Degree Program for Non-Instructional Personnel

A session will be held on Thursday, February 7, 2008, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. in the
School Board Auditorium to provide information for interested employees regarding the
bachelor’s degree program offered through Barry University.

• Evening and/or weekend courses are available in an accelerated 8-week format.
• Participants may apply credits earned through previous college coursework or from learning acquired through a work experience “Portfolio.”
• Information regarding tuition, eligibility for financial aid and M-DCPS tuition reimbursement will be discussed during the session.
• If you need additional information regarding the on-site degree program, please contact Mr. William Chiodo at 305-995-1710 or wchiodo@dadeschools.net

Recycling Program

We will be starting a Recycling Program to promote a healthier environment and generate more revenue to the school. Details to come.

PD Day

Friday, February 1st is a professional development day. To receive master plan points (MPP) for this session you must register by January 30th. The title for the session is Professional Development Day at Parkway Elementary School. The instructor is listed as Lakevia Ford-White.

You may register for this session by clicking onto http://calendar.dadeschools.net or by accessing the professional development portal located on your employee screen. If you need assistance with registering for this session, please inform Ms. Scott.

Grade 3 FCAT Challenge

The Grade 3 FCAT Challenge will take place on Tuesday, February 5 at 1:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. The passage that we will use is "Slip, Slop, Slap." This should be done as a "cold read" and the students should answer all eight questions.

Since there are so many quotations in this passage, we would like the students to number all 18 paragraphs.

If you have any questions, please feel free to see Ms. Fogelson or Ms. Ford-White.





*** Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device.

Social Club Meeting

There will be a social club meeting on Wednesday, January 30 in room 20 at 2:15 p.m..

Math and Science Update

Please clcik the title bar above for this week's update.

P.E. Shelter Update

The construction of our P.E. shelter is on schedule. We requested and will post a picture of what are shelter should look like as soon as it becomes available.

A lab demonstration goes bad

Source: The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)

Two girls were burned in a science lab accident at a school in Ohio. The victims received a $18.9 million settlement from the school for injuries sustained when a the teacher improperly poured chemicals causing a flame during a classroom demonstration. Click the title bar above if you would like to read more about this story.

2009 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Please click on the apple to meet the 2009 Teacher of the Year Finalists.

Social Club Committee Meeting

From Ms. Hope:
We will have a brief Social Club Committee Meeting tomorrow,  January 24, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. in Room 24.
 
Please come with lots of ideas for fundraisers and upcoming events.      

*** Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device.

DIBELS Assessment

The winter DIBELS Assessment will begin on Thursday, January 24. This assessment will be done by the SAME person that tested your class previously. The following areas will be covered this time.

Kindergarten LNF, ISF, PSF, and NWF
First Grade PSF, NWF, ORF
Second Grade NWF and ORF
Third Grade ORF
Fourth Grade ORF
Fifth Grade ORF

If you have any questions, please feel free to see Ms. Ford-White or Ms. Fogelson.

SPOT Success

ALL STAFF,
We are looking to reward students who are doing positive things at Parkway Elementary. For the remainder of the year, please provide me with the names of these students and the reason why they should be acknowledged. There is no limit on how many different rewards are issued to a particular class or student, so please take advantage of this resource.

Below are just some examples.

Works hard in school.
Helpful or courteous to others.
Truthful.
Exhibits good behavior in class or cafeteria.
Completes all assignments.
Attends school regularly and on-time.
Respects School Property.
Performs Community Service.

OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU THINK OF BASED ON YOUR JUDGMENT!!!!!!!!

Please either e-mail me the information or complete the information on the red paper that you will find just above my mailbox and return to me. Again, this school initiative is on-going and will continue throughout the year.

McDonald’s Ends Promotion on Report Cards

Source: New York Times

McDonald's has decided to stop sponsoring Happy Meals as rewards for children with good grades and attendance records in elementary schools in Seminole County, FL. The decision to end the promotions for the program, appearing on children’s report-card jackets, came from executives at McDonald’s USA, part of the McDonald’s Corporation, the world’s largest fast-food business.

