Spring Cleaning the Safe and Healthy Way
At this time of year, many families start to change over their closets from cold- to warm-weather clothing, give the house a good airing and cleaning, and pull out the garden tools for the summer. Whatever tasks make up your spring cleaning, make sure you do them safely.
Protect against falls when taking things down or putting things up on shelves by using a sturdy step ladder. Get one that has a hand rail at the top. For outdoor work, such as gutter cleaning, get professional help. If you must do the work yourself, ensure you have a sturdy ladder and an even surface on which to place the supports. Work with another person who can hold and steady the ladder while you're working.
When lifting and moving items, squat and lift with the legs to avoid straining the back. When moving large furniture, ask for help. Take out drawers if you need to; not only will this lighten the load, but also it will give you a chance to clear out unwanted items.
If you need to use chemical cleaners, ensure you follow the directions and wear protective clothing, if necessary. But consider "cleaning green" to keep potentially harmful substances out of your home and the environment. For example, cleaners that have "fragrance" as an ingredient often contain phthalates, which are asthma-inducing toxins.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Legislation Calls for Voluntary National Standards
On Tuesday, January 9, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut and Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers of Michigan introduced legislation that would establish voluntary national standards in math and science. The Standards to Provide Educational Achievement for Kids (SPEAK) Act would amend the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) by Directing the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) to develop rigorous, voluntary core math and science standards for grades K-12 anchored in the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Providing grants to states that meet NAGB content criteria and adjust teacher certification and proficiency levels to match. Allowing the Secretary of Education to extend NCLB's implementation requirements for participating states.
Aimed at standardizing proficiency targets in math and science, the bill
(S. 244/H.R. 325) comes on the tails of legislation introduced on
January 4, 2007by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, chair
of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
As reported in the January 9th issue of This Week in Washington, Kennedy's
legislation calls for state academic standards to be aligned with international
standards and would require states to align standards with college entrance
requirements but does not call for national standards.
On Tuesday, January 9, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut and Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers of Michigan introduced legislation that would establish voluntary national standards in math and science. The Standards to Provide Educational Achievement for Kids (SPEAK) Act would amend the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) by Directing the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) to develop rigorous, voluntary core math and science standards for grades K-12 anchored in the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Providing grants to states that meet NAGB content criteria and adjust teacher certification and proficiency levels to match. Allowing the Secretary of Education to extend NCLB's implementation requirements for participating states.
Aimed at standardizing proficiency targets in math and science, the bill
(S. 244/H.R. 325) comes on the tails of legislation introduced on
January 4, 2007by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts, chair
of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
As reported in the January 9th issue of This Week in Washington, Kennedy's
legislation calls for state academic standards to be aligned with international
standards and would require states to align standards with college entrance
requirements but does not call for national standards.
House to Consider Reducing Interest Rates on Student Loans
On Wednesday, January 17, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5, the College Student Relief Act of 2007. The bill, introduced on Friday with 209 cosponsors (218 votes are needed for passage), would cut interest rates in half on need-based federal college loans over the next five years.
According to REP. George Miller of California, chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, "Once fully phased in, these cuts would save the typical borrower, with $13,800 in need-based federal student loan debt, $4,400 in savings over the life of the loan." Miller said, "Tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities have risen 41 percent—after inflation—since 2001. The typical student now graduates with $17,500 in total federal student loan debt. According to past estimates from the Department of Education, as many as 200,000 would-be students are forced to delay or forgo attending college altogether due to the cost."
National PTA supports legislation and programs, such as federal grants to students and other forms of financial aid, that foster an economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse student population. Public benefits, such as increased economic growth and productivity, justify greater federal support for increasing access to postsecondary education for all citizens, particularly for those students who, due to financial constraints, would not otherwise enroll.
On Wednesday, January 17, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5, the College Student Relief Act of 2007. The bill, introduced on Friday with 209 cosponsors (218 votes are needed for passage), would cut interest rates in half on need-based federal college loans over the next five years.
According to REP. George Miller of California, chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, "Once fully phased in, these cuts would save the typical borrower, with $13,800 in need-based federal student loan debt, $4,400 in savings over the life of the loan." Miller said, "Tuition and fees at four-year public colleges and universities have risen 41 percent—after inflation—since 2001. The typical student now graduates with $17,500 in total federal student loan debt. According to past estimates from the Department of Education, as many as 200,000 would-be students are forced to delay or forgo attending college altogether due to the cost."
National PTA supports legislation and programs, such as federal grants to students and other forms of financial aid, that foster an economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse student population. Public benefits, such as increased economic growth and productivity, justify greater federal support for increasing access to postsecondary education for all citizens, particularly for those students who, due to financial constraints, would not otherwise enroll.
National Endowment for the Arts’ Grants for Arts Projects
Application guidelines for the next round of Grants for Arts Projects are now available on the NEA's website at www.arts.gov/grants/apply
Organizations may apply under the following categories:
1) Access to Artistic Excellence:
To encourage and support artisticexcellence, preserve our cultural heritage, andprovide access to the arts for all Americans. Anorganization may request a grant amount from $5,000to $150,000. Two deadlines: March 12 and August 13, 2007
2) Challenge America:Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants:
To support projects that extend the reach of the arts tounderserved populations. Grants are for $10,000. Deadline: June 1, 2007
3) Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth:
To advance arts education for children and youth inschool-based or community- based settings. An organization may request a grant amount from$5,000 to $150,000.
