Each weekend when my daughters and I head out for our weekend errands, we stop some place and eat lunch. This past weekend was Wendy's, and I decided to try their new Ciabatta Bacon Cheeseburger. It is advertized as a quarter-pound of hot 'n juicy beef topped with roasted, chopped
tomatoes, creamy, rosemary garlic aioli, fresh spring mix, natural
Asiago cheese and applewood-smoked bacon between a toasted Ciabatta bun.
I have to say I was very disappointed, the roasted, chopped tomatoes gave it a flavor cross between marinara and brushetta, I had only one leaf of spring mix, and the bacon might as well not have been on it as well as the rosemary garlic aioli since all I tasted was the tomatoes. The burger itself was good as well as the bun, and I would much rather have had a regular bacon cheeseburger on a ciabatta bun than this souped up version that fell way under its advertizements. .
It is also quite possible the fail was due to the location I had it at which was 310 MacDade Blvd in Folsom, PA. I will not be ordering this sandwich again.
Comment below and let me know if you have tried this burger and what your thoughts on it was. I am eager to hear.
Monday, February 24, 2014
Thursday, February 6, 2014
6 February 2014
So, I was looking over my youtube Channel and I decided to make an entry on my Most Lists. So, here we go!
My most watched videos:
1st place: Crazy Daughter got hands stuck with 193 views
This video was one where my Lila put her hands into her belt loops, she had two belt loops on each hand and then couldn't get them out. It was so funny I grabbed my camera and filmed her, unhooked her, and got a funny response after it was over.
2nd place: Biggest Brat Entry #1 with 39 views
My Lila is very ADHD, and her mood really only has two temperatures, very happy or very upset. I threatened her with filming her bad behavior and creating a website called "biggest brat .com" and uploading the videos to it so everyone can see how awful she behaves. I only got one video before she started behaving better and not throwing huge tantrums. It is this video which in reality is very mild considering.
3rd place: My Niece dancing to the Kazoo with 28 views
My niece Juju, was playing the kazoo and dancing so I brought out my camera and just filmed her. She is a big ham so she just kept on. This video is a bit loud since I had quite a few girls over all playing while I was filming and its almost easier, (and funnier) to watch the video without the sound.
Videos Most percentage watched to the end:
1st place: Store Shenanigans with 96%
Lila climbed under the cart at the grocery store and Raven filmed her as we shopped.
2nd place; Lila Whining with 89%
This video is Lila after I freed her hands from her belt loops.
3rd place: Crazy Daughter got hands stuck with 81%
Videos that earned the most money, (none of which is alot)
1st place tie: Me, Uncensored and Little sister lends a hand with $.06
Me, Uncensored was a video that started out being an introduction to me but I ended up spilling my guts on how I feel about the legal theft of one of my daughters by my own father.
Little sister lends a hand is Raven, Lila, Juju, and Haylee. Juju was in a wagon and Haylee and Raven were trying to push her up a hill and were being unsuccessful until Lila (who was only four at the time) grabbed the handle and pulled her up.
2nd place Crazy Daughter got hands stuck with $.05
3rd place: Raven and Lila Jingle Bell Rock with $.03
Raven and Lila sang Jingle Bell Rock. Lila was about 2, and Raven was around 8.
I don't have enough shares, likes, comments, or dislikes to make a list of the top three. I created my youtube channel October 25th 2006, I have 26 videos uploaded with a lifetime total views of 480. This channel is not educational, or anything else specifically. It is just my life as I live it. Ive been considering an introduction video again if I can not get offtrack like the last time. I upload what I want to share, feel free to share, comment, like or even dislike. The more you do the more my channel makes and the more independent my family will become. My goals are to get off foodstamps and state assistance. I want to be able to afford health care, buy a home, afford a car that isn't over 10 yrs old, and take vacations when I want to. When my girls need clothes, shoes, food, or special gifts I would like to say yes, instead of wait until I can afford it. "Maybe with my tax return."
You can help by hitting the donate button at the top right, or share my videos, read my posts, share my posts. Thanks for reading and watching.
