Tag: Education
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Backlash Against Kennedy Center: Artists Respond to Controversy
022225 – Backlash From the Artistic Community
In response to rRump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, several performers have canceled their shows at the venue in protest. This move has led to various cancellations and statements from artists.
- Issa Rae: Announced via Instagram Stories that she canceled her show, “An Evening with Issa Rae,” due to what she considers an infringement on the values of the institution.
- Low Cut Connie: The band also pulled out from performing, with their singer Adam Weiner expressing disappointment and emphasizing the importance of the Social Impact series.
- Touring Children’s Musical “Finn”: The Kennedy Center canceled the show, citing financial reasons, but the creators of the show expressed their heartbreak and commitment to the cause.
- W. Kamau Bell: Opted to remain, noting his commitment to the residents of Washington, D.C., and differentiating the city’s progressive nature from the administration.
- Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C.: Had their performance with the National Symphony Orchestra canceled. They issued a statement affirming their dedication to artistic expression and equality.
- Conan O’Brien: Is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. It remains unclear how the recent changes at the Kennedy Center will affect his ceremony.
Kennedy Center History
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, commonly known as the Kennedy Center, is a prominent cultural landmark in Washington, D.C. Here’s a brief overview of its history:
Origins and Construction
- Proposed in 1955: The idea for the Kennedy Center was first proposed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He envisioned a national cultural center to showcase American arts and culture.
- Authorized by Congress in 1958: The National Cultural Center Act was passed, establishing the center as a public-private partnership.
- Groundbreaking in 1964: Construction began on December 2, 1964, with the architectural design by Edward Durell Stone.
- Opened in 1971: The Kennedy Center officially opened on September 8, 1971, with a preview performance attended by the general public.
Purpose and Mission
- Memorial to President Kennedy: The center was named in memory of President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
- Cultural Hub: It hosts a wide range of performances, including theater, dance, classical music, jazz, pop, and folk music.
- Educational Initiatives: The Kennedy Center also engages in educational and outreach programs, funded through ticket sales and donations.
Recent Developments
- Expansion: In 2019, an extension designed by Steven Holl was added to the original building.
- Recent Controversy: In 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intention to become the chairman of the Board of Trustees, a move that has sparked significant debate.
The Kennedy Center continues to be a vital part of the cultural landscape in the United States, celebrating and promoting the arts.
You Are Not Alone
It’s understandable to feel confused and concerned about controversial figures and their actions. Elon Musk, originally from South Africa, has indeed been a polarizing figure with various incidents and statements drawing criticism. However, the idea of attributing any passion for Hitler to him is a serious claim, and it’s important to verify such information before drawing conclusions.
Regarding the wealthy elite, their interests and values can vary widely. Some may prioritize social justice, environmental issues, or philanthropy, while others may focus on personal gain or support controversial figures.
Ultimately, it’s essential to be critical of information, seek multiple sources, and engage in informed discussions. It helps to challenge harmful rhetoric and promote a more inclusive and respectful society. If you’d like to explore any of these topics further, I’m here to help.
It’s definitely confusing and concerning to hear such statements from a former president. Trump has made numerous controversial remarks over the years, targeting various groups, including Haitians, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans. His rhetoric has often been criticized as racist and xenophobic.
Regarding Elon Musk, he is of South African descent, but his ethnicity doesn’t excuse or justify any inappropriate or offensive comments made by others.
It’s important to call out and challenge such harmful rhetoric whenever we encounter
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Slavery Still Exists
A West Virginia couple has been accused of adopting five Black children and using them for labor as if they were “slaves,” according to a 17-count indictment, Jeanne Whitefeather, 62, and Donald Lantz, 63.
“It alleges human trafficking, human rights violations, the use of forced labor,” Kanawha County Circuit Judge Maryclaire Akers said during the hearing, per West Virginia MetroNews. “Human rights violations specific to the fact that these children were targeted because of their race and they were used basically as slaves from what the indictment alleges.”
The children had no means to exit the barn on their own, no running water, no bathroom facilities and were obviously deprived of adequate hygienic care and food,” according to the Facebook post.
