Good Words | Hard Work | Wide Wonders
I can work standing up for two hours a day. Big whup, right? I know. But for me, a year out from my vertebrae fusion surgery, it’s huge. Bigger still when you consider that, for about four years prior to the surgery, I had significant pain, the kind that hinders day-to-day quality of life. I … Continue reading Everyday Miracles
Posted to Facebook: Standing in solidarity with students at #FargoSouthHigh who walked out for 17 minutes of silence for the victims of the Parkland, Fla. school shooting. And asking our local, state and federal elected officials to do something meaningful to curb #gunviolence and #ProtectOurKids in their own schools. NOW is the time for you to do something, Sen. John Hoeven, Sen. … Continue reading #Enough #NeverAgain #ProtectOurKids
This early morning quiet / Many inches on the ground / Falling softly still, six-fifteen / Straight down, not a sound....
I was surprised to receive a response from FPS Superintendent Jeff Schatz today. Here it is, along with my response: Hi Martin, thank you for the email. I have asked the building principals to meet with their staff and student groups to discuss what process or procedures should be in place to ensure a … Continue reading National School Walkout – Trading Emails with FPS Superintendent
No surprise I haven't yet received written answers from Fargo Public Schools to the three questions I posed in emails to Jeff Schatz, Fargo Public Schools superintendent, and Todd Bertsch, principal at Fargo South High. Is it true that students will be disciplined for holding placards or signs on school grounds about gun violence in … Continue reading National School Walkout – FPS Response
Here is the response from the ACLU to my inquiry regarding students' rights, and possible disciplinary actions by schools, if the students participate in or do certain things during the National School Walkout on March 14. Dear Mr. Fredricks: Thank you for contacting the ACLU of North Dakota. As a general rule, children may not … Continue reading National School Walkout – ACLU Response
So far responses from Fargo Public Schools regarding how it will handle or respond to a walkout on March 14 have been vague, in my judgement. This morning I wrote the following email to Superintendent Jeff Schatz, and a similar email to Fargo South High Principal Todd Bertsch. I've also been trading voicemails and texts … Continue reading National School Walkout – Letter to FPS
Unofficial word from Fargo South High School is that any student who, when participating in the National School Walkout on March 14, holds up signs expressing opinions about gun violence in schools, chants slogans or does anything else that draws attention, will be suspended. Further, they will not be allowed to walk out at 10 … Continue reading What Will Happen If My Kids Protest?
I’m proud to announce “About Faces,” a new community project featuring images and stories of people who illustrate – we hope – the extraordinary in our ordinary, work-a-day lives. “About Faces” is a collection of portraits – in images and words – about people who make Fargo-Moorhead and the surrounding communities what they have been, … Continue reading FM Community Project Highlights “Extraordinary Ordinary” People
Here are the emails I've received, with senders' names removed, in response to my blog post, "Let's Add One Word to the NRA Talking Point," which also ran as an op-ed on inforum.com on February 20 and in The Forum printed edition on February 21. I'll be adding to this if/when more emails come in. … Continue reading Mass Shootings Op-Ed/Blog Post Feedback
