Today’s Top Picks:
State Superintendent Larry K. Shumway announces plans to retire at year’s end.
http://goo.gl/8pwSh (SLT)
and http://goo.gl/gpPRT (SLT)
or http://goo.gl/Vg4i1 (USOE)
New report finds many Utah districts among the lowest-spending in the nation.
http://goo.gl/BpZJe (SLT)
or a copy of the report
http://goo.gl/jRLcl
Business leaders want to ramp up technology education.
http://goo.gl/xd9jl (SLT)
and http://goo.gl/um3kB (DN)
and http://goo.gl/ytcKI (KUTV)
and http://goo.gl/TOcmo (Utah Business)
Congratulations to Mueller Park Junior High, National Junior High School of the Year.
http://goo.gl/h5uB1 (OSE)
Congratulations to Canyon Crest Elementary (Provo), Dixie Sun Elementary (Washington), and Quail Hollow Elementary (Canyons), 2012 Blue Ribbon Schools.
http://goo.gl/kDOXr (ED)
Those of you who have any interest in education public relations practices today (ENR is guessing that’s himself and upwards of up to three other readers of this e-mail) may find this case study from Idaho interesting.
http://goo.gl/0wR1M (Statesman)
Yonkers, NY, looks at an interesting new way of raising capital funds.
http://goo.gl/M56aP (WSJ)
What happens when you are in Denver schools and have banned the use of the No. 18 for clothing because of the 18th Street Gang, but then the Broncos hire a new quarterback who happens to wear the No. 18?
http://goo.gl/TQcAq (Denver Post)
Being seen with a book in your hand? Gaaah. It’s almost as bad as being seen with your mom at the mall.
http://goo.gl/cOh5l (London Telegraph)
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TODAY’S HEADLINES
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UTAH
Utah top school official to retire
His time was marked by wilting funding, debates on testing.
Utah school districts dominate national list of low-spenders Schools » Large districts spend less in Utah than elsewhere.
Coalition formed to push Utah education reforms Labor » Goal is to create a workforce to support larger technology sector.
Mueller Park earns national recognition
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizes 269 Schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools
SEP Conferences Help Ensure Student success
Midvale Elementary starts school year in a new building Morale boost » More light, air conditioning bring smile to faces of kids and teachers.
Community Learning Center connects the dots for West Valley residents All together now » New programs help bring together students, parents, teachers.
Utah students sharpen reading skills while learning current events
New LHS administration bleeds purple
School district introduces four administrators
In Salt Lake City’s low-income schools, access to technology at home a challenge Education » Comcast donates computers to students at Edison Elementary.
Jordan students file suit over UHSAA transfer decision Prep football » Californians were ruled ineligible earlier this week.
Cache Valley high-schoolers performing ‘Les Mis’ on big stage this month
Teen sentenced to 30 days for Uintah High smoke bomb incident
Utah Youth Smoking At 5.9 Percent, All-Time Low
School supply lists
Patriot assembly
School Picture Day
OPINION & COMMENTARY
Paying for Grades: What to consider before promising your kids cash for A’s
The Solution to Virtual Schools is to Open Them (Part II)
Obama Warns of Ed. Cuts, Touts Vision on K-12
Romney’s radical vision for education
His voucher plan could transform the way we organize and fund public schools.
A caveat on reading fiction in school
Why kids hate school — subject by subject
Key Steps to Improve Access to Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
NATION
Luna seeks 5 percent more for Idaho schools
Idaho schools chief Luna becomes subject of Wiki war
From the convention: Denise Juneau says Montana not interested in tying teacher evaluations to test scores
City Courts Investors to Fix Schools
Yonkers, N.Y., Considers Unusual Partnership to Fund Renovations; Health Clubs After Kids Go Home.
Student May Face Suspension For Actions Off School Grounds
Peyton Manning’s popularity muddies school district’s ban on numbers
Children ‘too embarrassed’ to pick up books, study says Fewer children are reading in their spare time because of the “embarrassment” of carrying books in front of friends, according research.
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UTAH NEWS
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Utah top school official to retire
His time was marked by wilting funding, debates on testing.
State Superintendent Larry Shumway plans to retire after three years as Utah’s top education official — a time marked by debates over academic standards and testing and a recession that strained schools here and nationwide.
Shumway is expected to officially announce his retirement Friday, but he said Thursday night that it was his decision to leave the post, and he’s doing so simply because he felt the time was right.
