Nephew Pictures

My brother sent down a batch of photos. Here are a few of Sam.

Milton Spring Clean-up

Tony, Roy, and Lenny helped me clean the Capitol Theater Lot on Saturday. Sadly, more cigarette butts than weeds.

Good news - By the time we were done, the site looked great and is ready for the summer.

eggbrosinc.com logo?

messages

This is one of those serendipitous moments that lets me know that God does try to give us messages. I recently posted a poem by Darrell Scott.

Yesterday, my boss brought back information about our schools re-authorization process. Although we are a private alternative educational placement, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education still 'approves' our program.

Start with an insane list of data. Insane because we must go back three years into our old records and pull out information that we were never tracking because the decision to track this information was just made - oh, and by the way, we are going to so poorly phrase the directions for data collection that most of the information is going to be useless because the different programs collecting it are going to record it in different ways. For example --

"C. Average Daily Attendance for AEDY student population at every grade level."

What? How do you calculate this? From the FAQ --

Q: For data reporting purposes, how should AEDY programs determine “Average Daily Attendance?”

A: Average Daily Attendance should be calculated by taking the daily attendance of your student population by grade level (# of students you have in school that day by grade level) and dividing by the daily membership (# of students your AEDY program serves by grade level, even if they are absent that day).

That looks like the formula for a percentage. Not an average!!!

How about these two items.

M. Of the number of students in column B, how many at every grade level passed all 4 core content subjects (science, math, English, and social studies) while in your program?

N. Of number of students in column B, how many at every grade level passed at least 3 of 4 core content subjects (science, math, English, and social studies) while in your program?

Do I recount the students who passed 4 core content subjects for item N? They did pass at least 3 of 4 core content subjects. What if someone else doesn't? Then the data collected is useless. I do not have a problem collecting and submitting data if it is a useful exercise. This is going to be a very time consuming and useless exercise.

AND NOW THE KICKER -- Going back to my original thought. Darrell Scott wrote this poem which I read in the intro to Chuck Norris' autobiography. I post it on my blog. Next day I start reviewing this packet of information regarding the application for our school. The first page I randomly flip to when I get the packet - the first item my eyes fall upon is as follows --

(3) A private alternative education institution shall: . . .(III) Be nonsectarian in all operations and shall not provide any religious instruction, nor shall it display religious objects and symbols on the premises of the institution.

No God - in any form - allowed.

(FYI - 2008/09 AEDY Guidelines)

Like Father; Like Son

Darrell Scott Poem

I finished reading "Against All Odds - My Story" by Chuck Norris. Of course, it was about Chuck Norris. The first item in the book is dedication to Rachel Joy Scott. Rachel was one of the victims of the Columbine shooting. (Rachel Scott Dedication Site).

Her father, Darrell Scott, wrote a poem that Chuck Norris included in the opening of his book. With school starting in just a week, I though it would be appropriate to post it.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage.
You've outlawed simple prayer.

Now gunshots fill our classrooms.
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere.
And ask the question "WHY"?

You regulate restrictive laws.
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand.
That God is what we need!

Supernatural

Dylan and I started watching downloads of Season One of Supernatural. I wasn't sure if I would like what seemed to be a re-hatch of an X-Files like show.

I was wrong. Supernatural has a well maintained feel and flavor. Seventy and Eighties Rock (Led Zep, Metallica, Motorhead, etc.), Big Engine Car (1967 Chevy Impala - that I think is enchanted), Two Brothers, a road trip, and lots of angry spirits (from Urban Legends, Mythology, and Religion).

The show is tied together, episode to episode, with a story involving a yellow-eyed demon that killed the mother of the two main characters (Dean and Sam). Each episode stands well alone as well. To get the full effect, it would, of course, be best to watch all the episodes.

The show is also filled with allusions and references to popular culture. Quotes and references to other movies and TV shows are present in every episode. It adds a level of interactiveness as you try to figure out where a remark by one of the characters came from because you know you have hear what they said somewhere before.

We are about half way through the second season. The new fourth season starts on September 18th. Who would have thought that CW could have created a show as good as The X-Files?

