Texsox

Looking at the second map. Those darker stretches in Texas are open ranch lands with very little development. The legend states it is measuring changes in travel. If folks in that county did not travel at all, and they still don't, it would be darkest because it did not change. Another possible explanation is if you need to travel 60 miles to the nearest full service grocery store, you will still need to travel that same 60 miles. It appears as if the areas of greatest population density, Houston, Dallas/Ft Worth, Austin, Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio are travelling much less. I also see the stay at home orders are helping. Perhaps it gives cover for employees who are now forced to WFH

I'm remotely watching a battle between primary property owners and second home property owners unfold on South Padre Island. I have empathy on both sides.

BINGO! Just what I was thinking.

Our pasta section has been full of lasagna but nothing else. Forget about tortillas that aren't fat free, gluten free, etc. The cereal aisle was pretty picked over. I the plus side I just taught my four year old grandson to ask Alexa to fart. Yeah, I'm the cool grandpa. I'm also learning to meditate, stretching a couple times a day, and really making progress on my next book.

Well my governor decided to allow churches to meet. (As an ordained pastor I wonder if I can hold services at my local wine club for members only). Abbott went from not doing anything and allowing local governments to decide, to issuing statewide restrictions, to over ruling local leaders in about ten days. Although I do hope we can keep drive through margaritas. It was nice pulling away with a couple quality drinks. https://www.statesman.com/news/20200331/abbott-issues-statewide-stay-at-home-order-allows-religious-services

Texas schools now closed until May 4th. I think that is the final nail in the already unlikely chance of finishing any sports seasons.

Profits before patients.

It was a nice dig at Trump. Although possibly unintentional.

Anyone feel a moral obligation to spend the CARES checks to stimulate the economy?

Thinking about China's numbers, how many died before there was a label for it?

We are one of several school districts in San Antonio (7th biggest city in the US - largest school district)in two weeks we have deployed over 26,000 devices and counting. My district curriculum and instruction team has already sent me the next two weeks of high quality lessons to use, abuse, ignore. We're still working out grading and the amount of work expected. We're learning every day and improving the delivery. We've also handed out more than 250,000 meals.

One of the sobering predictions is that every person in America will die or know someone who dies.

I had forgotten about that play. I think he has a chance via the ERAs Committee but I doubt it.

One of my favorite categories of books are books set in places I've visited by local authors. Victoria Houston has a series of about 20 books set in the Wisconsin Northwoods. CJ Box in the Rockies, Elizabeth Garcia in the Big Bend region, David Harry on South Padre Island. If anybody has a recommendation for a series available from Kindle Unlimited I'm starting to read more on my Kindle. Hogan, do you recommend the Dead Wake series? It sounds interesting.

I'm asking my students to read ten minutes a day and reflect on their reading plus keep a weekly journal. I decided to read https://www.amazon.com/Beatest-State-Union-Anthology-Writing/dp/1942956088 which really is narrow-casting. Not recommended unless you appreciate the works of the Beat writers like Kerouac, Ginsberg and interested in Texas. I also know a few of the writers that are represented and studied many more. I helped a bit with the financial backing and added a little to the research so it's always fun to be holding a copy of the book.

Be nice to receive federal aid. Really, kiss my ring while people are dying?

Someone please tell me Trump was joking?

Normally hiring is constant throughout the late spring and summer as teachers move, retire, take different positions, or whatever. This year I honestly don't know. There may be less movement from teaching to non academic positions.

https://www.teachersoftomorrow.org/texas/fully-online-teacher-certification I did mine on-line while working full time. This isn't the company, mine closed shortly after I finished. Basically you are looking at an Alternate Certification Program. You won't have to complete before getting hired, you can work on it as you teach. Basically you will have two tests to complete, a content test and a professional practices and responsibilities test. The classes will help you with the PPR.

I'm at the best district in San Antonio - Northside. Once you have an application in I can help get you interviews. We have 11 high schools total so there are usually openings. Have you started your certification process? One thought about being at the high school level with a PhD are paths to lead curriculum and instruction teams at a district level. Most of our central office staff have their terminal degrees.

How big of an area are you looking at? Would San Antonio be feasible?

I just found in an article that about $30B will go to "stabilizing" universities. That doesn't sound like an opportunity for waste. Hopefully some will go to all the non tenure staff.

Student Loans at $43B? I thought that forgiveness wasn't included. That can't be just interest, etc.

A summary with links would be great.

My district updated us on expectations for our students. We start from a positive slate. If a student was missing work, had a low grade, etc we'll wipe those out and start fresh. If it helps, we keep them. No summative grades (tests, etc) only formative and all are weighted the same. Expect 20 minutes per day or 100 minutes per week for all work. Allow extra time. Allow extra help. Be flexible, be flexible, be flexible. Off to replan lessons . . .