Friday, August 31, 2012

Sec Murphy takes off rose-colored glasses and sees the RED FLAGS!

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120901/NEWS03/309010015/Mend-school-risk-charter?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CHome&nclick_check=1

It's the sound of all the air in the world being sucked into a vacuum - the collective gasp - the moment so many have been waiting for:  Intervention! 

So what do you think intervention will look and feel like?
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Thursday, August 30, 2012

Board Member turned consultant DiMauro seeks Contract with Pencader - Keep bleeding the beast until its dry!

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120830/NEWS/308300055/-Red-flags-raised-over-contract-Pencader?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Home

Another Pencader "associate", this time board member/former board member/president, Vincent DiMauro, is maneuvering his company Integrate LLC to become a contracter at Pencader.  Don't worry, folks, this contract will fall below $50,000, meaning that the board will likely not vote on it and the deal can be done with school leader, Ann Lewis.

DiMauro told The News Journal that the rate varies depending on what services are provided, and it was not yet known what kind of rate would be charged. His firm provides a variety of services and has experience working with schools, he said.
 
1. Did DiMauro provide Pencader with references?
2. Did DiMauro provide Pencader with the list of schools with whom Integrate LLC is working?
3. Did DiMauro itemize for Pencader the type of work he's down with these schools?
4. Did DiMauro provide Pencader with a menu of services offered?
5. Did DiMauro solicit Pencader or did Pencader solicit DiMauro?
6. Our of curiosity - do the services offered by Integrate LLC fall within the scope of single source procurement?
7. When will someone intercede to stop the blood-letting at Pencader?  I am fairly certain that should Pencader's board want governance assistance, they could seek it from the Delaware School Board Association for much less than $49,000/year. 

Pencader is a school.  Despite the way it has been manipulated, it was never intended to be a cash cow.  This is Insanity!

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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Failure to plan on your part does NOT constitute an emergency on my part.

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Iconic Newark - Curtis Smoke Stack to be Demolished

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20120828/news/308280050/famed-curtis-smokestack-newark-faces-final-days?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7Chome%7Cs

My sister, "the Dr.", is seven years older than me.  When I was seven or eight, she wrote a letter to the News Journal (I was proud of her for that) in opposition of the demolition of old theater on Main St. in Newark.  You remember the one - right next to the Malt Shoppe... And that's the point, driven home by the recent closing of the Post House... It seems all things old must go to make way for something newer...

Fare thee well, icons of Newark long ago, alive only as long as our memories endure... 
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Monday, August 27, 2012

Getting Your "Picky" Eater to Explore New Foods





I am excited to announce that I am sharing my first guest post today, over at Playing With Words 365! This post is for anyone who is struggling with their kids variety of foods, but any parent can take away some great ideas.  

"Picky" eaters can be frustrating and drain our patience reserves quickly.  When that happens you need a game plan, you know, some new strategies.  I have that game plan!  Click here to check it out!  Feel free to leave comments for me here or there!

If you are new to Playing With Words 365, Katie is a speech therapist and Mama.  Her blog is fantastic, loaded with tons of ideas to improve speech, engaging play ideas, and therapy ideas for other therapists.  Spend some time there, you will be glad you did!


Playing With Words 365





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Today's Math: What does $1 buy?

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Sunday, August 26, 2012

Typical day with lots of little kids 2012

A typical day of {this} homeschool family of 6 with lots of little kids consists of the mummy {me} laying in bed while the daddy gets ready for work and leaves.

Isaiah is 6, Amalia is 4, Jarah is 3 and Avigail is 17months. We are roughly 10 weeks pregnant and super excited about our 'special baby'. We homeschool but I don't lay claim to any particular 'type/style'. We just are who we are, doing what we do.

The children start waking and get stuck into playing immediately.

By playing I mean making a lot of noise so that any left over children are woken and join in with the racquet.

This mornings playing consisted of making music and prancing around the living room. Now I couldn't actually 'see' the prancing in the living room but I do know the sound of prancing elephants doing the monkey dance in the house.

I reached for my phone to check the scripture of the day on my bible app, check any possible midnight texts I slept through and any new emails I might be interested in.

I eventually call out for my clever mini-chef to get my breakfast. This morning? Ice cream. He joyfully obliges.

I call out to another to get the baby out of bed. Usually she's pulled out already but this morning? Stuck in her makeshift portacot.

I can hear him saying no ice cream to the other kids then laughing saying 'okay, Ice cream for all the kids'. Doesn't bother asking the mum. Mum usually says no! You don't eat Ice cream for breakfast!

After awhile I get up and notice the kitchen is cleaner than usual. No spilt milk on the floor and table, no Weetbix spilled and no sugar granules under my bare feet. This could be a more successful breakfast meal than cereal I think.

I tell the older kids to clear the table, stack the chairs and get the dishes off the floor. Dishes weren't done the night before so there's a bit of a mess.
I think in my head 'today's goal: mop kitchen floor'

During kitchen clean up I grab a shower, get dressed and fresh for the day.

Afterwards I put 3yo in time out for screaming and not using vocab. Time out as in he needs a break or time away from the other kids, tell the older two to finish their kitchen instructions.

I wash a heap of dishes, but not all. There's that much.

I then finish picking up in the living room, vacuum and hang up small things on the airer. Jocks and socks mainly.

