Friday, March 5, 2010
BoardDocs News Story: School Board Action - March 4, 2010
School Board Votes on the Snow Days Make Up Plan -- Read the Story HERE
BoardDocs News Story: School Board Action - March 4, 2010
BoardDocs News Story: School Board Action - March 4, 2010
Virginia budget negotiators make little progress
Virginia budget negotiators make little progress: "They came. They sat. They yakked. For 1 hour and 26 minutes yesterday, the 13 senior lawmakers responsible for cobbling a compromise budget-balancing plan haggled over their differences - and different ways to resolve them. Some negotiators multitasked, plotting possible solutions while puttering with their BlackBerrys. In a first sit-down that was polite but fruitless, six delegates and seven senators outlined some of the obstacles to erasing Virginia’s $4.2 billion shortfall: how deeply to reach into the public-employee retirement fund for cash and whether to embrace more than $200 million in fees that foes say are disguised tax increases."
Delegate Keam interviewed on local TV
Delegate Keam interviewed on local TV
: " CBS-6, a local television news station, interviewed Delegate Keam about the status of the budget. In this video clip (and quoted below), Delegate Keam argues for more funding for public education and healthcare programs.
: " CBS-6, a local television news station, interviewed Delegate Keam about the status of the budget. In this video clip (and quoted below), Delegate Keam argues for more funding for public education and healthcare programs.
http://www.wtvr.com/news/wtvr-balancing-the-budget-100226,0,1011787.story
CAPITOL SQUARE – The clock is ticking. Lawmakers have to figure out how to balance a budget with a $2 billion shortfall and they only have about two weeks left to do it. If they don’t, the state is going to end up spending money it doesn’t have on an extended session. The lawmakers we talked to say they have every intention of finishing on time. Democratic Senator Edward Houck of Spotsylvania says, “If we have to work long hours, which it could mean, through the night in some occasions, I think we have a responsibility to finish on the date this session is supposed to end.”...Freshman Delegate Mark Keam voted against the house budget and wants to see funding for both areas bolstered a lot. The Democrat from Vienna says, “At the end of the day, this is Step one in a long process of budget reconciliation. My sending a ‘No’ vote, hopefully, will send a message to the conferees- we really have to come back with a better product.”
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Senate committee approves McDonnell's charter school proposal
Senate committee approves McDonnell's charter school proposal: "A Senate committee this morning overwhelmingly passed Gov. Bob McDonnell's education package, including his proposal to expand the number of charter schools in Virginia. The vote virtually assures passage of the bills in the Democrat-controlled Senate next week and in the General Assembly this year. The charter school bill is a weakened version of McDonnell's original proposal. McDonnell's office worked behind the scenes to negotiate a compromise with groups that represent teachers, school boards and superintendents -- all vocal in their opposition to the bill -- to return some power to the local boards and ease concerns about the state having final control over applications. The bill would give the state Board of Education a role in advising prospective providers on their applications before they go up for approval before school boards, but the local boards would retain ultimate authority to approve such schools.
Virginia not among education grant finalists
Virginia not among education grant finalists: "Virginia is not among the U.S. Department of Education’s 16 finalists in the first round of its “Race to the Top” competition, which will deliver $4.35 billion in school reform grants. Selected from a pool of 41 applicants are: Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee."
Yikes! A charter-friendly superintendent
Yikes! A charter-friendly superintendent: "[This is my column for the Local Living section of March 4, 2010.] Zina McGowan-Thomas, the energetic public information officer for St. Mary's County public schools, sends me many announcements and news releases that I am tempted to delete, as I do most e-mails from local school districts. I know this is a bad idea, because sometimes you will find, in the smallest bulletin, something astonishing, like such as the e-mail she sent me a few weeks ago about the Chesapeake Public Charter School. She told me and her long list of contacts that the school was about to have an open house. Ho-hum. All schools have open houses. Wait a minute: McGowan-Thomas works for a public school district with 27 schools and 17,000 students. Her job is to spread information about them, not a charter school. To most public school employees in the United States, charter schools are
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
New URGENT request for emails
New URGENT request for emails: "
"
Time to act grows short.
In the Virginia General Assembly, House and Senate budget conferees are weighing huge cuts to PreK-12 education.
The decisions made by this group will play a large role in determining the support your local schools will have from the state. Quality programs are at risk.
It is clear that the Senate version of the budget is much better (or much less bad) than the House version. Ask the conferees to support the Senate version.
Please act now to let the conferees know the cuts are too deep! Please send messages to both the House and Senate conferees even if no one on the list represents you where you live.
