Yes, a public school where he was on his way to becoming the valdictorian of his class, but he wanted more than he could get there. He also went to a private day school for extra computer training as he had done all that the public high school had to offer. He still wanted more! The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
This lady bought a Deisel Volkswagon and she had bacteria and algae growing in the fuel tank. VW says it will cost $10,500 to repair the car. Apparently, you are supposed to add an additive that gets rid of the water that enables the bacteria/algae to grow.
I wanted to point that out, because we're watching the public schools be blamed for everything as the villains in this world. The political types try to smear all public schools but most people are aware of their successful public schools. It's when the parents don't demand of the students that the schools go downhill because of the students and parents, seldom because of the teachers.
I recall one parent who complained about my elementary teacher wife. She assigned homework every night! It was interfering with her son's soccer practice and games. The district had a homework policy that there was to be homework in 5th or 3rd grade--I don't recall which level she taught at the time. This is what teachers put up with. I'm sure Richard can fill in with more stories of lack of reality on the part of some parents.
It wasn't the teachers, it was someone in the administration office that could do it. Was only supposed to be used to track lost or stolen laptops, but someone went beyond that.
That proves to me that if you give a thief a key they’ll use IT instead of a lock-pick.
If you're going to use the latest technology you better know how to use it and more importanly...control it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
ilovebuick.....Buicks aren't bad cars. I know they've been getting a lot of press lately as GM chose the brand to totally revamp their models. I think that will be good for the brand.....for awhile. GM has a very bad habit of sticking with a model way too long before revamping it. On top of that, as the model years wear on, they tend to de-content them also to add to their profit on a particular model. You are fine given that Buick models are all relatively new(er).
Haven't driven a Regal. Drove a LaCrosse rental, though. Pretty nice vehicle. I've never driven any Buick CUVs, though.
Just got a "birthday" card for my Acura (kind of a waste of money on Acura's part in my opinion). Didn't realize I've had it a year, already.
Ahhh....the Clinton years. I look back at them much more fondly than most. It was a period of the largest economic expansion in our country's history. Unemployment was low. No one was really putting money into sub-prime loans, yet (they were making plans to crash and burn the internet boon at the time). Oil was stable and marched lock step with solid economic underpinnings (vs now, where Wall St is trying to play economic meltdown, part II, where another bubble....oil....comes crashing down and the public must bail them out).
ilovebuick.....Buicks aren't bad cars. I know they've been getting a lot of press lately as GM chose the brand to totally revamp their models. I think that will be good for the brand.....for awhile. GM has a very bad habit of sticking with a model way too long before revamping it. On top of that, as the model years wear on, they tend to de-content them also to add to their profit on a particular model. You are fine given that Buick models are all relatively new(er).
Haven't driven a Regal. Drove a LaCrosse rental, though. Pretty nice vehicle. I've never driven any Buick CUVs, though.
Just got a "birthday" card for my Acura (kind of a waste of money on Acura's part in my opinion). Didn't realize I've had it a year, already.
Strange that you mentioned the homework and soccer. The other day, a grandparent was complaining to me about the homework and how it interferes with soccer practice and soccer games. I said, "Sam, it isn't likely that soccer will be the determining factor down the road when it comes to putting bread on the table." I wish that more parents and grandparents would have this reality check. I ran into this problem for years when I was a teacher.
Homework is assigned for two reasons: (1) To reinforce the skills taught in class and (2) To introduce new material because class time is so limited. I don't believe in five hours of homework per night, but I do think that it has an important place in covering the curriculum completely.
Many of you are grandparents. I don't know about you, but I'm seeing more and more grandparents doing the child rearing. I realize that both parents are working and have long days, but many of them seem to be doing less and less in terms of taking care of their children. I see too many grandparents raising the children---doing homework, cooking, washing, ironing, picking up from school, conferencing with the teachers, etc. Grandparents raised their children. No one said that they had to do a second generation. We know one couple who is raising the THIRD generation. They stay so tired that they can hardly move---never a moment for themselves. It's a shame.
Of course at this point three of their grandparents are dead and the fourth will hit 90 in May....
Of course, you got a late start .....
Richard, you believe that one purpose of homework is to introduce new material to the kids?
I respectfully disagree .. I believe the teachers should present new material in class and use homework to reinforce those lessons. I, too, don't believe in homework for homeworks sake, but to reinforce lessons and to teach the children the value of time management.
The problem occurs, as noted above, that there isn't any time left after soccer, ballet, martial arts, baseball, softball, dance, Scouts (Boy or Girl), gymnastics, lacrosse, or any of the other extra-curricular activities that kids do now.
A friend of my wife has a bumper sticker that reads:
Preschool is not boot camp for kindergarten
Last week, my wife attended the funeral of the grandmother of kids who are enrolled in her early childhood program. This grandmother did everything for the kids - and now there is a huge hole in the family dynamic now that she's gone. Fortunately, the kids will continue to attend school as before, but there has been considerable juggling of schedules for both parents and remaining grandparents.
