Community members take leadership role in Principal for a Day

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Community members take leadership role in Principal for a Day

Fort Wayne Community Schools welcomes 54 community members into our schools to serve as guest principals for the annual Principal for a Day event.

Early Childhood - Nomenclature Cards: Human Anatomy

Montessori Nomenclature cards are used for classifying and building vocabulary and concepts in all subject areas. Also known as 3-part cards, this material is made up of a control card, which has the picture and word on the same card, and individual pictures and labels. Students then match the individual pictures and labels to the correct control card, providing for in-depth visual discrimination practice and independence, as students do not need to ask the teacher for help to check their work. For this 4-year-old student, the teachers have extended the work to include realistic objects and word tracing, adding layers of complexity to the work. 

Speech given by college student Raymond Anthony Mungo at the Boston Common for an anti-Vietnam draft rally, 10/16/1967: 

“I'm here today, and this is a very historic day, to go with you . . .I say again, I have nothing more to do with the Selective Service System.”

File Unit: Boston Common, 1928 - 1976

Series: Precedent Case Files, 1928 - 1976

Record Group 118: Records of U.S. Attorneys, 1821 - 1994

Transcription:

RAY MUNGO:  I am going to talk very briefly.  I'm not exactly sure why I'm here to speak to you because I can't speak as elegantly as either of the two gentlemen who preceded me, and I'm not black, and I'm embarrassed by the fact that nobody black is up here; and I'm not working class, even though my parents are working class, because I obviously went to college, you know.  But I have learned a few things since I started going to college.

When I started going to college, the Civil Rights movement was the big thing and I thought that was great because there were these people down South pounding people and beating people and I assumed that was very un-American.  The American character was to be peaceful, to be non-violent, to be just and I assumed that south was the festering sore in American society.  That is why I started going to college.

In 1964, three men died in Philadelphia, Mississippi.  Their trials were just coming up this week in Mississippi.  Their murderers will no doubt be acquitted.  In 1965, I was aware of the war in Vietnam.  [following underlined in red ink:] I burned my draft card on the 20th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima.  In 1967, I'm here today, and this is a very historic day, to go with you to the Arlington Street Church to say that I have nothing more to do against, and I say again, I have nothing more to do with the Selective Service System. [end underlining]  Now I think this country is getting very close to being a fascist state and I'm afraid, I'm deeply afraid, and I'm afraid of the draft too and you know you are too because it affects all of our lives.  I am eligible for the draft and so are you, even though I am in college.  It affects people's career positions.  It affects the way you look at things.  I do not believe, for example, that it's a coincidence that the United States Army, that the same United States Army that is destroying people in Vietnam, can be destroying people in Detroit.  I think that it's connected.  I think people who go to fight and kill people find it easier to come back here and kill people, and I think killing

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people is wrong, categorically in any situation, because people are all that we have.  People are it, man.  You know!

For the fascism that we have in the United States of America is not like the German fascism.  It is not like World War II or the Atomic.  It is the fascism of the $100-a-plate diners in San Antonio, Texas, who can sit and mildly, smugly, applaud the President on his (word inaudible) when he makes statements that indicate that he's mad, that he is out of touch with reality, and it is the fascism of - yes, it is the fascism of BU student and Harvard University student and Brandeis University students who will not stand up and say anything about the war.  It is the fascism of people who continue to pay the taxes, and people who continue to register for the draft because they do not want to stir up any trouble.

I was in (place inaudible) with NICK EGGLESTON  (Phonetic).  I met a girl that was 23 years old.  She had 200 shrapnel wounds in her body because she was teaching in elementary school when it was bombed again and again.  I saw pictures of women whose children were born with metal pieces of lead in their faces that went through the woman's womb before birth.  I saw people that had their skin seared off by this war in Vietnam, and I've seen black guys in the United States that had their heads bashed in, and I think we’re all going to end up in the can sooner or later if we take a moral stand on this issue, so I'm willing to do it now.

I might be crazy.  Why am I subjecting myself to the possibility of jail?  Why do I not sit and accept the arguments that may political activists have offered me, that it is more effective to stay out of jail and play along with the system?  Because you can't revolutionize the system and you can't change a country that is rotten to the core unless you make a complete break.  I cannot object to American materialism if I depend on American affluence and if I'm afraid of jail.  I am not afraid of jail.  I'm afraid of killing people and being killed and I am afraid that this whole planet is going up in smoke if we don't do something about it immediately.  Jail is not to be feared.  Jail is an honorable alternative to this war in Vietnam.

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I feel - Eugene Bent (Phonetic) said in 1918, "I am accused of being against the war. I admit it.  I am happy to be against the war.  I will be against all wars".  And then HENRY DAVID THOREAU said, considerably before that when he was in jail, somebody came up to him and said, "Why are you in there".  He turns around and says, "Why are you out there, baby?"

Because a society - in a society which is (word inaudible) unjustly, the true place for a just man is also a prison.  EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY said in the closing lines of a poem "Am I a spy in the land of the living that I should deliver men to death.  Though the password and plans of our city are safe with me, never through me shall you be overcome."  [following underlined in red:] If resisting the Government in the United States of America, which is killing people abroad and killing people at home, black people and yellow people and poor people, if that is treason, I want to be a traitor.  I want to be nothing but a traitor.  It's the only honorable thing to be, and I want as many of you as are ready to take this step today to come with me and a lot of other people down to the Arlington Street Church to tell the United States Government together, today, that you are men, and not tools, that you have rights and you have dignity and you belong to the human race.  That's all I'm asking you to do.

