Free-For-All Friday 2/25/11
Decatur Metro | February 25, 2011 | 7:00 amFeel free to use this post to make comments and ask questions about local issues not discussed here over the past week.
Comments close Monday.
—————————————-
This week’s Free-For-All Friday is brought to you by: Kick in the Fit, offering a free month of boot camp (morning or evening) to one Decatur Metro reader. www.kickinthefit.com
To enter, just send an email with the subject line “Decatur Metro Giveaway” to info@kickinthefit.com. Make sure to include your name and address in the email. Kick in the Fit will pick the winner at random on Monday morning.
You’re invited! Oakhurst residents and neighbors throughout Decatur will discuss community needs and develop volunteer action plans at a forum titled “Oakhurst Community Forum: Let’s Get Rolling.” Breakout sessions feature four topic areas: aging-in-place, youth services, immigrant family support, and neighborhood development.
The forum will be held on Sat., Feb. 26, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at Oakhurst Presbyterian Church (118 Second Avenue in Decatur). Free childcare will be available.
The event builds on the success of “Where Are We Now? Let’s Talk about Oakhurst,” a fall 2010 forum that sparked dialogue about neighborhood identity, history, and the value of building relationships that span generations and cultures. On Saturday, as we turn from discussion to action, attendees will have an opportunity to sign up for volunteer teams at the meeting’s end.
“Oakhurst Community Forum: Let’s Get Rolling” is sponsored by Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Volunteer! Decatur, Seniors Helping Seniors, Oakhurst Community Garden, and Sugar Creek Garden. For more information about the event and related projects, contact Oakhurst Presbyterian at (404) 378-6284 or visit the church on the Web at http://www.OakhurstPresbyterian.org.
future Vs.: annexation vs. more dense multi-units downtown
Any College Heights parents get the preK letter yesterday? Initial reactions?
I saw the blurb in the newsletter but we’re already in PK so we didn’t get the letter. And [of course] it’s not posted on the CSD website. Can you give us the scoop? What are they going to do?
They are surveying whether parents are interested in a 1/2 day program or paying just over $3,000 for a full-day program. I have already sent mine back so I don’t have the details in front of me. I would probably have to work out some new work hours because we had honestly budgeted only one daycare bill at a time and timed our second child around that. Having to pay the $3,000 plus aftercare would be very difficult. It’s still cheap, but when you are planning a certain way based on a mostly free pre-K program, this starts to bust the budget.
Wow. http://decatur.patch.com/articles/city-of-decatur-schools-takes-action-for-possible-pre-k-funding-cuts
Is there an “official” bike route down Clifton road? Judging by the signs there is, but I sure can’t find anything about it on the web.
Clifton is a road to avoid by bike if at all possible. They can paint all the ‘sharrows’ and whatnot they want, but the bottom line is that it’s narrow and usually chock-full of impatient morons.
There is a route, but no lanes. Those painted bike logos, called sharrows, are intended to empasize that bikes may be present on the roadway.
Here’s a link to Bike Emory’s campus map : http://bike.emory.edu/wp-content/uploads/files/09suitabitymapfinal.pdf
I have ridden Clifton Road for over forty years. I’ve been on better and I’ve been on worse. “Morons” come in all shapes and sizes, and can be found anywhere…
Ride your bike.
I’ve been riding nearly as long as you, and until they install dedicated bike lanes, Clifton will remain dangerous.
As for my morons comment; yes, Atlanta has them in spades. Clifton just happens to be exceptional as many of the motorists are trying to get to school/work/hospital/etc so they are extra distracted and likely to run you over.
If you have to use Clifon, my best advice is to take the lane nearest the curb. People will not understand why you’re doing it for the most part, but it’s a necessary evil in the interest of self-preservation.
Do I detect some bitterness? LOL If you have any resources for routes I would greatly appreciate it!
