Well the music continues to get louder -- it has nothing to do with my age. The beat pumps through the lights and furniture. Three hours of pounding rhythm and we have a dance. The popular color for the ladies fashions this evening was a return to traditional black. I have seen more cloth on swim suits than most of the dresses tonight.
The gentlemen wore the ageless slacks and shirts with collars. The vast majority did have a tie and very few jackets tonight. There were even a few couples with a tie matching the color of his date's dress. Guys fashion for a dance has not changed in 200 years.
I think all had fun. A bit over 700 in attendance and a bunch of great parent volunteers who supported the kids with coat checks and being around. We need to work on the beverage thing and figure out what the ladies should wear when dancing rather than bare feet. But if those are our biggest problems I guess we might be okay.
Yes, the dances are different than when we were 16 but isn't just about everything. The couples staring into one an other's eyes and 12 inches apart is an era gone. Over top of the electrical pounding sound of drums one has almost no understandable words and no one is going to call this group of artists crooners.
Well, prom is the next big one. So if you want to experience a teenage dance, there is time left to volunteer.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Alternative Licensing - A Modest Proposal
I was thrilled to read that our legislators are making alternative licensing a top priority for this legislative season. I am glad they are going right to the heart of the problems in student achievement.
I assume this is a Minnesota trend. Since I am a mid-career professional I thought I would explore my options. I like and care of the quality of life in people and our communities. Maybe I can secure an alternative license in medicine. The average starting salary for a first year physician is $158,000. I think that is attractive.
But getting into medicine as a doctor might take a full three months under the alternative licensing bill so how about a registered nurse. The average starting salary is $38,775. That I think I should be able to do quicker and get right inside the emergency room within days.
But I do not want to stop at my first glance. How about an accountant. How tough can that be? I am good at numbers and can work a computer. The average starting salary for an accountant is $44,564 but I think I did better in math so I want to be a CPA and the average starting salary is $51,500.
According to article in the paper there are tons of people out there wanting to "interject a new spirit into K-12 education." I know there must be numerous doctors and CPA and business people waiting to jump at the chance to start right in the classroom with the average starting salary of a teacher being $29,733.
All of these salaries are based on the government report of national average of first year persons in those professions for 2010. They will be different based on part of the country and demand at the particular time.
I really enjoy my job at Southwest. Maybe I could get a alternative license to do medicine part time and be in the emergency rooms for some retirement fund money for half time at $79,000. Make sure the next time you are taken to the hospital emergency room to say hi.
No, I do not believe for a minute that in 90 days I can serve your needs for medicine. Yes, I would like to make that kind of money. I respect the work of our nurses, doctors, CPAs and other professionals more than to insult them by thinking some alternative license is going to being into their profession more "dedicated" people.
I believe the current persons entering the education professional are dedicated, caring and highly spirited people who made the life commitment in spite of the money. For anyone to believe that alternative licensing (which is possible already) is going to solve the issues of student academic proficiency, well they should read more Jonathan Swift.
I assume this is a Minnesota trend. Since I am a mid-career professional I thought I would explore my options. I like and care of the quality of life in people and our communities. Maybe I can secure an alternative license in medicine. The average starting salary for a first year physician is $158,000. I think that is attractive.
But getting into medicine as a doctor might take a full three months under the alternative licensing bill so how about a registered nurse. The average starting salary is $38,775. That I think I should be able to do quicker and get right inside the emergency room within days.
But I do not want to stop at my first glance. How about an accountant. How tough can that be? I am good at numbers and can work a computer. The average starting salary for an accountant is $44,564 but I think I did better in math so I want to be a CPA and the average starting salary is $51,500.
According to article in the paper there are tons of people out there wanting to "interject a new spirit into K-12 education." I know there must be numerous doctors and CPA and business people waiting to jump at the chance to start right in the classroom with the average starting salary of a teacher being $29,733.
All of these salaries are based on the government report of national average of first year persons in those professions for 2010. They will be different based on part of the country and demand at the particular time.
I really enjoy my job at Southwest. Maybe I could get a alternative license to do medicine part time and be in the emergency rooms for some retirement fund money for half time at $79,000. Make sure the next time you are taken to the hospital emergency room to say hi.
No, I do not believe for a minute that in 90 days I can serve your needs for medicine. Yes, I would like to make that kind of money. I respect the work of our nurses, doctors, CPAs and other professionals more than to insult them by thinking some alternative license is going to being into their profession more "dedicated" people.
I believe the current persons entering the education professional are dedicated, caring and highly spirited people who made the life commitment in spite of the money. For anyone to believe that alternative licensing (which is possible already) is going to solve the issues of student academic proficiency, well they should read more Jonathan Swift.
Parents Needed for Co-Curricular Committee
Parents are needed to serve on the Southwest Co-Curricular Committee for the remainder of this school year.
The Co-Curricular Committee constructs the school calendar. The new school year (2011-12) calendar of events and activities will begin in a couple weeks. We need parents to serve on this important committee. The committee is a standing committee of the school Leadership Council.
All the committees are comprised of parents, students and staff members. The committee normally meets once a month in the mornings. I suspect that with the work of the calendar there will need to be a couple more meetings.
If you are interested in being a part of this important committee please email the Chair, Southwest Assistant Principal Ellen Stewart ellen.stewart@mpls.k12.mn.us or telephone 612-668-3046.
The Co-Curricular Committee constructs the school calendar. The new school year (2011-12) calendar of events and activities will begin in a couple weeks. We need parents to serve on this important committee. The committee is a standing committee of the school Leadership Council.
All the committees are comprised of parents, students and staff members. The committee normally meets once a month in the mornings. I suspect that with the work of the calendar there will need to be a couple more meetings.
