What's the Bottom Line?

My colleagues and I were recently posed the following question: When you put a grade on student's paper or report card, what does it really mean?

Well...I have a question I'd like to ask parents "When you send your child to school, what do you want?" The generic answer will be something to the effect of "I want my child to get a good education." It's not that simple. Acquiring a good education will take some involvement on the part of the parent and those closest to the child's inner circle of acceptable authority figures.

For a child to get a good education, the following pieces must be connected in the puzzle:

• expectations from home for the child to adhere to the rules of the school/school district
• CONSISTENT consequences (not empty threats) at home for non-compliance with those rules
• working with the child's teachers on academic struggles or successes
• sending the child to school with the necessary supplies
• letting your child know that because you want him/her to get a good education, school will be before ALL things: extracurricular participation, family outings, the child's social calendar, etc.
• a safe school environment free from hindrances such as bullying
• highly qualified teachers
• quality instruction delivered daily
• assignments that are geared to make the child not only prepared for standardized testing,but also "college and career ready"
• clear and ongoing communication between the child's parents and the school staff
• If there is a philosophical difference between parent and teacher, the child should not be a part of the discussion and the child shouldn't hear either party talking despairingly about the other

Parents, this will require work on our part as parents, but at the end of the day, if you're really serious about your child "getting a good education" this is what's needed. So.....if this is too much for you to commit to doing, why are you sending your child to school?

What's the bottom line?

Reality Check

Today I am just plain tired. There are not enough hours in the day. So many needy children. Just finished walking 3 kids to class since I held them late. Trying to give them opportunities to raise their grade. Why is it I'm more concerned with their average than them? Saw a student in the hallways looking the opposite direction from his teacher. I heard her say "I'm trying to help you, but you've got to open your mouth and speak up. What is the problem?" She was calm. Voice smooth and soothing. Why do some students clam up? She was in the hallway speaking to him away from his peers. I could see her giving it her all. Could see his mind many miles away from here. I teach him as well. He tells me he wants to do better this year. Wants to go to college.

We have to be willing to work for what we want. Last time I checked the government wasn't giving billions away to anybody that didn't own a chunk of Wall Street.

Incompetent

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
in·com·pe·tent


Show Spelled Pronunciation[in-kom-pi-tuhnt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective
1.
not competent; lacking qualification or ability; incapable: an incompetent candidate.
2.
characterized by or showing incompetence: His incompetent acting ruined the play.
3.
Law.
a.
being unable or legally unqualified to perform specified acts or to be held legally responsible for such acts.
b.
inadmissible, as evidence. –noun
4.
an incompetent person; a mentally deficient person.
5.
Law. a person lacking power to act with legal effectiveness.

Why are incompetent people constantly promoted to positions for which they are so blaringly unqualified for?

The Breakup

Tonight hubby and I went to the Studio Movie Grill to catch Tyler Perry's latest movie, The Family That Preys. It was GREAT!!! That Tyler is awesome!! I loved Robin Givens in this movie: smart, articulate, classy, strong, faithful, etc. This is the best role I've seen her play. I usually can't stand her in the shows, but she was GREAT. I saw bits of myself in her. I loved her business savy and strength of conviction. I loved her first board meeting experience. William was such a weakling who was ill-equipped to make intellectual rounds with her. You go Abigail Dexter!!

Kathy Bates (remember her from Misery) and Alfre Woodard gave the picture timeless, class appeal. I love Kathy. Their friendship in the movie was endearing and heartfelt.

Now.....Sanaa's character was so scandalous that my husband (who's been crushing on her since Love and Basketball) said he could never see her the same way. So the breakup is official. September 12th is the day they are officially over. However,

Make Me Wanna Holla

I swear if Ashanti Blaze adds one more track on her head I am going to scream and then send in an e-mail. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against adding hair. But can it be more realistic? It's DRASTIC man and there's never a smooth transition. Just BAM!!

Mojo M.I.A.

2 times striking out. Two foul balls each time. One foul ball was hit so hard it went to another game in progress on another field. When he finds his Mojo again he will be unstoppable. Wore a baseball necklace. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

What happens to a dream deferred? Walking through Barnes and Noble Friday evening. Some good ones. Some bad ones. Aching heart. Inaction is insane.

Gustav not as bad as predicted. Thank God.

Two week summary:

• Great students
• Nosey co-workers
• BATESY HAD A BIRTHDAY!!!
• Open house. They need to get it together.
• Moving forward on house sale.
• Mookie's tapping into her inner fashion-ista.
• Kickboxing on Tuesdays. Low-high-low-kick!
• A series of distasteful one liners does not a classy lady/VP make.
• Waby might be ready to use a pot. Dare I say an end to buying my beloved Huggies?

Next Saturday is a another chance to seize the blessing.

Mind scramblings

New look.....It's the two year mark. Was time for a new haircut. Been feeling the need since Posh crossed the pond. Her hair is fierce. Had to make the style mine once again. Hadn't had the bob since 2006, now it's back.

H-town always feels like home. Kim Son. A gajillion Pappa's participants. Melting pot. Many languages.

Man...can the crescent city get a break? Coming back home last night, no traffic. I guess Nagin's message got through: "Get your butts out of town." That man is a mess.

Astros vs. Cardinals. Sitting in the Crawford box. First time to "the juice box." Downtown looks so different. Mojo commentating. Waby in awe. Husband enjoying life. Mookie MIA, "I need a break from baseball." Er?

Labor Day will be a work day. Let me get everyone up.

I am soooo blessed. Watching the terrific three run around the hotel lobby smiling, laughing, cheeks flushed. They make me happy. Don't want to screw up the responsibility. They are so precious. Sweet kids. They love life. They have a good life. Surrounded by love. So many other children are not.

The twins LOVE their new school. Thank the Lord!!! God answered our prayers. They are off to a fabulous start. As long as they remain "the salt" everything will be fine.

Hmmm.....so he picked a girl. A beauty queen with 5 kids. Desperate times equal desperate measures.

Obama '08 all the way!!

I had fainted unless I believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage. Wait I say on the Lord.