New Regions

By clicking here, you can access the new websites for our four (North, North Central, South and South Central) regions.  The site was still a bit under construction at the time of this post but you can at least attain the contact information and list of schools.

IPEGS Training

Parkway Elementary School will be hosting the two-day, IPEGS Training for interested instructional staff on Monday, August 11 and Tuesday, August 12. Ms. Fogelson will provide more information about registration.

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Senate Panel Votes to Kill Funds for 'Reading First'

Source: Education Week; June 24, 2008

A Senate Appropriations subcommittee voted to eliminate all funding for the Reading First program, as part of a fiscal 2009 spending bill that would provide modest increases for other education programs.

In explaining his panel's decision to zero out the program, the panel cited the results of a preliminary federal evaluation of Reading First, released May 1, which found that the program has had no impact...

Special School Board Meeting

Please click the link to access today's Special School Board Meeting Agenda.

Special School Board Meeting Agenda

Master Schedule

While I know some grade levels have seen drafts of their tentative schedules for the 08-09 school year, note that we have since learned that there will be changes in our allocations for certain types of teachers. This will significantly impact some of the services we wanted to provide next year. Details to Come.

Free Tickets To Universal Studios

Universal Orlando Resort®, in partnership with the Florida Education Foundation, is offering ALL Florida Public School Personnel (PreK-12) the opportunity to experience TWO exciting theme parks -- Universal Studios Florida® and Universal’s Islands of Adventure®... FREE!

For more information, click here

School Lunches To Increase

The price of full-price school lunches will increase by 50 cents.

The measure was intended to help offset the rising price of food. It will not apply to free or reduced-price lunch, district officials said.

Student lunches will now cost $2.25 in elementary schools and $2.50 in secondary schools.

Saxon Training

The Opening of School Saxon Math Training for our grade 1 and 2 teachers will take place on Friday, August 8 at 9:00 a.m. in our media center. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Scott.

Free Tutoring Program

Registration for Miami-Dade Public Library System SMART (Science Math and Reading Tutoring) program is taking place at all branches through July 7. The program will begin Oct. 4 and end on May 16, 2009.
See Full Article:

http://www.miamiherald.com/494/story/573604.html

School Board Agenda

Here is this month's school board agenda.

School Board Agenda

FINS Friday

We are happy to announce that Parkway Elementary School was selected as a participant in the Miami Dolphins Fins Friday Program. The mascot (TD) and other members from the Dolphins Organization will be at our school on Friday, October 17. Details To Come

Crist may expand Florida's online education

Thousands of public-school children across the state may soon be able to go to class without leaving their homes under a far-reaching measure that is now sitting on the desk of Gov. Charlie Crist.

See Full Article:

http://www.miamiherald.com/295/story/558694.html

Gov. Crist Signs New Tougher P.E. Bill

Gov. Charlie Crist has signed a bill requiring Florida elementary schools provide 30 minutes of continuous exercise daily for their students.

http://cbs4.com/local/Mandatory.PE.pe.2.738476.html

Teachers Use Internet To Pay For Supplies

MIAMI (CBS4) Teachers who have had to pay for certain classroom supplies out of their own pockets in the past are now using the internet to drum up support and dollars.

At DonorsChoose.org teachers write out detailed proposals about items they need and explain how they will be used. Anyone who wishes to help out can pay for a portion or for the entire project. The charity behind the website then buys the supplies and ships them to the school.

All donors get an e-card from the teacher, and those who give more than $100 or who give the last amount to fulfill a project get photos and handwritten thank-you cards from students and the teacher.



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School Board Agenda

Please click the link to view today's School Board Agenda.

http://www2.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda.asp

New Deferred Pay Procedures

Current Users of Deferred Pay Option,

Please be advised that we expect the Defer Pay Plan Option information to be included with the payroll checks on Friday, May 23, 2008.  An individualized memorandum for each employee "currently" on Defer Pay, explaining all the changes and requirements will be included, along with calculation examples, other items and the revised Defer Pay Plan Option form. 

Details to come.


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Third Grade FCAT Scores

Florida third graders are about to find out how they did on the FCATs. The Florida Department of Education will release the reading and math scores for 3rd grade on Wednesday, May 21st.

http://cbs4.com/local/fcat.florida.comprehensive.2.728308.html

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District Block of Non-Educational Websites

As all schools approach the end of the school year, the demand on the Internet has reached maximum capacity throughout the county. As a result, action has been taken by the district to immediately cutback traffic to all non-educational sites.

These changes will block sites that will need to be unblocked. The only way to unblock a site is for the user to send an email to Filter@dadeschools.net

An explanation regarding the educational necessity for unblocking the requested site must be included in the request.
Network Services will analyze and unblock all educational sites as requested.

Please submit any questions via Self Service at:

http://selfservice.dadeschools.net Select "Ask ITS A Question" from the drop-down list.

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Alternative Assessment (AAGTP)

As we wait to learn our grade 3 FCAT results, the testing window for the Alternative Assessment for Grade 3 Promotion (AAGTP) will not take place in the fall. Instead, the test is scheduled for the last week of summer school on July 28 and 29, 2008.

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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



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Career Day

Our annual Career Day will take place tomorrow. This will be a rewarding experience for all. Please check Mr. Cascudo's email with the attached schedule.

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FCAT Writing Results

Statewide results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test will be released Thursday, according to the Florida Department of Education. It's the first round of scores to be released this year.

http://cbs4.com/local/fcat.florida.comprehensive.2.718171.html

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FCAT Online?

The Florida Department of Education issued the following guidelines for school districts setting up computer-based FCAT retake exams for high school students. Participating schools must provide specific equipment, facilities and staff.

http://feeds.sun-sentinel.com/~r/sun-sentinel/news/education/~3/284457296/sfl-flpfcatbox0506pnmay06,0,6608005.story

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Teacher ethics bill headed to governor

Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune

The state Legislature just passed the Ethics in Education Act, which gives Florida the toughest law in the nation against abusive teachers.

If Gov. Charlie Crist signs the bill, it would:

* Ban settlements that keep accusations against teachers secret if they quietly leave a school district.

* Withhold the retirement benefits of educators who commit certain felonies against children.

* Require the state to help public and private schools develop educator ethics policies.

* Put more parents and law enforcement officials on the state committee that helps determine the punishment for teachers who commit violations.

Governor Expected To Pass Fla. Anti-Bullying Law

School districts would have to adopt policies against bullying and harassment under a bill that the governor says he anticipates signing.

See full article:

http://cbs4.com/local/Florida.Passes.Anti.2.712950.html

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