tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36434232849746353992024-03-04T23:50:53.634-08:00Flaming hoopsTheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-66041325985362399242019-02-11T07:11:00.000-08:002019-02-11T09:08:06.590-08:00Riddle me this....It's been a while. I've been busy. While the school board may have an issue with me volunteering, my local PTA unit is supportive as long as I follow the guidelines of the county, meaning I take measures not to interact with children during any of the events I put together as PTA President at my daughter's school or as the county council's Reflections Art Program Chair. This does keep me busy, despite the restrictions. I am passionate about the arts so helping run the Reflections program is also very satisfying to me on a personal level.<br />
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But should I be pacified with this level of involvement? Absolutely not. Why? 4/5 of the PTA work I put in doesn't even directly involve my own child or a program she's interested in. In some ways I don't mind because this actually ended up making me grow more as a person and advocate than I possibly would have otherwise, and has definitely raised my personal bar about what contributing to my community looks like. But that said, as lovely as that is I would just love to be able to volunteer as a coach on one of her teams or as a room parent in her classroom, but that's not in the cards for me at the present time so I help where I can.<br />
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Today's blog post began after I was having a rough morning and made a facebook post about it:<br />
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<i>Today and tomorrow mark the most anticipated elementary field trip for my 5th grader</i><br />
<i>The Mud Walk</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>When she was in kindergarten I found out I was ineligible to be a dividend volunteer in my county because of a 10 year old (at the time) nonviolent and non child-related offense, and I have been fighting to change that ever since.</i><br />
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<i>Some progress seems to be made in the last five years, but baby steps sure feel like failure when you have to miss out on something important to your kiddo</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>I'll just be over here having a pity party that lasts until at least Wednesday </i><br />
<i>Maybe longer as I think about the little guy starting Pre-K next year and all the fun things I'm going to miss for him too </i><br />
<i></i><br />
So then as I kept dwelling on it (as I am probably going to do for a few days just because that is what's happening in my world right now and it is harder for me to ignore how hurtful it is when it is forced front and center) I started thinking I was going to add to/edit the post and then I realized that 1. I had way too much to say for a facebook post and 2. I hadn't been to my blog in a while<br />
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So I sat down at the computer and this is what came out:<br />
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The current guidelines are ineffective (as evidenced by any and all "screened and approved" teachers found guilty of offenses against students), discriminatory (dare I say it? bullying), and NOT required by state statute (ONLY screening for violence and sexual offenses is required by FDOE)<br />
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It is also discouraging to schools and PTA's that have a hard enough time getting volunteers as it is. Who wants to risk everyone finding out about something stupid they did decades ago? When you are trying to rebuild yourself the thought of everyone judging you can be terrifying. It was only through a series of events in my life that led me through years of therapy that I was able to determine that the best way to address that fear for MYSELF, is to put it out there right away and get it over with. And you know what? Most people are WAY more understanding and forgiving than I ever would have expected. I really struggle to see where any actual support for these guidelines would come from, since the positive response to my posts over the years has been overwhelming and incredible.<br />
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Guess what? Some parents are convicted felons. Probably way more than a lot of people realize, because the stigma of being a felon leads to secrecy and not sharing about it. But depending on the severity of the crime, whether or not it involved violence or children, as well as the length of time and whether or not any additional offenses have happened since, are things that SHOULD but are NOT considered before denying someone the chance to volunteer. <br />
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But here's the thing.....<b>We can't stigmatize both the felon parents AND their children for the child's entire school career when nothing about the crime involved children or any violence that would be a concern around children, that's just wrong. Especially when it has been PROVEN and is part of this same county's handbook that parental involvement has a significant impact on student success.</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">So this is me, standing up and saying it loudly for everyone to hear, "THIS IS WRONG"</span></b><br />
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IN CLOSING, RIDDLE ME THIS.....<br />
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Often when an issue comes up at an event I'm going to be helping at, I am restricted in my duties during a time that parents are entering the school without any screening whatsoever. That Raptor system? I think it was a great step to implement since prior to that there was no way to screen visiting adults for sex offenses, however it's only running during school hours.<br />
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All those after hours events that I help at with PTA but I am watched carefully and admonished if I do anything to "look like a volunteer" don't require any screening of any of the parents that show up and interact with anyone else's child that happens to speak to them. To put it simply, at a time/event that we are not even screening for sex offenders per FL state law because school is not in session and there is no expectation for the schools to provide that screening when children are at an event with their parent/guardian. During these times, I am prohibited by the current guidelines to do something helpful to my team such as hand out food or drinks to students that are there in attendance WITH THEIR PARENTS. I have actually had to stand by, not helping, as my friends and team members scramble to hand out items to long lines of children and families.<br />
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Now if someone can actually explain to me how that makes any logical sense, I will gladly turn tail and stop advocating for a change in the current SCPS dividend Screening Guidelines.<br />
Until then, I'll just be over here letting everyone know up front what a big scary felon I am.<br />
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PS. Hooray for Amendment Four! I am officially registered to vote for the first time in my entire life!!! Let us only hope that the wave of change continues. Felons are people too!TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-67477111814657879382016-11-25T10:53:00.000-08:002016-11-26T11:11:21.313-08:00I haven't posted muchIn part because life is crazy busy and in part because I am assured things are changing AND I see evidence of these changes coming, so I am trying to just wait and not complain while hoping it gets resolved before the end of my oldest's senior year (this year)<br />
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So the first thing they are doing is updating the system which is 14 years old. Instead of having prospective volunteers typing in our own info on a website and using the honor system to screen out those willing to tell on themselves, now everyone (volunteer or not) will simply scan their state issued ID on the way into the school. This is far better than what I was asking for which was a change in the screening guidelines (which I am told is also coming soon)<br />
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Currently, at large events that do not require you to be a dividend, dividends sign in on the computer (which, again, only screens out those willing to tell on themselves on their application online), but those who are not dividends just sign in on paper and then take a little nametag sticker and write our name on it. Nobody checks your ID to see if it matches the name you wrote, or checks your name against any kind of list. You just write down a name and walk right in, This means that literally anyone, even registered sex offenders (because some parents ARE) can just walk up in your kid's school as long as they aren't trying to volunteer and are just attending a school event they aren't getting screened in ANY way before they are around students.<br />
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With this new system, every single person on campus will be checked against the sex offender registry, regardless of the reason they are there because everyone will scan their ID first thing when they arrive on campus. This is a huge step and I applaud the Seminole County School Board for it because it will make the guidelines more universally followed in all the schools throughout the county and that is a great thing for our childrens' safety and a HUGE improvement to the current system!<br />
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I am admittedly a little nervous about using it to scan my own ID for the first time, if it uses the current screening guidelines. I had some nightmares of alarms going off after I scan my ID, lol.<br />
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But I am told the overly strict volunteer screening guidelines will be going away soon too. I am hopeful while trying my best to remain patient. I am tired of being on the same "banished from volunteering at schools forever" list as sex offenders. Even though my own PTA has worked with me to find things I can do, there is always this black cloud hovering over me and this nagging voice in the back of my mind when I'm helping out asking am I allowed to do this? Some days I can handle it, but other days it really gets my anxiety worked up. Social stuff is hard enough without this extra layer of worry on top of it. <br />
