Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Florida starts virtual school mandate

Source: Miami Herald (Miami, FL.)

Starting next school year, the first generation of Florida students can earn a diploma from their public schools entirely online, without ever setting foot in a classroom from kindergarten through 12th grade.


For more information, please click on the link below.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/education/story/707329.html


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Monday, September 29, 2008

Parents as Volunteers in Elementary Education

Parents are often the first teachers in a child’s life, which is why it makes complete sense that they’re involved in their education on a continuing basis even after the children start attending school. Parent volunteer programs in elementary schools provide interested moms and dads the opportunity to see on a first hand basis how their child copes in the classroom as well as help out with the activities on a day to day basis. Volunteering at your child’s school may seem like a lark, but it comes with its own set of responsibilities. Here’s what you need to know before you sign on for the task:

• Every school has requirements that you must meet before you’re taken on as a volunteer. Make sure you meet these qualifications and that you’re fully aware of what the job entails before you accept the position.
• Your child will be in the classroom, but there’s no guarantee that you’re going to be assigned to work with him/her.
• If your child has a problem with you interacting with other children (as children of that age are prone to bouts of jealousy), leading to continuous disruptions in the classroom, talk to your little one and get him/her to behave. If the problem persists, it’s best to drop out with good grace.
• Don’t misuse this opportunity to interfere in the way your child is doing at school. Observe, and help only when you’re asked to.
• Take it in your stride without becoming too protective when you see another parent volunteer or teacher take your child to task for misbehavior or some other form of indiscipline. If you do, you’re sending your child the wrong signal that you’re going to be at hand to bail him/her out whenever a problem arises.
• Set an example by ensuring that you and your child are on time to school.
• Do not attempt to discipline a child on your own; your responsibility is to inform the teacher in charge if there is an issue with a child’s discipline.
• Volunteer for tasks that you enjoy, but take on those that you don’t as well when asked to. It’s elementary school after all, and there’s no reason to pick and choose what you will and will not do.

While volunteering can be loads of fun and give you quality time with your child, there’s a whole lot of stuff you can do from the sidelines even if you don’t qualify to be a volunteer. Find out how you can help from home and contribute to your child’s education in the best way you can, by collaborating and pooling your efforts with that of his/her teacher and the school.

By-line

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the subject of top university of phoenix review. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com

Friday, September 26, 2008

Parent Conferences Canceled


Source: M-DCPS

The 2008-2009 afternoon and evening Parent/ Teacher Conferences have been canceled.

Elementary/K-8 School: October 7, 2008, November 18, 2008, January 13, 2009, & April 28, 2009


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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Fall Interims


Fall Interim Exams will begin on October 20. Details To Come.


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Sunday, September 07, 2008

Tri-Weekly Assessments

Teachers,‬‪ ‬‪

In your mailboxes you will find all of the necessary materials to administer this week's math/science tri-weekly assessment.  These assessments are to be given during your math/science instructional block.  Please place the bubblesheets in my mailbox by Thursday, September 11th, so that I can prepare your data for our grade level meetings. 

The benchmarks that will be covered on the assessments are as follows:‬‪ ‬‪

3rd Grade‬‪

» Comparing Whole Numbers‬‪
» Place Value‬‪
» Addition and Subtraction Relationships‬‪
» Identifying Appropriate Operations‬‪
» Estimation and Rounding

4th Grade‬‪

» Comparing Whole Numbers‬‪
» Place Value‬‪
» Inverse Operations of Multiplication and Division‬ Properties of Numbers‬‪
» Identifying Multiples‬‪
» Rules of Divisibility‬‪

5th Grade‬‪
» Comparing Whole Numbers‬‪
» Identifying Multiples
» GCF and LCM‬‪
» Mixed-Operation Expressions‬‪
» Commutative, Associative, and Distributive Properties of Multiplication‬‪
» Rules of Divisibility‬‪ ‬‪

Prior to submitting your bubblesheets, please complete the following:‬‪

• Erase any stray marks/drawings • Make sure all students have filled-in the bubble next to their name
• Make sure that students use a generic bubble sheet if their name is not listed on the bubblesheet
• Make sure that students have bubbled in an answer for each question and that each bubble is dark ‬

Please remind your students to do their best on the assessments and that this assessment could earn them a spot in Dr. K's 70% club and Ms. Abner's 80 % club.   Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  Thank you for you continued support and cooperation.  

Sincerely, ‪Cisely Scott, Mathematics/Science Coach ‬ ‪


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School is open for Monday, September 8


Source: M-DCPS

All Miami-Dade County public schools, administrative offices, and all work locations will be open, on Monday, September 8, 2008.  Day school students should report to school as scheduled.  After school care will remain open as usual. 

All night school classes, after school activities, practices and athletic events have been cancelled for Monday.

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Friday, September 05, 2008

Hurricane Ike

Source: M-DCPS

Hurricane Ike remains a dangerous storm and is heading in the general direction of South Florida. As a result of the significant uncertainty related to the storm track, a decision regarding potential school closures or cancellation of any events/activities will be forthcoming.

Employees should continue to monitor WLRN-TV Channel 17, WLRN-FM 91.3, and local radio and television stations for updates.  The school district's website www.dadeschools.net and the District's hotline, 305-995-3000, will also provide updated information. We want to ensure that all employees are fully prepared and strongly recommend that all employees take the time this weekend to review their personal preparedness plans.


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Tutoring Update

We are currently servicing 30 grade 4 and 5 students twice a week through our internal tutoring program.

Beginning October 2, approximately 250 of our students will receive the after school tutoring benefit through Supplemental Educational Services (SES) at our site.

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Haitian ELL students

At our request and in order to assist our Haitian ELL students, Mr. Jacques Eddy Fils-Aime will be coming to Parkway Elementary once a week in the capacity of a CCHL Tutor.

Details To Come.

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Thursday, September 04, 2008

Do the Right Thing

"Do the Right Thing" nominations are due to me by Wednesday, September 10th.  Please try to nominate one student from your class.  Please make sure to write at least four sentences about each student that you are nominating.  You can put your completed nomination forms in my mailbox. You were given a nomination form in the "Do the Right Thing" packet that I placed in your mailbox.  There are also extra nomination forms in drawer #19 of the workroom.  Please see me if you have any questions.  Thank you.‬‪ ‬‬


Ms. Sheara Schwartz

Guidance Counselor


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Tuesday, September 02, 2008

SES Fair

The Supplemental Education Services (SES) Fair will take place on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the media center. This will be an opportunity for all of our unsigned but eligible families to have their children participate in this worthy program.

After - School Tutoring

After-school tutoring begins today and will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for selected grade 4 and 5 students. This program will last until September 25, as the SES Tutoring services for all other students will begin on October 2.