Archive for December, 2010
Teachers, parents set stage for education war
December 31st, 2010
Teachers and like-minded parents have struck first in an expected statewide battle over education changes being proposed by Gov.-elect Rick Scott’s transition team.
They have held meetings and conference calls, traded information via Facebook, planned an education summit and formed bill-writing committees to create alternative legislation.
And on Tuesday, they plan to wear red to send the new governor — and the Republican-dominated legislature — a message that they support public schools.
“They’re hearing nothing but Jeb Bush and his cronies — that’s the whole transition team,” said Rita Solnet, an education activist in Boca Raton who’s involved in an effort to build a statewide coalition of parents and teachers who support traditional public education.
Bonnie Cunard, a Fort Myers teacher, said: “We’ve been absolutely ignored.”
Scott’s 20-member transition team has been led by Michelle Rhee, the former chancellor of Washington, D.C., schools who fired more than 200 teachers and closed dozens of failing schools, and Patricia Levesque, director of Bush’s education think tank.
Last week, the team released proposals to revisit teacher merit pay, expand school voucher programs and dramatically alter how public schools are funded. Most of the proposals aligned with Scott’s campaign promise to get rid of an “outdated system” that relies too much on traditional schools.
Teachers and parents are using several Facebook pages to organize opposition — much like they did last year when Republicans passed Senate Bill 6, a wildly controversial merit pay proposal that tied teacher pay to student test scores.
After parents and teachers staged massive protests and inundated his office with phone calls and e-mails, outgoing Gov. Charlie Crist vetoed the legislation. Crist said then that it was like no other issue he’d seen before.
Some of the same Facebook groups involved in the merit pay fight, such as Stop Senate Bill 6 and Testing Is Not Teaching, said they will battle Scott, too — but this time they know what they’re doing.
“We need to let the legislators know that we’re more organized than with Senate Bill 6 and we’re not just going to roll over,” Solnet said.
Cunard said some group members sent teachers a template for crafting legislation and encouraged them to draw up counterproposals over the holiday break from school.
“We’re all for improving public schools,” she said. “But we want a voice.”
Even before Scott had been elected, four of the Facebook groups met in Orlando to organize a coalition, Solnet said. Testing Is Not Teaching has more than 11,000 fans, while Stop Senate Bill 6 has nearly 50,000.
They also are inviting legislators and the community to an education summit on Jan. 26 at Lynn University Bachelor’s, master’s & online degrees in Boca Raton.
The “Wear Red to Support Public Ed” campaign, which also has been endorsed by Illinois-based Save Our Schools Million Teacher March, is a signal to Scott, members said.
We’re going to wear red “since we obviously can’t afford the tickets to his party to tell him,” Cunard said.
Tickets to Scott’s inaugural ball cost $95; some other events are free.
Testing Is Not Teaching, which formed about a year ago in opposition to a new curriculum plan in Palm Beach County schools, used a similar tactic when members sent their children to school in orange clothes to show support for teachers, said its founder, Lisa Goldman. That group succeeded in getting the plan scrapped.
Goldman, a Wellington mother of four, said she was afraid of what might be in store for public schools under Scott.
The idea to wear red started — where else — on Facebook.
A Jacksonville teacher, Donna Yates Mace, put out the word on multiple Facebook pages. Within hours of Mace’s post on Stop Senate Bill 6, the page’s administrators had made the campaign an official event. Nearly 200 people committed to it within a day.
Many fans from both pages changed their profile pictures to an image of a red T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Keep Public Schools Public.”
“These sites see a common purpose and we’re all pulling together,” Goldman said.
Tags: Education, Education War
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Family Game Night: Part Two
December 31st, 2010
As you venture into a new tradition of Family Game Night or continue on with your current tradition I have three more games to share with you. My family enjoys games that are fun, use skill, creative, and interesting. The following games fit the bill on all counts. Moreover, they are designed for a wide age group so the whole family can enjoy.
Line Up
LineUp is for those with memory skills down to the detail. A revealing game that is not only fun but improves observation skills the more you play. Having played this game many times I know this to be true. My kids did not need as much memory work as I did but I could see each of them paying closer attention to detail. The game is about picking a suspect out of a police line up. You get five seconds as an eyewitness before heading to the police station for an identification. Sounds easy? Sure the concept is easy but the game is challenging. This game is recommended for ages 8 and up. I allowed my 5 year old to play and often she did very well. However, I do think the game age recommendation is accurate.