If you believe in killing people, it is crazy to register with the - if you don't believe in killing people, it's crazy to pay your taxes.  It's crazy!  Don't give them a nickel!  If you don't believe in killing people, it's crazy to register for the draft.  You've got to make a break now.  Please come with us today. [end underlining]

The Illinois Legislature passed a bill this week which would require school districts to establish all-day kindergarten, and it is now headed to the Governor’s desk to become law.

House Bill 2396 passed the House in March and the Senate last week.

“Full-day kindergarten has shown to boost academic gains and prepare children for the social and emotional demands of early elementary,” State Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood) said, according to The Center Square. “This can provide students and their families with sufficient support and opportunities in their early education career.”

The bill was submitted by Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights), who said the goal of the measure is to strengthen reading comprehension and social skills.

Nearly 80% of schools in the state already offer full-day kindergarten classes, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.

The law would phase in over two years, so schools can seek tax increases for the transition.

Like there have been investigations into all the adoption market insanity that exploded when the USSR collapsed, if you went to elementary school in the 90s and early aughts in DC you know MoCo + Arlington contractor families were closed-adopting kids from the FSU en masse, there have been documentaries about Romania, etc etc etc, but has anyone done research on the corresponding phenomenon with US war brides (or not-brides) first after WWII and then after/during Korea? Because it's a Lot and I feel like a crazy person whenever I bring it up lol

"'One of the kids in the class blurted out ‘Oh My God!’ And he replied, ‘Don't say that.’ And they were like, ‘Why can’t we say oh my God?’ And he said, ‘That’s using Jesus’ name in vain,’' the mom said," continued the report. "They also told FOX 4 that’s when the substitute told the kids, 'It would be like me saying the n-word.' The teacher who stepped in to intervene says after hearing from the students, she approached the substitute who she says then added, 'yes I said n***er, and I’ll say it again.'"

A substitute teacher from Arlington, Texas shout the n-word at a student while they were arguing about the student saying “oh my God” in class. The teacher doubled down on using the n-word after he was confronted by the teacher’s mother, saying that he’d “say it again” in the same situation. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian discuss on The Young Turks. Watch LIVE weekdays 6-8 pm ET. http://youtube.com/theyoungturks/live Read more HERE: https://www.rawstory.com/arlington-teacher-n-word/ “According to Fox 4 News, a substitute teacher at an elementary school in Arlington, Texas allegedly shouted the N-word in front of students while arguing with a sixth grader over whether the use of the phrase "oh my God" is offensive. "One mother, who didn't want FOX 4 to use her name, says her son told her after school on Friday. She says the boy was not in the classroom during the interaction but relayed to her what his friends who were there witnessed," reported Macy Jenkins. "FOX 4 spoke with a Swift Elementary school teacher off-camera who also did not want her name used. She says she happened to be in the hallway Friday afternoon when she noticed a commotion from a nearby classroom." "'One of the kids in the class blurted out ‘Oh My God!’ And he replied, ‘Don't say that.’ And they were like, ‘Why can’t we say oh my God?’ And he said, ‘That’s using Jesus’ name in vain,’' the mom said," continued the report. "They also told FOX 4 that’s when the substitute told the kids, 'It would be like me saying the n-word.' The teacher who stepped in to intervene says after hearing from the students, she approached the substitute who she says then added, 'yes I said n***er, and I’ll say it again.’"" *** The largest online progressive news show in the world. Hosted by Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian. LIVE weekdays 6-8 pm ET. Help support our mission and get perks. Membership protects TYT's independence from corporate ownership and allows us to provide free live shows that speak truth to power for people around the world. See Perks: ▶ https://www.youtube.com/TheYoungTurks/join SUBSCRIBE on YOUTUBE: ☞ http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=theyoungturks FACEBOOK: ☞ http://www.facebook.com/TheYoungTurks TWITTER: ☞ http://www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks INSTAGRAM: ☞ http://www.instagram.com/TheYoungTurks TWITCH: ☞ http://www.twitch.com/tyt 👕 Merch: http://shoptyt.com ❤ Donate: http://www.tyt.com/go 🔗 Website: https://www.tyt.com 📱App: http://www.tyt.com/app 📬 Newsletters: https://www.tyt.com/newsletters/ If you want to watch more videos from TYT, consider subscribing to other channels in our network: The Damage Report ▶ https://www.youtube.com/thedamagereport TYT Sports ▶ https://www.youtube.com/tytsports The Conversation ▶ https://www.youtube.com/tytconversation Rebel HQ ▶ https://www.youtube.com/rebelhq TYT Investigates ▶ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwNJt9PYyN1uyw2XhNIQMMA #TYT #TheYoungTurks #BreakingNews 220510__TB04TX by The Young Turks

Pastor James C. Douglas, 96, originally from Akron, OH, left his earthly home in Upper Arlington, OH to meet his Savior face-to-face for the first time on Monday, July 10, 2023 at 11:21am. He was surrounded in his last days by family, friends, and care-givers. His pastor, Bryan Dahlke, asked him on Sunday evening if he was ready to meet Jesus and he replied with a hardy “yah”.

