A Family Focused New Years Eve

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXXIst, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

As your a father, your aware that its important II spend time with your spouse, kids, & extended family's on not just holidays, but every day of the year. To keep that bonded unit if you will. Let vacationing students decide on some fun actiovity's & do them IIgether. So say mom & dad want to go see a family movie, then go for fun. Then do what the kids want to do, say playing board games & making popcorn. Strike a balance, let the kids in the family learn how to make decisions & garner some beginnings of leadership skills so that they gain confidence!

Happy MMXIV II U, Mrs. Jeff, & Your Kids,

Rory

Source: Myself.

"On The Puppet Show Tonight!"

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
Woodcroft (Westmount) Public Library Terminal #IX
Edmonton, Alberta

December XXXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

I encourage students of all ages & their family's to come II Woodcroft (Westmount) EPL tomorrow at 10:15am, or check out their library or neighborhood websites to look IV a local puppet show in their area. Woodcroft's limit is XX (20) kids per show so check in advance. The thing is Jeff, they put on a great show & the kids learn to love art & puppets/puppetry b/c its done in a visually interactive & stimulating way by the EPL staff. The kids get II see the puppets up close & real time, so they then get excited & want to get into pupetry & play acting themselves!

Cookie Monster Eats More Cookies Per Year Than Me,

Rory

Source: Www.Epl.Ca.

Fascinating Facts About Connecticut

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXIXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

It really is a fascinating "State" of mind or mindset when you can pick geographic state, any city, any point of interest on a map & find out superbly interesting factoids on it. Today we focus on the State of Connecticut.

P. The city of Gordon, Connecticut was where the world's Ist conventional nuclear powered submarine was built in MCMLIV (1954)-the U.S.S. Nautilus.

Q. Rhode Island & Connecticut never actually ratified the XVIIIth (18th) Amendment to the United States Constitution (the prohibition of alcohol, later repealed.)

R. The Hartford Courant is the oldest print newspaper in the United States still being published. It was established in MDCCLXIV (1764.)

Birthplace Of Quadruple Academy Award (TM) Winner Katharine Hepburn,

Rory

Source: Www.EnchantedLearning.Com.

The Eyes Have It

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXVIIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

I would like II see much larger print paper copies of final exams for high school students who have visual impairments. Yes I was at a gymnasium once wherein a student was given their Alberta High School Social Studies XXX exam in brail. I thought this was superb. But I would like to see teachers & staffers be able to give paper copies of these exams in a much larger font to there students who have eye difficulties. Talking to a visually impaired student at Jasper Place High School mechanics shop in November (where I was having my vehicle looked at by students), the young lady expressed a frustration to me that she was not allowed to have her exam blown up to a bigger font so that she could read the questions better on the school copier. She is allowed to use a magnifying glass, but a bigger font size of exam would make her life & those of other students with these difficult occular problems so much better!

Aye Sir Or Eye Sir Or I Sir,

Rory

Source: Myself.

The Student Sayings Of Joe Friday On Fridays From Los Angeles, California Case Twenty-Three

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXVIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

A man posing as a tutor had been gaining the confidence of his students & then their parents by visits to their homes & letting the parents watch the tutoring sessions. Once he gained entry into these homes, he could "case the joints" as it were to see where anything of valuable was placed so that he could come back & steal it later on with a home invasion. Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department has just caught this phony tutor in the act of breaking into a home & the teenage girl student recognized him & identified him to the Sergeant as a man whom her mother had let inII the home IV tutoring lessons in French. After congratulating the young lady on being a great help to the police in making their arrest, Sergeant Friday has a few choice words for this scammer in education.

"Your a fraud Mister, a nobody, a thief, and worst of all, your a liar!"

This Seems Like A Very Apt Description II Me Joe & I Am Sure To The Victims,

Rory

Source: "Dragnet", C. National Broadcasting Company, A Mark VII Production.

Fighting Fair & Fighting Square

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXVIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

The theatrical film "Grudge Match" with Double Academy Award (TM) Winner Sylvester Stallone & Double Academy Award (TM) Winner Robert De Niro playing two retired boxers who fight one another after three decades in retirement was great. It was released Christmas Day & since its a film about boxing, its appropriate II talk II students about it on Boxing Day. The premise is that the two fighters retired & so never got to fight a IIIrd boxing match, with both of them having lost one of the previous II bouts, so this IIIrd match would be the tiebreaker II prove who was the winner.

