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Up FrontThis section is a unique view of Trends, Facts, Innovators, Wisdom, Research, First 5 Years, News, Quotes, and Humor Terminated PromisesCalifornia has money, but not for school children.
Or a more grown-up rule: Don't break the law. But educators are fiercely campaigning to teach him those lessons—better late than never. The promise was to restore the billions of dollars he "borrowed" from public schools in 2004 to close a gaping budget deficit. That money was guaranteed by a public ballot, but Gov. Schwarzenegger struck an agreement with the education community to borrow the cash and pay it back when state revenues picked up. Now, state revenues are up. But the governor won't pay. The schools are out $3.1 billion. How much is that? Enough to "keep 100 schools open that are slated to be closed, save class size reduction in all K–3 programs and extend that program to the fourth grade, [and] provide twice as much professional development for teachers," according to state schools chief Jack O'Connell, who has joined the California Teachers Association (CTA) and parents in a lawsuit to get the money back. Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, is sponsoring a voter initiative that would let him off the hook permanently. CTA's 800-member governing body has voted for a special levy of $60 per member for the campaign, because sometimes it's expensive to teach kindergarten rules to grown-ups. Waste notAt Thanksgiving, tables are heaped with turkey and dressing, while garbage bags are stuffed with the leftovers—and we don't mean the makings of sandwiches, but rather the boxes, bags, and other packaging of a great meal.
With those totals in mind, teachers all over are teaching green lessons during lunchtime, sometimes with the help of activists at www.wastefreelunches.org. At Marvista Elementary in Normandy Park, Washington, Michelle Baca's students have packed their pb&j's in recyclable foil and carried their chips in reusable plastic containers on "waste-free Wednesdays." Leftovers were fed to the classroom worms, and used milk containers were rinsed out and saved for art and science projects. "Parents got the hang of it," Baca says. "We had no garbage!" For that, perhaps, we should be thankful.
Upfront on HurricanesKatrina's and Rita's VictimsWill feds let schools focus on helping?
In order to let schools focus on the first, NEA President Reg Weaver is urging federal officials to let up on the second. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said she would do that, but more flexibility is still needed. Schools greatly damaged or closed by the hurricanes will get a one-year reprieve from sanctions for failing to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP) rules. And schools that took in evacuated children can request a waiver to remove their scores from AYP tabulations. To date, however, Spellings has failed to extend "highly qualified" rules for teachers and paraprofessionals displaced by the storm. Meanwhile, the Administration has moved quickly with its conservative priorities—like a voucher plan to use federal tax money to educate Katrina evacuees in private schools.
Fear and Downloading
We want you to share your experiences with cyberbullying with us, and also your solutions. Please send us an e-mail at neatoday-reply@list.nea.org. In the meantime, some strategies for the classroom include these actions:
Hitting the RoadBusting up Privatization
No sick leave was just one of the many problems that North Little Rock's bus drivers and mechanics spotted in the dismal bids from private companies hoping to snag transportation services in their Arkansas district. Other lowlights included lackluster retirement savings plans and drastically reduced health insurance, as well as proposals that would have cut the quality of service provided to students. Drivers who fell behind schedule while waiting a few minutes for late students would have been docked pay, and aides on special education buses were up for grabs. With only a month to campaign, education support professionals did what they do best—hit the road. Aided by the North Little Rock CTA and the state Association, drivers and mechanics spoke out against privatization to parents, churches, and civic groups. Last spring, they won a unanimous school board vote. Their road map to victory started with NEA, which provides a strategy guide to stopping privatization, available at local UniServ offices. "We just worked it!" says proud North Little Rock UniServ Director Peggy Nabors.
Learning to TeachFor new teachers, making the transition from student to teacher often isn't easy. For veterans, it's difficult to maintain the same level of passion and interest after years in the classroom.
The Halecreek mentors require their interns to help develop lesson plans; attend professional development and after-school staff meetings; meet with parents; coordinate service projects with students; and actually take over and teach for a minimum of three weeks. "It provides university students the opportunity to learn from world-class teachers, and it gives educators another opportunity to teach," said Jason Salhaney, president of the Romulus Education Association.
