tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16283866764652868602023-11-15T08:26:35.695-08:00HeartAndSoulAdvocacyMy desire is to bless my readers with knowledge about advocacy, special education, school system issues, students with disabilities, mental health concerns, behavior modification techniques, educational interventions/strategies, evaluations, parent rights/tips, the love of God and faith as well as my personal life.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-82659405471231949072015-06-11T16:37:00.000-07:002015-06-11T16:37:04.645-07:00God's Word Will Give You Strength When Your Weak From Adversity!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Sharing a life lesson learned: Trusting God is easy when life is going smoothly but difficult when adversity attacks. Don't be discouraged or faint in the day of adversity. Instead, take hold of the word of God (read it, speak it, believe it) and feel your strength grow as you develop confidence in his word. God will change your situation and perform miracles in your life. Decide...who and what you believe. This is how your future is determined.</span></span><br />
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<span id="goog_1102297068"></span><span id="goog_1102297069"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-36724889694825606232015-06-11T16:30:00.000-07:002015-06-11T16:30:26.241-07:00My Testimony, Hearing God's Voice.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: orange;">I know God's voice now! He starts with a still small voice that whispers in your ear. Another way to tell if it's God speaking to you is if the message your hearing lines up with his word. For example, God is not going to tell you that a particular man who's married is suppose to be your husband b/c he already has a wife and that doesn't line up with his word. Also, most of the messages I hear from God don't make sense, they make faith.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">For instance, in 2008 I was working as a School Psychologist for a school district here in Georgia and I felt like that job was killing my spirit, soul and body while my supervisor was trying to destroy me. I was sick all the time, depressed, stressed and in constant fear of reprimands. I was taking work home every night, not able to give time and attention to my own kids, losing my passion for my career choice b/c I wasn't making a difference in nobody's life anymore and angry over my circumstances which caused me to be easily irritated by my kids daily. I addition, I felt trapped b/c I needed the income this job offered in order to pay my mortgage, car note, etc., uncertain over my future, depleted, helpless, and utterly alone. However, all that year while I was enduring my tormenting situation I kept hearing a still small voice whispering in my ear, "This job is not your source, I am".</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I knew God was talking to me but what he was saying didn't make sense in the natural so I kept ignoring it. Until one day I reached my breaking point and I walked away from that job without warning. Now mind you, God was also revealing my purpose to me during this ordeal. So I was working on those plans and thinking that once I get everything together by the end of the school year, I can quit and start on the path that God was showing me. How many of you know that God doesn't march to your beat?</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Well if everything would have worked out the way I planned I never would have truly known that God was my source. I would have been relying on myself as usual. Instead, God took me away from that job when I didn't have any other options except to depend completely on him. That is when he showed me that he was and is my source. I have not had a real job since then, and yet God has taken care of me and my boys. In the natural realm I should have lost everything, my home, car, etc., but God has sustained me through it all! I still have my home, my car, and my standard of living has remained virtually the same, my boys are still involved in sports and everything.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">I was actually struggling to pay my bills when I was working, but when God became my only source he took care of me and my boys better than I or any man ever could. I can't even explain how I survived, and on top of that I now own and operate not one, but two businesses (Heart & Soul Advocacy and Platinum Panties). I'm a living testimony that God is real yall! Trust and believe in his word b/c when you can't depend on anyone or anything, you can depend on him. My education, degrees, certifications, training, work experience, personality, looks and even who I knew couldn’t and wasn’t helping me obtain or maintain anything. I felt like all of my worldly accomplishments and attributes had been stripped away from me. I was naked in the hands of God, but I’m here to tell you that there is no safer place to be. Depending on God to that degree when I can’t see or touch him was especially tough and scary b/c I was responsible for two children who were completely dependent on me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">This experience has developed me spiritually, strengthen my relationship with the lord and elevated my faith to a whole new level. The fact that my boys witnessed this, prayed and read the word with me through it all has molded them too. They know how to pray and seek his word the way I do and that alone is the greatest gift I could ever instill in them. I would go through all that pain again to be at this place in my walk with God b/c I now know the power that I have with him and his word.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Now, all this year the message he's been telling me is, "The answer to everything you need is in my word". Basically, what he's telling me is that when I don't know what to do or I find myself in trouble or need help, go straight to his word/the bible. Don't call my mom or friends for help and advice, go to his word first and he will guide me b/c he is where my help comes from.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Oh, one other thing I forgot to mention is that God will confirm the word he is speaking into your life through other sources. I always receive confirmation through my pastor, the word of God/bible, other people or events in my life. I know this message was long, but I hope it helped someone like me to know the voice of the lord.