tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-318813642024-03-05T04:41:56.907+00:00One Dog, A Rooster and a DragonAnd the Only American in the VillageMs.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.comBlogger372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-40761385536198475132012-06-28T12:41:00.000+01:002012-06-28T12:41:35.053+01:00Its Raining, Its Pouring, the old man is snoring..It has been raining in the valley. That is nothing new, it rains a lot here, its what makes England so green (and far too often, gray). Last weekend it rained a month's worth in one day. The valley where I live, from Mytholmroyd to Todmorden was flooded. Since I am on a hill, I felt lucky to only have a small puddle of water in my cellar. But many businesses were devastated by all this water. I am always in awe of water, how it is such a force, the highest force in nature? Its very essence is life giving, and yet it can cause so much destruction. I didn't get out in the midst of it, but here are some superb photos taken by those who did. <a href="http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/news/2012/110.html">http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/news/2012/110.html</a>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-79670455152197759412012-02-09T18:24:00.001+00:002012-02-09T18:24:42.577+00:00Photo Friday<img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/419418_10150547442941794_522336793_9076663_223210993_n.jpg" width="400" />Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-89140236416154019312012-02-07T10:42:00.002+00:002012-02-07T10:49:23.416+00:00Little Box of Delights<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievb9y0JHGEG7OnErFwxmB6RgYkqeYND7XWqTF-N9hxx-JvZzNf6ZLukqCc4e1GrLCgcs7pvPOZ6yE9WaEXppHD034AkioDKx2LSc0-qU0ZLaG1mEb9qDFrlHbgQ4d7uGL-g/s1600/veg+box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievb9y0JHGEG7OnErFwxmB6RgYkqeYND7XWqTF-N9hxx-JvZzNf6ZLukqCc4e1GrLCgcs7pvPOZ6yE9WaEXppHD034AkioDKx2LSc0-qU0ZLaG1mEb9qDFrlHbgQ4d7uGL-g/s320/veg+box.jpg" width="320" /></a>I find myself looking forward to Tuesday mornings, my organic veggie box delivery day. The box is usually sat outside my door waiting for me, like one never-ending Christmas present. The driver starts deliveries at 6am so its often here before I wake up, but today it was late. It is very cold and things are frozen, slowing everybody down. Using a box scheme has been a wonderful way to shift how we eat and our perspective on food. We now eat in sync with the seasons, eat more organic and perhaps most importantly, support local farmers. Having been a vegetarian for something like 14 years or so, I had never (knowingly) eaten Celeriac prior to having this box delivery [embarrassed smile].. Its a fairly common British vegetable, rather gnarly and brainy looking, but apparently originated in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celeriac">Mediterranean basin</a>. Since its part of the celery family- which I have never been a fan of, it doesn't surprise me that I never encountered it before now. I am now using celery more in soups these days and Celeriac chips dipped into baked Camembert is heavenly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.vegbox-recipes.co.uk/image-files/celeriac-197w.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lovely Celeriac</td></tr>
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Having children on the autistic spectrum, eating can be a stressful and troublesome daily event. Thankfully my kids aren't that rigid in their ways, but given the choice would exist on cereal, yogurt and ice lollies--in that order--- breakfast, lunch and dinner. Butternut squash goes down a treat blended in soup, but not so much roasted in chunks. My son was introduced to Thai food at age two (when we still lived in Chicago and had three lovely restaurants within a few blocks of our house) and still has a decent tolerance for spices, and tofu- which surprises everyone! Now its more Indian based curries, that are his favourites. My daughter is also a fairly decent eater and using a box scheme every week has lifted us out of our vegetable rut- that's the broccoli-cauliflower-pepper rut we were in.<br />
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Now we enjoy purple sprouted broccoli, every colour-shape-variety of cabbage, turnips, celeriac, beet root (admittedly still a challenge), leeks, mushrooms, squashes, etc. Each week a recipe is included to help you along, because obviously there's lots of folks coming out of vegetable ruts. If we were meat eaters, locally produced organic meats are also available on the scheme and we also get a dozen organic eggs each week. It gives me a chance to talk about the veggies with the kids-- they usually want to have a look in the box before they leave for school. Its teaching them about what grows around here, and when. The veg comes to us with the soil still on, and they can handle it and know this is how its meant to look. The kids often cringe and complain its dirty, but I tell them we just have to wash it off.<br />
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This is also part of my plan to reduce supermarket consumption. We haven't been able to return to dairy milk again fully (so don't take advantage of the local dairy farm) we still rely on soy milk, and we like our Quorn products -which means we haven't been able to make the supermarket break completely. I make the effort to visit the local market, and topping up weekly in independent shops. Several years ago we were on the box scheme but somehow drifted away from it, and back in the states, we lived near a lovely organic farm which delivered veggies on a box scheme. It seems that now it has sunk in, its feels right on a personal and political level and I enjoy it. For children with autism, eating vegetables that have not been chemically sprayed, and that have more available nutrients is a necessity. As vegetarians where vegetables make up the bulk of our diet it is also a necessity. Sure it does cost a little more to eat organic, but I just balance it out by tightening the budget elsewhere, because our good health is non-negotiable.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-14930279694017353502012-02-04T11:00:00.000+00:002012-02-04T11:00:22.917+00:00National Libraries Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Hebden Bridge Library" src="http://lds.localdataimages.com/large/1250/12502840.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hebden Bridge Library</td></tr>
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In a world where we now pay for so much of what we used to get for free, the public library is like an endangered species and its hard to know how much longer it will survive. Here in England the government is closing libraries across the country, so today on National Libraries Day, my daughter and I are going to our local branch to show our support.<br />
