Thank you to all of our wonderful G&M Volunteers for Hugo on Saturday.  It was an emotional, but amazing experience to be able to go out and help the Hugo homeowners who lost so much.  Below are just a few of the many pictures that we took.  Keep checking back for more.

club.ks95.com/gregandmelissa

Thank you!!

Greg & Melissa

 Alex & his mom

Our phone lines were ringing off the hook this morning when we discussed the 5 year old Florida boy humiliated by his teacher and 'voted' out of school by his classmates.  If you missed it, a Florida Kindergarten teacher in Port St. Lucie, FL at Morningside Elementary School allegedy did the following to five year old Alex Barton.  She allegedly had him stand in front of his class and then his classmates told him everything about him they didn't like.  She then had the class 'vote' as to whether or not he should be allowed to stay.  He was voted out by a vote of 14-2.  This sounds horrific, but there is more.  Alex's mom says that he does have behavorial problems and is the midst of being diagnosed with autism. 

This story has stuck a nerve with me.  I can't even comprehend treating a child, let along a child with autism like this.  As one mother told me today, "Your story made me cry sitting here in my car."  Another mom texted me, "Let's take a vote and vote her out as a teacher."  How does an adult do this to a child?  Another woman said that maybe the teacher just snapped.  Maybe, but isn't she the adult here.  Wasn't there a point where she could have taken a step out of the classroom to cool down and then rationally deal with the behavior.  Is there any excuse by her that would make this behavior acceptable?  For me, NO!  If this pans out the way that it is going, I personally don't see any excuse for humiliating and degrading a child.  What damage has she added to what he is already going through?  How can this mom ever feel safe about sending her child to school?  What did this woman's actions teach this child and the other children about compassion and acceptance?  Would she have treated this child like this if he had an obvious physical disabilty?  

From what I learned today, the woman is now on administrative leave and the school board is investigating.  So many people asked how they could respond and who could they contact.  Thanks to a listener with ties to The Autistic Self Advocacy Network, below is a list of contact information.  I will reiterate the following advice from them,   

"Please be polite yet firm in your comments, pointing out the unacceptability of such actions when aimed at any student, as well as the need for this school to adopt policies to prevent this from happening in the future."

Also...

"Remember: abusive messages hurt our cause - please be respectful in your comments."

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for sending your comments.  Although this is an awful incident I am praying that a positive change can come out of this for all our children.

Melissa

===================================================================

Contact info:

Morningside Elementary School Principal:
Mrs. Marcia Cully
cullym@stlucie.k12.fl.us
(772) 337-6730

St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent:
Michael J. Lannon
4204 Okeechobee Road
Ft. Pierce 34947-5414
Phone: 772/429-3925
FAX: 772/429-3916
e-mail: lannonm@stlucie.k12.fl.us

St. Lucie County School Board Chair:
Carol Hilson
772-519-0397
HilsonC@stlucie.k12.fl.us

Vice Chair:
Judith Miller
772-528-4545
MillerJ@stlucie.k12.fl.us

All this week we're giving away NKOTB tickets!!  The tickets don't go on sale until Monday, June 2nd, but we have pairs of tickets all this week.  Here's the deal though, it will help to win if you're a fan of NKOTB.  Listen tomorrow morning and we'll explain how to play...

NKOTB or Not to Be for your chance at a pair of tickets to NKOTB!

Also...

A final PAIR of tickets to the advance screening of the Sex and the City movie Thursday night with Melissa and the BFFs.  It's your final chance to win tomorrow morning with 'Greg & Melissa's Peanut Butter Playhouse.' 

 Me & My BFF 'Bill'

Saints Games are such a blast!!  I took the BFFs and their guests to the game on Friday night and we loved it!!  We started out with a picnic dinner with all the BFFs and Saints pitcher, Brian Whinnery #13 stopped by and chatted.  Brian gave me a few pointers about pitching and then I went out and threw the 1st pitch to Gladiator, Zap!  BTW...my pitch crossed home plate without a bounce.  :)  Then it was up to the stands to join my BFFs for a great game and some chatting.  I seriously had a blast and loved the whole atmosphere at Midway Stadium.  The trains, the fans in the hottubs, the between inning games...fun!  .  It was a great game, great time and I have to say I have the BEST BFFs in the world!! 

Thank you, thank you  to all of my BFFs that came out Friday night.  I know a couple even put their Memorial Day trips on hold until Saturday.  Thank you!! 

If you haven't joined the BFFs please do so today!  It's fun, fast and free and a great place to meet new friends.

See ya soon!

Melissa

Are you excited for tonight's season finale of Greys?!  I'm psyched and just hoping I can stay awake for all two hours of it.  For those of you looking for a little peek into tonight's episode, here you go....

One of my BFFs called the Callie/Dr. Hahn 'thing' early on.  I was actually surprised a bit by that one! 

Enjoy tonight and let me know what you thought of the season finale!! 

Best-

Melissa