Do you want an entire generation of children using textbooks that call into question the existence of climate change? Well, we’ve got two weeks to make sure that doesn’t happen. Two of the biggest textbook publishers in the country — Pearson and McGraw-Hill Education — have proposed new social studies textbooks in Texas that include inaccurate and misleading information about climate change. Instead of learning the truth, a generation of students could be reading propaganda like this in their textbook: • McGraw-Hill Education (World Cultures & Geography) – includes information pulled directly from the Heartland Institute, a polluter-funded advocacy group infamous for its anti-climate change propaganda. • Pearson (Social Studies K-5) – Tells students, “Scientists disagree about what is causing climate change.” If those books are approved in Texas on November 21, climate-change denial could find its way into textbooks around the nation. Help convince publishers to correct these problems.

We ask that you move quickly to eliminate the continued yearly tuition increases and use the language of the law in an already deregulated state to speed up the process and avoid potential problems of a weakly written bill.

The School Board aims to finalize a secondary school site by November 18. A choice school at the Wilson site would relieve over-crowding at Swanson and Williamsburg middle schools, while fulfilling community interest in a STEM school feeder to the Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology High School (currently only about 15 of the hundreds of APS students that apply each year are admitted) and/or a language immersion program. APS enrollment has grown by 19 percent in the last five years and is expected to grow at 2.7 percent every year for the next ten years. The Wilson site is just one piece of the puzzle, but preliminary APS analysis found it was likely to be the fastest place to add new seats with best construction value and least disruption to students during construction. Regardless of the first site chosen, APS will continue to plan for renovations and additions at other sites to meet the growing student population.

The children that live in the neighborhood need a safe place to play, climb and explore nature.

We are starting this petition to retain a tenured and recognized member of the faculty who has led a number of projects to encourage women into STEM programs, is a revenue generating professor in a deficit laden school, has an asteroid named after her, and teaches twice as many classes per year as the Physics professors at Orono. Due to the retrenchments put forth by the interim President Flanagan and Provost McDonnell, in December she will be unceremoniously ripped from the Physics program against her tenure and union contract. This decision will not only affect students currently enrolled in the program but will negatively impact the overall quality of education at the university and drive income earners from Southern Maine.

Harding High School has a long history, tradition and legacy that have grown over almost 90 years. We the alumni hold these things close to our hearts since we have worked hard to build that history, legacy and uphold the traditions. We are petitioning those in authority to prevent the renaming of our dear Alma Mater, Warren Harding High.

One day soon, you might be stopped on the street and asked to sign a petition in support of "great new public school option coming into the neighborhood." At the top of the petition, you will also see the words "Success Academy Charter Schools." Here in District 1, we want our schools to reflect our values, cultures, and diversity. Given rising class sizes, rampant overcrowding and inadequate funding, who wouldn't want another great public school? But the Success Academy claim is very deceptive. Success Academy Charter Schools take resources and space from our public schools. What’s more, Success Academy Charter schools do not serve the same number of high-needs students as do our district schools. Our schools, which will lose resources to Success Academy, will enroll even more at-risk students that Eva's schools will not take. Standing up to say no to Success Academy can help protect and support the community schools we already have in District 1. By signing this petition you are telling Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy that we are a strong, united community dedicated to supporting schools that truly serve our needs. Dear Success Academy, THANKS, BUT NO THANKS!

We do not have enough spending in our honors school system. There is about $1 for every honors student a year!

I just started this journey with my children and the more people find out that my son can not participate with kids he has been playing sports, the more shocked they become. I believe many people aren't even aware that this law is in effect, NY being one of 19 states that do not allow HS children to play sports. It is time people become aware of this discrimination!!

Time magazine is about to use its cover to blame teachers for the problems in America’s schools. On Monday, Nov. 3, this cover will be in every supermarket checkout line and newsstand across the country—and it’s already online. Time’s cover misrepresents its own reporting. The Time article looks at the wealthy sponsors of these efforts. And while it looks critically at tenure, it also questions the testing industry’s connections to Silicon Valley and the motives of these players. The cover is particularly disappointing because the articles inside the magazine present a much more balanced view of the issue. But for millions of Americans, all they will see is the cover and a misleading attack on teachers.

