Christmas Miracles
“People don't want children to know what they need to know. They want their kids to know what they ought to need to know. If you're a teacher you're in a constant battle with mildly deluded adults who think the world will get better if you imagine it is better. You want to teach about sex? Fine, but only when they're old enough to do it. You want to talk politics? Sure, but nothing modern. Religion? So long as you don't actually think about it. Otherwise some furious mob will come to your house and burn you for a witch.”
― Nick Harkaway, The Gone-Away World
As we get older we tend to forget, Christmas is a time for the whimsical and not the practical. The whole holiday is rooted in the magical despite our best efforts to douse it in the practical. It's a time for science to take a back seat.
The years pass, and we try to bend the holidats to our will, instead of embracing them.
We set strict budgets, and shop early in order to adhere to those budgets. Gift cards are distributed because who has the capacity to actually think about another person and risk giving the wrong gift. The antithesis of the pirit of gift giving.
Holiday decorating becomes another chore to be outsourced, while we fret over how we are going to survive the onslaught of relatives who possibly hold different views then our own. We scour online articles that purport to give insight into navigating this difficult time, instead of just realizg that the time is short and may be fun.
Yes for some it is a very difficult time, and that should be acknowledged, but even for them, magic still exists, even if it's marginalized by life's challenges.
In the spirit of "let the first without sin cast the firsat stone", I'll acknowledge that I often fall into the aforementioned traps, and was well on my way this year.
"Have you seen the price of these tickets?"
It was a Monday morning text from my high school freshman son referencing the price of tickets for the upcoming college playoff game in State College. I know, it was a school day and he shouldn't have been texting, but I'm grateful he was.
"Think we could go?" read the follow up text.
Mind you, we live in Nashville, nearly 700 miles from State College, PA. I was also facing a layoff period that lasted annually from mid-December to early January. Finances needed to be tightly managed.
I flashed back to when my father was still alive. My life choices were always a mystery to him, and there wasn't a lot we could talk about after leaving home. I was forever the rebel with out a clue and he the eternal stick in the mud.
The Venn Diagram was two seperate circles with only a slight overlap, Penn State Football. The one subject we could always talk freely about.
During the season, I would call after every game and we would rehash plays and lament missed opportunities freely. It was the bridge that held together our tenuous relationship. I miss those conversations.
My son, over the last few years has embraced the legacy of Penn State Football. It's one of those mysteries of life. I've not pushed it but he's grown to be as big a fan as I, and it brings me joy.
"Sure", I responded to his text without fully thinkning it through. That not thinking it through thing would prove to be a theme for the entire excursion.
I immediately went over to StubHub, and bought two tickets in the upper deck for $94 a piece. I thought it was a good deal, even with the additional $75 in fees tacked on. In hind sight, I should have talked to my sister first.
An hour later I called her. The aim was to let her know we were coming and asking if we could stay with her and my mother that weekend.
"Should have told me before you bought tickets". She said, "I've got a friend selling tickets down in the bowl."
"How much", I asked.
"$200 per."
"Too rich for my blood."
"How about we do this." She proposed, "I'll buy Peter's, get one for myself, and you owe me for the third. Eight dollars more for much better seats."
I told her to go ahead and do it, figuring I could easily resell my recently purchased tickets. After all, this was the first ever playoff game in State College.
That was the first of many miscalculations. Ticket prices plunged over the next week, and I was only able to recoup half of what I spent.
Travel was the next obsticle that had to be over come. Initially we were going to drive, but that became less of option once I realized that Peter had finals all the way up until the day before the game. Also there was a basketball game the night before the playoff game.
That might seem like a frivolous concern, except if you are a freshman athelete scraping to make your name and secure playing time. Luckily, that turned out to be a varsity only game.
The idea of driving 12 hours before attending the game did not feel like an attractive option, but alas seemed to be our only choice. Till the phone rang.
It was an old friend of mine who I seldom see anymore. His kids were grown, mine were still young. This is how it works when you have adult friendships.
"I saw where you are tryting to get up to the Penn State game." He said.
"Yea, looking like we are going to drive it." I replied.
"That's a long ride at your age."
"Easy pal."
He chuckled before saying, "I don't know if you remember, but about 20 something years ago you were working downtown. I was fighting with my then wife, and I was down there drunk and broke. had no idea where I was going to stay the night. You pulled out fifty dollars and told me to see if I could find a hotel room up the street."
"I have no recollection of that", I said. "Obviously those were cheaper times."