"
Double principals' pay
Double principals' pay: "Nick Anderson's story on a new Gates Foundation survey of 40,000 teachers. That is a big sample, canvassed via telephone and online by Harris Interactive, and they produced another strong answer to an old question: How do you get good teachers? Answer: Hire great principals. When given a choice of methods to retain good teachers, the most popular response from the teachers was supportive leadership, with 68 percent saying it was absolutely essential. Second place went to having time to collaborate with other teachers, 54 percent. High salaries took only sixth place, with 45 percent. One way to do that would be to offer double the usual salary for exceptional principals willing to lead schools that need an infusion of good teachers to raise mediocre student achievement. Of course you would have to be very careful whom you picked for such jobs, and make it
"
"
The real terms of education funding cuts
Michael Hairston, Acting President, Fairfax Education Associaton
The real terms of education funding cuts
The real terms of education funding cuts
Oakton Kidnapping Suspects Sought
Click the link to read the story and watch the Channel 4 News Clip.
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0210/709399.html
OAKTON, Va. - The search is on for two men accused of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy.
"
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0210/709399.html
OAKTON, Va. - The search is on for two men accused of kidnapping a 12-year-old boy.
"
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
PTA Action eBlast, FCPS Budget Shortfall
MRPTA Action eBlast
Learn about the school budget for 2010 and the shortfall and cuts that are expected. Use the sample letters to create your personal message to the Board of Supervisors if you support a property tax increase to support the 2011 school and county budget. Many resources on the budget just a click away in one document. Read and Learn!
Questions? Legislation@marshallroadpta.org
Learn about the school budget for 2010 and the shortfall and cuts that are expected. Use the sample letters to create your personal message to the Board of Supervisors if you support a property tax increase to support the 2011 school and county budget. Many resources on the budget just a click away in one document. Read and Learn!
Questions? Legislation@marshallroadpta.org
Board of Supervisors Sample Letters on Maximum Tax Rate Increase
If you would like to support the tax increase request to fund the FCPS budget, please send a letter to the BOS requesting an increased maximum tax rate before March 9.
For more information on the tax rate and the budget shortfall, please see the PTA eBlast Alert.
Sample letters, Board of Supervisors
Budget Q&A from the BOS to FCPS
Great information on band and strings, foreign language, full day Kindergarten, class sizes and other issues in the 2011 advertised budget. FY 2011 Budget Questions2410.pdf
March PTA Roadrunner Review
Click to read the March PTA Roadrunner Review
· Letter from Shelly Koshuta, PTA President
· Letter from Jen Heiges, Principal
· International Night, by Barbara Rousseau
· Dining for Dollars, by Kristen Gray
· Sidebar Calendar – print and hang on the fridge!
Thank you to newsletter editor Becky Kong – newsletter@marshallroadpta.org
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Depression and Anxiety: Symptoms and Solutions for Emotional Well-Being
Wednesday, March 3 7:00-8:30 pm
Flint Hill School Olson Theatre, East Campus
10409 Academic Drive Oakton, VA
Free and Open to the Public! Kindly RSVP to admin@ectutoring.com or call 703-934-8282.
Come learn:
• Why depression and anxiety are on the rise.
• How depression and anxiety manifest themselves differently in children and adolescents than in adults.
• The latest research on treating children and teens.
• Multi-modal treatment approaches that work.
• Medication do's and don'ts.
Dr. Robbins is a graduate of Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, and of the Cornell University - New York Hospital Psychiatric training program. He is Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has been listed repeatedly in Washingtonian Magazine's Best Doctors editions. He is the Medical Director of the Child and Family Counseling Group in Fairfax, Virginia.
Flint Hill School Olson Theatre, East Campus
10409 Academic Drive Oakton, VA
Free and Open to the Public! Kindly RSVP to admin@ectutoring.com or call 703-934-8282.
Come learn:
• Why depression and anxiety are on the rise.
• How depression and anxiety manifest themselves differently in children and adolescents than in adults.
• The latest research on treating children and teens.
• Multi-modal treatment approaches that work.
• Medication do's and don'ts.
Dr. Robbins is a graduate of Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons, and of the Cornell University - New York Hospital Psychiatric training program. He is Board Certified in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and has been listed repeatedly in Washingtonian Magazine's Best Doctors editions. He is the Medical Director of the Child and Family Counseling Group in Fairfax, Virginia.
PTA eNews
MARSHALL ROAD PTA eNews
Monday, March 1, 2010
Please visit Marshall Road's MRES website forPTA website and the additional details about the events and news listed below.
