Snug?
I sure hope snug is an adjective you are using to describe home lately! Certainly, at the very least, the feeling of the covers over you in bed before the day beckons your attention. Though one could argue that this scenario is more like torture than snug, at which I agree and urge you to get a timer on your furnace and your coffee maker. <wink>
Cats are professionals when it comes to snug. I've been watching our cat and even a seemingly lumpy, uncomfortable spot will prove to be snug. Despite my cajoling I cannot convince my cat to move to what I perceive as a better location. Something smooth perhaps, with a washable blanket.
I try to talk 'cat,' I make the new spot look ever so inviting, I question my salesmanship skills.
As the long list of cat personality traits suggests, you just can't CONVINCE a cat...they do what they do, when they do it...or do they?
I had a breakthrough the other day! I gently nudged my kitty. Yep, just gave him a little push toward the yummy food he just asked for...and he walked over there and ATE it. I know - who knew! OK, maybe a lot of you knew - but I am new to cat cohabitation.
Pleased with my cat whispering skills I tried my new found talent on snug location number three. You'll see the band-aid on my hand.
I guess you can't nudge snug.
Undaunted, mainly because you are not cats, I will continue to nudge you the parents and caregivers of our Gardnerville kids, to get ready to show our future corporate donors that this non-profit has 100% parent involvement. That we are a motivated, effective team committed to the improvement and enhancement of our children's education.
I truly hope your Thanksgiving holiday was filled with the warmth of family and friends, and the many blessings that make you who you are.
Welcome back kids, we love you and we are working for you.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
In The Midst
We've turned the corner, the seasons have changed - even if our weather tries to fool us otherwise. You can't trust Southern California's weather to usher in Fall with any true storybook fashion. But you CAN trust daylight savings and retail marketers to give us that cool, crisp, holidays are upon us feeling.
At Gardnerville it's all about the kids. Remember what it was like to be in elementary school. I remember it clearly -some days better than others, but I digress. It was fun, it was all about the fun. I was learning through art projects, and games, rewards, and hearing my teacher confirm that my answers were right.
Fast forward to the present as a parent, I recall my sister expressing her frustration that the education process doesn't present practical lessons like how to balance a check book or read a contract, real things that you NEED to maneuver through life. I don't know if this is entirely true but it is food for thought.
Well, in our own small way Friends of Gardnerville is bringing one of these lessons to the kids. Not missing the cue, we are holding a HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP. But this isn't just a go in with Mom and Dad and help them buy gifts. The kids will control the entire process of their gift giving. From earning their money at home and in the school - yes, that means you get to have a little extra help around the house! Oh, if it were only every season... The kids will then need to browse the catalog and budget their money to make their purchases. Class by class, they will go to the 'store' to purchase their items and wrap them - that ought to be fun!
Don't forget to be REALLY surprised when you open your gift during the holiday, and gush that they were too generous with their money, and write them a thank you note <grin>.
What you can do is to get into it with them. Give them extra chores, and let them know that you see them working very hard, that this must be a fun project for them. Reward their efforts with specific compliments about their work and effort - hey, they might do it again later FOR FREE! Review money with them, and help them by dropping hints of who they can purchase presents for. Remember every purchase is money for our school, let them be generous. There are of course volunteer opportunities for the Holiday Gift Shop. Click on the VOLUNTEER tab on the blog or see Lesley Holmes.
Holiday Gift Shop - December 6-10
The lessons: earning income, purchasing power, budget, and the reward of surprise and giving.
The Holidays do begin in earnest, be safe and use the search engines to find ways to trim the stress from the holidays. We DON'T have to do it ALL ourselves, and we DON'T have to do it by the book.
We have a long Thanksgiving break - if you want something to REALLY entertain the younger kids, you must visit the Zimmer Museum.
At Gardnerville it's all about the kids. Remember what it was like to be in elementary school. I remember it clearly -some days better than others, but I digress. It was fun, it was all about the fun. I was learning through art projects, and games, rewards, and hearing my teacher confirm that my answers were right.
Fast forward to the present as a parent, I recall my sister expressing her frustration that the education process doesn't present practical lessons like how to balance a check book or read a contract, real things that you NEED to maneuver through life. I don't know if this is entirely true but it is food for thought.
Well, in our own small way Friends of Gardnerville is bringing one of these lessons to the kids. Not missing the cue, we are holding a HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP. But this isn't just a go in with Mom and Dad and help them buy gifts. The kids will control the entire process of their gift giving. From earning their money at home and in the school - yes, that means you get to have a little extra help around the house! Oh, if it were only every season... The kids will then need to browse the catalog and budget their money to make their purchases. Class by class, they will go to the 'store' to purchase their items and wrap them - that ought to be fun!