Dizios
Dizios boasts winning several awards including Mensa Select Award, Major Fun Award, and the IParenting Media Award. Another game created by MindWare, this game is similar to dominos. You have 71 tiles of multi-colored swirls to match together in a domino fashion. As if the swirls were not a twist enough you score points based on the tiles you are next to and not the tile you play. This game brought out silence in all of us. We were very diligent in looking at our tiles and plan where to place them. This game was completely engaging. Do not mistake our silence for the game not being fun. We had a great time. It was like eating an excellent meal that you enjoy every bite when finally you look up and realize you had not spoken a word. The game is recommended for ages 8 and up. I allowed my 5 year old to play and she did not have much of a problem. I would not purchase this game for a five year old but if you have one in the mix (those precious little Kindergartners) this will still make a great game. You can also play solitaire.
Pix Mix
Pix Mix is a creative game unlike one I’ve played before. I have played many drawing games and games where you guess pictures. Pix Mix ups the ante and challenges you to breakdown and differentiate six line drawn images while stacked on top of each other. Each image is on a clear card which you stack with other images and place in a card holder. You then have 30 seconds to differentiate the images. There are three card holders for each round. This has quickly become a family favorite. The first time we opened the box we played four times in a row. The age recommendations are for 8 and up. My five year old did not like this game. The only way to include her was to give her three cards stacked in one card holder just for her.
Having Family Game Night sponsored by MindWare was one of the most fun times we have had as a family. We play a lot of games and own more than we care to admit. I own plenty of educational games as well. However, the kids get tired of the educational games. The games from MindWare sharpen skills but the fun level is through the roof so the games do not lose appeal. These are games will be playing for years!
Tags: Family Game, Family Game Night, Game Night, Night
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Artist sketches career options to Reynolds High School students
December 22nd, 2010
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Steve Dorris, a Portland caricature artist, draws Savannah Trayhorn, a Reynolds High School senior. Dorris visited the school Dec. 2 as a guest in Bonnie Rulli’s commercial art class. Rulli brings in working artist every term to teach her students about careers in art.Steve Dorris had the typical artist’s life, working at Blockbuster Video while drawing caricatures on the side.
All that changed when the Portland artist landed a gig drawing faces at the Waterfront Blues Festival. Soon after, he quit his day job in 2001 and has been creating art since.
He visited a Reynolds High School art class early this month to tell students that yes, young Picassos, there is a career in art. The event was standing-room only in Bonnie Rulli’s commercial art class.
“Caricature is about how far you’re going to take it,” Dorris told the group, as he flipped through a giant pad of paper demonstrating his work.
Dorris was the latest in a string of artists invited to the class by Rulli, who’s been teaching art at Reynolds for 31 years. She brings in multiple working artists every term — from fashion designers to digital animators — to show her students they can make a career out of art.
“You never know who you’re touching,” Rulli said. “You never know what little ‘Ah, ha!’ spark flies. One of the nicest things we can give our students is the outside world.”
Dorris got his invite after meeting Rulli at a fair.
“I was taken over by his style,” said Rulli, who also works as an artist.
Dorris gave the class some secrets of his craft. To make a caricature, he explained, simply exaggerate a part of the subject’s head, such as Barack Obama’s ears or Donald Trump’s hair.
“Draw often,” he said. “Have a sketchbook. Hang out with other artists.”
He showed books of artists who inspire him — Sebastian Kruger, for example — and handbooks that have helped him practice drawing. He told of meeting comic book writer Stan Lee and director Kevin Smith.
An involved caricature takes four or five minutes, he said, whereas a long line of customers means he can only spend two minutes on a subject.
Dorris went to high school in Waco, Texas, and took commercial art but didn’t like the traditional business route.
“Advertising just wasn’t for me,” he said.
The Reynolds students soaked him up like a brush in paint. They peppered him with questions, such as what is the hardest body part for him to draw (hands) and the tools he uses (Prismacolor Sticks.)