“There are a lot of reasons, mostly personal,” Shumway, 58, said of his decision to retire, effective Jan. 1. “I’ve just loved working for the state board and serving the state board. Our relationship has been strong, but one just arrives at a decision that it is the right time to go to whatever might be next in one’s life.”
http://goo.gl/8pwSh (SLT)
http://goo.gl/gpPRT (SLT)
http://goo.gl/Vg4i1 (USOE)
Utah school districts dominate national list of low-spenders Schools » Large districts spend less in Utah than elsewhere.
Utah is home to seven of the 10 lowest-spending, large school districts in the country, according to a report released Thursday.
The report, released by Govistics with the Center for Governmental Research, revealed that a school district in Meridian, Idaho, had the lowest per-pupil spending in the country in 2010. The report examined school districts with at least 25,000 students.
Utah dominated the rest of the list. The Canyons, Nebo, Granite, Davis, Alpine, Weber and Washington school districts spent the least on students compared to other districts of the same size in the U.S.
The Canyons District was the second lowest-spending, large district in the country, spending about $6,886 per student in 2010, according to the report. That was less than a quarter of what the highest-spending district in the country, the District of Columbia, spent in 2010: $29,409 per student.
Utah, in general, has the lowest base per-pupil spending in the country, largely because of the state’s high proportion of kids to adults.
http://goo.gl/BpZJe (SLT)
A copy of the report
http://goo.gl/jRLcl
Coalition formed to push Utah education reforms Labor » Goal is to create a workforce to support larger technology sector.
Business leaders and government officials on Thursday announced formation of a joint effort to create a detailed plan for improving education in Utah and building a coalition that will push the changes through the Utah Legislature.
The initiative is aimed at improving science, technology, engineering and math education with the goal of creating a workforce that will make the Wasatch Front into one of the top areas of the nation for technology companies and the good-paying jobs that they bring.
Utah has the lowest per-pupil spending on K-12 education in the nation, and Chet Linton, CEO and president of the School Improvement Network of Midvale, said part of the discussions will be about adding additional resources to the system.
http://goo.gl/xd9jl (SLT)
http://goo.gl/um3kB (DN)
http://goo.gl/ytcKI (KUTV)
http://goo.gl/TOcmo (Utah Business)
Mueller Park earns national recognition
BOUNTIFUL — The contributions of students, teachers and administrators at Mueller Park Junior High helped the school earn the distinction of National Junior High School of the Year.
The award — bestowed by the National Association of Middle School Principals — was recently presented to Principal Joyce Jones, along with a $1,500 check from Lifetouch, a crystal trophy and a school banner.
http://goo.gl/h5uB1 (OSE)
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Recognizes 269 Schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today recognized 269 schools as 2012 National Blue Ribbon Schools based on their overall academic excellence, or for making progress in improving student academic achievement levels. Secretary Duncan was joined by Arlington Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Murphy for the announcement at Arlington Traditional Elementary School in Arlington, Va.
The Department will honor approximately 219 public and 50 private schools at a recognition ceremony on Nov. 12-13 in Washington, D.C. In its 30-year history, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed this coveted award on nearly 7,000 of America’s schools.
http://goo.gl/kDOXr (ED)
SEP Conferences Help Ensure Student success
ST. GEORGE — The first Student Education Plan conferences for elementary schools in the Washington County School District were held August 29-30 in an effort to unite students, teachers, and parents in setting academic goals for the school year.
According to Jamie Andrew, third-grade teacher at Sandstone Elementary, the goal is to arrange a conference with each parent, teacher and student to discuss the child’s academic strengths and weaknesses and establish a plan. Good communication between parent, teacher and student can better guide the student in the correct direction towards educational success.
“SEP meetings are very important so that teachers can inform the parents early in the year the levels their child is on in different areas,” Andrews said. “This way an individual plan can be laid out and everyone is aware of the areas the student needs to work on.”
http://goo.gl/d7YnN (SGS)
Midvale Elementary starts school year in a new building Morale boost » More light, air conditioning bring smile to faces of kids and teachers.
Last school year, Midvale Elementary bid farewell to the facility it had used for 61 years, but students and teachers now have a new school they can comfortably move into.
“I can’t think of a school being built in a nicer location,” said Justin Pitcher, Midvale Elementary assistant principal. “It’s amazing that they can build such a beautiful school in such a short time.”
The new school, 7852 S. Pioneer St., sits only three blocks away from the old one and shares an educational campus with Midvale Middle School. This marked the first completed construction project funded with money from a $250 million bond approved by voters in 2010.
http://goo.gl/HXTjh (SLT)
Community Learning Center connects the dots for West Valley residents All together now » New programs help bring together students, parents, teachers.
