It's been interesting, this new role of "Rallying for Public Charter Schools Mom" I have inadvertently become.
Interesting turn of events. Watch this timeline:
*Tuesday, after three reschedules, we meet with Michael Dembrow. When I return, I report the findings to my yahoo parents group and we have a discussion about how to better answer the opposition. It's very fruitful.
*Wednesday, my neighbor emails me (she is a Dembrow supporter AND a charter school supporter) a constituent email she got from Dembrow of some upcoming public meetings Dembrow is holding. One was a coffee house meeting yesterday (Saturday morning) the other is an official town hall meeting coming up later, both of which I didn't attend. Probably a good thing. Mr. Dembrow needs to hear from others besides me. I post these meeting dates to the parent's group seeing if anyone wants to attend.
A team of three did, and here is their report. I sense he is moving a bit on his position. I also sense that others just need to be educated on this topic. Here is Mark's report:
My wife, Julie, and Paula from this forum, and I were at the meeting with Michael Dembrow this morning. He was pretty generous sharing his thoughts with us.
I didn't feel comfortable exploring the details of his views in an open meeting like that. I'm not good at this kind of thing anyway. But I asked him a few general questions, and got some pretty direct answers. He said that he had some problems with the "model" of ORCA, although he was not opposed to public charter schools. He recommended the "North Bend model" as an virtual school alternative - but we didn't pursue this further than to point out that it was not a K-12 model.
We listened while he explained the arguments about "disruption" by "dropouts". Paula addressed this with her story, I think with good effect. Julie said that "a dropout from this program is not the same as an education dropout."
He drew attention to what he characterized as an unfair or unbalanced "profit" enjoyed by the tiny school district of Scio, implying that this was to the detriment of other districts. We made a few scattered comments to the effect that, this is what is available now to fit our choices and it would be disruptive to thousands of families to have it end. I said that this program has drawn homeschoolers into the public schools (many homeschoolers, I can tell you, count it as a defeat). I would think that a common school advocate would count this as a victory .
We were rewarded for our patience by hearing him say "it's my inclination to oppose any legislation that would shut down ORCA 'prematurely' ."
I asked him, "does that mean that you would favor a waiver of the 50% rule if applying that rule to ORCA means that the program would end before something is developed to take its place, something that seems more 'fair' and 'sensible' to you?"
He said, "That would be my inclination" (to support the waiver).
At the end of the meeting he invited us to the April 1 meeting, and mentioned that video of the hearing will be offered "live, on-line". He recommended that we would write short position statements if you aren't able to attend, addressed to the chairman of the committee - or the committee register - I'm sorry I don't know which he said, and I don't know how to do that anyway. Pointers sought.
Anyway, such position statements should address the concept of online charter schools and other larger issues, in preference to the technical details of the bills themselves ( which he implied would probably be gutted and stuffed later ). These communications would be read directly into the record, just as scheduled remarks are entered into the record.
He also invited those who watch the hearing to email him afterward with their thoughts. I would recommend being brief and pointed.
As I say, I'm not good at this sort of thing. I don't like politics and resent the need for political activism. I'm a "mind my own business" kind of guy. But I hope that this is helpful to all of you.
Mark
Here is Paula's response of the same meeting:
Mark,
This is an excellent summary of the day.
I couldn't tell that this forum was uncomfortable to you. You handled yourself quite well and Julie's comments were fantastic, perfect timing, hitting the points out of the ball park! I felt that I was the nervous wreck. I just hoped that I didn't come off too blunt or unintelligent.
It's my observation that the reaction of those around the table had more of an impact on him. I smiled when the woman across from him made the statement that school choice in any venue should be allowed. She was the one that said money shouldn't be an issue if there is a successful program: Kids are what count. It's a small price to pay for our future. When everyone agreed, I guess he lost the argument. I'm thinking that that town hall meeting at Southest is one we should all go to.
I'm glad that we had the opportunity to address the "distraction" and "drop out" issue. I really appreciated the back up from Julie with the clarification of a drop out. I'm so appreciative of the advice and rebuttals we get from everyone in our group. Without the exchange of information, I know that I wouldn't be as effective.
You are all such wonderful ORCA Advocates!
Keeping with the pioneering spirit...... ......
Paula
Mar 29, 2009
Mar 27, 2009
Youtube Nonsense
Just because I have laughed hard at this and also visited the dentist this week.
I had a long talk with my dentist this week while waiting for the Novocain to take effect. We both chuckled about this video. I told my dentist, "I want what he had." I didn't get what David had.
Long story short, my new crown got sidetracked for two weeks since my dentist had to cut out a lot of gum tissue that had grown down in between two teeth. Trust me, I would rather have two root canals than have gum tissue removed again. The temporary crown is in and is packed with putty to keep the bleeding gums at bay. I'll keep you posted.
I had a long talk with my dentist this week while waiting for the Novocain to take effect. We both chuckled about this video. I told my dentist, "I want what he had." I didn't get what David had.
Long story short, my new crown got sidetracked for two weeks since my dentist had to cut out a lot of gum tissue that had grown down in between two teeth. Trust me, I would rather have two root canals than have gum tissue removed again. The temporary crown is in and is packed with putty to keep the bleeding gums at bay. I'll keep you posted.
It Can't Be That Easy!
In years past, with our rodent problem, there are more than two rats. I killed my first two this year in the traps and now......nuthin'. Our best year, we killed eight but that was in the later part of summer. Several of those rats were not big either, I think they were teenagers.
So, where did they go? Since it is only March, I am wondering if I got the Mama and the Papa, and Mama was either preggers or there is a nest somewhere that has now been left unattended with young that I am sure have perished by now. It has been almost a week, and we have no rat activity outside, none in the garage and and the trap is still set where it was last weekend.
Am I thinking we're rat free for the season? No. I think our pre-emptive strike was definitely effective.
So, where did they go? Since it is only March, I am wondering if I got the Mama and the Papa, and Mama was either preggers or there is a nest somewhere that has now been left unattended with young that I am sure have perished by now. It has been almost a week, and we have no rat activity outside, none in the garage and and the trap is still set where it was last weekend.
Am I thinking we're rat free for the season? No. I think our pre-emptive strike was definitely effective.
Mar 24, 2009
Mrs. G Goes to the Capital
Our visit with the distinguished Michael Dembrow is over. I sent a letter to the ORCA parents group giving my take on the meeting. I am going to share it with you. Keep in mind, I am sharing this with the parents so we can hone our answers and deepen the meat of the conversations all of us have been having with our legislators.
When I refer to the 50/50 thing, that is referring to the post-ORCA, ruling that came down requiring that online charter schools have 50% of their online students from that school district. That would succinctly prevent small school districts from hosting online schools. If you ask me, it also disenfranchises them and prevents them fiscally from doing better. Also, when I refer to b and m schools, I am referring to regular schools. It is virtual school speak for "bricks and mortar schools". Anyway, here is my summary:
What I learned from Michael Dembrow:
1) We hear the proponents of 767 refer to "for profit" a lot. I get what they are saying now. The Scio school district, a very small school district, receives enrollment dollars for ORCA students. Enrollment dollars they wouldn't normally receive. That is what they are referring to, "the Scio SD is profiting from this online school." Got it. After ORCA started suddenly bunches of other small school districts applied for online charter schools giving the impression that they wanted those enrollment dollars, that they wouldn't have normally received before, and it gives the impression of "profiting" from state tax dollars (OUR tax dollars).
It also pits school districts in competition with each other for enrollment dollars. Okay, I get it. It's stupid, but I get it. (No I didn't say that.) Why? Because the spirit of charter schools is to establish competetion and competancy in schools. Competition creates excellence. If Scio's online charter school is competing with several other online charter schools from other districts, then you betcha all of them will make sure their students are performing to standards of excellence. That is the whole spirit of charter schools. I did say that. I also said, if Scio is taking on these kids as being responsible for their education, then why should my district (as it does now) receive enrollment tax dollars? They aren't doing anything for my kid!
But I have a real practical response to that.....what did they expect to happen when they approved the charter in the first place?? This is a consequence that they should have easily foreseen at ORCA's inception, not five years later to punish ORCA. Not ORCA's problem if you ask me.
And that is why the 50/50 thing came into play.
2) He also said that ORCA has a 30% "dropout" rate annually, meaning students stop and then go back to their b and m schools. I told him I disagree that number is so high based strictly upon our poll, but I could be wrong. He said this was "disruptive". I was flabbergasted at that, but held my breath. That is "disruptive"? I can see what he is saying though, so we need a response to that. Students that do come and go between virtual schools then back into the districts, I can see his point. Let's find a good answer to that.
I also pointed out that b and m schools also have a drop out rate of 12% and that results in students not being prepared to face a workplace or a job market. I think that is disruptive.
3) He also said he understood that is costs ORCA $7,000 to educate a kid annually and I disagreed with that. He said he knew that nationwide in other ORCA schools, that number has been considerably less, which is why there is a bill to cut funding for ORCA per student allotment. Well, I told him I heard $4,000. Both my husband and I pointed out vehemently, it's still cheaper either way than a b and m school and doing a better job. That is worthy of notice.
He also kept saying "Oregon's tax dollars". At one point, my great hubbie interrupted him and said "MY tax dollars. I pay those as well, and have a say in how they are used."
4) On a practical level, he does not like online schooling as a school model. Which is why it will take him changing his heart, not his mind on this issue. I asked him so even if he disagrees with this as a model, he does need to remember that Oregon recognizes online accredited teaching degrees, and hires those teachers. He agreed that I had a point.
