Tag: Back to School

Why one middle school band director dresses up for his morning traffic duty

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A middle school teacher is making morning drop-off more fun with unique costumes. Adam Joiner has been working at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for about 15 years. He is the band director for students enrolled in music courses, but he is known school-wide for the costumes he wears while directing morning traffic.Over the years, Joiner has dressed up as Harry Potter, Waldo from “Where’s Waldo?,” Gru from “Despicable Me” and more. When sister station WXII visited Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Joiner’s giant chef hat made him easy to spot among the dozens of cars dropping off students. Along with the hat, Joiner was wearing a small apron and a traffic vest. In one hand, he had an oversized whisk, and in the other, he had a hand-held stop sign. Along with the chef costume, Joiner had a fitting slogan for parents.“I tell them they shouldn’t cook up trouble because that’s my job,” he said. Joiner says the tradition of wearing costumes actually began with wearing funky socks with sandals. Kids noticed and began giving him fun hats to wear. From there, the tradition evolved into full costumes. Joiner says the costumes not only get parents to notice him in traffic, but also give students a fun start to the day. “One of the biggest things in schools is following rules is important, and oftentimes, we’re hard on them at the very beginning. ‘You’ve got to step in line, you’ve got to sit down, you’ve got to stop talking,’” Joiner said. “The first experience is often negative, and I want their first experience to be positive.”He says it also turns traffic from a negative experience into a positive one.“Parents hate it, kids hate it, teachers hate it,” he said. “And this diffuses that.”On a typical morning, Joiner says he wears one of his nearly 150 hats for morning drop-off. He saves the full costumes for Fridays.However, for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 12, he decided to go all out. He decided to become the villain from “The Little Mermaid,” Ursula, sporting blow-up tentacles and a mask.“I was coming up with ‘Poor, Unfortunate Soul’ lyrics all week, and so I sang them as they came in,” Joiner said. Other staff members in the car line expressed their admiration for Joiner’s dedication to dressing up. Among them is Jefferson’s principal, Jessica Gillespie-Johnson.“It’s amazing. I love being out here in the morning with the music playing and him down there,” she said. “It gives the kids a great way to come into the building. It’s very welcoming.”Joiner says dressing up is also fun for him and helps him develop relationships with students and parents. “It’s not about the pencil and the paper,” Joiner said. “It’s about having a great time learning stuff, and this helps kind of initiate that.”He has no intention of stopping, so students and parents can enjoy his costumes for many mornings to come. “Who knows what will come next!” he said.

A middle school teacher is making morning drop-off more fun with unique costumes.

Adam Joiner has been working at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for about 15 years. He is the band director for students enrolled in music courses, but he is known school-wide for the costumes he wears while directing morning traffic.

Over the years, Joiner has dressed up as Harry Potter, Waldo from “Where’s Waldo?,” Gru from “Despicable Me” and more.

When sister station WXII visited Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Joiner’s giant chef hat made him easy to spot among the dozens of cars dropping off students.

Along with the hat, Joiner was wearing a small apron and a traffic vest. In one hand, he had an oversized whisk, and in the other, he had a hand-held stop sign.

Along with the chef costume, Joiner had a fitting slogan for parents.

“I tell them they shouldn’t cook up trouble because that’s my job,” he said.

Joiner says the tradition of wearing costumes actually began with wearing funky socks with sandals. Kids noticed and began giving him fun hats to wear. From there, the tradition evolved into full costumes.

Joiner says the costumes not only get parents to notice him in traffic, but also give students a fun start to the day.

“One of the biggest things in schools is following rules is important, and oftentimes, we’re hard on them at the very beginning. ‘You’ve got to step in line, you’ve got to sit down, you’ve got to stop talking,’” Joiner said. “The first experience is often negative, and I want their first experience to be positive.”

He says it also turns traffic from a negative experience into a positive one.

“Parents hate it, kids hate it, teachers hate it,” he said. “And this diffuses that.”

On a typical morning, Joiner says he wears one of his nearly 150 hats for morning drop-off. He saves the full costumes for Fridays.

However, for the first day of school on Monday, Aug. 12, he decided to go all out. He decided to become the villain from “The Little Mermaid,” Ursula, sporting blow-up tentacles and a mask.

“I was coming up with ‘Poor, Unfortunate Soul’ lyrics all week, and so I sang them as they came in,” Joiner said.

Other staff members in the car line expressed their admiration for Joiner’s dedication to dressing up. Among them is Jefferson’s principal, Jessica Gillespie-Johnson.

“It’s amazing. I love being out here in the morning with the music playing and him down there,” she said. “It gives the kids a great way to come into the building. It’s very welcoming.”

Joiner says dressing up is also fun for him and helps him develop relationships with students and parents.

“It’s not about the pencil and the paper,” Joiner said. “It’s about having a great time learning stuff, and this helps kind of initiate that.”

He has no intention of stopping, so students and parents can enjoy his costumes for many mornings to come.

“Who knows what will come next!” he said.

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August 17, 2024
The Best Back to School Gear for Middle Schoolers

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Remember starting middle school? Your first locker. Your first time navigating halls between classes. Your first stress breakout. Middle school can be a little intimidating, but while you can’t hold your kid’s hand as they try to find their algebra class, you can get them prepared with a backpack that won’t break and a laptop that won’t crash. We’ve polled and pestered our adolescent loved ones and rounded up the best WIRED-approved back to school gear that they’ll actually like.

Don’t see anything you like? Be sure to check out our other back-to-school guides, including the Best Laptops, Best Tablets, Best Laptop Bags, Best Student Email Discounts, and Best Dorm and College Gear.

Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that’s too important to ignore for just ~~$2.50~~ $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more. Please also consider subscribing to WIRED

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Louryn Strampe

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August 17, 2024
RESPs 101: The RESP withdrawal rules – MoneySense
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The perks of having an RESP

The RESP was first introduced in 1974 as a tax-deferred savings vehicle for a child’s post-secondary education. While it’s typical for parents to open an RESP for their children, anyone can open one for any child, and anyone can contribute to the account. When it comes to RESPs, three key terms to know are “the subscriber” (typically the parents or a guardian), “the beneficiary” (the child), and “the provider” or “promoter,” the account-holding financial institution or professional.

The investments you can hold in an RESP are the same as those in an RRSP, such as bonds, stocks, mutual funds, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs) and cash. The difference between an RESP and other registered accounts is the ability to earn government grants on annual contributions, known as the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), which is worth up to $7,200. Rick Kenney, CFA, CIM, FCSI, the chief compliance officer at Embark Student Corp., says, for example: “If you contribute $1,000, you get 20%—another $200—in a grant. We term that as ‘free money’.”

This “free money” is calculated as a 20% match on annual contributions, up to a maximum of $2,500 per year (for a grant of $500)—but there is no annual contribution limit so long as it doesn’t surpass the lifetime RESP contribution limit of $50,000 per beneficiary. To get the full $7,200 in CESG, a family would need to contribute $2,500 every year for 14 years, plus $1,000 in the 15th year.

Low-income families with one to three children earning $53,359 or less are eligible for an additional $2,000 per child through the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), whether or not they make any personal contributions. (For families with four children, the adjusted income level is $60,205, and for those with five children, it’s $67,079). Parents of more than five children can call the federal government support line to inquire about their adjusted income level: 1-800-622-6232.

The RESP withdrawal rules

By now, you’re probably wondering, “Who can withdraw?” “How do I withdraw?” “What are the withdrawal limits?” and “What can RESP funds be spent on?” Here’s the nitty-gritty on RESP withdrawal rules. Note that RESP withdrawals are payable only to the subscriber (the person who opened the account), who can then give them to the designated beneficiary (student).

There are three forms of withdrawals:
1. Post-Secondary Education Payment (PSE): This simply returns the original contributions to the subscriber (parent or guardian), tax-free.
2. Educational Assistance Payment (EAP): This is the most beneficial withdrawal method, as it includes investment earnings, government grants and growth. However, EAPs are taxed in the student’s hands, usually when they earn too little to owe income tax in most cases—or they pay very little.
3. Accumulated Income Payment (AIP): AIP, used when a child is not enrolled (and doesn’t intend to enroll) in a post-secondary program, refers to the interest or growth from the RESP not used by the beneficiary as an Educational Assistance Payment (EAP). AIPs are typically paid to the subscriber and are subject to income tax of the subscriber plus an additional 20% (or 12% for those in Quebec).
To avoid this tax burden, it’s recommended that subscribers withdraw EAPs first, and online tools are available to help. The remaining investment growth that is not used as EAP becomes an AIP and is taxed at the subscriber’s marginal tax rate.

For example, if your parents contributed $2,500 annually for 10 years, they’d have contributed $25,000. With government grants and investment growth, let’s estimate that your RESP might have grown to $40,000. When you attend university, your parents can withdraw the initial $25,000 (PSE) tax-free. The remaining $15,000 (EAP) is considered the student’s income and taxed accordingly. If any of the $15,000 remains unused after graduation, it becomes an AIP and is taxed in the parent’s hands.
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Alicia Tyler

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August 16, 2024
How to Keep Communication Alive: Teachers, Students & Caregivers

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The Discovery Education blog is a free resource for educators to find time-saving teaching strategies and compelling content for their daily lessons.

Full of timely tips, high-quality DE resources, and advice from our DEN community, these posts are meant to entertain and inform our users while supporting educators everywhere with new ways to engage their students in and out of the classroom.

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Rachel Anzalone

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August 16, 2024
Montgomery Co. schools abandoned SROs 2 years ago. The schools’ security chief says new policies aren’t clear enough – WTOP News

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Montgomery County Public Schools moved away from school resource officers two years ago in favor of “community engagement officers.” So how’s it going?

From vaping, the cost of school supplies to cellphone policies, the WTOP team is studying up on hot-button topics in education across the D.C. region. Follow on air and online in our series “WTOP Goes Back to School” this August and September.

Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland moved away from school resource officers two years ago in favor of community engagement officers, or police officers with specific training who are assigned to a high school and patrol nearby, rather than inside the school.

The community engagement officers are meant to work with the school and respond to certain incidents inside the schools. They’re even allowed to have an office space inside their school, but they don’t roam the school throughout the day like a traditional SRO.

When Montgomery County schools entered into a memorandum of understanding establishing the community engagement officer program with a number of law enforcement agencies who operate in the county, Marcus Jones was chief of the Montgomery County Police Department.

Now, he’s on the other side of the agreement, as MCPS’ chief of security and compliance, and he told WTOP he’s looking to improve the program.

“I know for a fact that there’s been some confusion on some folks who are engaged in the process of really understanding what their roles are. So we want to make sure that is very clear,” Jones said.

More Back-to-School stories

The memorandum of understanding between the school system and law enforcement agencies lays out certain “critical incidents” in which the community engagement officer needs to be involved, such as death, rape, gang-related incidents and drug distribution.

However, Jones said that’s not the only time these officers should be in schools. While they aren’t meant to patrol the halls, he said they shouldn’t be afraid to step foot in the building.

“I think there’s been some angst about them actually being in the schools,” Jones said. “We do want to make sure that they have the ability to liaison with the school administrators and the security teams to make sure that information is being shared, and they have that face-to-face interaction with staff as needed.”

Jones also said that in some cases, high schools have either not provided office space to their officer per the memorandum, or the officers haven’t been utilizing space made available to them.

Making matters more confusing for the school system, Montgomery County’s police department is one of five law enforcement agencies involved in the program. The sheriff’s department, as well as Rockville, Gaithersburg and Takoma Park police, are also part of the memorandum of understanding.

