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April 18, 2008
BoardBuzz podcastMouseover the icon to listen to BuzzCast 23
Posted at 2:23 PM | Podcasts | Link to this story | Comments (0)
Darwin, back againBoardBuzz is a fan of Charles Darwin—enough to lament having missed Darwin Day back in February. And now we bring you some exciting Darwin news.
The complete works of Charles Darwin are finally available to anyone, anywhere to read, i.e., they've made their way onto the internet. And it only took 126 years for that to evolve (groan)! This vast collection includes his notes from the five-year voyage of the HMS Beagle, where he collected fossil and specimen samples and first began to formulate his theory of evolution, the first draft of his Origin of Species from the 1840s, and even his wife Emma's recipe book.
Wired Science reports:
Cambridge University, where Darwin studied theology, has digitized and published on the internet its collection of some 30,000 items and 90,000 images by the man who changed the course of science by writing the evolutionary primer, The Origin of Species, in 1859.
The original draft of that seminal work, until now available only to scholars at the Cambridge University Library, is among those now online. There are even some audio samples, like the spoken-word version of the last sentence of Origin of the Species -- alas not in the voice of Darwin himself, who died in 1882.
"This release makes his private papers, mountains of notes, experiments, and research behind his world-changing publications available to the world for free," John van Wyhe, director of the project, said. "His publications have always been available in the public sphere -- but these papers have until now only been accessible to scholars."
BoardBuzz loves seeing history preserved for the ages. There is now plenty of "new" information for students and teachers to explore, but perhaps his original works will spark new debate over the theory of evolution. As Wired Science points out:
From the Scopes trial of 1925, to the 1987 Supreme Court ruling in Edwards v. Aguillard against teaching creationism in public schools, to the 2005 ouster of the Dover, Pennsylvania, school board which had sanctioned the teaching of “intelligent design,” to the “Teach the Controversy” mantra of creationists in intelligent-design clothing to the embrace by President Bush of i.d. education -- the conversation started by Darwin has shown no real sign of abating.
In January, Legal Clips reported that Florida was debating the place of evolution in science standards. Current Florida standards, approved in 1996, refer to "biological change over time," and contain a description of evolution, but no mention of the word itself. Debate in Florida echoes that in Texas, which is preparing a similar revision of its science-education standards.
BoardBuzz is happy to report that Florida's State Board of Education voted in February to use the term "scientific theory of evolution" in its new science standards, the first time the word "evolution" has been included. Yet anti-evolution sentiments do exist and have been addressed in reports such as "Science, Evolution, and Creationism," from the National Academy of Sciences, that argues that creationism does not belong in science class.
Posted at 1:45 PM | Curriculum | Religion | Link to this story | Comments (0)
April 17, 2008
Aw, nuts!BoardBuzz was shocked to learn that bullying has reached (yet another) new height. It seems that, according to this article via ABCNews.com, some students are exploiting students food allergies to make their lives miserable. Now bullies aren't just picking on the smallest or weakest kids in class--they're ganging up on children who have severe food allergies.What will they think of next?
"There was a group of five girls ... and they decided they didn't want me sitting at their lunch table anymore," said [Sarah] VanEssendelft. To get her to leave, they all brought in peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.For VanEssendelft, it might as well have been arsenic.
Two weeks later, a boy in the back of her class opened up a peanut butter cup. The smell was enough to trigger VanEssendelft's peanut allergy and send her to the emergency room with breathing problems.
"My throat felt tight and my lips were getting really swollen, really fast," said VanEssendelft. "I looked like Angelina Jolie."
On the one hand, mean tricks or sneaking candy looks like mild behavioral problems to school administrators. On the other hand, given VanEssendelft's serious peanut allergy, those sandwiches might very well have been weapons.
And how can schools protect kids from this kind of attack? Who would consider a PB&J sandwich a weapon?
While it appears that school violence has decreased, unfortunately bullying increasing. "Between 1999 and 2003, the NSSC reported an increase of the student population who were bullied across grades 6-12." Troubling news for school districts.
And it seems that even though the students are hatching these ever-more-creative plots to torment other kids, they aren't thinking of the consequences.
"I think a lot of times kids get wrapped up in the experience and they don't think," said Susan Swearer, associate professor of school psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "Actually, it's true they don't think — they've done studies, the whole myelination in the brain is not complete."The best way to tackle the thinking problem in adolescents, Swearer explained, is to repeat conversations. "Say it 500 times: someone can die of a peanut allergy."
School districts often have their hands tied -- some may say they aren't doing enough to help these students, and others who might say schools are overreacting. Either way, someone is going to second-guess what schools are doing to deal with this kind of issue.
It might be tempting for schools to do away with peanuts altogether, but [Dr. Kathy Sheerin, of the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic], who is also a mother of a child with a tree nut allergy, has different ideas."I think it's great that day cares and up to kindergarten are peanut-free," said Sheerin. "But the mall isn't peanut-free, the movies aren't peanut-free, your next door neighbor's house isn't peanut-free. The kids are going to have to learn to deal with it."
