I have the distinct honor of knowing Dan Prettyman personally.  Dan is a tremendous young adult of character and charisma with beautiful dreams that I am certain he will bring to fruition.  Some view disability as a challenge, although I am fairly certain that Dan would disagree.  He is an inspiration to me, he always has been, as my own family journeys through this life touched by autism.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Autism advocate enjoys dream visit to Pepsi—thanks to Jeff Gordon

To know Dan Prettyman is to know that he loves Pepsi. The 2008 Delaware Autism Program graduate and current participant in Autism Delaware’s adult services program works as a file clerk for Christiana Care Neurology Specialists, but his dream job is to be a taste tester for Pepsi.

“I’ve liked Pepsi since the late 20th century-early 21st century,” explains Prettyman. “I enjoyed Hallie Eisenberg’s commercials with the celebrity voices. I tried Pepsi and liked it. I never dreamed it would become a life-long addiction.

“I met [NASCAR driver] Jeff Gordon at the golf tournament [Autism Delaware’s Drive for Autism] in May,” continues Prettyman. “I told him my dream job is traveling the country and doing taste tests for Pepsi. He told me Pepsi was one of his sponsors and he would get me a tour. At the end of July, they set it up. My dad and I visited Pepsi headquarters on November 9.”

Needless to say, the highlight of the tour for Prettyman was taste testing the products. “They had all these different labs. At one, I taste tested the fountain Pepsi and Pepsi Next. At another, they showed me five flavors, and I had to identify them; I got them all right. I also tasted a Slurpee-like Pepsi Next and Bone-Chiller Cherry. I sampled all but the mint because I don’t like mint. And I got to make my own Pepsi. I also got to make one in my own flavor. I chose cotton candy. It was sweet.

“This trip was awesome,” sums up Prettyman. “I want to thank Jeff Gordon and his team for making my dreams come true.”

“I met Dan,” explains Jeff Gordon, “at the Drive for Autism in Wilmington, Delaware, which is always around the Dover race. I was talking to him and quickly found out that he loved Pepsi and was very passionate about it. He told me facts about Pepsi that only someone who really knows his stuff would know.

“The thing that got me,” adds Gordon, “was Dan said he dreamed of the day he could go visit Pepsi headquarters and do some taste testing. Well, that part I could help with and thought it would be great to see this dream come true. I made a couple of calls, and next thing you know, Dan was in New York making his own flavors. Unfortunately, I could not join him, but I hear he was right at home and had a blast. Over the 16 years I have been with Pepsi, I have done some really cool things but to hear how much fun Dan had ranks right up there at the top. I thank Pepsi for being so welcoming and showing Dan such a great time.”

About autism and Autism Delaware

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Considered a spectrum disorder, “autism” is actually a group of disorders with similar features. The symptoms range from mild to severe and present themselves in a wide variety of combinations.

Autism Delaware is a nonprofit organization made up of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), their family members, the professionals who serve them, and friends of people with ASDs. With offices in Newark and Milton, Autism Delaware serves the entire state.

Autism Delaware’s programs and services are supported by generous donations from individuals and corporations across Delaware. Fundraising events, like the Walk for Autism, also provide the income needed to make critical programs a reality. For more information on how to help, visit www.autismdelaware.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Carla Koss, communications coordinator
(302) 224-6020, ext. 207
carla.koss@delautism.org

Teresa J. Avery, associate director

(302) 224-6020, ext. 203

teresa.avery@delautism.org

When my family, friends, school district, coalesced with our fellow Delawareans to stuff a truck - a 17 ft UHaul - headed for Hopatcong, New Jersey, to deliver relief to a borough badly beaten by Sandy, I truly had no idea that we were being intricately woven into a Thanksgiving miracle.

So much has been written and recorded about that trip into a desolate and darkened county. We were stunned to be greeted at the shelter with a news crew and the New Jersey Education Association quick on their heals.  If that first story aired on NJTV, we never saw it - we were en route home, and really, we didn't care.  We weren't looking for press.

