LATE Update on the Queen Bee's Brunch

What a time that was had by all who attended this wonderful event at VWC! 

Here are some pics as promised--way back in May--it's almost the end of June--yes, late, but nevertheless, posted! :) 

Table all decked out

Kevin and Sam ready to flip pancakes on the mighty-giant grill! 

Rigo serving Miss Jayda a pancake

Smiley Brent serving up a yogurt parfait

A crazy game called "Finish Mommy's Sentence" 

We ended up with over 70 people in attendance--mom's, kidlets, grandma's, etc. The photo booth was a huge hit as well! 

It was the hope of everyone who attended that VWC have a repeat performance in 2015. 

It was a LATTE of fun and laughs! Thanks for stopping back by to look at the pics! :) 

55 Little Known Facts about Human Trafficking

Last week, I spoke to the Hyphen Camp of 20Somethings about social injustices and ways that the church is commanded to love their neighbor as themselves. 

This was an article I found and I wanted to share it with my blog world to bring more light to the plight of our fellow humans across the globe. 

55 Little Known Facts about Human Trafficking

Read it and then ask yourself this question--

Am I following what Micah 6:8 commands me to do? 

What? Oklahoma Repealed Common Core?

In a strange twist of events, the fate of a set of academic standards has been decided by politicians instead of educators. The entire country waited with bated breath to see what Governor Mary Fallin would decide on June 7, 2014. HB 3399 was a bill that immediately removed the Common Core State Standards from classrooms across Oklahoma. On June 5, 2014, the governor of Oklahoma repealed CCSS which has reverted Oklahoma educators back to pre-2010 academic standards which were adopted in 2003. That particular set of standards was called PASS: Priority Academic Student Skills. Also, with the repeal, there is a possibility the federal waiver that was granted to the state will be rescinded and Oklahoma will be back to No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

The main reason I am dismayed by the recent turn of events is the loss of the Common Core writing standards. Writing instruction has long been a neglected piece of mandated curriculum in state-written academic standards and the core moves writing back to its rightful place in a thinking-based curriculum that is stair-stepped from kindergarten through the twelfth grade. In the building I am privileged to work in, we as a staff have worked endlessly on implementation of the standards in the form of decomposing each individual standard in order to write Common Formative Assessments and also involving ourselves in book studies and writing workshops to better learn the CCSS writing standards. Writing in the classroom also involves the listening and speaking standards as well as the informational reading that had been beautifully implemented as Close Reading with annotating and writing concise summaries. While we will not lose everything, my wish is that educators would make the return to PASS in regard to what is best for students, instead of what is easiest for the educator.

Another reason I believe the governor of Oklahoma should have voted to retain the standards is the vast amount of hours and professional development money that educators, curriculum specialists and districts across the state have invested to implement the standards. The thought of moving backwards to the PASS when school begins in August, fills me and thousands of educators and administrators with mind-numbing angst. Our district had implemented new academic vocabulary just this spring which was aligned with the CCSS. Also purchased were many professional materials for teachers to implement units which also aligned with the new standards. While those materials and new word lists can be tweaked to reflect the older set of standards, many are shaking their heads in disbelief at the complete waste of time and resources that has resulted from this turn in state politics.

Opponents of the Core have believed many suppositions ranging from the CCSS being a malevolent form of educational take-over from the federal government in the form of a federally-mandated curriculum to believing that the standards were created by terribly rich non-educators which has resulted in dumbed-down standards that will kill all the young minds across America. The Constitution of the United States of America does not allow for a federal curriculum but yet it seems that thousands of folks feel that the Race to the Top monies offered by the US Department of Education was an incentive to adopt a set of rigorous standards, therefore making the CCSS a federal set of standards. Do those same people realize that a set of standards does not equal a curriculum? The unifying standards would provide a baseline for all students across our great nation while allowing local school districts and the highly trained professionals called teachers to decide what curriculum is best for their students and how best to implement and teach the set of standards.

Another sticky point has been the exemplar text list. While I completely agree that a couple of the titles on the high school portion are completely inappropriate and are too sexually graphic to be in a classroom, I would trust that all educators would utilize their common sense and realize that the exemplars are merely suggested titles—not mandated book lists. One deal-closer happened last week when a state representative read aloud a graphic selection from one of the exemplar texts. He spelled the words too graphic for the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and his point was certainly made that if a text is too graphic to read aloud on the floor of the House, how then could it be appropriate for teens to read in public school classrooms across our state? While I work hard to not censor books for students, I do agree with his premise.