The most exciting moment came when Dorris pointed to students in the class and asked to draw them. Many raised their hands, leaned forward and yelled, “Right here! Right here!”
“I really loved the whole experience of him coming in and talking to us,” said Chris Hernandez, 16, of Troutdale, who hopes to work as an animator one day.
Many of Rulli’s former students have taken what they’ve learned at Reynolds, including one — Chris Bailey — who went to work for Disney.
Dorris said the route to success is simple.
“You just have to work at it,” he said.
– Melissa L. Jones, Special to the Oregonian
Tags: High School, Reynolds High, Reynolds High School, School
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Weird Out Wednesday 12: Christmas Edition
December 22nd, 2010
It’s fitting that the 12th Weird Out should come in the 12th month of the year, and so close to Christmas with its 12 days. Some of those gifts have never made sense to me, either. Why would someone’s sweetheart give them 10 Lords-a-Leaping? That doesn’t seem very practical or even like it makes any sense at all. I can understand the partridge, people give pets as gifts all the time, but why is it in a pear tree? Don’t get me wrong, I love the alliteration, but it just sounds like a terrible gift.
Speaking of terrible gifts, share with me in the comments the absolute WORST thing you’ve ever gotten. Or the weirdest. The strangest, but simultaneously one of the most awesome, presents I’ve ever gotten was a Dinosaur-shaped sandwich cutter. Completely random, but very useful and incredibly amusing.
Or if Santa ate shrooms.
This week’s video is also Christmas related! It’s what Christmas would be if Frosty, the entire Island of Misfit Toys, and Gumby got together and ate hallucinogenic gingerbread cookies.
Unfortunately, the video doesn’t have an embed code, so you’ll have to – gasp – click the link to watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAICzC6FVb8
Tags: 12 Christmas, Christmas
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100 Ways to Create the Ultimate Home Office
December 19th, 2010
Fernanda Mancini
Whether you’re working from home or need to work on personal projects, it’s a great idea to develop an office space that is both functional and inspires the creativity you need. Let’s look at 100 ways to create your version of an ultimate home office.
1. Decide your purpose – Before you start developing your home office project, you want to decide what the purpose of the space will be. Is it for your business or personal projects?
Choose a Space
Next, you have to choose a space that’s going to work functionally and match your design wishes.
2. Using your current home – If you want to use your current home, it’s good to choose a space that offers just what you’re looking for in your office. If you can’t find it, you may have to create it.
3. Buying a new home – If you’re in the process of buying a new home then you have an easier job ahead of you because you can choose a home that offers the space you need instead of creating one in the space you have.
4. Size and shape – As you’re thinking about your space, you want to look at the size and shape of the space you need for your workspace. For instance, if you entertain then you may need space for a couch.
5. Lighting – For whatever space you choose, you want to think about how much light you want. Are you a natural light person or do you prefer a space that will allow you to manipulate lighting artificially?
6. Outside access – Do you want to give your office space privacy and isolation or would you prefer that it be near an entrance to give clients direct access from outside?
7. Ventilation – You want to make sure that the space you choose is properly ventilated so that you and/or your clients will not feel uncomfortable in the space at any time.
8. Proximity to restroom – This is another biggie. You want to make sure that the office you choose is within a reasonable proximity to a clean, presentable restroom.
9. Storage space – Before you settle on a space, it’s important to make sure that the one you choose has ample space to store things pertaining to business.
10. Temperature control – If possible, it’s a good idea to choose a space that has a separate thermostat to easily control the temperature based on your visitors’ preferences.
Create a Budget and Organize Your Ideas
After you’ve chosen a space, it’s time to starting planning your budget and mapping out your ideas. Keep in mind that until you you’re done making your purchases, your budget can be adjusted at any time.
11. Set your budget – After you’ve decided what type of space you will have, it’s important to set your budget by adding the total cost you’re willing to spend then making plans based on that number.
12. Decide to spice up or renovate – Part of planning is deciding whether you want to spice up an existing space or completely renovate (repaint, buy new furniture and fixtures, etc.).
13. Think about functionality – Think about the size of the furniture, where you want your file drawers located, where your phone jacks and sockets are, etc. so that as you plan you know how to make the space functional.
