MSP - Measuement of Student Progress

MSP - Measuement of Student Progress
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

As I finally post this blog, I realize that this month has been my most pathetic blog month in Southworth Sailor history. Maybe it is a reflection of the worst May weather I can ever remember. I have had several blog worthy happenings this month: Bjorn had an appendectomy and subsequent infection, I reconditioned the keel on my boat and gave it a new coat of black bottom paint. Our class went on a field trip to the Mariners game, my iPod Touch was stolen by one of my students and we finished the first year of MSP testing - Measurement of Student Progress instead of the WASL - Washington Assessment of Student Learning. These tests seem to be ever more consuming of our educational attention. There is certainly some good in them, as they have raised the level of accountability in the classroom; but there are many frustrating and inequitable dimensions to the process as well. One particularly frustrating test is the science test. There are some very nebulous 'standards' that the state publishes on which the test is based. As teachers, we are not allowed to read the test; but if one were to look over the students shoulders, he/she would notice different test questions for different students and very little testing of scientific content and lots of extended written responses for inconsequential scenarios. Our school has typically performed poorly on this test, and despite great effort to prepare the students this year, I have little confidence that there will be a significant improvement.

tennis on Mother's Day

tennis on Mother's Day
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Markus joined us for Mother's Day. After church, we enjoyed a Kim's Teriyaki 'party tray,' then hustled off to enjoy the weather at the tennis courts. The old fogey's still have the swing as we beat the young boys in a tight match. We refreshed ourselves with Coldstone ice cream in Bremerton and then enjoyed the sunshine at Harborside Park and waterfront area. The Spring weather seems to have finally arrived.

Bookend Birthdays

the party girl
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

This past weekend we celebrated two birthdays; one at the beginning of life and the other in the closing years. Two special women in my life - my granddaughter and mother, neither one cognizant of the significance of the event. Mom did have momentary recognitions of her birthday, but they quickly faded away. But somehow in her emotions, I believe that she could feel the family celebration on her behalf. A highlight for her was signing hymns with her children. On the other end of things, Ada seemed to enjoy the all the attention given her. There was a big party with many of Bjorn and Jenny's friends. Ada seems to have grown up so much in just the past month. She is standing and walking with a cart, sleeping through the night, and making sounds that at least resemble language. While my Mom is quickly losing her ability to communicate, my granddaughter is quickly beginning her ability.

"One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts." Ps. 145

SPU Dad's Only Day

Go Sounders
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

My final year as a dad of a SPU student and I got to go to the first annual Dad's Only Day at SPU. The day's events began with breakfast at SPU and then a trip to the Seattle Sounders game. Markus and I went with Jason and Jillian Shdo. I'm not sure why we let Jill get that obnoxious horn! The rain held off except for a few sprinkles, making for pleasant game conditions. The Sounder fans are great and the game was fun to watch as it was my first pro soccer game. Fortunately, the Sounders scored in the extended minutes of the game to win 1-0.

Spring Break - Day 8 and 9

American River Trail Sacramento
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

The weather in Sacramento started turning cooler. Jack and I did some shingle repair on Ellen's roof in the morning. We rode about 12 miles on the American River Trail. It is a great trail, and on a Spring Saturday well used by serious cyclers and casual bikers like ourselves. In the evening we had dinner in Old Sacramento before Esther and I headed for home at 8pm. We made it as far as Medford at 1am where we checked in at the local Walmart. Sunday we drove through Oregon and arrived home in time to unpack and rewind before hitting work tomorrow. It was a great trip and we really enjoyed vacationing with Jack and Sue and spending time with Ellen.

Spring Break - Day 7

work day in Sacramento
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Today was work day at Ellen’s. Jack and I did some fence, gutter and lawn mower repair while Esther and Susan did some landscape beautification. Ellen kept a Bulthuis tradition alive by bringing home a Friday night Papa Murphy’s pizza. We had an enjoyable evening as siblings reminiscing and sharing dreams.

Spring Break - Day 6

Santa Cruz Boardwalk
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

I woke early this morning for a bike ride along the coast before breakfast. Today was a travel day back to Sacramento. We did manage to take the scenic route through Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. The boardwalk was as busy as we have ever seen it. It was amazing how calm the weather was in Santa Cruz when Monterey and the most of the coast was very windy. For a few days we have been anticipating some fried artichokes since we are near the artichoke capital of the world. We got our chance at lunch in Half Moon Bay. We enjoyed dinner at Ellen’s and look forward to a day of work in the sun tomorrow.

