NO BOARD MEETING TONIGHT

The Middletown Board of Education will not meet tonight.  It looks like the next opportunity to address the board will be at the regular meeting scheduled Thursday, 7 April.

For all you cadets:  The WOD for 31 March and 1 April is transient.  Transient is an adverb meaning momentary; temporary; staying for only a short time.  Example:  Located near the airport, this hotel caters to a largely transient trade. 

Congrats to Jogre Esquivel who correctly answered the John Paul Jones challenge.  Jones was a rear admiral ("contre amiral') in the Imperial Russian Navy and commanded their Black Sea Fleet.  That challenge is now closed.  The question concerning the probability of having a second girl offspirng is still open (no guessing).   The question regarding stars of the movie An Affair to Remember is closed.  The correct answer, provided by an annonymous cadet, is Deborah Kerr and Gary Grant. 

BILLET SELECTION UPDATE

As you know--or should--the deadline for submission of billet applications was 25 March.  In fairness to others, I will not accept nor consider any late submissions.  The applications received will be reviewed, but the fact that you did not submit one will not necessarily prevent you from being selected for a billet--it will mean, however, that I will not know what billets you would prefer or why you think would be a good choice. 

What's the life lesson?  When some one gives you a deadline about something that matters to you, meet it!  Colleges, bosses, and others in the real world reward work that is produced on time and in good order.  "Good order" means that getting your work in on time isn't enough, it must meet expectations.  A sloppy, poorly worded, and un-proofread submission will do more harm than good.

The billet selections themselves will be announced at some future date.  Stay tuned! 

SAVE MHS NJROTC--FILM AT ELEVEN (OR SIX)

Just to let everyone know, Hudson Valley News 12 stopped by this afternoon--after school hours and off school property--to interview some of our cadets.  They were not in uniform since we had fairly short notice, so I must say we looked a little shabby, but they were well-spoken and respectful.  I'm not sure where you'll find the interview on your particular channel line-up, but supposedly it will be on during the 6 P.M. newscast. 

MILITARY BALL NOW SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, 6 MAY

The military ball has been rescheduled for Friday, 6 May.  Tickets are still $38.00--a bargain at twice the price!  There's been a lot going on the past few days, but don't let it all get you down.  The military ball will either be a heck of a celebration or a real good farewell; either way you'll want to be there.  Future postings will address the rules of the mess in excruciating detail.

WOD:  Stagnant.  Stagnant is an adjective meaning motionless; stale; dull.  Example:  Mosquitoes commonly breed in ponds of stagnant water. 

Challenge:  Since my last challenge has yet to be beat, here's an easy one:  John Paul Jones is rightfully known as the Father of the Navy, despite this he never attained the rank of admiral in the American Navy.  In what navy did he attain the rank of admiral?  This challenge is open to any cadet whose last name does not begin with Ferguso.  The winner will enjoy a prize of two small rectangular pastries filled with a fruit paste of my choosing.

SAVE MIDDLETOWN NJROTC

I now have an input from the Navy showing that they reimburse $88,000 per year, a much higher amount than the $66,000 that the District has claimed.  On the cost side of the equation, I have been unable to substantiate the District's claim that they spend $249,000 per year.  While I don't have their figures, I think a more accurate figure would be about $225,000 per year.  $225,000 minus the $88,000 reimbursement means that the annual cost is much closer to $137,000--in other words, about the cost of a new dump truck.

I will be sending this data on to the school board. 

Stand by for word on the next board meeting.  In the meantime, please keep the pressure up.  We have over 300 signatures on our petition and Cadet Ferguson had his letter to the editor published on Saturday. 

THE LATEST ON SAVING THE PROGRAM, + WOD, + CHALLENGE

First the info:  We held our "Save the NJROTC" meeting last night at the American Legion.  There was a great turn out; it's always nice to see former cadets and it was really gratifying to hear from them and all our other supporters.  I know that our efforts are starting to have an effect; please keep the pressure up.  Next week we'll be at the board meeting.

WOD:  Substantiate.  Substantiate is a verb meaning to establish by evidence; to verify; to support.  Example:  The District could not substantiate their claim. 

Challenges.

For cadets:    A couple has two children, one of whom is a girl. What is the probability that the other is also a girl? (You may safely assume that the genetic probability of having a baby of either sex is 50%.)  [No guessing--be prepared to explain your answer.  Hint:  The correct answer is not 50%]


For everyone:  Our electronic petition has about 260 signatures.  Many people have left very moving comments.  Spread the word and let's see if we can get to 750 signatures by next Thursday.  I'd like to get an even 1,000 before the 7 April Board meeting.  If we hit 1,000, we'll just keep going!  Our petition can be found at http://www.gopetition.com/.  Search on Middletown NJROTC.

SAVE MHS NJROTC MEETING TONIGHT!

The Save the ROTC meeting that was originally scheduled for last night will be held tonight, Thursday, 24 March, at 7 P.M., at the Middletown American Legion Post on Waywayanda Avenue.  Please attend!  There is also a Board of Education "working meeting" scheduled tonight at 6 P.M. at Middletown High School.  While my understanding is that there will be no public comment or particiaption, the meeting wil be open to the public.  We'd like a presence there to show the flag and keep an eye on things.  We're hoping to have a group attend the opening and then leave one or two on watch when the rest depart to attend our 7 P.M. meeting across town. 

Please scan our previous articles below for more information.  A "Fact Sheet" summarizing our program's backgound, the costs, benefits, and our many accomplishments can be found by visiting the following link: https://sites.google.com/site/middletownnynjrotc/Resources. 

While you're on your computer anyway, please visit and sign our electronic petition at www.gopetition.com/44066.html.

Hope to see you tonight!