The catch is that both boxers are now senior citizens. De Niro's character runs a bar & a car dealership while Stallone's character is a steel mill worker at a Pittsburgh plant. The idea is that after III decades is that they have to learn how to box all over again by being trained, or "schooled" if you will. The idea is that they want to fight each other one last time & fight "at their best." Of course they are senior citizens so can never be in as good shape as when they were younger, so they have to fight with "the best they've got." Students interested in boxing & student athleticism will enjoy this film tremendously!

Jake LaMotta Versus Rocky Balboa,

Rory

Source: Myself.

Relying On Nana June IV Christmas Day



Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

The master planner has reached out from the sky above once again & decided to give us a Christmas Day Lesson Plan. I for one approve of mom, Mrs. June C. "Nana" Koopmans, B. Ed. doing so!:


PLANS

 

Friday, May 12th, 1972:

 

Reading & review of worksheets.

Talk: - discuss with students how to stay safe & stay together as a group for afternoon trip to the museum.

________

Arithmetic:   text: P. 183.

11:20AM: TV: Ch. 11, "Me & My World", a student tv geography program with many interesting facts.

 

Great Speaking Friends Of Afton School Grade Two:

 

12 Noon: Pat Mulka.

12:20PM: Marg Corscadden.

 

Trip To Museum: 1:30PM-2:45PM.

     - bus leaves at 1:10PM.

     - museum from 1:45PM-2:45PM or 3PM at the latest.

     - back ay the school by 3PM-3:20PM at the very latest.

 

JCK

 

"Alfred, Could U Tell Bruce That I'll Be 10 Minutes Late Meeting Him At The Museum",

 

Rory

 

Source: "The Historical Lesson Plans Of Mrs. June C. Koopmans, B. Ed., C/o: The Estate Of June C. Koopmans, Grade II, Afton Elementary School.

 

 



Relying On Nana June IV Christmas Eve

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXIVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

It seems Mrs. June C. "Nana" Koopmans, B. Ed. has a Christmas Eve Lesson Plan in the ready from up above for students from her Afton Elementary School. Ah yes, Christmas was Nana's favourite season of the year!

          PLANS

 

Thursday, May 11th, 1972:

 

Writing: "k", & "a" as well as focusing on words with these two letters in them.

Reading:      "Squirrel's Policeman."

         ___________worksheet.

Arithmetic: text, P. 182; check P. 135 too. Make pint, quart, & gallon clowns.

Spelling:             #31 D.

Story: Let students choose from a selection and have fun practicing reading back to one another & to me, this will give them confidence in their speaking ability.

 

 

 

Drama:    - act out workers & reading teams. Make it seem like a job that is very important so students see what going to a job is like,

         _______

Entertainment: discuss Friday's trip to the museum.

                       - complete flowers and plants, as well as taking pictures of them to show museum guides who will show students the nature section on trip.

 

JCK

 

I'm Impressed Mom With The Heavy Student Classroom Involvement,

 

Rory

 

Source: "The Historical Lesson Plans Of Mrs. June C. Koopmans, B. Ed.", C/o: The Estate Of June C. Koopmans, Grade II, Afton Elementary School.





Plan IV A Safe Ride

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXIIIrd, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

IV students in Edmonton who want to get to their family destinations over Christmas Holidays & IV their classes in the winter, they should consult the ETS Trip Planner at Www.Ets.Com. The same thing for students across Alberta, if you have the chance to use reliable public transit, then you should do so. These transit options are great for the environment & make transportation less stressful IV students & the average working person.

Bus Or LRT,

Rory

Source: Www.Ets.Com.

"The People Are Real, The Cases Are Real, Judge Judy!"

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXIInd, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Its very important that students who are working medical shifts in hospitals & medical facilities learn to take very complete & accurate case history's of any patient coming in IV treatment. This will save them & the attending doctors, nurses, & medical assistants, technicians & other members both time & money in treating the patient b/c their diagnosis can be made much faster!

Case Histoire,

Rory

Source: The Royal Alexandra Hospital Emergency Department.