Tell Us MoreLounging AroundDoes your teachers' lounge have a special chair to rest your weary bones? Is it decorated like the inside of the Enterprise? Who's still hiding shag carpet and vinyl tables? We want to hear about the special touches that make your lounge unique and wonderful, and a great place to hang out and laugh, cry, and share. Tell us about them, please, at neatoday-reply@list.nea.org.
Celebrate Public Schools
As you plan this year's celebration, rely on NEA's online toolkit, which includes great activity ideas, resources, templates, and downloadable materials, including an AEW poster available in both English and Spanish, at www.nea.org/aew. Plan something fresh for every day, including:
Photos: Calvin Knight, Steve Cole, C Squared Studios, Stockbyte, Photodisc, SW Productions, Brand X Pictures |
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California is a trend-setter, so it's bad news for all Americans that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger didn't learn an important rule taught in kindergarten: Keep your promises. 
The so-called No Child Left Behind law has opened the door for hundreds of private tutorial companies, such as Kaplan and The Princeton Review, to earn federal tax dollars in school districts that failed to make "adequate yearly progress." In 2003, those districts funneled about $300 million to private tutors; but this year, they're expected to rake in more than $900 million.
Now imagine how much waste is tossed out after the daily banquet in your school cafeteria! On average, each student produces a whopping 45 to 90 pounds of disposable lunch waste a year. 
Caring for Hurricane Katrina's and Rita's youngest victims is a complex and difficult task—but so is complying with the strictures of the so-called No Child Left Behind law (NCLB).
It's bad enough to be pushed on the playground. Now victims of bullies also can be chased through the Internet—with malicious messages, humiliating homepages, and other technological taunts. Called "cyberbullies," these new high-tech tormentors use information technology to deliberately harass, threaten, or intimidate, and they represent a growing problem among youth worldwide.
What do you think?
Don't plan on getting sick. Ever. 
A report from the Annenberg Risk Survey of Youth reveals the rate of card playing for cash has jumped dramatically among young men. In 2004, 11.4 percent of male students said they hold 'em and fold 'em at least once a week—an 84 percent leap in one year. 
Combine the two problems and you get one solution—a mentorship program like Halecreek Elementary's in Romulus, Michigan, where about a half-dozen Western Michigan University students learn their trade every semester at the hands of the pros.
This month: Cafeteria worker Debra Sperry of Pueblo, Colorado, dishes up the best ways to feed the masses during the holiday season. 
BAG AND FLIP. Cook turkey in a roasting bag to keep it from drying out—crucial to cooking a big bird for a big brigade. Also, flip the bird. (Not to your mother-in-law!) Turn the turkey upside down because broth keeps the breast moist. In general, a 16- to 20-pound bird serves 24 guests and takes four to five hours to cook. For 30 guests opt for a 20- to 24-pound bird, and roast for five to six-and-a-half hours. 
In his letters, John Steinbeck wrote that there is one story in the world, "and only one," of humans caught in a net of hunger and ambition, good and evil—and that is the Biblical story of Cain and Abel, the basis of his powerful 1952 novel East of Eden. Within that story can be found a half-dozen or more archetypal plot motifs, including the classic detective's tale or the story of the innocent victim, suggests a new textbook, The Bible and Its Influence, released in September. The book, produced by the Bible Literacy Project, aims to familiarize high school students with biblical language, literary forms, plot lines, and characters so they can better understand art, literature, and culture. It's a touchy topic, isn't it? Bible study in public schools immediately raises questions of Constitutionality, but organizers have a ready answer. If the Bible is taught academically, "not devotionally," and if the students aren't engaged in the practice of religion, then it's all kosher, so to speak. For more information, see 
Put on your party hat, pin up your poster, and kick-off American Education Week on November 14 with parents, community members, and all members of your school's staff. This year's theme, "A Strong America Starts with Great Public Schools," reflects NEA's vision for public schools that help students to grow, prosper, and achieve, and in turn, strengthen America. 
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