Rebecca Tesch knows that in education, it’s easy to play the blame game. So in June, the third-year principal of Granger Elementary opened her school’s doors to a new center to educate the community and increase accountability.
Before partnering with the United Way of Salt Lake, the Salt Lake Community Action Program and the West Valley community to establish Utah’s 26th Community Learning Center, Tesch said it was common to point fingers because people felt isolated in their efforts. Now, she said, the partners know their roles and know they have the support of the other collaborators.
http://goo.gl/SJLzj (SLT)
Utah students sharpen reading skills while learning current events
SALT LAKE CITY — Thursday was National Read a Book Day, and to honor the occasion KSL News is spotlighting an effort that’s bringing a reading resource to every Utah student. You may have seen this in your child’s school: the Deseret News’ Connect 123.
“I write about books and try to encourage kids to read in my column,” said Kate DeGroot, a sixth-grade student at Fox Hills Elementary school.
Degroot is the book reviewer for the Deseret News Connect 123. It’s a free, current events reader that goes out to 200 schools — nearly 90,000 Utah students — each month.
http://goo.gl/wt1dV (KSL)
New LHS administration bleeds purple
LEHI — Dress them in super hero duds or football gear and uniforms, the four Lehi High School administrators would have the same effect as their current outfits of business garb and ties.
They are a team and their stance, their connectivity and grins, communicate that they work well together. Principal Dave Mower and his assistant principals Christian Smith, Aaron Barth and John Hanks got a head start on getting to know one another while overseeing the Alpine School District’s summer school program at Lehi High.
http://goo.gl/zCrGJ (PDH)
School district introduces four administrators Record-Courier
The Douglas County School District has started the new school year with some new and familiar faces stepping up into key leadership positions.
…
Joining the leadership team in the district office as special services director is Christi Hines-Coates.
Hines-Coates has been an educator since 1997. She recently worked for the Shelley School District in Idaho as special services/federal programs director, and for the Granite School District in Salt Lake City as associate director of special education compliance.
Prior to her stints in Idaho and Utah, she worked for the Lyon County School District for 12 years — as a special education teacher, an assistant principal, and special services director.
http://goo.gl/7Uq5g (Gardnerville, NV Record-Courier)
In Salt Lake City’s low-income schools, access to technology at home a challenge Education » Comcast donates computers to students at Edison Elementary.
Teacher Melanie Clayton is careful when she assigns homework that involves Internet research to her fourth-grade students.
For many students in Utah, going home to log online is a given: Access to a laptop for school projects is as commonplace as having a bed to sleep in or food to eat.
But that’s not the case at Edison Elementary on Salt Lake City’s westside, where Clayton teaches. Of the approximately 638 students enrolled at the school, 94 percent are categorized as economically disadvantaged, 87 percent are minorities and close to 70 percent of the student population are English language learners.
http://goo.gl/ZNL6a (SLT)
Jordan students file suit over UHSAA transfer decision Prep football » Californians were ruled ineligible earlier this week.
A pair of transfer students from high schools in California have not given up their fight to play for the Jordan High School football team this season.
Clifford Betson and Dynamite-Jones Fa’agata both filed lawsuits in 3rd District Court on Thursday. The lawsuits seek to allow the two players to compete during this season.
The Utah High School Activities Association, which was named as the defendant in the complaints, issued a unanimous decision earlier this week that both players were ineligible. Part of the hearing panel’s decision was based on the group’s finding that signatures on the hardship paperwork had been forged.
That finding is at the heart of the two players’ lawsuits.
http://goo.gl/iHEdF (SLT)
http://goo.gl/Q5Iok (DN)
Cache Valley high-schoolers performing ‘Les Mis’ on big stage this month
The curtain went up on “Les Miserables: School Edition” on Thursday night at the Ellen Eccles Theater.
Presented by the newly reorganized and rechristened Top of Utah Entertainment — formerly known as Cache Valley Regional — the production includes a cast of 130 singers and performers under the age of 19.
http://goo.gl/QO3Nd (LHJ)
Teen sentenced to 30 days for Uintah High smoke bomb incident
VERNAL — A 16-year-old boy has been sentenced to serve up to 30 days in a secure detention facility for igniting three canister-style smoke bombs inside Uintah High School.
