BACK TO SCHOOL SURVIVING THE MADNESS WITH A CUP OF COFFEE AND A SMILE

BACK TO SCHOOL

SURVIVING THE MADNESS WITH A CUP OF COFFEE AND A SMILE

It's that time of year again, folks. The leaves are changing, the air is crisp, and the sound of children's screams can be heard echoing throughout the neighborhood. That's right, it's back to school season. As parents, we all know the drill. We have to prepare our kids for the academic pressure, the social dynamics, and, of course, the active shooter drills. But fear not, my friends. With a little bit of humor and a whole lot of caffeine, we can survive this madness together.

Let's start with the dreaded active shooter drills. I mean, who doesn't love pretending to hide under a desk while a crazed gunman roams the halls? As parents, it's important to remind our children that these drills are just like fire drills or tornado drills. They're necessary for everyone's safety, but they're also a bit ridiculous. So, encourage your child to embrace the absurdity of it all. Maybe they can come up with a secret code word to shout out during the drill, like "banana hammock" or "pickle juice." It'll lighten the mood and make the whole experience a little less terrifying.

Now, onto homework. Ah, homework. The bane of every child's existence. As parents, it's our job to make sure our kids are staying on top of their assignments and projects. But let's be real, we all know that means we'll be doing half of it ourselves. So, why not make it a little more enjoyable? Turn it into a game. For every math problem they solve correctly, they get a gummy bear. For every paragraph they write for their English essay, they get to take a five-minute dance break. It'll make homework time a lot more fun and a lot less like pulling teeth.

Of course, we can't forget about bullying. As parents, it's important to teach our children how to stand up for themselves and how to be kind to others. But let's also teach them some witty comebacks for when they're faced with a bully. For example, if someone calls them a loser, they can respond with "at least I'm not a brussel sprout" or if someone makes fun of their outfit, they can say "I didn't realize we were in a fashion competition, but thanks for letting me know." It'll make your child feel empowered and it might even make the bully laugh.

Lastly, let's talk about mental health. It's no secret that school can be stressful for kids (and parents). It's important to encourage our children to take breaks and practice self-care. Maybe they can take a few minutes each day to color in a coloring book or listen to their favorite song. Or maybe they can take a bubble bath after a particularly rough day at school. And let's not forget about caffeine. A little bit of coffee never hurt anyone (except maybe their growth spurt).

So, there you have it folks. Back to school season doesn't have to be all doom and gloom. With some humor and some caffeine, we can survive anything that comes our way. Just remember to embrace the absurdity of it all and encourage your child to do the same.

How parents and adults can help the students in their lives succeed in school - Vox https://www.vox.com/even-better/23844294/parents-help-kids-school-homework-bullying-mental-health 

A parent’s guide to K-12 school success http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/get-prepared-for-back-to-school-culture.html 

GET PREPARED FOR THE BACK TO SCHOOL CULTURE WARS : A parent’s guide to K-12 school success http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/08/get-prepared-for-back-to-school-culture.html 

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VIVA LAS VEGAS TEACHER STRIKE: WILL THEY ROLL THE DICE?

 

VIVA LAS VEGAS TEACHER STRIKE

 WILL THEY ROLL THE DICE

As the old saying goes, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." But for teachers in the Clark County School District, what's happening in Vegas is no laughing matter. With contract negotiations at a standstill, nearly 5,000 teachers rallied in front of the school board demanding better pay and support staff salaries. Two teachers were even handcuffed and escorted out of a meeting, which is not exactly the kind of detention they were hoping for.

It's a tough time to be a teacher in Las Vegas, but then again, when has it ever been easy? Teaching in Sin City is a crapshoot at best. You never know if you're going to hit the jackpot or go bust. But with the current contract negotiations, it looks like the odds are not in the teachers' favor.

The Clark County Education Association (CCEA) has requested a 10% salary increase in year one and an 8% increase in year two. The school district has countered with an 8.5% increase in year one and a measly 2% increase in year two. It's no wonder the teachers are up in arms. They're not asking for a free trip to the Bellagio, they just want to be paid what they're worth.

But with negotiations at a standstill, the CCEA is discussing "possible work actions." This could mean anything from a sit-in to a full-blown strike. And let's be real, a teacher strike in Las Vegas would be a spectacle like no other. Can you imagine a picket line outside of the Luxor? Or teachers on strike marching down the Strip with signs that say "Pay us what we're worth, not what you think we'll fold for"?

If a strike does happen, the school district has already filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to prevent it. But let's be honest, this is Las Vegas we're talking about. A little legal action isn't going to stop these teachers. They're used to facing long odds and coming out on top.

In fact, I think we should take a cue from the teachers and start placing our bets on them. Forget about the craps table or the roulette wheel, let's put our money on the teachers of Las Vegas. They're the ones who are truly taking a gamble by dedicating their lives to educating the next generation.

So, let's show them some support. If you see a teacher on the street, give them a high-five or buy them a drink. And if you really want to make a difference, call up Governor Sisolak and tell him to mediate this dispute. After all, he's the one who's supposed to be looking out for all of us.

In conclusion, teaching in Las Vegas may be a crapshoot at best, but that doesn't mean we should leave it up to chance. Let's support our teachers and demand that they get paid what they're worth. And who knows, maybe one day we'll be able to say that what happens in Vegas is fair pay for teachers.

Teachers union discusses 'work actions' as CCSD negotiation deadline passes https://www.ktnv.com/news/teachers-union-leadership-discusses-possible-work-actions-as-deadline-for-ccsd-negotiations-passes 

CCEA union members meet to discuss CCSD contract negotiations | Las Vegas Review-Journal https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/education/teachers-union-holds-meeting-on-next-steps-in-contract-negotiations-2894536/ 

2 Nevada teachers placed in handcuffs at school board meeting https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/2-nevada-teachers-handcuffs-school-board-meeting/