Yesterday was wee one's first Communion. We had a pew set up all for our family. This was not done in the past. We were also the third pew from the front of the church. Good and Bad. Good because we could see wee one, bad because the priest could see us.
The Communion was going along well. Wee one was sitting still holding his hands in prayer, the Priest blesses the children with holy water, he takes it well. Does not move sits still, being good. Now it is time for the masses to be blessed and the Priest walks down the aisle of the church annointing one and all, and then it happens, the holy water hits my oldest in the eye, he is sitting next to my middle one, who is sitting next to me. My oldest whispers loudly to my middle one, I am blind it burns it burns. Where my middle one who is a good boy unlike his mother and brother says ssshhh and I burst out in laughter. Big fits of laughter. My oldest looks at me and says what am I going to do that was my good eye. Where I laugh even louder and my body is shaking in fits of laughter and I told him to shut it, that it is now confirmed I am going to hell and I will save a seat for him because there is no way I am going to be roasting in hell without him because he started it.
Now that the Communion is done and the Graduation plans have taken hold I will be focusing back onto the education part of this blog. As soon as middle on graduates I have a nice little post that has been stewing, cooking, roasting in my head.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
My new favorite song
I found this song by listening to a station on my Itunes. It is something that I do everytime I sit at the computer. Put the headphones on, crank up the Itunes and look for some new music.
Unfortuntely Youtube won't let me embed it so you have to click to listen. I have to say the video makes the whole song. So now you also know I like the alternative stuff. Some people just never grow up and I am one of them.
Unfortuntely Youtube won't let me embed it so you have to click to listen. I have to say the video makes the whole song. So now you also know I like the alternative stuff. Some people just never grow up and I am one of them.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Whirlwind
The school year is almost over and just waiting on what is going to be thrown at us in the last hours. Another big school closing, math now is going to be taught the old way. Math A thrown out the window but Algebra is in. Huh? I hope we still have those old text books in the basement with years of dust on them to hand the students.
I have been not paying to much attention to what is going on, but on Friday my neighbor a retired High School Science teacher from a big overcrowded high school in Queens asked me if I knew what was happening at Jamaica High School? I told her that indeed I did and that it was not the first high school that has been closed due to the name of progress. She was just appalled, and then relieved that she was no longer a teacher.
Being that the school year is almost over and spring is upon us the Pissed Off Family has been knee deep in activities. Middle one is getting ready for graduation. We are still looking for the perfect suit, well suited for a giant. It sure is not going to be an easy task but I am up for it whenever he is.
I can't tell you how happy I am that he will be out of high school.
I know I told you how my niece is in the process of choosing a high school. Her first choice was Talent Unlimited, second Frank Sinatra. I told her parents that they should go with the small Private Prep Private school. Well they chose that school after hearing my horror stories.
We told her if we had to do it all over again, no matter how great a student middle one is, and we thought he would be fine, we were wrong. He did not do fine, he did okay but he just skated along when he could have done much better. I blame him as well as the situation.
Wee one is getting geared for his First Communion. He has to make a banner, in between doing a report for communion and another report for his second grade class.
The report is cool to the fact that his father and I have to drag his little behind to the 5 boroughs and take pictures with him so he can learn geography.
We took him to the Bronx Zoo yesterday and all he wanted to be was outside. He made us pretty miserable. He was not looking at anything until we let him climb some big rocks and chase a peacock. I have video, it is so cute him chasing that peacock until the peacock got a little upset and turned on him. You should have seen his face it was like a scene from a horror movie. Which cracked me up to no end, and made him laugh. When he got home he could not wait to let his brother watch it and they made up a little screen play for the video. Hey who said school is not educational.
While we were driving to the zoo wee one was also practicing his song for the International Day music portion. He sang all the way going and back. He said he wanted to make sure he was all practiced. Dedication I tell you. This coming from a child who refused to sing in music, go figure.
I can't believe I am saying this but bring on the summer I am tired.
