What I want to do when I grow up.........

When you think about the teachers who made a difference in your life, whose manner, messages and presence continues to influence the learning spark inside you,  don't you wonder how they managed to do it?  To be "on" day in and day out in front of a group of people is almost impossible to fathom, and that's what it takes to be the kind of facilitator who inspires students. Their enthusiasm for the subject matter as well as their desire to spark the fire in the hearts and minds of their brood of students must waver from time to time, but somehow they keep it tucked inside while shining on.  Sadly, our educational system is littered with more ho-hums and burn outs than passion.

Every time I step into the classroom to teach, my respect and appreciation for the passionate instructors re-ignites.  It gives me that unique opportunity to stand in their shoes and to recognize just how difficult it would be to engage like that for an extended period of time.  They deserve far more that what we pay them, and earn every single summer day off.

The type of facilitating I'm involved in however is different because it has a short beginning and end, which allows for me to burst with energy rather than find an ebb and flow pace one would need to survive for an extended period of time. In order to be in a classroom every single day, you'd have to find a completely different balance or you would burn out so quickly.  It's been 20 years since I pulled off full time teaching.  I loved it then.  Thrived even.  At that point in my life I was in a much different place in my life...... no children, MUCH younger, less responsibility outside of the classroom.  I wonder if I could pull it off now.  I wonder if I'd like to.  

This is where I am in my thinking tonight as I sit here reflecting on just how exhausted I was at the end of the workday.  For the past two days I taught a program called "Non Violent Crisis Intervention."  It's a "canned" program designed to be delivered exactly how its laid out in a manual.  With the trademark terms and the specific techniques leading the learning, its the kind of training I find the most demanding, because it leaves very little wiggle room to facilitate with the kind of freedom I prefer.  

Usually after I wrap up a workshop I'm pumped. Tired, but pumped.  Instead, I came home tonight completely void of any energy.  I felt used up and wordless..... not a good thing when you have loved ones in your life who deserve more than a person whose only focus is on finding a good comfortable spot on the couch to crash into lalala land.  Ok, I fed them first.  But, I did it in silence.  Then, I crashed.......slept through the early evening time when I should be focus on my family.  

Granted, I'm just getting over a cold and I have so many other thoughts pulsating inside my head vying for my focused attention.  I was also teaching a topic I wasn't too keen on or felt completely competent with the subject matter. Still,  I wonder if I would be up for the challenge of taking on a classroom of learners full time.   It's difficult to say.  As much as I love teaching, the other component one has to consider is how taxing it is on one's freedom. Though the counselling I am involved in on most days is intensely draining and there is little down time, I have control over my schedule. Leading a group of students through a full program is very structured time wise.  Would I be able to surrender those reins at this point in my life?  Would I want to? 

I think I would like my cake and eat it too.  Half time counselling, half time in the classroom.  The way I see it, this combination would be the ideal fit for me.  I could see how it would balance as well as challenge my skills.  OH,  who am I kidding.  If I had my choice?  I'd be rich enough not to have to work full time in any form of structured environment.  I would write, travel, teach when I wanted to, counsel when I wanted to.  And if I wanted to walk endlessly beside the calm tide of a warm body of water, I'd do that too................. Friends and family?  Please join me. :)   The first round of umbrella drinks is on me.

A bittersweet day.

Today, a group of kids celebrated the end of their wonderful year with a marvellous teacher. This morning, along with their parents and family members, they all congregated in the school gym to receive a certificate and present from their teacher and to watch a montage DVD show, pulled together by their fearless leader, which captured snippets of their life at Garden Creek School........baby photos which they had brought in, kindergarten shots and then a whole collage of their Grade 5 year. During the ceremony, each child's name was announced as they proceeded onto the stage to receive their certificate from their teacher. What was the most moving of all was when a child known for his rambunctious energy and unrulyness wrapped his arms around his favourite teacher and gave him the most heartfelt hug in front of 100 onlookers. One after another, children hugged him until tears were rolling down many faces.

One little guy bounced up the stairs and literally flew up into his arms........

Another boy, the biggest kid in the class who deals with big things at home, who is sometimes known to be a bully on the playground stood in front of his mentor, opened up his arms and gave him the biggest bearhug of all. He didn't want to let go.

Tonight, one of the parents arranged for the lodge at O'Dell Park to celebrate over pizza and some games. An hour and a half before the party was to begin, Mr. Slack and 9 of his students met to bike throughout the paths together. All keen to squeeze as many drops of time with this man. Afterwards, water fights and balloon popping games carried them into the early evening. As an onlooker, it was so obvious to see how much this whole class has benefited from his guidance, and his love of what he does so well.

It has been a bittersweet day. They have had a blast....even spent the afternoon in their classroom turning the smart board system into a guitar hero competition. After a long and very fruitful year of learning, where enrichment and extra curriculars were implemented along with the regular curriculum, it was time to close the formal learning books and enjoy each others company as most of them have since they began Kindergarten. Many of them have been together since then. They are a tight knit group of great kids who all have bounced out of their homes every single morning since September eager to learn together. Amazing.

