“CMS parents walk in their kids shoes for a day - WBTV” plus 1 more |
| CMS parents walk in their kids shoes for a day - WBTV Posted: By Dedrick Russell - bio l email CORNELIUS, NC (WBTV) - Parents at Bailey Middle School got a first hand look Wednesday at what it means to be in middle school. Moms and dads were able to experience teaching and learning going on despite their kids in overcrowded classrooms. "I think the teachers are at their limit," Bailey MS Parent Mike Browning said. "To effectively get to each student and help them understand the lesson and what the assignments are." It was "Bring Your Family to School" week at Bailey. Organizers wanted parents to walk in their kids' shoes for a day. "When parents are in here and physically see and walk in the staff and teachers shoes," Bailey MS PTSA President Shannon Edwards said. "They can feel the energy a little more and see what we are up against." For the most part, parents say they were pleased with what they saw in the classrooms. "The students were responsive," Bailey MS Parent Wendy Amos said. "My experience walking into the building, I felt safe." But they are concerned about next year. More than 600 teachers could get laid off and there could be an increase in class size by two students- all to help fill a potential $100 million budget gap. "I think currently if the class size based on what I see today," Browning said. "An increase, I think that is going to decrease the quality of education." Parents are also concerned about middle school sports getting the ax next year. They believe that will be bad for the schools and could decrease parental involvement. "Middle school sports are another avenue for parents to get involved," Edwards said. "They come to games, practice. They are there for sports, but now that's going to be gone." Organizers call this event a success and say they will do it again. Copyright 2011 WBTV. All rights reserved. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| From the shoe: Random words of kindness - San Jose Mercury News Posted: Valentine's Day was Monday. Isn't that a great holiday! A holiday dedicated to showing our loved ones how much they mean to us. We have St. Valentine, an early Christian martyr, to thank for it. His letter to a young girl, before he was executed, is one of the alleged origins of this day. Valentine's Day, now, for the most part, is a lovers' day. That's nice, if you have a partner. The point of this column is not lovers' love, but friend love, family love, or just general love. Every week I attend a little prayer meeting with some other parents from my kids' school. I couldn't make it last Tuesday, and texted my friend telling her why I couldn't make it. She texted back, "OK, sweetness." Wow, isn't that nice! I texted her back and told her I love it when she talks like that. Another time last week, at the Canned Food Store in Redwood City, we were waiting in line, and a clerk opened up, and said to me, "I can take you over here, honey." I just lit up. I love when folks talk to me like that. Don't you? I love these terms of endearment; but unfortunately, I do not use them as often as I should, or as often as I'd like. My friend, the store clerk and many others I continually come in contact with are steeped in this kindness, and not only are their words dripping with this divine quality, but so are their mannerisms and their countenances. I have another friend who is the epitome of optimism and joy. I cannot comment on anything on Facebook or say anything that she doesn't give me a positive and joyful response. I adore this characteristic, and this friend.Unfortunately, I did not grow up in an environment where these expressions flowed readily. My ability to use these delightful demonstrations of affection is somewhat undeveloped. I grew up in an Irish Catholic household where profanity was the vernacular and "survival of the fittest" was the motto. No meek shall inherit the earth, no turning the other cheek or any other teaching from CCD. Sweet nothings were as foreign a language as Uzbek and crying was anathema. So one of my Valentine's Day resolutions will be to be more affectionate with my kids, my family and my friends. Now, this is hard and uncomfortable because I am not use to it, but I will try. For my friends, the store clerk and the others I have met, their random words of kindness come spontaneously from within. For me, for a time, I must practice deliberate words of kindness and hope that this habit will become spontaneous too. Remember, according to a Chinese proverb: "a bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses." Aw, sweetness! This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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