Kontan’s Place

Happy Halloween

Just in case you need a new way to waste time…go carve a pumpkin!

BeautIiful day to be outside! After a slow morning Djembe prepared a wonderful ham for lunch, then we headed downtown to enjoy the annual Renaissance Festival.

The Renaissance Faire takes place in the month of October with events leading up to the festival weekend. Schools get involved with art and writing contests. There is a weekend designated for costume development. Citizens can bring fabric and receive instructions/assistance in developing a Renaissance period costume. The week before festival weekend is the Renaissance Feast where people partake of a grand meal and are encouraged to follow customs of the era, bringing their own utensils and such. It isn’t necessary to bring your own, but I’m sure it adds to the atmosphere.

Many people who attend the festival are in period costume. It is highly amusing and adds to the atmosphere of fun. The smells were delightful. Funnel cakes, brats, onions and peppers for a philly sandwich, and fresh lemonade are just a few items you can enjoy. The music is fun and upbeat with performers and demonstrations taking place in different areas of the park. This particular park is only one city block, with a large fountain in the middle. The sprayers were turned off and children were floating boats in the fountain. Actually, children and adults were playing in the fountain. I think the festival would be better served in the larger park by the river, but it has been in the current location for years and the crowd adds to the fun.

I took several pictures. Those who dress up are more than happy to pose for the photographers in the crowd. Most dress in medieval wear, but a few just use it as an excuse to venture out in their Halloween costume, for instance you will see a storm trooper in the slideshow. Take a look, be amused…it was really a great day and a great way to spend family time.

Afternoon Amusement

One who is retired and has time for such things sent a link to Halloween Hangman. got to love the skeletal sarcasm. Yes, I am procrastinating. There are lessons to prepare and essays to grade. Story of my life.

All in one

My oldest is ten, soon to be eleven. If she was attending school in Portland, Maine she would start school later in the year and go well into June. She wouldn’t be thrilled with this, but it would be natural for the area and acceptable to her. Children amaze me with their acceptance of what they are told. Early September I wrote about the power of an educator…or you. Most of the time what the teacher says is true, no matter what. What power. What influence. Educators have become the all in one provider for some students. It shouldn’t be that way, but sadly, in so many cases it is.

Students look up to their teachers, administrators, and school staff. They see adults who are working hard to educate them and who will even provide a listening ear or shoulder for their burdens. Almost everyday I have a student ask to go to the nurse for a reason that seems so benign. They want the attention that she provides. It makes them feel good when someone cares. Today, and several days in the past, I had a student ask to go to the administrator because she was having problems with another student. She looks up to him and gains assurance from his guidance and discipline. I don’t think it is something she gets at home. Sadly many students come to school simply to receive a meal and be around people that care about them.

If my ten, soon to be eleven, year old happened to attend school in Maine I’m sure she would experience the caring nature of her school administrators, teachers, and staff. This is great, but she would also have access to something else that does not reassure me and does not make me happy. She, my ten soon to be eleven, year old would have access to birth control and she wouldn’t have to tell me about it.

Yes, according to this article, middle school age children in Portland, Maine will have access to birth control and informing the parent is optional. What the snot is wrong with this picture?!?! It’s enough to make me want to yank her out and homeschool!

PORTLAND, Maine — Pupils at a city middle school will be able to get birth control pills and patches at their student health center after the local school board approved the proposal Wednesday evening.

The plan, offered by city health officials, makes King Middle School the first middle school in Maine to make a full range of contraception available to students in grades 6 through 8, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.

There are no national figures on how many middle schools, where most students range in age from 11 to 13, provide such services…Those who favored the plan said it isn’t about encouraging premature sex, but protecting kids who don’t have strong support from their parents.

“Unfortunately, not every child is getting the kind of parental involvement that is going to help keep them safe,” said Richard Verrier…At King Middle School, birth control prescriptions will be given after a student undergoes a physical exam by a physician or nurse practitioner, said Lisa Belanger, who oversees Portland’s student health centers.