Olympics

I just spent 4 and 1/2 hours watching the opening of the Beijing Olympics. WOW!

I know it was pre-recorded, with the east coast of the US being 12 hours off of China, but ... What a thrill! The opening ceremony was epic. Filled with symbolism, it highlighted the history of China, displaying accolades to the three major religions/philosophies of China. The show then matured and payed tribute to the modern China. With more special effects than Star Wars (including a 500 foot LCD TV)and routines that involved the seamless co-ordination of over 2500 dancers or performers, I was drawn into the spectacle.

Ongoing coverage on any of the NBC channels or,

Yahoo Olympic Coverage or,

MSN Olympic Coverage

New Dot Com - eggbrosinc.com

My brother keeps talking about starting a formal branch of our small projects. We have been calling ourselves "Egg Bros Inc". I decided to buy the .com for a year and see what we can do with our own web presence (other than my blog).

Egg Bros Inc

Vacation Videos

Took the kids to Boston and then New Hampshire. Here are the videos.

50 Books in 50 Weeks Challenge

I have joined the 50 books in 50 weeks challenge. You can check my progress (I'm vain enough to think you might) right here!

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Newest Net Addiction

I like Boggle. I like Scrabble. This "wise old duck" has created an online game, free and plays against real people, that brings the best of both games together. I have been playing every night for about a week. I'm an addict. I'm not as good as some of the long term regulars, but I can hold my own.

The game is called -- ZChurk

Follow the link. I play as kurteeck.

Mom's Eulogy

Mom's eulogy, written by my brother Todd and read at the funeral by long time family friend Dan Danaker.

Sorry about the resolution. I'm working on getting the actual file vs using the scan. In the meantime, click the image to view at a more readable size.



Link to -- I Corinthians 13:1 thru 13




Link to -- I Corinthians 15:50 to 52

March Madness

I don't really follow NCAA Basketball that closely. Nor do many of my colleagues at work. That hasn't stopped us from playing "The Bracket". We are doing the 10 points for first round, 20 points for second round, thirty points for third round system for scoring. No money. Losers buy winner lunch.

Here are our current scores (first score is 10,20,30,40...second score is based on 10,20,40,80...) --

• Tiff -- 610/760 points
• Carrie -- 680/990 points
  
• Karen -- 670/750 points
  
• Michelle -- 810/1130 points
  
• Kurt -- 940/1680 points

updated 2:18pm on April 1

I'm in a snotty mood and Liz Dietrich is not right

I won't go so far as to say Liz Dietrich is wrong. She asserts in an interview in the Daily Slightem that there is a myth about bad parents. She says --

Liz Dietrich, clinical supervisor, said the agency wants to dispel the “myth of the bad parent.”

“Parents think, ‘My kid is acting this way because of something I did,’ ” she said. “We want to show them it’s not their fault. Some kids have these issues because of a chemical imbalance. You could be the best parent in the world; kids are still going to make mistakes.” (from the Daily Slightem)

Sure, there are families out there who have done everything "right". The parents were good parents. Something is just wrong with the child's wiring. And yes, Concern does a great job with these families (especially with clients who fall into the category of autism spectrum disorders).

However, it is naive to think that all parents are good parents. Sometimes the parents are the fault. Dad is a heroin addict and mom is a welfare leech trading her food stamps for smokes while the kids are running the streets. The kid steals. Why can't we blame the parent?

I think parents should be asking themselves if their child's behavior is a reflection of their parenting. In cases other than those with a true biological abnormality which effects behavior (autism, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders, etc.), the cause must be partly a reflection of parenting.

Where do we learn how to behave, what is acceptable, our moral character? If your children are 'acting out', maybe it is your fault.

A short video in memory of my mom

Carol Eck

Carol Ann Eck, 66, of 442 McElhattan Drive, McElhattan, Pa., went to be with her Lord surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 6, 2008, at her home.

Carol was born August 9, 1941, in Jersey Shore, the daughter of Gordon Glaes and the former Vivian Maffett.

