Mom’s Soap Box

Don’t you just wish you could step back in time and be back in high school parents? I don’t think so. I wish my kids never told me some things about what their up to in school, because I can’t do anything about it as much as I wish I could.

They complain about every teacher and every rule. Yesterday was about the homecoming dance, and only having warm water to drink. They complained about how hot it was, and the air was not on( I was told it was cranked up as far as it could go.)

The Topic of Today’s Forum is dedicated to all you PO’ed Students who attended Saturday’s Homecoming. The $20.00 ticket paid for the homecoming sweatpants, and only ticket holders got a pair. It also included a tomahawk for the games, decorations, and the DJ.

If you’re mad about only having warm water to drink you should direct your anger, and concerns to your student union; they are the one’s who made all the decisons about the dance… They are the one’s who decided on the theme, and what to have for refreshments. They decided on havin no cookies, because they said they would only end up on the floor.

I can’t help that you voted for these people, so quit complaining. All I can tell you is, remember this next year, freshman, sophomores, and juniors when it’s time to vote for your student councel, and student union; sorry I can’t help you out seniors, little too late.

Seniors, for the prom let your junior classmen know what you want, and where you want to go because, they are the one’s who will decide on your prom! And there is a good possiblity it may resemble a scene from the horror flick, Carrie.

This past Saturday was Homecoming, and what a beautiful day it was. The sky was blue, and the sun was shining, with silver edged clouds. In neighborhood driveways were high school boys washing cars, preparing for the night ahead. And what an expensive day it was.

Couples stepped out unto their parent’s lawns to gather for that perfect photo, resembling photo clips from “Brides” magazine.

I realize what the girls had to dish out for a dress, but did anyone ever total the cost for the gents. I guess it’s worth the price for some high school memories. They had a blast that’s all that counts, right? Maybe I should ask them twenty years from now.

Well, being the outspoken mom I am, here goes.

Homecoming tickets-$40.00 dollars
Dinner-aprox-$30.00-$50.00 dollars
Flowers-$10.00-$40.00 dollars
Suit attire, or alterations-$50.00 dollars

I can’t wait till the prom!

Britney Spears is in a downward spiral. Wednesday was the first day that Britney surrendered over custody of her two young children to her ex-husband Federline.

As a mother I can only imagine what she is going through; however, she needs to focus on getting well, so she can re-claim her children. I’m not going to sit here, and pass judgment on her; I am not going to pity her.

The problem with Britney, and other over-privileged young women who lose custody, is that they don’t put their children first in their lives. The moment a child is conceived that child becomes a woman’s first priority, which means no more partying, no more drugs and alcohol, no more late night at the clubs.

If a woman can’t put their child first, there are so many couples who desperately want children and will put the child first.

Some advice for Britney-get your life under control, and maybe you’ll get your kids back.

One thing about the American public -we are a forgiving society. Britney can make this time away from her children productive, by working on her body, mind and soul; her fans will welcome her back with open arms. Then she will be able to open her arms to her children.

Some recent updates.

MRSA, is not only in Pennsylvania schools, but across the United State and Europe.
I did some research for my science writing, graduate course, and to my surprise outbreaks are in the numbers.

I don’t want to scare anyone, but reality is, we need to protect ourselves from being another victim of this super bug. The best way to protect ourselves, and our family is to be aware of what’s is going on in our schools and, by keeping up-to-date on the cases of MRSA in our children’s schools, and our community.

Make sure your schools are doing everything they need to do to protect your children, speak, call or email your school’s administrators to find out yourself if they are doing everything they can to keep your children safe. If your schools are not doing a good job to keep your kids safe, attend your local school board meetings, contact your local media, and health department.

Recent letter I recieved from Penn Trafford School District concerning MRSA.
Dear Ms. Nicassio,

Thank you for your concerns regarding recent MRSA-CA in the community. Please be assured that our staff is informed regarding the potential problems related to MRSA-CA. Letters have gone home
to parents, employees, and athletes informing them of the bacteria and methods for preventing infection. In addition, more facts and details regarding MRSA-CA is available on our web site as well as in all school offices. We are working closely with our school physician, nursing staff, custodial staff, athletic director and athletic trainer on an ongoing basis to monitor the situation, review our cleaning procedures and assure that the district is doing everything it can to address the situation. Our custodial staff has an ample supply of products (including foggers and cleaning agents) that are effective at treating this bacteria and they are using them to address the situation. Established cleaning schedules, using these products, are in place throughout the district both in the schools and on the football field. In addition, all of our athletes have been reminded of the importance of using their own supplies and towels as well as the importance of keeping their equipment clean. This is certainly not something the district is taking lightly.

Thank you for your concerns.
Penn-Trafford School District

I found the best to way to keep informed is to check the CDC (The Center for Disease Control) webcite frequently.

Tasering in the Schools
I interviewed Mr. Smith, Assistant Superintendent of the Penn Trafford School District, September 22, 2007, and he informed me that Penn Trafford School Distrist will never taser any student and will not keep a taser in any of the schools; however, the police will, if they feel there is just cause; this does not make me feel any better about tasering school students.

EMS Tax(Emergency Municipal Service Tax)
I called my state legislature office , Oct 1, 2007, they informed me that as of June 21, 2007 Act 7 was passed. It exempts employee’s who wages are 12,000 or less. Employer’s were not allowed to take the tax from their pay. If ones’ employer took the tax from their pay checks, they can file for a refund at the end of the year. The tax can also be pro-rated in small incrediments.

Check your state and local web cites for your state local tax laws.Federal minimum wage law
As of July 24, 2007 the federal minimun wage is $5.85.
As of July 1, 2007 PA minimun wage was set at 7.15 an hour.
Check your states minimun wage.

XBOX360
Yesterday, I spent all morning going through the chain of command to get someone of authority at XBOX360 in Sealtle WA., finally I was able to get an email address for the Vice President of XBOX 360 divison, Richard Kaplin. I emailed him stating the issue I was having with the XBOX360 and their CS department.

This morning, I recieved a letter from their Escalations Department.

Dear Jennie Nicassio:

This email is to confirm we have received your email regarding your Xbox experience. My name is Steve and I will be contacting you in the next 24-48 hours (weekends excluded) via phone number . At that time we can discuss your experience and work toward a resolution. Thank you for your patience and I will look forward to speaking with you soon.

Steve
Xbox Escalations, Microsoft

It does pay to Complain

When XBOX came out, my family was one of the lucky ones to get our hands on one.The gaming console was everything a gaming consignor could imagine. The graphics were out of this world; however, every happy story usually comes to an end at some point, now I wonder whose- lucky now.

From the moment we took our console out of the box there has been problems, it’s like a never ending pain in the behind. We had our XBOX sent to the Microsoft service center out Texas six times, and out of those six times over three were refurnished replacements.

What really makes me angry- they will not give us a new XBOX that has the updated hard drive problems fixed.

Instead- they give us a re-furnished XBOX, or what they call , “a working XBOX.” Come on, six times! Yesterday, I called the 800 number for XBOX, and I get connected to someone in India!

I want to talk to an American; again- United States big business gets cheap labor to do there bidding! What do I have to do to get something done about this- I’m tired of holding on the phone talking to a person in another country about an issue concerning an American product from one of the richest men in world.

This is ridiculous Microsoft-I don’t think I should have to send it back for a seventh time! Bill Gates come on-stand behind your product- I’m not going to stop until I get a new XBOX- In fact I am going to call their corporate office and , if they can’t help me resolve this problem I’m going to call every news station in a America who will listen to me. All I want is a new XBOX that works- is that too much to ask.