March4Schools

March 4, 2009

Arizona State Capitol

Arizona's Legislators are cutting more than 1 billion dollars from public education over the next two years. Teachers are loosing their jobs, important programs (all day kindergarten, pre-K, music, etc.) are being cancelled, teachers salaries may be reduced, the number school days in a year are being shortened, class sizes are increasing....a HUGE impact on our children's FUTURE!! Arizona is 4th in the country on spending for our prison systems and 55th in the country for our per pupil funding (after the US Territories). What is wrong with our Legislators? The AEA (Arizona Education Association) organized a rally/march on Education Day at the state capitol. Some news stations reported about 20 thousand teachers, parents and students turned out. It was such a great feeling knowing that I was there trying to make a difference for my children and my students! We'll see if it worked!?!

Alice Galford and Me on the bus going to the march

One of the many signs I made

marching around the capitol

Kino Jr. High Reading teachers

Me, Alice Galford, and Mike Conway

With my cousin Wendy Peterson...

we are both VERY proud of what we do and that we are 4th generation educators.

Ernie, Wendy, Jo, and her group of friends

OK...OK Here is the infamous picture of the Kino Jr. High group of teachers

Annabell Franco, Alice, Mike, and Me

I did NOT notice the bathroom sign until after I posted it on Facebook and someone commented on it! Kinda funny though!!

Eliza turns 8!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Eliza Bailey Porter

8 years old

March 4, 2009

Mom, TJ, and Eliza went to dinner with Grandma Linda, Papa Dale, and Uncle Daryl

at Native New Yorker.

Best Pals!!

Eliza with her ice cream after being sung to....she loves the attention!!


After dinner, we walked over to Bahama Bucks (Eliza's FAVORITE!) for dessert.
YUMMY!! watermelon with cream


At Grandma and Papa's house opening presents. Uncle Daryl gave her $20

Mom gave her softball equipment...Eliza is playing for the first time and couldn't be more excited! (just like her mom!)

a pink helmet, pink bag, and pink softball

Mom couldn't find pink cleats...so black will have to do!

Opening a present from Grandma and Papa

A BEAUTIFUL dress to wear after her baptism and at Uncle Jeffy's wedding

Grandma also took Eliza out of school to go to lunch and shopping to pick out more presents. She picked out shoes to wear with her dress, a purse, make-up, walkie-talkies, and candy. She had a great time! And mom loved them bringing lunch to her at school. What a great surprise!