“That’s why it’s important that we’re collaborating and bringing everyone together to make sure that there’s clarity in the agreement,” Jones said.

While he doesn’t have any specific changes ready to make to the memorandum of understanding, Jones said that in his first two months with MCPS, he’s now experienced the program from both sides and is ready to get everyone on the same page.

“There was confusion, and there was sort of a lack of collaboration, you might say, between the two systems coming together to make sure that we were doing what was set out to do. So that’s where I’m going to really work hard at trying to clear the air there in order for everyone to clearly understand the intent and what is the MOU — what does it state, and what’s permitted and what’s not permitted — so that there’s clarity there as well,” he said.

WTOP’s Dick Uliano contributed to this report.

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Thomas Robertson

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August 14, 2024
PHOTOS: Tampa Bay goes back to school in 2024

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By

Spectrum News Staff

Tampa

PUBLISHED 2:34 PM ET Aug. 12, 2024
PUBLISHED 2:34 PM EDT Aug. 12, 2024

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Spectrum News Staff

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August 12, 2024
Citrus County fight school bus driver shortage with new, two-pronged approach
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INVERNESS, Fla. — The school bus driver shortage has been a constant challenge for school districts throughout the state of Florida.

Too few bus drivers behind the wheel across the Tampa Bay area has resulted in drivers working significant overtime, students getting to classes late and transportation planners eliminating routes.
What You Need To Know

The Citrus County School Board recently approved a raise of more than $3 for bus drivers per hour, which brings the hourly wage to $20.09 – one of the highest salaries for school bus drivers in Florida

The district credits a higher salary coupled with the new Transportation Progressive Discipline Matrix for the enthusiasm surrounding school bus driver candidates and new trainees

A new bus behavior matrix includes a list of violations that are divided into two categories – basic and severe infractions. Basic infractions can include things like not following driver instructions, being too loud or yelling and rough housing. Severe infractions can include profanity, fighting and harassment
“I think the last year kind of broke everybody’s back,” said Kathy Little-Green, who trains new school bus drivers and serves as the program training leader for the Citrus County School District. “Drivers were doing triples and weren’t getting kids to school until 10 a.m.”

The school board recently approved a raise of more than $3 per hour for drivers, which brings the hourly wage to $20.09 – one of the highest salaries for school bus drivers in Florida.

“The salary is one piece, but I believe this discipline matrix is a second piece,” said Scott Hebert, assistant superintendent for the Citrus County School District.

“We’re hearing a lot of positive feedback and people reaching out and saying, ‘I’m interested in doing this.’ We actually had folks that were going to retire and opted not to retire because of some of the changes that we put in place for our transportation department. We are fully staffed at this point and we’re getting even more interest, so we’re super excited about that and looking forward to a great beginning to the new school year.”

Linda Varonich, 70, a new hire who just completed the school bus driver training this summer, hopes to be a good, positive role model for the kids and ensure they have an enjoyable ride on the bus.

“I appreciate this effective two-part approach, and we’ve come a long way over the past couple months with the pay increase and the behavior matrix,” said Varonich, who also worked as guardian ad litem for foster children prior to her new transportation job with the district.

Parents and students must agree to the new rules revolving around the Transportation Progressive Discipline Matrix for access to the school bus.

There’s a long list of violations that are divided into two categories – basic and severe. Basic infractions can include things like not following driver instructions, being too loud or yelling and rough housing. Severe infractions can include profanity, fighting and harassment.

The penalties vary based on the age and grade of the child, but all consequences can result in suspensions and a loss of bus privileges.

For instance, the first violation of a basic infraction leads to a one-day suspension from the school bus.

The penalties escalate for each offense up to a total loss of bus privileges. And for severe infractions, the initial penalty is even stiffer, and students can rack up suspensions and lose bus privileges quicker.

Little-Green has been training school bus drivers in Citrus County since 2016. She said the new discipline matrix is necessary to minimize driver distractions and prevent accidents with as many as 60 kids onboard.

“Learning to drive a bus is the easy part, but the hard part is doing it with kids,” Little-Green added. “The kids are so distracting, and you can be the best driver in the world, but when you have kids doing what they’re doing, it doesn’t mix.”

The Citrus County School District is in the process of educating parents and students on the new transportation policy.
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Erica Riggins

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August 12, 2024
Citrus High School alumni return to teach at their alma mater
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INVERNESS, Fla. — Teachers at Citrus High School are connecting over a unique bond they share.

The school is home to many alumni who returned to teach current students. It’s a full-circle moment that is helping former Hurricanes find their way back to their alma mater.
What You Need To Know

A high number of alumni are returning to Citrus High School to teach at their alma mater

40 current staff members at the high school are also alumni

According to the Citrus County School District, Citrus High School has the highest alumni return rate in all the county
Gathered around a table in a Citrus High School classroom is a special group of teachers. Sharing one commonality — they are all alumni.

“Since I’m from this community, I knew I always wanted to come back and somehow give back to the community.”

Among them is Nancy Boudreau. She has been teaching photography at the school for the last 30 years.

“I would always joke with my high school teacher and say, ‘One day I’m going to take your job,’” she said. “And it just so happened that right when I was able to graduate college, she was actually going to be retiring. I joke with my kids today and I tell that story and say that I’m not that old and you can’t take my job from me yet!”

Boudreau said photography has always run in her family. Being able to teach the art she loves in the place she grew up has been special.

“I know what it’s like in the school, and that’s what I pride myself on. Knowing that we’re here to make a difference in these kids’ lives and I think that’s why I am one of those proud alumni that is very proud to have come back and teach in this community,” Boudreau said.

And she is not alone. Boudreau is one of 40 Citrus High alumni who have returned to work at their alma mater. Including McKinley Franklin, Sr., who is a teacher and head football coach.

“It’s not a workplace. This is like a home,” said Franklin. “It’s a very special place. The family atmosphere — I can’t even explain it. The support that l’ve received over the years, in difficult times as well, astronomical. And I’m so proud to be a Hurricane.”