Slaves Received OJT Yes Ron you might have a point. Much like slave owners information was passed down to each new family to prepare them for their role when they became of age.
I was wondering when I get to FL if you could offer me a job and like – quid pro quo – I would hire some of your family and friends split them up considering I’m unfamiliar with FL I can’t have them co-mingling in the late hours after plotting and planning to run across the Mexican border seeking asylum.
I’ll have simple rules:
1. Work day begins- 4:30am
2. Breakfast- 4:30am – 4:37am
3. House cleaning till 8:57 am
4. At desk ready to work
5. Lunch 12:00 noon – 12:07 pm
6. Return to work till 5:07
7. Every employee is required to sale 75 pieces of merchandise
Punishment
A. Not meeting quota by 10 units a- 10 lashes
B. Not meeting quota by 20 units 20 lashes and so on:
C. Get sick and can’t work – no breakfast, lunch or dinner
D. If you try elopement – 1 foot is removed:
E. NO SEXUAL ACTIVITY – punishment – removal of organs needed to have sexual relations of both parties
NOTHING IS NEGOTIABLE
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Louisiana LEAP Appeal
Among Governor Landry’s first actions in office was overturning the appeals process for high school seniors who fail the LEAP exam. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin said Landry mentioned early on that he was against this particular proposal for waving those graduation requirements.
“The fact that he issued the executive order is not a big surprise, maybe it makes a statement to some degree that he did it basically on his second day in office,” said Erwin.
Erwin said if the governor hadn’t issued the executive order, he believes incoming BESE members would have overturned the appeal process that was at the center of controversy…
“This is definitely something that became part of some of the BESE campaigns. We saw from the people that were running, certainly the new folks that got elected that they had some concerns about these particular waivers to the requirements,” said Erwin.
Erwin also points out that the governor makes three appointments to BESE.
Louisiana is the only state in the country that does not have an appeals process. Erwin said the debate highlighted two issues… one that the process was for students who were not fluent in English, and two that this particular process was implemented at the end of Edward’s term.
“I think people may want to revisit this in a more narrow fashion. What we had before was broad, it affected a lot of kids, was very subjective, and I think this BESE probably will take a closer look in the future,” said Erwin.
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Free Biology Lesson Plan
Biology is the scientific study of living organisms and their interactions with the environment. It encompasses various fields such as botany, zoology, genetics, ecology, and more. The study of biology allows us to understand the diversity of life forms, their structures, functions, evolution, and how they interact with each other and their surroundings. It involves observing, questioning, and conducting experiments to unravel the mysteries of life. Through the study of biology, we can gain valuable insights into the complexity and beauty of the natural world.
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H.R. 6056 – Parents Bill of Rights
Parents’ Education What´s Changed
CRT – K-12
THEY CAN’T READ COLLEGE MATERIAL – STOP THE FEAR FACTOR{S}
All ethnicities of kindergartners will or should be expected to recognize all 26 lowercase and uppercase letters — as well as their sounds. They should be able to identify which letters are different in similar words (e.g. map, lap, tap). They should also know that spoken words represent a sequence of letters. They will NOT know RACISM unless it is taught and groomed by their parents, grandparents, care-takers, or watching FOX BS News, or listening to individuals like MTG, Ron DeSantis, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, the tRump Family, or reading books like:
- If I Ran the Zoo
- Vharlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Goggles
- The adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- A Fine Dessert
TITLE I—AMENDMENTS TO THE ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
SEC. 101. STATE PLAN ASSURANCE
(3) by adding at the end the following:
“(O) the State will ensure that each local educational agency in the State posts the curriculum for each elementary and secondary school grade level on a publicly accessible website of the agency or, if such agency does not operate a website, widely disseminates to the public such curriculum; and
“(P) in the case of any revisions to the State’s challenging State academic standards (including any revisions to the levels of achievement within the State’s academic achievement standards), the State educational agency will post to the homepage of its website, and widely disseminate to the public, notice of such revisions and a copy of such revisions, except that the State educational agency shall not be required to submit such notice or such revisions to the Secretary.”.