Then, I CLOSE the door! This room hasn't stayed tidy and clean since getting back from holidays for more than an hour! Even cleaning it up before I go to work means by the time I get home from work it's a pigsty again.

Next, I instruct older two to other morning jobs. 1 girl to get dressed, 1 boy to clean the boys room. When 1 girl is dressed I ask her to clean the bathroom. Pick up washing, bin out, toys picked up.

Once the lounge is done I work in the bathroom. Tidying up leftover floor rubbish, clean bath, wall and other little bit.

Meanwhile 3yo draws in 1yos eye. As you do. And the crying starts, the I'm telling mummy starts and my job is disrupted. Seriously thinking these kids don't want to live in a clean and tidy environment.

Mental note: buy more shower power! I used just about the entire bottle for one cleaning job. Ooops.

1 girl is instructed to clean her room. Her room is NEVER tidy for long! At the moment I can barely open the door. I'm very unimpressed. Clean washing is strewn from one side of the room to the other and all places in between. It's getting their. Slowly.

The boys room is much much tidier but the stuff under the bed has now come out and more work is being done.

I'm still busying myself between bathroom, clingy baby, and two kids rooms.

Next up? Mopping bathroom floor and shutting that door.

So, the bathroom door is shut. I shoved some oil down the hinge cos the door doesn't shut easily. The husband doesn't fix things so nothing gets done. the door can be shut with ease now. Why didn't I do this earlier?

Mental note: get silican and find the gun thingy :/ for bathroom

Baby still being clingy. Not satisfied with a cuddle.

I give the baby cereal and have some myself. While she finishes off her breakfast I put the already washed and air-dried dishes away, fill the sink and was another batch of dishes.

I walk into the boys room to discover a child laying on his back amongst stuff to put away. This should have been done. So I give a 5minute ultimatum with a threat and it's done in under a minute.

I set the boy up with his first lot of book work for the week. Easy paced stuff that can be worked on without my immediate attention the entire way through. He asks to make some 'finger puppets' from a child's magazine he was given from Aunty V. I tell him afterwards. I'm always amazed at how he chooses activities for himself to do.

The girls room is still a big mess.

I set thy princess up to do her school work in my bedroom. She does several pages with a bit of help from me. 3 pages more and that book is complete. Pity her attitude changed and she doesn't want to do any more.

A friend rocked up for paperwork to be filled in. All done. But it seemed to set miss Princess-I-don't-want-to-do-my-school-work into a spin of sooks and cries *sigh*. Her school work ends for the time being.

I put the baby to bed for a nap *phew*

Isaiah does several pages, then I cut out a puzzle thing and he gets busy putting it together. It's quite the brain teaser of a puzzle. But he gets it.

Jarah (3) gets hungry so I pull some hash browns out for lunch. He likes cooking so I set him up to 'cook lunch' and he puts the hash browns on the tray. He comes in to me and says he wants to go to the shop to buy mushroom. This is code for 'I want to cut food with a knife'. We don't go. I just put the baby to bed and I'm not disturbing her, even for an educational experience and I giant size kitchen mess and a pile of mushroom bits.

The papa rocks up for lunch.

Lunch today is corn. As in corn kernels with butter and salt (should have been olive oil - but the papa changed it). And the hashbrowns.

After the meal was consumed it was time for the papa to leave. So all the kids followed outdoors to wave goodbye. And wave at their nana who happened to drive past also. Creepy hey? Kind of stalkerish right? My sister-in-laws live a few houses down the street.

We then return indoors for more learning.

Isaiah wants to cut out the finger puppets, amalia claims its HER book and wants it back, jarah watches on while Avigail sleeps. And me? I catch up on blogging.

Isaiah is meticulous about his work. Always has been. Tries to cut it out as slowly as he can so it's cut neat and tidy. And he puts them in exact order as the picture shows.

Jarah walks around exclaiming he needs scissors. I always get suspicious when a 3yo 'needs' scissors. But he asks his brother for help and it's all sorted for him.

Bubba wakes smelly so I stick her in the bathtub for a wash and a play. Couple squirts bubble bath and she'll be busy for awhile. She looks at me cheekily while filling the bath with bath toys. Her hair needs a wash. Wonder if I'll remember to wash it this time! I didn't.

Isaiah finishes off his project. He is happy with what he's done. A bit of problem solving needed and he's got it sorted. I am aware that I could put him out of his misery and show him how but I like his sense of problem solving. I do show him sometimes but not today. He will ask if he WANTS assistance which is different to NEEDING.

The children get stuck into a bit of creativeness and I lay down in the room they are in watching. I read green eggs and ham by dr seuss and jarah soon falls asleep.

Amalia is whining. She's too tired to be awake but too amalia to have a day nap. That means we have to put up with her. *sigh*

My energy levels have drained and I'm told to go to bed so 'we' (the kids) can make a mess. I appreciate honesty.

With disappearing energy levels I succumb to the temptation of laying on my bed. Isaiah exclaims I'm boring I need to eat something. I select ice cream and he happily gets me some. I happily eat it and surprisingly it wakes me up. Kind of.

I rest the rest of the day, kids watch a movie 'up' in the same room as me, they eat ice cream and also chips left over from the night before. How healthy!

