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Today I had the pleasure (and angst) of speaking with a gentleman who wanted a bit of insight before he and his wife met with their 6 grade daughter’s school about her lacking academic progress and special education service provision. During our conversation, the gentleman vented his frustration about the faculty feet-dragging and COVID limitations interfering with his child’s learning. His daughter is behind significantly and needs specific supports to achieve academically. There is an IEP in place, however, those agreed-upon supports are not being provided. I shared with him a few strategies and talking points to use to hopefully net positive outcomes.
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I don’t know if you guys have been to a certain supermarket in Canton lately, but if you havent you are in for a shock. Almost everything is rearranged. Completely.
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While out walking around enjoying the crisp fall weather one evening, we decided to go to a local coffee shop for a hot drink. Renie found an empty table while Andy ordered for both of us. He is very aware that she has a definite issue with caffeine, it can cause a lot of grief. So, he dutifully asked for a hot, decaf cappuccino. He actually asked the young man if it would have any caffeine in it and was assured there was none.
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Last week First Husband and I drove to Dallas. This was not a pleasure trip, but a doctor’s appointment. He’s a great doctor and I really like him, but I swear, if we have to go back to Dallas again ever I might have to smack somebody.
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Ever received a frantic phone call from someone needing help? Out of nowhere in a dazzling blue sky, that swiftly moving thunderstorm of need rolls in over your nice quiet afternoon. And the peaceful rhythm of the day is suddenly set to an uneven beat.
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Like most of you, I’m busy. I mean really busy. So busy that I wonder how I ever had time to hold down a job before I retired. Either I’m pitching my latest novel to a literary agent; or the meadow out back needs mowing; or a bank statement wants for balancing; or a commode won’t stop running; or there’s the list of honey-do’s, dutifully crafted by my Special Angel, that I never seem to get whittled down. Yet surprisingly, I wonder where all the time gets off to. The answer is simple: By being busy being busy. But is that all I want out of life? Wel-l-l, … I don’t think so.
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The year 2020 threw public education a furious curve ball. The system swung and missed. Strike one. We were glad to see 2020 end thinking 2021 would have something much better to look forward to. What a trick. We got a repeat of what we just left. More haphazard planning, inconsistent information and reactive pandemic responses that affected student achievement. Strike two. Now 2 years into the pandemic, public education, students and families are still in an upheaval with no plan of stability in sight.
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Andy is a typical early riser. Meaning he is usually up, dressed and sitting at the desk in his office by around seven every morning. Which causes him to see the sun began to filter cautiously through the blinds and get stronger as morning passes. One such morning, he glanced at the window and thought, “Huh, sure seems awfully hazy and cloudy to be the gorgeous day the weatherman predicted. Hopefully, maybe those clouds will get burned off by the sun, ‘cause we sure need it today.”
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