At the age of 12, Jim was the marbles champion at Fairlawn Elementary School. He accepted Christ as his savior at the age of 15, graduated from Buchtel High School in Akron, OH and graduated from college in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the School of Religion at Bob Jones University. He has been the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atwater in Atwater, OH, an associate pastor of Columbus Baptist Temple in Columbus, OH as well as the pastor of Berean Baptist Church in Sciotoville, OH. Finally, he was the founding pastor of Capitol City Baptist Church in Columbus, OH where he remained pastor for 21 years and then retired becoming Pastor Emeritus.

Throughout his lifetime, he was known for singing hymns out loud and delivering the gospel to anyone who wanted to listen, (and even to those who didn’t). By God’s grace, he reached as many people as he could with a gospel tract or by just starting a conversation with “did you know Jesus loves you and He died for you so that you could spend eternity with Him?”. His ministry for his Savior was his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents Helen (Hogan) and Clady Jewett Douglas. His brother Glen Hogan Douglas; sister, Lois Virginia (Douglas) Davis, Faye Elizabeth Hill (Douglas); wife, Dorothy Dare (Robertson) Douglas; brother, Hoyt Dean Douglas; 2nd wife June Luellen (Hollowell) Douglas.

Pastor Douglas was survived by his daughter Susan Douglas Fultz; grandson James Paul Hadinger; granddaughters Shannon Suzanne (Hadinger) Copley and Jessica Dare (Fultz) Kazee; great-grandson Gary Nathan Hadinger; great-granddaughters Kaylee Ann (Hadinger) Elswick, Addison Marie Hadinger and Lily Beth Arthur. Sister-in-Law Valene Douglas and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces & nephews.

Talking with Pete Stahl

I feel like after this year, I should publish a book about punk rock legends! Earlier this year I got to interview Glen Matlock and then Exene Cervenka, both of whom did legendary work decades ago and are still doing some great work today. Same can be said for Pete Stahl, singer with D.C. hardcore punk veterans Scream. In addition to his work with Scream, he has been a part of Wool, Earthlings?, and Goatsnake. But last month, Pete and Scream released their first album in over thirty years. I got to review DC Special and I gave it 4 out of 5 stars (check it out). I recently caught up with Mr. Stahl via zoom where he actually showed me his home in the California desert (I was jealous based on the Northeast weather) and we talked about the new Scream album, the current tour and more.

Pete Stahl...and a dog

Me: Let's talk about the new Scream album DC Special. It's the first new album in 30 years, technically more than that, but first to be released in 30 years. How did this new album come about?

PS: Well, we'd been wanting to do a new record for quite some time, but because we're all over the country and everyone's involved with their day to day lives with work and family, it's so difficult. We get together and play shows occasionally and little short tours. But we just hadn't been able to do a proper recording session. We planned on it around 2015-2017, but our last EP came out in 2011 and we never got around to a new one and then the pandemic happened. It was during the pandemic that I heard that the studio was closing[Inner Ear Studios in Arlington, VA], so I thought, man we need to get back in there. We had all begun working on the record remotely and having written songs and we booked some dates there in September of 2021. Then I had a concept but I couldn't quite wrap my head around it, so I made like a vision book and shared it with my band and with people we wanted to collaborate on this album with. We wanted to celebrate our town and our band's story through the record and everything that kind of shaped us. Something that spoke to the past but was about now and then and moving forward. So it was the studio closing that lit a fire under our ass and we went in there and did it.

DC Special album cover

Me: After the album was recorded, drummer Kent Stax passed away in September. Sorry for you and your bandmates' loss.

PS: It's trippy, because we had been in a band for over 40 years together. Kent left for a few years to raise his family. Other than that, we've always been in a band. Enoch [bassist Skeeter Thompson] has known Kent since he was in second grade. My brother [guitarist Franz Stahl] has known him since after elementary school. I met Kent in my early 20s when we first formed the band. We're a tight knit family even though we go years without hanging, you know how it is, you just pick up right where you left off. So it's trippy especially to have this record come out that he is a big part of. The core of that record is me, Franz, Enoch and Kent. So it's really bittersweet to carry on, but it's also awesome to have this document of us one last time with him - thank God because he's a really great drummer. But it's great to be able to travel around, have people hear the record and now that he's passed away he's still alive though the music.

Kent Stax

Scream circa late 80s with Thompson, Franz, young Dave Grohl, and Pete

Me: Yes, it feels like this beautiful full circle moment for the band that you had one last album with original drummer Kent Stax and you also have a guest appearance from Stax's replacement Dave Grohl as well [NOTE: Grohl joined Scream in 1986 as a teenager and was with them until their 1990 breakup just before he joined Nirvana].

PS: Yeah a lot of people came to hang out at the recording studio. Dave had done a television episode [of Sonic Highways] about that studio. That studio is really important to a lot of people. Dave, of course, is a past member of the band, and I reached out to him. I reached out to Harley Robert Davidson, who had been with us for a number of years. But people like Harley didn't make it, but Dave kind of surprised us by showing up at the last minute and then he spent a few days there. But a lot of people came out of the woodwork because we were there and because they knew it was the last time there. So Dave came and hanged, but he really just played percussion on one song. I wished we had gotten a song with him on drums but we Just kind of ran out of time. But that is true that we got both of those drummers on the same record which is great.

