Reading today: October's "Creating Keepsakes" magazine
Music today: Kids' Songs on CD
TV today: Olympics, on the "Canada Channel"
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I have things to say about Roman, but I'll wait until tomorrow. Also I'm updating our website to being boring and simple but with pictures of the boy so you can see our adventures.

News today is of a different sort. I went to my district's website today to see what's new. I knew that all sports had been "saved" for this coming year, as a consequence implementing the "pay to play" fee. This means that if a student wants to play a sport, they must pay a certain amount; a smaller amount the second sport; and so on. I had no idea, however, that it was SO MUCH. If our child was in this situation, we would have to think long and hard if he was going to participate in sports. Honestly. Here's the announcement:

"The current fiscal situation warrants the athletic departments to institute a pay to participate fee. The fee will be collected 2 weeks after the season begins, payable to your home school's athletic office. Student athetes on free or reduced lunch program are exempt from this fee. No refunds will be given for any reason, including injury, dismissal from team, or deciding not to participate. Fees are as follows: $150.00 for first sport; $80.00 for second sport; third sport free. Any questions, please contact the athletic office of your home school."

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS! We have some kids who only participate in swimming because it's the FIRST no-cut sport offered (and that in March). So they're all going to have to fork over 150 bucks to swim for 6 weeks. So if the district's goal is to cut participation in team sports, they've found a way.

I can see it now.... the following year will be this announcement: "Because of the lack of participation in (fill in the sport), we have decided to cut it from middle school athletics."

Grrr.