I started late and kept going. Those last kids came when I was 50!
First one was at 38. My plans were to have them much younger but, well, that didn't happen. The older two got to know their grandparents though my mom had a very long slide with dementia so their good memories with her are short.
Well, I got a call a bit ago that the oldest one was in an accident. First call from my wife just said accident and she's OK but car damage. Followup is that she sideswiped a guardrail on a ramp (rainy here today - just the right conditions). A cop came by, told her the car was perfectly drivable and gave her a ticket for careless driving.
I'll chat with my brother the lawyer about getting it reduced so that the insurance rates won't go up but that will mean a more expensive ticket - but that part is her problem not mine.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I think the overburdening with homework is more a problem in secondary schools than elementary schools, largely due to the variety of teachers kids have for each subject in secondary school.
Sometimes the teachers aren't particularly conscious of how much overall homework a child may have. It seems to work better in schools where "teaming" is practiced, so that all kids on a certain team will have the same teachers for core classes.
I taught foreign language for awhile, and tried to be aware that my homework wasn't the only homework they'd have, AND that homework needed to be tasks they should be able to do independently, as many parents aren't equipped to help much.
One year, I did have to have a talk with an administrator of my daughter's school, because it did get to a point where there was almost no time leftover for anything but school and homework - that's not realistic either. Kids learn about life, teamwork, commitment, etc., through sports, music lessons, and even playing with each other. Some schools just need a better balance.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I'm seeing more and more grandparents doing the child rearing.
I think I mentioned once before that when I was in the classroom, I taught kindergarten for a number of years. I chose to teach in challenging schools in less than desirable neighborhoods (and loved it.)
I had several grandparents who were raising their children's children. Most of the time it was because the parents just didn't care. Very sad.
The worst was this poor grandmother who was doing the best she could to take care of her grandson and her husband. It was her son's boy and this dad didn't give a flying rip. I can't remember what happened to the mom.
The grandmother did provide a stable home but she would confide in me how tough it was on her. At the end of the school year she told me that she just couldn't do it any longer. This poor 6-year old had to go live with a dad who didn't want him. It was heart wrenching.
You need a license to drive (shameless attempt to keep it car-related), you need to take tests to graduate from high school, but you don't need any piece of paper to have a child. :sick:
That has been an issue for my daughter. She always manages to get things done and she is an excellent student but when one is burdened with several AP and honors courses, sleep really suffers. I can't believe the amount of time she puts in. Thank goodness she has the work ethic to pull it off.
She is sooo ready for high school to be over though.
It seems to work better in schools where "teaming" is practiced, so that all kids on a certain team will have the same teachers for core classes.
My son's middle school does that but it still doesn't stop the piling on. My son typically does about 3 hours a day with projects and the such. He has MCAS testing this week and still has plenty of homework to do.
She better like that the car is still OK because she's buying an insuring the next one.
The two older girls were reluctant students at best (though the second is doing OK so far in college and likes what she's doing). At least one of the 9 year olds is doing to be on that honors track.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
She is sooo ready for high school to be over though - The amount of pressure, work, and stress put on today's students is INSANE. My wife and I recently saw a movie entitled "The Race to Nowhere" that documents students' bouts with anxiety, depression, & how they are just plain burnt out. Google "Race to Nowhere." Very interesting.
One thing brought up in the film is how High School used to prepare students for college, now it just prepares students for their college application.
My older son will be starting kindergarten in the fall. We just had a meeting with his pre-school teachers who basically told us that "Kindergarten is the new 1st Grade." Much less play time & more school work. He will be attending public school.
If it were not for the incredible help of my Mom & wife's Mom, we couldn't make it. Her Mom drives from Long Island to Connecticut every Monday to watch my boys so my wife can work. My Mom drives from Rockland County, NY to Connecticut every Thursday for the same reason. The rides themselves aren't bad at normal times (45 minutes to my parents, 55 minutes to hers), but during rush hour it takes them 1.5 to 2 hours depending on weather & traffic.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Our 2008 Buick Lucerne CXL is a very nice car; however as Tjc78 mentioned the 3.8 L is low tech engine. We previously owned a 2005 Buick Lacrosse CXS...which came with the 3.6 L (same engine as the CTS) and it was very smooth and powerful. My wife likes the 3.8 L Lucerne engine just fine (her favorite car ever); but I miss the smoothness and power of the 3.6 L.
We chose the Buick Lucerne over a 2008 Ford Fusion; because my wife thought the seats were not comfortable in the Ford...and she thought the Buick represented a much better value.
Kia Sorrento was not considered...not attractive to me and really more the size of Equinox or Terrain.
Good advice on renting...however my wife just isn't that practical.
Comfortable seats and quiet tuning on recent Buicks brought our business to Buick. Neither of us really have a fondness for 70's and 80's era Buicks.
But, that's their problem. And it goes a lot deeper than cars.
I agree with that too. Like my school friend I hadn't seen for 40 years. I am surprised to see he has the exact same car as I do, 2008 bmw Cabriolet. Different color and only has 15k miles on it.