We also got Scott Garrett on the record too, he's a drummer we played with last Summer. He's an old friend of ours, he played in Dag Nasty for a while. Also Jerry Busher plays on the record, a lot of people might know he was in Fidelity Jones and he was with Fugazi. That's who is playing with us now. We just finished this whole Side Scream Tour up and down the West Coast and we'll continue on to the East Coast in December. TheN hopefully we'll take it to Europe. We also have Derrick Decker on the record too, who the previous Summer we went to Europe and did some shows in Poland and a show in Prague, and Derrick played with us on that tour. That was just a few months after Kent was diagnosed. But he was already starting to go through chemo. We had always planned on doing these shows with Kent and we always hoped he'd get through the treatment and bounce back and had glimmers of hope through this process and I'm sure a lot of people who had family or friends who have gone through cancer know that cycle.

So all those drummers are on that. There's also this drummer Mark Cisneros, who actually plays bass on the record too. People might know him from the Hammered Hulls, but he's really a multi-instrumentalist. Great musician, plays with a lot of different bands. There's a lot of great drummers on this! We've been blessed as a band to have had two of the greatest drummers that ever came out. I can't tell you how great as a drummer Kent Stax was. Maybe someday you'll interview Dave Grohl sometime [NOTE: I would love that] but he will tell you about Kent's finesse. He came from a background of marching cymbals and a love of jazz and different styles. He taught me a lot about drums. I learned so much from him and I really miss him. I want to honor him by talking about him and keeping him close by playing his music. I think that's what he would want. He had a trio in town and he'd play with them every week, right up until he couldn't stand anymore. He was a working man musician.

Me: Since Scream's initial break up in 1990, you and Dave Grohl have overlapped on numerous projects. You mentioned the episode of Sonic Highways, but Grohl played with your band Earthlings?, you were both in the Teenage Time Killers, you sang with Foo Fighters on their Sonic Highways album, and just earlier this year you joined them at Atlantis in D.C. Not to mention Scream's EP Complete Control Recording Sessions was recorded at Grohl's 606 Studio. Grohl, himself, has spoken very fondly about Scream and how his experience in the band paved the way for everything that came after. Could there be another collaboration with Dave Grohl sometime soon?

PS: You know, he has become such a huge force in music. He's very busy, I can't even imagine all of the things that he does. You know, I don't know. You never know what will happen, but I hope so. I like playing with him. Everyone does [laughs], it's kind of a running joke, like you saw Lionel Ritchie playing "Easy" and this guitar solo as Dave walks on. He does a damn solo for that song and he does it perfectly, of course.

I mean that's what we need to do as people is help each other out when you have the opportunity to. He has his 606 Studio and gave us the opportunity to go in there and record. I'm glad we had that opportunity and I'll jump at any opportunity to play with Dave. I've been so lucky in my life and my brother's life to be able to play with a wide variety of musicians that are just amazing. When Scream ended around that time, when Dave joined Nirvana and Franz and I decided to stay in L.A. and start a new band - it really opened up a new chapter in our lives and also musically we fell into a new music community in Los Angeles. There was this whole group of friends who became our community who we played with. I met a few people I'm still friends with and work with, like L7 I work with them and they are dear friends of mine.

Pete singing with Foo Fighters at Atlantis in May 2023

Me: You were actually a featured interviewee in my friend Scott Crawford's documentary Salad Days about the D.C. punk scene in the 80s. One of the big themes of that doc is how the Reagan administration inspired so much rebellion at that time. Based on the state of the world right now, what do you think is punk music's place in commenting on all of the injustices that we're seeing right now?

PS: Well that hasn't changed. I think we as individuals have a responsibility and especially if you have a platform like being in a band to incorporate your point of view in what you're doing - it's just how you do things and when it's appropriate, but it's crucial to us to speak power through storytelling and songwriting. That's what we do as a band. Everyone has their own approach to things.

As far as punk rock it's always been about being an individual and nonconformity. But also in a wider sense also speaking against injustice and the powers that be that control systems that we all have to live in and work in. So addressing politics has always been a big part of Scream in our consciousness and we live it. We all run into it all the time. We continue to try to find ways to get my point of view out there. I always try to write a little bit of tongue in cheek or a little bit of humor through stories. But I think it's a responsibility that we as people have to teach each other and help each other. That's when the perfect storm happens when you're doing a show, because we're looking at you, you're all looking at us. We're singing to you, you're all screaming back at us!

Lyrically every album we have has political moments, because we're living through moments in time that are important to sing about, speak about and reflect upon. We're living through this transformation with what's happening with social media, the fragmentation of our culture and the polarization of our culture, the massive swing to the right in politics that's happening, what's happening in Israel and Gaza. These are moments in time that we are all living in together. And we're so caught up with our phones and our tablets and computers, but there's all this stuff going on around us that can be overwhelming and I think that's why some people don't deal with it. But these are all really important things that affect so many different people. As a band like Scream it's important to communicate to the people around us. There's all kind of injustices going on in the world and we need to figure out ways to work together, live together and progress as a society.

Me: You mentioned Scream is going on a tour, including Deep Cuts in Medford, MA on December 9. Tell me about playing these songs with Franz and Enoch again.

PS: Well we never stopped even when we were in Wool or other bands, we'd still get together especially when we'd all go back home to the D.C. area. My Mom still lives there. A lot of us still have family still there. So we would go there and maybe play the occasional show. We're always struggling to find that thing. That's the problem when you have drummers like Kent and Dave, now with Kent gone we have to start over. So we're kind of going through that process right now, playing with different drummers right now. Jerry has been amazing and we're really looking forward to playing with him.

