rambling

Today I really don't have much to blog about. The big push for the big state test at school is causing many of us to panic. I am not just talking about teachers here. The students are also beginning to look stressed. There is so much push to do well on the test that is about all that is being talked about by teachers and administration. Yesterday I received my NEA magazine and there was an article about some school districts that were doing any with recess times in the lower grades as the district felt that this time could be put to better use to work on test prep. I think holding schools accountable is fine but at what costs. Several months ago this same publication wrote an article on a district that decided to change the local test to measure student growth. The students were doing well on the test but the administration decided to change the test. On the new test the students did terrible but on the other test they did great. Is it right to teach to one test? I personally think not as there are other things in education that are more important.

To get students pumped up we give away I-Pods and $100.00 gift cards. This seems to be a good idea but then again I wonder if it is effective.

Then you come to the students I work with. They have a hard time doing well on the tests. Many of them have difficulties with reading but we expect them to read the test on their own. No Child Left Behind says all schools will have 100% of the students meeting standards by 2012. What about the student that comes to school not feeling well that day or his or her dog died the night before. I am sure they will feel like doing their best on the test. I amazes me that people say it was something good from the Bush administration. When he was governor of Texas their education system was one of the worst in the Union. I would like to hear what others have to say about NCLB or the testing your student takes in school.

Then again there is talk about tieing teacher pay to how well your students do on the test. Not every class is the same and from year to year each is different. The of course there are students that really don't care about the tests as they do not get a grade on it.

Slum Dog Millionaire

We treked out to see the movie Slum Dog Millionaire. I really liked it as a good story of good overcomes evil. Jane thinks it was different but she liked. I would tell you to go see it. The movie does show how poor people suffer through out the world.

King Cakes

Today decided to give the Mardi Gras thing a try and made a couple cream cheese filled King Cakes. This is my first try at making them. The smelled good baking in the oven. Couldn't find the springles so did the colored icing. Will have to try them tommorow. I made one for each of our work places. Will post tommorow to see how they turned out. We did not have the baby to put in them.

High Stakes Testing

Next week we start the high stakes standard testing that goes with no child left behind. This is so important that we do nothing for 2 or so weeks before the test going over concepts we think will be on the test. It is madding that one thing can cause your school to completely shift and do things different. Now we are having a pep rally to pump the students up. I am not saying this is wrong but it sure does change the way things were. We even put the names of students that meet and excede on the tests names in for drawings for I-pods.

What really drives me crazy is that No Child Left Behind says all children should pass the test by 20012. Nothing 100%.

Just me ranting.

Andy and Jane

New Direction

We decided to end our career in the antiques and collectibles business. We are looking for an auctioneer to sell the inventory of the shop and the antiques malls we are in. The drive is not there and it is getting to be more than what we want to fool with. I will still sell a little on ebay. We are keeping the fiesta inventory and sell most of it at the conference this year. We have been selling in malls or at the shop for over 18 years and want to do something else. It will be nice to reclaim the garage and the basement. The building is one thing we haven't come to decision about what to do with it. Once it is empty we are thinking about renting it out. I guess we will decide once it is empty. There is also the possibility to sell it at auction but don't think we can get the price we want for it.

Grandson turns two

This last Sunday our grandson turned two. There was a large party and he received some great toys. Like the kid needs any more toys. Grandchildren are so great and a blast to be around. He calls us Papa and Monga. The wife is not too crazy about being known as Monga.

Our Valentines Day

Valentines Day is special to us as that was our first date 29 years ago. We went to the movies and out to eat at Sprouts Inn. To celebrate we stayed in and I cooked for her. She loves her fillet Mignon. So tonight we had fillets, baked potatoes, and roasted asparagus. For desert I fixed crepes filled with strawberries and covered with some dark chocolate. We were going to the show tonight but didn't see anything we want to see. I hope you and your lover had a great Valentines Day.


Happy Valentine's Day Glitter Graphics

Tonight

Oh Boy! Tonight I am here at school with the 7th and 8th grade for the Valentines Day Dance. I am the faculty sponsor for the student council. What a great way to spend you evening. I tried to get my wife to drive up and help with the dance. I wonder why she turned me down. I guess I should tell it would be worth a trip to the jewerly store, for those that know this should work. Oh well there is one more dance this year and I think I might try that with her. It should be a good time as there a many of the teachers that are coming to help with crowd control. I hope the force is with me.

Great American Wing Feast

Today in Quincy 18 restaurants came together at the convention center was a wing cook off. For $5.00 a person got you all the wings you could eat. There were wings from insane to mild and in between. A great bargain for lunch today. A couple of cold brews to go with it made a good afternoon. Jane and I had a good time. What was funny was Jane and I went to the gym after eating the wings. Walked for 40 minutes.

Andy and Jane

Wonderful suprise

Jane and I was sitting in church this morning waiting for mass to start. The mass started and then all of a sudden a person was pushing us further into the pew. I looked over if was our son, daughter-inlaw, and the grandson. Jane and I were really shocked. We have been praying they would start bringing him to mass. He was great during the entire mass and that has to be hard for a little boy that will be two in 14 days. He got a little vocal once or twice but he did quiet down. He saw the candles over by one alter and that got him going. The group of us headed over to a pancake and sausage at one of the other Catholic Churches. We had a great breakfast and that prompted me to post this picture. Some great maple syrup coming out of these syrups would be great. Enjoy the pictures.