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Blessed to be a blessing,</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Crystal Calhoun</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-27613514513561302192014-07-11T02:41:00.002-07:002014-07-11T02:44:19.910-07:00Secrets parents should know about the integrity and effectiveness of SPED/IEP services<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: yellow;">Many students don't actually get the services written in their IEP consistently and/or effectively regardless of how professional or caring the educator seems when speaking with you. Keep in mind, the integrity and quality of services depends on the school district, child's school and SPED Rep. A parent must be vigilant about their child's services, while being careful not to risk annoying educators who often will take frustrations with you out on your child. Its sad but true.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">Trust your instincts as a mom who knows your child and their needs, parents often have the answer their searching for but just want confirmation that they unfortunately may not receive accurately or truthfully by school reps. As a School Psychologist I made it a point to value the parent and teachers opinions and concerns. While working as an Intern I remember a parent who kept insisting that her daughter did not have Autism or Mental Retardation as previously documented within her most recent IEP as her eligibility label. At the time, I was administering her 3-year evaluation. Because of information provided by her mother I decided to explore alternative assessments further to possibly validate her mother's beliefs. Unfortunately, many school psychologists and educators don't take the time to explore inconsistent findings. Since I put forth the extra effort, sure enough I discovered that this child did not have either disability. Instead, she had a very severe Speech & Language Impairment (i.e., almost no memory for verbal information), which caused educators to think she had other disabilities because she was unable to remember the names of simple words and letters. However, this little girl had a visual memory like a genius. Therefore, she couldn't possibly be mentally retarded and her display of autistic characteristics were actually the result of her S&L Impairment. Can you imagine how relieved and validated this mother felt after not being heard and disregarded concerning her thoughts and feelings for several years?</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">In addition, many parents think that it is best for their child to not miss any classroom instruction due to being pulled out for sped services in a small group setting. Depending on the needs of the child, remaining in the classroom might be the best choice. However, sometimes having all sped services provided in the primary classroom are not as effective as being pulled out because the child does not get the individual attention they need to work on certain skills. This option sounds good but often times is not, such as collaborative settings offerred in Middle/High school. In collaborative settings some teachers use that service option as an opportunity to tag teach where they alternate days for teaching and breaks instead of helping your child by focusing on their individual needs written in their IEP.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">To help avoid these neglectful practices, ask your child if they received services on specified days and what they worked on, do classroom observations, and volunteer at school. Do what it takes to get to know the type of educators and environment your child is working with. These strategies will help you determine the integrity of services provided, which is most important to your child's success.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0Georgia, USA32.1656221 -82.90007509999998125.3321621 -93.227223599999974 38.9990821 -72.572926599999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-24747930833788083662014-07-10T23:41:00.000-07:002014-07-10T23:41:34.672-07:00Parent Question: Should my child receive Occupational Therapy (OT) at school or outside agency?As a certified school psychologist turned educational advocate, in my experience even the most severe of cases needing OT did not get more than 30-min per week, which I didn't think was enough to be effective. Instead, the burden of practicing OT skills learned to ensure success was on the parent working with their child outside of school.<br />
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My child needed speech therapy and because I was not pleased with services I witnessed provided in school systems within my state (Georgia), I took him to a hospital for weekly therapy where I could see with my own eyes the services being provided. Because OT services are so minimal and rarely provided by schools in comparison to other SPED services, I had very little interaction while working as a school psychologist with OT's. However, if I had the time, money or insurance coverage I would access OT, S&L, and other specialty services through outside agencies.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-82291516120419166472013-11-06T19:31:00.000-08:002013-11-06T19:31:53.516-08:00DOES RETAINING A STUDENT REALLY HELP? NO!!!
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>I
believe it hurts rather than helps. Retention is a devastating blow to a child’s
self-esteem. It makes a child feel like a failure without any hope. Students I’ve
known who were retained tended to give up on school, lose motivation, fall into
depression and perform worst academically than the year before. It is shameful
to be left back when all of your peers are moving forward; because of this,
many students endure constant ridicule. These kids are usually the oldest and
tallest in their class and/or grade level, which may also cause them to stick
out like a sore thumb and feel embarrassed. After being retained, some students
become behavior problems at school and home. Boys in particular exhibit anger,
agitation and hostility, which are signs of depression in children and adolescents.
