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July 30, 2007
Standard School Attire in Public Schools
With the start of a new school year quickly approaching I wanted to bring this subject up
on the blog and see how you all felt about it.
Davidson County Schools will begin a new Standard School Attire policy in their schools this year,
I have copied and pasted it below.
What do you think?
Would you support a similar policy in your childs school?
Should Sumner county consider a standard school attire policy for their schools?
What are the advantages?
What are the disadvantages?
Davidson County Public Schools Standard School Attire:
All shirts must have short or long sleeves and must have a collar (polo, dress-style, peter pan or turtleneck).
White or navy blue shirts are acceptable in all Metro schools.
Check with your school to learn what additional colors are permissible for shirts.
All pants, shorts, capri pants, skirts, skorts or jumpers must be navy blue, black or any shade of khaki.
Cargo pants and denim jeans of any color are not permissible.
All shirts must be properly buttoned and tucked inside pants, shorts or skirts.
All clothing must be appropriately sized. Tightfitting, baggy or sagging shirts or pants are not allowed.
Logos or manufacturer trademarks, if any, must be no larger than two inches.
School logos are permitted and are not limited in size.
T-shirts with or without sleeves may be worn as undergarments. They must be solid white, navy blue or one
of the additional solid colors approved by the school and may not display any writing, pictures or images.
A single blazer, suit jacket, vest, sweater, or cardigan is permitted as an item that may be
worn over the Standard Attire top. These garments must be in one of the district- or school-approved solid colors.
Hooded sweatshirts are not allowed.
Outerwear such as raincoats, windbreakers and cold-weather jackets and coats may not be worn in the school.
Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times.
Laces on shoes or sneakers must be tied. No house shoes are allowed.
Torn clothing or see-through clothing is prohibited.
Spiked accessories, oversized jewelry or belt buckles and inappropriate head coverings
such as bandanas or do-rags cannot be worn or seen during school time or school functions
Posted by judy at 01:47 PM | Comments (15)
Stewardship of Ideas?
When we hear the word stewardship, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a fundraising campaign for a church. Our minds typically go to a pastor standing before his people, begging for money. Or, we hear people talk aboutt stewardship of time or talents.
That may be true in some circles, but I want us to think about a different style of stewardship. This stewardship is something that each of us, I believe, are called to be a part of. It’s stewardship of ideas.
We serve a God of creativity. We can look all around us and see the hand of God at work in his creation. With that said, I believe that God has planted within us a seed of creativity that we are called to use for the betterment of mankind. God does work through His people to bring ideas for solutions in this world.
For every problem or need you may have, I believe you’re not alone. Others have the same need.
When God gives you an idea for the solution to your problem, my challenge to you today is to share that solution with others. I believe that part of the Christian mandate is to help our fellow man. It’s an obligation we all have.
Again, God has planted within you a seed of creativity. You should find that seed and use it to God’s glory. If God has built you to be great, and He has by the way, and you settle for mediocrity, it’s not right. You will never live in the center of God’s will and fulfill the purpose he has called you to, if you continue to fail to use the creative seed he has given.
Are you being a good steward of the ideas and solutions that God has given you? If not, you can begin to change your focus today. It doesn’t matter your age, your status in society or your education.
When you begin to use the seed of creativity that God planted within you, the sky is the limit in your pursuit of happiness.
Stewardship is more than time, money and talent. It is also a call each of us have to impact this dark world with the light of Jesus Christ.
Plan - Build - Live
Rick@FreedomCoach.org
Posted by Rick at 11:26 AM | Comments (5)
July 26, 2007
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town Week of July 25th
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, garage sales,
and general information regarding our town.
Want to talk about something specific, post it here and one of the blog authors will start a topic for you!
Happy Posting - Judy
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.
Posted by judy at 07:24 AM | Comments (57)
July 25, 2007
The Price Is Right . . . Or Is It?
It was recently announced that the State of Tennessee had allocated over $1,000,000.00 in additional funds to Sumner County Schools which allowed the Board to balance the budget and give teachers a well-deserved and long overdue 5% raise. So far, so good, but I am curious to know if anyone was as taken aback as I was by the announcement that Governor Bredesen gave the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Education a 63% raise. No, that is not a typo. Commissioner Lana Seivers was bestowed a remarkable $69,100.00 raise, bringing her new salary to $179,100.00 per year.
