Happy New Year!
Enjoy the baked Brie with your mummers, hummers, and fiscal cliff.
:)
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Enjoy the baked Brie with your mummers, hummers, and fiscal cliff.
:)
Monday, December 31, 2012
2013
I'm looking forward to this year, mainly because I foresee the amazing ness in the year ahead and not the trouble that will find me.
Plans include:
# birthing our 5th child
# homeschooling two registered children (second official year - although we've been going for 3 Years)
# watching our beautiful children grow that bit more
# a family holiday to Perth???
# getting my passport
# saving $$ for China
# THREE children doing dancing
# swimming lessons for TWO
# catching up on our scrapbook albums??
# growing a garden!!
# celebrating Gods biblical feasts
# Isaiah starting music lessons? Piano.
# building worm farms - yes I look forward to this
# actively building my blog
# seeking God and His wisdom
# finding a new family church for our family - or not being in church at all
# observing the sabbath day of rest - and ACTUALLY resting!!
# finishing off a bible study with other ladies
# building and nurturing relationships
# going sugar-free/reduced sugar AND reduced dairy in our diets
# eating healthier
# losing weight.. Again.. *sigh*
# enjoying our new home
And hopefully loving life ;)
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Plans include:
# birthing our 5th child
# homeschooling two registered children (second official year - although we've been going for 3 Years)
# watching our beautiful children grow that bit more
# a family holiday to Perth???
# getting my passport
# saving $$ for China
# THREE children doing dancing
# swimming lessons for TWO
# catching up on our scrapbook albums??
# growing a garden!!
# celebrating Gods biblical feasts
# Isaiah starting music lessons? Piano.
# building worm farms - yes I look forward to this
# actively building my blog
# seeking God and His wisdom
# finding a new family church for our family - or not being in church at all
# observing the sabbath day of rest - and ACTUALLY resting!!
# finishing off a bible study with other ladies
# building and nurturing relationships
# going sugar-free/reduced sugar AND reduced dairy in our diets
# eating healthier
# losing weight.. Again.. *sigh*
# enjoying our new home
And hopefully loving life ;)
The end of 2012
Well this night brings the finale of yet another calendar.
Overflowing with inward blessings, peace and healings for myself.
2012 saw me grow internally and spiritually at the most rapid rate since my salvation. Whilst I don't understand it all I have many new revelations and insights than I had before.
2012 saw another conception after much prayer and faith and Michael going off the anti-depressant medication he was on in order to conceive.
What a wanted baby.
Our first real family holiday. Ever.
A move from a small home to a large home with shed.
The finish of our first official homeschool year with one registered child. Learning so much about real life learning and breaking free from set-school-mindsets. Education is no longer a set of learning but a way of life.
The very end of the year saw us settle into a new much larger home.
We watched our children grow up a year more, saw each one impatiently wait a birthday and become an official year older.
It saw me speak for the first time, several times at church with mic in front of everyone.
It saw many things I wish not remember and genuinely don't remember. Unless my memory gets triggered by something.
For me, 2012 was the best year I've had yet, I'm going for bigger in 2013.
[Continue Reading]
Overflowing with inward blessings, peace and healings for myself.
2012 saw me grow internally and spiritually at the most rapid rate since my salvation. Whilst I don't understand it all I have many new revelations and insights than I had before.
2012 saw another conception after much prayer and faith and Michael going off the anti-depressant medication he was on in order to conceive.
What a wanted baby.
Our first real family holiday. Ever.
A move from a small home to a large home with shed.
The finish of our first official homeschool year with one registered child. Learning so much about real life learning and breaking free from set-school-mindsets. Education is no longer a set of learning but a way of life.
The very end of the year saw us settle into a new much larger home.
We watched our children grow up a year more, saw each one impatiently wait a birthday and become an official year older.
It saw me speak for the first time, several times at church with mic in front of everyone.
It saw many things I wish not remember and genuinely don't remember. Unless my memory gets triggered by something.
For me, 2012 was the best year I've had yet, I'm going for bigger in 2013.
Charters request deferrel, the CEB announces 1 year delay
http://www.wdde.org/36255-community-education-building-open-delayed
On Dec. 18, I opined about the three start-up charter schools that were requesting approval from DOE to defer opening their schools until 2014-15 school year.
All of this brings me to one big question - Did DOE and associated parties fail to tell the State Board of Education that their potential success lies largely with the success of the CEB? Yes, parties cited location, decreased start-up funding, and the lack of an identified school leader as reasons to delay. Was that a thinly veiled attempt to say that if the CEB doesn't deliver on near-to-free space, these schools will be unable to move forward? Do charters really believe the CEB will be the charter panacea? And why didn't these parties simply stated that the CEB is behind in opening its building thus we behind in opening our schools? That would have been the more transparent way to approach the situation with both DOE and the NJ. Fortunately, for the public, WDDE dug into the malarkey and found the ribbon of truth.
And that's all the news that's fit to print.
[Continue Reading]
On Dec. 18, I opined about the three start-up charter schools that were requesting approval from DOE to defer opening their schools until 2014-15 school year.
Call me a conspiracy theorist, but something doesn't feel quite right. Why are our three newest charters asking DOE to allow them to delay opening? In fact, all three requests will be decided upon by the State Board of Ed at it's Dec. 20th meeting. What a coincidence! http://www.elizabethscheinberg.blogspot.com/2012/12/de-new-charters-did-ya-notice.htmlAnonymous responded to my post on Dec. 21, the day following the State Board of Education meeting.
According to the discussion at the State Board meeting, they requested it because of facilities not yet completed and the continued search for an appropriate school leader. Keep in mind these schools did not have the federal charter start up grant funds that every charter school previously approved has had so in terms of available start up funds they had to do much of their own fundraising and didn't receive the nearly 300,000 from the federal grant that others had received because the federal grant for this purpose ended.The News Journal also ran a story that confirmed Anonymous's comment, 3 Charter Schools Won't Open in 2013 which states:
I really don't believe there is any conspiracy or that it has anything to do with the Charter working Group.
In a letter to parents in October announcing plans to delay the opening of the First State Montessori Academy, the board of directors noted funding challenges because of the federal startup grant changes. In addition, the board hopes it can share space at a new charter school building that is being prepared, according to the letter.Yesterday, WDDE ran this headline: Community Education Building to Open a Year Later than Planned.
The Community Education Building, overseen by the Longwood Foundation, is opening a new school in 2014 at its location in downtown Wilmington.
The Community Education Building, Bank of America’s gift to Delaware’s charter school movement, will not open until the 2014-15 school year, 12 months later than planned.The interesting piece to this timeline: The CEB hired an outside contractor to help evaluate the applications of those schools who wished to move into the BofA's "Gift." Previously, CEB had shared that they would announce that list of successful candidates in fall of 2012. That self-imposed deadline has come and gone. However, the WDDE story does confirm one rumor - Kuumba Academy will be making the move to the CEB - just not next year. The other entities are still unconfirmed, although the latest actions of these upcoming charters give us some insight.
