It occurs to me, every now and then, that, at various times, the same rules of behavior don't apply to everyone. There's the speeder who justifies this with being late for work, school, grocery shopping, whatever. There's the person who lets their dog out late at night so they won't have to pick up after their pet (but the neighbors do). There's the late-comer who comes to every meeting, dinner date, party, late (and "just can't help it"). There are those who postpone doing almost everything: calling an elderly relative, painting the living room (me), handing in work assignments, cutting out junk food, stacking wood, and so on (naturally, with good reasons). How about the person who brings 30 items to the '14 or fewer' line at the grocery store? I guess the top of the heap is the person who wriggles out of every situation with an excuse or denies responsibility: "I was sick", "my dog threw up on the carpet", "someone else lost it", "no one told me how to do it", and, of course, "it wasn't me". This person will continue their fiction even when proven wrong and will rarely admit they did something wrong. Sometimes, all of these can be one person.
The other day, my husband mispronounced a name he saw in the paper. He was telling me about an issue and showed me a picture of a politician. He drew out the name in a cartoon-like voice. Our 4 year old granddaughter immediately imitated him and kept going around the house saying the name over and over- in the same cartoonish voice. I think she thought we were making fun of the name, the person, or the situation and I had to tell her this wasn't so. (I had images of her doing this using the names of her friends at school.) Of course, she was confused.
Unconsciously, we confuse young people all the time - we tell them one thing (follow the rules, respect others, don't get in trouble, do your homework, be on time for school, be nice to others) but our actions say something entirely different.
Monday, April 3, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Spring Resolutions
Unlike many people, I make my resolutions in the spring instead of at New Year's. I used to do them in January, but it's such a busy month (keeping the wood stove going, making big pots of soup, visiting people I didn't see over the holidays) so I always forgot. I am just as bad at keeping them as those who make their resolutions in January, but I try. This year's resolutions are for such things as: cleaning out the "junk" closet, strip the wallpaper and paint the living room (this has been on my list for 3 years), ride my bicycle more, read for fun, garden, and make 5 quilts for Christmas gifts.
Spring to me is more about renewal than January and I have a lot of fun figuring out how I will get everything done because I am a list-maker. Many, many to-do lists are made before my "final" one. My lists are arranged by priority with a number assigned to each resolution or task and the numbers (and, sometimes, lists) change regularly! If it's sunny out, I won't be cleaning a closet, if the temperature is hovering around 90, I won't be riding my bike or painting. And then there are the days when the beach is the best place to be with some of the kids, or my granddaughter wants me to help her make a skirt, or there's an impromptu barbecue at my son's house, or my grandson's baseball team is playing. Yes, spring is busy, too!
The key to making resolutions is the ability to make plans (or lists) but also to be flexible. To be organized, but also realistic (it's raining or too hot). And to always put family first.
Spring to me is more about renewal than January and I have a lot of fun figuring out how I will get everything done because I am a list-maker. Many, many to-do lists are made before my "final" one. My lists are arranged by priority with a number assigned to each resolution or task and the numbers (and, sometimes, lists) change regularly! If it's sunny out, I won't be cleaning a closet, if the temperature is hovering around 90, I won't be riding my bike or painting. And then there are the days when the beach is the best place to be with some of the kids, or my granddaughter wants me to help her make a skirt, or there's an impromptu barbecue at my son's house, or my grandson's baseball team is playing. Yes, spring is busy, too!
The key to making resolutions is the ability to make plans (or lists) but also to be flexible. To be organized, but also realistic (it's raining or too hot). And to always put family first.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
"I am worth something"
Every time I attend a concert, athletic event, visit a classroom, or talk with students and staff, I realize how fortunate we are. Not only do we have wonderful teachers and staff members, but we have talented, skillful, interesting students!
Last week, I judged a speaking contest for JAG students who had to speak about "What I Learned from JAG". If you don't know, JAG stands for Jobs for America's Graduates and is a program to help students decide what to do after high school, helps them with the interview process and filling out applications, and assists students in making goals. (More information on this program can be found at http://www.jag.org/)
As I talked to this group of seniors, I was very impressed with their confidence and skills. All of them had goals and many of them were already enrolled in community college, have plans to join the military, or are visiting trade schools. These are not the same students I knew in middle school! I was brought to tears when one student said, "I found out that I am worth something". What a great testament to this program, to our schools and our staff. I knew this student felt this way because he was truly listened to and his ideas, goals, and dreams became important to someone other than himself.
What a great lesson for all of us that we really listen to our young people.