I wish we had more time, we're all older now. We used to practice three or four times a week. We all lived in the same house - it was a whole different kind of thing. Now we just kind of get together when we can, rehearse for three or four days real quickly, and then go play a show. Because we can't really afford to play much more than that. It's really hard to do justice to the things you want to do, but we just go for it and put everything we have into it. And hopefully you come see us on a good night. [laughs]

Me: In addition to Scream, you've kept very busy with a number of bands including Wool and Goatsnake, you've also been and are a tour manager as well. In addition to this new Scream album and tour, do you have additional musical endeavors coming up, solo or side projects?

PS: I've always played around with that. I've always had songs that don't seem to fit with the bands I'm in. So yeah - I have a group of songs that I don't know if I'd ever have a chance to put it all together. Right now I'm working on a project right here in Joshua Tree called the Rancho, it's the 30th anniversary of the studio. There's a project being put together by Dave Catching and Paul Frasier, celebrating that studio and its impact on music. So a lot of people are coming out who have recorded here over the years. A really cool mix mosh of people playing together. That project will ultimately be a record, a film and a concert. Other than that, I've been talking to some other people about doing stuff. So we'll see what happens!

For info on Scream

For tickets and info for Scream's show at Deep Cuts on Dec. 9, 2023

A Place of Rest

The official National Veterans Day Observance takes place every year on November 11 at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. The day typically includes a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, speeches by the President or Vice President and other dignitaries, and a color parade in the Memorial Amphitheater.

On the other side of the Potomac River in Washington D.C., America’s oldest continually operating retirement home for military personnel hosts a more informal event with music, food, and fun. The Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington, partly funded by a monthly charge of 50 cents to all active duty personnel, serves as a full-service retirement center for hundreds of veterans.

The OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9 captured this image of the facility and the nearby United States Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery on November 3, 2023. The 272-acre campus can accommodate up to 1,100 residents and has more than 100 buildings, including a post office, barber shop, bowling alley, elementary school, several residencies, a health center, and a hospital. Residents live amidst many acres of open space, including two fishing ponds, wooded walking trails, and a community garden.

Congress first established the site in 1851 using funds acquired during the Mexican-American War, initially calling it the United States Military Asylum and then, starting in 1859, the United States Old Soldiers’ Home. In its early days, residents were expected to work and helped run a 300-acre dairy farm on the site. In the 20th century, the pastures were replaced by a nine-hole golf course still present at the site today.

Multiple U.S. presidents—James Buchanan, Chester Arthur, and Rutherford Hayes—spent time there. Most famously, President Abraham Lincoln and his family spent the summers of 1862-64 in a 34-room Gothic “cottage” at the Old Soldiers’ Home to escape the heat and poor air quality at the White House. It was there that he wrote the final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. He was even evacuated from the area in July 1864 when he tried to observe the nearby battle of Fort Stevens, becoming the only U.S. president to come under hostile fire while in office.

NASA Earth Observatory image by Wanmei Liang, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Story by Adam Voiland.

Early Childhood - Outdoor Classroom

Conversation overheard:

“Get on the bridge or the crocodiles will eat you!”

(in a worried tone) “Are the crocodiles real?”

“No-they are nice crocodiles…”

"Let the children be free; encourage them; let them run outside when it is raining; let them remove their shoes when they find a puddle of water; and, when the grass of the meadows is damp with dew, let them run on it and trample it with their bare feet; let them rest peacefully when a tree invites them to sleep beneath it's shade; let them shout and laugh when the sun wakes them in the morning as it wakes every living creature that divides its day between waking and sleeping."  --Maria Montessori

A Look Behind the Pastry Case

Courtney Dougan’s Experience as an Employee at Quebrada Baking Company in Arlington, MA

Courtney Dougan is a hometown friend that I grew up with, and she also happens to be a student at Endicott College like myself. Right now she is an Elementary Education major, and throughout high school, Courtney was a member of the cheer team and the gymnastics team. Right after the height of Covid, Courtney got a job at Quebrada Baking Company in Arlington with the help of her cheerleading teammate Faith. While Courtney is still at college, she tends to go home and work at the bakery during school vacations and holiday weekends. 

 Quebrada has bakery locations in Arlington, Belmont, Watertown, and Wellesley Massachusetts. The Mass Ave bakery has a delicious array of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, breakfast sandwiches, and more. They also serve a selection of coffee and tea drinks. Quebrada tends to be busiest in the early mornings. Local customers keep coming back for special breakfast items and a caffeine fix. The prices for items like cupcakes and pastries range from $2 to $6. A breakfast sandwich is around $8. At the lowest price, the classic cookie flavors are $1.87 each. Customers can order cakes and cupcakes in one of Quebrada’s signature flavors, or customize a cake based on their own preferences. Quebrada Baking Co. takes pride in its community involvement initiatives to support the local community of each bakery location. In this interview, Courtney provides an insider perspective of what it is like as a young employee at a bakery. She highlights both the positive and negative aspects that come with the job. 

Q: How long have you worked at Quebrada Baking Co. and what is your position there?

A: I started at Quebrada the summer going into junior year of high school. It was right after Covid. Faith Griffin, somebody that I used to cheer with got me the job. I worked behind the counter as a cashier and food server. I still work at the bakery on breaks and weekends when I’m not at Endicott College. 

Q: What was it like when you first started working there?