As an avid reader and writer, naturally I love books. I buy them, swap them, donate them and borrow them- in copious amounts. I've regularly used the library since childhood. In Chicago we had a very local branch which I would spend ages in, browsing the children's section but having even more adventures sneaking round to the adult aisles, where a whole new uncharted world awaited. The library was a place that fueled my imagination. I have tried to instill this spirit into my own children, using the local library everywhere that I have lived. We have enjoyed story times, author readings, films, book sales, etc. We borrow dvd's which although we now have to pay for, are still better value than anywhere else. Although I do buy books, its a wonderful privilege to be able to go and pick out a book, or five, and take them home for free. We learn many hidden values by using the library, things like non-ownership or perhaps collective ownership, sharing, and a sense of community. As a Buddhist this fits in well with my world view, that we can appreciate something, without attachment, without always having to acquire it, own it. I am fond of bookshops in much the same way, except that I know if there's a book I really want to read, I won't be able to unless I have the money to buy it.<br />
<img alt="Artist's impression of the new library and archive" src="http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/images/i-o/newlibrary-exterior.jpg" /><br />
In the valley I live in, in West Yorkshire, the council controversially plans to tear down the main library branch to build a new one costing millions of pounds. A new library should be a welcome idea anywhere, but with money being cut from every sort of service, and other libraries being closed, it begs the question as to why, when the one we've got seems perfectly fine.The council has given its reasons such as the current building will cost too much to update (things like mould problems) and the benefit of building a new one on a different site allows the current one to remain open until completion. That sounds like a valid point, as I would be more concerned if the library closed before they actually had a new one, that could result in no library at all. Another point the council made is that research shows more people are attracted to new and updated buildings. In today's mass market world that is probably true, we are like magpies always seeking out the new and shiny. Yet do we need to perpetuate that idea? are there not other ways to generate interest in libraries? I don't know the answer but, the more people that use the library the better.<br />
Public libraries are one of the last bastions of democracy, providing knowledge and information accessible to all. Sure, just about every thing you could want to know or not want to know is accessible within seconds on the internet- and to some extent its free. The question of unlimited access to the internet is also under debate but for some its still not free. There are many who cannot or do not want to have the internet in their homes. If you can't afford to buy a computer, set up and pay for a phone line, pay for access every month, pay the electricity etc.. you can use the internet for free at the library, for a period of time. It would be a tremendous loss to society if our democratic system of public libraries disappeared, so that's why we continue to use and enjoy ours, and don't take the privilege for granted.<br />
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*proposed new central library, Halifax artists rendition courtesy of <a href="http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/new-library/index.html">http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/new-library/index.html</a>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-4555138243813426182012-02-03T19:34:00.002+00:002012-02-03T20:09:29.180+00:00Photo Friday<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfvzJsrxXBKHZ90uAhXYFoY2Az2DzIsMA69v5QZu9XpHcNjiF46g6l09yaUAdqsr3zrH8WQ3Jq93-yZ_8c-GpafThqFfcjvrIBsFFaDPy-An0dQQy0GDpAG-NTlDUzbf5NA/s1600/prayer+flag+at+retreat+centre+1998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfvzJsrxXBKHZ90uAhXYFoY2Az2DzIsMA69v5QZu9XpHcNjiF46g6l09yaUAdqsr3zrH8WQ3Jq93-yZ_8c-GpafThqFfcjvrIBsFFaDPy-An0dQQy0GDpAG-NTlDUzbf5NA/s400/prayer+flag+at+retreat+centre+1998.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A vintage pic, prayer flag, Eskdalemuir Scotland.</td></tr>
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<br />Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-73721203800882471832011-08-02T17:10:00.000+01:002011-08-02T17:10:37.038+01:00Where I Live<a href="http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/features/profile_on_mytholmroyd_and_hebden_bridge_1_3607909#.TjghasRQz0A.blogger">Profile On... Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge - Features - Yorkshire Post</a>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-55412798752236937442011-08-02T11:38:00.001+01:002011-08-02T11:38:53.726+01:00Liverpool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpVOBps2AGQ7job2-L0hXoMDyu09qBDgFatd8VyR_-6PLYZeceyGBjh2u0hl1M9GKzEnNJo1ylz3o4p0QQOzYL-3Xf36Ys5tpf4RZZjh7zOhV0Gjms0eT4Ze-mg2JWhiVVQ/s1600/IMAG0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpVOBps2AGQ7job2-L0hXoMDyu09qBDgFatd8VyR_-6PLYZeceyGBjh2u0hl1M9GKzEnNJo1ylz3o4p0QQOzYL-3Xf36Ys5tpf4RZZjh7zOhV0Gjms0eT4Ze-mg2JWhiVVQ/s320/IMAG0083.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>I've been to Liverpool before, many years ago to see all the Beatles things, but I think I must have been on the train at the time because driving there last week was a magical mystery tour for sure. Sat Nav be damned, because it always seems to suggest the wrong direction, and following the directions from google maps also led us to a point, not the point we wanted, but a point nevertheless. So I ended up driving through a bus only area outside some shopping centre and am hoping that no fine appears through my letterbox.<br />
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We arrived at our destination an hour after we had planned, destination The World Museum. Once arrived, with kids wound up tight, and myself wound up even tighter, we headed straight for the cafe on the top floor. Bellies filled and some views of the city taken in, we descended the stairs as the elevator was forever in use.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLwxTl6yCvlBTB7zbncOwKcGacNo7dXfeuUy2UYfF3Dpp0JitB5JBGoF_3EJ7PW6adBDTZvl2hdL-gF2Nw9LGinjNy19HjWvxdQ21D37GfAgTAZ5XrKs1FjG7fD2k_zTmpw/s1600/IMAG0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLwxTl6yCvlBTB7zbncOwKcGacNo7dXfeuUy2UYfF3Dpp0JitB5JBGoF_3EJ7PW6adBDTZvl2hdL-gF2Nw9LGinjNy19HjWvxdQ21D37GfAgTAZ5XrKs1FjG7fD2k_zTmpw/s320/IMAG0076.jpg" width="241" /></a>Museum entry is free, and the planetarium show we took in was also free, and highly relaxing, my daughter fell asleep and I nearly did as well, among the stars. It was one of the things I wanted them to see since there are no planetariums nearby here. In the aquarium section there was a presentation and the kids got to touch a starfish and a crab- both alive.<br />