I also pointed out that ORCA or any other online school has said online education is not for everyone and everyone agrees to that. It isn't for everyone. It is for a small demographic, just like charter schools are. They are targeted to a certain demographic, and offer great choices to parents. That is the point of charter schools!
5) He does think there is a need for a statewide online program. He asked, "Would you be for that?" I said "Yes, but the problem is this. I know the wheels of bureaucracy. That will take 8-10 years to fully implement. (I pointed to my son) I need a good education for him right now." I also said in my perfect world, a statewide system would be implemented, ORCA could continue to exist until it is ready to go, then the two combine. Is that such a bad idea? He laughed at me so apparently it is. I thought it was a good idea.
6) He also had some serious scrutinies of online success. I pointed out to him, if we are going to put virtual schooling, specifically ORCA, through such scrutiny (both fiscally and academically), he needs to be prepared to put the same kind of scrutiny on regular b and m schools, and "I think we both agree, b and m schools wouldn't pass muster." He agreed! OH MY WORD! He shook his head yes to that. He also agreed that b and m schools do pay too much to educate kids and that it is administration pay heavy.
7) He did argue that there is "no union for school administrators" and leaned back and chuckled at that. I asked then, if that is so funny, who is that listed right on the top of the bill. "Oh that is just a lobbyist group". Okay, let's split that hair a bit further, which is worse a lobbyist group that truly is in it for the money, and getting paid to lobby or a union that at least pretends to have it's employees interests at heart. I dunno, but he caught our drift on that.
So there are my finer points of our meeting yesterday. Those are what the opposition is thinking and feeling. I hope I was able to convey it meaningfully. I also hope it helps us to get into the mind of the opposition a bit and have even better discussions for our side.
When I refer to the 50/50 thing, that is referring to the post-ORCA, ruling that came down requiring that online charter schools have 50% of their online students from that school district. That would succinctly prevent small school districts from hosting online schools. If you ask me, it also disenfranchises them and prevents them fiscally from doing better. Also, when I refer to b and m schools, I am referring to regular schools. It is virtual school speak for "bricks and mortar schools". Anyway, here is my summary:
What I learned from Michael Dembrow:
1) We hear the proponents of 767 refer to "for profit" a lot. I get what they are saying now. The Scio school district, a very small school district, receives enrollment dollars for ORCA students. Enrollment dollars they wouldn't normally receive. That is what they are referring to, "the Scio SD is profiting from this online school." Got it. After ORCA started suddenly bunches of other small school districts applied for online charter schools giving the impression that they wanted those enrollment dollars, that they wouldn't have normally received before, and it gives the impression of "profiting" from state tax dollars (OUR tax dollars).
It also pits school districts in competition with each other for enrollment dollars. Okay, I get it. It's stupid, but I get it. (No I didn't say that.) Why? Because the spirit of charter schools is to establish competetion and competancy in schools. Competition creates excellence. If Scio's online charter school is competing with several other online charter schools from other districts, then you betcha all of them will make sure their students are performing to standards of excellence. That is the whole spirit of charter schools. I did say that. I also said, if Scio is taking on these kids as being responsible for their education, then why should my district (as it does now) receive enrollment tax dollars? They aren't doing anything for my kid!
But I have a real practical response to that.....what did they expect to happen when they approved the charter in the first place?? This is a consequence that they should have easily foreseen at ORCA's inception, not five years later to punish ORCA. Not ORCA's problem if you ask me.
And that is why the 50/50 thing came into play.
2) He also said that ORCA has a 30% "dropout" rate annually, meaning students stop and then go back to their b and m schools. I told him I disagree that number is so high based strictly upon our poll, but I could be wrong. He said this was "disruptive". I was flabbergasted at that, but held my breath. That is "disruptive"? I can see what he is saying though, so we need a response to that. Students that do come and go between virtual schools then back into the districts, I can see his point. Let's find a good answer to that.
I also pointed out that b and m schools also have a drop out rate of 12% and that results in students not being prepared to face a workplace or a job market. I think that is disruptive.
3) He also said he understood that is costs ORCA $7,000 to educate a kid annually and I disagreed with that. He said he knew that nationwide in other ORCA schools, that number has been considerably less, which is why there is a bill to cut funding for ORCA per student allotment. Well, I told him I heard $4,000. Both my husband and I pointed out vehemently, it's still cheaper either way than a b and m school and doing a better job. That is worthy of notice.
He also kept saying "Oregon's tax dollars". At one point, my great hubbie interrupted him and said "MY tax dollars. I pay those as well, and have a say in how they are used."
4) On a practical level, he does not like online schooling as a school model. Which is why it will take him changing his heart, not his mind on this issue. I asked him so even if he disagrees with this as a model, he does need to remember that Oregon recognizes online accredited teaching degrees, and hires those teachers. He agreed that I had a point.
I also pointed out that ORCA or any other online school has said online education is not for everyone and everyone agrees to that. It isn't for everyone. It is for a small demographic, just like charter schools are. They are targeted to a certain demographic, and offer great choices to parents. That is the point of charter schools!
5) He does think there is a need for a statewide online program. He asked, "Would you be for that?" I said "Yes, but the problem is this. I know the wheels of bureaucracy. That will take 8-10 years to fully implement. (I pointed to my son) I need a good education for him right now." I also said in my perfect world, a statewide system would be implemented, ORCA could continue to exist until it is ready to go, then the two combine. Is that such a bad idea? He laughed at me so apparently it is. I thought it was a good idea.
6) He also had some serious scrutinies of online success. I pointed out to him, if we are going to put virtual schooling, specifically ORCA, through such scrutiny (both fiscally and academically), he needs to be prepared to put the same kind of scrutiny on regular b and m schools, and "I think we both agree, b and m schools wouldn't pass muster." He agreed! OH MY WORD! He shook his head yes to that. He also agreed that b and m schools do pay too much to educate kids and that it is administration pay heavy.
7) He did argue that there is "no union for school administrators" and leaned back and chuckled at that. I asked then, if that is so funny, who is that listed right on the top of the bill. "Oh that is just a lobbyist group". Okay, let's split that hair a bit further, which is worse a lobbyist group that truly is in it for the money, and getting paid to lobby or a union that at least pretends to have it's employees interests at heart. I dunno, but he caught our drift on that.
So there are my finer points of our meeting yesterday. Those are what the opposition is thinking and feeling. I hope I was able to convey it meaningfully. I also hope it helps us to get into the mind of the opposition a bit and have even better discussions for our side.
Tuesday
8:00 am Dental visit. Finish some of the dental work that didn't get done last summer.
2:45 pm Arrive at Rep. Michael Dembrow's office to see what his explanation is for supporting State Bill 767 is.
I have a headache already and I am not sure which of my prospects for tomorrow is causing it. Which is worse? Dental drilling or listening to a politician give me canned political crap.
I'll get back to you on that.
Honestly, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my talk with Michael Dembrow. I only have 15 minutes with him, and I would really love to say something to him to get him to realize he is just a puppet for union fat cats at the expense of quality education for Oregon's youth.
2:45 pm Arrive at Rep. Michael Dembrow's office to see what his explanation is for supporting State Bill 767 is.
I have a headache already and I am not sure which of my prospects for tomorrow is causing it. Which is worse? Dental drilling or listening to a politician give me canned political crap.
I'll get back to you on that.
Honestly, I would greatly appreciate your prayers for my talk with Michael Dembrow. I only have 15 minutes with him, and I would really love to say something to him to get him to realize he is just a puppet for union fat cats at the expense of quality education for Oregon's youth.
Mar 22, 2009
It's Spring!
And what does that mean in our house? The rats are out of hibernation. I am not kidding. We have rats, and they always get lively this time of year.
Let me give you the bullet points on rats:
* According to the county vector control worker that came out and checked out our backyard (which is where the rats are currently, NOT in our house) he said "All city dwellers have rats. You have rats, the neighbors have rats, we all have rats. The only difference, because of your chickens, your rats come out and you can see them. And because you can see them, you can kill them. Just think, your neighbor doesn't even think he has rats, poor fellow." Vector control guy had a sense of humor. He also loved our chicken coop.
* We have had worse years than other regarding rats. This year seems worse than others.
* Rats are stinkin' smart. They also have bad eyesight and move based upon scent. Tupperware airtight-ness serves a purpose.
* Rats can collapse their ribs and shrink up to the size of a quarter.
Okay, where are we this year. Well, the rats come out during the day and just leap right into our metal feeder for the chickens. In years past, we have seen them just romp between our city approved, rodent resistant compost bins and build nests in those. We have also seen them just sit under the bird feeders while the birds drop seed and they feast.
In years past, our dog has been ol' reliable when it comes to killing them. She had a kill one year of 8 rats. Go girl! So we are planning once we get some nicer days, to go shake up the compost pile. That usually causes a few to come leaping out. Especially if you have the husband standing by with a shovel, you can usually kill a few. That is in the works for this year as well.
In years past, I have put out rat traps, and watched the little suckers dance all over the rat traps, debait them, and run away. Have you ever set a rat trap? They are the size of a person's foot and will take your fingers off it you're not careful. I saw red when they were doing this. So I had given up on the rat traps for quite awhile.
So, this year, what is my objective and goal this year? Kill the buggers. We have sat at the back of our house for several days now with our pellet gun shooting at them. Problem, we aren't accurate and neither is our Walmart special pellet gun. However, it is quite fun.
But in our shooting the other day, we noticed a rat scurry along the garage, and into a rat hole into the garage. Okay! Keep your nests in the compost bin! I am ticked!
