Regarding Durham's Capital Improvement Plans (2021)

Regarding Durham's Capital Improvement Plans (2021)

We must make more existing outdoor spaces and playgrounds -particularly those at public schools - environmentally sustainable in terms of stormwater management. Too many of them, particularly in underserved schools/communities are being flooded or washed away in ever increasing rain events, polluting our streams, rivers, and lakes, which effects low-income citizens far more than those who can afford to drink bottled water.

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Covid Camping and Bear Hounding

Covid Camping and Bear Hounding

During our 14-day quarantine after contracting Covid, my 5th-grade son, husband and I went camping in West Virginia and got educated in ways no classroom can provide. Despite our generally positive assessments of the Mountain Mama, our introduction to “bear hounding” was the lesson that stuck most…

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Public School Use of Covid Funds for Outdoor Learning Should Incorporate Curricula and Sustainability

Public School Use of Covid Funds for Outdoor Learning Should Incorporate Curricula and Sustainability

It is my understanding that Durham Public Schools (DPS) is going to focus a significant proportion of its COVID funding on outdoor learning, and I am thrilled to hear it! However, my 15-years experience with DPS administration is that ‘outdoor learning’ is too often interpreted as benches, gazebos and sidewalks (and maybe a few potted plants), which may provide outdoor seating areas but do not exactly encourage engagement and learning.

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City Budget for Green Programs/Jobs More than Just Lacking

City Budget for Green Programs/Jobs More than Just Lacking

This is the email I sent to Durham’s mayor and city council members today regarding the city budget: I am deeply concerned by this year's city budget's lack of new investment in green jobs, particularly for the Bionomic Educational Training Center (BETC) program and the Impaired Stream Improvement Program (ISIP). In fact, I think it is negligent of the city not to provide substantial funding for these two programs, given that…

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Pleasant Surprises: Durham Home Hair Stylist

Pleasant Surprises: Durham Home Hair Stylist

During Covid, my friend Marshunda (the mother of one of my son’s classmates) set up a salon room in her house (she is trained in cosmotology). Meanwhile, my daughter dyed my long hair “Menopausal Covid Red”. I’d never dyed my hair before; and it was fun even if my husband didn’t like it 🙃. It also wasn’t going to grow out any time soon. I watched the line of gray move from the top of my head downward ; and, around the eight-month mark, I texted Marshunda that I wanted her to give me rainbow hair …

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Mandolin Orange, Faith, Incompetent People and Myanmar

Mandolin Orange, Faith, Incompetent People and Myanmar

My #ThemeSong today is a set by Chapel Hill's Mandolin Orange, a folk duo led by married couple Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz, both 31. Their music is relaxing, positive, and thought provoking - perfect for the drive to or from work. (Thanks bro :-) …

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Lesson Plan: Plants and Spring Planting

Lesson Plan: Plants and Spring Planting

Shortly after the Coronavirus quarantine started last year, my elementary-school 'pod' and I did a 4-days plants rotation … So today we planted the seeds of several spring vegetables … All three types of seeds are large and beautifully round, like tiny marbles. Using a ruler, we compared their sizes and found that …

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...For The Day
Inspiration, Education, Music Melissa Rooney Inspiration, Education, Music Melissa Rooney

...For The Day

My Quote of the Day:

"You should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about." ~Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka's philosophical and metaphysical optimism has always drawn me to that quote, but the last 5 years have illuminated the danger that is equally inherent.

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Durham Elementary Students to Return to In-person Learning 4 Days/Week (!)

Durham Elementary Students to Return to In-person Learning 4 Days/Week (!)

My last post concerned the debate over whether Durham Public Schools should resume in-person learning in order to accommodate state legislation mandating a return to in-person instruction within 15 days (of the legislation's passing). Discussion on the topic has become heated and personal, which I find sad and incredibly frustrating. The simple question is this: After doing remote learning for nearly 12 months, why are we forcing teachers and staff back into classrooms mere weeks ahead of ensuring they are administered the vaccination we've all been waiting for?

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Rain, Better Conversations, and 3-D Printed Edible Steaks

Rain, Better Conversations, and 3-D Printed Edible Steaks

I had to take a few days hiatus to work on my entries to a Ghost, Fable and Fractured Fairy Tale contest. In the meantime, we've had rain, rain and more cold rain. This morning was no different, which is why my theme song today is Lady Gaga's Rain on Me (below). Here's a great article from TeenVogue regarding the song's 22-year-old co-writer Nija Charles's experience as a young black woman making pop music…

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16 Jan 2021: Weaning Off Facebook, Day 5 (Hamilton, the NRA, Aliens, and Psychedelics)

16 Jan 2021: Weaning Off Facebook, Day 5 (Hamilton, the NRA, Aliens, and Psychedelics)

My theme song today is my 17-year-old son's favorite song from Hamilton (he likes all the Aaron Burr songs). It seems fitting as we wait for the inauguration of the new American President and its hopeful after math. In fact, it seems fitting for most days…

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14 Jan 2021 - Weaning Off Facebook, Day 3 (Sylvan Esso and Marriage Story)

14 Jan 2021 - Weaning Off Facebook, Day 3 (Sylvan Esso and Marriage Story)

I fell in love with Sylvan Esso when I first heard Coffee, the hit from their debut album. Since then, I haven’t heard a song I don’t like, and many speak to my soul in the most happy way. It helps that most of their songs can be played in the presence of toddlers. And they’re based in Durham!

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13 Jan 2021 - Weaning off Facebook, Day 2 (Coldplay and Excessively High Blood Pressure)

13 Jan 2021 - Weaning off Facebook, Day 2 (Coldplay and Excessively High Blood Pressure)

Cold Play’s album, Everyday Life, was released live at the Amman Citadel, Jordan, on 22 November 2019 and broadcast live around the world. The first half was performed at sunrise, and the second half was performed at sunset. It's the first and only time the album has been performed in full…

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12 Jan 2021 - Weaning off Facebook, Day 1 (Los Lobos and Antifa)

12 Jan 2021 - Weaning off Facebook, Day 1 (Los Lobos and Antifa)

Apparently like many people during this Covid pandemic and election year, I developed anxiety and depression to the point of panic attacks and, as part of my recovery, decided I needed less silence and more music in my life. So each morning I listen to a "theme song" that generally sticks with me throughout the day…

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