Things turned up-side-down

Life is interesting and keeps you on your toes.

Gymnastics
Jordan made the (community) gymnastics team at the end of the last school year. We were up front about not being able to participate in meets on Sundays and they were fine with that. Last year the team had practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. So I also told them that she would probably not be able to make Wednesday practice regularly because she would have Youth church activities that night (Young Women's). They were fine with all that. Well, we just got the Fall practice schedule and it's and LDS nightmare--Mondays (FHE), Wednesdays (YW) and Sundays. We talked about things and explained as nicely as we could, that Jordan would have to withdraw from the team, because she can't keep that practice schedule. They said they would discuss things and let us know. So, things are up in the air right now. I'd like to know one way or the other, so we can move on if we need to and find something else for her to participate in.

School
Last year the school board nullified the teachers union, and thus their contracts. There are more details than that, but it's been a mess since. The teachers used to have to choose to prep 40 minutes before or after school. After the teachers union was nullified, the decision was made to make the school day 40 minutes longer for the elementary kids, so that the teachers could prep during the day. They keep saying that the kids will get more Math and Literacy instruction, but I don't buy that and think the school day was already long enough, especially for my littler ones. Well, late this last week, the school board decided to flip school times on their heads and make the High school and Middle schools start at 7:30 and the Elementary schools start later at 8:30. I think it's good to let the little ones not have to wake up at the crack of dawn, and not be waiting for the bus in the dark, but they are still trying to build that 40 minutes into the school day. I HATE that! School was already long enough and I don't need my kid there for 40 hours a week. There are child labor laws and I think it should apply to school and learning. That's too much time in the classroom. Plus, parents are all up in arms about the time change because those who work, which is the majority, can't get their kids to school and then to work. And who knows what time it's going to make early morning seminary start for Kate. School starts Thursday and bus schedules are still in question, among other things. I've heard the teachers won't strike, but I still hate the 40 minutes longer. They'll be going to school from 8:30am until 4pm. YUCK!

Sickness
Out of the blue, Kate began a fever on Thursday of 102 or more. I took her to an after hours clinic at our Dr.'s office and luckily our pediatrician was the one on call. The strep test was negative, but she has some other swollen lymph nodes, and her blood count indicated infection, so she is on a Z-pack for the next few days. Hopefully she'll get better quickly with school starting next week and no one else will get sick.