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Just for Teachers

October 2007 Newsletter

Message from DOE Teacher Liaison, Nicole Flesvig
Welcome to the “Just for Teachers” October newsletter. I’d like to thank you for reading this issue, and look forward to hearing from you. The feedback that colleagues have provided on the recent “Just for Teachers” Quality Survey will ensure that Florida teachers are receiving their news in a variety of formats that fit individual schedules and lifestyles. Be sure to look for survey results in an upcoming newsletter and on the “Just for Teachers” Web page.

Receiving the “Just for Teachers” Newsletter for the First Time?
Is this the first issue you are receiving? If so, you may have missed out on some valuable resources mentioned in the Back-to-School and September newsletters. While both newsletters contain useful information for all teachers, the Back-to-School newsletter also provides resources for teachers new to the profession. To access these newsletters, visit the “Just for Teachers” Web page.

Teacher and Student Wellness: Is it Midterm Exam Time Already?
As we approach the middle of the semester, many of you may be preparing your students for midterm exams or other assessments. While students and teachers alike may feel some extra stress during this time, remember that it’s important to encourage our students to eat healthy foods, exercise, and get the proper amount rest. We also need to be sure to listen to our own advice and do the same for ourselves. For resources on improving the quality of individual and family life, visit the directory of online wellness resources for teachers provided by the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).

State Board of Education Approves World Class Math Standards
Recent issues of the “Just for Teachers” newsletter have covered the process for revising the Sunshine State Standards. The extensive revision process involves input from educators, parents, researchers, business leaders and others. On September 18, the revised mathematics standards received the stamp of approval from the State Board of Education. These standards are considered “world-class.” What makes them world-class? Responding to calls for clarity, coherence, and minimal redundancy, the Department of Education consulted with national and international experts in addition to teachers, parents, and other stakeholders. Based on their recommendations, the numbers of K-8 grade level expectations were reduced from an average of more than 80 per grade to an average of less than 20 benchmarks per grade, allowing teachers more time to develop creative ways to teach to mastery and students more time to master content and develop problem solving skills. High school benchmarks, previously organized into 9-12 grade bands, now include specific benchmarks for content including, for the first time, Calculus, Discrete Math, Trigonometry, and Financial Literacy standards. The new world-class Sunshine State Standards for mathematics are organized by grade level for grades K-8 and by Bodies of Knowledge for grades 9-12. Download the brochure providing more information on the development of the new world-class Math standards.

Access the complete report and view the State Board approved world-class Math standards.

Florida Budget Update: Special Legislative Session
On October 3, the Florida Legislature began its 10-day special session to adjust the budget. As mentioned in the September “Just for Teachers” newsletter, school districts have been advised to set aside 4 percent of their state funds in preparation for possible cuts. The Department of Education remains committed to minimizing the impact of these cuts on any programs that directly affect students and administrative programs. For additional information during this special session, visit Online Sunshine, the Florida Legislature’s Official Web site, at http://www.leg.state.fl.us.

2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): Florida’s Report
What is the NAEP? Known as the "nation's report card," the NAEP is a congressionally mandated project overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics to continuously monitor the knowledge, skills and performance of the nation's children and youth. Since 1969, NAEP has measured and reported on the knowledge and abilities of America's fourth, eighth and 12th grade students, providing data about students' performance in a variety of subject areas at national, regional and state levels.

How are Florida students doing? Florida again surpassed the national average in both fourth grade reading and mathematics and, for the first time, matched the national average for eighth grade reading. Florida was one of only four states with significant increases in both fourth and eighth grade reading since 2005. Minority students and students with disabilities also met or exceeded the performance of students nationally.

For more information on Florida’s progress and to read the full report, visit http://www.fldoe.org/news/2007/2007_09_25.asp.

Television for Teachers: “Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education”
The new season of “Teacher Talk: An Inside Look at Florida Education” will begin airing October 11. Teacher Talk focuses on Florida teachers and their innovations both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, the show features discussions on hot topics in education, information on legislative changes impacting the K-12 education system and educational resources available to teachers, parents, and students. Topics for the show include the following:

• Teaching to mastery with the new K-12 World Class Math Standards
• A glimpse of the revised Sunshine State Standards and the new Web resource for teachers
• Creative ways to teach elementary science as demonstrated by 2008 Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year, Rick Ellenburg

Opportunities for Students

The Arts for Life Scholarship Program for High School Seniors
The Arts for Life Scholarship Program awards $1,000 scholarships to 25 graduating high school seniors in a Florida public, private or home education school setting who demonstrate academic and artistic excellence in the visual arts, dance, music or theatre. Students must complete an application, provide a sample of work and write an essay briefly explaining the influence of art and its role in their future. Each spring, scholarship recipients are recognized at a reception hosted in their honor by founder and former First Lady of Florida, Columba Bush. The Arts for Life Scholarship Program, administered through The Foundation for Excellence in Education, has recognized the exceptional talents of 192 high school seniors throughout Florida since its inception in 1999. For more information on the Arts for Life Scholarship Program, contact Lisa Kammel Raguso at (850) 345-6284 or lisa@afloridapromise.org. To download an application, visit http://www.excelined.org/.