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I am pretty confident things are headed in a positive direction. I will update if I hear anything else. Thank you all, for following my story over the last several years. It means a lot to me :) And to my fellow non-dividend parents, hang in there! Changes are coming!!! TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-77594719964382889472016-08-30T10:55:00.002-07:002016-08-30T11:03:08.507-07:00Interesting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Ok, first off am I the only one who thinks it's obnoxious how they keep explaining the policy over and over again as if the problem is clearly that I don't understand that I am a big scary criminal on the never ever to be forgiven list and I should just go away and stop trying to help out at my kid's school and just settle for showing up at parent teacher conferences, at event that anyone can show up at (but don't help out, we can't have you looking like a member of our community!) Maybe if they just explain again carefully just how unfit to be around children I am, I will shut up and go home with the rest of the criminals that were properly shamed into giving up.....</div>
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But also, I can't be the only one to notice that the screening policy remains unchanged yet this policy is blamed as the reason I am "ineligible" for a Professional Standards Committee Review, but the only reason I requested one is that was the process they put me through two years ago (supposedly under the same policies and guidelines)</div>
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So...am I to be screened like an employee or like a volunteer? And which was it two years ago when I was eligible for a review? And which part of the policy/guidelines changed to make me ineligible for that this year?</div>
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Take a minute. Help stop the nonsense!</div>
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<a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepetitionsite.com%2Ftell-a-friend%2F28117571&h=rAQGPFXMO&s=1">http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepetitionsite.com%2Ftell-a-friend%2F28117571&h=rAQGPFXMO&s=1</a></div>
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Schools are in desperate need of volunteers. </div>
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Counties are actively turning away decent parents with social exclusion under the guise of "safety" while teaching kids that excluding others based on their background is wrong.</div>
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My crime was not violent and it did not involve children. Unless you count my stupid, immature self.</div>
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Habitual Reoffenders don't go 15 years with no new offenses.</div>
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Stop slamming the door in volunteers' faces and then wondering </div>
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why there aren't enough parents willing to step up and help out. </div>
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Look at your own numbers for volunteers/hours! </div>
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Do the math!</div>
<br />TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-54073465851728403522016-06-08T13:23:00.001-07:002016-06-08T13:27:07.134-07:00Follow up email<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuecTjj2j_W98gMVVQy8ZNkpFfx8nKGMds9T1FAgb0hXZCyr3AJei_kbMtnudFbFJuvauawKvGi64QZ5O8QViaoNq1v7VHLOm_myRo7E2fbCU5NGoBeDYC1B6zC-UQcmKxyX8kJno9S8/s1600/Screenshot+%2528528%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuecTjj2j_W98gMVVQy8ZNkpFfx8nKGMds9T1FAgb0hXZCyr3AJei_kbMtnudFbFJuvauawKvGi64QZ5O8QViaoNq1v7VHLOm_myRo7E2fbCU5NGoBeDYC1B6zC-UQcmKxyX8kJno9S8/s320/Screenshot+%2528528%2529.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-40000674183309544982016-04-19T11:12:00.000-07:002016-07-03T11:13:19.558-07:00Cover letter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OhY8mrAHIiQe8BIi1vBDg28papEzlbwqIc0ZMRzHa6-hY5-RvA-3CJ2MDXQTm0GyppkOZznnjNUWDdZSEN1ZBJp5U3l_uBWt4-XEMPRJrRiZ4luZDqmuAMH67G-q0jpzH6iR8ahrwJM/s1600/WShotMomvict.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OhY8mrAHIiQe8BIi1vBDg28papEzlbwqIc0ZMRzHa6-hY5-RvA-3CJ2MDXQTm0GyppkOZznnjNUWDdZSEN1ZBJp5U3l_uBWt4-XEMPRJrRiZ4luZDqmuAMH67G-q0jpzH6iR8ahrwJM/s320/WShotMomvict.png" width="320" /></a></div>
This was the cover letter of the documentation packet I prepared and delivered to the school board.TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-84587430058193202862015-09-15T12:44:00.002-07:002015-09-15T12:47:33.032-07:00Patience, persistence, and idiocracy<br />
I just wanted to post a little update for those of you that have been wondering and asking. Currently, I still have my kids in Seminole County Public Schools and I am still planning to present to the board. I am up to my ears in different documents and statutes and character reference letters (Thanks to all, I do have to say.....how many people have the luxury in this world of knowing exactly how their friends feel about them AND that they feel that way strongly enough to put it in writing. If nothing else comes from this, at least I get that for my self esteem. You guys are all awesome!!)<br />
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There has been a lot of silence lately on my part, and for many reasons. <br />
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1. I had another baby in June <3 In some ways this makes me even more fired up and ready to go to war to prove I deserve to be a "normal" mom included in my child's school life just like the other moms; and in some ways this makes me want to pull back and consider whether I want ANY of my kids involved in a system (This part is tough, because we selected our house for this school system) that teaches this level of exclusion and total lack of forgiveness, despite the fact that over ten years have passed since my non-violent drug arrest (in 2002) and despite the fact that I completed all that the law required of me, and that at no point in time have I EVER been legally restricted from being around kids, and my arrest didn't involve any kids....but depending on the severity, someone with a DUI or domestic violence charge will be approved as a dividend as long as it's been more than 5 years.<br />
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2. The PTA board and school staff at my daughter's current school is great, and have found ways for me to help out even though I'm not a "approved dividend" (without breaking any rules or having me around kids, which is a great compromise that should honestly be implemented county wide to accommodate parents such as myself in the event that the current discriminating policy is not changed) Anyway, I would hate to go present to the school board and have the few opportunities I currently get to help out be taken away in retaliation.<br />
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3. There is a lot of red tape, research, and organization involved. This requires spare time, which I don't always have available (you know, between all my "non-volunteering" and raising a baby and my other kids and such) I wish I had the time and energy to share all the emails back and forth with various county employees! <br />
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I have found some hope in that Pinellas County just changed their volunteer screenings from similar what Seminole's policy says to something more like the minimum required by state statute. But, gasp, what about the safety of the children? You ask? Never fear, they will still screen the riff raff, but they changed some of the parameters so that someone like myself could actually volunteer after going 10 years without any additional arrests, instead of 25 like it was before (which was still better than Seminole, who has me on the "NEVER" list as if I were a sex offender)<br />
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4. Maybe it would just be easier to home school. There, I said it. Maybe rather than trying to fit into this community that wants to shove me as far to the outer edge of our village as it can (and board members quip #ItTakesAVillage while ignoring that a certain portion of the village exists and may be interested in helping out - Last I checked the saying wasn't "It takes most of a village" or "It takes only the good parts of a village") Maybe it would be easier to just teach my kid myself. And in all honesty? A large portion of the material she's covered so far in K, 1, and 2 is stuff she already knew from her dad and I when she started pre-K...so maybe I should just do that. I shouldn't HAVE to, but I'm beginning to wonder if my daughter will be graduated before I have accomplished anything. I'm not a fan of bureaucracy, or idiocracy, or anything else that is slow or inefficient. ;)<br />
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One of these days, all the stars will align at the right time and I'll head on down and make my first presentation. Until then I will leave you with this question:<br />
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WHY<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"> are we talking about division when we talk about our school volunteers?</span><br />
<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"></span><br />
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<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">Dividend implies splitting something into pieces, or making smaller pieces. I don't think that fits with the Title I requirement for "encouraging parent participation", which is a shame since we already don't have enough active volunteers as it is. Really, we need all the help we can get, and beggars can't be choosers. </span></div>
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<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"></span> </div>
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<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available">#WeShouldBeMultiplyingNotDividing</span></div>
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<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available"> </span><br />
Is it better/more effective to get 10,000 parents to sign up and add to the total number of dividends yet not put in a single volunteer hour? Or to deny the application of one volunteer that put in over 250 hours last year even though I am #NotAVolunteer?</div>
TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-18662247557793111852014-10-28T11:42:00.002-07:002014-10-28T11:42:11.427-07:00As I conduct my research in preparation to speak to the school board...I find myself with less time to write about the meeting in which I was told there are zero activities in which I can participate at school as a non-Dividend and the silly runaround of emails it took to get them to actually summarize the discussion afterwards via email. It was actually kind of comical. One of these days I may get time to write about it in detail.<br />
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In the meantime, I thought of an easy way to keep posting and having things for people to consider while I am in this research phase....<br />
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Each post, I plan to share one or two (or maybe more, depends how much time I get each day) of the recommendation letters I submitted with my application this year. These are from real people and parents in Seminole County who know me and who (like me) think it is phenomenally stupid that I am on the "not good enough" list to volunteer at my childrens' schools.<br />
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Here are a few to start us off...there are plenty, which is why I plan to just post a few at a time. These were either; 1.Never actually read at all, or 2.Read and completely disregarded as insight into my character.<br />
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<span id="goog_98462684"></span><span id="goog_98462685"></span><br />TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-67602521263322030162014-08-21T06:41:00.000-07:002014-08-21T17:57:53.139-07:00Am I good enough?<br />
<br />Don't we all wonder that? Apparently I am lucky enough to live in a county where I can be judged and then told whether or not I am, in fact, "good enough".<br />
<br />Tuesday I was given the honor of being reviewed by the “Professional Standards Committee”<br />
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What that is, isn’t made exactly clear, except that it is apparently the group of people that get to judge whether or not parents are good enough to be volunteers at the school. <br />
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I was given a perfunctory phone call in which I was told the committee was reviewing my application, but I do not think they were going to tell me I had to be there if I hadn’t asked. <br />
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There is no link for the committee on the county website. There is no listing under staff for this department, a posting of their policies, or even a mission statement. And why I was not granted the ability to speak to them LAST year when I begged the dividend program members, the school board, the superintendent, and everyone I was redirected to in between for appeal or review? <br />
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The policy currently posted on the website (which was NOT posted last year, in case you were wondering) is the same policy they supposedly followed last year. I can’t be sure since that policy was not posted last year but IF that is the case and the policy is unchanged, then where was my Professional Standards Committee Review last year?? <br />
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Surprisingly, I was one of three women there. One was applying to be a teacher and one to be a dividend. <br />
<br />
It was mentioned before the review that all decisions by the committee were final. Yeah, I don’t think so. When they tell me no, that is just the beginning of the plans I have been waiting all summer to set into motion. Not an end, by a long shot. It was cute that they tried though. I laughed in my head.<br />
They started their meeting about 10 minutes late (not very "Professional" if you ask me) and I sat for an additional hour before it was my turn for scrutiny. I may have been outside the room, and I may not have been given the names of those who judged me, but I have ears and I DID hear a man say "Look at me, I'm a hardened criminal!" In what context it was used, I don't know. But it was heard.<br />
<br />
I brought quite a sizeable stack of recommendation letters (thank you ALL) many of which are from moms in Seminole County and some who had children at my daughter’s school and even in her class last year and some printouts of the various endeavors that I currently do, which include a litter pick up team in my neighborhood, fostering baby animals, raising chickens, painting and interior design, and sewing. I explained that the only way I could think to show them that I am different than the person who got arrested twelve years ago was to simply show them the things that I spend my time doing. <br />
<br />
And that’s it. I waited all day for a phone call and didn’t get one. I was told I could call the next morning so I did, and got voicemail. This morning I called again and was told that my application was denied (big surprise there) so now I can move ahead with my plans to address the school board.<br />
<br />
I wish I didn’t have to waste time on steps that I already know the outcome of. Got to love bureaucracy.<br />
<br /><br />TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-38445812836242136362014-08-05T08:48:00.004-07:002014-08-05T08:48:45.803-07:00The school year is about to begin
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Calibri Light"; margin: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: "Calibri Light"; margin: 0in;">
The summer is easy.
I'm a very motivated and energetic person, so I was able to find/create some
volunteer opportunities for the girls and I that were pretty fun. We began the
summer fostering a litter of puppies that needed extra special attention (I used
to be a veterinary technician so I was able to use those skills to save 5
little dog lives <3)</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
We only managed one
Litter Bug Patrol trash pick up event this summer, but at least we got that one in there. We
just go out as a family with our gloves and trash bags and pick a section of
street in our neighborhood where we pick up all the trash we can find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first event ever (during last spring
break, I believe) we found like 10 tractor tires, a television, a few rolls of
carpet, street signs, and several garbage bags full of beer bottles. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
We finished off the
summer by fostering a litter of tiny orange kittens. I currently have four
orange balls of fluff running around my office and bringing joy to every member
of my family every day. </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
Now the time has come to
sort through clothes, gather supplies, and meet teachers.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
I'm sure everyone
has a certain level of anxiety when it comes to meeting new people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starting a new school and meeting a bunch of
new people is already kind of overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then I have to add a whole extra layer to my anxiety when I wonder what
people will think when they learn of my past and my inability to officially
volunteer at the school when they, inevitably, find out. Because I can't be
myself and eager to help and participate and NOT have it come up, because until
the county approves me there are only certain things I can do.</div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
I have to say that
there was a group of ladies at last year's school (I certainly hope you know
who you are) who went out of their way to make me feel welcome after the school
itself made me feel quite the opposite. And I hope it isn't too early to say that
I THINK I may have gotten lucky again this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> School doesn't start until next week and I have already helped out once, and </span>I already see opportunities where I am
welcome and excited to help out, and we've already crossed that bridge where I
have to tell them all why I can only help with certain tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you know what? Nobody looked at me like I
had three heads or anything like that, so I think we're going to be ok! </div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
Some days are better
than others. Today was a good day.</div>
TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-15798063904307138672014-03-25T04:18:00.000-07:002014-03-25T04:44:41.552-07:00If I can be a better me, I won’t be afraid<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know some of you have been waiting anxiously for me to
dispel some of the misconceptions tossed out there by a few closed-minded individuals.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For those of you offering positive feedback, and even for
those of you who have disagreed or asked me questions but did so as one human
talking to another – thank you. For the rest of you, well, maybe I would have
been open to a conversation with you if you hadn’t started off with
insults.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can disagree without being
rude. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And for a very small percentage of
you who took “rude” to an extra special place, and whom I would truly not waste
the time to address, except that people have asked me what I am going to say to you….which is, “Troll much?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Where do we draw the line?<br />
There already IS a line. There is already a team of people judging parents by their past, and already a set of guidelines they follow to do so. Many of the charges listed in the guidelines have exceptions if 5 or 10 years have passed, and I believe that is where people with histories of my nature (nonviolent offenders with no arrests in over a decade) also belong. Not on the list of offenders that are restricted from volunteering in their own child's classroom for the rest of their lives. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To be perfectly clear, I DO NOT PROPOSE THAT SEX OFFENDERS, RAPISTS, CHILD ABUSERS, OR ARMED ROBBERS BE PERMITTED TO VOLUNTEER AT SCHOOLS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is the thing…ALL of those offenses I listed in the sentence above are VIOLENT offenders. They are a different category of people than non-violent offenders. Quite honestly part of my decision to speak out was my frustration at being lumped into the same category. I do not belong on the same banishment list as a sex offender. That is nonsense. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