Spring Break - Day 5

Big Sur coast
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Another gorgeous day on the Monterey Peninsula. In the morning, we rode our bikes on the trail into Monterey and Pacific Grove. We found a nice cute motel in Pacific Grove that was reasonable via coupons. After a quick lunch on the wharf and a little more biking on the trail, we headed for Carmel by the Sea. We stopped at the historic mission and then poked around the shops in town. We ate at the Hogs Breath Inn of Clint Eastwood fame. It was a fun outdoor pub in a cool little courtyard. After dinner we drove down the Big Sur coast for a bit before returning to our motel and walking to the beach to enjoy the sunset.

Spring Break - Day 4

17 Mile Drive Pebble Beach
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

The California sun is here, and we are enjoying it! We drove down to Monterey this morning with Jack and Sue. After enjoying a sourdough bowl of clam chowder on Cannery Row, we headed for 17 Mile Drive. Vehicles pay $9.50 to drive this gorgeous stretch of coastline, but bicycles are free. The wind was pretty brisk off the water, so there was no problem of overheating. We took a few hours to soak in the sun and the magnificent views. We ended the day enjoying seafood and a view of Monterey Bay. It is fun sharing our adventure with Jack and Sue.

Spring Break - Day 3

Sonoma bike path
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

The rain gods were gracious to us today. Though a little chilly, we had a dry day. A few hours in Petaluma browsing antique shops and we headed for Sonoma. Lunch was on the sidewalk at the Cheese Factory. Esther enjoyed some window shopping before we explored the short bike path that skirts the hillside wineries behind town. We enjoyed the chance to get a little exercise and sunshine. In the evening we went to Sacramento to join Jack and Sue at Ellen’s for supper and then to witness Butler U's heroic effort in the final dance. Tomorrow Ellen is back to work while the Washingtonians head for the Monterey Peninsula and sunshine.

Spring Break - Day 2

coast near Bodega Bay
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Today’s weather would have made the Russian emigrants homesick for their Alaskan roots. The wine country of the Russian River Valley felt more like the Ho Rain Forest. After an early Easter service at First Baptist Church in Ukiah and a grand slam breakfast at Denny’s, we were ready to take on the soggy vacation day. Being denied the pleasure of any outdoor activity or museum viewing (Easter!), we headed for the stormy coastal town of Bodega Bay to enjoy nature’s ferociousness. The surf and wind was even too much for the kite surfers as we watched them pack up their gear. We headed in early to our motel in Santa Rosa.

Spring Break - Day 1

Sacramento River Trail, Redding
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

After checking out of our Walmart parking lot accommodations we set the GPS for the closest Rest Area and Starbucks. After departing home after work the previous night, we made it as far as Cottage Grove in central Oregon before our eyelids could not handle the traffic and rain anymore. We began to wonder about a ‘spring vacation in California’ as we passed a blanket of snow from Ashland to almost Redding. The weather broke a little in Redding, so we pulled our bicycles out of the van and checked out the Sacramento River Trail. It was great! A paved trail follows the river on both sides, beginning at Sundial Bridge and continuing to the dam. It was a delight to enjoy a little sunshine and the budding trees along the river. Once out of the downtown area, the trail had little traffic and we cruised along the smooth pavement. After the bike ride we headed south and then west when we got to Williams. We crossed the coastal mountains and passed by Clear Lake to catch US 101. We found a ‘real motel’ in Ukiah and enjoyed a shower and clean bed.

removing a rusty centerboard

rusty iron centerboard
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

The warm dry Saturday gave me an opportunity to do a major project on my sailboat. My boat has a shoal (shallow) keel with an iron centerboard that swings down when sailing. It looks like the 170 lbs. cast iron board has not been removed in 35 years. After putting the trailer up on wheel ramps, I chained the trailer to the truck and the boat to a tree. Then with a come along, I slid the boat back on the trailer to allow the centerboard to drop behind the axle. It worked like a charm, except that the boat wasn't high enough to allow the centerboard to drop all the way. Nothing that a quick hole in the ground couldn't solve. I was surprised to have the board out and ready to be sandblasted in one day. I still have a few more projects to complete before I am ready to put the boat in the drink.

Jenny's Birthday

Jenny's b'day
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

This past weekend we got to see our granddaughter (oh yes, and her parents) Ada is changing so fast. She is still a tiny thing, but she is crawling, standing and feeding herself (with fingers of course) Saturday night we met Bjorn, Jenny and Ada, as well as Markus in Seattle and went to a 'fun Asian restaurant' - Wild Ginger, that Jenny found. Then Esther and I took Ada home while Bjorn and Jenny went to a concert. They came to Southworth late that night and went to church with us in the morning. We celebrated Jenny's birthday before they headed off to Lynden for another party. Well, at least we got our Ada fix.