Fascinating Facts About South Carolina

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XXIst, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

It really is a marvel how many factoids each American State, or any topic has. Take for instance the Palmetto State, or South Carolina.

M. History students will remember that Virginia housed the capital of the Confederate States Of America, Richmond. It was however South Carolina that seceded from the United States Ist with the South Carolinian troops attacking federal Army troops & their garrison at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbour, thus beginning the Civil War & hundreds of thousands of deaths.

N. It houses one of only II commercial tea plantations in all of the United States. This plantation is located XX (20) miles south of Charleston on Wadmalaw Island.

O. South Carolina separated from North Carolina in MDCCXXIX (1729.)

"Nothing Could Be Finer Than II Be With Carolina In The Morning",

Rory

Source: Www.SciWay.Net/Facts.

The Student Sayings Of Joe Friday On Fridays From Los Angeles, California Case Twenty-Two

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #23, 9731-174 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5T 6G4

December XXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

You can certainly hear the disgust & anguish in the voice here of Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department. Today, he's working on childrens issues & has come across an underfed child.

"We took a little boy into Central Receiving Hospital yesterday; he's four years old. He weighs about eight-and-a-half pounds. His parents just hadn't bothered to feed him. Now give me a fast answer to that one; one that'll stop that from ever happening again."

I'm Sorry Joe I Can't Give You The Fast Answer To This Clear Case Of Tragic Malnourishment,

Rory

Source: "Dragnet", C. National Broadcasting Company, A Mark VII Production.

A Deranged Society

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XIXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

We sure have some sick puppies in this world. A few weeks back, a post-secondary student announced that he was going II end his life on the internet thru Skype & at Facebook. Some people watching this as it unfolded live were telling him II do so instead of suggesting counselling &/or medical treatment. This student was sadly able to complete his task & end his life.

A Sad Christmas Season,

Rory

Source: Myself.

The Holy "Trinity" Of Law & Order

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XVIIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

While I stongly & most vociferously disagree with Trinity Western University's decision to make students sign a "covenant" that will not engage in homosexual activities &/or relations, I absolutely respect their right to do so. TWU in the Fraser Valley is a school with a superb reputation & part of that is in its Christian focus. So if students of Order & Law cannot agree to abide by a document that they are asked to sign in advance for TWU's as yet to be built law school, then they should perhaps continue looking to learn about the law & legal precedents elsewhere. Gay groups & transsexual/gender groups are always talking about freedom of sexuality & freedom to espouse their choice of any religion despite being part of the LGTBQ community, but they are never tolerant of groups of a differing opinion whom in this case are TWU & its affiliates/friends the right to espouse their religious philosophy in whatever contextual manner they choose. Lets have tolerance all around & let TWU spread its message of tolerance for gays (they do have gay students) & straight people living in harmony & making the world better IV all!

Manhattan District Attorney Jack McCoy,

Rory

Source: Myself.

Columbine Et Deux

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XVIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Not that any time of the year is good for a school shooting, but here in the month we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we once again have another crazy nutbar student with a gun. At Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado all b/c he was kicked off a school debate team. The shooter critically injures a fellow student in the head, then turns the gun on himself & blows himself away. All this b/c he was mad at a teacher at the school. I mean hell, why didn't he just come to the school with his family to meet with the debate teacher & see if there was some alternate project he could do such as a paper relating to the debate? Settling things with a friendly chat has arguably got II be better than pulling out a gun wherein folks could be (& were) hurt/killed.

A Disgustingly Pervasive Gun Culture,

Rory

Source: Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) News, "Face The Nation With Bob Schieffer."

Child Hunger & Poverty Is Everybody's Business Minister Moore

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.

#6, 14504-108 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XVIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA

Minister of Education,

Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

I wonder how many more legally retarded Members of Parliament are in the federal Conservative caucus of The Right Hon. Stephen J. Harper, B. A., M. A., P. C., M. P., Conservative, Calgary-Southwest, Prime Minister of Canada?! The Hon. James Moore, B. A., M. A., P. C., M. P., Conservative, Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, the Minister of Industry is prime example numero uno at this moment.

