2010 Feb. 26 Friday
After lunch here, we went over to Celebration to walk around the lake, watch the people walking around, watch the fishermen, and (of course) go to Starbucks. On our way home, we saw our first armadillo along the highway in the ditch. After a light snack about 5:30, we headed to the airport. Diane, Brooke, and Paige are supposed to arrive at 7:40, but we want to be sure not to be late. I think it usually takes about ½ hour or so to get to the airport, but I’m afraid of Friday night traffic. Plus, what if there plane is early and no grandpa & grandma are there to give the girls a hug when they get off the plane. Can’t let that happen! It took almost an hour to get there, but we were there in plenty of time. We were very happy to see them (and I think it was a mutual feeling!) We went to the food court for some supper, and then got back to the resort about 9:30 or so. We are sleeping on the pull-out couch for two reasons: (1) The king bed is better for the three of them in terms of space, and (2) When I get up at 5:30, I can make coffee, eat breakfast, and read the paper without disturbing their sleep. They may want to sleep in after a long day. The girls went to school half a day, finished packing, got to the airport, flew here, etc. So they will need to rest.

WEATHER: High 63, low 39. Chilly, but very sunny, no wind, so it feels pretty good. Only need a sweater or sweat shirt over a normal shirt. Tomorrow’s forecast is a high of 55 with rain - doesn’t sound good for granddaughter’s who want to swim.

FL NEWS: “CLASS SIZE MIGHT FACE OVERHAUL” [I have always said the best way to improve education is to reduce classroom size. Why doesn’t it happen? It’s costly, and people don’t want to pay for better education - they don’t understand how important it is. Here is FL’s story.] In 2002, 52% of Florida voters approved an amendment to the state’s constitution to require smaller class size in their public schools. After nearly eight years and $15.5 million spent, more than 32 percent of the state’s classrooms are still too crowded. The FL Dept. of Education estimates the state will need $353 million in new spending, mostly in salaries for new teachers. This will be difficult in another bleak budget year. Some Republican leaders, including Gov. Charlie Crist, are asking the voters to go back to the polls in November to scale back the 2002 law. The law has been phased in, and it requires that by the start of the 2010-11 school year, there be no more than 18 students in pre-K - third-grade classes, no more than 22 in fourth to eighth grade classes, and no more than 25 in high-school classes. The law doesn’t apply to electives or ‘specials’, such as art and physical education, so those classes can be larger. All but 16 campuses statewide met the requirement this year, but next year the number of schools out of compliance is predicted to swell significantly. Administrators it will be hard to satisfy the requirements when enrollment is unpredictable and when secondary students don’t sign up for classes in neat 25-student blocks. In Orange County [which includes Orlando] 179 of the district’s 180 campuses would have classes that are too crowded, according to state estimates.