For what it’s worth, the google maps has a bike route option that has gotten significantly better over the last year. I used it to find a route between Decatur and Tech and it plotted a slightly longer but much nicer one than I had been taking.
In my opinion, the sharrows are there because they’re a trendy thing to have.
No, they are there because Emory is serious about their proposed Clifton Corridor. med.emory.edu/bulletin/Facilities/CliftonCorridor.html
Bike lanes would (will one day) be great on Clifton, but there will always be brutal hills along there and many other nearby routes.
I lived in Decatur in the early 70s and commuted by bike to Emory. At the time I cannot recall another bike on campus. Things have come a long way. But the hills remain.
BTW, the neighborhood between Clifton and Ponce is a beautiful, scenic route.
Has the train been waking up anyone else around 3 or 4 am this week? Hasn’t been a problem before but this week it seems as though the conductor is making it his business to sound that horn and wake up all Decatur’s bleary eyed residents!
A minor correction to an oft-made mistake – the conductor doesn’t sound the horn , the engineer does.
Having said that, I haven’t noticed any difference. Oftentimes, it has to do with atmospheric conditions and/or wind direction.
hey guy on the white bike turning left on church while the light is red. you have the same rules as i do when you are in the middle of the road. wait til the green arrow comes on then you can turn. or can’t you see past that helmet?and i know you know the rules around here, cuz I saw you turn into decatur heights neighborhood
As the rider of a white bike, I resemble that comment. ; – )
I was curious if anyone had visited the Pita Pit yet? (old Quizno’s location)
It seems like a good fit for the city, but whenever I pass by…they are empty save 1 or 2 patrons.
I know they are a successful chain, but was wondering if they will hold on here.
They don’t seem to advertise locally or offer any Groupon deals as of yet.
Went there last week. The food was good, but it took a long time. They have an awkward sandwich-build process that does not efficiently push customers through, so there is a backup in that area.
I think once they get this worked out, it will be successful.
Again, you are eating out without me. Again. And sammiches no less.
Mrs. Token: “Who’s Nelliebelle?”
Me: “Uh, she’s…uh…someone I met online.”
Mrs. Token: “What’s this about sandwiches?”
Me: “Uh, she likes them. And I offered to buy her one.”
Mrs. Token: “But she’s a LIBERAL!”
Me: “I know. But she’s a really NICE liberal.”
Mrs. Token: “You’re gonna vote Democrat in 2012, aren’t you??!! This Nelliebelle’s a menace!”
Me: “But…but…Sigh. I’m sorry, dear.”
HA!
Maybe she will feel better when she realizes you are saving the hotwings for her.
Nothing seems to ever produce a crowd in that spot. Mediocre sandwich type chains just don’t have a place in Decatur Square, it would seem. My suggestion? Put an ice cream shop in the spot! Downtown Decatur sorely needs one!
Yeah, we used to have one.
We already do. It’s called Yogurt Tap.
You’re right and I have visited them often. Some folks like ice cream instead of yogurt, though.
We had Coldstone on the square, Ashton’s where Feast is, and Jake’s in various places, starting in El Tesoro location, moving to Little Shop, if I remember correctly. Maybe Decatur doesn’t eat enough ice cream?
For years we had no ice cream place, then too many, and now none again. It must not be profitable. Greene’s has Colombo’s but I don’t get the sense that it’s a big seller. Cafe Cliche had ice cream. Snoball has shaved ice. I think Jake’s was plenty busy and the owners were great but the parent company ran the business to the ground. There was once a gelato place where Cafe Lily now is. I never liked Coldstone much but I thought kids did.
I think a high quality ice cream place with gelato and specialty coffees would be popular, at least by me. But whether it could make money I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like the ice cream business does well in Decatur.
Don’t forget Miss Georgia Milk on Clairemont and Wilson’s on Church St.
What about Dairy Queen? That’s where my family always goes for ice cream.
I walked there during the snow/ice in January and loved it. The owner was down-to-earth and genuinely interested in how my day was. The food pita was great as well! Would recommend it.
