Abuse, violence can alter children's DNA: Study

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Abuse, violence can alter children's DNA: study

Is the DSBN an educational & financial liability for Niagara's children?

In 2005 my children were transferred from the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) to the DSBN (District School Board of Niagara).  My son entered grade six and my daughter grade one.

Immediately, my son began to complain. "I'm bored. I know all of this, I did it before."  I replied, "It's September, it's always review, soon you'll be complaining of homework."

He never did.

My son is quick.  He always has been; not just scholastically but in life.  He notices things, he remembers things, he pays attention and he questions - he is very bright.

He complained all year long.  "I know this, I've done this already!!"

On several occasions I spoke to various school officials that assured me the curriculum was the same (as it falls under Provincial standards) but I still urged the teachers to challenge him. His enthusiasm diminished quickly only it was attributed to the location move and adjusting.  Being a normal Mom, I absorbed the guilt and dismissed the curriculum.

One day when when he was in grade seven (second semester), he came home from school shouting.  "Mom! Mom! MOM!!  Where is my stuff Mom?!" as he bounded up the stairs to his room.

 "Where is my work from my old school?!!" "MOM!!!!"

My son is a typically a quiet kid, but on this day - wow!  He was obviously very unhappy and upset.

"I am not doing this again!  I am not doing the same work again!!" as he was scrambled through his closet looking for his "old schools' keepsakes".

"Where's my book reports?!  I'm not reading this book again, I did this report - and I got an A!"

"I'm not doing it again Mom -  I'm not!!"

When I looked at him, his face was full of angst and there was a look in his eyes, a look I had never seen before. I wasn't sure what it was, but it was very different, it was new and it was distressful.

The book is Maniac Magee written by Jerry Spinelli and delves into the topics of racism, poverty and homelessness. "Scholastic" indicates this book is for ages 9-13 and for a grade level of  5.4 .

The TDSB is on par, my son studied this novel in grade 5, second semester at age 10-11.  In comparison, The DSBN decided this particular acclaimed novel study, one of literary and social awareness was more applicable for children in Niagara at the age of 12-13, being grade 7.

Why?

My son handed in a new book report and got a C+. That mark did not reflect his level of comprehension, that mark reflected indifference and defeat. That was the look in his eye that day - defeat.

The Province of Ontario dictates and provides the educational materials 'needed' for course instruction. Long gone are the days when teachers could think for themselves and teach according to the students in their class, not according to the officials watching through the door.

Niagara parents seriously need to question why the DSBN feels the same book, with the same tests is at par with Niagara children whom are two years older. This is extreme.

Eventually, the children will all be completing with each other for post-secondary education, not to mention, financing. Niagara has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada and most residents stay within the region.

Could there be a direct correlation between the education standards held by the DSBN and the continuum of high poverty in Niagara?

Could there also be a correlation between the curriculum and a school board's determination to rank in the EQAO testing?

Is this differential about education or politics?

My son will tell you, "these schools made me stupid." He continued to speak with the kids from his old school and would say, "Mom I could never go back to Toronto, I would fail everything. I'm not smart anymore."

Of course I disputed his theory but I could see the effects. His judgement and choices changed. He gave up and his enthusiasm to learn was gone - why bother became the attitude. He was no longer challenged.

If I could have afforded it, I would have moved back - but I couldn't.

I was hopeful that when he entered high school and it was a more 'adult' atmosphere, he would once again be enthusiastic about his education. That never happened.

Now before someone hypes about teachers - lay off - their hands are tied with red tape but their personalities are not which is the true difference between a "good" and "bad" teacher.

It also factors into whether or not your child's education is accelerated by enjoying their school year or stagnated though boredom and discouragement.

My mother was a teacher, I grew up with teachers, one of my best friends today, is one of my own high school teachers. I will defend most educators. But, today, they are carbon-copy graduates who dictate mandatory curriculum. They are the adult versions of unenthusiastic students. It is a continuation of the "why bother" attitude and the children sense it, then adopt it.

As a parent, I commend the rogue educators. I thank you, keep fighting.

As for parental responsibility and involvement, I am educated. I have Grade 13 and 3 years post-secondary education. I have consistently reinforced the value of education in both my children since they were small as my mother instilled in me and - I did all I could to educate my child in tangent with their school.

After the Maniac McGee incident, I demanded an answer from the school and reinforced my concerns but the DSBN chosen grade 7 curriculum was "technically" correct. I requested advanced work. This occurred for a short time but ended. When? I honestly don't know but it did.

Ontario offers an IEP (Independent Educational Plan) for student with difficulties in maintaining provincial standards - why don't they offer the same for the children who excel?

The provincial government in all its glory totes success of the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office). Measurement of students achieving grades, ranking of teachers and schools educational success does not regulate the root of this testing - the curriculum.

Who monitors and measures the choices and decisions between the School Boards? The mean base is unbalanced. The same one that the Ontario government measures, rates and ranks schools, teachers and children according to results of "standardized testing".

If the curriculum is not equal, and the level of challenge unbalanced - how can the results be comparable?

