Education Data Training and Sage Advice

During the last three days of March, I attended training at the National PTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The training was about educational data and how we as group could educate parents on the data availability, how to interpret the data, and then how to advocate using the data. I was in the group representing Tennessee PTA, and there were four other groups there as well representing Ohio PTA, Virginia PTA, North Carolina PTA, and Florida PTA.

I think the best part of the training was about Ferpa/Sherpa and the importance of privacy to student data. Not enough parents know that their student data is protected.

Holiday Inn at Night

When I first arrived at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria, there were no rooms. So, we checked in our bags with the hotel porter and began walking the block down to where all of the restaurants were located.

I had explored Google Maps the days before the trip to find some good places to eat. There were quite a few. Plus, there was a grocery store chain, Harris Teeter, another block down to buy stuff for the hotel room refrigerator.

So, I told one of my colleagues about a hot dog place that made homemade fries and homemade shakes called Haute Dogs. It had received several good marks from fellow travelers on Google and on Trip Advisor, my two go-to sources of information for restaurant and hotel information when I travel.

Haute Dogs

Well, the reviewers didn't let us down! Wow, Haute Dogs is an excellent place to eat! I had the chipotle, bleu cheese, bbq sauce dogs covered with cheese and caramelized onions. Wow was that good. And the homemade fries were excellent.

We tried a sample of the cookies and cream homemade ice cream and loved it. We decided to come back after the  Friday training session for dessert.

Then we went down to Harris Teeter, bought some supplies, and finally after walking back up to the hotel, got into our rooms.

We went back to Haute Dogs with our Virginia PTA friends and they were impressed. They said they lived here and didn't know about the place. When I walked by on Saturday night, the line was out the door.  That should tell you something.

So, on Saturday evening, we had free time after enduring 8 hours of training. The other members of the Tennessee PTA group wanted to go into DC to look at monuments. Because I just toured the monuments for four days in December during graduation weekend,  I had no desire to go back so soon to look at them again. Instead, I went searching for a drink - a real drink, not soda or water.

Hanks Pasta Bar had a real bar and I was immediately seated at the bar in front of the crowd waiting for a table. I asked about the drink Offering Sage Advice and was told it was their most popular in-house drink. I decided to try it. Look at these ingredients! Old Forester Bourbon, Cinnamon, Thai Bird Chili, Orange, Sage, and Honey. The drink was totally awesome! The chili and sage and cinnamon combined for a powerful kicker after swallowing the bourbon. Man it was fantastic! If it hadn't cost $14, I would definitely have ordered another round.

Offering Sage Advice

Sunday after more training, we left for Tennessee. Here are some pictures from the National PTA headquarters in Alexandria, VA and some group pictures.