In only tangentially related news, I hate writing recommendation letters. I mean, once I get done saying he's a wonderful student, a joy to have, and a credit to any organization that'll have him, what's left to say?

Pix, I'm glad the news about your grandmother was good. Here's hoping that family from your school hears something positive soon.

what's left to say?

If you can talk about a specific assignment where s/he impressed you with a certain skill/insight/maturity/whatever and how it made him/her stand out from the rest of the crowd, those kinds of comments are generally the only ones I really remember when I read recommendations. Bonus points if it shows the student has a sense of humor (in my world).

I see your recommendation letter and raise you two students applying to the same organization. So, I basically have to write TWO great letters. Ugh.

ION, I just threw up in the bathroom at work. That is an automatic go home early in my book. I'll be posting later from either my bed or my couch. Ugh. The messed up thing is that I actually feel better than I've felt all day.

If you can talk about a specific assignment where s/he impressed you with a certain skill/insight/maturity/whatever and how it made him/her stand out from the rest of the crowd, those kinds of comments are generally the only ones I really remember when I read recommendations.

It's just, that's kind of every assignment for this student. He just really is that good. I think I managed to say that.

Oh dear Vortex, go home and take care of yourself.

I am very upset about the mid-year budget cuts at LAUSD. I fear I can't even express my concerns rationally, I'm just left shaking my head and trying to figure out the thinking behind it. Is it that the parents should pay for extra teachers and the extra week of school if they care enough?

Not to side with the overlords, but don't they actually get less money this year? In a district as big as LA, we're talking about a crapload of money, but I know our tiny district is short a couple of million this year and teacher salaries is the largest part of the budget.

Well, as I understand it.

Emily, the thing is, the state has cut the education budget practically in half over the past few years, and though there may be waste in terms of too many administrators (from what I hear, anyway), the teachers are insanely overworked already. High school teachers average 35+ students per class and teach at least 5 classes, for example. Now they're cutting even more midway through the year with yet MORE cuts to come. It's criminal, as far as I'm concerned. I don't know how the public system is going to survive if they keep it up.

I'm sure they are getting less money what with the entire state about to go bankrupt. But there's a lot of political bullshit and maneuvering that has led the state to this point of whatever billion shortfall, not going to raise taxes or close loopholes, Gov won't sign unless they promise him he can 8-6 EPA regulations, etc. I know the money gotta come from somewhere, but they also know that LAUSD schools are falling way behind the NCLB regulations and that just leads to more funding cuts.

ETA: Points up to what Kristin said.

Just before I left California, the Governator was cutting 10% of the state budget, across the board, including education. Remember K-Bug participating in a walk-out cause the school board was going to cut all sports? The whole mess was part of what made up my mind to move.

With my kids being 7 years apart, I could really see the difference in education between K-Bug and CJ. It broke my heart, really.

dobbie/Ger Shep mutt we think

I never knew that dogs could breed with house elves.