Ontario is the only province that does not allow its Ombudsman to investigate the MUSH sector, Municipalities, Universities, Schools, Hospitals. Where do you go? Who do you talk to? Who will listen?

The DSBN has no accountability to justify its decision that Niagara children are at a two year literary disadvantage than those of children who live a mere ninety minutes away.

So, you be the judge.

Is the DSBN an educational and financial liability for Niagara's children?



Request your MPP to expand the mandate of the Ontario Ombudsman to include School Boards here. (Ontario residents only).

The New Yankee War - Now, it's Women

The good 'ole USA has declared another war, now it's on women. I know, I know... as a Canadian, I too shake my head and think - really?!! Let me repeat - Really?!!

But, then the Canadian in me kicks in and it becomes... really?? Really eh! followed by another shake of the head, small chuckle and sigh of relief, utter relief, I live north of the boarder. But, then the woman in me kicks harder! It is time to say what my southern sisters cannot - as recently shown by the continuous and relentless pundit bashing of Hilary Rosen (@hilaryr).

I am neither a democrat or republican. I am a woman. I am also a stay-at-home, work-at-home mother and single parent, so you could also consider me 'Switzerland' in the current American political propaganda. This is what I have observed and I have a few suggestions.

Stick up for one another. This so-called War on Women is a masculine political and capitalistic establishment tactic to derail the fact that the American women hold all the cards in this upcoming election. You do! That is why your gender is being used, to sway the vote. Women of America - you have the power to change the course of your nation's history. Use it! Unite, don't divide.

Give each other a break - not a sound-bite. Hilary Rosen slipped up, bid deal, we all do. I watched that night, as did millions of others. The context of the entire conversation was dismissed with a single sound bite. Another reason to ditch your politics, your comrades don't have your back. First Lady Obama, the political correct tweet, signed with -mo was very disappointing. Don't teach Malia and Sasha that freedom of speech is governed by politics. You could have, you should have shown courage and leadership; acknowledged the sound-bite was out of context, you could have defended a woman who was simply being passionate about issues affecting her gender. Ann Romney could have done the same. If she truly is her husband's 'gender advisor', she too could have dismantled the firestorm instead of perpetuating it and bashing her own gender.

Stop participating in prejudice induced media propaganda detrimental to your gender. Imagine if the women of "The View" had simply stated, Hilary forgot 3 words... "outside the home" and we are not participating in this needless distraction and battering of a woman who has been both a stay-at-home and work-outside-home mother. She made a political mistake, let's move on.

Start addressing the real issues threatening American women, not political parties. Discuss health care reform by addressing and holding accountable those whom have determined a woman who has been a victim of violence is a "pre-existng condition" and ineligible for health care. Discuss why the criminal, statistically male is not effected. Hot Topics should be just that but women, such as those on "The View" have become the TMZ of daytime talk. They don't express their views, they criticize and exploit others views.

Walk away from your blue or red and blend to make purple. Your daughters' futures depend on it.

Now before I get chastised for not addressing the alarm bells for women in the Canadian political realm... that's an op-ed in the making. No worries it's coming but for now, watch out my southern sisters, I am very concerned for you. I will keep you in my prayers. I will say what you cannot. Your politics does not affect me... your well-being does.

Look Good in All You Do

Over the past couple weeks, Fluid Hair Salon has come under a firestorm of criticism and threats due to their choice of visual images manifested for an ad campaign entitled, “Look Good in All You Do.”

Two young ladies, the owner Sarah Cameron (25 years) and her friend, acting as creative consultant, Tiffany Jackson (27 years) have posted statements on the salon’s blog to clarify their intent and try and bring some sense of calm back into their lives. Tiffany’s mother has also posted a statement, which in itself indicates exactly how young these ladies are simply as business professionals. The salon has since been vandalized and Sarah, herself has been warned by police about her safety and to not be alone.

“Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love... Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate (the white man), but to win his friendship and understanding.”

“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. … Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Rev. Dr. M.L. King, Jr (1929 – 1968))

A decade ago, 15 and 17 respectively, these lades were both impressionable teenagers. Tiffany disclosed she endured 4 years of abuse at about this same time and is a survivor of domestic violence. Part of the Y generation, or more correctly, the Y-Not Generation, they watched along with the rest of us the transition from “that can only happens in the movies” to... "No, it can happen."

Society must acknowledge that this generation has not yet had the life experiences to temper the acceptable and the unacceptable. They have been born into and/or grown up with terrorism and war. What used to be an R-rated game monitored by parents is now actually broadcast live 24/7. The unreal - is now real.

It appears this generation is immune to what is offensive and what is not. It is no longer a judgement issue or a moral issue - it is a life experience issue and the individual’s perspective thereof. Fashion, art or any other form of creative expression is deemed through emotions - a catalytic medium for an individual’s perspective reflected and thus subjectively felt by the targeted audience.

To Sarah and Tiffany, if you sincerely wanted to bring awareness to Domestic Violence as you claim, the woman in the photo would be standing - portraying strength; not sitting submissively with a gaunt, terrified look. The man would be in handcuffs with an equally coiffed police officer dragging him away.