A few captured photos...........of their last full day together. This last one is of my son Max and beautiful Abby, his friend and archrival both scholastically and in the gym playing indoor soccer. They have challenged one another in many ways since they began school together in Kindergarten. All healthy good stretching..........and collaborations.

I have much to say about my own feelings of this small milestone as it is our last week having a daily connection with this wonderful place, but will save it for another day. It's my son's day to shine.........and to know the joy of belonging to a group of peers he will continue to grow up with. Unconditionally......

ecouter, s'il vous plait.

Two more days and schools out for the summer. FREEDOM!!

However, not one elementary school teacher in this province will be leaving for a much deserved rest knowing what grade level or even what school they will be working in come September. They are forced to hold their breath, books and belongings and wait...........until the magic date of August 5th. That's when our illustrious and eternally bull-headed Education Minister will pull together 6 weeks of (insert sarcasm )well considered judicially enforced feedback from concerned voters only to announce that he will continue with his plan of scrapping the french immersion program as well as the daily french lessons children in the English program receive from Grade 1 on in this province. Instead, every single kid entering Grade 5 will be funneled into an intense french immersion program (to be developed, tested and implement between August 5th and September 2nd.) no matter what their personal learning levels reveal.

After that? Who knows?? The kids have a choice to enter middle school in an English stream or carry on in French immersion?

It's all a bit murky....but be prepared for a cold water dunk in the Bay of Fundy. That's how it's going to feel. An immersion into a whole new delivery of curriculum by teachers who pride themselves on their hard work in the preparation and implementation......who won't have a moment to catch their breath while they move and groove to the new twists thrown at them LESS THAN A MONTH before the first day of school, all in the name of being perceived as proactive. Despite today's Ombudsman report indicating that the public engagement or lack thereof was the worst example ever witnessed, Minister Lamrock has dismissed the recommendation of putting any changes off for a year in order to consider other avenues, in order to give the "system," particularly the Principals and teachers some breathing room. Why?? Methinks this has to do with the timing when another election would be looming and all that political silly stuff..........so much for long term visioning.

What's the rush? What's one more year in the bargain basement??

Quality of Learning my ass. ooops, sorry wrong party. Kids Come First........uhuh.....there we go. Kids Come First. And based on my reading and listening of the Minister's speeches since the onset of this cabinet, including the speeches and media comments (oh and personally written emails) targetted at the parents concerned when he decided to rip Albert Street school, nestled in the heart of the city, in arms reach of community programs, university student tutors, and many other amenities to learning, he knows best. Yes, the "father" of our children in this province knows best...........dripping in sincerity it was too. Who gives a flying fig in the process of public consultation when it's obvious that the answers are already known??

In all my sincerity, the approach of this man and the lack of process he followed in his heavy handed manner has completely stripped him of trust and integrity. Humble isn't in the picture here despite a scathing report. Today, he had the audacity to once again dismiss the "people's" representative, basically told Monsieur Richard to piss off because as the "apostle" of education, Monsieur Lamrock knows better because he speaks for the poor neglected children who all seem to be orphaned by parents unable to consider what is best for their own children. It's a slap in the face.

And guess what? Here's the kicker!! I AGREE with his recommendations except I believe french should be taught as a subject starting in Grade 1. Big changes have to be made. French immersion isn't working as it should. Children ARE dropping out of the program in record numbers when they enter high school. Bilingualism is not being met upon graduation. Our assessment scores nationally sit in the bottom of the barrel. Our overall provincial literacy and numeracy scores are still appalling compare to other provinces. (however the testing process is also a complete mess and comparing our test results with that of Alberta or Ontario is like comparing apples to orangutans........AND THAT is most definately another subject for another time). Our school systems DO need an overhaul. Streaming is most definately a problem. So is the fact that we have a multi-tiered delivery of subjects, where some areas don't even have access to french language training (or other really really important subjects for that matter)

What I cannot ignore or not comment on is the fact that fairness was neglected and respect was completely thrown out with the used duotangs and pencil stubs. Our teachers need our respect and support. Our teachers deserve our respect and support and if they are flailing under the stress of implementing the brainfart of a group of individuals who don't know how to follow a democratic process, then we need to speak out on their behalf. Are you hearing any of them voice their concerns and personal anxieties? NO! You know why?? They have been TOLD to be quiet!! Can you imagine?? They aren't speaking out because they have been told they aren't allowed to. Unbelievable.

We place HUGE expectations on the teachers, support staff AND the principals who pursue their calling working with our young ones at the elementary school level because of the importance of developing the solid foundation for lifelong learning. Their jobs are not for the faint of heart, and they aren't doing it for the money! Excellent teachers work beyond the end of school bell ringing. They put in long hours, and deal with many many issues outside of the realm of their vocation. They deserve the respect of the Minister of Education. They deserve to express their expert opinions, and to have the proper time to be able to accomodate any changes expected of them.