The sponsorship, between the restaurant owners and the Seminole County school board, drew national and international attention amid an outcry over childhood obesity and junk food diets because a fast-food chain was tying its products to academic performance. It also generated controversy because McDonald’s USA had agreed to curb its advertising to children in schools.

Voter support eroding for Florida property tax amendment

Source: Sun-Sentinel

Champions of the property tax relief proposal on the Jan. 29 presidential primary ballot face an uphill battle over the next week to win over a large number of undecided residents, a statewide poll of likely voters showed.

The poll of 500 likely voters conducted by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Florida Times-Union found 45 percent in favor of the plan, which is heavily touted by Gov. Charlie Crist. Because it would amend the state constitution, 60 percent approval is required.

The amendment would allow homeowners to keep their tax breaks when they move and would double the homestead exemption on all but school taxes. The average homeowner in Florida would save $240.

Local government officials have united with police officers, firefighters and teachers against the initiative. The opponents charge that the tax changes would result in severe cuts in local services, including police and fire protection.

Crist wants more money for schools

Source: Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Charlie Crist recommended a statewide education budget that would increase, rather than cut, spending on public schools by $1 billion next year.

The governor's proposal was intended to quiet critics who are concerned that if voters approve his tax-cut amendment on Jan. 29, school funding will drop $1.5 billion statewide over five years.

The proposed budget includes $138 million to offset the potential lost revenue if voters approve Amendment 1. It also includes $125 million more for teacher merit pay, $100 million for middle-school physical education, and $847 million for new teachers and new classroom space to meet class-size requirements.

But the spending package relies on local school districts to collect an additional $337.8 million in property taxes next year to pay for the hikes. Under that plan, if property values continue to decline as they have the past couple of years, school boards might have to raise their tax rates.

Muriel Gottlieb

I am sad to announce that Mrs. Muriel Gottlieb passed away on Tuesday January 15. Before leaving Parkway Elementary a few years ago, she taught fourth grade, fifth grade and classes for gifted students.

The funeral service will be held at Lakeside Memorial Park 10301 N.W. 25 St. on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Lakeside Memorial Park at (305) 592-0690

Black History Program

Teachers in grades 3, 4 or 5,
Please provide Ms. Tillman with a list of students who would like to participate in the Black History Program. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled to begin Wednesday, January 23.

Water Problem

Yesterday, during the construction of the shelter, the crew damaged a water pipe.

Because we were worried that we would have no access to the water system, we immediately contacted the District's Response Team and the problem was apparently resolved late last night.
Please inform us if you are having any problems with your sink, bathroom or air conditioner.

School Board Agenda

Please click the link above for this month's school board agenda.

District Checkbook On-line

Source: Miami Herald

The Miami-Dade County Public School District will now be posting its checkbook register online.

The website -- http://checkregister.dadeschools.net/ -- was the brainchild of School Board member Marta Perez. She proposed the idea in May as a way to increase transparency in government.

''Taxpayers are entitled to view how their tax dollars are being spent,'' she wrote in a prepared statement. Visitors to the site can search by vendor and sort by name and amount paid. The district has also set up an e-mail address to field public inquiries about the information.

The Miami-Dade school system is the first district in the state to post its financial records online, Perez said.

PMP Updates

Teachers,

Please submit updated copies of your PMPs with documentation of parental communication to Ms. Johnson no later than Friday, January 25. In addition, please initiate any PMPs for applicable students who were not part of the original monitoring process.

Please see Dr. K if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Mathematics/Science Update

Please click the title bar above for this week's updates.

Reading Reminders

Please click the title bar above for this week's Reading Reminders.

