Michigan

[Mom 2em All]

Nooooo! That's all it takes to get it stuck!

Mom - You have had a rough road with your kids. You might look into the Michigan Academy. Not sure if that's the full title. No cost learning at home with a computer. Some of my homeschooling friends use it because they don't have the time to be the teacher every day.

Education - I was a great student and hated every minute of school. My son is 10 and is at about a first grade reading level...I've tried to stress with him, you can't be good at everything. For me it is a constant reminder to myself that "living up to his potential" isn't what life is all about. Being a well rounded, educated, involved and happy young man is.

I did look into the Michigan Academy for my son- I cant recall now what the reasons were why it wouldnt work out for him. It sure is an idea for me to look into for my youngest. Thanks for the reminder that it exists. I will be checking it out again.

I have used the "your disability doesnt mean that you cannot do whatever you want to do, whatever you want to be- it just means that you have to work harder than other people to achieve it" attitude. Perhaps I have been unrealistic all these years, but I have tried to instill 'just because something is hard doesnt mean you dont do it, it means you have to work harder at it. Life isnt fair, deal with it."
Quote: Yes she does have an IEP in place, as does Tiff, my older daughter. As did my son for bi-polar. I do believe the Taylor school system is limited in what they can offer- also, Kayla excels in some areas and fails miserably in others. There really is not a place where you can have the best of both worlds. The graduation requirements are tough, and its sad that they have an "applies to all" requirement.

I also know that there are few teachers who actually care, for whatever reason. Tiff has some fabulous teachers that go the extra mile, who want to help, who love their job...however, there are some teachers in there that really really really should be re-evaluated on why they are still working at a highschool level..at any level. Who really do NOT like their job, or the kids, or whatever.

 

[NovaAman]

Mom, I was going to suggest MI Academy... But I was to it.

my niece got busted for Rum and cherry Pepsi. What does this mean for me? Free labor! Gonna go get my new chicken run!

 

[chicken grandma]

I home schooled my kids also. I just did not have time or energy to fuss with a school system.

Taking my kids to church was the best activity that I did with my kids. Fortunately after looking at many churches, I was a able to find a church that I thought did a good job of representing many attributes of God.

Homeschooling them was the second best thing that I ever did for them. I highly recommend it in any form.

 

[Mom 2em All]

Chicken Grandma-

My girls up until this year have been very involved with their church group. Lucky me that it is only two blocks away and they have fabulous programs. They slacked out of it this year..but if I am lucky they will go back.

Nova- lucky for you! Right now I have no children home...and I am so tired of telling my daughter to clean her room..she just rearranges piles. Its too cold for me to be in the mood to work in the yard, so I am tackling her room and cleaning it to my liking. She is going to flip. Doesnt want me to touch anything in her room...doesnt want me to "Snoop". TOO BAD. This time, I am going to empty it out and put back only what I think she should keep. At fourteen, having your mom clean your room is not at all like when they are ten or so and they get happy because now they dont have to do it. Now those papers with someone elses name drawn on it with hearts- garbage..that bottle of nail polish with just a bit left in it- GARBAGE...those pair of pants that I hate but she likes, GARBAGE...and pity for her if I find something that she should NOT have...

 

[Olive Hill]

M2 - I'm not generally a homeschooling proponent, but even I think you should give it a bit of thought for Kayla.

my niece got busted for Rum and cherry Pepsi. What does this mean for me? Free labor! Gonna go get my new chicken run!

Ewww! Tell her if she's going to get busted she should at least get busted with something that tastes good.

 

[vjwilmoth]

Dang it! I just lost all my quotes.

I don't remember them either but I was ooohing and aaahing over babies...calf, ducks, goats, chicks. Suffice to say you all have cute baby critters.

M2 - I am so sorry for all the drama you've had to go through with your kids/education.

Michigan Connections Academy is one of the cyber schools...completely free. We looked into it for our boys when we were deciding what to do next year. We decided on homeschool and just got all our stuff yesterday. We are all SOOO excited especially after seeing all the awesome books!

Olive - Why are you not normally for homeschooling? Just curious.

Who wanted moss? I have TONS of moss that grows here.

After a nice morning visit with my Dad we are off to an early morning/afternoon of soccer. Have a good day everyone!

 

[BobBry]

.

I also know that there are few teachers who actually care, for whatever reason. Tiff has some fabulous teachers that go the extra mile, who want to help, who love their job...however, there are some teachers in there that really really really should be re-evaluated on why they are still working at a highschool level..at any level. Who really do NOT like their job, or the kids, or whatever.