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Working our way backwards, or top to bottom, we entered the Eye for Colour exhibit which was filled with some fun exhibits like the Mood Room, where you just sit inside and observe how you feel as the walls & ceiling slowly change colours. I was surprised to find that pink made me feel energetic! Also my daughter built a rainbow and my son camoflaged himself. It was a great exhibit for autistic spectrum kids, with colour, texture, and lights!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI9lRmqP07u6pW3MmCdn3TWGtvhxESQDlwg7HndqXjh2X8mAZiNXrSPFSqOk7MjsX4_jZjj0oJ9-MG8jhzCvBtb9YfKyi5OSnTokbOX2gi2jjXXrN9mpGq1wA9Kyz2-6wEA/s1600/IMAG0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsI9lRmqP07u6pW3MmCdn3TWGtvhxESQDlwg7HndqXjh2X8mAZiNXrSPFSqOk7MjsX4_jZjj0oJ9-MG8jhzCvBtb9YfKyi5OSnTokbOX2gi2jjXXrN9mpGq1wA9Kyz2-6wEA/s320/IMAG0075.jpg" width="241" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjusiNmKfu2oo8_s9Gb0pbIFzCgGBRfrPdCSCXOsaMXt_Nku-VODK3tGTCTKjkvwonvi2x0j9uoTli3nbztpQsqsq-n4nX1l1-EyYULNk1Lwfw6Byhxt-O0EdkLWhuKQ8ISw/s1600/IMAG0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjusiNmKfu2oo8_s9Gb0pbIFzCgGBRfrPdCSCXOsaMXt_Nku-VODK3tGTCTKjkvwonvi2x0j9uoTli3nbztpQsqsq-n4nX1l1-EyYULNk1Lwfw6Byhxt-O0EdkLWhuKQ8ISw/s320/IMAG0078.jpg" width="241" /></a>My son liked the dinosaurs still, and both seemed pretty fascinated by all the intricate wax models of bugs and such. While walking back to our car an amphibeous vehicle with tourists passed by, and the kids were really excited and wanted to go on one, so maybe next time as there is so much more to explore in Liverpool.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCoP8DPqU28UbQJzwlzr9Typb_iz2qQCgzGUk6vK-Jy_i52z7QVZaPINhQ3hBu-MTHeVG_9dqFRVl55DmC-6-51XjSK0RBmUP5JzYp-chryfU4kE2Oxna_Pc3a_BCAzHv2g/s1600/IMAG0069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsCoP8DPqU28UbQJzwlzr9Typb_iz2qQCgzGUk6vK-Jy_i52z7QVZaPINhQ3hBu-MTHeVG_9dqFRVl55DmC-6-51XjSK0RBmUP5JzYp-chryfU4kE2Oxna_Pc3a_BCAzHv2g/s320/IMAG0069.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjTJjK1IWy1ij0OV0YJA9t0ubIQg2O42fxsZZmllwN6vjWGL-5Ts71gh_LYdy5jqkH6BbHuQ21kKCAC2DOAtUL93H9VdePt_l2fSD6Q3szNPkq53g1NTfd3GCvsxF-VE3oQ/s1600/IMAG0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjTJjK1IWy1ij0OV0YJA9t0ubIQg2O42fxsZZmllwN6vjWGL-5Ts71gh_LYdy5jqkH6BbHuQ21kKCAC2DOAtUL93H9VdePt_l2fSD6Q3szNPkq53g1NTfd3GCvsxF-VE3oQ/s320/IMAG0084.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoa7l5TeuA8pQnPrrU_Pn0DJvjzcltzghIr5ry5HHzC8NblUgPkVWGUznz_OPpkXA2rcnDvH1pevqFBrGZcGZveXFSbvwqg6qfamyRZBjmIpq9oOczP3GZGPdTMWUeBlq7g/s1600/IMAG0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoa7l5TeuA8pQnPrrU_Pn0DJvjzcltzghIr5ry5HHzC8NblUgPkVWGUznz_OPpkXA2rcnDvH1pevqFBrGZcGZveXFSbvwqg6qfamyRZBjmIpq9oOczP3GZGPdTMWUeBlq7g/s320/IMAG0085.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FtUWeYKYimQrD3a05GJptA6mi4t-okLWNtrIfPvHS_LkjVryM6luazNP0xEWQr0PBYbd2yrdbMtdzBrmwx4WnLS-6RY4xUCTpL2Q-dICTiFKwbW0HrxHPqP4gyAdz8ZBXg/s1600/IMAG0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FtUWeYKYimQrD3a05GJptA6mi4t-okLWNtrIfPvHS_LkjVryM6luazNP0xEWQr0PBYbd2yrdbMtdzBrmwx4WnLS-6RY4xUCTpL2Q-dICTiFKwbW0HrxHPqP4gyAdz8ZBXg/s320/IMAG0086.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-20481413065267731172011-07-22T22:03:00.001+01:002011-07-22T22:04:35.474+01:00Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Pf_7UixNsEw5p_n3dmbX1_3ZjrbhRfwEUOzjW4RxeRlGPeaj9KBp5-gtAJo0KGDa91OHCA7IUqYcLVy5HLM95SoI_BQM-ixO-ABG8PGmGHkeBAPLZpj1sKf7GVFOfP2ZeA/s1600/boggart+on+roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Pf_7UixNsEw5p_n3dmbX1_3ZjrbhRfwEUOzjW4RxeRlGPeaj9KBp5-gtAJo0KGDa91OHCA7IUqYcLVy5HLM95SoI_BQM-ixO-ABG8PGmGHkeBAPLZpj1sKf7GVFOfP2ZeA/s400/boggart+on+roof.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-37296137129260796312011-07-22T21:56:00.000+01:002011-07-22T21:56:18.992+01:00Tracking Boggarts in the Woods<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFyA4AgXKXWHCiJRxY9kVbloHqiFPUWnWK_AYj6FYWb8KdjWtrXJ2nGHO5f9qcLlY8uBRICdyBLcB8WEnWMTdPaNVjcMmBJ7LFToFwl5ZsIGx4VSGOkCQNgrKtn9YtRgrNA/s1600/large+boggart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFyA4AgXKXWHCiJRxY9kVbloHqiFPUWnWK_AYj6FYWb8KdjWtrXJ2nGHO5f9qcLlY8uBRICdyBLcB8WEnWMTdPaNVjcMmBJ7LFToFwl5ZsIGx4VSGOkCQNgrKtn9YtRgrNA/s320/large+boggart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>First day of the school holidays and the day started with a meltdown over the suggestion that we go out for a walk, because it was a spontaneous suggestion and my son had other plans (sitting at the computer all day). Eventually we managed to get out of the house and head up to Ogden Water Nature Reserve to take in the Boggart Festival. Ogden is a few miles away, free (except for the ice cream van in the parking lot) and has two main paths for a long or short walk around the resevoir and woods, with various paths leading off and around the main ones.<br />
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"Each year the fairy folk meet within the Ogden woodlands to feast and make merry on nuts and berries. Unfortunately the Boggarts tend to over indulge on the Blackberry wine and forget to hide before falling asleep. The rising sun turns them to stone, allowing us to catch sight of these rare creatures.There are many different types of boggarts to find at Ogden. Some are small and well hidden up in trees (not much bigger than the palm of your hand). Look on walls, bridges and even on the roofs of buildings." -from <a href="http://www.ogdenwater.org.uk/index.php">http://www.ogdenwater.org.uk/index.php</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzqwVYY7bbAkSvbsFYxbPXL6q36NQjXQZwKoN_2CRqEDu9lJFUzPQrL-uny4NioOASp_cegW8CxOIy2wSsbTPU9qXfXTF60j5S28o1-RJ-RM9fd86dOuP9bM8d31fyA0f6A/s1600/boggart+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzqwVYY7bbAkSvbsFYxbPXL6q36NQjXQZwKoN_2CRqEDu9lJFUzPQrL-uny4NioOASp_cegW8CxOIy2wSsbTPU9qXfXTF60j5S28o1-RJ-RM9fd86dOuP9bM8d31fyA0f6A/s320/boggart+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