He laughed, and then continued, "Well I remember. I don't have money to pay for your tickets, but I do have airline points. I'd like to get your tickets to Philadelphia."
"I'm not too proud to say no, but i have to ask, you are not going to use them?"
"Well, I was going to use them to fly to Scotland in the spring to play golf, but the wife told me if I did, she'd divorce me."
"So you are not flying to Scotland?"
"I'm not flying to Scotland.
Just like that, another piece of the puzzle fell into place.
We'd fly to Philly on Friday, rent a car and drive to my Mom's two hours away. We'd stay there over night before leaving to the game Saturday morning - about 2 hours away - returning after the game. On Sunday night we'd fly out of Philadelphis for home.
It was the perfect plan.
I have to interject here. My mother and I are often at odds with each other. My failure to graduate from college broke her heart and I will forever pay a price for that. Still, when this trip was conceived, seeing her was a prime consideration. There was no way I was going to show up two hours away and not make plans to see her. Just not cut from that cloth.
Suddenly everything was in place. An idea that seemed impossible a week ago, was suddenly coming to fruition.
Admittedly I fretted about money, and if we'd have enough. On the way to the game, the universe and generous souls once again intervened. Several hundred dollars showed up in my Venmo unexpectedly and unanticipated. More it looked like a preordained outcome was transpiring.
The game was everything that was anticipated. My son was impressed by the size of the stadium, the traditions of the university, and the victory of the team.
It was cold and our feet were freezing throughout the game, but it didn't matter. We did see a man wearing overalls with no shirt. After the game, he confirmed that he was freezing, something we suspected based on his purplish hue.
The last hicup arrived when we went to return the rental car.
I had mistaenly rented from a location off site from the airport with a Monday return time. This location was closed on Sunday and had no after hours drop box. Compounding the issue, we had an Altima with an intelligent key that prevented the locking of the keys in the car. apparently the key was more intelligent then me.
With a flight time fast approaching, and having already sent one Uber away, we ended up parking in the lot under a light and a camera and tossing the keys in the car with an unlocked driver side door. The fear of auto theft in the forefront of my mind.
My nervousness must have been apparent, as we tried to navigate the airport to our soon departing flight, my son commented, "Man your a wreck."
"Yea", I responded. "I really don't feel like buying an Altima when the rental car gets stolen."
It'll be fine, he reassured me, while navigating our route, causing me to reflect on just how much he had matured and how close the time was that he'd no longer need me to help navigate life. I was filled with pride and sadness simultaneously.
We arrived back safely in time for Christmas Eve and enjoyed a fantastic holiday. One made more memorable by, to quote an old AA trope, letting go and letting god.
Please don't get caught up in the religous reference. Trust me, I'm more of a heathen then most of you. Still, there is a lot to be said for giving up control and trusting that if you take the right steps, things will turnout the way they are supposed to turn out.
Whether this trip constitutes a Christmas miracle or not is dependent on the eye of the beholder.
In my eyes, it was an unqualified miracle. That's one of the changes in my outlook that came about after my stint in rehab several decades ago.
While there, I realized just how many people claimed to have never experienced a miracle. It's my opinion is that scarcity lies in the definition of a miricle and not in their existence.
Thank you God, Allah, Vishnu, or the universe for once again encouraging me to embrace the magic of the season.
A lesson that shouldn't be relegated to just the holiday season.
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It was never my intention to go on so long about my holiday adventure, but let's squeeze a little news in.
Under the guise of propitious intentions the Tennessee Department of Education last week released school letter grades for Tennessee school districts. Per usual it's a load of bullshit.
“The 2023-24 State Report Card provides valuable insights into the performance of public schools and districts across Tennessee, giving families and communities the tools they need to advocate for their students,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “We are especially proud of the schools that performed highly on the School Letter Grades and are moving the needle for kids, and we encourage all Tennesseans to actively engage and contribute to the ongoing success of all our schools.”
Right, nothing says we care about students and families like the release of this data just prior to the Christmas holiday.
Local news outlets immediately began to dig into what the data means.
They are missing the point. The better question is, what are parents and teachers supposed to do with this data released at the end of the first semester of school?
Seeing that grades are based almost completely on a test that was given nine months ago, what's the relevance?
Students have 12 years guarenteed formal education, if this data is truly in their interest why isn't provided prior to a student burning another school year?
Lastly, who is paying attention this close to Christmas? Peoiple are caught up in holiday festivities, they are not sacrificing precious time to analize the opinions of a department who's head spends minimal time in Tennessee, let alone in Tennessee public schools.
