Change, Passive Acceptance, DoD CFL, and RttT in Richmond County

It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski


In September 2010, I did a blog post on the DoD Computers for Learning Program and Executive Order 12999 and the article about former RCSS Superintendent, Dr. Bedden warning of a tech crisis in RCSS in 2008. As I transitioned back to Augusta, GA and assessed the situation I was returning to from family to community along with the upcoming elections I was curious as to how many people knew about the DoD Computers for Learning Program and why weren't all of our schools registered.


Along with a blog post, I emailed our 10 Richmond County School Board Members, those running for school board positions, some media contacts, and a couple of the PTA/PTSA newsgroups I am still connected with to see if there would be any response. I received one response...from one school board member and here it is:


I referred your email to our Instructional Technology Dept. They got back to me about this. Although we have gotten computers donated from this program, we do incur expenses in upgrading them as well as the time of our technology specialists to do this. Also, the State Dept of Education has changed standards and requirements in order to have all computers on a modern basis. The part of the SPLOST funds which can be used for technology is helping get all schools' computers on a modern basis. This would help with parts, software, and the time of our technology specialists which we are short on. (Personal communication, October 31, 2010)


I thanked this board member for their response and stated as a recipient of $16.6 million of the Race to the Top funds that the GA Department of Education has dedicated to the Richmond County School System, the least that I can expect is that our schools are registered in this program. Because I have been in the schools as a substitute teacher, volunteer, parent, taxpayer, and an involved community member I know the disconnects between what the board believes is going on technology wise in our schools to classrooms that lack technology or educators who have the technology but do not use it for whatever reason...and of course the ban of cell phones and social media.


Additional links:
Richmond County schools to get $16.6 million in Race To Top funds Federal Race to the Top grant money will go to Richmond County over 4 years (Augusta Chronicle, October 4 2010)
Georgia Wins Race to the Top (GA Department of Education, August 24, 2010)
New school code restricts social media options Effort aims to address bullying problems (Augusta Chronicle, July 17, 2010)
Richmond County School Systems eBoard Solutions


I thought there would be more progress while I was away from Augusta, GA for two years...but it appears that passive acceptance is still the accepted norm. 


It is important that students bring a certain ragamuffin, barefoot irreverence to their studies; they are not here to worship what is known, but to question it. Jacob Bronowski


Comments and checks in the Reaction Boxes are always welcome!

Google's Veterans Day Doodles and Government Search

Google's collection of Google Doodles from 1998 to present can be found here. Today's Google Doodle recognizing the U.S. Veterans Day can be found on the Classic Home Google page on 11/11, but after the holiday, the Google Doodles gallery allows users to see 12 years of Google Doodles.


Thank you to all of my fellow Veterans, for your service and your sacrifice. We will never forget those who came before us and continue to blaze a trail for those who will follow in our footsteps.
Google U.S. Government Search image can be seen anytime you use the Google U.S. Government Search.

Users choose to search for content located on either U.S. federal, state and local government websites or the entire Web from the same search box. Users personalize the page by adding content feeds on government or other topics that you're interested in. 

Webmasters: If you manage a website for a U.S. government agency, you can promote content from your site by creating a content feed for the U.S. Government Search homepage or by ensuring that all content from your site is included in the Google search index using Google Sitemaps. 

Check out the FAQ page for responses to the following Frequently Asked Questions

A few more ways to honor our heroes and sheroes this Veterans Day or throughout the year:

• Write a veteran a thank-you note, or send a letter to an entire VA hospital, VFW, or American Legion post.

• Write a letter/Send an email to a Service member currently serving.

• Talk to your children about who veterans are, what they do and what their service means to our country or check out the VA for Kids page.

Thank you Veterans! We will never forget.

What special way do you remember your veterans?

A 11/2008 blog post featured the 2008 Veterans Day Poster Gallery and this year's entry is worth mentioning. The annual Veterans Day Poster Gallery contains images from 1978 to present.

Thank you Veterans, not just today, but every day!

When an adult child returns home...

OK...you hear the stats...more adult children living at home or returning home after life changing events.  So while I was off in NC enjoying my empty nest status and working on my research for the dissertation phase of my doctoral program...events happened. I am thankful to the US Army that taught me to AIO - Adapt, Implement, and Overcome. 


Got it...I am one of many members of the sandwich generation who are responsible for taking in, caring for, supporting in one form or another a parent and an adult child...who has a child.


I know as I returned to Georgia my family was waiting on the hammer to drop...but I took it a step at a time...give it 30 days, assess and analyze the situation, provide some solutions, pray, and continue to move forward.


So one of the recommendations was to develop a family contract. Most people who know me know that I do not have a problem developing or enforcing a standard. So here is the ed techie portion of the blog...a Google Doc with a modifiable family contract.This may or may not be new to many parents and even adult children...but life is full of learning opportunities and teachable moments for all parties involved. If you have some recommendations, think I created an unreasonable document...leave a comment...after all it is the Internet and someone you know may have been or may be going through this type of situation. You can scroll through the embedded Google Doc below or go straight the Google Docs template, create a copy and modify for your situation.

As with the Google Doc, the disclaimer states the doc is not a legal document, just a documented family agreement. As with all posts, your comments, recommendations, or even checking one of the reaction boxes is appreciated.