a new chapter in Esther's career

Esther's new job
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

This week was Esther's first week in her new position as office coordinator's assistant at East Port Orchard elementary. The last two weeks have been stressful. Saying goodbye to Orchard Heights was very emotional for her. After seven years, her relationships at the school were wide as well as deep. The OH staff was very gracious and understanding in their farewells. The new job has many of the same responsibilities, but with different personnel and procedures. It all takes time to make the adjustment. Esther is feeling more comfortable every day, though she does miss Orchard Heights. We feel confident that she did made the right decision. The position involves more hours per day and is a step up in salary schedule. With impending budget cuts in the distrit, her old position would likely have been affected next year. In time, I am sure that she will enjoy her new environment.

a SMART classroom

new SMART board for classroom
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

It seems like I never win any raffles or drawings. I always watch other people get excited over their new unearned prize. Well, No more! This year I was one of two teachers to win a SMART board in a schoolwide drawing. After patiently waiting four months for the promised wonder gadget, it finally arrived! We are having a blast getting to know it. Many schools around the country have already been using them, so there are lots of interactive websites to utilize. If you are not familiar with a SMART board, they are a giant interface with the computer's 'desktop' Instead of using a mouse or trackpad, you use your hand or 'pen.' The really handy thing for education is that you can build transparencies over any screenshot and then save them. The one drawback in a class of fifty-six students is that only one person can interface at a time. For now, the novelty of the technology is enough to hold their attention.

A day in George's city

lunch on the waterfront
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

I hope that it is OK to celebrate George Washington's birthday in George Vancouver's city. Instead of our annual Big White ski vacation, this year we did a Dutchman's Olympics day. In addition to celebrating Bjorn's birthday, we watched a lot of the Olympics and went to Vancouver one day to take in some of the free sights. We spent a long day in the city doing the tourist thing. Leaving Lynden in a downpour, we expected the worst in weather; but were blessed with sunny skies. It was quite a challenge to keep 15 people moving in the same direction and not losing each other in the crowds. We spent much of the evening watching the big screen at David Laim Park. We felt a little out of place cheering the USA on in the midst of a Canadian crowd. At 11:30 at night the line at the The Hudson Bay Olympic store was short enough for us to do some souvenir shopping before catching the skytrain back to Surrey. Some of the group also went to Abbotsford on Saturday to watch Russian figure skating practice. It was nice to be close to all the action, though the event coverage is a lot better on a couch at home than the streets of Vancouver.

War on thorns

blazing a trail to the cliff
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

I feel like I did battle today. The enemy has left me scratched and weary from a day of combat. Blackberry vines can reach 20 feet or more. Once you slice them, they come back to get you again and again, until you finally subdue them by reducing them to footlong sticks you can trample under foot. The battle with these Northwest pests came as a necessary step in my occasional tree cutting routine to protect our view. Now is the time to do the nasty chore, while winter has the foliage somewhat sleeping. I now have a chainsaw at my disposal as a neighbor bought a new one and made a deal that he would keep it up for us, if I would do the grunt work for both of us. The weather felt more like Spring as I hacked and sawed my way to the cliff. Well, I got a good start on the war and am licking my wounds.

Peter's new toy

Garmin Oregon 400c
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

My Christmas gift from Esther this year was a handheld GPS unit that I can use while hiking, running, cycling, boating and driving. I have been experimenting with it in many venues this past month, but finally had the chance to bring it on the water. The Garmin Oregon 400c comes preloaded with a coastal navigation map, meaning that it has detailed info and maps for all salt water locations in North America. I took advantage of a sunny afternoon and jumped in the canoe. The device works like a charm. It was interesting to watch my speed over ground fluctuate as I paddled against or with the current. It is something that you can sense by watching the water and surrounding landforms, but becomes painfully or pleasurably obvious with a GPS. One of the very nice features of this Garmin unit is that I can sync it with my computer and have detailed analysis and maps of the route which can be stored and catalogued. Speaking of 'electronic toys,' this week is the announcement of Apple's long awaited 'iSlate' Will it have the same success as the iPod and iPhone?

Haiti in Happier Days

Haiti in Happier Days
Originally uploaded by Southworth Sailor

Having had the opportunity to visit Haiti twice in the last ten years, the images and stories on the news feel doubly painful. The sights, sounds and smells now return, not with nostalgia, but with a pathetic sadness. While our sister church and the people we know in Haiti have been spared from death and injury, there are so many who are obviously in grief and unimaginable pain. A family in Port Orchard mourns the loss of their daughter who was working in an orphanage. Fortunately, a good friend from church, Rebecca Miner, is safe in Cape Haitian. It is difficult to understand how a country so close to the US can be so deprived and now devastated. It is likewise difficult to comprehend God's purposes in natural disasters. We can only trust in His wisdom. We can also hope that in the rebuilding of this country, social and political dynamics will change to allow the people of Haiti to rise up with dignity and hope.