Dinner tonight is Weetbix. I said I was energy drained and I meant it! Hubby was at the gym so I couldn't be bothered getting up. Kids can get themselves breakfast.

I get the baby off to bed and tell the others to get into their pjs. They do so and watch their next movie. I don't know what it's called but it's about snow dogs and Antartica.

Antartica is a continent that we have been learning about for no particular reason so I comfort myself in believing that they are learning also. Score!

Eventually two more fall asleep through the movie, papa comes home and I'm relieved of family duties and fall asleep also.

This day isn't necessarily typical given I'm not usually passed out and we don't watch movies let alone one after the other. But this was the day that I choose to record. ;)
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Saturday, August 25, 2012

Breakfast

It is well known that breakfast is a very important meal for the day. Possum has been doing very well with eating a variety of pureed and mashed foods and has proven to have a very large appetite, especially early in the morning. 

To encourage her to have good eating habits I always try to have us eat meals together. 



In my experience as a teacher, children are constantly looking for role models and I intend to be her best. When I introduce a new food into her diet I show her that I am happy to eat it myself and then allow her to try. Of course I always make a bit of a happy fuss when she has given something a go. 

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Peek-a-Boo!

PEEK-A-BOO

Peek-a-boo games can be giggle producing favourites. Possum absolutely loves it! I read that from about 5 months of age babies are beginning to understand that things continue to exist even when they are out of sight. 


Here is my sister playing Peek-a-boo with Possum. 

"Where has Aunty gone?"


"Boo! There she is".

Of course there are so many different variations you can do when it comes to playing 
Peek-a-boo. How do you play? 

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Friday, August 24, 2012

Play Ball

Possum is at the age that she is starting to sit up somewhat independently. I'm still not comfortable with allowing her to sit without support behind her because it became clear that  when she had had enough of sitting she would launch herself backwards. Argh!

So I started to become inspired to think up a way that would help her develop her balance and have fun at the same time. I wedged a soft pillow into the corner of a couch and sat her in front of it. My husband, who always loves to play, sat before her and rolled her a ball. 


Possum found this really fun because it was like she was receiving a reward after each time the ball came to her. After a few minutes it became clear that she was beginning to understand how the game worked and started to use her hands to throw or feet to kick the ball back to my husband. 

Because of this game she was testing out her balancing skills and having fun at the same time. 

To extend this activity further I decided to have her play with different balls. One ball made a rattling sound when it moved, another felt different because it was made from soft fabric. I found that as soon as she lost interest in one type of ball I was able to introduce another, which would have her play for a few minutes more. How wonderful, she was balancing for the longest period of time and without any support. Win! 


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Thursday, August 23, 2012

New York Teacher Accountability Solution Feared Unworkable -

http://www.educationnews.org/k-12-schools/cuomos-new-york-accountability-solution-feared-unworkable/

"It has emerged that the problem is that Cuomo’s solution left the details to be worked out by local school and union officials — and in many cases union officials have no intention of ceding ground. This shouldn’t be a surprise considering that the unions exist to protect and advocate for their members.

More bizarre is that Cuomo created a system with such an obvious flaw to the extent that it could be accused of being unworkable by design, when it was developed specifically to fix a 2010 teacher evaluation law which he derided as being ‘unworkable by design’.

The problem with the 2010 law was that it let the union veto any plan that negatively affected them. The problem with the new system is that it allows the unions to simply stonewall any plan that negatively impacts them..."
 
 
I suppose that is a problem.  Then again, having bureaucrats reform education is as logical as inviting Jack Markell to re-plumb your home...or expecting him to include the NAACP on the Charter School Taskforce...
 
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Pencader Charter Posts August 30, 2012 Board Meeting Notice/Agenda

http://pencadercharter.net/busfin/sites/default/files/page/204/documents/Agenda%20BOD%20Meeting%20August%2030%202012.pdf

Pencader posts August 30 Board Meeting Notice Agenda.  Thank You!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING AGENDA

Thursday, August 30, 2012

5:30 P.M.

School Main Building, 2
ND Floor Conference Room

1. Call to order

2. Review, correct as necessary, and approve minutes of July 26, 2012 Board Meeting

3. Board Ratification of July 2, 2012 and July 26, 2012 Election of Directors

4. School Leader’s Report: Mrs. Lewis

5. Curriculum Development Report: Mrs. Fraser

6. Financial Report - July Monthly Budget Report: Mrs. Scanlan

7. Financial Audit Status Report: Mr. DiMauro

8. Proposed SY2013 Budget: Mrs. Scanlan

9. Parents Teachers Organization Report on Activities: Mrs. Kennedy

10. Executive Session

     a. Strategy session with respect to pending and potential litigation

11. Reconvene Open Meeting

12. Floor Open for Public Comments

     a. Time limit 5 minutes per person

     b. Allotted time may not be reassigned to a prior or subsequent speaker

13. Meeting Adjournment
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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Hello and welcome!


Hello, I'm Kate! 

Thanks for visiting Laughing Kids Learn. It's wonderful to have you here. 

The picture above is of myself with my loving husband and beautiful daughter 'Possum', who is currently 19 months old. These two are my absolute world and greatest fans of my blog! 

My background is as a primary school teacher and I've taught in Australia for over 10 years. I've always loved the challenges of teaching children and sharing in their excitement as they make the smallest of personal achievements. 

