Michigan Get-Together Nov. 4th

DPline · #1 10-06-2008, 06:43 PM

KarenNickols and I were talking today about getting together on Nov. 4th as my kids are off school for the elections. Would anyone like to join us? We can decide where based on who is coming from where to find a central location.

cmfayz · #2 10-06-2008, 06:44 PM

Count us in!

clf71 · #3 10-07-2008, 04:41 AM

We've had our son home since the end of August, so this would be our first Michigan get together. Please let me know the plans and we'll do our best to make it!
Christi

AdoptAmiga · #4 10-07-2008, 05:09 AM

School closed because of elections!?? Is this something new that happened while I was out of the country?

As far as I know (and according to the school calendar), election day is a regular school day for my kids. I think school should be open on election day. It's the one day (especially in a presidential election year), that people who normally are not connected to the schools see them in action, and thus, hopefully, will support their schools through the next tax dollar vote.

DPline · #5 10-07-2008, 05:16 AM

I have always understood it is beause the schools are the poll locations so it is a security issue as well as a space issue to have school going on while everyone and their brother (hopefully!) is trapsing through the school to vote.

I personally perfer it this way. I am not thrilled with the idea of people who don't belong there roaming around the school and the grounds and I honestly don't see what people coming in to vote would see of the school operations. And while overall it would be realtively minor, the school wouldn't have use of the gym for class or lunch (could eat lunch in their classrooms I guess.) And at the schools here it would be a huge parking and logistics issue at school start and end times as the parking lots are already packed full as well as people lining the street at those times of day. It has been this way the entire time we have lived in Livonia, and it was that way when I was growing up north of Lansing. It is just built into the schedule as a professional development day. I honestly thought everyone did it that way!

AdoptAmiga · #6 10-07-2008, 06:09 AM

Wow - in the three districts that I taught in, we used the day as an opportunity to showcase students art work or class projects as the voting took place in the gyms/multirooms or in the hallways near the main office. Only the main door was open and there were people directing voters to the right place. The PE dept. was a bit inconvenienced if it was a rainy day as they would need to make in-class plans and alternate lunch plans were made if needed (like sack-lunch day).

Also on election day, the students held their own mock elections. I also think it's great that the students see adults taking the time to come in and vote. As for parking, the big crowds are before or after school. Again, it was never an issue, just an inconvenience. In the future, will students expect a day off from work just because it's election day?? I hope this isn't a trend.

DPline · #7 10-07-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdoptAmiga

In the future, will students expect a day off from work just because it's election day?? I hope this isn't a trend.

Since the late 90's, it has been built into the UAW contract (at least here in Michigan) that election day in presidental election years is a day off. So it is already happening.

AdoptAmiga · #8 10-07-2008, 06:44 AM

We should just make it a national holiday then, as other countries do, or more commonly, those elections are held on a Sunday.

I guess I belonged to the wrong union as I never had the day off

!

amymole36 · #9 10-07-2008, 09:44 AM

We'll be there...just let us know where!!!

AdoptAmiga · #10 10-07-2008, 10:33 AM

Just wanted to add: have fun where ever you all decide to go!

PackGirl · #11 10-07-2008, 06:56 PM

We can probably make it!
I know for sure we can be there in the morning... my class starts at 1:20....

sferrick · #12 10-07-2008, 08:09 PM

How fun to see so many from Michigan. My kids are in school that day, but if its close enough, I will come with my Guatemalan Princess! Susie

DPline · #13 10-08-2008, 06:32 AM

Where would everyone like to meet? We have people potentially coming from everywhere from south of Lansing to the east side of the state.

We have done Castaway Cafe in Howell a couple times and it seems to be equally convenient/inconvenient for those from the middle of the state and the east side but I am sure there must be other ideas.

Once we have a place and time I will post it to the Yahoo group and PM people who have come in the past but dont' post often. Birdland is one who comes to mind. Anyone else anyone can think of to notify?

chazzeldy2 · #14 10-08-2008, 06:41 AM

Yay, thanks for organizing!! We hope to be there! I'm happy to check this forum if that's an easier venue to post details later. Alternately, a PM would be appreciated since I don't think I'm part of the Yahoo Group.

-Candice

krafmatic · #15 10-08-2008, 06:52 AM

We are a big question mark. The boys normally have therapy in the morning but I may try and switchdays.

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