These students feel isolated and lonely although they may have friends, their
friends can’t relate to what they’re going through. The emotional well-being of
a child has a significant impact on their school performance. Just like adults,
what we think and feel influence our behaviors.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>When
a school or educator recognizes a child’s struggles, interventions and support
should be provided to the child immediately. This is usually offered by the teacher
first by way of afterschool tutoring, differentiated instruction strategies,
and suggested online resources that may be used at home. If there is little to
no improvement at that point, the student should be referred by the teacher to
the school’s student support team (SST), where other interventions are
implemented and the student’s progress is monitored. After several different
interventions have been tried and the child still has not made adequate progress,
the student should then be referred to the school psychologist for a
psycho-educational evaluation to determine if the student has a disability that
requires special education services through the development of an IEP or a 504 Plan. More than likely,
this is frequently the case.<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>Unfortunately,
this is not what usually happens to struggling students. It’s sad to say that
many inner city students in particular are often retained more than once as a
first line of defense, although it may be clear as day to an educator that the student’s
academic struggles are beyond their control. This has to stop! Students who
have lived this reality sometimes become so discouraged and self-defeated that
they drop out of school, become a teenage parent who now has to depend on the government
for assistance, turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with their failures, and develop
mental health disorders from prolonged feelings of stress, anxiety and/or
depression that go untreated; as well as get involved with gangs in order to
feel a sense of belonging and respect, have difficulty finding a decent paying
job, become homeless, hustle for money in the streets, live a life a crime, and
end up in jail or the grave. Who knew that retaining a student could lead to
all of this?</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: red;"><strong>If your child is facing retention, Crystal Calhoun, Educational Advocate and Founder of Heart & Soul Psycho-Educational Advocacy Services, Inc. may be able to help save your child from this self-defeating reality. Call 404-692-4334 or view our website at <a href="http://www.heartandsouladvocacy.com/">www.HeartAndSoulAdvocacy.com</a> for more information. </strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><strong><span style="color: red;"><em>We have your child's best interest at </em>HEART & SOUL...</span></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-52470608072316733312013-07-02T22:26:00.001-07:002013-07-02T22:26:59.227-07:00HEART & SOUL ADVOCACY HAS CONTRACTED SERVICES WITH STANDARD OF CARE<div align="center" style="line-height: 1px;">
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<span style="color: lime;"><span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="color: red; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><b><em>Heart & Soul Psycho-Educational Advocacy Services, Inc.</em></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="color: lime; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><b><em>Standard of Care Psychological Services, LLC.</em></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">As a result, Crystal now offers the following </span></b></span><span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">additional </span><span style="font-size: small;">services:</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="color: white; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">Call for more information or to schedule an appointment with Crystal at</span></div>
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<span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="color: lime; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>Standard of Car</span><span class="size14 BookmanOldStyle14" style="color: lime; font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">e Psychological Services, LLC.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="size10 BookmanOldStyle10" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">The following insuranc</span><span class="size10 BookmanOldStyle10" style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style', 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;">e is accepted for Testing and Therapy:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Bookman Old Style;">For information about Educational Advocacy Services call Crystal at</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Bookman Old Style;">Heart & Soul Psycho-Educational Advocacy Services, Inc.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Bookman Old Style;">404-692-4334</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Bookman Old Style;">P.O. Box 52, Union City, GA 30291</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-87137511598083809522013-06-23T16:33:00.001-07:002013-06-23T16:33:49.001-07:00Behavior Modification Technique: How to get rid of problem behaviors in ...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/M4aJWa8W_Rs" width="480"></iframe><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-24888338461470513052013-06-12T23:53:00.002-07:002013-06-12T23:53:56.253-07:00GOD IS MY SOURCE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_R7hFC1BjY/UblsLRy2ciI/AAAAAAAAAHU/Ak-_AoubIOg/s1600/God+is+my+source+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R_R7hFC1BjY/UblsLRy2ciI/AAAAAAAAAHU/Ak-_AoubIOg/s1600/God+is+my+source+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_51b96633d38152041979966">