Last week, I judged a speaking contest for JAG students who had to speak about "What I Learned from JAG". If you don't know, JAG stands for Jobs for America's Graduates and is a program to help students decide what to do after high school, helps them with the interview process and filling out applications, and assists students in making goals. (More information on this program can be found at http://www.jag.org/)
As I talked to this group of seniors, I was very impressed with their confidence and skills. All of them had goals and many of them were already enrolled in community college, have plans to join the military, or are visiting trade schools. These are not the same students I knew in middle school! I was brought to tears when one student said, "I found out that I am worth something". What a great testament to this program, to our schools and our staff. I knew this student felt this way because he was truly listened to and his ideas, goals, and dreams became important to someone other than himself.
What a great lesson for all of us that we really listen to our young people.
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
The "License to Carry" Law
A recent law, RSA 159-6, passed the NH Legislature and was signed by Governor Sununu concerning the "License to Carry" a gun in NH. There is some confusion about what this law does and does not allow. This is a summary of what was passed:
"On February 22, 2017, Governor Sununu signed into law Senate Bill 12 (“SB 12”). Effective immediately, RSA 159:6 has been amended to allow a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license unless such person is otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire statute."
The perception out there now is that anyone can carry a gun at any time and any place. This is not the case. There are other laws that prohibit guns in and around schools- these are federal laws. And New Hampshire's state law does not negate these federal laws concerning the Gun Free School Zones Act. This act makes it a crime to possess a firearm in a school zone. "School Zones" cover school property within 1000 feet of the school grounds. There are a few exceptions to this, such as, law enforcement officials in their official capacity, for example, our district's SRO (Student Resource Officer).
On another note, RSA 193:3 requires us to expel from school for 12 months any student who brings a gun to school. Students are not allowed to have guns on school property at any time.
"On February 22, 2017, Governor Sununu signed into law Senate Bill 12 (“SB 12”). Effective immediately, RSA 159:6 has been amended to allow a person to carry a loaded, concealed pistol or revolver without a license unless such person is otherwise prohibited by New Hampshire statute."
The perception out there now is that anyone can carry a gun at any time and any place. This is not the case. There are other laws that prohibit guns in and around schools- these are federal laws. And New Hampshire's state law does not negate these federal laws concerning the Gun Free School Zones Act. This act makes it a crime to possess a firearm in a school zone. "School Zones" cover school property within 1000 feet of the school grounds. There are a few exceptions to this, such as, law enforcement officials in their official capacity, for example, our district's SRO (Student Resource Officer).
On another note, RSA 193:3 requires us to expel from school for 12 months any student who brings a gun to school. Students are not allowed to have guns on school property at any time.
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
The Places They'll Go....
A student I once had has lived the past 25 years in California and has now moved to Oregon. Another student I had spent 10 years in China and is now back in the states. Other students I have had now live in Washington, DC, Virginia, Maine, Nebraska, and London. I have students who have studied in France, England, the Bahamas, Germany, and Spain. (And these are just the ones I know about!)
And, many of my former students live in Raymond and are working to make this an even better community for their children. They enjoyed growing up in a small town that continues to have family celebrations, parades, and neighbors helping neighbors.
The point is, our Raymond students were ready for these challenges and had the skills necessary to be successful no matter where they ended up. This should always be our legacy to our students: creating problem solvers who recognize when they need help but also have the tools to succeed even when things don't go as planned. Students who readily accept responsibility for their actions and mistakes without making excuses or blaming others. Students who are kind, thoughtful, generous, and accepting. Students who, no matter where they are, remember the lessons they have learned from their families and teachers right here in Raymond.
And, many of my former students live in Raymond and are working to make this an even better community for their children. They enjoyed growing up in a small town that continues to have family celebrations, parades, and neighbors helping neighbors.
The point is, our Raymond students were ready for these challenges and had the skills necessary to be successful no matter where they ended up. This should always be our legacy to our students: creating problem solvers who recognize when they need help but also have the tools to succeed even when things don't go as planned. Students who readily accept responsibility for their actions and mistakes without making excuses or blaming others. Students who are kind, thoughtful, generous, and accepting. Students who, no matter where they are, remember the lessons they have learned from their families and teachers right here in Raymond.
Monday, February 20, 2017
School Roofs
Once again, we are were a situation where we had to keep an eye out on our roofs. I want to assure everyone that we are checking the snow loads daily and have already removed snow in those areas where it became very deep, and thus, heavy. Some snow was the actual snow fall, some was the blowing and drifting that occurred. This past weekend Todd Ledoux and a crew of 'shovelers' were on the roofs at all three schools removing snow as you can see from the pictures at the high school and middle school. The elementary school was done, as well.
This is a relatively new phenomenon for our district: two years ago and now this year, too. February seems to have become the month of snow- I always remembered January as the month for deep snow and lots of sledding. I think of March as the turning point and have been counting the days until March arrives. I'm hoping it comes in "like a lamb" and goes out that way, too!