Teachers in the Spotlight
From time to time, “Just for Teachers” will highlight Florida teachers. To recommend a teacher in your area, send an e-mail to JustforTeachers@fldoe.org.

Rick Ellenburg, Orange County Elementary Science Teacher 2008 Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year
Whether he uses animals, like “Slither” the corn snake, or a cow skull to teach one of his science lessons, Rick Ellenburg’s students can count on him to make science fun and interesting.

“My success as an educator begins and ends each day with the simple philosophy – make learning exciting, meaningful and child-centered. It may not be rocket science, but it will produce a nation of rocket scientists,” said Rick.

This is the guiding principle that Rick, an award-winning science teacher, has been following for the 28 years he’s been with the Orange County Public School System. The K-5 science teacher has a passion for teaching, and it shows in his students. On any given school day, he can be found singing with the kindergarten students as he strums his electric guitar, challenging the third graders to lift him off the floor using a balance, or launching rockets with fifth graders at Camelot Elementary School. Rick will travel the state throughout the year serving as the Florida Department of Education’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, and has created a Web site to share his adventures with colleagues across the state. As Rick visits Florida schools, he plans to share the amazing things he sees and learns with us. You can experience this adventure along with him by visiting his blog at www.RickEllenburg.com. To learn more about the Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year program, click here.

Event Spotlight
For additional events, visit the “Just for Teachers” conference page.

2008 Effective Strategies Institute on Dropout Prevention Call for Proposals and Conference Registration
The 2008 Effective Strategies Institute on Dropout Prevention will be held Jan. 15-18, 2008, at the Daytona Beach Hilton Hotel in Daytona Beach, and will provide a statewide forum for sharing and promoting programs, research-based strategies and best practices that positively impact student achievement. This year’s theme is Get Moving Toward Victory Lane – Graduates are Winners. The Institute will feature four pre-conference workshops with focused concentration on 15 effective strategies for keeping students in school; leadership skills for parents of at-risk students; classroom management; and reducing dropout rates utilizing effective transition strategies. The program agenda includes topics such as dropout prevention, gang awareness, strategies for programs relating to teenage parents, attendance and truancy, English language learners, youth in foster care, exceptional student education, the GED Exit Option Model, data collection and analysis, and other best practices that assist students with grade-to-grade promotion and graduating. The Institute will feature three nationally renowned keynote speakers, including Dr. Krystal Kuykendall, and Retired Lieutenant Colonel Consuelo Kickbusch. The Institute will also feature four pre-conference workshops to include strategies for enhancing the leadership skills of parents of at-risk students. To register and submit proposals for presentation visit http://www.dropoutprevention.org/conferen/conferen.htm#2008_EFI.

National Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13: Lesson Plans & More!
The National Fire Prevention Association and Scholastic have teamed up to offer teachers resources for incorporating lessons on fire prevention into the regular class curriculum. In addition to lesson plans, Scholastic also offers an online game allowing students to earn and print their fire safety badge by helping Sparky the Fire Dog successfully escape from a virtual smoke-filled home. Students can also build an online escape plan and participate in the Great American Fire Drill. The online lesson plans and resources contain printable posters, worksheets, and take home pages. Click to explore these resources. In addition, kids can learn all about fire trucks, fire safety and more at Sparky the Fire Dog’s Web site.

• What is your school doing for Fire Prevention Week?
  The Florida Department of Education is always looking for news about events and success stories. If your school partners with local firefighters, hosts a special event, or makes a point to celebrate Fire Prevention Week, let “Just for Teachers” know about it! Feel free to include photo attachments and any information you would like to share with the Department. Who knows? You may just be the next “Spotlight Teacher” to be featured in the “Just for Teachers” monthly newsletter. E-mail your story to JustforTeachers@fldoe.org.

National School Lunch Week: October 15-19
To highlight the importance of nutrition in the lives of our students, the School Nutrition Association has made available some “Tools You Can Use” to assist schools, teachers, and parents in promoting good nutrition to children nationwide. The toolkit contains puzzles and brainteasers for kids in addition to parent outreach resources and more! Additionally, until October 19, students can vote for their favorite school lunch entrée. To assist your students in voting, visit www.VoteForSchoolLunch.org. To access the “Tools You Can Use” toolkit, click here.

National School Bus Safety Week: October 22-26
The National Association for Pupil Transportation has announced this year’s School Bus Safety Week theme "Be Aware! Cross with Care." The Web site contains a downloadable “Resource Guide and Activity Booklet” and additional information from the School Bus Information Council. For more information and to access online resources visit http://www.napt.org/.

Grants & Discounts
To access a listing of grants and money-saving offers, remember to visit the “Just for Teachers” Web page.

Education Commissioner Search
Did you know that the State Board of Education voted unanimously to select Dr. Eric J. Smith as the Florida Commissioner of Education? The SBE made its decision following a second round of in-depth interviews with the three finalists in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 8. To stay up-to-date on the State Board of Education, visit http://www.fldoe.org/meetings/.

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