This bowel movement of a Minister & sham M. P. says that he doesn't think he should have to pay to feed other peoples kids. Pardon me James, no ones asking you to. What is worse is I am sure he is not the only Conservative caucus member to feel this way, just the only one stupid enough to say so out loud! But in your capacity as a federal minister of The Crown, you'd think you'd have enough sense to shut your big fat piehole & instead use your power to work with other levels of government & private firms/individuals II instead try & help eliminate child poverty & hunger, a basic right of not just all children, but all of humanity!

Maybe Citizens Shouldn't Be Putting You Back In IV Another Term As M.P.,

Rory

Source: Myself. 

"Tea, Earl Grey, Hot!"

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., Meadowlark IInd Cup Courtesy Wifi, Edmonton, Alberta

December XVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

The IInd Cup beverage chain is part of a great set of charitable endeavours & one of those is the Ethical Tea Partnership. Ethical Tea & its partners provide the following services to those less fortunate who work in the tea industry:

I. Improving water availability & treatment IV students & their family's so they can be assured that their H2O is safe II drink.

II. Improved safety standards & health practices so that students can see that their tea parent workers have their health & safety looked after in a responsible manner.

III. Ensuring that tea workers & their children are shown how to practice proper farming methods so that they have a sustainable family farm income each successive year.

IInd Cup Finishes Ist Here,

Rory

Source: Www.EthicalTeaPartnership.Org & Www.SecondCup.Com.

The Rubix Cube

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
Jasper Place Public Library Terminal Lower Station #VII
Edmonton, Alberta

December XIVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson., MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Here at the Jasper Place EPL Branch, its great to see the carts on wheels in a cube shape in the childrens section. Not only are they easy to move around for staff, they are quite functional & low to the ground. They teach youngsters just starting out on their reading journey the value of organization by putting the books away after taking them out of their properly assigned slot. Also, they teach these same kids the value of construction & deconstruction. In this way, if they get inII building later in life, they will have the capacity to understand the capacity for building & the basic "building blocks" needed to get things going. Both on a real & on an educational path.

Constructions Are Green,

Rory

Source: Www.Epl.Ca.

The Student Sayings Of Joe Friday On Fridays From Los Angeles, California Case Twenty-One

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XIIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Today Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department has II give a primer to a male teenage suspect who has just offered to pay him off with cash & let him go, even though he's been caught dead to rights stealing.

"Son, don't you know its illegal to bribe an officer of the law?"

Great Police Ethics Joe,

Rory

Source: "Dragnet", C. National Broadcasting Company, A Mark VII Production.

Xander Is One Hell Of A Great Kid!

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December XIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Xander Cromarty is one brave kid. Here he's stuck with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) & he gets beaten to hell by bullies, nay idiots at his school and doesn't fight back, he remains calm & respectful of these idiots. Then, when he is told to fight back & does, he is suspended from the school by the administrators. So Xander is beaten & hurt & as my file photo shows, badly hurt & bruised, including on his face. I am not a person of violence, but if Xander knocked these little bastards unconscious on the school grounds, I would definitely back him up by looking the other way!

Its Grander With Xander,

Rory

Source: Www.ParentDish.Ca.

Very Good Reporting

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #23, 9731-174 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5T 6G4

December XIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Superb as always Alberta Legislature Reporter Graham Thomson of The Edmonton Journal had himself reassigned to cover the terrible hostage crisis of Syrian refugees in Lebanon. Over 1 million plus refugees in a country with only 4 million citizens itself. Many school aged children & their family's have been disaffected by the amount of human traffic coming over the Lebanese border. Frankly, Lebanon, acountry always filled with strife & of many past civil wars of its own can barely handle the stress.

Its Reached A Breaking Point,

Rory

Source: The Edmonton Journal, Graham Thomson, Reporting From Beirut, Lebanon.

Fix Snowclearing Now Mayor Iveson!

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #23, 9731-174 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5T 6G4

December Xth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Why is it that snow is being removed from school yards? I would think that if the City Of Edmonton dumped snow windrows over the fences of school yards & off of streets, traffic safety in winter would be much better & cheaper b/c vehicles would have less accidents. Thus insurance costs for drivers would be lower & City hauling costs to remove the snow from the streets would definitely be much lower, thus saving on the overall budget & operational costs such as gas, diesel, wages, & overtime, as well as general maintenance costs IV City owned snow equipment.