The proponents of HB 3399 state that academic standards should be decided by the state government, instead of ceding control to the federal system. In a twisted ironic way, the repeal of CCSS might result in much more federal control in the form of NCLB and the many aspects of fear mongering by the USDE and possible take-over of low-performing schools by the state department of education. Right now, Oklahoma educators are anxiously awaiting the federal system to decide if Oklahoma should retain or lose its waiver that was signed at the Race to the Top money grab. Accordingly, the Fordham Institute declared the Oklahoma PASS skills “too close to call” when compared to the CCSS back in 2010. If this was the case, why did our state not just retain the PASS skills instead of asking educators to jump through many hurdles with the stress of implementation of new standards over the past four years?

Oklahoma has declared that we as a state will write our own standards now. Before going to the press, the new set of standards will be approved by: the State Regents for Higher Education, the State Board of Career and Technology Education, and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. These new college and career ready standards are scheduled to be distributed to school districts by 2016. In light of this news flash, I have one word to describe my feelings for this situation: Interesting.

In education, as much as methods change, the overall broken-down philosophy remains. Are we as educators going to do what is best for students or will we succumb to the political rants of our legislators and allow them to decide what we teach in the classroom? Yes, in the fall, as a curriculum specialist, I will help the teachers in my building negotiate the rough and choppy waters of the return to PASS. However, we will continue to teach those standards in a rigorous and child-friendly manner which will of course include holding tightly to our belief that all children can learn to read as well as write. The writing instruction and beliefs that have been implemented over the past few years will not simply vanish into the dark night, but we will continue to push on in hopes for a brighter day in Oklahoma. 

More info here: 

Gov. Mary Fallin's repeal of Common Core standards raises questions in Oklahoma | Oklahoman.com

Gov. Mary Fallin's repeal of Common Core standards raises questions in Oklahoma | Oklahoman.com

This above op-ed was submitted to the Education Week periodical for publication this week. 

I await their comments, rejection or acceptance. It's a scary time! :) 

Please....

I beg you...

for the future...

don't drink the un-informed Kool-Aid of our day! 

Be a reading, informed citizen who makes wise, common-sense types of choices based on what you read and gather information coupled with honest conversations with people who are alike and different than your point of view! It's a possibility to be wrong in our thinking! 

Be strong in your core beliefs which should be based on the 

absolute authority 

in your life...

then read newspapers, articles, periodicals, journals, etc. 

then discuss those current events with people--all people. 

It will MAKE you better & stronger! 

ARGH! 

Go ahead....have an iced coffee! Drink A LATTE! 

It's sure what I needed after the above 1,100+ words! 

Spring & Queen Bee's

Spring has arrived! 

That grand announcement means that...

Side view of my  west side neighbor's beautiful historic home 

Side view of my south neighbor's historic bungalow and my gorgeous tree in bloom

• I can drink coffee on my front porch for my devotional time each morning
• I can drink decaf hot tea on my front porch in the evening as I contemplate the day
• The trees are were simply stunning
• New tall-rectangular planters have been purchased for my front porch steps
• Greenfield's Greenhouse sold my planters some beautiful, colorful salmon geraniums, yellow lantana, dark forest green spikes, airy asparagus ferns, and dual-colored yellow and pink/salmon zinnias. 

Flowers with new planters 

Tomorrow, VWC celebrate's the Queen Bees (mothers) with a Queen Bee's Brunch for Moms and kidlets. The men and young men of VWC have graciously offered to cook & serve this momentous event. Stay tuned as I "intend" to post pics ASAP after the event. 

ARGH....I must get better about my URGENT and IMPORTANT lists in my life. I am so guilty of allowing myself to get stay caught up in the "tyranny of the urgent." 

The Urgent list is usually someone else's bidding for my time. You know them--Please drop everything you're currently doing and get to work solving my problem--or helping me--or can you do this for me?...RANT over. 

The Important list is supposed to be MY MOST important things in life: family, house, short-term goals, long-term goals, hobbies, life dreams and bucket lists, etc. 

I will improve! With God's great help, I surely will! 

But, I digress...

The QBB--will no doubt go down in the history books as a super-fun event at VWC. We are planning a pancake bar with toppings, a yogurt parfait bar with toppings, and a scrambled egg bar with toppings. At each place, there will be a specially-ordered donut with either blue or yellow sprinkles. 

(The back story--we'd intended to make blueberry and peach muffins. But, as the team shopped last evening, we decided--AHHHH--that's just too much money and time! Kids will like donuts better anyway! So, this morning, one of the problem-solvers called our illustrious donut shop entitled TURTLES. Problem solved--we have 84 donuts on order for 8 am tomorrow morning!) 

We have center pieces with the saying, "My mom's the BEE's KNEES!" along with metal art bees and yellow, black, royal blue table covers. oh and yes...bit-o-honey candies!! 