The delay will allow the building’s operators to “get it done right,” said Riccardo Stoeckicht, Community Education Building president.
But the delay was a major reason for two new charter schools, which had hoped to lease space in the building, to defer their planned openings from 2013 to 2014.”
- First State Montessori Academy and Academia Antonia Alonso indicated that finding a home in the Community Education Building was part of their plans.
- Oliver Yeh, board chairman at First State Montessori, wrote that the school had applied for space at the Community Education Building but the review process determined that it was “not a perfect match.”
- Kathy Laskowski, a board member at Academia Antonia Alonso, a dual-language immersion elementary school program developed with the support of the Latin American Community Center, said site selection and the delay in the Community Education Building’s opening were factors in the decision to defer the school’s opening for a year.
- Kuumba Academy is looking forward to being the building’s first tenant, Head of School Sally Maldonado said. Kuumba has asked to occupy 40,000 square feet “but that has to be negotiated,” she said.
- Kuumba, which now serves kindergarten through fifth grade, is asking the State Board of Education to authorize it to operate a middle school, serving sixth through eighth grades. If that request is approved, the school could grow from its current 249 students to about 855, including a preschool program, Maldonado said.
- Cristina Alvarez, founder of the proposed Delaware Design Lab High School, puts it bluntly: “We’re going for broke. That’s where we want to be.”
- The Community Education Building’s next solicitation of prospective tenants will occur this summer. Applications must be filed by Aug. 1 and selections will be announced by Sept. 15. An independent panel of national education experts has been hired to review the applications, Stoeckicht said.
- Stoeckicht would not say that the building’s selection process is more rigorous than the one the state uses to approve charters. But he did say that “the big challenge is closing the urban achievement gap, and I can say we are totally in alignment with the Department of Education on that point.”
All of this brings me to one big question - Did DOE and associated parties fail to tell the State Board of Education that their potential success lies largely with the success of the CEB? Yes, parties cited location, decreased start-up funding, and the lack of an identified school leader as reasons to delay. Was that a thinly veiled attempt to say that if the CEB doesn't deliver on near-to-free space, these schools will be unable to move forward? Do charters really believe the CEB will be the charter panacea? And why didn't these parties simply stated that the CEB is behind in opening its building thus we behind in opening our schools? That would have been the more transparent way to approach the situation with both DOE and the NJ. Fortunately, for the public, WDDE dug into the malarkey and found the ribbon of truth.
And that's all the news that's fit to print.
UNplug and play
It’s the end of the year...Time to reflect on the past happenings, achievements and goals, resolutions and dreams...Many people start their year with a list of resolutions some of them having healthy eating/diet as one of the items. I offer you to include one item into your list-technological detox. What it is and how it works? Well, it’s very simple. Choose any week of the month, ditch the electronic babysitters, say good-bye to screen time temporarily, discuss the terms and conditions with your children and engage in play. Be ready to face the challenge and conquer the first stage of the detox plan-boredom, withdrawal and other symptoms may occur. Hang in there and stay committed. You’d be glad you did. If you can’t make one week commitment, start small, make it a weekend challenge. Now remember, the detox is for children but if any adult wants to join in the program that would be absolutely fantastic (I completely understand the demands of the modern society and the role of the technology).
But I think there is room for everyone. You can choose the modified diet plan, going complete detox might put you in a state of shock. Side effects might include, dizziness from running around too much, tingling, fun sensations in your heart, increased heart rate and addiction to fun.
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But I think there is room for everyone. You can choose the modified diet plan, going complete detox might put you in a state of shock. Side effects might include, dizziness from running around too much, tingling, fun sensations in your heart, increased heart rate and addiction to fun.
Are you ready for the challenge?
UNplug and Play!
Play is everything for your children-it’s their work, it’s their primary activity. They communicate through play, they learn, they release their tensions, recover from emotional distress, explore their environment, develop physical and social skills. When you join them in their world of play they feel honored and important. It fosters connection, raises self-esteem and confidence. And playing is fun! Remember once we were kids and we knew how to play and we were masters at it. Get in touch with the child in you- unplug and play. Rediscover a whole new world, yourself, and your children...
Suggested games include but are not limited to:
-checkers
-dreidel
-chess
-board games
-card games
-making snowmen and other sculptures
-ice skating
-dancing
-creating your own family board games with you as characters and fun rules
-changing the rules of a favorite board game
-puppet theatre -making puppets from scratch
-teach them your favorite childhood games
-make musical instruments and create your band
-ask your children. They are so imaginative!
You play at your own risk.
Serious side NOTE:
Our relationship with our children is the most significant aspect of parenting. Nurture it! Cherish it! Enhance it!
Each parent is responsible on his own behalf for the relationship he or she cultivates and maintains with his or her own child/children.
Happy New Year!
Give new ideas a try. May the new year be a year of good health, new beginnings, new goals and dreams. May it bring merry days and be a joyful year.
Welcome 2013!
Happy parenting and happy playing!
Joseph, Dads, and Random Thoughts to Round Out 2012
I wanted to share this picture one of my best friends got for me for Christmas to hang in my famous bathroom. Maybe you've seen it before, but it was new to me. I loved it.
The focus on nearly all nativities is baby Jesus - rightfully so - followed up with Mary. My animal-loving 7-year-old would say the sheep and cows are the second most important feature of the nativity. Rarely do we focus on Joseph. This depiction was one of the most interesting I've ever seen for 3 reasons.
Reason 1: Mary can't see Joseph's face and he doesn't know all those angels are surrounding him. He must have felt tremendous pressure all those months leading up to the birth, about to father the Son of God on Earth. And then the strenuous journey with his laboring wife, not able to find someplace for her to give birth. While he didn't have the media to provide him with scary birth images, I imagine there was some anxiety about the actual birth. After the Savior was born, the relief must have been overwhelming. I'm sure also on his mind was what was to come.
I just want to put this out there that I think many dads feel the way Joseph might have felt. I'm sure he loved Mary very much and wanted her to be safe and happy. I have lots of moms in class that want to birth out of the hospital, but the dads are scared. I've seen a lot of emotions on both sides, but I just want moms to remember that he has likely been exposed to fear in our modern culture surrounding birth. He loves you and may still have some fear of his own to work through. It's a lot of pressure to become a dad, supporting and caring for his wife and new baby. Help him through education, but have some empathy along the way.
Reason 2: Mary is breastfeeding! This is why the picture will find it's way to my bathroom walls. I've commented before that of course she breastfed baby Jesus, and I'm sure she co-slept too. "Away in a Manger" always cracks me up when we sing about "no crib for a bed" - surely it was written by an American, for I don't know that other cultures would worry about not having a crib!
Reason 3: I love the angels surrounding the scene. I'm sure the heavens rejoiced when the day finally came when Christ was born, come to Earth to save us all. On a much more personal level, I believe angels surround each one of us. I believe they are actually relatives that have already passed on, sent to help us by our loving Heavenly Father, to help answer our daily prayers on our earthly journey.