Well, let's do something! I decided that since that was a portal that they go in and out of, I am going to try my luck at rat traps again. And also run the risk of losing a finger. Today is Sunday, Friday night, I set a trap at the opening of that hole on the inside of the garage. Saturday morning, bingo!
Mom = 1, rats = 0.
Let's do it again. This morning, bingo! Mom = 2, rats = 0.
I'll keep you posted. I finally don't feel outsmarted by a rodent!
Let me give you the bullet points on rats:
* According to the county vector control worker that came out and checked out our backyard (which is where the rats are currently, NOT in our house) he said "All city dwellers have rats. You have rats, the neighbors have rats, we all have rats. The only difference, because of your chickens, your rats come out and you can see them. And because you can see them, you can kill them. Just think, your neighbor doesn't even think he has rats, poor fellow." Vector control guy had a sense of humor. He also loved our chicken coop.
* We have had worse years than other regarding rats. This year seems worse than others.
* Rats are stinkin' smart. They also have bad eyesight and move based upon scent. Tupperware airtight-ness serves a purpose.
* Rats can collapse their ribs and shrink up to the size of a quarter.
Okay, where are we this year. Well, the rats come out during the day and just leap right into our metal feeder for the chickens. In years past, we have seen them just romp between our city approved, rodent resistant compost bins and build nests in those. We have also seen them just sit under the bird feeders while the birds drop seed and they feast.
In years past, our dog has been ol' reliable when it comes to killing them. She had a kill one year of 8 rats. Go girl! So we are planning once we get some nicer days, to go shake up the compost pile. That usually causes a few to come leaping out. Especially if you have the husband standing by with a shovel, you can usually kill a few. That is in the works for this year as well.
In years past, I have put out rat traps, and watched the little suckers dance all over the rat traps, debait them, and run away. Have you ever set a rat trap? They are the size of a person's foot and will take your fingers off it you're not careful. I saw red when they were doing this. So I had given up on the rat traps for quite awhile.
So, this year, what is my objective and goal this year? Kill the buggers. We have sat at the back of our house for several days now with our pellet gun shooting at them. Problem, we aren't accurate and neither is our Walmart special pellet gun. However, it is quite fun.
But in our shooting the other day, we noticed a rat scurry along the garage, and into a rat hole into the garage. Okay! Keep your nests in the compost bin! I am ticked!
Well, let's do something! I decided that since that was a portal that they go in and out of, I am going to try my luck at rat traps again. And also run the risk of losing a finger. Today is Sunday, Friday night, I set a trap at the opening of that hole on the inside of the garage. Saturday morning, bingo!
Mom = 1, rats = 0.
Let's do it again. This morning, bingo! Mom = 2, rats = 0.
I'll keep you posted. I finally don't feel outsmarted by a rodent!
Mar 19, 2009
And I Went to Compare....
Click here to see Calvert's online catalogue of their second grade comprehensive curriculum. Use the little zoom feature at the bottom to look really closely.
And then look at this picture. I pulled out a bunch of our books, and lined them up.
What difference do you see? None hardly at all. Maybe in the spelling and handwriting books. But there is one glaring difference.
$755.00 in basic tuition and an enrollment fee.
Sorry! Should have warned you.....sarcasm alert!
And then look at this picture. I pulled out a bunch of our books, and lined them up.
What difference do you see? None hardly at all. Maybe in the spelling and handwriting books. But there is one glaring difference.
$755.00 in basic tuition and an enrollment fee.
Sorry! Should have warned you.....sarcasm alert!
Mar 17, 2009
I am preparing myself......
I just got yet another mass produced, placating letter from the Oregon Department of Education. I know the battle is not over by a long shot, but I also need to be realistic. The state of Oregon will continue to rake taxpayers for education dollars, to sink into a system that is broken at best.
As a taxpayer, I am beyond exasperated. I am tired of being poo pooed away by people who think they're too good to talk with a constituent.
I am preparing myself for traditional homeschooling. I know! My traditional homeschooling friends just jumped for joy, you might be able to hear it echoing over the Willamette River Valley.
I am right back where I was 18 months ago, absolutely overwhelmed at the idea of choosing a curriculum and not excited about the cost.
Okay, girlfriends, help me out here! Can you give me/post under comments the curriculum you use for each topic. I know some of you use canned curriculum, some of you pick and choose, etc.
I can say this--I feel more prepared for homeschooling now that I did before doing CA. I have a good idea of what makes my kid tick, what kinds of things he likes and dislikes, where his strengths and weaknesses are. I also know what I like and dislike.
I also have this in our favor. I hope I am not giving away any secrets here, CA's curriculum is heavily based upon the homeschooling curriculum of Calvert. I have really liked the math with Calvert.
The Language Arts CA uses is a Houghton Mifflin reader, with a whole of extras for phonics, handwriting, spelling etc. Just in looking at Calvert's I like that in the fourth grade, where JM would start, it focuses on classic books. That coupled with all the spelling, phonics, etc.
I am also ever grateful that our schoolroom is set up. We have everything we need to start this. For JM, it will be fairly seamless.
Also, as the kids get older, if we pay more to Calvert, they can get an accredited transcript, which then would make getting a diploma and going to college easier. Who knows? By then the state of Oregon might actually approve of a virtual school. But here is what just chaps me--I need to pay about $1,000 a year to Calvert for their curriculum that I get now using my tax paying dollars. Because some representatives want blah blah blah......barf.
So, what am I saying? Because we are SO used to the Calvert style, I am leaning towards that. However, we have over a year to prepare, and save our pennies, to take this on.
I would love any specific input about a curriculum you have particularly enjoyed. Our family strives for academic rigors. I know other families who homeschool for other reasons. To escape public schools. To encourage a "different" learner in their home. Whatever the case, we homeschool because we believe that kids need to be prepared academically to enter a workforce that is rich in math, science, and technology.
Did I mention that a friend of mine chastised me a few weeks ago because of the kinds of editing we were required to do for JM's school? She's a good friend, and a very experienced public school teacher. Well, I told her, he can do it. He just needs to do it. This was during our difficult time awhile back when our personalities were clashing and JM dug his heels in badly. He could do the work, and chose for several days not to. She would not require her second graders to do this kind of work, not until fourth grade. I guess my point is, if he can do it, let's challenge him to do it, not just assume he shouldn't because he is younger.
Anyway, I would love to hear from Kathi. I know she is escaping the public schools, but I am unsure as to her focus on academics. Beth! She has a "different" learner that I promise you, he is the next Einstein, and wants to encourage his unconventional learning. I know Child of God is a lot like me. Academics. She lives and breathes in the world of academia and her homeschooling reflects that.
I love that all of you are so diverse. I also know others read my blog that I don't know your specifics. But I would love to know.
Why? I am almost back to square one with this whole school thing.
BUT! God is big. We have over a year and a half before CA would have to shut down. I am praying that this gets tied up for quite some time in the court system, and an injunction keeps CA going for a few more years. Hey, I can dream right?
We have next school year to utilize CA, and a lot of time to think about this. I am starting early thinking about this because it took me about a year to come to the decision to use CA. I want to make the almost inevitable decision with as much clarity as I can.
As a taxpayer, I am beyond exasperated. I am tired of being poo pooed away by people who think they're too good to talk with a constituent.
I am preparing myself for traditional homeschooling. I know! My traditional homeschooling friends just jumped for joy, you might be able to hear it echoing over the Willamette River Valley.
I am right back where I was 18 months ago, absolutely overwhelmed at the idea of choosing a curriculum and not excited about the cost.
Okay, girlfriends, help me out here! Can you give me/post under comments the curriculum you use for each topic. I know some of you use canned curriculum, some of you pick and choose, etc.
I can say this--I feel more prepared for homeschooling now that I did before doing CA. I have a good idea of what makes my kid tick, what kinds of things he likes and dislikes, where his strengths and weaknesses are. I also know what I like and dislike.
I also have this in our favor. I hope I am not giving away any secrets here, CA's curriculum is heavily based upon the homeschooling curriculum of Calvert. I have really liked the math with Calvert.
The Language Arts CA uses is a Houghton Mifflin reader, with a whole of extras for phonics, handwriting, spelling etc. Just in looking at Calvert's I like that in the fourth grade, where JM would start, it focuses on classic books. That coupled with all the spelling, phonics, etc.
I am also ever grateful that our schoolroom is set up. We have everything we need to start this. For JM, it will be fairly seamless.
Also, as the kids get older, if we pay more to Calvert, they can get an accredited transcript, which then would make getting a diploma and going to college easier. Who knows? By then the state of Oregon might actually approve of a virtual school. But here is what just chaps me--I need to pay about $1,000 a year to Calvert for their curriculum that I get now using my tax paying dollars. Because some representatives want blah blah blah......barf.
So, what am I saying? Because we are SO used to the Calvert style, I am leaning towards that. However, we have over a year to prepare, and save our pennies, to take this on.
I would love any specific input about a curriculum you have particularly enjoyed. Our family strives for academic rigors. I know other families who homeschool for other reasons. To escape public schools. To encourage a "different" learner in their home. Whatever the case, we homeschool because we believe that kids need to be prepared academically to enter a workforce that is rich in math, science, and technology.
Did I mention that a friend of mine chastised me a few weeks ago because of the kinds of editing we were required to do for JM's school? She's a good friend, and a very experienced public school teacher. Well, I told her, he can do it. He just needs to do it. This was during our difficult time awhile back when our personalities were clashing and JM dug his heels in badly. He could do the work, and chose for several days not to. She would not require her second graders to do this kind of work, not until fourth grade. I guess my point is, if he can do it, let's challenge him to do it, not just assume he shouldn't because he is younger.