I'm currently on family leave from my teaching job, however, I decided to start this blog as a way of sharing my educational ideas and channelling some creative energy while not in the classroom. I hope that you enjoy reading and following this blog. My wish is that you feel inspired to try some of the activities and enjoy spending time with your own children in the process. 


I'm sure once you start clicking around you'll quickly notice the simple, parent-friendly activities that I've designed for you to do at home with your own children (0-10 years), each ridiculously fun and subtly educational

My teaching philosophy has always been 'Laughing Kids Learn'. When engaged in fun and interactive tasks, I believe children will achieve a deeper level of thinking and gain more from each learning experience. Here are a few of my personal favourites that demonstrate this and can be found on my blog - 

Baby using a handmade sensory boardLego activity for toddlers
                            Edible Finger Paint                DIY sensory board                LEGO activity for tots


You can also follow us here-
Icon Icon Icon Icon  Follow Me on Pinterest



Thanks again for visiting. 

Lots of love, 
Kate 
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Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Life & Death

On the day we discovered our current pregnancy we also discovered a young man we know (kind of close to the family - that some family members have spent excessive hours of their life with) has died.

It left an otherwise great exciting day quite crummy.

And the family in a state of shock and despair. Sadness. Grief.

Conversation and feelings remain situated around the circumstances and the family now caring for each others mental health and emotional state.

A reminder of how swiftly death can occur, and how life begins. and ends.

As news reports are released and details shared more and more you realise just how much each individual is really valued. And it amazes me how greatly just the life and story of this one man has impacted our community.

This death has stirred up emotion in people that had nothing to little to do with and has knocked others straight out of the river of life.

I saw photographs of him just yesterday, when he was so ALIVE and the realization of his now lifeless body drives home the reminder that he is no more on this earth.

He has a mother and two brothers and three nephews/neices. He had friends and work colleagues. He had people who knew him, ex-girlfriends.. And us. And they have family members who are also walking through this.

He had a father, but fortunately, or unfortunately he was with him as he died, and he died too.

As you wonder, did he call out to Jesus in those last living moments? Did he hear the sound of breaking glass and crushing metal, trees succumbing to the fast pace crush of a rolling vehicle before coming to a standstill wrapped around a tree upside down? Was it deafening? Did he see his life flash before his eyes? Did he know what was happening in those split few seconds and realise quickly enough his due fate? Was he fearful? Or peaceful?

What we see is the loss of life of a man whom several of us saw much potential. Yeh, he did stupid things. But he still had a whole future planned out for him, potential at every turn.

The memories of my heart being empathetic for the journey he was living and the desire to wrap him in my arms and offer comfort and the words that it'll be okay!! The prayers I prayed for him often.. ... ... And now I know why.

Gone. Suddenly. Completely. Taken at 180km along a busy highway.

With the rest of the world left to pick up the pieces, say goodbye, and make an attempt at getting on without him in their lives. A new kind of normal, wrought with the memory of a tragedy, a life lost.


May the Peace that surpasses all understanding be with you and yours in this life time xxx




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"What makes you think your so special?"

Were the words I heard spoken today from a mother to her child at the supermarket.

I assume he asked his mother for something.. An ice cream perhaps?

We often send these kinds of messages to our family members, friends, acquaintances and strangers but usually in more subtle ways.

Like in customer service, not being friendly, or going above our call of duty. Or in other ways like treating one another less than human. Or by judging one another. Or speaking about them nastily behind their back. However we do it, it's usually rather subtle.

But today at the shops, I heard the blatant words against a small child, around the age 5, that he's no one special, and he will grow up believing that.. About himself.. And about others..

I think we need to be a bit more careful about how we treat others and speak to them.. Especially our young influential children..

If you one/some.. Tell them they are special and valued..
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Monday, August 20, 2012

Christina's New Website Goes Live!

Thank You to all who had a hand in developing The Christina School District's New Website! 


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Bittersweet

As I lay here and ponder the days events I can see how my sweet news is bitter news to others.

Not because they don't think I should have another baby, moreso they wish they could have one/another one.

I am so conscious of how many people around me want a baby or another baby. There's people who have experienced the heartache of miscarriage, still birth, and others who can't fall pregnant, some who've aborted and regret their decision, others who were ttc for a long long time, others who for some reason or another just can't or won't.
Yet their heart grieves.

Their heart grieves for what they don't have, and here I am rubbing it into their faces of what I've just been given and they don't. Not limited to one person, but many in my immediate vicinity.

But there's a deeper side to this story. This wasn't just a 'oh look I'm pregnant again' this was a journey of trusting and believing that if it is in Gods will for US to have another child then it will happen in His timing.

There's been tears and disappointments and negative tests and confusions. There's been fears and worries.

And that urgency to pray and believe in a miracle - the Holy Spirit Inspired me to pray, ask and be willing to receive. A few times. Then to 'wait'.

There was the realization that my husbands anti-depressants were making him infertile. Fertility returns in around 60 days when coming off the medication, usually - but could we be sure? Was this a permanent side effect to a years worth of medication?

There's been the up and down menstruation cycle that doesn't stick to a proper course, and having to pray that my body does what it was designed to do to bring on a period month after month after month.