Deadline: June 11, 2007.
Community Foundation of Dutchess County’s Partnership in Education (PIE) Teacher GrantsDutchess County Pre-K – 12 teachers in parochial, private/independent, and public schools areeligible to apply. The purpose of this program is to recognize the important contributions teachersmake to a community, and to make funding available to teachers for professional development opportunitiesor special projects completed with their classes. Awarded in four categories: General, Writing,Marionettes/Puppets, and Community Service.Guidelines and application available onlineat http://www.communityfoundationdc.org/
Application guidelines for the next round of Grants for Arts Projects are now available on the NEA's website at www.arts.gov/grants/apply
Organizations may apply under the following categories:
1) Access to Artistic Excellence:
To encourage and support artisticexcellence, preserve our cultural heritage, andprovide access to the arts for all Americans. Anorganization may request a grant amount from $5,000to $150,000. Two deadlines: March 12 and August 13, 2007
2) Challenge America:Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants:
To support projects that extend the reach of the arts tounderserved populations. Grants are for $10,000. Deadline: June 1, 2007
3) Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth:
To advance arts education for children and youth inschool-based or community- based settings. An organization may request a grant amount from$5,000 to $150,000.
Deadline: June 11, 2007.
Community Foundation of Dutchess County’s Partnership in Education (PIE) Teacher GrantsDutchess County Pre-K – 12 teachers in parochial, private/independent, and public schools areeligible to apply. The purpose of this program is to recognize the important contributions teachersmake to a community, and to make funding available to teachers for professional development opportunitiesor special projects completed with their classes. Awarded in four categories: General, Writing,Marionettes/Puppets, and Community Service.Guidelines and application available onlineat http://www.communityfoundationdc.org/
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Charging Students for Calculators
There have been numerous questions lately regarding the charging of students for calculators. 
School districts can require students to provide their own student supplies. Supplies are defined as something which is consumed in use, loses its appearance and shape in use, is expendable, and is inexpensive. Examples include pencils, pens, paper, etc. Calculators do not fall into this category and must be considered like classroom teaching materials for which school districts are authorized to levy a tax.
The State Education Department requires the use of calculators for intermediate and high school level mathematics and science assessments. To the extent that calculators are a necessary part of the educational program, the school district must provide them. Under no circumstances should students be charged for a calculator or otherwise required to purchase one in order to participate in an educational program.
School districts may purchase, and must still provide calculators, even if operating under a contingent budget if the calculators are required for participation in the educational program.
- from Jean C. Stevens, Interim Deputy Commissioner, NYS Education Department
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/mgtserv/charging_for_calculators.shtml
School districts can require students to provide their own student supplies. Supplies are defined as something which is consumed in use, loses its appearance and shape in use, is expendable, and is inexpensive. Examples include pencils, pens, paper, etc. Calculators do not fall into this category and must be considered like classroom teaching materials for which school districts are authorized to levy a tax.The State Education Department requires the use of calculators for intermediate and high school level mathematics and science assessments. To the extent that calculators are a necessary part of the educational program, the school district must provide them. Under no circumstances should students be charged for a calculator or otherwise required to purchase one in order to participate in an educational program.
School districts may purchase, and must still provide calculators, even if operating under a contingent budget if the calculators are required for participation in the educational program.
- from Jean C. Stevens, Interim Deputy Commissioner, NYS Education Department
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/mgtserv/charging_for_calculators.shtml
Thursday, January 04, 2007
PTA Advocacy Week: February 19-23, 2007
Get ready! PTA National President Anna Weselak has designated the week of February 19, 2007, as PTA Advocacy Week. This special week will be a time for PTA members to meet with their federal, state, and local lawmakers and tell them that children and education should be their highest priorities! The week is scheduled to coincide with federal legislators' district work period, when they will be in their home offices to talk to their constituents.
The PTA national legislation committee, the state PTAs' federal legislative chairs, and the national PTA office's public policy staff will work together to prepare PTAs for the February 19 launch of PTA's yearlong effort to develop child advocates, build a chorus of voices, and strengthen PTA's position as a voice for every child.
[from This Week in Washington, December 12, 2006]
Ok To Play ... PTA and ESRB Video Game Rating System Campaign
PTA joined forces with the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) to launch a national ratings education campaign "OK to Play". The campaign will encourage PTAs to hold meetings to educate parents in their communities about video game ratings, and will be supported on both the PTA and ESRB websites.The campaign is distributing 1.3 million brochures to more than 25,000 PTAs across the nation to encourage and enable PTAs to educate parents about video game ratings. The brochures are available in both English and Spanish.
"Every parent knows how popular video games are these days, but perhaps not as many are familiar with the tools that can help them select games that are appropriate for their children," said Anna Weselak, PTA national president. "Just as with all media, we urge parents to be as involved and informed as they can. The ESRB ratings are informational and help parents to make sensible video game choices for their families."
PTAs began receiving the informational brochures this week, and are encouraged to distribute them to PTA members through their regular programs and events. Additional information on video game safety and the campaign is available online. Visit the Media and Technology section for more tips on managing kids' video game play, television viewing, and Internet use.
PTAs can help promote the OK to Play campaign and raise awareness about video game safety by downloading banner ads and posting them on their PTA and school websites.
[from This Week in Washington, November 22, 2006 ]
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