2 weeks later he says lets go for a coffee, and he gets a brand new 7 Series BMW barge.......and acts like he happened to be looking at the dealers and thought he should buy it.
I think it just bothered him that my car was the same as his and he had to go one better. Sad, but I think that is what happened.
Also, at a dinner at our high school reunion one guy was going on about his fancy house and how he liked his bmw. His wife didn't want to be at this reunion and she thought the big city she lived in was the only place you should live...she seemed really out of place and uncomfortable.
So, yes I agree, there are people who drive bmws for the status etc. but, I also would say, MOST of the people I know buy them because they like and appreciate the handling and engineering.
Many of you are grandparents. I don't know about you, but I'm seeing more and more grandparents doing the child rearing. I realize that both parents are working and have long days, but many of them seem to be doing less and less in terms of taking care of their children.
I’m one of the many (have 5 grandkids) but my sons and their wives raise their kids just like we did. We are very much involved with the grandkids and go to a lot of their activities but the parents do the raising of the kids. Personally, we think the kids are enrolled in too many activities but, so far, it hasn’t hampered their grades.
Typical of the kids of today, they have a lot of stuff and because of that Mrs. j and I have tried to buy bonds and cloths for them instead of more stuff. For the most part we have done pretty well at that but since Grandma still likes to shop they aren’t totally ignored in that category. She has said to me several times, “no wonder these young adults today live in large houses, they need a room just for all the toys”.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Comfortable seats and quiet tuning on recent Buicks brought our business to Buick.
I actually know where you are coming from. Some days if my back is stiff (usually from playing tennis) I think it might be easier getting in and out of a Caddie or Buick.....instead of a 2 door bmw. But, most days, I think I am just not quite ready for that yet.
Old age is always 10 years more than what you are now........so I'll wait for 10 years, then see how mobile I am.
Kindergarten is very academic today. The tikes are expected to come in knowing how to read and write. It's not about circle and snack time anymore.
I remember my oldest coming home from his first day of K - he was absolutely beat.
My wife and I recently saw a movie entitled "The Race to Nowhere" that documents students' bouts with anxiety, depression, & how they are just plain burnt out.
My 14 YO son pointed out recently that it seems everything he does is about getting to the next step. Study for this test so you'll get a good grade for the year so you can get into honors in high school so you can get into a good college so you can get a good job....He said there are days he justs want to ride his bike and enjoy the day - and he's right. There have been weekends where he'll say he just wants to hang instead of going on a boy scout trip or play in another lacrosse tournament and that's just fine.
I am pretty sure that the pressure they put on kids now is why my older ones lost interest in school. So far yje younger ones kind of eat it up - one because she really likes learning and being constantly busy and the other because she's afraid of being too far behind her sister who wouldn't let her forget it.
I see the Accord back in front of the house. Daughter is up napping. Now it is raining and dark but I don't even see the damage on the car. She'd have been better just taking a deep breath and moving on. She'd have missed the ticket.
I do have to ask my brother the lawyer how a cop can issue a careless driving ticket to someone he didn't see driving.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Good grief! Of course you do, and I can see why. I realized after I posted that I didn't explain that purpose correctly. Here's what I meant to say: For homework, I might ask them to read the introduction and scan the next unit. Along wiht that, I would give them some "guesstament" questions so that I can see if they have any prior knowledge of the topic. Heaven forbid that new material not be introduced by the teacher in class! I do apologize for not making myself clearer.
"...more stories of the lack of reality on the part of some parents.."
I think that's my cue. Teachers have a hard time with parents but at least they are held back by the power a teacher has to flunk their kids. There's also some residual respect for the teaching profession.
Not so with school bus drivers who are looked at as low class scum by most parents.
The other day I had a 3rd grader who just would not sit down while the bus was moving (safety issue). I finally after the 10th attempt told him that I would be writing a safety infraction letter and sending home to mother. He thought about this for a while and then pointed his finger at me like a mock gun and said " I'll pull the trigger and down he goes--right out the window!" Of course I wrote that in the letter too.
A week later his mother was at the bus stop, angry that I had dared to sanction her little darling and proudly announcing "Oh, I just tore that letter up". And we wonder how serial killers get their start.
I also had a parent call my boss once to demand my termination because I had not stopped during my run to pick up her garbage cans.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I agree. Also, teaming does help when and where possible. Still, homework is a problem in grades 1-8, not just in secondary school. My great nephews are in grades 5 and 7. They have lots of homework, plus basketball, baseball, and soccer. Their parents run between projects and practice constantly. My nephew is in China on business one week out of every month. We try to help out when he is gone.
I used to see the same thngs that you did. It was very sad. I know that this isn't funny, but I had to laugh when I heard it. Many years ago when I was teaching in a wonderful high school, I went to the lounge one day after school to get a Coke and take a break. There was a teacher sitting on the sofa who had obviously had a terrible day. She looked up at me and said, "I now believe in forced sterilization." It cracked me up. I never forgot it because she was truly one of the best teachers in her field. We all have had those days.