My most watched videos:
1st place: Crazy Daughter got hands stuck with 193 views
This video was one where my Lila put her hands into her belt loops, she had two belt loops on each hand and then couldn't get them out. It was so funny I grabbed my camera and filmed her, unhooked her, and got a funny response after it was over.
2nd place: Biggest Brat Entry #1 with 39 views
My Lila is very ADHD, and her mood really only has two temperatures, very happy or very upset. I threatened her with filming her bad behavior and creating a website called "biggest brat .com" and uploading the videos to it so everyone can see how awful she behaves. I only got one video before she started behaving better and not throwing huge tantrums. It is this video which in reality is very mild considering.
3rd place: My Niece dancing to the Kazoo with 28 views
My niece Juju, was playing the kazoo and dancing so I brought out my camera and just filmed her. She is a big ham so she just kept on. This video is a bit loud since I had quite a few girls over all playing while I was filming and its almost easier, (and funnier) to watch the video without the sound.
Videos Most percentage watched to the end:
1st place: Store Shenanigans with 96%
Lila climbed under the cart at the grocery store and Raven filmed her as we shopped.
2nd place; Lila Whining with 89%
This video is Lila after I freed her hands from her belt loops.
3rd place: Crazy Daughter got hands stuck with 81%
Videos that earned the most money, (none of which is alot)
1st place tie: Me, Uncensored and Little sister lends a hand with $.06
Me, Uncensored was a video that started out being an introduction to me but I ended up spilling my guts on how I feel about the legal theft of one of my daughters by my own father.
Little sister lends a hand is Raven, Lila, Juju, and Haylee. Juju was in a wagon and Haylee and Raven were trying to push her up a hill and were being unsuccessful until Lila (who was only four at the time) grabbed the handle and pulled her up.
2nd place Crazy Daughter got hands stuck with $.05
3rd place: Raven and Lila Jingle Bell Rock with $.03
Raven and Lila sang Jingle Bell Rock. Lila was about 2, and Raven was around 8.
I don't have enough shares, likes, comments, or dislikes to make a list of the top three. I created my youtube channel October 25th 2006, I have 26 videos uploaded with a lifetime total views of 480. This channel is not educational, or anything else specifically. It is just my life as I live it. Ive been considering an introduction video again if I can not get offtrack like the last time. I upload what I want to share, feel free to share, comment, like or even dislike. The more you do the more my channel makes and the more independent my family will become. My goals are to get off foodstamps and state assistance. I want to be able to afford health care, buy a home, afford a car that isn't over 10 yrs old, and take vacations when I want to. When my girls need clothes, shoes, food, or special gifts I would like to say yes, instead of wait until I can afford it. "Maybe with my tax return."
You can help by hitting the donate button at the top right, or share my videos, read my posts, share my posts. Thanks for reading and watching.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
30 January 2014
Today is Raven's second day at the High School, she put the cyber school behind her. They were very nice and helpful but she feels the need for people and friends. I understand how she feels. It is hard to go through life with all that happens to us with little or no friends to support us. Human contact is so needful, so powerful. Without those hugs, sympathetic touches, loving caresses, we go insane. I totally understand her need for those things. She gets them from me and from her sister but it isn't the same as a friend. She did well her first day and walked from school to my work. It was super cold out today and she walked to school. She texted saying she got there ok. I'm already feeling the separation. I know she needs her own life but its hard to let her do it. She has been such a big and intrical part of my life its hard to let her move on. I have Lila but its not the same, Raven has truly seen me at my worst. Lila has never.
Anyways, enough of that. I sold two items on ebay, waiting payment for a third but it looks like I might not get it. Maybe after winning the bid they didn't like the shipping cost but fuck them. what am I supposed to do, eat the shipping cost?? Yeah right. I started my cinnamon/ honey water to lose weight again. We shall see if it works. I have a new tracking method for my income for the new year. I have eight ptc sites I click on, two selling sites (only one has anything on it), two adsense spots, and my book sales. You'd think Im rolling in it, but its not making alot right now. I have a full time job and another direct sales I will be starting before end of February. It sounds like a full plate but I still find alot of time that I just sit around looking for something to do. My click sites only take an hour, my two adsense sites pretty much run themselves unless Im uploading or writing, my book sales just sits there cause I don't advertise, I haven't started my direct sales, and my two selling sites just sit there unless Im adding new product. So its really not alot of work each day. I find alot of time where Im bored stiff. Not much going on around here other than that. I did upload another class to my school blog and deleted all the ptc sites I don't use anymore off my marketing blog. If you wanna check those out its in the side bar.
