Bailey Boy 

Kristina disaster!

A catastrophe above any other seen on this content during civilized time, that stretches beyond the imagination, man power and resources of our nation. How courageous of those who have endured and survived. I have given and urge all others to give money to those organizations, such as the Red Cross, to provide emergency provisions and medical support.

Cherkoff, the Secretary of Home Land Security, was put on the defensive this morning,in a live TV interview with Tim Russert. He skirted the issue by maintaining a defensive approach that he followed pre-established emergency plans, and would worry about mistakes later. Pardon me, but it seems that when one plans doesn't provide the level of emergency care and preparation for such a wide spread emergency, then a change in plans is due. If you knew the ground was going to fall out from under you, would you decide to stand squarely on the ground in a braced stance or get the hell out of there? Seems they did little to shore up the levees ahead of time or force an evacuation, when a level 5 hurricane was predicted. As my daughter reminded me this morning, Bush had a choice long ago to either put millions into rebuilding stronger levees in New Orleans or build a multimillion dollar bridge to connect to an island nearer oil pockets in remote Alaska. He choose the bridge. And thousands died as a result of his decision.

New additions!

Our new arrivals were rescued one week ago. An unfortunate event with the mother trying to cross the road lead to two starving three week old kittens being abandoned. Luckily, my daughters friend, Rob, called and asked what to do. So Jen and Melissa left for just a short while, returning with two crying, scrawny kittens, both thin after two days without their mother.

For the past week, we have taken turns feeding them watered down baby formula with an eye dropper. Both had infected eyes, the white one's was bulging out of the socket. A quick call was made to my friend Fran, the vet, who met me at the clinic on a Sunday afternoon to provide medicine. OK, so we are also giving amoxicillin and eye salve at a minor expense. But, it is working with the eyes clearing up, and the appetite growing. They now walk, run, play, and meow louder. They are even learning what a litter box is. Bailey (right) is still judging their existence, but coming around. Seems his fur confuses the kittens, thinking he might be their mother. He takes it in stride, but escapes to the top of the couch for peace.

During the past week, the girls and I spent three days in the Adirondacks to do some white water rafting. And so, the kittens have taken their first road trip. It was great to be back in such a peaceful place. I always miss the area. This time we stayed in North Creek, a the Inn at Gore Mt. and took the rafting trip through Beaver Brook Outfitters. This was our second time with the group, and always a terrific trip. They are great folks, making certain that everyone is outfitted with shoes, wind breaker, life jacket, helmet, and paddle, as well as lunch on the way, and dinner back at the Inn. And they always have a photographer kayak ahead to take pictures. Next time I will try to add rafting pictures.

Wisteria!

Ok, I am trying to use my green thumb here. My daughter and I took on a project to build an 8' X 6' trellis arch in the backyard. And wow! It looks awesome albeit, slightly less than square. But I have bought a wisteria plant, that I hope will grow up and around it to cover the imperfections and create more privacy. I know nothing about this plant, other than it is a vine that when mature provides shade. I am hoping someone out there will know something about this plant. suggestions?

Happy Spring

Yeah it is finally Spring.

Hurray!

Today, I completed the final edition of my community concept paper. What a relief when I hit the "send a file" button. I don't know why after 30 years of college courses, it is always such a relief to turn in a final project or paper. I don't believe for a minute I would fail.

It seems that so many hours of preparing, writing, rewriting, and all the minut details muddies up the overall work. But I will admit, the moment I sent it, a sense of fret struck me, thinking I could have done more. Then remembering the overwelming work hours and travel lately, and all the basketball and softball games this winter and spring, I was ready to let it go.

So here's to finishing the work for another grad. course.
HURRAY!
Now I can try to mow that overgrown lawn.
Ugh!

Online Instructional Module Proposal

The light is at the end of the tunnel for an online instructional proposal. It has taken uncountable hours and days to go through the outlines, research, readings, and rewrites. But it seems to be falling into place to reach a solution in regards to the school's instructional staff nearing retirement.

I have a dear friend and colleague, Sharry, with whom many hours have been spent over the years talking about the issues of education, the state of the state, our field - blind and visually impaired - and life in general. We always seem to have the same concern ... what can be done to improve understanding and skill level of our teachers and students. Which is why we have remained actively involved in running staff development at the school for the past18 years.

The online approach to providing instructional training content has floated in and out of these conversations for the past two year. It is very exciting, to have a proposal in the works that can become part of future training approaches. Although, the proposal has been not been shared yet, the ideas evolved by projecting (or is it predicting) what she and others would conceive as workable within the schools environment. So despite the achy back, from sitting at a computer night after night, it will be well worth the effort.

At the same time, I have been in the midst of talks and contracts with the SED tech dept. and a private group for setting up a school and residential network system seperate from our SED network. One that would allow all students to have accounts, as well as upgrading current classroom and dorm computers. Seems like I have done alot of walk throughs to exam each system ... too many times .... to answer questions via email requests. Having seperate network systems will necessitate additional trianing with assitive software use and devices students use. I image more requests will be made for training in their use as well. Regardless, it is all exciting.

Virtual Community Paper Abstract:

Issue:

- Within the next five years, the New York State School for the Blind (NYSSB) will witness the retirement of nearly two-thirds of the schools teachers certified as teachers of the visually impaired (TVI).

Virtual community Proposal:

- The intent of the community is to design a process for staff to access instructional modules, resources, teaching techniques, topic information related to the educational needs of students who are blind, multiply impaired and accumulated tips and knowledge of seasoned professional teachers.

Members:

- The site would initially be for teachers, instructor assistants, residential aides, and related service staff who provide direct service to the children at the school. In time, the site could be made available for others to use.

Instructional Format:

- To ensure all learners will successfully acquire knowledge, the instructional modules will attempt to encompass these factors, and incorporate the theory of constructivism and the principles of Information Processing.

Community Design:

- Initially, the project would involve development of the web design, layout, and instructional format, and then tested for ease of use, accessibility, and standardization.

- This proposal entails using a preconfigured web-hosting site that packages a number of script handling options, such as MySiteSpace.com, to act as a server for the proposal.

- Content information needs to be presented as HTML documents with PHP data to create interactivity within the pages. In addition, JavaScript provides a useful tool for creating multimedia elements, such as moving text, sound, plugins, or open new windows for improved site navigation.

Communication:

- Communication features will include options for creating chat rooms, email accounts, and weblogs, per course.

Sample lesson:

- A sample lesson will be added demonstrating activities for transference of information from short-term to long-term memory.