But yes, at that time, I was one of 2-3 folks in there.
I’ve been there a few times and always found the service friendly and the pita sandwiches delicious. I hope they stick around.
I’ve been there twice and ordered the falafel both times. I thought it was very good. I like that they have all the nutritional information. I didn’t think the wait was long because I had to feed the meter and when I returned I still had time on it. I do agree that it is always empty.
I have eated their falafel more than once. It was very good, actually it was exellent!! and they can wrap it up as the perfect street food! But it took them awhile to make it.
I have multiple times, and really love the taste. It does take a minute to make it, so I’m sure if there are a number of people it could back up. I hope they’re able to survive there, because it’s delicious!
I think I’ve been three times now. My only complaint is that they seem to skimp more on the meat than the Pita Pit in Athens did.
I’ve been quite a few times now and love it!!
had breakfast and lunch and dinner there! So so great!
Each time though, theres been less than 10 people to come through while wife and I sat down and ate. I hope business picks up for them!
Did anyone notice hip replacement lady no longer loves her new knee?
Somebody at Dekalb Medical takes the time to read through all these comments!
The recorded voice at the Dekalb County Watershed Management Call Center is very sultry. And then I wait …
Waste Management’s voice tells me my call is important….and yet they haven’t returned my call from two weeks ago. Could she have lied to me?
We’re Decatur tax payers, but we choose to send our kids to private schools. Friends call us crazy, even “elitists” but I have a feeling we’re not the only ones. Are there Decatur private schoolers other than us?
I’m an Avondale Estates private school parent. Not the same as your situation as our zoned Dekalb County School is awful. Still I pay DeKalb School tax & get no benefit.
“Still I pay DeKalb School tax & get no benefit.”
I always say that you can either pay for schools now or prisons later. Perhaps it’s not quite that clear cut, but even childless folks get a benefit from excellent public schools, in the form of a well-educated citizenry.
Amen, Paula!
Great comment!
We would do it too if we could afford it, at least for two of our children. We’re in that margin where we can barely afford to live in Decatur but do it so that we can live intown and have decent schools.
That’s just wrong, Heather. Not every school is for every kid. I went to a tiny private school until 10th grade because I was miserable in big public school but switched as a high school sophomore and was perfectly happy after that. But I chose a small, small college and small graduate programs. If you are happy with your private school, tell ‘em to buzz off. Many private schools are not much more tuition-wise than good daycare and I bet they managed that, right?
Friends? Hah!
Count us in! We pay city of Decatur taxes and have 1 in private school. Our 2nd will be going next year. Things are getting a little tricky in the finance department, but I hope we can stay in the city as long as we can because we get much more living here then just a good public school system.
We have a son graduating from Waldorf this year. Our older son went to Howard. By high school, both were eager for Decatur High.
I’m not a big fan of institutionalized test-driven education, but it comes with a financial sacrifice.
I also don’t mind paying taxes for everyone’s benefit — growing up during the Eisenhower era (when our Republican president strongly supported a 92% top tax rate), greater income equality and shared sacrifice produced what I remember as better schools and a better overall quality of life…. even if we only had 4 TV channels and couldn’t play games digitally with kids from 4 continents.
Why not send your child through CSD? It’s a great school system!
Re-read Nelliebelle: Not every school is for every kid. We never know what any other family is dealing with or what needs they are trying to meet.
Absolutely right. CSD is great for most kids but kids with special needs for advanced work and/or specialized instruction because they learn differently from other kids (e.g. kids with specific learning disabilities) often need a different environment than the standard 20-26 child classroom that follows Georgia Performance Standards. And some families want the customer service that you get in the private educational environment. In addition, I have known a few kids over the years, usually very bright but socially struggling kids, who had to leave CSD because it’s a small system in which they were labelled and felt alone and trapped. Some of them thrive when they go to a new environment with more kids who operate on their level.
