You Are Not So Smart, David McRaney - 9781592406593 PenguinGroupUSA

http://youtu.be/8qaRHPeBvyo
You Are Not So Smart, David McRaney ~ 9781592406593 PenguinGroupUSA
Click the link above...this is perfect to watch a couple of times!
ENJOY!!

Some Broward schools unwelcoming, parents say

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-broward-unfriendly-schools-20111103,0,2339843.story

By Cara Fitzpatrick, Sun Sentinel

10:44 p.m. EDT, November 3, 2011

Public schools in Broward County are losing too many parents at the door.

Parents, one of the biggest keys to student success, say the unfriendly atmosphere at some schools makes them feel unwelcome and unwanted.

"There's no 'Hello,' no 'How are you,'" said Genny Lingard, a mother of two in Hallandale Beach.

Many parents echoed those sentiments at a series of recent public forums hosted by the Broward School District to learn what it's doing right — and wrong — when it comes to engaging parents. The final forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Coconut Creek High School. 

CLICK THE LINK AT THE TOP FOR FULL STORY from Cara Fitzpatrick, Sun Sentinel Nov.3rd, 2011

First Nationwide TEST of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a TEST~!!!

Tomorrow afternoon November 19th, 2011 is the FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST of the Emergency Alert System. This is only a TEST ~ Help Us Spread the Word. Please Forward as Appropriate.

Thanks!
Tom Linley
Director of Emergency Management and Volunteer Services

Emergency Coordinating Officer - ESF15

The Governor's Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
Elliot Building
401 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee Florida 32301
Office Phone 850-414-2977
Cell Phone 850-528-3641  

Click here for more info.~ http://myemail.constantcontact.com/1st-Nationwide-TEST---Emergency-Alert-System.html?soid=1102946334533&aid=PI0uuNYKBfU

________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION    MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011                                    (850) 413-9969                                                                                    www.FloridaDisaster.org EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS REMIND FLORIDIANS OF THE FIRST NATIONWIDE TEST OF THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM ~TEST to Take Place November 9 at 2 p.m. EST~ TALLAHASSEE -- Emergency Management officials are asking Floridians to take note that on November 9 at 2:00 p.m. eastern standard time, the federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS).  The test will last for 30 seconds. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. The Division aims to ensure that Florida's residents and visitors are aware that this event is only a test, and not an actual emergency alert.  "In conjunction with our local, county and state agency partners, the Division wants to alert all residents to this important event, and make them aware of the significance of this system's ability to deliver emergency notifications across the country," said Bryan Koon, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.  "This test will provide important conformational data on the capabilities of the system should it ever need to be activated for an actual emergency."  Under the FCC's rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system, as well as its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers both nationally and regionally.  The test will also provide the FCC and FEMA a chance to identify improvements that may need to be made to build a modernized and fully accessible Emergency Alert System. The Division, in partnership with local, county and agency officials, encourages residents to use this event as a reminder of the importance of establishing an emergency plan as well as anemergency preparedness kit for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses. For more information about the nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, visit www.Ready.gov. For more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency and to GET A PLAN!, please visit the Florida Division of Emergency Management's homepage: www.FloridaDisaster.org.  Follow us on Twitter atwww.Twitter.com/FLSERT  and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.   ________________________

Parents are NOT GETTING NOTIFIED or INFORMED of SAF / SAC / PTO meetings! ~ If there IS A SAF at all!!

School Advisory Forums aka SAF was put into place for a reason...to be the LINK between PARENTS & the School, District & State things going on.


Today I don't think our PARENTS are being informed of much lately....and all we hear today is all about PARENT INVOLVEMENT!


How the heck can parents get involved in their Child's school and education when Parents are not getting meeting notices with enough time to make PLANS TO ATTEND the meeting or event? 


I know that PRINTING anything and putting into our Children's Backpack is THE NOTICE OF LAST RESORT ~ paper & printing costs prevent paper flyers going home in backpacks anymore! There are lots of other ways to LET PARENTS KNOW in advance of upcoming meetings and dates to put on their calendars, so babysitters can be set-up and plans to attend are on the parents schedule to attend.


I am the SAF CHAIR at my daughters school and it has had its BUMPS-IN-THE-ROAD (literally!!) just setting up our FIRST REAL SAF~School Advisory Forum MEETING!! Informing Parents & the Community of upcoming SAF meetings should be a priority today more than ever! Parent Involvement is the big BUZZ word everyone is talking about today! 


I drove by my daughters school on Friday morning....there was nothing listed on the outdoor school sign about the upcoming SAF / SAC / PTO meeting that was coming up that upcoming Monday evening at 6PM. This could have been done over the weekend, so those driving by the school over the weekend could see the announcement on the school sign and BE AWARE of the upcoming SAF / SAC / PTO PARENT INVOLVEMENT MEETINGS happening at our school on Monday! How is putting the information on the outdoor sign at 11AM the morning of the 6PM evening meeting really giving parents notice and time to make plans to attend good? That is giving 7 HOURS NOTICE...if the parents even see or look at the sign within that small window of time... 7 HOURS...PLaahZeee....really.... 7 hours before the meeting that evening? 


No 1/4 page or 1/2 sheet note came home in my daughters backpack....I did see a note on the Cafeteria door on Friday during the Fall Festival...but what about those that didn't attend the Fall Festival....


While I was at my daughters Tutoring lesson, I received a PARENT-LINK call at 5:25PM ~ A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE SAF / SAC / PTO MEETING!! 


Really....a HALF-HOUR NOTICE parents get an auto-caller INFORMING PARENTS of a meeting in a half hour? WOW!! Thanks for the call!!


