I earned my keep last night, I'm sure. It was triple witching, most definitely: a parents' evening meeting at school, the eve of a two-day bake sale and the night of a project due date.

The parents' meeting was worthwhile, running from 6:30 to 8:30. Jeff and I didn't have to stay for both sessions, one session per kid enrolled, but we did.

Jeff had a particular question to ask of the new principal regarding the school's planned use of technology. Specifically, the principal announced capital improvements to the school including more computers per classroom. Most parents (and truth be told, most administrators) are satisfied with a general, vague description of such a plan without delving into how the computers would be utilized for the sake of maximizing the school's return on investment. Trouble is that computers are so inexpensive these days that it isn't necessary to give their use much serious consideration.

So, when Jeff asked how the new computers would be integrated into the curriculum, it broke as a novel idea upon the administrators and other parents. I don't think that Jeff expected a direct answer - although that would have been nice - but rather he sought to convey a desire for a plan more comprehensive than merely upping the computer-student ratio, especially as a means of differentiating the school from other schools, public and private. The problem is that the computer-student ratio is an easy metric for parents to compare between prospective schools without any real regard to how those resources are utilized. And most parents don't really have an idea anyway. Just like most teachers don't.

This ignorance nothing new. Like so many of his generation, Jeff was completely self-taught on computers in high school. And, the sad truth is that our kids will be, as well. Adults, teachers cannot stay ahead in this area. They cannot challenge children. They cannot keep up. To try would handicap the children. Jeff actually sees the weekly computer class that our kids have as a waste of time at this stage. They can do more at home in their free time than in a weekly class. But, again, a curriculum must communicate a certain amount of exposure to technology or else parents feel quipped.

Anyway, the principal spent so much time trying to understand Jeff's question that he ultimately wasn't in a position to answer. I think that Jeff waited too long to ask his question. The principal had a feeling that his presentation and evening was over and wasn't prepared for such an intense bombshell. It isn't an unreasonable question. It isn't an unique question. It was the timing of the question more than anything, in my mind.

The school isn't conducting entrance exams anymore for transfer students. That news surprised me, even though I suspected as much. I mean, the "new kids" that Kenny had in his class last year had a difficult time doing the work. Some of them never got caught up and are actually elsewhere this year. I think that they ought to perform some assessment, even though the school isn't claiming to teach a grade ahead as they used to. But I guess the child's ability doesn't matter since they claim to tailor instruction to each individual child.

The official word is that the school will be in business at least another three years. After that, who knows. It all depends on student recruitment which is directly impacted by that projected outlook! I mean, what parent would want to start their child at a school that might not be around much longer. If we weren't already here, would we? Too many questions, too many concerns. Our children's education should not be this complicated.

Second thing: baking cookies. I knocked out a couple of dozen of my irresistible peanut butter cookies after the parents' meeting. Doesn't take me long. Too bad for the kids allergic to peanuts - thems the only cookies I can make.

Last thing: the overdue project. International week is next week. I reused the dolls from last year. Tim's needed a little repair but Kenny's was good to go. I won't repeat the verbose description.

All that and I was still in bed by 2. Nobody told me there'd be days like these ...