Ginny, unfortunately my city doesn't have the funding to provide bus transportation for preschool. I guess because preschool is voluntary and not mandated by law, the city doesn't have to do it. The special ed kids get a bus, but early intervention is a different thing altogether.

So far, the cold is still in my head, ears, and throat which is very sore right now. I'm hoping it will stay right where it is until it goes away. I may not like not breathing through my nose, but it is a lot better than choking, coughing, and having asthma attacks. I don't feel so great right now, but I will teach Sunday School tomorrow because the last time I was sick in December, I missed my day to teach. I've only taught one Sunday since then, and if I don't teach tomorrow, I will catch h*ll. I'll be home for lunch to have hot chicken soup and climb back into bed.

Just one more thing. I wish I could walk in the winter, but our sidewalks are covered with ice or snow...some pretty deep. Nobody does a very good job cleaning up after the storms around here, and after my fall a couple of storms ago, I won't be taking to the sidewalks again until spring...then again, that will get my allergies going. Okay, I will just have to accept the fact that I am an indoor exerciser!

Hi, all. Its snowing here again. My city missed a winter storm warning by mere miles: I'm in the southern part of Baltimore, less than 10 miles from the zipcode that got the winter storm warning. We have a winter weather advisory with the same forecast, so I'm not sure how they decided who got which warning. In any case, it means no gym because I don't go out and drive around here in bad weather. Not only does the City not take care of the roads, but people don't do a good job on their sidewalks. I'm too scared of falling and hurting my ankle again.
Summer: Hope you're feeling better now.
Pam: Well, no... my 4th period is all boys. Bad boys. Very, very bad boys.
Ginny: NCLB. Okay. The idea is to improve teaching by making people accountable through test scores. The states were required to establish regular tests, and an alternate test for special education students. The only problem is that per the law, only students who fall into the 1% of students with severe disabilities are permitted to take the alternate assessment. Fairfax County has addressed this by basically saying that if the child isn't in a class for students with moderate/severe disabilities (classes known as mod/sd), they will take at least one of the state regular tests... which means they must be in the class with the test attached. So in middle school, my functional math class students were being required to prep for the 8th grade math test. Never mind that two of the kids had done class assessments that year (Woodcock-Johnson, R) had valid achievement test scores for math at the 1st-3rd grade level... and both students had IQs in the mentally ******ed range. I was still required to prep them for the 8th grade test. One of my other students that year had an IQ score of 48. She, too, was required to prep for the 8th grade tests. I wasn't allowed to do alternate assessments with any of them. The testing is just horrible. The tests are bad, because of the way they are set up: for example, the English test for 8th grade in Virginia will have a story on one page, and then the page AFTER (in other words, you have to flip the page), asks the student to define underlined words on the previous page! Also, at one point, the state legislators were given one of the history tests for the state of virginia, and couldn't pass them! And if you can't pass all these tests, you don't get a diploma. ARRRGH!
The other lovely feature of NCLB is that in order to be considered a highly qualified teacher, you must have a degree in the core subject area that you teach. So, if I were still in Fairfax County, I'd be required to have degrees in the following: English, Physics, Biology, and Math. I taught all of those core subjects because my kids with MR and some of the LD kids were in those classes. My last year there, they added Civics, so that means a degree in History or Political Science. Currently, I don't teach a core subject, so the federal government says that I'm not required to be highly qualified. It doesn't matter that I have a master's degree in transition planning, a bachelor's degree in mild-moderate special education, and am working on a doctorate in curriculum & instruction/assistive technology. It doesn't matter that officially, what I teach is "life skills", and that was my title in Pennsylvania. It doesn't matter that I have terminal certification in MD and PA... and as soon as I get off my butt and put in the paperwork, I'll have it in Virginia as well.
I wrote to the department of education when this was passed, and asked them what degree they thought I should get: I teach cooking, so should I have a degree in culinary arts? I teach functional reading and writing, so perhaps a degree in English; I teach functional math such as checkbooks, and taxes, so maybe a degree in accounting or business? And received a standard form letter in response.
Most states are now going to require special education teachers to have an elementary education degree, which scares me juiceless. I don't do little children. And I know from experience that if I carry that licensure, I'll wind up doing that job. I'm already elementary ed certified in MD and PA (MD added grades 1-8 endorsement to my license this year... I need to take another 6 reading credits to keep it), and PA just does a K-12 licensure for special education. I think Virginia does as well, but I'd have to go look at my paperwork.
And here's the really funny part: Despite not being highly qualified and being told that I don't NEED to be highly qualified, I'm asked to do things to determine OTHER teacher's highly qualified status. Including: score portfolios and on-line assessments for the national board of professional teaching standards, and helping to set the cut score for the PRAXIS test for teachers of students with severe disabilities. I was appointed to the last one by the same state that tells me I'm not highly qualified (Maryland).