It didn't take long before the kids were competing to see who could find the next boggart first, and I was amazed at their impeccable eyesight. And with the added incentive of a prize for finding all the boggarts (we won't know if we had the correct amount until the festival ends in August) two hours walking through the woods passed without notice.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbye2SZC0-u0lqZUNohu9G4cbN22WVdI-m_mciiLhyIr3oemOclxplY-i3a4rLR55oMproz16wWGMHydYt8RQe-DqrNYAb18QhOmbFs-GM3HcSs-oP9RjLyBAPNUTv8X3yow/s1600/boggart+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbye2SZC0-u0lqZUNohu9G4cbN22WVdI-m_mciiLhyIr3oemOclxplY-i3a4rLR55oMproz16wWGMHydYt8RQe-DqrNYAb18QhOmbFs-GM3HcSs-oP9RjLyBAPNUTv8X3yow/s320/boggart+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1_dCuhX07DxkoLl2fYCKHMrTOS3IIptCiAu2lo2p7BUDzye54b0vumpn5ra4q6Nl-qidHUb-pmLp8KjUG42bUZFc1jX_fvbOQSkuS3MXnuNb083Fq-UyJksD6pCDLjHJDg/s1600/boggart+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1_dCuhX07DxkoLl2fYCKHMrTOS3IIptCiAu2lo2p7BUDzye54b0vumpn5ra4q6Nl-qidHUb-pmLp8KjUG42bUZFc1jX_fvbOQSkuS3MXnuNb083Fq-UyJksD6pCDLjHJDg/s320/boggart+4.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-76127078945606457372011-07-21T14:10:00.000+01:002011-07-21T14:10:07.078+01:00Leaving it all behind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3k66_WY5i1aiO2Fe8BIc9CQIGlsuATbjjUed1WVmnUMGi-GemtOpDxHJPWm8N-6PlnCwuQTHJ1CpvZZYsO9axVuF0sqAa1xUr39grr1jVywrkqIpdvpkpUir_FsC1DOXjA/s1600/jasper+walking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3k66_WY5i1aiO2Fe8BIc9CQIGlsuATbjjUed1WVmnUMGi-GemtOpDxHJPWm8N-6PlnCwuQTHJ1CpvZZYsO9axVuF0sqAa1xUr39grr1jVywrkqIpdvpkpUir_FsC1DOXjA/s320/jasper+walking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Today its goodbye to a troublesome school year. My daughter who is at the beginning of her educational journey learned to read, made friends and generally had a good year. My son, who has just finished junior school, did not fare so well. Its been a tumultous year starting with a new head teacher who gave him a one day exclusion the second week into September, clearly not understanding his behaviour patterns whatsoever. Teachers who are familiar with him understood his needed 'settling in time' which can take up to a month. And then with the school working to move out of special measures, two teacher changes in his class alone, and numerous supply teachers in and out, he has had a rough time of it. For one reason or another -but mostly due to behaviour he didn't go on any organised school trips at all this year. He did not move up the 'expected' levels in all areas, and his year end report for 'listening and speaking' made me snort out loud.<br />
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He scored 2 out of a possible 6. His teacher commented that "<i>his progress has been hampered by the fact that he will not listen to adults when they are trying to explain new concepts or where he has gone wrong.... He would learn more and improve his performance if he listenened better and took on board advice given to him</i>". I understand that my son does not like to admit he is ever wrong, and that will be a life lesson he will digest quietly on his own, but those and other comments throughout this year has made me question whether his teacher and head teacher have ever read even a summary of what Asperger's means.<br />
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Despite having a support worker who was there to improve things for my son, he languished this year and mirrored the attitude that seems to have been adopted by the school toward him, just ride it out he's leaving soon. The saving grace of this year has been the fantastic transition team from Sowerby high school where he will be going. Their specialist ASD provision has people who are experienced with ASD kids, and they have been nothing but positive when dealing with my son and have helped do a 360 degree turnabout in attitude toward going to high school. In one meeting with our school staff, they commented on the need for a positive approach (which seemed to be lacking) when dealing with kids like my son. He has had many visits to the school, worked with the learning mentor and has thoroughly enjoyed his transition day and is looking forward to September. The worst part of this year was seeing his confidence badgered and his self-esteem plummetting when as a year 6, he should've felt on top of the world (or at least the school). <br />
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I do not like to dwell on the negative though, and last week was a struggle preparing my son for the Leavers Ceremony today, and the school ceremony his class put on yesterday. He didn't want to attend either, saying I hate that place. I would have been willing to let him miss it, given my feelings about the year also, but I felt it was a ritual that needed to happen, a rite of passage in a way, and the end of one journey that needed proper closure. So with careful words and positive imput he managed to clear his head, give his speach, and did really well both days.<br />
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A parents collective organised an impromptu end of year party yesterday, as many of the boys in the class (son included) were excluded (behaviour) from what was supposed to be the class 6 year end trip last week. So this impromptu party saw nearly all the kids present, and all getting along so well, so happy, really celebrating. I saw many girls giving my son hugs, and he insisted on photos with many of the lads in class that he hasn't always gotten along with. That to me was how it should be, leaving on a high note, laughs and positivity. That is what I hope he will remember from this year, that he completed his journey fully and we are all glad that he made it.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-72193105470533820822011-07-16T12:11:00.000+01:002011-07-16T12:11:52.209+01:00Autism Memory Artist, Stephen WiltshireSomething I shared on facebook recently.<br />
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<a href="ttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14115619"></a><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14115619">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14115619</a>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-58671021335480576192011-07-16T11:26:00.001+01:002011-07-16T11:33:34.110+01:00Transitions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBOW9O-TSxZbnazCYHts5HfGPNn_1i9xLHPcL_oXMa7CeM2gQP7ZpVBuSxX8BtHwRLJj9nNHo6VIpj3PwIvyxrm4WK7tqwHo4tbNs2JXiqnxwATwVqlnpjMy5srORU4-JoQ/s1600/100_2573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBOW9O-TSxZbnazCYHts5HfGPNn_1i9xLHPcL_oXMa7CeM2gQP7ZpVBuSxX8BtHwRLJj9nNHo6VIpj3PwIvyxrm4WK7tqwHo4tbNs2JXiqnxwATwVqlnpjMy5srORU4-JoQ/s320/100_2573.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This week is the last one before school breaks up for the summer here. In fact they only have four days left. The last two days consist of two leavers ceremonies for my son to participate in, two of which he doesn't really want anything to do with. He's finishing year 6, which means, here in England, he will be going on to High School in September, so hard to believe! At 11 years old he hardly seems old enough for high school ( I started at age 14 in America) and yet, he is so ready to move on from a junior school that has not understood him at all, and has actually brought him down miserably this last year.<br />
