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.

Why Don't They...IEP's Special Ed

       Have you ever been to a Special Olympics Bowling game and No I am not specifically talking Special Olympics, but using that as a comparison. By the way if you have a child with Emotional problems they too can join and believe me, they feel not only at home, but after a while a leader.

      I'm not a teacher or a parent who has a child with special needs. My kids are grown and on their own. But I work in foster care and have learned so much about the problems in schools. These kids just don't get out!
      Do you have to be a good academic student with average intelligence to get outside and play in sports or get get fresh air? It appears so. So for kids who have so many issues, anything from PTSD, to Oppositional Defiance Disorder, to Autism and many more get stuck inside all day. Six hours at least in chairs. These are educators. Get them out. Ask for it in their IEPS !!!
    When each child has to have an eval, ask the doctor to recommend  a half an hour morning and afternoon outside play time. Then you have room to compromise to fifteen minutes. If enough kids with IEP"s Have their doctors recommend outside time as necessary to emotional growth, I believe it can be done.
   Other "wise" the statements are in meetings, there isn't any time, we crunch classes as it is. Sure but at what expense. Let those children have school days as long as any other child and then you not only have the time, but happier children who will want to do more in school. It can be added in the IEP, that should a child be so out of control, he or she can only go to the gym that day for safety reasons.
    Men, where are you? Too many kids in these schools do not have any use for female teachers because in many situations it's mom who is missing as well as dad but yet these kids listen to men more. Fear or do they want a male role model? Same with female students.
    Please chnage the IEP's. When I asked about my little guy going out for recess type time, I was told, they don't have enough time in the day. IN an IEP, they will make time.
   Last note, about Special Olympics and funding...why can't schools get the same kind of funding? They fund football games after all, soccer, basketball and more...so what about your child?
 

Stifling Education-Overloaded Stimulation

      As I sat at my computer listening to this guy which I never do, sit and listen that is, it hit me. We all educate to some degree, but we are not school teachers. Kids are made to sit and listen in an environment that is stifling.
      When I last went into a room for a child with  add/adhd it was filled, loaded, overloaded with stimulation, colors, books, colors, papers, games, chairs, tables, colors, sitting corners for relaxing and this was top to bottom.
     Not my first time in a class such as this and they are all the same. Another one had computers in it along with all of the other stuff. What in the world are the trying to do? These are classes for kids who can't, don't and won't sit still and as educators don't they know kids aren't meant to sit still ? So what do they do, antagonize kids with all of the stuff surrounding them. I'm sure not intentional, but possibly to peak their creative minds ? Yet, aren't those same children taking ideas from what's already been done instead of being creative on their own. Yes, I know, society does the same.
    Yet in a class it's different.
Start with a blank slate. Give kids a drawing, writing pad and pens, pencils and let them go for  a few  days. Let them talk to one another. I know teachers, you have to give a schedule of what you have to teach, but does it have to be so scheduled and the same, over and over again?
     Ask them at the start; What do you want to learn? Yes I know again they have to learn and pass certain subjects, but make it more enjoyable, and then maybe you'll enjoy it more too as when you first had that passion to teach.