LEAPing for Oberlin

And here's another way I keep busy - being webmaster for the Oberlin City School's levy campaign (vote happens May 8th). Passage of the levy will provide the funding for a "Laptop computer program that will put a high quality laptop, a robust software suite, first rate communications tools, and 24-7 access in the hands of every Langston Middle School and Oberlin High School student while improving technology support at Eastwood and Prospect Elementary Schools." We first passed a levy specifically for technology 10 years ago and again 5 years ago. The difference this time is we're asking for double the money and it will be a continuing levy instead of being renewed every 5 years. And more than half the students in our district will get laptops to use at school and home starting the fall of 2008. To read more information and to see the website click on LEAP for Oberlin.

Independent Study Fair Projects

I've been busy. This was the week our 4th, 5th, and my 6th graders presented their independent study projects at the annual independent study fair for teams of judges (made up of local community members, teachers, administrators, and parents). 44 projects, all started in November and exhaustively researched. To view the projects click here. Probably one of the better examples would be Andrew's "Blacksmithing" project or Lucy's "Motown" project. But there are plenty others well worth checking out. And if you want to see a rather large collection of photos (mostly mine) taken showing the preparation and final event just click here. This is what I do.

Kitchen Redux

Kitchen Redux

We're having a little minor repair work done in our kitchen. A door put on a cabinet that was original left off to give the dogs a place to have their water dish (didn't work out as the dogs preferred their dish on the floor and it didn't really make sense to have a dish of water sitting inside a cabinet) and a slight adjustment to the side counter which was sagging slightly in the center. The slight adjustment required some support material under the counter and some glue and a clutch of clamps to help the glue set. Tomorrow the clamps come off and the counter becomes laser-level - or so we've been told. We're using the same contractor that did the original kitchen work so I figure this is like taking the kitchen in for routine maintenance. Click on the photo above to see more shots of the clamped counter.