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Showing posts with label HOLIDAY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HOLIDAY. Show all posts

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Celebrating Kwanzaa: Day Six Gives Us Kuumba, Creativity

Celebrating Kwanzaa: Day Six Gives Us Kuumba, Creativity
Creativity and Craftsmanship: Celebrating Kuumba, the Sixth Night of Kwanzaa




Black-owned businesses breathe creativity. The sixth day of Kwanzaa, Kuumba, represents creativity and is a time for celebrating the radical Blackness that comes from multiple countries and cultures across different platforms. The following Black-owned businesses show their creative instincts in their hand-made and hand-picked products that represent the beauty of Blackness and cultural backgrounds.



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Friday, December 25, 2020

WISHING YOU A HAIRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

 WISHING YOU A HAIRY CHRISTMAS

 AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL



James Baldwin said it best: 


"For these are all our children, and we will 


profit by or pay for whatever they become."



Big Education Ape

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Snopes: The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Diane Ravitch's blog

Snopes: The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Diane Ravitch's blog
Snopes: The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer




Did you ever stop to think about the origins of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? 

Probably not.

But it’s a true story with a happy ending.

It starts like this:

Rudolph came to life in 1939 when the Chicago-based Montgomery Ward company asked one of their copywriters, 34-year-old Robert L. May, to come up with a Christmas story they could give away in booklet form to shoppers as a promotional gimmick — the Montgomery Ward stores had been buying and distributing coloring books to customers at Christmastime every year, and May’s department head saw creating a giveaway booklet of their own as a way to save money. Robert May, who had a penchant for writing children’s stories and limericks, was tapped to create the booklet.

May, drawing in part on the tale of The Ugly Duckling and his own background (he was often taunted as a child for being shy, small, and slight), settled on the idea of an underdog ostracized by the reindeer community because of his physical abnormality: a glowing red nose. Looking CONTINUE READING: Snopes: The True Story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Diane Ravitch's blog

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Ed Notes Online: Fred Smith with his annual The Night Before Xmas—2020

Ed Notes Online: Fred Smith with his annual The Night Before Xmas—2020
Fred Smith with his annual The Night Before Xmas—2020



Fred Smith has done it again for 2020 with is yearly Xmas specials. 
Here are his previous years, each with a different theme.
I first met Fred, a testing expert who used to work for the NYCBOE, when he contacted me about getting ICE members to assist in gathering data for his exposures of the evils of testing. Over the years, his involvement with groups like GEM and Change the Stakes has grown.

Fred is also a statistician for the NY Jets - don't blame him for their absence from the Super Bowl for almost 50 years.

Fred Smith convincing Jets dancers to boycott field tests - he's the one in the middle

The Night Before Xmas—2020
 
'Twas the night before Christmas and in the Snow House
Sat a duck-assed old fat man with botoxic spouse. 
This may be my last chance to go through the list,           
And give gifts to people who’ve made me real pissed.    CONTINUE READING: Ed Notes Online: Fred Smith with his annual The Night Before Xmas—2020


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Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus: It’s Called Public Education | Diane Ravitch's blog

Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus: It’s Called Public Education | Diane Ravitch's blog
Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus: It’s Called Public Education



This is a beautiful article by Jennifer Raab, president of Hunter College, which is part of the City University of New York. It appeared in the New York Daily News. When Virginia O’Hanlon attended Hunter College, the City University was tuition-free. In 1976, CUNY began to charge tuition, but it remains far less than private colleges and universities, and many students can piece together aid packages from state and federal funds.

“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.” It may be the most famous sentence in the history of local journalism.

Virginia O’Hanlon of 115 W. 95th St. was just 8 years old when she composed a letter to the editor, writing: “Some of my friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?”

Yes, there is, the paper guaranteed her. “He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.”

Those in the know must have been shocked to learn that the words came from the pen of veteran journalist Francis Pharcellus Church, brother of the Sun’s editor. Known to colleagues as a hard-boiled cynic, Church had never CONTINUE READING: Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus: It’s Called Public Education | Diane Ravitch's blog

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CURMUDGUCATION: Here's Some Merry Christmas Listening For You

CURMUDGUCATION: Here's Some Merry Christmas Listening For You
Here's Some Merry Christmas Listening For You





 I hope that those of you who celebrate the holiday are enjoying it, even in these weird and distant times. May we never have a Christmas celebration like this one ever again.

