Grounds Maintenance at Durham Schools? Call BETC!

Grounds Maintenance at Durham Schools? Call BETC!

This article addresses Durham Public Schools’ Bionomic Educational Training Centers or BETC program, which *pays* occupational course of study (OCS) students and teachers to install and maintain raingardens and other sustainable landscaping on school campuses and private properties: https://www.dcomanagingforresults.org/environmental-stewardship/bionomic-educational-training-center].

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Thanks, Durham, I needed that! (EK Powe Elementary School Playground Dedication)

Thanks, Durham, I needed that! (EK Powe Elementary School Playground Dedication)

This morning was the dedication of a 3-years-long stormwater-control and playground redesign project at EK Powe Elementary School, on the edge of the Watts Hospital Hillandale Neighborhood in Durham, NC. It is the result of collaboration between the EK Powe PTA and Principal, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Durham Matching Grants Program, Durham Public Schools…

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Sally and the Something

Sally and the Something

Ever since my young son and I checked it out from the Durham Public Library years ago, George O’Connor’s Sally and the Something has been on the top shelf of my children's book collection. With permission from the author, this article contains a video of me reading the book aloud, displaying the delightful illustrations within.

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To Dr. Mubenga and the DPS Board of Education (re Principal Hiring Process)

To Dr. Mubenga and the DPS Board of Education (re Principal Hiring Process)

This is the letter I sent to the Durham Public Schools Superintendent and School Board to implore them to *truly* choose a parent/teacher/community-oriented principal for my son’s and all Durham public schools, not just by their words but by the expectations that are communicated to prospective candidates as well as their previous records in this regard.

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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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Gum Stump Squirrel and Asheville

Gum Stump Squirrel and Asheville

Now for our (final) college update (at least for this year): Five days ago, with 36 hours to college deposit deadline, my 17-year-old son Seamus was still deciding between UNC-Asheville ($11K/year after scholarship and aid) and Berklee in Boston ($46K/year after mostly aid) in pursuit of a Music Technology/Production degree.

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The College Drama Continues, Mac

The College Drama Continues, Mac

My theme song today is, of course, the last college-apps composition and production from my 17-year-old son, Seamus. From everyone he/we have talked to (including Berklee grads), if Seamus wants to go into Music Production he should just move to LA, New York, Nashville, or another music city (including Asheville but with some disdain toward Boston) and actually get an entry-level job at a music production company rather than going into debt to Berklee. …

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Seamus's Abyss
Children, Education, Community, Music, Relationships Melissa Rooney Children, Education, Community, Music, Relationships Melissa Rooney

Seamus's Abyss

Thanks for the positive feedback and informative responses to my last post regarding choosing between Berklee and UNC-Asheville for Child #2. We still have not received a financial package from Berklee. The Berklee admissions office told Seamus his official transcript was not received in time and that we should receive the financial details in a couple weeks. His decision is due May 1, mind you (exactly 2 weeks away).

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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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Judy Garland's Ever Elusive Rainbow

Judy Garland's Ever Elusive Rainbow

Judy Garland first recorded “Over the Rainbow” for The Wizard of Oz with MGM on October 7, 1938. Since then, the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts ranked the song number one on the “Songs of the Century” list, and the American Film Institute named it the greatest movie song of all time on the list of “AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs.” Somewhere Over the Rainbow was adopted in World War II by American troops in Europe as a symbol of the United States…

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Remembering Mr. Hammond

Remembering Mr. Hammond

My #ThemeSong today, once again, is Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes. It's one of my all-time favorites, and today the chorus calls to mind the life of SamHammond, long-time carillonneur at Duke University (53 years, daily(!)) and generous accompanist for Duke University String School (local elementary through high-school students, many on scholarship), who passed away recently. …

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#VoiceInMyHead Today (re Teachers)

#VoiceInMyHead Today (re Teachers)

We need to start paying teachers the salaries of both caretakers and educators if we want to maintain the system as it is. Teachers have shown they can do it, which is why we are demanding they do it now. But the current situation is not sustainable unless …

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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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