Anyway, I would love to hear from Kathi. I know she is escaping the public schools, but I am unsure as to her focus on academics. Beth! She has a "different" learner that I promise you, he is the next Einstein, and wants to encourage his unconventional learning. I know Child of God is a lot like me. Academics. She lives and breathes in the world of academia and her homeschooling reflects that.
I love that all of you are so diverse. I also know others read my blog that I don't know your specifics. But I would love to know.
Why? I am almost back to square one with this whole school thing.
BUT! God is big. We have over a year and a half before CA would have to shut down. I am praying that this gets tied up for quite some time in the court system, and an injunction keeps CA going for a few more years. Hey, I can dream right?
We have next school year to utilize CA, and a lot of time to think about this. I am starting early thinking about this because it took me about a year to come to the decision to use CA. I want to make the almost inevitable decision with as much clarity as I can.
A Representative's Response
Last week, you remember, I stopped at my representative's offices and left very very specific questions in regards to State Bill 767. I just got one of many canned responses I have seen from legislator's. Please keep reading, because I also attach my response to her placating me. Here is Jackie's:
"Dear Ms. G,
Thank you for emailing Sen. Dingfelder with your thoughts on these
bills, which relate to virtual public charter schools. Computer-based
education is now a part of our public education system in Oregon, and
some experts believe that in the near future we will see about 10% of
all classes taught online. Whether that happens in the next few years
or not, online education offers additional opportunities to learn and
can be a part of a successful academic plan for many students.
However, online learning has grown quickly in Oregon and raises
questions that we must address now in order to ensure that students
receive a quality education. Some of those questions include: Should
single districts operate statewide schools? Should online schools
receive the same level of funding as traditional brick-and-mortar
schools? Are there any problems transferring commercial education
programs to the public arena? What might be the impact on a small rural
district if a large number of its students enroll in a virtual school?
These are questions that educators, parents, the State Board of
Education, and others have been wrestling with for some time. It is
Sen. Dingfelder's hope, as a sponsor of SB 767, that this bill in
particular can be used as a starting point for discussing how to resolve
these issues. Thank you, again, for your email. If you have any
additional thoughts on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact the
office again.
Sincerely,
Jill Gray
Legislative Aide to Sen. Jackie Dingfelder"
Here is my response to Jill, not Jackie:
Hello Jill,
Well I am going to give you my opinion of your response and hope that you would pass it on to the Senator. I have been a little weary in this whole process of trying to communicate with my representatives, and finding avoidance.
With all due respect Jill, I know this response is a canned response and it does not answer my specific questions I left at the Senator's office. I know it was meant to be an upbeat, positive answer, to placate me and maybe make me think the Senator is really on my side with this issue. Jill, again, with all due respect, I don't believe this answer, and I feel condescended to and pushed aside. That response did not answer any of my specific concerns I drove all the way to Salem to present to the Senator.
Online schooling has grown rapidly, yes it has, and the Senator needs to take notice of that and investigate it. Let me give her some starting points. Please be sure she reads this. I know it's lengthy, but this is not a simple issue, and needs consideration.
* Online students are succeeding where they were failing in regular schools. Online students that are gifted are getting challenged and able to move forward at a fast pace that regular schools couldn't provide.
* Online schools are providing for rural communities that have ONE lousy local school and giving those kids an alternative where they didn't before.
* Online schools provide for city kids (mine) where our only choice of schools are red listed and we live in a district that does NOT give boundary waivers at all. It's almost like living in the country.
* Online schools have provided for children with severe illness who can now do their school work in bed or the hospital where before, they would have missed school and fallen behind, or the parents would have to incur the cost of a full time (expensive) tutor. Is that fair for that family? Is it fair that child doesn't have free education available to them? Virtual schools offer that to those kinds of families, and have in spades.
* Online schools are providing for those kids who are behind, have an IEP, need one on one attention, and for the most part, are hard to teach in a classroom setting because of their special needs. Time and time again, our online parents tell of teachers who did not follow mandated IEP's for whatever reason. When they enrolled in a virtual school, because there is one on one attention, the child flourished.
* Online schools keep kids in the public school system, and continue to receive tax monies for being in public school. When this bill succeeds in shutting down virtual public schools, those monies are gone. A recent poll taken of online parents in Oregon revealed absolutely NONE of the parents would return their kids to public school. Funding completely gone.
I am frustrated by the wording in this response that this bill "in particular can be used as a starting point for discussing how to resolve these issues".
Again, with all due respect, that is a diversion and a political statement meant to placate me. I don't believe the Senator's intentions for one moment. Why?
* If the senator wanted to open a discussion, why do it with a bill that would shut down virtual schools and hinder regular charter schools permanently? That isn't opening a discussion, that is shutting a door. I think if we wanted a discussion, a town hall meeting would be a great place to start. I see none of that on your website available to me for this discussion. Especially since a town hall meeting would mean our district would be there, not the union officials.
* If the senator is concerned about rural schools, so are parents. Parents in rural schools have NO choices for schools right now. I talked to a mom at the rally on March 9th who said in her community of Willamina over half the kids are homeschooled because the one school is so bad. I find it ironic that a day after the rally, Willamina schools were in the news regarding providing students with birth control. It sounds to me like Willamina needs to focus on the basics and quit starting controversy. Birth control is the least of it's problems, keeping families enrolled is their biggest problem.
* Online parents and advocates are not saying shut down all public schools and use only a charter school and online charter school system. What we are saying is that charter school and online charter schools are a great alternative for many students and gives them a great public school education that wasn't working for them before. Obviously the majority of students do well in regular public schools. However, there are way too many falling through the cracks and charter school and online charter schools seem to be filling the niche for many of them.
It needs to focus on learning and retaining students. In other words, the Senator's concern for rural schools would be because they would feasibly shut down?? In these uncertain economic times, where education in our state is funded to the max, and you have an underperforming school, and the community is showing it by pulling their students out--dare I say, maybe it should be shut down? As a taxpayer, where 40% of my taxes go to fund schools, it frustrates me that we are funding mediocrity and worried about shutting down mediocrity. I don't like that wasteful attitude and I wish legislators would see that all of us are sick of this. Unions don't care about this.
My other concern that was not addressed in your reply--the teacher's unions. Jill, they have this state by the neck. Every year the school budget has to increase by 6% just to maintain the contracts for the unions. Unless we have a booming economy, this doesn't happen. In a recession, the only option for the state is to cut school days. The only option, and it happens every time we have bad economic times.
And who's names are following the Senator's name on State Bill 767? Five teacher's unions. Of course they don't want charter and online charter school. It would take away from the money they have already got. Can I be bold? The unions are Oregon's mafia! They have all of us by the neck's with no hope. They funded the Senator's campaign, and probably wined and dined her, then asked her to co-sponsor this legislation. It is not too far off of an analogy is it?
I would also venture to say those same union officials don't live in my district, do not know the condition of the only public schools near me, do not know that I have nothing but lousy choices for schools. Again, with all due respect, the Senator should be representing me, a resident of her district, not the unions. Our district, our state, needs choices for schools. Right now our only choice is a dying public school system.
Unless and until the Senator and others see this for what it is. This state absolutely cannot keep funding a dying system with perpetuity, and that online charter schools and regular charter schools could be the fiscal and academic answer, you will find that parents will continually pull their kids from schools, homeschool, move, fight, disagree, and make sure you know where are not in agreement with you.
Put aside quality of education. This state cannot continue to fund this mess! A 6% increase annually will eventually break the state's back.
Jill, can you please pass these concerns onto the Senator? I would like specific answers to my concerns, not a canned political response. As her constituent I am asking for her ear on this, and as my representative, she needs to give it to me.
I also invite the Senator to come to my home any day! Come observe what I do every day with Connections Academy, how we are in touch with our Connections Academy teachers, how we do school, our projects, our schoolroom, and how rigorous the program is, the attendance I need to record, etc. Trust me, we are not sitting around eating cold cereal watching TV.
AMG
"Dear Ms. G,
Thank you for emailing Sen. Dingfelder with your thoughts on these
bills, which relate to virtual public charter schools. Computer-based
education is now a part of our public education system in Oregon, and
some experts believe that in the near future we will see about 10% of
all classes taught online. Whether that happens in the next few years
or not, online education offers additional opportunities to learn and
can be a part of a successful academic plan for many students.
However, online learning has grown quickly in Oregon and raises
questions that we must address now in order to ensure that students
receive a quality education. Some of those questions include: Should
single districts operate statewide schools? Should online schools
receive the same level of funding as traditional brick-and-mortar
schools? Are there any problems transferring commercial education
programs to the public arena? What might be the impact on a small rural
district if a large number of its students enroll in a virtual school?
These are questions that educators, parents, the State Board of
Education, and others have been wrestling with for some time. It is
Sen. Dingfelder's hope, as a sponsor of SB 767, that this bill in
particular can be used as a starting point for discussing how to resolve
these issues. Thank you, again, for your email. If you have any
additional thoughts on this issue, please do not hesitate to contact the
office again.
Sincerely,
Jill Gray
Legislative Aide to Sen. Jackie Dingfelder"
Here is my response to Jill, not Jackie:
Hello Jill,
Well I am going to give you my opinion of your response and hope that you would pass it on to the Senator. I have been a little weary in this whole process of trying to communicate with my representatives, and finding avoidance.
