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FatPappy
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| Joined: | Oct 25th, 2005 |
| Location: | Summerfield, USA |
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Posted: Oct 18th, 2006 12:08 am |
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| You're too kind, Blessin's, but I figger I owe y'all fer puttin' up with me. Lots o' good comments on here!
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How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
--Abraham Lincoln
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Steve Adkins
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Posted: Oct 18th, 2006 02:43 am |
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SMS is buried down south of the border somewhere, and just got caught up on this thread................holy mackerel, did this one hit a nerve with y'all.
Even though the topic drifted all over the place, it appears the overall theme stayed intact. Many good comments from all.
My question is.........did the principal retract the policy? I saw a comment where she stated she was wrong, but didn't see where she changed the policy.
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momto3boysand1girl
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Posted: Oct 18th, 2006 12:58 pm |
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Hi all! I'm new to the board as I wanted to post my views on the new policy myself. I have 4 children myself 2 who have already gone through Stokesdale Elementary, 1 thats in 4th grade now and 1 that will be there in a few years. I have volunteered many hours at the school over the past 11 years from the book fair to class mom to many other things. As I recall the parents are responsible for the supplys and treats that are sent in for these parties as a class mom is responsible for the planning of the party itself. In all the years I have been to these parties not once have I seen any religion based plates, cups or treats even though there are plenty of those out there that we could purchase. As parents we have enough common sense to know what to send to school and what not to send for all parties.
On the fact that religion should not be taught or practiced at school and this new policy. I wonder if the people involved in this decision know that by celebrating the seasons they are still practicing a religion? It's called paganism. That would be Summer Solstice, All Hallows Eve, Winter Solstice, and Spring Solstice. So either way you look at it you are still celebrating someones religion or beliefs.
Also, I saw where Vicky White-Lawrence asked for any suggestions on how we could INCLUDE all instead of exclude any. Every year for the past few years we have had a walk-through program that celebrates Black-History Month, why not do a walk-through program with different countries showing how they celebrate the holidays? This would be a wonderful teaching oppurtunity to educate our children on the many different cultural celebrations across the world. Parents could also send in treat bags with candy, pencils, etc. for the children and we could also send in different foods and cakes that these countries use in there celebration. This would accomplish a teaching experience and a party all in one day for all the children. Also, to those parents that would like to volunteer to do a party for the holidays set up different centers and at each center have a different celebratory theme so ALL children in that classroom are INCLUDED. For those parents that would prefer their child not to be involved in any celebrations, why not set up a party for them? They could have a movie, popcorn, free play, etc. I'm sure that with a little imagination and creativity (which is also learned as a child and at school!) we can find many ways to include ALL the chidren in our school in holiday celebrations.
I also have to agree with Cryss Marshall on what she said in the NWO. There are many learning disabled children that attend Stokesdale, two of which are my children. I have attended almost all Celebration of Success programs and have went home to console my heartbroken children because they didn't recieve any awards. They sometimes didn't even get a Perfect Attendance award because dear old mom over slept and had to take them to school 5 minutes late even though they were at school everyday. Not their fault, mine. Yet they were punished for it. If you are going to have celebrations for children who get wonderful grades than you need to also recognize those children who come to school and try their individual BEST even if it doesn't meet the government, state or even the teachers standards. Maybe if the school system tried to teach as much self-esteem and self-respect (instead of tearing it down, in some rare cases) as they do to teach subjects maybe our children would be that much better for it.
I believe that as parents it is our resonsibility to teach our children to be open-minded, compassionate, human beings. The more that they can learn about other cultures the more their future generation will flourish.
These are just my opinions on the matter. I sincerely hope it does not offend anyone.
Last edited on Oct 18th, 2006 01:24 pm by momto3boysand1girl
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Cracker Jax
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| Joined: | Oct 23rd, 2005 |
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Posted: Oct 18th, 2006 02:10 pm |
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WELCOME to the forum momto3and1!!!!!!!!
I'm glad you've joined us! I'm sure you didn't offend anyone by voicing your opinion. You made some good points.
For you Stokesdale parents.... Momof4 says that they don't, as a rule, celebrate good grades and achievements of kids w/ learning disabilities.
At Summerfield we have the "Pacesetters" program. All children have the opportunity to win awards and be recognized for personal achievements such as behavior, effort and of course good grades. Incentives are given out and ceremonies occur quarterly.
Do you guys have a program like this? I don't know much about it except that it's PTA sponsored and that by the end of the year, most kids have made pacesetters at least once.
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Opinions in this post are mine. Do not copy, distribute, mass mail or quote out of context without my consent.
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momto3boysand1girl
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Posted: Oct 18th, 2006 03:48 pm |
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Yes we do. Thats what Celebration of Success is. It is a program that rewards a certificate to those students with straight A's, A-B Honor Roll, and perfect attendance. The teachers are also able 2 give out 1 or 2 special awards called Teacher Certificates. More times then not those awards are given to children who excel in school. Not to the learning disabled students, even though I have seen a few L/A children that have recieved one. But there are several more L/A children that haven't recieved any. I do have a suggestion though. Why not allow the Resource Teachers to give out awards too? Are they not part of the teaching staff? Without these patient, kind, and understanding teachers those children with L/A would not progress as much as they do.
Thank you for the welcome!
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Vicki White-Lawrence
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Posted: Oct 18th, 2006 05:24 pm |
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| Wow, momto3boysand1girl! It is great to hear some specific suggestions about how to address some issues in our school! Thank you so much. I hope you don't mind, but I have already passed them on to our principal and to our PTA President-Elect. We are in the beginning stages of planning some kind of event that might look like what you describe.... You've also given us some ideas for another way to look at how we celebrate accomplishments of our children. Please feel free to call or e-mail me any time...
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dmauser
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Posted: Oct 27th, 2006 01:19 pm |
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Here is another idea. AT NWMS, we do "spotlight breakfast" monthly. Each teacher (including EC, and electives) pick one child that has done a good job.. they range from working hard, being a good role model, etc and now, here is the part that Stokesdale might do.. we incorporate a monthly character trait.. This month was respect. So each team got together and picked one student that explified that character trait... This would give every child a chance to be recognized. Maybe persistance for the child that has a good work ethic but isn't a/b material.
At Summerfield, turning in homework, being on task, working hard, following rules was important also.. not just grades.
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