NorthJersey.com: Clifton school officials use reverse-911 to prevent student walkout

NorthJersey.com: Clifton school officials use reverse-911 to prevent student walkout

Clifton school officials use reverse-911 to prevent student walkout

Friday, May 14, 2010

BY ALBINA SPORTELLI

NORTHJERSEY.COM

STAFF WRITER

CLIFTON — Thousands of students might have walked out of Clifton High School on Friday morning in protest of state education funding cuts — but school administrators appear to have pulled the plug on the plan even before it gained momentum.
When school officials got word of the protest plan, they told kids they would be banned from the prom if they participated, a high-ranking police official said.
A student who learned on the social networking site Facebook of a plan to stage a massive 8 a.m. walkout tipped off school administrators, who immediately began working to stop it, said schools Superintendent Richard Tardalo.
When district computer technicians identified the Clifton High student who was organizing the protest, her parents were called and the teenager was warned to cancel the event and tell all other students through Facebook that the walkout was called off, the superintendent said.
And a reverse emergency-call-system message was sent out Thursday night to all parents of high school students warning of serious consequences should any student participate in the walkout. School officials would not specify the consequences students would have been faced with had they not complied.
But Detective Capt. Robert Rowan said students were told that if they were caught in the walkout, the

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Students were serious about making a statementAIM JEFFERSON

• Ridgewood school district receives accolades THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

• Passaic Valley to trim school budget by $80,000 THE RECORD

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30 years after Mount St. Helens blew, the volcano reveals its secrets | OregonLive.com

30 years after Mount St. Helens blew, the volcano reveals its secrets | OregonLive.com

30 years after Mount St. Helens blew, the volcano reveals its secrets

By Joe Rojas-Burke, The Oregonian

May 14, 2010, 4:42PM

Torsten Kjellstrand/The OregonianHundreds of people crowded the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center on a Sunday afternoon in early May, 2010. Emily Dehne of Portland and her friend Casey Levin of St. Louis played a card game while waiting for an eruption of Mount St. Helens. Levin was in Portland to visit Dehne, when the two decided to drive up to the visitor center.A sudden series of earthquakes at Mount St. Helens caught scientists by surprise in March 1980. Less than a week after the quakes began, a blast of steam and ash opened a small crater at the summit of the reawakening volcano.

Geologists didn't know enough to give public safety officials a clear picture of the danger.

"They wanted us to tell them what the earthquakes meant, and I had no idea," says Steve Malone, the University of Washington professor who led the seismic monitoring. "All I could tell them was there's a lot of earthquakes, and something's coming."

Photos: Mount St. Helens

Photos from the Oregonian archive


Mount St. Helens 2010

At 8:32 a.m. May 18, 1980, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake triggered an enormous landslide. The entire north side of the mountain collapsed, releasing a

Bad, Bad Budget Cuts | California Progress Report

Bad, Bad Budget Cuts | California Progress Report

Bad, Bad Budget Cuts

Posted on 14 May 2010

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By Anthony Wright

Today, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a new California budget that eliminated or eviscerated health and human services.

In a tough budget situation, Governor Schwarzenegger’s revised budget represents the worst possible choice for California families, for our health system, and for our economy. At a time when millions are looking for relief, the Governor has proposed cuts that will deny medically necessary care, place greater financial strain on families, and turn back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal matching funds for our economy.

THE SPECIFIC HEALTH IMPACT: California children and families, seniors and people with disabilities will find their prescriptions and doctors visits limited, their coverage for certain treatments capped, and significant costs for getting doctor and hospital care. Some of these cuts will not just delay and deny care, but will have life and death impacts.

BETTER CHOICES FOR CALIFORNIA: There are better choices for California—ones that balance cuts with revenues, preserves the health system we all rely on, and fosters our economic recovery. In contrast, Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget undermines our ability to create jobs and our health infrastructure--the foundation on which we need to take advantage of the new opportunities under health reform.

NO NEW TAXES?: Governor Schwarzenegger says there are no new taxes in his proposal, and that’s true for corporations. For eight million in low-income California families, there are significant increased costs to have and access basic medical care.

Boehner Says No to Teacher’s Jobs, Children’s Future

Boehner Says No to Teacher’s Jobs, Children’s Future

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By Rene’ Carter and Cynthia McCabe

When 300,000 educators’ jobs are on the line, something has to be done to protect the children they teach, right? Not so, said Congressman John Boehner (R-Ohio) this evening, calling an effort to save teachers’ an attempt to “pad the education bureaucracy.”

Unfortunately Congressman Boehner is playing politics with our children’s and nation’s future. Keeping teachers in the classroom instead of the unemployment line will not ‘pad the education bureaucracy.’ The only thing worse than the Congressman’s deliberate mischaracterization of the bill and his political posturing is his credibility on what makes for responsible action by Congress in a time of crisis.