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This past Friday he had his transition day at high school, where he spent the whole day there with all the other year 6 kids who are going there, and he loved it. Sowerby Bridge High have been working closely with him at his current school, and that has been the saving grace of this entire school year really. Sowerby, the high school we have chosen for him, has a specialised ASD resource provision, which is small, only 6 students per year in it, but with staff who actually know SOMETHING about autism which will be a giant leap from what we've been dealing with. I will be writing more about that this week as school comes to an end.<br />
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Anyway, on Friday evening, two of his remaining bottom milk teeth came out, which seemed an appropriate display of the life lesson he was going through that day. Moving on, growing up, out with old and in with the new.<br />
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*the photo my son took of his favourite part of the High School!Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-70966210889861330762011-07-15T08:27:00.000+01:002011-07-15T08:27:49.618+01:00Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp23QBFXXqrsUEd4Svqq3cNfFg1XGgmkxAzcdwKFNvuM-Qmf-qTNuJFKYgWmT27-q-NzVHL62NPuQtXsOwbS4c8yqbV0VUeS4ivY-VNA6KOdwpKCVbGCB0BRChCWX9VGPLw/s1600/March+contrails+in+the+sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp23QBFXXqrsUEd4Svqq3cNfFg1XGgmkxAzcdwKFNvuM-Qmf-qTNuJFKYgWmT27-q-NzVHL62NPuQtXsOwbS4c8yqbV0VUeS4ivY-VNA6KOdwpKCVbGCB0BRChCWX9VGPLw/s400/March+contrails+in+the+sky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-63922796275969059512011-07-12T10:35:00.000+01:002011-07-12T10:35:50.695+01:00Back to the BlogI have been part of a writing group for about 6 months now and in addition to actually writing more, it has brought the realisation of how inconsistent I can be. Particularly with my writing. I waver all over the place, pulled in any direction that flashes the brightest. Blogging has been no exception. But this blog itself has been ongoing since 2006 or thereabouts and was originally titled the Pennine Pen. I liked that name but discovered a nearby business with the same name, and although it didn't present a problem, I've decided to update it. So once again, I am returning to blogging, hopefully full of better ideas and brighter writing, and more consistentcy in my posting. The Photo Friday feature seems to be the most loved so thank you for your comments and I will endeavor to keep improving. Summer is in full beautiful bloom here in the north of England, and the kids will be breaking up from school very soon with plenty of adventures awaiting us, so please stay tuned.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-22962637647191217812010-06-11T10:34:00.001+01:002010-06-11T10:34:52.833+01:00Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhAJEDKMfjqBNrha7tR6T1QRxNIqZNmRQaBnePsQKKf6PZg4xeiMc0NXtbKnO71Ki2ykEbHmtOSY5SeZWqquQduMPdBoDzwxSjra2cdbZQkEuIEC8x4Vi-GDUdWOSWoAkxQ/s1600/Ginnell+near+Booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhAJEDKMfjqBNrha7tR6T1QRxNIqZNmRQaBnePsQKKf6PZg4xeiMc0NXtbKnO71Ki2ykEbHmtOSY5SeZWqquQduMPdBoDzwxSjra2cdbZQkEuIEC8x4Vi-GDUdWOSWoAkxQ/s400/Ginnell+near+Booth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-76424451526544900842010-06-11T10:31:00.001+01:002010-06-11T10:32:40.539+01:00A Week of School ChangesThe first week of our new head in school and everyone seems to be feeling very positive. It seems that there is an attitude of personal checking, personal reinvigoration. What I mean is that since Ofsted put the boot in, aside from the head losing his job, no one else has, and more than that, its been a wake up call, for staff to take a look at their practices and recommit to become the best they can be. Its a basic psychological effect I would say, that when you are told you are not doing what you should be doing, even if you felt you were, then you make a greater effort to do better, maybe you start reinventing yourself, thinking outside the box. This seems to be the effect of the bad ofsted report and everyone at the school has adopted a positive outlook, that is done, lets move on and up.<br />
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One parent told me that the school has been scraping by, from the last two Ofted reports which merely labelled the school as satisfactory. They never achieved Good or Outstanding ratings and had it not beem deemed inadequate this time around, they would have scraped by again, perhaps without gaining that necessary stroke of inspiration. Hopefully the children who have intended to leave have done so, and now the ones that remain, will remain for the duration. It is expected that a turnaround should be apparent within just a few months, and even this week certain policies have been changed and new ones already brought in.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-51424274476213748122010-06-07T10:09:00.004+01:002010-06-07T10:16:41.484+01:00Surprise Special MeasuresToday is the first day back after half-term, and the first day for our new temporary Head at my children's primary school. Just before the week-long break, we were shocked by the return of the <a href="http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ofsted</span> </a>report for our school. With ratings for a school's performance ranging from 1 being Excellent, to 4 being unsatisfactory, our school, in nearly all the monitored categories, failed spectacularly. This was a shock to me and many others. We knew things were not ideal and many parents have taken their children out in droves over the past year. This was the first year for combined classes 2/3, 3/4 due to dropping enrolment. But I didn't think it was THAT bad.<br />
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On the Thursday prior to break, the headteacher of the past 10 years stepped down, and many teachers could be seen with their heads in their hands in the staff room. Not good. Moral is very low and the letter from the board of governors pleads with parents to stand by the school, and not imitate rats leaving a sinking ship. And I agree. There will always be people who will not bother with trying to work things out and make them better, they will just seek out the next best thing. One child I know, has been to three schools in the past two years, not because he's a problem student, but because a problem seems to be found in every school.<br />
