SchoolFinder Blog

It’s Not Mccain or Obama - It’s Darwin

October 22, 2008 – 1:03 pm by Brendan

 With all the talk about elections going on many people might think their vote for president this year might be the most important vote they make. That may be true, but I usually think the most important vote in any election is usually for the smaller elected offices.With this in mind I urge everyone to call your local county government clerk and ask them for a sample ballot. (You can usually get them online if your county clerk's office is up to speed) This being an education company blog we are going to go straight to school boards. Some states, like my own have school boards up for elections in April so I don't have to worry about this at the moment. Others states, like Texas, will ...

Posted in General, News | No Comments »

Red Ribbon Week - Helping Teens Say ‘No’

October 20, 2008 – 11:06 am by Kim

This year’s Red Ribbon Week has begun, following the same pledge as always – no use of illegal drugs, no illegal use of legal drugs. Schools and groups around the country will participate in Red Ribbon Week to raise awareness about drug and alcohol usage. For those of you who are not familiar with Red Ribbon week, here is a little background information. Red Ribbon week was created to remember Enrique Camatena, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Agent who was kidnapped and brutally murdered. Camatena was responsible for busting a multi-million dollar narcotics manufacturing operation in Mexico, greatly angering several drug cartels who sought revenge on Camatena. To read more about the history of RRW, check out their web site. To date, the Red Ribbon campaign is now the ...

Posted in General, K-12, News | No Comments »

Why Now?

October 17, 2008 – 6:43 am by Brendan

That's it, the only question I really have. Why would a school district in Dallas fire hundreds of teachers, administrators, and staff now.   For most schools we are about half way through the first quarter of school. There are few worse things to do to disrupt education than to pull a teacher out of a class in the middle of the school year. Of course the district then has to replace those teachers either by increasing class size for the teachers left or hiring substitutes. How would you like to hear, "Your child's teacher has been fired, he is now in a class with 40 students and a substitute teachers." I thought I recognized this school district. I wrote about this Dallas district earlier this year. These are ...

Posted in K-12 | 1 Comment »

High School Student Stabs Classmate Over $4

October 16, 2008 – 2:59 pm by Kim

Violence erupted at First Coast High School in Jacksonville, FL this morning as a result of $4 missing from a student backpack. The incident landed one student in the hospital and the other was arrested for aggravated battery. Just image what would have happened if it had been $10 or even $15? Of course I don’t mean to make light of the 15-year-old’s injuries, but I just can’t image stabbing anyone for a missing four bucks. Reportedly, the incident occurred around 10:30 EST this morning on the school’s basketball court. The two boys had an on-going feud over a girl, which then spiraled out of control when it was discovered that $4 was missing from one boy’s backpack. The 15-year-old was stabbed with a steak knife by the ...

Posted in General, Humor, K-12, News | 2 Comments »

Collaboration Cooperation Observation and Videotape

October 16, 2008 – 8:58 am by Brendan

When I first came to teaching I was warned that when I got to the classroom I would be one my own little island. I was told that no other profession in the entire world would take someone fresh out of college and put them in charge of 30 people with so little oversight.It was true. I started as a long term sub in December and I don't think I was observed more than once, if that. I was lucky the next school year I was hired full time, but because of crowding I was a co-teacher between two different classrooms. I was allowed to observe and teach with two experienced veterans. The next year I had my own classroom. I was supposed to have ...

Posted in K-12 | 2 Comments »

Top 10 High School Football Teams

October 15, 2008 – 2:06 pm by Kim

As of yesterday, these are the top 10 teams of U.S. high school football for the 2008-2009 season. All ten teams are currently undefeated. 1. Aquinas - Fort Lauderdale, FL 2. Destrehan – LA 3. Byrnes – Duncan, SC 4. St. Xavier – Louisville, KY 5. South Pointe – Rock Hill, SC 6. Polytechnic – Long Beach, CA 7. Trinity – Euless, TX 8. Wayne County – Waynesboro, MS 9. Centennial – Corona, CA 10. Dorman – Roebuck, SC Also making the top 25 list include Longview High School (TX), Mission Viejo (CA), Northwestern (Rock Hill, SC) and Bastrop (LA), coming in at number 25.

Posted in General, Sports | No Comments »

Chicago to Approve Their First Gay-Friendly School

October 13, 2008 – 11:09 am by Kim

Public school officials in Chicago feel that opening a gay-friendly high school may be the first step toward improving graduation rates and decreasing incidences of harassment toward gay students. According to a survey conducted by the Chicago Public School District in 2003, gay and lesbian students are three times more likely to skip class or miss school because they feel unsafe. Furthermore, high school dropout rates among gay and lesbian students are increasing at an alarming rate, along with more reported incidents of harassment and violence. In response to this issue, the Chicago Public School District will consider adding a Pride Campus to their School for Social Justice. This school will not be exclusive to gay students, but also to any struggling and at-risk students. The Pride Campus ...

Posted in General, K-12, News | 3 Comments »

How to Improve your GPA - Step 1

October 13, 2008 – 10:20 am by Kim

Maintaining a high GPA throughout your middle school and high school years not only helps you form positive study and time management skills, but also helps to improve your chances of getting into the college of your choice. The first step in improving your GPA is to evaluate your weaknesses, including the courses you are doing poorly in and why you may be falling behind in those particular classes. You can do this by asking each of your teachers for an up-to-date evaluation of your grade in their course. This will include how you have scored on past tests and quizzes, how you are scoring on homework assignments and can include participation points as well. Highlight each of the areas you are doing poorly in for each class ...

Posted in General, K-12, Tip of the Week | No Comments »

Educational Gaming

October 10, 2008 – 2:55 pm by Kim

Most people learn best when they don’t feel like they are learning. I think this occurs because you can absorb the most when your mind is relaxed and when you are having fun with something, you are more open and willing to learn. So why not get in some learning time with online games? Below I have put together a list of excellent online puzzles that will help expand your problem solving skills. Pirate Island Chuzzle Fishdom The Rise of Atlantis Magic Match Adventures Jewel Quest 3 Slingo Supreme 7 Wonders of the Ancient World Alchemy Arctic Quest

Posted in General, K-12 | No Comments »

Second Case of MRSA at Liberty High School

October 9, 2008 – 10:49 am by Kim

One week after 18-year-old Alonzo Smith, a football player at Liberty high, died from MRSA, another student has been infected. Officials say that the student is responding well to treatment and that it is likely they will make a full recovery, since the infection was spotted quickly and treatment began early. School officials still do not know the source of the disease and health officials were already called in to clean and sanitize the school. Cindy Lou Hartig, a school board member, says that parents should remain calm, as the school has passed health inspections and is said to be safe and clean. MRSA is a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics, causing skin and other infections. You can get MRSA through ...

Posted in General, K-12, News | 1 Comment »