<span style="color: yellow;">I was a school psychologist for 7 years and loved it until I moved to Georgia where I witnessed corruption within the school system against students, parents and educators, including myself. I began to hate my job, cry/pray over situations <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">where students w/special needs were being neglected from receiving needed support, parents taken advantage of due to their lack of knowledge and educators like myself targeted for attack when they speak out against the unethical and illegal practices that plagued the school system. I felt trapped, physically sick, stressed out, overwhelmed with a heavy workload, and of no value to anyone who needed my help (including my own children). My job was destroying my spirit until God revealed my purpose through all the adversity I went through while repeatedly telling me in a still small voice, "that job is not your source, I am." Although I was riddled with fear, I resigned and started my own biz as an educational advocate where I now use my knowledge, training and experience to help parents of students with disabilities or at-risk for failure obtain the necessary support services from school. I now earn significantly less, my income is unstable, and I provide free services to many people who can't afford my fees, but I've learned to trust God for my needs to be met and he has never let me down. In reality I should have lost my home, car and been living on the streets with my children, but my faith in God is more powerful than anything I see, hear or feel on this earth. Nothing I've done makes logical sense to most people in the world, but it makes faith. God is my source, with him all things are possible!</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-18229623581215354682013-06-11T22:26:00.000-07:002013-06-11T22:26:01.057-07:00You Are Predestined by God.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXKpo4nDQR4/UbgGF4ZA6QI/AAAAAAAAAHA/mD6WuPW9dRs/s1600/predestined+by+God+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXKpo4nDQR4/UbgGF4ZA6QI/AAAAAAAAAHA/mD6WuPW9dRs/s1600/predestined+by+God+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: orange;">God
is the designer of your destiny. No one else can dance your dance, sing your
song, or write your story. You’re an original; one of a kind; his master piece
in the making. Take comfort in knowing, the work he has begun in you, he will
definitely complete. So stop looking at your circumstances and place your eyes
on his anointed word. What you see in the world may deceive you into believing
a lie, but his word is always true and real. Walk by faith and not by sight!</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-49397810844058488812013-06-06T13:33:00.001-07:002013-06-06T13:33:27.798-07:00Behavior modification technique for getting your child to do homework.<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AMGhEGVw27o" width="459"></iframe><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-30530658871599399512013-06-05T11:21:00.001-07:002013-06-05T11:21:33.556-07:00CRYSTAL CALHOUN - SOUL TRAIN QUEEN<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/V2KkgMfIO3g" width="480"></iframe><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-55911493052116146832013-05-05T16:52:00.001-07:002013-05-05T16:52:47.724-07:00DANCE 4 A CHANCE WITH HEART & SOUL ADVOCACYHave you ever wanted to be in a FLASH MOB DANCE VIDEO? If so, here's your chance!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
FLASH MOB DANCE VIDEO!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
FRIDAY 5/17/13 @ 7PM in Union City, GA 30291</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />We are looking for dancers to participate (ladies ages 18-60 & kids ages 10-17).<br />Dance Practice: 6:30-8pm (Wed 5/8, Fri 5/10, Mon 5/13, Wed 5/15) at Ronald Bridges Park 5285 Lakeside Drive, Union City, GA 30291. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />It's for a good cause! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For more info view & "Like" our page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heartandsouladvocacy">https://www.facebook.com/heartandsouladvocacy</a> or call Crystal Calhoun at 404-692-4334. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
Peace & Blessings,<br />Crystal Calhoun, Founder<br />Heart & Soul Advocacy<br /><a href="http://www.heartandsouladvocacy.com/">www.HeartAndSoulAdvocacy.com</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQKKFw-FWes/UYbpRe9PBEI/AAAAAAAAAGM/7fgK9RXGcGo/s1600/flash+mob+dancer+flyer+with+address-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQKKFw-FWes/UYbpRe9PBEI/AAAAAAAAAGM/7fgK9RXGcGo/s320/flash+mob+dancer+flyer+with+address-page-001.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-44034287659755312862013-04-07T18:42:00.000-07:002013-04-07T18:42:41.701-07:00A GEORGIA EDUCATOR’S CRY FOR HELP!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VT_crYFouQA/UWIfIHvh0mI/AAAAAAAAAFU/w9UbdpYK-5Q/s1600/cry+for+help+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VT_crYFouQA/UWIfIHvh0mI/AAAAAAAAAFU/w9UbdpYK-5Q/s1600/cry+for+help+pic.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">In
Georgia, nobody has much respect for educators anymore! Many people think they are
all fraudulent and out to harm children, when that is the furthest thing from
the truth. No educator gets into this selfless field of work with the intent to
do harm--this is a helping profession. Unfortunately, educators in Georgia have
been placed in the middle of a crooked system as the scapegoat. Upper-level
administrators give orders to make things happen by any means necessary or
suffer the consequences of their raft. Oh, but they are not stupid by no means.