14. Choose your color scheme – Choosing your overall color scheme can help you decide what type of furniture and accessories you would like to bring into your space.
15. Consider your décor – Think about what design scheme you want for your office. Are you going with an executive look or would you prefer a contemporary theme?
16. Don’t forget personal flair – In addition to designing your space, you want to think about the style elements that add to your personal flair.
17. Think of the “vibe” you want to create – How do you feel when you walk into your space. What elements could you add to make sure you feel good every time you enter your office?
18. Acquire opinions – Bring some friends and family into your office space to get their opinions on it in its blank canvas state.
19. Make sure partners are included – If you have a business partner or spouse who will share the space, it’s good to get their input on what the it needs too.
20. Consider professional help – If you feel that after reviewing your ideas you might need the help of a professional, you could also price this option.
21. Create a checklist – Start drafting a checklist to make sure that as you begin developing your space, you don’t forget any of the ideas you’ve already set in stone.
Paint Your Office
Since you should have already chosen the color scheme, now it’s time to paint. There are two ways that you could go about having your office painted: do it yourself or have a professional take care of it.
22. Do it yourself – If you consider yourself to be a careful, skilled painter—or the office won’t be utilized by anyone but your family—then there’s no harm in doing the job yourself.
23. Hire a professional – If you want the office to look business professional then it’s good to hire a professional to do the job. Be sure to add this to the budget if this is your choice.
Shop for Furniture
Now comes the fun part. It’s time to begin shopping for your furniture. You could do this at retail stores, shop online or a do a combination of both. Don’t forget to stick to your budget.
24. Desk – Your desk will be the centerpiece of your office and needs to fully reflect what your work and personality represents. But don’t to also match your design and color schemes.
25. Chair(s) – You will at least need one chair to place at your desk behind your desk and maybe two to sit in front for visitors. Be sure to choose chairs that are both stylish and comfortable.
26. File cabinets – Whether you will be storing business files or important home records, you will need file cabinets to help you organize.
27. Shelves (wall units) – Shelves are a great touch in that they help you organize your books, allow you to decorate and add to the overall style of the office.
28. Couch – If you plan on having visitors in your office, you might consider purchasing a couch to place somewhere in the space. If you think you might have to sleep in your office from time to time, you might consider a futon and if you’re extra funky, you might consider a beanbag or two.
29. Bookcase – You might also opt for a vertical bookcase you have tons of books and not enough space on shelves to house them.
Add Your Design Elements
Next, you want to think about your personal design touches. What will add flair to your ultimate home office?
30. Rug – Adding a beautiful rug to your office floor adds depth and life to your space.
31. Plants – Purchasing a couple of small potted plants to sit on your shelves and one or two tall potted plants to sit on the floor could immediately perk up the office.
32. Paintings – There’s nothing like several beautiful paintings to give the office character. When choosing your paintings, think about the color scheme, overall design and message you want to send to visitors about what your office (or business) represents.
33. Clock – It’s great to add a clock to your office that that blends in stylishly but stands out enough so that visitors can easily find it without having to search around too much.
34. Picture frames – You could add some pictures of your family in the office via picture frames. If you want a contemporary look, consider a digital picture frame that creates a slideshow of dozens of pictures.
35. Lamps – Good lighting is essential in an office, which is why you it’s good to add at least one, even if you have lighting in the ceiling or tons of natural light. Luckily, there are great designs available to give this functional need some great style.
36. Mantel – If you have a fireplace, you might consider purchasing a beautiful mantel as an amazing design element.
Get Your Office Supplies and Accessories
After you have brought in your furniture and added your design touches, it’s time to bring in your office supplies.
37. Laptop/Desktop computer – No home office is complete without a computer to organize your digital files, create spreadsheets, gain access to the Internet and just look cool. If you have enough, you might consider investing in both a desktop and laptop to give your visitors access to the Internet without sitting behind your desk.
38. All-in-One Printer – Investing in an all-in-one printer is well worth it because it allows you to print, copy, scan and fax from one location.
39. Phone – Of course, you must have at least one phone in your office. It would be great to purchase a phone that allows you to take conference calls, tie in multiple lines and even have Bluetooth functionality to help you move around the office freely while talking.
40. Projector – In case you want to hold a meeting and need to project images, you could purchase a small projector that shows images well on the wall or comes with a screen.
