What's in the News!!!!!

I find it completely disgusting how the Dade County Public School Board have mismanaged the money that is supposed to be used for our students and for the teachers who put in their hard work, time and effort. Over 130 million dollars have been overspent where has all of this money gone? Where is the 72 million dollars of that 130 million that was promised for teacher and administrative raises? To me the board members and district associates do not care and keep spending frivously on what? What is there to show for it. Nothing absolutely nothing!!!! Since school has begun I have been asked four different times from my sons school to bring in supplies that the school should be supplying. I do not mind buying regular school supplies like crayons, glue, scissors and stuff like that, but when we are asked to bring in paper towels, kleenex, lysol spray, hand soap, hand sanitizer, paper cups, juices, snacks and stuff like that then that makes me angry. Why are we supplying these things and not the budget that is supposed to be there. How many families cannot afford these things. Especially now that the economy is so bad. It is ridicilous. I think it is a good idea although a little silly to bring in soap to Wednesdays meeting, but I do understand the symbolism though. We need answers as to where this money has gone and we deserve it as well. It is not fair that teachers and educational support personel and parents should foot the bill. Why should we have to clean up somone elses mess, when we were not the ones whop made that mess to begin with. If this issue is not taken care of the only people
we will be hurting are our kids, their future and the dedicated teachers who help make our children succed in life.

Technology in Teaching!!!

I believe computers are of the utmost importance in the teaching of students. There are many adults and children alike who are computer illiterate. Through no fault of their own, but they just don't have the access, the knowledge, or the time. For me, learning all these different applications is not only fun, but it has definately helped me. I could honestly say that about 3 years ago I was completely lost when it came to computers. I knew how to turn a comptuer on and off, email, browse the internet, use word processing, and print documents. Now I would consider myself on an intermediate level with computers. Lately I have noticed my oldest son having a big interest in the computer. Whenever I am on the computer all he wants to do is join in the fun. I think it is important that children learn to use computers at an early age, and that teaching computer skills with a larger lesson involved is important and imparitive. Last week when we had the Monster in My Email lesson I felt really silly doing it, but I realized what the bigger picture was. It wasn't about drawing pictures of monsters. It was a lesson in emailing and it was also a lesson in descriptive writing and following dirrections. Although it was a silly lesson, I really found it fun and interesting.