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CAT Tracks for January 3, 2013
BACK TO SCHOOL |
Did you awaken this morning with a song in your heart...
...or with expletives spewing from your lips?
FYI:
Despite the absence of "kitty litter" (aka CAT Tracks) in your e-mail box over the holiday, I was not "on vacation"...
...at least no more than I am everyday! :-)
I visited my normal alleyways every morning, looking for stories that might interest the curious.
With schools "closed for the holidays" throughout the United States (and education writers and bloggers apparently taking time off for their families), I guess the dearth of education stories should have not been surprising.
But...
Who knew???
...that Cairo could go two weeks without a fire!!! (Disclaimer: At least there was no fire that made the local media.)
BTW:
If you were interested in the "fiscal cliff", I ass-u-me that you got your fill...
...and are happy or sad.
What now?
Not to worry!
Next up: The battle over raising the debt ceiling!
This morning was no different...
...there simply was no news fit to print.
In desperation, I did finally mosey over to the IEA website and found an "In the news" link dated yesterday, a virtual New Year's stocking stuffed full of goodies.
I dunno though...
...not doing this stuff for a while just put me in a "Whatever!" mood, a feeling of general malaise. You know the feeling...
...like when you sat down yesterday afternoon/evening to grade those final papers, average up quarter/semester grades, do those lesson plans.
However...
...the banner at the top of the IEA website screamed for attention:
And, the aforementioned "In the news" link contained a sub-link to a story once again summarizing the problem that is now front and center for the lame duck session of the Illinois General Assembly.
So...
Yes, it is a new year...
...but the ghosts of old years past promises to haunt us for many years to come.
Illinois educators (past, present, and future) face a "pension cliff" that promises all the thrills and spills of the national "fiscal cliff". (BTW: I personally prefer "pension precipice" over the "cliff" thing...think it has a more poetic and fresher ring to it.)
Okay, enough of the hype!
You, me, and the Illinois General Assembly...
...back to work!
From the Chicago Tribune...
POSTSCRIPT:
If you are feeling really, really down, look at the bright side...
Thank God It's Thursday!!!
