Category: Schools

Feeling testy about NYS assessments

How much do you know the mandated state exams administered to elementary school students in New York State? What do you know about these tests and their significance? Have you heard about Assemblymember Jim Tedisco's bill proposal to allow parents to "opt out" of the required tests? If these three questions were on a test … Continue reading Feeling testy about NYS assessments →

Getting educated – 500 miles worth of lessons

Three day weekends should leave those fortunate enough to have had 3 consecutive days off feeling relaxed and satisfied. There definitely were some moments during the 72 hours which prompted some pretty positive emotions, but the overwhelming sensation I'm experiencing right now is simple exhaustion. As I am inclined to do, I scheduled the weekend … Continue reading Getting educated – 500 miles worth of lessons →

Dog years and the passage of time

The youngest of my "boys" recently celebrated his first birthday and, while the occasion was a happy one to mark, I also noted the date with a tinge of sadness. That year certainly went quickly. When I thought about the number of years we got to love Cassidy (12.5) and started doing simple math in … Continue reading Dog years and the passage of time →

Writing my son’s college essay (in my mind)

Dear Prospective College Admissions Officer - Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I can only imagine how many of these letters you must read and how difficult it must be to evaluate potential students from mere words and numbers on a page. Since neither words nor numbers adequately describe my oldest … Continue reading Writing my son’s college essay (in my mind) →

Reflecting on 30 years

Despite my attempts at processing the hundreds of distinct thoughts and images in my head following my trip to the past last weekend, my mind is still in a whirl.  During my drive north, while I tried to assert a sense of order to all that had been stimulated in my head, I realized that … Continue reading Reflecting on 30 years →

The multiculturalism of crepes

My youngest son goes to a magnet elementary school in our neighborhood. The latter fact is more the reason he attends that particular school than the arts and humanities centered curriculum, but we do enjoy many of the activities based upon the school's theme. This week the school community's marked their Third Annual Multicultural Celebration. … Continue reading The multiculturalism of crepes →