As we round out 2012, it's been a wonderful and exciting year. Launching Birth Boot Camp was intense, but I am so proud of what my team and I have put together. 2013 promises to be another great year. I love the goal-setting aspect of starting a new year. We have many exciting goals to accomplish, and I truly believe that getting there is half the fun! May there be many babies born this next year by parents who have wonderful and empowering births. Set a goal to breastfeed your baby. It will be one of the greatest and sweetest experiences of your life.
A quote to end with by Theodore Roosevelt: "Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground." Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your life this past year. Here's to 2013 and another great year!
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| "Nativity" by Brian Kershisnik |
The focus on nearly all nativities is baby Jesus - rightfully so - followed up with Mary. My animal-loving 7-year-old would say the sheep and cows are the second most important feature of the nativity. Rarely do we focus on Joseph. This depiction was one of the most interesting I've ever seen for 3 reasons.
Reason 1: Mary can't see Joseph's face and he doesn't know all those angels are surrounding him. He must have felt tremendous pressure all those months leading up to the birth, about to father the Son of God on Earth. And then the strenuous journey with his laboring wife, not able to find someplace for her to give birth. While he didn't have the media to provide him with scary birth images, I imagine there was some anxiety about the actual birth. After the Savior was born, the relief must have been overwhelming. I'm sure also on his mind was what was to come.
I just want to put this out there that I think many dads feel the way Joseph might have felt. I'm sure he loved Mary very much and wanted her to be safe and happy. I have lots of moms in class that want to birth out of the hospital, but the dads are scared. I've seen a lot of emotions on both sides, but I just want moms to remember that he has likely been exposed to fear in our modern culture surrounding birth. He loves you and may still have some fear of his own to work through. It's a lot of pressure to become a dad, supporting and caring for his wife and new baby. Help him through education, but have some empathy along the way.
 |
| My famous bathroom |
Reason 3: I love the angels surrounding the scene. I'm sure the heavens rejoiced when the day finally came when Christ was born, come to Earth to save us all. On a much more personal level, I believe angels surround each one of us. I believe they are actually relatives that have already passed on, sent to help us by our loving Heavenly Father, to help answer our daily prayers on our earthly journey.
As we round out 2012, it's been a wonderful and exciting year. Launching Birth Boot Camp was intense, but I am so proud of what my team and I have put together. 2013 promises to be another great year. I love the goal-setting aspect of starting a new year. We have many exciting goals to accomplish, and I truly believe that getting there is half the fun! May there be many babies born this next year by parents who have wonderful and empowering births. Set a goal to breastfeed your baby. It will be one of the greatest and sweetest experiences of your life.
A quote to end with by Theodore Roosevelt: "Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars, but remember to keep your feet on the ground." Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your life this past year. Here's to 2013 and another great year!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
A MUST READ - How Did Lewis Become Pencader's Registered Agent?
Pencader Charter School recently published its "amended" and "restated" bylaws. The new document, available here, raised some eyebrows over Kilroys as it named the former school leader the corporation's Registered Agent.
What is a registered agent? (from wikipedia)
A registered agent, also known as a resident agent[1] or statutory agent,[2] in United States business law, is a business or individual designated to receive service of process (SOP) when a business entity is a party in a legal action such as a lawsuit or summons.[3] The registered agent's address may also be where the state will send the paperwork for the yearly renewal of the business entity's charter. The registered agent for a business entity may be an individual member of the company, or (more often) a third party, such as the organization's lawyer or a service company. Failure to properly maintain a registered agent can affect a company negatively.[3]
The State of Delaware provides a portal to research resident agents via its "entity search" option.
The entity search for Pencader Education Association provides this information:
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What is a registered agent? (from wikipedia)
A registered agent, also known as a resident agent[1] or statutory agent,[2] in United States business law, is a business or individual designated to receive service of process (SOP) when a business entity is a party in a legal action such as a lawsuit or summons.[3] The registered agent's address may also be where the state will send the paperwork for the yearly renewal of the business entity's charter. The registered agent for a business entity may be an individual member of the company, or (more often) a third party, such as the organization's lawyer or a service company. Failure to properly maintain a registered agent can affect a company negatively.[3]
The State of Delaware provides a portal to research resident agents via its "entity search" option.
The entity search for Pencader Education Association provides this information:
| THIS IS NOT A STATEMENT OF GOOD STANDING | |||
| File Number: | 3699458 | Incorporation Date / Formation Date: | 09/04/2003 (mm/dd/yyyy) |
| Entity Name: | PENCADER EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | ||
| Entity Kind: | CORPORATION | Entity Type: | NON-PROFIT OR RELIGIOUS |
| Residency: | DOMESTIC | State: | DE |
| REGISTERED AGENT INFORMATION | |||
| Name: | ANN E. LEWIS | ||
| Address: | 27 TREMONT COURT COTSWOLD HILLS | ||
| City: | NEWARK | County: | NEW CASTLE |
| State: | DE | Postal Code: | 19711 |
| Phone: | |||
Saturday, December 29, 2012
2012 Highlights
As the year comes to a close I start to reflect on all the great activities and ideas that I've been able to post to you in 2012. It was tough to whittle it down to a select few.
What has been a favourite for you?
I hope you all have a wonderful New Years and I look forward to sharing more ideas with you in 2013.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Harvesting an attitude of getting jobs done
I'm guilty of being a to do list writer and carry-out-er.
Something inside me says 'get all the jobs done - quickly' then we can chill.
Except when you have lots of little kids you need to let your job lists slide and have a little fun on the side. Or centre ;)
Disgusted at the sound of my own voice stating 'oi, get off there we have jobs to do' while touring through the shopping centre to get a single packet of skewers so the boy child can make chicken kebabs. It was the 29th December and our small town is overcome with tourists and out-of-towners stocking up on grocery supplies and I have four little guys tottering all around me.
Do I not allow time for a quick play on a stupid car-ride-thing? Even though there are things to do? Is that not a step into smelling the roses?
Later on I discover the sound of my very own voice 'hurry up! Do it properly' and I hear the whines of my very own beloved children protesting at their required efforts.
Am I too busy marking off my to do list that I forget the harvesting of selfless attitudes with a serving heart?
How did I get this way?
Is it not I that gets so irritated at the selfish deeds of adults refusing to put in a decent effort for a required outcome?
Is it not I that think 'wow that was an adult-sized-tanty' when I witness the fruitless works of staff and even bosses?
Is it not I that witness the pride that gets in ones way as they pull off an adult-sized-two-year-old tantrum and quit their job in front of the entire store, for a mere worthless drugged up bogan using a swear word.
Yet here I am, requiring effort in works and forgetting the most important aspect. The heart, training the heart, nurturing the relationship, loving the child. Love.
