At negotiations a members was fired. It is hard to fire a volunteer. The Exc board voted to remove a member from the team. He was not told of it until he met with us for breakfast and the president arrived and told him he was not to be a part of the team. The team was crestfallen. They knew this person had not fulfilled the requirements to stay.Many other negotiation members also fell into this category, Training of the team was required by the Exec team. This member allegedly did not call in his absence in during the summer sessions as well.
He has been on the team for a very long time. He enjoys doing it. He has connections during the summer that required him to do more family activities.
The E board had followed the bylaws and removed him. I explained that he did not fit the exec council's requirements to negotiate but he had received a substitute and therefore it should not be held against him since he did not know. The other side did not seem to have a difficulty with this.
It made for an awkward session. The exec. pro and I talked to the president after the session about the situation. It was difficult for her to do the removal. The team member is still very angry at the president.
Some situations in life are just difficult.
Pat
Monday, August 20, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Party! Party
My daughters and my son in law arrived in Merced Saturday for a fun time and a little help.
Linzi and Sean returned the Escape after picking up Heather and Rone at the Bart station in Castroville. The Dublin station was under construction,
We all went out to dinner at Cool Hand Lukes. Everyone had more than they could eat and we had a grand time. Heather walked home with Suzy. Suzy wheeled her power chair home.
The housekeepers were here all morning and the house was even smelling good.. thank goodness for Fabrise. We all had a good time watching the 49ers Raiders game on the plasma. Apparently there the newlywed differ in their team allegiance. Linzi is a Raider fan and Sean is a 49er fan. Heather sides with the raiders as she hopes to get a raider cheerleader uni for halloween... complete with those white high heeled boots.
49ers won on nearly the last play of the game.
The next morning, Heather and I did the walk. 2 dry caps in a for here cup.. add a spoon.
When everyone else got up we went to the country waffle shop.. Sean had a wonderful fresh peach waffle. I had the crepes and waffle combo.. Great deal,
Sean, Linzi and I worked on making a place in garage for the powerchair. I think we will eventually need a trash container. For now the chair can be stored in the garage. Sean also engineered the installation of two new springs for one stide of the garage door that had been sprung. Way to go Sean.. the hero of the Western World today! Now Sue can easily open the door and get out her chair..
At 2pm we all piled into the expedition and headed over to Dublin to the Minies. 15 people showed up to our family birthday party. Even Acasia, who is busy working at Petes and getting ready for UC San Diego, got to come. Chrisy had party bags and Kelly passed out decorated bottle caps magnets. Mine was leo the lion. very cool. Mom and Dad were able to come as were all the Brownkorbel kids and Dom. What a great party. Sweet Reza picked up the tab.. after serious skulldudgery. Thanks so much Reza and Kelly.
The Brownkorbel Family game me a copy Work and Ilife 08. They will get to use it on their machines too since they bought a family license... Thanks so much.
After the party we talked an innocent bystander into taking a complete family photo.
Heather and Sean were graciously taken home by Dom and Chrissy in their escape. We dropped Heather and her trusty companion Rone off at the Dublin Bart, now up and going. We made it home before 10pm.
What a weekend. We are such a great family. Such love amongst us.
Pat
Linzi and Sean returned the Escape after picking up Heather and Rone at the Bart station in Castroville. The Dublin station was under construction,
We all went out to dinner at Cool Hand Lukes. Everyone had more than they could eat and we had a grand time. Heather walked home with Suzy. Suzy wheeled her power chair home.
The housekeepers were here all morning and the house was even smelling good.. thank goodness for Fabrise. We all had a good time watching the 49ers Raiders game on the plasma. Apparently there the newlywed differ in their team allegiance. Linzi is a Raider fan and Sean is a 49er fan. Heather sides with the raiders as she hopes to get a raider cheerleader uni for halloween... complete with those white high heeled boots.
49ers won on nearly the last play of the game.
The next morning, Heather and I did the walk. 2 dry caps in a for here cup.. add a spoon.
