Archive for January, 2009
Let’s talk about ….
Yes, that delicate, three-letter word: S-E-X. More specifically, sex education in our public schools. I’m wondering how the public feels about this somewhat taboo topic. Should sex-ed be taught in our schools? Does it need to be better? Or not discussed at all? I bring up the topic for a story I’m working on about [...]
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Loading ...A snow day – with no snow?
Okay, so it was definitely slippery out there this morning. But canceling school because of some slick roads? Walla Walla Public Schools seems to be alone today in canceling school altogether. Other districts, including College Place and Milton-Freewater, stuck to a two-hour delay instead. Which raises the next question: With four snow days that need [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...R.I.P, WASL
In case you missed the news, the state has a new Superintendent of Public Instruction. Randy Dorn, who was sworn in this week, plans as his first order of business to announce sweeping changes to the state’s assessment, or WASL exam. Although is press conference is still about a half hour away, the gist of [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A guest blogger with a cause
Sixty years ago, Diane Underwood was a student at Davis Elementary School. Three generations later, her great-nephew is now a student there. While the building has changed over time, some things — like a gymnasium from the 1930s — were used by the great-aunt then, and used by the great-nephew today. Diane wants her community [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Some good scholarships
I’ve been compiling a list of scholarships for a few weeks now, and here is a list of some with deadlines. Accenture 2009 Scholarship Program for Minorities: A scholarship for engineering, computer or business college students entering their third year. Deadline to apply in January 31. Applicants must also be African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American or Asian-American. [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Coffee? Anyone?
This report in the NY Times today explains how the country’s third largest school district spent $67,000 on espresso machines that haven’t even been used. The fancy coffee makers — 30 of them — were bought for the district’s culinary arts programs, but to date, only three were being used, just not for the program. [...]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...A lesson for MF?
I came across this story on the Los Angeles Times, and its tale of an unpopular superintendent, a school board on the verge of recall, and the firing of a popular teacher sadly reminded me of the climate in the Milton-Freewater School District over the few years. I wrote earlier this week about a group [...]
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