I did not hold anyone at gun or knife point. I didn’t hurt,
injure, maim, kill, or kidnap any children (or adults for that matter, I didn’t
do these things to ANYone).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
beat up anyone’s grandma or rape anyone or rob any stores or banks or people.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not saying that it was not a completely idiotic thing
to do, because clearly I know now that it was, but I simply introduced two people to one
another; one person with drugs and one person that wanted drugs (who was
apparently being set up by an informant). I honestly had no idea that was a
felony offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard many times
over the years that a “decent” attorney (read: if I had money for a real
attorney and not a 3<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> string public defender at the time) could
have gotten my charge reduced and I would have ended up found guilty of a
different charge. Whether or not that would have happened, I may never know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that’s ok, I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I accepted my small amount of participation as horrible a long time ago, and decided
I can just try to be the best me that I can moving forward. You know? I just
try not let it get me down or make me think that I should return to that
lifestyle since that is what judgmental people expect of me anyway. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because ultimately who I am is not up to them,
it is up to me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I served a year in county jail (not prison, there IS a
difference) and 3 years of probation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was the first and last time I have gotten in trouble, I
think I cried for the whole first week in there (contrary to my own
preconceived notion, nobody tried to beat me up or even give me a hard time for
that, but I digress). I have had zero subsequent arrests since 2002. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Habitual offenders don’t go more than a decade between
arrests. I am not one of those either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not a bomber, a bank robber, or even a drug dealer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m just a mom with an exuberant 6 year old girl who absolutely loves
learning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was arrested, I did NOT think about how this would
affect my children (Sadly, I think it is pretty safe to say I wasn’t thinking
much at all at the time). I did NOT think it would affect my ability to
participate at my daughter’s school when she was born 6 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not even think it would affect my
ability to participate in her school LAST year, when she began pre-k and this very
same county let me participate and help with the class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only this year, when she began
kindergarten, it has become an issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The laws on what constitutes a felony and the laws governing
when someone is forgiven for a felony vary widely from state to state. I would
LOVE to expunge, seal, or pardon my record and in many other states that would
have already been granted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am working
on that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am extremely grateful for all of the positive support. It
is not easy to stand up and say I was this person when I was younger, but I
feel like it is better to be open about it than to try and pretend it never
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some would probably prefer I
beat myself up forever, but I can’t work towards a better future if I just sit
around and focus on my past. What kind of example would that set for my kids?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am extremely happy that this conversation has been
started. I think it is important that the effects of laws against non-violent
felons, the various difficulties they face trying to function as a productive
member of society, and the challenges in having their rights restored are
talked about, and not swept under the rug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel this way even more strongly after hearing from so
many parents, both locally and across the country, that are struggling with
similar estrangement issues. Many with charges far less offensive than my
own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps, knowing you’re there, and
knowing that I’m not alone. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I am overwhelmed by how much of the feedback continues to be positive, and I am grateful for the continued support. </span>Thank you.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNGeQ7MfflHOcHmCLyUAC184-sihO-yaQRMeazV19Tcsc9j_OvL8PLniLF-g_EL8yp9wWLplD0Lh2j4BdP4s58x6l3eMcu4_bU-C0jRKwRVe5rVGlVwIZrMu2OU29HB2euUqj7JtTuHc/s1600/familyinvolvement.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNGeQ7MfflHOcHmCLyUAC184-sihO-yaQRMeazV19Tcsc9j_OvL8PLniLF-g_EL8yp9wWLplD0Lh2j4BdP4s58x6l3eMcu4_bU-C0jRKwRVe5rVGlVwIZrMu2OU29HB2euUqj7JtTuHc/s1600/familyinvolvement.png" height="152" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-50515397665368702272014-03-11T09:38:00.001-07:002014-03-11T10:53:42.699-07:00The things we do for love.....There was a room parent meeting for me this morning. I always have to fight back anxiety and force myself to go. It has, at times, made me physically ill. I often worry that they will tell me I am not allowed to be a room parent anymore since I have been so far unable to successfully appeal the dividend office's decision to refuse my volunteer application (because of one arrest from 12 years ago that has NOTHING to do with children, but I digress....).<br />
<br />
At the second room parent meeting for the year, the room parents turned me away, since I wasn't on the approved dividend list (this was NOT their fault, they are just following the rules and checking off names on a list, it isn't THEIR fault I was not selected as an "approved" parent), and my name happened to have a ------- line through where I was supposed to sign in. <br />
I was hurt and confused, because at the end of the first meeting I had met with the principal and explained that my application had been denied and that I was attempting to appeal that decision. She gave me permission to perform all the functions of being a room parent that did not require direct interaction with children. I remember leaving the meeting when I was turned away, tears streaming down my face as I made my way to the parking lot and found my van. I am glad I took those few extra minutes to compose myself before driving, since I managed to strengthen my resolve and go back in to the receptionist (which was by far one of the hardest things I have done, and I have walked in to a courtroom knowing I wasn't coming back out the front door, and that I wouldn't see freedom for 1-3 years, and this was harder). The receptionist found the principal, who then escorted me quietly and discreetly to the meeting.<br />
<br />
I remember how totally normal that meeting ended up being, and how glad I was that I had squashed down my tears and my urge to run away, and gone back to the meeting. I am also eternally grateful for how kind and understanding every parent that I have eventually told about my situation has been. Clearly, I had to explain to the moms running the room parent meeting what had happened. They have been exceptional at making me feel like a regular part of the group. <br />
<br />
Every meeting since then, there has been a ----------- line next to my daughter's teacher's name, through the spot where I would need to sign in to the meeting. I've never been turned away again, but as far as the paperwork is concerned, I was never there.....and I know that is hardly a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, but it often feels as if someone in that school is going to great lengths to make sure that "unapproved" parents don't feel too welcome. One of the moms this morning told me that she was afraid I had quit when she saw the line where my name went. I didn't bother telling her how many times I had almost done just that.<br />
<br />
I also heard that they are talking about just completely getting rid of parents having lunch with students at all next year. I now feel a need to apologize to my fellow room moms (and any parents that regularly join their child for lunch now), since that is likely my fault, and a result of the school being (hopefully) unable to make me sit outside for lunch next year after I drew some attention to their newsletter post on the subject. I guess they are thinking if they can't separate the riff raff, then just ban lunch for everyone! <br />
<br />
I email myself my 2 hours of volunteer time for attending the meeting. I can't log in to the volunteer system so the school doesn't get to count my hours as a volunteer. I email them to myself in the hopes that someday I will get approved, and then all my hours will count too.<br />
<br />
it's time for me to go tie-dye 18 t-shirts for the field trip to the zoo that I won't get to go on after Spring Break, and then we get to start planning for teacher appreciation week and the end of the year party (that I also won't get to attend). I suppose I could stop torturing myself, but part of turning my life around involves following through on things I sign up for so I consider myself stuck in this obligation until at least the end of this year. That and I am going to be as involved as they will possibly let me because I love my little girl, I thought I was going to get to be part of her school's community, and it breaks my heart that I can't just function as a normal mom there. <br />
I can honestly say I think they have successfully taken enough wind out of my sails to make sure I don't volunteer for much next year. That's sad. How many other parents have they deflated in this way? It is so hard to stay pumped up to help in the face of so many hurdles to prevent involvement! <br />
:(<br />
If the parents struggle to stay excited, motivated, and involved about their education, how will the kids stay excited, motivated, and involved? <br />
<br />