Just a little shout-out for Oakhurst Electric, who I found recommended on DM. He came out this week and did a wonderful (punctual, reasonable, thorough) job updating the wiring in our house and now we can see!
Anyone know when Our Way Cafe will reopen? Wasn’t it supposed to be February?
Is it true that they will serve beer and wine when they reopen?
Does anyone know anything about that cool stone warehouse-looking building behind and next to Marlay House? Is it being used for anything, or are there any plans for it?
Good morning!
Does anyone know why Clairmont Road was closed last evening? It was in the vicinity of the Greek Orthodox church. I had to go north on 85 to 285 and south on L’ville Hwy to get to Decatur. Gridlock City!
What time was this? I ran into some brutal traffic along N. Druid Hills between 85 and Clairmont, and I wonder if it was caused by the mess that foiled your travel plans.
basic traffic accident – as reported on drive time radio
My wife says it was a car flipped at that location last night.
My uncle-in-law is in the process of setting up a book signing tour and is considering a stop in Decatur. Any bookstore recommendations?
Thanks!
Blue Elephant is great.
Thanks! I’ll send him a link.
I don’t know the title of the book he’s releasing, but I think it has something to do with zombies and dogs.
Zombies and dogs…sounds fitting for Decatur. Throw in some kids behaving badly in restuarants too.
Yeah, Blue Elephant. Laura is great !
Eagle Eye has a great program as well. And they do good promotion. Doug Robinson is the guy there.
Second that also – they’re both great.
Anyone have a local tax service they like? My husband is in a sub-S corp, so someone who handles people who are self-employed would be great. Thanks!
Evers and Fox, PC – although they are in Smyrna, they are outstanding…
We use and love Tabor and Company across from Dec. Ballet on Church for our Sub S.
Not sure if they will be the right fit or not.
Dan Lee is a great CPA, right in downtown Decatur on Sycamore
I am frustrated with a couple of comments made above on paying taxes to support public schools, but having their children in private schools by choice, and they feel they are getting no
“benefits” from their taxes. I don’t have ANY children in school at this time, they are all long ago graduated, and I still pay taxes to support public schools. I really WANT people to be educated, and I strongly support public schools in every way I can. I hope you are not REALLY convinced that paying taxes to support public schools gives you no “benefits”… we need an educated population in the U.S., don’t we? Isn’t that ALWAYS a benefit to all of us?
I was about to reply to the drivel above untilI saw Chira’s comment, but, aside from some statements that may have get me back on moderation, I was going to say the same thing.
Cheers Chira.
Cheers to you Naaman Gibbetts. Everyone in my family graduated from public schools, including college. Their post-grad colleges were private schools, but thanks to the good education they received in PUBLIC SCHOOLS, they had fully adequate fellowships and graduate assistant jobs to pursue further dreams.
Aw, dang, Gibbetties– you know we love it when you let loose! Have at it!
No, no–I managed moderation once, “and THAT is why I only do one show a night.”
“Drivel”? I’m sure what you meant is, “Heart-felt personal opinions, as valid as any else’s.” Like mine.
No I meant drivel.
Right on, Chira. Can’t have an effective democracy with an educated electorate. I have no kids, but I understand I need to pay taxes for education. That’s just the way it is. My own dear parents sent all five of us to Catholic schools, elementary through college. I don’t remember them ever grousing about paying their taxes for education.
doh… WITHOUT an educated electorate. (And one who proofreads, too!)
Anybody who knows about Corky and Bimbo should know we don’t live in a democracy. The distinction is important, especially to the topic at hand.
Not sure I can agree, here, but I maintain that an educated citizenry is essential to our way of life. But, please, don’t draw me into a real discussion, my role here is to make wisecracks.
I agree that we all benefit, but you could make the same argument about countless other things. Also, I think if parents were required to pay for their kids’ education directly out of their own pocket then we wouldn’t have the disinterested parents.