If this debacle turns into a reality on August 5th, WHO are the people who will suffer the most? The children! Kids Come First?? Can someone please explain to me what this means?

shoot for the moon, land in amongst these stars.

Big drama week at Garden Creek School this week. These wonderful kids along with their two dedicated teachers have been practising their play for months now and performed it with great gusto yesterday. Hilarity ensued and the audience, which consisted of moms and dads, aunts and uncles, grandparents, brothers and sisters and the rest of the student body loved every minute of it! Standing ovations all around!

Today, the cast and crew, number in the 70's hopped on a couple of buses and headed up river to a school Drama festival to perform their original play, which was written by one of their teachers. They came in second place as a cast and several members won separate awards. These three "blackberry addicts" below won for best group performance. My little business guy is sitting on the right playing the straight man like only he can. Even though I keep telling him that he has to grow up to be an Engineer or a Stock Broker because of his incredible math brain, so he can send his Momma on big trips in style, he yearns to be a stand up comedian. He may be on the real right track.

The play takes place in the city, which included a disco scene. It was so darn funny. The kids completely got into character....... It was a meeting between the country folk and the city folk, a sequel to the play last year when the city folk were stranded in the country. Some of these kids have been in both plays.

Village people of course.............they got right into it! I loved being there to see them perform. Most of these kids have been in the same class together since Kindergarten.....and now they are just completing their last year as active "Creekers" and will move onto middle school next year. Where does the time go??

What is so wonderful about school plays is that its normally the first time these kids are offered a chance to learn about acting and production. When I was speaking to the two teachers tonight after they returned from the festival, I was told that they told the kids at the very beginning that this was a chance for them to leave their "real" selves outside the room so they could try to act like someone else............they definately took her up on this idea. There were as many boys involved as girls too, which I believe happened because the teacher who wrote and directed the play is a male and for some reason there is a differnet "cool" factor in play. Male teachers are few and far between at the elementary level............and this one is a true gem living his calling. The kids adore him............

Next week and the week after? It's my daughter's turn. She's starring in two plays Willy Wonka AND Romeo and Juliet!

I'm so amazed how much they enjoy this............as much as I love to teach and be up in front of a group, you couldn't pay me enough to act on stage. So, they have my complete and utter admiration.

Creekers one and all.........

You gotta love a school whose mascot is a little green frog. Garden Creek School has been home to my family for a running total of 10 years, and this is the last. However, the motto of the school is "Once a Creeker, Always a Creeker...." and it's true. This fact caught me off guard on Saturday while chatting with a teacher who retired a couple of years ago, but always returns every year to support the fundraising activities. It kind of hit me.........all the hours and moments spent under that roof happily taking in concerts, assemblies, sports events, home and school meetings, fundraisers......they all seemed to rush me at the same time. Many new friends made........many faces of little ones who have grown up only to return, like the retired teacher at this time every year......

For the past 10 years, I have been involved in some part of the annual Christmas Bazaar, including coordinating the whole shebang 4 times. I've also been President of the Home and School Committee 3 times as well. It was what I chose to focus on with my volunteering time while my children attended the school. And, it has been very rewarding.....challenging personally in some ways, and affirming in other ways. My motivation initially was to be around to support my daughter when she was a very shy 5 year old starting out. I thought if I could be able to pop into the school while organizing some kind of event, it would make her feel special and supported.

It evolved from there..........to the point where Martha co-coordinated the Christmas Bazaar with me two years ago when she was in Grade 7 and had moved on. Martha, by the way, hasn't missed one Bazaar since Kindergarten and in fact ran the Santa's gift shop again this year, which she and I stocked with little gifties all wrapped in sparkle and ribbon. And this year, we were all doing our part volunteering, though I have taken a backseat on both fronts and passed the coordinating and Home and School batons on to others. The time was right......it's time to look for new places to volunteer.

Every year, Martha and I have made theme baskets to be raffled off at the end of the Bazaar. These theme baskets have become a big hit, partly because of the sense of community they represent. Each classroom chooses a theme......Jolly Snowmen, Christmas Ornaments, Heavenly Chocolate, Christmas Joy to name a few. Then each child/family brings in one small item for their basket. Once it is all collected........it ALL comes to my house where 15 baskets are organized, wrapped and adorned........ Tickets are sold on Bazaar day, which is a 2 hour frenzy, and the winners are announced right then and there. The first one to go this year was the Chocolate basket to a Creeker kid in Grade 5. His eyes were as wide as saucers when he came up to the stage to pick up his loot. I loved seeing his face!

The Bazaar has been running every year for close to 40 years, a definate tradition around these parts. The teachers, like these lovely beautiful ladies, are very much involved in the run up to the big day as well as the day of......making crafts, baked goods, selling raffle tickets, collecting the wreath order money etc, etc............