Then there's been the head count.. 1, 2, 3, 4, ... Hold on.. I'm only up to 4... Sensing that missing child that's only around when I have an extra with me. Why did I start doing that? And Michael felt that too.

As each month passed I wondered if that was it for our family? Is 4 my number?

Then theres the other side to this:

I learned to be content with that. I learned to settle my heart in the comfort of 4 children already. I learnt to not covet what others have that I don't. I learned that if 4 was 'it' for us then I'd be satisfied with that. And a marvelous thing happened within me. I WAS content with that, I AM content with 4.

I've received FREEDOM from the depths of my womb that how ever many He is willing to allow me to bear, I shall bear. That's healing and being led into freedom.

And I praise God for giving to me my 'minimum' that I wanted. My minimum of 4. Praising God for my blessings.

Even praising Him for my boy/girl sets. That I have an even amount of boys and girls. Not that it matters, and it doesn't!

I praise my God for so many things.

While you look at my life and see yet another pregnancy and another child, you don't see the journey to get this far. And you don't see the heartache that happens in other areas of my and our lives. And that's a huge part of MY life. A part that many others don't have struggles with.

So I'm excited, and rightfully so, but my heart still feels sad for the others who want to share the news I've just shared. I am moved deeply for them and want to celebrate a bit more quieter, and so I shall. And so I have.
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"It's Like Butta"

Are you familiar with the phrase "butter birth"?  I read this occasionally on posts about "easy" or fast births.  I always wonder what the birthing woman thinks of her birth being described like butter.



When I think "butter birth" it makes me think the baby just slid out effortlessly.  I guess that's a compliment if the mom made it look that easy, but I bet, if you ask her, she did not feel like the baby slid out effortlessly!

Is birth ever easy?  Maybe.  I believe that what makes birth "easy" is preparation.  When moms (and dads) are well-prepared, she is able to relax and let her body do its work.  I honestly feel like the journey during pregnancy between husband and wife towards the goal of an unmedicated birth helps to have an easier labor - even when it's really hard.  Let me be clear here:  I don't believe that labor is easy.  I think women work to get their babies here.  A lot of the perception of an easy birth comes from the people in the room (who are not in her head!) and how the birth is recalled months down the road.

As the founder of Birth Boot Camp, I've had some interesting conversations lately about childbirth education.  I've seen some moms hire a doula and a midwife and call it good, thinking they don't need childbirth education.

NEWS FLASH:  Your doula and midwife will NOT be giving birth for you!

Choosing your care provider carefully can be the difference between a vaginal birth and a cesarean, but labor and birth are often much harder than anyone anticipates.  Rarely is it like butta!

I've written about fast labors before.  Many women who have a fast "butter birth" wish they had had more time to enjoy their labor.

Ultimately, I guess I just hold the opinion that "butter birth" is not a nice phrase.  It minimizes the work that the mom did to get her baby here.  I know the people who use the phrase don't mean it that way, but I've listened to -- and read enough Facebook posts from upset women -- to know that women don't really care to have their birth described in this manner.

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5 Things You Shouldn't Say to Your Kid During Meals




I have been meaning to write this post for a while now, in fact it was one of my first ideas.  It has been on my mind because the language and environment we create around eating can significantly impact how our kids eat, for the good or for the bad.  I hear parent's say these statements so often and I know that they probably don't realize that they may be making mealtimes worse.  Here are five of these common phrases and why you shouldn't say them.


1. "Oh, 'Suzy' doesn't like that."  I am starting off with one that probably makes me the most crazy.  I am always so surprised by how often I actually hear this and it is usually at a party when there is a ton of food around.  

   Why You Shouldn't Say It: Years ago I was watching Rachael Ray, long before I had kids, and she told this story that has stuck with me...  Before she was on TV, she was in the gourmet food industry, and would be giving samples out of a recipe she had made in grocery stores.  Kids would often watch interested in what she was doing or handing out, yet, when she offered a sample to them, most parents stepped in saying, "They won't eat that."  This story perfectly illustrates my point.  Always, give your child the opportunity to try something new or try something again.  They may surprise you, but more importantly you will be creating an open, inviting, positive environment around a large variety of foods!

Also, try to keep in mind that kids need to try a food at least 10-12 times before you really know if they don't like something, most of the time they haven't even come close to that number (See my Basic Strategies for more info on this). Even if they have tried chicken 30 times, it still doesn't hurt to give it another try.  So what if they don't eat it, no harm no foul.  If you don't want to waste food, just give them a small piece and encourage them to interact with it (touch, smell, taste).  By putting something new or non-preferred on their plate, you are sending a message that you are at least hopeful that they will try a bite, instead of instating or reconfirming a dislike towards a food that you probably wish they would eat.  


2. "Clean your plate!" 'Finish all your food' and 'make a happy' plate both apply here, too!

    Why You Shouldn't Say it: We want to teach kids to eat until they are full not till their plates are clean.  The portions we give them are usually too big and even if they aren't, we want to teach them to respect that feeling of satiation (something so many of us ignore). Of course, if your kiddo has had two bites or you feel they legitimately haven't eaten enough, it's ok to encourage them to eat more, but the goal shouldn't be for them to eat it ALL.


3. "'Sam' is such a picky eater." I have touched on this in other posts and yes, I know I have a regular segment titled "Picky Eater Tips". It wasn't my first choice to use that term, but it is a simple term that people immediately understand, so I caved.  However, I try not to ever say it about my own children and especially not in their presence.  

