Joe Merola:

My problem is when any honor is avoided to keep from "hurting someone's feelings".  At one of my daughter's 5th grade ceremonies (leaving elementary school) the only honors mentioned were physical fitness and perfect attendance.  No mention of academics at all.

Joe - I agee with you that not honoring students because it might hurt someone's feelings is wrong and misguided. I have never been a fan of perfect attendance awards since too many kids go to school sick. Deb

Gibson Brown:

Sandi..."The RT can be a mud fest on some topics!"

Hey Sandi, you hold your own and don't back down. To be admired. I did not see why our Mother's had to be drug into it. I was waiting for "I'm rubber and you're glue" to come out. I'll check back, I enjoy trying to talk my idea of sense among the madness. Keep fighting the good fight. Gip

 Sandi and Gip - What was the hot topic that you are talking about? Just curious. I may need to go and see what it is all about.

bobchristenson:

 I haven't been able to participate this week due to the time consuming grunt labor of moving to the new place.

 

I am sure you are busy, but I have a bone to pick...What is with dissing Buffalo?  I think that was the home of my beloved Tim Russert and his devotion was endearing.  Wolf Blitzer too, if I am not mistaken.   I have been in Virginia since the dinosaurs (as I mentioned) but what is so wrong with Buffalo if you please? 

Deb Landgraf:

Gibson Brown:

Sandi..."The RT can be a mud fest on some topics!"

Hey Sandi, you hold your own and don't back down. To be admired. I did not see why our Mother's had to be drug into it. I was waiting for "I'm rubber and you're glue" to come out. I'll check back, I enjoy trying to talk my idea of sense among the madness. Keep fighting the good fight. Gip

 

 Sandi and Gip - What was the hot topic that you are talking about? Just curious. I may need to go and see what it is all about.

 Deb, it was "late term abortion" ala the Dr. Tiller murder and yes, it got UGLY.  Come join us.  But do not use your real name just a real email (not published).  It can be fun and enlightening but it takes a THICK skin.

Sandi Saunders:

Deb Landgraf:

Gibson Brown:

Sandi..."The RT can be a mud fest on some topics!"

Hey Sandi, you hold your own and don't back down. To be admired. I did not see why our Mother's had to be drug into it. I was waiting for "I'm rubber and you're glue" to come out. I'll check back, I enjoy trying to talk my idea of sense among the madness. Keep fighting the good fight. Gip

 

 Sandi and Gip - What was the hot topic that you are talking about? Just curious. I may need to go and see what it is all about.

 

 Deb, it was "late term abortion" ala the Dr. Tiller murder and yes, it got UGLY.  Come join us.  But do not use your real name just a real email (not published).  It can be fun and enlightening but it takes a THICK skin.

Sandi,

    I apologize for not being active in the other RT forums but I just haven't had much time.  I plan to show up again soon, but with a different name.  You will probably know it's me after a while.

Cheers

Joe

 No worries Joe, your intellect, kindness and common decency will shine like a beacon there!

Nick Prout:

Gibson Brown:

I'll bite...what drives a turbo? Hamster? Gip

 

 

Two words...

Hot air

How do you use hot air to wrap the cloth around your head?    ;-)

Sandi Saunders:

Deb, it was "late term abortion" ala the Dr. Tiller murder and yes, it got UGLY.  Come join us.  But do not use your real name just a real email (not published).  It can be fun and enlightening but it takes a THICK skin.

Thanks Sandi--I will check it out soon. Deb

Deb Landgraf:

I hear what you are saying but respectfully disagree. Back in the day when they honored just two individuals, my husband was the Salutatorian in his high school. Our daughter was one of several Cave Spring Valedictorians several years ago. My opinion is that there is more stress in the world of teens these days with higher expectations and more competition. Why not honor all of those that have achieved through their hard work a GPA of 4.0 or higher? Make it more about personal achievement and less about competition that only two can attain. That's my 2-cents worth. By the way, I am so happy to be able to communicate with all of you fine folks again! I could not sign in for the longest time-technical difficulties.

How do they decide who is "the" valedictorian who takes the podium and addresses his or her graduating class, or does the chorus of valedictorians recite or sing something as a goup?  Assuming it is one person, do they draw straws?  I'm not meaning to be a smart aleck, just wondering.  I'm all for recognizing every student's achievement of academic success.  Some schools have simply done away with the valedictorian designation to avoid this confusion.  (Personally, I think there is something wrong with a 4.0 grade system that yields a GPA of 4.1, 4.2, 4.3....  Just my opinion.) 

I could not log in as me last night, either, just auto-login was working (as Ricky).

--Dave, borrowing Ricky's computer

Deb Landgraf:

Sandi Saunders:

Deb, it was "late term abortion" ala the Dr. Tiller murder and yes, it got UGLY.  Come join us.  But do not use your real name just a real email (not published).  It can be fun and enlightening but it takes a THICK skin.