And just in case Congressman Boehner thinks there is not a problem in his home state of Ohio — where more than 1,000 teachers now face layoffs and where in Cleveland alone class size are projected to jump from 20 to 45 students — we share this story from an Ohio teacher recently posted on http://educationvotes.nea.org. Joanne of Canton, Ohio, writes: “I am a dedicated teacher of 35 years, a National Board Certified Language Arts teacher with an M.Ed. and many, many hours of additional certification. I worry about keeping my teaching job — a job I love. Aid to our school district has been cut by over $1.9 million. We have 1930s buildings with drinking fountains and toilets that don’t work…If you think teachers are at the source of our students’ failures, visit me or any teacher. Spend the day. I guarantee that you will be exhausted, frustrated, yet amazingly satisfied with your experience. But I still love my job. Don’t blame my union. Don’t blame my colleagues. See for yourselves how it is.”

It’s very doubtful that Congressman Boehner will accept Joanne’s offer. But we challenge him to go to her class before the end of the school year and tell her students why he’s not supporting a bill to save more than 300,000 education jobs and why he’s not trying to help ensure that they get the best education possible.

And since he won’t go to Joanne’s class, we have to call Congressman Boehner — and all our members of Congress at (202) 224-3121 – and tell them to stop playing politics with the future of our children – include the Education Jobs Fund in the supplemental funding bills now moving through Congress!

The California Majority Report // Steinberg: Budget is a "Nonstarter"

The California Majority Report // Welcome

STEVEN MAVIGLIO

Steinberg: Budget is a "Nonstarter"

May 14, 2010 @ 5:12 PM

Here's the transcript of Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg from the Democratic press conference this afternoon in reaction to the last Schwarzenegger budget proposal that slashes state services.

"I could speak for a long time about the past and where to point the finger. I could talk about sledgehammers, and automobiles and torn up credit cards.

I could talk about blowing up boxes. I could talk about one of many silly metaphors. But I will leave it at this: I am disappointed that the Governor has chosen to surrender. That he sees California as unfixable and that he proposes a budget that kills the economy and harms so many. It is a non-starter.

If God forbid this budget became a reality, California would be the only state in the union to not have a safety net for children. Leadership is not about blaming others. It's about finding solutions to tough problems to preserve the state and its people.

In their comments throughout the day the Governor's representatives have described the cuts he proposes as quote "terrible." I believe him ...but his actions say it would be more terrible to delay $2.1 billion in corporate tax breaks than to save children, the elderly, and the most vulnerable. His actions say it is more terrible to impose a tax on oil profits than complete elimination of county mental health services and child care. He appears to have decided that the solutions are too difficult to achieve so he will accept these "terrible" cuts.

We refuse to wave the white flag.

California's elected leaders- including myself- and the governor and the others need to stand up. Given the choice between enacting $6 billion in cuts to services for the elderly, children and the disabled, or delaying corporate tax breaks, I'm for delaying corporate tax breaks.

Given the choice between cutting education by nearly $3 billion or seeking revenues from oil companies extracting oil in California, I'm for getting revenues from oil companies profiting handsomely in this state.

SJUSD's New Superintendent Vincent Matthews - Year 2010 (CA Dept of Education)

SJUSD's New Superintendent Vincent Matthews - Year 2010 (CA Dept of Education)

Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Applauds San Jose Unified
School District Selection of Superintendent Vincent Matthews

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today commended the San Jose Unified School District for selecting Vincent Matthews as the district's new superintendent.

"Vince Matthews is an excellent choice to lead the San Jose Unified School District," O'Connell said. "He has provided steady leadership and kept a focus on improving achievement for all students over the past four years while serving as the state administrator and later as the trustee for the Oakland Unified School District. Vince is a passionate and talented educator who is deeply committed to closing the achievement gap. In his new position as the San Jose Unified School District Superintendent, Vince will do a great job on behalf of the students, parents, and educators in that community.

"The Oakland Unified School District has made great strides academically and fiscally under the leadership of both Vince Matthews and the current Oakland Unified Superintendent Tony Smith. I am committed to finding an equally talented and qualified replacement for Vince to serve as trustee of Oakland Unified while the district continues its progress in repaying its state loan."

Acalanes High student newspaper named best in the nation Education - ContraCostaTimes.com

Education - ContraCostaTimes.com

Acalanes High student newspaper named best in the nation

By Michelle Maitre
Contra Costa Times

Posted: 05/14/2010 03:21:42 PM PDT

Updated: 05/14/2010 03:28:33 PM PDT

PLEASANT HILL — The Acalanes High School Blueprint has been named best high school newspaper in the nation by the American Scholastic Press Association.