I spent the following days organizing our photos along with some "lent" to us by those living in Hopatcong into a photo essay.  The motivation was simple - create an online archive of the devastation, the development, and delivery for those who both donated and received.  When we pushed forward that first weekend following the hurricane, we did so with no non-profit status and no tax breaks to donors, no tracking donors, and no formal thank-you.  After hours of receiving donations, we locked down our truck and stood with the Zedans and said to each other, "This is amazing. All of these donations, all of these people who didn't know us, trusted us, strangers, to take these items to those who needed them." The four of us were awe-struck. The day we launched hopatcong.blogspot.com, we were again astonished when the website gathered 20,000 unique hits in 24 hours.

The surprises and the good karma have continued.  Our photos were "borrowed," meshed with others, and made into an amazing video.  New Jersey and New York media outlets finally picked up the stories of Hopatcong and surrounding townships. The News Journal called - while I was with my Girl Scouts - the same girls who, with their parents, helped us pack the truck.  Beckie Zedan, my partner in crime and off-the-chart crazy ideas, received a special thank you letter from students in Hopatcong. And lastly, as we headed into Thanksgiving week, the New Jersey Education Association released the following video - the pictorial shows the story of the wonderful NJ teachers who, in the face of disaster, put their students first!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Delaware's Governor-appointed Secretary of Education, Mark Murphy, will not seek an increase in funding for his department for the next fiscal year.

According to the News Journal, the Resident Rodelien will instead seek increases aimed at technology improvements, early education funding, and dual enrollment opportunities for high school students.

I don't buy it.
1.  It's a ploy to curry favor with districts and school boards.  It comes as sequestration of federal funds due to a stalemate in the federal congress threatens millions in funding for IDEA, Title I, and the like with the impact to be felt school budgets for 2013-14.  For Christina, we are looking at a loss of federal funds of more than $1 million.  Murphy fails to acknowledge this threatened funding cliff.

2. As described in the story - Murph's budget fails to address career-readiness upon high school graduation.  Not every child is headed to college.  Dual enrollment is an awesome opportunity IF the student is seeking to continue his/her education.  That's a big IF.  Where's the VOCATIONAL spending?

3. There's no mention of OEC for DOE direct employees.  OEC or Other Employment Costs reflect benefits, etc.  There's been turnover at DOE under Coach Murphy and I don't see a zero net, although in all fairness, maybe he's found another way to reward the new crew. Thankgiving chickens, anyone?

4.  Charter legislation is coming.  I'm personally hoping to see charter schools required to operate federally-compliant school nutrition programs.  There are strong indicators that this is coming, most notably it was required that NCS establish such a program in order to expand.  But, DOE has been diligent in offering help to those charters that currently do not operate the program.  Spidey sense says its on the horizon.  Since cafeteria funds are exempt from the charter funding formula (and they should be b/c most district school nutrition program are self-sustained) start-up funds will need to be found somewhere else.  In fact, the coming charter regulation could come with quite a price tag.  DOE should be prepared.  This story indicates they are not.

5. No mention of Smarter Balance which is likely to include another hefty price-tag to implement.

6. Most importantly, this is NOT an election year.  Last year, the Gov. invested in education spending to buy votes from parents and teachers.  He's now on the free-reign for the next four years plan as few legislators on either side of the aisle challenge his budget requests. And we should be thankful for the few who do.

We should all be wary. VERY wary.  There are too many holes in this story to see it for anything more than a DOE-staged feel-good fluff piece.

 Kessel Bids Farewell to DOE...and hello to Brandywine!

The exodus continues.

So, I've been busy and sick
           and the blog has gotten the short end of the stick. 

A friend said recently, Thank god you put up the Pencader thing, it was getting old over there...

But, the goal here isn't to haunt Pencader.  It's to highlight issues that affect our children and our educators.  I was penning (do we still "pen" things in the QWERTY age?) a response to Kilroy when I realized I really needed to add some thoughts here on the issue of Class Size. 

