As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
So it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to our long-running forums. They came online in 2000 and brought together so many wonderful Disney fans. We had friendships form, careers launch, couples marry, children born ... all because of this amazing community.
Thank you to each of you who were a part of this community. You made it possible.
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We want to personally thank Sara Varney, who coordinated our community for many years (among so many other things she did for us), and Cheryl Pendry, our Message Board Manager who helped train our Guides, and Ginger Jabour, who helped us with the PassPorter-specific forums and Live! Guides. Thank you for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You made it all happen.
There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
So we encourage you to stay in touch with us and your fellow community members wherever works best for you!
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Abby's going to the Special Olympics again this year. Way to go.
The school Abby went to last year is the one that's actually going but out of the 5 kids that went, 3 of them moved up - and the principal and gym teacher think enough of all the kids that they want all 5 to go together again. It makes me wish a couple more grades were at that school with those teachers - they're all great. The school Abby's at now, most of the teachers either have their own problems that make them cranky or they're just buying time until they can retire. And it shows IMO. There are very few people I like in that building. It's actually so bad, I've even told my coworkers that is the only school in town that I will not work at for any reason (I wouldn't sub there and if a position with benefits opens, then someone else will get lucky because I won't go for it). But anyway, when I heard Abby could go to the Special Olympics again, I of course told her teachers and mentioned how the classes of the kids went as well to show support last year. By doing this, I was hoping that Abby's, Stephen's and Claire's classes could go this year as well as the classes from the other school. Yesterday, I got a call from the school principal. She's a witch if you ask me (I haven't been impressed with her so far - she's the only principal who hasn't showed up for Abby's IEP meetings) and goes on to tell me that Dale Street (Abby school) isn't doing the Special Olympics, too much is going on that week that makes it impossible for any of the classes to go. I only asked qbout 3 classes, not the 20 or so in the school and I can't believe every single class has something that important going on. We only have a few weeks left as it is. So she should have just said she doesn't support the kids or the Special Olympics (no offense to anyone but I think she only supports schools in Africa - every special event she hosts is in support of those schools, not the one she's the principal of). I mean really, she's the principal, she can change things at a moment's notice (the principal at my school certainly does). And the only "special" thing happening at school on the day of the Special Olympics is the Chourus and Recorder club have rehearsal at exactly 1:07 that day. I'm not saying music isn't important (Abby plays the violin), but come on, it's not like all 60 kids that would be going are the only ones in those clubs. And not only that, but because of something special going on at Abby's old school, all the kids are going to be back home by 1, 1:30 the latest anyway.
But thanks for listening to my vent and good news.
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Glad she still gets to go! And I can relate to the IEP thing- our priniple does not attend the meetings, but still gets to make decisions based on information she *thinks* she knows and it is very frustrating....
Are the games at Abby's school? Within easy walking distance? If not, I doubt it's as simple as the principal saying "We support Special Olympics, let's go." First and foremost if they need to transport the kids. That can be very expensive-two or three busses for a day. And who will chaperone? And who will provide liability insurance in case anyone gets hurt off school grounds? At my kids' schools an administrator would accompany any off grounds field trips in case of an emergency.
My kids did lots of school activities and never expected their classes to take time away from school work to attend and "support" them. If the principal sets the precedent for Abby's activity, what does she say to the parent who wants the entire class to go to the band competion or the math competitiion or the Lego League.
I honestly think if they are excusing Abby for the day, that's all they need to do. Your expecting the entire class to go and watch is an awful lot.
And I have been to lots of IEP meetings and in larger schools the principal often does not attend. An administrator needs to be present and it is often a designated member of the special ed department. Many schools have several hundred IEP meetings each year and the principal has a great many more responsibilites.
Abby! How awesome that she will be able to compete in the Special Olympics again this year.
While I agree that it may not be monetarily feasible for the three classes to go to the Special Olympics to support Abby and her teammates, I do NOT agree with her telling you that there is too much going on if the only thing on the calendar is the one club.
Every school that Grace has attended, the principal or vice principal is in attendance for all her IEPs. At her current school there is no vice principal so the principal is at every IEP meeting. (Speaking of which I need to write and find out when her next meeting will be. hmmmmm) IMHO the principal should attend at LEAST one IEP meeting for each student needing one. I understand that the principal may not be able to attend all of them, but at least one per student. This would give the principal and the parents a chance to see where the other stands on the student's education.
Are the games at Abby's school? Within easy walking distance? If not, I doubt it's as simple as the principal saying "We support Special Olympics, let's go." First and foremost if they need to transport the kids. That can be very expensive-two or three busses for a day. And who will chaperone? And who will provide liability insurance in case anyone gets hurt off school grounds? At my kids' schools an administrator would accompany any off grounds field trips in case of an emergency.
My kids did lots of school activities and never expected their classes to take time away from school work to attend and "support" them. If the principal sets the precedent for Abby's activity, what does she say to the parent who wants the entire class to go to the band competion or the math competitiion or the Lego League.
I honestly think if they are excusing Abby for the day, that's all they need to do. Your expecting the entire class to go and watch is an awful lot.
And I have been to lots of IEP meetings and in larger schools the principal often does not attend. An administrator needs to be present and it is often a designated member of the special ed department. Many schools have several hundred IEP meetings each year and the principal has a great many more responsibilites.
I understand what your saying and I understand that the principal is very busy, BUT even though the special educators attend the IEP meetings, they don't make all of the decisions, the principal does and I have personally had IEP meetings that the principal did not attend and then was the authority on major decisions that affected my son's educational life. This was two years ago and I'm still ticked about it because it still affects him. Had she actually attended the meeting and took in all the information, I feel she would have made a different decision! So, I don't really care if she's busy or not, unless she wants to give the special educator the authority to make major decisions- I want to see her there; all ears
Edited to add: I don't want my post to come across harsh and it is nothing against anyone's opinions and I understand that it is technically impossible for administration to attend every single meeting; but as you can tell, I had a VERY bad experience that has caused me to feel strongly about this....
My son participates in Special Olympics also. It is always nice when his friends/classmates can go watch and cheer him on. All of our events are fortunately on the weekends. Even if they can't be there in body I am sure they will be there in spirit. Sam always takes his medals/ribbons to school afterwards to share so his friends can share is his fun. As for IEP's, we have just been very fortunate and spoiled it sounds like. Our principal has always come to the meetings, she may not stay for the whole thing, but is always there for part of it. I think it really varies not only district to district, but school to school too. Good luck and enjoy her SO day!!
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My oldest has IEP meeting twice a year, I have NEVER had the principal present. Up until now didnt even know it should be expected but it does explain why we discuss one hting in class and another happens though. I ask why and am always told after discussing it as awhole with his other teachers that couldnt make it they feel it is in his best interest which I now see really means the PRINCIPAL doesnt see it being cost worthy! Yet they never hold back to send me the your son is in danger of failing notices. Had he gotten the help we discussed first visit he might not be in danger of failing. Well off to see principal this week if possible to straighten out o few things. Even with our vacation coming up, we take one evry year to disney and they do miss school for it. They have always been excused, this year they decided to not excuse him becuase he will miss too much and they dont feel he will catch up. He has evey other year becuase I make sure of it! uGH now I am thinking too much for 5am! LOL
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Abby! How awesome that she will be able to compete in the Special Olympics again this year.
to Abby! Focus on her & enjoy the event, the rest of it is not worth your energy.
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