It is this unique bond each of them shares with the school that has made them want to return, Franklin said.

“We have the same feeling about coming to school and coming to — I hate to say the word ‘work,’ because it’s not work, but being here,” said Franklin. “The summer went by extremely fast and now we’re back and extremely excited about it.”

Excited for another school year.

“It’s an amazing thing,” said Lita Stanton, alumni & activities director at Citrus High School. “They’ve been a part of my life growing up and now as an adult. But the most rewarding is now seeing my child get to do those same experiences that I was alluded to back when I was in high school. That’s my favorite part, is getting to keep that family atmosphere for years to come.”

Helping teach the next generation of Hurricanes.

To add even more perspective to this, Citrus High School has the highest alumni return rate in all the county.
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Calvin Lewis

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August 12, 2024
New middle school with focus on healthy living opens in Pinellas County
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There’s nothing like the first day of school at a brand new school.

Mangrove Bay Middle School, more formally known as the Mangrove Bay Middle School Health and Wellness Leadership Academy, opened its doors to students for the first time Monday morning.

The school replaces the former Riviera Middle School that closed permanently in 2008.
What You Need To Know

Mangrove Bay Middle shares part of its campus with Speer YMCA

School includes new track and physical fitness spaces through YMCA partnership

Curriculum includes culinary classes where students use on-site garden

Fully enrolled for first day
The new magnet middle school has a focus on healthy living. It shares a campus with Speer YMCA which opened in 2023 and through the new partnership provides resources to students like a swimming pool, cycling equipment, and dance rooms.

Roughly one-third of the facility is shared between the YMCA and the new middle school.

The school is led by principal Brett Patterson, who has been working on hiring staff and getting it ready for the better part of a year. The school has a dedicated kitchen that Patterson calls the Family and Consumer Science Classroom, where students will not only learn cooking and nutrition, but use vegetables they will grow at an on-site garden.

Patterson says 100 students will also have an additional Physical Education class each day. The new track and adjoining sportsplex will be used by all students, but some more than once a day.

Congratulations Mangrove Bay Middle School. With this morning’s ribbon cutting, the south county’s magnet program and Health and Wellness Academy will welcome students in four days! Thank you to the Y and our community partners. #PCSProud pic.twitter.com/E5cscHYP3M

— Superintendent Kevin Hendrick (@PinellasSuper) August 8, 2024

“What I’m looking forward to most is having all of our plans come to fruition and be able to provide that support and experience for our students,” Patterson said.

Eight grade students will complete a capstone project to conclude their time at Mangrove Middle and will have to do something health or wellness related in the community, and then use the school’s new TV production studio to create a digital portfolio.

Patterson says the school is application based for south Pinellas County but students who live nearby and those funneling out of Lakewood Elementary’s similar program will get priority. For the first day of the 2024-2025, the school is fully enrolled at maximum capacity.
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Angie Angers

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August 12, 2024
Manatee County Schools spends $10 million on new security upgrades

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MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The school district has invested $10 million into new security measures for the upcoming school year that also includes costs of construction to build up security at school buildings.

Starting today, at all Manatee County high schools, students and visitors will walk through a screening system called “Evolv.”

The district clarifies that this is not a metal detector but a weapons detection technology.

If the system detects something when a student walks through, that student will undergo further screening. The district notes that students should already be familiar with this new protocol, as it was randomly implemented in different high schools last year. Now, this new security measure will be present in every high school and randomly selected middle schools.

This comes after several security incidents over the last few school years. Two years ago, there were bomb and gun threats that resulted in student arrests. Last year, Palmetto Police took a 14-year-old Palmetto High School student into custody for bringing a gun to school.

Communications Director Michael Barber states that students who bring any weapon onto school campuses could face criminal charges and school discipline, up to and including expulsion — a measure they have had to enforce on students in the past.

“The real thought behind it is it provides a real sense of security for our students and for our teachers and staff as well, to know that, you know, there’s this more sophisticated way of determining if there’s something on someone when they come onto our campus,” he said.

The Communications Director also mentioned that part of the $10 million security investment was allocated to upgrading school buildings.

At the beginning of the year, Manatee County Commissioners approved the installation of speed-detecting cameras in all school zones.

County officials say the cameras will only be active during school hours. Over the summer break, drivers noticed warning signs and cameras being set up. Similar to other counties installing these new cameras, the county states that there will be a 30-day warning period for drivers exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more. After this period, drivers will be fined $100 for each violation.

The Manatee County Schools Communications Director, Michael Barber, expressed his hopes that these measures will enhance safety.

“The school district appreciates that the county commission took this action to authorize the speed zone cameras near our schools. We believe this adds another level of protection for students walking to and from school, or traveling to and from school,” he said.

Again, those who exceed the speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more will receive a warning notice, but after the 30-day period, they will be fined $100 for each violation.

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Julia Hazel

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August 12, 2024
First day of school for Central Florida schools

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Watch WESH 2 New’s Sunrise team go back to school LIVE in the player above.It’s the start of a new school year for many students across Central Florida. WESH 2 is bringing coverage with teams across the region, ready to report on everything from students returning to school to traffic updates and more.Public school students in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Osceola, Orange, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties are all expected back in school on Monday, August 12. Sumter County Public Schools return on Wednesday, August 14.If you or your students haven’t been preparing for the school-year routine, we have some tips on ways to get back into the swing of things with school schedules and homework.Anybody driving in school zones should be extra vigilant on the roads when students may be present and following posted speed limits. Law enforcement officers and school zone crossing guards will be out near many Central Florida schools to help ensure students’ safety.As a reminder, it is illegal to pass a school bus in Florida. Osceola County is part of a pilot program to install cameras on the outside of school buses to record and fine drivers who pass illegally.A number of school zones, including Leesburg and Eustis schools, have new speed enforcement cameras. The city of Orlando is pushing for school zone speed enforcement cameras, but they won’t be installed until 2025 at the earliest.Students looking to coast by using AI-generated text for homework responses from software like ChatGPT will face an uphill battle in Seminole and Volusia County schools. Both districts implemented new rules and guidelines around AI and plagiarism.Volusia County Public Schools passed a random search policy ahead of the upcoming school year. This will allow random searches via metal detectors of anyone entering the school or school events. One member of the school board voted against it, citing concerns over the language of the policy as it was proposed. There are a wide variety of discounts and deals college students can find online, like big savings on Amazon Prime and Adobe Creative Cloud software.WESH 2 spoke with the superintendents of Orange County Public Schools, Osceola County Public Schools and Brevard County Public Schools and Seminole County Public Schools about preparing for the new school year.