 Thanks Sandi--I will check it out soon. Deb

They do lack our Voices of the Valley civility there, Sandi and Deb!  It's full of rants and insults.  As for late term (late third trimester) abortion, it is illegal in most states and generally only allowed when the mother's health is in danger.  Why would "pro-life" people prefer to see the mother die?  There are virtually no elective third trimester abortions anymore.  Abortion opponents need to get off that red-herring and engage in a rational discussion of how to reduce unplanned and unwanted pregnancies (over 90% of which occur in the first trimester, not the second and definitely not the third).  I wrote a lot about this under our previous topic of "public prayer."  It's a rhetorical quagmire.

Relating this to our current topic... advice to new college freshmen: no means no, and in the case of yes and yes, practice safe sex!

Dave, borrowing Ricky's computer

Ricky:

They do lack our Voices of the Valley civility there, Sandi and Deb!  It's full of rants and insults.  As for late term (late third trimester) abortion, it is illegal in most states and generally only allowed when the mother's health is in danger.  Why would "pro-life" people prefer to see the mother die?  There are virtually no elective third trimester abortions anymore.  Abortion opponents need to get off that red-herring and engage in a rational discussion of how to reduce unplanned and unwanted pregnancies (over 90% of which occur in the first trimester, not the second and definitely not the third).  I wrote a lot about this under our previous topic of "public prayer."  It's a rhetorical quagmire.

Oh yes, civility is the first casualty, and I lose mine when poked as well so I claim no innocence.  You would think that logic like yours prevailed, but no such luck.

Joe Campbell:

Gibson Brown:

I'll bite...what drives a turbo?

Hot air (i.e., exhaust gases ). <g>

Mixing teaching and exhaust gases in the same argument can't be good. 

It's almost June 6, D-day in 1944 and The Day (wedding day) for my daughter Emily, so I'd better go ahead and post my "offical" 300-word commentary on this week's topic.  I'll probably be preoccupied for the rest of the week.  I've tried to keep from getting sucked into the vortex but I feel the pull.  --Dave Hanson

Congratulations.  Starting college is exciting... and a bit scary.  Go with confidence, courage and caution.  Whether you are going to Virginia Tech, Virginia  Western, Virginia Wesleyan, or whatever college, it will be very different from high school.  You'll have less "seat time" in a classroom and more studying to do.  Mostly what you will find is more freedom.  If you are leaving home and moving to campus housing in another place, that will present many opportunities and risks.  Dorm life is fun, but forget about privacy, peace and quiet.  Whatever college you attend this fall, remember why you are there.  Make it your mission to do your best and learn as much as you can.  Find a good distraction-free place to study.  Establish a routine for your study time.  Get a laptop computer if you don't have one already (and keep it secure).  Compared to the cost of tuition and books, the cost of a laptop is negligible.  On the subject of cost, don't assume you can get financial aid, and don't assume you can't.  You won't know until you fill out the FASFA and get the results.  You probably did this already, but if not, it isn't too late.  Eligibility will be determined by your parents' income and assets compared to the cost of attending the college you'll be attending.  If you don't qualify for scholarships or grants, you can always get a student loan, but be careful about that.  Borrow only what you must.  Once you get through orientation, don't overload yourself in the first semester.  It's not a race.  Pace yourself.  In your courses, make a difference.  Get to know your professors (no matter how large the class) and your classmates.  Keep an open mind, but remember who you are deep down inside.  Most of all, enjoy yourself.  It will go fast.

Ricky:

How do they decide who is "the" valedictorian who takes the podium and addresses his or her graduating class, or does the chorus of valedictorians recite or sing something as a goup?  Assuming it is one person, do they draw straws?  I'm not meaning to be a smart aleck, just wondering.  I'm all for recognizing every student's achievement of academic success.  Some schools have simply done away with the valedictorian designation to avoid this confusion.  (Personally, I think there is something wrong with a 4.0 grade system that yields a GPA of 4.1, 4.2, 4.3....  Just my opinion.) 

I could not log in as me last night, either, just auto-login was working (as Ricky).

--Dave, borrowing Ricky's computer

 Dave - If I recall correctly, interested Valedictorians could submit a speech and one was selected. I know that my daughter was not interested in giving the speech. I understand what you mean about the GPA increase over time. What will it be in 20 years? Students know that the AP/college dual enrollment courses will yield more credit. Isn't an A worth 5 points, B 4, etc?

I hope the big day is wonderful for you all!!!

Deb

 Dave - Excellent post that is very practical and informative. They won't believe how fast the four years go and you told them. When you said, "Most of all, enjoy yourself," it is very similar to what my Dad told me. Deb