Saffron

Nope, not crazy! :-) Reinfection is more common than people think: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12042544

Does vista print do cards? I can't remember... but I've used them for other bespoke things previously, and the quality was good.

Maybe just a cheap one that folds easily, if she won't be in it long? xx

Yes that sounds like CP. The spots do keep coming for a bit. Sounds like the previous case was either not CP (there are other viruses that cause spots), or she is one of the unlucky few to have it twice. There is a genetic link in suspected for these individuals. Hope she's better soon. xx

landsberger Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Saffron Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I think school websites can give a wealth of > > information about the character of the school. > > Things I would look out for would be how up to > > date the website is, and what information is > > available on different aspects of the school. > > You could argue this both ways. A school who don't > update their website could be busy doing other > things. I know some great schools with awful > websites and some awful schools with great > websites. Disagree. For me personally, as a working parent, an up-to-date website is essential. And that includes the typical things I listed. > You need to corral a wide variety of > information before you make your choice. Reading > the Ofsted reports is a start and any stories in > the media about the school. Ofsted reports only fit where they touch, and are subject to manipulation on both fronts. Useful? Yes. But take with a proverbial pinch of salt. > > > Is there information about staff, such as what > > area they specialise in? Are staff pictures on > > the website, so parents can easily identify > them? > > There's no set templates and if the school is a > primary school, the staff are unlikely to have a > particular subject specialism - your child will > have the same teacher for most lessons. Most > school websites will list the staff but as staff > are recruited and resign all the time, the > turnover is likely to be such that the website may > well be out of date. Photos are not usually > provided - why would they ? What can one tell by a > staff member's appearance ? > Wrong! MANY primary school website ARE providing staff and governor photos. Parents who aren't frequently able to do the drop off and pick can have a difficult time getting to know staff. Having photos available helps parents to recognise staff and can support community building. Also just because there is no template is irrelevant. You can build an excellent informative website by common sense and a little research. Also, MANY staff have areas in which they specialise or areas of special interest, such as reading, maths, or music. > > Are the governors and their areas of expertise > on > > the website? > > Usually a list of governors is provided - if not > on the website, then usually in the prospectus - > specialisms are likely to be whether they have > specific responsibilities rather than what their > skills are. > Also not true. Governors who are co-opted from outside the school may have been taken on-board because they have skills that can benefit the school, such as financial knowledge. Their responsibilities in this case should reflect their skills base. > > Does the website have up to date > > copies of the school newsletter and permission > > slips etc available? > > Maybe. Maybe not. See above for "up to date"ness. > Again, see my comment on being a working parent. Sometimes letters get lost between home, club, and school. I can easily print a new one, if it's available on the website. So, for me this is an essential part of the character of the school which would be useful. > > Can the website take payments? > > See above - many schools have "parent pay", but > it's not compulsory for schools to offer this > service. > Never suggested it is compulsory, but again see my comments on facilitating working parents (and busy non-working parents as well). > > Does the website list a dress code? Does it > seem > > about right to you, or too conservative, too > > relaxed? > > if there is a uniform for the school (and 95% of > UK primaries do have a uniform) it will show it > either in the prospectus or on the website. > > > Is the school sympathetic to working parents > (if > > needed)? Are there lots of different > afterschool > > activities to choose from? Is there a > breakfast > > club if needed? > > See above Indeed. > > > Is there a parent forum? How does the school > get > > feedback from parents and offer them answers? > Is > > there a PTA? Is the 'PTA' a fundraising group > > only, or do they also provide a forum between > the > > school and parents? > > See above Yawn... > > > What type of school trips does the website list? > > > How far in advance does their school calendar > go? > > Can you get dates in your diary 6 months in > > advance? A year in advance? > > There's no requirement to list school trips - > there's no requirement to offer school trips at > all. It's down to the school. There's no requirement to do any of that. I never suggested that there was. However, THIS IS the 21st century. Many schools are increasingly using websites, email, and texts to communicate with busy parents. Therefore, where websites are available, they can give a wealth of information on the school's character.

Mince pies are only really palatable if you've had enough alcohol not to care what you're eating imho.

Mini walnut (or pecan) tarts, served with a little whipped cream on top. Or mini chocolate-orange tarts.

