Dear Friends and Family, As you all know, we have been in a battle for the last several months since Curt was diagnosed with AL Amyloidosis. To say it has been rough is an understatement. We feel like we have been in an all-out war, and now we will go to the next level as…
Since my last post, my amyloidosis treatment options have expanded. Funny thing about having choices you didn’t have just months ago. Sometimes the will and desire to take action wanes. What you previously wanted loses its attraction. Sort of like giving your child permission to graduate a year early. Now they don’t want to. Or,…
This was one of the most anticipated days of the elementary school where I was the principal. On this day we would study the world of apple seeds. We would bob for apples. We would drink apple cider. There would be games. And most importantly, we would learn about John Chapman, better known as Johnny…
When you think about science, think about sorting this subject into two categories: organic and inorganic. High school students need exposure to both. From our point of view, they need three units to graduate. The first two courses typically come in the form of biology which satisfies the organic category and physical science which satisfies…
What can you say about math? Very few students have neutral feelings about this subject. They either love it or hate it. Those who dislike it raise the question, “When will I ever use this?” The answer is from Algebra 1 on, maybe never, at least directly. My wife and I stayed at a bed…
Four years of English is a pretty common graduation standard no matter what state you live in. It is considered one of four core subjects, the others being math, science, and social studies. Ninth and tenth grade courses typically consist of two or more of following elements: Grammar: When thinking about grammar, think parts of…
Your high school transcript is a one-page summary of the courses you have taken over four years. While it is possible to meet graduation requirements in three years, the norm is four. Likewise, some students take five years to complete their course of study and have good reasons for their decision. They weren’t slacking. The…
Previously I explained how to create records for academic subjects that you put on your transcript. I suggested the following four principles for record keeping when it comes to academic subjects. Keep it reasonable Keep it objective Keep it simple Write it down These same principles apply to courses that are experience-based and don’t fall into…
On Tuesday I was up at OHSU for two scheduled tests: an eco-cardio gram and an EKG. The bone marrow biopsy was denied by my insurance carrier. I was required to have it done “in network.” After checking in at the cardiology office, I sat in a very small waiting room along with two or…
Jenny and I started Basic Skills in 1987. We had two children, Ryan (newborn) and Natalie (age four). Four years later Katelyn, our youngest, was born. Around this time we started doing group testing around the state. Jenny and I packed the kids in a mini-van with a car-top carrier and off we went….