Disinterest isn’t a issue in this district. In fact, many parents are over-involved.
Oh BenJT — I wonder how many impoverished families have enough food to eat, much less scrounge up enough “to pay for their kids’ education directly out of their own pocket”? You are making a giant leap in assuming that all families have “extra money”. You must have never lived at a subsistence level, as my family did when I was young, to make such ridiculous suggestions. Whether parents are “disinterested” or not, the benefits of a good education for ALL children accrue to all of our society.
Thank you for the excellent comments, Chira.
Chira I think you missed the part where I agreed with the fact that education benefits us all. My point is where do you draw the line? For example in many European countries college is fully funded by the government. So why not apply your argument there?
You read quite a bit into my second statement and made a huge leap, so I’m not even going to address that part of your comments.
Publicly-funded college educations would be a possibility if public funds were not used to build a military-entitlement program that dwarfs that of all of the rest of the Western world combined.
Thank you Brianc for pointing out the present priorities for spending tax money in the U.S. If the money spent on military matters/equipment were spent on education, research, and infrastructure, the U.S. would be far better off in the world community than we now are.
FREE Public education is one of the things that helped build a prosperous middle class in our county and differentiates us from many other societies. It is very unfortunate that some people are doing their best to destroy this. What do you mean by disinterested parents?
I think he meant to write “uninterested.” As a childless resident, I am mostly uninterested in k-12 issues. But as a taxpayer and citizen, I am definitely not disinterested in those issues.
We could also pay for police and fire fighting directly out of pocket—why stop at schools?
We all remember this story last October:
Tenn. man forgot to pay his $75 fee, so fire department stood and watched his house burn down.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39516346/ns/us_news-life/
No, obviously that is a bad idea. But if hypothetically we had to stroke a check every month for those services then we would probably take a much greater interest in how they are run.
You’re working under the large assumption that truly uninterested parents won’t just yank their kids out of school ASAP to save the fees, or that truly impoverished parents won’t have to take their kids out of school so they can work to feed the family.
Two provisions could solve both those problems:
– A law requiring school attendance, whether private or public; and
– A subsidy system for poor families.
What about the parents who claim they are “home schooling” their kids?
My (admittedly secondhand) understanding of home schooling is that they are curriculum-tested on a regular basis and have demanding standards.
I don’t know what the exact system is for Georgia, and am sure that it’s possible for some children to slip through the cracks and/or parents to cheat somehow, but I’m friends with two people who were home-schooled.
as smeone else without kids, amen! Education is crucial!
ditto- I’m very happy to support Decatur schools! (no kids)
I currently do not have a child in the local schools, but I know I benefit from having good local schools.
Still, I think it is reasonable for society to ask those people who benefit most (those with children in the local schools) to pay a higher percentage of the cost than the general population. You could always have a subsidy system for the poor.
It would make it like the national parks, which we all support through taxes because they are a good thing, but the active users pay an entry fee and certain service fees.
We CSD parents do pay a special price. A huge amount of money is raised every year by PTOs, parents, and fundraisers to cover field trips, enrichment programs, cultural programs, sports, classroom supplies, technology and much, much more. It’s actually shocking what teachers have to quietly ask parents to provide–tissues, hand sanitizer, paper towels, pencils, lined paper. It makes you realize how dismal conditions must be in schools where few of the families have the time and financial resources to provide that kind of support.
Thank you, Karass.
CSD parents raise and give funds through different activities to buy classroom supplies, support school activities, or to make sure more than just their own kids get enrichment opportunities. The Decatur Education Foundation takes it even further down the road. Also, lots of non-parents and local businesses pitch in with donations and purchases to support our schools and the city’s kids.
It’s pretty wonderful stuff.
Yes, and if parents were paying tuition for public schools, like paying admission to a national park, I think the psychology would be different and you’d see a lot less donations and fundraising. The American psychology of “get the most for your buck” would kick in and folks would be more focussed on what they were owed for that tuition vs. what they could give.