The Waiver - it's an annual gauntlet that school board's walk thanks to a teethless law that fails to support students.  Christina ambled down the plank earlier this week with four board members in support of the waiver and the usual three in opposition.  Without fail, sometime during the night someone uttered we're dysfunctional b/c we debate so passionately.  And around midnight the board adjourned. 

Remember when I used to post summaries of these meetings?  My, how times have changed.

I have decided that Christina's board is NOT dysfunctional.  It is comprised of passionate people, some, volunteer citizens who have taken up the cause of education our children and some, who claw on for personal gain.  I really don't care for the motivation anymore as much as I do the challenge.  Christina's challenge - Give up the comfortable practices that don't help kids learn such as applying the Class Size Waiver!

Delaware has a law that in the least advises that K-3rd grade classrooms should be capped at 22 students.  If one classroom exceeds that cap, school boards are given an out - the law includes a waiver option that must be passed by mid-December.  Christina historically tackles this in November.  Each year is remarkably similar to the previous.  These are the schools and classes that need waivers. This is the financial impact of not granting a waiver.  If you do not grant the waiver, the district must apply its local funds to cover the resulting incurred costs. 

This year, in the Capital school district, two board members challenged the waiver.  What struck me was the logic behind the challenge. 1. Going along to get along does not challenge the DOE to engage in meaningful reform.  2.  Not taking the waiver as a means to call DOE's bluff. 

I'm impressed.  Though I have always seen the waiver as something needing legislative reform, I have always believed that CSD would assume the costs associated with not applying the waiver.  These fellows in Capital spun the conversation in a new direction - as an accountability measure against DOE.  Yes, I am openly a part of sleeper movement that believes that our DOE is inept.  Multiple dealings in recent months over PZ, RTTT, and FOCUS schools has bouyed that belief.  I also know firsthand, that if DOE and our Governor believe a school district is challenging their authority and their agenda, they WILL enact the process of freezing and withdrawing state and federal funds from a district.  They WILL bully boards into concession.  And they WILL without fail claim it is in the best interest of our children to behave in this manner. 

And I am here to tell you that all of these behaviors are vindictive and rooted in personal agendas and that they WILL NEVER result in longitudinal improvements in Delaware's schools. 

Why won't our Governor or DOE support boards that do not want the waiver?  B/c the only people who gain from this action are the teachers that will be hired to teach the students and the students who will benefit from having more personal interactions with their teachers.  There is no financial gain for contractors, consultants, inner circle businessmen, or Wireless Generation.  This action will not propel the Governor into the National spotlight.  It will not further a charter agenda or enrich those wishing to privatize education.  THE ONLY BENEFICIARIES ARE CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS.  And that is why our Dover leadership will not support a board that fails to apply for the class-size waiver. 

I've said it before and I'll say again - DOE HATES KIDS! 

CHILDREN & EDUCATORS 1ST

Gus left a question on an older post today:  Pencader Slips in Special Meeting with 1 pm Start Time.
He asks:  Did we ever find out the purpose of this meeting and what came of it?

Dear Gus,
I did not attend the special meeting with an insane start time.  I do not know what transpired.

And as if Pencader's School Leader was reading his mind - I was forwarded this lovely note:

Dear All,

At the special Board meeting held on Monday Nov. 12th, the Board unanimously voted to add two new members, Mr. Frank McIntosh and Dr. Dan Young. Both have experience in the business community and in working with organizations that help students. They have graciously given of their time at this critical juncture and are committed to helping the school through the formal review process and beyond. Mr. McIntosh was unanimously elected as the new Board president and Dr. Young as Board Vice President. Mrs. Judi Kennedy has stepped down as Vice President but will remain on the Board, and Mr. Charles Evans remains as the secretary. This information was provided to the Secretary of Education's office and to those on the Charter School Accountability Committee. Please join me in welcoming our two new board members.



