Let me Tell you about SPECIAL Schools

       I worked in Mental health for quite a number of years and learned all too soon, if the new client wasn't on disability, they would be soon. See, they just didn't have the right doctor and were encouraged to talk to other clients because staff was not allowed to suggest a doctor.
     So sure, friendships began, new doctors now helped people get Social Security Disability because now they had a stream of patients they could count on visiting at least once a month. Oh yes, new diagnosis were made. After all you couldn't get on disability if you didn't have the right doctor and the "correct" diagnosis.
    Some have prison backgrounds and have a hard time getting employment. So what's the next move? No, don't keep trying. Get a diagnosis, Get on disability. Keep the system employed.

    Now we have similar issues with schools who are mainly warehousing kids with mental heath issues. How many of these kids get out of these schools better off? No one wants to admit they can't help that child, but instead keep them in one place, bill the system for big bucks, keep the kids happy with earphones, tablets and computers. TEACHING ? HA!
    The cycle is repeated when the child is passed onto another school, another program. So where is the success? Because these children don't do well in traditional schools, they are booted away from the average students or tax paying parents who have well behaved kids will complain, so to keep the peace, kick the other kids to the curb. Here in York, Pa. in my opinion we have such a system. WHY doesn't anyone see and start a vocational program for every student and give more hours to those who have mental health problems? Oh I know, funding! But they have enough to pay those same big bucks for special schools. Then, they can aslo keep those kids in their own district.

     Yes, I am well aware who should and shouldn't have the use of certain tools. But they also have to prove themselves and will learn reading and math along the way. After all, what are they going to leave school with now? Maybe a fourth grade education? Then they are eligible to clean toilets. Hell, someone has to do it. What happens when they do graduate without skills. No, don't be silly, they'll be taken care of. York County Prison is waiting, three meals a day, doctor and dental care, television, exercise, more than they got in school, a/c heat, lawyers and....they don't even have to work for it.

Prison Healthcare Better Than....

            How and why is it if you're a criminal you receive better health care that law abiding citizens? Just saw an episode of a male who was over 400 pounds, received a special diet, insulin twice a day and had a guard who became his personal trainer. Next the dentist. In our country you can earn just enough to not have dental insurance, but commit a crime and let prison fix your teeth.

     Prisons also have the highest rate of suicides and attempted suicides. They are monitored more often now. Why? Because families will sue. This is the population of people who are brave enough to beat up, kill, rape, torture, molest, rob and commit any type of a crime decent hard working people wouldn't dare do. Decent people who work and strive every day to get by are the brave people, everyone else a coward. Oh, want to know why this latest piece of trash tried suicide? He stated he was lonely, and everyone spoke English, not Spanish, and others had visitors, but no one came to see him. Doesn't that make your heart bleed? Too bad he didn't think of that, prior to prison. Oh but isn't it amazing, this creep can write in English.

       Our Systems are so screwed up and backwards. A health plan didn't have to be created for them. Congress didn't have to pass a law for them. Child molesters are protected ? Why ? Who protected the children? Prisoners who abuse, and torture children are kept apart from the regular population. I just don't get it, yet I know, they too are someones child, adult though they may be. Now they are protected.
     
     
    

Movie-The JUDGE

         Today I took myself to an early movie, less distractions and much cheaper. I live in Pennsylvania and went to a Frank Theater, clean, fresh and relaxing I was ready to watch a favorite actor once again, Robert Duvall.
      Starring with Duvall was Robert Downey and Vincent D'Onofrio.
      I wasn't sure what to expect but knew once this movie started I did not want to get up to use the bathroom or buy candy. Robert Downey has a mature look and as much as I have mixed feeling about him, he did a great job playing the part of a son who is still hurting, even after having made great accomplishments in his life.
     This is a movie in which so many of us can attest to, understanding each persons' role. From a disabled son to a son who takes on all the responsibilities to a son who is only looking in from the outside, yet achieved in life what many feel is a great achievement .
      Powerful scenes make you forget you're watching a movie, but let you think this could be your life, or has been your life.  At one point I was dying for some good n' plenty candy, which this theater did not sell, but quickly forgot about candy as my eyes were glued to Vincent D'Onofrio as he spat out feelings of anger and more to Robert Downey. D'Onofrio is from Law and Order and I have seen him in other films, never failing to give great performances.
       All were supported of course by the script and Robert Duvall did no less than he always does, star. His character left me with an emotion I never expected. As Duvall took the stand, it came as  a surprise that he said what we all think, what we all think for even seconds, and added something so powerful and softly spoken which made me realize I had goose bumps all over.
      This cast, the writer, the scenery all came together as if a real and true story. I want to see it again. A last note here; As I left the movie, and passed an usher he asked which movie I saw. I said, The Judge. He must have seen it, because he then asked, "did you cry ?"

