Snow Days

Wow, who would have thought we would see 20 inches of snow in early December and miss three days before winter break?

With everything shut down, perhaps we can all take time to enjoy the peace, to remember that winter break should be a break, not a mad dash from store, to stove, to party, to airport.

One of the lovely things about our school is it's location on a hill. There are several sledding sites, and they are all in heavy use. Some industrious person saw the opportunity in the plowed parking lot and created tunnels through the piled up snow. I am sure Mr. Chia would have a cow if he saw this, I know I was wondering if I was going to need to pull Jack out by his boots if/when the tunnel collapsed.

One parent, you know who you are, built a jump that quickly had to be demolished because it is not the winter olymics yet and even the jumpers there don't land on asphalt.

The Deli and Red Dog did a booming business in hot cocoa and coffee as parents and kids needed to warm up before heading back out again. Palais de Lune stayed open throughout the storm and many families walked to the coop to do their shopping. Many kids earned a fortune shoveling and clearing cars.

The result? We saw friends and neighbors, students and alumni, business owners and residents slowing down and reconnecting.

Being a part of the community, coming out and seeing neighbors and friends, this is what winter break is all about and why, although I had to swap kids to finish my holiday shopping, I am glad for the unexpected days off. Thanks Dr. Weast!

Read it and weep

Granted this is a tough time for everyone's budgets, but I can't help feeling like RCF is strapped to the front bumper in Dr. Weast's game of chicken with County Executive Leggett. Rather than reiterate all the cuts proposed, should Dr. Weast not get his wish list, please go to: http://montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/budget/FY2011/pdf/BudgetPossibleReductions_Recommended.pdf

It is not pretty reading on the block are:

1. academic support teachers (the people who work with the neediest kids)
2. special program teachers, including immersion
3. increase class sizes by 1 per class (144% over capacity anyone?)
4. school counselors
5. mainenence and building service workers
6. busing for optional programs outside your normal home school area (immersion)
7. fewer texbooks and instructional materials
8. focus teachers at schools with above average poverty (not sure we have one, but sure we wouldn't want to lose one if we do)
9. Reading initiative teachers -- we have this and we need it!
10. staff development and reading teachers - this document correctly recognizes that the smaller schools (us) have already taken a cut this current year and then says, we should expect another cut.
11. regular education paraeducators

There are other cuts as well, but they are less critical to us directly and involve phasing out older buses at a slower rate, use of biofuels, etc. See also yesterday's B-1 article by Nelson Hernandez in the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/08/AR2009120804445.html

So, what next?

We need to organize. We need a chair to focus on advocacy around this budget and we need someone who will network with the other special schools to make sure our efforts are coordinated.

The goal is not to fight over scraps, but to ensure that we all get a fair shake.

Any takers?

Scholastic Book Fair Opens!

It is that time of year! The Book Fair opens Monday, December 7 through the 11th with evening hours on the night of Thursday, December 10.

Personally, I love the Book Fair, it is an opportunity to:

1. Support the library (through classroom wishlists)

2. Support your child's teacher (through classroom wishlists)

3. Provide books for kids who can't afford them (through One for Books)

4. Indulge my love of reading (through Visa)

There are some great new books this year that I know the kids will be clamoring for. Whether your kids tastes run to Pokemon and Bakugan or Skippy John Jones and Judy Moody, there is something for you.

Of course, I wouldn't be doing my PTA president duty if I didn't ask you to lend a hand. The book fair takes a huge amount of vounteer hours to pull off and we can always use your help. If you have an hour to spare, email Leslie Cradlin at lmcradlin@verizon.net, she will happily put you to work!