Oh, and Raven and I are collaborating on a charity we are going to create. I'll tell you more when I got it up. Its a great idea and will help turn something bad into something good. Oh, and the man who hurt Raven has taken a plea. 4-11 yrs and 5 on probation. He wont be sentenced until end of April. But at least Raven won't have to testify. Saturday I will be able to file my taxes and hopefully only a few weeks for my taxes. Im sick of walking in the cold and pulling carts through the snow for groceries and laundry. It will be nice to have a vehicle. Im getting a truck. There is a nice truck on autotrader at a dealership about 40 miles from me for a good price and already has a topper which I will need in the long run. With any luck it will still be available in a few weeks when I actually get my taxes back or a better choice will be available. I don't have to rush so I can be picky. I like it when I can be picky cause it doesn't happen alot. I usually buy stuff from need so I get whats available instead of looking around and buying something I want. Well, Im getting off for now, as always dont forget to donate by using the donate button on the top right. It goes to buying a home for my family for the first time and starting our charity. .
Anyways, enough of that. I sold two items on ebay, waiting payment for a third but it looks like I might not get it. Maybe after winning the bid they didn't like the shipping cost but fuck them. what am I supposed to do, eat the shipping cost?? Yeah right. I started my cinnamon/ honey water to lose weight again. We shall see if it works. I have a new tracking method for my income for the new year. I have eight ptc sites I click on, two selling sites (only one has anything on it), two adsense spots, and my book sales. You'd think Im rolling in it, but its not making alot right now. I have a full time job and another direct sales I will be starting before end of February. It sounds like a full plate but I still find alot of time that I just sit around looking for something to do. My click sites only take an hour, my two adsense sites pretty much run themselves unless Im uploading or writing, my book sales just sits there cause I don't advertise, I haven't started my direct sales, and my two selling sites just sit there unless Im adding new product. So its really not alot of work each day. I find alot of time where Im bored stiff. Not much going on around here other than that. I did upload another class to my school blog and deleted all the ptc sites I don't use anymore off my marketing blog. If you wanna check those out its in the side bar.
Oh, and Raven and I are collaborating on a charity we are going to create. I'll tell you more when I got it up. Its a great idea and will help turn something bad into something good. Oh, and the man who hurt Raven has taken a plea. 4-11 yrs and 5 on probation. He wont be sentenced until end of April. But at least Raven won't have to testify. Saturday I will be able to file my taxes and hopefully only a few weeks for my taxes. Im sick of walking in the cold and pulling carts through the snow for groceries and laundry. It will be nice to have a vehicle. Im getting a truck. There is a nice truck on autotrader at a dealership about 40 miles from me for a good price and already has a topper which I will need in the long run. With any luck it will still be available in a few weeks when I actually get my taxes back or a better choice will be available. I don't have to rush so I can be picky. I like it when I can be picky cause it doesn't happen alot. I usually buy stuff from need so I get whats available instead of looking around and buying something I want. Well, Im getting off for now, as always dont forget to donate by using the donate button on the top right. It goes to buying a home for my family for the first time and starting our charity. .
