en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/337615 Comments by sonicsfan http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317654435 My first response didn't come through, so I'll try again. I agree, kids are not created from a cookie cutter pattern. In fact, kids are very diverse. Gifted children are one group. But to say that charter schools are a special needs model is a farce. So where will their program be for kids with speech/language delays, IEPs, congenital cognitive/physical delays? It won't be there. Oh sure, maybe on a case by case basis, but in public schools we educate ALL students, and I'm proud of that. As for gifted children, we use a "push in" model, and although we just started, it seems to be working well. You should research it and ask if your school is using that model for your child. But to say that gifted children should have the option to expand their minds...ALL students need that option! In my class they do. But to say that we should support charter schools is not the way to do it because it will truly take away from other children in public schools who need special services. If people can support that, I think that is not valuing diversity and shows a very elitist attitude. Many children don't have parents that provide support and meaningful experiences. In public school, that is what we do. We educate every student who comes through our doors. Charter schools can choose who they educate, and that isn't something I will ever support. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:52:45 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317654435 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317649360 Then you didn't push hard enough. People do it where I live all the time. Yes, the principals/superintendents have to sign off on it, and the form does ask for the reason. For us it has to do with where we work and our daycare, so it hasn't been a problem. It's not illegal, but you do have to get signatures. In my area we honor choice, provided there is space. As an example, last year my grade level was full. We still had to admit any new students who moved into our school area, but out of area kids were denied. We deal with it as our kids attend out of area, so we get nervous each summer, but so far it has worked out fine. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:45:01 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317649360 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317608021 How much do those of you on here really know about charter schools? Do you realize that they do not have to follow standard rules that public schools do, and that they do not have to accept kids with special needs? How is that equal? Yes, I'm a teacher, and I'm a parent of a child with special needs. By siphoning money from public schools, that is less money for kids with special needs in public schools. If charter schools had the same rules and guidelines, then I'd have no problem with them. In fact, I think it might be fun to teach at one. But I will not support a system that takes away from public schools. I don't think charter schools will improve anything. In fact, I believe the education system will get worse. I have heard from a lot of parents in other states whose kids don't get into a charter that their public school has become worse, and then they are upset over that (after they supported charter schools!). Bottom line: Charter schools are not the solution. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:30:44 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317608021 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317605653 You have a choice. Generally, yes your kids are supposed to attend their neighborhood school or assigned school. However, you can take your kids where ever you want, as long the school has space. My children both attend out of area schools. We fill out one piece of paper each year. That's it. Fri, 16 Mar 2012 15:26:29 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Governor-pledges-to-veto-charter-schools-bill-142892655.html#IDComment317605653 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/134102403.html#IDComment223896921 Adoption isn't for everyone though, and people should respect that. I am not sure how I feel about embryo adoption, but if you've ever had issues with infertility, you know how desperate you become to have a child. I am an adoptive mother of a toddler, and it has been rough, but we are making strides. To adopt, especially out foster care, you have to be comfortable with attachment issues and the possibility of Reactive Attachment Disorder, or RAD. It's easy to say others should do as we do being adoptive parents, but I also know not everyone is cut out for it, and push people into adoption who aren't prepared....who is that good for? Certainly not the child! And for the record, my son is my son, and I love him, and honestly, I forget he's adopted because he's just our son. I have one bio daughter too, and they are siblings through and through. But I know it's been a tough journey. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:15:46 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/134102403.html#IDComment223896921 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133702918.html#IDComment220761250 And in that, you assume that all liquor stores are near a Costco, so those employees can just easily go apply. That is not the case. There are many small towns where the liquor store is run by hardworking people, and now those people are out of a job, and in most rural areas, jobs are hard to come by. I do feel bad for those losing their jobs, union or not; it's a job loss. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 06:11:08 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133702918.html#IDComment220761250 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133312768.html?clmob=y#IDComment217725308 Small town between Hoquiam and Lake Quinault. Not much there, very rural. I studied some of the Indian names of cities. I grew up learning Humptulips meant "hard to pole" meaning the river was difficult to pole upstream. "The name comes from the Humptulips Indians, part of the Chehalis tribe. Some sources say the word "humptulips" means "hard to pole" while others say it means "chilly region".[1]" From Wikipedia. Sun, 6 Nov 2011 15:40:52 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133312768.html?clmob=y#IDComment217725308 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133312768.html?clmob=y#IDComment217723341 The house is right next to highway 101, so it does make you think. Sun, 6 Nov 2011 15:34:34 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133312768.html?clmob=y#IDComment217723341 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133312768.html?clmob=y#IDComment217723163 Humptulips was actually used in a SNL skit years ago, but that's another story. I know this area well. There are a lot of drug addicts and thieves that live in Humptulips because they can hide from the law. The entire county is shocked over this. Well, DOC keeps getting cut, and it's only going to get worse as the low lives have no supervision or accountability. I'm not saying it could have been prevented, but I'm saying expect more of it. Sad...my heart goes out to this family. Sun, 6 Nov 2011 15:33:55 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/133312768.html?clmob=y#IDComment217723163 http://www.komonews.com/news/business/133276258.html#IDComment217108827 I already bank with a local CU. Love it! Great loan rates too. Sat, 5 Nov 2011 02:39:35 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/business/133276258.html#IDComment217108827 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/132353138.html#IDComment210947838 It may not have been a butter knife, but it was a flat blade of some kind, which is what is reported in the local paper. Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:32:28 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/132353138.html#IDComment210947838 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/131916388.html#IDComment208074884 The way China's elementary system was described to me, by a parent when I was in Beijing, is that each child is to attend the school in their neighborhood. However, schools are also ranked, so if a parent wants to PAY EXTRA AND TRANSPORT, their child can go to one of the better schools. Her child went to the #2 in Beijing because she paid for it. He also spent two extra hours after school at school for homework and tutoring, plus homework at night. Her son was in 3rd grade. How many parents here will sacrifice that much for their children? Parents aren't involved, and kids are so overscheduled it's ridiculous. I also have to wonder at the quality of education for the kids at the lower-ranked schools too...that's what unions fight to protect here, and that is not a bad thing. However, if all the levy equalization and other monies that help low income areas stay competitive is taken away, then we'll be like China more than you think, just not in the way we all want to see it happen. Just some extra FYI... Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:44:40 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/131916388.html#IDComment208074884 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/131916388.html#IDComment208072817 AND perhaps a way to get rid of poor principals too! Often principals can put up a good front, but those on the inside know that the leadership is impeding progress. Sat, 15 Oct 2011 23:38:33 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/131916388.html#IDComment208072817 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/131024693.html?ref=guiltypleasures#IDComment202835297 Freedom of speech. Hank Williams Jr. may not have a lot of fans on the left, but his speech is protected, whether you think it was appropriate or not. He may have made a poor analogy, but he didn't threaten or hurt anyone. I don't agree with it, but to pull his opener just shows how far to the left the media truly is. Tue, 4 Oct 2011 04:00:30 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/131024693.html?ref=guiltypleasures#IDComment202835297 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130329673.html#IDComment196794618 Parents don't go to jail. The kids will go 180 days, a full year. Parents will get "their time". Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:25:34 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130329673.html#IDComment196794618 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130329673.html#IDComment196792836 If you are being sarcastic, then that's pretty funny. If you are not...then I hope you understand that the school system did not birth children, parents did, and parents SHOULD be feeding their children, not the system. I have to be honest, I love children and do not want to see them hungry. I work in a school, so I know that school breakfast and lunch are often the only square meals they get, or just the only meals. But to blame the schools is ridiculous. It's an example of entitlement by the poor. I can understand families having a hard time and everything (I received free lunch for a time as a child when my dad was injured and couldn't work--lunch only), but this whole strike and "feed the children" argument is out of hand. Like I said, the school didn't birth children, so it should be the school's responsibility to feed and clothe them too; but sadly, we do, and we do it for the right reasons--because we love these kids. But parental entitlement is out of control. It's time for people to understand that. Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:21:02 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130329673.html#IDComment196792836 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130069728.html#IDComment194979254 There's more to life than baseball. If I have to choose between paying for my kids to participate in baseball vs. going to a game....I'm going to pay for my kids to participate. It's just getting to the point that you can't do as much with your family as you used to, and tough choices have to be made. Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:02:04 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130069728.html#IDComment194979254 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130069728.html#IDComment194978675 Newsflash: We are in difficult economic times. Combine that with the Mariner's record, and who can blame families for opting to watch at home? It's an expensive night to go the ball park. I've been hearing of a lot more people going to the Tacoma Rainiers games. I'd like to try that next year. Great baseball, and I hear the entertainment is great! Sun, 18 Sep 2011 23:59:58 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/130069728.html#IDComment194978675 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/126960328.html#IDComment180746919 I smell something fishy...did her parents ever get her a WA state birth certificate? Did her parents take the time to get her a certificate of citizenship? A social security number? Red flags...huge red flags. And she should have known her heritage and asked these questions as she got older. Tell me she never needed a birth certificate for something... I teach 6th grade, and my kids who are here illegally know it. I can tell on their faces when the topic of citizenship comes up. She probably knew it but ignored it. Or she may have really thought she was a citizen, but her parents dropped the ball. I wonder if the adoption was legal? Too many unanswered questions...weird for sure. If you have a green card, that should tell you something. Just because you are here legally doesn't make you a citizen. Sat, 6 Aug 2011 21:26:23 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/126960328.html#IDComment180746919 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/126960328.html#IDComment180745125 There a lot of hoops to jump through for international adoption. It depends on the country. Our son is from China, and I had to do all the immigration paperwork prior to his arrival here. When we arrived here, he was a citizen. I have his Certificate of Citizenship, AND we went through a re-adoption process just to get him a state birth certificate. All of this should make it solid that he is a citizen, because he is! But other countries do not operate this way, so it is possible to come to the US with American parents, but not be a citizen, but to be here legally. People often do not differentiate that you can be here legally and NOT be a citizen. For this woman, I think her parents unfortunately dropped the ball. It makes me wonder...does she have a SS#? That would be a huge red flag for me. Sat, 6 Aug 2011 21:15:44 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/local/126960328.html#IDComment180745125