41. Flat screen TV – If you need to show videos and want to keep your space neat and stylish, consider adding a flat screen TV that is either turned off or displays scenic images when not in use.
42. Standard supplies – You can’t forget to purchase tons of supplies, including pencils, pens, staplers, hole punchers, paper clips, scissors, post-its, screen cleaner, mail openers, staple removers, pressurized air, etc.
43. Notepad – In addition to your standard supplies, it’s good to keep a legal notepad in front of you in case you’re the type who would rather take meeting notes on paper than type into a computer.
44. Charging station – To ensure you don’t overload your electrical sockets, it’s good to purchase charging station that can handle your iPod, cell phone, PDA or other devices.
45. Surge protector – Purchasing a surge protector for your office could ensure that your computer and other devices don’t die if you have a sudden power surge.
46. External hard drive – While a surge protector is great at protecting your devices, if you want to feel certain that your data files won’t be lost forever if your hard drive dies for some reason, it’s good to purchase an external hard drive then back up your files regularly.
47. Whiteboard – A whiteboard is great for illustrating definitions and meaning in meetings or simply posting reminders for yourself and those who might enter the office.
48. Goal charts – Sometimes adding a goal chart can help you and the people working with you know what the goals are for specific projects and the office as a whole.
49. Desk/wall calendar - It’s good to purchase a calendar both for your wall and one that lays across your desk so that you can easily identify important dates and make plans.
50. Webcam/microphone – You might also consider purchasing a webcam and computer microphone so that if you want to conduct online meetings, you can get in on the conference with ease.
51. File organizers – If you keep track of paper files and would like to organize some that offer easier access than those you would place in file drawers, you could purchase a file organizer to sit on the side or atop your desk.
52. Desk organizers – Desk organizers typically come in compartments and with spaces for paper clips, post-its, etc. Depending on the shape and size, they could be placed on your desk or in a drawer.
53. Door/wall signs – Similar to goal charts, door and wall signs send specific messages about your office and are pre-printed.
54. Digital organizer/planner – Gone are the days when business professionals organize their lives with a booklet. Now, it’s all about the PDA, iPad, Blackberry or other smartphone to keep affairs in line.
55. Coat rack/umbrella holder – When people come in from the outside, it’s good to give them a rack to hang their coat and a bin or section to place their umbrella.
56. Nameplate – You’ll need a nameplate for your door and desk that gives your name and title if you’re actually operating a business from home.
57. Business cards – It’s also important make sure you have printed business cards in a holder that can easily be handed to clients.
58. Trash cans – Trash cans are an absolute must in the home office.
59. Cleaning supplies – You’ll also want to purchase window cleaner, a broom, paper towels, a duster and more to make sure your office remains tidy.
Set Up Your Software/Services
Now that your office is furnished, designed and contains office supplies, it’s time to start setting up your services.
60. Office phone – You’ve purchased your phone and now it’s time to turn it on since it’s likely that you’ll want to use a separate phone line than your home’s landline phone.
61. High Speed Internet/WIFI – You will also need to set up Internet service, preferably with wireless capabilities so that if you need to move your laptop around the office, you can with no wires.
62. Think in bundles – Another consideration to make is whether you want to bundle your services, like landline, Internet and mobile phone. If you take this route, you could possibly save hundreds a year.
63. Security System – If you keep clients’ secure information in your office then it’s crucial that you install some type of security system in your home—and office—to alert you and police that someone is trying to jeopardize your space.
64. Email service – It’s good to acquire an email service like Microsoft Outlook that organizes your emails, helps you set up meetings and keeps a digital calendar of all of your affairs.
65. Anti-virus software – Don’t forget to purchase a complete anti-virus product that offers a firewall, anti-virus scan, identity protection option, PC tune up and more.
66. Intercom – Adding an intercom to your office could help communicate with other parts of the house if you can’t leave your space.
67. Online meetings – It’s good to sign up with a service like WebEx or Skype that will allow you to conduct online chat meetings and conference calls.
Consider the Extras
Here are some extras to bring into your space to increase safety and convenience.
68. Water cooler – It’s a great idea to place a water cooler/purifier in your office to give your visitors access to something to drink without having to visit the kitchen.