Thursday, January 16, 2014
16 January 2014
It has been a long time since I wrote anything, and that is true for my personal stories also. I haven't wrote a word in four months. Tragedy struck me on September 20th, 2013. My family was ripped apart. I have talked to almost noone since then. I found out someone was hurting my teenage daughter in that way only women can be hurt, and it was someone I trusted and have trusted for ten years. Everyone talks about the abused and help them through it. I don't minimize what my daughter went through but noone ever talks about what the family of the abused goes through. As the mother of an abused daughter, my heart is ripped. Ripped because I failed to protect my daughter from predators. I failed to see what was happening to her. When she told me what had been happening to her I went into shock. I couldn't even tell the police where I lived or why I was in their precinct. Those first few days, my daughter was doing better than I. One of my long trusted friends flew up to be with us for the weekend and her help was invaluable. I can't even image being in that apartment those first few days by myself. I wasn't ready for her to leave but I had to let her go. It is hard to not talk and to talk about it, at the same time. Half the time I feel like I am walking around someone else's life and the other half I feel fine. Emotions have settled a bit but not fully. My daughter is feeling worse than she did the first few days. She isn't sleeping in her room, she wont even go in there unless she has no choice. I have avoided writing about it on my blog, for several reasons. But that has caused writers block. Since I can't get out what I want to say, I can't say anything. Anyone who actually knows me, please don't ask me about what happened, or who it was, or even wonder. Just know we are hurting so much, and so much more than it looks. The only important thing now is how we feel today, not what was done to us yesterday. The person who did it is in jail and can't hurt anyone else, he didn't hurt anyone else. Just us. He changed us, all of us. I will never trust another person, I will never allow anyone new into my life. The ones already in my life I will always have a small voice in the back of my head saying "they could do it too". It took me years to silence that voice when my father betrayed me. Now its back and I doubt I will be able to make it go away. Whenever you look at me all you see is my mask. The mask I now show everyone because I will never trust again. I have no more room in my heart for wounds or scars. I have no more room in my chest for my heart to grow. If you see me I will smile and say 'HI". I will not give you any indication that I am wounded beyond repair. If I seem a bit strange, or different, now you know why. I do not want to discuss it, I do not want your sympathy. I do not need your help. This is not something anyone can help us with. Each of us will have to work through the pain and betrayal ourselves the best way we can. The only way anyone can help is just be normal. To allow us to wear our masks, let us protect our hearts in the only way we know how until we feel strong enough to face it again. After ten years of one way we all need to learn another way. We have to make a new normal and it isn't easy. We have big bumps and skids. Meltdowns and breakdowns. Periods of low and high. This blog is where I get out what I feel without feeling like I am gonna have a bunch of comments from those I know. Most who read this blog I do not know personally and I kinda like it that way. Its almost anonymous in a way. There is a freedom in unleashing on a stranger. They have no preconceived judgements on how you are expected to handle a given situation. Or what you should allow them to do for you. Sometimes telling friends or family is a burden. I am really lucky to have a few friends that I can say anything to. They have been with me through a bunch of shit and I am sure they will be there through a bunch more. I am glad I have them even if they are 1200 miles away. Maybe after I write this I can start writing on my book again. It is suffering by me being absent for 4 months. I feel like an empty shell. I feel dead inside. Like I am only going through the motions. But I have been here before. I know what is happening this time. Part of me has been locked away because Im not ready to deal with it. This kind of betrayal is severe and deep. Especially since I already have a gaping wound from what my father did. I started smoking again and im not sure I can stop. I can't sleep and feel tired at the same time, im hungry and don't wanna eat. I wanna go out and stay home at the same time. My thoughts, feelings, and desires are all jumbled. I don't have any priorities straight, I'm doing anything that occurs to me to do at any given moment. I can't think out what I should do next and easily get confused when I have to concentrate on more than one thing at a time. I'm not sure how long this will last, the last time took years but I was also being hurt over and over for years. At least this time all the hurt was in one day, one moment. And how do I help my daughter move on, how can I help her be normal, develop normal relationships. She has never experienced a normal relationship with a boy. I'm afraid in this case, her first boyfriend will have a bunch on his hands to fix. I hope he is patient and understanding, like most teenage boys are not. The wrong boyfriend will mess her up more. She is strong but I would rather her strength not be tested. She doesn't need my life. Ive spent too much time writing and need to get off here. I will be back, and as always hit the donate button to help me buy a home for me and my girls. Thanks.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Poor is
Poor is....
Walking around with holey shoes so your kids can eat.
Approved for the free meals program at school.
Feeling sick and still going to work cause you have to.
Walking an hour and a half home cause you can't afford the bus.
Scrounging the sidewalk for change to afford a dollar burger.
Your kids scrounging for change to buy candy.