And in the end............we made close to $15, 000.00 this year!! All of this money goes back into the school activities to enhance and support our Creeker kids and staff. Extra field trips, new musical instruments, more library books, supplies for the classrooms, sonic ear systems for easier listening and teaching, gym equipment, guest speakers and teachers, good deed prizes, etc, etc............have all been purchased with the money raised every year. Amazing, really. This year? We're focusing on new sound and lighting systems for a very successful drama program that is run exclusively by two very keen teachers, one of whom wrote the play which will be excitedly performed in the spring.

On Saturday, as I looked around, I could see my own family milling around with other families. I could see the little faces who have grown up and the new little ones whom I won't have a chance to get to know. I felt an unbelievable amount of satisfaction knowing that the time and effort..............done with love...........has all been well worth it. I feel like I have made a difference at Garden Creek School........and along the way, I sure made some wonderful friends.

All for the sake of a little green frog.

fear of the known and unknown, and everything in between

searching out new horizons

It's a whole new ballgame as my daughter attempts to figure out the chaotic order of high school and I try to figure out how best to support her and how NOT to freak out everytime I start thinking too much about the blackboard jungle she has just entered.

Though it feels a little bit like it did when she started kindergarten.....the uneasines of letting go in order to support her independence, trusting the "system" to look after her when you aren't personally part of the system at the beginning, feeling strange not being there to care for her when she may need me.......high school is a bigger much scarier place. We are off to a rousing start. Her first two days, she came home with a look of a deer caught in the headlights and promptly crashed in her bed EARLY after spilling her thoughts of the chaos and newness and not knowing where to go or how to get there......

Since then? She has found her sense of direction and her confidence to figure it out.......it's alright to stumble along......everyone else is in the same boat. This helps.

This morning, while eating breakfast, she was telling me about the boy who sits next to her in her Math class.........a class she describes as having every "druggie" from the two middle schools and the ones who are repeating Math because they slept through the first round in attendance (excuse me, but WHY didn't the middle schools and the high schools share information on these kids and not put them in the same class? How fair is that for everyone involved, including the young new teacher??). She explained that this kid normally has a grimace on his face and isn't friendly but he has chosen to talk to her. He tells her that his cousin just started at the school and how glad he is to have him around.

Martha: "That's nice. What grade is he in?" (she's thinking this cousin just moved to town)

Classmate: "He's in Grade 10, but he's 19. He just got out of jail."

Now, my daughter isn't naive........not with her Mom working in social services and her Dad on the board of directors for the Community kitchen. More importantly, she's inherently intuitive, well aware of the difference in the lives of the people who live in and around our neighbourhood. However, she found this statement bizarre because of the delivery and was laughing when she told me, mostly because it was delivered by her classmate like it was a natural process.......cousins are sent to jail regularly.

It took every ounce of self-restraint not to ask a million questions about this kid, about her class, not to give her a hysterical lecture on the evil lurking drugworld, not to find an immunization to ward off any future commiserations with this crowd.

Me: "Wow........it sounds like he told you this like is was a normal thing.....like his cousin just moved here from Halifax or something."

Martha: "Yeah, I know. He's a nice guy............"

ACK! (Now.....don't lecture me......I know how judgemental my admitted response is.....I don't even know the kid. It's a motherly gut reaction here, not a rational one)

When I share the conversation with my husband after Martha leaves to catch the bus......his reply shaking his head......"I'm having a tough time thinking she's going to her first high school dance tonight........" Poor Dad. He's dealing with his own high school past and present demons!

Everything is new for my daughter this year........like every kid entering the world of high school. New building, new routine, new activities, new responsibilities, learning that you're basically on your own finding your way from one class to another........new people, more people. And if I let my mind wander, back to my years at high school and into my own knowledge pool of past and present, I might as well sit down and begin drooling out of fear.

Dating, sex, drug and alcohol experimentation, testing the waters, learning how to drive, figuring out a career path, exams, friends going through their own difficult stuff, moral development, disappointment, heartache, joy and excitement, successes, new relationships, global issues, taking risks.....these are all expected, anticipated, needed in order for an adolescent to define their direction, to seek out their own belief system, to make decisions which will impact the rest of their lives. Not any different than when we were in high school. What is different are the other threats..........bomb threats, violence, a much bigger barrage of information and knowledge of issues out there in the big old mean world.

High schools used to feel more safe to learn the ropes. Now, it seems like a disconnected community all unto itself. I have to learn to trust this new system.

And yet.................a 16 year old student is stabbed to death at a Toronto school this week. I just read on another blog site that 25 students were busted on drug charges at Oromocto High School yesterday and it wasn't even reported in the mainstream news.........I read it on a friend's blog! He would be well aware of this event given that he's over at that school on a daily basis. Last spring, 3 separate bomb threats rocked the other high school in town.

There's no GPS for high school. Wits, critical thinking, good sound judgement, knowing what risks are good risks, having a strong foundation built on faith and values are so needed, as are a clear sense of belonging, a supportive family, and a positive assessment of self. Knowing how to react, how to assess, what to observe, what to share, when to seek help, when to ask questions, when to duck............are these skills being taught in our younger grades? Are our kids learning these important lessons from their families? No, not universally........... and boy is it needed!!