On that note, I will end today's rant.TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-21562869608555822512014-03-05T17:23:00.001-08:002014-03-24T11:01:56.028-07:00Lunch with someone you loveI love that my daughter's school does this! I was so excited to do things like go visit my little girl for lunch. That was before I learned I cannot be an approved dividend. At the beginning of the school year, the rule was that you had to be a dividend in order to visit your child for lunch.<br />
<br />
When I learned I wasn't going to be approved, at least not anytime soon, I told the dividend department that the school said I needed to be a dividend to join my child for lunch, and that wasn't fair to tell me I couldn't do that.<br />
<br />
A week or so later there was an automated call from the school, letting parents know that the rule was being amended, and you no longer needed to be a dividend to join your child for lunch.<br />
Awesome. :)<br />
<br />
The first lunch went ok. They half-heartedly attempted to have all the kids with adults sit at the regular class table, but all at one end, and all the kids without parents at the other end.<br />
Needless to say, that was a disorganized kind of mess. For one thing, all the kids with parents there are excited to show them off, and all the kids without parents there are curious to see their friends parents and say hello. Several of my daughter's friends said hi to me and I politely said hello back. I'm always afraid to say anything more, as if I will get in trouble for having a simple conversation. Often they show me part of their lunch, and I say something like "Goldfish. Cool. I like Goldfish. They're yummy."<br />
<br />
I'd also like to mention that the cafeteria is lined with teachers and approved volunteers, so it isn't like anyone is alone with anyone else's kids. Ever.<br />
<br />
About two weeks ago, we got the flyer for the next "Lunch with someone you love" so I filled it out and sent it in. A week later, we saw this in the school newsletter:<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexN5YjOz7iPPKC7F35Wf1FNCjsP2gCr6LAt1u1M2xWOYRYMvWbsevjKIrFTWTllHjkEqWntJ10r8j1p9GwPN-3xjfaBUEgHGTblwEsrjz_kKSP7PF-wI2kdkVoLT62mPy_yFV_NmxPHo/s1600/1962704_295512743932170_228869450_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjidJc77yNm4kUW_i12RO3bL6Mhm8v9fV3WJYElZk1uLCKx-bDOcWi62jev1p7f4JNaniQ_FPRg0LCUm2QZmIQnB1K4QyiS5gBEgaoRSiwAwC9gmVFBviWpuM3S_sMlSr78mA4fIQ9pwALYx7BSJkwkOae2OVlxVxZCTXSQzbaKg5R1Kg664hp3hOKcRs54cwJ190y6zIrGPBiB65qoCYEXFOrQgTBjOK1mzSL7qnFfDT_4LmtS5HC1CVB3p_RgS0x5NyNWNbeQAeSWkpZOepp4akOPv1RkIqrKK5LzCt3yEl2ZiQO-tPcDAX807XTejMIXBMPSVZs5qVEluIRUYj-adwmF113FI95TGhHRq631WswygKptdrBJEAEjHHLJuJNWYssWQCjbz08d8uXWq20Bqv8w10GD2T-mxlGKEAYG7NJSBM8ISw=s0-d-e1-ft" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Wow. Ok, so next year I can still go to lunch but I have to sit outside? And the other parents can join me outside if they want to, or they can sit inside with all the other "good" parents if they want.<br />
<br />
I certainly hope this school is not allowed to move forward with such a blatantly segregating rule. <br />
<br />
So after that I got to go to lunch with my little girl yesterday. I just want to say that I do understand what they are trying to do, and I do appreciate the efforts to keep our schools "safe" but I don't think there is a way to keep the "riff raff" like myself separate from the general population of parents without creating some very unfair, biased, discriminatory, and outdated rules.<br />
<br />
This time they split the cafeteria in half. Kids that had someone they loved there got to sit in one half of the cafeteria and the kids who didn't have anyone who loved them there got to sit in the other half of the cafeteria and watch the kids who had guests from afar. I will say that seems more fair than making me (and other parents that don't meet the strict criteria to be a volunteer) sit outside. But I did feel bad for the kids sitting alone, staring longingly at the "Lunch with someone you love" tables. Because you see, when we volunteer at a school, it is not just our own children who might benefit. It is also those children who DON'T have someone who cares enough to invest their time or energy. The kid who can be so positively affected by just a few kind words of encouragement and a smile. Those kids that are like I was when I was a kid. I want so much to be able to give back to my community like what so many volunteers did for me when nobody from my house could be bothered to care.<br />
<br />
Overall, it was a better day than I had hoped. They didn't try to make me sit outside, my daughters' friends' parents treat me normally as far as I can tell. :) And most of all, my daughter seems to be unaffected by any of this nonsense that is my volunteer status and happy with her school and her friends. For that, I am grateful.
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<br />
I just wanted to be treated like a human being and like a parent, because I am both of these things.<br />
<br />
Days like this almost make me want to give up. To just give in to the sadness and the sobbing and say "Alright, you win. I will sit my pathetic loser felon ass here on my couch and butt out and not come to the school unless it is absolutely necessary and required that I am there."<br />
<br />
Today, it's not even my dividend status. And so it has me wondering if I even picked the right school. Luckily we get to choose from three schools so I'll probably look into some specific policies at the two schools I did not pick and see if they are more inviting to parents (regardless of dividend status) than the one we are at currently. Because I don't know if I want my child at a school that discourages parents from walking their child to class or running an item to the doorway of a classroom. I think that I am not okay with this. And as relieved as I was to learn that it was not MY specific dividend status that was the issue today, it kind of made me MORE concerned to hear it was a blanket policy that applied to everyone. I think I may have been less upset to hear this was just because it was me, the felon, the parent who is NOT an approved dividend.....<br />
<br />
"Most parents bring them to lunch" they said. Ok, that's great, but I don't want my kid eating her cupcake for her lunch, and I don't know how happy the other parents would be about that either. The cupcakes I was dropping off were for their snack, later in the day, well after lunch. And yeah, I can and will approach it differently next year, but maybe if I write it down someone will eventually pay attention to these policies that don't really sound like they were written while thinking about kids and parents as human beings. This is not my dog that I dropped off at a kennel for supervision, this is my child that is supposed to be coming to a place of learning. Only now I wonder, what IS she learning, exactly.....? <br />
<br />
Shouldn't ANY parent feel like they can walk in to the school at any time and see their child IN the classroom setting? Even without a reason? Shouldn't ANY parent feel they have a right to walk to the classroom and hand snacks or supplies directly to the teacher? Should there ever be a time that a parent is prohibited from these things? Is it really more disruptive for a parent to take a moment to give a teacher supplies at the doorway to their classroom than it is to remove two students from class entirely to go to the office to collect the item? Should the office refuse to tell the teacher that a parent is waiting with the item, to ensure the parent is not left waiting for an exceptional amount of time? Should the school policy be to discourage parents from waiting with the item they are donating to the teacher and classroom and instead imply that they should just drop the item off? Should parents be encouraged to take a less personal and interactive approach with their gifts? <br />
<br />
I may have been raised by wolves, but even *I* know it feels more polite to give a gift directly to a person than it is to deposit it with a third party.<br />
<br />
Am I just overreacting? Should I just accept, as all the other parents have accepted, that I should just not expect to ever walk my child to class or deliver gifts or snacks unless it is before or after school hours? And that I should bring cupcakes during lunch to upset all the kids' nutrition for the day? Should I basically adopt a hands off approach with my kid's school? That isn't why I picked this county for my child to GO to school in.<br />
My child's teacher arrives just before the bell, and I personally don't think she should be expected to arrive early or stay late in order to have the added politeness and respect of me giving her the things directly. I cannot imagine the patience she must have to do what she does all day. Let the woman go HOME when her day is done. She doesn't want to sit around waiting for me, even if I have tons of hand sanitizer and tissues.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I just have unrealistic expectations of what "parental involvement" is, but it certainly doesn't seem like it fits with this "discourage all parents from being on campus at all costs" approach that I seem to be experiencing. Because that makes me WANT to help less. It makes me LESS likely to donate items or money or my time, and I don't think that's a good overall policy to have if you want to keep parents involved. Having these realizations makes me sad, because I did all the "right" research before selecting our home and made sure to pick the "best" schools. Or did I? Because it is starting to look like maybe I didn't ask any of the right questions.....TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-56397021142299318662014-01-22T06:41:00.002-08:002014-01-22T06:41:40.250-08:00School Employment Screenings<span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
Let's talk about the school employment screenings, since I have mentioned being glad that the county is looking out for the safety of my children as well as everyone else's....So these screenings, are they 100% foolproof? Meaning, have they completely eliminated ALL incidents of abuse by teachers in our county? </div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
Well, let's look at the first thing google came up with (though there were several more) <a href="http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/school-teacher" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/school-teacher</a></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
</div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
But...you protest....they were screened! </div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
</div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
