Concerns

judy; i am intrigued as to what your thoughts are on the photos you post?.....one of the big issues here in the UK is the one about anonymity (perhaps this is a bit too PC; here students, for example, are expected to "blur" childrens faces if they submit pictures in their assignments) but there are current big issues here about child protection/safeguarding...have a look at this

Not sure where you hail from - probably Nottingham. I'm not sure what the crime is there, but here where we are it's about as safe and comfortable as it gets. Our community is a conservative effort of good living. At the same time we have an outstanding police force, and they have NEVER not gotten their crim and the blockheads know it. The combined efforts of city, county and state have done such a good job, our community is nearly lock free, and that means our children can go out to play.

As I drove up to the airport to pick up my daughter a few years ago, and parked nearly on top of the terminal, left my car open, nearly left my purse in the car, I realized just how free I am in this town. I can go anywhere at anytime and not fear for my safety, my children's or my grand children's safety.

At the same time, there is nothing you can't get here - except there - that's a joke. Sometimes you have to go to another airport if you want a direct flight someplace.

This picture is looking out our back door. We built here because we are on the cusp of "down town" but still in horse country, and that's good for the kids. A few minutes south, and you're in the Ohio River, a few north and you're at a mall. What you are looking at are mulch pits - the truck tires. We put in a garden every year for the kids. The field behind us is a horse boarding field.

As far as the pictures go, I never mention a name. They're just pictures, and they are primarily anonymous. I can't imagine how dull it would be not to enjoy a real picture - to have all the faces blurred. That really doesn't make sense to me. Are local magazines expected to do the same? Can you imagine buying a magazine and having all the faces blurred? The last picture posted here was the partnership that built the school. That's me in the apron.

Safety shouldn't be a prison sentence. We often show the kids pictures posted, and they are always delighted. It kind of makes their day. But if parents asked me not to post pictures of their children, I wouldn't, of course.

Besides that, we have a watchcat. He doesn't like strangers. His name is Maestro, and he weighs about 18 pounds.

Freedom is a real part of our life here at the school. We go a lot of places and do a lot of things with the kids including lake swimming, rock climbing, and taking off to another city like Louisville or St. Louis to see interesting things. We have a close working relationship with our parents - we're a family place, and this blog is a part of that.

One of the things I encourage is that families share the blog pictures with their relatives who might live in a distant city and may not be able to follow the daily activities of their grandchildren. This is one source for them that I hope brings them closer. If the blog helps distant relatives keep in touch at work or at home, by seeing pictures of their grand kids, nieces, nephews and sometimes children and their friends it's an achieved goal. Seeing the smiling face of a child has got to mean a lot.

Sorry you are so restricted. That's a shame. Sounds a bit like Brave New World.

To parents:

Tomorrow is ice skating day. We're off for a winter trip to the ice - it should be a slippery event. Parents are welcome to join us at 9:30. Can't wait to see some of the efforts. I'll take pictures, of course, and post them. Have children wear long sleeves, and mittens that fit! Mittens that fit a child are about three inches long. You can get these at the Dollar Store and at children's shops. Children should wear their school sweatshirt if possible. We are still expecting the new sweatshirts to come in. There was a printing error. Children need two layers to avoid wearing a coat. Kids should wear a stocking hat.

A great thanks to all the parents who brought a dish to the International Event at school.

February is cultural exchange month.