Faster,

Rory

Source: Reverend William Wade Izzard, Universal Life Church Canada, Aboriginal Youth Outreach Invented This Idea.

Diplomacy At Its Finest

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December IXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Students looking to get into Canada's diplomatic corps need to follow the example of our Prime Minister, The Right. Hon., Stephen J. Harper, B. A., M. A., P. C., M. P., Conservative, Calgary-Southwest. The P. M. thru his handlers has asked former Prime Ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chretien, & Brian Mulroney to accompany him to the State Funeral of former South African President & apartheid freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, as well as former Governor-General Michaelle Jean. Another former Prime Minister, Joe Clark will meet up with his fellow P. M.'s there so it will be good to see this show of unity. To complete the nice touch diplomatic touch, the P. M. has invited your boss, The Hon. The Premier Alison M. Redford, Q. C., M. L. A., Progressive Conservative, Calgary-Elbow who worked in South Africa when Mr. Mandela was released in her capacity as a lawyer on human rights matters. How appropriate to have Alison there!

Excellent Work Mister Prime Minister,

Rory

Source: Myself.

Traffick Tie-Ups

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December VIIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

I am very saddened to hear of a 500% increase in human trafficking & exploitation in Alberta, even sexual exploitation. This is why I'm so glad that the Young Womens Christian Association (YWCA) & its Executive Director, Jacqueline Foord have been given a federal grant to battle this issue. It affects mainly women & young girls. Still, men & boys are also victims & when we are supposed to promote freedom of dignity & human rights in today's modern age & then still have in affect enslavement of people, there is definitely something wrong with society!

I Thought The Civil War Ended 148 Years Ago,

Rory

Source: The Action Coalition On Human Trafficking Alberta Association (ACT) & The Edmonton Sun, Kevin Maimann.

The Parent-Child Bond Is Being Broken

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton Alberta T5N 1G8

December VIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Once again we see that rather intrepid reporter & Editor of The Edmonton Senior, Mr. Colin F. Smith file a most interesting report. Covenant Health is restricting access in the parent-child relationship to the children of parents who have become rather sickly & elderly. Its important that family bonds remain in place in seniors residences, old age homes, & dementia wards between family's. Especially as the parents being so old have now become the "defacto children" & their adult children must now become "pseudo parents" in order to see that their moms & dads are being properly looked after with dignity & respect as they go through the aging process. Grandkids and younger family members (including students) need to see that the elderly must be looked after & that their parents have the right to quality interaction with their elders. Its almost if you look at it from another perspective, the kids & grandkids are learning about "the school of life" here & that those aging must be allowed to do so gracefully.

Once Again Colin Is Aces,

Rory

Source: The Edmonton Senior, Colin F. Smith, B. A., Reporter & Editor, December MMXIII.

The Student Sayings Of Joe Friday On Fridays From Los Angeles, California Case Twenty

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December VIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Always calm even in the worst possible of crisis situations, the violent death of a baby girl, Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department has to stay "matter of fact" in his pronouncements & comments, especially with his subordinates like Officer Bill Gannon. He may want to say more, but he has to both show his frustration &/or exasperation that he as a police officer couldn't keep the baby girl safe when he is sadly handed a grey baby blanket to place over the baby's young body to give her respect. Officer Gannon mentions that "a baby girl's baby blanket is supposed to be pink" to which the good Sergeant replies rather sombrely & yet correctly:

"Who ever heard of a pink shroud?"

An Interesting Perspective Joe,

Rory

Source: "Dragnet", C. National Broadcasting Company, A Mark VII Production.

"Its All About The Children!"

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., Calder (Kensington) Public Library Terminal #VII, Edmonton, Alberta

December Vth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Having just dropped off toys for kids & free coffee at the 630 Ched Am Radio's "Santas Anonymous" warehouse at Northgate Industries for Ched Afternoon News hosts J'lyn Nye & Mark Scholz, I can attest II what a great organization that it is! I encourage people including students & their family's to buy new & unwrapped toys for less fortunate kids. Then, they can drop them off at Santas Anonymous bins across the city in malls, stores, or in other outlets. Or, they could go directly to Northgate Industries (a great company) & drop off the toys directly. Its easily accessible from the Yellowhead Trail at 12345-121st Street.