I have been not paying to much attention to what is going on, but on Friday my neighbor a retired High School Science teacher from a big overcrowded high school in Queens asked me if I knew what was happening at Jamaica High School? I told her that indeed I did and that it was not the first high school that has been closed due to the name of progress. She was just appalled, and then relieved that she was no longer a teacher.
Being that the school year is almost over and spring is upon us the Pissed Off Family has been knee deep in activities. Middle one is getting ready for graduation. We are still looking for the perfect suit, well suited for a giant. It sure is not going to be an easy task but I am up for it whenever he is.
I can't tell you how happy I am that he will be out of high school.
I know I told you how my niece is in the process of choosing a high school. Her first choice was Talent Unlimited, second Frank Sinatra. I told her parents that they should go with the small Private Prep Private school. Well they chose that school after hearing my horror stories.
We told her if we had to do it all over again, no matter how great a student middle one is, and we thought he would be fine, we were wrong. He did not do fine, he did okay but he just skated along when he could have done much better. I blame him as well as the situation.
Wee one is getting geared for his First Communion. He has to make a banner, in between doing a report for communion and another report for his second grade class.
The report is cool to the fact that his father and I have to drag his little behind to the 5 boroughs and take pictures with him so he can learn geography.
We took him to the Bronx Zoo yesterday and all he wanted to be was outside. He made us pretty miserable. He was not looking at anything until we let him climb some big rocks and chase a peacock. I have video, it is so cute him chasing that peacock until the peacock got a little upset and turned on him. You should have seen his face it was like a scene from a horror movie. Which cracked me up to no end, and made him laugh. When he got home he could not wait to let his brother watch it and they made up a little screen play for the video. Hey who said school is not educational.
While we were driving to the zoo wee one was also practicing his song for the International Day music portion. He sang all the way going and back. He said he wanted to make sure he was all practiced. Dedication I tell you. This coming from a child who refused to sing in music, go figure.
I can't believe I am saying this but bring on the summer I am tired.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
When the military recruiter calls-
The phone rang last night and my son answered thinking it was a friend.
No name just a cell number.
He picks up the phone and the person on the other end asks for him.
He says its me who is this?
He said this is Mr. X from the Marines what are you planning on doing with your future?
My son, being that he is my son, replies. that he is going to school to be an interpretive dancer, and he and his life partner just signed a lease on an apartment in the city with his parents blessing. The recruiter asked him how he was planning on paying for his education,
My son, not missing a beat, replied, pimping my ho's. Well he did not but he said I have a scholarship.
The recruiter then went on to ask him if he was really going to be a dancer because the file they had on him (yeah that is what I said, file what file)
described him as 6'6" and about 300lbs. He said that would be wrong I am 350lbs. He said that he was gong to school for acting and his major would be veterinarian but if the Marines needed a vet to call him in about 10 years.
This is why I love my sons, they keep me on my toes with the insane sense of sarcasm.
No name just a cell number.
He picks up the phone and the person on the other end asks for him.
He says its me who is this?
He said this is Mr. X from the Marines what are you planning on doing with your future?
My son, being that he is my son, replies. that he is going to school to be an interpretive dancer, and he and his life partner just signed a lease on an apartment in the city with his parents blessing. The recruiter asked him how he was planning on paying for his education,
My son, not missing a beat, replied, pimping my ho's. Well he did not but he said I have a scholarship.
The recruiter then went on to ask him if he was really going to be a dancer because the file they had on him (yeah that is what I said, file what file)
described him as 6'6" and about 300lbs. He said that would be wrong I am 350lbs. He said that he was gong to school for acting and his major would be veterinarian but if the Marines needed a vet to call him in about 10 years.
This is why I love my sons, they keep me on my toes with the insane sense of sarcasm.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Public vs Private Schools
On Easter my sister in law was asking me some questions about public High Schools.
Her daughter who has always attended private school, would like to attend a Public High School. One for the arts. She has been accepted to a few of them, but on the same hand she was also accepted to fine Private High Schools.