School Climate Survey for Administrative & Instructional Staff

All instructional staff members are asked to complete the School Climate Survey via the internet.
You may access the link for the survey by clicking

http://infopoll.com/live/surveys.dll/f?sid=31387

To assist you with the survey and to ensure confidentiality, by Monday, 11:00 a.m., your ID, password and other information will be given to you in a sealed envelope, titled "School Climate Survey Staff Form."

We would appreciate If you complete this 10 min survey no later than Friday, January 18.

If you have any questions, please see Dr. K.

New Teacher Orientation Make Up Day

Attention: New Teachers and Student Services Personnel!
The Office of Professional Development and the United Teachers of Dade announce
New Teacher Orientation 2007-2008 – Make Up*
Friday, January 18, 2008
7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

You are required to attend the make-up session if you were hired after the fall
orientation in August, 2007.

Please click the title bar above for more information, including location.

FCAT-NRT-SAT Schedule

The 2008 FCAT-NRT-SAT Schedule is now available by clicking the title bar above or by clicking inside the "School Related Links" section located on the sidebar on this blog.

FCAT Writing + Schedule

The 2008 FCAT Writing + Schedule is now available by clicking the title bar or logo above or by clicking inside the "School Related Links" section located on the sidebar on this blog.

After - School Tutoring

Teachers,
Please see Dr. K if you are interested in assisting with our after-school tutoring program. The sessions begin on January 28.

PE Shelter

Construction on our new PE Shelter officially begins today. The construction crew is expected to place a temporary fence. Please see one of the administrators if you have any questions or concerns.

Parent Conference Day

Our second Parent Conference Day will take place on Tuesday, January 15 from 12:15 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Please click the title bar above to attain the memo which looks very similar to the memorandum you received for the first Parent Conference Day a few months ago.

Faculty Meeting Agenda

Please click the link above to access the agenda for today's faculty meeting

DIBELS Testing

DIBELS testing will begin on January 24 and end on Feb. 7.

The same person who tested your students from the last assessment will test them again. If you have any questions, please see Ms. Fogelson.

"Do the Right Thing"

"Do the Right Thing" nomination forms are due to Ms. Schwartz by Thursday, January 10, 2008.

Mathematics and Science Update

Please click the title bar above for this week's mathematics and science information.

School district, teachers reach deal on healthcare plan

Source : Miami Herald

The Miami-Dade County School District and the United Teachers of Dade reached a tentative agreement Monday on how to pay for the rising costs of healthcare insurance.

Under the plan, the district will cover the cost increases until June 30. After that date, employees electing the most comprehensive plan will share part of the expense, district spokesman John Schuster said. The cost of dependent coverage will also rise.

Student Arrival

In order to help ensure a safe environment, all YMCA morning students will now be assigned to room 70 and the cafeteria and the remainder of the building will be locked until breakfast begins at 7:45 a.m. on school days. Please see me if special arrangements need to be made.

Voyager Schedule

Please click the title bar above to access your listed Voyager Schedule.

Spelling Bee - Grade 2

The second grade spelling bee will take place on Tuesday, January 8 at 8:45 in the cafeteria.

Please try to be prompt, and be ready to enjoy a fun filled morning of spelling!!!

Reading Reminders (Grades 3-5)

Please click the link above for this week's reminders.

Cafeteria Assignments

As we begin the 2008 Calendar Year, allow me to thank the many of you who drop off and pick up your students in the cafeteria at the correct times.

Please review with your students the seating arrangements and line order that you established for them in the cafeteria, so we may help make these last three days operate as smooth as possible.

New Jersey teachers claim $49.5 million lottery prize

Source: Associated Press

A group of teachers and secretaries from Morris Knolls High School in New Jersey -- calling themselves the "Lucky 12" turned in a winning lottery ticket for some $45 million in Mega Millions money, lottery officials said today.

The group won half of the $163 million jackpot from the Dec. 18th Mega Millions drawing. They bought the ticket at a Wharton convenience store and chose the cash option, which means they will receive about $49.5 million before 25 percent is taken in federal taxes.