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The special needs provision was given a better rating for the school and since my son has a statement for his <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Asperger's</span> his level of teaching and attainment seemed to be in line with whats expected. He's not intellectually challenged, so the use of a support assistant in school only benefits him more. Not so for most of the children who apparently are failing to meet the required targets set by the government. And the ones who are succeeding, aren't being challenged enough.<br />
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I was disappointed to learn that the early years provision is also failing, as my daughter is in the school nursery. It is failing to give the children adequate out door time, and adequate stimulation. They have a wonderful outdoor area so why is this so?Why are they given only 20 minutes a day? At age 4 my daughter can count to 25, write her name and recite the alphabet, which may sound impressive, but does she really need to at such a young age? They do seem focus too heavily on writing, reading and a structured programme, presumably to raise attainment levels once the children reach Reception. But at what cost to the 'learning through play' ethos? at what cost to early childhood? It remains to be seen how quickly my daughter (who loves school right now) burns out her enthusiasm in later years.<br />
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So the school has been put into 'special measures' with a new head who has experience of turning a school around and gaining the Michelin star of <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ofsted</span> ratings. It also means more money from the LEA and more teachers, as three of our senior ones are retiring this year. New blood, new ideas, it will be good for the school and for the children no doubt. The question remains, why was the Head not able to turn the school around since the last damning <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ofsted</span> report in 2007? Lots of questions about management, budgets, etc. But that does not give credit to the teachers who have been working hard, teachers trying to be creative and engaging against government set targets which don't measure children's learning, but rather encourage test taking skills.<br />
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And what about more involvement from parents? I'm not in full-time employment so its easier for me to get involved by volunteering at the school, but I know plenty of other parents in the same position who haven't set foot in a classroom except for parent's evening. If you want to get the measure of teaching, you need to observe it, its not enough to be disappointed, or just read reports and move your child elsewhere.The new head has a two year contract to turn the school around. At the end of the second year my daughter will have moved through the early years provision and into year 1; my son will be on to high school. I look forward to seeing the new shape of the school then, and whether enrolment increases, and whether people who left return when the school has a glowing new report. I am hopeful anyway.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-7481759993029265612010-05-19T11:37:00.003+01:002010-05-19T11:43:14.098+01:00A Tale of Two Schools..As part of the early transition programme initiated by our LEA, we just finished visiting the two most likely high school choices for my son in 2011. Because he has Asperger's, its important that we choose the school with the best resources for him, things that include teaching, support staff, clubs, school layout, size, etc. Both of our nearest high schools are similar in student population but couldn't be more different in terms of building and resources.<br />
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Perhaps its because we went to visit <a href="http://www.sowerbybridge.calderdale.sch.uk/index.phtml?d=26462">Sowerby Bridge High</a> first, that <a href="http://www.calderhigh.org.uk/">Calder High</a> appeared so much like its shrunken withered cousin, because the building at Sowerby is nearly brand new. Prior to these visits, I hadn't given much thought to new vs. old buildings, except that I tend to like the architectural charm of Victorian buildings.<br />
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Sowerby felt light and open, a nice thing for a high school packed with so many students. The arts and textiles rooms were well stocked with all the tools of the trade, the learning resource centre (library) was well equipped as were most of the computer-laden classrooms. The cafeteria was also laid out well and lunch times are staggered so there's not a seagull- like descent of 1,000 students all at once. Sowerby also has a dedicated ASD provision, which makes it stand out in the valley as it is the only one.<br />
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Still, the provision only has space for 6 children, but those not selected for the provision (based on need) can still access it and find quiet spaces for study, help with navigating the school, and all the additional help their statements would provide for. The downside for us is that there is no yellow school bus serving our area for Sowerby, so it would mean independent travel on the main buses. Sowerby also had a lower Ofsted rating at the last inspection, but reading an updated letter indicates that massive improvement has taken place.<br />
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<a href="http://www.calderhigh.org.uk/">Calder High </a>by contrast was built in he 1950's (no charming Victorian architecture there) and for about 450 children. There are now 1,000+ students and we were told the council has indicated they must accept more this next year. Where are they going to put them?? The school itself is overcrowded and there's a maze of portacabins scattered throughout the site housing extra classrooms. The school hasn't been renovated so the ceilings, walls, and floors are worn and torn in many places. Some classrooms used to be cloakrooms, so have insufficient ventilation.<br />
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It was somewhat shocking really, and I wonder how many parents have actually been round the school? I wonder why also, in the middle of a fairly affluent valley, the council hasn't managed to upgrade the school? There is a great new "Ted Hughes Theatre" (because he was born in Mytholmroyd) at the front of the building putting on a modern mask for the aging school, and the cafeteria wasn't too bad either, but most of the classrooms we went into were crowded, stuffy and hot. They also don't have a staggered lunch time scheme, so it seems somewhat chaotic.<br />
