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Down and out in Yuma
A school in Yuma, Arizona, is so strapped for cash that the principal posted the following message on the school’s marquee: “No money—please donate supplies.” Carver Elementary School principal Debra Drysdale said the message is getting out. Since March, the school has received $500 to $700 in donations from parents, community members and people driving past the school. Drysdale said the school’s funds have been depleted. Teachers are forced to buy their own classroom supplies, and the school is shutting off lights to save money.
No lesson learned
A single mother of three was sentenced to 60 days in jail for allowing her 11-year-old daughter Danielle to play truant. This is the second time that Lisa Walker, of Leeds, England, has been incarcerated for her child’s absence from school. In 2004, Walker served a 56-day sentence, and in 2006, she received a suspended sentence for ongoing violations. Walker’s other two children, Dominic, 20, and Jade, 17, have also missed school. In the latest incident, Danielle attended school only 9 out of 90 school days over a two-month period, even though her home is located only 92 metres (100 yards) from the school.
Toying with nonviolence
Students in Fort McMurray put their creativity on display when they transformed violent toys into nonviolent sculptures. The toys were donated by students at Dr. Clark School and the Prevention of Family Violence and Bullying Coordinating Council. Lynn Rhoddy, a member of the council, said that “violence, like the toys, can be turned around into something nonviolent.” School Councillor Eileen Lucas said the project built students’ awareness. “When I went to a couple of the classes, they weren’t sure why some of the toys were violent. I explained that if they can hurt somebody, they’re considered violent.” Students created sculptures of trees, a bridge, a shield, a peace sign and a disabled man.
Liability lulus
Education authorities in Wales have paid more than a million dollars in claims to students hurt in minor mishaps in schools. More than C$500 was paid to a girl who slipped on a carrot in a school dining room and $300 was paid to another as compensation for slipping on leaves. Being pushed down a grassy hill was worth $400 for one student, and another received $3,000 after getting her finger caught in a door. The largest payout was more than $60,000 to a student who fell off a chair and broke her arm. Source: The Manitoba Teacher, January/February 2009
Lexicon loped
Don’t look to the Oxford University Press’s latest version of its junior dictionary for references to creatures both real and imaginary or anything to do with kings, castles, fairy tales or Christmas. Words associated with Christianity, British history and the natural world have been purged in favour of those reflecting a technological, multicultural and multifaith society. Words such as saint, bishop, abbey, monastery, empire, monarch, hamster, magpie, raven, cauliflower, pasture, turnip, holly, mistletoe, and dwarf, elf and goblin have been excised to make room for terms such as MP3 player, broadband, cut and paste, food chain, database and chatroom.
Teacher sells ads on tests
Faced with California’s ongoing budget woes and increasing costs of school supplies and paper, high school teacher Tom Farber took a drastic step in November and sold advertising space on his school tests. During one parent–teacher gathering, Farber collected $270 in ad revenue. “It’s pretty standard that we don’t have enough money from the state for supplies every year. But this year was the worst ever. This is the first time I’ve ever addressed the budget with parents,” said Farber. Advertisers get one line at the bottom of the first test page. The rate to sponsor a quiz is $10; $20 for a chapter test. The semester final exam is worth $30. Commented Ena Hodzic, one of Faber’s students: “If it’s necessary to provide the test, I guess I don’t mind ads.”
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