Schools to destroy beef in recall of 143 million pounds

Source: Sun-Sentinel

Cases of hamburger patties and meatballs in schools across South Florida must be destroyed as part of the country's largest beef recall caused by the ongoing federal investigation into allegations of animal abuse at a California slaughterhouse.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday recalled 143 million pounds of beef from the Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., in Chino, Calif. The company, which provides meat to public schools nationwide, has been under investigation since Jan. 30, when animal rights activists accused it of mistreating cattle and illegally distributing meat from animals too sick to stand.

Schools await state board's vote on evolution

Source: Miami Herald

Nearly 150 years after Charles Darwin revolutionized biology, evolution will become required study in Florida classrooms if the state Board of Education approves new science standards Tuesday that explicitly names the ''E'' word for the first time. The standards, which haven't been updated since 1996, were written by scientists and educators to modernize Florida's science education curriculum, which has been derided by mainstream science for years, in part for lacking explicit mention of evolution. Now it's not just going to be mentioned. It's to be taught, from sixth grade on up, as ``the fundamental concept underlying all of biology [that] is supported by multiple forms of scientific evidence.''

Read More... <http://www.miamiherald.com/top_stories/story/423070.html>

Health Insurance Impasse Hearing set

UTD and M-DCPS representatives will meet before a Special Magistrate on March 14 at a hearing on the 2008 health insurance. Details to Come.

Rudy Crew named superintendent of the year

Source: Miami Herald

Rudy Crew has been named national school superintendent of the year by the American Association of School Administrators.'

Rudy Crew has demonstrated high-quality leadership in several of our nation's largest public school systems,'' said Paul Houston, AASA executive director. ``From developing innovative school improvement programs to strengthening collaboration with the local community, he has worked hard to improve learning outcomes for all children.''

Welcome Christina Mickens

We would like to welcome Ms. Christina Mickens, Media Clerk to the Parkway Elementary School family.

School chief warns of layoffs

Source: Miami Herald:

By KATHLEEN McGRORY

Citing a bleak revenue forecast from lawmakers in Tallahassee, Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew said Wednesday he would consider laying off schools employees -- perhaps hundreds -- to balance the district's tight budget.At previous budget workshops, Crew had said he would not cut back the size of the workforce.''We are now at a point where if I need to, I will be laying people off,'' Crew told the School Board Wednesday.

Read More... <http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/418582.html>

School Board Agenda

Please click the title bar to view today's agenda items.

New EESAC Meeting Date

Our next EESAC Meeting Date has changed. The meeting will now be held on Thursday, February 21 at 3:15 p.m. in the media center. Please plan accordingly.

Weather Advisory

The National Weather Service is forecasting the possibility of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. The potential exists for isolated tornadoes, along with strong winds of at least 35 miles per hour. Another round of strong to severe thunderstorms could impact the area on Wednesday, February 13, 2007, as a cold front moves across South Florida.

Please prepare accordingly.

Math Bowl

The 2008 Math Bowl will take place from February 19th-February 21st. Use the math qualifying test,grades and teacher judgment to identify the five students that will represent your class. Please complete the attached document given by Ms. Scott and return it to her by Thursday.

Health Care Increase Rejected

Source: Miami Herald

Teachers, classroom aides and other schools employees rejected a deal struck by union leadership and Miami-Dade County Public Schools over increased health insurance costs, union officials said Monday.

The district had agreed to cover all cost increases until June 30. After that, employees who chose the most comprehensive plan would have had to share part of the expense.

But the teachers and other employees voted overwhelmingly against the package, arguing that the extra expense would eat away at their hard-fought raises. Their approval was necessary to set the plan into action.

The district and the union will likely have to hold a hearing before a special magistrate.

EESAC Meeting

There will be an EESAC meeting on Wednesday, February 20 at 2:15 p.m. The issues to discuss will be our initiatives for the second half of the school year.

Student Cell Phone Policy for FCAT

Source: M-DCPS

"Possession of electronic devices may be cause for invalidation" and due to security breaches involving the use of electronic devices that reproduces, transmits, calculates, or records is cause for invalidation.

"Possession" is defined as "within arm's reach," even if the electronic device is not visible. For example, students should not have cell phones in their pockets, clipped to their belts, at their desks, or anywhere they can be easily accessible during testing.

Reading Reminders

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

Mathematics and Science Update

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

Report Cards

Report Cards go out today.

Dade scraps plan to close 10 schools

Source: Miami Herald

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools District has scrapped a plan to close 10 underenrolled elementary and middle schools and use them for other academic purposes, Superintendent Rudy Crew said Thursday.

''In some revenue discussions, we found that there are adequate resources to be able to cover the $9.2 million to keep the schools open,'' Crew told the School Board. ``Knowing that it has been as contentious as it's been, we've removed [the proposal from the budget] so the discussion doesn't have to take place.''

Beef yanked off school menus in South Florida

Source: Sun-Sentinel:

School cafeterias in Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties pulled meat entrees from lunch menus after the federal government closed the California slaughterhouse that provides meat to public schools throughout the country.

School district officials in all three South Florida counties asked food managers to place the suspect ground beef "on hold" to determine if it came from the Hallmark/Westland Meat Co., which is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Clinical Supervison Training

Parkview Elementary has set up a course exclusively for the Norland Feeder pattern teachers. It’s the Clinical Supervision that teachers need in order to supervise interns. This course is rarely offered so it would be a great idea if our teachers could take advantage of this opportunity. The course will be taught by Janet Johnson at Parkview Elementary School from 2:30-5:30 on Wednesdays. It meets for 4 sessions beginning Feb 13. Teachers will get 30 MPP’s

Superintendent's Annual Meeting, Community Workshops

Superintendent Rudy Crew will hold the first of six meetings and community workshops at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, 1410 N.E. 215 Street, on Monday, February 11, beginning promptly at 6:30 p.m.

Evening Parent/Teacher Conference

The Evening Parent/Teacher Conference scheduled for February 19 has been canceled. We will provide more information if it becomes available.

Faculty Meeting Agenda

Our next faculty meeting has been scheduled for February 6^th in lieu of the February 13^th date. Please make plans to attend. Attached is a copy of the agenda.

UTD Bargaining Unit to vote on 2008 Health Insurance

UTD Bargaining Unit to vote on 2008 Health Insurance
Ratification vote for the 2008 health insurance will be conducted throughout M-DCPS worksites on Tuesday, February 5 or Wednesday, February 6, 2008. Click the title bar above for the health options.

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.