(2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated), the following:
“(1) NOTICE OF RIGHTS.—A local educational agency receiving funds under this part shall ensure that each elementary school and secondary school served by such agency posts on a publicly accessible website of the school or, if the school does not operate a website, widely disseminates to the public, a summary notice of the right of parents to information about their children’s education as required under this Act, which shall be in an understandable format for parents and include, at minimum—
“(A) the right to review the curriculum of their child’s school;
“(B) the right to know if the State alters the State’s challenging State academic standards;
“(C) the right to meet with each teacher of their child not less than twice during each school year; – This has been known as the PTA for over 125 years.
“(D) the right to review the budget, including all revenues and expenditures, of their child’s school;
“(E) the right to a list of the books and other reading materials contained in the library of their child’s school; Parents who object to LBGTQ will ban any book with this content – they have a lot of reading to do.
“(F) the right to address the school board of the local educational agency;
“(G) the right to information about violent activity in their child’s school; and – This is called in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and expulsion this should include teachers who push, pull, drag, or use violent words towards the student.
“(H) the right to information about any plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs in the child’s school.”;
This means, Black, Mexican, Poor Black and Poor Mexican Students!
The only federal program for gifted children is the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, which focuses on identifying and serving students who are traditionally under-represented in gifted and talented programs (minority students, students from low income backgrounds or who are English language learners, and children with disabilities) to help reduce gaps in achievement and to encourage the establishment of equal educational opportunities for all U.S. students
(C) by adding at the end the following:
“(ii) SCHOOL LIBRARY. —A local educational agency receiving funds under this part shall ensure that each elementary school and secondary school served by such agency provides, at the beginning of each school year, the parents of a child who is a student in such school a list of books and other reading materials available to the students of such school in the school library.
“(iii) VIOLENT ACTIVITY.—A local educational agency receiving funds under this part shall ensure that each elementary school and secondary school served by such agency provides the parents of a child who is a student in such school timely notification of any violent activity occurring on school grounds or at school-sponsored activities in which one or more individuals suffer injuries, except that such notification shall not contain names or the grade level of any students involved in the activity.
“(iv) GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS. —A local educational agency receiving funds under this part shall ensure that each elementary school and secondary school served by such agency provides the parents of a child who is a student in such school timely notification of any plan to eliminate gifted and talented programs in such school.”; and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as redesignated by paragraph (1)) the following:
“(5) TRANSPARENCY.—A local educational agency receiving funds under this part shall provide the parents of a child who is a student in an elementary school or secondary school served by such agency—
“(A) (i) the opportunity to meet in-person with each teacher of such child not less than twice during each school year; and
“(ii) a notification, at the beginning of each school year, of the opportunity for such meetings; and
“(B) the opportunity to address the school board of such local educational agency on issues impacting the education of children in such agency.”
“SEC. 8549C. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.
“(a) Findings. —The Congress finds as follows:
“(1) Parents have a First Amendment right to express their opinions of decisions made by State and local education leaders.
“(2) States and local educational agencies should empower parents to communicate regularly with Federal, State, and local policymakers and educators regarding the education and well-being of their children.
“(4) Parents’ concerns over content and pedagogy deserve to be heard and fully considered by school professionals.
Pedagogy – Developing systemic interaction between teachers and students aimed at achieving the set goals and leading to a pre-planned change of state, i.e., the transformation of their qualities and behavior, personal development; This would require every parent to have knowledge of the learning capabilities of EVERY student in the classroom – will parents have access to IEP or 504*¹Plans of other students?
A*¹ 504 plan and an IEP are both plans for students with disabilities, but they have different purposes, legal statuses, and processes1234. A 504 plan is a statement of accommodations that provide equal access to education by removing barriers34. It is covered by a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination by any group that gets federal funds14. A 504 plan may be proposed by the school or the parents, and it may include one or more accommodations5. An IEP is a formal document that outlines specially-designed instruction, special education, and related services for students who need them because of an identified disability34. It is overseen by the state and falls under a special education law24. An IEP includes objectives, goals, accommodations, and a description of the educational setting45. An IEP is typically for students who are falling behind academically, while a 504 plan is for students who need accommodations to access their education12.