A: It was very busy because I got trained in the mornings. So you have to deal with the morning rush. But once you can do the morning, the afternoon is quiet so it gets super easy.

Q: What were the main things you did on the job?

A: We took customers' orders and got them out of the case, then rang the customers up. We also made the coffee that people ordered and had to make backup coffee for the day. We decorated cakes but a lot of the baking was done at the headquarters of Quebrada. And of course, we had to clean up.

Q: Did you ever get to bake anything?

A: Yeah, we did bake cookies. We got to decorate a lot of the cakes there. We also baked the croissants for all of the breakfast sandwiches. We also baked the scones and muffins, but the actual cupcakes and cakes were baked at the headquarters.

Q: What are the customers like at Quebrada?

A: They were all very nice and a lot of them were locals. Many of them came in every single day. We definitely got to know them. I see a lot of people that I know come to Quebrada. I see so many people. So many people will come in and tell me “I know your mom!”, and I have seen some teachers. I saw a teacher from middle school the other day and she was picking something up for Easter. 

Q: Do you have any stories about bad customers?

A: We did have a few bad customers, even some over break this year. There was one lady who was refusing to pay until a Black customer left the store. I was astonished. I was like “Can you repeat that for me?” I told her that somebody else was gonna ring her up and that there was a line behind her, but I told her I was not waiting on her. I was so caught off guard to hear that at Quebrada. 

Q: Do you have any more interesting stories from working at Quebrada?

A: I have lots of crazy stories. The old manager that I worked with for about 2 weeks got fired for acting inappropriately toward some of the employees. I also don’t really like one of my managers. But I actually trained her and I have worked at the bakery longer than her. So yeah I do have many interesting stories to tell from the job. 

Q: Do you get free food or drinks while working at the bakery?

A: Oh yeah. I get free food and drinks whenever I want so I don’t have to pay for anything. That is one of the benefits of working at a bakery. 

Q: What are some of your favorite things to eat or drink at the bakery?

A: I love the sausage egg and cheese. I also love the parmesan scallion scones. I also like to make my own coffee there. But yeah nobody else has parmesan scallion scones, so I loved to get them at Quebrada.

Q: Did the bakery connect with the community in any way?

A: Quebrada does a lot of community involvement. Each month there is a charity item and all of the profits go to a certain charity that we choose. One time it was for a women’s shelter, sometimes it is certain things for education. Some are donations for cancer. They did our Last Blast cookies, which was an event for seniors in the Class of 2022 that just graduated from Arlington High School. They donated all of the cookies for that. I did cheer raffles with them. People would ask if we could donate a gift card for things like raffles, and we would always donate the gift card for that. We would sometimes give a flier for a free cake, which could also be raffled off. So they did a lot of community involvement and donations which was great. 

Q: Have you faced any challenges while working at the bakery?

A: Not really. It was mostly just having to deal with people being annoying. Nothing has ever been a long-term issue or a long-term challenge. It's just easy to get fed up with things that come with food service while I am working there. 

Q: What is your favorite thing about working at Quebrada?

A: I liked a lot of the people I worked with. It was just a really easy job for me. There were also many benefits that came with it. 

Q: What was it like working with your coworkers, were you friends with any of them?

A: When I started working at Quebrada I knew Faith, who got me the job. Two other girls that I had also cheered with worked at the bakery. There were also two other seniors from Arlington High School that I sort of knew. Later on, a few of my friends got a job at the bakery and a girl from another town did too, so we were all friends at the job. We were all around the same age, so we were all good friends. 

Q: Do you recommend working at Quebrada?

A: Yes I do recommend working there. I have gotten many people jobs at the bakery. I got a friend a job there. I always tell my cousins that they should work at Quebrada. But it is an easy job. It was also really nice because it was close to home, right in Arlington. I could leave 10 minutes before my shift started. 

Q: What have you learned from working at a bakery?

A: I learned how to deal with people and also work with them. I learned how to be nice to random people that were not very nice to me. I learned customer service skills. I learned all about coffee and espresso. I also got to learn about baking.

Stafford, VA, Has The Nicest Homes

One of the things you consider when moving to a new place is the availability of homes. With Stafford, VA, this will never be a problem. Larger family homes at much lower prices than in the communities closest to Washington, D.C., are one reason why some people choose Stafford County as their home. There are homes for every budget and price range. The inventory includes everything from townhouses for smaller families to large, gated-community luxury homes for buyers looking for the most space. Additionally, lot sizes are significantly larger than in Arlington or Fairfax counties to the north. Riverfront properties are also available if you want to be near the water.

Quantico Daycare Center

The Merit School of Quantico Corporate Center the best Quantico Daycare Center. It's located less than a mile from the Quantico Marine Corps gate in Stafford County, which is accessible from US Route 1 and I-95. I like the state-of-the-art facility in the Merit School. There's an infant daycare service through school-age care and premium Montessori programs for children ages 2-5. There are various programs from Merit School. You can select from baby steps, toddler explorers, preschool explorers, Montessori, preschool readiness, junior kindergarten, before and after school care, and summer camp. They serve Anne E. Moncure Elementary, Widewater Elementary, and Shirley Heim Middle School. For more information, call (703)-583-6158.