Dumpster diving.
Qualify for food stamps and still not eating healthy.
Washing your clothes in the bathtub.
No joining the band at school.
No qualified after school care for you kids.
Online work for pennies to afford extras.
Nothing to bring to family functions.
Stocking up at leftover take homes during family holiday functions.
Getting suckered at scams cause you are desperate for money.
Stealing cause you can't afford what you need.
Waiting for tax season to catch up on bills.
Waiting for taxes to take your family out to dinner.
Sleeping on a park bench.
Trailer parks or ghettos.
No pets.
Goodwill for clothes.
No medicine or doctors.
Tooth pain and bad teeth.
Broke before payday.
No birthday parties.
No buying gifts.
Using grocery bags for trick or treating.
Halloween costumes from the closet.
No air conditioning in the summer, no heater in the winter.
Asking for help with everything.
No 401k or retirement plan.
No auto insurance.
10 yr old car or no car.
No money, credit, or assets to help your dreams.
Bad credit or no credit.
State health insurance.
Pay by the week rentals.
Higher finance rates and longer payoff terms.
Never having what you want.
New definitions to needs and luxury.
Having to give up your kids.
Marriage falls apart.
An early grave.
Poor is beyond the imagination of anyone that hasn't lived it.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Letter to Ridley School District regarding iPad
Here is a copy of the letter I plan on sending to my daughter's school office and the superintendent's office. Let me know what you think, and feel free to copy and use my letter for your own use just sub your child's name for mine.
To whom it may concern:
In regards to the Ridley School
District distribution of iPads to all students. This is a formal
withdrawal from the iPad Rental program.
I do not wish my child, Lila (insert school, teacher, and grade), to borrow an iPad
for home use, nor use one inside her classrooms. I will not allow
her to accept responsibility for a device that does not belong to her
nor a device that costs more than my weekly paycheck. I neither have
the resources nor the desire to take responsibility for anything that
does not belong to me or my child. I will NOT sign a hold harmless
agreement, I will NOT hold harmless Ridley School district or (her school) from any personal injury due to my child because some
unrelated individuals think she may have an iPad in her bag.
If (her school), any teacher, or Ridley
School district allows my child to touch, use, or borrow an iPad that
does not belong to her or me it will be with the understanding that
the person allowing my child to do so is being held responsible,
since this is against parental wishes.
On a side note: I do own an iPad that
Lila may borrow for homework at home under my direct supervision.
Any assignment that requires technology use needs to be sent home and
I will supervise her use of my personal iPad. I believe Lila is too
young for free range, unsupervised use of an iPad which is why we
bought her a Nabi instead of an iPad months ago under a Best Buy
associates recommendation. She may bring, and has, her Nabi to school
and use that. It is a kid-friendly alternative to the Apple iPad.
If you have any questions feel free to
contact me
My name
Phone Number
email address
Monday, September 9, 2013
Ridley School District Ipads
So, Ridley School District has taken it upon themselves to say children as young as kindergarten are responsible enough to take care properly of a $400 device, and plan on giving out an IPad to every Ridley student on September 20th, 2013. If you expect a pretty note about the benefits on mobile technology learning or internet, you have come to the wrong place. I am so vehemently against this that I can barely express it. Which is why it has taken me so long to get around to writing about it. Lets start with the pros, shall we, its a much shorter list. Ridley themselves only list 8 pros. Here is their list:
1. iPads represent a new “space” in technology: This space is between the mobile space (phones and iPods)
and the portable space (laptops and netbooks). This “space” is expanding everyday.
2. Personalize learning: it is widely recognized the 1 to 28 one-way knowledge-transfer model is fast
becoming redundant. As teachers and lectures begin to create new ways of tackling this issue, the iPad
could play a useful role in this transformation.
3. Low maintenance: the iPad needs little if any maintenance and installing “apps” is simple, quick, and
easy – there is less need for technical support.
4. It’s a blank canvas; the iPad is a tactile and engaging handheld device which could transform the way
young people learn
5. Instant-on and all day battery: it’s possible to get on the internet instantly.
6. Auto-save: Apps on the iPad save automatically. No more excuses like “I forgot to save my homework!”
7. Contextual Learning: the iPad is an “anywhere anytime” learning device. This makes it ideal for projects
and learning which take place out of the classroom.