Cheers for your daughter taking those AP and Honors courses. They are not for the faint at heart. The AP courses come with college credit. I used to tell my students on the first day of class: "This AP course is for college credit. If you signed up just to be with your friends, go now to the office and change your schedule. Also, there will be tons of outside reading, research papers, and detailed projects. If you feel that your other activities will interfere with this course, then you need to re-think your course plan. In addition, I hope that you have discussed this challenge with your parents. I don't want complaints when the going gets tough." I never had but one or two who changed their schedules. Not one parent ever complained.
I took AP training for a full summer at the University of Alabama. I never worked so hard in my life. Class was from 8 AM-4 PM. I spent another three or four hours each night preparing plans and reading books. It made graduate school seem simple. The course was $3,000. My school system paid for half of it. Believe me when I say that they got their money's worth.
That's a shame. Pre-school should be a time of socialization, motor skill development, and fun. Though I agree in starting children early upon the learning path, there needs to be a time of transition and introduction. Hopefully, that will be your son's case. Best of luck to you both as you start down this grand path of watching your children grow and develop.
"...bonds and clothes for them instead of more stuff."
Good for you! We try to do the same thing. I don't know about you but, when I was growing up, I got two toys at Christmas and one on my birthday. My grandmother gave us clothes. Today, children often get so many toys that they don't even know what to play with next. It amazes me.
Yeh, I don't know what is worse, bacteria growing in your tank or yellow sac spiders.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Mazda is recalling about 52,000 Mazda6 sedans in the U.S., because yellow sac spiders like to build their nests in part of the fuel system.
I'll pull the trigger and down he goes--right out the window!"
It is too bad you can only write a report about the little......................
If I recall my teacher training, punishment has to be done right away or it doesn't really register. Or is that with training dogs? I am not sure. But, it is about the same thing.
Seriously, I don't know how you drive a school bus with kids like that...and your only recourse is to write it up. :sick:
Robert, I'm delighted to hear that your 14 year old son wants to ride his bike. The simple things are often the best. He gets good exercise and a chance to be away from the stress of growing up. Children have so much pressure on them these days. The competition in sports and academics, plus all of the social networking, can be draining on a child. Just like us, they need their own time and space. Good luck during these teen years. They can be a challenge for both children and parents.
As I said once before, you are the school employee that I most admire. It is a thankless, demanding job not nearly paying what it should. If they would allow you to forbid the student from riding the bus for the remainder of the year, things might change. Children AND parents might learn some respect and appreciation.
>I took AP training for a full summer at the University of Alabama. I never worked so hard in my life. Class was from 8 AM-4 PM.
WHAT!!!!!
I thought teachers had 3 months off and just sat around watchin Jerry Springer during the day and sat at the local bar at night!!! grin...
For those thinking charter schools are the great savior (supplied by corporate America) take a read of this discussion of "Waiting for Superman." It's being touted by our wonderboy governor in Ohio. But charter schools aren't as successful as the public schools. In fact, a set of Muslin schools, sponsored by a business, imports teachers from Turkey and promotes pays them better than the US teachers. I can't link the Dayton Daily News article because it was a paper only article that they throw in to keep people reading the actual paper copies.
Usually when there's a miracle teacher, school, process, etc., there's a numerical manipulation behind it. Here's the story about DC's miracle superintendent who fired lots of teachers.
I recall when Bush brought the guy who turned around the Texas county schools to DC to save education, it turned out he had manipulated results in the computer system for the testing or graduation results--hence the greatly improved graduation results. And Bush was going to share that with the country.
We decided to have just one child(both of us hate minivans and big SUVs). We send him to a private Christian school that focuses on preparing students for college. The local public schools were never under consideration. It's an ominous sign when practically every teacher you know sends their kids to private schools. Kind of like a Chevy salesman who drives a Mercedes...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That was back in 2003; my wife drove a 1997 528i while I drove a 1999 Wrangler. My track toy was my 1995 318ti. I still have the Wrangler and the 3 Series. My wife traded the 5 Series for a CPO 2004 X3, which is still going strong at 110,000 miles. As for Buicks, I would gladly take a 70-72 GS 455, or an '80s GNX. Nothing else from Lansing is my cup of tea. If it's over 3500 lbs and NOT RWD I'm simply not interested...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Keith, thanks for those articles. They were most interesting. In regard to the number of erasures on tests being suspiciously high, I need to add one thing to that discrepancy. There has been a tactic used to lower the number of erasures but achieve the correct answers. The teacher is told to walk by each student's desk and simply point to a correct answer or answers. Teachers are told not to say a word for fear that other children might hear them and say something to their parents. Also, teachers have been told to fill in blank spaces after the test if the child doesn't attempt a question.
If you add together the erasures, the "pointing", and the filling in blanks, you certainly don't get a true picture of a child's proficientency. You also get a school with a better title than it deserves.
