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August/September Letter

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome back to school! As your liaison to the Florida Department of Education, I am here to provide you with information on programs and legislation affecting teachers. I will be contacting you on a monthly basis via email in order to give you the latest information on a variety of topics. I also have added many new features to the Just for Teachers website. In addition to instructional, financial, and wellness resources, you can access information on recent changes in legislation, televised interviews of education officials, search DOE paperless communications & technical assistance memos, and access DOE press releases. You can also search the Florida School Indicators Report for a variety of school, district, and state education data. Feel free to visit the Just for Teachers website at your convenience for all kinds of resources designed to keep you informed about what’s happening today in Florida public education.

August/September Highlights:

  • Increase in Lead Funds
    Effective this year, the Legislature has increased its allocation for teacher lead funds from $100 to $250 per classroom teacher. The term "classroom teacher" includes certified teachers employed on or before September 1 of each year whose full-time job responsibility is the classroom instruction of students in kindergarten through grade 12, and full-time media specialists and guidance counselors who serve students in kindergarten through grade 12. School district personnel employed in these positions are eligible for the classroom materials and supply stipend.
  • Sunshine Connections
    This fall, more than half of Florida’s districts are connecting to this web-based portal providing immediate and interactive access to classroom management tools, student performance data, instructional strategies, lesson plan sharing & alignment with standards, curricular materials for all subject areas, professional organizations, and even professional development & enrichment opportunities unique to your needs. This is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education and Microsoft. All Florida districts will be connected in a series of three phases. Districts in Phase 2 are connecting this month. Coming soon to your district.
  • Breaking a World Record: Reading Aloud
    Next month, on September 28th, Florida’s middle school students will have the opportunity to attempt to break the Guinness World Record™ for the most people reading aloud simultaneously in multiple locations. The record is currently held by the United Kingdom. The event will be simulcast on the Florida Channel. You can also connect to the Florida Knowledge Network’s live web cast! Have schools in your district signed up to participate? Make sure that your district is in on the record breaking event!
  • Florida Future Educators of America
    Are you looking for a great club to sponsor? This is a wonderful opportunity to promote teaching to our students as well as to give them an inside look at what it takes to become a teacher. To help you get started, there are free handbooks available for all school levels. The DOE also provides free posters, membership cards & certificates. The handbooks provide suggestions for activities and events, club forms, and other useful tips. There is also an annual Florida Future Educators of America conference in January 2007 as well as a regular newsletter. Many districts provide stipends for sponsoring clubs. Ask your school administrator about starting a Florida Future Educators Club at your school.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest
    Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grades are invited to participate in the fourth annual Florida Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest. The essay contest is the first in a month-long schedule of events planned to commemorate Florida’s Hispanic heritage. The contest is open to all Florida students in kindergarten through 12th grades. One winner will be selected from each of the three grade-level categories, elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a full four-year tuition scholarship to a Florida college or university of their choice, provided by lead essay contest partner, the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST), September 16, 2006.

If you cannot find the information that you need on the web site, please feel free to email me at justforteachers@fldoe.org. I welcome suggestions for additions to any of the resource areas as well as for forums which you would find useful. Coming soon, I will be asking for your feedback via discussion groups and online surveys. I also accept invitations to give presentations and speak with colleagues around the state.

Best Regards,
Nicole