    Why You Shouldn't Say It: We all know kids are little sponges and miss little of what we say, even when it isn't directed to them.  "Picky eater" has a negative connotation and I always want to keep everything associated with food and eating as positive as possible.  Also, I want to give them the opportunity to move out of picky eating, it isn't set in stone that they will always be "picky eaters".  But, when we use this phrase it may turn into a self fulfilling prophesy, as your child knows the bar hasn't been set very high.  Try and be positive and if you find yourself needing to describe your kid's eating, maybe say something like, "Sam can be particular about what he eats, but we are working on it."

4. "Daddy doesn't like 'peas'." I am not trying to stereotype here, just an example Dad's, this goes for anyone that is regularly eating with your kids.

    Why You Shouldn't Say It:  It isn't fair to kids to expect them to eat the peas when you aren't.  You can't go around making exceptions for yourself because you really really hate peas.  Whoever is regularly eating with your child  should be on the same page about this and at a minimum not make a statement like, "Oh, Daddy doesn't like peas," when they are  wondering why Daddy doesn't have any on his plate.  By drawing attention to an adult's dislike of food you risk opening the door to all kinds of similar statements coming from your child's mouth about their own food preferences.  Besides I am sure you and the other adult's in your kid's life want to set a good example for them to model.  If you or another adult really can't bring yourself to have a bite, then be discreet about it, trying not to call any attention to the fact that you aren't eating them.

5. "What do you want to eat?" Or any litany of specific foods, like, "Do you want bread or cheese or crackers or yogurt, etc."  

    Why You Shouldn't Say It:  Parents tend to use this phrase in two instances.  First, parents will often go to this when a child is refusing to eat what was originally presented.  For instance, you give your kid spaghetti and meatballs and all they do is push it around their plate.  You are frustrated and want them to eat something, so you may say, "What do you want to eat?"  Not a great idea because you are turning yourself into a short order cook and reinforcing the idea that they don't have to eat what you have prepared, but can have whatever they want.  My Basic Strategies page for a lot more info on this.

Second, parents may ask this when they don't know what to feed their kid or want to make sure they are going to eat what they make.  I don't like this because it is giving the child way too much control.  They are likely to keep themselves very limited, only choosing their favorite foods, and reducing exposure to a larger variety of foods.  It also gives them the idea that they are running the ship, which leaves little room for you to encourage a larger variety and/or quantity of food.  Instead of asking what they want, give them a choice between 2-3 foods.  As children get older, I would let them help get into meal planning and reinforce planning a healthy balanced meal.  

This is a do-able list, right?  Erasing some of this language from your conversation is an easy fix that will make your kid a better eater in the long run.  You will be creating a positive environment that your child feels comfortable, and not pressured, to try new foods in!

Are any of these going to be hard habit for you to break? Have any other phrases you think should be on the list?
    

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Saturday, August 18, 2012

Comment Rescue - Thoughtful Repose



Jodi has left a new comment on your post "DOJ Ambassador Speakers Available to Address a Wi...":

LOL - I didn't even see FOIA listed there... I got all excited about some of the other topics. I wanted to sponsor some community events at the school last year to include Internet safety and Predator awareness but I never could find any resources to do it. I am so calling on this next week!! :)

Now your question - no, there was no oath. There's nothing in the law, and I agree there should be. An oath isn't going to stop someone who is really interested in doing wrong, but it's a step that should give you pause to think about what you are undertaking and it gives the community a very specific set of standards to hold you to.

I guess Reach was luckier than I realized in the composition of our new board. We have folks who have a significant amount of board experience and really understand the fiduciary responsibility it entails. They also understood how a board is supposed to conduct business - Roberts rules, sunshine laws, committees, etc. I wasn't as familiar with some things like the fine points of Roberts Rules but spent time researching on my own, and have learned a lot from my fellow board members. That being said, a refresher course is never a bad idea.

Which leads me to another random thought... going through this probation experience over the last year, our mantra has been 'We want to learn, please teach us'. Hours and hours have been spent learning the detailed mechanics of the financial/funding process, for example - we've sought out people with experience and LISTENED to what they have to say. Our school is better for it. There is no room for personal arrogance here - you can't walk into a situation like this thinking that you know better than everyone else. We've put much effort into the process for things like contract bids and HR policies. Evaluation of a single person's salary has meant researching data at the state and district levels, the mid-Atlantic region and other comparable areas of the US, etc. - the bidding and evaluation process for our new modular classrooms went beyond what was required but it was the right thing to do. And EVERYTHING is documented and replicable.

It makes me very upset to see what some folks are doing right now because it makes all of us look bad. There truly ARE schools out there with boards who take their responsibilities very seriously, and who are doing very good work. In the end it's about making a high quality education available to all students and to do so in a manner that respects the citizens who provide the funding. Anyone who isn't up to the task of doing that, needs to get out.
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Friday, August 17, 2012

Is Profit an Incentive to Fail Students?

