Karla Homolka, who was convicted in 1993 in the sex slayings of two Ontario schoolgirls has served her full 12-year manslaughter sentence (yes I said 12 year FULL sentence for manslaughter of 2, count them, 2 girls) and she is due to be released from prison sometime in the next few weeks.
And yet Chapelle Corby got 20 years in a Bali prison for 4 kg of weed!
This is messed up...come on Canada! Step up, show some guts and punish the people that deserve it. I think Karla should switch places with Chapelle, really see what jail is like.
What kind of warped system do we have?
How can Canadians not be disturbed by this? There should be a countrywide uproar, I know I am, uproared. Grrr.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Great news for education...and me!!!
From the Toronto Star Tuesday May 31:
Schools get more cash to reduce class sizes
The province is spending $126 million to reduce class sizes in early grades, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced yesterday.
By September, 70 per cent of Ontario's junior kindergarten to Grade 3 students — 381,000 children — will be in smaller classes.
"Smaller class sizes ensure our children can get the individual attention they need to succeed," McGuinty told media reporters at Toronto's Holy Rosary School.
"We know that children who start their education in small classes are more likely to stay in school, graduate on time and take on challenging courses later in their education."
By 2007-'08 the government hopes to cap elementary school classes at 20 students.
Yesterday's announcement includes $90 million to hire 1,275 more teachers and $36 million to create more classroom space to support the smaller class size initiative.
The announcement builds on a $90-million investment last year to hire 1,100 teachers to begin reducing class size.
McGuinty also announced a $30.4-million funding package for other elementary school improvements, including:
$18 million for 160 special projects to improve students' reading, writing and math.
$7 million for specialized summer teacher training in writing, reading, math and geometry.
$5.4 million for teams of "turnaround" experts to help in schools where students are having the most problems with reading.
Schools get more cash to reduce class sizes
The province is spending $126 million to reduce class sizes in early grades, Premier Dalton McGuinty announced yesterday.
By September, 70 per cent of Ontario's junior kindergarten to Grade 3 students — 381,000 children — will be in smaller classes.
"Smaller class sizes ensure our children can get the individual attention they need to succeed," McGuinty told media reporters at Toronto's Holy Rosary School.
"We know that children who start their education in small classes are more likely to stay in school, graduate on time and take on challenging courses later in their education."
By 2007-'08 the government hopes to cap elementary school classes at 20 students.
Yesterday's announcement includes $90 million to hire 1,275 more teachers and $36 million to create more classroom space to support the smaller class size initiative.
The announcement builds on a $90-million investment last year to hire 1,100 teachers to begin reducing class size.
McGuinty also announced a $30.4-million funding package for other elementary school improvements, including:
$18 million for 160 special projects to improve students' reading, writing and math.
$7 million for specialized summer teacher training in writing, reading, math and geometry.
$5.4 million for teams of "turnaround" experts to help in schools where students are having the most problems with reading.
Monday, May 30, 2005
News today from grade one
Heather, a quite cute little girl with long brown hair brought in her news today (at home we call this show and tell) Proudly she stood in front of the class and said...
"Good morning everyone, on the weekend my mom cut my hair for me, she cut off 22 cm and here it is!"
Out of a plastic bag she pulled a pony tail of her use to be hair...
A nice little morning wake up for Miss Downes to say the least!
"Good morning everyone, on the weekend my mom cut my hair for me, she cut off 22 cm and here it is!"
Out of a plastic bag she pulled a pony tail of her use to be hair...
A nice little morning wake up for Miss Downes to say the least!
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Schapelle Corby
Here on the Gold Coast there is a lot of talk about Schapelle Corby and the drug case of the century. In case you don’t know much about it:
Schapelle Leigh Corby (born July 10, 1977 SAME BIRTHDAY AS ME!!!!) is a former beauty student from Australia convicted by an Indonesian court of attempting to smuggle 4.1 kg of cannabis into Indonesia.
In October 2004 she was stopped by customs agents at Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali, and found to have a large package of drugs in her boogie board bag, 4.1 kilos of marijuana valued at $80,000.
Despite protesting her innocence, on May 27, 2005, she was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years jail. She was also fined AUD $13,875, with an additional six months if unpaid.
The verdict in the Corby trial was broadcast live on television in Australia, and the Nine Network television coverage was also broadcast live in New Zealand. The coverage included the trial outline, of some 80 pages, the verdict and sentencing.
The defence and prosecution now have seven days to appeal, after which the case could proceed to the High Court, which would then have 150 days to make a decision. If a further appeal were to occur, the case could ascend to the Supreme Court, which would then have 170 days to reach their decision. Both sides have indicated they will appeal the verdict.
The Corby case has generated intense controversy in Australia, where the prevailing public opinion in support of Corby has confronted the Commonwealth Government and caused tension in the relationship with Indonesia.
The Australians are all up in arms about it all and there is a huge ban on traveling to Bali. Many Aussies are protesting the ruling by trying to hurt Indonesia through tourism. For Australians Bali is a number one holiday place and now with all of this going on no one feels safe going there.
Schapelle’s lawyers have put in an Appeal already so hopefully we will find out more and this case will come to a true end, soon.
Saturday, May 28, 2005
beauty waterfall
Walking along the trail we came across this waterfall that we walked behind. The rainforest here is just amazing, what a great hike! And only about an hour from my house!
Mt. Warning lookout
Hiking up to a lookout point was well worth it. Mt Warning is in the background. Bryon Bay, the most easternly point in Oz, can be seen on the coast line.
