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New policy allows dagger-like objects on campus

The Jurupa Unified School District board of education on Nov. 19 approved a new district policy that will allow Sikh students to wear a kirpan to school but with strict restrictions. Under the new policy, parents agree to sign a statement that requires the kirpan — a daggerlike object that is a sacred article of faith — to be worn under clothing, to have the blade dulled, to be soldered or sewn into its sheath so it cannot be removed and to have a blade that is 2 1/2 inches or less.

Education Headlines

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Bible club sues district over meeting fees

The Buena Park School District has been targeted in a lawsuit that says school officials acted improperly when they refused to let a religion-themed organization meet on district property for free last year.

Long Beach USD board expected to ratify new teachers contract

The Long Beach Unified School District today is expected to ratify a new contract with its teachers union after nearly two years of negotiations.

New policy allows dagger-like objects on campus

The Jurupa Unified School District board of education on Nov. 19 approved a new district policy that will allow Sikh students to wear a kirpan to school but with strict restrictions. Under the new policy, parents agree to sign a statement that requires the kirpan — a daggerlike object that is a sacred article of faith — to be worn under clothing, to have the blade dulled, to be soldered or sewn into its sheath so it cannot be removed and to have a blade that is 2 1/2 inches or less.

Federal grant means more counselors at area schools

Three area elementary school districts recently received grants from the U.S. Department of Education to increase their counseling departments. Arcata Elementary and Fortuna Elementary school districts pulled in about $1.2 million apiece over the next three years, while Eureka City Schools received $1.1 million.

Fensterwald: Fiscal cliff, with federal cuts, not imminent for school districts

For California’s K-12 districts and federally funded preschools, the “fiscal cliff” that is now consuming politics in Washington is more like a distant canyon.

Study: More than half of LAUSD students overweight

Fewer than half of the Los Angeles Unified students have a healthy body composition and one in three are considered at risk of future medical problems, according to a new state study.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Hope Charter School petition denied

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Yreka Union School District (YUSD) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to deny a petition for the establishment of Hope Charter School in Yreka.

Stockton USD plans to get jump on upcoming English, math standards

The state-mandated implementation of virtually national academic standards will begin in less than two years, and Stockton Unified took a step this week toward preparing for that moment.

Race to the Top funding could bring $30 million to North County schools

Three local school districts and a charter school have come together to apply for $30 million in federal grant money that’s part of the Race to the Top initiative many teachers unions have opposed.