What home feels like

Memorial Day weekend probably seems like the ultimate cliché when it comes to traveling a couple of hours (or more) to revisit one's childhood. Not to take anything away from our nation's true heroes, but surviving our teenaged years in the small village of Greenwood Lake made us veterans of an entirely different sort. Since … Continue reading What home feels like

No safe harbor – Mariner’s Harbor, Kingston

You've probably considered at least once what defines a restaurant experience as a positive one. Was it the menu? The presentation of the plates? The value? Maybe location or ambience? Or was it the service and attention to detail? While we all may have personal opinions about which components of dining out are most significance, … Continue reading No safe harbor – Mariner’s Harbor, Kingston

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

Cuomo: failing to understand the problem

Governor Cuomo  has released a report which concludes that many of New York State's public schools are failing.  As I skimmed the lengthy document online, I noticed a consistency which, to me, was critical in understanding why these schools are struggling.  With only two exceptions (Amsterdam and Buffalo's South Park),  the schools which have been deemed failing are attempting … Continue reading Cuomo: failing to understand the problem

The State of our State makes me angry

I'm angry that Sheldon Silver was given the courtesy of sitting in a position of prestige at this week's State of the State address when the state's teachers are not invited to sit at the table and truly participate in education reform and improvement. I'm angry that Sheldon Silver, along with the governor and other … Continue reading The State of our State makes me angry