So...........it's a whole new ballgame for all of us. Communication is key.......encouraging analysis of what has been experienced, observed, and taught is where we will focus our support. In no way do I want to clip my daughter's wings. I trust her implicitly. What I don't trust are the demons lurking in the halls of high school AND my reaction to them. I guess what I want help in is trying to figure out how to help her find the right windstream so she will continue to soar.

finding your way........

Yesterday, I popped into my son's school to touch base with the Vice Principal about the parent's meeting that was held last night. Normally, I am in and out of the school on a regular basis but for some reason, this was my first visit of the year. I arrived just before the end of school bell was to ring for the younger grades. Because it was drizzling outside, the little ones were lined up along the hallway of the front foyer waiting for their buses. The newbies with their very first backpacks hugging their backs.......sitting on the floor. They looked exhausted from a long day of new. Their once clean duds were ready for the laundry.....from art and lunch and running around at recess. Hair was askew and eyelids were droopy.

new new new

I wanted to take them all home with me and tuck them in for an afternoon nap while Raffi played quietly in the background. So little they are at this time of year.......some only 4 and a half years old.



Their teacher, who was meant to be a kindergarten teacher through and through (and is STILL my son's favourite teacher even though he's now in the highest grade at this school......Grade 5) still had some spark left in her as she welcomed me with exhuberance when I walked through the front door. She then introduced me to her class in her singing upbeat voice.



"This is Mrs. ............ everyone. She's part of our Garden Creek family, just like you are."



There's nothing like feeling that warm sense of belonging. And, once again, I got that overwhelming feeling that I should be there all day everyday. Yes, if I had my druthers, I would be running that little school and teaching Grade 1. That's the perfect grade as far as I'm concerned. Grade 1. How much keener do they get than being 6 years old in Grade 1?



The Kindergarten teacher pointed out a little girl sitting at the end of the line. Adorable, with a blonde bob-cut, her bangs a little too short, big blue eyes, she sat quietly looking around. Turns out it was her first day at school. She got off the bus yesterday morning and made it onto the playground before the bell rang and wandered around until an older child took her by the hand to the Grade 2 class.



No one knew who she was. No one was expecting her. CAN YOU IMAGINE??



This kindergarten teacher was summoned..........she found this lost little one trembling in the Grade 2 class not knowing a soul. A flurry of phone calls ensued and they found out who she was and whom she belonged to. I have no idea who messed up here (yet.........) but it seems like it was a HUGE mix up in communication. What sticks out like a big sore on the scraped knee is that this child's parents thought it was alright to stick their 5 year old on a bus to start her life in the education system without even a visit to the school. AND it happened a week after school started.



This little one's luck changed the moment she was in the hands of this marvellous teacher, whose heart hugged her with love and concern. The class rallied around her with welcome arms. Everyone made a fuss over her. Even the older child who had found her on the playground dropped by to see if the little one was alright......and asked the teacher.....



"Are we going to be able to keep her?"



At the end of the day, just before the class lined up to walk down the stairs from their classroom in single file to catch their buses home, the little one went up to the teacher with a smile and said:



"It's been a good day."



Welcome to Garden Creek School little one. You'll be watched over now.

just wanted to let you know..........

My beautiful daughter? An update on the speech she delivered as a class project....

Martha was chosen to represent her class to deliver her speech to the rest of the Grade 8 classes (7 of them). From there, she was chosen to deliver it again to the rest of the school (approx 600 students).

Martha finished 3rd in the school for her efforts. More importantly, many of her peers approached her after the speeches to tell her how her words made them feel and think. She was excited about both "outcomes......"

She has spent this month as a gardener planting seeds of wonder. Some will take root. Her own seeds have definately taken root.

We'll see where she leads........

We are very proud of her.



Here is a link to Martha's speech if you're interested in reading it.

Growing Awareness

finding her tune, making a difference, march 2007

Today, my daughter will be delivering a speech to her class; an assignment given every year. The thought of getting up in front of a group of people used to fill her with shaky dread until the day when she silently and conciously chose to come out of her shyness shell when she began middle school in Grade 6. She told her father and I after the fact that she didn't want to be looked upon as shy anymore. Since then, Martha has come full circle, from me having to carry her into Kindergarten with her head tucked into my neck, to joining a leadership group at school where she finds herself in front of the student body as the M.C. of "Albert St. School Idol." Amazing. So today, she left for school pumped.......determined to deliver a speech worthy of being selected to represent her class in front of the rest of the student body.

Over the course of the past couple of months, she and I have had many conversations about extreme poverty. Her awareness began last year after watching the Bono commercials on "Make Poverty History," and grew when the brochure from World Vision arrived just before Christmas. The brochure was practically set up in a way that described how a donation could be used to help individuals and families in developing countries. A 30 dollar donation, for example would buy two hens and a rooster for a family. It piqued her interest, and prompted many questions. It also motivated her to convince two of her friends to arrange an impromptu bake sale at the school to raise funds. In the course of a couple of days last December, Martha and her friends baked at night and sold the goods at lunchtime. They made enough to buy a few hens and roosters. Her awareness grew............and her speech topic was found.