What are your thoughts?
Posted by Michelle Hanners at 05:21 PM | Comments (6)
July 23, 2007
Final Thoughts on Time Control
I want to bring this topic to a close. Feel free to continue to leave comments and based upon those, I may pick the issue back up. I realize that I have hit a nerve here and this is a topic on the hearts and minds of millions of others as well. Here is where I want to go today.
What would it feel like to be able to do your job from anywhere you were able to. Of course, this wouldnt apply to an assembly line or manufacturing type of position, but there are millions working in offices and cubicles all around the world that if given the freedom, could do their work from anywhere and be more productive.
Let me tell you about a work model, that if it were used more today, would revolutionize the attitudes of employees everywhere. Less turnover and higher productivity means a big fat bottom line, and employees that are happy and families that are stronger.
Employers, you really need to look at changing your model. If you don’t you will lose in the end. You will lose good people, you will lose credibility, you will lose integrity and character because the work model that you force upon your people is ruining families. Inflexibility is killing your people. Open your eyes. God have mercy on you.
In this article, Business Week features the electronic retail giant Best Buy. This shows how a very large, and I mean very large company, can make the changes to influence and promote what is really important in their business, their people and their families.
Click here to read the article.
Plan - Build - Live
Rick@FreedomCoach.org
Discover your passion.
Live your dream.
Posted by Rick at 10:20 AM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2007
New Football Stadium
As requested here is your chance to ask or sound off about a new stadium at the high school.
I have asked this question to several folks here in Portland and I have received the following:
1. Tradition, Tradition, Tradition
2. Just wouldn't be the same without the train whistle
3. Why? The old stadium works just fine!
Maybe the Quarterback Club could answer this question.
Thoughts????
Posted by DebraP at 07:25 PM | Comments (32)
July 20, 2007
Moving City Hall - Good or Bad??
As you may know the City has prelimary plans, and One Million dollars budgeted to move City Hall staff from it's current location to the old Sunbeam/Lawnlight Property, relocate the Police Dept to the Current City Hall building and leave the Fire Dept where it is. I believe the budgeted money includes purchasing of said property on Victor Reiter Pkwy.
Not sure I have this entirely correct.
Anyway, What are your opinions on this issue?
Posted by judy at 12:41 PM | Comments (56)
July 18, 2007
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town Week of July 18th
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, garage sales,
and general information regarding our town.
Last Weeks Comments (July 11th) included:
Corey Brewer's Multi-Million Dollar Contract
Trike-a-Thon
Desires for more Portland Festivities
Happy Posting - Judy
Want to talk about something in particular?
Follow the link to the right for general thoughts, scroll down the page you will find a posting asking for ideas
or copy and paste to go directly to that post.
http://www.portlandtn.net/2007/03/blog_discussion.html#comments
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.strong>
Posted by judy at 06:54 AM | Comments (3)
July 16, 2007
Still Controlled?
"When the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was passed in 1938, it was heralded as a giant step in protecting the rights of American workers—guaranteeing financial compensation for time worked in excess of 40 hours a week. The “40-hour work week” was born, and the term “9-to-5” became synonymous with working “full time."
Six decades later, the 40 hour work week has become a benchmark for corporations to build a platform for their work enviornment. What is the deal with working a set number of hours equating to full time work?
There is such a mentality in our culture today that anything less than 40 hours and your lazy and unproductive. Like my post earlier, this keeps creative thinking and productivity in a box.
Living in an age where knowledge is increase faster than ever, our society still uses a platform 60 years old. How productive would you be if your time wasnt controlled? How much time is wasted with your commute and having to sit in an office just for the purpose of being seen? Unfortunately, in our culture, being seen by the boss is first and productivity is second.
What about working too much and not being compensated for it? More than likely what you lose will be alot more that what you gain. Kudos from the boss, but time missed with family and children. Is it really worth it?
Lee Ann Sandweiss from Indiana University says this, "An Expedia.com survey said that 63 percent of Americans work more than 40 hours a week, with some 40 percent exceeding the 50-hour a week mark. More than $21 billion dollars in vacation time goes unused annually (and back to employers!), as we spend 2.5 more weeks—and three months more—at work than do our Japanese and western European counterparts, respectively. "
Don't be controlled. Be free.