Yeah, they were screened, and deemed to be acceptable to allow around children because nothing came up on their background check. </div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">
<br />Screening only prevents employment of people that <span class="text_exposed_show">have been caught for their offenses in the past. Screening volunteers as employees isn't going to magically make this screening more effective, but it does decrease the amount of parental involvement that a school can receive by banishing certain parents from helping out during most events.</span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"></span> </div>
</span>TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-82586355025117770922014-01-16T06:24:00.001-08:002014-01-16T06:24:14.739-08:00<a href="<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11595733/?claim=a5jatfxhtsx">Follow">http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11595733/?claim=a5jatfxhtsx">Follow</a> my blog with Bloglovin</a>TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-89939200785831746502014-01-16T03:48:00.000-08:002014-01-16T04:08:01.248-08:00The other F word<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes when I am honest about my past, a hush falls over the group of moms and a look of uncertainty flitters across their faces. Most of them have usually known me for a while, and know that I am not scary or what you would typically first think of when you hear the word felon, and they recover quickly. And it IS like dropping an F-bomb, because there is a different reaction if I say "I made poor choices when I was younger" vs "I'm a convicted felon" Sometimes the second one is necessary though, like when people are trying to pressure me to vote or something that I can't legally do yet (as I mentioned in a previous post, I am filing for restoration of my rights and/or clemency this year) But even those who are thoroughly surprised usually at least act like they are fine with the new information after asking me a few questions about it to satisfy their curiosity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My sweet girl’s birthday is next month. I’m probably allowed
to drop off cookies or cupcakes or whatever in the front office for the class,
but I won’t be able to walk them down the hall to the classroom door even just
to wave or maybe say happy birthday, but certainly not to stay and help serve
the cupcakes. We’ll do her party elsewhere, but that’s not my point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My daughter is an exceptional reader. She’s in kindergarten,
and has read all of the Ramona Quimby and Junie B. Jones books on her own so
many times the backs are worn. She’s starting Ralph S. Mouse, she LOVES the
Chronicles of Narnia, and we just started the Warriors series. Yes, I said she’s
in kindergarten. Yes, I know. Her dad and I met in gifted class in elementary school and she has an awesome role model in her big sister, who always has her
nose in a book. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s also book fair time. I’m starting to get emails asking for
volunteers to help set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pro-book,
pro-reading, and happen to think I’m really good at engaging kids with that
sort of thing, and that my daughter is proof of that. That isn’t what they’re
even asking for help with though. It would be moving shelves and setting up
books. I can’t help with this(or anything in the media center), because it is in the media center and there “might”
be students present and I’m not an “approved dividend”. Never mind that there
is a teacher/librarian in the media center at all times or that I’d be too busy
moving boxes of books to give the kids my felon cooties anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conveniently, the way it is set up right now makes it almost
impossible for anyone to find out about anyone else who can’t volunteer, since
it is through the county office and not at the school itself. If anyone overhears anyone say anything to the school, they will hear them be reassured and directed to the dividend office. We’re
supposed to be too ashamed of ourselves to start talking to other parents about
it and learn that we aren’t alone. We’re supposed to feel too isolated to do
anything about it so that we don’t bother, and give up and sit home without
bringing this injustice to anyone’s attention. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I have no problem talking about my past. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I own my mistakes and acknowledge my history.
I do not hide from it or shrink in embarrassment. It is who I was, but not who
I am. I find most people to be understanding, sympathetic, and supportive of my
predicament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to find other
decent, hardworking parents that find themselves in a similar situation to let
them know they may feel outcast, but they are not as alone as they think. (You’re
not, I promise, see?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If the school board is going to imply that I am less than
adequate to volunteer, regardless of the length of time and the stacks of
evidence and recommendation letters attesting to my hard work to change my
lifestyle for the last DECADE, well, it’s a good thing I have a fabulous
therapist because I won’t let them get to me. What I did twelve years ago (that
still feels cool, to add another year) does not make me any less worthy of a
normal experience and involvement with my child’s school and classroom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denying parents with criminal history over a decade old the chance to volunteer not only continues to punish us for our pasts beyond what the law requires, but punishes our children for it as well.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It just seems silly when I rarely see my own child during
the volunteer projects I am allowed to help with. If I do it is when she stays after
school with me to decorate the room or the door. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t get there early and start before the
end of school, which really kind of stinks since because of the traffic I have
to arrive super early to be able to find somewhere to park. Then I sit either
in my van or in the front office until school gets out and I am allowed to make
my way to the classroom. Or I can come early in the morning (but not before
7:15 because that is when the office opens) but I have to be out the door by
7:25 when the bell rings. That gives me 10 minutes to set up for a party or
whatever I need to do. Please don’t misunderstand, I am thankful for the ways I
am allowed to help, but just think about how discouraging that is for a minute.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
At the beginning of the year the school announced that you had to be a dividend to visit your child for lunch, and I will say that after I think the second time I contacted the dividend office and complained about this, the school changed this policy and no longer requires parents to be an approved volunteer to join their child for lunch. They do ask that we sit separately from the rest of our child's class though. That's fine by me, I'm very glad they changed it, since they often do "lunch with someone you love" and send home flyers asking family members to come join their child for lunch, and I had a lovely time when I was there. Pretty sure my little one did too! <3<br />
<br />
I acknowledge and am thankful that they are trying to keep our schools safe, I do have two children in the system. But let's apply just a LITTLE bit of common sense here. When someone asks you to please look at them as a person, don't just repeat the same statute like a parrot. I understand what you are saying, I'm saying it is a bit harsh and to please look at it more closely.<br />
<br />
By simply having different people repeat the same guidelines for screening of employees to me, you are telling me that you aren't looking at it any differently than you did the first time, because I'm not asking for a job, I'm just asking to be a volunteer.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">vol-un-teer</span></strong> [vol-uh n-<strong>teer</strong>]<br />
<strong><em>noun</em></strong><br />
<strong>1.</strong> a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.<br />
<strong>2.</strong> a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.<br />
<o:p><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p>TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-8211332553950943862014-01-06T04:37:00.000-08:002014-01-06T09:19:04.890-08:00Who is a felon?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what do you think of when you think of a convicted felon?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you picture the guys on Prison Break or Sons of Anarchy?
Dirty, scruffy, tough people, running around committing crimes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How about Tim Allen? Martha Stewart? The lady next door? The
cashier at the grocery store?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why is it that we automatically assume that a felon must
look rough, dirty and unkempt? Or that if someone is clean and well put together
that they aren’t? Is that better or worse than seeing a rough looking guy and
assuming he’s a felon simply from his appearance? Because not everyone with a
full beard and a leather jacket is a criminal. And not everyone in professional
business attire isn’t.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I remember a bunch of police coming to our school in 5<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
grade. They had a giant posterboard with pictures of all types of various
drugs. I remember them talking about drugs being bad for you and the effects
they can have on your body…including death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What I don’t remember is them talking about what happens as
far as punishment if you get caught with drugs. The long term effects of making
one idiotic decision. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I sat in my handcuffs, crying in the back of the squad
car while we rode to the jail, I realized I was in big trouble but still didn’t
come close to understanding the enormity with which this would affect the rest
of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had family members that
had gotten arrested before, but none had ever stayed in jail longer than a
night or two to my knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got through booking to learn that my bail had been set at $50,000.
