We live in such a great neighborhood. Halloween was so fun this year with all the little trick or treaters coming to the door and the kids had a blast. Hilary came over to hand out candy, which puzzled me until I remembered that my sister lives in a house on a very steep street, up which no little ghost would dare to climb. She's never really had the fun of opening the door to see all the little princesses and superheros. I don't know how many kids we had (mom always counts, but I get distracted) but it was probably around 80-100.
Suzanne went to a couple of houses, but she really had more fun with Hilary. They opened the door and gave out candy and Suzanne waved and giggled all evening long. Whenever the doorbell rang, she'd run down the hall yelling "Door! Door!" We didn't have dinner until around 8p.m. because neither one of the kids could sit still long enough. The weather was mild and a good time was had by all.
The next day Suzanne had her parent teacher conference. She is at the head of her class in the areas of knowing the class routine, moving to different tasks, and following instructions. She is learning her colors, she can count to five, and she is now able to say two word sentences. It turns out that her teacher started her career in special ed, which is why she is so in tune to what Suzanne needs. In fact, this is the first year that Washougal has practiced inclusion at the preschool level, and Mrs. Stump is the reason for that. You can find good teachers everywhere--even in little old Washougal!
Speaking of teachers, I'd like to talk about school funding. Most school districts are underfunded. Teachers do not get paid what they are worth. Washougal was finally able to put P.E. back in the grade school curriculum this year, but just barely. Kirk has been in a class size of 25 or more each year, which makes it hard for the teacher to give good individualized instruction. Parents are called upon more and more to fill in as teacher's assistants in reading and math. Quite frankly, if there is any measure on the ballot that increases funding to schools, you should vote for it. The way that we expect schools to get by on a shoestring is deplorable. Let me ask you this--do your want your future doctor, the person who saves your life, to be the smartest kid or the one who who didn't get to take chemistry? Do you want your house to be built by the kid who flunked out or the kid who can do geometry so that your walls are straight and your roof doesn't cave in? Take your pick. The money that you put into your schools today will be paid back to you as these kids grow up well educated and with a desire to do great things in life.
Okay, I'm done now. Back to our regular programming...