When everyone else got up we went to the country waffle shop.. Sean had a wonderful fresh peach waffle. I had the crepes and waffle combo.. Great deal,
Sean, Linzi and I worked on making a place in garage for the powerchair. I think we will eventually need a trash container. For now the chair can be stored in the garage. Sean also engineered the installation of two new springs for one stide of the garage door that had been sprung. Way to go Sean.. the hero of the Western World today! Now Sue can easily open the door and get out her chair..
At 2pm we all piled into the expedition and headed over to Dublin to the Minies. 15 people showed up to our family birthday party. Even Acasia, who is busy working at Petes and getting ready for UC San Diego, got to come. Chrisy had party bags and Kelly passed out decorated bottle caps magnets. Mine was leo the lion. very cool. Mom and Dad were able to come as were all the Brownkorbel kids and Dom. What a great party. Sweet Reza picked up the tab.. after serious skulldudgery. Thanks so much Reza and Kelly.
The Brownkorbel Family game me a copy Work and Ilife 08. They will get to use it on their machines too since they bought a family license... Thanks so much.
After the party we talked an innocent bystander into taking a complete family photo.
Heather and Sean were graciously taken home by Dom and Chrissy in their escape. We dropped Heather and her trusty companion Rone off at the Dublin Bart, now up and going. We made it home before 10pm.
What a weekend. We are such a great family. Such love amongst us.
Pat
Saturday, August 18, 2007
First Week Over Friday Follies
The first week.. one of the hardest is over. It is difficult to start with a full week . Next week, Monday, my students will meet their first substitute. We will have our fourth day of negotiations. An all day session is planned.
My students felt that Friday should be a kickback day. I told them that that was not the plan. We will, however, do our first game situation. No movies until October.
I taught them how to play Texas three second hold em. It mainly designed to slow down those students that do not filter what they say. I ask them a question that they know the answer. They must wait three seconds before they answer. If they don't wait 3 seconds or if another student in the class answers for the student, then I get the point. If they wait the required three seconds and then state the answer, the class gets the point. The teacher, being only one person, needs only 5 points to win the round. The class needs 10 points to win the round.
My lively classes "let me win" two rounds before they caught on. In the more reserved classes the tally of rounds won was very close to equal.
The purpose of the game is to increase latency and processing time.This gives those trigger responders a chance to think out their answers and rewards them for their delay. This is critical for the student responders that want to please the teacher.
We had fun and they enjoyed the game. One of my enthusiastic students in 2nd period has remarked to me on the way out of the door how fast the school day goes. Thats what it is like when you are engaged. The day goes by quickly.
My students felt that Friday should be a kickback day. I told them that that was not the plan. We will, however, do our first game situation. No movies until October.
I taught them how to play Texas three second hold em. It mainly designed to slow down those students that do not filter what they say. I ask them a question that they know the answer. They must wait three seconds before they answer. If they don't wait 3 seconds or if another student in the class answers for the student, then I get the point. If they wait the required three seconds and then state the answer, the class gets the point. The teacher, being only one person, needs only 5 points to win the round. The class needs 10 points to win the round.
My lively classes "let me win" two rounds before they caught on. In the more reserved classes the tally of rounds won was very close to equal.
The purpose of the game is to increase latency and processing time.This gives those trigger responders a chance to think out their answers and rewards them for their delay. This is critical for the student responders that want to please the teacher.
We had fun and they enjoyed the game. One of my enthusiastic students in 2nd period has remarked to me on the way out of the door how fast the school day goes. Thats what it is like when you are engaged. The day goes by quickly.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Dinner Out at the Steakhouse
We finally had time to go out to dinner for my birthday. We went to Cool Hand Lukes. It is quite a steakhouse. Western theme.. blooming onion if you want it etc.
Prices are very good in comparison to other steakhouses.. according to the girls who know such things.
Sue had the skirt steak with button mushrooms. She does not usually like steakhouses, growing up in Ft Collins Colorado the home of one of the better independent steak houses in the country.
