schools

School starts on Monday for the rest of the gang! Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to work and remember that the streets will be filled with kids once again making their way to & from school. Also, if you have to pass a school in the morning and after work, plan your route wisely so if you can avoid a traffic jam for those parents who are picking up their kids from school. My other advice, get to bed a little earlier and wake up a little earlier. Prep the night before for the next day. It helps.. Have a great week everyone & blessings to the kids for a safe and exciting new school year.

With many colleges in full swing right about now, many of my friends have been blown away with the cost of sending their kids to college. Ah hello, a college education has never been on sale or considered a luxury to have with most families and people out there. In fact, some students never even make it past the high school parking lot do to the inflating cost of a college education. With that being said, here’s some food for thought. If you’re a parent, it’s never to late to start that college fund for your children. Recently I was invited to help come up with a swimming pool layout for a family I know. Incidentally, this is the same family that was complaining to me about the cost of sending their oldest to college. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help but think. Didn’t you have a college fund set up at the birth of your oldest. Hmm.. And wouldn’t be better to think about investing in your child’s education than to put in a pool in at your home. Sure, a pool is nice to have, but sending your kids to college would be even a better idea. I guess I’m just incredibly crazy here, but I always thought that the responsibly on being a parent doesn’t stop when the kid turns 18 years old. I always thought that as a parent, we are obligated to make sure that your children are able to continue their education if they decide to do so after high school. I always thought that being a parent is a life time obligation and it’s up to us to set an example for future family generations to come. But heck, what do I know? I am not a parent. I have no kids!

Dear Friends and Patrons of the Arts,

Riverbank High School Drama Students are desperately in need of emergency funding to secure their spot at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland next summer. This is a huge opportunity and honor for them. Under the direction of RHS Drama Teacher Stacy Blevins, RHS Drama was awarded one of 8 spots by the American High School Theatre Festival (AHSTF) judges.

Investing in Our Kids in Modesto
Recently our company was invited back for the Modesto City School’s “Junior High School-to-Career Exposition." It was held at our beautiful downtown area at the Center Plaza. This event was not only an honor for my company to be part of, but a thrill to be able to give back something for the kids that will be building our future for tomorrow. There was over 135 companies and more than 1,600 8th grade students in attendance at the event. The bus loads came in every 45 minutes and the kids where full of questions and very much enthused on being there. As an employer, it was refreshing to talk to and answer the questions from all of the students. For example; Where do you get a work permit, where can a person of my age work, and what is a resume? The students walked around the Expo with a Q&A assignment sheet and asked each individual employer valued questions pertaining that particular job or career. Many expeditors had hands on booths such as American Medical Response, Modesto Fire Department and Aikido Martial Arts. The students where able to get the feel of wearing a Fire Fighter Uniform, Explore the inside of The an Ambulance and get learn the Art of Aikido from a Master of Martial Arts. Being a DJ, “The Quake Mobile DJ," I had a hands one booth where I was able to teach the students how to mix music as well as emphasized how my college degree in Sociology and Computer Science helped me in my business. This expo was truly a great way to reach out to our children and a great way for me to give back to my community I care so much for. Some of the Junior High Schools that attended where La Loma, Mark Twain and Roosevelt. Some of the Companies that where there ranged from the American Red Cross, Dot Foods, Caltrans, E&J Gallo Winery, Memorial Medical Center, as well as Adrian’s Beauty College and Our National Weather Services. If you would like to get information on how you can help make a different in our community and in our students. Please contact The Modesto City School, Elda Martinez at 209 576-4011 and invest in your future here in Modesto.

Reiterating this hoping it will it stick

I have been keeping up with the budget troubles effecting our Modesto City Schools and yes, I’m hearing lots of legitimate concerns and loads of belly aching. Still I am not hearing one of the most important issues here, for example what will help and where do we get the money to keep these programs and job positions alive! It’s obvious that the money has to come from somewhere, and I don’t agree with Mr. Steve Grenbeax, living dangerously is not an option in my favor. I think if we all put our heads together, perhaps we might be able to figure out where to get the money for these budget problems in our schools. Mr. Tom Changon said it best, “If we had this many people show up in Sacramento it might make a difference.‿ Still, the money has to come from somewhere. Clearly, the biggest losers here are the kids.

The Bee is reporting this morning that as temperatures rise, clothing seems to be getting skimpier at local schools. There must have been a serious investigative reporter out on this assignment! Will they send this reporter to the lakes this year to look for swimsuits?