Plan - Build - Live
Rick@FreedomCoach.org
Discover your passion.
Live your dream.
Posted by Rick at 11:04 AM | Comments (2)
High School Graduation Rates - Sumner & Robertson County
This information was provided by Mack in another post, as requested I am starting a topic dedicated to this information.
Did anyone see this in today's Tennessean?
2006 High School Graduation rates (I just included Sumner and Robertson County schools)
Hendersonville High: 96%
East Robertson High: 94.4%
Station Camp High: 90.2%
White House High: 90.2%
Beech High:89.5%
WH-Heritage High: 86.2%
Jo Burns School: 86%
Westmoreland High: 85%
Greenbrier High: 82.2%
Gallatin High: 79.9%
Portland High: 79.5%
Springfield High: 69.6%
That's right folks, Portland according to this is last in the county and next to last in both counties...
The highest Mid-state grad rate was Hume-Fogg at 98.5% and the lowest was Maplewood High 42.6%.
What's everyone's opinions?
Go to data.tennessean.com for more details, including rates for previous years and levels of improvement.
Posted by judy at 10:55 AM | Comments (11)
July 13, 2007
What are the Answers
I’m going to work off an article that I read in July 4th's edition of the Portland Progressive written by Daniel Suddeath titled "We need answers not ideology" I found this article quite interesting and asked his permission to bring this up on the Blog, of which he approved.
Daniel noted “Portland has a great opportunity but early 20th century thinking will not bridge the gap between the city’s ambitions and her reality. Some people are more than happy to see Portland remain small but the need for revenue is not limited to a big city. Paving projects, sewer rehab and utility work cannot be accomplished without ample funding regardless of whether a city has a population of 30,000 or 13,000.”
Those opposed to LBTD won the latest battle for Portland because the pro crowd didn’t draw support from the fence riders on the issue.
Further Quotes:
So let’s put LBTD past us for a moment and concentrate on keeping the winning side to their word.
They said there were other ways of gaining revenue – so we want to see it.
They said Portland’s crime rate would rise if LBTD passed – so let’s see it drop now that it failed.
We were told that Portland is not big enough for LBTD yet!! so let’s ask the churches that organized against the issue to quit building huge expansions or maybe have a vote to apply taxes to their property and use the same excuse, that Portland just is not big enough to give tax exemption to the biggest buildings in the city.
Where are the other forms of revenue and the alternative methods to expansion politicians and leaders talked about when they were shaking their Bibles in opposition to LBTD and Sunday beer sales?
Where are the plans to bring in new buildings and features that we were told could happen without a tax increase? The latest budget features a dip into the rainy day funds, could this be a sign that the council is up against a no-win situation? Now that the smoke has cleared from last May's election the people of Portland have the right to kow what direction our city is headed towards. (End of Quotes)
I am asking you……..
What do you think?
Where do you see Portland in 2009 at the next election?
Will there be new revenue? if so, where will it come from?
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.
Posted by judy at 03:35 PM | Comments (27)
July 10, 2007
FRONT PAGE - Around the Town Week of July 11th
Post your thoughts about News worthy articles, events, happenings, garage sales,
and general information regarding our town.
Sorry about missing the Front Page last week, I've been away on vacation.
Hope everyone had a fun & safe 4th of July Holiday week!
Happy Posting - Judy
Want to talk about something in particular?
Follow the link to the right for general thoughts, scroll down the page you will find a posting asking for ideas
or copy and paste to go directly to that post.
http://www.portlandtn.net/2007/03/blog_discussion.html#comments
While we welcome and encourage your thoughts and ideas we must ask that you refrain from the use of profanity and/or personal attacks, these are not acceptable and will be deleted by the administrators of this blog.
Posted by judy at 10:18 PM | Comments (16)
July 09, 2007
Who's Controlling You?
For the next few posts, I want to discuss, and I welcome your comments, how we are being controlled? I want you to ask yourself, "What is my life revolved around?"