Since then, she has gathered more and more information and asked many questions. She bought most of her Christmas presents through a fair trade sale sponsored by a local community group, and has learned more about the issues surrounding extreme poverty as well as the organizations and individuals who are trying to make a difference. Her desire to look beyond herself, to look beyond her neighbourhood is growing.

Here is Martha's speech......

Helen Keller once said: “I am one, but I still am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I CAN do."

Today, I am ONE person stepping forward to do something.

Half of the world, nearly 3 billion people live on less than 3 dollars a day. A person dies every second due to poverty. Unfortunately children, the most vulnerable, die most often…..one child every 3 seconds. According to Unicef, 30,000 children die due to their living conditions every single day. That means, over 200,000 die every week, and over 10 million children under the age of five every year. They all have names like us. They are all connected to families like us. Sadly, they live and die in the poorest countries in our global community.

One.....two....three......we just lost another child.

Extreme Poverty is living in a condition with little or no money, food or any way of getting out of the situation. Poverty is making the streets your home, looking for food in dumpsters, and drinking water from a sewage pipe. Poverty in our developing countries is a growing monster that is fed by the rest of the world, where food and shelter is taken for granted. As Canada grows and prospers, another country like Malawi in Africa gets poorer and poorer.

For a child living in extreme poverty, it means they may not have clean running water, they may not have a bed, and they may not have parents to care for them. Their days are spent searching for food, begging for money, and trying to stay safe………..they have so many obstacles blocking survival. They may get bitten by a disease carrying mosquito and contract malaria and die. They may catch a disease like tuberculosis or measles, which we don’t even worry about anymore in our country. We are immunized against them. These kids aren’t. These diseases kill them. If they get pneumonia, they don’t have the antibiotics to fight off the bacteria. If they get diarrhea due to contaminated water, they die. They can’t afford the medication, and they don’t even have access to it!

One.....two.....three......we just lost another child. I wonder what her name was?

You may be thinking.....Why should we care? We don’t know these people. We don’t know what their names are. They may not speak the same language as us. They don’t live in the same country. They may not believe in the same God as we do or even like the same sports or activities that we like. You may be thinking this issue to too big for us to make a difference.

These things don’t matter. What is important is that THEY matter, just like we do. We are all human beings. They need our help and we can give it. We are one community living on this planet and we are responsible for looking out for those in need. We all matter.

There are so many ways you can help these children who have done nothing to deserve the life that they have been given. Here is one idea. There are 30 kids in our class. If we each gave up 5 dollars of our lunch money for a week we would have 150 dollars. Through an organization called World Vision, we could buy 10 fruit trees for a family. They could sell the fruit to make money and could also eat the food for nutrition and vitamins. For 75 dollars you can send a child to a safe place where they will be looked after from disasters and crisis that were going on the there communities. For 100 dollars we could get Immunization for diseases such as Diphtheria, whooping cough, measles, polio, tetanus and tuberculosis. We could do all of that and more just by giving up 5 dollars.

One......two......Wait a second! Lets SAVE this one.

My daughter inspires me. Daily.

its all in the desire to learn

One of the best teachers during my high school years was my Grade 12 English teacher. No matter what she may have been going through in her personal life, she always arrived to class with a bounce and a cheeky determination to open a book to learning. You could tell that she loved to learn because she always shared her own discoveries with us. Her key motivation shone through. She wanted to show us that learning expanded worlds, that literature broadened thinking, that even in an initially perceived dry Shakesperean play, one could find the naughty bits to liven the learning up!

My favourite University professor taught Psychology. He taught it by interacting with us.......a class of over 100 students. He interacted by sharing his love of learning, by allowing us to know more about his other passions besides what was in the textbook. He introduced the class to Amnesty International by reading stories of imprisoned people in another corner of the world. He was a master at weaving current events with old psychological theory. His assignments were all "position papers," where we had to read an assigned journal article, but then develop our own angle, our own critical analysis of it. This was first year university.........and we were respected and requested to THINK on our own. This wonderful man, who knew everyone by their first name continues to teach in his 80's. He continues because he has more he wants to learn.

Excellent teachers have a passion for learning. Teaching isn't effective unless learning takes the lead. Perhaps the best teachers find the gumption to teach what they are learning themselves. They teach to learn............experimenting, caring, sharing, highlighting, guiding, with enthusiasm.

I wonder if this is discussed in the Education classrooms at university? Somehow, I think it gets lost in between writing pristine lesson plans and memorizing Bloom's taxonomy of learning. What a damn shame.

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.The great teacher inspires.
--William Arthur Ward 

please pass the fibre........