Central Florida —

Watch WESH 2 New’s Sunrise team go back to school LIVE in the player above.

It’s the start of a new school year for many students across Central Florida. WESH 2 is bringing coverage with teams across the region, ready to report on everything from students returning to school to traffic updates and more.

Public school students in Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Osceola, Orange, Polk, Seminole and Volusia counties are all expected back in school on Monday, August 12. Sumter County Public Schools return on Wednesday, August 14.

If you or your students haven’t been preparing for the school-year routine, we have some tips on ways to get back into the swing of things with school schedules and homework.

Anybody driving in school zones should be extra vigilant on the roads when students may be present and following posted speed limits. Law enforcement officers and school zone crossing guards will be out near many Central Florida schools to help ensure students’ safety.

As a reminder, it is illegal to pass a school bus in Florida. Osceola County is part of a pilot program to install cameras on the outside of school buses to record and fine drivers who pass illegally.

A number of school zones, including Leesburg and Eustis schools, have new speed enforcement cameras. The city of Orlando is pushing for school zone speed enforcement cameras, but they won’t be installed until 2025 at the earliest.

Students looking to coast by using AI-generated text for homework responses from software like ChatGPT will face an uphill battle in Seminole and Volusia County schools. Both districts implemented new rules and guidelines around AI and plagiarism.

Volusia County Public Schools passed a random search policy ahead of the upcoming school year. This will allow random searches via metal detectors of anyone entering the school or school events. One member of the school board voted against it, citing concerns over the language of the policy as it was proposed.

There are a wide variety of discounts and deals college students can find online, like big savings on Amazon Prime and Adobe Creative Cloud software.

WESH 2 spoke with the superintendents of Orange County Public Schools, Osceola County Public Schools and Brevard County Public Schools and Seminole County Public Schools about preparing for the new school year.

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August 12, 2024
Homeless Empowerment Program helps families stock up for new school year
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CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Homeless Empowerment Program is helping its families stock up for a new school year.
What You Need To Know

The Homeless Empowerment Program’s Back to School Bash helps families in its shelter prepare for new year

About 70 children who reside at the HEP shelter selected new backpacks and filled them with school supplies

Other services at the bash included haircuts from SalonCentric and sports physicals from BayCare
About 70 children who reside at HEP selected new backpacks and filled them with school supplies. The Back to School Bash provided families with everything from folders and notebooks to pencils and lunchboxes. The children even got to select their own items at a pop-up store full of socks and more.

“It really helps out a lot, so I’m very grateful and blessed,” said Honor Edwards, who attended with her two children. “Me and my husband lost our jobs, we lost our condo, we lost cars, we lost everything, so we were homeless for five years.”

Edwards says she’s grateful she connected with HEP and its programs, thankful her children are all set for the new school year.

“It really helps out a lot, so I’m very grateful and blessed,” said Edwards.

“We know that when kids go back to school without the supplies that they need, they’re already being set up for an educational disadvantage,” said Ashely Lowery, HEP President and CEO. “But it also sets them up for social issues and emotional issues as well, so we’re hoping just by giving them everything they need at the beginning of the year that they’ll be able to put their best food forward and start the year in a way that will set them up for success.”

A National Retail Federation survey reports families will spend about $900 sending their kids back to school.

“That’s a big number for any family and then when you start looking at low-income families and families that are living within homeless shelter systems that becomes even more of a burden,” said Lowery. “So, we’re very happy to be able to relieve that for the families that we serve through all of the partners that are donating goods and services today.”

Services from those partners included haircuts from the SalonCentric salon on campus, sports physicals from BayCare and the pop-up store featuring Odd Sox socks.
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Melissa Eichman

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August 10, 2024
10 Ways to Prepare Your Child for Back to School
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Get ready for the first day of school with us!

The first day of school is right around the corner, and it’s time to get excited! With a little preparation, you can turn first-day jitters into first-day joy. Here are 10 fun and practical ways to ensure your child’s first day back is the best one yet, with a little help from Khan Academy Kids.

1. Organize school supplies

Who doesn’t love new school supplies? Before the start of the school year, your child’s school or district will often share supply lists that can help guide you in your shopping. Consider generating some excitement by taking your little one with you to collect their items!

Practice the names of each item by saying them out loud together as you put them in the shopping cart. Buy early to avoid the last-minute rush, and add some colorful flair to your selections!

No school-supply list? At a minimum, consider preparing for the first day of school by shopping for essential items like backpacks, notebooks, and pencils.

2. Set up a homework zone

Just like you need a workspace, creating a cozy study space for your child to do their homework can make a huge difference in their ability to focus. A tidy, well-organized space helps them stay motivated and get excited about learning.

We recommend choosing the spot—ideally a place that you can keep an eye on but also somewhere where your child can have some separation and quiet from the rest of the after-school hustle and bustle. Let your child personalize their area with fun decorations and comfy seating.

If you have older children, consider what your younger children will do if they finish their homework before the others. The Khan Academy Kids app can be a fantastic addition to their study time, offering engaging and educational activities.

