Do not miss Calif's giant Sequoias; this could be a weekend trip after you & the family have settled. Also, Lava Beds Nat'l Monument (NE of Mt. Shasta) has many, many lava tubes to hike through. I hobbled through 2 easy ones w/ a severely sprained ankle & do not regret the added healing time. This, too, could be a weekend trip.

Don't forget the shoe trees.

An additional problem with this kind of survey is that students may choose to lampoon it & lie outrageously. I would have done that if I'd already had to fill out similar surveys over the years. "Well intentioned" intrusions insult students and they resent it.

As a classroom teacher I've identified a suicidal teen & I didn't need a survey. Thankfully, that student received the needed help.

Joseph, if I may ask, in addition to receiving timely payment, how has this arrangement made it easier/better for you to practice medicine & run your office?

I used to work for a gov't contractor & the paper work was ferocious.

Exactly right, Fred.

My parents live in Anacortes. We've been on that bridge several times. Prayers for all involved.

Similar problem signing w/ my iOS devices; the keep me logged box is checked.

Amy, in addition to J Paquette & EThompson's advice, if your absence will be noticed by your parents and cause them discomfort, go. Several years ago my family faced a similar situation (w/o the church connections) & a member of the family did not attend. His absence was noted by many & was a source of bitterness for many, many years. That bitterness resulted in even more pain for the extended family.

"What's federalism?"

As a teacher my favorite gift is a sincere note from the student. They're easily stored & when I re-read the note years later, I vividly recall the writer. This is more meaningful than any other gift I've received.

So happy I only taught 1 year w/ LAUSD. What do the fools on the school board recommend as "alternative disciplinary practices"? Intimidation? Swearing? Intervention by somedeus ex machina before the defiance occurs? Students' personal lives affect classroom behavior & no teacher can know or anticipate everything that will cause a defiant outburst.

The school board is not only cheating the students who want to learn in a safe environment, but also setting the district up for increased stress disability claims by teachers. And yes, throwing away the opportunity for the defiant students to learn the negative consequences of defiance.

Me, too. I think it's the PhDs & engineers around here. I do a mean lecture on Shakespearean sonnets, though.

13/13. I guessed at the chemical reaction question. The correct answer made more sense than the other choices. Pretty scary national results when an English major can score 100%.

Mr. danys took the photo & it's beautiful.

Thank you for the beautiful reminder to "listen and attend with the ear of your heart." This morning is sorrow-filled.

Merina,

For me as a parent, #3 is the most worrisome. Mr. danys & I have tried to live our faith & set a good example. As oldest daughter prepares to leave for college, I have to trust in the Holy Spirit & trust her.

I worry much less about 1 & 2 perhaps because I have 7 siblings. My parents could never give us everything to help us to reach our full potential & we learned not to expect everything. We've turned out to be reasonably successful & happy adults. Our parents focused on giving us the basics & instilling the importance of faith, integrity, & hard work. 6 of 8 still practice the faith we grew up in (free will).

On the point of the post: I've taught in poor & affluent areas & have met stressed out & empty children in both environments. I've also taught students who are grounded, delightful & goal-oriented. I don't think affluence played the defining role in success.