Comments by DEA Members -The most agreed upon concept is that the teachers will be a part of the entire Darien Community; attending sporting events, talent shows, dramatic and musical performances. Once a child is involved with a school, they are likely to want to participate in other programs offered by that community, such as little league and CCD. Having teachers know their students’ interests and actually see them participate in programs beyond the classroom, strengthens the relationship and the motivation level of both the students and the teachers. -Our principal had told the grade level leaders that the PTO would appreciate any teachers that could to attend our schools’ talent show on Saturday. The PTO hopes to create a stronger community with the teachers. She explained to them that many teachers spend the weekends with their families and have activities for their own children in the town they live in. While, she would pass on the message to teachers, she wanted them to understand that side. This is a perfect example of how allowing teachers to bring their children would increase teacher attendance at school event and create more community in the school district. Since many teachers cannot afford to live in Darien, most teachers’ kids do not attend DPS- and therefore not as many teachers are available to attend school functions outside of school hours. - Up until 2005, faculty children could attend Darien Public Schools. Policy changed due to increase in enrollments. -Similar districts offer this benefit • New Canaan • Ridgefield • Westport • Greenwich • Weston -Benefits • Incentive for longevity of teacher employment • Attract highly qualified new teachers with additional benefit • PTO’s have requested to build strong community involvement of teachers • It would increase teacher involvement since teachers would attend more events with their own children o Sports teams o Sporting events o Talent shows o Theatre and music events o Turkey bowl o Class Advisor – increase participation o Participation in Committees o Names Day o Tall and small dance o Book fair • Teacher/Child would have same school schedule and snow days • Teachers would have less child care issues and it would free up time to attend more events with their own children within the Darien district. -I think there are many positive aspects to this addition in our contract. I think the key information would be comparisons to the surrounding districts. Many of us have given years of service and dedication to the district, and it would be nice to have some additional benefits to assist us in giving our children a better education. I know it would also be easier for parents to have the same days off, snow days etc. However, I heard (not sure if it’s true) that many years ago when this was intact you could have your child here but then they changed elementary schools every year based on the enrollment numbers per school. I would not like my child switching every year so we would have to make sure that whichever school they were enrolled in they stayed in that school. -Teachers whose children attend school in the district they work in could potentially need to take fewer personal or sick days if their schedules align with their children's school schedule. I often hear of teachers who have to leave early, or stay home to take care of or pick up their children due to school closings, sickness or holidays that don't align from town to town. Also, typically parents are very invested in and dedicated to enhancing the schools and educational programs of which their children are a part of. As teachers, of course we are all very invested in our careers and in making this district the best it can be for the children who attend school here. However, if our own children went to the schools here too it seems that the potential for furthering our investment in this district would be even greater. We may be able to volunteer more often, or work more towards enhancing the programs that are offered here, as opposed to going home to our own towns and volunteering our time there. In these ways, I think the tax payers in the town would be benefitting from teachers being allowed to bring their children to school here. These are all just thoughts and points of discussion that have been brought to my attention during conversations with fellow teachers about this subject, (and with some mothers who live in the town)… Not to mention that I believe many of the surrounding towns allow this… if Darien did too, then it would obviously be attractive to potential new hires. In the competitive area that we live and work in, don’t we want to attract the most qualified new teachers to our district?

Concerned Citizens for Full Day Kindergarten represents community groups within the HV School District. Along with increasing academic instruction, developmentally appropriate full-day kindergarten will offer a more relaxed atmosphere and more opportunities for child-centered, creative activities, as well as more opportunities for developing social skills. Currently, Kindergarten teachers face the challenge of squeezing a full day curriculum into a half day schedule. This means Kindergarteners do not receive the full benefit of the reading and writing curriculum or sufficient exposure to Math, Science, Social Studies, Art and Music. The space, curriculum and budget is there. There is no reason to delay! Let's not let time be the reason kindergartners of 2015 do not get a fair education.