Random tree on my way home from the doctor's office

My dear Mom and I have invited any and everyone at VWC who didn't have kids to bring or didn't have a mom to come with her. Our table will be full of wonderful ladies! 

Also--shhhh....I will be surprising my Dear Mom with a gorgeous purple orchid corsage. I thought she'd enjoy wearing it both to the QBB and to church on Mother's Day Sunday! 

My friend over at Kelley Highway bought this planter for me several years ago!
I just stuck the asparagus in it for a fast pic

One last thing...Sunday is our monthly bake sale for Missions. This month, I am intending to bake muffins in large, stand-on-their-own cups. I will be folding a delicious mix of mixed berries into the muffin mix. Along with sprinkling some decorator's sugar crystals on top! 

My other plan is to try some English Muffin bread. I have already purchased the rapid rise yeast and the bread flour for that very purpose! 

Enjoy your Mother's Day wherever you might be! 

Drink a LATTE coffee...or iced coffee! 

:) Hugs! 

Happenings Lately

The first of 14 INFED infusions in January-March

Another infusion....finally finished!




Dallas Arboretum with 500,000 tulips for Spring




Mom in front of the tulips



One of two giant peacocks at the Arboretum...fashioned with 10,000 pansies

Amtrak Station in Ft. Worth, TX after we'd ridden the rails from OKC!




Roosevelt display board at the Board of Education in Ponca City--
the art teacher and I designed, created and stapled!



 

Read a LATTE...

Travel a LATTE...

Drink a LATTE coffee!

Ode to Diane

ode

noun \ˈōd\

: a poem in which a person expresses

a strong feeling of love

or respect for someone

or something

(Merriam-Webster)

My dearest friend Diane was bestowed an amazing honor last evening. She was selected as the

Ponca City Public School's

2014-2015

Teacher of the Year!!

Dr. Pennington, Superintendent of PCPS; Diane Anderson TOY; Shelley Arrott, Assistant Supt. & Human Resources

 

 

 

Diane is a friend whom I greatly respect; therefore, this ode to Diane...

Diane was voted as TOY (teacher of year) by her East Middle School staff and then moved to one of the top three finalists across Ponca City in the selection process by virtue of her outstanding portfolio.

 

The three finalists were interviewed by a selection committee with the winner chosen by secret ballot. At the banquet, Dr. Pennington was handed a sealed envelope to add to the mystery before he made the announcement to a packed house of teachers and administrators from all over the district, board members, Friends of Education, and Education Foundation members as well as State Senator Eddie Fields.

 

I must admit, I did squeal when I heard the first syllables of her name as he announced the winner!! I was on my feet cheering in a nano second!

 

Here a few of the reasons I was so excited:

 

I have taught with Diane since 1995. Yes, that is NINETEEN years!!

 

First, we taught first grade together. First grade must have been the cement for our friendship which has endured all these years.

 

Walked countless miles together after school in our attempts to stay thin...thinner...and finally to just have an excuse to get together for a prolonged chat.

 

She taught my son for PreK and Kindergarten and deserves an extra gold star for those two years!

 

Then, in the payback of every teacher in the profession, I taught her son as a 5th grader. Nerve-racking but fun to have her as a support at home!

 

We have taught in two different schools together until the district realized they really should keep us separated. So, she teaches at East Middle School and I teach at Roosevelt.

 

I have sat in hospital rooms and waiting rooms with her through several scary moments as well as traveled with her to distant reading conferences.

 

Through it all, I must say that she is so deserving of the honor as she always seems to find the positive in people--even when she's been wrongly judged or treated. She always does what is right for the student, even if it's the hardest yet longest way for her. She is a forever student advocate! I love that about her!

 

Ponca City News, Friday, March 14, 2014

 

 

I have learned from Diane that a person can learn to laugh about just about anything. That's our normal pattern--fuss then laugh.

 

We've counseled each other through medical issues of all sorts, questioned the doctor's judgments and diagnosis and simply been there for each other.

 

We've shared many meals. We have developed a funny little pattern of always pretending it was "my turn" to buy since we really don't keep track of those petty little things.

 

We've loaned books back and forth...some just living in the wrong classroom for years on end.

 

We've sat at each other's dining room tables (not near enough I might add) and chatted some more in our ever-evolving attempt to keep up with each other.

 

We know each other's parents and she was a great support to me as my Dad breathed his last.

 

As a matter of fact, she's the kind of friend who took Blake for the weekend and for trick-or-treating...never knowing that night would be my last with my Dad. She cried when I called her with the news--like I knew she would.

 

Last night, when she started her speech. She cried...a little. I knew she would and I really wanted to help her with her glasses and her paper.

