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The state rules should change. The school districts, by state law, must create a budget and submit it to a vote the first week of May. If NY State cannot pass a budget so districts don't know how much state funding they will receive by then, the voting should not be held. It is crazy voting on a budget before you know how much state aid you will receive.

My Grandmother started me on my letter writing journey when she showed me a letter from her brother who still lived in Ireland. I was 10 years old and asked her if I could write to him too and she included my letter with her’s. I remember my surprise and joy at receiving his letter addressed to me and that was the beginning of 20 plus years of correspondence between Uncle Pete and I. Letters are sharing parts of yourself with others, your thoughts, dreams, hope, they are love, advice when needed. Letters are wonderful and I’ve missed writing them. I think it’s time to begin writing again. Thank you for this reminder.

Its entertaining and that's what a movie should be.

It's an interesting question posed here. I agree that teaching about work ethic is critical, regardless of the type of job. In my role as an educator, I have started adding a conversation with new employees on attendance, teamwork, and personal responsibility to what is covered in orientation. Setting expectations is important, but I think for a lot of people this is a little late to start having that conversation. But it also illustrates that the resources often taken for granted by some (reliable transportation, childcare etc.) are luxuries many people don't have. Individualized training opportunities, or at least introductions to professions that play to interests or strengths is a wonderful concept- but i think needs infrastructure to be built for that. I have learned a lot about S-VE's high school curriculum- they have an agricultural science department! What a wonderful opportunity for the students! And the BOCES programs are another example of structured opportunities for learning that play to individual interests.

I am very proud of all you have accomplished throughout your long life. I did learn a few things in this article which makes me wonder just how much I still don't know after all these years 😄 Your story is a successful one for sure!

I love this blog! Yes, it's a lost art, but not entirely 🙂 I wrote letters for years to my grandparents and friends after my family moved away from living near them, and send cards out when I can. And I was overjoyed when my 10-yr-old granddaughter mailed me a handwritten thank you note for the purse I made for her a few weeks ago 🙂

What I don’t understand is how these Albany Elites can’t see that what NYS is mandating to stop/heal climate change has no effect whatsoever on the world’s climate. As long as Countries like China, India, Russia and others continue using existing, reliable forms of energy it makes no difference. I believe it’s the desire to “be first” that is driving these ridiculous decisions. Instead of talk about Canada being the 51st State I’d like to see Upstate NY be the 51st State.

As people continue to leave NY, this is becoming more of a problem. I would like to say we need the other party in charge to set real spending limits, but that isn't true any more. Democrat or Republican seem to think we are cash cows. The more we have to pay, the more people get fed up and leave. Not sure the solution, but the problem is real!

These mandates are completely unrealistic but by the time anyone figures that out, the people who made these laws will be long gone from office. They'll have made their money on it though, you can bet on that.

I watch it every year, and every year I question why the hell I watched it. I guess it’s just tradition at this point.

I agree with you, sadly and unfortunately. The districts are shaped for the liberal cities to outnumber conservative towns.

I think some of this is a little bit of antiquated thinking, but overall he makes a good point.

People cannot read cursive. My son is in the Army. He had rented a house in Alaska after a long road trip and was spending Christmas in his house sleeping on a new couch waiting for his furniture,etc. that was shipped in July to be delivered. My sister sent him a Christmas card and it came back. She called to verify she had the right address. She did. She called him to try to figure out what happened. He asked, "Was it written in cursive?" When she shared yes, he said, "I bet the mailman can't read cursive."