Don't forget to be REALLY surprised when you open your gift during the holiday, and gush that they were too generous with their money, and write them a thank you note <grin>.
What you can do is to get into it with them. Give them extra chores, and let them know that you see them working very hard, that this must be a fun project for them. Reward their efforts with specific compliments about their work and effort - hey, they might do it again later FOR FREE! Review money with them, and help them by dropping hints of who they can purchase presents for. Remember every purchase is money for our school, let them be generous. There are of course volunteer opportunities for the Holiday Gift Shop. Click on the VOLUNTEER tab on the blog or see Lesley Holmes.
Holiday Gift Shop - December 6-10
The lessons: earning income, purchasing power, budget, and the reward of surprise and giving.
The Holidays do begin in earnest, be safe and use the search engines to find ways to trim the stress from the holidays. We DON'T have to do it ALL ourselves, and we DON'T have to do it by the book.
We have a long Thanksgiving break - if you want something to REALLY entertain the younger kids, you must visit the Zimmer Museum.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Great Success!
Great success is something built. It might involve luck, but primarily success is qualified after time and attention are given a specific direction.
Gardner Street is like that. During the PTA Halloween Carnival, I met a lot of parents and one comment struck me as significant. A father mentioned that his older child attended Gardner St. years ago and how much it has changed since Principal Urbina came to this school, "academically it has grown so much."
A few years ago, some of the parents here at Gardnerville might have chosen to beg, borrow, or steal their way into one of the other schools nearby, hoping for a school worthy of their most valued treasure.
Well, things have changed and now WE have parents coming from far and wide to have their children attend. The state has also changed and funding is not what it used to be. As Gardnerville is elevating through the ranks it is also facing a slowing of the time line and overall vision of great success Principal Urbina has for this school. Friends of Gardnerville's pending 501(c)(3) non-profit status will change everything. Our great success in having 100% parent support will ensure our ability to secure corporate grants. We - THE PARENTS, will open the doors for educational excellence on all levels for our children by our small tokens of involvement.
As I said to many of you Friday, "If we ALL do a little, then we all will ONLY have to do a little."
So now is the time to lay the foundation of the 'sponsored public school,' by wrapping our minds around the idea that our direct involvement in Friends of Gardnerville will translate to funding and grants for our children's school. It IS our school and our kids are very lucky to have us. They are after all OUR great success - in the making!
Some things to keep in mind - Our LAUSD Title 1 status is dictated by the lunch applications received. Please do not opt to throw this simple application out. This application can procure an extra $300 PER STUDENT in state funds. Whether you think you qualify or not, please fill it out. If you have ANY questions please see Marielana or Lali. Immediately!!! THE APPLICATIONS ARE PAST DUE NOW.
Gardner Street is like that. During the PTA Halloween Carnival, I met a lot of parents and one comment struck me as significant. A father mentioned that his older child attended Gardner St. years ago and how much it has changed since Principal Urbina came to this school, "academically it has grown so much."
A few years ago, some of the parents here at Gardnerville might have chosen to beg, borrow, or steal their way into one of the other schools nearby, hoping for a school worthy of their most valued treasure.
Well, things have changed and now WE have parents coming from far and wide to have their children attend. The state has also changed and funding is not what it used to be. As Gardnerville is elevating through the ranks it is also facing a slowing of the time line and overall vision of great success Principal Urbina has for this school. Friends of Gardnerville's pending 501(c)(3) non-profit status will change everything. Our great success in having 100% parent support will ensure our ability to secure corporate grants. We - THE PARENTS, will open the doors for educational excellence on all levels for our children by our small tokens of involvement.
As I said to many of you Friday, "If we ALL do a little, then we all will ONLY have to do a little."
So now is the time to lay the foundation of the 'sponsored public school,' by wrapping our minds around the idea that our direct involvement in Friends of Gardnerville will translate to funding and grants for our children's school. It IS our school and our kids are very lucky to have us. They are after all OUR great success - in the making!
Some things to keep in mind - Our LAUSD Title 1 status is dictated by the lunch applications received. Please do not opt to throw this simple application out. This application can procure an extra $300 PER STUDENT in state funds. Whether you think you qualify or not, please fill it out. If you have ANY questions please see Marielana or Lali. Immediately!!! THE APPLICATIONS ARE PAST DUE NOW.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)