:mouse:

Hi!
Summer, after reading your post, I think I made you feel like garbage........and I am very sorry about that. It was surely not my intent. (with regards to both the transportation issue and walking in the winter). I am glad that your cold has sort of behaved itself, and although you are sniffly/drippy/runny as opposed to settling in your chest. I hope you feel better! Drink lots and lots of fluids, broth and tea if you can stomach it. Big hugs. And I hope the kids in Sunday school were good for you.

Mouse- thanks too for the assessment of NCLB. I repeat my sentiments that there are some things that government has little right doing- and although the intent is ok (I guess, unless I am being naive) it sure sounds as though the implementation of this is a nightmare. And you are so caught in the middle. Too bad that snow has you housebound. The days are getting longer.....spring has a while to go before it is here but at least with the lengthening days it is encouraging.

Not much new here. I had 3-5's today during church, so although I got there I did not get to church, per se. Dd is still home (came rather late last nite, but her attitude is much better. She even did her laundry at school istead of sticking me with it). She will be going back late this afternoon for practice.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Ginny

Well…another weekend gone. I have not posted in a long while. I have been sick with a severe cold. I’ve had to get my report cards done. I’ve had other assorted meetings and stuff. AND The darn cold has really had me feeling sick. I was in bed before 9 each night since Tuesday…and for those who know me… THAT is very unusual!

Last night I got a phone call from a mom who has a ds in my ds's classes at school. Seems the two boys have been talking and my ds told her ds to call me for help with getting the school to implement his IEP correctly. Did you get that? The two boys were talking about their IEP's and my kid told her kid to have his mom call me! I guess parents have to network anyway we can, huh?! Anyway...while I'm sorry to hear that they are having issues getting his IEP implemented correctly... It SURE was nice to talk to someone else who is having the same sort of "issues"! We discovered that we are screaming about the exact same things! Mushrooms....they keep us like mushrooms... in the dark, feeding us crap.

Oh, one last thing about my ds and his IEP woes... His IEP states that *ALL* work and assessments will be given on his computer. He does ZERO writing. WELL... I remember the Civics exam? I got an email at school the day after the exam telling me that he did a wonderful job! That so far his grade was a 97 BUT that she had a ? about 4 of his answers ...she couldn't read his handwriting and she needed him to come by her class before 10 the next day to clarify his writing. If he didn't come by or before 10, his grade would be a B. Have a nice day! ARGHHH! OVER & OVER & OVER again!
........since he was 4 months old. He did go back to see her. He got the questions correct. The only points taken off of his exam were due to his difficulty differentiating between the characteristics of democrates and republicans... DEARRR GAWWWD HOW did he mess that up...guess he doesn't have the same perspective that I do on the situation, huh?!

ANYWAY...enough about my ds and his IEP issues!

I am back on track. (Thanks to YOU girls!) and I'm in full swing! I'm IN control of my eating, drinking, and most importantly MY HEAD! :) Exercise is getting shoved in where I can. To be very truthful, this head cold and the lack of being able to breathe has caused me to slow down what I had planned. I've been using some weights... but I just can't do one of my more aerobic tapes without being able to breathe! I tried it... it wasn't pretty at all... it hurt...and the issues with the nose became the center of my attention..and well... weights are ok for now!

I must go... I've got so many household chores that need to be done. ARGHH... Momma can't be sick.... you know that...

I'll check back in a bit! Ya'll take care!
Thanks for your encouragement and help...as always!
:) meeee

I have spent the past hour getting kicked off the computer. One day when we get our finances in order, I am getting rid of dial-up!!!!!!!!!

Ginny, NO you did not make me feel like garbage. I was feeling pretty crappy all on my own. I'm just sick lady. Please don't take it personally. Love ya!!!

Mousie, I am appalled by what you have to do to be "highly qualified." That is a bunch of bullsh*t! Forget it that you are essentially OVER QUALIFIED. This is what happens when the government starts meddling where they don't belong. They need to let the professionals on the front lines handle things.

Robyn, sorry you and I have been living this parallel life of rotten colds and report cards being due. Thankfully, mine is still in my head.