These orders are never put in writing as this may be incriminating, yet it is implied
with the fullest of understanding. Those who don’t adhere to these orders, will
and have been used as an example of a hard lesson learned that no educator
wishes to experience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Georgia
has a system that is old and outdated, but in this state change is like a
foreign language that nobody wants to learn. When observed, you will find an immense
lack of efficiency and waste of manpower. Here in the Metro-Atlanta area there
is a wealth of knowledge from educators that have moved here from many
different states that are far more progressive like California, New York and
Florida. However, these progressive educators have little to no influence over
the old ways of the south. The process and procedures for completing tasks in
Georgia school systems can be equated to taking a long walk around the corner, when
it’s easier and more productive to just walk across the street. If you inquire
as to why things operate in such a manner, you will find there is no rhyme to
the reason or method to the madness. Things function the way they do simply
because it’s always been done this way. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Because
of decade old practices like this, educators are so bombarded with paperwork
that they spend more time documenting what’s not happening than actually making
something happen, and are overwhelmed with heavy workloads that they are under
compensated for. In addition, educators lack resources, tools, training,
support and manpower needed to be effective in their jobs. The system forces
educators to prove on paper that they are doing something for students they
simply can’t do. The pressure for educators has become unbearable, as they are
blamed for everything wrong with the school system. Yet they are not the ones
who make the rules, layoff teachers and support staff, increase class sizes,
create additional paperwork that prevents them from actually doing the work of
teaching students, reduce school funding, eliminate training programs for
educators and take away extra-curricular activities that motivate students to
attend school and strive for better grades. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The
problem is a system problem that is hurting educators just as much as students.
What happens at the top of an organization trickles down. Therefore, when
educators don’t feel supported, appreciated, compensated and equipped for the
job they are facing on a daily basis, they become angry, frustrated and yes—eventually
lose hope. How can a hopeless educator instill hope in a student? How can an
educator who has lost their desire to teach inspire students to want to learn? Educators
are not failing students here in Georgia, the school system is failing both
students and educators. Truthfully, they are in the same boat--victims of the
same dysfunctional system. No Child Left Behind, is doing just that—leaving
students behind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #3d85c6;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What
all of this really comes down to is the basic principle--survival of the
fittest. You either sink or swim in this system. To sink is to be righteous but
to swim is to become corrupt. If I as an educator stand up for what is right,
will anybody stand with me? The answer is no! Everybody is out for themselves
and too afraid to speak the truth because history has taught us here in Georgia
that those who stand up get knocked down, stomped to the ground, and squashed
like a worthless bug. There are no unions for educators here in Georgia, but
what we do have are associations that we pay to join for counsel and legal
defense, if necessary. However, there is just one problem with these associations,
many top level school administrators are board members of these associations.
