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.

Stop & Go Deli, Brooklyn NY

       On a recent trip to Brooklyn which was too short, I stopped at a couple of deli's in Bay Ridge.  For those who don't know what a deli is, it's short for delicatessen. Every time I'm in Brooklyn I try a new deli out. Usually I stay at a local hotel and everything I would need is in walking distance, if I needed anything. The hotel is on 84  street and 4th ave. So the first night I walked up to a deli on 5th ave. and 84th street. Don't go there. There were two men in the store. One sat on a step behind the counter while the other young man asked what I wanted, all business. I told him and he asked what kind of  bread, a roll or hero. I chose a roll, wrong choice. To be honest it was about 8:00 p.m. and rolls do get stale when left in the wood boxes with a plastic cover by then. This one tasted like it came from the day before. The lettuce was wilted and brown. Because I was hungry and back at the hotel I ate the smaller half, and threw the rest away. I decided right then that was a last trip at that deli.
        Now if you're a shopper and like to walk, two blocks away is a deli on 4th ave and 86th st. I wish I could tell you the name because there are two and one is so very much better, so it's up to you.

       Here is what I found to be a five star rating Deli: It's named Stop and Go ! The address is 7618 3rd ave. Before I get into this experience, I know you can shop at food Lion or a large grocery store, buy lunch meats, bread, rolls,  condiments etc.  Also think about lines, unless you don't mind and getting a parking place in a small lot and does the hotel have mini-fridges'?
       Now back to STOP & GO. This deli is run by Alex and his brother Isaac.  I was blown away by the sincere attitude, smile and attention both of these men gave me as I ordered. We chatted as I let them know on different days how impressed I was with the cleanliness! Prices are fair and reasonable. They offer a nice variety of lunch meat sandwiches, but not so much, that you stand there reading a huge deli board. This deli is just right :)  STOP & GO !
       My first visit I ordered a roast beef on a roll with mustard and a little mayo. Alex gave me just what I ordered. You know how many deli people never listen and slap a load of mustard and mayo on, so much it slides all over and outside of the bread or roll, making one sloppy mess? When I got back to the hotel, relaxed , got comfortable and took that first bite, I knew I would be back as often as I wanted a freshly made sandwich in a clean environment with nice people who made you fell welcomed and thanked you for your business. They smile! What a wonderful feeling If they owned a hotel I would be their forever guest!
         That day I was in twice and knew before I left to go back home, I would stop there again, buy a sandwich for the trip and would enjoy the freshness, fair prices and people who appreciated business. The next day I didn't see Alex but another man behind the counter, just as friendly and when I asked for a roast beef sandwich, he told me, "oh I am so sorry, we are out of roast beef." If you saw his face, he was truly sorry. It was almost cute, he looked  how I felt. No roast beef! In a deli? Guess I had it all the day before. So what I thought. Whatever I buy here will be great and boy was it. Isaac asked my name . Who does that in these days. People just want your money, and rarely any eye contact or smiles. Not at STOP and GO.
         At STOP and GO Isaac made me a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread. Lettuce and tomato with mustard and mayo, just right amounts, and he gave me a cup of coffee on the house! What a place! I was a guest, a visitor, so don't go running in and ask for a free coffee. These men deserve every penny they earn. We talked a little more and it was time for me to leave. I stopped in Jersey, pulled over and had my sandwich.
         You just won't believe it. That bread tasted like it just came freshly out of the oven! No where on the turnpike would I get a sandwich like that. The value is more than fair. So when you're in Brooklyn, look for 7618, 3rd ave and they have a big red and white awning outside that shows
STOP & GO. Tell Alex and Isaac, Nancy said hello and thank you again.

A Father's Rights-Discrimination ?

     Today I met a young man who is stable, nice, angry, pays support, works overtime just to pay attorney fees and loves his child. He isn't like many single parents who say, ah, let me pay support, then I can party weekends. No he works and wants his child, now full-time. Why? Because the ex is not giving the child a stable life, moves too many times- just because.
     In my opinion there is a strong sense of discrimination towards this man as I listened to his story. Just because you are a woman, doesn't entitle you to keep the children and just because you bore them doesn't mean you are closer, having bonded more, as I have learned over the years, that 's just anatomy.  Times have changed and there are all kinds of  discrimination against people. So who gets to prove those issues? Will a court system say dad gets the kids because he is gay and the court doesn't want the Gay and Lesbian and on and on against them, worrying about votes? Will a court system give the kids to dad because he is really the best parent ?
     The court system, political system has to stop the crap and allow children to live with the stable parent, the one who lives in a same place, keeps a steady job, has long tern relationships and that those relationships are healthy as well, physically and emotionally. What happened to decent parenting?
    What happened to decent lawyers, lawyers who don't don't rob you blind out of the money you can put into a childs' future, or a special vacation ? What makes them deserve 250. an hour? They drag things out and out which means more money for the lawyer. Sure they have bills to pay too, but do they think they are GOD???
     I would bet any amount of money these lawyers tell you they have faith in God or a higher power. Sure, their banks. If a lawyer is truly there to right wrongs how is it they make it wrongfully so in charging thousands of dollars for a divorce and support ? How is that righting a wrong? Wait until it happens to you...oh I forgot, you have plenty of money. YOU stole it from hard working people, in my opinion.
 

Bi-Racial Obama

      I know, what difference does it make. Well too many people continue to call him the first black American President or the First African American, both incorrect according to Obama himself, but look at other Celebrities who have green or blue eyes. They too identify as African American but not Bi-Racial so why do they want white Americans to say, we all came from Africa? I have heard that so often. I did not neither did my ancestors come from Africa, just as Obama is African American, I am all American with European ancestry.