Over $1B and counting for TFA, Inc., de facto discrimination in charter schools, the failed Microsoft model hoisted onto our educational system and Maryland superintendent says “Stop the insanity”
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Over $1B and counting for TFA, Inc., de facto discrimination in charter schools, the failed Microsoft model hoisted onto our educational system and Maryland superintendent says “Stop the insanity” | Parents Across America
Over $1B and counting for TFA, Inc., de facto discrimination in charter schools, the failed Microsoft model hoisted onto our educational system and Maryland superintendent says “Stop the insanity” | Parents Across America:
NYC Public School Parents: How to talk to your kids about the school shootings
NYC Public School Parents: How to talk to your kids about the school shootings:
How to talk to your kids about the school shootings
Two days later and there is still no word from NYC Department of Education about the school shootings in nearby Connecticut. The below is from Noah Gotbaum, parent leader, passing on some links on how to help our kids (and ourselves) deal with this tragic event.
The first link from the National Association of School Psychologistsis particularly good. These were passed on to me by a friend whose children attend a private school here in NYC. Unfortunately, there’s been no info or guidance as yet from our New York City public school system leadership. More worrying perhaps, the DOE has no system to disseminate such info in real time to the city's 1.3 million parents and caregivers. A serious issue for another day...
- Tell the children that we shall all do everything we can to keep them safe.
- Listen to their questions and answer them clearly and simply, if we can. They may return to us later and repeat their questions, many of which may be factual, and they may have different feelings and reactions from ours. We should try not to impose our own horror and fear on them.
- Limit their exposure to television and other forms of news that will go over the shootings again and again.
- Consult guidelines (see links below) from such organizations as the National Association of School Psychologists and the Child Mind Institute. They have sound advice for talking to children about such matters and observing their behavior.
- Let the school know if you have concerns about a child's reaction to the shootings. Do not hesitate to consult a psychologist or counselor, especially if unusual behavior persists.
Here are some other links:
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists
Caring for Kids After a School Shooting from the Child Mind Institute
Helping your children manage distress in the aftermath of a shooting from the American Psychological Association
AAP Offers Resources to Help Parents, Children and Others Cope in the Aftermath of School Shootings from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Fact sheets for Children: on Firearms, Grief and Violence from the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
'I Am Adam Lanza's Mother': A Mom's Perspective On The Mental Illness Conversation In America
'I Am Adam Lanza's Mother': A Mom's Perspective On The Mental Illness Conversation In America:
'I Am Adam Lanza's Mother': A Mom's Perspective On The Mental Illness Conversation In America
Posted: 12/16/2012 9:15 am EST | Updated: 12/16/2012 2:34 pm EST
Friday’s horrific national tragedy -- the murder of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut -- has ignited a new discussion on violence in America. In kitchens and coffee shops across the country, we tearfully debate the many faces of violence in America: gun culture, media violence, lack of mental health services, overt and covert wars abroad, religion, politics and the way we raise our children. Liza Long, a writer based in Boise, says it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.
While every family's story of mental illness is different, and we may never know the whole of the Lanza's story, tales like this one need to be heard -- and families who live them deserve our help.
Three days before 20 year-old Adam Lanza killed his mother, then opened fire on a classroom full of Connecticut kindergartners, my 13-year old son Michael (name changed) missed his bus because he was wearing the wrong color pants.
“I can wear these pants,” he said, his tone increasingly belligerent, the black-hole pupils of his eyes swallowing the blue irises.
“They are navy blue,” I told him. “Your school’s dress code says black or khaki pants
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools for the Week of Dec. 17-23
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools for the Week of Dec. 17-23:
Seattle Schools for the Week of Dec. 17-23
Monday, December 17th
Capacity Management meeting for the NE area from 6:30-8 p.m. at Olympic Hills cafeteria, 13018 20th Avenue
Tuesday, December 18th
Audit&Finance Quarterly Audit Meeting from 4-7 p.m. Agenda. Much of this is the higher-level work of this committee - internal audit, external audit, risk management. The last hour of this committee is just for committee members to discuss labor negotiations.
Superintendent Meeting with Pacific Islander Community from 6-8 p.m. at RBHS
Wednesday, December 19th
Enrollment Services close at noon.