As I listen to the clutter of noise droning from the radio one song catches my attention, the words go along with a theme, if I can do this and that and have no love I am nothing. And it is true.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Am I so busy trying to get a list completed as to neglect the immediate needs of my very own birthed children? Is it so much more important to get my jobs done than it is to lay down my life for them and give not my gifts but my very own self?
In short, the answers are no. It is more important that the children know they are loved, wanted, nurtured, have a willing parent ready to be contacted and shower precious child in love and in care.
After all, if I can listen to the little things from a child they shall turn to me for the big things as a teen/adult... For to a child those little things are the big things.
Unfortunately for me and my loved ones, I remain imperfect. But it's being worked on ;)
5 things I am thankful for:
1) child's willingness to forgive
2) saving grace
3) insight and wisdom... Not my own
4) His mercy
5) the chance to do it again.. And again.. And again
[Continue Reading]
Something inside me says 'get all the jobs done - quickly' then we can chill.
Except when you have lots of little kids you need to let your job lists slide and have a little fun on the side. Or centre ;)
Disgusted at the sound of my own voice stating 'oi, get off there we have jobs to do' while touring through the shopping centre to get a single packet of skewers so the boy child can make chicken kebabs. It was the 29th December and our small town is overcome with tourists and out-of-towners stocking up on grocery supplies and I have four little guys tottering all around me.
Do I not allow time for a quick play on a stupid car-ride-thing? Even though there are things to do? Is that not a step into smelling the roses?
Later on I discover the sound of my very own voice 'hurry up! Do it properly' and I hear the whines of my very own beloved children protesting at their required efforts.
Am I too busy marking off my to do list that I forget the harvesting of selfless attitudes with a serving heart?
How did I get this way?
Is it not I that gets so irritated at the selfish deeds of adults refusing to put in a decent effort for a required outcome?
Is it not I that think 'wow that was an adult-sized-tanty' when I witness the fruitless works of staff and even bosses?
Is it not I that witness the pride that gets in ones way as they pull off an adult-sized-two-year-old tantrum and quit their job in front of the entire store, for a mere worthless drugged up bogan using a swear word.
Yet here I am, requiring effort in works and forgetting the most important aspect. The heart, training the heart, nurturing the relationship, loving the child. Love.
As I listen to the clutter of noise droning from the radio one song catches my attention, the words go along with a theme, if I can do this and that and have no love I am nothing. And it is true.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophesy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Am I so busy trying to get a list completed as to neglect the immediate needs of my very own birthed children? Is it so much more important to get my jobs done than it is to lay down my life for them and give not my gifts but my very own self?
In short, the answers are no. It is more important that the children know they are loved, wanted, nurtured, have a willing parent ready to be contacted and shower precious child in love and in care.
After all, if I can listen to the little things from a child they shall turn to me for the big things as a teen/adult... For to a child those little things are the big things.
Unfortunately for me and my loved ones, I remain imperfect. But it's being worked on ;)
5 things I am thankful for:
1) child's willingness to forgive
2) saving grace
3) insight and wisdom... Not my own
4) His mercy
5) the chance to do it again.. And again.. And again
Pencader Prediction - Why Murphy Wins if He Revokes Their Charter
It's early, I know. The Charter School Accountability Committee still needs to release its final findings regarding Pencader Charter School. But, the debate has been brewing over at Kilroys' with the constant conjecture around charter schools flowing with gusto.
No one can deny that life under DE. Sec. of Education Murphy was been pretty humdrum. The turnaround unit is belly-up. DEDOE employees fleeing Dover to districts have been reclassified from resignation to "transfer" on all SBE reports. Murphy has yet to come out with a strong stance on anything education. If a stay-at-home mom with nothing better to do than blog can see it, surely Murph knows its time to take a stand and be accountable for something. Pencader is Murph's out. And that doesn't bode well for PCS.
The Landscape that will shape Penacader's future -
Moyer. Old Moyer. New Moyer. All the Moyer in between. Moyer that no one other the SBE ever talks about anymore. Moyer was Markell's fast tracking of the Delaware's award-winning Race to the Rop application. Our gov. had to come out hard on failing schools. Moyer was a sacrificial lamb. DOE under former Sec. of Ed Lowery in partnership with the gov that appointed her put Moyer under that state's control and handed it over to K12, essentially a cyber school. This was Delaware's first forray into the world of Charter Management Organizations (CMO). K12 was the operator under which the school made little if any improvement. In Moyer-Round-II, a new board of directors was established who submitted an application to the SBE to claim Moyer as their own and promised grandiose changes. They kept K12 as the managment partner. As of the Dec. 20 SBE meeting and at every SBE meeting in the last six months, Moyer has been under intense scrutiny. SBE members have made it clear that to them, there appears to be no difference between Old Moyer, In-Between Moyer, and New Moyer. Furthermore Moyer is missed the deadline to submit its annual report, is showing dismal test scores, and has been cited by the DOE charter office as needed correction in eight areas.
Yet, Moyer is largely absent from the Charter debate in the blogosphere. Why? The gov. is entirely silent on Moyer. He will not utter a word. He know that the state takeover of the school under his direction was a total failure. But, this is Delaware and he knows well the Delaware way. The poultry state's education cockitrice belongs on his 1st pick for sec. of education, Lowery. And she's gone, off to a bigger salary in MD. Now Lillian was a helluva politician. She's smart enough to know that she's better off forgetting little Delaware and never uttering Moyer again. She and her supporters are as distant from Moyer as Delaware is from Mount Kilimanjaro. And since cyber education is pretty weak in Delaware, there are few with any expertise who are willing to engage the conversation. So Moyer will hang around Lowery's neck. And Lowery is gone.
So Coach Murphy is up at bat. He gets a pass on Moyer b/c he basically inherited a school on life support. He's taking his direction from the SBE, the only entity that really seems to have skin the game.
And along comes Pencader. The CSAC recommended closure during FR III. Lowery overrode the recommendation with the help of SBE and placed the school on probation. She's gone. The school continues to erode in all areas but finance. The schools' board of directors commits such miserable malfeasance during summer of 2012 that Pencader becomes the education media darling. Murphy reacts by asking the SBE to again place Pencader on FR. Now Pencader is Murphy's ballgame.
FR IV.
Pencader supporters claim that there's been a lot of change at the school as the result of FR IV. Most of those sitting on the board during Summer 2012 have come and gone and the school leader ousted.
However, I see problems:
1. The interim school leader is a former member of the highly dysfunctional board of 2012. Sorry, Steve Q. But it's the truth.
2. Three new charter schools just requested deferrels. At least one school cited the lack of school leader as a reason to delay opening.
3. Pencader's new board, supporters, and admin are playing the same tune as those who fought to keep the school open during previous reviews. There is also considerably less public support from persons of influence in Delaware as compared to FR III.
