State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Salutes State's
Educators on California Day of the Teacher
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today expressed his deep appreciation for the state's more than 300,000 teachers who are working hard during challenging times to prepare California students for fulfilling and productive futures. California's Day of the Teacher is Wednesday, May 12.
"The Day of the Teacher is an opportunity to remember and thank those who taught us to read and write, to appreciate the arts and the sciences — and encouraged us to try again and again when we struggled," O'Connell said. "Teachers are mentors and role models who helped shape the people we've become and are helping our six million students meet their full potential."It is a tough time to be a teacher. The state budget crisis is forcing many districts to issue pink slips to thousands of teachers. Those that remain are making do with fewer supplies and resources yet more students in their classrooms. Many are being asked to take furlough days and pay cuts.
"We must continue the fight to protect education funding. We cannot afford to shortchange our students by depriving them of the most valuable resources we have to offer: our teachers who work on a daily basis to prepare our children and young adults for the challenges of the 21st century. On this Day of the Teacher, let us resolve to give our teachers, our schools, and our students the thanks and the support they deserve."
The Association of Mexican American Educators, Inc. (AMAE) and the California Teachers Association (CTA) are co-sponsors of the California Day of the Teacher that originated from Senate Bill 1546 authored by former Senator Joseph Montoya (D-El Monte) and adopted in 1982. The legislation was based on the Mexican and Latin American "el Dia del Maestro" festivities that are held in honor of teachers.
The AMAE has chosen as its 2010 theme: Teachers Amaze!
The CTA 2010 theme is: California Teachers: Creating Brighter Futures
Here are Top Ten Ways to Honor Teachers:
- Send your children to school well rested and ready to learn.
- Help your children with their homework at night and check to ensure all assignments are completed.
- Volunteer your time.
- Parent involvement in your children's school is vital to the success of your own children as well as the success of the entire school.
- Organize donations for classroom supplies. On average, teachers spend $400 of their own money each year on their students. Encourage teachers to develop a wish list for classroom supplies and help organize donations.
- Donate new or nearly new books to the school library. Determine what is needed to improve the library and organize contributions to fill that need.
- Send a thank you note to a teacher who has made a difference in the life of your child.
- Have a party or reception at your children's school to honor the teachers.
- Report to the principal what a great job your child's teacher is doing.
- Just remember to thank them for all they do.
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Honors School Nurses; Notes Budget Crisis Impact on Nurses in California Schools
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today urged all schools to honor nurses serving California students during National School Nurse Day on Wednesday, May 12.
"Can you imagine one adult taking care of 2,155 children?" asked O'Connell. "That's what we ask of our 2,901 school nurses in California who serve the state's 6.3 million students, some of whom have debilitating physical conditions that demand specialized health care. These health care professionals are often students' first line of defense against illness. That's why I ask you to join me in honoring school nurses for all the great work they do to help keep our children healthy in school and ready to learn."
As of 2008-09, the latest data available, there are 2,901 nurses working in the state's 10,223 schools. School nurses are responsible for addressing the health, development, and disease control of all students, and are often the only source of health care for disadvantaged children. They must also meet the needs of nearly 678,105 children with multiple and severe disabilities currently enrolled in the state's public schools. In the past few years, school nurses had to take on the added responsibility of watching out for the deadly MRSA infection and played a critical role in stemming the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus.
"In light of these added responsibilities, the evidence is abundantly clear that we need more school nurses," added O'Connell. "But with the reality of $17 billion in state education funding cuts over the past two years, and the proposal for an additional $2.4 billion in cuts this year, I am saddened that school nursing jobs are often one of the first to be cut by the budget ax."
There is no requirement in California for each school or even each school district to have a school nurse. On any given school day, there are 7,000 schools where a nurse is not present. About half of California's school districts have no nurses at all. The decision to hire a school nurse is made at the local level. The National Association of School Nurses determined California ranks behind 40 other states and the District of Columbia in the number of school nurses to students ratio.
To find out more information on the vital role school nurses play in the California school system, please visit the California School Nurse Organization at California School Nurses Organization (Outside Source).