3. Establish a routine

Routines bring peace and predictability to the day. Start by setting up a morning and evening schedule. For example:

Morning: an energizing breakfast, a quick review of the day’s schedule, and a pep talk
Evening: homework, dinner, a bit of fun with Khan Academy Kids, and a relaxing bedtime routine

Experts recommend practicing this routine at least a week before the school year starts. Consider having your little one wake up at the right time, go through the motions of getting ready, and eventually running through a similar nighttime routine so they’ll know what to expect when school begins.

4. Review lessons from last year

Dust off those books and take a trip down memory lane with last year’s materials. Or, if your child seems ready, get a head start on the new curriculum to help them feel more confident.

Missing at-home materials? We’ve got you covered! Khan Academy Kids is a great way to jumpstart learning for the new year. With thousands of lessons and activities in math and literacy, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

5. Plan healthy meals

Fueling up with nutritious meals is key to a successful school day. Plan balanced breakfasts and lunches that are both delicious and fun to eat. Here are some easy, healthy recipe ideas:
- Breakfast: colorful fruit smoothies, oatmeal with toppings, and avocado toast
- Lunch: turkey and cheese wraps, vibrant fruit salads, and veggie sticks with hummus
Want to be your child’s teacher’s best friend? Ensure your child knows how to independently open everything they pack to ensure a quick and pleasant lunchtime for everyone.

Want to be your own best friend? Consider packing lunches the night before and creating a morning routine that teaches your child to be responsible for removing their own lunchbox from the refrigerator and adding it to their backpack on the way out the door in the morning. We promise, your sanity will thank you.

6. Address emotional well-being

First-day butterflies are normal! Talk about feelings and turn anxiety into excitement. Engage your child with calming and enjoyable activities available on Khan Academy Kids to help ease your kid’s nerves.

In fact, for a specific read-aloud that can generate some great family discussions, try our book Starting School. Together, you can discuss how the flamingo is feeling and relate that to your child’s experiences. For more tips, check out our special section of social-emotional learning tools.

7. Set goals for the school year

Goal setting can be a fun and motivating activity! Help your child set both academic and personal goals. Use a downloadable goal-setting worksheet to track their progress and celebrate achievements.

8. Plan first-day outfits

Help your child feel confident by choosing a first-day outfit together. Make it a fun activity by considering different weather options and letting them express their style. Even if your child’s school requires a uniform, fun things like hair accessories or a unique jacket can inspire a bit of individuality and creativity while still paying attention to the rules.

Consider laying out full outfits together with your child the night before. Knowing that they look great can give them an extra boost of confidence. Plus, having the items ready will make it more likely that they leave with matching socks and shoes, even if you haven’t had your coffee yet.

9. Meet the teacher

Building a positive relationship with teachers is crucial. Send a friendly email introduction to get started. Here’s a sample to help you out:

Dear [Teacher’s Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am the parent of [Child’s Name], who will be joining your class this year. We are excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to collaborating with you to ensure [Child’s Name]’s success.

Please let us know if there are specific things we can do to support you now and throughout the year. We’d love to stay involved!

Thank you for your time and support.

Best regards,
[Your Name]

10. Prepare for transportation

Make transportation fun and stress free! Whether it’s the bus, a carpool, or walking, plan the route and timing together.

Assuming you’re committed to a week of routine before the year begins, consider adding in this next part. Explain in detail how your child will get to school, and then mimic the journey together.

If it’s a carpool, ensure they know who is safe to join in a car and who is not. If it’s the bus, help them understand what it’ll be like to get on, select a seat, and sit politely while they wait to arrive at school. Emphasize safety and they’re sure to enjoy the journey!

Finally, remember to breathe

With all the excitement and preparation, taking a moment to breathe is important. Encourage your child (and yourself!) to take deep breaths, relax, and enjoy the journey. A calm and positive mindset can make all the difference on the first day of school.
We can’t wait to hear how it goes!

You’ll be ready to rock the first day of school by following these tips.

As you prepare for a smooth and joyful transition into the new school year, remember that Khan Academy Kids would love to be a part of it. Share your own first-day-of-school tips by visiting us on social media on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.
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Lorraine Akemann

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August 9, 2024
Back to school can be costly. One local teacher is stepping up to help – WTOP News

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“Pull-Up Pick Up Back to School Backpack Giveaway” at Crossland High School give less fortunate students backpacks filled with school supplies ahead of the new school year.

Wanda Knotts is a physical education and health teacher at Crossland High School in Temple Hills, Maryland. For the fourth year in a row, she’s spearheading a backpack giveaway at the school for any student in need on Aug. 17.

The backpacks, for pre-K through high school students, will be filled with school supplies including notebooks, pencils, erasers and pens.

Knotts told WTOP her drive to help comes from her own experience with loss.

“I’m a Hurricane Katrina survivor,” she explained, adding that after the massive 2005 storm in Louisiana, people helped her get back on her feet.

“Somebody did it for me,” she said. “It gave me the mindset that doing for those who are less fortunate than you — you’re always blessed, when you bless others.”

Now as a teacher in Prince George’s County, Knotts runs the nonprofit organization, Wanda’s Hope Klozet, which organizes charitable events year-round, including a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway and a coat drive.

The upcoming event is in partnership with Crossland High and the school’s dance team. Students and adults who want to volunteer are encouraged to join.

According to the organization’s Facebook page, school supply donations can still be dropped off at the high school’s main office.

Knotts said her goal is to give out nearly 1,000 backpacks.

“Pull-Up Pick Up Back to School Backpack Giveaway” is on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. at Crossland High School at 6901 Temple Hill Road in Maryland. No registration is required.

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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August 9, 2024
Tampa Bay school board candidates share their views on issues

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The general election is on Nov. 5, 2024.

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Spectrum News Staff

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August 8, 2024
Doctors stress importance of eye exams before back to school
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Many kids are visual learners, needing to see something to process and understand it.
What You Need To Know

A comprehensive eye exam is critical because children might not even realize they have a vision problem.

