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Website of the Week
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This website is sponsored by James Patterson and helps teachers find
great books to recommend for their students emphasizing "page turner" books
that get kids hooked on reading for life.
Read Kiddo Read
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PEN of Florida
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PEN Website
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Welcome Back to School
Welcome back to school! For those of you whose first week back with students was
this week, I hope that everything went smoothly and you are off to a great
start for the 2009-2010 school year.
This email has the latest in education related news as well
as a featured website of the week that might be useful to you in your classroom
and any PEN related news you may need to be updated on.
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The financial state of our K-12 schools
By LINDA TRIMBLE and KENYA WOODARD
Staff writers
The
ailing economy has taken its toll on school budgets around Florida. As debate
continues on whether the recession is over, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
asked Volusia School Superintendent Margaret Smith and Flagler County schools
Chief Financial Officer Tom Tant about their financial forecasts for the new
school year.
Read more
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Stimulus Funds Are
Schools' Stopgap
By Michael Alison Chandler
Washington Post Staff
Writer
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The largest-ever infusion of federal cash is flowing into public school classrooms this year in the form of new programs and thousands of restored jobs. The stimulus package -- $100 billion over two years -- comes with similarly sized expectations. The Obama administration is hoping the historic investment will spur reform, boost student achievement, help close achievement gaps and turn around struggling schools.
Read more
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SAT scores out: State average below
nation's; local counties mixed
By Colleen Wixon Updated 12:31
p.m., August 25, 2009
About
58 percent of the state's seniors took the Scholastic Aptitude Test last year,
with scores slightly improving overall.
The state's average, which rose
by 1 point to 1,475 out of a combined 2,400, was below the national composite
score of 1,509. The college entrance exam tests students in reading, math and
writing. Colleges use test results as a way of determining admission, but
Florida students also can use scores as an alternative way of earning a diploma
if they have not passed the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.
Read more
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False Information about PEN--Getting the facts straight.
Some organizations have been spreading false information
about PEN to teachers. Other
teacher organizations know that if teachers hear about what great coverage PEN
offers at a third of the price, their membership could drop significantly.
Just to clear the air, here are some of the rumors and false information that is sometimes used to scare
teachers into joining another organization.
False: PEN cannot represent teachers at their school, only the teacher's union can represent teachers.
Truth: Florida is a right to work state. This means that you do not have to belong to the union to teach in Florida. It also means that it is your right as an American citizen and a Florida resident to choose who you want to represent you. You have a right to representation and the right to choose who you want to represent you. PEN is able to represent you and has been representing our members successfully for the past 14 years.
False: PEN members have to pay for their legal fees upfront and then if they are found not guilty, they will be reimbursed.
Truth: PEN members DO NOT pay any OUT OF POCKET expenses. The PEN attorneys are paid directly from the insurance company
If you are told differently, please contact the PEN office immediately
(800-311-7770) and we will take the appropriate legal steps to correct
this misinformation.
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Now Accepting Campus Representatives for the 2009-2010 School Year
PEN is accepting campus reps for the 2009-2010 school
year. As a campus rep, you serve
as the PEN contact for your school.
For each new teacher you recruit, you receive $25.
If you are interested or
for more information, email Lindsey Bailey at Lindsey@penfl.org
or call the PEN office at 800-311-7770.
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