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This is not to say that the quality of teaching is not superior, because the school does achieve some remarkable things. The Ofsted report was much better than Sowerby's and there are alot of opportunities for creative pursuits. They also have programmes in place to help ASD students, but they don't get the same funding that Sowerby gets.<br />
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Despite the well-worn facilities, there was a warm feeling (not just temperature!) about the school, a real sense of community. The downside is obvious, overcrowded and outdated, for a child with some sensory issues, I wonder how a dark, hot, crowded classroom will be tolerated? And yet all the kids we talked to had nothing but praise, and as we walked past the 'Remove' room, only one student was present. The Remove room is a narrow little thing where children who have been disruptive and given the requisite three warnings, go to sit out the remainder of that lesson. After that, they go on to their next lesson with a clean slate. Perhaps the room would see more misbehavers later that day, but with only one student out of 1,000+ 'removed' for disruption, well, that seems pretty good.<br />
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The yellow school bus also serves our area for Calder, making transport alot more straightforward. I liked Sowerby's approach to homework compliance by having an abundance of afterschool homework clubs to encourage children to finish at school. But Calder's approach is different and they coordinate homework in sections, so for instance, kids might have two weeks history work to focus on and to complete in that time, while no other subjects will be assigning homework. For an Asperger's child who has a hard time getting organised and multi-tasking, focusing on one subject for an extended period sounds just right.<br />
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So while I thought visiting both schools would clarify in my mind a definitive choice, I find myself weighing up the pros and cons of both schools equally. In the end it will be my son's choice and he already wants to go to Sowerby because a few of his friends go there now and a some from his class will as well, but he hasn't viewed the schools yet, which I would like him to do, as getting a feel for the places really helps.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-24726520927469039912010-05-12T09:42:00.002+01:002010-05-12T09:45:33.616+01:00Lifting the Migraine and Feeling Lighter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsdMwegsft0Fok14o_qEyo8ADQ9TCjYverB8ajMmSl4Os2oEPFHNC-TGrQxoEwnUl4JW993OCd3UPLcObw9JLrILr73VQdlkusR-yr940xFiYLf-nIuMqHHmIn8IN3v8VWQ/s1600/IMGP0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsdMwegsft0Fok14o_qEyo8ADQ9TCjYverB8ajMmSl4Os2oEPFHNC-TGrQxoEwnUl4JW993OCd3UPLcObw9JLrILr73VQdlkusR-yr940xFiYLf-nIuMqHHmIn8IN3v8VWQ/s200/IMGP0052.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>I noticed today how much lighter my recycling bin is without all the wine bottles. Its been nearly 2 weeks now and I am also feeling noticeably lighter, my waistline slightly smaller. Of course I have also been having a salad a day and minimal bread consumption which helps with beating the bloat. I've minimised my coffee intake, but still have lots of tea throughout the day, mixing in Green and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Rooibos</span> along with copious amounts of Earl Grey. I've adjusted my habits not because I'm an alcoholic, but because of a ferocious Migraine that gripped me last week. I had been slowly upping my wine consumption and I attributed some of that as a trigger.<br />
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Having suffered with regular Migraines as a teen, my last full blown one had been in my early twenties (that's..ahem..nearly 20 years ago), and I thought my vegetarian lifestyle had safely eliminated them. That was until 2010, the year of their reappearance. I've only had two this year, not <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">alot</span> to complain about I know, but anyone who suffers with Migraines knows its much more than a simple headache. Its a neurological revolt against your entire body.<br />
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A week ago today I lay in bed recovering from one that hit its peak at about 3am. I awoke with a vice-like head and nausea that prompted me to run to the bathroom. Except once I sat up, the vice-like head began feeling like a big balloon with a vice on it, about to burst. Standing up my knees buckled as my balance was off and I struggled to focus wayward eyes. Thankfully I did manage to get back to sleep without vomiting, because vomiting has to be my least desirable thing in the world and blotches up my face with broken capillaries for two days.<br />
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Back to sleep meant sleeping for the next 18 hours or so. Still feeling weak and a little disoriented with a dull ache in my head, it really was about two days total recovery after the fact. This is very debilitating and prompted me to make serious changes in my diet and stress management to try and stave off a third attack.<br />
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Migraines tend to be hereditary, and they are in my family, so I know I am always subject to a sneak attack, but I also know there are ways to reduce the likelihood, reduce the triggers. Its hard because I enjoy the taste of wine, especially red, which is especially bad for migraines. I also love chocolate and coffee. Meditation helps, of course I know it helps with all sorts of things, but I have to keep reminding myself. Even after 15 +/- years as a Buddhist practitioner I still have to remember to give more time to meditation. I am a full fledged mindfulness practitioner, that is, bringing awareness to daily life, but actually sitting and meditating and doing nothing else for 30 minutes is a harder task. I am coping without wine and enjoying my new found lightness and looking forward to the side effect of additional weight loss!!Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-68781049795187084322010-03-27T15:07:00.000+00:002010-03-27T15:07:44.887+00:00Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9q4dLJ0SVh9B5JBEuLOsV4EjpuEkCifxwQNmehOzJD2VyiI80hymVfNtm0WmhjoztvRX7UzW1WZZoE97v_oFCk3hA97emiY4Z3mmarAoFmdGT2p0XmRbsjUObHMLEmPA7w/s1600/102_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9q4dLJ0SVh9B5JBEuLOsV4EjpuEkCifxwQNmehOzJD2VyiI80hymVfNtm0WmhjoztvRX7UzW1WZZoE97v_oFCk3hA97emiY4Z3mmarAoFmdGT2p0XmRbsjUObHMLEmPA7w/s400/102_0165.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-5411070541957218212010-03-25T22:28:00.001+00:002010-03-25T22:32:50.211+00:00Its hard workToday I was exhausted before I even left the house. The same morning routine of getting ready for school, the same for the past three years for my son is still not easy depending on the day. Depending on where the planets are aligned, what phase the moon is in, or where the tides are. For my daughter it is still pretty good. She wakes up most days eager to get dressed, have her breakfast, let the cat in or out, and go to nursery.<br />