4. Murphy owns putting Pencader of FR IV. He's young in his position and yet to make a strong stand on any issue.
5. Murphy would have to be blind to not see how the state's intervention and continued patience with Moyer as an epic failure on the department's end. Yes, he can push the Moyer situation off to Lowery, but he took the lead on Pencader after did the two-step followed by her grace exit to MD. Murphy's big risk is that if he allows Pencader to continue to operate, there's a strong possibility that Pencader will become the next Moyer. And that will be on his shoulders and forever tied to his reputation.
6. There are strong rumors that the leaders of Delaware's high-performing charter schools want to see Pencader disappear. The school's continued public problems give anti-charter folks something to discuss and dissect. It's their proof that charter schools are not the panacea of success. Pro-charter has every reason to want to see this school closed and removed from the public conversation so that they can return to their mission of establishing charters and privatizing education. They can redirect the conversation to failing district schools and would gain some ground in advocating for the closure of some schools or the consolidation of some districts.
7. Murph would likely gleam some respect from the anti-charter folks by closing Pencader. This group would be able to claim a measure of success in seeing the school closed. They would owe that to Murphy.
8. Take #s 6 and 7 together and Murphy has a win-win. It's an opportunity for him to make a stand - His DOE will only support high-functioning (vs high-performing) charters. This would also be his spring board to attack districts for their failures. Equal opportunity.
9. Pencader's latest board must write a plan that will prove that the school can overcome its deficits. That plan must be so dynamic and workable that it overcomes the educational landscape that currently exists in Delaware. It has to mitigate all fears and biases of the department and SBE. That's a monumental task. And I'm not sure it can be done by anyone, my doubts don't lie with Pencader alone.
So, without seeing Pencader's response to the preliminary report nor the CSAC final recommendation, and based solely on the information that is available in the public domain, I think this is Murphy's time to shine.
Only time will tell if my evaluation is on or near the mark. As you all know, this is just conjecture, a best guess. And it actually has less to do with Pencader and a whole lot more to do with DOE, Murphy, and Markell.
[Continue Reading]
No one can deny that life under DE. Sec. of Education Murphy was been pretty humdrum. The turnaround unit is belly-up. DEDOE employees fleeing Dover to districts have been reclassified from resignation to "transfer" on all SBE reports. Murphy has yet to come out with a strong stance on anything education. If a stay-at-home mom with nothing better to do than blog can see it, surely Murph knows its time to take a stand and be accountable for something. Pencader is Murph's out. And that doesn't bode well for PCS.
The Landscape that will shape Penacader's future -
Moyer. Old Moyer. New Moyer. All the Moyer in between. Moyer that no one other the SBE ever talks about anymore. Moyer was Markell's fast tracking of the Delaware's award-winning Race to the Rop application. Our gov. had to come out hard on failing schools. Moyer was a sacrificial lamb. DOE under former Sec. of Ed Lowery in partnership with the gov that appointed her put Moyer under that state's control and handed it over to K12, essentially a cyber school. This was Delaware's first forray into the world of Charter Management Organizations (CMO). K12 was the operator under which the school made little if any improvement. In Moyer-Round-II, a new board of directors was established who submitted an application to the SBE to claim Moyer as their own and promised grandiose changes. They kept K12 as the managment partner. As of the Dec. 20 SBE meeting and at every SBE meeting in the last six months, Moyer has been under intense scrutiny. SBE members have made it clear that to them, there appears to be no difference between Old Moyer, In-Between Moyer, and New Moyer. Furthermore Moyer is missed the deadline to submit its annual report, is showing dismal test scores, and has been cited by the DOE charter office as needed correction in eight areas.
Yet, Moyer is largely absent from the Charter debate in the blogosphere. Why? The gov. is entirely silent on Moyer. He will not utter a word. He know that the state takeover of the school under his direction was a total failure. But, this is Delaware and he knows well the Delaware way. The poultry state's education cockitrice belongs on his 1st pick for sec. of education, Lowery. And she's gone, off to a bigger salary in MD. Now Lillian was a helluva politician. She's smart enough to know that she's better off forgetting little Delaware and never uttering Moyer again. She and her supporters are as distant from Moyer as Delaware is from Mount Kilimanjaro. And since cyber education is pretty weak in Delaware, there are few with any expertise who are willing to engage the conversation. So Moyer will hang around Lowery's neck. And Lowery is gone.
So Coach Murphy is up at bat. He gets a pass on Moyer b/c he basically inherited a school on life support. He's taking his direction from the SBE, the only entity that really seems to have skin the game.
And along comes Pencader. The CSAC recommended closure during FR III. Lowery overrode the recommendation with the help of SBE and placed the school on probation. She's gone. The school continues to erode in all areas but finance. The schools' board of directors commits such miserable malfeasance during summer of 2012 that Pencader becomes the education media darling. Murphy reacts by asking the SBE to again place Pencader on FR. Now Pencader is Murphy's ballgame.
FR IV.
Pencader supporters claim that there's been a lot of change at the school as the result of FR IV. Most of those sitting on the board during Summer 2012 have come and gone and the school leader ousted.
However, I see problems:
1. The interim school leader is a former member of the highly dysfunctional board of 2012. Sorry, Steve Q. But it's the truth.
2. Three new charter schools just requested deferrels. At least one school cited the lack of school leader as a reason to delay opening.
3. Pencader's new board, supporters, and admin are playing the same tune as those who fought to keep the school open during previous reviews. There is also considerably less public support from persons of influence in Delaware as compared to FR III.
4. Murphy owns putting Pencader of FR IV. He's young in his position and yet to make a strong stand on any issue.
5. Murphy would have to be blind to not see how the state's intervention and continued patience with Moyer as an epic failure on the department's end. Yes, he can push the Moyer situation off to Lowery, but he took the lead on Pencader after did the two-step followed by her grace exit to MD. Murphy's big risk is that if he allows Pencader to continue to operate, there's a strong possibility that Pencader will become the next Moyer. And that will be on his shoulders and forever tied to his reputation.
6. There are strong rumors that the leaders of Delaware's high-performing charter schools want to see Pencader disappear. The school's continued public problems give anti-charter folks something to discuss and dissect. It's their proof that charter schools are not the panacea of success. Pro-charter has every reason to want to see this school closed and removed from the public conversation so that they can return to their mission of establishing charters and privatizing education. They can redirect the conversation to failing district schools and would gain some ground in advocating for the closure of some schools or the consolidation of some districts.
7. Murph would likely gleam some respect from the anti-charter folks by closing Pencader. This group would be able to claim a measure of success in seeing the school closed. They would owe that to Murphy.
8. Take #s 6 and 7 together and Murphy has a win-win. It's an opportunity for him to make a stand - His DOE will only support high-functioning (vs high-performing) charters. This would also be his spring board to attack districts for their failures. Equal opportunity.
9. Pencader's latest board must write a plan that will prove that the school can overcome its deficits. That plan must be so dynamic and workable that it overcomes the educational landscape that currently exists in Delaware. It has to mitigate all fears and biases of the department and SBE. That's a monumental task. And I'm not sure it can be done by anyone, my doubts don't lie with Pencader alone.
