Ratings are done by parents, so some have no rating, but I trust the perspective of parents on the various schools.  Just enter Colorado Springs, CO in the search tool.

www.greatschools.org/

School Accountability reports directly from the state.  Boring but accurate.

reportcard.cde.state.co.us/reportcard/CommandHandler.jsp

Rankings done according to ( Read more... )

So, yesterday morning this guy named Cole starts chatting up my chickadee on the bus.  He asks for her phone number (which she regrets giving.  Close to forty texts yesterday from him.)  He tries to impress her in various ways.  On the bus, he shows her videos of him doing face plants on his BMX bike.  He shows her pictures of him with fish that he ( Read more... )

So, I'm doing all this research in preparation for my up coming parent focus group on the GT program.  I know that if I'm going to get the ball rolling with changing the way things are done, I've got to be ready for war, which means all the facts and figures.  A local organization pointed me in the direction of another organization that deals ( Read more... )

this is the website/organization that i'm currently doing most of my research through.  i'm waiting for a response to an email i sent to them requesting more specific information for my upcoming meeting.  but.... it's a good organization and the articles library contains a great deal of really good information ( Read more... )

So, during my research on the gifted program, I found out that there is an annual assesment done by the state board of education.  This is supposed to include a parental focus group, again, run by the state.  In all my years of dealing with gifted programs, I had not only never been invited, but also never known any other parents who had ever ( Read more... )

So I realized that to at least a minor degree, I was sounding like a petty child when I said I wanted him gone yesterday.  That's not the way I want to sound.  There really is sound, rational justification behind my desires ( Read more... )

Amusing news only one person will understand ( Read more... )

So, client contacted me to make baby/toddler sweater for her boss's first child (soon to be born.)  Ok, cool.  I even know what pattern I want to use. Soon to be born baby is a boy, and I'm just dying to use this super cute pattern from Crochet magazine for a baby sized letterman's jacket.  Back panel gets done. Front right panel gets done.  Front ( Read more... )

Saturday, I purchased a ten inch by ten inch by two inches deep box full of costume jewelery, buttons, and plastic beads to use in my crafting.  That box ended up being a considerable journey for my daughter and I.  We spent hours sorting and untangling, tossing out the useless, removing  pendants in order for future use ( Read more... )

I haven't done this for years upon years, so bear with me if it isn't the best.

Broken baby
Born of a broken womb.
Doctors say,
"We'll see if she makes it through the night."

I rejoice. 
For I was born.

Twisted body
Baby in leg casts
Doctors say,
"We'll see if she can walk."

I rejoice.
For I can run.

Family moves
Girl gets sick
Doctors say,
"She's on death's ( Read more... )