Kids might not know what clear versus blurry vision is, and not all eye conditions have symptoms.

Dr. Derek Hess, an ophthalmologist at John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, said ages 4 to 5 are good years to make sure kids begin those comprehensive eye exams.

Even if your child doesn’t have a vision issue, annual exams can help establish a baseline for their eye health over time.
With the first day of school on Aug. 12, pediatricians and eye doctors recommend getting kids’ eyes checked.

“Making sure your child can see in the classroom has a huge impact on their learning, it can have a huge impact on behavior,” said Dr. Rachel Dawkins, Pediatrician, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

The reality is most vision problems can be picked up by a basic screening at the pediatrician’s office.

“So it is really important. It has a huge impact on school attentiveness and cooperation, participation,” said Dr. Derek Hess, Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

If a vision screening test is failed, kids then get referred to ophthalmologists or optometrists.

“A problem that goes undetected,” said Hess. “It can really cause problems essentially for the rest of your life. So there’s a developmental window in childhood where your vision is developing. And beyond that window, if you haven’t sort of taken care of that problem, it can lead to a permanent decline in vision one way or another.”

Hess said the window to start checking for serious problems is around 4 to 5 years old.

“They’re just old enough to report to you what their subjective vision is probably, 3 or 4-year-olds could as well. But by the time you’re 5, you’re really going to read the alphabet and cooperate properly. And there’s still plenty of time within that window to fix things that, you know, you need to kind of address earlier,” said Dr. Hess.

Most screenings check for refractive errors and misalignment of the eyes.
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Erin Murray

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August 8, 2024
What Teachers Wish Parents Would Do To Prepare Kids For The School Year

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Store displays are filled with backpacks, shiny sneakers and piles of brightly colored notebooks. The smells of crayon wax, pencil shavings and pink erasers are in the air. It’s time to start thinking about getting the kids ready to go back to school.

You’re likely in the midst of all the shopping that the season entails, searching for the right kind of colored pencils and negotiating how much you’re willing to spend on one pair of shoes. Of course, it helps for kids to dress the part and carry the right supplies, but being ready for school requires something more.

We asked teachers what they wish parents would do to prepare kids for this annual transition. Here are their suggestions.

Reestablish routines.

“Whatever you can do to get them waking up and going to bed at a normal time — that alone is just huge,” Bryson Tarbet, a former music teacher who is now an instructional coach in Columbus, Ohio, told HuffPost.

The first weeks of school can be exhausting for everybody, Tarbet added, so anything you can do to help kids get back into the rhythm of the school year can make things easier.

Read every day.

With younger children, parents should spend a little time each day reading with them. “It’s a great way to boost their reading skills and enjoy some quality time together. We often see a ‘back to school dip’ with children who haven’t read at all and have spent a lot of time on screens,” Lana White, a teacher and co-founder of We Tutor Young Minds, told HuffPost.

“Just five minutes a day helps reinforce vocabulary, comprehension and listening skills. These then feed into writing skills and overall confidence in English,” White said.

“Research shows students spend around six weeks relearning material in the new school year,” Tiffany Williams, a literacy intervention specialist, told HuffPost. “Considering the current literacy crisis in the U.S., this is one of the best things a parent could do for their child before the school year begins.”

Children who are more proficient readers can read aloud to you or to themselves. You can encourage older kids to read by making books available, taking regular trips to the library and designating time for reading and having screens turned off.

Find opportunities to practice fine motor skills.

Encourage kids in lower grades to practice fine motor skills by having them use scissors, work on puzzles, draw and use play-dough or clay. “These activities can help improve their hand-eye coordination and make tasks like writing and using classroom tools easier,” White explained.

Encourage independence.

If you have an incoming kindergartener, start with making sure your child can use the bathroom on their own.

“As teachers, we are not allowed to assist students in the bathroom or in cleaning up or changing after an accident,” Kellie Barragan, a teacher of kindergarten and first grade in California, explained to HuffPost.

“I’ve encountered situations where students did not know how to use a toilet and wipe because they only had bidets at home,” she said, “and other situations where students were terrified of the loud flushing sound of a toilet and would have accidents to avoid using the bathroom.”

It’s also a good idea to practice having kids open the kind of food packaging that you will be sending in their lunch so that they don’t have to wait for an adult to assist them.

Give kids responsibilities.

Doing chores at home can prepare kids for classroom responsibilities, such as being a line leader. Matteo Enna, a kindergarten teacher in California, recommended that parents “create opportunities for their child to perform new tasks that are age-specific. For example, a second grader can begin the task of preparing their own lunch.”

Prepare them to advocate for themselves.

Kids should also know how to ask for help if they are sick, lost or need help with schoolwork or resolving a peer conflict. “School can be overwhelming when it’s new, and you’d be surprised at how many students shut down because they have no idea how to ask for help in different situations,” Barragan said. You can help them practice by talking through potential scenarios (“Who would you go to? What could you say?”) and role-playing.

Reassure kids that the adults in their school building are safe and are there to help them. Even if your child wasn’t assigned a first-choice teacher, parents “should ensure that their child knows we are all on the same team,” Barragan said.

Center kindness.

Instead of calling children out only when they do something unkind to someone else, parents can have conversations with their kids about what kindness is — what it looks and feels like.

Enna recommends the book “How Full Is Your Bucket? for Kids” as a starting point for these kinds of discussions.

“Oftentimes I think we ask kids did they make a friend today, and maybe we can reframe the conversation,” Enna said. Instead, we can ask kids about ways they showed kindness to others and others showed kindness to them.

Talk positively about school.

When you mention school throughout the summer, especially in the weeks leading up to the return, try to focus on positive aspects. You might ask your child which friends they are looking forward to seeing again or what skills they’re excited to work on in the coming year.

“This can help a child feel more focused and motivated,” White said.