She was impressed. I really like restaurant pork when I get a chance. I choose the rasberry chiplote spare ribs. Makes my mouth water just writing this down. We had all the fixings.. both come with soup or salad and choice of side.. we opted for baked potatoes since they are impossible to come by in our ovenless sinkless kitchen. Sue reminded me that we are over 8 months with out a complete kitchen. I think it is more like 6 months.. but who is splitting hairs.
Drinks are served in Mason jars.. of course.
Total dammage for 2 was 34dollars.. good deal.
This is my first entry from a remote site. Not possible at Golden Valley due to filtering. So for it works here.
Love to all
Pat
Prices are very good in comparison to other steakhouses.. according to the girls who know such things.
Sue had the skirt steak with button mushrooms. She does not usually like steakhouses, growing up in Ft Collins Colorado the home of one of the better independent steak houses in the country.
She was impressed. I really like restaurant pork when I get a chance. I choose the rasberry chiplote spare ribs. Makes my mouth water just writing this down. We had all the fixings.. both come with soup or salad and choice of side.. we opted for baked potatoes since they are impossible to come by in our ovenless sinkless kitchen. Sue reminded me that we are over 8 months with out a complete kitchen. I think it is more like 6 months.. but who is splitting hairs.
Drinks are served in Mason jars.. of course.
Total dammage for 2 was 34dollars.. good deal.
This is my first entry from a remote site. Not possible at Golden Valley due to filtering. So for it works here.
Love to all
Pat
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
57 and going strong
Yesterday was my birthday.. It seems like I have been telling people that I am 57 for more than a year. I am now 57,
My new freshman students thought that that was pretty ancient. It is in some respects. Especially when you cannot remember what students you had in particular decades.
I brought cup cakes to the morning students. It was the first time that I was able to celebrate my birthday with my students on my birthday. In the afternoon the fare was cookies. It was all good.
I recceived nice phone calls from my family in the evening, It was nice to get connected with their weeks.
Tony came buy to finalize the contracts for the construction and pick up a 9,136 dollar check for pay for building permits, energy tax and school assessments.
I also paid the 6300 to the mold folks and got the check off the post office.
Lindsay and Sean and Heather are slated to come down this weekend.
Bob and Mikie Sue and headed home from Colorado via plane, today the 15th.
Francis the house cleaner, Tom calls her the Mexican tornado is scheduled for Thursday.
I have done my walk every day since we came back from LA. I also did it the month before. It is getting easier. The sun is coming up later each day. Before long I will be walking in the dark.
Have a great day.. love to all
Pat
My new freshman students thought that that was pretty ancient. It is in some respects. Especially when you cannot remember what students you had in particular decades.
I brought cup cakes to the morning students. It was the first time that I was able to celebrate my birthday with my students on my birthday. In the afternoon the fare was cookies. It was all good.
I recceived nice phone calls from my family in the evening, It was nice to get connected with their weeks.
Tony came buy to finalize the contracts for the construction and pick up a 9,136 dollar check for pay for building permits, energy tax and school assessments.
I also paid the 6300 to the mold folks and got the check off the post office.
Lindsay and Sean and Heather are slated to come down this weekend.
Bob and Mikie Sue and headed home from Colorado via plane, today the 15th.
Francis the house cleaner, Tom calls her the Mexican tornado is scheduled for Thursday.
I have done my walk every day since we came back from LA. I also did it the month before. It is getting easier. The sun is coming up later each day. Before long I will be walking in the dark.
Have a great day.. love to all
Pat
Monday, August 13, 2007
Mixed Bag First Day Back
I am sharing a room with a first year Spanish teacher that is smaller than most of her students. At the first school. The number was torn off the wall but the students found me anyway.
Same students.. now they are sophomores. I will miss the Seniors (3) from Golden Valley, 2 from Merced High.
New students at each of the campuses. I was teaching three words today. Expulsion, possesion and extortion. These are words that are on the poster of every room. I also established the idea that they all know the difference between right and wrong. This means that if I am called into court to verify this I can do this. Even my lowest kids know that they should not bring weapons to school, or threaten others to get money.
The new VP came by to check my class out. He smiled and left with a wave.
At Merced High the situation was a bit more dire. They scheduled a class for me without a room with a period I was not going to be there. 8 students were roaming the campus looking for me.
