Getting creative, saying “I love you” with a home-cooked Valentine’s Day menu, and examining your daily routine.
Getting Creative
A few years ago they cut our media specialist to a part-time position. I wanted to cry. Working with her for the book fair had been one of my favorite parts of my kids’ school. I adored how attentive she was in teaching children about literature, showing them how to do research papers, running the student-anchored morning news. The next thing on the chopping block turned out to be all the extra-curriculars: music, physical education, and art. For me, these are the areas where kids learn more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. It’s about growing a person, and not just a person who can take a standardized test, because there is little to no life value in teaching to a test.
WI\ith budget cuts happening everywhere for schools, Dick Blick has made it easier for parents and community to get involved with donating to keep kids learning how to be people, not just non-failing test-takers. Together with my kids’ art teacher, Teri Eiswald, we’re working on a school-wide project through Blick’s Art Room Aid that will turn the halls of Falcon Heights into a mini art museum for portfolio nights and the open houses (that include the Spring Scholastic Book Fair!). That sense of pride in seeing their work displayed can mean a lot to the small people in our lives. We are so excited to have the opportunity to raise funds to make this project a reality.
Changing Your Routine
“The revelation that routines need to be modified is a difficult one. No one wants to give up the things they enjoy, those things that start their day off in a recognizable and reassuring way. In order to change the ruts that habits fall into, I try to trick my mind into believing that nothing has changed.”
Read the rest and get a recipe for homemade yogurt over on the Attune Foods Daily Digest.
For Valentine’s Day
I’m not much for going all out on Valentine’s Day in the gift department, but I do believe in a good celebratory meal, Sunday dinner style.
Appetizer: Ginger Plum Crostini for something sweet with a bit of spice.
Salad: Roasted Beet and Lacinato Kale Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette because beets.
Main: Cayenne-Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce to bring a little heat to the table.
Dessert: Molten Orange Chocolate Lava Cakes or Dark Chocolate Mousse with Cinnamon Pavlova Tarts because two desserts are better than one.
This post is part of a collaboration with The Motherhood and Dick Blick.
It honestly hurts my heart to see the things that make us more interesting people, and better at math to boot (Music, hello!) are being cut. I think it’s wonderful that you have this avenue to try and bring these back to your kids’ school.
I agree with Amber… it is so sad to see these cuts happening!
Great ideas, Shaina. I love your creativity.
Yes, “because beets.” And as someone who makes her living in a creative field and who was a direct beneficiary of school arts programs (not to mention extra-curriculars like the newspaper, yearbook, chorus, and school musicals), I can say with absolute certainty that these programs are as essential to future professional success as math, history, and biology. I am so glad that you’re working to keep those aspects in your community schools.
Sorry to hear about the cuts at your school. I’m pretty sure my son has never had any art education at his school. He’s lucky he gets a lot of enrichment at home. But what about those who don’t? Thanks for the menu. I had better get cooking.
I can’t imagine my childhood without all of the amazing art, photography, and graphic design classes, it’s so sad! As for your menu, yum! It sounds amazing!
I agree with Casey, I too believe music, art … are as essential to future professional success as math, history, and biology.
Norma Chang’s last post: http://gardentowok.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/chickpeas-sprouts-chayote-tofu-soup-an-announcement/
Gorgeous shot–I’ll be checking that out!
I agree Shaina, I can’t imagine going through school without all of those valuable, character-building activities. And, your Valentine’s menu looks amazing!
I love this…everything about this and that photo, gorgeous, Shaina!!
Sorry to hear about the cuts at your school. It’s sad knowing that one of the most important fields for out kids – the education- has to suffer so much.
Great dinner idea Shaina
OMG! those are adorable and looks so delicious. I wanna try that….