With all due respect Jill, I know this response is a canned response and it does not answer my specific questions I left at the Senator's office. I know it was meant to be an upbeat, positive answer, to placate me and maybe make me think the Senator is really on my side with this issue. Jill, again, with all due respect, I don't believe this answer, and I feel condescended to and pushed aside. That response did not answer any of my specific concerns I drove all the way to Salem to present to the Senator.
Online schooling has grown rapidly, yes it has, and the Senator needs to take notice of that and investigate it. Let me give her some starting points. Please be sure she reads this. I know it's lengthy, but this is not a simple issue, and needs consideration.
* Online students are succeeding where they were failing in regular schools. Online students that are gifted are getting challenged and able to move forward at a fast pace that regular schools couldn't provide.
* Online schools are providing for rural communities that have ONE lousy local school and giving those kids an alternative where they didn't before.
* Online schools provide for city kids (mine) where our only choice of schools are red listed and we live in a district that does NOT give boundary waivers at all. It's almost like living in the country.
* Online schools have provided for children with severe illness who can now do their school work in bed or the hospital where before, they would have missed school and fallen behind, or the parents would have to incur the cost of a full time (expensive) tutor. Is that fair for that family? Is it fair that child doesn't have free education available to them? Virtual schools offer that to those kinds of families, and have in spades.
* Online schools are providing for those kids who are behind, have an IEP, need one on one attention, and for the most part, are hard to teach in a classroom setting because of their special needs. Time and time again, our online parents tell of teachers who did not follow mandated IEP's for whatever reason. When they enrolled in a virtual school, because there is one on one attention, the child flourished.
* Online schools keep kids in the public school system, and continue to receive tax monies for being in public school. When this bill succeeds in shutting down virtual public schools, those monies are gone. A recent poll taken of online parents in Oregon revealed absolutely NONE of the parents would return their kids to public school. Funding completely gone.
I am frustrated by the wording in this response that this bill "in particular can be used as a starting point for discussing how to resolve these issues".
Again, with all due respect, that is a diversion and a political statement meant to placate me. I don't believe the Senator's intentions for one moment. Why?
* If the senator wanted to open a discussion, why do it with a bill that would shut down virtual schools and hinder regular charter schools permanently? That isn't opening a discussion, that is shutting a door. I think if we wanted a discussion, a town hall meeting would be a great place to start. I see none of that on your website available to me for this discussion. Especially since a town hall meeting would mean our district would be there, not the union officials.
* If the senator is concerned about rural schools, so are parents. Parents in rural schools have NO choices for schools right now. I talked to a mom at the rally on March 9th who said in her community of Willamina over half the kids are homeschooled because the one school is so bad. I find it ironic that a day after the rally, Willamina schools were in the news regarding providing students with birth control. It sounds to me like Willamina needs to focus on the basics and quit starting controversy. Birth control is the least of it's problems, keeping families enrolled is their biggest problem.
* Online parents and advocates are not saying shut down all public schools and use only a charter school and online charter school system. What we are saying is that charter school and online charter schools are a great alternative for many students and gives them a great public school education that wasn't working for them before. Obviously the majority of students do well in regular public schools. However, there are way too many falling through the cracks and charter school and online charter schools seem to be filling the niche for many of them.
It needs to focus on learning and retaining students. In other words, the Senator's concern for rural schools would be because they would feasibly shut down?? In these uncertain economic times, where education in our state is funded to the max, and you have an underperforming school, and the community is showing it by pulling their students out--dare I say, maybe it should be shut down? As a taxpayer, where 40% of my taxes go to fund schools, it frustrates me that we are funding mediocrity and worried about shutting down mediocrity. I don't like that wasteful attitude and I wish legislators would see that all of us are sick of this. Unions don't care about this.
My other concern that was not addressed in your reply--the teacher's unions. Jill, they have this state by the neck. Every year the school budget has to increase by 6% just to maintain the contracts for the unions. Unless we have a booming economy, this doesn't happen. In a recession, the only option for the state is to cut school days. The only option, and it happens every time we have bad economic times.
And who's names are following the Senator's name on State Bill 767? Five teacher's unions. Of course they don't want charter and online charter school. It would take away from the money they have already got. Can I be bold? The unions are Oregon's mafia! They have all of us by the neck's with no hope. They funded the Senator's campaign, and probably wined and dined her, then asked her to co-sponsor this legislation. It is not too far off of an analogy is it?
I would also venture to say those same union officials don't live in my district, do not know the condition of the only public schools near me, do not know that I have nothing but lousy choices for schools. Again, with all due respect, the Senator should be representing me, a resident of her district, not the unions. Our district, our state, needs choices for schools. Right now our only choice is a dying public school system.
Unless and until the Senator and others see this for what it is. This state absolutely cannot keep funding a dying system with perpetuity, and that online charter schools and regular charter schools could be the fiscal and academic answer, you will find that parents will continually pull their kids from schools, homeschool, move, fight, disagree, and make sure you know where are not in agreement with you.
Put aside quality of education. This state cannot continue to fund this mess! A 6% increase annually will eventually break the state's back.
Jill, can you please pass these concerns onto the Senator? I would like specific answers to my concerns, not a canned political response. As her constituent I am asking for her ear on this, and as my representative, she needs to give it to me.
I also invite the Senator to come to my home any day! Come observe what I do every day with Connections Academy, how we are in touch with our Connections Academy teachers, how we do school, our projects, our schoolroom, and how rigorous the program is, the attendance I need to record, etc. Trust me, we are not sitting around eating cold cereal watching TV.
AMG
Mar 15, 2009
Pablo & Tasha, the Early Days
The people who found Pablo and Tasha, were incredibly gracious. They worked hard to save these little kitties lives. They found the kitties in a car that was being towed away to be demolished, and they would have certainly died. At about seven weeks old, they suffered through a bought of feline distemper, which usually spells certain death, but they survived. I was told a third kitten died during that time from the distemper. They are little survivors!
Here is a slide show of pictures this wonderful couple gave us of their early, itty bitty days, which was only last October! You can see these people took really good care of these two. I think in one picture, you can see a gaggle of kittens. I think there is three there, which might be the one who died.
Anyway, get ready for cuteness!
P.S. Pablo has straight symmetry on his nose with his white stripe. Tasha does not. Her stripe is not perfectly symmetrical. Honestly that is the only way to tell them apart.
Here is a slide show of pictures this wonderful couple gave us of their early, itty bitty days, which was only last October! You can see these people took really good care of these two. I think in one picture, you can see a gaggle of kittens. I think there is three there, which might be the one who died.
Anyway, get ready for cuteness!
P.S. Pablo has straight symmetry on his nose with his white stripe. Tasha does not. Her stripe is not perfectly symmetrical. Honestly that is the only way to tell them apart.
Mar 13, 2009
And here is the dollars and cents of it....
I know, I am on a huge virtual school kick right now. Please know it is pure panic for us. We have loved our virtual school system we have worked hard for in the year prior to this school year, we have loved watching JM's success, we have loved the academic standards of this program, and we have loved the process. Having our virtual school threatened to be shut down by the end of the 2010 school year is frightening to us, and a lot of people.
Here is a link to an OP/ED in our local, non liberal, publication. Click here. You might remember Rob Kremer, there is a photograph of him below. If you want to see what kind of waste Oregon has in it's public school system, he spells it out pretty clearly. His first naysayer in the comments got shut down pretty fast when told those numbers were facts and where to find them.
As you look at the huge amount of money being thrown at public schools while reading this, please remember, Oregon ranks in the 40's for public schools. That 40-ish rating is based upon standardized testing, drop out rate, delinquency, college applications and acceptances, reading level, etc.
I like his fiscal thinking.
Here is a link to an OP/ED in our local, non liberal, publication. Click here. You might remember Rob Kremer, there is a photograph of him below. If you want to see what kind of waste Oregon has in it's public school system, he spells it out pretty clearly. His first naysayer in the comments got shut down pretty fast when told those numbers were facts and where to find them.
As you look at the huge amount of money being thrown at public schools while reading this, please remember, Oregon ranks in the 40's for public schools. That 40-ish rating is based upon standardized testing, drop out rate, delinquency, college applications and acceptances, reading level, etc.
I like his fiscal thinking.
One More Story
From a Connections Academy parent about her reasons for virtual schooling and what her next plan would be if Connections Academy shuts down:
Our girls are 17.5 and a junior and 15.5 a sophomore. If it closes I will probably let Katrina 17 get a GED. It pains me as we have move the earth to keep her education going through illness, but she cannot go back to public school. We pulled her out after trying her freshman year there, she confessed to being anorexic and in an unofficial eating disordered pro-Anna club. You know kids who ditch lunch to jog and discuss how to hide it from your parents. After treatment we tried to phase her in by classes in the H.S. learning center and regular electives. She only went 2 or 3 half days in the afternoon. Obviously she was not ready. A group of boys started following her making barfing sounds and saying she was fat again. She stopped eating and could have died. That was our last week at public school. The admin said they could not do anything about it and would not allow us to contact the parents to educate them. SO I GUESS WHAT WE ARE THINKING IS THERE ARE WORST THINGS THAN A GED. She would go straight to community college but be well and living. I asked her about going back, not going to send her but asked. She said after what she has been through she feels very little in common with the average H.S. student anyway. She should graduate before the 2010 closing, but if CA made a very corporate decision to not invest in next school year then I guess plan B would be it for us.
I know as parents we all would give everything to get what we want for our kids. I hope we do not have to go that route, but it is good that we prepare. I cannot stand people who yell the sky is falling and do not put on their helmets. A plan A and B always makes my kids feel like we have them covered and they do not have to worry, leadership is happening.
SD
Our girls are 17.5 and a junior and 15.5 a sophomore. If it closes I will probably let Katrina 17 get a GED. It pains me as we have move the earth to keep her education going through illness, but she cannot go back to public school. We pulled her out after trying her freshman year there, she confessed to being anorexic and in an unofficial eating disordered pro-Anna club. You know kids who ditch lunch to jog and discuss how to hide it from your parents. After treatment we tried to phase her in by classes in the H.S. learning center and regular electives. She only went 2 or 3 half days in the afternoon. Obviously she was not ready. A group of boys started following her making barfing sounds and saying she was fat again. She stopped eating and could have died. That was our last week at public school. The admin said they could not do anything about it and would not allow us to contact the parents to educate them. SO I GUESS WHAT WE ARE THINKING IS THERE ARE WORST THINGS THAN A GED. She would go straight to community college but be well and living. I asked her about going back, not going to send her but asked. She said after what she has been through she feels very little in common with the average H.S. student anyway. She should graduate before the 2010 closing, but if CA made a very corporate decision to not invest in next school year then I guess plan B would be it for us.
I know as parents we all would give everything to get what we want for our kids. I hope we do not have to go that route, but it is good that we prepare. I cannot stand people who yell the sky is falling and do not put on their helmets. A plan A and B always makes my kids feel like we have them covered and they do not have to worry, leadership is happening.
SD
Mar 10, 2009
The Bullets of the Rally
o
Rob Kremer, a former state representative, and huge advocate for virtual charter schools. That is the back of Kim Thatcher, a current representative, who is also a huge advocate of virtual schools. She was flanking Dembrow in the hearing I write about later. Her son is a virtual school student.
Rob Kremer, a former state representative, and huge advocate for virtual charter schools. That is the back of Kim Thatcher, a current representative, who is also a huge advocate of virtual schools. She was flanking Dembrow in the hearing I write about later. Her son is a virtual school student.
We are a rag tag bunch in the freezing rain, aren't we? One official joked, "You'll see lots of people in suits carrying blackberries. Look around and you'll see baby strollers and goldfish crackers spilling out of pockets. This is reality, the suits and blackberries are not reality."
We had the huge rally on Monday. Here is what I learned, saw, and experienced:
* I am shocked that truly you can walk right into the offices of your state representatives. No security scanners, no metal detectors, no receptionists, no kidding. Just a law clerk as an assistant at the desk, but truly, you can walk in.
* I was pleasantly surprised at how well JM took the whole day. It definitely took some convincing to go. I just thought he would complain all day. Nope. He found some new friends as soon as we arrived, we hung with them for the rally, had lunch, then headed to representatives' offices. He handled himself very well.
* I found out the whole picture of State Bill 767. It was sponsored by both of my representatives, followed by five, count them five, teacher's unions. I put the link on the previous post. Those facts are right at the top of the bill. This bill does a lot of harmful things. 1) It succinctly shuts down ALL charter schools by making it so difficult for a district to start one, they won't even try. 2) Absolutely shuts done online virtual charter schools for the same reason. 3) If, and that is a big if, a charter school were to actually start up in under this rule, to be a student in a charter school would be so bogged down by rules and regulations, no parent or district would want to even try.
* It was said numerous times by numerous parents AND officials, traditional homeschooling is next if State Bill 767 passes.
* Our first meeting was a gathering of us parents, a list of the agenda, and how to talk to representatives. We were encouraged to be positive, answer specifics about virtual schooling, etc. I asked the specific question, "It is one thing to talk to a rep who is voting on a bill, it is a whole other situation to talk to a rep (mine!) who sponsored the bill." I got a pity look from most people.
* Okay, the rally was over, and I had to go to the reps offices. Here goes! I go to Michael Dembrow's office and his law clerk's desk is not attended. The email on the computer was left open. I could honestly have done some serious damage to this person's inbox. I was amazed at the lack of basic privacy in these offices. I left a note asking for Michael Dembrow to call me. As his constituent I have serious concerns about his sponsorship of this bill and by the way, this is a follow up to an email I sent him as well.
* Whewie! Off to Jackie Dingfelder. She isn't there either, but she has two law clerks. One of them is in Jackie's office playing with a laptop, the other greets me. The guy who greets me is really enthusiastic and I find out it's his first day on the job. He is actually quite bubbly to talk to a constituent! This is actually quite amusing to me, because he has no idea what he is in for. So he kicks laptop girl out of the office and sits me down at a swanky desk.
I ask him about his awareness of the representative's sponsorship of State Bill 767. None. I just so happen to pull it out of my bag and show him the top lines. I say she is a major sponsor of this bill "....and look who's names come right after her name. Several teacher's unions. I want to know why the representative is sponsoring this bill. I also want to tell you my current school situation. I live in Portland Public School District where my elementary school has had problems with guns in school, the middle school shut down and the high school is red listed. If you know Portland Public Schools, you know if I ask for a boundary waiver, I won't get it." He actually nodded to that. "So I need a quality education right now for my son. We found Connections Academy. Your employer wants to give me the only choice for public education is to be what I just told you. I want to know why." I also told him it absolutely bothered me that she would be willing to cater to unions instead of her constituency, in working class Portland, that already has limited (okay, crappy) options for public schools. He blinked like a deer in headlights and nodded.
I also made it crystal clear I want to hear from Ms. Dingenfelder. He took my information and promised.
* We go to an educational bill hearing, where sure enough, there is Michael Dembrow. He is on this committee. He is also flanked by two staunch supporters of online charter schools, one of them is Kim Thatcher. I wonder what that water cooler talk is like. I watch panels come forward to give testimony for this bill, which is on stiffening bullying laws. Michael Dembrow asks the question, at one point, about what services can be offered to both victims and perpetrators of bullying. All the kids and young adults who came to give nasty testimony of their experience of being bullied, and not having any set way to get help, all said they asked their parents "please homeschool me". I am just thinking to myself, virtual charter schools could be a temporary solution to bullying for both victim and perpetrator. And here is Michael Dembrow wondering what resources the state has. Sigh....
* We leave the hearing and run into Mary Kremer, the wife of a former state representative. She knows me and wants me to go with her to visit another representative, even though I am not from his district. We visit Gene Whisnant from Oregon City. He very much supports charter schools, choice in public education, etc. Gene and Mary go off into the good 'ole days because they are both from North Carolina and grew up in the same area, etc. Gene does get one point to me crystal clear. "I don't know about this bill, ladies. You have some good Republican support, but you need to get some Dems on board. There is a lot of money at stake here for the unions, and that is who you are up against." There it is! We all suspected, we were all reading between the lines, but he confirmed it.
* JM also did a great job meeting with Gene Whisnant. Gene made a huge point to shake JM's hand. JM introduced himself properly. Gene then asked what JM liked about his school. Aside here, JM had been doing nothing but giving snarky answers to this when we practiced at home. So, I held my breath while he very confidently said, "I wasn't doing so well last year in writing and math, and this year I am." And there you have it. I sucked the tears out of my tear ducts and whispered a very proud, "Good job!"
* Then the coolest part for JM. We had done a lesson last week on rocks and had gone to a rock shop, yes rock shop, right down the street and bought a bunch of rocks. Like some really cool rocks like petrified wood, rose and lavendar quartz, obsidian, etc. He has really enjoyed that lesson and has become a little geologist with his new rock collection. Well, at the gift shop at the capital, there is a pile of tumbled rocks where, for $5, you can fill a bag with rocks. Nice! We got some iron pyrite ("Fool's Gold"), turquoise, and some quartz crystals. I thought that was a very appropriate reward for a long day of walking, talking, whispering, sitting, and listening for an eight year old boy.
The ride home says it all.* Update since yesterday. We just got this email from Mary Kremer, who is keeping track of bills coming and going right now. Here is what she emailed us:
"WE HAVE A BILL; Senate Bill 829 sponsored by Sen Larry George posted today.
Click here for a summary of Senate Bill 829.
What our bill will do is explicitly grandfather ORCA from the 50% provision in ORS 338.125 Section 2 (b). We are waiting for the first reading and the committee assignment. At that time, we will need to inundate the committee chair (probably Sen. Mark Haas) asking him to hear the bill.
Our focus now is the list of senators `on the fence' (see message 360) as well as calling and emailing Sen. Mark Haas to NOT hear Senate bill 767. District 4 is Beaverton so a call from his constituents would be helpful.
Senator Mark Hass
Party: D District: 14
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1714
District Phone: 503-641-2742
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-419, Salem, OR, 97301
Website: http://www.leg. state.or. us/hass
His email is listed on his website."
Does this solve everything? No, in fact if State Bill 767 passes this bill is a moot point. What would be great, if this passes and State Bill 767 is defeated. That would be optimum.
Also, for the first time today, I agreed with Obama! He chastised schools for catering to unions and squelching charter schools that have a record of success. What?? Who is this man and what have you done with the President?
"WE HAVE A BILL; Senate Bill 829 sponsored by Sen Larry George posted today.
Click here for a summary of Senate Bill 829.
What our bill will do is explicitly grandfather ORCA from the 50% provision in ORS 338.125 Section 2 (b). We are waiting for the first reading and the committee assignment. At that time, we will need to inundate the committee chair (probably Sen. Mark Haas) asking him to hear the bill.
Our focus now is the list of senators `on the fence' (see message 360) as well as calling and emailing Sen. Mark Haas to NOT hear Senate bill 767. District 4 is Beaverton so a call from his constituents would be helpful.