Rest In Peace Nelson Mandela,

Rory

Source: Www.630.Com, "The 630 Ched Afternoon News With J'lyn Nye & Mark Scholz", Executive Producer, Tricia Kindelman. 

A Great Course By A Great Professor

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December IVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

As I discussed a few weeks ago with you in this blog, the CLth (150th) anniversary of Abe Lincoln reciting The Gettysburg Address occurred during the same week as the Lth (50th) anniversary of the murder of Jack Kennedy in Dallas. My interest in that conflict & how it shaped the United States & the world, & how it continues to influence even today has never waned.

I picked up a recorded book from the Woodcroft (Westmount) Edmonton Public Library (EPL) of a course taught by the great Professor & historian Jay Winik of the University Of Maryland. Its a series of XIV lectures on VII compact discs. Its called "A House Reunited: How America Survived The Civil War." It has many interesting factoids & anecdotes about that conflict that I never knew & is extremely informative. I congratulate the Professor on a job well done & encourage history students to take this course.

Whistling Dixie,

Rory

Source: Professor Jay Winik, The University Of Maryland, Www.Epl.Ca, & Myself.

Not Representing Democracy Well

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December IIIrd, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

While I agree with the legislation in principle banning illegal strikes & that Her Majesty's Government has the right to pass it, the way you are ramming it down the throats of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) throats & other affiliated unions is both unethical & immoral. Union workers do the scut work like looking after diaper changes IV seniors & the flood emergency coverage, & they work a lot harder than MLA's do & IV a lot less money. Alison herself called them "heroes" & yet your caucus & cabinet saw fit to place these horrid bills bIV the legislature at the last minute. Is this really the proper example II set IV students who will arguably be the union members of the future?

Mind Boggling,

Rory

Source: Myself.

The San Antone

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

December IInd, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

So a completely "bookless" BiblioTech Library branch has opened in Bexar County, Texas which includes San Antonio. I for one say what in the hell? It defeats the purpose of having physical books & periodicals. Sure we must embrace technology, & its great that 10,000 plus free e-books are available IV Texan library users, but there is nothing like the feel of holding an actual physical book in your hand, or thumbing through a periodical such as a magazine or newspaper. There is the feeling that you are losing the personal touch of communicating with people & writers on paper in favour of a cold & heartless computer screen!

Alamo City,

Rory

Source: National Public Radio (NPR), "The Two-Way", Bill Chappell.

Wade Izzard Is A Great Guy

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.

15902-100A Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5P 0L8

December Ist, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

A truly smart idea from youth minister Reverend William Wade Izzard. He suggests building an adjunct greenhouse that's affiliated with Hole's Greenhouses on the side of the Lois Hole EPL Branch. This greenhouse would be then used to teach students different gardening techniques in the tradition of that great lady & green thumb maestro, the late Lieutenant-Governor Lois Hole.

Certainly A Fitting Tribute,

Rory

Source: Reverend William Wade Izzard, Youth Minister, Universal Life Church Canada, Aboriginal Youth Outreach.

Care Thats Compassionate



Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Some great news out of the University Of British Columbia (UBC) Vancouver campus. St. John's Hospice opened up in September & it truly from what I can see online & in print is a marvel. It allows patients facing "end-of-care"/palliative care to die with dignity, in a place where they are surrounded with respect. From doctors, staff, family, & especially students studying gerontology & palliative care, people facing the end of their lives show students that they can still be contributing members of society right up until their dying breath, even if its just in a limited capacity. Plus, its not just the old that get sick & die, dying with dignity should be a right of all human beings, no matter what their age &/or socioeconomic status in life!

Truly An Amazing Educational Live On The Scene Platform IV All,

Rory

Source: "UBC Medicine", The Magazine Of The University Of British Columbia Medicine & The St. John's Hospice At UBC Vancouver.

The Student Sayings Of Joe Friday On Fridays From Los Angeles, California Case Nineteen

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXIXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Today Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department makes us aware that there are always alarming trends in crime & for the most part they are quite random, that is until the source of the problem(s) (if there even is any) is discovered. At this juncture, the good Sergeant has to deal with an unexplained heavy increase in youth crime.