I disagree.
Many private schools receive loads of donations (often from alumni as much as the parents of current students). People will want to see their money well-spent, of course, but that’s not much different from people wanting to see their tax dollars well spent.
My employer “sponsors” a school in a poor neighborhood and through employee donations supplies the “extras” that the school needs, e.g., paper towels, crayons, pencils, notebooks, backpacks, first aid products, books, winter clothing, and financing of field trips. As the school is within walking distance of my employer, it is also possible to volunteer for teacher aide and mentor activities.
You are absolutely correctly Russ. There should be a surcharge for each kid we have in school. And as you said, we should give what is necessary, when needed, so that all kids are able to attend. The way it is now less wealthy families can end up subsidizing the education of wealthier families.
We really need to re-think how we fund public education.
You don’t even need to be particularly altruistic to appreciate the benefit of CSD: property values.
George Ought to Help
I took my young kids to a DHS football game this fall and was surprised at the apparent racial divsions in the girl’s cheerleading and dance squads. Have there been tensions that led to such a stark distribution of kids along racial lines?
Oh, I’m glad someone has said this because I’ve always wondered but it’s one of those topics that you don’t think about until you are there at the game and that’s not the right time and place for the question. Plus I was so far from being eligible to be on either the cheerleading or dance squad as a teen myself that I don’t understand either activity in any way, shape, or form–how you try out, who gets picked, what kind of commitment it entails, what kind of social status it offers, etc.
I haven’t heard anything about tensions but maybe I’m just out of the loop. It seems to be a social phenomenon that probably perpetuates itself as teens go where they feel most wanted and comfortable. I know that Decatur Rec’s cheerleading league is diverse at the elementary school level but I don’t know what happens after that.
This would be a good article for Carpe Diem or Decatur News Online to pursue, no?
Perhaps, just perhaps, the girls (or maybe there are guys as well) choose the squad, cheer or dance, based on friends’ choices and the kind of music and motions they like better. And perhaps, just perhaps, well intentioned butt,-in-ski adults would not hypothesize about the make-up of the participants. And perhaps, just perhaps said adults could appreciate the level of practice and dedication and enjoy the “shows” then perhaps, just perhaps there would be nothing unusual and the girls (boys) and adults will be in a happy place.
Geez “New to Decatur” – a welcome but …
That would be a wondrful topic to explore on these pages and elsewhere.
I don’t think “new to Decatur” was butting in, just asking a question and one that I’ve certainly had. Maybe if one lives here a long time, it’s not so noticeable. But I remember moving to Atlanta and feeling like I’d just walked into a black and white movie socially and wondering how everyone knew where to go so they were in the right place. It’s different now among the under 20 group, much more diverse, but evidently there’s still some grouping by color in high school activities. Nothing illegal but still an interesting phenomenon in this day and age. IMHO, two important social forces have to be balanced at the high school level—-the importance of group identity, interests, and belonging vs. ensuring that all students feel welcome to join school sponsored activities. Are there any girls who would like to join one of the activities but don’t because they are concerned about social pressure? The boys sports seem more diverse. I’m not suggesting that this is an easy topic or one that calls for immediate adult action. But I do think it is worthy of discussion.
Good thoughts Karass; well said too (although I didn’t mean to suggest that “new to Decatur” was butting in). Observing social behaviors can certainly be interesting and for me, it’s one of the reason’s I enjoy city life versus the sprawl of the suburbs or country.
I agree that adults in youth leadership rolls can/should do what’s possible to ensure a welcoming environment for all kids. I know this can be done without fanfare, without “drama,” leading to more success. I also believe that kids gravitate toward those like them in language, in interests (music, sports, the arts, or reading/writing), in religion (or lack of) and that color is down the list of what goes through most kids heads. [Sadly that's not true if parents are blatantly color prejudice.] And butt-in-ski, I-will-fix-its who use fanfare, drama, media to make a big deal of anything typically push kids in the opposite direction. Same thing happened when my dad insisted that I eat green peas!