Senator Mark Hass
Party: D District: 14
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1714
District Phone: 503-641-2742
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-419, Salem, OR, 97301
Website: http://www.leg. state.or. us/hass
His email is listed on his website."
Does this solve everything? No, in fact if State Bill 767 passes this bill is a moot point. What would be great, if this passes and State Bill 767 is defeated. That would be optimum.
Also, for the first time today, I agreed with Obama! He chastised schools for catering to unions and squelching charter schools that have a record of success. What?? Who is this man and what have you done with the President?
Mar 7, 2009
The Gloves Are Slowly Coming Off
My online ORCA parents group got the cold hard truth this morning. State Senate Bill 767. Click here to read it.
It succinctly limits online virtual schooling so much it would be impossible for a charter to exist as a virtual school. It puts the lid on the coffin, nails it down, straps it up with duct tape, and then drills 6 inch lag bolts into virtual schooling now and in the future for Oregon. Why? So that the only schooling available to Oregon's children are bricks and mortar public schools. It is a monopoly on school choices as well as tax dollars appointed for education. Nice huh?
I read this earlier today, and came home to--count 'em--ninety infuriated emails from parents. Up until now everyone has been upset and writing letters. Now everyone is seeing red and infuriated.
Folks, I rarely ask for much action on my blog. Honestly, if you are an Oregonian, I would ask that you please grab a few of the links I am about to post and just write letters and emails to your state law makers asking for them to support virtual schools. For my traditional homeschooling friends, I am so afraid you're next. Please send your letters and, if need be, I will absolutely send letters when the ODE takes on abolishing traditional homeschoolers, and that would be next.
To find your state legislator click here.
Contact information for the governor of Oregon is here.
Contact information for every member of Oregon's Department of Education, click here.
Click here to see the letter of support from several key law makers in support of ORCA's perpetuous charter. It gives me hope.
I will let you know how things go at our rally on Monday! We need God's intervention. We are a small group up against Goliath.
It succinctly limits online virtual schooling so much it would be impossible for a charter to exist as a virtual school. It puts the lid on the coffin, nails it down, straps it up with duct tape, and then drills 6 inch lag bolts into virtual schooling now and in the future for Oregon. Why? So that the only schooling available to Oregon's children are bricks and mortar public schools. It is a monopoly on school choices as well as tax dollars appointed for education. Nice huh?
I read this earlier today, and came home to--count 'em--ninety infuriated emails from parents. Up until now everyone has been upset and writing letters. Now everyone is seeing red and infuriated.
Folks, I rarely ask for much action on my blog. Honestly, if you are an Oregonian, I would ask that you please grab a few of the links I am about to post and just write letters and emails to your state law makers asking for them to support virtual schools. For my traditional homeschooling friends, I am so afraid you're next. Please send your letters and, if need be, I will absolutely send letters when the ODE takes on abolishing traditional homeschoolers, and that would be next.
To find your state legislator click here.
Contact information for the governor of Oregon is here.
Contact information for every member of Oregon's Department of Education, click here.
Click here to see the letter of support from several key law makers in support of ORCA's perpetuous charter. It gives me hope.
I will let you know how things go at our rally on Monday! We need God's intervention. We are a small group up against Goliath.
My Last 24 Hours
I love my kids, I do. I love my life with them, I do. I just really need to get a grip on what I can accomplish in one day. Some days, I am super woman and can get it all done by noon. The older I get, it seems that does not happen as often. We did a lot yesterday, and trust me, it was fun. I am just paying for it in spades today.
1) Get up and get BH off to preschool. He is bouncier than normal because he knows today is his big brother's birthday and a party is about to be had. He also knows we are going to get Jack and Tasha after he gets picked up.
2) Homeschool. We got four assignments done, however, they weren't that focused. The big birthday party and Jack and Tasha are coming.
3) We get BH, and head to the cat rescue. The kids were a bit overwhelmed by the number of cats. Seriously in a two room, store front business, there are about 30 cats. The lady was really nice and showed the kids how to "introduce" themselves to a cat and how to just walk into the place without causing alarm. It reminded me of watching the "Dog Whisperer" at his animal place. Anyway, kitties are in the box, we are going home.
4) Kitties at home. It becomes apparent that the name Jack will cause confusion. It is too much like JM's name. BH starts switching the names. We go back to our original idea of Pablo and Tasha, again from one of our favorite shows, Backyardigans.
5) Kitties are everywhere. We all forgot how sedentary Tabitha was. I forgot what a destructor she was as a kitten. They are going up shelves, under furniture, and all over. Once they settle down, they are absolute cuddle buddies.
6) Daddy gets home and takes the boys out to a skateboard shop where a cool, new skateboard is chosen for JM's birthday. This is my slight reprieve (at 3:30 pm) to get a little bit of business done and I make some calls.
7) The hubbie discusses something with me, and for some odd reason I agree. Looking back, maybe it was one of the things I should have not tried to accomplish. One of JM's friends could stay the night because it would be convenient for his parents who have to be right back in our neighborhood the next day, wife is out of town, and their younger sibling is in deep doo doo for a school yard brawl. See? It sounded reasonable.
8) We head to the pizza place and order tons of pizza for our little pizza party.
9) Off to the nickel arcade. All kids get a $2 bag of nickels and their admission. There are three adults and we actually do pretty good watching them. The place isn't huge. We are most vigilant about watching BH, our three year old, and his three year old friend, AH. We weren't vigilant about watching her older, 6 year old, brother, DH. DH is hearing impaired, but it's really easy to forget because his hearing aid works very well, and he compensates really well. Well, in an arcade, it was very hard for him and we hadn't realized it. I noticed toward the end of the night he was just hanging out against a wall. After a lot of talking, I figured it out. He had a really hard time with the super mechanical, really noisy atmosphere. It was hearing overload through his ear piece. On top of that, he was playing a game, turned around, and his bag of money was gone. He had spent most of the night hanging out against the wall. Are you sobbing yet? Me too! So we took our tickets we had won from several machines and managed to get him a goodie at the counter, and that seemed to help a lot. Note to self.....stick by DH the next time we are at the nickel arcade.
10) We come home, and our three year old has birthday jealousy, and his crying fits have now worn me down. He is also mad he won't get to sleep in his bed because of the sleep over. We also realize that the sleeping over friend is allergic to cats. See? The whole day is coming to a disasterous vortex. The decision is made, friend will sleep in BH's bed. BH will sleep upstairs in our bedroom with us, and the two kitties. BH pitches a fit that his porta crib is "only for babies!!!" Sigh.
11) One hubbie, one three year old, two fuzzy, purring kittens and myself fit ourselves into our bed.
12) This morning. I have had three cups of coffee and three Advil Liqui Gels (my gold standard for all pain relievers). I did not sleep in any position last night that my body was at all accustomed to.
Having a fun birthday? Priceless.
1) Get up and get BH off to preschool. He is bouncier than normal because he knows today is his big brother's birthday and a party is about to be had. He also knows we are going to get Jack and Tasha after he gets picked up.
2) Homeschool. We got four assignments done, however, they weren't that focused. The big birthday party and Jack and Tasha are coming.
3) We get BH, and head to the cat rescue. The kids were a bit overwhelmed by the number of cats. Seriously in a two room, store front business, there are about 30 cats. The lady was really nice and showed the kids how to "introduce" themselves to a cat and how to just walk into the place without causing alarm. It reminded me of watching the "Dog Whisperer" at his animal place. Anyway, kitties are in the box, we are going home.
4) Kitties at home. It becomes apparent that the name Jack will cause confusion. It is too much like JM's name. BH starts switching the names. We go back to our original idea of Pablo and Tasha, again from one of our favorite shows, Backyardigans.
5) Kitties are everywhere. We all forgot how sedentary Tabitha was. I forgot what a destructor she was as a kitten. They are going up shelves, under furniture, and all over. Once they settle down, they are absolute cuddle buddies.
6) Daddy gets home and takes the boys out to a skateboard shop where a cool, new skateboard is chosen for JM's birthday. This is my slight reprieve (at 3:30 pm) to get a little bit of business done and I make some calls.
7) The hubbie discusses something with me, and for some odd reason I agree. Looking back, maybe it was one of the things I should have not tried to accomplish. One of JM's friends could stay the night because it would be convenient for his parents who have to be right back in our neighborhood the next day, wife is out of town, and their younger sibling is in deep doo doo for a school yard brawl. See? It sounded reasonable.
8) We head to the pizza place and order tons of pizza for our little pizza party.
9) Off to the nickel arcade. All kids get a $2 bag of nickels and their admission. There are three adults and we actually do pretty good watching them. The place isn't huge. We are most vigilant about watching BH, our three year old, and his three year old friend, AH. We weren't vigilant about watching her older, 6 year old, brother, DH. DH is hearing impaired, but it's really easy to forget because his hearing aid works very well, and he compensates really well. Well, in an arcade, it was very hard for him and we hadn't realized it. I noticed toward the end of the night he was just hanging out against a wall. After a lot of talking, I figured it out. He had a really hard time with the super mechanical, really noisy atmosphere. It was hearing overload through his ear piece. On top of that, he was playing a game, turned around, and his bag of money was gone. He had spent most of the night hanging out against the wall. Are you sobbing yet? Me too! So we took our tickets we had won from several machines and managed to get him a goodie at the counter, and that seemed to help a lot. Note to self.....stick by DH the next time we are at the nickel arcade.