I taught Sunday School to six kids this morning, including my DD. We had more snow last night, and either the frigid temperatures or the slippery streets kept people away. The best part was the really naughty kids who never seem to miss a Sunday WEREN'T THERE!!!!!! So, it was just five nice, cooperative kids, and one mild hop in the ***. And, I only had to teach for the first half. The second half was "children's church." The pastor, who is utterly clueless about children, handed out printed bulletins for the kids to read. Well, only the kids 8 and up would have been able to read them. I had to laugh as they made the toddlers hold them. He looked at me and said, "They can read this, right?" I just shook my head and said, "No, Pastor Joseph, only the big kids can read it." Of course, none of the adults got one to follow along. And none of the kids would part with their copy. What a friggin' joke! The good part was when he was done, they had police and firefighters there to explain their jobs as "God's helpers." It was GREAT!!! And, shame on me, that firefighter was HOT!!!

Hey everybody!
Let me try again to get my two cents in about the NCLB. The first time it wouldn't post don't know what happened. Let me just what happened to me last year because of this wonderful new plan. Let me first say that I have been teaching math for 9 years now. I went to school to be a teacher and am certified k-9 in math language arts and social studies.....Last year, I received a letter saying that although I was certified, I was not considered highly qualified in my field because I didn't have a Math major. I was told that I would have to undergo a portfolio assessment. I had to include lesson plans with activities for every standard on the assessment form. Some of them didn't even apply to my curriculum. Nevertheless, I spent months working on this portfolio to "prove my worth". There were two other teachers in my school who had to do this as well. One teacher was 1 year from retirement, and the other teacher has her National Boards. We are all now highly qualified to do our jobs. The thing that makes me the most upset is that we have so many lateral entry teachers wo didn't even go to school to be teachers who were not required to do this stupid porfolio. The funny thing about this is on Friday my Principal told me I was going to have to go through the training to become a NCHOUSE evaluator. (A person who goes through the portfolio and works with the teacher who is not highly qualified to become highly qualified.) There were seven teacher's on our counties leadership team who were not considered highly qualified. We all spent our leadership meeting complaining to the Superintedent of Instruction! Still had to do the porfolio.
Mouse: Sounds like you are sort of in a similar situation. I went to college and got a degree in Elementary Education with a Middle School Endorsement. All of that coursework was enough for licensure and a degree. It just wasn't enough for NCLB!
In addition, our school is the largest middle school in the county. We have the largest number of EC students and the largest number of migrant students. The migrant students are not required to take the test for the first two years they are here and are given the AAAI (alternative assessment). However, the highest they can score on it is a level two. This score is not considerered proficient. Our school will have a very hard time meeting AYP. It's just ridiculous. Not only do we have to worry about NCLB our state has ABC"S. So we have to meet both standards! When you interview here they ask you about your test scores. All we talk about is test test test! It's making me crazy. Enough about that! :(

I went out and bought the WATP dvd. Got the one that was walk and jog. The first day I tried it I didn't make it all the way through. Walking in place is a lot harder than walking around the block. Not to mention the fact that both my boys friends kept popping in and out and I didn't want to be a show for all of them. Today I did the whole thing. I like it. I think I'll do that on super cold or rainy days and walk outside on the other ones.Finally lost one more pound. YEAH! :cb: :cb: :cb:
Hope you all have a great week this week!
Pam

Just a quickie........

Pam-thanks to you too for the explanation of the NCLB- sounds pretty consistent between each of you. Something my Dh would call really nasty old military term.....don't want to go there. Glad you got a WATP tape. I love them. And hang in there, they get easier as you get used to them. They are so encouraging, especially if you are not used to a workout.

Robyn- feel better!!!!!! So sorry about the cold.......drink, drink, drink....pee that cold away. WTG with your good eating habits and self control!!!!!!!! It will show up on the scale, even if delayed a week or so because of your cold. Chalk it up to a non scale victory, which in the long run will result in a scale victory too!!!!

Summer- glad you had a light load at church today (I did too!).Much easier when there are not so many to manage. Gotta laugh at some pastors- our former pastor was the same way, had no idea of reading levels etc. Aw, but he had a big heart for the kids and loved them so. And ok, we are not supposed to covet......but you can't help looking!

Dd just got back to school, in a much better mood than last weekend (gotta be divine intervention there!). And bless my youngest Dd who is upstairs washing the dishes for her mom......gotta go dry. And the dishwasher gets fixed tomorrow. You will see me smiling over the net......Enjoy your evening.
Ginny

Hi all. . .just a quick post--b/c I have got to go to bed. didn't exercise as much as i wanted this weekend, b/c i had this training thing for this union committe, which was fun but way too sedentary. It was funny, about 1 hr before the end I just couldn't sit anymore, and discovered that there's this whole group of people who end up standing through the end of things. I've always just suffered, but lately being antsy gets the better of me--i think cause I'm moving around more now thanks to exercising more. anyone else find that they didn't sit still as well after starting to exercise regularly?

anyway, today it was a walk down and back from the beach--which was hot, but I'm thankful for it. didn'tget to go in the water though because the surf was really dangerous--lifeguards weren't letting anyone in who didn't have a surf or boogie board.

take care everyone!