“(5) Parent and other community input about schools that is presented in a lawful and appropriate manner should always be encouraged. Who will determine what is lawful and appropriate?
“(6) Educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders should never seek to criminalize the lawfully expressed concerns of parents about their children’s education. lawfully expressed
“(b) Sense Of Congress.—It is the sense of the Congress that the First Amendment guarantees parents and other stakeholders the right to assemble and express their opinions of decisions affecting their children and communities and that educators and policymakers should welcome and encourage that engagement and consider that feedback when making decisions.”.
H.R.899 – To terminate the Department of Education – The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2023.
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Substitute’s Corner – Math
This is a new segment to my blog. After reading various posts and talking to both substitutes and teachers about concernns in the classroom – I thought I would share my experience. I hold two Master Degrees – after leaving the world of healthcare I embarked on education. It was the best move I have ever made (ok one of the best moves – THEE best was giving birth to my daughter). I have taught in Connectict, North Carolina and South Carolina – and have many experiences to share. One thing I must say, is that this role is clearly not about money as I could easy command 6 figures – Oh but the love of the classroom and my DAILY dose of (that just made my heart smile moments) overrides 6 figures ON ANY GIVEN DAY. With that said I hope you enjoy my content and nuggests of feel good moments… please share and ask all the questions your heart desires.
As a long term math substitute I have been asked on more than one occasion, “Why do I need to know why 5x + 6 = 30y?” Well the long answer is below – take what you need and leave the rest.
Do you love math? Or are numbers the bane of your existence? Whether you’re a fan of math or not, it’s an important subject to learn. Just think of all the things you couldn’t do without basic math! Math helps you buy food at the grocery story. It even helps you cook and divide it among your family members. Face it, folks. We need math!
Most of us start our mathematical journey learning the basics of addition. From there, we move on to subtraction. After we’ve mastered the pluses and the minuses, we advance to multiplication and division. Sooner or later, we all reach the point where we make the leap into more advanced math. What are we talking about? Algebra, of course!
Some people refer to algebra as the point at which letters get involved in math. Algebra is the study of mathematical symbols and the rules for manipulating those symbols. It forms the basis for advanced studies in many fields, including mathematics, science, engineering, medicine, and economics.
In its simplest form, algebra involves using equations to find the unknown. Real-life problems probably drove the development of algebra. The subject dates back over 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians.
Here’s an example. A wagon carries a load of hay bales. Suddenly, it hits a rut in the road. Six bales fall off! Luckily, ten bales are left. How many bales of hay did the wagon have when before it hit the rut? You can use the algebraic expression “x – 6 = 10” to answer this question. In this equation, x represents the unknown (how many bales of hay were on the wagon at the start). Six is the number of hay bales that fell off, and ten is the numbers still on the wagon. By adding six to each side of the equation, you’ll find that x equals 16. So, the wagon had 16 hay bales before it hit the rut in the road.
Algebra gets much more complicated than that simple equation. This leaves many students WONDERing when, if ever, they’ll use algebra in real life. Does it have any use? If not, why do you have to learn it?
For starters, algebra is foundational for other classes. That means you’ll apply what you learn in algebra throughout school. Learning algebra helps to develop your critical thinking skills. That includes problem solving, logic, patterns, and reasoning. You need to know algebra for many professions, especially those in science and math. Not planning to go into those fields? You’ll probably still use algebra without even realizing it!
Consider these examples: It’s time to fill up your car’s gas tank. The price of gas per gallon is $3 and you only have $25 to spend. How much gas can you purchase? This can be answered by the algebraic equation, “3x = 25.” You must divide each side of the equation by 3 in order to isolate x. In this equation, x is equal to 25 divided by 3, which is 8.33 gallons of gas. If you need 10 gallons of gas, how much money do you need? When you solve that equation, you have algebra to thank!
Or how about this example? You would like to purchase Internet service for your home. Company A requires a setup fee of $10 and charges a monthly fee of $25. Company B does not charge a setup fee but charges $26 per month. Which company is less expensive for one year of service? We can find out by first calculating the total cost for Company A: x = $10 + $25*12 (months in a year), which comes to $310. The equation for Company B is x = $26*12, which totals $312. At first glance, it might have seemed like Company B would be cheaper, because they do not charge a setup fee, but algebra showed us differently!
