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The state wants to be sure students have plenty of alternatives to sugary sodas, so schools throughout the region are coming up with novel ways to comply with a new law requiring them to provide fresh, free drinking water where meals are served.
In the Mt. Diablo and Oakland districts, officials will provide water dispensers in cafeterias, while some schools in San Jose will install new water fountains. School districts throughout California are complying with the law in a variety of ways -- some that cost less than $50 per school and others that can cost thousands, according to California Food Policy Advocates, a group promoting SB 1413, which took effect July 1.
Large jugs and cups are the least-expensive alternatives, followed by filtered water devices that can cost up to $2,000. "Hydration stations" are permanent water dispensers that allow students to fill cups and water bottles, as opposed to more traditional drinking fountains. Some schools are partnering with parent volunteers or outside funders to help meet the requirement.
A similar federal law will take effect in September requiring all campuses that participate in the national school lunch program to offer free water to students. But the state law offers districts a way to opt out of the requirement, if trustees pass a resolution stating they can't comply for financial or health and safety reasons. Last month, the Mt. Diablo school board in Contra Costa County unanimously
adopted a resolution saying the district couldn't afford to pay $300,000 to install drinking fountains at 10 schools that don't have drinking fountains in their cafeterias, or about $30,000 per campus. Yet, voters approved a $348 million
 CPS leader Jean-Claude Brizard meets Friday with Academy for Urban School Leadership principals and teachers to discuss the group's approach to transforming poor-performing schools in high poverty communities. (Antonio Perez, Chicago Tribune / July 9, 2011) |
New Chicago schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard took his listening tour Friday to a network of turnaround schools whose teacher-training program has been praised by MayorRahm Emanuel.
The 19 turnaround schools — failing schools targeted for overhaul by CPS — are run by the nonprofit Academy for Urban School Leadership, which will train 90 teachers in its academies this year.
The new CPS administration backs the organization but critics are concerned that
I am sick and tired of teachers taking the blame for everything that has gone wrong in this state. They didn't get us in this mess, and we damn sure aren't going to get out without their help.
by Benjamin Herold and Dale Mezzacappa
Dozens of schools across the city and state were flagged in a study of 2009 state standardized test scores that sought to use statistical analysis to ferret out possible examples of cheating on the PSSA exam.
The analysis, prepared for the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) in July 2009, highlights roughly 60
Yesterday I posted the hour long video of Jonah Edelman’s presentation at the Aspen Ideas Festival.
It was fascinating to watch as Edelman frankly, proudly, described how his group, Stand For Children, outfoxed the CTU, IFT and the IEA into supporting Senate Bill 7. The bill, Edelman openly admits, was designed to fool the union leadership into giving up the right of Chicago teachers to strike.
IEA Executive Director Audrey Soglin comes out looking bad. Edelman describes her as “pragmatic” and
it should be a time for quiet reflection. Even though I am not teaching this summer, and will not again be with students for perhaps another 6 weeks.
And yet . . . a man I know slightly invited me to be the final speaker for the class of graduate students currently serving as educational assistants and in the process of becoming teachers. Originally I was to chat with them for around 45 minutes, and instead it became 90, and a few have since followed up by email. The experience reminded me how much of my life is focused on helping others to learn.
I met the professor years ago when I was teaching middle school - one of the women on our team considered him her most influential professor, and he visited our school. Later I explored doing a doctorate at Maryland until
On next Tuesday, July 12th and 8PM Eastern Standard Time, Congressman Jack Kimble will be making history by taking part in the first ever Twitter Town Hall. This town hall will be hosted by Fox Action 15's Dirk Thunderstone and will give actual Twitter users a chance to ask Congressman Kimble questions about the House of Representatives and his current campaign for President of these United States.
Editor's note
AFT TEACH 2011
Unable to make TEACH conference next week? The four plenaries will be streamed live online. To register, go to: http://t.co/aIXYSKl #TCH11