So, without seeing Pencader's response to the preliminary report nor the CSAC final recommendation, and based solely on the information that is available in the public domain, I think this is Murphy's time to shine.
Only time will tell if my evaluation is on or near the mark. As you all know, this is just conjecture, a best guess. And it actually has less to do with Pencader and a whole lot more to do with DOE, Murphy, and Markell.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
8th grade parents - get your insurance cards ready!
9th grade health examination requirement to go into effect next school year
Release Date: Dec 20, 2012 8:30 AM
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/news/2012/1221.shtml
The Delaware Department of Education reminds parents of eighth grade students that a requirement for a health examination prior to entry into ninth grade goes into effect next school year.
The requirement, adopted in December 2011, mandates that all students entering both kindergarten and ninth grade have a health examination done within two years of entry into the grade. Schools must receive the completed forms within 30 days of the start of the school year. Previously, the examination was only required for students in kindergarten or enrolling in a Delaware public school for the first time.
“Routine health examinations are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. They are important for all children because they provide an opportunity for health promotion and early identification of health conditions that could impact the child’s well-being and academic success,” said Linda Wolfe, DDOE’s director of School Support Services. “We know that younger children are more likely to be seen by their primary healthcare provider. This new mandate ensures that adolescents also are seen.”
Originally scheduled to go into effect for this school year (2012-13), the state delayed implementation by a year to allow more time to communicate with parents and health care professionals. To assure compliance for September 2013, DDOE urges students to schedule appointments now. As with other regulatory requirements, students who do not meet the requirement will be excluded from school.
The following forms will be accepted:
a) Delaware School Health Examination Form
b) DIAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation form
c) Health Examination or evaluation document on a form acceptable to the school that includes, at a minimum: healthy history, immunizations, results of medical testing and screenings, medical diagnoses, prescribed medications and treatments and healthcare plans.
[Continue Reading]
Release Date: Dec 20, 2012 8:30 AM
http://www.doe.k12.de.us/news/2012/1221.shtml
The Delaware Department of Education reminds parents of eighth grade students that a requirement for a health examination prior to entry into ninth grade goes into effect next school year.
The requirement, adopted in December 2011, mandates that all students entering both kindergarten and ninth grade have a health examination done within two years of entry into the grade. Schools must receive the completed forms within 30 days of the start of the school year. Previously, the examination was only required for students in kindergarten or enrolling in a Delaware public school for the first time.
“Routine health examinations are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. They are important for all children because they provide an opportunity for health promotion and early identification of health conditions that could impact the child’s well-being and academic success,” said Linda Wolfe, DDOE’s director of School Support Services. “We know that younger children are more likely to be seen by their primary healthcare provider. This new mandate ensures that adolescents also are seen.”
Originally scheduled to go into effect for this school year (2012-13), the state delayed implementation by a year to allow more time to communicate with parents and health care professionals. To assure compliance for September 2013, DDOE urges students to schedule appointments now. As with other regulatory requirements, students who do not meet the requirement will be excluded from school.
The following forms will be accepted:
a) Delaware School Health Examination Form
b) DIAA Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation form
c) Health Examination or evaluation document on a form acceptable to the school that includes, at a minimum: healthy history, immunizations, results of medical testing and screenings, medical diagnoses, prescribed medications and treatments and healthcare plans.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
DOE Charter Committee Recommends Revocation for Pencader
"The Charter School Accountability Committee recommended that the charter for Pencader Business and Finance Charter High School be revoked pending the Committee’s review of all documentation the school is required to submit with its response to the Preliminary Report." http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/charterschools/files/PCAPR112612.pdf, p. 7RED IS C&E 1st.
For the second time in two years, Pencader Charter School is staring down a closure recommendation from DOE's Charter School Accountability Committee.
Here are some interesting notes from the report:
The Board also noted that Pencader had begun to address some of these issues since the Initial Meeting. Below is a summary of the board’s actions since the Initial Meeting such as
- Making reapplication for the 501(c)(3) that will be sent to the IRS no later than 1 December 2012 Was this completed by Dec. 1?
- Provided a legal analysis explaining its rationale as to why the Board is lawfully constituted at the present time. DOE, please make this analysis available to the public.
- Board training is needed to help members in being able to turn around the school. High performing charter school boards have specific competencies and accountability measures, such as those for a school leader. During the third Formal Review for the school, the previous board president and school leader had indicated that the Board would receive training in the Baldridge model; however, there is no evidence that the Board or school leadership followed through on making the training available. The school must provide a Board training plan that considers how high performing charter school boards operate effectively and specific competencies.
- The Committee discussed the two administrative complaints about special education issues at the school. There were two administrative complaints filed with the Department’s Exceptional Children Resources Work Group. The Committee noted that subsequent to the Initial Meeting the Pencader Board had authorized a restructuring of the Special Education Department to be completed no later than 1 December 2012 to address these issues. Was this completed by Dec. 1?
- Complaint was more than a special education issue and concluded that:
(1) The school administration did not understand their duties and the issues involved nor did the staff respond in a timely way. (2)The issues in the complaint decision were not limited to special education or to one staff member. Several teachers and administrators were aware of the specific student’s issues. However, the parents did not receive a response in a timely manner. The lack of timely notification created additional problems for the student. (3) There is a culture at the school that needs to be reversed as well as a clear understanding of responsibilities relative to special education students and regulatory/statutory requirements.
- Ms. Field Rogers reported thatthe school consistently provides the required financialinformation in a timely manner.With the decline in May enrollments,the Financial ReformResources workgroup indicated thatifthe schoolcould make an enrollment projection ofapproximately 410 studentsandaskedthe school to provide a budget based on that enrollment.The school provided a budget and implemented it based on the actual September 30 Unit Count. This is the only formal review criterion that was met based upon the preliminary meeting.
From Newark, DE to Hopatcong, NJ by way of Keene Elementary School
On Monday, we received a special gift in the mail. Students from the William B. Keene Elementary School in Newark, Delaware made cards for the residents of Hop...atcong affected by Sandy. They also collected money to help our residents through this difficult time. Thank you so much for your kind hearts and generosity! We are going to deliver the cards to the Hopatcong Police Department, Hopatcong CERT, and the mayor's office so they can send the cards directly to those who need some uplifting thoughts this holiday season. THANK YOU!!! http://www.facebook.com/#!/HopeForHopatcong
Me: I have the best students in the State of Delaware! Thank you to my teachers and children at Keene Elementary School for sending your support to a very special little town in New Jersey! I am so proud of all of you and honored to represent you!
New house - a moving tale
We were practically handed a private rental on a silver platter. 3x1 with giant shed, patio, fully enclosed yard, a giant lounge room which will be our learning room, and separate dining/kitchen.
The new place is MUCH larger, and less of a squeeze. Which means less stuff in my face. I love that!!