Back in the late '90's, one of the high schools in my school system was named the number one high school for high test scores in the state. I was shocked, dumb founded, and very suspicious. There was a big celebration with the state brass coming down for the day, and the teachers received nice bonus checks. Though I wanted it to be true, I just knew that something was wrong. Later that summer, the word began to leak out in the community. During the three days of spring testing, the school principal removed all low performing students from tested subjects. They were allowed to watch movies, play basketball, have free study halls, etc. The test results went through the roof. His plan was to filter these students through testing over the next three semesters. When discovered, you should have seen his master charts of these students, their subjects, their class schedules, etc. This guy was a real master mind! I hate to say this on Edmunds, but he now owns his own used car lot. He has personality plus. He could sell a used Pinto to a corporate executive.
I'm not sure I can tell this well. My neighbor's daughter was going for her PhD in some education/education related area. Her thesis was based, or tied to, analysis of data from a state education data base. When the data was pulled, it was almost impossible for her to use because it could be obviously seen the data was forged, faked, etc, etc. Last I heard, she was still struggling to assimulate the data some way into her paper.
I don't know about you but, when I was growing up, I got two toys at Christmas and one on my birthday.
For the most part that’s the way it was done when I grew up too but there were times when we got toys out of the blue.
Today, children often get so many toys that they don't even know what to play with next. It amazes me.
It isn’t only today but today it has gone to another level. When my sons were growing up they had their fair share, believe me. After a while Mrs. j noticed that they were only playing with some of them and others just sat in the toy boxes (2 of them) for a long time. She had heard somewhere that the toys that weren’t being played with should be put in a box and put away until the kids noticed that they were missing. She did that many times. I ought to know because I was the one that schlepped the boxes up and down from the attic.
One day she overheard a conversation from between the two boys with Son #2 saying to his older brother, “we better get more toys out here before Mom hides them on us again”. :mad:
Son #1 and his wife heard a good one this year about all the Halloween candy that is collected. Their 3 sons were told to pick out a couple handfuls of the candy they wanted then the rest of it would be taken to a home for kids not as fortunate as they were. They actually felt good about doing that. On the way home the oldest (9) said to his Dad, “it’s really just junk food and would probably cost you money to have our cavities fixed, huh”? There was a down side to that because when Grandma heard that she said, “Ah, that’s really nice of them to do that. They deserve something special for that”. :surprise:
It’s never too young for them to think of others.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Comments
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
He's already married. :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
To see the clip it is a video on the right side of the screen.
VW Bacteria in gas tank
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Isn't it amazing how everyone attacks the teachers as being the problems. Our Ohio Governor has that same problem.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I wanted to point that out, because we're watching the public schools be blamed for everything as the villains in this world. The political types try to smear all public schools but most people are aware of their successful public schools. It's when the parents don't demand of the students that the schools go downhill because of the students and parents, seldom because of the teachers.
I recall one parent who complained about my elementary teacher wife. She assigned homework every night! It was interfering with her son's soccer practice and games. The district had a homework policy that there was to be homework in 5th or 3rd grade--I don't recall which level she taught at the time. This is what teachers put up with. I'm sure Richard can fill in with more stories of lack of reality on the part of some parents.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That proves to me that if you give a thief a key they’ll use IT instead of a lock-pick.
If you're going to use the latest technology you better know how to use it and more importanly...control it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
ilovebuick.....Buicks aren't bad cars. I know they've been getting a lot of press lately as GM chose the brand to totally revamp their models. I think that will be good for the brand.....for awhile. GM has a very bad habit of sticking with a model way too long before revamping it. On top of that, as the model years wear on, they tend to de-content them also to add to their profit on a particular model. You are fine given that Buick models are all relatively new(er).
Haven't driven a Regal. Drove a LaCrosse rental, though. Pretty nice vehicle. I've never driven any Buick CUVs, though.
Just got a "birthday" card for my Acura (kind of a waste of money on Acura's part in my opinion). Didn't realize I've had it a year, already.
Ahhh....the Clinton years. I look back at them much more fondly than most. It was a period of the largest economic expansion in our country's history. Unemployment was low. No one was really putting money into sub-prime loans, yet (they were making plans to crash and burn the internet boon at the time). Oil was stable and marched lock step with solid economic underpinnings (vs now, where Wall St is trying to play economic meltdown, part II, where another bubble....oil....comes crashing down and the public must bail them out).
ilovebuick.....Buicks aren't bad cars. I know they've been getting a lot of press lately as GM chose the brand to totally revamp their models. I think that will be good for the brand.....for awhile. GM has a very bad habit of sticking with a model way too long before revamping it. On top of that, as the model years wear on, they tend to de-content them also to add to their profit on a particular model. You are fine given that Buick models are all relatively new(er).
Haven't driven a Regal. Drove a LaCrosse rental, though. Pretty nice vehicle. I've never driven any Buick CUVs, though.
Just got a "birthday" card for my Acura (kind of a waste of money on Acura's part in my opinion). Didn't realize I've had it a year, already.