The Blueprint, which was rated against 59 other newspapers nationwide, also received the "Most Outstanding High School Newspaper" honor in 1999. The paper was evaluated on content, design, editing and creativity, among other categories. The Blueprint also earned a special merit rating for earning a 955 score out of a possible 1,000.
Earlier this month, Blueprint writer Tara Yarlagadda received top honors for feature writing from the Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists.
"It's one thing to think you're a top performing high school newspaper, but it's another

Friday, May 14, 2010 Education

Livermore teachers accuse district of contract violation Grievances are filed after faculty training days are eliminated. San Ramon Valley high school students provide corsages and boutonnieres for Richmond school's senior prom. Acalanes High student newspaper named best in the nation School Notes Hundreds of teens witness DUI trial on Brentwood campus Protests against male undergraduate students grabbed national attention Oakland administrator is new superintendent of SJUSD Poorest Berkeley students to lose campus child care Mt. Diablo district school music groups to perform at Sleep Train Pavilion Pleasanton school district to lay off 61 employees

Embracing a Successful Anarchic Institution | Lefty Parent

Embracing a Successful Anarchic Institution | Lefty Parent

Embracing a Successful Anarchic Institution

by Cooper Zale

I recently read a May 7 article in Education Week, “Embracing Wikipedia”, where author and science teacher Matthew Shapiro makes the case for Wikipedia as a research tool, particularly for students (and therefore I guess for any casual life-long learner), competing favorably (at least in Shapiro’s opinion) with the “Gold Standard” Encyclopedia Britannica.

Heads up folks… you might even want to sit down! Wikipedia uses an anarchic form of governance. In fact, though it may be a long time until “brick and mortar” institutions adopt it, this portable, adaptable and minimalist governance model, may well be one of the biggest trends of the 21st Century, particularly in cyberspace.

Anticipating some knee-jerk reactions, there is a perhaps subtle yet profound difference between the commonly used word “anarchy”, which most people use to describe chaos and confusion, and the governance model by the same root with the “y” removed and an “ism” added.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary describes “anarchism” as…

A political theory holding all forms of governmental authority to be unnecessary and undesirable

Colo lawmakers turn to philanthropy for budget - Boston.com

Colo lawmakers turn to philanthropy for budget - Boston.com

Colo lawmakers turn to philanthropy for budget

By Steven K. Paulson

Associated Press Writer / May 14, 2010

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DENVER—Stung by declining revenues and facing a state budget cliff over the next few years, Colorado lawmakers are increasingly turning to philanthropists, hoping someone will bail them out.

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The practice has become so pervasive, Gov. Bill Ritter signed a law this year that requires gifts, grants and donations be listed as part of the state budget process.

According to records compiled by the state controller and obtained by The Associated Press, state agencies have collected $801 million in gifts, grants and donations over the past five years.

The biggest recipients have been colleges and universities, which have relied on grants and donations for decades. Over the past five years, $637,000 has been doled out to the governor's office. The state charter school for the deaf and blind got $675,000 for its programs.

Other bills relying on gifts, grants and donations this year include new teacher evaluations, repairing the crumbling state Capitol dome, home health care, a supplemental nutrition program, quality child care incentives, hospice care for

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Governor Schwarzenegger's Budget: May Revision

Governor Schwarzenegger's Budget: May Revision

A Responsible Budget in the Face of a
Worse Deficit

Fixes Our Broken Budget System, Fully Funds Education - Without Raising Taxes

While the budget deficit has worsened since January - with revenues that came in $6 billion lower than projected - and California’s economy is still sluggish, the Governor has produced a revised and improved budget that focuses on fixing our broken budget system once and for all. It is a responsible budget that includes a combination of necessary cuts and new revenues.

It is a budget that also fully funds education under Proposition 98, keeps state parks open, and keeps prisoners behind bars. And it does not raise taxes.

The Governor’s May Revise seeks to get more value out of an underperforming state asset - the California Lottery - and in so doing establish a much needed rainy day fund to benefit both current and future budgets. Raising more cash from the Lottery now will jump-start systemic budget reform, which California needs so that it is never again put in the feast-or-famine budget cycle that threatens funding to education, law enforcement, health and human services, and other programs.

Governor Schwarzenegger has produced an improved, responsible budget despite lower revenues and a worse deficit.

The budget deficit has grown since January. And the economy is still slow. Nevertheless, the Governor has produced a budget that:

• Fully funds education under Proposition 98, increasing funding to K-14 schools over the current year budget by about $200 million;
• Keeps state parks open;
• Does not let any felons out from behind bars early;
• Does not raise taxes.

It is a budget that includes difficult-but-necessary cuts, as well as new revenues and other solutions.

Good Teacher Candidates Allow For Good Education Schools and Vice Versa � The Quick and the Ed

Good Teacher Candidates Allow For Good Education Schools and Vice Versa � The Quick and the Ed

Good Teacher Candidates Allow For Good Education Schools and Vice Versa

by Kevin Carey

In speaking at this year’s New Schools Schmooze-A-Thon, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was asked about teacher preparation. “I don’t care where teachers come from,” he replied, while stressing the need to attract more talented people into the profession and do a better job of evaluating their performance once they arrive. In other words, Duncan doesn’t believe people necessarily need to go through a university-based training program in order to teach. In this, he’s firmly in mainstream of pundit / wonk thinking. The non-essential nature of schools of education isn’t a point of debate in the contemporary education policy conversation. It’s shared assumption from which debates proceed.
But in talking with a colleague this afternoon about the Finnish education junket I took a couple of years ago, I was reminded of something I wish I had explored more fully at the time: the entanglement of the teacher candidate recruitment problem and the education school quality problem. These issues are usually considered separately, but in fact I think they’re not far from being one in the same.

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