Surprisingly, there were books available and I was able to investigate my
charges and learn the terrifying truth. It carries a 3 year minimum mandatory
sentence. It took me a good three weeks to accept that I had no idea how long
it would be before I could rejoin the outside world.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point I had
an arraignment with a judge via a television screen, and asked to be released
on my own recognizance since I hadn’t been in trouble before. My request was
denied. I had to sit and watch 2 hours of other inmates’ hearings, including a
sexual offender who WAS released on his own recognizance, but that is an
entirely separate rant for another day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Back to my story. I ended up sitting in jail for 2 ½ months
before they lowered my bail and I could afford to get out. The case was
continued for about a year, and then I was sentenced to a year and had to go in
to finish the rest of my sentence (I got credit for the original 2 ½ months)
And I will say that I am lucky and eternally grateful that the judge showed
mercy in giving me just one year instead of three.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was a kid, my mother often grounded me for a month,
but I had always found a way to renegotiate her terms and I’d be ungrounded by
the end of a week. Except for the time I told her that would happen, then she actually
stuck to it for two weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My point is that I had ZERO CONCEPT of consequences at all,
never mind of this level. I had no clue that making a couple of phone calls and
introducing two people to each other would impact me for decades to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, this message should get out there to
our children so that even if they walk that same path, they at least can’t say they didn’t
know.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would love to share my message with kids facing
peer pressure to try drugs and drinking like a majority of their friends (I saw
some random statistic that now 20% of kids over age 12 drink alcohol regularly,
and that 25% of that figure binge<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>drink –
now that’s scary) I have a 14 year old as well as my 5 year old and while I can
talk to the two of them about that, what about the kids like I was, whose parents either
don’t care to talk to them about it or assume they don’t need to? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But…the nature of my charge would never let me volunteer or
speak to a group of kids in that capacity. Despite the fact that it was 11
years ago and I have not gotten in trouble since (aside from an occasional
speeding ticket, but even that has been awhile) How very sad that they will not
be able to learn from my mistakes and experiences. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because to me, if even just ONE of them listened
and learned something and altered their course, it would be worth the effort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now I’d like to talk about the laundry list of things that
constitute a felony. Because honestly? In the family I grew up in, a lot of the
things on this list were perfectly normal Saturday afternoon activities. I had
no idea I grew up surrounded by criminals and addicts until I went to jail and
consequently, therapy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The concept that a perfectly ordinary individual can become
a convicted felon never occurred to me. Maybe it never occurred to you either, unless you have a friend or family member like me. Let’s
take a look at what Florida thinks, shall we?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Besides the obvious stuff, like murder, child porn, or
robbing a bank, some common felony charges in Florida include: DUI, writing a
bad check(fraud), getting in a fight (assault and battery), bigamy (I must
admit, I didn’t expect that one), burglary(yes, it’s a felony, whether you are
stealing from a house or a car), <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a
myriad of charges involving various drugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/sg_annual/1011/appendices.html"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/sg_annual/1011/appendices.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now, I’m not trying to say any of these things are ok, or
that someone who does them shouldn’t get in trouble or have to face their punishment. I’m just trying to say
that to a bunch of young adults that are completely uneducated (not all but definitely a percentage) on this topic,
these could seem like ordinary things to do. And even if not, they are things
it could be very easy to be led into getting involved in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But not impossible to learn from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And that is why it isn’t fair to continue to punish someone
after they have completed all of the terms of their sentence. When I got the
letter seven years ago telling me I was done with probation, it meant that I
had completely repaid my debt to society. I am not forbidden by law to be around children
or required to register with law enforcement or anything like that, I am just forbidden to
be around children by the Seminole County School Board.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It seems so obvious to ME, at least, that someone who got in
trouble once eleven years ago (Ooh! It’s after the New Year, I can start saying
12 years now! YAY!), and who hasn’t been in trouble since, has likely found
their way to the straight and narrow path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I had been arrested every year since for similar things, I could
totally see denying my application to volunteer. You know, this year I am
eligible to ask for clemency (a pardon). Now, that doesn’t mean I’ll get it,
apparently those standards got tougher in 2011, but my point is that it has
been a sufficient length of time that I am allowed to begin the process. If it’s
been long enough for that, surely it’s been long enough that I can help out
around the school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think for me, the funniest part (though I wasn’t laughing)
is that my first request for appeal was denied by the exact same person who
said no to it the first time. How is that an appeal, exactly? Especially since
when I spoke to the woman on the phone and she told me it was up to the state,
not the county, and there was nothing they could do to approve my application. So
when I asked her who it was I should contact about this at the state level, she
quickly and snappily told me “NO ONE. There is NO ONE that you can talk to
about an appeal, this is the policy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Since then I have learned this is NOT the state policy, and
that the state leaves it up to each county to decide how they will handle
volunteers. So telling me it was not up to the county itself was either a
mistake or a lie. Both of which would need correction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe that was the moment that I decided to follow
through on this to the best of my ability, to prevent someone else being on the
receiving end of that kind of treatment. I can take it and shrug it off,
because I’m an exceptionally tough cookie. But not everyone can do that. For
some people, that could have been the catalyst to push them back into
drinking/drugging/self-destructing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shame on anyone who would kick someone who is already down
like that! (That’s right, I won’t name names since it is public record and
anyone can go see who it is online, but yeah SHAME ON YOU. Just because you are
not a felon, doesn’t make you a better person, which I think is obvious based
on your treatment of others). It is so hard to stay positive and focused
in the face of hostility and judgment such as that, and so easy to give up like they intend for you to and
say “I’ll never fit in, I’m just a criminal anyway, I may as well continue what
I was doing before, because there is no room for the likes of me on the path of
the righteous and good. They’re right, I should just go away.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have many MANY motivations to keep on fighting the good
fight (in SO many areas of my life, which will come out over time as I continue
this blog) and that is how I pick myself up, dust myself off and try again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if I can somehow pick myself up AND help
others in the process, well, then that is another positive I can achieve even
though I am a felon…..and I take those positives when I can, since we felons
get so few of those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That’s enough rambling for today. I have had many of you ask
me to let you know when I am ready to present to the school board, so that you
may join my cheering section – I will definitely make sure I announce it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
now, I shall continue my research of county, state, and federal school
volunteer rules and start watching prior school board meetings online so I can
get a feel for how things go so I am more comfortable when it is time for my
presentation. I like to do things properly and thoroughly, and those things
take a little bit of time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On that note, I will leave you with some parting
motivational words from my five year old. With inspiration like this, how could I possibly give up? :)</span></div>
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TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-1939764387131653042013-12-31T09:16:00.001-08:002013-12-31T09:16:44.777-08:00Created the facebook page todayFor those of you who have Facebook, and would like to support my cause there. Thanks!<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Momvict/271377719679006">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Momvict/271377719679006</a><br />
TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-1726358252629498742013-12-31T03:49:00.004-08:002014-01-06T06:52:31.687-08:00reflections on life as a felon, in generalI can't pinpoint the moment that I decided to make a positive change in my life. Sometime when I was in jail/therapy, I guess. It also didn't happen instantly, either. They tell you in therapy "change your people, places, and things" but they don't mention how enormously difficult that can be when your people are your family and you are too poor to do much about your places. Surrounded with the same people and places, well, the things are going to be the same too.<br />
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It took enormous effort to change. Truly, it did. I had grown up learning to look for corners to cut and loopholes to slip through. This whole straight and narrow thing is tough. <br />
I tell my five year old "Sometimes when you make a bad choice, you look around after and all you see is more bad choices." but I also told her that if you LOOK hard enough, you'll find a good choice, no matter how small it may be, and that if you make that small good choice, when you look around among the bad choices, the next good choice will be easier to see.<br />
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I have heard it said that integrity is doing the right thing even when there is nobody around to see you do it.<br />