69. Fire-proof safe – Every ultimate office should have a fire-proof safe that contains your crucial documents. It’s a good idea to have it bolted down so that if someone breaks in, they cannot steal your safe.
70. Quality coffee maker – Another great item to purchase for your home office is a quality coffeemaker that can not only perk you up, but anybody who visits you.
71. Snacks and refreshments – It’s good to keep some non-perishable snacks like chips or crackers for your guests. You could also purchase bottle beverages and keep a candy dish on your desk.
72. Mini fridge – You’re going to need somewhere to put your snacks and refreshments, right?
73. Plates, napkins, eating utensils – You’ll also need eating utensils and more in case you bring in food or desserts for special occasions.
74. Air freshener – The last thing you want is to have your office give a foul-smelling first impression. So be sure to purchase some air freshener (plug-ins are nice) that give a neutral but pleasant sent.
75. Champagne – It may seem like an excuse to drink on the job, but there’s nothing wrong with keeping a bottle of champagne around to celebrate important milestones in the office.
Don’t Forget Stress Relievers
If you want to relieve stress while in your office space, consider the following.
76. Music – Music is a great way for some people to think in the office. If you have an iPod, you could by some speakers or headphones to play music when the mood hits you.
77. Exercise ball – When you’re in between clients or just feel like taking a quick break, it’s good to have your exercise ball to get the workout you need.
78. Stress relief ball – If you’re not into the big exercise ball, consider the smaller, handheld stress relief ball that you squeeze when trying to relax.
79. Mini waterfall – A small rock formation with water trickling down it is sometimes all the stress relief some people need.
80. Putt-putt golf – You’ve seen just about every office executive in movies play miniature golf in their office. Try it for yourself.
81. Yoga mat – If you’re into yoga, you might consider keeping a mat rolled up in your supply closet so that when you need to stretch or take some deep breaths, you’ll be ready to do so.
82. Favorite book – Keep a copy of your favorite book in your desk in case you don’t want to go searching for it in your bedroom and need a quick break.
83. Newton’s Cradle – For some, the clacking sound of the swinging balls helps to ease the nerves.
84. Dartboard – Hanging a dartboard behind your door is the perfect way to relieve stress without anyone knowing.
Want to Go Green?
Going green is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some ways to make your home office green friendly.
85. Recycle – You can recycle cans, paper, ink and even your office supplies. Keep bins in your office for the small stuff and encourage visitors to recycle with you.
86. Eco-friendly furniture – If you’d prefer a green office, consider furniture made of natural fabrics and resources.
87. Buy green cleaning products – Consider green cleaning products to keep your office fresh without the use of harsh chemicals.
88. Minimize paper – Stick to emails as often as possible while minimizing the paper products you bring into the office.
89. Buy soy-based ink – Another great idea is to purchase soy-based ink for your printer.
90. Buy energy-efficient products – Consider purchasing appliances and electronics for the office that are Energy Star qualified.
91. Light timer – Consider a timer for your lights so that they will automatically shut off after a specified period of time.
92. Purchase recycled products – Whether you’re bringing paper plates or toiletries into the home, think about buying items that are made from recycled materials.
Get Additional Inspiration
If you want additional tips or visual inspiration to make sure your office is perfect, consider the following websites for pictures and more.
93. HGTV – Find great home office ideas based on types like traditional, contemporary, transitional and eclectic to name a few.
94. Better House and Gardens – This is another great place to find inspiration for your home office.
95. This Old House – Remember the TV show, This Old House? Well now the show has a great website with plenty of pictures to help you make ultimate style choices.
96. Houzz – This site is filled with submissions from regular people who have created their own ultimate home offices.
97. Martha Stewart – Get great home office tips from the design expert herself, Martha Stewart.
98. Good Housekeeping – Enjoy beautiful pictures of home offices.
Love Your Space
After you have taken time to create a space you are proud of, it’s time to love it.
99. Look at what you’ve created – It’s time to look at the masterpiece you’ve created and take pride in what you’ve accomplished.
100. Celebrate – Now, pop open that bottle of champagne, bring in some dessert, crank up the music and celebrate the fact that your dream of an ultimate home office has come true.
Tags: Office
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