So we grabbed middle guys laptop and I showed her how to navigate through the DOE's portal and how to access statistics etc. One school as I was reading the current Quality Review of the school I began to cackle. That is correct cackle. The Quality Review of the school as a whole was written that the school was data driven, and that they use data to access on how to further help the children to achieve their goals. I hope you are not drinking because I am sure you probably spewed your drink by now.
It went on to how wonderful the ARIS computer has helped the Principal and the staff to identify the needs to the children in our new data driven goals.
So by now I was laughing so hard I had to apologize to my sister in law and I gave her this piece of advice, after I told my brother in law to come into the room.
I told her if she had the money to send her daughter to the Private School the one that teaches Latin, why in the world would she even be considering Public. Where my High School Senior chimed in Public School blows.
Her daughter who has always attended private school, would like to attend a Public High School. One for the arts. She has been accepted to a few of them, but on the same hand she was also accepted to fine Private High Schools.
So we grabbed middle guys laptop and I showed her how to navigate through the DOE's portal and how to access statistics etc. One school as I was reading the current Quality Review of the school I began to cackle. That is correct cackle. The Quality Review of the school as a whole was written that the school was data driven, and that they use data to access on how to further help the children to achieve their goals. I hope you are not drinking because I am sure you probably spewed your drink by now.
It went on to how wonderful the ARIS computer has helped the Principal and the staff to identify the needs to the children in our new data driven goals.
So by now I was laughing so hard I had to apologize to my sister in law and I gave her this piece of advice, after I told my brother in law to come into the room.
I told her if she had the money to send her daughter to the Private School the one that teaches Latin, why in the world would she even be considering Public. Where my High School Senior chimed in Public School blows.
No money for schools
I wonder if the budget is so tight and we need to cut money to the education, the foundation that educates our children, how was money found to give a 9% raise to the Cambridge Educators that rate our schools with Quality Reviews. Quality Reviews that are largely ignored by Klein when it comes to rating our schools on the report cards?
I am still befuddled on to why we needed to hire a firm from across the pond when I am sure that there are people from fine institutions in this country that could do the same. Another attempt of outsourcing. I say we outsource our Chancellor too.
I am still befuddled on to why we needed to hire a firm from across the pond when I am sure that there are people from fine institutions in this country that could do the same. Another attempt of outsourcing. I say we outsource our Chancellor too.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Do schools get cleaned anymore?
Just wondering because my son is constantly ill. Not just him but his classmates also.
So far this year he has had bronchitis, constant coughs, fevers, a rash that lasted forever, the flu, a stomach virus that lasted 3 days, and now he has a fever and a cough, and he said it is hard to swallow. The doctor said it is a virus. He has been absent a total of 20 times this year.
Now if he was in a high school I am sure I would have to go up there and scream that he was not cutting. But being that he has a brother in high school and we all know that children like to share germs my other son has also been stricken with the same illnesses as wee one. All except the rash that was not contagious.
So I wonder besides the fact that children do share germs are the classrooms sanitized on a regular basis? Or have we forgotten all about the virus that claimed lives at the beginning of the school year?
So far this year he has had bronchitis, constant coughs, fevers, a rash that lasted forever, the flu, a stomach virus that lasted 3 days, and now he has a fever and a cough, and he said it is hard to swallow. The doctor said it is a virus. He has been absent a total of 20 times this year.
Now if he was in a high school I am sure I would have to go up there and scream that he was not cutting. But being that he has a brother in high school and we all know that children like to share germs my other son has also been stricken with the same illnesses as wee one. All except the rash that was not contagious.
So I wonder besides the fact that children do share germs are the classrooms sanitized on a regular basis? Or have we forgotten all about the virus that claimed lives at the beginning of the school year?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
I am angry
that could be a good thing or a bad thing. It is also the reason why I haven't posted in a while.
I am sick of the continual crap coming out of the Department of Education. The fact that they Dynamic Duo are experimenting on our children with new initiatives and cutting money from the budget and making snide remarks that the schools really are being over funded so taking crumbs away won't make a difference.
I am ill at the thought of the 8th grade retention policy that was put forth without any public input. Not like public input was ever listened to by these two butt heads.
