Sunday, October 25, 2009

Is the National Emergency a ploy for health care reform?

The declaration of a national emergency of the H1N1 virus known as the swine flu is this part of an elaborate plan to get the country in a panic over the H1N1 virus. When people panic they do not use their critical thinking skills to uncover the actual purpose of the actions taking place. We are questioning the motives of the government on several levels.

Currently, they are unable to get the health care reform passed even with the Democratic having control. One theory is if they can create enough fear people will feel the need to have this universal health care. Unfortunately, when people think logically the health care like what is proposed would actually kills more people. The reason the vaccine was able to be dispensed in the timely manner that it arrived was because it was channeled through the private sector.

The other theory is it a simple diversion for the administration away from the economy. We highlight the potential underlining motives to insure that as American we have not forgotten the critical thinking skills that we learned in school. Look below the surface message.

We are following this issue and safety of the H1N1 vaccine too so say tune.

Swine flu national emergency

President Barack Obama declared the swine flu as a national emergency on Friday night and it was announced on Saturday. This declaration allows the Secretary of Health and Human services, Kathleen Sebelius, the authority to by-pass the federal rules for opening alternative care sites. These alternatives hospital care sites would be care centers at schools, community centers if the hospital seeks permission and other off-site locations.

The idea is to minimize the number of people infected. Hospitals are opening drive-thru and drive up facilities to keep flu patients out of the traditional emergency room. This change was a financial concern because typically if the treatment is done off-site it is not reimbursed under the federal guidelines. This declaration answers that financial issue of treatment off-site by allowing payment with authorization.

H1N1 vaccine clinics were open Saturday, October 24, 2009 for all high risk categories in several locations in Maricopa County. During, the clinics yesterday the supply of H1N1 vaccine was depleted. Maricopa Health Department does expect to receive additional H1N1 vaccine.

Until additional H1N1 vaccine is received here are some hints to reduce the spread of the flu at home; cough/sneeze in elbow, wash your hands, drink plenty of liquids and individuals in the high risk categories should consider the vaccine. Prevent the spread of the flu by teaching your children good hygiene, keep sick children home and consider the flu vaccine. These practices will help to keep our schools healthy.

Baby Einstein refund

The Baby Einstein offered the extension of the refund policy in a press release on September 4, 2009. The refund allows families to get a refund of $15.99 on up to four Baby Einstein titles that were purchased between June 5, 2004 and September 4, 2009 is eligible.

The corporation decided to allow the consumers to determine whether they were satisfied with the quality of the products offered. These actions were lead by Susan Linn who asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to question the claim that Baby Einstein is educational. The FTC brought no action because they do not claim to be educational. Susan Linn continued her attacks on the company with the recent media blitz.

In response, Baby Einstein Susan McLain, the General Manager, of the Baby Einstein Company wanted to set the record straight and state that the company stands behind its products. This extended refund policy is a demonstration of the strength of the products. The refund policy allows the consumer to make the choice.

When we reviewed several of the Baby Einstein DVD’s, it was determined that they can be an effective tool in teaching your child. The same way a pencil can be used in teaching your child to write. If you simply hand your child a pencil that does not mean they can write. Children learn in several different formats. Parents should never think that a single product can be all things to all children. It is essential for children to learn in an interactive environment. The television should never be substituted for the parent reading and actively talking to the child. Again, the content of several of the titles have value and merit, but not as a stand alone tool in education.

Pregnancy test given to 12 year old at school

The allegation that a 12 year old girl at Seven Hills Middle School, in Nevada City was given a pregnancy test by the school counselor last spring was confirmed. (The parents did not authorize the pregnancy test.) This confirmation was received when another student came forward and confirmed that the student was forced to take the pregnancy test.

In order, to protect the privacy of the 12 year old girl she is being identified as C.R. in the court documents. The attorneys at Pacific Justice Institute are representing her in the lawsuit against the counselor and school district alleging the violation of the federal and state privacy rights. The school did not allow her to consult her parents or medical provider prior to giving the test.

The staff attorney from the Pacific Justice Institute Matthew McReynolds stated, “We have always felt the evidence in this case is compelling, and last week’s testimony by a former classmate with no stake in this lawsuit confirms our suspicions. We are also concerned that there may be more victims who have yet to come forward.”

Once again the rights of parents are being trampled by a school district. The PJI is continuing to protect the rights of parents. Brad Dacus, the president of PJI stated, “This case could have been quickly resolved at the outset with a simple apology and policy change. Since the school district has chosen to deny any wrongdoing, we will continue to fight to ensure that what happened to this 12-year-old girl never happens again in this or any other California school district.”