About being from somewhere else and observing a “southern” difference here … I come from a military family with a dad who I learned later was prejudiced but as a kid I didn’t see it and friends were of all colors and ethnicity before that change in the general population in the south. So this background and my career as a teacher shape my opinions.
Great discussion. Thanks “new to Decatur” for putting the questions out there.
Somewhat ironically, the military has been a leader in many progressive movements–integration, uniform healthcare, adequate retirement, and even some community and family programs. Of course, for some other topics, not so much. But I think that segregation would have lasted a lot longer without the leveling force of military service.
Ouch …
I really don’t get your point.
I want DHS to work out for me and my kids. To do so there must be some community despite a disparate social demographic. I grew up in a segregated deep south and want it to work better for my kids. There is no hypothesis involved; it is what I saw on the side line and the stands. That’s why I ask.
I noticed the same kind of racial splits in all neighborhood, school, and church populations when I moved to Decatur in 2006. I don’t know what the continuing split is all about, because I don’t know the inner thoughts, fears, and motivations of the racial groups involved. But, clearly, there is still a racial split in these populations, despite all legal attempts to integrate more fully. It’s much better and more possible now to integrate than it was when I was still in school, but the progress seems slooooooooooooooooow.
This doesn’t directly answer your question, but I highly recommend the book “Nurture Shock” by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman. There is a fascinating chapter in the book about teaching kids about race and racism, and how many of what we instinctively feel might be the “right” way to talk about race actually creates more racial divisions down the road. Very eye-opening, and thought-provoking stuff.
Anybody have any housekeeper recs? We’d prefer an individual over a service if possible…
I have a HUGE gripe with CSD.
Just rec’d my teens’ report cards from DHS. Missing an entire course and grade! Not the first , time that this has happened, either. Also, there is no date, no legend for conduct grades, no listing of grades for prior term…
It fails to meet my simple (and low) expectation for being easy to read — just like the system’s calendar!
Lacks intuitive design…
(thanks, Decatur Metro, for letting me vent)
But it’s consistent with IB principles!
(Actually not, since they have to convert the IB grade back to a conventional grade for purposes of calculating a State GPA which may or may not affect the HOPE scholarship, depending on where we are with that by the time your child graduates.)
No comment.
But would you like to speak to my husband? Our son is in 6th grade. As is the case with many Decatur families the husband or wife ( in our case the husband) has been put in charge of deciphering our child’s report card. The other spouse (me) typically throws their hands in the air and walks away. To help my perplexed husband I’ve considered having a coffee and inviting all of the CSD administrators to our house in hopes of determining how our son is doing in school.
It’s so nice to know that things will improve once he reaches high school.
It’s easy:
1. Rubric
2. Criteria, which is the plural of criterion, the number of which vary by subject
3. Formative assessment
4. Summative assessment
5. Standards-based
6. Mastery
Got it? If you are at the K-3s, this results in a number from 1 to 5; if you are at Glennwood, it results in a percentage; in middle school, it’s a number (out of a varying total depending on the subject); in high school, it’s a number (out of a varying total depending on the subject) except on the report card when it is converted to a percentage. This is NOT in any way related to the State’s New Math Curriculum which is about to become the Old Math Curriculum because we have a New State Superintendent . Oh and the software for entering high school grades is as bewildered as the students, teachers, and parents about the grades so everything has to be hand-entered by the teachers all the time (vs. automatically calculated) so data entries occur which will only be picked up if the students notice it which is infrequent because they have lost all faith in the Parent Portal.
What I don’t understand is why does an International Baccalaureate Program result in a number based on a varying denominator when most countries use the metric system for everything else? I would think that a percentage (out of 100) or a ratio with a denominator of 10 or some multiple of 10 would be most consistent with the metric system.