 

 

 

Here are few quotes from her students:

 

"She goes out of her way to help all students. I always learn something new in her class; recently, I learned during the evaporation lab that heat makes water evaporate."

 

"Mrs. Anderson is cool and funny. She always has a photo, and video or an illustration to help us learn a new concept."

 

"Mrs. Anderson does experiments with us. I love the egg drop."

 

"Mrs. Anderson is a wonderful teacher. She always makes sure to explain things that are on a level so that we can understand. She pushes us to our full potential and she can relate to us. I am so happy to have her for my teacher."

 

So, what does the TOY do the day after she's won it all?

Teach...of course!

Build authentic relationships with 8th graders who are tough to love...

Smile at the accolades but...

will realize there's another kid out there

who doesn't quite "get it" yet.

Yes, Diane, my friend, PCPS's Teacher of the Year,

taught today just like all the other days!

If you're interested, you can see her school web site here.

Thanks for reading about my friend! As her friend, I just wanted to make sure the world knew what a great teacher she represents to the community, her students and to her colleagues!


Kisses from Katie: a new discontent

Some books are good reads,

 

Some books teach me new information,

 

Some books are classic literature.

 

Then, there are some books that

 

simply mess up

 

BOTH my heart and my mind.

 

Kisses from Katie was exactly that type of book.




Katie Davis' organization is called Amazima

It happened so simply....my sister in law Janet gave me a copy of the book at Thanksgiving. I read a page here and there and laid it aside, planning to read it soon. That was three months ago.

Well, I finally read it on my Kindle/iPad mini this past month, finishing this week.

Welcome to my new state of discontent...

HOLY Discontent is defined by Bill Hybels as the following:

"What is the one aspect of this broken world that, when you see it, touch it, get near it, you just can’t stand? Very likely, that firestorm of frustration reflects your holy discontent, a reality so troubling that you are thrust off the couch and into the game. It’s during these defining times when your eyes open to the needs surrounding you and your heart hungers to respond that you hear God say, “I feel the same way about this problem. Now, let’s go solve it together!” As you live from the energy of your holy discontent, you’ll fulfill your role in setting what is wrong in this world right!"



The front gate at Katie's house is always open!

Bill Hybels coined the term holy discontent in his book by the same title. That is the only term I can think to explain how I have felt since I began to read about Katie Davis and her life in Uganda.

How can I possibly go on with my entitled life of obvious luxury when I read of someone like Katie living out Jesus to everyone she meets? Everything I do...every action....every "necessity" I think I "have-to" have to live....pales in comparison to Katie's everyday world with her girls in Uganda. Read more about Katie's story HERE.

                                               Hear Katie speak of her burden for Uganda

Every moment since I finished the book three days ago has been spent with this agonizing thought:

What on earth am I doing to show the love of Jesus Christ in my everyday life? 



Katie and her girls' precious feet

I'll be completely honest here....I do NOT have an answer to that question. As much as I try to show kindness and love to people on my job, at the store, etc. it somehow just pales in comparison to what Katie has done....is doing. I have never sat with anyone dying of AIDS, picked "jiggers" out of anyone's toes, cooked beans for 200, 300, 600 kids over an open fire, brought sick people into my home to care for them just because no one else will.....the list is endless!

 

My friend Kelley, over at Kelley Highway, asked me the question,

"So what did you learn from Katie?"

Here are a few of the lessons I learned from Katie:

• love everyone in your path
• feed the hungry people in your view
• make sure that kids are getting an education
• do something about what you see
• don't worry about the rules of what's expected--just love people
• don't be afraid to bring people into your home and care for them
• realize that God's your source of strength
• go after what your heart tells you--no matter how crazy
• love unconditionally
• leave the front gate open--you never know who might need a place
• carry first-aid supplies in your car to bandage people up wherever and whenever
• notice poor, shivering little children in the rain--get them supper
• be willing to live with rats and roaches to love orphans
• how to have a heart big enough for 600+ children--everyday
• not to worry about how everything will unfold--just focus on the one face in front of you

                                                 watch to find out more about Amazima

To sum up my experience with Kisses from Katie, here is a quote from Katie, mother of 13 Ugandan daughters:

“People tell me I am brave. People tell me I am strong. People tell me good job. Well here is the truth of it. I am really not that brave, I am not really that strong, and I am not doing anything spectacular. I am just doing what God called me to do as a follower of Him. Feed His sheep, do unto the least of His people.”

My question to myself is...
 

Am I feeding His sheep

and

doing it unto the

least of His people?

 

Am I doing what God has called me to do as His follower?

 

 

 

Feel free to comment as I'd love to hear what you have to say about Katie and her work in Uganda.

Please comment and let me know if you've also read the book.