Recent Comments:
Cruise Line Cuts Rates for Single Travelers {AOL Travel News}
Jun 28th 2010 4:00AM This isn't about a penalty for single people.. it is about maximum profit for the cruise lines.. which if you were an owner, you would want to maximize your profits too! If they can book a room for two.. it is twice the profit... If they can't book it for twice as much.. might as well lower it for the single cruisers. Two people/ 1 room = 2 food portions/1 space water/laundry service labor 1 person/ 1 room =1 food person/1 water laundry service labor cost. But, that is only if the ship is full... maximum profits... If it can't fill the ship.. rent some rooms per person.. But, I understand that 1 person/ room is not as cheap as 2 per room... The food/service & fuel is what costs the most.. not the space. Those that think they just want to "punish" single people aren't thinking about eh whole picture.. income vs. expenses... but some discounts should be made if the ship isn't booking to full capacity....
Boy Saves Friend From Drowning, Credits 'SpongeBob SquarePants' {ParentDish}
Jun 14th 2010 3:28AM This is a very touching story and a very lucky one. I am glad that it had a happy ending. I have taken life saving classes as a teen. I was taught specifically that you should not go in to save someone without first trying to hand them something to grab (a stick, a pole, a towel, a shirt). Then, drag them to safety. If they are conscious in water above both people's head, they usually panic and they will drag the rescuer down with them. They both drown. Fortunately, the five year old was probably significantly lighter than the eight year old and he may have been too young to know to panic.
As for the teaching children CPR and swimming, I am also a teacher. We do not have time in the regular classroom to teach a child EVERY possible life skill. If your school offers PE, it wouldn't hurt to have them teach swimming, CPR, how to treat an athletic injury, or brain surgery for that matter. However, depending on a county/state's funds, the basics are Reading, Writing and Arithmatic. With the economy the way it is, teacher layoffs and increased class sizes, we will be lucky to get those subjects covered. We are already so far behind other countries academically because too many of our parents do not back up our school system by supporting and supplimenting what is taught at school. Schools/Teachers in the US are continually blamed for not disciplining and not performing as well as other countries. However, I witness most families from almost any other country are supportive and reinforce what is taught at school. They even send their children to extended rigorous extra education AFTER school. I do not believe in constant education with no extra curricular activies. However, I find that the parents that critique our schools and feel that our schools should be teaching more of everything, aren't comparing the amount of time that other countries actually spend teaching their children Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. It amazes me, how parents can expect our children to even compete with other countries AND expect us to add additional curriculum.
As for kids learning from Spongebob~ I am just as guilty as most, because my child watches too much TV too. But, I sure wouldn't recommend learning life skills through TV.
However, it is very fortunate that this story had a happy ending! This little boy should feel proud and VERY lucky.
Does a Teacher Really Need to Remind Kids, "Hydrate!" {ParentDish}
Jun 9th 2010 2:41AM Sue & Mom,
Both of your comments are valid.
Sue is right-- Teachers have very little time to actually teach because they are expected by parents to go behind children to do responsibilities that the child should be learning to do for themselves. Drinking water is a necessity. And, reminding the class as a whole and providing a water break as a whole should be required a couple of times per day. But, individually reminding and monitoring each child's intake is unnecessary---However, the EXCEPTION in "Mom's" child's Kidney situation.
A child with a health condition that requires monitoring and one on one assistance is not only understandable... it is absolutely the responsibility of the teacher.
But, if all the children required that much attention, the class size should be much smaller so that it would not distract from teaching/planning time.
It isn't a matter of teachers being too lazy to individually monitor or remind kids. It is a matter of time off task from learning/planning that isn't necessary.
Does a Teacher Really Need to Remind Kids, "Hydrate!" {ParentDish}
Jun 9th 2010 2:12AM As a teacher of 20+ years, I do not know of any teacher that doesn't provide a water break at the water fountain & bathroom break after lunch (which is usually always before noon) and after PE. That is to avoid children interrupting instruction or using water breaks as an excuse to get out of their work or listening.
Most parents have no idea as to how hard it is to keep attention of 20+ kids. Especially when one asks to get water or use the restroom.. they ALL ask.. then it is 20+ min wasted. So, the planned break is the best solution.
As for bringing water bottles for the germaphobics, I usually allow them to keep them at their desk. However, 9/10 times they end up getting spilled all over the place because the child doesn't keep the top on and they play with the bottle instead of listening. It becomes a HUGE distraction.
The planned water breaks are the BEST solution for the most learning... as long as the children are instructed how to use them properly by not touching the spout and the school cleans them regularly. But as for teachers filling bottles... a 5 year old can even be taught how to fill a water bottle.
Kids can and SHOULD be taught how to do basic skills like carry their own book bag, open their own kechup packets, turn in their own homework, and be responsible for their own water. As a parent and teacher, I teach my child and students to be independent. And, they all end up in the more confident, high achiever's ranks because of it. Even Kindergarteners are SO much more capable than most parents ever imagine.