Richard
Homework is assigned for two reasons: (1) To reinforce the skills taught in class and (2) To introduce new material because class time is so limited. I don't believe in five hours of homework per night, but I do think that it has an important place in covering the curriculum completely.
Many of you are grandparents. I don't know about you, but I'm seeing more and more grandparents doing the child rearing. I realize that both parents are working and have long days, but many of them seem to be doing less and less in terms of taking care of their children. I see too many grandparents raising the children---doing homework, cooking, washing, ironing, picking up from school, conferencing with the teachers, etc. Grandparents raised their children. No one said that they had to do a second generation. We know one couple who is raising the THIRD generation. They stay so tired that they can hardly move---never a moment for themselves. It's a shame.
Richard
Of course at this point three of their grandparents are dead and the fourth will hit 90 in May....
Of course, you got a late start .....
Richard, you believe that one purpose of homework is to introduce new material to the kids?
I respectfully disagree .. I believe the teachers should present new material in class and use homework to reinforce those lessons. I, too, don't believe in homework for homeworks sake, but to reinforce lessons and to teach the children the value of time management.
The problem occurs, as noted above, that there isn't any time left after soccer, ballet, martial arts, baseball, softball, dance, Scouts (Boy or Girl), gymnastics, lacrosse, or any of the other extra-curricular activities that kids do now.
A friend of my wife has a bumper sticker that reads:
Preschool is not boot camp for kindergarten
Last week, my wife attended the funeral of the grandmother of kids who are enrolled in her early childhood program. This grandmother did everything for the kids - and now there is a huge hole in the family dynamic now that she's gone. Fortunately, the kids will continue to attend school as before, but there has been considerable juggling of schedules for both parents and remaining grandparents.
First one was at 38. My plans were to have them much younger but, well, that didn't happen. The older two got to know their grandparents though my mom had a very long slide with dementia so their good memories with her are short.
Well, I got a call a bit ago that the oldest one was in an accident. First call from my wife just said accident and she's OK but car damage. Followup is that she sideswiped a guardrail on a ramp (rainy here today - just the right conditions). A cop came by, told her the car was perfectly drivable and gave her a ticket for careless driving.
I'll chat with my brother the lawyer about getting it reduced so that the insurance rates won't go up but that will mean a more expensive ticket - but that part is her problem not mine.
Is this the same child who submerged the Camry?
Hoo, boy.
Sometimes the teachers aren't particularly conscious of how much overall homework a child may have. It seems to work better in schools where "teaming" is practiced, so that all kids on a certain team will have the same teachers for core classes.
I taught foreign language for awhile, and tried to be aware that my homework wasn't the only homework they'd have, AND that homework needed to be tasks they should be able to do independently, as many parents aren't equipped to help much.
One year, I did have to have a talk with an administrator of my daughter's school, because it did get to a point where there was almost no time leftover for anything but school and homework - that's not realistic either. Kids learn about life, teamwork, commitment, etc., through sports, music lessons, and even playing with each other. Some schools just need a better balance.
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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I think I mentioned once before that when I was in the classroom, I taught kindergarten for a number of years. I chose to teach in challenging schools in less than desirable neighborhoods (and loved it.)
I had several grandparents who were raising their children's children. Most of the time it was because the parents just didn't care. Very sad.
The worst was this poor grandmother who was doing the best she could to take care of her grandson and her husband. It was her son's boy and this dad didn't give a flying rip. I can't remember what happened to the mom.
The grandmother did provide a stable home but she would confide in me how tough it was on her. At the end of the school year she told me that she just couldn't do it any longer. This poor 6-year old had to go live with a dad who didn't want him. It was heart wrenching.
You need a license to drive (shameless attempt to keep it car-related), you need to take tests to graduate from high school, but you don't need any piece of paper to have a child. :sick:
That has been an issue for my daughter. She always manages to get things done and she is an excellent student but when one is burdened with several AP and honors courses, sleep really suffers. I can't believe the amount of time she puts in. Thank goodness she has the work ethic to pull it off.
She is sooo ready for high school to be over though.
My son's middle school does that but it still doesn't stop the piling on. My son typically does about 3 hours a day with projects and the such. He has MCAS testing this week and still has plenty of homework to do.
She better like that the car is still OK because she's buying an insuring the next one.
The two older girls were reluctant students at best (though the second is doing OK so far in college and likes what she's doing). At least one of the 9 year olds is doing to be on that honors track.
FINALLY, you saw the light.
But, that's their problem.
And it goes a lot deeper than cars.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
One thing brought up in the film is how High School used to prepare students for college, now it just prepares students for their college application.
My older son will be starting kindergarten in the fall. We just had a meeting with his pre-school teachers who basically told us that "Kindergarten is the new 1st Grade." Much less play time & more school work. He will be attending public school.
