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I get a lot of emails, most of which I delete without reading. But I always take time to read The Writer’s Almanac produced and read by Garrison Keillor. It is just the right size for a quick read, usually includes a poem and interesting trivia and biographical details about literary figures. Yesterday featured a beautiful poem entitled “To My Mother” by one of my favorite poets, Wendell Berry. It describes a mother’s love and unqualified forgiveness of her son’s rebellious acts, forgiveness so complete that it seems to be granted even before the misdeed occurs. As always with Berry, he takes the original idea to another level, comparing his mother’s love to “the vision of Heaven of which we have heard, where those who love each other have forgiven each other, where, for that, the leaves are green, the light a music in the air, and all is unentangled, and all is undismayed.”

Check out the full poem here, and enjoy your day, you Mothers!

Warning: Don’t plan any spring-cleaning projects in Lowell without securing your trash disposal first. As a multiple-recycling-container family, it’s no trouble fitting our trash in the large magenta barrel the city provided as part of its new trash collection system. In fact, we’re big supporters of the movement and have happily added our filled recycling bins to the many dotting our Highlands neighborhood as the new program appears to be working to increase recycling. That is, however, until we did some much-needed sorting and cleaning last weekend, and ended up with more trash than could fit in the one assigned container (along with half a garage full of giveaways, which we’ll deal with later). Since we are a family of procrastinators as well as recyclers and pack rats, the search for the infamous purple bags did not begin until last night—just hours before trash pickup was scheduled.  The five stores visited included Shop ‘n Save and Walmart at Drum Hill (who were both out), two convenience stores on Westford Street—Windsor Shop and Country Farms—who said they had not been able to participate(?),  and Walgreens on Chelmsford Street who has been out of them for weeks. We didn’t try Market Basket because by then we were out of time and patience. (And me, lover of all things purple: It’s ironic!) Alas, a quick check on the city’s recycling website didn’t yield any clues about where we might find the illusive bags, so I guess we’re left holding the trash, literally, for another week.

The Lowell School Committee meeting tonight begins at 7 pm from City Hall and can be watched live on LTC channel 10 if you can’t make it downtown. (You can also get information on replays or on-demand streaming video at LTC’s website.) There are only two motions on for tonight’s meeting and since one is a request for a letter of thanks to DPW, I’m only going to include the other, which is from Mayor Caulfield and reads: “Request a legal opinion from the City Solicitor on the recent RFP approved by the Finance Subcommittee regarding Food Service in Lowell Public Schools.”  If you’ve read the local paper in the last few weeks, you know there’s been some backlash regarding getting this information, and that providing student lunches currently costs about $775,000. Expect to hear from folks on this issue during the public participation portion of the meeting. There will also be a number of reports from subcommittees including Finance, Personnel and Special Education as well as reports from the Superintendent regarding the city’s net school spending compliance, the budget calendar, Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education School reviews, and other initiatives. Lots of change in the air as the school committee and administration attempt to develop a budget that allows continued progress in the quality of education provided to our children within tight revenue guidelines. Also, check out LiL for their take on tonight’s meeting.

Despite the chilly rain, hundreds of educators attended tonight’s ninth annual Celebration of Teaching Awards at the Doubletree Hotel. Sponsored by the Lowell Rotary Club, the dinner has become an annual way to celebrate the many caring teachers in the Lowell Public Schools, as well as provide them with the opportunity to nominate their own favorites for “best teacher of the year.” Each school nominates a teacher, providing background information about their accomplishments, which often includes funny, heartwarming notes of endorsement from students. Based on the nominations, the Rotary then selects one winner for each of three categories: elementary, middle, and high school. The winners receive a $500 cash award, a trophy, and the priceless honor of being selected by their peers for excellent teaching. All nominated teachers are winners, but the Rotary’s pick for top three this year were: Ruth Buckley, Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School; Frances Sacco, Stoklosa Middle School; and Martha Lappin Iarrapino, LHS.

