Here’s a video that’s definitely worth the four minutes or so it will take to watch:
Please note this is not just about what we pay teachers. I’m not sure it’s supposed to be about how much we value teachers. It might be about how much we value our kids, their education, and all of our futures.
“We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.”
–Dorothy Day
This page is meant to provide information and an opportunity for those who would like to provide some financial support to the Ginn/Gebo children. If you know of additional opportunities or needs that should be posted here, please let me know. Please share the link to this page so those who want to help these kids can!
A GoFundMe Account has been established calledGebo Children’s School Fund. “We all know the cost of raising children today and though the children’s’ lives will never be the same without their mother… friends want to be sure both children can grow up as normally as possible and have the opportunity for a good life and a future education. Please help make that happen.”
An account to benefit the kids has also been established at Maine Highlands Credit Union.
One major local fundraiser is the 61 Day Raffle–many prizes have been donated. Tickets are $5 and can be ordered by mail. Continue reading Your Chance to Help…→
During a trip through a store recently I found it necessary to wind my way around cases of beer stacked in the aisle. It didn’t take long to recognize this was part of society’s preparation for yet another Memorial Day. I’m not a member of the Temperance Union, so I do not see this as a bad thing.
The day was actually filled with reminders. There was the obligatory stop to deposit a donation in a volunteer fireman’s boot… the need to slow and swerve around the work crews installing flags on the utility poles throughout towns in the area… and the buzzing of lawn mowers and trimmers when driving by cemeteries.
There’s a lot to love about Memorial Day, really. A memorial is most typically an object, designed to focus memory of something—a person or an event. Memorial Day is meant to remind us of the people who died while serving in the armed forces. Wikipedia puts that number at approximately 1,354,000 for all wars. That is a sobering statistic and a lot of remembering.
But these are not just faceless numbers and names, either. Little effort is required to see them, even if only in our minds and hearts.
An admirable characteristic of our society is that we are willing to memorialize these men and women. We do so in many ways—from granite monuments to parades and ceremonies, we do remember.
One Memorial Day reminder that I haven’t had yet this year is my annual purchase of a poppy. I have past purchases scattered around, attached to jackets, and the lamp beside the bed. I could probably find one in my jewelry box. But it’s the act of purchasing that is important, perhaps because I get to see a face and shake hands with someone who served. I fear this is a fading tradition, even as we celebrate its 100th anniversary. In 1915, Moina Michael came up with the idea of wearing a red poppy in honor of those who died in war. She also sold poppies to friends and coworkers with the proceeds going to benefit servicemen in need.
The program was adopted by the VFW in 1922 and became both a source of income and an important memorial. Most are at least casually familiar with the poem “In Flanders Fields.” Few are aware that it was the inspiration for Moina’s own poem and her poppy program.
We cherish too, the poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
While we are willing to memorialize these men and woman, I think Moina understood an important truth. If we were not willing to march or watch… if we were not willing to purchase and hang flags throughout our communities… if we did not visit cemeteries and erect monuments… (all important things we should do)… there are still undeniable signals—some as simple as a red poppy—to remind us that the blood of heroes never dies.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
A quick stop at school today reminded me there are some great events coming up this month… you don’t have to have kids or grandkids in school to enjoy them! The reminder today was a sign on the door and some great artwork being posted in the halls.
Thursday, May 14 is the annual PCES Art Show from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This is a great opportunity to stroll the halls and check out the work of aspiring artists. Sometimes it’s funny (wanted posters), sometimes it’s thought provoking, and sometimes it’s just beauty. It’s always amazing and a stark reminder that we all have artistic ability but some of us lose it as we grow and age. As Picasso said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” The art show is under the direction of Mrs. Daniels, art teacher.
Thursday, May 21 is the annual PCES Third Grade Exhibition in the gymnasium starting at 6:00 p.m. Third graders will demonstrate their energy and coordination with a fast-paced program featuring a tumbling exhibition that focuses on jumping and landing, cartwheels, jumping rope, and diagonal running and skipping patterns. A hula hoop demonstration will include a competition for who can spin the greatest number of hoops at once. There will even be an audience participation portion as the audience is invited to join the kids in performing the “Electric Slide” set to a popular country tune sung by Billy Currington. A large colorful parachute will fill the gym and group cooperative skills will be demonstrated by manipulating the parachute choreographed to music. The exhibition is under the direction of Mrs. Allen, physical education/health teacher.
Both are free but worth a lot more! Plus if the weather’s nice you can stop for ice cream on the way home!
Walter Boomsma (“Mr. Boomsma”) writes on a wide array of topics including personal development, teaching and learning. Course information is also available here!