Mik borrowed a flat tray truck from work and with the help of his dad moved all the big heavy stuff and a fair bit of smaller gear.
Miks mum helped me at the new house by putting things away like clothing & kitchen stuff & hanging and bringing in washing. Anything I asked her to do she was happy to do.
Miks youngest siblings 9 & 11yrs entertained my crew for hours and hours. They played things like shops, scooters, hide & seek, blocks and other things I don't remember or didn't see.
Miks other two siblings (13yrsx2) came for awhile in the afternoon and played with my guys.
Mik worked hard ALL day not stopping until 8pm, he wanted to get some light bulbs put in - you know energy saving ones?
I did a bit here and a bit there. Slowing down in the arvo. I'm wrecked now and ready for bed ;)
We were blessed by a bounty of food, left over from the previous days celebrations which kept two families going for the day - no need for us to cook or prepare meals, although cutlery was interesting. Haha
Mik is back to work tomorrow and i will be left to finish packing and bringing more gear over to the new place and get unpacking again.
Mik & his dad emptied a bunch of cupboards straight onto the floor so there's a lot to pack. And bring over. And unpack.
So, an overall productive day. With a house practically set up.
The only major challenge??
A 20 month old Princess who won't go in or near her bed. But we will work on that.
All Glory to God for this move and new place.. Xx
[Continue Reading]
The new place is MUCH larger, and less of a squeeze. Which means less stuff in my face. I love that!!
Mik borrowed a flat tray truck from work and with the help of his dad moved all the big heavy stuff and a fair bit of smaller gear.
Miks mum helped me at the new house by putting things away like clothing & kitchen stuff & hanging and bringing in washing. Anything I asked her to do she was happy to do.
Miks youngest siblings 9 & 11yrs entertained my crew for hours and hours. They played things like shops, scooters, hide & seek, blocks and other things I don't remember or didn't see.
Miks other two siblings (13yrsx2) came for awhile in the afternoon and played with my guys.
Mik worked hard ALL day not stopping until 8pm, he wanted to get some light bulbs put in - you know energy saving ones?
I did a bit here and a bit there. Slowing down in the arvo. I'm wrecked now and ready for bed ;)
We were blessed by a bounty of food, left over from the previous days celebrations which kept two families going for the day - no need for us to cook or prepare meals, although cutlery was interesting. Haha
Mik is back to work tomorrow and i will be left to finish packing and bringing more gear over to the new place and get unpacking again.
Mik & his dad emptied a bunch of cupboards straight onto the floor so there's a lot to pack. And bring over. And unpack.
So, an overall productive day. With a house practically set up.
The only major challenge??
A 20 month old Princess who won't go in or near her bed. But we will work on that.
All Glory to God for this move and new place.. Xx
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Importance of the Natural Birth and Breastfeeding Requirements to be a Birth Boot Camp Instructor
As most of you probably know, I wrote a childbirth education curriculum in the last year and launched it as Birth Boot Camp®. The classes can be taken online or you can take a live class in your area taught by a certified Birth Boot Camp Instructor.
In addition to an intense training program, an instructor-in-training must have given birth without the use of any pain medication. She also must have breastfed at least one of her babies for at least one year. Believe me when I tell you that this policy is in place for the benefit of the students in her class. It has very little to do with the instructor. Let me explain.
Recently, I had a brief conversation with one of my daughter's teachers. She saw the "Birth Boot Camp" vinyl on the back of my car and asked what that was all about. I briefly told her and she said, "Wow! You did that without drugs?!" in her sweet Southern drawl. She went on to say, "I don't think I've ever known anyone who's done that!" Imagine that she wanted to be in my class and I'm teaching her how to have a natural, unmedicated birth, but I've had an epidural. Or a shot of demorrol , right at the end. Now she still doesn't know anyone that's ever "done it" without the drugs. How is she ever going to do it with everyone around her NOT doing it, even her instructor? It must be impossible to have a natural childbirth, right?
While the education is invaluable, I have often felt that the most important thing people walk away from class with is confidence. They know they can give birth without medication. Their instructor did it, and so can they!
I've had so many women over the years tell me that they thought of me during their labor. "If Donna could do it, so can I!" Husbands cheer their wives on right at the end when she wants to give up, saying, "Donna said it would be like this at the end. You are almost there. We're going to meet our baby soon!" If their instructor was teaching it, but didn't -- for whatever reason -- do it, that would break their confidence.
The graphic designer for Birth Boot Camp's (awesome) materials was in my class last year. Because of the shape of her uterus, her baby could not turn. He was stuck in a transverse (side-lying) position, despite her trying every single thing she could to get him to turn. She was devastated to have a c-section, but she really didn't have a choice. Thank goodness for modern medicine that could give her a healthy baby. She is a total advocate for natural birth. She knows the material. She was completely ready for labor and I'm certain she would have "done it." Unfortunately, she never got to experience a single "real" contraction. She asked at one point about the possibility of teaching Birth Boot Camp and I had to tell her no. I've had to tell a few people no. It's not personal. I love this girl, but it's not about her!
If a woman went all the way through labor without drugs and was even pushing and then had a c-section right at the end, how are the students going to truly trust birth in her class? The same might happen to them. And it might anyway. The point is, learning how to give birth naturally is as much about what's going on in the head as with the body. A woman can teach "prepared" childbirth education without having had an unmedicated birth, but in order to teach how to have a natural birth, we feel strongly that she should have done that herself. There are other courses a couple can take if they want an epidural or c-section, but that is not what we do at Birth Boot Camp.
The role of the educator is unique. It's not clinical, like a midwife or an OB. It is not just supportive of "whatever choice they would like" - like a doula. Birth Boot Camp is all about natural birth and we deliver a really good road map to get there. A good teacher - no matter the setting or subject - teaches on a topic that she is not only passionate about but knowledgeable as well.
Sarah Clark, aka Mama Birth, helped write the Birth Boot Camp curriculum, and she tells of having 3 doctors in one of her classes. She was quite intimidated - or so she says! - and they all said they knew the mechanics of birth (one had caught 200 babies), but they were coming to her class because she had DONE IT. Boom.
The fact remains, unless you have done it, you can't know what it's like. You cannot grasp the loss of modesty, the time warp, the inability to make a decision, or the fact that, in the thick of labor, you won't even remember this is all for a baby! Talking about these things but not having had experienced them does not carry the same weight. This carries over into so many areas of our lives: Would you learn to play piano from someone who loved music but didn't play? Would you go to a marriage counselor who had never been married?
I know things happen in labor. I've had my fair share of epidurals and c-sections from class. They are usually necessary, sometimes even life-saving. Couples that sat through my class were able to make informed decisions in their labor. My heart goes out to those women who wanted a natural birth and didn't have one. I know there are women who have not been able to have children, but if they did, they'd want a natural birth.
