It's Crunch Time

Hi All,

I haven't had a chance to bring you anything new and exciting. I am in finals for the next two weeks, then on to Christmas break. This is definitely crunch time for me. Those that have been following me from the start know that I am in my second year of Grad school. Currently my class is fairly easy, but I have a team research project due next week! So I have to focus. I will see you all very soon! Happy Wednesday and welcome to my new followers. 

President Barack Obama- Back 2 School Speech

I know the kids have been in school in some areas for over a month now. Since this is the last week in September and all kids should be officially adjusted to the routine of earlier bedtimes, sunrise awakenings and homework, in keeping with tradition of my blog, I decided to post the President's speech.  You can view last year’s post "Education is Power" http://brownskinmind.blogspot.com/2009/09/education-is-power.html Similar to last year my daughter and I watched the speech together. I pointed out statements to her that I thought would stick in her mind. Especially some of the things I tell her on a regular basis.

"But just because you’re not the best at something today doesn’t mean you can’t be tomorrow"- Obama


That is such a true statement. Although his speech is for the kids, I find many points in it encouraging for myself as I continue on my journey of "higher" education. It is never too late to believe in yourself. At least, that is my motto. 

I was a little disappointed that the Chicago Public School system did not have a viewing in the classrooms. Last year it was so predictive how many parents were against the speech being shown at schools. Some people fight the oddest battles. You protest against someone positively speaking to your children about education, but you let them watch the Simpsons or Family Guy? (Nothing against those shows, I'm just saying)

Anyway, the month of September would not be complete on my blog without including the President's speech. If you didn't get a chance to watch, I encourage you to read below and share your thoughts. I hope everyone is having a wonderful school year thus far, the kids are making new friends and learning new things.

Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/09/13/remarks-president-barack-obama-prepared-delivery-back-school-speech 

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

September 13, 2010

Remarks of President Barack Obama -As Prepared for Delivery - Back to School Speech

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

September 14, 2010

As Prepared for Delivery—

Hello Philadelphia! It’s wonderful to be here. Today is about welcoming all of you and all of America’s students back to school – and I can’t think of a better place to do it than Masterman. You’re one of the best schools in Philadelphia – a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom. And just last week, you were recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for your record of achievement. That’s a testament to everyone here – students and parents, teachers and school leaders. And it’s an example of excellence I hope communities across America embrace.

Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school. And I bet a lot of you are feeling the same way they’re feeling. You’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the possibilities of a new year. The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones. Of joining a school club, or trying out for a team. The possibilities of growing into a better student, and a better person, and making your family proud.

But I know some of you may also be nervous about starting a new school year. Maybe you’re making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school, and worried about what that’ll be like. Maybe you’re starting a new school, and not sure how you’ll like it.  Or maybe you’re a senior who’s feeling anxious about the whole college process; about where to apply and whether you can afford to go.

And beyond all these concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of these difficult times. You know what’s going on in the news and your own family’s lives. You read about the war in Afghanistan. You hear about the recession we’ve been through. You see it in your parents’ faces and sense it in their voice.

A lot of you are having to act a lot older than you are; to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas; to look after younger siblings while your mom works that second shift; to take on a part-time job while your dad is out of work.

It’s a lot to handle; it’s more than you should have to handle. And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like; whether you’ll be able to succeed in school; whether you should set your sights a little lower, and scale back your dreams.

But here is what I came to Masterman to tell you: nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing – absolutely nothing – is beyond your reach. So long as you’re willing to dream big. So long as you’re willing to work hard. So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education.

That last part is absolutely essential – because an education has never been more important. I’m sure there will be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it’s all worth it. Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education.

More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you will be determined by how far you go in school. In other words, the farther you go in school, the farther you’ll go in life. And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before; when students around the world are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever; your success in school will also help determine America’s success in the 21st century.

So, you have an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you to make sure you’re getting the best education possible. And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hand-in-hand.

It will take all of us in government – from Harrisburg to Washington – doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom, in college, and in a career. It will take an outstanding principal and outstanding teachers like the ones here at Masterman; teachers who go above and beyond for their students. And it will take parents who are committed to your education.

That’s what we have to do for you. That’s our responsibility. That’s our job. But here’s your job. Showing up to school on time. Paying attention in class. Doing your homework. Studying for exams. Staying out of trouble. That kind of discipline and drive – that kind of hard work – is absolutely essential for success.

I know – because I didn’t always have it. I wasn’t always the best student when I was younger; I made my share of mistakes. In fact, I can still remember a conversation I had with my mother in high school, when I was about the age of some of you here today. It was about how my grades were slipping, how I hadn’t even started my college applications, how I was acting, as she put it, “casual” about my future. It’s a conversation I suspect will sound familiar to some of the students and parents here today.

And my attitude was what I imagine every teenager’s attitude is in a conversation like that. I was like; I don’t need to hear all this. So, I started to say that, and she just cut me right off. You can’t just sit around, she said, waiting for luck to see you through. She said I could get into any school in the country if I just put in a little effort. Then she gave me a hard look and added, “Remember what that’s like? Effort?”

It was pretty jolting, hearing my mother say that. But eventually, her words had their intended effect. I got serious about my studies. I made an effort. And I began to see my grades – and my prospects – improve. And I know that if hard work could make the difference for me, it can make the difference for you, too.

I know some of you may be skeptical about that. You may wonder if some people are just better at certain things. And it’s true that we each have our own gifts and talents we need to discover and nurture. But just because you’re not the best at something today doesn’t mean you can’t be tomorrow. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a math person or as a science person – you can still excel in those subjects if you’re willing to make the effort. And you may find out you have talents you’d never dreamed of.

