Back to school: Shaky economy hits kids

Source: Associated Press

Children will walk farther to the bus stop, pay more for lunch, study from old textbooks and wear last year's clothes. Field trips? Forget about it.

This year, it could cost nearly twice as much to fuel the yellow buses that rumble to school each morning. If you think it's expensive to fill up a sport utility vehicle, try topping off a tank that is two or even three times as big.

At the same time, costs for air conditioning and heating, cafeteria food and classroom supplies are mounting, all because of the shaky economy. And parents have their own tanks to fill.

SEE FULL ARTICLE, Click here.

2008-2009 Budget Public Hearing

Click here for the 2008-2009 Budget Public Hearing Agenda.

Box Tops

Hi Everyone.

In an effort to help improve our school we will begin participating in Box Tops for Education next school year. Please collect as many Box Tops as possible and bring them in at the beginning of the school year. We will have monthly contests for the classrooms that raise the most. Many schools in our community raise thousands of dollars per year (10 cents per top) which can help with supplies and support that will be desperately needed as budget cuts go into effect.

Thank you in advance for your support. You can bring your tops to Ms Sanders at ANY time. If I am out on leave, you can bring them to Ms Rice (just don't tell her yet because I haven't told her..haha..)

Thanks again....Lauri Sanders



*** Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device.

Nationally Certified Teachers Bonuses Could Be Cut

Source: Miami Herald


Money for a state program that rewards nationally certified teachers who help their colleagues win certification could be slashed nearly in half next school year.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/480523.html

Budget Cuts Get Rid Of Part-Time Teachers' Aides

Source: CBS4; Miami, FL.


This week Miami-Dade County Public Schools took another financial hit from

the state to the tune of $29.2 million. It's the latest round of cuts


http://cbs4.com/local/Miami.Dade.Public.2.672396.html

OpenEducation.net

Thomas J. Hanson of OpenEducation.net would like to share some information regarding their view on Governor Crist as it relates to funding education. Click the link below for more information.

http://www.openeducation.net/2008/03/02/crist-stumbles-florida-to-consider-the-65-percent-solution-again/

District may sell WLRN

Source: Miami Herald

Miami-Dade Superintendent Rudy Crew is willing to consider selling one of South Floridas top public radio and television stations -- WLRN -- to raise money for the school district, which has pared tens of millions from its current budget and is facing a $200 million shortfall next year.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/445768.html

School food chief calls for funding

Source: Miami Herald

Miami-Dade schools officials worked the halls of Congress Tuesday in search of money: reimbursement for costs related to last month's massive beef recall, and funds to meet the cost of providing adequate meals for poor children.

Penny Parham, who heads up the food program for Miami-Dade's schools, told a House committee looking at ways to improve the safety and nutrition of school meals that the cost of meat, vegetables and other staples has risen more than 20 percent and the district's milk bill alone has increased by $4.5 million.

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/444449.html

Class Size Extension?

Source: Miami Herald

8:25p

Schools would get two more years to fully comply with class-size limits and then could exceed them by up to five students per class in extreme circumstances under a proposal presented Tuesday in the Legislature.

http://www.miamiherald.com/775/story/444050.html