http://insideschools.org/blog Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:06:09 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en As I type, concerned New Yorkers are protesting the impending "bake sale ban" outside City Hall. Parents, students and educators organized the "bake-in" to voice their discontent with the ban on selling home-baked goods in school fundraisers, while pre-packaged foods, such as Doritos and Pop-Tarts, are permitted. Public Advocate Bill de ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/18/rally-against-the-bake-sale-ban-in-progress/ When I sat down to write this post and found myself instead opening Facebook chat, gazing out the window, and experiencing a general lack of focus, I decided that "senioritis" was the most honest thing for me to write about. It seems that I am not the only one with ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/18/student-voice-is-there-a-better-way-to-do-senior-year/ Dear Judy. My son, who is a senior, is about to drop out of school. He is very frustrated because the school gave him a full day schedule, and classes that he doesn't need and that he is taking with 9, 10 and 11 graders. The school said that ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/17/ask-judy-my-son-has-senioritis/ NYC Green Schools, a parent clearing house on school food and environmental issues, is holding a rally on March 18 from 4-6 p.m. at City Hall, to protest Chancellor's Regulation A-812. The regulation sets out policy for when parents can hold bake sales and what foods can be sold by ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/16/bake-in-rally-at-city-hall/ After approving 19 school closures in January and 16 colocations in February, the Panel for Education Policy will vote on more than a dozen school utilization changes in March and April. Eleven co-locations plans and six school re-siting proposals, which would affect schools in three boroughs, are up for approval ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/15/pep-to-vote-on-more-school-moves/ In last week's poll, we asked how the kindergarten admissions process was treating you. Only eight percent of parents are "all set," while 54 percent share some level of concern. See our recent blog post on the admission process for more information. This week we'd like to know if you'll ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/15/new-poll-school-surveys-are-important-do-you-agree/ Last week, the New York Times reported on a bill just passed in the House of Representatives, to protect school children from certain forms of punishment, including restraint and seclusion (as in solitary confinement). If it becomes law, this legislation will cover children at all schools receiving federal ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/15/classroom-discipline/ The first round of kindergarten applications for the 2010-2011 school year are due today, and already some schools have more applicants than seats available. However, new schools, and rezoning in some districts, may alleviate some of the overcrowding that caused 28 schools to turn 287 kindergarten students away last ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/12/kindergarten-applications-in-will-there-be-space-for-all/ How will the planned MTA cuts to student MetroCards affect education? That's the topic of a City Council hearing on Friday, March 13 beginning at 1 p.m. in Council Chambers. Insideschools student blogger Toni and the NYC Student Union have been actively opposing the cuts; MTA hearings over the past ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/11/city-council-hearing-on-student-metrocards/ Parents who want to serve on the Citywide Council on Special Education (CCSE), or the new Citywide Council on English Language Learners (CCELL) now have until March 19 to nominate themselves. The original due date was March 12. Applications are available online at powertotheparents.org. Paper applications are available through the ... http://insideschools.org/blog/2010/03/11/deadline-to-apply-for-seat-on-citywide-councils-extended/