As is tradition here at the institute, I have a collection of seasonal tunes for yoe- actually, a couple, this year.

For you youtubers, here's a collection specifically put together without the performances you've been listening to constantly for the last month.

Also, this year, my family did a sort of group Christmas list with contributions from members near and far. So here's that playlist.

 

 And if you haven't taken the Jingle Bell Challenge yet, here's 76 minutes of everyone's favorite
non-Christmas Christmas song

  

I hope the day is a great one for you, and that you are able to find a way to connect with those you love and whatever is most meaningful for you. Eat an extra cookie. It's been a hell of a year, and you've earned it.


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Thursday, December 24, 2020

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #COVIDVACCINE #BIDEN #edsecMiguelCardona #HAPPYHOLIDAYS #MERRYCHRISTMAS

 Big Education Ape

THE TOP BANANA
TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES 



Democracy and Education - https://obrag.org/2020/12/democracy-and-education/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+obrag%2FIrDB+%28OB+Rag%29

272 NYC school buildings closed over COVID-19 cases - New York Daily News - https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-school-building-closures-20201223-ud4o7pd2vzcmvpddwqsbpjgfuy-story.html via @nydailynews

Rural America And Education: Fears About Future As Fewer Students Go To College : NPR - https://www.npr.org/2020/12/24/948030242/in-rural-america-fears-about-the-future-abound-as-fewer-students-go-to-college on @NPR

At 3 Top Universities, Black Student Body Presidents Make History : NPR - https://www.npr.org/2020/12/24/949926177/at-3-top-universities-black-student-body-presidents-make-history on @NPR

Teaching music — and making holiday magic — over Zoom - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/alexandria-school-christmas-concert-on-zoom/2020/12/23/3af03a68-413b-11eb-8bc0-ae155bee4aff_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_local-education

Biden told newspaper columnists that he was determined to work with Congress: “I’ve spent most of my career arguing against the imperial presidency.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/biden-unlikely-wipe-out-student-loan-debt-unilaterally_n_5fe4a2f2c5b6e1ce8338dab6?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004 via @HuffPostPol

USDA Foods List and Material Price Report 2021–22 - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education) - https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/usdafoodsmpreport202122.asp

Just Kidding – Tennessee Education Report - http://tnedreport.com/?p=5060 via @TNEdReport

Biden poised to pick Connecticut schools chief for education secretary - https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/12/22/biden-poised-pick-connecticut-schools-chief-education-secretary

Biden's Education secretary pick acknowledges ‘ongoing crisis’ in schools - POLITICO - https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/23/cardona-education-schools-crisis-450258#new_tab

My Review of Three Important Books About Education | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-sUl via @dianeravitch

John Thompson in Oklahoma: Grifters Gonna Keep Grifting | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-sT6 via @dianeravitch

Washington D.C. teachers union reaches agreement with Democratic mayor to reopen schools https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/12/24/wash-d24.html

A 'Real Easy' Choice: Biden Introduces Education Pick Miguel Cardona | Georgia Public Broadcasting - https://www.gpb.org/node/547386

Biden team's multibillion-dollar school testing plan takes shape - POLITICO - https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/23/biden-frequent-testing-reopen-schools-coronavirus-450280

An overdue present from Congress; a site to honor inspiring teachers | EdSource - https://edsource.org/?p=645710 on @edsource

What you’re getting wrong about the DNC – with special guest David Atkins | Eclectablog - https://www.eclectablog.com/?p=72074


A MELDING OF HOLIDAY CLASSICS – Dad Gone Wild
by Mike Simpson / now
A MELDING OF HOLIDAY CLASSICS “War is fought in mystery. The truth can take days to travel, and ahead of truth flies rumor, and it is ever hard to know what is really happening, and the art of it is to pluck the clean bone of fact from the rotting flesh of fear and lies.” ― Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirrin
John Thompson in Oklahoma: Grifters Gonna Keep Grifting | Diane Ravitch's blog
by Mike Simpson / now
John Thompson in Oklahoma: Grifters Gonna Keep Grifting John Thompson, historian and retired teacher, writes often about what is happening in Oklahoma. It is often not good for public schools and teachers because of the state’s awful legislature, controlled by oil-and-gas billionaire Harold Hamm, and its Republican Governor Kevin Stitt. The best education leader in the state is state Commissione
Biden Picks Former President of Broad Foundation as Deputy Chief of Staff | Diane Ravitch's blog
by Mike Simpson / now
Biden Picks Former President of Broad Foundation as Deputy Chief of Staff President-Elect announced that Bruce Reed will be his Deputy Chief of Staff. This is alarming news, though not surprising. Reed previously served as Biden’s chief of staff when he was vice president. The toxic Broad Foundation gave grants to some of Betsy DeVos’s favorite causes. This report from TYT (The Young Turks) desc
NANCY BAILEY: Education’s “Better Angels of Our Nature” During a Pandemic
by Mike Simpson / now
Education’s “Better Angels of Our Nature” During a Pandemic Education’s “Better Angels of Our Nature” During a Pandemic We are not enemies but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature. ~President Abraham Lincoln f
A VERY BUSY DAY Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007
by Mike Simpson / now
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2020/12/this-week-in-