When Klein speaks about education reforms I want to throw up. Kind of like whenever I see Bush talk about anything (the economy does suck you jackass) I get physically ill and just want to smack that snarky look off his face.
Oops I digress again.
I was around and had a 3rd grader when the first 3rd grade retention policy was thrown at us. With no extra money to fund the program and no extra resource room teachers, tutors, after school programs, what exactly are we supposed to do with our children that need that help. Just let them fail take away the self esteem. We all know that they won't be able to make that touted Charter School because the Charter Schools don't want them.
Now our new governor for however long he will be there since sex is such a crazed topic this day. Oh sex oh I quiver giggle. The fact that it is all over the news and I needed to kind of explain to my 7 year old what a prostitute was. I guess though that was better than when middle one was 7 and I he asked me what a blow job was, Monica Lewinsky.
Anyway since sex is the topic of the day, Paterson came out and said he would like to help education downstate (us), but without taxing the wealthy for it, but you know what I think Charter Schools are the answer, yeah that's the ticket. More Charters, private solution with public monies.
Hey you know what Paterson this is my idea, how about you do more charter schools, private solution with PRIVATE MONIES. Why the hell should I finance a Charter School that I don't believe in. One that only wants to dismantle the union. Oh that's right who needs a stinkin union anyway. Otherwise who will protect our wonderful teachers. Oops I forgot we don't care about the teachers. They suck anyway. It is all their fault that our children is stupid. That is right I wrote that wrong for a reason. I know why you all want our teachers gone, you don't care about educating the public. We need more lower wage earners. I don't know why because their are no more manufacturing jobs. Unless retail is the way to go.
As for the Parent Surveys you sent out again. I noticed that all the questions were the same. So since the questions were the same I just tossed mine in the trash. I don't feel like you really give a shit what I have to say anyway.
So once again I have some advice for you. Get rid of the surveys and all those other useless functions at the DOE that should free up some money. Do we really need the Office of Parent Engagement. It is not like you really want to engage the parents anyway.
Stop taking money out of our schools already. You can't close them all for failing yet. I know that is the grand scheme.
Oh and please stop asking your clueless friends to tout you on what a wonderful job you are doing Brownie errrr I mean Joel. When was the last time Barbara Walters had a child in a public school or has been in one for that matter. I challenge all these big mouths that say they are your friends to spend a month in a low performing school and then come back and tell me what a great job you are doing.
Rant over.
I am sick of the continual crap coming out of the Department of Education. The fact that they Dynamic Duo are experimenting on our children with new initiatives and cutting money from the budget and making snide remarks that the schools really are being over funded so taking crumbs away won't make a difference.
I am ill at the thought of the 8th grade retention policy that was put forth without any public input. Not like public input was ever listened to by these two butt heads.
When Klein speaks about education reforms I want to throw up. Kind of like whenever I see Bush talk about anything (the economy does suck you jackass) I get physically ill and just want to smack that snarky look off his face.
Oops I digress again.
I was around and had a 3rd grader when the first 3rd grade retention policy was thrown at us. With no extra money to fund the program and no extra resource room teachers, tutors, after school programs, what exactly are we supposed to do with our children that need that help. Just let them fail take away the self esteem. We all know that they won't be able to make that touted Charter School because the Charter Schools don't want them.
Now our new governor for however long he will be there since sex is such a crazed topic this day. Oh sex oh I quiver giggle. The fact that it is all over the news and I needed to kind of explain to my 7 year old what a prostitute was. I guess though that was better than when middle one was 7 and I he asked me what a blow job was, Monica Lewinsky.
Anyway since sex is the topic of the day, Paterson came out and said he would like to help education downstate (us), but without taxing the wealthy for it, but you know what I think Charter Schools are the answer, yeah that's the ticket. More Charters, private solution with public monies.