If his English is good enough -- The Hobbit. xx

Is it possible to speak with his Rabbi or her Pastor? Even if you're not religious yourself, it might be productive to have someone outside the family to facilitate communication. So sorry you're going through this. xx

Could be confused due to intoxication / medication / dementia / illness. That might explain the shuffling as well. It could be anything. Of course report it if it felt odd to you. xx

Lighthearted and funny, "Good Omens", by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

Second vote for Flowers for Algernon. It's beautifully written. But, yes, maybe a bit sad for Xmas present. It is beautiful and tragic. xx

Heinlein's "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress" Easy to read, not long, it's a mix of sci-fi and timeless social commentary. Characters are deep, and the plot is realistic and compelling.

Yes deffo PM me if needed. Same for other Family Roomers. xx

But it's not two separate problems. There needs to be a strategy in place for both. There's currently no international consensus on Assad.

srisky Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Do parents have to wait with the kids? Mine is > almost 5y but can't stay with her as I will also > have my 2.5y old. I can stay with yours if needed. I'm off work these days in Dec. xx

I think school websites can give a wealth of information about the character of the school. Things I would look out for would be how up to date the website is, and what information is available on different aspects of the school. Is there information about staff, such as what area they specialise in? Are staff pictures on the website, so parents can easily identify them? Are the governors and their areas of expertise on the website? Does the website have up to date copies of the school newsletter and permission slips etc available? Can the website take payments? Does the website list a dress code? Does it seem about right to you, or too conservative, too relaxed? Is the school sympathetic to working parents (if needed)? Are there lots of different afterschool activities to choose from? Is there a breakfast club if needed? Is there a parent forum? How does the school get feedback from parents and offer them answers? Is there a PTA? Is the 'PTA' a fundraising group only, or do they also provide a forum between the school and parents? What type of school trips does the website list? How far in advance does their school calendar go? Can you get dates in your diary 6 months in advance? A year in advance? If your child rides a scooter or bicycle, is there a place to leave it at the school during the day? What outdoor facilities does the school have? How much free play do children have? What are school lunches like? Are they catered, or does the school have a kitchen? So, I agree, that going to see the school can help... BUT, you can get a lot of information by really combing the websites! xx

Just signed up Little Saff. Aside from the 9am start (groan), she's going to love this! Feel free to PM if anyone else is going... perhaps meet for a coffee? My daughter is nearly 6, and she loves making new friends. See you there :) xx

Maybe I missed it, but I don't think any of the comments so far addressed the question of the potential of stamp duty to affect prices. This is an interesting article with quite a broad view: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-1671748/House-prices-What-expect-news-predictions.html

Is this a 'right of access' issue? If so, three months seems excessive.

I think it's great idea. Computers have changed so much since we were young! (Anyone else grow-up with an Apple IIe?) Plus social media and games have exploded in the last decade. Are any local libraries offering something like this? This could be combined with other basic tech skills to make a course that would run over a few of weekends, or afterschool.

citizenED Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > DfE > School Admission Code it clearly states that > "Admission authorities must not refuse to admit a > child solely because they are unable to sit the > test on the allocated date. In this circumstance > they could arrange for another test to be > conducted, or seek other evidence of the child?s > academic ability." Regarding the use of "other evidence", my understanding is that would only be applicable in the case of exceptional mitigating circumstances, eg someone transferring in from overseas at short notice. Otherwise, this creates a paperwork nightmare as far as trying to make a standard assessment of multiple students based on portfolios, rather than blanket testing. Assessing portfolios is hugely labour intensive. Testing is a symptom of the industrialisation of education. :-/ I agree with other comments regarding the differences between Southwark and Lewisham, and hope things could improve in the future, though I think change on this likely to be very slow. An essential top down change in education infrastructure would be best imho. If it's a matter of getting your child to/from the test, could anyone from the Forum help? Would any regular posters have children testing at the same school(s)? xx

It might have been the wording of your first post being unclear. The Forum has a v wide readership beyond the hub of ED/Kingsdale, and has been prone to some rather unfortunate threads in the past (probably before your time). Sometimes subtleties of intention are lost in translation. Thanks for clarifying. xx

Circus classes? http://aircraftcircus.com/collections/aircraft-circus-classes-for-kids Montage Theatre Arts? http://londondance.com/youth-dance/directory/dance-classes-and-workshops/youth-dance/montage-theatre-arts/

Opperuinity? Is that a portmanteau of operational opportunity to ruin? I'm going to pinch that. Caucasian/Caucasian racism is no less real than Caucasian/African racism. (Whether or not racism was a factor in this case is a different story.)