So tell me, how can an educator receive fair impartial representation from an
organization that is run by the very same individuals in positions of power within
the school systems they are going up against? There is no real justice in this scenario
any way you look at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <strong><span style="color: white;"> </span></strong></span></span><strong><span style="color: white;">Educators in
Georgia are crying out for help, I am giving them a voice—so listen.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-89711522448198993192013-04-04T18:19:00.000-07:002013-04-04T18:19:19.961-07:00ARM YOURSELF FOR YOUR CHILD’S NEXT IEP MEETING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHTk7Pz9x38/UV4hcHggvgI/AAAAAAAAAFE/r-HYPHIc7wg/s1600/arm+yourself+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHTk7Pz9x38/UV4hcHggvgI/AAAAAAAAAFE/r-HYPHIc7wg/s1600/arm+yourself+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"></span></span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">MAKE ALL REQUESTS TO SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN
WRITING W/A COPY FOR</span> <span style="color: #cc0000;">YOURSELF</span></span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e., sending letters via email allows you to conveniently
notify all involved parties and maintain a copy for your own records; there is
usually a timeline educator’s must adhere to when responding to certain
requests related to special education services and IEP’s; the date your email
was sent starts the clock ticking and serves as proof of school compliance or
violation of legal timeline). <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">REQUEST A DRAFT COPY OF YOUR CHILD’S IEP
FOR YOUR UPCOMING MEETING</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;">
(i.e., ensure that you receive a copy at least 1-week before your meeting date;
this allows you the ability to review what services the school is proposing in
advance so you can be on equal footing with school meeting participants; you
can determine what you agree and disagree with and suggest changes).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">REQUEST A COPY OF YOUR CHILD’S
PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION REPORT IF APPLICABLE</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e., this is a comprehensive
evaluation that is required once every 3-years; you should understand the
meaning of your child’s assessment scores, evaluation results and strengths
& weaknesses from reviewing this report; having access to this report in
advance helps you have time to digest the findings).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">MAINTAIN COPIES OF ALL SPECIAL EDUCATION
PROGRESS REPORTS</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e.,
these reports are usually accompanied by your child’s school report card; this
will help you know whether the services your child is receiving are effective
over time and determine if a different service or intervention should be
implemented).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">MAINTAIN A COPY OF YOUR CHILD’S PREVIOUS
IEP</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e., use this
document as a reference point to determine your child’s progress made from
his/her IEP goals).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">FIND SOMEONE KNOWLEDGEABLE TO REVIEW AND
EXPLAIN MEETING DOCUMENTS FOR YOUR OWN CLARITY PRIOR TO YOUR UPCOMING MEETING
IF NECESSARY</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e.,
preferably someone outside of your child’s school such as an Advocate or
Special Education Attorney).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">RESEARCH INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S
DISABILITY ON THE INTERNET</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;">
(i.e., the internet can help you understand the nature of your child’s
disability, how you and educator’s can help your child and what services and
support should be made available to your child at school).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">MAKE A LIST OF ALL YOUR QUESTIONS AND
CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AT YOUR UPCOMING MEETING</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e., this list will serve as a useful
reminder of the issues most important to you, as it is easy to become
distracted by other matters brought up by teachers and forget your own agenda).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">ENSURE THE IEP MEETING MINUTES ARE READ
TO YOU AT THE MEETING</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;">
(i.e., this allows you the opportunity to confirm that your important requests,
comments and/or concerns are documented and ask staff to remove information
that is not accurate and/or misleading).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">REQUEST TO TAKE HOME DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO
SIGNING CONSENT</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e.,
don’t be pressured into signing anything you don’t understand just because
school staff may want to wrap up your child’s case at the meeting; it is your
right and very<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>important that you review
and seek guidance if necessary before giving consent to matters concerning your
child). <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">NEVER LEAVE THE IEP MEETING WITHOUT COPIES
OF ALL DOCUMENTS</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e.,
sometimes educators will ask if they can send papers home the next day or week
so they can complete and copy it later in the interest of time; you may risk
not receiving the documents as promised, and/or finding some information in the
documents to be different than what was agreed upon at the meeting/left out
entirely). <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">SEEK AND FIND A LOCAL ADVOCATE IN YOUR
AREA WHO CAN ATTEND YOUR CHILD’S IEP MEETING WITH YOU</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;"> (i.e., an advocate can speak on your
behalf, protect your rights, ensure that your child receives appropriate
services and support, and help you become a fully informed meeting participant
with an equal voice in decisions concerning your child’s education).<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 10pt;">ALERT THE SCHOOL THAT YOU WILL BE
ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADVOCATE</span></b><span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;">