It is in my humble opinion that anal retention should be rendered illegal. Not only does it bung up healthy social interaction, communication and celebration, it levels any form of compromise or consensus. One anal retentive individual, stuck on the loo of life has the capacity to bring things to a screeching halt...........or at least slow it down to a snails pace. Sure, Retenters (new word, thank you very much) are good for making sure the details are considered.........but they ALWAYS take it to the nth degree of neurosis. Just when you think you've reached a point where a step in a project is completed and agree upon, the corked butt starts hedging.........and hemming and hawwwwing with trembling trepidations.

What if.........
Dont you think we need to........
What about........
I'm wondering..........
We forgot.........
Let's not get ahead of ourselves........
We need to consider......
Oh, wait a minute, we forgot to draw the happy face in the dot of the "i"
Can we review what we've done one more time?


OK................so here's a worse combination..........anal retentive control freak worry wart. These people are named Superdeeduper Retenters. Though they are few and far between, I would highly recommend that you run for the hills if you happen to encounter this breed or else you'll get sucked into the island of Myopia where navel gazing competes with thumb twirling as preferred pastimes, where micromanagement is considered holy, where colouring outside of the lines is blasphemous. Egads!!! Its hell on earth!!

Unfortunately, I forgot to put on my running shoes....................

Unfortunately, I have spent a considerable amount of time assuaging a classic Retenter.........a considerable amount of my SPARE time. You see, I have another moniker besides Miss Muskie, and Awareness, the Motor Mouth Blogger Lady and Greatest Mom Ever, and Practically Perfect Wife and Lover, I also go by the title of President. In my so-called SPARE (insert coughing here) time, I am President...........with approval ratings much higher than Dubya down in Washington........... Yes it's true. I'm President of the Home and School committee at my son's school. Sure it's not as prestigious as say Pres. of the United States of America, but I think I can safely state that I have more friends..........

Usually this gig is manageable and fun. Over the years (this is my third tenure........it was my daughter's elementary school first) I have met the most wonderful group of women.....funny that! ALL WOMEN! Where are the Daddio's when it comes to volunteering at the school?......anyways........I have met a group of wonderful women whose lives are as busy as mine.........most juggle home and work and various and sundry other extra curriculars........so a Home and School meeting is often a couple of hours of sharing funny stories and catching up as well as planning fundraisers and connecting with the teaching staff to learn of the highlights of the school day etc. There have actually been times when we moved the H&S meeting to a local pub......... Between the group of us over the years, we have been involved in raising thousands of dollars for this terrific school, all of which goes directly back to enhance the curriculum and materials.

All rewardingly good on many levels.................until I somehow managed to find myself in the middle of a controversy between Superdeeduper Retenter person who happens to run the school and the Treasurer............on the "best practises" of bookkeeping........... in other words......who signs the cheques? These are cheques for milk orders and hot lunch pizzas. These are cheques for teacher supplies and extra curricular stuff for the kiddies. We're not talking about Trump like millions here. Given that the Treasurer is an Accountant and Auditor, I was more than confident that she knew what she was doing. However, even though I knew the tendancies of Superdeeduper Retenter guy, I underestimated his pitbullness.

The Prez (me) frigged up by categorizing him as a mere Retenter................... a costly mistake, let me tell you. This little issue, which I thought was a fly by night minor one compared to the issues of world poverty, hunger, terrorism and war, AND I STILL DO BTW........this little issue has wreaked havoc since September on the wonderful relationships between Home and School.

I have tried various time consuming mediating tactics.

• Recommend the two parties discuss the issue on their own.
• Talk to both parties to see where the issue is
• Listen to both sides
• Ask advice from outside person
• Put it on the agenda to discuss at a meeting (only to be ambushed by others with opinions)
• Walk away and ignore it
• Pray that other bigger issues take Superdeeduper attention away from it
• Shut down and focus on Christmas
• Listen some more.

smile, smile, smile..........

THIS IS VOLUNTEERING???

Last week, we had a closed meeting...........just the parents on the committee. We had a great lesson on accounting practises.......... and we made a decision..........unanimously..........to maintain the status quo on the cheque signing. That meant that the Superdeeduper Retenter didn't have signing authority. As Prez, it was my job to let him know.

I contacted him the next day...............and talked on the phone. He was not a happy camper. No reassurances...........or acknowledgement of his side of the scenario was going to settle this issue in his perseverative brain. It was completely transparent to me that he was personally offended.....the issue had turned into a power tug of war issue. Short and sweet was the conversation. Then I followed up with a detailed email, highlighting important points but also directly acknowledging hurt feelings and stress etc between parties. I've shared this email with everyone involved. Now, I have been told has been forwarded to the Superintendent and the Chief Financial Officer of the school district.

For the love of God, I hope the Superintendent and the CFO have a heck of a lot more to do than be messing with this stupid issue. Kids are graduating illiterate for goodness sake..............

Can you see why I am recommending that we pass a law...........or at least for all our sakes we help them learn how to pass wind? Be careful where you are standing...............