Since its inception under the leadership of former Supt. Karla Brooks Baehr nine years ago, I have not missed the awards celebration. It always moves me to experience each school excitedly cheering for their nominee and to hear the ways our teachers touch the lives of children every day—just one more affirmation of what a great school system we have. I don’t know of any district statewide with this type of celebration of teaching excellence. The other 2009 award nominees are: Diane Antonelli, Maureen Welch, Christine Topjian, MaryAnn Nochnuk, Catherine Klingman, Patricia Colgan, Manuela Flynn, Ana Irwin, Leona Giovannini, Dawn Boehn, Charles Boliantes, Ernie Descheneaux, Jill Laganas, Ellen Melina Notishen, Mary Theres Linehan, Janeann Kay, Donna Reis, Steven Rose, Carol Anne Chipman, Rosemary Janco, Hilde Gilman, and Sue Wilson. Congratulations and thank you to each of them!

No, I’m not talking about the school committee, but our local arts scene: The last play of the season at the MRT is A Moon for the Misbegotten, a classic by Eugene O’Neil. Well, I say classic, but who knows? I saw this play in a college production about 20 years ago and was not impressed, as it seemed melodramatic, overwrought and dated. Still, I’m game to see it again. The great thing about live theatre is that there is always something to like, or to discuss or critique after the show. Productions can differ radically because of the added variables of directing, acting, even set design. I’m going Sunday night, but the play runs through May 17th with performances on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at 8 pm; matinees run Saturdays at 4:30, Sundays at 2:00. Saturday night shows at 8:30 and Sunday night shows at 7:00 pm (call the box office at 978-654-4678). The recent positive review of the play in the Boston Globe indicates to me that some of the flaws in the production that I saw so long ago might have been countered by smart directing and excellent acting. It sounds like it might even be a bit humorous! On the other end of the spectrum, we have home-grown theatre right here in Lowell – the Image Theater strikes again with an ORIGINAL play by our own Jerry Bisantz. Entitled The Straight Line, featuring “beer, romance and gun fights,” the play will be upstairs at The Old Court for the next two weekends, Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm. Last but not least, Lowell High School students will perform Little Shop of Horrors, opening tonight with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 pm at the Lowell Freshman Academy Theater (how do you spell that word anyway? – er as in Image Theater or -re as in Merrimack Repertory Theatre? These are the things that keep me awake at night!) So, there you have it, entertainment and then some for your rainy May weekend. There really IS a lot to like about Lowell! Enjoy!

Two students from a Lowell parochial school have been confirmed to have swine flu. The students and their mother, who is a paraprofessional in the public schools, never attended school since returning from their vacation in Mexico, which means their exposure to others has been limited and did not include school buses or classrooms. Given confirmation of their illness, the students and their mother will not be returning to school until this is behind them. Lowell schools will also follow the protocol recommended by the Mass. Dept of Public Health, which allows that students and school staff who have recently traveled to an area where swine flu cases have been confirmed and who do not have symptoms may attend school. (Keep in mind, the flu has a 24-hour incubation period.) Obviously, everyone is on heightened alert, and school nurses will be educating staff and children about ways to avoid exposure. According to the Mass. DPH website on influenza, you can protect yourself and others from swine flu the same way you protect yourself from seasonal flu: Avoid holding, hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.  Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes, and clean areas that are touched often like door handles and telephones.

Yesterday, Lowell Public School students were sent home with an advisory from the state that included preventative information; additional information will come home with students today in English, Khmer, Portuguese and Spanish as needed as well as a ConnectEd phone call being made to parents at 5 pm tonight. If you have other questions, the Health Department advises calling Massachusetts Resources at the toll-free number:1-877-211-6277 or for more on the swine flu, check the Center for Disease Control website.

Aloha. Just got back to Lowell from a visit to the 50^th state, and I gotta tell you, I’m not feeling Dorothy-like about being home. Thank God spring arrived in my absence! (Or have we skipped spring and gone straight to summer?) Anyway, the daffodils, grape hyacinths, and magnolia blossoms scattering my pitiful lawn offered a much-needed welcome. Yes, I am home again and completely out of touch with all the wonderful (not) things that have happened in my absence. Please bear with me as I recover from the marathon 16 hours of travel we endured and clear my mind of Hawaii’s white-sand beaches, aqua-blue waters teeming with colorful fish, and swaying palm trees to focus on being back in Lowell.  Swine flu?  Higher taxes? More information requests causing upset with particular school committee members? Whatever. Pass me some coconut shrimp and a Mai Tai: Re-entry is going to be difficult.