(i.e., knowing an advocate will be present at an IEP meeting causes staff to
handle your child’s case appropriately and with integrity; educator’s will
usually invite upper level school administrators to provide support and expert
knowledge regarding your child’s case; administrators monitor the services
provided to your child by educators more closely to ensure that policies and
procedures are followed).</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #505050; font-size: 10pt;">Remember, at <span id="goog_1227246238"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Heart & Soul Advocacy</span></a> <span id="goog_1227246239"></span>we have your child’s best
interest at <em><span style="color: #cc0000;">HEART & SOUL…<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-26271047073689033692012-06-04T18:54:00.000-07:002012-06-04T18:54:54.981-07:00Parents of special needs students are not allowed to do pop-up visits!In order to ensure the safety and well-being of students with special needs, parents should be allowed to do pop-up classroom visits. Many students in these classrooms are not being properly cared for and educated. How can a parent be certain that their child is getting the appropriate services and support if they are not welcome to observe whenever they choose to without prior notice? Giving a teacher prior notice of a visit allows them the opportunity to prepare in advance for their performance in front of the expected parent.<br />
<br />
I have a 14-year old son with ADD who I observed in class when he was in middle school a couple of years ago. His teachers were notified in advance that I was coming. One teacher in particular who was initially very resistant to providing my son with the accommodations he needed, appeared to be the most phony during my observation. She went out of her way to share with me how she made sure that my son was provided with a copy of her lecture notes from the day before, and even played jazz music in class while the students worked on their assignments. As the students worked, she walked around the classroom observing that each student was on task and provided help when needed. <br />
<br />
Just after the teacher walked away and finished showing me some of her jazz cd's that she allows the students to listen to, a familiar student turned around to me and whispered with an annoyed attitude, "I hate when parents come to class b/c teachers act so fake, she don't normally act like that or do all of this stuff". Needless to say, I was not surprised by the news. Although I was a bit shocked that a student had become so irritated by the teachers actions that she bravely revealed the true nature of this teachers behavior.<br />
<br />
Ironically, this is the same teacher who expressed an unwillingness to provide my son with a supplemental copy of lecture notes taken by another student. She felt that this accommodation would crippled my son. I had to go out of my way to convey to this teacher the nature of his disability, his unique weaknesses and ensure her that the copy of notes was only used as an additional support for his own notes (i.e., to fill in the gaps where he was missing information due to his poor note taking skills). It seemed not to matter to her that these accommodations were written in his 504 Plan, which is a legal and binding document that educators are suppose to be held accountable to follow.<br />
<br />
When I conducted a training event for parents of special needs students, a Hispanic mom shared a story about what happened to her son as a result of not being allowed to observe him in the classroom setting. Her son was a kindergarten student with Autism and completely nonverbal. She stated that one night after school while bathing her son she noticed that his arm was out of socket. Many children with Autism don't have the same pain threshold or respond to pain in the same manner as normal functioning children. Therefore, her son did not indicate or was unable to express the pain that he may have felt from this injury, if any. <br />
<br />
After taking him to the hospital and reporting this injury to the school principal the next day, the para-professional teacher assistant reported witnessing the teacher grab the child by the arm from a seated position on the floor and yank him up b/c he didn't respond when she called his name several times. Since this parent was an illegal immigrant who spoke very little English, she was too afraid to pursue legal action against the teacher or school. All along, this parent had concerns about her son b/c he was nonverbal and this was his first experience in a school setting. She expressed her concern and desire to observe her son while in class, but the teacher and principal blocked her attempts repeatedly. <br />
<br />
I believe the principal in particular took advantage of this parents immigrant status, lack of effective resources and limited English speaking ability in an effort to wipe this criminal act of child abuse under the rug without repercussions from outside officials. Situations like these should make it obvious to school leaders that parents of special needs students in particular should be allowed to make pop-up visits at school, especially when the child's disability is so severe that they are unable to communicate. Spontaneous visits from parents are in the best interest of the student... and the teacher in certain circumstances.<br />
<br />
Although my son's disability is mild in comparison to other disabilities and he is fully able to communicate, sometimes he is unwilling to report the inappropriate actions of teachers out of fear of retaliation. There have been a few ocassions where he purposely waited until the end of the school year when it was too late to inform me of something a teacher did or said to him. Unfortunately, my son knows from experience that if a teacher does not like a student for some reason, that teacher has the ability to influence whether the student has a positve or negative school year if they choose. <br />