You see, excelling in school or in life isn’t mainly about being smarter than everybody else. It’s about working harder than everybody else. Don’t avoid new challenges – seek them out, step out of your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to ask for help; your teachers and family are there to guide you. Don’t feel discouraged or give up if you don’t succeed at something – try it again, and learn from your mistakes. Don’t feel threatened if your friends are doing well; be proud of them, and see what lessons you can draw from what they’re doing right.

That’s the kind of culture of excellence you promote here at Masterman; and that’s the kind of excellence we need to promote in all America’s schools. That’s why today, I’m announcing our second Commencement Challenge. If your school is the winner; if you show us how teachers, students, and parents are working together to prepare your kids for college and a career; if you show us how you’re giving back to your community and our country – I’ll congratulate you in person by speaking at your commencement.

But the truth is, an education is about more than getting into a good college or getting a good job when you graduate. It’s about giving each and every one of us the chance to fulfill our promise; to be the best version of ourselves we can be. And part of what that means is treating others the way we want to be treated – with kindness and respect.

Now, I know that doesn’t always happen. Especially not in middle or high school. Being a teenager isn’t easy. It’s a time when we’re wrestling with a lot of things. When I was your age, I was wrestling with questions about who I was; about what it meant to be the son of a white mother and a black father, and not having that father in my life. Some of you may be working through your own questions right now, and coming to terms with what makes you different.

And I know that figuring all that out can be even more difficult when you’ve got bullies in class who try to use those differences to pick on you or poke fun at you; to make you feel bad about yourself. In some places, the problem is more serious. There are neighborhoods in my hometown of Chicago, where kids have hurt one another. And the same thing has happened here in Philly.

So, what I want to say to you today – what I want all of you to take away from my speech – is that life is precious, and part of its beauty lies in its diversity. We shouldn’t be embarrassed by the things that make us different. We should be proud of them. Because it’s the things that make us different that make us who we are. And the strength and character of this country have always come from our ability to recognize ourselves in one another, no matter who we are, or where we come from, what we look like, or what abilities or disabilities we have.

I was reminded of that idea the other day when I read a letter from Tamerria Robinson, an 11-year old girl in Georgia. She told me about how hard she works, and about all the community service she does with her brother. And she wrote, “I try to achieve my dreams and help others do the same.”  “That,” she wrote, “is how the world should work.”

I agree with Tamerria. That is how the world should work. Yes, we need to work hard. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own education. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own lives. But what makes us who we are is that here, in this country, we not only reach for our own dreams, we help others do the same. This is a country that gives all its daughters and all its sons a fair chance. A chance to make the most of their lives. A chance to fulfill their God-given potential.

And I’m absolutely confident that if all our students – here at Masterman, and across this country – keep doing their part; if you keep working hard, and focusing on your education; if you keep fighting for your dreams and if all of us help you reach them; then not only will you succeed this year, and for the rest of your lives, but America will succeed in the 21st century. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America

She Fell in Love….With Books?

www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

My child loves to read.  When I say LOVES, I mean she loves it. I have to turn the lights off on her at bedtime, because if I don’t I swear she would read until the sun comes up. I remember I was the same way as a kid. 

I still love to read, but with my busy schedule who has time. I remember last year on my blog I posted I would read 1 book a month, well that didn’t work. I mean seriously, with my school work and now her schoolwork load; I cannot find a moment to myself. I have accepted the fact that I will not officially slow down until sometime next fall after graduation. I digress.

Her love for reading makes me smile from ear to ear. She sits and laughs out loud at funny parts in the story and comes to tell me what happened. It is the best feeling to see a child so entertained by words. With that being said I have been buying her a new book every two weeks, but she reads them in a day. Surly I cannot keep up with that pace. So I wanted to share a budgeting tip I have used before. In addition to the library of course, I shop The “Goodwill”, yep your heard me correctly. They have gently used and brand new books for less than 75 cents!!! Yes, can you believe it? I have been getting books from there for about 2 years now and I have never spent over 5 bucks. So we may leave with 10-12 books and she is so excited. 

Now since school has started back, her classroom offers Scholastic books for parents to purchase online. At her previous school the online option was not available to us. The books are cheaper than the bookstore and when ordering online there are special discounted books not shown in the brochure. In addition to cheaper prices for your wallet, your purchase also helps the class receive a free book. “Your child's class gets a FREE Book every time you send your teacher your order online” (http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/home.jsp). So imagine if every parent placed an order. That creates a wonderful library for your child’s classroom. 

These books are great also. Last night I spent $17 books for 7 books, no tax and no shipping. Remember one book can cost you about $5.99 and up.  So that is a deal. The books are categorized by reading ability and grade level. I look through a grade above and 2 grades above her actual grade in school.  I want her to continue to enjoy the books so I get the simpler ones for her pleasure and the grade above that to continue to challenge her vocabulary. Seems to work for her, it may not work for everyone. You have buy according to your child’s ability, don’t force them because if it is too difficult they will get discouraged.  She is currently into the Junie B series. Here is a list of what I got.

Charlotte's Web $2.00

Junie B., First Grader: Cheater Pants $4.00

The Best School Year Ever $1.00

The Best Halloween Ever $3.00

A to Z Mysteries®: The Absent Author $2.00

Fudge-a-Mania $1.00

Toy Story 3: The Junior Novelization $4.00

As you can see some books were only $1.The website is very nice. There is even a section strictly for kids, with printable and activities. If your school does not participate in the ability to order online, the website offers a letter you can send to the teacher. 

Please check out the website for more great deals www.scholastic.com/bookclubs

Getting Ready For Back-to- School