What happened to Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, and Needs Improvement?
That was supposed to say that data entry errors occur because of all the hand entry and non-user friendly software the teachers have to deal with.
My husband describes the IB grading as choices of “a star, a cheerio, and a shoe.” That’s usually what we feel like even after pulling out all the explanations for each star/cheerio/shoe grade that comes in.
What makes it even more fun is that I cannot for the life of me get my kid’s 8th grade language arts teacher to email me back so we can have a conference about what I believe (hard to tell for sure) is an abysmal term grade. She just doesn’t respond … period. Nothing but crickets.
I’m fine with the grade.. all I want to do is meet to see where my kid is weak (or lazy) and see what we can do to help.
This actually happens a lot at Renfroe. There are some outstanding teachers there, but there are a few that are just phoning it in IMO and aren’t really up to the standard that CSD needs if they are going to make IB work.
We’ve had better luck than that at Renfroe but have run into the non-responsive teachers in other CSD schools. I know that some teachers really don’t like email but it’s time for them to get with the 21st Century. After the K-3 level, it’s pretty hard for parents to just hang around and hope to bump into teachers. And telephone contact is almost non-existent. You can’t have it both ways–wanting parents to get involved and help their children be ready for school, do their assignments, and learn the standards, but not be available for questions about assignments, grades, schedule, due dates, field trips, supplies needed etc.
Has anyone visited the Zen Garden Open on Sundays advertised at the tire store near the big Kroger? Or does everyone drive by it on Dek Ind’l and think “huh?” and then forget about it until they drive by it again?
I am loving Burnt Fork. The homemade potato chips & collard greens are awesome not to mention the BBQ. My only complaint is the counter person. I have had a different one every time (6 visits so far) and only once had my order correct. I always get charged for an extra drink or side or last night got sweet potato chips instead of potato chips. Last night I ask for bark end on the pulled pork and didn’t get any. My husband, who didn’t make a request for bark, got mostly bark. After we mixed it all together & then divided it was perfect. That is my only complaint, work on the counter!
Does anyone know if the renovations are finished at Mason Mill park?
Not sure if it is 100% finished (as in there may be a few finishing touches they need to do), but we visited last week and people were using it. Nice equipment and lots of space – at least the childrens’ playground. It looks like there may be other sections to the park and we couldn’t really tell if those areas were finished. But if you are asking about the kids area – that appears ready.
Was there today. The area that used to be that lovely wild tangle of woods/paths/graffiti is not finished. They are plowing into a new area of old trail, silt fences are still up, but lots of trail is there. We are thinking it is now possible to go Mason Mill to Medlock, through small chunk of ‘hood, to Peachtree Nature Preseve.
“We are thinking it is now possible to go Mason Mill to Medlock, through small chunk of ‘hood, to Peachtree Nature Preseve”
Walked this trail yesterday. We went from Mason Mill to Medlock Park but turned around at that point so I don’t know about continuing on to the nature reserve. Would like to know if it is possible though. The walk from Mason Mill to Medlock was very nice. Part of it is sort of like the so-called “walk through the treetops” at the Atlanta Bot. Garden, except longer. We capped the day with a great meal at Community BBQ (and probably off-set much of the healthfulness of the walk
Has anyone ever tried to sell or donate the timber from a large tree? We’ve got a huge water oak in the back yard that is starting to fail and needs to come down, and we’ve heard that some artists or furniture makers will buy huge trees like this. I’ve googled around a bit, but not much luck.
You could try the Moulthrops
http://www.moulthropstudios.com/
I got the Deal of the Century on Saturday. I wandered over to Progressive Lighting Outlet Center to look for a new dining room fixture. They were having a 90% closeout sale. I bought over $1200 (wholesale prices at that) of designer light fixtures for $120. It seriously made my weekend – I LOVE finding an incredible bargain.
Now, I need a reasonable electrician or handyman to install all of them. Does anyone have any suggestions??
Thanks!