Corrupted Education System

       I'm not saying it is or isn't but what is so very wrong in the system of educating children from all backgrounds and all levels, such as poor behavior, extremely smart, not so smart, average, and special Education ?
       This is my opinion. We all know and it doesn't take a genius to know this; we are not all geniuses, so why is the education system not changing ? I have seen in many black schools and kudos to them, they have made changes, positive changes so their children will become leaders. Many now wear uniforms but there is more to their systems that other schools in all neighborhoods, cities and counties, urban and suburban are just not grasping. Why?
     Is it ego's or money? I think both. You have a right to check out salaries in the school district where your child attends and or lives. Look at how much a school district superintendent is getting and yet the school is still failing by not implementing an education system that is correct and equal for everyone.
                                                        Here are their solutions:
 Special behavioral schools, special ed classes, special vans-Everything is special except what they are doing, well not doing. Why ?
    It all comes down to money. These Special programs and schools receive extra money and tax credits per student so it's to their benefit they keep a child where they want them. It's to their benefit they place a child in another school  so they don't have to really bother with them, yet to be fair, how much attention can you pay to a kid who is ripping a school into shreds with books, electronics etc.? Then kids who are trying to learn can't. So now instead of keeping that child in our own districts, that child is sent elsewhere. YEA!!! He or she is now out of everyone's hair. WHY?

     Because these educators, the system, the board of supervisors, the school board, the freakin' checkerboard-who cares-are not doing anything different ! One thing I have heard over and over again is teachers in charge try to distract the child by doing other things. Yeah, that works for a short time but these kids are not dummies. Distraction is not creating, not teaching, not really ethical when we owe it to that child to give an education to. Yes, I know you're thinking how can you give a child an education  that doesn't want to be there? I do get that, and this is where leadership is failing. Teachers can only do so much with the tools they are given which isn't much because the schools are taking the extra per diem(money) per student and raising the salaries of the higher ups.
                                                       MY SOLUTION
  
      In my opinion,  a vocational program needs to be built into the academic programs, early, not ninth grade. Take the money away that they are paying other schools and hire  sewing instructors, buy sewing machines, a woodshop teacher, and more. I am not taking about an hour a day or forty five minutes. To instill  value, a sense of pride and accomplishment, a child with learning disabilities, behavior issues has to know, they are not only good at something else, but that whatever vocational classes they take can lead to a career.
    Maybe instead of getting your brains banged about on a football field, allow  the brain to have calming effects by using hands to create, learn measurements and yes I know it will never happen that football is taken away because that brings in money. But what about those other kids  ? What about their futures? How many will graduate with a fifth grade education and yet have a high school diploma from Special Education.
       We continue to send those special kids away. We send a message on top of what they already know about themselves that they can't be with other people because they are different. No, they are not. Their needs are different and yes, some kids are very violent but why can't they be monitored more closely but also given opportunities that other kids in school have, such as music? They can and will change.
   These kids have to earn  some music time, not taught. WHY ? Doesn't anyone see that given music, art, woodworking, cooking, sewing that those things build an inner strength. These kids continue to get held back emotionally. Wake up big shots, wake up....Remember, Correct and EQUAL for EVERYONE !

Ron Myrnes, That Says It All....

Yesterday Ron arrived, trailer in tow with my new upper cabinets. I couldn't help but try to sneak peeks as they were going up. As my walls transformed from that ugly old brown laminate cabinets, more than twenty years old into this new, bright open-spaced look, fresh and clean, I knew I was going to be more than happy. I was going to spend more time in my soon to be new kitchen.

        Late this summer Ron replaced my kitchen floor. I do things backwards. He also put up white beadboard and chair rail. The floor is a nice warm vinyl . I was away and he sent photos. Looking at the photos with my son who noticed the1/4 inch molding to the floor edges, my son stated how good it looks and said someone told him he should add the molding too, to his floor. Ron also explained how, due to weather the floor will expand a little and retract. Every step of the way, if I asked and sometimes didn't , Ron explained. That isn't to say he had to explain or I needed an explaination, but it was more like consideration.
       Ron Myrnes wealth of knowledge is beyond amazing. If we would see to it that our children are taught more than academics, computers, television, iphones and game systems, we would not only have a happier generation of children, we would have  a genertaion of kids who have learned real challenges. Learning hands on skills with a use of numbers, accomplishes things they can see and feel and over all we will have a generation of children who are MENTALLY HEATHIER !
       What has happened to generations of moms and dads who taught their kids the skills they were taught growing up? What?
     I asked Ron one time how he knew what he knew. While his career was different than his hands on skills, he told me he learned most of his skills from his father. Yes I know many moms and dads don't have the skills to teach their kids a hands on trade and it doesn't have to be for a vocational trade, but it can be a side skill, something as we know "to fall back on" and more than that, busy hands, happy hearts. Happy hands keep kids out of jail.
    Parents grab a grandfather. Go to a senior center and ask for help. Many of those seniors would love to come to your home to help and as I write this, I will do the same. You will accomplish a few things: letting a gentleman or lady use skills they may not have used in a long time, feel useful again , create a bond between generations and have a child learn more than what he may or may not be struggling with in school. We all know when a child learns more, he or she is happier. They feel they have accomplished something.
     Ron, I am so thankful, if you see this for all of your skills, sharing things with my little guy but most of all, being an ethical person, hard to find when you need a job well done, and the jobs you have done are more than well done. Thank you, again.