“Parents speaking positively about school to their child can help alleviate anxiety their child might be feeling,” she added.

Picking out new clothes and school supplies together is another way to build excitement.

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August 7, 2024
DC students get lay of the land before new year starts – WTOP News

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Incoming students at middle and high schools in D.C. are on campus, getting the lay of the land ahead of their first day of classes.

Incoming freshmen tour McKinley Technology High School in Northeast.(WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

D.C.’s school year doesn’t start for another three weeks but students are already preparing for the big day.

Incoming students at middle and high schools are already on campus, getting the lay of the land ahead of their first day of classes.

“It’s always good to welcome our young people back to school,” said Lewis Ferebee, chancellor of D.C. Public Schools.

Incoming freshmen toured McKinley Technology High School in Northeast on Monday, including Caleb Dawson.

“We’re doing activities, learning the school and getting comfortable,” Dawson said. “I’m not really looking forward to all the work and all that, but I think I’ll be all right.”

Dawson is heading to high school from Stuart-Hobson Middle School.

“It’s an opportunity for them to get to know their peers, their staff, the building, the places where they’ll be learning and the people around them,” Ferebee said. “We think those relationships are so important.”

According to Ferebee, one of the main challenges for the new year will be focusing on math scores and increasing the number of students who are proficient.

“That’s one of the areas where we’ve seen a slower recovery since the pandemic,” Ferebee said.

He said he would also like to see a rise in attendance: “We want students to be in each school and know that each day counts.”

The first day of the new school year for D.C. students is Aug. 26.

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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Nick Iannelli

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August 5, 2024
What’s new across DC-area school districts this year? – WTOP News
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The end of the summer is quickly approaching and it’s almost time to pack the backpacks and lunch bags again. Here’s what to know about what’s new in D.C.-area school systems this year.
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WTOP’s 2024 Back to School Series: What you need to know for the upcoming school year

From vaping, the cost of school supplies to cellphone policies, the WTOP team is studying up on hot-button topics in education across the D.C. region. Follow on air and online in our series “WTOP Goes Back to School” this August and September.

The end of the summer is quickly approaching and it’s almost time to pack the backpacks and lunch bags again.

Here’s what to know about what’s new in D.C.-area school systems this year.

DC

DC Public Schools

Number of schools: 117

Total enrollment: 51,294

First Day: Aug. 26

What to know:

Maryland

Frederick County Public Schools

Number of schools: 69 last year

Total enrollment: 48,905 projected

First Day: Aug. 21

What to know:
- Virtual programming for third through eighth grades was cut as part of the division’s fiscal 2025 budget.
- The district is establishing a work group to study school start times, The Frederick News-Post reported.
Montgomery County Public Schools

Number of schools: 210

Total enrollment: 160,770 last year

First Day: Aug. 26

What to know:

Prince George’s County Public Schools

Number of schools: 202 last year

Total enrollment: 131,325 last year

First Day: Aug. 26

What to know:

Howard County Public Schools

Number of schools: 78 last year

Total enrollment: 57,633 last year

First Day: Aug. 26

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

Number of schools: 129, according to AACPS Transportation

Total enrollment: 84,346 last year

First Day: Aug. 26 or 27, depending on grade level

Virginia

Arlington Public Schools

Number of schools: 42

Total enrollment: 27,536

First Day: Aug. 26

City of Alexandria Public Schools

Number of schools: 18

Total enrollment: 16,439 last year

First Day: Aug. 19

What to know:

Fairfax County Public Schools

Number of schools: 199

Total enrollment: 180,970 last year

First Day: Aug. 19

What to know:

Loudoun County Public Schools

Number of schools: Opening 99th and 100th schools this year

Total enrollment: 82,028

First Day: Aug. 22

What to know:

Prince William County Public Schools

Number of schools: 99

Total enrollment: As of May, 91,739 for pre-K through 12th grade

First Day: Aug. 19

What to know:

Stafford County Public Schools

Number of schools: 33

Total enrollment: 32,000

First Day: Aug. 13

What to know:

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© 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
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Scott Gelman

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August 5, 2024
Top tips for a healthy school year: vaccines, hygiene and more
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RALEIGH, N.C. – Parents and guardians are gearing up for kids to head back to school, but with the return to class comes the exposure to more people, which often results in a rise in respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19.
What You Need To Know

Students return to school this month after summer break

Emergency rooms in North Carolina are seeing an uptick in respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, which are expected to grow with the return of students in schools

Dr. Kitty O’Hare with Duke Primary Care Pediatrics says the best thing parents can do is to consult a pediatrician or health care provider
To set kids up for success, Dr. Kitty O’Hare, the senior medical director for Duke Primary Care Pediatrics, shared advice for parents and guardians.

“One of the best things that parents can do is to check in with their pediatrician or health care provider to make sure that their kids are as up to date as possible on vaccines,” she said.

O’Hare says the seasonal flu vaccine and most up-to-date COVID vaccines should be available shortly, and it’s best to talk with a health care provider about the best vaccine regimen for children.

Beyond vaccines, O’Hare suggests teaching children of all ages how to protect themselves.

“Washing hands. It’s a great skill that everybody can learn, even our toddlers and preschoolers,” she said. “And of course, if you’re feeling unwell… let’s be staying home and away from other people.”

She also shared health tips for students going to college for the first time.

“Going away to college is such an exciting time,” she said. “It’s often the first time that our young adults really have the opportunity to take ownership of their health.”

“Sleep is just so important. Sleep helps our brains to function well, helps us to perform well in the classroom and get good grades,” O’Hare said. “And for mental health, sleep is just crucial. So helping your teen develop those good sleep habits.”

She also says nutrition and exercise are key for maintaining good mental and physical health while in college and beyond.

“Whether it’s walking, swimming, biking, yoga, all kinds of healthy movements will help support your brain health and make your mental health more resilient,” she said.
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Sarah Rudlang

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August 4, 2024