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My son at 9 still struggles with the mundane tasks of life, tasks he says are boring or pointless. Most parents look forward to the increased independence of their children as they grow up, finding things getting somewhat easier. You taught them how to dress themselves, brush their teeth, have a bath, and at a certain age they do this on their own, and you no longer have to think about it. Having aspies however, I wonder when will we reach that point? Will we ever reach it? Things like brushing one's teeth, having a bath, still requires reminders, prompts and very often arguments ending up with me brushing my sons teeth or leaving the bath for another day. The entire personal hygiene routine is like this. And I love the admonishments that say don't do it for him, what you do for him he'll never do for himself. Yes, true, he won't. Ever. Left to his own devices I'm fairly confident my son's teeth would rot and then fall out, the bathtub would never know him and I dread to think what state his bowels would be in. Its not a case of something once learned, it is continual relearning . Even more difficult at times, baths at age 3 were more fun.<br />
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But as today wore on, and I worked in the school, and my son received a star pupil award, I'm reminded of the ways in which he is maturing, taking on new responsibilities at school, walking home with friends, using his mobile and remembering his watch. These are not things to be taken for granted.<br />
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And finishing this tiring day with my daughter asleep, my son laying next to me on the bed asking me about death and dying, worrying that I may die too soon. We talked about reincarnation, about our life together in the future, imagining me as an old woman of 80 and he in his middle age. What will that be like? Will he have children of his own? How many jobs will he work in his lifetime? Will I live close by to him? How lovely when all that tension releases and the love pours out. When at times like this I can still see my baby in my 9 year boy, and how we laugh at the loud snores coming out of my daughter, how I love them so.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-26901247307212324782010-03-20T14:57:00.000+00:002010-03-20T14:57:03.651+00:00Talking with Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult About “House Rules”- Autism Speaks: Blog<a href="http://blog.autismspeaks.org/2010/03/20/picoult/">Talking with Bestselling Author Jodi Picoult About “House Rules”- Autism Speaks: Blog</a>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-2159094395770717262010-03-19T09:14:00.000+00:002010-03-19T09:14:56.115+00:00Photo Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOa95jhs8qqxheu6nTfXHIpu__dfdj-Ce623IPqUUU72OGRLUsjq4HaawH1xZDdnH-Eke45I7qofMRNRgcUwxvMlC9sYyPsrlsefAIz012tY6bGZE2ViBEM7g8TYvAOPqcQ/s1600-h/heptonstall+clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOa95jhs8qqxheu6nTfXHIpu__dfdj-Ce623IPqUUU72OGRLUsjq4HaawH1xZDdnH-Eke45I7qofMRNRgcUwxvMlC9sYyPsrlsefAIz012tY6bGZE2ViBEM7g8TYvAOPqcQ/s320/heptonstall+clouds.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-48772346560836889382010-03-15T19:04:00.001+00:002010-03-15T19:05:41.087+00:00ABC news report on Girls with Asperger's<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qs5L2R2lZAU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qs5L2R2lZAU&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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I can so relate to this with my daughter, and I have already been told 'she's fine' with an undertone that seems to say, why on earth do you want your daughter labelled as well?? but its not about a label, its about the truth of the situation, to paraphrase a chinese proverb, the beginning of knowledge is to call all things by their proper names.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31881364.post-14969102283981333112010-03-15T17:36:00.000+00:002010-03-15T17:36:11.515+00:00Review and Transitioning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0pkXDvmOV0E__ighV0-kxGdQgvtPa76zTOKYdLwd2LburhlG9xazF-McRZbaGz4gH-NLfsSEA7sb37t-06QbAhIr6pS3PRXuDWV8ha5y_cihOE08RgfEMOf_oWOcJbnDlg/s1600-h/sony-vaio-p-mini-notebook-computer-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0pkXDvmOV0E__ighV0-kxGdQgvtPa76zTOKYdLwd2LburhlG9xazF-McRZbaGz4gH-NLfsSEA7sb37t-06QbAhIr6pS3PRXuDWV8ha5y_cihOE08RgfEMOf_oWOcJbnDlg/s320/sony-vaio-p-mini-notebook-computer-3.jpg" /></a></div>We had our annual statement of special ed needs review last week and the school and local authority are making plans for my son's transition to high school in 2011. Yes 2011!! It certainly seems early to me, but his current teacher and the school senco who knows him very well, both agree that he will need plenty of time to make the transition. For a child with Asperger's which includes some sensory issues, high school is going to be one clamorous and murky storm cloud that will take some serious adjusting to. My son's opinion on it; he doesn't want to go. Home education is not ruled out as we started on that path when he was younger, but that is not an easy option either.<br />
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The review was very positive with a continuation and possible addition of his statement hours per week, that's how many hours he has an assistant working with him in the classroom. The best news was (which we haven't yet told him as the anxious waiting might kill us all!) that the authority would like him to have his own notepad computer which would go with him to high school. Because he is so technically oriented and handwriting is such a laborious process, its hoped that being able to type most assignments will encourage him to do more. It seems that just last year we were hearing the arguement that he 'needed' to work on his handwriting despite the inconvenience to him. But the fact is he knows how to write, and his handwriting has improved, so that is a skill that he has learned and is unlikely to improve very much more, but more likely to put him off writing completely if he was to be forced to do hours of it. So the notebook is very good news indeed, but because its coming from the LEA it will most likely take months before he sees it. <br />
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*photo Sony vaio mini notebook computer, something along the lines of what he may be getting for use at school.Ms.Roosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15264266921268722663noreply@blogger.com0