The sentence came after the teen admitted to allegations of attempted aggravated arson, assault and criminal mischief in connection with the Aug. 22 incident at the school, according to 8th District Juvenile Court records.
http://goo.gl/XYROU (DN)
Utah Youth Smoking At 5.9 Percent, All-Time Low
Fewer Utahns are lighting up. A new report released by the Utah Department of Health shows youth smoking in the state is at its lowest recorded level. Amy Oliver, Marketing Manager for the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, says Utah’s teen smoking rate has been cut in half over the last 13 years.
“In 1999 we had an 11.9 percent youth smoking rate and today we have a 5.9 percent youth smoking rate, so we’re seeing pretty significant drops,” she says.
http://goo.gl/ahKnr (KCPW)
School supply lists
Parents of Mountain Trails Elementary School students are invited to review school supply lists for their children’s classes on line at the school website accessible from Alpine School District website: www.alpineschools.org.
http://goo.gl/c1qgt (PDH)
Patriot assembly
Eagle Valley Elementary School students will remember Patriot Day on Tuesday with a recognition assembly.
http://goo.gl/Ug0Jl (PDH)
School Picture Day
Sept. 13 is school picture day at Lehi Elementary.
http://goo.gl/VWmaz (PDH)
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OPINION & COMMENTARY
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Paying for Grades: What to consider before promising your kids cash for A’s Deseret News commentary by columnist Katie Harmer
Our take: Parents want their children to succeed in school. But when children are struggling academically, is it appropriate to give them a financial incentive? Here are some questions parents should ask themselves from Time Magazine.
As the school year begins, family conversations may turn to how friends spent their summer break, the back-to-school fashions that are hot this year and oh yes, grades. While talk about vacations and blue jeans wont generally cause conflict between family members, grades can be a tough topic especially if a childs performance in school doesnt meet his or her parents expectations.
When it comes to grades, I also hear a great deal of debate among parents about how to motivate their kids to do well in school. What surprises me is that for some, the carrot isnt as much orange as it is green. When a friend of mine recently admitted to paying her son for good performance when he was struggling in school, her choice was met with mixed reactions from our other friends, ranging from disbelief to praise.
http://goo.gl/DZl2p
The Solution to Virtual Schools is to Open Them (Part II) Education Week commentary by columnist Justin Reich
I’m writing a short series of posts on virtual school policy, and this series starts and culminates with a policy recommendation: states should give preference to virtual schools that make a commitment to Open Education policy and to sharing their curricula and other innovations with the world.
…
Another option, as I introduced in my first post, is to give preference to applicants that make a commitment to Open Education. One of the best ways to ensure that school founders have the civic mission of schooling as their core focus is to show a legislative and regulatory preference for “Open Policy,” a commitment to using openly licensed Open Education Resources and a commitment to sharing any materials created by the school under a Creative Commons or other Open license. The national exemplar of this right now is the Open High School of Utah which has a commitment to using Open Educational Resources and shares their resources under an open license.
http://goo.gl/BomRN
Obama Warns of Ed. Cuts, Touts Vision on K-12 Education Week commentary by columnist Sean Cavanagh
Charlotte, N.C. – President Obama argued that his economic policies would do more to protect the needs of students and schools than those of his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, in a speech Thursday night in which he accepted his party’s nomination to pursue a second term.
Obama’s address at the Democratic National Convention stuck mostly to broad themes articulating his view of government’s important role in society—a role which includes supporting a strong education system, and the needs of impoverished students within it.
“I refuse to ask students to pay more for college, or kick children out of Head Start programs,” Obama said, offering a list of programs and services that might otherwise get cut, “all so those with the most can pay less.”
The line was a jab at Romney, whose polices Democrats believe favor low taxes for the wealthy over other priorities, and those of his running mate, Paul Ryan, who as a member of Congress from Wisconsin proposed deep cuts to discretionary spending.
http://goo.gl/CCDaH
Romney’s radical vision for education
His voucher plan could transform the way we organize and fund public schools.
Los Angeles Times op-ed by Jonathan Zimmerman, professor of history and education at New York University
As schools around the country open their doors for the fall term, here’s a quick end-of-summer quiz: Which major presidential candidate has offered the most radical proposal to change public education?
And here’s a hint: It’s not Barack Obama. Emphasizing high-stakes tests and charter school expansion, Obama has simply continued — or accelerated — the policies handed down by George W. Bush in his signature education reform, No Child Left Behind.
By contrast, Mitt Romney has put forth a plan that could completely transform the way Americans organize and fund public schools. And that’s why it has little chance of being implemented any time soon.