That image is one of empowerment. That image is one of strength and that image is one warning anyone who exerts force over another will be arrested. That image is also one this author has personally never ever seen reflected in advertising. (hint, hint)

Ask yourself, Y-Not?

Look good in all you do.

Art & Domestic Violence: Marketing 101

Following in the hailstorm of controversy and media attention Sarah Cameron of Fluid Hair Salon, Tyler Shields and Glee actress, Heather Morris are the latest members of Gen-Y to utilize the “image” of a Domestic Violence Victim for their expressions of art.

Understandably, Mr. Shields has and always will be a perpetrator of controversy. It maximizes profit. The lure of violence and ‘sexy’women, portrayed under the guise of art is fast becoming a useful and instantaneous global advertising technique.

To make acceptable by the masses, this marketing strategy is best utilized if the person of controversy feigns shock at the backlash, quickly apologizes and then pledges to donate money to a Domestic Violence-type cause.

Pictures of women with bruised and bloody eyes has become predictable– media commenting on pictures of women with bruised and bloody eyes black is equally predictable - and at this point – simply boring.

Like children seeking attention... if the positive is not forthcoming, children utilize negative.

Like parents teaching respect... let’s no longer give it to them.

Following the backlash from domestic violence advocates:

1. Cameron and Shields feigned shock yet simultaneously acknowledged indifference;
2. Both deployed the typical non-apology of“I don`t regret the image but I regret if anyone might be offended” and;
3. Both predictably pledging to donate to a Domestic Violence organization.

Cameron, Shields/Morris and their supporters maintain society is too sensitive and they are not responsible for someone’s interpretation of “art”. Heather Morris of Glee has remained noticeably silent.

It isn’t art to victims of domestic violence. It is a photo; it is a picture – a mirror image of themselves, a reflection of pain, humiliation and suffering. No one is being too sensitive, they are reliving trauma. PTSD is prevalent among victims of domestic violence but statistics may never reveal the true and accurate extent and depth of this debilitating disease.

If a victim of 9/11 was portrayed – jumping from a window in fear - would that be ok? It’s been 10 years; people must be over it by now?

Cameron chose to beautify domestic violence to advertise her hairdressing skills, Shields/Morris chose to sell pictures of a “bruised-up Barbie” (doll) and the media chose to give them the controversy they heartlessly inspired to achieve. It’s Marketing 101 - Cause and Effect, in which an action or event will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event. It’s also Parenting 101.

Like children seeking attention... if the positive is not forthcoming, children utilize negative.

Like parents teaching respect... collectively, let’s no longer give it to them.



(Original post, 09.2011 www.HepOpenPandorasBox.blogspot.com)

Obama Gets It - When will Prime Minister Stephen Harper?!

Official Presidential Proclamation, December 28th, 2011

Presidential Proclamation -- National Stalking Awareness Month, 2012

By Newsroom America Feeds at 28 Dec 14:40

Release Time:

For Immediate Release


BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In our schools and in our neighborhoods, at home and in workplaces across our Nation, stalking endangers the physical and emotional well being of millions of American men and women every year. Too often, stalking goes unreported and unaddressed, and we must take action against this unacceptable abuse. This month, we stand with all those who have been affected by stalking and strengthen our resolve to prevent this crime before it occurs.

Stalkers inspire fear through intimidation, explicit or implied threats, and nonconsensual communication often by telephone, text message, or email that can cause severe emotional and physical distress. Many victims suffer anxiety attacks, feelings of anger or helplessness, and depression. Fearing for their safety, some are forced to relocate or change jobs to protect themselves. And, tragically, stalking can be a precursor to more violent offenses, including sexual assault and homicide. The consequences of this crime are real, and they take a profound and ongoing toll on men, women, teens, and children across our country.

Despite the dangerous reality of stalking, public awareness and legal responses to this crime remain limited. New data show that one in six women and one in 19 men have experienced stalking that caused them to be very fearful or feel that they or someone close to them were in immediate physical danger. Among men and women alike, victims are most commonly stalked by current or former intimate partners, and young adults are at the highest risk for stalking victimization. Though stalking can occur in any community, shame, fear of retribution, or concerns that they will not be supported lead many victims to forego reporting the crime to the police. As we strive to reverse this trend, we must do more to promote public awareness and support for survivors of stalking.

My Administration is working to advance protection and services for stalking victims, empower survivors to break the cycle of abuse, and bring an end to violence against women and men. With unprecedented coordination between Federal agencies, we are promoting new tools to decrease the incidence of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and we are taking action to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. To reinforce these efforts, advocates, law enforcement officials, and others who work with victims must continue to improve their capacity to respond with swift and comprehensive action. From raising awareness to pursuing criminal justice, all of us have a role to play in stopping this senseless and harmful behavior.

This month, let us come together to prevent abuse, violence, and harassment in all their forms and renew our commitment to bring care and support to those in need.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as National Stalking Awareness Month.

I call on all Americans to learn to recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those impacted not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, and to create communities that are secure and supportive for all Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA