FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, December 6, 2013

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Something Stinks in Sacramento Papering Over Public K-12 School Reform

Education Headlines

Friday, December 6, 2013

FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Sonora Elementary rising from ashes

One fifth-grade class on Wednesday read the story of the phoenix, a mythological bird rising from the ashes to be more beautiful than before - a story akin to the Sonora Elementary School community after a Nov. 23 fire that destroyed most of the contents of 15 classrooms.

Parents want say in school funds

California parents know little about a new law that gives more money to schools that educate poor students. But they're willing to help plan how to spend the money if given a chance.

Recycling success threatens funding for San Jose school

Growth in the conservation fund has tapered off, partly because Californians are recycling so well. California's beverage container recycling rates have increased from 52 percent in 1988 to 82 percent in 2011.

Oakland public schools to go solar wth SunPower

Sixteen public schools in Oakland are about to get solar panels from San Jose-based SunPower. School districts across California are increasingly turning to solar as a way to cut operational costs, maintain funding for academic program and introduce students to solar science and technology.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Simi Valley neighbors can see school solar panels all too clearly now

In its continuing effort to cut expenses, the Simi Valley Unified School District is installing solar energy panels at all but one campus.

Rancho Mirage High finds teens taking responsibility for getting to class on time

Rancho Mirage High School, a new school in the Palm Springs Unified School District, is one of a small number of U.S. schools that have abandoned the traditional strategy of using bells to move students from one class to another.

Santa Ana students critique lunch menu options

Josias Lopez stood next to one of 14 food sample tables set up on the Godinez Fundamental High School campus Wednesday afternoon, eying a small plastic plate of pork and salsa verde that his classmate was eating. “How is it? Is it good? Spicy good?” he asked skeptically, before accepting a forkful of the saucy cafeteria food from his friend. The 15-year-old chewed for a minute and then smiled. “Hmmm. My mom makes that!”

San Jose charter school helps salvage lives

After they veer off course, many of California's hundreds of thousands of dropouts end up unemployed, on the streets, in jail and worse. For those young people who are lucky and determined enough, the San Jose Conservation Corps Charter School has helped them get back on track.