I’m talking about Romney’s little-noticed proposal to allow poor and disabled students to use federal funds to enroll in new schools.
http://goo.gl/e0Ozo
A caveat on reading fiction in school
Washington Post commentary by Daniel Willingham, professor and director of graduate studies in psychology at the University of Virginia and author of “Why Don’t Students Like School?”
The Common Core Standards for English Language Arts call for a significant dose of non-fiction reading in support of reading comprehension. That requirement has led to some puzzlement (and (Ron Charles) occasional indignation). Can’t kids gain knowledge of the world from fiction as well? Information about science, history, technology, civics, geography, etc?
The answer is “they can and they do.” But there is an important caveat on this conclusion. Beth Marsh and her colleagues offer an excellent summary of this research in a new article published in Educational Psychology Review.
The advantage of fiction is that the narrative can engage students, transport them into the story. The fear is that readers will assume that information in fiction is true, whereas fiction may well contain inaccuracies. We don’t expect fiction to be vetted for accuracy the way a non-fiction source would be. (Certainly Hollywood movies are notorious for playing fast-and-loose with the truth.)
Isn’t it possible, then, that these inaccuracies would be later remembered by subjects as true?
Yes.
http://goo.gl/VJthn
Why kids hate school — subject by subject
Washington Post commentary by Roger C. Schank, John Evans Professor Emeritus of Computer Science, Psychology, and Education at Northwestern University
Recently an article I wrote about why algebra is useless and shouldn’t be taught in high school was published on The Washington Post’s Answer Sheet blog.
The hate mail that followed (written mostly by math teachers) was unbelievable. Most accused me of being irrational and incapable of thought, and stated that math teaches people to think. This is pretty funny because if math is supposed to teach one to think, as they argue, they might have looked me up and discovered that not only was I a math major in college, but I was also a professor of computer science.
Of course, it is not only high school math that I oppose. I believe that every single subject taught in high school is a mistake. This will surely infuriate teachers, but teachers are not my enemy. It isn’t their fault. They are cogs in a system over which they have no control. I believe there are many great teachers, and I believe that teaching and teachers are very important.
http://goo.gl/eXDRV
Key Steps to Improve Access to Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a well-established federal program that provides school children with a nutritious lunch every school day. In recent years, free and reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches have been especially beneficial for children from low-income families that are struggling to afford nutritious food in the midst of a severe economic downturn. The program is also a reliable source of nutritional support for particularly vulnerable children, such as children in foster care or who are homeless, runaway, or migrant, all of whom are automatically eligible for free meals in school.
The school lunch program has a strong track record of serving eligible children; children in households with income at or below 130 percent of the poverty line are eligible for free meals and children in households at or below 185 percent of the poverty line are eligible for reduced-price meals. But some eligible low-income children still miss out on meals that could foster healthy development and learning. Thanks in part to policy changes in recent years, school meal programs have made gradual progress in simplifying the enrollment process with the goal of reaching more eligible children. Still, some families are unaware of the program or face other barriers to participation such as complex forms or limited English proficiency. Even among children who are eligible for free school meals without having to apply, as many as one in seven fail to receive certification.
State and local program administrators can take steps to improve program access for eligible children in several key areas. This paper highlights helpful resources and describes six key opportunities for advocates and program administrators to ensure that all eligible children are certified quickly and easily for free or reduced-price school meals:
http://goo.gl/SuCQn
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NATIONAL NEWS
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Luna seeks 5 percent more for Idaho schools
(Boise) Idaho Statesman
Ninety percent of the requested $64 million boost over the current public schools budget will go to boosting salary and benefits for teachers and other school employees, state schools Superintendent Tom Luna said Thursday.
Total teacher compensation will go up by 5 percent, he said, about the same percentage as the overall budget.
But much of that increase would come from the state’s new pay-for-performance plan that is up for repeal on the Nov. 6 ballot, along with two other education measures championed by Luna.
http://goo.gl/ZyCpi
Idaho schools chief Luna becomes subject of Wiki war
(Boise) Idaho Statesman
Melissa McGrath, the image-maker for Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, went to the University of Maryland journalism school. There, she learned to be wary of Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia written by anonymous volunteers.
Last week, McGrath, a former colleague of mine at the Statesman, ignited a battle among Wikipedia editors after she signed on — using her true name — to rewrite Luna’s Wikipedia profile.
“I was always taught to never use Wikipedia as a reliable source,” said McGrath, who is paid $69,922 to speak for Luna. “But there are thousands of people that use it every day, so I do feel it’s important that we ensure as much correct information as possible is out there.”
