Before school starts: helpful hints.

Thank you Tessa: http://anarealarmadillo.blogspot.com/
I'm not sure I thanked Tessa at Anarealarmadillo for this wonderful award. If you do not know her, please hop along and visit her. There is a lot to learn about reaching out from the wonderful Tessa. And today, with schools starting in many places, we all need to reach out and help each other through.

This week, I wanted to reach out to all you mothers and fathers of school-age children.

School opens for many early in September; for some it has already open. Parents are probably concerned about lots of things when their youngsters start a new term. And this is a good time to share with you some little known nuggets of information.

1. Schools run on a very tight schedule and an even tighter budget. They deal with hundreds of children, hundreds of parents, and hundreds of employees. They are in a business run on precise schedules and even more precise rules. Do not bother them with silly questions during the busiest time of their year. Unless you want to be on their "watch these folks" list.

2.Your child is one of many. His/her welfare is important; his happiness is important; but not as important as you think. What is most important is that things run smoothly, everything and everyone in the appropriate place, and that your child knows how not to tip this delicate scale.

3. Follow the instructions sent to you regarding schedules, supplies, contacts, emergency numbers, etc. Schools do not like sending home stuff either. But, they do not have time to call you individually and remind you of these things. You may think that they should have all this information in their files/computers. They may not. So, for your child's welfare, send the information, follow the schedule, buy the right supplies, and do not call the school to find out information you have in your packets!

4. Schools have to survive with fewer resources every year. If they ask for volunteers to help, they need conscientious helpers. You might ask yourself what the heck are you paying taxes for, when you get all these requests to volunteer, to fundraise, to donate money and merchandise. Without volunteers, lots of events and opportunities for children would not take place.

5. Wait and see how your child is doing. If he/she tells you that he hates his classes, his seat mate, his lunch schedule, whatever he/she dislikes can wait to be discussed back at school. Your child needs to handle his/her discomfort. Ask what he can do to alleviate the problem. Yes. Not what the school can do to move him to another class, but what your child can do to tolerate the discomfort. Why? Because, in life, he will encounter many discomforts that he needs to handle. If mommy or school solves his problems, how will he learn? You can jump on me on this one. This one is tough.

I'm stopping here. You can gather your thoughts and vent back at me if you wish.

One World, One Voice.

Last week, the lovely Tessa, at An Aerial Armadillo, awarded her blog friends this fabulous prize she created in honor of Dr. Maethri's work in Africa on behalf of children afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Maethri was having a birthday, and Tessa wanted all of us to know the work this young man is doing for humanity.

The award is a beautiful representation of one world, one voice for the good of mankind.

Thank you Tessa for the work you do in promoting goodwill and understanding across cultures.

During this week, while Korea was testing its nuclear might and the astronauts were repairing the Hubble Telescope, the State of Oregon was sending out final budget figures. Our city budget and our school budget have never been leaner.

The stimulus package that the Obama administration has allocated will help our elementary school fix its heating system, repair the gym, upgrade a building that is as old as I am. Three local contractors and their vendors will be working this summer; three businesses that would not have been able to stay open much longer.

We closed one school and had to lay off some teachers and support staff. Other school districts are facing even bigger consequences. In the meantime, gas prices have risen, electrical rates are going up by 20%, and our ancient water system continues to leak.

In Washington, a new voice might be selected for the Supreme Court, a woman, a Latina. The chatter is not about her qualifications, but about her very essence. Is she going to be too provincial in her rulings? Funny, we never asked those questions when white men came up for approval.