Students treated at the centers must first get written parental permission, but under state law such treatment is confidential, and students decide for themselves whether to tell their parents about the services they receive.

No, not every child has parental involvement at home. Not every child has someone telling them that sex can be dangerous. Not every child has someone saying you are too young. So what does this school do? Not fund an education program. No, they plan to examine and prescribe birth control. You know, chemical birth control is not 100% safe and I bet that it can even be damaging to the developing female system of a middle school girl!

The schools have become the all-in-one for students and it is getting ridiculous. Yes, some middle schoolers are having sex. No, I am not an “abstinence only” supporter. I don’t think it is realistic to teach abstinence only because you have students having sex and they need to know the dangers and how to protect themselves. I think they should be taught that abstinence is emotionally, physically, and socially best…but I am realistic enough to accept that some will be having sex and need to know that protection is a must. Yes, they should be taught that they are too young. Don’t get me wrong, I do not advocate teaching them that sex at a young age is acceptable, safe, or OK. I also don’t think it is OK to treat them medically without the permission of the parents, however irresponsible they may be! If they are that irresponsible remove the child from the home and deal with it through social services.

Goodness gracious alive I can not fathom the idea of my ten, soon to be eleven, year old having an exam to get birth control and NO ONE TELLING ME SHE IS SEXUALLY ACTIVE OR CONTEMPLATING IT!!! HELLO! This is information that I need to educate her! Most people assume that pre and early teens is too soon to discuss abstinence and such. Younger and younger…shocking isn’t it?

The idea of a school system providing birth control opportunities just floors me. EDUCATE the children, not offer medical treatment. Provide a safe environment for learning, not a Rx for the patch. (WHICH IS NOT SAFE BTW!)

Are my semi-conservative views clouding my judgment here? Am I wrong to think that this is not the right or place of the school? I just can’t see that I am. I know that many parents are irresponsible and don’t work to raise their children. It just seems that this particular ruling is overstepping the bounds of even bad parenting.

Against the odds

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Tuck in for the days rest

Ahhhh…The nine weeks is complete. Grades are in. Homecoming is over. I’m just going to prepare for my college class, then retreat to my shell and rest. Yes, the turtle’s life is the way to go.

Mythbustin’

Always enjoy my visits to Elementary History Teacher, but Myth busin’ Columbus deserves a link. Very interesting T13 about the facts and assumptions of the voyages of Columbus.

The peace within

Papers beside me…waiting to be graded…oh joy. It is the end of the quarter and I am less than motivated to enter grades or finish grading papers. Beside me Tiki sleeps. Lucky dog. Her only responsibility is to tell me when she needs to go out. I’m stressed with school and as I look at my top quote I realize that I have to get my priorities in order and deal with it.

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” RWE

I love the Tiger theme, but currently am using the turtle. I can relate more to the turtle. Slow and easy wins the race. Take it one step at a time and be thankful for the burden on your back. The turtles burden is protection. Mine can be classified as the same because it pays the bills. I am thankful for it.

Life could be much worse.

Homecoming and edurant.

Tomorrow. It’s a parade and everything. I am so not into the drama. The freshman are done with theirs but still participate in the 10-12 version. This is just not my thing. [Please login or register to view private content.]
What is our goal? We can’t make them care. How do you convey the importance of learning? I haven’t figured it out, but I’m working on it.

How’s that for a ramble? Time for bed. My goal this weekend…enter grades for college and high school freshman, and take a nap.

Queen of the house

We pay the rent.

We pay the utilities.

We clean.

We supply the food.

And who is actually in charge?

Alli.

I recently purchased a new chair for the sanity room. (Our front room that serves as an office and holds all of our musical toys.) The chair is cute and comfy with an ottoman for my feet. Alli likes it as well. Her new exercise routine is to jump on the ottoman, turn a few times, then rest after the serious exertion.

Currently I am enjoying my new spot. Alli comes in the room and notices that her new chair is occupied. She starts slapping my feet! WTH! You do NOT run this place and you are NOT the boss of me!!! The nerve. hmmmmph.

Excuse me…I have a litter box to scoop and animals to feed.