We will continue to monitor this case.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Daycare licensing fee increase and the affect on education

Daycare licensing change and the affect on education

The daycare licensing change would increase the daycare operator licensing fees. This increase in licensing fees could result in the increase in daycare fees for the children. Many parents will not be able to afford the increase in daycare fees. The child’s inability to attend preschool would influence a child’s academic achievement. The change in licensing fees could have a dramatic affect on a child’s development.

The daycare licensing fees proposed increase is huge. This increase is illustrated below;

1. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 5 to 10 children, $58;
2. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 11 to 59 children, $222;
3. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 60 to 99 children, $458;
4. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 100 to 149 children, $738; or
5. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 150 or more children, $1,344.

1. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 5 to 10 children, $581;
2. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 11 to 59 children, $2,218;
3. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 60 to 99 children, $4,578;
4. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 100 to 149 children, $7,380; or
5. For a child care facility with a licensed capacity of 150 or more children, $13,442.

This information was taken from the Arizona Department of Health website.

We reviewed an article in the September/October issue of the journal of Child Development. This article revealed that the importance of having a good preschool curriculum from 6 months old to 3 or 4 years old. The article identified how critical it is for child to have a good preschool education. This foundation prepares the children for elementary school and their academic career.

We should attend the Arizona Department of Health Services public hearing October 27 in Phoenix and October 29 in Tucson. Let them know how you feel about this issue.

Harvey Milk's day and California's curriculum

The Harvey Milk Day was signed by Governor Schwarzenegger last Sunday. Last year he vetoed the bill honoring Harvey Milk. Since, President Obama awarded Milk the Presidential Medal of Honor and the film of Milk’s life was Academy award winning According to Aaron McLear, Schwarzenegger’s spokesperson, President Obama award of the Medal of Honor to Milk and Academy award for his film influenced Schwarzenegger’s decision. This bill will affect the curriculum taught in the public schools of California.

Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed that each May 22 as Harvey Milk Day. This will not be a state holiday. Yet it does encourage public schools to create lessons to inform students of the life of Harvey Milk. Equality California will develop curriculum for schools and teachers. (Equality California is the largest gay rights organization.) The Campaign for Children and Families opposed the bill and they encourage parents to take their children out of anti-family public schools.

The bill is SB 572, states that all future governors must proclaim May 22nd as Harvey Milk day, “and would designate that day as having special significance in public schools and educational institutions and would encourage those entities to conduct suitable commemorative exercises on that date.” Unfortunately, the bill does not include an opt-out for parents that do not want their children to focus on Harvey Milk all day. The bill does include all grade levels.

Whether you want your children to participate or not as a parent you should always have the right to opt-out. We will continue to monitor the curriculum being taught to our children. It is important to watch the changes that in the curriculum being taught to our students.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Childhood literacy

Reading to children is essential for long term literacy. The survey commissioned by the Pearson Foundation discovered that parents are not aware of the importance of early childhood literacy. Literacy includes the child’s ability to recognize letters, letters that make words, the difference between the front of a book from the back and the fact that you read from left to right. When we are not aware of the importance of the early literacy we really affect the child’s future.

According to the survey many people believe that even if the student starts off behind they are able to catch up during their elementary years. Unfortunately, this is not true for the majority of students. Especially if the students are from low-income homes compared to the more affluent students. The key is early intervention in assisting with the preparation of reading literacy.

Jumpstart, Pearson Foundation and Walmart are sponsoring a Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign. The other corporate sponsors of the event are American Eagle and Sodexo. This campaign is designed to increase the awareness of the literacy for our children. This campaign raises money to provide preparation for low-income children to be equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in school.

The book for the 2009 Read for the Record is a limited edition from the Philomel Books classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This book will be sold in Walmart today October 8, 2009. All the net proceeds will be donated to Jumpstart from the sale of the book. Jumpstart’s Read raise over $3 million to assist children in being prepared for success in school over the past three years. They have also donated over 500,000 books to children in need.

"Access to books, especially quality literature, is one of the major factors of early educational success for children, and Walmart is committed to doing our part to communicate this important message," said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. "From our associates who are reading in Walmart stores on October 8th, to customers who support Jumpstart by buying The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Walmart, we're helping to instill a love for reading in children, planting seeds for later success."

Today in Walmart’s across the country The Very Hungry Caterpillar will be sold to assist children in being prepared for school.