altmuslimah.com - Community: Muslim Americans answer Obama’s call to service

altmuslimah.com - Community: Muslim Americans answer Obama’s call to service:

"By Halima Samad, September 23, 2009

President Barack Obama's national call to service was heard and answered by many Muslim organizations and communities to re-capture the American spirit in the post 9/11 era, to stimulate interfaith activities to be more action-based, and to help re-build local economic landscapes in the wake of the recession. Although these are signs of charitable maturity within the Muslim community, it is still essential that all Muslims catapult these issues to the forefront of their human service agendas."

Salinas High board OKs classified pay cut | thecalifornian.com | The Salinas Californian

Salinas High board OKs classified pay cut thecalifornian.com The Salinas Californian:

"The Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees approved a 2.7 percent pay cut Tuesday night for members of the California School Employees Association."

Strike set to shutdown UC system Thursday

Central Valley Business Times:

"Thursday is supposed to be the first day of classes at most University of California campuses, but students may find their instructors walking picket lines instead.

More than 1,100 UC faculty, including some faculty members at the two Central Valley campuses in Davis and Merced, vow to strike for a day to protest tuition hikes, enrollment cuts, layoffs, furloughs, and increased class sizes."

Teacher sues LA school dist. over gay agenda

Teacher sues LA school dist. over gay agenda:

"Fernandez also drew fire for voicing the requests of his predominantly Hispanic Catholic students that a pro-gay poster be moved inside to a classroom bulletin board so they would not have to walk under it several times a day. Fernandez was then shunned by fellow teachers and administrators, given larger, more unruly classes, moved to a less desirable location, and ordered not to send any problem students to the principal’s office. Fernandez eventually sought medical treatment for stress and related medical problems and finally placed on medical leave by his physician after more than a year of harassment. Fernandez’ lawsuit, filed in state court and removed by LAUSD to federal court, alleges First Amendment violations and discrimination, harassment and retaliation under state employment laws."

Notes from the Institution: Education politics

Notes from the Institution: Education politics:

"Yet somehow I found the speech delivered by President Obama on Sept. 8 to be incredibly interesting. This highly publicized disquisition has become a center of controversy as many citizens construed his speech as an attempt to push socialist ideas on the youth of America. Parents in states such as Texas, California, and even Connecticut had requested that schools refrain from showing Obama’s oration to the students. As a member of the student population addressed, I feel compelled to argue that listening to the commander-in-chief advocate the benefits of hard work in school is extremely valuable."

California chef takes school lunch campaign to D.C. - San Jose Mercury News

California chef takes school lunch campaign to D.C. - San Jose Mercury News:

"Congress is rolling up its sleeves to debate new rules involving the Child Nutrition Act, which sets standards for 30 million school lunches a day and is scheduled to expire later this year.

Chef Ann Cooper, who transformed Berkeley school lunches over four years, headed to Capitol Hill this month to lobby for better food. But she also wants to share her secrets — recipes, food-buying tips and strategies to get kids to eat well — with the rest of the nation.

With Whole Foods, Cooper has launched the Boulder, Colo.-based Lunch Box (www.thelunchbox.org), a site with resources for parents, schools and cooks on how to make lunch healthier. We talked to her about the project:"

Editorial: Veto of teacher data bill would send terrible message - San Jose Mercury News

Editorial: Veto of teacher data bill would send terrible message - San Jose Mercury News:

"The highest barrier to California's getting its fair share of $4 billion in federal 'Race to the Top' education grants is a 2006 law that prohibits linking teacher evaluations to student test scores. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has made California's ban a national laughing stock. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed that it must go.

A bill eliminating the barrier, SB19, authored by state Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), is on the governor's desk. But amazingly, he may not sign it. Schwarzenegger wants additional reforms as well, and some Republicans feel eliminating the data problem will leave less incentive for lawmakers to deal with the rest of the package."

Spring admissions open for 150 students - News

Spring admissions open for 150 students - News:

"A small group of 150 Sacramento State students will be admitted into the teacher credential programs this spring despite the California State University system's closure of all spring 2010 admissions.

Sac State's teacher credential program is known for preparing California's teachers, and with thousands of teachers expected to retire in the next five years, Sac State is credentialing more and more teachers.

'As an institution that's primarily been charged with educating future teachers, we were given special permission to continue admitting and enrolling students into teacher preparation programs,' said Vanessa Sheared, dean of the College of Education"

Teachers make house calls in new school program | rgj.com | Reno Gazette-Journal

Teachers make house calls in new school program rgj.com Reno Gazette-Journal:

"The project started in 1998 in Sacramento and has been used in school systems across the country.
Contrary to some students' concerns, the visits won't be focused on problems a child has, said Carrie Rose, executive director of the Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project.
Rose was among those who traveled from the Sacramento area last week to speak with teachers at Hug.
She said home visits are a way to show families that schools care."