If it were not for the incredible help of my Mom & wife's Mom, we couldn't make it. Her Mom drives from Long Island to Connecticut every Monday to watch my boys so my wife can work. My Mom drives from Rockland County, NY to Connecticut every Thursday for the same reason. The rides themselves aren't bad at normal times (45 minutes to my parents, 55 minutes to hers), but during rush hour it takes them 1.5 to 2 hours depending on weather & traffic.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
We chose the Buick Lucerne over a 2008 Ford Fusion; because my wife thought the seats were not comfortable in the Ford...and she thought the Buick represented a much better value.
Kia Sorrento was not considered...not attractive to me and really more the size of Equinox or Terrain.
Good advice on renting...however my wife just isn't that practical.
Comfortable seats and quiet tuning on recent Buicks brought our business to Buick. Neither of us really have a fondness for 70's and 80's era Buicks.
Kevin
And it goes a lot deeper than cars.
I agree with that too. Like my school friend I hadn't seen for 40 years. I am surprised to see he has the exact same car as I do, 2008 bmw Cabriolet. Different color and only has 15k miles on it.
2 weeks later he says lets go for a coffee, and he gets a brand new 7 Series BMW barge.......and acts like he happened to be looking at the dealers and thought he should buy it.
I think it just bothered him that my car was the same as his and he had to go one better. Sad, but I think that is what happened.
Also, at a dinner at our high school reunion one guy was going on about his fancy house and how he liked his bmw. His wife didn't want to be at this reunion and she thought the big city she lived in was the only place you should live...she seemed really out of place and uncomfortable.
So, yes I agree, there are people who drive bmws for the status etc. but, I also would say, MOST of the people I know buy them because they like and appreciate the handling and engineering.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I’m one of the many (have 5 grandkids) but my sons and their wives raise their kids just like we did. We are very much involved with the grandkids and go to a lot of their activities but the parents do the raising of the kids. Personally, we think the kids are enrolled in too many activities but, so far, it hasn’t hampered their grades.
Typical of the kids of today, they have a lot of stuff and because of that Mrs. j and I have tried to buy bonds and cloths for them instead of more stuff. For the most part we have done pretty well at that but since Grandma still likes to shop they aren’t totally ignored in that category. She has said to me several times, “no wonder these young adults today live in large houses, they need a room just for all the toys”.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I actually know where you are coming from. Some days if my back is stiff (usually from playing tennis) I think it might be easier getting in and out of a Caddie or Buick.....instead of a 2 door bmw. But, most days, I think I am just not quite ready for that yet.
Old age is always 10 years more than what you are now........so I'll wait for 10 years, then see how mobile I am.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Kindergarten is very academic today. The tikes are expected to come in knowing how to read and write. It's not about circle and snack time anymore.
I remember my oldest coming home from his first day of K - he was absolutely beat.
My wife and I recently saw a movie entitled "The Race to Nowhere" that documents students' bouts with anxiety, depression, & how they are just plain burnt out.
My 14 YO son pointed out recently that it seems everything he does is about getting to the next step. Study for this test so you'll get a good grade for the year so you can get into honors in high school so you can get into a good college so you can get a good job....He said there are days he justs want to ride his bike and enjoy the day - and he's right. There have been weekends where he'll say he just wants to hang instead of going on a boy scout trip or play in another lacrosse tournament and that's just fine.
I see the Accord back in front of the house. Daughter is up napping. Now it is raining and dark but I don't even see the damage on the car. She'd have been better just taking a deep breath and moving on. She'd have missed the ticket.
I do have to ask my brother the lawyer how a cop can issue a careless driving ticket to someone he didn't see driving.
That's nothing...
http://jalopnik.com/#!5775542/mazda-recalls-mazda6-over-spider-threat-to-fuel-sy- stem
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Good grief! Of course you do, and I can see why. I realized after I posted that I didn't explain that purpose correctly. Here's what I meant to say: For homework, I might ask them to read the introduction and scan the next unit. Along wiht that, I would give them some "guesstament" questions so that I can see if they have any prior knowledge of the topic. Heaven forbid that new material not be introduced by the teacher in class! I do apologize for not making myself clearer.
Richard
Man, you have stamina, and I do mean stamina!!!
"...the oldest one was in an accident."
What is it with this young lady's driving? Perhaps a new driving course would help?
Richard
I think that's my cue. Teachers have a hard time with parents but at least they are held back by the power a teacher has to flunk their kids. There's also some residual respect for the teaching profession.
Not so with school bus drivers who are looked at as low class scum by most parents.
The other day I had a 3rd grader who just would not sit down while the bus was moving (safety issue). I finally after the 10th attempt told him that I would be writing a safety infraction letter and sending home to mother. He thought about this for a while and then pointed his finger at me like a mock gun and said " I'll pull the trigger and down he goes--right out the window!" Of course I wrote that in the letter too.
A week later his mother was at the bus stop, angry that I had dared to sanction her little darling and proudly announcing "Oh, I just tore that letter up". And we wonder how serial killers get their start.
I also had a parent call my boss once to demand my termination because I had not stopped during my run to pick up her garbage cans.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I agree. Also, teaming does help when and where possible. Still, homework is a problem in grades 1-8, not just in secondary school. My great nephews are in grades 5 and 7. They have lots of homework, plus basketball, baseball, and soccer. Their parents run between projects and practice constantly. My nephew is in China on business one week out of every month. We try to help out when he is gone.
