Community, and what do teachers need? Funds are tight...

The open mic/ featured guest event at The Frost Place was so much fun yesterday! It turned into a jam session, and believe me, folks are talented. I was so worried that the torrential rain would keep folks away, but nope-- we had a full house. This is heartening. It just proves we all need a positive community to belong to, if only for an hour or so once a week.

And here we are, another week cresting the horizon. I'm hopeful of getting in the pool at least a couple of times this week, and I have PT scheduled for a couple of times, too. I am trying to gain some real mobility and less pain-- it's a slow process, to be honest. I get the feeling that I need to really focus on my physical health; mental health and spiritual health are things I can work on, but I've let my physical self go, and it is humbling. However, I am making gains, so that's positive.

Because I'll be back at work in one month. 

I read today that NH Gov. Ayotte has declined to join a list of other states that are suing the federal government for the with-held (and very necessary) education funding. That means if the other states win, they get their promised money, and NH will not. That is mind-boggling. Speaking for one of the poorer school districts in the state, I'm nonplused as to why she wouldn't fight for us, especially since the state government has made it ridiculously complicated to get funding. Taxpayers should be pretty pissed. I suspect they don't know, or care-- we are all getting news fatigue. 

So, no one knows how some of the critical roles will be paid for, and programs will suffer. Hey, that's just great-- as long as the big businesses below the notch aren't troubled. But Manchester school district is facing a 3 million dollar shortfall due to her inattention to this matter. I think they'll be loud in their irritation. We all should be. I get the feeling she's willing to sit back and wait this whole nightmare out; that way, she can't be accused of thwarting the neo-Conservatives, the businesses, etc. who put her in the corner office. 

To be fair, I'm grateful she vetoed the book ban. But that is not going to pay the bills, is it? Or take care of vulnerable kids. The money she is unwilling to push for is critically necessary; it's not fluff. 

In the meantime, schools across the country will have wish lists-- everything from crayons to paychecks. If your local school could use some toilet paper or tissues, please drop some off. If a teacher you know needs folders or markers, hit up a sale or two and help them out. Teachers spend a lot of their own money for basic supplies-- and as of last tax year, they don't get the 300.00 deduction off their taxes anymore. (Not that it really helped unless you are in a position to itemize....) If schools need to figure out how to fund critical programs, the money will have to be shifted from other things, right? It's really upsetting to feel this undervalued by both federal and state governments. 

That said, we'll figure it out. That's what teachers do, right? But no one had better come cruising through the building and pointing fingers about what is not able to be done. 

If you have any influence on others, please share the idea about donating supplies (or calling elected officials!). Call the local school or a teacher you know, and see what they need, though. Likely, they'll have a list ready. 

Have a good day!

C