Quantico Preschool

The Merit School of Quantico Corporate Center is your kids' most excellent Quantico preschool. Parents in Quantico trust this childcare since it is the most reputable preschool. From the modest beginnings of this institution, it has taken care of kids through the school years. An excellent educational curriculum, age-appropriate activities, field trips, healthy foods and refreshments, transportation to and from the public schools they serve, and winter, spring, and summer camps are all provided by the school personnel. This private school offers a range of programs to meet your needs, including preschool explorations, readiness enrichments for children ages three to four, junior kindergarten, before- and after-school care, elementary school, and others. Call for additional information at (703)-583-6158.

The Cavalier Family Skating Centers USA Inc. in Stafford 

The Cavalier Family Skating Centers USA Inc. in Stafford, VA, is a place to enjoy exercise and time with family and friends. The skate rental costs $3, while the Roller Blade Rental costs $4 for all sessions. The skating time on Monday night is 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm with $7 admission. On Wednesday night, skate night is cheap because the admission fee is only $3. You can come and roll to your favorite music. On Friday, admission is $12 per person, and there’s loud music and fast skating during Friday. On Saturday, from 10:30 to 5:00 pm, there’s an open skate, and admission is $8. During Saturday and Sunday, admission pass is $12 and $8. 

Stafford Program Helps Children With Autism

The Stafford program benefits autistic youngsters. Tacos, baked potatoes, spaghetti, pancakes, and animal-faced toast are among the recipes. They're all family favorites that have contributed to the success of Cooking Autism Inc., a local nonprofit school-based program for autistic children. Cooking Autism has come a long way in five years, focusing on kids with Autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental challenges. Special-education teachers can apply for funds to the nonprofit twice a year. In exchange, participants receive a life-skills and cooking curriculum and resources to include in their courses. I like this move because it helps children with Autism. Read more.

Link to maps

The Cavalier Family Skating Centers USA, Inc. 1924 Richmond Hwy, Stafford, VA 22554, United States Get on I-95 N from Hospital Center Blvd 4 min (1.3 mi) Follow I-95 N to Russell Rd in Prince William County. Take exit 148 from I-95 N 7 min (7.5 mi) Take US-1 S to Corporate Dr in Stafford County 2 min (1.3 mi) Merit School of Quantico Corporate Center 400 Corporate Dr #100, Stafford, VA 22554, United States

Manassas Christian School in Manassas Park, VA

There are many ways to find an amazing Prince William County private schools. One of the best ways to do it is check out online articles. In that way, it would be easy to find the best educational institutions for your kids. For example, you can research about Manassas Christian School. They are a private, faith-based preschool, elementary, and middle school in Manassas, Virginia. The school is truly an extraordinary place of learning where every student is valued. In addition, they know that a challenging academic program where strong, moral character and high behavioral standards are prized. Besides, the said educational institution is exactly located at Manassas Christian School, 9296 West Carondelet Drive, Manassas Park, VA 20111.

Manassas Christian School

These days, finding a safe and reliable school that offer quality education isn’t easy. Luckily, Manassas Christian School provides extraordinary private schools in Prince William County location. Based on their website, it is clear that Manassas Christian School is a private, licensed and accredited elementary and middle school situated on 11-acres in Manassas, Virginia. Aside from that, they’re not church-affiliated and welcome all faiths. In addition, they are proud to be accredited by Cognia and offer programs for Kindergarten through eighth grade. Their 25,000 sq. ft. facility has 18 classrooms, a gymnasium, library, computer, science, and foreign language labs, a VEX Robotics room, and music room. Lastly, the outdoor campus features creative playgrounds, nature trails, soccer and baseball fields, a basketball court, covered pavilion and pool.

Manassas Park, VA

The history of Manassas Park, VA location is famous among students who like studying historical backgrounds of different places. Let’s discuss its early settlers. During the American Civil War, the Manassas Park area was used as a campsite by the Confederate States Army during both the First and Second Battles of Bull Run. In addition, Manassas Park was created as a subdivision of Prince William County, with the first houses being constructed in 1955. In 1957, Manassas Park was incorporated as a town. In 1974, approximately 600 acres of land was annexed by the town of Manassas Park in 1974, and the town was incorporated as a city independent from the county the next year in 1975.

Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas Park, VA

Many people are aware that Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas Park, VA location is famous. There are many people from across the globe who drop by the tourist spot to enjoy sightseeing. Manassas National Battlefield Park is a unit of the National Park Service located in Prince William County, Virginia, north of Manassas that preserves the site of two major American Civil War battles: the First Battle of Bull Run, also called the Battle of First Manassas, and the Second Battle of Bull Run or Battle of Second Manassas. Aside from that, it was also where Confederate General Thomas J. Jackson acquired his nickname "Stonewall.”

Barrier-Breaking Black Army Officer Finally Awarded Medal of Honor

Are you interested with the bravery of soldiers? Here’s a story that will inspire you. Based on a recent news report in Manassas Park, VA, there was a topic about a Medal of Honor recipient. As reported, retired U.S. Army Col. Paris Davis of Arlington received the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military for his actions as one of the nation's first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat, almost 60 years after he was first recommended for the award. President Joe Biden awarded Davis with the Medal of Honor on Friday in a ceremony at the White House. Lastly, he was a Vietnam veteran who was first nominated to receive the medal in 1965.

