I'm starting a new blog from now on:

http://mrchang.blogspot.com/

Yo... I can't believe that someone pulled a hit-and-run on our beautiful Animo Venice school bus. 

However, I've gotta say that Mr. Herrera was pretty impressive under pressure.  He literally jumped into his "Batmobile," flew out of the school parking lot, chased down that criminal, and copied down the exact license plate number.

Props to you Mr. H!

Resume for Martha Stewart:

  -Graduated from Barnard College with majors in history and architectural history.

  -Model, Stockbroker, Lifestyle guru

  -Writer of best-selling catering book and several cookbooks.

  -Started award-winning magazine, "Martha Stewart Living"

  -Hosted own Emmy-winning TV show, named one of "America's Most Influential People of 1996," created "Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia" in 1997

  -Owns billion-dollar media empire

  -2nd Place, Alderson Federal Prison 2004 Decoration Contest

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=11&u=/ap/20041231/ap_on_en_ot/people_martha_stewart

Ok... here's my 3rd blog entry of the night.  This is for all our students so read carefully.  I don't know if many of the students feel the same way about this issue but I would really appreciate some feedback and comments. 

Because of all the irresponsible actions of some students and the immaturity of many others who contribute to the problem by not speaking up, there is a lot of pressure from parents, people in the neighborhood, etc. to have more rules, more supervision, and more consequences.

But students... what I want you all to think about is something quite simple, would you rather have a school full of adults and cameras watching your every move OR would you rather have a school where the students are taking the responsibility to keep each other accountable, where the adults can trust the students and the students can trust the adults, and where everyone has the freedom to express themselves responsibly and freely.

I would prefer the latter but is that even a reality.

Long time no blog.... there's so many things to talk about and I have no idea where to even get started.  The day to day matters take up so much time that I neglect to do the fun stuff such as writing in this blog.

So, a quick update on the school.  The first quarter just ended two weeks ago, right before Thanksgiving break.  Based on the data that we collected, 42 students are over a 3.0 GPA so that's so exciting.  Props to those students and we are definitely going to do something special for them after Christmas Break.  However, there more even more students under a 2.0 GPA so this week the teachers are conferencing with those students and their families to figure out what can be done to improve those students' grades.  Anyhow, I know many of the students must be sick and tired of the adults at this school harping on the same issue over and over and over again.... and while we may need to be patient and be considerate of the fact that our students are only 9th graders, there still needs be a sense of urgency because in no time, our little angels will be applying for college and entering the cruel realities of the adult world.