What's Cooking in Region 1 - April 2006
by Marghretta McBean
I was recently talking to a mother of an extremely gifted child. She had spent months trying to locate a public school that offered a curriculum for bright students. None were to be found in her county; funding had been dropped at the three schools that had gifted classes. Reason: the less bright children felt left out. Children in this county were also not allowed to be skipped a grade, as that would supposedly traumatise the unskipped. Following the advice of another parent in the same situation, she petitioned the local Board of Education to declare her child disabled and in need of special educational assistance. When that designation was granted, she was able to enroll her child in a school for gifted children in the neighbouring county, with transportation included. This is a fairly common way to get bright children the education to which they are entitled.
The prejudice against being intelligent in this country is reaching epic proportions. Local, state and federal educational agencies either ignore or penalise children for being brighter than their fellow students. Scholarships based solely on intellectual ability have dwindled or in many cases disappeared; no longer can a very bright student expect to attend college free due to generous scholastic awards.
While Mensa as an organisation can not take a stand on any issue, we Mensans certainly can. I would strongly encourage all of you to acquaint yourselves with the state of gifted education in your locality. Whether you have children or not, the future of the intelligensia rests on its present treatment. All of us were gifted children and we need to nurture the education and development those who will follow us..
Clarification: In last month's column I wrote "that a motion to have secret ballots was defeated". Judy Vasiliauskas, Mensa's secretary, has asked that I make it clear that the motion was actually to require a 2/3 majority vote rather than the simple majority that Robert's Rules of Order specifies. The defeated motion would have also named those who voted for using a secret ballot.
The use of secret (actually they're paper) ballots are often in situations where some people have qualms about publically revealing their position on an issue. As all who know me can attest, I rarely see any reason to hide my opinion.
The yogurt-based shakes of India are refreshing, thirst-quenching and nutritious. Of the three types - sweet, salty, fruity - the first is by far the most popular. Traditionally the yogurt used is made from unhomogenised extra-rich buffalo or cow's milk, with a thick layer of "cream" on top.
Meetha Lassi (Sweet Lassi)
- Spoon off 4 pieces of the "cream" from the top of the yogurt and set aside on waxed paper.
- Place yogurt and sugar in large bowl and whisk until frothy.
- Add water and whisk briefly. Stir in ice.
- Pour into 4 chilled glasses. Carefully place a piece of the "cream" on each drink and sprinkle a little sugar on top. Serve immediately