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When I've inquired as to why parents are not allowed to visit the classroom without at least 24-hours advance warning, I was told that these pop-up visits are considered disruptive to the teacher and students. I say that excuse is bull crap! As a parent, I want to feel welcome to pop-up at anytime to observe my child in the classroom to see if he's behaving appropriately, show my support and see how and what he is being instructed. Preventing me from the opportunity to do this makes me feel that the school and/or teachers have something to hide. This restriction puts an unnecessary strain on the parent and teacher relationship. How am I suppose to have trust in the school system and educators, when I'm being hindered from the ability to ensure my child's safety in his daily learning environment away from home? Being able to observe my child at school without notice should be my right as a parent, not a priveldge.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-7151486912509233262012-06-03T00:27:00.000-07:002012-06-03T00:27:24.593-07:00Do teachers really like invovled parents?The answer is no! I say this b/c I worked in the school system and saw how some educators were annoyed by the involved parent, and I experienced it first hand as an involved parent myself. Yes, teachers complain all the time about parents who don't show up for meetings or return calls, etc. But the truth of the matter is they really don't want parents to be that involved b/c it holds them accountable for their actions as teachers. <br />
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Especially, when a parent has a child with special needs a teacher really becomes annoyed by a parents efforts to ensure that their child is receiving the support services they are entitled to. This puts too much pressure on the teacher and administrators to actually do something on behalf of the child. Often times a parent can feel the resentment coming from educators, which often leads to their child being targeted for attack.<br />
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I remember a teacher going out of her way to get my son in trouble to prove some kind of point. My son could also feel her hostility and began to hold information back from me until the end of the school year when it was too late to do anything about what was taking place. He'd rather suffer in silence than cause the teacher to dislike him anymore than she already did. <br />
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Recently, I attended a tribunal meeting for a student and it was very obvious that this student was being targeted for attack by the principal. Can you believe this student was having a tribunal hearing b/c he gave a friend an advil for a headache? I thought for sure they must have thought he was dealing with illegal drugs or something, but it was clear that everyone involved knew it was just an advil. The principal recommended the most severe punishment for this student, which was rediculous. He wanted this student to attend alternative school for 90 days and only return if certain conditions were met. In addition, the principal recommended the student attend a drug awareness/prevention program. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was obvious that the student didn't know that having an advil was against school rules. All of a sudden this particular student went from having very little discipline referrals to numerous referrals upon entering his current school where this principal was in charge. In addition, the parent and grandparent shared information about negative attitudes and comments made by this principal towards them both. <br />
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Again, a similar situation occurred with my son where the number of discipline referrals increased due to a certain teachers input who I knew resented my efforts to ensure that my son received the accommodations he required in order to be successful. This teacher went out of her way to label my son as a behavior problem. I know that many other involved parents of students with special needs have had similar experiences. If you are one of them please share your story.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628386676465286860.post-55472743396902588472010-12-27T23:52:00.000-08:002010-12-27T23:52:04.931-08:00All Hell is Breaking Loose in Our School Systems in Georgia!<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With class sizes increasing and teachers along with other support staff being let go, what is going to happen to our children? Students were already suffering, especially those with special needs. It has been a struggle each year to get the services and support my children need from teachers b/c they are already overwhelmed. My son’s middle school went from having 3 counselors (one for each grade level) to 2 counselors, and next school year (2010-2011) they will only have 1 counselor. I am even getting cases where school systems are trying to dismiss students with disabilities such as Autism from being eligible for special education services. This is outrageous! If we think advocating for our children is difficult now, just wait until next school year. I believe Advocates are going to have their hands full. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a former School Psychologist, I am disheartened by the way school systems here in Georgia are mistreating dedicated and loyal Educator's. Salaries for some Educator's have been reduced significantly, many positions have been completely done away with (i.e., School Nurses in Clayton County Public Schools), and others have been placed in lower level positions (i.e., Special Education Coordinators in Atlanta Public Schools will be placed in classrooms to work as Teachers). Thus, current Teacher's will no longer have jobs. In addition, yearly contracts for Educator's were held back until the last minute when they were also informed about drastic changes to their current positions. This was done purposefully to prevent Educator's from being able to apply for jobs elsewhere if they were unhappy with the changes made. </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Why don't we have a Teacher's union here in Georgia? Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned strikes? Maybe my attitude is different b/c I come from California where they have unions, employees have rights, and people (parents and educators) pull together to support each other for the future of our children. This is a time when parents and educators need to work together, put aside our differences, stand up, and fight for what we believe in. I know from experience that when our Educator's are not treated right, our children will not be treated right either.</span></div><a href="http://www.heartandsouladvocacy.com/">http://www.heartandsouladvocacy.com/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15291213583462761873noreply@blogger.com0