Richard
Richard
I took AP training for a full summer at the University of Alabama. I never worked so hard in my life. Class was from 8 AM-4 PM. I spent another three or four hours each night preparing plans and reading books. It made graduate school seem simple. The course was $3,000. My school system paid for half of it. Believe me when I say that they got their money's worth.
Richard
That's a shame. Pre-school should be a time of socialization, motor skill development, and fun. Though I agree in starting children early upon the learning path, there needs to be a time of transition and introduction. Hopefully, that will be your son's case. Best of luck to you both as you start down this grand path of watching your children grow and develop.
Richard
Good for you! We try to do the same thing. I don't know about you but, when I was growing up, I got two toys at Christmas and one on my birthday. My grandmother gave us clothes. Today, children often get so many toys that they don't even know what to play with next. It amazes me.
Richard
That's nothing...
Yeh, I don't know what is worse, bacteria growing in your tank or yellow sac spiders.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Mazda is recalling about 52,000 Mazda6 sedans in the U.S., because yellow sac spiders like to build their nests in part of the fuel system.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It is too bad you can only write a report about the little......................
If I recall my teacher training, punishment has to be done right away or it doesn't really register. Or is that with training dogs? I am not sure. But, it is about the same thing.
Seriously, I don't know how you drive a school bus with kids like that...and your only recourse is to write it up. :sick:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Richard
WHAT!!!!!
I thought teachers had 3 months off and just sat around watchin Jerry Springer during the day and sat at the local bar at night!!! grin...
For those thinking charter schools are the great savior (supplied by corporate America) take a read of this discussion of "Waiting for Superman." It's being touted by our wonderboy governor in Ohio. But charter schools aren't as successful as the public schools. In fact, a set of Muslin schools, sponsored by a business, imports teachers from Turkey and promotes pays them better than the US teachers. I can't link the Dayton Daily News article because it was a paper only article that they throw in to keep people reading the actual paper copies.
Knowing that "Waiting for Superman" is by same guy as "Inconvenient Truth" kills it for credibility.
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2010/nov/11/myth-charter-schools/
With reference to Richard's earlier list of how to rate schools:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-03-28-1Aschooltesting28_CV_N.htm
Usually when there's a miracle teacher, school, process, etc., there's a numerical manipulation behind it. Here's the story about DC's miracle superintendent who fired lots of teachers.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-03-28-1Aschooltesting28_CV_N.htm
I recall when Bush brought the guy who turned around the Texas county schools to DC to save education, it turned out he had manipulated results in the computer system for the testing or graduation results--hence the greatly improved graduation results. And Bush was going to share that with the country.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Amen!
Let me guess... a toy table and chair set??? :shades:
If you add together the erasures, the "pointing", and the filling in blanks, you certainly don't get a true picture of a child's proficientency. You also get a school with a better title than it deserves.
Back in the late '90's, one of the high schools in my school system was named the number one high school for high test scores in the state. I was shocked, dumb founded, and very suspicious. There was a big celebration with the state brass coming down for the day, and the teachers received nice bonus checks. Though I wanted it to be true, I just knew that something was wrong. Later that summer, the word began to leak out in the community. During the three days of spring testing, the school principal removed all low performing students from tested subjects. They were allowed to watch movies, play basketball, have free study halls, etc. The test results went through the roof. His plan was to filter these students through testing over the next three semesters. When discovered, you should have seen his master charts of these students, their subjects, their class schedules, etc. This guy was a real master mind! I hate to say this on Edmunds, but he now owns his own used car lot. He has personality plus. He could sell a used Pinto to a corporate executive.
Richard
For the most part that’s the way it was done when I grew up too but there were times when we got toys out of the blue.
Today, children often get so many toys that they don't even know what to play with next. It amazes me.
It isn’t only today but today it has gone to another level. When my sons were growing up they had their fair share, believe me. After a while Mrs. j noticed that they were only playing with some of them and others just sat in the toy boxes (2 of them) for a long time. She had heard somewhere that the toys that weren’t being played with should be put in a box and put away until the kids noticed that they were missing. She did that many times. I ought to know because I was the one that schlepped the boxes up and down from the attic.
One day she overheard a conversation from between the two boys with Son #2 saying to his older brother, “we better get more toys out here before Mom hides them on us again”. :mad:
Son #1 and his wife heard a good one this year about all the Halloween candy that is collected. Their 3 sons were told to pick out a couple handfuls of the candy they wanted then the rest of it would be taken to a home for kids not as fortunate as they were. They actually felt good about doing that. On the way home the oldest (9) said to his Dad, “it’s really just junk food and would probably cost you money to have our cavities fixed, huh”? There was a down side to that because when Grandma heard that she said, “Ah, that’s really nice of them to do that. They deserve something special for that”. :surprise:
It’s never too young for them to think of others.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl