Gruesse aus Greifswald!

[eequestrian]

On the suggestion of my friend Ben, I decided this might be a good way that all my computer-savvy friends could keep an eye on what was going on with me, in my new home (formerly Eastern Germany). So, welcome! And here goes

Comments

[moongem166]

Hehe now I can keep track of both you and Ben without a problem. Sounds like you are settling in and that your housing situation is a lot like Freiburg.
On Bush...you know some of my political leanings but one thing I have to say that effects my life is No Child Left Behind!!!! A teachers nightmere. It is a great idea, all schools should provide all children the best education possible. We should work on closing the achievement gap, everyone should have a choice of what school they want...but how NCLB is being implemented is not a happy thing. Schools that are in the 90 percentile are considered failing by the program because they are not "improving" but how the heck can you improve a score of 90+ ? I am sure you have heard all about it but I needed to get up on my soap box. :)

If I think of anything else I will let you know.

I got your postcard and loved it. It went into my "german stuff" box that I will use if I ever have a German job. Well I should be working on my substitute teaching forms and keeping track of laundry.

[eequestrian]

Thanks for the remarks on "No Child Left Behind." I thought that was the general consensus on it, but good to hear from a teacher! I was definitely planning on bringing that up, though. What happens to the failing schools? Does it lessen their funding or something?

[moongem166]

Yeah their funding gets cut and the governement starts to take notice. It is published for the residents to see (normally in the paper) which schools are failing in the area. If they fail to many times in a row the govt comes in, removes everyone and revamps everything. I believe there is are many steps before your school is taken over but the big consequence is funding

[bulimicplankton]

Hi Erica this is Maureen. Hope all is going well in Germany. This is definitely a good way to keep me posted on your Germany adventures because I check LJ about every 5 minutes, but I will probably have to read all of it later since I should probably be doing work while I am at school. But it seems like things are going good so far. Have fun. Later.

hi, Erica!

[anonymous]

It's Kate -- I'm glad you figured out a way to post information for all of your friends without having to send tons of emails. Very efficient and German of you, of course! Anyway, I'm at work now but I'll probably come up with some political things for you to tell your class. I thought it was interesting that they study our president's speeches; I'm sure most Americans don't really know anything about Merkel. Ttyl :)

Re: hi, Erica!

[eequestrian]

Yes, Germans are more political than Americans (in my experience) and also more well-informed, especially about American foreign policy, anyway. I'll look forward to your comments!