Summer---this is going to seem old, but you said that you were impressed that my 1st response to stress was to walk, and I don't want you to think something that's not true--->my first response to stress is food---->either really salty (I miss potato chips SO much right now), or really sweet (i binge on girl scout cookies, thank goodness they're once a year). when i get home from a stressful day, i turn on the computer, and grab a drink. The next step is snacks, so I literally have to make 3FC my homepage to motivate me to get my butt outside for that walk. It's weird, I feel better during the walk and amazing after, but before all i want to do is stay in and munch like mad

Paisley- glad you got a walk in.........and yes, I am a lot like you. Now that I get a daily (or almost daily) workout in, I am much less able to be a couch potato and get up to do more. Good idea making this your homepage(it would not work for me as the computer is not in a central room in my home). One more way to motivate. I did the same thing with training myself to go out for a walk instead of stress eating......still do plenty of stress eating too unfortunately- but it sounds as though you are doing great!

Dh stayed home sick today(he has a fever....and will finally go to the Dr). Ds has a half day and will also go to the Dr when he comes home(same upper respiratory thing as Dh). And the dishwasher is repaired today. I hope.
Gotta go- no workout yet today- hope to get a walk in after my am.
Happy Monday!
Ginny

Hey!
It was a pretty uneventful Monday. I can hardly believe it. I could get spoiled! I just finished doing the WATP tape. I think I am addicted. I'll still have to walk with my husband whether it's cold or not. I did the tape yesterday and then didn't feel like going out in the cold. He looked so pitiful going out by himself. It's in the forties here today so it shouldn't be too bad. Well have to go split up M&M's. We're doing M&M circle graphs tomorrow. It's a good thing I don't like plain M&M's! Have a great evening!
Pam

Pam, aren't the tapes addicting???? I love mine. Have a few of them and like them all. Stay away from those M&M's!!!!! ( a problem food for me)

Today was very dissapointing. Just sick and tired of housework, not getting any help AND the DUMB MORON did not show up to fix my dishwasher. Gave them a massive piece of my mind.......gee I only made this appointment 2 weeks ago because I knew my schedule was difficult to work with. Got a short walk in while waiting for the jerk who never showed up.
Oh well, life goes on. See ya later.
Ginny

Ginny
Notice I said plain M&M's. I'll be honest, I did this activity for a class last week. I was just sitting there filling the bags and just put a handful into my mouth. I started to chew and realized WHAT AM I DOING???????? I am happy to say I spit them out. Had they been peanut M&M's I'd have eaten them and suffered the guilt! :lol:
Pam

Pam,
glad I am not the only one who starts eating something they should not and spits it out. I have done that one before! BTW, thanks for the kick in the can. I just finished doing my WATP tape. I am tired, but it felt good. Had to get rid of a TON of stress.
And at least you are selective....any M&M's (except for the almond, which do nothing for me) would be a problem.

BTW, I called another repair service (I know this guy personally) and he will be here Friday. Don't really want to wait till then, but I am so annoyed with the other service- they can go jump off a cliff........(need Robyn for some better expletives here).

Off to play Sorry with Dd. Dh is sick (had a 102 fever), the Dr put him on amoxil, said he might have "dry pneumonia". So he will be home tomorrow, I am sure. Ds has a bad cold too, they tested him for strep.
See ya tomorrow!
Ginny

WAKE UP CALLS...

1. DD came home and told me that some older kids in her school had called "high maintenance" girl's mother "fat." She felt really bad for "high maintenance" girl. All I could think of was, "how cruel and awful, poor high maintenance girl's mom, and Oh my God, what if they had said that about me to DD?!" Yes, her mom is bigger than me, but I'm overweight enough to be called names too. It could have easily been me. Yes, I teach DD that the inside of a person is what really matters...not appearance. But, you and I both know it still would have hurt and embarrassed her anyway.

2. I walked by my DD's full-length mirror and saw my skinny legs. Then my eyes went up to my very pregnant-looking stomach and big hips and butt. I looked about 8 months along. It was cute seeing those skinny arms and legs with a big protruding belly seven years ago. But, the baby was born, and yes, she was beautiful...she still is. Only now she is in first grade, and I still look pregnant. It isn't cute anymore.

All of a sudden I am embarrassed by my appearance. I don't know if it was the outfit I wore today that accentuates my bad features. I don't know if empathizing with the other mom got to me. I don't know if it is PMS. I don't know if reality has finally kicked in. But, I just don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to be in denial. I don't want to say, "I'll start tomorrow, Monday, or next week."

I'm starting NOW.