Most kids, in fact, want other kids to learn to deal with it, as well.
Posted at 9:55 AM | Health & Wellness | School Safety | Students | Link to this story | Comments (2)
April 16, 2008
Life as we know itHave you ever wondered what it's like to be a school board member? Or perhaps how other school board members' experiences compare with your own? Wonder no more. NSBA's National Affiliate program's new series, Life on the School Board explores these age old questions.
The first in the series features Willis (Tony) Brunson, board president of Rich Township High School District 227 and Paul Jasinevicius, board member of Park Forest-Chicago Heights 163, (both in Illinois) and their experiences as school board members. You should definitely take a listen--you'll be glad you did, and you'll probably learn a thing or two.
For more information about this series click here. To share your own story of Life on the School Board, click here.
Posted at 3:40 PM | Education Technology | School Boards | Link to this story | Comments (1)
Join the circle of knowledge @ your libraryIt’s National Library Week, a time to celebrate the contributions of libraries, librarians, and library workers in schools, campuses, and communities nationwide—and the perfect time to rediscover your local library. Today’s libraries are modern community centers where everyone is invited to explore, dream, and learn. All that’s missing is you! Bring your curiosity, imagination, and creativity, and join the circle of knowledge @ your library.
BoardBuzz wants to remind the public about the contribution libraries make to their communities everyday. Library use is up nationwide among all types of library users, continuing a decade-long trend, and it’s easy to see why. Libraries are places where everyone can go to discover the world. People of all ages visit the library for entertainment, self-help, or to engage in their community. With free resources like books, magazines, DVDs, and computer and wifi access, libraries help people find new jobs, do better in school, tackle projects, or just relax and have fun.
What makes the library unique is access to trained professionals—librarians—to help people find and interpret the information they need. Our libraries also help keep us connected, providing a space for people of all ages, classes, and races to come together, while keeping us connected to events and people around the world. It’s where people can keep up with world events or research where to volunteer locally.
Academy-award-winning actress, Julie Andrews was named Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2008 at a press conference at the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. Listen as she discusses what libraries mean to her.
BoardBuzz encourages you to visit your local library this week. See what's going on, and take advantage of one our nation's most important resources! We bet your trip won't be your last! This message was brought to you by the American Library Association’s Campaign for America's Libraries and the National School Boards Association.
Posted at 3:02 PM | Announcements | Students | Link to this story | Comments (0)
April 15, 2008
Leading by exampleDo as I say not as I do? Not for the teachers at one Michigan high school. BoardBuzz is excited and inspired by a group of teachers at Orchard View High School who have implemented a wellness plan. This according to a posting on the Muskegon Chronicle's blog.
About a dozen teachers have banded together this school year to promote the importance of exercise and diet. Their efforts so far have included forming an after-school teachers' running club and successfully lobbying for healthier cafeteria food. They also hope to start a similar running club for students this spring.As motivation for themselves, the teachers decided to compete in the Fifth Third River Bank Run, a popular race scheduled for May 10 in Grand Rapids.
"The first thing we did was form a health committee," said history teacher Nicholas Cole, one of four teachers who formed the committee last fall. "We realized that we had no programs directed at health and fitness for staff."
Nothing like leading by example! What's more, "With the support of the high school's food service director and a registered dietitian, new, healthier food was added to the school's menu. For example, whole wheat, whole-grain breads took the place of less nutritious 'sub buns.' Cookies and cheeses were replaced with reduced-fat versions. And lower-sodium recipes were created."
What's especially exciting about this is that the teachers have taken this initiative on their own. And that's what good leadership is all about. Run on, Orchard View, run on!
Posted at 4:45 PM | Health & Wellness | Students | Teachers | Link to this story | Comments (2)
April 14, 2008
Lovin' Mother EarthBoardBuzz is jumping on the green bandwagon. And just in time for Earth Day. Actually, we're just reporting on the cool stuff that's going on over at the Learning First Alliance's new Web site, Public School Insights.
There's a great list of coming attractions in advance of Earth Day, which include (according to the site):
Renowned polar-explorer Will Steger, whose current expedition through Ellesmere Island is being broadcast on-line to schools across the country;
Journalist Richard Louv, whose best-selling book Last Child in the Woods has helped spark a national movement to "leave no child inside;"
Portland, Oregon principal Tamala Newsome, who leads one of the nation's most celebrated green schools;
Other people leading the environmental education movement in public schools nationwide.
One of our favorites include the story of Simon Hauger's students and their high-performance hybrid car. It's definitely a warm fuzzy!
You've got to check back in the coming days and weeks, because the interviews and original content are not to be missed!
Posted at 4:49 PM | Health & Wellness | Link to this story | Comments (0)
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