Board Work Session on International Education/Wallace Grant update from 4-5:30 p.m. (The Wallace Grant is an arts grant that the district worked very hard to get. I believe it's in its second year. I'll check but I think it was a planning grant and not an implemented one.) Here's what we had at the blog in April 2012 when this grant was first announced:
Seattle Public Schools was recently awarded a $1 million grant from New York-based Wallace Foundation to engage the community and develop and multi-year plan for introducing more arts instruction into the classroom. The Foundation's Arts Learning Initiative planning grant, which runs from July 2011 through January 2013, will support development of a comprehensive K-12 arts education plan aimed at increasing quality arts learning opportunities for all students.
Board Work Session on Capacity Management and NSAP/Transition from 6-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 20th
Operations Committee Meeting from 4-6 p.m. Agenda
The agenda includes transportation service standards for 2013-2014 and a presentation from Tracy Libros on the capacity management and NSAP/transition for 2013-2014 (so, if you can't make the work session, you could hear about it here). Pegi McEvoy will also be speaking on BEX IV and capacity management.
We are getting very close to the end of any discussion over BEX IV and capacity management. I note that I still haven't heard about the fate of Pinehurst. We've had plenty of discussion here over Jane Addams and where it might land (and when) but nothing on Pinehurst.
Capacity Management meeting for the NE area from 6:30-8 p.m. at Olympic Hills cafeteria, 13018 20th Avenue
Tuesday, December 18th
Audit&Finance Quarterly Audit Meeting from 4-7 p.m. Agenda. Much of this is the higher-level work of this committee - internal audit, external audit, risk management. The last hour of this committee is just for committee members to discuss labor negotiations.
Wednesday, December 19th
Enrollment Services close at noon.
Board Work Session on International Education/Wallace Grant update from 4-5:30 p.m. (The Wallace Grant is an arts grant that the district worked very hard to get. I believe it's in its second year. I'll check but I think it was a planning grant and not an implemented one.) Here's what we had at the blog in April 2012 when this grant was first announced:
Seattle Public Schools was recently awarded a $1 million grant from New York-based Wallace Foundation to engage the community and develop and multi-year plan for introducing more arts instruction into the classroom. The Foundation's Arts Learning Initiative planning grant, which runs from July 2011 through January 2013, will support development of a comprehensive K-12 arts education plan aimed at increasing quality arts learning opportunities for all students.
Thursday, December 20th
Operations Committee Meeting from 4-6 p.m. Agenda
The agenda includes transportation service standards for 2013-2014 and a presentation from Tracy Libros on the capacity management and NSAP/transition for 2013-2014 (so, if you can't make the work session, you could hear about it here). Pegi McEvoy will also be speaking on BEX IV and capacity management.
We are getting very close to the end of any discussion over BEX IV and capacity management. I note that I still haven't heard about the fate of Pinehurst. We've had plenty of discussion here over Jane Addams and where it might land (and when) but nothing on Pinehurst.
Newtown Shooting Sparks Interest In Gun Buyback Programs Across U.S.
Newtown Shooting Sparks Interest In Gun Buyback Programs Across U.S.:
Newtown Shooting Sparks Interest In Gun Buyback Programs Across U.S.
As the pastor of a church in East New York, a rough neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., David Benke has had an up-close view of the suffering that gun violence can inflict on a community. “We’ve had parishioners who have been killed, we’ve had parishioners who have been held up at gunpoint, I’ve had guns pulled on me and we’ve had to do funerals of kids who have been shot and killed,” said Benke, who presides over St. Peter's Lutheran Church and also serves as bishop of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod.
For two years, Benke has sponsored a gun buyback program at his church, where residents can trade in their firearms for cash. In the wake of the horrific shootings Friday in Newtown, Conn., many members of the community have been asking to participate, Benke said. “I have been receiving calls from people now saying, ‘Can I come by today? I need to come by next week,’” he described. “We’re in the shadow of a terrible tragedy and something that affects each family in the United States right now.”
Throughout the country, the last two days have seen a spike in participation at such prescheduled buyback
For two years, Benke has sponsored a gun buyback program at his church, where residents can trade in their firearms for cash. In the wake of the horrific shootings Friday in Newtown, Conn., many members of the community have been asking to participate, Benke said. “I have been receiving calls from people now saying, ‘Can I come by today? I need to come by next week,’” he described. “We’re in the shadow of a terrible tragedy and something that affects each family in the United States right now.”
Throughout the country, the last two days have seen a spike in participation at such prescheduled buyback
Jersey Jazzman: Bill Bennett's $100 Billion School Safety Plan
Jersey Jazzman: Bill Bennett's $100 Billion School Safety Plan:
Bill Bennett's $100 Billion School Safety Plan
Former SecEd Bill Bennett floated a school safety plan today:
Find me the back of an envelope, will you?