8. Personal Learning Studio: the iPad can be a science lab, literacy tool, research station, history archive,
language lab, art canvas, video editing suite, games console, and library.
I have to admit I love my Ipad. It goes everywhere I go. I also teach preschool children. 3 to 5 yrs old. I do use my Ipad with my prek children, but I never allow them to pick it up and they stand right next to me the whole time. They love it and consider it a treat. There are some really great apps for their age and helps reinforce what I teach in a new and fun way.
Ok, now with the cons, and yes that is the only pros to kids having an Ipad for learning.
First, lets say each child will always act responsibly and carefully, you still can have the x-factor of life. Not all of our richie, rich Ridley students are middle class as some might wish to think. Some of these students actually qualify for free lunch, and foodstamps. These children walk home from school, or their parents walk with them. What about if its raining? Snowing? What if it is just wet outside and a car splashes a child walking. How about slipping or falling down? And what about those kids who go from school to after school activites such as baseball, football, soccer, or another activity. Do those kids leave their bookbags in their lockers? Oh right, Ridley doesn't give lockers until 8th grade. So they are carrying those Ipads onto a field of active children. Maybe they put them on a bench, under the bench, in the dirt, mud? What do they care, its not like the Ipads are theirs.
What about those kids who walk home by themselves. They could be a target for thieves. Don't tell me just cause someone steals that they are not intelligent! Ridley is going to make a green shirt a sign for any thief. My 9yr old might as well by wearing a sign that says, "I am 9 yrs old and can't fight back. Ive got a $400 Ipad in my bag, go ahead, take it." Do you really think thieves don't know how to take a tracker off an Ipad?? You are only making our children targets. What do you think will happen to the kid who doesn't take one home and gets accosted by a thief? Who hasn't heard stories of would-be thieves beating the crap out of someone who didn't have what they wanted. Do you think they wouldn't do that to a child? Now how about a 16 yr old girl? What do you think they will get?
Oh yes, my mind goes there. Anyone who knows me knows I have an extremely paranoid mind, if anything can go wrong for a situation, I will see it.
Lets talk about those children who go from school to an after-care facility. So Ridley believes if anything happens at an after care facility, that facility's insurance will pay for the Ipad. Well, folks Ridley is WRONG! I work in an after care facility, One my parents called every after care facility in the area and all say they will NOT be responsible for any IPads. How does Ridley expect an after care facility to keep track of 30+ Ipads every single day. I see bookbags in the wrong place, hanging open, thrown whereever. I have seen what some of these young kids do with their kindles, and ds' One kid left their backpack open lying on the floor in the middle of the hall with their kindle directly on top. Just waiting for any child to run down the hall and step on it. How many DS' and kindles have we found and returned? Too many to count. And lets say the children all have their Ipads out, they are doing their homework and oh! Internet bandwidth is exceeded and crashes? Yeah, and what about the child who takes a peek at the internet password and connects with his personal device. Maybe a young child then sees his inappropriate content. (yeah, that hasn't happened yet)
What about the special needs child? The children with ADHD or anger issues? It already is the first defense for doctors to medicate children too young to say anything different. I have my own issues with man-made medication and the too young brain but I will digress for now, this is about the Ipads. Not all children with issues take medication and not all medication works all the time. I have a five year old that picks up chairs and throws them, what if the next time its someone's Ipad? And, what is with this new way to access the internet? They will not be able to access facebook or twitter but yes to YouTube! Tell me there is no way for my 9 yr old to see naked videos. Tell me she can't see any snuff films? How about video game walk throughs for violent games? Yeah, ok.
Here is a place my paranoid mind goes. Doesn't the Ipad have a webcam? Ridley says they will not activate it but how do we really know they are not watching?? What about for that matter, child predators that may be have to hack into the Ipad via the internet and watch your child? Take photos from the camera? Disgusted yet?
