Prior Lake American - Activities - Comments

I'm insanely jealous of

Miss Mollee — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:29:34 -0600

I'm insanely jealous of these kindergartners. I remember hatching baby chicks in second grade. I thought that was the coolest thing ever (alas, my parents would not let me bring one home) but I can't imagine getting to watch a baby shark hatch. Too cool!

This is an awesome

Stephanie — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:29:05 -0600

This is an awesome play!
They are rehearsing performances today during school, and I saw this Seuss version of Romeo and Juliet this morning. It alone is worth your four dollars to see the one-acts this weekend.

Not only that, but the story

Rational Thought — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 10:42:02 -0600

Not only that, but the story you have also states that they are listening to suggestions/ideas for programming and events, so you would think they will continue to involve seniors on what they want. I think some people just feel that the big bad city has no practical intelligence whatsoever.

From what I've gathered, the

Lori Carlson — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:03:18 -0600

From what I've gathered, the city did include seniors on the committee that made decisions about what to include in the new senior center. So, presumably, some of what will be offered was suggested by seniors.

Respectfully, Dan

swannyww — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:20:22 -0600

Respectfully,
Dan Swanson
There is a lot of talent in the senior community, yet all society seems to do is get them to do meaninglesss activities that would depress them instead of inspire them. I visit senior buildings and I see people wandering the halls bored to death. I think the seniors should decide their use of this facility and the rich city should pony up the funds to accomplish their goals.

I run my own home-based

kayttc — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 13:01:18 -0600

I run my own home-based business helping women (and men) of all ages look & feel great by wearing gorgeous hand-crafted jewelry by Fifth Avenue Collection. (www.GiftsbyKay.com) During the holidays, I am holding an Open House benefitting Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center. The event is entitled "Jammies & Jewels" and will be held on Saturday, 12/8, 10-4; Sunday, 12/9, noon-6p; Monday, 12/10, 4-9p. Everyone is being asked to bring NEW, UNWRAPPED PAJAMAS (sizes 0-12 months) to donate to Alpha. For address/directions to the Open House, send an e-mail to kay@giftsbykay.com OR follow the signs! (Northwest corner of Hwy. 13 & CR42 just off of Boone Ave.)

Alpha Pregnancy Resource Center in Savage offers free pregnancy tests, counseling, pre-natal and parenting education to women & families experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. For more information on the Center, including other ways to donate, please visit their website at www.alphaprc.com

What I meant by open

Rational Thought — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:27:46 -0600

What I meant by open enrollment, which the letter writer didn't acknowledge, is that currently you have the choice to apply to a different school, both public and private. The issue of admittance is different, but if I live in Prior Lake and want to enroll at Eagan, there are ways I could do that, just like there are ways I could apply to Benilde if I so choose.

What is your definition of

Dot_Connector — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:32:32 -0600

What is your definition of open enrollment? Does it have to do with boundries or the requirements that schools have to accept all students who apply? (i.e. handicapped, different religions)
Private schools don't have to accept all folks who apply where public schools can't pick and choose who walks in the door.

Very good points. Being a

Rational Thought — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 13:36:49 -0600

Very good points. Being a product of a private high school, I take issue with the first letter as well, because it misses some important issues.

One is that private schools are open enrollment. While it's true they are, so are all of the public schools in the state.

Also, private schools can't just be expected to adjust to timing or family needs anymore than public schools. Private schools are traditional education environments just as much as public schools are.

Also, if you don't want to fund public schools, that's fine, but you aren't going to a private school for free either, and considering that tuition at private high schools continues to increase year after year, the price you pay to get your child that education will most likely be more than you pay to help address the public school needs in your community.

Private schools are not the blanket answer. They are the right fit for some, not the right fit for others. But to suggest that private schools are how we fix education is fairly assanine. The public school system needs more than an emotional response during election season, it needs everyone to get involved in the lives of their children and those in the community.

Mr. Grider, How about an

LeftRightCenter — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:40:52 -0600

Mr. Grider,
How about an example of nonessential staff and programs? I'd like to consider your point, but that just sounds like a fancy statement you've thrown out. What exactly are these nonessential programs?

Mr. Fry, You made some good

LeftRightCenter — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:38:19 -0600

Mr. Fry,
You made some good points in your letter, but how is our school system a failed system? Do you have a job that pays your bills? Did you go through public schools? I'd also like to see your research that you conducted on private schools outperforming public schools. Private schools can control their class sizes and enrollment by simply turning people away. Public schools don't have that luxury. Also, voting "no" because you are dissatisfied with current leadership doesn't really make sense. The students in the district are the ones that will feel the affects of the no vote the most through programs and activities that will be cut and through overcrowded classrooms.

In response to the first

LeftRightCenter — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 12:25:56 -0600

In response to the first three letters:
If you think that private schools are better, that is your choice to put your children in a private school. If school times aren't flexible enough for you, maybe you should rethink your work schedule first - schools are not a daycare system set up to meet your time constraints as a parent.
Of course teachers are going to protect their financial positions - doesn't everyone do that at their job? Business people don't have to organize a union because their business is for profit. Business people expect their raises every year as they should - the teacher's union is what they have to ensure a continually fair contract. If you have never taught, you have no idea what goes into the job. Mr. Krinke's letter on the website is interesting, but most of the classroom size debate in our district has to do with elementary students that need more than a lecture to learn. He also obviously hasn't set foot in our classrooms here because they are much more innovation than what he describes. To compare our classrooms now to 50 years ago is not a good comparison.
I also agree that our democratic system proved its beauty in this election. But, not all parents are involved in their chilren's education and the burden is shouldered soley by teachers. Go to a classroom over at Glendale that has 35 fifth graders and see what it is like for a few days, and then go to a fifth grade classroom that has 23 students and come back and tell me that students won't be better educated with the smaller class. Studies and research do not provide all the answers. If you experience it first hand, then you'll have some data.

Referendum supporters:

max-power — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 19:58:06 -0600

Referendum supporters: Apparently these people don't care about education. But even though the levy and bond didn't pass, let's not let that stop us from investing for the children's future! If all of us 3400 supporters make up 1700 households (assuming two voters per household) we can still give our $300 per year, for a total of $510,000 per year for the district. We can still do some good! Our children deserve smaller class sizes and increased staff. Please think of the children!!

I like the barns at the

Joanna Miller — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:39:24 -0500

I like the barns at the fair, but the combination of barn smell and fair-food smell isn't a good thing...

I'm squeamish, but I

Lori Carlson — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 15:03:06 -0500

I'm squeamish, but I still enjoyed the "Miracle of Birth" barn last year. Seeing a baby lamb struggle to take its first steps was pretty amazing. But I'd warn would-be 'Miracle'-watchers: Don't bring food inside with you. It's not likely you'll have much of an appetite left.