There are nearly 100,000 schools in the United States. I think you're going to need way more than 100,000 armed public safety officers to cover all those schools, but let's be conservative and keep the number for our purposes.
You need to pay these people, give them benefits (heaven forbid!), train them, equip them, and so on. I think avery conservative estimate would be $100,000 per officer per year.
That's $100,000,000,000 - a hundred billion dollars - every year to have a dedicated, armed officer in every public
Find me the back of an envelope, will you?
There are nearly 100,000 schools in the United States. I think you're going to need way more than 100,000 armed public safety officers to cover all those schools, but let's be conservative and keep the number for our purposes.
You need to pay these people, give them benefits (heaven forbid!), train them, equip them, and so on. I think avery conservative estimate would be $100,000 per officer per year.
That's $100,000,000,000 - a hundred billion dollars - every year to have a dedicated, armed officer in every public
Why is a 43% Failure Rate in College Considered College-Prep? « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues
Why is a 43% Failure Rate in College Considered College-Prep? « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues:
Why is a 43% Failure Rate in College Considered College-Prep?
IDEA Charter School markets itself as a college preparatory education organization with goals of enrolling 100% of graduates in four-year universities and have 100% persistence and graduation rates in college.[1] Indeed, in the introduction of the most recent annual report, Dr. Tom Torkelson, CEO of IDEA Public Schools, makes the following statement:
IDEA puts students on path to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace by providing a rigorous college preparatory education and preparing our low-income, Hispanic and minority students in under-served communities across Texas to apply, matriculate and succeed in a the four year college or university of their choice. To date, 100% of IDEA graduates have been accepted to a four-year college or university and our student
IDEA puts students on path to succeed in an increasingly competitive global marketplace by providing a rigorous college preparatory education and preparing our low-income, Hispanic and minority students in under-served communities across Texas to apply, matriculate and succeed in a the four year college or university of their choice. To date, 100% of IDEA graduates have been accepted to a four-year college or university and our student
Jeb Bush, Gary Chartrand Among Past Campaign Contributors to Tony Bennett | Scathing Purple Musings
Jeb Bush, Gary Chartrand Among Past Campaign Contributors to Tony Bennett | Scathing Purple Musings:
Jeb Bush, Gary Chartrand Among Past Campaign Contributors to Tony Bennett
The Florida media has thus far been disinterested in Tony Bennett’s political contributors to his Indiana campaign. Perhaps these will raise some eyebrows.
Former governor Jeb Bush founded a consulting firm, Jeb Bush and Associates, LLC after leaving the governor’s mansion. Bush’s consulting firm has made only one political contribution – to Bennett on March 28 of this year. Bennett was recognized as one of the Bush Foundation’s Chiefs for Change. Bush appointed three of the seven state board members who selected Bennett. Bush also made a personal contribution of $500 to Bennett in October as John E. Bush.
Current board chairman Gary Chartrand was appointed by Rick Scott and his appointment began on May 11,
Former governor Jeb Bush founded a consulting firm, Jeb Bush and Associates, LLC after leaving the governor’s mansion. Bush’s consulting firm has made only one political contribution – to Bennett on March 28 of this year. Bennett was recognized as one of the Bush Foundation’s Chiefs for Change. Bush appointed three of the seven state board members who selected Bennett. Bush also made a personal contribution of $500 to Bennett in October as John E. Bush.
Current board chairman Gary Chartrand was appointed by Rick Scott and his appointment began on May 11,
Teachers Don't Suck !: What a Suprise!!
Teachers Don't Suck !: What a Suprise!!:
What a Suprise!!
Budget task force sees major fiscal challenges ahead for N.J.Thursday, December 13, 2012 Last updated: Thursday December 13, 2012, 1:56 PM
BY JOHN REITMEYER
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
The Record
BY JOHN REITMEYER
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
The Record
No matter who wins the 2013 gubernatorial election, New Jersey will continue to face some steep fiscal challenges unless major budget reforms are enacted.
A new report on New Jersey’s finances released Thursday by
The Fiscal Cliff: What All Parents Should Know « MomsRising Blog
The Fiscal Cliff: What All Parents Should Know « MomsRising Blog:
The Fiscal Cliff: What All Parents Should Know
By now, most people who pay attention to the news have heard about the “fiscal cliff.” The problem: Most people don’t know what the fiscal cliff actually is, or how it will impact their families.