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Do you know how HARD that actually is? When you approach a turn and there are no other cars around, do you still use your turn signal? I do. Now. I find if I take these little things, like returning the extra change given to me by the cashier, or picking up the wallet on the ground and bringing it inside the nearest store to turn it in to the lost and found without checking to see if there is cash inside, then I have better judgment when I get to the big things.<br />
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"Society" doesn't help make it easy, either. Do you know how difficult it is to try and reform your entire life when you get out of jail as a convicted felon? <br />
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It is significantly harder to find employment as a convicted felon. Sure, I could have gone back to dancing, I'm sure there are plenty of convicted felon exotic dancers, right? But for one thing I was making a conscious choice to walk away from that lifestyle, and for two our county was cracking down on those kind of establishments. 11 years later there are only 2 or 3 left, where there used to be a dozen or two. But I digress....whether they were closing or not, I wanted nothing more to do with them.<br />
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My secondary career had been as a veterinary technician. Way less money, but hey, I'd be able to make ends meet, right?<br />
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After a long period of putting in applications a and checking YES in the "ever been convicted of a felony" box, I was finally able to secure a position as a vet tech despite my inability to help with controlled substances (because I have a drug charge)<br />
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Honest living? Check.<br />
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Next up, living arrangements. Since being the chick on people's couch is getting old. <br />
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Did you know that apartment complexes are allowed to discriminate against convicted felons? Yup. They can actually give that as the reason for denying your application. So that's two amazing hurdles that just about every felon has to face when they are finally released into the world. <br />
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Long story short, I moved several states away to move in with my dad, stepmom, and brother while I got a job and got back on my feet. But it took me a year or so of couch surfing and getting denials for jobs and apartments before I realized that was pretty much the only way I was going to get anywhere good and stable.<br />
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I can't carry any form of protection for myself....no guns, no stun guns, no pepper spray. This is a source of anxiety for me when I worry about if something were to happen when my husband wasn't with us I would not be able to defend us. At least when we are at home, we have a VERY large dog to watch over us :)<br />
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I can't vote, so I get zero input into the people making the rules that allow others to discriminate against me. <br />
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And now, the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak, the intolerable act that makes me brave enough to stand up in the face of judgment and scrutiny and say loudly, "ENOUGH", is being unable to participate like a normal parent when it comes to my kids and their school. Have you ever gone to one of the kindergarten parties? And they're all happy and excited and squealing and having a great time? Super cute, isn't it? <br />
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Just think about that for a minute. And how good it feels to be there watching your child play with their friends and have a good time. I get to school early and set up all the games and decorations and snacks and then rush to get out of there before the bell rings, since once that happens I am no longer authorized to be there. As I am leaving, I pass the other room moms on their way in to set up for and attend their parties.<br />
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Our pre-k division is separate from the k-12 part of our school, so last year I was able to do those things, as pre-k did not require me to be a registered dividend with the county to volunteer. <br />
This year, since my daughter is in actual kindergarten, I have to be approved through the county in order to do this simple thing that so many parents take for granted, and don't attend even though they could.<br />
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It makes me both sad and angry at the same time. It is not fair. To me, or to anyone else with a criminal history that has learned from their mistake. <br />
I wanted to argue that my conviction doesn't define me. Except that it does, but not the way the county implies. It does not define me as a felon or as someone without "good moral character" or as a person unfit to be around kids. In fact, I'd say it is the REASON behind my moral character, and the reason I try so hard NOT to be a typical "convicted felon" and keep making poor choices. It is the reason why I am so strict on myself and the reason I continue to strive to do good.<br />
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I'm just trying to do right and be positive and show my kids what I never saw SO THAT THEY DON'T END UP IN JAIL LIKE I DID. Can you help me out here, school board? <br />
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This is why I can't (and won't) give up.<br />
<br />TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643423284974635399.post-52772504485930804472013-12-27T04:34:00.002-08:002014-01-07T11:25:28.885-08:00Volunteering at schoolAt the beginning of this year my little girl started kindergarten <3<br />
She's a happy, spunky, helpful and responsible kind of kid.<br />
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We went to meet the teacher, had orientation, and signed up to volunteer. Looking over the list, I saw we had several "helper moms" but no-one had signed up for room mom. I'm an adventurous and creative sort, so I figured Why not? If nobody else wants to, I certainly can. I'm a stay at home mom and I have the time and energy to do it. <br />
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Well, here's why not. Remember when you were 22 and hung out with bad people and drank too much and made stupid choices while you were drunk and got arrested along with 3 other people and slapped with a felony drug traffiking charge and spent a year in county jail? That's why not.<br />
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Oh yeah.....while riding the waves of self-improvement and family life I had given no thought to the ghosts of my past haunting me in this way. That certainly throws a monkey wrench into things.<br />
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I've had people ask me why I would want to volunteer to help out for people that make me feel unwelcome. Well, first off, the actual people I am helping at the schools are super nice. I am very upfront, as I find it easier to explain why I can't help for something than to sit while they are asking for help and have them think I don't care, because I do. It is the people at the county office who denied my application because they don't think I'm of "good moral character" because of something from eleven years ago.<br />
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I was essentially raised by wolves. It is a wonder I survived my childhood. My mother was 17 when I was born and when I was with her I often took care of myself (for as long as I can remember) I remember her sleeping a lot, and she didn't take much interest in my school, except to make sure I was still pulling straight A's in my all gifted classes with no guidance from her. I have not one memory of her volunteering in my class or even contributing to a party or event. I spent a few years with my grandma and she showed me how it feels when there is someone who cares to be involved. I treasure that time in my life and my goal is to make sure my kids can feel how loving and secure that feels when someone cares to donate their time to something important to you. <br />
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For this reason, I am a very involved and dedicated mom. Even after being denied as a county volunteer, I volunteer many hours helping to the elementary school with the things I am allowed to help with. I pretty much sign up for everything and let them say no where I can't help. At first I think it was hard for the receptionist to tell me no, but I was always happy and nice about it. I told her I understand when they have to say no, as long as they understand I have to keep asking :)<br />
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I have now asked the county to let me volunteer a total of four times, and been denied four times. I am told that my particular charge renders me unable to volunteer ever for as long as I live.<br />
I am not a violent or sex offender, my crime did not involve any children (other than myself, an overgrown kidult at the time). I am not required to register with the county and I am not required to refrain from being in the presence of children. My arrest was in 2002 and I finished probation in 2007.<br />
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Volunteers should NOT be held to the same standard as teachers. I'm not a teacher, and I wouldn't be teaching. The teacher would always be present. But, if we want to play that game, I found a state statute listing the criteria for granting an exemption for disqualification of employment. The first item on that lists says that the department head (I am guessing the superintendent) can grant the exemption for felony cases where more than 3 years have passed since the applicant finished probation. But the county policy has nothing like this in place for people like me.<br />
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And then it occurred to me there might be more great parents out there that can't volunteer because of their past. And I imagine most of them roll over and give up after that first or second denial.<br />
But I have 12 1/2 more years of my daughter's education, and I can't stand the thought of watching from the sidelines when such a small percent of parents are actually showing up to volunteer.<br />
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So for my next trick, I plan to present to the school board during the public forum part of their meeting. I will have 3 minutes to speak (and I have my speech down to 3 minutes and 20 seconds, so just a little more editing to go!) and present my case. <br />
I plan to ask for exemption for myself, as well as the creation of a part-time dividend position (currently unavailable) in accordance with the state policy and statutes that I found, to make it easier for other parents like myself to still participate in their child's educational community,<br />
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Stay tuned, this could get interesting! TheMomvicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13586229592731522222noreply@blogger.com2