Our school has a Facebook page...I saw that close to 7:45PM on Sunday the day before the meetings a post was put on FB...what about the families that don't have internet? How are ALL families being notified of PARENT MEETINGS at your school?


I do believe something DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT HAS TO BE DONE and something different needs to take place...at least at my daughters school....since I have first had knowledge how SITE BASE MANAGEMENT is being handled and how parents are not being notified of upcoming SAF meetings. I know there are many schools that don't even have SAF meetings, because they don't have a SAF CHAIR. SAF is the Parent Voice and the LINK for communication between school and district things going on.


SITE BASED MANAGEMENT IS THE PROBLEM with many of our schools. Schools are SHUTTING OUT PARENTS ON PURPOSE!! Especially the Special Needs Parents & Families......we have no voice...and certainly the ESE Parent Voice means nothing to those that could actually HELP with better SITE BASED MANAGEMENT ISSUES & CONCERNS from Parents!


I can't keep silent any longer about the SITE BASED MANAGEMENT ISSUES that is a common mode of operation now in place at many of our Broward County Schools!

Our New Superintendent, Robert Runcie is doing LISTENING TOURS throughout the Land-of-Broward....hope he's listening! Hope he cares...really cares about those that have no voice....students with very unique learning challenges and their parents caring for them!

THE ONLY THING THAT IS CONSTANT IS CHANGE! 

Broward schools need to CHANGE how they Partner with Parents ~ how they INFORM PARENTS & make Parents Feel Welcomed back on our Children's Schools!

Parent Volunteers are just that....PARENTS...and that includes PARENTS of Special Needs! Let's stop the nonsense and start INCLUDING our Special Needs Parents as Partners in Education!

SAF - SAC - PTO/PTA  Have you been to one at your school?

POLICY 1.3 ~ EVERY School shall have a School Advisory Forum (SAF) that shall foster and promote communication between its stakeholders, the school, and the Area Advisory Council. The SAF shall bring forth recommendations, concerns and interests to and from the Area Advisory Council.

GET INVOLVED in your Child's School....Parents TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS!

Find out WHO IS YOUR SAF CHAIR ! Get Involved! Please take the little SAF~POLL that is on the right hand side of this blog.

Runcie wants to meet and connect with parents and community members to establish a channel of two-way communication and build support

BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEWS RELEASE

DATE:   November 4, 2011        

CONTACT: Nadine Drew, Public Relations & Governmental Affairs, 754-321-2300

Broward Schools Superintendent Plans 'Listening Tour'

        Broward County Public Schools new superintendent of schools, Robert W. Runcie, will be “hitting the road” soon as he conducts a blitz of listening sessions across Broward County. The “listening tour” is part of the kick off his tenure as superintendent of the nation’s sixth largest school district.  

        Runcie wants to meet and connect with parents and community members to establish a channel of two-way communication and build support to improve student achievement and performance.  The perspectives, experiences, opinions and concerns expressed by parents and community members, will be used in developing the next District Strategic Plan.  The listening sessions, to be held at several high schools throughout the District, are open to all parents and community members.

        “In my meetings and conversations with parents, teachers, students, business and community members I’m finding a common theme.  Our school system is Broward County’s biggest asset, and everyone I speak with is tremendously proud of the Broward County Public Schools and the quality of education we provide to our students.  I hope to get our stakeholders’ perspective on that which we do very well and that which we can do better,” said Runcie.

The public is invited to take part in the conversation during one of these sessions. All sessions begin will begin at 6:30 p.m.:

• Monday, November 14 at Fort Lauderdale High School,     1600 NE Fourth Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33305
• Tuesday, November 29 at Blanche Ely High School, 1201 NW Sixth Ave., Pompano Beach 33060               
• Monday, December 5 at Coral Glades High School, 2700 Sportsplex Drive, Coral Springs 33065        
• Monday, December 12 at Hollywood Hills High School, 5400 Stirling Rd., Hollywood 33021  
• Wednesday, January 4 at Coconut Creek High School, 1400 NW 44th Ave., Coconut Creek 33066  
• Monday, January 9 at Flanagan High School, 12800 Taft St., Pembroke Pines 33028
• Tuesday, January 17 at Cypress Bay High School, 18600 Vista Park Blvd., Weston 33332
• Thursday, January 19 at Dillard High School, 2501 NW 11th St., Ft. Lauderdale 33311

###

ABOUT BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is the nation's sixth largest public school system and the largest fully accredited district with over 258,000 students in 234 schools and education centers and 76 charter schools. For more information about BCPS, visit (www.browardschools.com). Follow BCPS on Twitter (@Browardschools). Find us on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/browardschools).

Thoughtful Inclusion in Middle School~is it Happening anywhere in Broward?

This is what I posted on my Facebook Page ~ Nov. 7th, 2011
    ~ Nothing coming in............. 

Nancy Linley-Harris  

‎...any suggestions from teachers or admins out there in Facebook Land that work in a Broward Middle School?..... Which School really is doing Thoughtful Inclusion in a Broward School? .... email me privately  ~  podsangels@bellsouth.net 

My daughter has worked so very hard to 'fit-in' as a unique learner and we are hoping to continue more of the same wonderful stuff.....into 6th grade and beyond! Fully Included.....

~ HELP! ~  I need some suggestions on schools to go visit now...!! ~

Please email me privately at:
My email

THANKS!

*SomeONE....please let me know of at least ONE Middle School that is doing thoughtful INCLUSION of students with Down syndrome.....in the General Education Classroom.................

 ·  · 5 hours ago near Fort Lauderdale

• 
  

  Chris  likes this.
• • 
    

    Chris:  no schools yet? doesn't give us much hope. hmmm will they include her in some classes? :(
    

    2 hours ago ·