Changing Time

It's November 1 and we have reset the clocks in preparation for winter. In a way, that adjustment of time is what has been happening in my life. October has ended and with it, hopefully, some of the chaos of that month has faded as well. October is my birthday month and its the month where my anniversary lands, but this year it was probably one of the most unpleasant.

I have been involved with EPIC Academy for a very long time now. In having to deal with the school districts, or more specifically their staff, I have seen a real need for a school such as EPIC. I picked up talented and committed people to be on the board and to help develop EPIC, in an effort to take it from a dream to a reality. Unfortunately, this isn't the time for EPIC to happen. Although, I must ask: If not now, when? Trying to create EPIC has been a HUGE learning experience for me. I have met some phenomenal people and I have met some that were too narrow minded to see the benefits of our model. I have also encountered levels of frustration I didn't know that I could endure. You see, EPIC was denied charter status, and so we appealed. Well we lost. Not because EPIC isn't needed, but because we didn't know enough, we didn't have enough money and ultimately, we didn't have any support. This was a HUGE frustration as we spoke to many who felt that EPIC should happen, that it was needed. Sadly, when it came down to the line, the only people there were the ones that are the core group of EPIC - only about 10 people. We can't start a school with ten people. It's a waste of resources.
So, now I have to ask, "Where was everybody??!" Is your child's education of such little importance that you don't want to make sure he/she has the best opportunities to succeed? Are you too wrapped up in the mundane trivia of daily life that you can't see the bigger picture, that education needs reform? Why should I sacrifice myself, my friends, and most importantly my family to create opportunities for everyone else if you are too busy to say yes, I support you?
I believe in EPIC. I have invested my time, money, and family into its creation and eventual success. I had hoped that by doing so, I would not only be helping my own son, but many other children as well. I don't believe that my son is the only one that is having difficulties in school. He had such a hard time in October that we had to pull him out of school and send him to the local psychiatric wing of the hospital for an evaluation, change of medication, and now attendance of school. This is because of his diagnosis: Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, ODD, Depression, Dysgraphia, and now anxiety.
Because of AS, my son does not like to be touch, he is overwhelmed by loud noises, and has a short fuse when he's upset. Now, put him in a hall with 100+ freshmen, all of them being loud and jostling one another to get to lockers or classes. (I"m overwhelmed just by thinking about it.) Now, you've made it to the classroom where you are told to write, but you can't. The words in your brain just can't come out, the ultimate writers block. And when you are asked to answer a question, you try to give it but there is so many ideas bouncing around in your brain that you can't get one out. Add to this: you are noticing the people around you more, the girls are becoming women and the boys are becoming men . . . and you aren't changing with them. Don't forget that people are making fun of you because of difficulties you have in the classroom, because of how small you are in comparison. And remember that the teachers think you are being lazy because you aren't getting the work done.
Now keep all of that in your mind and think about what it will be like to have to deal with that everyday for the next four years. How do you feel? Same here. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe it. As a result of these feelings. things were said that shouldn't have been said, threats were made, and even though they were intended to create space, to have silence and space . . . those kinds of threats have to be taken seriously. And so now, my son goes to the day program at KBHC. I'm hoping that this will have been the best thing for him, especially since EPIC isn't going to happen in time for my son to attend.
There is more chaos and stress that I could write about, but facebook is calling my name. So, I close with a bumper sticker: "GET INVOLVED! THE WORLD IS RAN BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP!!" So now a question: Where do you show up? dbp

EPIC Academy

Good morning all! The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and the cat is irritating. Ezzy has me well trained I think! She had to go out at 4:30 this morning. I tried to go back to sleep, but no luck. So I'm up and writing.

Yesterday, I sent out a press release regarding EPIC Academy to our friendly area media types. Here is a link if you are interested.

We are trying to get ready for our Public Hearing on Monday at the Coeur d'Alene Resort. I hope that we will have a huge turn out of parents and community members that are interested in EPIC. In previous meetings, we haven't always had a large number show up to demonstrate their support. When I speak to people, one-on-one, the support is there. So its a bit frustrating that I can't convince more to come to our meetings and such.

This is weighing heavily on my mind this morning because of our upcoming wine tasting fundraiser. I'm hoping that we have 50 people show up, that would go a looonngg way to raising funds for us. Unfortunately, everyone is feeling the financial pinch and I'm just not certain that we'll have the people there. Which would be sad. We've had some really awesome donations from area businesses for our auction/raffle. There's a gift certificate from the Painter's Chair Gallery and a signed copy of the owner's book, Artwork from local artist Rayel Stader, an autographed baseball from Seattle Mariner's relief pitcher Brandon Morrow, just to name a couple of things.

