I want to cover a couple of items in this particular blog post, so there's no single theme to this one.
First, I read an interesting article about some eighth grade students who got a chance to learn through the distance learning process, using some innovative technology to get them to explore a museum they might not have been able to visit otherwise. These particular students are located in Whitney Point, NY but thanks to the internet they were able to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In case you didn't know, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located in Cleveland, Ohio.
Here's a link to the article:
WP students take video field trip to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080123/NEWS01/801230365
Interestingly, the field trip these students took is just one of a number of similar programs offered by the Hall. Kudos for putting together these interesting and innovative offerings.
Secondly, I wanted to update you on my daughter's work and school situation. She's sixteen and has left traditional high school to pursue her diploma online through the Penn Foster High School program. So far, she's enjoying it immensely and is doing very, very well. Over the holidays she fell a little behind, and her advisor called us to ask if everything was okay and to make sure Nicole didn't need any help. I'm continually impressed by Penn Foster.
My daughter wants to work during the day. In Florida, if you're sixteen you can't work during the day because those are school hours. There are exceptions, and my daughter qualifies for one of them: she attends a private school. All we have to do is get a letter from Penn Foster confirming her enrollment, fill out another form, fax it to the state capitol, and she'll get the exception form. Her advisor has agreed to send us such a letter (apparently they're quite familiar with these) and we'll get her the exception so she can get her first "real job".