Here is my #1 reason for being against this. Ridley wants all students to have one but will not take responsibility in any way. They expect the parents to shoulder the responsibility burden, while the device still belongs to Ridley. Its like "here, you must stay in my house, follow my rules, pay the rent, fix anything you break, but its not yours it is still mine!" Would you say, "ok!"?? Yeah right, but Ridley expects that from each Ridley parent. The child MUST have an Ipad, the parent MUST pay a fee and take responsibility, Ridley MUST do nothing. I dropped my own IPad several times and cracked it twice just in the first year! What do you think a child will do? So it worked with the focus groups? Probably heavily monitored too. Kids break rules, kids test boundries. That is how they learn what is right and wrong is by making mistakes. There is no way to say this pretty, it is simply wrong. The problem is too many parents are all like, "oh, my child will need it to complete some homework that will be graded? Then I have to let them have it. And $30 to buy insurance against accidents? Ok, here's my $30." But unfortunately parents, the $30 doesn't protect much. And only the first incident. My family can't afford $30, $30 some weeks is enough to buy my family of four groceries for a week! Yes, last week without having to buy breakfast and lunch for my youngest I spent $33 and change for one week's groceries. So to me, $30 is ALOT!
Lets not forget about the 'hold harmless' agreement every parent will have to sign at Back to School night before their child can even use it in school. Can we all guess what that will say?
So to sum up, My kid NEEDS an iPad for homework which will be graded.
I am solely responsible for anything that happens to the iPad.
I will pay any fees that Ridley deems appropriate
I have NO guarantee my kid will be protected from inappropriate content.
The iPad belongs to Ridley and NOT my kid
I am sorry Ridley, that is too much responsibility for my child. I will not allow her to take responsibility for YOUR property.
Sincerly,
Angry Mom
1. iPads represent a new “space” in technology: This space is between the mobile space (phones and iPods)
and the portable space (laptops and netbooks). This “space” is expanding everyday.
2. Personalize learning: it is widely recognized the 1 to 28 one-way knowledge-transfer model is fast
becoming redundant. As teachers and lectures begin to create new ways of tackling this issue, the iPad
could play a useful role in this transformation.
3. Low maintenance: the iPad needs little if any maintenance and installing “apps” is simple, quick, and
easy – there is less need for technical support.
4. It’s a blank canvas; the iPad is a tactile and engaging handheld device which could transform the way
young people learn
5. Instant-on and all day battery: it’s possible to get on the internet instantly.
6. Auto-save: Apps on the iPad save automatically. No more excuses like “I forgot to save my homework!”
7. Contextual Learning: the iPad is an “anywhere anytime” learning device. This makes it ideal for projects
and learning which take place out of the classroom.
8. Personal Learning Studio: the iPad can be a science lab, literacy tool, research station, history archive,
language lab, art canvas, video editing suite, games console, and library.
I have to admit I love my Ipad. It goes everywhere I go. I also teach preschool children. 3 to 5 yrs old. I do use my Ipad with my prek children, but I never allow them to pick it up and they stand right next to me the whole time. They love it and consider it a treat. There are some really great apps for their age and helps reinforce what I teach in a new and fun way.
Ok, now with the cons, and yes that is the only pros to kids having an Ipad for learning.
First, lets say each child will always act responsibly and carefully, you still can have the x-factor of life. Not all of our richie, rich Ridley students are middle class as some might wish to think. Some of these students actually qualify for free lunch, and foodstamps. These children walk home from school, or their parents walk with them. What about if its raining? Snowing? What if it is just wet outside and a car splashes a child walking. How about slipping or falling down? And what about those kids who go from school to after school activites such as baseball, football, soccer, or another activity. Do those kids leave their bookbags in their lockers? Oh right, Ridley doesn't give lockers until 8th grade. So they are carrying those Ipads onto a field of active children. Maybe they put them on a bench, under the bench, in the dirt, mud? What do they care, its not like the Ipads are theirs.