PS. As I have been writing this post, I received an email with the minutes from the meeting attached. Turns out the secretary had her own conclusion to the issue........and wrote up minutes which indicate the OPPOSITE of what was agreed upon. She left a copy of it with the Superdeeduper Retenter today..........before they had been read and approved.

To quote the always eloquent ex-NDP leader and knitting enthusiast, Alexa McDonaugh......."Horseshit. Complete, total horseshit!"

Keep Albert Central

The vitality of a downtown is directly related to the flow and interconnectivity of the people who live and work and study in and around it's heart. The healthiest city centres thrive on active community and business development that involves people of all stripes and ages. Accessible, inviting, educational, entertaining, and economically viable..........this is what every city and town strives to attain and maintain. As we all know too well most downtown hearts are eroding for many reasons, most predominantly because of the lure of big boxy stores and other developments which are allowed to fester on the city skirts.....pulling people away........... changing the pulse.............wounding the core.........

Fredericton's city centre is about to be altered by another misguided scud missle......

Just before Christmas, the ever so humble (ahem) new Minister of Education, released a press announcement which has the potential to close a door on a group of young community member wannabes who presently attend Albert Street Middle School. Located within walking distance of the downtown amenities, Albert St School has been a vibrant part of the community for over 50 years.

Over the past couple of years, concerned citizens (who vote by the way) took it upon themselves to rally the past government to build a new structure on the same property. Their efforts seemed to have had paid off. Provincial money was set aside for a brand new state of the art structure. Building plans had been approved. Since then, $3,000,000.00 had been spent on the design, the purchase of adjoining property and various and sundry legal ramifications. Let me repeat that..................3 MILLION DOLLARS spent ALREADY to reach the point of approved design and approved location. All was rosy..................all was moving forward. Target date for the opening of the new school at the Albert Street site: September, 2008.

Then, the sitting government lost the election last fall by a hairline fracture...........big surprise, big transition.................new faces, new departments, new appointments.............hard fought agreements scrapped.............. all of a sudden the Albert Street school project was put on hold.

Without ANY input from families who had been involved in the process from the initial discussions identifying the need for a new school (Albert St. is old and falling apart and drafty beyond repair and is really only held together with amazing teacher and student shared school spirit) , the approval to have a school built, the agreement of the process to build on the same property etc, etc...........................without ANY plans shared or discussed with interested parents and staff, this new Minister of Education announced that ALL of the plans would be scrapped for a new school to be located on a piece of property next to the highway on the way out of town!!!

End of story, done deal.................all in one press release distributed the Friday afternoon before Christmas. Known until recently for his oppositional bellicosity, all of a sudden the new Minister went into hiding and wouldn't even respond to the concern community members.......until yesterday, when he took time out of his busy day to be interviewed on the local morning radio show. The political rhetoric oozed..........................as he schmooozed through a myriad of lies. Haughtily, he dismissed parent and student's outcry which included excellent and rational reasons to keep the school where it is by placing all of these arguments under the umbrella of an "I know better than all of you because I am a parent and you are all children..........."

So, because of this "I've put a lot of thought into this decision" rash decision that has to have some personal ulterior motive attached to it, 600 plus kids who are bussed in from all parts of the southside of the city, including some of the more rural outskirts, will no longer have walking access to the following downtown community offerings:

The public library
The Provinicial Legislature
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery
Many museums
City Hall
Fredericton High School for plays and presentations
3 ice arenas, used regularly as part of their physical education program
3 beautiful parks, one with walking trails used often for outdoor phys ed
Officer's Square
The New Brunswick Craft College
Two universities where many walk to afterschool to meet up with a parent. The university students also play an integral role within Albert Street School as tutors, coaches, and extra-curricular coordinators. As well, many fulfill their student internships at Albert....all within walking distance of their residences.
The Fredericton Playhouse
Science East
Pools and tennis courts which can be utilized in the fall and spring.
The YMCA, often accessed as an afterschool program

The trans Canada walking trail along the river.......

As well...........and just as important...................the Community Kitchen, and various other community based organizations which expand these student's awareness of social issues and the importance of volunteerism.

Since the Department of Education and the local School districts have cut their budgets so dramatically that money is NEVER available for field trip buses..........my goodness, they can't even hire library assistants to oversee school libraries these days..............since most schools rely on their Home and School committees to orchestrate fundraisers in order to be able to purchase essentials such as school supplies for the classrooms..................these kids will completely lose access to all that our city core has to offer.

A big box school on the outskirts of the city versus a fully integrated involved vibrant middle school in the heart of the city? What makes more sense to you????

Granted, the new site has a couple of tennis courts, a ball diamond and a skateboard park................

A group of concerned parents, students, alumni and community members are working hard to fight this decision..........to demand a voice at the table, to request that this government reconsider their decision. Letters to the editor, voicemails to the local radio stations, feedback to their MLA's, requests for information...................all avenues are being pursued actively and with passion. A website will be up and running soon (i will post the site as soon as it is).

Let's hope it's not too late.

Keep Albert Street Central!!