Steven Quimby
---

Hopatcong's school teachers have banded together to help their students in this storm devasted community in North Jersey.  Hopatcong didn't have the floods seen at the shore, but Sandy delivered a descimating blow just the same.  Trees crashed down on homes, in streets, and through power lines.  It's estimated that 70 to 100 utility poles were toppled leaving the town of 5,000 without electricity since Monday.  Most Hopatcong homes require electricity to pump water from wells, etc.  The lack of power has been doubling frustrating for famlies and especially the area's children.

While power is slowing being restored to the region, the district's teachers have been working directly with families to help their students manage in this crisis.  But, the need is still great and you can help make a difference.  We'll be loading a relief truck at Glasgow Park, today from 2-5 pm.  If you can donate water, kid-friendly foods, diapers (adult or child) personal hygiene products, toilet paper, small toys, etc. please come our way and help us fill all 17 feet!

And GIANT THANK YOU to Costco for generously donating TWO PALLETS OF BOTTLED WATER!

Another Big Thanks to the Christina School District for publicizing our staging event and helping spread the word!  Schools taking care of Schools!  http://www.christinak12.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=254231&id=0  That's why I am so proud to serve Christina!

http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/sandy-aftermath-a-week-of-devastation#comments_list

Hopatcong teachers have been working together to help the resdients in need during the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy by donating supplies at the high school shelter.

Hundreds have been in and out of Hopatcong High School through the week, and third grade teacher Danielle Kovach said the shelter currently needs more items such as ground coffee, milk, sugar packets and splenda, hot cups, hot chocolate, water, invidudually wrapped kid snacks, games, art supplies, and feminine hygiene supplies.
http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/teachers-seek-volunteers-more-donations-for-high-school-shelter
 

The Hopatcong Hurricane Relief Truck will accept donations from 2 -5 pm at Glasgow Park, Pavillion 2, tomorrow, Sunday, November 4th!  If the truck fills up, we'll shut-down early!  Come on out and help!  PLEASE!

Hopatcong NJ has been without power for six days and running - the shelter at the high school is providing more than 1000 people meals and shelter each night.  Nightly temps have dropped to 30 degrees. Several families have had their homes destroyed and the town's many school children have been displaced by the lack of power and water. No FEMA and No National Guard, yet.  Relief efforts are being organized by Hopatcong, NJ school teachers.  And they need our help!

If you can donate, the Scheinberg Family in Newark, Delaware is collecting donations to drive to the shelter Monday morning. Please reach into your hearts and help!

Water, Coffee, baby diapers, Adult diapers, cell phone chargers, prepackaged foods that don't require cooking, kid friendly foods, coffee, styrofoam cups, fresh fruit, halloween candy, toilet paper, shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hot chocolate, wipes, peanut butter, jelly, bread, small toys for the kids who are now calling the shelter home.

AND WE STILL NEED the USE of A SMALL BOX TRUCK DONATED! 

We will make the trip in personal vehicles if no truck is located, but if you think you know someone who can help, please send them my way (302) 494-8076.

We will be accepting donations tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 4 from 2-5 pm at Glasgow Park Pavillion 2.  Note - we are not a non-profit anything - we are just a ragtag group of community members who want to help and know that together we all can.

Delaware was escaped Sandy, especially in New Castle County.  But, the little inland towns of New Jersey that have not been the focus of the massive media offense are in desparate need.  Let's all help Hopatcong!

http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/residents-head-to-high-school-to-escape-warzone
http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/hurricane-sandy-causing-mounting-power-outages
http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/tree-crushes-teen-s-leg-during-sandy-cleanup
http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/articles/gas-rationing-to-begin-saturday



 

     

This is getting pretty tiring.  Having supposedly completed FOIA training, you'd think these questions wouldn't arise...

Language of their latest meeting posting is below.
Here are the issues -

1. Did Pencader provide seven days notice? http://pencadercharter.net/busfin/ The meeting would have to be posted by 1 pm on October 26, 2012.  Unlike every other item on the website, one cannot see the posting date/time of this event. Thus, one could argue that it wasn't and the deletion of the posting info is intentional...

