Showing posts with label children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label children. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 22: Snow Delays


Yesterday was a teacher in-service day. It's one of those miracle days where we as educators have the chance to sit down and get some work done. Really, it's the one day of the quarter that we don't have to bring a ton of work home to do.

At the end of the day, our principal made the regular announcements...but with a special added twist.

After working hard all day, getting over 100 progress reports and 3 IEPs written, this was nothing short of music to my ears:

"...and, staff, we have a 2 hour delay tomorrow."

The heavens parted. Angels sang. Beams of bright white light shone down upon my school. 

The reality is, it's only 2 hours. Actually, for me, it's one hour because the faculty and staff report an hour earlier than the students. That really doesn't matter, though, because it's the novelty of the time that counts.


That extra hour of sleep is the sweetest hour I will ever have, and on top of that I have ANOTHER hour at work where I can get work done! Just imagine...I can organize my files, finally make those copies I've been needing, clean out my bottom drawer...

On a grander scale, what I am really honoring here is the concept of "found time". The snow delay is really a reminder of how precious time is. The day doesn't get any longer, yet it is "found time". It shows us what a precious gift time is.

Even if you didn't have a snow delay today, I invite you to take a moment and relish in time. Steal a moment and enjoy it's gifts...there are only so many afforded to us so we need to make the most of what we've got!

What would YOU do with an extra 2 hours?

"Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery."  -Bill Watterson

Thursday, January 17, 2013

31 Days, 31 Reasons to be Thankful: January 17: Children

Aside from being a small business owner and artist/jewelry maker, during the day I masquerade as a speech-language pathologist at a suburban elementary school. Friends, I say this and mean it with all my heart:

I LOVE MY JOB

I have never, ever had a day when I woke up and thought, "ugh, I DON'T want to go to work today." That right there is worth all the money in the world.

Nothing brings joy and light into my world quite like my students do. They are hilarious, hands down. I try to keep a mental list of some of the things they say and do. For today's post, here are a few of my favorite "teacher moments"; these are the little rays of sunshine that make my day so much brighter.

Things I never thought I'd ever have to say out loud:
  1. "Don't show your poop to anyone. That is your business."
  2. "We don't lick each other."
  3.  "Mommy's underwear stays at home. She does not like when you bring her private things to school."
  4. "We do not put our feet on other people's lunches."
  5. "You must stay in your space; Johnny (name substituted) can't eat his lunch when you're sitting on him."
I started to share some things that the students say, but that's for another post.

Do you have funny children in your life? What brings you joy?

"Those who educate children well are more to be honored than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well."  -Aristotle

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

14 Local Organizations to Love: 5 Kid-Loving Causes

ABOARD’s Autism Connection of PA provides autism support across the state of Pennsylvania. They offer autism support to parents, including autism support groups, autism resources, and autism conferences and events. They also provide information on the signs and symptoms of autism, getting an autism diagnosis, and applying for medical assistance and health insurance. Finally, they help people with autism by providing information on autism treatments, links to autism research studies, and support groups for people on the spectrum.

Do you have a child newly diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder? Please contact them. They will help you receive the services you need 1-800-827-9385 support@AutismOfPA.org.





The Children's Home of Pittsburgh, established in 1893, is an independent, non-profit licensed organization whose purpose is to promote the health and well-being of infants and children through services which establish and strengthen the family.

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy, The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh can help. They’ve been there for thousands of woman and men in unplanned pregnancies – to listen, to provide support, to help you with your choices, your rights, and to help you find the resources that are available to you.

The Children's Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center is located at 5324 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Contact them at (412) 441-4884.

The Children's Institute is dedicated to promoting the well-being of children, young people and their families and to providing services that meet their special needs. The vision of The Children's Institute is to become a center of excellence in the region and in the nation. The hallmark of The Children’s Institute’s legacy will continue to be an unwavering commitment to children with special needs and their families.

The Children’s Institute
1405 Shady Avenue
Pittsburgh PA 15217-1350
Phone: 412.420.2400

If you have a specific question please review the following Frequently Asked Questions areas of the site; The Hospital FAQs, The Day School FAQs, and Project Star FAQs.

PittsburghKidsPrograms.org now offers Allegheny (and surrounding counties) a one stop shop for parents to use when looking for summer camps and children’s educational programs. They have established a number of programs to help decrease the summer “achievement gap” and alleviate the some of the financial issues faced by Pittsburgh families.

The Scholarship Assistance Program is an advisory program established to assist parents with the camp scholarship application process. Furthermore, they help lessen the obstacles of transportation and meals (for low-income parents.)

The Community Outreach Program is designed to bring educational outreach opportunities to community centers in distressed neighborhoods, and qualified public housing facilities.

The Summer Camp Scholarship Program provides summer camp scholarship opportunities to qualified, low-income students.

They are seeking the support of individuals, public organizations, and private corporations to help finance the above programs. Donate today to help out this wonderful cause!


The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.The Big Brothers Big Sisters program is all about preventing problems among youth by getting to kids early, before destructive behaviors can take root. When a positive, supportive mentor – someone with a different background and perspectives – gets involved in a child’s life, the child often discovers a potential they didn’t know they had. And the child always feels better knowing that someone cares for them. In fact, the rewards are often mutual for both the mentor and child.

They are located at 5989 Penn Circle South, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Contact them at (412) 363-6100, via email at biginfo@bbbspgh.org, and online at www.bbbspgh.org, and "Like" them on Facebook.