10) We come home, and our three year old has birthday jealousy, and his crying fits have now worn me down. He is also mad he won't get to sleep in his bed because of the sleep over. We also realize that the sleeping over friend is allergic to cats. See? The whole day is coming to a disasterous vortex. The decision is made, friend will sleep in BH's bed. BH will sleep upstairs in our bedroom with us, and the two kitties. BH pitches a fit that his porta crib is "only for babies!!!" Sigh.
11) One hubbie, one three year old, two fuzzy, purring kittens and myself fit ourselves into our bed.
12) This morning. I have had three cups of coffee and three Advil Liqui Gels (my gold standard for all pain relievers). I did not sleep in any position last night that my body was at all accustomed to.
Having a fun birthday? Priceless.
Mar 6, 2009
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, to my oldest son.
It was eight years ago today he was born, and the joke is--we didn't know it! Because his birthmom saw beyond the immediate crisis. She recognized there was a future to be had, even if it couldn't be with her, and painstakingly placed him for adoption. It would take her ten days past giving birth to make that decision. As a family we have a whole lot of respect and honor for her.
And because of her selflessness, her ability to see beyond the current situation, and because she chose not to have an abortion earlier in her pregnancy--we have our son.
To JM, we say with all cheerfulness "Happy Birthday!"
To his birthmom, we say from the bottom of our souls:
Thank you from the bottom of our souls for giving us JM and making this a day we can celebrate his milestone, and your amazing gift.
It was eight years ago today he was born, and the joke is--we didn't know it! Because his birthmom saw beyond the immediate crisis. She recognized there was a future to be had, even if it couldn't be with her, and painstakingly placed him for adoption. It would take her ten days past giving birth to make that decision. As a family we have a whole lot of respect and honor for her.
And because of her selflessness, her ability to see beyond the current situation, and because she chose not to have an abortion earlier in her pregnancy--we have our son.
To JM, we say with all cheerfulness "Happy Birthday!"
To his birthmom, we say from the bottom of our souls:
Thank you from the bottom of our souls for giving us JM and making this a day we can celebrate his milestone, and your amazing gift.
Mar 4, 2009
Jack and Tasha
Jack UPDATE: He is now Pablo
Tasha
Jack er...Pablo and Tasha.Coming to our home Friday afternoon. Cuteness covered in fur.
UPDATE: It was discovered upon having said cute things home for a few hours, it because really easy to call Jack my oldest son's name and vice versa, we are now going with Pablo. This is an homage to Pablo and Tasha from one of our favorite shows, and I am sure yours too, Backyardigans.
Mar 3, 2009
Monday, March 9th
And it is confirmed, I am going and so is JM. We are holding a rally at the steps of the capital building in support of virtual schooling. After the rally we are splitting up, from what I understand, into groups and hoping to go to legislator's offices to garner support for virtual schools.
In our chat group, several legislators have responded to some parent's letters. And it's been interesting. The head of the Department of Education gave a slick, political answer. The mom who received it was all happy that she got a letter showing support for virtual schools from such a high official. Ummmm.....no, it was political smoke once several of us caught her verbage. Her verbage was "we look forward to finding common ground (are you gagging yet?) for virtual schools in Oregon. Keeping our tax dollars away from for-profit companies......"
Her innuendo is that she is supporting Oregon's virtual school, NOT Connections Academy (CA) because, allegedly, it is for profit. It isn't. The Oregon run CA is run by a non-profit board out of Scio, OR. It has complied with all rules and regulations to exist as a non-profit entity, recognized by the state. Oregon's CA does however, use CA (nationwide) resources for it's curriculum. Just like public schools would need to purchase books, materials, resources from for-profit companies, so would Oregon's CA.
If we were to hold that standard to regular schools, then they would not be able to purchase pencils, paper, books, telephones, fax machines, or computers. I do not know of any company that is non-profit that sells those products. Let me know if you do, I am sure this woman would love to know.
And honestly?? What in the world does her rhetoric have to do with the renewal of a charter? A charter that was recognized as having perpetuity four years ago. If that is the concern, why is this being hammered out as a renewal of the charter? Why wasn't this for-profit vs. non-profit brought up as a concern in 2005? It's a political figure blowing smoke at an issue.
Another legislator answered in one sentence to a parent "I am sorry, I support public schools." A little rude, but at least he didn't blow smoke. CA is a public school! It is part of Scio, OR's public school system. It hires teachers based upon Oregon's teaching qualifications. It isn't a private school, and for this man to give such a narrow minded, one sentence answer, tells me he doesn't have any smoke to blow because he isn't knowledgeable on the issue. It also tells me some teacher union lobbyist has been contributing to his campaign recently.
We also got a letter from a homeschooling official in California. She is urging us to take on this fight because again, this could set precedents for other states, and California just went through a scary thing like this over homeschooling. California is paying close attention to this.
Also, if the Department of Education gets a grab on virtual schools with this kind of heavy handed ruling, then watch out traditional homeschoolers in Oregon! You heard the guy "I support public schools." The next jab will be at legislating traditional homeschoolers.
Seriously, if anyone wants to take a day out of their schedule next Monday to join me for the rally, please consider yourself invited. You do not have to be a virtual school parent or student. This is a rally of support.
In our chat group, several legislators have responded to some parent's letters. And it's been interesting. The head of the Department of Education gave a slick, political answer. The mom who received it was all happy that she got a letter showing support for virtual schools from such a high official. Ummmm.....no, it was political smoke once several of us caught her verbage. Her verbage was "we look forward to finding common ground (are you gagging yet?) for virtual schools in Oregon. Keeping our tax dollars away from for-profit companies......"
Her innuendo is that she is supporting Oregon's virtual school, NOT Connections Academy (CA) because, allegedly, it is for profit. It isn't. The Oregon run CA is run by a non-profit board out of Scio, OR. It has complied with all rules and regulations to exist as a non-profit entity, recognized by the state. Oregon's CA does however, use CA (nationwide) resources for it's curriculum. Just like public schools would need to purchase books, materials, resources from for-profit companies, so would Oregon's CA.
If we were to hold that standard to regular schools, then they would not be able to purchase pencils, paper, books, telephones, fax machines, or computers. I do not know of any company that is non-profit that sells those products. Let me know if you do, I am sure this woman would love to know.
And honestly?? What in the world does her rhetoric have to do with the renewal of a charter? A charter that was recognized as having perpetuity four years ago. If that is the concern, why is this being hammered out as a renewal of the charter? Why wasn't this for-profit vs. non-profit brought up as a concern in 2005? It's a political figure blowing smoke at an issue.
Another legislator answered in one sentence to a parent "I am sorry, I support public schools." A little rude, but at least he didn't blow smoke. CA is a public school! It is part of Scio, OR's public school system. It hires teachers based upon Oregon's teaching qualifications. It isn't a private school, and for this man to give such a narrow minded, one sentence answer, tells me he doesn't have any smoke to blow because he isn't knowledgeable on the issue. It also tells me some teacher union lobbyist has been contributing to his campaign recently.
We also got a letter from a homeschooling official in California. She is urging us to take on this fight because again, this could set precedents for other states, and California just went through a scary thing like this over homeschooling. California is paying close attention to this.
Also, if the Department of Education gets a grab on virtual schools with this kind of heavy handed ruling, then watch out traditional homeschoolers in Oregon! You heard the guy "I support public schools." The next jab will be at legislating traditional homeschoolers.
Seriously, if anyone wants to take a day out of their schedule next Monday to join me for the rally, please consider yourself invited. You do not have to be a virtual school parent or student. This is a rally of support.
Mar 2, 2009
Henrietta!
Someone on my chicken chat group had a mixed breed pullet that needed a home. Her name is Henrietta, and she is just under a year old. I was told she would be a mixed Wyandotte and Black Australorpe. While I was at work yesterday, the kind folks dropped her off at my house and my husband stowed her away in the animal carrier for her to just kind of settle down. I came home and did a huge double take....she looks like Lizzie! I wasn't expecting that! Her body shape is a bit different. She is bigger, and her tail doesn't stick up, it's rounded. That will take a bit of getting used to. The guy told me she also just does her own thing. She doesn't' socialize with the other hens, and just pecks around on her own. Sure enough, he is right.
This morning, I put Henrietta in the pen and let the Goldie and Beaver run around the yard. Well, Goldie was the one who just seemed beside herself pacing all over the perimeter, as you can see by the picture. I have a video too I'll try and post. She was verbalizing, and just agitated. I thought, well let's get the fight over. I opened the door to the gate of the pen, and I just knew Goldie would go after Henrietta. Nope. She immediately went up into the roost. Again, I thought, maybe she needed to lay an egg. Nope. She came out and started pecking in the dirt. I went to get the egg, no egg. I think Goldie just wanted to check the roost to make sure Henrietta hadn't messed with it. All is peaceful. Henrietta could care less about Goldie and Beaver and as a result, they don't care either. Everyone is just pecking around outside. I am also kind of wondering since Henrietta looks like Lizzie, if that has helped introductions.
I hesitate to say this, because I said it a few weeks ago, I think all is well. After the raccoon attack, hens not getting along, hens dying, etc. I think we are on a level of normalcy again.
Conversations....
Friday evening I am cleaning the house, at a fairly clipped pace. My inlaws were due to come Saturday afternoon, and things needed to look better.
Me: JM, you need to clean your room.
JM: Why?
Me: Grandpa and Grandma are coming, and we don't want them to think we're slobs.
JM: Mom, I think they already know.
Me: JM, you need to clean your room.
JM: Why?
Me: Grandpa and Grandma are coming, and we don't want them to think we're slobs.
JM: Mom, I think they already know.
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