Fred Smith: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas | Diane Ravitch's blog
by Mike Simpson / 1h
Fred Smith: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas We have a pride of poets on this blog. The following was written by testing expert Fred Smith, who advised the New York City Board of Education back in the days before Testmania. Fred now advises opt out parent groups. ‘Twas the night before Christmas and in the Snow House Sat a duck-assed old fat man with botoxic spouse. This may be my last chance to
NYC Educator: After the Toughest Year Ever, We Get a Break
by Mike Simpson / 1h
After the Toughest Year Ever, We Get a Break This has been the most stressful year in my memory for all of us working in schools. We've been through all sorts of indignities and inconvenience, but there's been nothing like 2020. Let's hope there's nothing like it ever again. We're on a roller coaster of opening and closing. As Broadway went dark, as Long Island schools closed, pig-headed Bill de
Teacher Tom: This Cursed and Blessed Year
by Mike Simpson / 1h
This Cursed and Blessed Year Just before Christmas last year, we discovered that the company from whom we rent a storage locker had lost all of our stuff. The good news is that most of it probably should have been thrown out years ago, but among the things we'll never see again were all of our holiday decorations, including ornaments I'd been collecting since I was a little boy. So, for the firs
Cartoons for a Pandemic Winter | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
by Mike Simpson / 1h
Cartoons for a Pandemic Winter For the Covid-19 winter holidays, I have gathered some cartoons that poke fun at what transpires in homes, schools, and Santa’s place. Enjoy! MORE CARTOONS: Cartoons for a Pandemic Winter | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
CURMUDGUCATION: AI, Language, and the Uncanny Valley
by Mike Simpson / 1h
AI, Language, and the Uncanny Valley We experience vertigo in the uncanny valley because we’ve spent hundreds of thousands of years fine-tuning our nervous systems to read and respond to the subtlest cues in real faces. We perceive when someone’s eyes squint into a smile, or how their face flushes from the cheeks to the forehead, and we also — at least subconsciously — perceive the absence of th
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone… | Live Long and Prosper
by Mike Simpson / 1h
You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone… GOT KIDS? GOT GRANDKIDS? Have you tried schooling them at home during the pandemic? For most people, it hasn’t been as easy as they thought it would be. Never mind the fact that the only people who are helping their kids at home are those who can afford to stay home, or who can work from home, or who have been laid off so they’re home anyway. Many p
Diane Ravitch: Biden’s Pick for Education Secretary Must Overturn DeVos’s Attack on Public Schools | Democracy Now!
by Mike Simpson / 1h
Diane Ravitch: Biden’s Pick for Education Secretary Must Overturn DeVos’s Attack on Public Schools President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Connecticut public schools commissioner Miguel Cardona for secretary of education, tapping a third Latinx person to join his Cabinet. Cardona is a former teacher who represents a sharp break from outgoing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who urged career empl
Diane Ravitch: The Dark History of School Choice | by Diane Ravitch | The New York Review of Books
by Mike Simpson / 1h
The Dark History of School Choice | by Diane Ravitch | The New York Review of Books The Dark History of School Choice How an argument for segregated schools became a rallying cry for privatizing public education. During her tenure as secretary of education, Betsy DeVos repeatedly asked Congress to allocate billions of dollars for vouchers for religious and private schools. She was repeatedly rebu

YESTERDAY

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #BIDEN #edsecMiguelCardona #MiguelCardona
by Mike Simpson / 20h
Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Biden's Education secretary pick acknowledges ‘ongoing crisis’ in schools https://politi.co/2LZMdet via @politico Biden To Pick Connecticut Schools 

Big Education Ape

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