What about those kids who walk home by themselves. They could be a target for thieves. Don't tell me just cause someone steals that they are not intelligent! Ridley is going to make a green shirt a sign for any thief. My 9yr old might as well by wearing a sign that says, "I am 9 yrs old and can't fight back. Ive got a $400 Ipad in my bag, go ahead, take it." Do you really think thieves don't know how to take a tracker off an Ipad?? You are only making our children targets. What do you think will happen to the kid who doesn't take one home and gets accosted by a thief? Who hasn't heard stories of would-be thieves beating the crap out of someone who didn't have what they wanted. Do you think they wouldn't do that to a child? Now how about a 16 yr old girl? What do you think they will get?
Oh yes, my mind goes there. Anyone who knows me knows I have an extremely paranoid mind, if anything can go wrong for a situation, I will see it.
Lets talk about those children who go from school to an after-care facility. So Ridley believes if anything happens at an after care facility, that facility's insurance will pay for the Ipad. Well, folks Ridley is WRONG! I work in an after care facility, One my parents called every after care facility in the area and all say they will NOT be responsible for any IPads. How does Ridley expect an after care facility to keep track of 30+ Ipads every single day. I see bookbags in the wrong place, hanging open, thrown whereever. I have seen what some of these young kids do with their kindles, and ds' One kid left their backpack open lying on the floor in the middle of the hall with their kindle directly on top. Just waiting for any child to run down the hall and step on it. How many DS' and kindles have we found and returned? Too many to count. And lets say the children all have their Ipads out, they are doing their homework and oh! Internet bandwidth is exceeded and crashes? Yeah, and what about the child who takes a peek at the internet password and connects with his personal device. Maybe a young child then sees his inappropriate content. (yeah, that hasn't happened yet)
What about the special needs child? The children with ADHD or anger issues? It already is the first defense for doctors to medicate children too young to say anything different. I have my own issues with man-made medication and the too young brain but I will digress for now, this is about the Ipads. Not all children with issues take medication and not all medication works all the time. I have a five year old that picks up chairs and throws them, what if the next time its someone's Ipad? And, what is with this new way to access the internet? They will not be able to access facebook or twitter but yes to YouTube! Tell me there is no way for my 9 yr old to see naked videos. Tell me she can't see any snuff films? How about video game walk throughs for violent games? Yeah, ok.
Here is a place my paranoid mind goes. Doesn't the Ipad have a webcam? Ridley says they will not activate it but how do we really know they are not watching?? What about for that matter, child predators that may be have to hack into the Ipad via the internet and watch your child? Take photos from the camera? Disgusted yet?
Here is my #1 reason for being against this. Ridley wants all students to have one but will not take responsibility in any way. They expect the parents to shoulder the responsibility burden, while the device still belongs to Ridley. Its like "here, you must stay in my house, follow my rules, pay the rent, fix anything you break, but its not yours it is still mine!" Would you say, "ok!"?? Yeah right, but Ridley expects that from each Ridley parent. The child MUST have an Ipad, the parent MUST pay a fee and take responsibility, Ridley MUST do nothing. I dropped my own IPad several times and cracked it twice just in the first year! What do you think a child will do? So it worked with the focus groups? Probably heavily monitored too. Kids break rules, kids test boundries. That is how they learn what is right and wrong is by making mistakes. There is no way to say this pretty, it is simply wrong. The problem is too many parents are all like, "oh, my child will need it to complete some homework that will be graded? Then I have to let them have it. And $30 to buy insurance against accidents? Ok, here's my $30." But unfortunately parents, the $30 doesn't protect much. And only the first incident. My family can't afford $30, $30 some weeks is enough to buy my family of four groceries for a week! Yes, last week without having to buy breakfast and lunch for my youngest I spent $33 and change for one week's groceries. So to me, $30 is ALOT!
Lets not forget about the 'hold harmless' agreement every parent will have to sign at Back to School night before their child can even use it in school. Can we all guess what that will say?
So to sum up, My kid NEEDS an iPad for homework which will be graded.
I am solely responsible for anything that happens to the iPad.
I will pay any fees that Ridley deems appropriate
I have NO guarantee my kid will be protected from inappropriate content.
The iPad belongs to Ridley and NOT my kid
I am sorry Ridley, that is too much responsibility for my child. I will not allow her to take responsibility for YOUR property.
Sincerly,
Angry Mom
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