One of my favorite quotes that I heard recently is, “Progress is made by exploiting opportunities, not by solving problems.” – Peter Drucker Economist, Business Guru

I like this quote because it relates to so much that I do. When I am a participant or facilitator in a training – hours of time can pass and all that is accomplished is complaining. I remember the teacher staff room lunches. Complaining.

I guess it comes from my idealistic, overly positive view of the world. I love everyone (ok, minus maybe 2 people) and see good in almost everything. Take this quote, take the negative energy and complaining and turn it into something positive. If you hate how something is done- change it. Focus the energy into something else more positive. Those are my words of wisdom on a sunny, winter Friday afternoon in Portland Oregon.

So, a roommate of mine from Ithaca started this crazy show called Mortified (www.getmortified.com). Dave Nadelberg found a mortifying unsent letter that he wrote to a girl in HS. That spurred the idea that many people probably have notes, songs, letters, raps, poetry that is tucked away. So, why not ‘untuck’ it and read to a group of complete strangers?

Mortified is currently in many cities around the country (including Portland). People attend a screening in which they read their legitimate writings from their adolescent years. They are then asked to perform at a Mortified Show. The public buys tickets and watches you read about potentially the most embarrassing moments, times, activities of your life. How cool is that?

So, Dave is coming to visit this weekend and staying with us. He’s going to be on LiveWire here in Portland, which is broadcast nationally two weeks later. I can’t wait to see him. Maybe I’ll bust out my 11 journals from ages 8-18 that I have. Maybe I’ll do a screening sometime.

Dear friends, colleagues, community members, educators, parents, administrators and more, I am deeply saddened to share with you that Oregon was not re-funded for Healthy Kids Learn Better Program, Oregon’s Coordinated School Health Program. We knew the Centers for Disease Control’s application process was highly competitive this round.

Healthy Kids Learn Better has played an integral role in Oregon supporting healthy schools (grant opportunities), supporting school health and physical education, running the HKLB Summer Institutes, developing the statewide health education cadre, fostering partnerships… and so much more!

Here’s the problem: Key people at the Oregon Department of Education, above the HKLB team, have not only provided a total lack of support the past 7 years for this program and healthy schools, but have sabotaged efforts through unethical hiring processes and making willful and continuous decisions to undermine the program at every opportunity possible. When offered dollars by partners to support this work and even offer money to support a position at ODE including programs, it was turned down and deemed ‘not a priority at this time’. ODE has alienated partners and provided minimal support to funded staff to carry out their work. ODE never sent leadership to the HKLB Blueprint meetings, and they promised a policy option package to sustain funding for staff and programs and then reneged it. I could go on and on…

The positions at ODE and DHS will not be re-funded by CDC. Department of Human Services has made a commitment to continue to fund a CSH team leader, but ODE has not. We need Oregon to step up and provide support, positions and dollars to this important program. As of February 28, 2008, this HKLB team and this program as we know it, will be dismantled. Our Superintendent’s current platform includes major support for wellness policies and school awards. Do you see the hypocrisy?

PLEASE, PLEASE, contact the media. Forward this on to others you know. This is outrageous. Our kids need us.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.