Link to maps

Manassas National Battlefield Park 6511 Sudley Rd, Manassas, VA 20109, United States Head east on US-29 N 1 min (0.7 mi) Continue to State Rte 658 8 min (3.9 mi) Follow VA-28 S/Centreville Rd and Manassas Dr to W Carondelet Dr in Manassas Park 11 min (4.6 mi) Continue on W Carondelet Dr. Drive to Silver Meteor Ct 1 min (0.2 mi) Manassas Christian School 9296 W Carondelet Dr, Manassas Park, VA 20111, United States

Preparing Your Child for the Transition to Elementary School

Start early

Even before the first day of school, there are ways to assist your child to get mentally and emotionally prepared for the change. Start by providing them with detailed information about what to expect in elementary school. This could include discussing their schedule, curriculum, and the expectations for student behavior.

You also need to involve them in the decision-making process. For example, when comparing elementary schools Arlington TX, ask for their input and preferences. When purchasing school supplies, take your little kid shopping with you. Incorporating small things like picking a book bag of their favorite color can go a long way in making your loved one get more comfortable.

Visit the school

Another great tip is to take a tour of the elementary school together. This way, your child can familiarize themselves with the layout and the environment, which helps ease the transition. During your visit, walk through the hallways and classrooms together, pointing out important locations such as the cafeteria, the library, and the playground.

Talk to them

Try to explain to the little one what they should expect at school. For instance, you may explain why they need the various school supplies like a backpack, pencils, and notebooks. You can even practice using these supplies with your child. This will make them feel more prepared and confident when using these materials.

Since their routine will likely change, discuss this change with them. Explain the schedule of the school day, including when they will eat lunch, have recess, and attend different classes. This is also an opportunity to discuss the importance of being on time and following rules.

Be confident

It is not just your child who needs to adjust, but also you as the parent. However, you need to have confidence in the child's ability to adapt and succeed in their new environment. Talking to other parents who have gone through the same transition can help as you will share ideas and strategies.  While it may be tough in the short term, providing support through this process will help set them up for long-term success.

Bottom line

Moving to an elementary school can be a rough one for both parents and kids. With the right support and guidance, it will be easier for the kid to adapt to this environment with confidence and success. The best advice is to compare different elementary schools and choose one that best suits your child's needs.

The Top 5 Nicest Neighborhoods In Sarasota, Florida

When you move to a new place, there are always a ton of things you have to consider. The weather, the culture, and most importantly, the neighbors. Whether you want to live in an area with some old family friends or want to be tied in with the closest group of people that are like you and your style, here's a list of the five nicest neighborhoods in Sarasota, Florida.

Arlington Park

Arlington Park is a well-established neighborhood that is home to many families and retirees. The area is located in northern Sarasota County, just south of State Road 72. The community features an elementary school, park, and swimming pool.

Arlington Park is close to shopping and restaurants, as well as the beautiful beaches of Siesta Key. Residents often travel here for weekend getaways or vacations during the winter months when it's too cold to spend time around Lakewood Ranch.

The average home value in Arlington Park is $295,000. This price point makes this neighborhood one of the most affordable in Sarasota County.

Sarasota Downtown

Downtown Sarasota is the main hub for dining, entertainment, and shopping in the city. Downtown is also home to many of the city's oldest buildings, including the 1905 Sarasota Opera House, which has been restored and renovated into a vibrant venue for concerts, performances, and more.

The area has several parks, including John Ringling Park on Siesta Key and Lido Beach on Lido Key. The park has a boardwalk that leads to a beachfront promenade with shops and restaurants.

Sarasota's downtown area is filled with historic buildings, including the Asolo Repertory Theatre, which hosts live performances all year long. The city also hosts an annual outdoor art festival called Art Walk Sarasota.

Northwest

This neighborhood is located near downtown Sarasota, which means that it's close to shops, restaurants, and other entertainment options. It also has access to many public parks so residents can easily enjoy nature without leaving their neighborhood. There are several subdivisions within this area including Brookridge, Brookhurst Park, Laurel Oak Park, and more. Each subdivision has its own unique characteristics but they all have one thing in common: they're close enough to downtown that living here doesn't mean sacrificing convenience!

Harbor Acres

Harbor Acres is a neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida. The most common type of home in this community is a single-family home, and the majority are traditional style, ranch style, and contemporary style single-family homes. Homes in Harbor Acres are 1,100 square feet on average and typically have four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Homes in this neighborhood typically sit on quarter-acre lots. The most common type of parking in the community is the garage.

Harbor Acres real estate is primarily made up of medium sized (three or four-bedroom) to large (four, five, or more-bedroom) single-family homes and townhomes/condos. Most of the residential real estate is owner-occupied. Many of the residences in the Harbor Acres neighborhood are established but not old, having been built between 1970 and 1999. A number of residences were also built between 2000 and 2009.

Oyster Bay

Sarasota's oldest neighborhood, Oyster Bay is located in downtown Sarasota. This historic district has been designated a National Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The neighborhood is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and its many architecturally significant homes.

Oyster Bay boasts some of the most important historical homes in Sarasota and has become a popular spot for filming movies and television shows, including the recent production of "Flamingo Road."

Takeaway: Hopefully, this article has helped you get a better feel for where the nicest neighborhoods in Sarasota are. Because no one really wants to admit that they're living in an unsafe neighborhood—lord knows I've always been hesitant to do so—certain areas of the city can be overlooked by people looking for a new home. However, if you're able to look past the superficial elements, and see the beauty that so many people overlook, then maybe you'll find a new home in on of these top five neighborhoods.

Are You Looking for a Lawyer in Sarasota, Florida?

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