In Which the Hope Embedded in the Cal Expo Arena is Sapped, If Not Destroyed - Sactown Royalty

In Which the Hope Embedded in the Cal Expo Arena is Sapped, If Not Destroyed - Sactown Royalty:

"Mayor Kevin Johnson obviously touched a nerve Tuesday in his blog post bemoaning Sacramento's loss of hosting privileges for the NCAA Tournament and questioning the pace of the Cal Expo arena plan development. Bee reporters Tony Bizjak and Ryan Lillis found NBA rep John Moag, the leader of the Cal Expo effort, and synced him up to the mayor's concerns.
The result is not particularly ebullient."

My View: UC Davis strike: We must stand up now for the long-term good of the UC system - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

My View: UC Davis strike: We must stand up now for the long-term good of the UC system - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"We need to renew the social contract that binds the University of California with the people of the state. We need California residents to reconnect with the university as their own, and for the UC leadership to make more convincing cases as to why increased public support is warranted.

The University of California belongs to all of us. Let's come together to make it, and the rest of the state's education system, as great as the public it serves."

My View: UC Davis strike: Teaching is more than just about being paid - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

My View: UC Davis strike: Teaching is more than just about being paid - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"While the proposed walkout has now expanded to include student groups, unions and others protesting a variety of issues, all this chatter has spurred the two of us to think about a couple of very basic questions that drove us to do what we do today:

Where would we be today as professors without students? And, just as important, where would those students be without us?"

Bravo, Braziel, on dropout piece- Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Letters to the Editor - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

Bravo, Braziel, on dropout piece

"Re 'The time to act is before the dropout gets arrested' (Viewpoints, Sept. 20): I want to thank The Bee for printing Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel's perspective on the dropout crisis. His testimony before the Select Committee on Lowering California's High School Dropout Rate was very insightful and I appreciate his dedication to raising awareness about the issue and offering solutions."

Dozen UC Davis students flash flesh to protest fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Dozen UC Davis students flash flesh to protest fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"About a dozen UC Davis students flashed a bit of flesh today to protest University of California President Mark Yudof's proposal to raise fees 30 percent over the next year.
The scantily clad student protesters said their lack of attire was to symbolize that students are 'being stripped' of their right to accessible, quality public education."

'Naked rally' at UC Davis sets stage for Thursday walkout - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

'Naked rally' at UC Davis sets stage for Thursday walkout - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Now the walkout has grown to include students who are upset about a proposal to increase fees by more than 30 percent and non-teaching staff who are locked in labor negotiations. Across UC campuses on Thursday, union workers will picket, students will rally and professors will walk out."

Sacramento diocese sees big drop in Catholic school enrollment - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento diocese sees big drop in Catholic school enrollment - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Diocesan leaders are responding quickly to the recent drop by trying to increase awareness of Catholic schools. Over the next month, they will educate principals on public relations, talk to parents of students in faith formation classes about sending the children to parochial schools, and reach out to the Latino community – the fastest growing segment of the church.
Tuition at a Catholic K-8 school in the Sacramento diocese averages $3,800 annually. Financial assistance is available to needy students."

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Sacramento City Council Member Bonnie Pannell and Council Member Sandy Sheedy have endorsed Patrick Kennedy’s campaign for Sacramento City Council, District 5.

“I am proud to have the support of Council Members Pannell and Sheedy. I have had the great privilege of working with them over the years and look forward to continuing that relationship when I am on the City Council,” said Patrick upon the announcement.

Pannell represents District 8 in South Sacramento and Sheedy represents District 2 in North Sacramento. They join their colleagues, Council Members Ray Tretheway (District 1) and Steve Cohn (District 3) in endorsing Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council."

SCUSD Observer: No child left behind races to the top?

SCUSD Observer: No child left behind races to the top?

No child left behind races to the top?
Last week's release of the AYP Progress report for SCUSD shows that many of the schools in our district are failing to adequately educate Sacramento children according to No Child Left Behind standards.SCUSD schools in year 1 of program improvement status jumped from 3 in 2008-09 to 15 to 2009-10.

Circumference, Radius, Diameter, Oh My! | Activities | Education.com

Circumference, Radius, Diameter, Oh My! Activities Education.com:

"Even though middle school geometry can be tough, there's no reason to fear the friendly circle. Big words like 'circumference,' 'radius,' and 'diameter' may sound intimidating, but they're just fancy words for different measurements of a circle. Here's a quick, kid-friendly intro to those geometry terms, and a fail-safe way to calculate circumference, no matter what!"

Buying Educational Software? Start by Asking the Right Questions - Educational games and software

Buying Educational Software? Start by Asking the Right Questions - Educational games and software:

"But how do you know which program to pick? The array of educational software programs available can be both tantalizing and confusing. Before you start shopping, you should understand how educational software works, what your child's specific needs and interests are, and how to find a reliable program tailor-made to your child's needs and learning style."