NJ Spotlight--Fewer NJ Kids Eating Breakfast at School Means More Hungry Children
State ranks dead last in percentage of schools eligible for federal nutrition funds that actually participate in the program, according to new report
The number of children eating breakfast at schools in New Jersey dropped last year for the first time this decade — a development that concerns advocates who say it means fewer low-income students are getting a meal that research shows boosts their participation in class.
The Annual School Breakfast Scorecard released today by the Food Research and Action Center also shows that New Jersey had the smallest percentage of eligible schools participating in the federal school-breakfast program, dropping from 50th to 51st, including the District of Columbia.
Colleen O'Dea | February 13, 2019
NJ Spotlight--How Are Districts Using State Pre-school Funds?
Officials in two very different districts are figuring out how best to make use of their money from Trenton
Expanding preschool offerings in public schools in New Jersey has been a high priority for Gov. Phil Murphy. Last month, he announced a second round of funding under the Preschool Education Expansion Aid (PEEA) program, which will benefit 2,320 children for the school year starting in September.
Two very different towns are among the recipients of those funds. And officials in each are deciding out how to use their funds to expand the preschool program in their districts.
Berkeley Township in Ocean County got $2.2 million, the highest amount allocated, and Absecon in Atlantic County, the lowest, at approximately $189,000.
https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/19/02/12/how-are-districts-using-state-pre-school-funds/
NJTV News Online | February 13, 2019
Washington Post (via Philadelphia Inquirer)--Could a tax on video games help prevent school shootings? One Pa. lawmaker hopes so.
Seeking funding for school safety measures to prevent shootings, a Pennsylvania state lawmaker is proposing a 10-percent sales tax on violent
Laura McCrystal, Updated: February 13, 2019- 5:20 AM
NY Times--Girls Get Tech. They Just Need Others to Believe It.
New research explores how access to technology helps put girls on par with boys.
“By teaching our girls to code, we’re not just preparing them to enter the work force — we’re preparing them to lead it.”
— Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, a nonprofit that aims to close the gender gap in technology
I have six nieces between the ages of 10 and 19, and over the years, I’ve spent many hours staring at them hunched over small screens, hypnotized by the glowing light and tapping away like mad. So much for quality time with their adoring auntie.
I usually manage to temper my impulse to snatch the device from their fingers, though — in part because I know that being well-versed in technology, particularly as girls, is going to serve them well: Over the last decade, opportunities in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math) have grown three times faster than in non-STEM fields, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Maya Salam| Feb. 12, 2019
Education Week--Teachers Are Turning to Podcasts as an Instructional Tool
Students practice reading, writing, interviewing
When Kimberly Calhoun read through Baltimore City schools' new curriculum, she found an assignment that surprised her: Her kindergartners were expected to podcast.
"The kids are [still] peeing their pants, and they're supposed to be doing this crazy thing," Calhoun said, echoing a response that teachers across the county were sharing on social media.
https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/02/13/teachers-are-turning-to-podcasts-as-an.html
Sasha Jones| February 11, 2019