How did we get here? It’s easy to forget that the way our government collects and spends its revenue is largely a statement about our values and priorities as a country. For example, the federal government invests $25,455 for
The term “fiscal cliff” is shorthand for a series of events that will occur at the end of 2012 that will impact how the federal government operates. These include automatic, across-the-board cuts to funds for schools with low-income and special needs students; increases in income taxes and the payroll tax, which fall primarily on middle-income families; decreases in tax credits to support working families and children; and the expiration of unemployment insurance benefits that help those experiencing long-term unemployment, including aid to many of the parents of the 6.2 million children who are living with unemployed parents.
How did we get here? It’s easy to forget that the way our government collects and spends its revenue is largely a statement about our values and priorities as a country. For example, the federal government invests $25,455 for
Students Last: The Four R's
Students Last: The Four R's:
The Four R's
Fairfax, Virginia - Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President and CEO of the National Rifle Association has devised a plan to prevent further gun violence at our nation's schools. At a press conference at the NRA's headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, LaPierre urged arming students. "More guns equals less crime," began LaPierre, echoing the headline of his November 27th commentary. "Therefore, it just seems logical that this tragedy could have been prevented if the students had been armed. Our schools need to become a center for the four Rs: reading, writing, arithmetic and rifles. "
Maria Heil, NRA board member, who spoke only briefly as she was having difficulty removing blood from under her fingernails, added, "Many weapons are perfectly designed for small hands. My daughter owns a Colt .380 with a "Hello Kitty" grip. I think good mothers arm their children."
David Keene, President of the NRA, recounted the days when he used to bring a shotgun to school and
Maria Heil, NRA board member, who spoke only briefly as she was having difficulty removing blood from under her fingernails, added, "Many weapons are perfectly designed for small hands. My daughter owns a Colt .380 with a "Hello Kitty" grip. I think good mothers arm their children."
David Keene, President of the NRA, recounted the days when he used to bring a shotgun to school and
'SNL' Opens With 'Silent Night' in Honor of Shooting Victims
SIGN the Sandy Hook Elementary School National Sympathy Card | causes.com
coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 30 minutes ago
SIGN the Sandy Hook Elementary School National Sympathy Card | causes.com: PETITION: SIGN the Sandy Hook Elementary School National Sympathy Card December 15 · Started by David Paine · Invite Friends · Reposts 41 To: Community of Newtown, Connecticut, including the families of the victims and the survivors and their families. Our Sincere Condolences. We wish to express our deepest sympathies to all of the families of those lost, to the survivors and their families, and to the others impacted by the senseless and unthinkable tragedy that unfolded at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We c... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: What would you have to say to the superintendent?
Seattle Schools Community Forum: What would you have to say to the superintendent?:
What would you have to say to the superintendent?
I don't make a habit of asking the staff to do things so much as asking them for information. That's because they don't work for me and they aren't accountable to me. I don't hesitate to offer suggestions for action to the Board because they are accountable to the public and they are supposed to represent the public.
So if I had the opportunity to speak with the superintendent, I wouldn't so much have suggestions for him as questions. They are big questions and perhaps some of them will be answered in the Strategic Plan. Perhaps not. The previous Strategic Plan was a management plan more than an academic plan. Is that what it's supposed to be? The new Strategic Plan is shaping up to be more of an academic plan.
So if I had the opportunity to speak with the superintendent, I wouldn't so much have suggestions for him as questions. They are big questions and perhaps some of them will be answered in the Strategic Plan. Perhaps not. The previous Strategic Plan was a management plan more than an academic plan. Is that what it's supposed to be? The new Strategic Plan is shaping up to be more of an academic plan.
- When does he think he will have a program placement framework in place and why is it taking so long? What's so hard about it?
- How does he think the division between governance and management works when it comes to enforcing
George Will: ‘Unparented’ boys from single-parent homes causing ‘epidemic of violence’ | The Raw Story
George Will: ‘Unparented’ boys from single-parent homes causing ‘epidemic of violence’ | The Raw Story:
Raw Story (http://s.tt/1x5Nq)
George Will: ‘Unparented’ boys from single-parent homes causing ‘epidemic of violence’
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and conservative columnist George Will told a Sunday panel on ABC News that gun violence in the United States was caused by mental illness, video games, violence in the media and even “unparented” boys from single-parent homes — but they refused to accept that gun control was part of the problem.
“Look, I’m a concealed-carry permit holder,” Chaffetz explained. “I own a Glock 23. I’ve got a shotgun. I’m not the person you need to worry about. And there are millions of Americans who deal with this properly. It’s our Second Amendment right to do so. But we have to look at the mental health access that these people have.”
“The gun rules are very stringent. There’s a lot conjecture out there that I don’t think would
Raw Story (http://s.tt/1x5Nq)
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