I, as a teacher, for many years and many years ago can appreciate your feelings of resentment and anger. Schools are far from perfect. Everyone knows that. Improving basic education is and will continue to be difficult to say the least. Too many people expect too many things to be taught in school. Many of the functions of parents have been imposed upon schools. Now business and other employers say they need students to be able to "do the job" when they graduate. Employers used to train employees as a matter of course. Society wants schools to be all things to all children. I don't see how that can work. For one thing there are not enough hours available in the school calendar. Which in itself is a big problem. If we really value education isn't it time to reflect that in the time devoted to it? I do not want to sound so defensive. The reasons for the current state of education are many and as varied as the societal ills that contribute to them. Some wise person said that "The only thing that does not change is change itself". Some changes unfortunately, need to be better coordinated. I certainly do not have any solution. ...

Come on people now. Smile on your brother, Every body gotta love one another, right now.
Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.
To thine own self be true.
Do your best.

 

[RaZ]

Raz - I'm very curious about your skunk rehab. She doesn't spray you? How will you acclimate her to the wild?

He hasn't sprayed anyone yet. He has been handled and cooed over by several people as I understand it.
I just fed him breakfast and once his belly was full he went to sleep in my hand. (Can't type with 1 hand so I put him back in the box).

 

[snowflake]

I haven't had a cigarette for a couple weeks. Staying busy no matter what that means doing.

The tiniest one is getting 4 molars in right now, so it has been a very rough couple weeks. I have had very, very little sleep, and next to no time without her in my arms. I even had her strapped to my back while shoveling woodchips, which was... well, just a lot of work. I am so tired, I hope this passes soon. I feel guilty to say it, because I know she is in pain, but it gets very difficult to remain sympathetic and patient after a couple weeks of no sleep with someone constantly clinging to you, screaming, and sobbing. I know she is not having fun, either, but logic doesn't really come into it... I am just plain stressed out, tired, frustrated, and possessing a very short fuse. These challenges are fleeting in the long run, but they sure seem to drag on forever while you are going through them.

I took the day off from being super productive. I only did normal domestic maintenance today, and brought the kids to Crazy Bounce until I was going to puke, pee my pants, or possibly both. Which was about 2 hours. Fun, though. Really tiring. It's basically a place packed full of all those giant blow up slides / bouncey things / ball pits / obstacle courses / etc. you get at fairs and such. It was a great distraction for everyone right now, especially because it rained all day.

congrats on not smoking!!! My best friend always used whiskey, swore by it.I used( back then) baby aspirin.

Years ago I was involved with a woman with two sons. The older had been in a serious accident and the resulting head injury had left him with learning difficulties. When they came to live with me I was dismayed to discover that his previous school district had him in only basic basket weaving courses. I insisted that he be placed in regular classes and we would help him as necessary.

His younger brother and my youngest son, both the same age, were in accelerated programs for gifted and talented students and both carried straight A's. As an incentive I had always rewarded my sons for good grades. $10 for making the honor roll, $5 for each A, $3 for each B, I would deduct $3 for a C, and $5 for a D. The first marking period poor Ian had all D's. I sat all three boys down as we went over report cards and after handing $35 to each of the gifted boys, poor Ian said I guess I owe you a lot of money.

I told him that obviously he didn't make the honor roll so he wouldn't receive the bonus for that, but that I felt his effort to achieve a D far exceeded the effort expended by the others, that I was proud of how hard he had worked, and so, he would be rewarded for his valiant attempt and handed him $20. With the realization that with effort he could overcome his dyslexia his sense of worth soared, as did his grades. The next marking period he received 4 C's and a B. His struggle wasn't easy and it took a lot of work and encouragement from his mother and I but he became a different child. By the end of the school year he was receiving all B's. The kid that a school system had resigned to mediocrity and had convinced his mother that he was unteachable ultimately graduated from EMU.

One of the greatest compliments I have ever received came to me second hand from his mother. One of his teachers had told the class that no one could teach you self confidence, that it had to come from within. He told his mother that it's obvious that the teacher has never met Sam. No child should be left behind, but it is up to the parents, not the government, to see that they aren't. Place expectations on your children but be there to help them reach those goals. Don't depend on a school system and think you have provided your child an education.

well said Opa, Our son has Down Syndrom, he was included in reg ed. from the time he was 3,,, for 5 yrs he was in Catholic school, then we moved and he went to the pub. school and it always amazed me that so little was expected of the special ed kids. Josh could read at grade level by second grade, ( we never expected that) but he did the best he could to keep up with the other kids, after all he had 20 some teachers his age, Math he never did get very well.. I always felt if he could read, there is no reason the kids from "poor home situations" couldn't. nuff said

[FONT=Georgia,Book Antiqua,Times New Roman] Since he kissed them and put them there[/FONT]

love that poem been a LONG time

 

[RaZ]

Just a reminder that we are three (3) weeks from Chickenstock.

Another MI person posted in the pot-luck thread. Every time I edit the first post, the spacing format changes. Sorry about that, chief.