PTA and School News
- PTA Meeting March 9 / Agenda / Nominating Committee / Open Committee Positions 2011
- 2 New Ways 2 Get the News: MRPTA News & Information Blog / More Resources to Educate Students (Facebook)
- Reading4Fun Night – Purchase Usborne Books / SCA Bake Sale / Read with MR Teachers!
- Budget Information 2011 – Budget Analysis from FCCPTA / CPES Analysis / MRPTA Blog Articles
- Special Education Conference – Fantastic Presenters – Don't Miss It!
- Snow Day Make Up Recommendation to BOS: Add to end of the year and request a waiver
- Dining for Dollars on 3/8, 15 & 22 – Download Your Church Street Pizza Coupon(s)
- International Night Doll – Decorate with your family's cultural heritage
- Order your Year Book online or send your order form to school by March 12
- Nominate A Virginia Super Teacher for an Award by March 5!
- School Supply Kits -- MR PTA School Supplies Program, Coming Soon!
- Vienna Parks & Rec Club Phoenix – Spring Break Camp for children ages 6-12
PTA Monthly Calendar
| Monday | March 1 |
| Tuesday | March 2 |
| Roadrunner Review March Edition | |
| 8-9am | FLEX Spanish Level 1, Grades 1-3 |
| 3:45-4:45pm | Mad Science |
| 6:30-7:30pm | Dr. Seuss/Reading 4Fun Night |
| Wednesday | March 3 |
| 8am | Chess Club / Yearbook Club |
| "The Energy Show" Assembly | |
| Thursday | March 4 |
| 8am | Fitness Warriors K-2 |
| 8-9am | FLEX Spanish Level 1, Grades 4-6 |
| 8am | Guitar Club |
| 3:45-4:45pm | Mad Science |
| 3:50-4:50pm | FLEX Spanish Level 2, Grades 2-6 |
| Friday | March 5 |
| 8am | Fitness Warriors 3-6 |
| Deadline | Nominate a Marshall Road Teacher for an Award by Today! |
| Spirit Day | |
| UPCOMING | |
| 3/8 | Dining for Dollars "Church Street Pizza", March 8, 15, 22 – bring your coupon! |
| 3/9 | PTA meeting 7pm-8:30pm, MR Cafeteria |
| 3/10 | Deadline to Return International Night Doll Cut Out (to be sent home 3/2) |
| 3/11 | Partners in Print, for grades K-2, from 6-7pm |
| 3/11 | ArtSmart Docent Meeting |
| 3/12 | Yearbook Orders Due |
| 3/18 | Spring Picture Day |
| 3/18 | International Night, 6:30pm |
| 3/29-4/2 | Spring Break |
| 4/9 | Third Grading Period Ends |
Adapting school budgets to lean times means making cuts - washingtonpost.com
Adapting school budgets to lean times means making cuts - washingtonpost.com: "Regarding the ongoing struggle of counties to balance budgets and keep their decent school systems:
It is in the nature of unions and parents to keep the pressure up, to push and push for more. The only effective counterbalance is for county leadership to freeze wages and raise taxes until the budget is balanced."
It is in the nature of unions and parents to keep the pressure up, to push and push for more. The only effective counterbalance is for county leadership to freeze wages and raise taxes until the budget is balanced."
Your schools or your property
Your schools or your property
Local school divisions in the Richmond region are feeling like a rattlesnake bit them twice.
First, Tim Kaine cut state money for K-12 education by $83.3 mllion for eight Richmond area localities in the budget year that begins on July 1. Ouch! Then, Bob McDonnell discarded his predecessor’s one-year shield from changes in the state formula for distributing school money—another $17.6 million bite for seven of the localities. Double-ouch!
Local school divisions in the Richmond region are feeling like a rattlesnake bit them twice.
First, Tim Kaine cut state money for K-12 education by $83.3 mllion for eight Richmond area localities in the budget year that begins on July 1. Ouch! Then, Bob McDonnell discarded his predecessor’s one-year shield from changes in the state formula for distributing school money—another $17.6 million bite for seven of the localities. Double-ouch!
Hundreds protest proposed education cuts
Hundreds protest proposed education cuts: "Singing along with Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It,“ hundreds of teachers, schoolchildren and supporters rallied at the state Capitol yesterday to protest proposed cuts in K-12 education. The rally, the brainchild of an Orange County school bus driver, drew educators from counties across the state, such as Hanover and Henrico, Pulaski, Westmoreland and Fairfax."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