There are still tickets available if you are interested in attending, just let me know. Or if you want to donate to EPIC, well, let me know that too. I hope you all have a great day and enjoy the great weather we are having here in Northern Idaho!

Proud of my Sis!!

This is a copy of the letter that I just received from Becky, who is stationed overseas:

Hey All,

Hope everything is going well with you all--I seem to have caught insomnia but other than that everything's just peachy. Not much is new--still cannot wait to go home! They are saying January we'll be heading home but not for sure when we'll actually be released back to our lives. So for now just trying to make do and get throught this lull in the deployment when everything is just kinda blah. I wanted to say a big thank you to everyone that sent party supplies--I think we could have a birthday party everyday adn still have stuff left over! So thanks a bunch. And if you all are still in the festive mood.....you can send Halloween decoractions :) Our commander has given his blessing on us having a party so I think the troops would be happy to dress up and pretend they were somewhere else (normal) for a bit.

I'm attaching some pictures from our last birthday party--just happened to be mine :) some might be fuzzy, that was them chasing each other with the silly string--a big hit!!

Well thanks again. Take care of yourselves, see you when I see you.

Love, Becky

Education

Last night I road tripped to Sandpoint to listen to Superintendent Luna speak about the Idaho Education Network (IEN) at the Sandpoint High School. Wow! Very exciting!
Here is a link to the official website: http://www.ien.idaho.gov/index.htm.
To see an article, go here: http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2009/08/26/news/news05.txt.
It was a very interesting meeting and I'm excited about IEN! I agree that we need to harness our current technology to meet the needs of our children in the education process. If it can truly bring a wider variety of classes to our smaller communities that will be truly phenomenal.
I remember when (yes, back in the day) I was in high school. I was frustrated because here I was taking these classes that I would have to retake in college because high school credits really didn't meet the criteria of college courses. If I could have taken college level courses my junior and senior years, I don't know where I would have gone. I do know that it has been very difficult going back to college as an adult (and I applaud those that do!). I'm now considered a non-traditional student because of it. I just don't have the same interests as a brand new college student and have a hard time identifying with them. I've life experience and a family with whom I live with and take care of... things that the new college student really doesn't understand.
So, my hat is tipped to Superintendent Luna for his enthusiam for education and for his efforts to bring so many choices into the classroom!

Family

This morning I'm wondering about the impact of family on ourselves. Do we become the people we are because of our families or in spite of them? Research has shown that by the time we become teenagers, we are influenced by our peers primarily. Does this mean that family has very little impact or teens? Do we then accept the influence of our families when we become adults? What impact to adopted families have on us? Does it matter if those extended families are adopted, married into, or related through close friends?

The joys of a home office!

Do you know what I like most about having a home office? It's being able to work in my pajamas and nobody can tell! The entire pot of coffee is just for me too, what could be better? A secretary. Seriously. Unfortunately, the home office just doesn't pay the same as one that I would travel to. I suppose that's the trade off for the jammies?

Today's agenda: Work on the appeal... I'm printing all of my emails to pdf so that I can categorized them appropriately... ick! 12:30pm is the PROP (Parents Reaching Out to Parents) meeting at the Harding Center in Coeur d'Alene. Today there will be a representative from IPUL to talk about IEPs. Should be pretty good. If you can't make that meeting, the Panhandle Autism Society will have a similiar program Thursday evening at their office on Sherman. EMail me if you need more info!

I've decided that Blogging is like thinking out loud or talking to yourself... and everyone thinks its ok! Does that mean that now I'm normal?

Lazy Days of August

Well, I'm not sure how lazy they really are. I'm so busy! I'm currently working on the appeal for EPIC Academy, the proposed public Charter School that I'm heavily involved with. I'm also trying to get a fundraiser off the ground and going strong. It's scheduled for October 2nd at 7pm at the Coeur d'Alene Cellars Winery in Coeur d'Alene. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by either contacting me or by going to American Family Insurance in Hayden, Id.
I'm also trying to schedule private jewelry shows for Jewels by Park Lane. Anybody interested? I've got a few spots left for August and we've got some awesome deals. Email me.

It's been a while since I posted, life is crazy! So much to do, and no time to do it in. I think I need a secretary and an intern, as long as I'm hoping, a housekeeper would be awesome too!