Now, seeing as the State General Assembly convenes in less then a month, its hard not to cynically assume that the pupose of the timing of release isn't to provide state leaders with an argument to grow the state's voucher program next year.
A suspicion only amplified by the timing of a second TNDOE press release touting gains in the state's existing ESA program.
“The ESA program provides eligible Tennessee families with added opportunity in finding the best educational environment for their students,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “This report shows families are satisfied with the educational opportunities afforded by the program, and we are encouraged by the academic performance of the students participating.”
Among the Departments talking points:
Participation in Tennessee’s ESA program grew by 362% in its second year, with 2,088 students enrolled in non-public schools using ESA funds.
An overwhelming 99% of participating families reported satisfaction with the program, reinforcing the value of providing parents with educational options.
ESA students achieved a 4-point increase in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency and a 6-point increase in Math proficiency on the TCAP between 2022-23 and 2023-24.
ESA students in Memphis-Shelby County outperformed public school students in ELA and matched their proficiency in Math, while economically disadvantaged students in the ESA program outperformed their public school peers in ELA and Math.
Nearly half (49%) of ESA participants identify as Black or African American, and 43% as White, showcasing the program’s broad reach.
Yep...tis the season. The season to engage in the endless debate over state sponsored school vouchers.
Just one last thing to bring to your attention. The last few weeks have shown Governor Bill Lee out pounding the drumfor increased school choice options. For the most part, despite his relentless harping, he's been a one man band.
Oh sure, Speaker Sexton chimes in with a chorus periodically and State Senator Jack Johnson of Franklin has supplied a little harmony on occasion, but for the most part, it's been the Lee solo record.
Maybe that'll change once things officially convene, but I'm growing increasingly skeptical.
This feels a whole lot like dead bill walking.
- - -
Been hearing rumbles for months now about questionable bonuses awarded to Metro Nashville Public School principals by the head of the department of School of Innovation. While I've confirmed the bonuses, the criteria for the awaerd has remained elusive.
Not every principal received a bonuses, but for those who did, it was pften in double digits. For example, one High School principal received $9750 at the end of each semester. Thart's almost $20K for the school year. It was listed as a retention bonus.
That's a nice bonus, especially considering that the proncipal was alreay making $145k a year. This "retention" bonus apparently wasn't effective because the recipient is now an execitive director making $159 annually. Ironically, that promotion is essentially a 5k pay cut.
That's just one example. Makes it easy to see why there are questions. Questions that continue to go unanswered. Including why were teachers not eligible for similar bonuses. or were they?
This week those questions got ratched up. In a letter to the MNPS school boards, Tonisha Cook, M.Ed., Office of Innovation Grant Coordinator shared a letter she had written to Human Resources. in that letter, she addresses questions around the bonuses.
"I apologize for sending this email so late. I am not able to sleep due to my anxiety level being so high. Two situations have been brought to my attention and I need it documented that I brought them to your attention. The first situation was a meeting that Chief Perry had with the principals last week.
The EDs and Dr. Battle were also present at the meeting. Chief Perry spoke about the email I sent to principals in response to their inquiries regarding the criteria for the principal bonuses. Chief Perry instructed them to not contact me anymore and to only speak to her. Documents provided as part of my grievances proved that Chief Perry misappropriated TAG 3 grant funds by giving bonuses to non CSI principals last school year. Chief Perry withheld that information from me. I found out because she contacted ED Wright to move the expenses from the TAG grant to ESSER. He forwarded me the list of names with the amounts to verify that it was correct. There were also two principals that received multiple bonuses. One of the principalswho received multiple bonuses told another principal who did not receive a bonus which caused the principals to question why they did not receive one. My understanding is that they were told by Chief Perry that they did not meet the criteria."
The veracity of these charges is yet to be determined, but it should be noted that Perry is reportedly no longer responsible for grants. That duty has been moved to Chief Chin.
We'll continue watching this unfold, though I doubt it will be on the agenda for any upcoming board meeting.
One thing I would like to offer, is to caution Ms. Cook to protect herself professionally and mentally. There is precedent of multiple instences where Dr. Battle and her team to have shown a willingness to protect themselves at all costs.
Buckle up, between this and a lawsuit filed against MNPS by LEAD Academy - which we'll discuss more in the future - 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the attorney. Let's not forget there is still another lawsuitr pending as well. That one, barring any compromise, goes to trial this summer.
Wonder if all this is going to translate to a budgert line in this year's district budget.
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