I want to look at our current work model that is prominent in our society today. You have heard of mind control, today I want to talk about TIME control. The work model we see today became used in abundance decades ago. The idea of the 40 hour work week being carried out by 5 days a week at 8 hours a day, although may be good for the company, has unfortunately caused people to develop a mundane attitude about their jobs. Keeping employees in a box has stifled creativity.
If you could change one thing about your current job, what would it be? The number one motivation, statistics show, is not money. It doesn't matter how much you get paid, if your miserable in what you're doing. This will bleed over into your family, your church, your community service, just about any relationship you maintain. The number one thing that I have found that would keep people associated with a particular job is the opportunity for flexibility.
Flexibility definately goes against the decades old work model that is prevalent today. In the office at 8:30, out at 5:30, it doesn't matter how productive you are while your there. The bottom line is, the boss just wants you there. What if you could earn income by your productivity and not just the fact that the boss wants to see your face?
What if you could do what you do from home? What if you could do what you do at your office, but had the flexibility to be creative with your time, if the job was done? How would that make you feel? Would it put a pep in your step? Would you feel a little freedom and possibly enjoy getting up to do the day's work ahead?
These are some serious questions that need clarification and answers in your mind. The lack of flexibility from employers today is causing huge amounts of turnover for the company. The expense of the hiring process of new employees, the cost for their training. These two processes alone could save companies thousands. Any HR director can tell you that.
When will companies wake up and see that their people want uncontrolled time. Not fluff, that at the end of the day, just goes away and is forgotten. I'm not talking about corporate anarchy, but I am talking about flexibility. You vacation, when the boss says it's ok, you go to lunch when the boss says it's ok, you come in when the boss says to and can't leave until he says. With broken homes at an all time high, and stress and frustration running rampant, it seems that there is a solution that could be easily implemented to help ensure the balance of the employee's lives. It's flexibility.
If you're reading this and you're a business owner with employees, you should take a serious look at providing flexibility for your people. The culture, money or a "because I'm the boss, so it's my way or the highway" mentality does nothing for people, families and freedoms other than destroy them. Time is the issue. Listen to your people. Get flexible or you'll be needing to get replacement's.
Plan - Build - Live
Rick@FreedomCoach.org
Discover your passion.
Live your dream.
Posted by Rick at 04:34 PM | Comments (11)
Immigration
The blog has been slow this last week. Must be vacation time for alot of folks.
Not much happening in Portland also so let's open a discussion about the immigration problem we have here in the USA. As you know the bill did not pass and I think that's a good thing.
How about you? How do you think the immigration problem should be handled?
Posted by DebraP at 12:50 PM | Comments (29)
July 06, 2007
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Remember this question? This is probably the most common question asked of youngsters. If you think about it, this is not only the most common question, but also one of the most important. Proverbs tells us to "train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older, he will not depart from it." We too often attribute this verse to strictly a spiritual connotation. Although that is part of the meaning, if you look at the original context, you can also say, "train up a child in the way he is bent..."
How were you wired in your younger years. Discover that and you will be well on your way to living a life where your work is also your pasttime. Think of your current situation. Is this what your ambition was when you were a kid? If not, why not?
My son Jack is seven and since he was two, you could ask him what he wanted to be when he grows up. His first response to this day is "I want to be an ice cream truck driver." He's been consistent with that for over five years. Now, he has added some things to that like; fireman, police officer, doctor, being in the military, but his first ambition has always been to be an ice cream truck driver.
My wife stopped the ice cream truck as it strolled through our neighborhood last week and began inquiring about how to get started. You can rent the truck for $10 a day. That's $10 a day. You can bet that, if not this summer certainly the next, you will see myself or my wife driving our son around and he will be living his life's dream.
Now, will he be doing that as a career? Probably not, but, if you notice the other things he would like to be, you will see that these are service oriented careers. You can bet that I will be resourcing my son with all the tools I can that will help him to engage in a life of service to others. You see, that's the way he is bent. I believe, this is his calling.
As a society we have seen a transition from "what do we want to be" to "what are we going to do". This focus on what we do rather than who we are is what keeps us feeling trapped. Discover your dream. Ask yourself again, "what do I want to be when I grow up?"
What are your thoughts on your work?
You can contact me at Rick@FreedomCoach.org
Discover your passion.
Live your dream.
Posted by Rick at 02:22 PM | Comments (40)