There are many other examples of real-world uses of algebra, from comparing prices on similar products in a grocery store to figuring out what time you need to leave your house in order to meet a friend across town on time.
Need help with an expression click here.
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Ohio KKK Police Chief
An Ohio police chief has resigned after he was reportedly caught putting a Ku Klux Klan sign on a black officer’s desk.
Anthony Campo, the chief of the Sheffield Lake Police Department, was caught on CCTV putting a piece of paper with “Klu Klux Klan” written on it, according to reports. He also laid out a jacket to look like robes worn by KKK members.
Yet – Ohio is the latest state considering legislation to prohibit public schools from teaching critical race theory, which views racism as systemic in the nation’s institutions and promotes race-based reverse discrimination to achieve equity.
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Your Children and the News
With everything going on in the news today, it can be frightening for young people. Here are a few tips to help your child understand/navigate the news.
Find Out What Your Child Already Knows
Ask your kids questions to see if they know about a current event. For school-age kids and teens, you can ask what they have heard at school or on social media.
Consider your child’s age and development. Younger kids may not grasp the difference between fact and fantasy. Most kids realize the news is real by the time they are 7 or 8 years old.
Follow your child’s lead. If your child doesn’t seem interested in an event or doesn’t want to talk about it at the moment, don’t push.
Answer Questions Honestly and Briefly
Tell the truth, but share only as much as your child needs to know. Try to calm any fears and help kids feel safe. Don’t offer more details than your child is interested in.
Listen carefully. For some kids, hearing about an upsetting event or natural disaster might make them worry, “Could I be next? Could that happen to me?” Older kids may have lots of questions. Focus on what your kids ask so you can help them cope with their fears. An adult’s willingness to listen sends a powerful message.
It’s OK to say you don’t know the answer. If your child asks a question that stumps you, say you’ll find out. Or use age-appropriate websites to spend time together looking for an answer.
Help Kids Feel in Control
Encourage your child to talk. If your child is afraid about what’s going on, ask about it. Even when kids can’t control an event — like a natural disaster — it can help them to share their fears with you.
Urge teens to look beyond a news story. Ask why they think an outlet featured a frightening or disturbing story. Was it to boost ratings and clicks or because the story was truly newsworthy? In this way, a scary story can be turned into a discussion about the role and mission of the news.
Teach your children to be prepared, not panicked. For example, if the news is about a natural disaster, make a family plan for what you might do. If an illness is spreading, talk about ways to protect yourself and others.
Talk about what you can do to help. After a tragic event, finding ways to help can give kids a sense of control. Look for news stories that highlight what other people are doing.
Put news stories in context. Broaden the discussion from a specific news item about a difficult event to a larger conversation. Use it as a way to talk about helping, cooperation, and the ways that people cope with hardship.
Limit Exposure to the News
Decide what and how much news is appropriate for your child. Think about how old your kids are and how mature they are. Encourage them to take breaks from following the news, especially when the topics are difficult.
Keep tabs on the amount of difficult news your child hears. Notice how often you discuss the news in front of your kids. Turn off the TV so the news is not playing in the background all day.
Set limits. It’s OK to tell your kids that you don’t want them to have constant exposure and to set ground rules on device and social media use.
Watch the news with your child and talk about it. Turn off a story if you think it’s not appropriate for your child.
Keep the Conversation Going
Talk about current events with your child often. Help kids think through stories they hear – good and bad. Ask questions like: “What do you think about these events?” or “How do you think these things happen?” With these types of questions, you can encourage conversation about non-news topics.
Watch for stress. If your child shows changes in behavior (such as not sleeping or eating, not wanting to be around people, or worrying all the time), call your child’s doctor or a behavioral health care provider. They can help your child manage anxiety and feel better able to cope
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How Much CT School Districts Spent to Reopen Amid COVID-19
How Much CT School Districts Spent to Reopen Amid COVID-19
How Much CT School Districts Spent to Reopen Amid COVID-19