She is survived by her husband, Edward L. Eck, they were united in marriage July 11, 1964, in the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jersey Shore. Ed and Carol purchased a home in Avis. It was at their home in Avis where they raised their two sons, Kurt Edward and Todd Matthew. While raising their children, Carol served as a member of the PTA, was a Den Mother and volunteer in the Scouting program, and a member of several bowling leagues. For many years she was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Jersey Shore.

Carol graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1959 and continued her education at the Williamsport School of Nursing. She practiced nursing throughout her life, initially working in the Maternity ward at Williamsport Hospital. During her career she worked fro Dr. Dunkle, Dr. Nicholas and at Susqueview and Manor Care Nursing Homes. When she left Manor Health Care she was the Assistant Director of Nursing. Carol would want mentioned that it was during this time that she made the acquaintance of Cathy Brooks, also a nurse. Cathy has always been more than a neighbor and Carol recognized her as family. Carol’s sons think of her as their older sister. After Carol retired from nursing, she and Ed moved to McElhattan. She continued to be active, helping with Red Cross Blood Mobiles, distributing food at local churches “Angel and Food Program,” and dressing up for her jaunts with the Red Hatter Society.

She also enjoyed having the time to sit on the front porch of the new home and watch the birds and squirrels play in the multitude of feeders and bird bathes in her front yard. Carols also took care of her pet cat Sparkles. Sparkles was a diabetic and, like Carol, required daily insulin shots. Carol never really retired completely from nursing and never stopped caring for others.

Also surviving are two sons, Kurt E. Eck of Milton and Todd M. (Janine) Eck of Woodsville, New Hampshire, two grandchildren, Daniel L. Bucharski Eck and Samuel V. Eck, one sister, Vivian L. Davis of McElhattan, and one brother, Alan G. Glaes of Avondale, Arizona,

Funeral services will be Monday, March 10, 2008 at 12 p.m. in the Trinity United Methodist Church, corner of Allegheny and Glover Streets, Jersey Shore. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church. Burial will be in the Jersey Shore Cemetery. The Rev. Richard Cartwright, her pastor, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her name to the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore, is in charge of arrangements.

CNN Student News

We (Ms. Carrie and I) have been using CNN Student News every morning with our students.

It has been a very worthwhile endeavor. The students seem to retain a good bit of the information. Most of the students can name the major candidates in the primaries. They all seem to grasp where Iraq and Chad are on the world map. They may be getting smarter. Scary.

To help check for retention, each daily news cast comes with a ten question news quiz. Friday's quiz tests knowledge for news from the entire week. Most students get the answers correct. Sometimes we do get an answer that causes a good laugh. Most recently, two examples stand out.

A question on Monday dealt with the upcoming Super Tuesday Primary. When asked which candidate they would vote for, one student answered with "John McRomney". A hawkish liberal Republican who could balance the budget and capture the Evangelical and LDS vote?

On the same day, the news covered the violence in Chad. The questions on the quiz dealt with the current political situation in Chad and how the violence could lead to many deaths. The United Nations and US intervention were discussed. The final question asked the students to explain what they thought would happen if no-one intervened. I enjoyed, being a sarcastic and sardonic personality myself, one of the students answers. He explained that if the violence continued, there would be a lot fewer starving people in Africa. (Waa waa waaa)

I can't feel my hands

You know the rest of the jingle --

"I'm freezing at Pee Wee Hockey."

Then dad shows up with Dunkin' Donuts Milky Way Hot Chocolate.

The kids and I fell for the promotion and went to Dunkin' Donuts and bought the Hot Chocolate. They got the Milky Way and I got the traditional Hot Cocoa.

Sorry Double D - not as good as advertised. Mine tasted like burnt Styrofoam and I don't think the boys could discern any Milky Way Carmelness in their drinks. Kudos for a good advertising campaign though. We got pulled right in to the excitement and you got my money.

Finished Painting

The classroom has been painted. We still have a few items to finish.


I didn't get the border for the wall screen painted out yet, but you can see where it is by the blue painters tape.



I've also put an American Flag behind my desk. I'll get a picture of that up later.



After we add a few more plants, I think we will be ready to start the exclusion room.