There was no room left in the parking lot of the Butler School when I got there last night. About 500 parents and students attended the first annual Lowell middle-school college fair—The Pathway to CAN (College Awareness Now). The event offered families an opportunity to learn about college readiness, how to make the most out of high school, financial aid, and more. Tables were set up in the gym for the more than 80 colleges represented at the fair. Workshops on how to pay for college were held for parents in the library while students met with LHS guidance counselors in the auditorium. Along with plenty of information, there were raffles, refreshments, and free giveaways. In all, the event was an incredible success, and kudos to the coordinated efforts of school department staff, teachers, parent liaisons, guidance counselors, and administrators who pulled the program together under the direction of Dr. Phala Chea. In addition to the tremendous number of folks who turned out for the event, the diversity of the families in attendance was truly inspiring. (If only we could capture half that interest at a Citywide Parent Council or school committee meeting!)

No doubt, the earlier we start kids thinking about college, the better. To follow, are a few tidbits from the fair.  First, some advice to the students: Although they don’t have course selection, middle –school kids make choices that impact their college readiness: They choose to attend school, give it their best effort, do their homework, and behave. High school students should take the highest level classes their skills allow, work hard, get good grades, and be involved in other activities such as sports, student government, clubs, and community service. Second, financial planning for parents: Start saving now—even a little bit each month adds up, and take advantage of available resources through MEFA (Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority). As usual when Lowell students are involved, high energy and creativity were rampant. As one Pyne Arts student noted in his rap to end the night: “The last thing I’m going to say is lead an educated life, and have a good day!”

No matter what your religious affiliations (or not), Easter, like spring, is a time for rebirth, renewal and hope. Those of us who live in New England know how much a sunny day—albeit a cool one—can do to lift the spirits. During tough times, especially, it is important to remember to be grateful for our blessings and to put our fears aside. I found encouragement this morning from the words of Desmond Tutu, renowned South African peace activist and apartheid opponent:

Goodness is stronger than evil;

love is stronger than hate;

light is stronger than darkness;

 life is stronger than death.

Adults know you won’t get far without a high school diploma. Dropouts earn less, have poorer healthcare, and are more likely to end up in prison, on public assistance, or worse. Yet every year, too many kids quit school. According to the DESE, overall 11% of LHS students dropped out of school in 2008; that number jumps to 19% for Latinos and 22% for special education students. I attended a policy discussion today, sponsored by the Rennie Center, to hear opposing views about whether making kids stay in school until age 18 will reduce dropout rates.

On May 15, the state’s Graduation and Dropout Prevention and Recovery Commission will make recommendations on the compulsory school age as well as other issues. Massachusetts is one of 23 states that allows students to drop out at age 16 (19 states mandate attendance until 18 years; and 8 states mandate until 17). According to the policy brief presented today, there is no evidence that raising the age will reduce the dropout rate or that keeping it at 16 helps. What did become clear to me, however, is that allowing kids to quit at 16 sets a low expectation and sends the wrong message. (It’s not an option for my children. Who would want it for their teen?) Then again, if the youngster is failing and miserable, what good is another two years of forced schooling? Those who favor raising the age limit, see it as a tool that will only be effective if coupled with strong supports and services to engage youth in their education—including early identification and intervention, and alternative programs. But that is the crux of the issue: In this fiscal climate, how can we force disengaged students to stay in school longer when schools don’t have the resources to meet their needs now? Despite data identifying at-risk students based on attendance, grades and behavior—information districts know—most schools struggle with how to provide additional supports to those students given the time, staffing, and revenue limits they face. And that doesn’t even touch on the issue of disinterest and disconnect many of these students feel. The Commission’s recommendations will be interesting, but equally important is who will pay for them.