Hey you know what Paterson this is my idea, how about you do more charter schools, private solution with PRIVATE MONIES. Why the hell should I finance a Charter School that I don't believe in. One that only wants to dismantle the union. Oh that's right who needs a stinkin union anyway. Otherwise who will protect our wonderful teachers. Oops I forgot we don't care about the teachers. They suck anyway. It is all their fault that our children is stupid. That is right I wrote that wrong for a reason. I know why you all want our teachers gone, you don't care about educating the public. We need more lower wage earners. I don't know why because their are no more manufacturing jobs. Unless retail is the way to go.
As for the Parent Surveys you sent out again. I noticed that all the questions were the same. So since the questions were the same I just tossed mine in the trash. I don't feel like you really give a shit what I have to say anyway.
So once again I have some advice for you. Get rid of the surveys and all those other useless functions at the DOE that should free up some money. Do we really need the Office of Parent Engagement. It is not like you really want to engage the parents anyway.
Stop taking money out of our schools already. You can't close them all for failing yet. I know that is the grand scheme.
Oh and please stop asking your clueless friends to tout you on what a wonderful job you are doing Brownie errrr I mean Joel. When was the last time Barbara Walters had a child in a public school or has been in one for that matter. I challenge all these big mouths that say they are your friends to spend a month in a low performing school and then come back and tell me what a great job you are doing.
Rant over.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Some changes
I know, I know I am quiet again. Having three kids and having to chauffeur them here there and everywhere I have not had the time to come here. I will be back probably tomorrow with some new thoughts.
Parent Surveys are out and all that bullshit that was preached to us, about listening to parents and teachers concerns for the new survey is just that, bull. I see Klein's nose getting bigger every time he speaks. My surveys are going to be sent back blank just like last years. I might email Klein though and ask him to stop wasting our time with lies and have Bloomberg ask his friends to donate money to programs that work instead of asking parents stupid questions that you will mangle into data that is driven from your mucking up the facts.
My middle guy read a speech last week for a high school event. He was up with about 10 other children from other schools. He got cut first round and was very disappointed but he will live. He is also shooting a movie with some friends for school and they are on a tight schedule so I have to live around that too.
My older guy doesn't live with me anymore, but that does not mean that he doesn't drop over here at the drop of a hat to get something ummm I mean make me do something for him. Being he is a student, and has two jobs.
Also the IRS Blows, that boy has to pay income tax to the state because he supposedly makes to much money. You know since he has to pay the state I only see it fitting that the state gives him more money for his education.
I am now down 18 big pounds. Wahoo for me. I am on this new detox diet where you can't eat
dairy, eggs, white flour, refined sugar or yeast. I dare you to try this diet, it was a real pain in the ass the first week and after about 3 days I was craving big hunks of cheese. Today is the second week of it. I am eating sugar because you go try to find a cereal that does not have any. I did find two but they taste like bark. I am used to the bark taste now though.
Parent Surveys are out and all that bullshit that was preached to us, about listening to parents and teachers concerns for the new survey is just that, bull. I see Klein's nose getting bigger every time he speaks. My surveys are going to be sent back blank just like last years. I might email Klein though and ask him to stop wasting our time with lies and have Bloomberg ask his friends to donate money to programs that work instead of asking parents stupid questions that you will mangle into data that is driven from your mucking up the facts.
My middle guy read a speech last week for a high school event. He was up with about 10 other children from other schools. He got cut first round and was very disappointed but he will live. He is also shooting a movie with some friends for school and they are on a tight schedule so I have to live around that too.
My older guy doesn't live with me anymore, but that does not mean that he doesn't drop over here at the drop of a hat to get something ummm I mean make me do something for him. Being he is a student, and has two jobs.
Also the IRS Blows, that boy has to pay income tax to the state because he supposedly makes to much money. You know since he has to pay the state I only see it fitting that the state gives him more money for his education.
I am now down 18 big pounds. Wahoo for me. I am on this new detox diet where you can't eat
dairy, eggs, white flour, refined sugar or yeast. I dare you to try this diet, it was a real pain in the ass the first week and after about 3 days I was craving big hunks of cheese. Today is the second week of it. I am eating sugar because you go try to find a cereal that does not have any. I did find two but they taste like bark. I am used to the bark taste now though.
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