to give it my best effort. I feel I can do it this year because my children are getting older and I am doing less volunteer work at the schools and have more time to devote to campaigning and if I am elected to serving on the board. The time I have spent in the company of the current board members and the district staff have made me realize that working with those folks on a higher level would be a really wonderful experience.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
My first loss!
I tried to get the endorsement from the RFT (Robbinsdale Federation of Teachers) and was not successful. It was kind of a scary thing for me to do in that I am not a really smooooth person and I tend to stumble and stutter a bit when I get nervous, so sitting before the panel and going over my responses to the questions stressed me. It is something I'll probably overcome with more practice.
I have been reading election blogs, among them the one that kind of bashes District 281 called 281 Exposed. I realize by reading those types of blogs how strongly some people feel on the topic of the District and it's elections. I got a small taste of that during the referendum campaigns but nothing compared to what I'm seeing now. They are so mean to some of the current board members and since I know them, I feel bad about it. They are certainly not bad people, maybe their decisions are not all perfect, but they are human and can only work with the circumstances they are given.
Negativity is a hard thing to overcome. You either have to try to turn them away from the "dark side" by being positive and showing them the happier side of the world or you have to ignore them or they will suck you into their field of negativity. I'm channeling Star Wars...but heck it worked with Darth Vader. Turn away from the dark side, 281 exposed, experience the good side of the force!!
I also find myself stressing more and more about whether what I'm doing is what I should be doing and if the things I write here in this blog are being put under a microscope and anyalized and probably rejected by those who are out there with their magnifying glasses and their "Accept" "Reject" stamps. Finally last night I decided, I'm going to be who I am and if someone doesn't like it, there are a lot of other choices out there. I am who I am!!
Thought you'd want to know.
I have been reading election blogs, among them the one that kind of bashes District 281 called 281 Exposed. I realize by reading those types of blogs how strongly some people feel on the topic of the District and it's elections. I got a small taste of that during the referendum campaigns but nothing compared to what I'm seeing now. They are so mean to some of the current board members and since I know them, I feel bad about it. They are certainly not bad people, maybe their decisions are not all perfect, but they are human and can only work with the circumstances they are given.
Negativity is a hard thing to overcome. You either have to try to turn them away from the "dark side" by being positive and showing them the happier side of the world or you have to ignore them or they will suck you into their field of negativity. I'm channeling Star Wars...but heck it worked with Darth Vader. Turn away from the dark side, 281 exposed, experience the good side of the force!!
I also find myself stressing more and more about whether what I'm doing is what I should be doing and if the things I write here in this blog are being put under a microscope and anyalized and probably rejected by those who are out there with their magnifying glasses and their "Accept" "Reject" stamps. Finally last night I decided, I'm going to be who I am and if someone doesn't like it, there are a lot of other choices out there. I am who I am!!
Thought you'd want to know.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Doctors!
I do love a good medical drama and I am a regular viewer of Grey's Anatomy, basically because of Patrick Dempsey who I could watch tie his shoes for an hour and be very happy! But, recently, I've encountered my own medical drama and am not as delighted with it.
I went in for my regularly scheduled mammogram and they refused to do it based on some differences between the two sides. So, today I went in for a "better" mammogram and ultrasound and they found....NOTHING! So, I thought I was done, NO! Because of the oddness of it all, I still have to meet with a surgeon. But, the doctor cautioned, "Not that you have to have surgery or anything!" Explain to me why I'm meeting with a surgeon again. "Because this is their area of expertise" He said. Oh. I am hoping I come out of this whole thing in one piece is all I have to say on the topic.
Although all the drama I experienced is nothing compared to the stories I heard profiled while working at the Jerry Lewis Telethon for 3 hours yesterday. I like being a part of the telethon though, not the television part, I don't like seeing myself on the camera. But, really, when you watch the stories and see the kids and their families who are affected by the disease, you forget about day to day concerns like appearance. There was one family with twin boys both in wheelchairs. The boys were doing okay, but still the family had to move to an entirely different house which was more wheelchair accesable and also just day to day care and all must be a lot of work and hard on everyone emotionally and physically.
ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease is another devistating disease, there was a dad profiled with two small children that was diagnosd shortly after they got married and didn't know how long he had to live. His daugher asked him if he was going to die and he said he didn't know how to answer. It makes simple things that go wrong in our lives seem pretty petty. Even my silly medical drama. Even if I did need surgery, what is the big deal? When you get down to it, likely I'd recover from that and still be able to walk and move around normally. These people are getting progressively worse and worse.
It is definitely something I intend to continue to be a part of each year to help raise funds to help the research and hopefully eventually find a cure or some treatments to prolong and help quality of life for those who have the diseases.
Thought you'd want to know.
I went in for my regularly scheduled mammogram and they refused to do it based on some differences between the two sides. So, today I went in for a "better" mammogram and ultrasound and they found....NOTHING! So, I thought I was done, NO! Because of the oddness of it all, I still have to meet with a surgeon. But, the doctor cautioned, "Not that you have to have surgery or anything!" Explain to me why I'm meeting with a surgeon again. "Because this is their area of expertise" He said. Oh. I am hoping I come out of this whole thing in one piece is all I have to say on the topic.
Although all the drama I experienced is nothing compared to the stories I heard profiled while working at the Jerry Lewis Telethon for 3 hours yesterday. I like being a part of the telethon though, not the television part, I don't like seeing myself on the camera. But, really, when you watch the stories and see the kids and their families who are affected by the disease, you forget about day to day concerns like appearance. There was one family with twin boys both in wheelchairs. The boys were doing okay, but still the family had to move to an entirely different house which was more wheelchair accesable and also just day to day care and all must be a lot of work and hard on everyone emotionally and physically.
ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease is another devistating disease, there was a dad profiled with two small children that was diagnosd shortly after they got married and didn't know how long he had to live. His daugher asked him if he was going to die and he said he didn't know how to answer. It makes simple things that go wrong in our lives seem pretty petty. Even my silly medical drama. Even if I did need surgery, what is the big deal? When you get down to it, likely I'd recover from that and still be able to walk and move around normally. These people are getting progressively worse and worse.
It is definitely something I intend to continue to be a part of each year to help raise funds to help the research and hopefully eventually find a cure or some treatments to prolong and help quality of life for those who have the diseases.
Thought you'd want to know.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Peace and quiet although short lived
I enjoyed an evening of peace last night with my beagle. My son and husband were off at his brother's cabin and my daughter was off at her friend's cabin. I had to work so had to stay behind. Honestly, it was weird to be in the house with no one else for an entire evening and night, I cannot remember the last time that happened.
I went to Target and shopped around - looked at clearance clothes and then at clearance other stuff. I got a really cool butterfly chair for my daugher's room for $14.95 on clearance. Then I came home and started attempting to clean my daugher's room again. I believe I need therapy for this obsession I have with cleaning it, but considering the fact that I take on average three bags of garbage out each time I clean and I do it really often, I think I need to continue. I realize I should insist she clean it herself, and I yell about it constantly. The problem being I can remember my own mother yelling at me in the same way with the same level of success. I did eventually come around to realizing wrappers belong in the garbage and that dusting is a necessity. I needed to get there on my own though and so does my own child - not that I'll stop yelling about it and cleaning when it doesn't work.
The difference between last night's cleaning and normal cleaning is that when I got tired in the middle, I stopped. I took a break mid-clean and watched a movie. I had purchased "The Aviator" with Leonardo Dicaprio at least 6 months ago and had not had a chance to watch it. So, I sat down to watch. The thing I didn't know is the move was over three hours long! It went on and on. I did enjoy it and really didn't know much about Howard Hughes prior to watching it except that I think people kept stealing his body after it was buried or something like that? I can remember news headlines to that effect when I was growing up. He really was mentally disturbed but also made huge strides in the airline industry and without much education on the topic. I didn't know he was so involved with Katherine Hepburn. I had read a biography of her a while back and don't recall much mention of him in it.
So, when the film was finally over I continued my cleaning and finished about 10:30 pm. The other thing I noticed is when I'm alone with the dog I tend to talk to her like she's human. I believe I will be one of those old women with a pet who is in constant conversation! Not such a bad thing but kind of creepy in its way! :)
Today, I plan to haul out the pine sol and do my floors and then the bathrooms and vacuuming. I am determined to finish up the cleaning while the little feet are at a minimum. Some would say while I have this quiet time I should enjoy myself, but the joy of living in a clean house for at least a few days before the family distroys it, is good enough for me.
I also plan to work on my campaign literature. Many of the candidates were already out passing out items outside the schools I went to on open house night. I wasn't out there as I was attending the open houses. People did ask why my literature wasn't among those being passed though. I need to get on it and soon!
Thought you'd want to know.
I went to Target and shopped around - looked at clearance clothes and then at clearance other stuff. I got a really cool butterfly chair for my daugher's room for $14.95 on clearance. Then I came home and started attempting to clean my daugher's room again. I believe I need therapy for this obsession I have with cleaning it, but considering the fact that I take on average three bags of garbage out each time I clean and I do it really often, I think I need to continue. I realize I should insist she clean it herself, and I yell about it constantly. The problem being I can remember my own mother yelling at me in the same way with the same level of success. I did eventually come around to realizing wrappers belong in the garbage and that dusting is a necessity. I needed to get there on my own though and so does my own child - not that I'll stop yelling about it and cleaning when it doesn't work.
The difference between last night's cleaning and normal cleaning is that when I got tired in the middle, I stopped. I took a break mid-clean and watched a movie. I had purchased "The Aviator" with Leonardo Dicaprio at least 6 months ago and had not had a chance to watch it. So, I sat down to watch. The thing I didn't know is the move was over three hours long! It went on and on. I did enjoy it and really didn't know much about Howard Hughes prior to watching it except that I think people kept stealing his body after it was buried or something like that? I can remember news headlines to that effect when I was growing up. He really was mentally disturbed but also made huge strides in the airline industry and without much education on the topic. I didn't know he was so involved with Katherine Hepburn. I had read a biography of her a while back and don't recall much mention of him in it.
So, when the film was finally over I continued my cleaning and finished about 10:30 pm. The other thing I noticed is when I'm alone with the dog I tend to talk to her like she's human. I believe I will be one of those old women with a pet who is in constant conversation! Not such a bad thing but kind of creepy in its way! :)
Today, I plan to haul out the pine sol and do my floors and then the bathrooms and vacuuming. I am determined to finish up the cleaning while the little feet are at a minimum. Some would say while I have this quiet time I should enjoy myself, but the joy of living in a clean house for at least a few days before the family distroys it, is good enough for me.
I also plan to work on my campaign literature. Many of the candidates were already out passing out items outside the schools I went to on open house night. I wasn't out there as I was attending the open houses. People did ask why my literature wasn't among those being passed though. I need to get on it and soon!
Thought you'd want to know.
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