McGrath made numerous edits, removing a false claim that Luna is the only U.S. superintendent without classroom or administrative experience and paring snarky and opinionated passages about Luna and his “Students Come First” laws. She also added her own touts of the boss.
http://goo.gl/0wR1M
From the convention: Denise Juneau says Montana not interested in tying teacher evaluations to test scores
Hechinger Report
Denise Juneau, Montana’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, took the stage at the Democratic National Convention Wednesday to speak highly of President Obama’s views on education – even though she doesn’t always agree with him. Juneau, the first Native American woman to win a statewide election, also spent some of her speech talking about other ways Obama has helped Native Americans.
The Hechinger Report caught up with Juneau to find out more about what’s going on in Montana and what she liked and didn’t like about Obama’s first four years.
http://goo.gl/Ix0IQ
City Courts Investors to Fix Schools
Yonkers, N.Y., Considers Unusual Partnership to Fund Renovations; Health Clubs After Kids Go Home.
Wall Street Journal
Officials in Yonkers, N.Y., are looking to partner with investors to raise $1.7 billion for renovating the city’s crumbling public schools, in an unusual approach to education funding that is being watched by other cash-strapped school systems.
U.S. school districts traditionally finance infrastructure improvements by issuing bonds backed by local tax revenue, and they routinely maintain facilities through their operating budgets. The Yonkers school district, which sits just north of New York City, is weighing plans to contract with investors to pay for improvements and maintenance for as long as 30 years on more than three dozen school buildings with an average age of 73.
In exchange, the investors would receive a steady stream of payments from the city and the state—which helps fund the district. The investors also might be able to use school facilities after school hours for profit, sharing any proceeds with the district.
http://goo.gl/M56aP
Student May Face Suspension For Actions Off School Grounds
KWTV
NEWCASTLE, Oklahoma – A Newcastle High School student may face disciplinary action from the district for something that happened off school grounds.
Parents of the teen say the high school is crossing the line in what is now being called a case of bullying. The question the school must answer for itself is, what is bullying?
There are anti-bullying laws in Oklahoma that compel school districts to identify the problem and do its best to end it. However, the problem is the laws are broad and up for wide interpretation.
http://goo.gl/MjVM2
Peyton Manning’s popularity muddies school district’s ban on numbers
Denver Post
Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos’ future Hall of Fame quarterback, may be the toast of Colorado as the team prepares for its season opener, but students in the Greeley-Evans School District better not wear his jersey to class.
For several years, the district has imposed a strict dress code that forbids students from wearing certain clothing that could be associated with gangs, including jerseys with the No. 18, which could represent the city’s 18th Street gang.
The issue hasn’t been a problem until this year, when the Broncos signed free agent Manning, who has worn No. 18 throughout his NFL career. It is also the most popular jersey in the country, according to NFLShop.com.
“Now, all of a sudden, it is a big deal,” said Roger Fiedler, district spokesman who Wednesday was responding to multiple media requests about the jersey flap. “Until yesterday there haven’t been any concerns raised about our dress code.”
http://goo.gl/TQcAq
Children ‘too embarrassed’ to pick up books, study says
Fewer children are reading in their spare time because of the “embarrassment” of carrying books in front of friends, according research.
(London) Telegraph
Figures show a gradual year-on-year drop in the number of eight- to 16-year-olds choosing to pick up novels outside school.
Data published by the National Literacy Trust shows that just three-in-10 now read every day in their own time compared with four-in-10 seven years ago.
Many children are also turning their backs on other forms of reading, including magazines and websites, it was revealed. The popularity of comics has almost halved since 2005, figures show.
Researchers warned that young people were increasingly shunning texts in favour of other activities such as television and games consoles.
http://goo.gl/cOh5l
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CALENDAR
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USOE Calendar
http://tinyurl.com/5x9oh9
UEN News
http://www.uen.org
September 7:
Utah State Board of Education meeting
8:15 a.m., 250 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
http://www.schools.utah.gov/board/Meetings/Agenda.aspx
September 13:
Utah State Charter School Board meeting
250 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City
http://1.usa.gov/Axtt5K
September 18:
Executive Appropriations Interim Committee meeting
1 p.m., 445 State Capitol
http://goo.gl/E0hoC
September 19:
Education Interim Committee meeting
2 p.m., 30 House Building
http://le.utah.gov/asp/interim/Commit.asp?Year=2012&Com=INTEDU
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