If you are interested in being a part of this important committee please email the Chair, Southwest Assistant Principal Ellen Stewart ellen.stewart@mpls.k12.mn.us or telephone 612-668-3046.
Feb. 26 Baseball Fund Raiser
The 2nd Annual Southwest Baseball Wine Tasting & Silent Auction is scheduled for Saturday February 26th at the Minneapolis Officer's Club,
Come join the fun that evening and meet other Southwest Baseball parents along with the Southwest Baseball coaches. You'll be able to mingle with friends as you try some outstanding wines & enjoy wonderful food.
All Southwest Baseball parents are invited as well as other friends & relatives who would like to join in the fun that evening. This is an important fundraiser for the Southwest Baseball Program, please consider joining us that evening to enjoy the food & wine tasting or we have a food only option as well.
We need you to sign-up soon, please contact Christine Tjossem @ southwestbaseball@gmail.com and let her know how many guests will be attending - you can send your check made payable to "Southwest Baseball Boosters" to Christine @ 5029 1st Avenue South Minneapolis 55419. You can view the invitation by logging on to the Southwest Baseball website www.mplssouthwestbaseball.org.
The silent auction is a big part of this fundraiser, so far we have some great items including:
• Twins, Wild & T-Wolves tickets
• Joe Mauer (2), Adrian Peterson & Clay Matthews jerseys
• Restaurant gift cards from Cafe Maude, Barrio, etc...
• Wonderful homemade jewelry
• Framed, matted & signed photographs
• Personal training session
• Ordway ticket vouchers
• College baseball prep sessions
• 2011-12 Southwest athletic pass & Laker sweatshirt
• Baseball instruction
• Salon gift certificates
• Summit beer package
Tickets for the events are $45.00
Come join the fun that evening and meet other Southwest Baseball parents along with the Southwest Baseball coaches. You'll be able to mingle with friends as you try some outstanding wines & enjoy wonderful food.
All Southwest Baseball parents are invited as well as other friends & relatives who would like to join in the fun that evening. This is an important fundraiser for the Southwest Baseball Program, please consider joining us that evening to enjoy the food & wine tasting or we have a food only option as well.
We need you to sign-up soon, please contact Christine Tjossem @ southwestbaseball@gmail.com and let her know how many guests will be attending - you can send your check made payable to "Southwest Baseball Boosters" to Christine @ 5029 1st Avenue South Minneapolis 55419. You can view the invitation by logging on to the Southwest Baseball website www.mplssouthwestbaseball.org.
The silent auction is a big part of this fundraiser, so far we have some great items including:
• Twins, Wild & T-Wolves tickets
• Joe Mauer (2), Adrian Peterson & Clay Matthews jerseys
• Restaurant gift cards from Cafe Maude, Barrio, etc...
• Wonderful homemade jewelry
• Framed, matted & signed photographs
• Personal training session
• Ordway ticket vouchers
• College baseball prep sessions
• 2011-12 Southwest athletic pass & Laker sweatshirt
• Baseball instruction
• Salon gift certificates
• Summit beer package
Tickets for the events are $45.00
Snow Winter Spirit Week
Well it is almost over. The dance is tonight and then we can put all of this in the history books.
From my vantage point, we (high schoolers) are in a period of transition. We want to maintain and renew the traditions and at the same time attempt to put our special marks on them.
Things are different today than they were 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Those traditions and rituals need to be honored and seen with the respect that legends and stories of years gone by deserve.
At the same time, we need to accept the fact that we are way more inclusive than we were 20 years ago. We use a different language. We see the world in completely different ways than was the view 30 years ago.
That does not mean that we throw everything away. But I think it should suggest that it is okay to modify, update, change and modernize our traditions and events in high school. Change does not suggest that it was wrong before. It was what it was and it is different now.
I know our student council and other student leadership groups are looking at all of our events and activities carefully. As we begin to develop next year's calendar students will examine each of the happenings and reflect on its value to our students and how can it represent who we are and who we want to be.
From my vantage point, we (high schoolers) are in a period of transition. We want to maintain and renew the traditions and at the same time attempt to put our special marks on them.
Things are different today than they were 20, 30 and 40 years ago. Those traditions and rituals need to be honored and seen with the respect that legends and stories of years gone by deserve.
At the same time, we need to accept the fact that we are way more inclusive than we were 20 years ago. We use a different language. We see the world in completely different ways than was the view 30 years ago.
That does not mean that we throw everything away. But I think it should suggest that it is okay to modify, update, change and modernize our traditions and events in high school. Change does not suggest that it was wrong before. It was what it was and it is different now.
I know our student council and other student leadership groups are looking at all of our events and activities carefully. As we begin to develop next year's calendar students will examine each of the happenings and reflect on its value to our students and how can it represent who we are and who we want to be.
Great Gatherings Limited Available
Missed Hot Notes?
It's not too late to sign up for Great Gatherings !
What's a Great Gathering? It's a social event, activity, tour, lesson or other gathering hosted by a Southwest High School parent.
Anyone can sign up; all you do is pay per person; price varies depending on the event.
There are also “Off the Wall” items still available here http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/Page/4606
It's not too late to sign up for Great Gatherings
What's a Great Gathering? It's a social event, activity, tour, lesson or other gathering hosted by a Southwest High School parent.
Anyone can sign up; all you do is pay per person; price varies depending on the event.
There are also “Off the Wall” items still available here http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/Page/4606
Picking High Schools for Next Year due Feb. 8
School Choice request forms are due February 8, 2011
Call the MPS Student Placement Office for more information: 612-668-1840
You can make your school request online: http://schoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us
Call the MPS Student Placement Office for more information: 612-668-1840
You can make your school request online: http://schoolchoice.mpls.k12.mn.us
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