As for the breastfeeding requirement, we have actually accepted a few trainees who have not been able to breastfeed for the required one-year minimum. We have a fabulous lactation consultant, Mellanie Sheppard, on our Advisory Board that we took these special cases to in order to help us understand what was possibly going on. Again, my heart goes out to these women who tried and tried to breastfeed, but had true physical reasons that they were not able to. With this requirement, we are trying to avoid are the "I had to go back to work" or "He just wasn't interested at 6 months anymore and we quit." Sometimes breastfeeding, like birth, is hard. It is so worth it to push through those challenges. We want our instructors to be a support and example to the couples in their classes. The recommended amount of time to breastfeed, according to the AAP, is at least one year, and according to the World Health Organization, 2 years and beyond is recommended. We want to be the childbirth education program that is encouraging these standards not only on paper, but in practice and example.
Ultimately, Birth Boot Camp is about teaching couples to have a natural birth. That is the Instructor's responsibility, and she goes through a thorough training process to be sure she is ready to do that. Each couple that takes a Birth Boot Camp class - online or in-person - receives the Breastfeeding Class, The Ultimate MRE, on DVD. They get a complete course taught by Mellanie, our lactation consultant, and the instructor will lead some discussion on breastfeeding in class, but they are not responsible for teaching the full breastfeeding course. Thus, there is some leniency with this requirement.
We are not the "judge and jury" on a woman's birth or breastfeeding experience. That is entirely up to her. We are not passing judgement or saying there is a right way or a wrong way. These are simply our guidelines for our instructors and we feel they are important in order to help a couple achieve their desire for a natural birth.
If you are interested in how the instructors feel about the requirements to become a Birth Boot Camp Instructor, you might enjoy this post from Dani Long, who recently completed her training all the way from Spokane, WA. There is pride in completing an intense program and our instructors are ready to teach!
P.S. I didn't write this post to start a fight. I've had a couple of people sincerely ask for explanation and I thought others would probably like to hear it as well. I'm a nice person. This isn't personal. I love you guys. Peace out.
[Continue Reading]
In addition to an intense training program, an instructor-in-training must have given birth without the use of any pain medication. She also must have breastfed at least one of her babies for at least one year. Believe me when I tell you that this policy is in place for the benefit of the students in her class. It has very little to do with the instructor. Let me explain.
Recently, I had a brief conversation with one of my daughter's teachers. She saw the "Birth Boot Camp" vinyl on the back of my car and asked what that was all about. I briefly told her and she said, "Wow! You did that without drugs?!" in her sweet Southern drawl. She went on to say, "I don't think I've ever known anyone who's done that!" Imagine that she wanted to be in my class and I'm teaching her how to have a natural, unmedicated birth, but I've had an epidural. Or a shot of demorrol , right at the end. Now she still doesn't know anyone that's ever "done it" without the drugs. How is she ever going to do it with everyone around her NOT doing it, even her instructor? It must be impossible to have a natural childbirth, right?
While the education is invaluable, I have often felt that the most important thing people walk away from class with is confidence. They know they can give birth without medication. Their instructor did it, and so can they!
I've had so many women over the years tell me that they thought of me during their labor. "If Donna could do it, so can I!" Husbands cheer their wives on right at the end when she wants to give up, saying, "Donna said it would be like this at the end. You are almost there. We're going to meet our baby soon!" If their instructor was teaching it, but didn't -- for whatever reason -- do it, that would break their confidence.
If a woman went all the way through labor without drugs and was even pushing and then had a c-section right at the end, how are the students going to truly trust birth in her class? The same might happen to them. And it might anyway. The point is, learning how to give birth naturally is as much about what's going on in the head as with the body. A woman can teach "prepared" childbirth education without having had an unmedicated birth, but in order to teach how to have a natural birth, we feel strongly that she should have done that herself. There are other courses a couple can take if they want an epidural or c-section, but that is not what we do at Birth Boot Camp.
The role of the educator is unique. It's not clinical, like a midwife or an OB. It is not just supportive of "whatever choice they would like" - like a doula. Birth Boot Camp is all about natural birth and we deliver a really good road map to get there. A good teacher - no matter the setting or subject - teaches on a topic that she is not only passionate about but knowledgeable as well.
Sarah Clark, aka Mama Birth, helped write the Birth Boot Camp curriculum, and she tells of having 3 doctors in one of her classes. She was quite intimidated - or so she says! - and they all said they knew the mechanics of birth (one had caught 200 babies), but they were coming to her class because she had DONE IT. Boom.
The fact remains, unless you have done it, you can't know what it's like. You cannot grasp the loss of modesty, the time warp, the inability to make a decision, or the fact that, in the thick of labor, you won't even remember this is all for a baby! Talking about these things but not having had experienced them does not carry the same weight. This carries over into so many areas of our lives: Would you learn to play piano from someone who loved music but didn't play? Would you go to a marriage counselor who had never been married?
I know things happen in labor. I've had my fair share of epidurals and c-sections from class. They are usually necessary, sometimes even life-saving. Couples that sat through my class were able to make informed decisions in their labor. My heart goes out to those women who wanted a natural birth and didn't have one. I know there are women who have not been able to have children, but if they did, they'd want a natural birth.
As for the breastfeeding requirement, we have actually accepted a few trainees who have not been able to breastfeed for the required one-year minimum. We have a fabulous lactation consultant, Mellanie Sheppard, on our Advisory Board that we took these special cases to in order to help us understand what was possibly going on. Again, my heart goes out to these women who tried and tried to breastfeed, but had true physical reasons that they were not able to. With this requirement, we are trying to avoid are the "I had to go back to work" or "He just wasn't interested at 6 months anymore and we quit." Sometimes breastfeeding, like birth, is hard. It is so worth it to push through those challenges. We want our instructors to be a support and example to the couples in their classes. The recommended amount of time to breastfeed, according to the AAP, is at least one year, and according to the World Health Organization, 2 years and beyond is recommended. We want to be the childbirth education program that is encouraging these standards not only on paper, but in practice and example.
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| Birth Boot Camp Advisory Board |
Ultimately, Birth Boot Camp is about teaching couples to have a natural birth. That is the Instructor's responsibility, and she goes through a thorough training process to be sure she is ready to do that. Each couple that takes a Birth Boot Camp class - online or in-person - receives the Breastfeeding Class, The Ultimate MRE, on DVD. They get a complete course taught by Mellanie, our lactation consultant, and the instructor will lead some discussion on breastfeeding in class, but they are not responsible for teaching the full breastfeeding course. Thus, there is some leniency with this requirement.
We are not the "judge and jury" on a woman's birth or breastfeeding experience. That is entirely up to her. We are not passing judgement or saying there is a right way or a wrong way. These are simply our guidelines for our instructors and we feel they are important in order to help a couple achieve their desire for a natural birth.
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| Dani Long, BBCI |
P.S. I didn't write this post to start a fight. I've had a couple of people sincerely ask for explanation and I thought others would probably like to hear it as well. I'm a nice person. This isn't personal. I love you guys. Peace out.
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