"It was Thursday, April 10th. We were working the day watch out of Juvenile Division. My partner's Frank Smith; the boss is Captain Stine. My name's Friday. A crime wave had suddenly erupted among the teenagers of the city. We were getting reports of robberies, burglaries, and bodily assault. We didn't know why it was happening, but we had to try to stop it."



Well You Just Go Right Ahead & Do That Sergeant Friday,

 

Rory
 

Source: "Dragnet", C. National Broadcasting Company, A Mark VII Production.



Ol' J. R. Still Giving Teaching His Son From Beyond The Grave

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXVIIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Actor Larry Hagman who played the great John Ross (J. R.) Ewing The IInd on "DALLAS" died a just over a year ago. But in today's DALLAS Decoder, we find J. R. giving his son John Ross some valuable business lessons. His younger brother Bobby is sick, J. R. wants control of their joint company & is known IV being sneaky. Still he imparts to John Ross some words of wisdom that he cannot take advantage of Uncle Bobby while he is sick. He wants the whole company to be John Ross's some day, but he is teaching John Ross that he must win the company or 50.01% majority control of Ewing Oil in a "fair fight", in order so that each he & John Ross's uncle have an equal chance at winning or losing.

DALLAS Parallels: Teach Your Children Well,

Rory

Source: Myself & Www.DALLASDecoder.Com.

Very Very Smart

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXVIIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson. MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

That was a truly smart plan the other day to put a Steubenville, Ohio school suprintendent on leave after he was indicted on that charges that he obstructed a rape of a drunk teenage girl at a party. Superintendent Michael McVey is also accused of evidence tampering, obstructing official business, & making false statements in regards to the matter of the rape & the subsequent investigation. If these charges can be proved, it will prove that school & police officials are taking rape &/or sexual assult seriously!

Hoping For Justice For The Victim,

Rory

Source: Reuters, Kim Palmer.

Old School Journalism

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXVIth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff;

Proving the old adage that "II head are better than 1", The Edmonton Journal's Karen Kleiss & The Calgary Herald's Darcy Henton combined forces & resources to expose the fact that 145 foster kids have died in Alberta's foster system. Yes just like the failed & frankly retarded homeless shelter project in Terwillegar, this also makes Minister of Human Services David G. Hancock, QC, MLA, Progressive Conservative, Edmonton-Whitemud look bad. But I for one think that its good that these two fine newspapers even with constant cuts II their budgets & staffers are able to continue to hold Her Majesty's Government accountable on this issue. What's sad is the Journal & the Herald are only six day a week printed papers as this series of reports is beyond excellent & should win these two intrepid reporters awards. Even worse, 145 dead kids might not be the highest figure yet, so its "& counting!"

Emotionally Unsettling,

Rory

Source: Myself & The Edmonton Journal, Karen Kleiss & The Calgary Herald, Darcy Henton.

The Need II Fight IV Food II Fight Hunger Is Real

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.

#6, 14504-108 Avenue

Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA

Minister of Education,

Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

It really is a shame that there is so much hunger around the world among students & young people. Not just here, but take IV instance Orange County, California. Resources for free & reduced-priced lunches are drying up, especially in summer months when kids are out of school, but still need a proper nutritional balance every day so they can stay healthy while partaking of their summer activities. The Capistrano Unified School District has fully 1/5th of its students depending on these free & subsidized lunches, even in the summer & resources IV food are finite so sadly some kids go hungry at times. Students may not be in schools in summer months, but they are still learning, exploring, & developing their minds & bodies in summer months & most certainly need II have their strength kept up with good grub all year round!

Food Mechanisms In Crisis,

Rory

Source: The Orange County Register, Kellie Mejdrich & Josh Francis.

The Shotgun Formation

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXIVth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

As the Canadian Football League (CFL) begins its IInd century today with the playing of the CIst (101st) Grey Cup in Regina today between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats & the Saskatchewan Roughriders, it should instill a sense of fair play & honour with its game on the field. If students attending the game & those watching on television see what a great team sport the CFL is, they might want II become the football players & athletes of the future themselves. ThereIV they'll become very healthy in terms of exercise with their physical & mental health conditioning. 

Lets Hope The Game Is Really Exciting,

Rory

Source: Www.Cfl.Ca.