The next period they assigned me a room and sent the students, one of which does not qualify, to a room that another teacher was teaching.
There is a major system infarct in progress here.
The psych I have been told has been trying to pick through the mess.
So one period at that campus had 3 students and the other had 2.
Its still August and it is early to get serious about who is where.
Kids are sweet and trying hard. What more could I want? Someday the system will catch up to them.. then again it might not.
8 {
Pat
Same students.. now they are sophomores. I will miss the Seniors (3) from Golden Valley, 2 from Merced High.
New students at each of the campuses. I was teaching three words today. Expulsion, possesion and extortion. These are words that are on the poster of every room. I also established the idea that they all know the difference between right and wrong. This means that if I am called into court to verify this I can do this. Even my lowest kids know that they should not bring weapons to school, or threaten others to get money.
The new VP came by to check my class out. He smiled and left with a wave.
At Merced High the situation was a bit more dire. They scheduled a class for me without a room with a period I was not going to be there. 8 students were roaming the campus looking for me.
The next period they assigned me a room and sent the students, one of which does not qualify, to a room that another teacher was teaching.
There is a major system infarct in progress here.
The psych I have been told has been trying to pick through the mess.
So one period at that campus had 3 students and the other had 2.
Its still August and it is early to get serious about who is where.
Kids are sweet and trying hard. What more could I want? Someday the system will catch up to them.. then again it might not.
8 {
Pat
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The Red Hat
I remembered a piece of Disneyland family lore the last week when we were in Disneyland.
As a 5th grader, my dad had decided to take me on a road trip the entire length of California. I had studied California in school and it was time that I knew what it was all about.
He and I traveled up 101 and over to Redding and experienced the upper valley. We stopped in Redding and he bought me a bright red had similar to a swiss fedora without the large brim. I thought it was a great hat. People, men and women wore more hats in that day. The 50's were hat years.
We visited Eureka, and stopped by a relative that was working at the Hupa Indian Reservation. I caught a small steelhead fish there. We also visited a friend that had a couple of boys my age that had a rope swing over the Eel river. It was great until you fell into the river because it was ice cold.
After we visited the Northern California fiends, we picked up Mom and Mikie Sue and headed to see Grandma Florence and Buck down in Sunland in Southern California. We were able to go to Disneyland when it was less than 2 years old. What an adventure. I really enjoyed the buckets that connected the edge of Fantasyland with Tomorrowlan d. The cars.. oh my the cars. And the muletrain adventure into the painted desert. There was the train and the jungle cruise and misson to mars and the house of the future.
I had a little independence. So my parents thought they could let me loose a little in the park. After all, they could spot me anywhere with my red hat. The red hat got lost soon after they let me go. They spent the day looking for the red hat and I spent the day using my E tickets.
As a 5th grader, my dad had decided to take me on a road trip the entire length of California. I had studied California in school and it was time that I knew what it was all about.
He and I traveled up 101 and over to Redding and experienced the upper valley. We stopped in Redding and he bought me a bright red had similar to a swiss fedora without the large brim. I thought it was a great hat. People, men and women wore more hats in that day. The 50's were hat years.
We visited Eureka, and stopped by a relative that was working at the Hupa Indian Reservation. I caught a small steelhead fish there. We also visited a friend that had a couple of boys my age that had a rope swing over the Eel river. It was great until you fell into the river because it was ice cold.
After we visited the Northern California fiends, we picked up Mom and Mikie Sue and headed to see Grandma Florence and Buck down in Sunland in Southern California. We were able to go to Disneyland when it was less than 2 years old. What an adventure. I really enjoyed the buckets that connected the edge of Fantasyland with Tomorrowlan d. The cars.. oh my the cars. And the muletrain adventure into the painted desert. There was the train and the jungle cruise and misson to mars and the house of the future.
I had a little independence. So my parents thought they could let me loose a little in the park. After all, they could spot me anywhere with my red hat. The red hat got lost soon after they let me go. They spent the day looking for the red hat and I spent the day using my E tickets.
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