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The $1,075 Word Problem

Combined total spent by two families on summer school at a local charter for credit recovery:

$1,075



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17 months

This baby has somehow grown into more of a toddler. How and when did that happen.
She's been walking for 9 months.
Stopped breast feeding at 15 months.
Drinks from a cup. No bottles.
Has 7 teeth and plenty to come.
Still prefers to feed herself.
Signs 'food' ALL DAY LONG!
Likes 'shoes' so much she wears them to bed.
Will sit still in the high chair and car seat ONLY. Every other place she wriggle wriggle wriggles.
Has the biggest smile most of the time.
Has one fiery temper.
Bites and pinches. Out of frustration.
Has her fathers fluffy hair,
and big wide feet.
Will still happily be in the sling for long periods of time.

Is unique to the others in that it's like she KNOWS she's loved and adored without a shadow of doubt. Expecting the adoration to be poured upon her at request.

Favourite position is the 'carried position'.

17 months seems to be a bittersweet moment for me this time around.
My past dictates to me that 'soon' we'll have another little baby to love and to hold. (7 months, 1 month, 2 months to wait when our 'baby' was 17 months.
I'd have battled through morning sickness, waddling, achy back, swollen body, drs visits and baby check ups. Cuddling the baby on the hipless sides or the bulge at the front. Not even mentioning the excessive hormonal balances... Imbalances.

This time around the bulge is excess baby chub left from the last, hormones are neatly in check, and there is no preparations coming forth for a baby. No excitement leading up to birth and delivery and meeting our next little us.
The last two times I had a neat and tidy bedroom with a cot set up next to my bed in preparation of our upcoming arrival.
Every bump and kick would be my constant reminder of what and who we will soon get to meet. I would gaze at the 0000/000 baby clothing and bunny rugs while rubbing my tummy and holding that 17 month old.
We'd talk about it day and night in preparation for the 17 month old of what's going to happen and I'll ponder how I would cope and manage with that extra babe.

There's none of that this time.

But life is sweet and easy to manage. Four kids is easy and getting easier as they get older and more capable and less reliant on me serving there every need and want.

And yet...

And yet...

This arvo after a sweet afternoon tea with two sister-in-laws.. We ducked into iga for toilet paper.. As you do.. And I snuck a test in.

Came home..

And...
...
...
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DOJ Ambassador Speakers Available to Address a Wide Variety of Topics

Department of Justice Ambassador Program

The Delaware Department of Justice regularly receives speaking requests from community organizations, civic associations, and other public and private groups. Attorney General Biden created the Ambassadors Program to provide educational seminars on-demand that provide information about Department programs and initiatives. If your organization would like to learn more about the Ambassadors Program or seek to schedule an Ambassador Speaker please e-mail your name, contact information, and requested topic to DOJ.Ambassador@state.de.us or call (302) 577-8288.

DOJ Ambassador Speakers can address a wide variety of topics, including:

Community Prosecution, Sex Offender Registry/Megan's Law, Careers in the Law, Child Abuse Laws/Prevention, Child Support and Enforcement, Debt Management/Foreclosure, Domestic Violence Drug Crimes/Drug Prevention, Identity Theft, Internet Safety/Child Predator Task Force, Investment Schemes/Securities Fraud,Juvenile Delinquency/Truancy, Lemon Laws, Medicaid Fraud, Motor Vehicle Laws, Nuisance Abatement, Open Government/Freedom of Information Act, Senior Abuse, Sexual Assault Victim, & Witness services/Victims Bill of Rights
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Thursday, August 16, 2012

Pencader Updates Website - What happened to the rest of the board?


Pencader posted some updates to the school website today.  For those who have wondered who their board members are and how to contact them, the 2011-12 board members whose terms have expired were taken off the board page.  The lingering question is:  What about all the new board members?  Why were they not added? 



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Early State Board Meeting Intel - No action on Pencader

  • Early Intel indicates that the SBOE did not act on Pencader concerns
  • NJ interviewing Pencader parents onsite, look for story, commentary to come
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Pencader Moves School Board Meeting to August 30th

Public must wait an additional week for the board to conduct business.


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Steve Newton's Thoughtful Piece on Turnover at DDOE

Find it here - http://delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/

Steve Newton hits a homerun with his enlightening thoughts about the recent turnover at the Delaware Department of Education under the new leadership of Sec. of Education Mark Murphy -

There is, naturally, a lot of editorializing and opining as to what it means that since Lillian Lowery left DOE for greener (but, honestly, equally toxic) fields in Maryland, her "team" has been scrambling for the exits as quickly as possible--last but not least Deputy Dan Cruce. . . . 
Steve makes a point of reminding us that the changing of the guard always brings with it exodus and new appointments.  More importantly, he charges observers with remembering that Mark Murphy was not appointed to charge direction, but to further a plan in place and he comes to us with substantial exposure to the plan and with influential backers'.

 In other words, when a new SecEd came to town there also used to be a period of public discourse and even relatively thoughtful debate on "Where should we go from here?"

Not this time. Mark Murphy's selection was an advance decree of exactly what the agenda will be in the second Markell term: more Race to the Top, more Vision 2015, more centralized educational policy-making, continued emphasis on high-stakes testing, and continued erosion of local control of our public schools.

It's a great discourse in the lessons of Delaware Sec. of Education History.  Go check it out for yourselves...   http://delawarelibertarian.blogspot.com/2012/08/when-guard-changes-at-delaware.html
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Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Can Charter Schools Charge Tuition/Fees for Summer School for At-Risk Students?

