Month: February 2009

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Barnum and Bailey Kill 28 Year Tradition for Rocky Hill Elementary

Yesterday I learned that Rocky Hill Elementary school will not be having its annual Clown Day this year instead opting for a reading celebration. This ends a 28 year tradition. I’m still gathering my thoughts for a letter that will be sent to the administration and another to Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey.

…Clown Day started in 1980 when the first graders read a story about circus children. First grade teachers asked Jim Early to bring in circus performers’ children to visit. Mr. Early came with clowns, not children, and thus began a long tradition at Rocky Hill.

… Last year the local marketing company company, who has been faithful to bring the clowns to school, was replaced by a company in Atlanta. We pursued the Atlanta company (who knew nothing about Rocky Hill) about continuing the tradition and they said the circus was going through changes and the only clowns left did not speak English. She conceded and found two Ambassadors of Hope clowns who performed. This year, emails were not returned and the circus has come and gone.

[Source, Letter to 1st grade parents from the first grade teachers]

Clown Day is a well planned event that incorporates all aspects of learning as well as arts. The first graders spend time learning music, physical skills, and the three Rs are incorporated into the activities. Clown Day is not just a day of play and distraction from education. Instead it is a fun way to get the children engaged in education. My daughter has been so excited about Clown Day that she bought a dress for it at the beginning of the year and has avoided wearing it because she doesn’t want it "messed up" before Clown Day. She will be sorely disappointed in this decision.

This decision also breaks a rhythm at the school. Each grade has something "special" and exciting for the children. The Kindergarten students have Turkey Trot. There is the Wax Museum. (I’m drawing a blank on the others). The first grade is now orphaned and seeking their own unique event.

The cancellation of Clown Day is not only a failure on Ringling Bros./Barnum & Bailey‘s part but on the administration of Rocky Hill Elementary including Principal Cory Smith. Clown Day is a well honed operation that works within the curriculum. They have all the equipment and the support of parents. I am befuddled that they did not turn to the Shriner’s for clowns or ask a local clown to come perform. Shoot, if they just want to entertain the kids for 30-45 minutes, I’d put on a show!

Btw, as much as I love the circus, I think my children and I have seen our last Barnum & Bailey show. We will be quite entertained by the Shriner’s Circus from now on.

Related Reality Me posts referencing Clown Day: The day in review • Clown Day • Quoted for Clown Day • Health • Yesterday was my wife’s birthday • Rocky Hill Clown Day • Rocky Hill Clown Day – a big success! • Clown Day • Clown day update • Rocky Hill Clown Day • Clown day update

Posted on by — Leave a comment

State of Me

I’ve had an intense day of coding. I’m going to skip dinner to help a friend support the Epilepsy Foundation by providing an hour’s worth of walk around juggling entertainment at their Mardi Gras event downtown at the Crowne. Then it’s back to code this evening. Considering pulling an all nighter and just seeing if I can kill off my list as rapidly as possible. Sleep is for the weak! Well…sleep is for the sane at least.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Link dump and closing browser windows

I have two styles of posting on Reality Me. One style is to write about my personal experiences and creative writing that comes from with me. The second style is based on external stimulus, generally other stuff I see on the Internet. Frequently when I am writing about my personal experiences (style 1) I will seek out related or supporting information from the Internet. The second style is typically items in the news, politics, or technology and in writing about them I may connect it to a personal experience. As such, the two styles often overlap.

Since life and work do not always permit time for blogging, I sometimes use the non-time sensitive items as scheduled posts that I can write about in my leisure but have them scheduled to appear in a busy time of the day. I used to set aside some Sunday evening time specifically to schedule some interesting content throughout the week. I’m an information junkie and a collector of links. When an interesting link is emailed to me, instant messaged, or Twittered (other ways to contact me), I open it in a new browser window or tab and skim it. Time permitting I may post about it right away, save it to delicious, or just leave it open in the tab. Eventually I get too many tabs and windows open, my computer slows to a crawl, and I either discard everything, or bookmark them for later. Today I’m going to dump them all to this post without lengthy commentary or research. Click "more" to see the link dump. Continue reading Link dump and closing browser windows

Posted on by — Leave a comment

RIAA take that! Artist pays listeners to download the album!

The band Officer Roseland has decided to pay its fans to download their newest album, Stimulus Package. By going to http://www.mystimuluspackage.org/stimulus/ and clicking GIVE Officer Roseland will give $1 to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation then present a download link, or clicking TAKE Officer Roseland will put $1 into a valid PayPal account then present a download link.

Founded in 1996, The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide, in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. [Source, The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation website]

Thanks goes to Ray Camdem for blogging about Officer Roseland.