Pressured to Perform, Not Pressured to Learn

Too all who have commented on too much homework, I suggest watching this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCcelMT1vPg This is a trailer for a film well worth seeing if you care about your child's education. I was lucky enough to see it last spring; it was sponsored and shown in a Suffolk county school by it's PTA. If you are unhappy about the amount of homework and how your school district handles it, you need to speak up at Board Meetings. Right now, the district's directive is to raise the test grades at all cost. The community must be part of deciding how that can be done. At this point in time my children do not have too much homework, but they are in the lower grades. I do hear from other families that it is often out of control. I also hear about core subject tests being given on the same day. I cannot see the sense in that. It encourages learning for the test and not mastering the material.

Homework.... When is Too Much Too Much? Review, or Learn it Yourself?

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Student Schedule Problems...?": Please list this as a new post. HW- When is there too much HW I have one child in middle school and I find this ridiculous that he spends up to 2hours a day on HW. Some days there is more hw than others. I also have a neice in the high school that also spends up to two hours doing HW. In addition to this, children are encouraged to join clubs, drama, cheerleading, and sports. I look at some of the hw. I wonder sometimes, are the children reviewing what they learned for the day or being given work to learn on their own. I would like to know what other parents opinions are on this .

Teacher's Contracts for 2011?

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Needed: 9th Period. Change the Teacher's Contract": Are the teachers still working with an expired contract? I was under the impression that the contract ended in july. . Maybe Mr. Rosenfeld can enlighten us.

Dear BOE. Please Check What's Going On.....

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Nassau County Pesticide Spraying Schedule": Please post separately Has anyone else noticed that there are certain principals who are always behind closed doors? They are also the same principals who are going for advanced degrees. A lot of school work can be done online. Someone should be checking what they are doing. Also why is it OK that some principals and assistant principals are no shows at school events? Again, someone should be checking what is going on. This should not be tolerated.

Nassau County Pesticide Spraying Schedule

FYI for everyone, The county will be doing ground spraying over the next week or so depending on weather conditions. Below is the current list of areas to be sprayed. While this will not be released from a helicopter, the spray from the rear of the truck does carry. If you have lawn furniture that cannot be brought indoors, make sure you wash it down before using, this goes double for children’s toys and swing sets. See all the instructions below. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 19, 2011 Ground Treatment for West Nile Virus to Begin in Nassau County on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday September 20th, 21st and 22nd Uniondale, NY - Based on the current mosquito trap data, Nassau County Departments of Health and Public Works have recommended that localized truck treatment of adulticide occur at targeted areas in the County. This recommendation is based on the persistent presence of West Nile virus activity at these locations. Weather permitting the current schedule for ground treatment by truck is as follows: Tuesday, September 20th, 7 PM through 2 AM –Sections of Farmingdale, South Farmingdale, North Massapequa, Plainedge, Bethpage, Old Bethpage, Plainview, Hicksville and Levittown. Wednesday, September 21st, 7 PM through 2 AM – Sections of Rockville Centre, Lynbrook, Malverne, Lakeview, Franklin Square and West Hempstead. Thursday, September 22nd, 7 PM through 2 AM – Sections of West Hempstead, Valley Stream and North Valley Stream. Alternate Dates: Monday and Tuesday, September 26th and 27th. Maps of the areas to be treated can be found on the Department of Health web site at: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html When: Weather permitting, the planned schedule for ground treatment will be on Tuesday, September 20th, Wednesday, September 21st and Thursday, September 22nd beginning at 7 P.M. and ending at 2 A.M. What: Scourge is a pesticide containing resmethrin and piperonyl butoxide. Resmethrin is a man-made pyrethroid insecticide that can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks and other insects, such as fleas and ants. Piperonyl butoxide does not directly kill insects on its own, but acts to increase the ability of resmethrin to kill insects. These active ingredients are dissolved in a petroleum solvent. Health Effects: The chance of experiencing any health effects from the use of Scourge to control mosquitoes is quite low. As with any pesticide, individuals may want to reduce or eliminate exposure. To Reduce Exposure: The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) do not require relocating or taking special precautions during mosquito control treatment. Individuals, especially pregnant women and children, should remain inside during the treatment and for about 30 minutes afterwards. In addition, individuals may minimize exposure by: · Keeping windows and doors shut, setting air conditioners to re-circulate if able. Turn window fans off. · Keeping children's toys indoors. · Keeping pets indoors, as well as their food, water dishes and toys. · Covering fishponds during the spray period. Since the effects of the ground treatment dissipate in a few hours, it is not necessary to wash off outdoor furniture or playground equipment before use, although doing so will not diminish the effectiveness of the pesticide applied. For additional information: Please call the West Nile Virus Treatment Hotline at 1-888-844-8657, on the days that treatment is scheduled, between the hours of 9:00 AM through Midnight, or visit the Nassau County Department of Health website at: http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html