To Ingrid re: English only.

H wrote at 10:51pm on February 21st, 2010
My father and his tribe (the lucky ones) immigrated to America just as WWII started. For them, their 1st priority was to learn English. When immigrants learn English they do so much better than if they isolate themselves in their community. I hate the narrow attitude of "English only" --believe it or not, in a design co. that specialized in TRANSLATION, a guy told us that-- but one language should be strongly encouraged for the strength of the country and the individuals. And how 'bout those crazy Americans that go to Germany and learn their language!? You are my hero, btw.

Ingrid at 11:07pm on February 21st, 2010
Awww thanks.

N, C & M told some lovely jokes tonight at the AG Bell Speech Fair. It was cute and they did a good job. C & N wore nifty bow ties, just to be funny. The theme was sports. There was NO way I was going dressed as an enthusiast of spin.

All the children who performed tonight were amazing.

Becky White called me repeatedly to see/make sure we'd be there. We were and even Devan and Gama joined in the fun. Turns out Mr. Tim Smith (:P USDB Superintendent) made an announcement that USDB is going to build a NEW building for USDB/South, under the able direction of Marilyn Madsen! Turns out the Alpine School Dist., (under the assistant-superintendent's direction Mr. ROB Smith, Tim's son) has arranged for USDB to use the land that it has used for +20 years at Orem Elementary. (Michelle & I suggested that brilliant idea about 4 years ago only to be told that the then Lame-o SuperInt. didn't allow Alpine to talk to parents. So Alpine Sc. Dist. (Rob Smith) stopped talking to us.) Gee wow?!

The description of the future building sounded like he was reading the letter I wrote to the state big wigs and also the J2H Vision Statement. No one besides Tim, Marilyn, the Alpine School Dist & the State Legeslature were given any credit. It will be modular. Opening next September. Oooh ahh. Grand.

Wash my hands of it. I do wonder if Becky wanted me there to hear that. Later when I cordially congratulated Mr. Smith and he cleverly demurred to Marilyn, who Kim Saul [Didn't she retire from USDB?] called the best USDB Pre-school director in the state. (She is the only one with that title.)

Next year K, J, N & M will be going to Walden! I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that all goes well. Another year of 5 children & 5 schools/ways will pretty much do me in.

S is for Spelling Plate.

I'm not a grate speller. So I thought I'd help my kids spell by having them eat their words, spelling words. For example: GHTLNWA
I'm sure this will help them on their ACT tests.

S is for Summer Spelling words. :|

discovery (I like to DISCO VERY much.)
baseball game
important
there

P is for in a Perfect World; this is how all schools would be.

Just read on the Washington Post about the Big Draw. The slide show/interviews is/are worth watching/listening to. Check this out: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/03/06/GA2008030601203.html?sid=ST2008030601398

From the article:

For the 320 students toting sketch pads, charcoal pencils and erasers, North Chevy Chase Elementary School's Big Draw event meant a three-hour break from math, language arts and other classes and a chance to draw to their hearts' content.

The children got to DRAW, learn how to Observe! for 3 glorious hours. What brilliant teachers, administrators and parents. All I can say about the beautiful children is, "Lucky!"