2. Why is Pencader posting a meeting with a 1 pm start time?  How is this convenient or even accessible to the general public or the parents of students? Delineating the location as "board room" simply confirms that it isn't, as the board room is a pretty small room in the school. 

3. Does Pencader intend to discuss board members in private or public?  Since board members are appointed and and not employed, most would not define the tenure of a charter school board member as protected under Executive priviledge.  Now, I can see that this is an additional action item under the general agenda, but already, I have heard from fellow tax payers that they understood the agenda to mean that the new board members would be discussed in executive.  In the very least - the Agenda is confusing.

Dear Readers, I apologize as you are about to be on the receiving end of a vent: Yesterday, I sat in one of Delaware's "non-urgent" Urgent Care Centers waiting to be diagnosed with bronchitis. Yah me! At 10:30 am, it was standing room only. The computer systems were failing. And the patients were all a-chatter about the "likely-to-be-nothing" Hurricane Sandy.

I bit my tongue as I was unable to tune out the stories of stir-crazy caused by Illene a year ago. Oh yeah, I just had to get out of the house and take a drive, said the darling in the tight pants as he texted to gal next to him.  Oh, I know, but the roads were fine.  There was no reason to order cars off the roads.  And then to his friend You spelled "tomorrow" wrong.  And then there was mom with her kindergartener - Theys knocking on my door this morning putting papers in our faces.  They tried to make us leave last time, too.  All we got was a little water in the basement.  I'm not leavin.'

So here is my message - MY husband is what is known as essential personnel.  By job and reaffirmed by law,  he is required to report to work and assist other employees in getting to work when a state of emergency is declared and vehicles are ordered off the road.  Every Delawarean who defies this order without a legitimate cause puts the lives of my husband and  the thousands of others' loved ones in tremendous danger when you add an unneeded vehicle to the mix.  You are not just risking your life, you're risking the lives of innocents who have accepted the serious responsibility of working in capacities that are essential to the lives of others. 

Just who are essential personnel? They are not simply state employees such as DelDot, Police, Fire, and Ambulance.  Healthcare employees at hospitals and nursing homes are necessary to care for and feed our sick and elderly.  Doctors are essential.  Those making fuel deliveries are essential to keep fleets going.  First responders are essential.  Utility workers are essential. 

Stir-crazy jerks are not essential. Stay off the roads.

Yesterday, I came home to hurricane prep.  Despite having a confirmed diagnosis of bronchitis, I spent hours outside securing our home and property.  Husband gave me a tutorial in the finer art of using a generator (remember, with my partner serving Delaware's neediest during the storm of century, I am sheltering in place with two kids, one identified with special needs.) We'd leave, but with four cats and a basement prone to flooding, someone has to make sure there's something to return to...

This is the plight of spouses, children, significant others, parents, etc of the essential worker.  We accept it because taking care of you is the right thing to do.  So, please do our essential workers and their families a favor - stay off the roads so that good people like my husband can come home to their families once this disaster has passed.

Please, just get off the roads!

From: LAPHAM WENDY
Sent: Saturday, October 27, 2012 4:31:03 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US &
Canada)
To: CSD All Users
Subject: NOTICE: Schools and Offices Closed on Monday, 10/29 and Tuesday 10/30


ALL schools and offices in the Christina School District are CLOSED on Monday,
October 29 and Tuesday, October 30.

§ 4130. Expulsion of students; re-enrollment; loss of driver's license.

(a) In any case where a public school student is expelled from a school district or a charter school, the expelled student shall not be permitted to reenroll in any other school district or charter school in this State until after the full period of expulsion from the school district or charter school where the student was expelled shall have expired.

(b) Prior to enrolling any student who attempts to transfer to a school district or charter school in this State, the superintendent of that school district, or the superintendent's designee, the head of a charter school or such head's designee shall first contact the last school district or charter school where the student was last enrolled, if in this State, to determine if that student is under a current expulsion order in that district or charter school. If it is determined that the student is under a current expulsion order, that student shall not be permitted to enroll until the expulsion order has expired as set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Any student who has been expelled from a public school in this State or in any other state shall, prior to enrollment in any public school in this State, completely fulfill the terms of that expulsion.