Kangaroos and Wallabies oh my
We kept a keen eye on the side of the road and just as we were giving up hope we pulled into this parking area and on the grass we saw like 10 wallabies. (Wallabies are just small kangaroos, they weigh something like 20 lbs when a full size kangaroo weighs the same as a person) They are super cute, they look like rat/dog/rabbit/kangaroos.
Drive on the left Stupid!
We took off one Saturday and went for a drive in the mountains, oh yes, they have signs like this all over the coast because of all the tourists driving around...and driving on the wrong side of the road!
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Still here...
Only a week left of teaching and I'm still standing. My class is good, fun, busy, loud, cute, bad, horrible, devils, angels, funny, and most of all tiring.
Today we had the 'stranger danger' talk with the policeman and an old video from the 70's. Too funny for us teachers who are cracking up while the kids are amazed with it.
After that I taught gymnastics...jumping on the trampoline, summersaults, balance beam and jumping through hoops. Needless to say it was a fun day.
But again, I'm zonked...its 9pm and I'm going to bed. I don’t know how my mom has done it for so long, or how I'm going to do it for so long....
Give me strength!
Today we had the 'stranger danger' talk with the policeman and an old video from the 70's. Too funny for us teachers who are cracking up while the kids are amazed with it.
After that I taught gymnastics...jumping on the trampoline, summersaults, balance beam and jumping through hoops. Needless to say it was a fun day.
But again, I'm zonked...its 9pm and I'm going to bed. I don’t know how my mom has done it for so long, or how I'm going to do it for so long....
Give me strength!
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Day 2 and still kicking
Day 2 in the classroom and I think I have perfected the balance of coffee and red bull to keep my eyes open during the day. Yep its very smart of the University to burn us out completely then, throw us into the classroom for a month straight without a break.
I'm teaching my first lesson officially tomorrow and guess what subject it is...yep, Math!
Good thing I'm all brushed up on my primary math skills now.
I’m teaching the concept of volume. It should be interesting. But here’s the big kicker of the day:
In the afternoon I'm teaching gym class... GYMNASTICS!
Who knew I would be so multi-talented! Ha ha, poor kids I'm going to have them doing summersaults and jumping jacks all afternoon.
By the way, I'm now a huge fan of Ritalin. I mean when it works for a child, it really works! Thank god or I would have one less kid in my class by now! Grin!
I'm teaching my first lesson officially tomorrow and guess what subject it is...yep, Math!
Good thing I'm all brushed up on my primary math skills now.
I’m teaching the concept of volume. It should be interesting. But here’s the big kicker of the day:
In the afternoon I'm teaching gym class... GYMNASTICS!
Who knew I would be so multi-talented! Ha ha, poor kids I'm going to have them doing summersaults and jumping jacks all afternoon.
By the way, I'm now a huge fan of Ritalin. I mean when it works for a child, it really works! Thank god or I would have one less kid in my class by now! Grin!
Saturday, May 07, 2005
The Job
So it's midnight and I’ve just gotten home from my first shift with the catering job.
I was working in Brisbane at the footy game. Picture the box seats at a hockey game, or at Sky Dome, 10 people per room, a kitchen and bar area in each of them and a server (that’s me), My first time and I had two boxes to take care of in the corporate sector. I was looking after Optus, which is a major cell phone company here, and BMW. Yep, I served wine, beer food and cleaned up after them for 6 hours. It was interesting but man am I tired now! 6 hours on my feet, smiling and running for more beer and I couldn’t even have one!
Anyway it was well worth the $130 I made.
Anyway I'm dying now and am going to sleep. So much for my party weekend off.
Did I tell you? Friday night after all the projects were handed in Julia and I had dinner and both of us passed out by 8:30 PM!!!! I had an amazing 11 hour sleep last night and am hoping to do it again tonight....
Goodnight.
I was working in Brisbane at the footy game. Picture the box seats at a hockey game, or at Sky Dome, 10 people per room, a kitchen and bar area in each of them and a server (that’s me), My first time and I had two boxes to take care of in the corporate sector. I was looking after Optus, which is a major cell phone company here, and BMW. Yep, I served wine, beer food and cleaned up after them for 6 hours. It was interesting but man am I tired now! 6 hours on my feet, smiling and running for more beer and I couldn’t even have one!
Anyway it was well worth the $130 I made.
Anyway I'm dying now and am going to sleep. So much for my party weekend off.
Did I tell you? Friday night after all the projects were handed in Julia and I had dinner and both of us passed out by 8:30 PM!!!! I had an amazing 11 hour sleep last night and am hoping to do it again tonight....
Goodnight.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Thank God that's over with!
3 weeks of hell.... done
Classes.... done
Group work.... done
3 major projects.... done
Lack of sleep.... done
In the last 2 days I've put together 2 amazing projects with a grand total of 130 pages!
One project was 9731 words; I can’t believe that it’s all over.
I start in the classroom on Monday for a month straight, and I cant wait! No more homework, no more lectures, no more essays YEAH!
So if you don’t see me on line for a while you know why.... I think I've burnt my retinas from working on the computer for so long.
I start work tomorrow. Serving at an Ozzie Rules Footy game in Brisbane. I know, I know I never stop!
Wish me luck.
Classes.... done
Group work.... done
3 major projects.... done
Lack of sleep.... done
In the last 2 days I've put together 2 amazing projects with a grand total of 130 pages!
One project was 9731 words; I can’t believe that it’s all over.
I start in the classroom on Monday for a month straight, and I cant wait! No more homework, no more lectures, no more essays YEAH!
So if you don’t see me on line for a while you know why.... I think I've burnt my retinas from working on the computer for so long.
I start work tomorrow. Serving at an Ozzie Rules Footy game in Brisbane. I know, I know I never stop!
Wish me luck.
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