6) How are charter schools funded? May a charter school charge additional costs for specific services?
Charter schools receive both state and local educational funds based upon student enrollment. Charter schools do not receive additional funding for facilities.
Charter schools must provide without cost extra instructional time for at-risk students, summer school and other services required to be provided pursuant to the state accountability laws.
Charter schools may not charge tuition, however, there may be select additional services such as before and after school care for which there could be a charge.
This information is courtesy the Department of Education Charter School FAQ - http://www.doe.k12.de.us/infosuites/schools/charterschools/Reports/charter_DECharterSchoolFAQ-Apr06.pdf  This document is required to be distributed to Parents/Guardians when they enroll their student in a Delaware Charter School.

If you were required to pay for summer school for your at-risk student or child who required ESY or Extended School year as part of their IEP or 504, I strongly urge you to contact the Delaware Charter School Office for clarification on the matter, (302)735-4020. 

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About food

I think food is such an important part of our life. I want to teach my child how to be a food lover, savor and devour her meals, know about the sources of food, have a love for gardening and more. I asked my child what her thoughts were on food while I was writing this post she said:"Healthy food is colorful".
I grew up eating healthy and wholesome food. My grandparents grew almost everything. I never knew there was an opposite to the way I ate. Now it's all about multiple choice selection-healthy, unhealthy, fast, junk...


15 Tips About Food And Eating

1. Never force kids to eat their food or try new foods. Keep adding new things and you will sees one day they will try.
2. Be a good role model. Let kids hear you speak about food, meal preparations, sharing recipes, express your opinion about meals. They always want to copy us, remember that. When you eat something at someone's house, make a comment or let your kid hear you praise the cook, or say "Wow, what great way of using zucchini in this recipe!. May I have the recipe?" Also, bring your child's attention to it. "Sweetie, what do you taste in this pasta dish? Be passionate about healthy food.
3. Offer healthy choices at all times
4. Never punish for not eating. By punishing I also mean threats. Threats like "If you don't eat your veggies, no dessert for you". We want them to eat their meals regardless of rewards.
5. Don't criticize your child on how she is sitting, eating, chewing etc. Teach them good manners and be patient for them to kick in.
6. Let them be active participants in the kitchen with you. They can wash the fruits and veggies, sort things, stir, pour, measure. Meanwhile you can teach them some useful math skills such as sorting, grouping and categorizing, counting and measuring. Plus, they will learn to be helpful and more importantly how the food is made. Ask them to smell each ingredient and talk about their senses. Play a quick guessing game, let them smell various veggies and fruits and guess their names and colors. You can also make food rainbows. I would suggest doing it with fruits one day and try that same idea for veggies as well. I used to play this game I created with my 3 year old last year all the time. I would ask her to name 3 green vegetables, or 4 red fruits etc. It also teaches younger kids what is a fruit and what is a vegetable. You can create games about shapes as well, compare and contrast various fruits and veggies so on. Possibilities are endless.
7. Take them to grocery shopping. Dictate your kid to write the grocery list (good spelling opportunity).
8.Give them small portions and let them ask for more. Portion size is so important. Never make them "to clean"their plates. Let them be in tune with their bodies. They know when they are full.
9. Grow a garden. It is such an amazing experience to see things grow, to take care of them and pick the fruits of your labor one day. My daughter picked this up one day from our container garden for a salad.





10. Never mask or hide ingredients unless you want your children never recognize them. I know there are "picky eaters" nevertheless it should be avoided. Children should be able to see, taste, and know how everything is, the texture, the size, the smells...I also don't like the sneakiness of it. I know mothers do that with all good intentions but let's face it that enables their picky eating habits.
11. Mindless eating in front of the TV should be discouraged. Their attention should be only on their plate when eating.
12.When you go out to eat, please don't ask them what they want from the enormous menu. They are kids. Know what they like, give them 2 to 3 choices and order. I have witnessed so many times parents ask their kids what they want to eat and then it escalates to a yelling degree, threats...Kids get confused, younger ones don't know how read, most likely they are hungry and cranky so make it easy for everyone.
13. One fun way of engaging kids in the kitchen is making smoothies and popsicles. They love that.
14. Display fresh fruits and vegetables in your kitchen. If you want your child to munch on a fresh bell pepper for a snack let her see the pepper. Buy a variety of colors and have a tasting. Share your thoughts. Offer her favorite dip in a fresh pepper cup with some chips and afterwards eat the "container". Food can be fun.
15. Don't make a big deal. Sometimes kids eat very little, sometimes they eat more and request seconds.  Avoid making a big deal out of it. If you want them to eat their veggies don't emphasize multiple times, do it effortlessly, as a second nature otherwise they will grow to resist veggies even more. Have you noticed when everybody in the family gets ready to eat dinner and your child refuses to come to the table or to eat? Well, that's their way of controlling you. It should indicate that your child is having power struggle issues and the only way he can gain control is by refusing eating. Also, it could be that he or she had too many snacks and is simply not hungry for a main meal. Therefore, excessive snacking should be cut to minimum as well. Kids have tiny stomachs, they can only eat so much.

Make mealtimes fun and offer healthy choices at all times. I hope the tips listed in this article were helpful and I will be back with an interview with one of my Mom-friends whose child has food allergies. Stay tuned. Until next time. 
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