Putting Childrens Interests First

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXIIIrd, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

I heard the promotion & declaration of "National Child Day" went really well at the Stanley A. Milner Edmonton Public Library (EPL) Branch & at other places across the province. Plus, supplemented with child focused activities today & healthy & fun activities like a free swim IV students & their family's on Sunday, November XXIVth at YMCA's, this newly declared day IV children should be a huge success!

Child Focused,

Rory

Source: Www.Epl.Ca & The Office Of The Child & Youth Advocate.

The Student Sayings Of Joe Friday On Fridays From Los Angeles, California Case Eighteen

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXIInd, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Fresh on the case & at the start of his shift, Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department points out that no matter what societal structures are set in place for students & youngsters in general, some of them will wind up being tempted to stir up trouble. Worse yet, as a cop, the good Sergeant has to react to these troublesome situations II try & get the students back on track.

"This is the city, Los Angeles, California. Two million people, almost a million kids. The people have tried to plan for 'em. They built schools for 'em to learn in; beaches and parks for 'em to play in. Most of the kids follow the course as planned. A few of 'em get lost on the way. When they do, it makes trouble for me. I'm a cop."

In Memoriam Today C (50) Not So Golden Years President John F. Kennedy, Democrat-Massachusetts (RIP Jack),

Rory

Source: "Dragnet", C. National Broadcasting Company, A Mark VII Production.

Fascinating Facts About Kansas

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXIst, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Its just as I said beIV, pick a state of the United States, any state & you will become a student instantly interested in state & social studies facts on it. Take IV instance the State of Kansas, or as its also referred to as: the Sunflower State.

J. Its the home to former United States Senator Robert (Bob) J. Dole, who was also the Vice-Presidential candidate on a ticket with XXXVIIIth (38th) President Gerald R. Ford, Republican-Michigan in MCMLXXVI (1976), & the Presidential candidate on the Republican ticket against XLIInd (42nd) President William (Bill) J. Clinton, Democrat-Arkansas in MCMXCVI (1996.)

K. XXXIVth (34th) President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Republican is buried at the Eisenhower Presidential Centre in Abilene.

L. There are XXVII (27) creeks in the state with the name "Walnut Creek."

Has The Largest Population Of Wild Grouse Or Prairie Chickens In The United States,

Rory

Source: Kansas Kids Facts.

Cats Get Stuck In Trees

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin.
#6, 14504-108 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA
Minister of Education,
Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Staying ahead of technological trends is a good idea. EPL patrons & students in general might want II take courses from "treehouse." This set of online educational tools lets people learn how to develop mobile applications or apps, coding, as well as general web design.

Tree Rings Are Fascinating As An Indicator Of A Tree's Age,

Rory

Source: Www.Epl.Ca &Www.TeamTreehouse.Com/Gateways/Epl/Signup.

Short But Sweet

Rory J. Koopmans, B. Admin., #6, 14504-108 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5N 1G8

November XIXth, MMXIII

Hon. Jeff Johnson, MLA, Minister of Education, Progressive Conservative, Athabasca-Sturgeon-RedH2O

Dear Jeff:

Students of history might want to take note of the huge historical mistake in protocol that current XLIVth (44th) President Of The United States Barack Obama, Democrat-Illinois has made. Today is the CLth (150th) anniversary of XVIth (16th) President Of The United States Abraham Lincoln's (Republican-Illinois) Gettysburg Address & speech of November XIXth, MDCCCLXIII (19th, 1863.) In this speech, President Lincoln dedicated a military cemetery at Gettysburg. Pennsylvania with a memorable speech of just CCLXXII (272) words including "Four score & VII (7) years ago."

In MDCCCLXII (1862), President Lincoln freed all African-American slaves effective on January Ist, MDCCCLXIII with his Emancipation Proclamation. You would figure that the first African-American born President Of The United States would honour his predecessor by attending the ceremony in person, or at least send one of the former living Presidents in his place. President Obama sat in President Lincoln's seat when he was an Illinois State Senator in Springfield, the State Capitol. Thats why the error is so despicable. It just shows what a weak President that President Obama is.

An Unbelievable Error,

Rory

Source: Myself & Www.AbrahamLincolnOnline.Org & The Library Of Congress.