(d) The provisions of subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section shall not apply to any case in which a student is seeking to enroll in the James H. Grove High School or in any alternative educational or other related program developed to provide educational services to children who have discipline problems.

(e)(1) In any case where a person is expelled from a public school, the superintendent of schools for the school district in which such school is located shall send written notice of such expulsion to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Such notice shall be sufficient authority for the Division to suspend, or refuse to renew, any driver's license already issued to such person; or to refuse to issue a license to anyone reported by a superintendent to have been expelled from school. Such expelled person shall remain ineligible for the issuance of a new license, or for the renewal or reinstatement of a present or former license until the Division receives such proof as it may require that such person is again eligible for a driver's license.

(2) An expelled person whose license has been suspended may have such license reinstated, or a new license issued, if any of the following requirements are met: a. The length of the expulsion is complete; b. Such person is 19 years of age or older; or c. Two years have elapsed since the date of expulsion.

(3) To have a driver's license reinstated, or to obtain a new license, an expelled student must meet one of the requirements set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection; must apply in person to the Division of Motor Vehicles; and must provide the Division with verification from the school, or such proof as the Division may require.

(4) Where a person does not have a driver's license because the Division has suspended or refused to renew a license to such person in accordance with this section, such person may apply to the Division for a conditional license. The Division shall not issue any conditional license under this section unless such person's application: a. Is made upon a form prescribed by the Division, and sworn to by the applicant; b. Contains a statement setting forth those hardships which would occur if a conditional license were not granted; and c. Contains a sworn statement that the applicant shall comply with all conditions placed upon such conditional license. 69 Del. Laws, c. 214, § 1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 236, §§ 1-5; 71 Del. Laws, c. 272, §§ 1, 2; 73 Del. Laws, c. 164, §§ 3, 5.;

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title14/c041/index.shtml#4130

"Parent Information Meeting"

DCPA has been floating about the blogosphere for a couple months now.  With the 2013 Q1 checkbook posted, I thought it would be a good time look at expenditures...

Business Managers - please jump in and solve this quandery for me:

DCPA has 48 expenditures coded as TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE for Q1.  I understand that much.

However, DCPA is coding payments to several of the school employees as Temporary Employment Service, such as the Dean of Specialized Services (hired Sept. 2011), the Business Manager (who previously served as Interim Executive Director), and the current Executive Coordinator.  Clearly, these are not temporary positions, so what gives?

File this under: Things that make you go hhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm...

Read the rumor earlier today on Kilroys - http://kilroysdelaware.wordpress.com/2012/10/19/is-beau-biden-poised-to-take-criminal-action-re-pencader/ - which I pretty much discounted as just a rumor, again, (Sorry Special K.)  This rumor is practically a legend in its own time - wafting in the wind for months with no substantiation...yet.

And then I wandered up  Mt. Othrys and into P-town and found this gem below (note the highlighted text.)  Maybe Kilroy's river rat is on to something afterall... Then again...
http://pencadercharter.net/busfin/sites/default/files/page/204/documents/Board%20Meeting%20Agenda_10_25_2012.pdf

PENCADER CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF DIRECTORS MONTHLY MEETING Thursday, October 25, 2012 5:30 P.M.
General Session Cafeteria
1. Call to Order
2. Review, correct, approve minutes from September 27, 2012
3. Financial Report
4. School Administration Report
5. Update on Formal Review Process
6. By-Laws
7. Floor Open for Public Comments
a. Time Limit of 3 minutes per person
b. Allotted time may not be reassigned to a prior or subsequent speaker
8. Executive Session
a. Review personnel
b. Legal strategy session for pending and potential litigation related to Special Ed & Attorney General’s request
9. Meeting Adjournment