What Is White Font and Can It Help My Resume? {AOL Jobs}
Jun 8th 2010 12:10PM I haven't thought of using white font before. I know that it is used in many advertisers websites to get the search engines to display at the head of the line.. never heard of on resume's before. Actually, I wouldn't see it as cheating if you are using synonyms from your actual resume'. For example, the search program might be searching for the word- "reliable". But I might use the words-- I am one "you can count on" in any situation. I AM who they are looking for--but since I didn't use their EXACT words in my resume, my resume would be "computer" rejected. If I wrote it again using "reliable", it would be redundant. It don't believe it deceptive if you use words that actually describe who you are. To me, if they are using a computer to sort through resume's it would be fair to make sure that my resume has every word that describes myself so that the computer doesn't mistakenly "reject" me. I rather a human decide if I am the perfect candidate. And everyone has heard of getting their foot in the door is the first step. This is no worse than having a friend (who probably has no idea that you are a good candidate) recommend you for an interview. My friend would be the computer.
8-Year-Old Removed From Class for Using Olive Oil Hair Product {BV Black Spin}
Jun 7th 2010 3:52PM I agree that this situation was handled completely wrong. But, I also agree that olive oil is a putrid smell. If the school had actually told the parents (which is said on the video) then the parents should have changed hair products. I am sure there are other products that don't smell like olive oil. If the parents didn't respond to the complaint, they should have been called in. The child should not have to suffer humiliation or academically over a parent/teacher disagreement to the offensive odor. In the end, if that was the only honors class, the parents should have found a solution (IF notified properly). Then, if the parents chose to ignore it, the school had the right to require a change of hair products. It isn't a racial issue-- If a child comes to school with ANY offensive odors--ie: too much cologne, not wearing deoderant, bad hygene, issues of any race...the school has a right to enforce that the child DESCRETELY change habits. But, PROPER communications is the first critical step! I am not sure if we heard the entire story here. If so, it was handled completely wrong.
Lesbian Teen Says She Was Sent to a 'Fake Prom' {ParentDish}
Apr 7th 2010 1:50AM you say you have never heard of gay child molesters? you haven't heard of priest molesters?....just wondering.. I am christian.. and that isn't a proud moment of my religion..but your comment strikes me odd..
Lesbian Teen Says She Was Sent to a 'Fake Prom' {ParentDish}
Apr 7th 2010 1:44AM Life is choosing .. choosing who we party with.. friends are a choice.. mates are a choice.. .sex is a choice.. racial preference is a choice... invitations are a choice.. if we are invited... we attend.. (if we want to that is...) if we don't.. we choose other parties... why force ourselves on a party that we are not invited?? Political correctness is forcing others to lie to accept us..... but we need to only accept ourselves... joy in celebrating your own acceptance.. and forget other's opinions.. If other's acceptance of us and participation in their events in that important to us.. we will adapt.. if not.. we host our own event... and find joy in our own life/event.. don't try to chance others.. or ourselves... be yourself!.. accept yourself. PERIOD!
Lesbian Teen Says She Was Sent to a 'Fake Prom' {ParentDish}
Apr 7th 2010 1:05AM Whatever happened.. she wasn't invited... whatever their opinions ... the main event was cancelled.... she went to the "unpopular" event... I was the "unpopular" one.. and I wasn't invited.. I wasn't gay... whatever. get over it.. it happens... noone is forced to accept anyone... get over the idea of "politically correct".. if you aren't accepted.. get over it.. you can't force people to LIKE YOU.. they don't HAVE TO.. I don't even have to like myself.. whatever.. if you choose to be different.. If I want to be racial... bigotted... just plain shallow... that is MY CHOICE... have fun with your 5 other "friends" .. that is YOUR CHOICE... don't plan on forcing anyone to make you fit into the popular realm.. it is stupid to try.. and a fantasy if you made them accept you... it won't happen.. I am sick of our socity trying to MAKE us accept EVERYONE... in ALL situations... it isn't reality...
Student Braves Controversy, Refuses to Recite Pledge {ParentDish}
Nov 17th 2009 8:57AM I believe that the child has a right to refuse to say the pledge. However, this child is being taught to disrespect those in authority. To tell his teacher to "Go jump off a bridge" is inappropriate. The child should have been reprimanded for that. If the parents want to support their child's decision/beliefs, it should be their responsibility to bring this up with the school... NOT a child. We are bringing up too many children feeling that rules and procedures do not apply to THEM because they can CHOOSE to do whatever they want based on their beliefs. The purpose of school is to teach children how to become a productive citizen in society. That includes having to follow procedures of companies, supervisors, etc. And, how to appropriately object. You should use the "ladder of command".. in this case, speak he should have spoken to his parents. Then, the parents w/ child should go to the teacher. Or, if that doesn't work, then the principal. Then, if your parents still want to pursue the issue, take it to court. That is our legal system and how we change rules. That should be the lesson. If you disagree with your country's legal system/rules, it is time to move somewhere that has your same beliefs. Free speech should be a privilege to those that are old enough to know how to respectfully object. (Not a snotty nose kid who is obviously just another "bubbleboy" wannabe and his family.) I am sure that if the parents went to the teacher or the principal, this child would have been granted his right to object--respectively.
