School board considers calendar committee

School board considers calendar committee: MARIETTA — The Cobb County school board will consider creating a revised, smaller committee to evaluate the school calendar Thursday. In its only December meeting, the school board will also revie...

Hinojosa ‘confident’ final report will resolve SACS probe

Hinojosa ‘confident’ final report will resolve SACS probe: MARIETTA — The Cobb County School District filed its last report with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools on Wednesday. “We feel very confident that we’re going to be able to address ...

Board votes no to calendar policy changes

Board votes
no to calendar
policy changes
: MARIETTA — It’s back to the drawing board for the Cobb County School District in regards to policy changes to the school calendar after the school board voted not to approve the changes as recommen...

School board to trim legislative wish list

School board to trim legislative wish list: MARIETTA — The Cobb County school board will tweak its legislative wish list at Thursday night’s board meeting in preparation for a November meeting with the Cobb delegation. After starting with a...

Talk of closing has Sky View backers sky high in protest

Talk of closing has Sky View backers sky high in protest: MABLETON – The message from Sky View Elementary School supporters to the Cobb County School District on Tuesday night was loud and clear: “Bigger is not better.” The first of two public forums reg...

Cobb Chamber celebrates Teachers of the Year  | ajc.com

CCAE is a proud sponsor of this event and a member of the Cobb Chamber. I serve on the education committee and on this event committee. It is a wonderful way to celebrate our teachers!!

Cobb Chamber celebrates Teachers of the Year ajc.com

Redistricting to close 3 Cobb elementaries

Redistricting to close 3 Cobb elementaries: MARIETTA — With its first redistricting since 2008, the Cobb County School District has recommended the closure of three elementary schools in south Cobb over the next two school years. According ...

CCSD Budget

Dear Members,


On Wednesday, the district's Chief Financial Officer presented a budget update to the Board of Education that was less than encouraging. During the presentation at the school board work session, CFO Mike Addison said the district is facing a $72 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2012 based on very rough estimates. A discussion ensued during which it was pointed out that 90 percent of the district's operating budget is personnel costs and, therefore, the only way to find $72 million is to cut positions. On the front Metro section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the following day was a large headline that said "Budget Cuts Loom For Cobb Schools".

Some among us have already begun to panic and fear for their jobs. In fact, there are some among us who are using this information to exploit the situation so as to create as much fear and panic as possible. My advice is that we should, instead, calm down and view the situation rationally. Let's consider some of the facts before we lose our heads.

  • First, Mr. Addison would not have delivered this report so soon except that this year he was asked by the school board to begin giving budget development reports in October. Typically, real budget discussions don't even start until after the new year, and typically Mr. Addison's budget development updates to the board have begun around March. But the new school board members requested that he begin the process in October – waaaay before any budget data is even available.
  • The budget we are talking about won't be approved until June 2012!
  • The budget committee won't begin talking seriously about budget steps until next spring.
  • The district's operating budget has two sources of revenue: 1) state funding, and 2) local property tax.
  • We will have no idea what state funding is available until the Legislature begins meeting in January, and no hard numbers will be available until at least March. Mr. Addison's assumptions were based on a continuation of last year's trend, but right now there is no way to say for certain what state funding will look like. No one is expecting the state to begin restoring austerity cuts, but it is at least encouraging that the Cobb County legislators have requested a personal meeting with Superintendent Hinojosa and board members before the session begins. That's an encouraging sign, and certainly a better indicator than in previous years when the two groups have barely communicated at all.
  • Local revenue is even more difficult to predict. The county Tax Assessor does not give the district any information about property tax collections until March, and even that figure is just a preliminary estimate. The actual collections aren't known with any real accuracy until at least June. Mr. Addison's $72 million estimate was based on a decline in collections 2 percent more than what actually occurred this year.
The point here is that it is too soon to panic. That doesn't mean we shouldn't watch the process vigilantly. We certainly should, and I plan to do that by attending every board meeting between now and the final budget approval next June. I will be sending you regular updates along the way. But let's keep in mind that Mr. Addison's October report was only a very, very rough estimate that was at least partially planned to get the board members in the right frame of mind for when the real numbers do come in.

There is no question that the district will be facing a large deficit of tens of millions of dollars, but let's keep some other facts in mind:

  • The district is already at or beyond maximum class size allowed by the state, as averaged across the district. The only way to reduce costs by tens of millions is to cut hundreds of teaching positions. That would require a massive increase in class sizes, which would mean getting yet another waiver from the state. The public reaction to such large class sizes would be overwhelmingly negative, and the school board would face a lot of pressure not to implement another large-scale RIF.
  • For the past two years, the school board has used excess funds remaining from SPLOST II to help balance the budget. There is still more than $20 million available to use for that purpose with the next budget.
  • The district currently has reserves of nearly $80 million.

While the Marietta school system may be fortunate enough to be able to approve a one-time bonus for all employees, that kind of move is not likely to happen in Cobb. Why? Because in order to make the one-time payment, it is likely that Marietta drew down its reserves by more than $400,000 (how they were able to do that, no one seems to know. These funds weren't budgeted.). A similar move in Cobb County would mean drawing down reserves more than $4 million! That would an irresponsible move with so much uncertainty on the horizon. In fact, if I had to guess, it is probably more likely that Cobb employees will be looking at a repeat of this year – some furlough days and reduced step increases. We will work with the District and the School Board to make those cuts as small as possible, just like we did last year. But let's not panic about job cuts just yet. There is no reason why the rest of the deficit, whatever it may turn out to be, can't be addressed with excess SPLOST II funds and reserve funds.

Folks, CCAE will watch this budget process through to the end very carefully. Along the way we will find out where we really stand, but not in October. It's way too early to tell right now.

Thank you,
Connie Jackson
President
Cobb County Assoc. of Educators

Grant Writing Basics

Grant Writing Basics
Saturday, October 22, 10:00-11:30am
Barnes & Noble Buckhead

Curious about how your school or educational program might begin to seek private funding? Come hear a representative from the Foundation Center-Atlanta discuss the basics of grantseeking and the proposal writing process, including an overview of the different types of private grantmakers, techniques and tools for researching potential funders, and the elements of a standard funding proposal.
The presentation will address:
•                    How the proposal fits into the overall grantseeking process
•                    What to include in a standard proposal to a foundation
•                    Tips for making each section of your proposal stronger
•                    What funders expect to see in your proposal and attachments
•                    Tips for communicating with funders during the grant process
•                    Additional resources on proposal writing, including sample proposals

The session will also highlight the Foundation Center's many resources for nonprofit and individual grantseekers, including the GrantSpace online learning community.

Event information and directions to the store are also available here:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3120670

Budget cuts for Cobb schools loom  | ajc.com

Budget cuts for Cobb schools loom ajc.com

Although the news sounds bad, and it is, it is far too early for us to get up in arms. But, we must remain vigilant to ensure when the cuts come that they don't affect the quality of education we have in Cobb. CCAE is the only association to consistently attend the school board meetings and to ensure that we are protecting and advocating for our members. Actions speak louder than words!!

County turning to state for fresh fruits, vegetables

County turning to state for fresh
fruits, vegetables
: MARIETTA — Much of the produce in the 14.4 million meals and 410,000 snacks served to Cobb County School District students annually is grown here in Georgia. As an added bonus, it’s also low in tra...

School board to decide fate of charter schools at meeting

School board to decide fate of charter schools at meeting: MARIETTA — The Cobb County School Board is expected to decide the fates of four charter schools at its Thursday night meeting. The board will consider a recommendation by the administration to den...

State putting its faith and money in alternative teacher training programs

State putting its faith and money in alternative teacher training programs

Contract for new Wheeler school will top agenda

Contract for new Wheeler school will top agenda: MARIETTA - The Cobb County school board will consider awarding a contract to build a new Wheeler High School, a project that is already running $3.5 million over budget, at their Thursday night mee...

Laura Armstrong: New controversial HR policy at schools among many hot topics this week

Laura Armstrong: New controversial HR policy at schools among many hot topics this week: "It’s a grab bag week, with lots of opinion-generators in the news, but we’ve been escaping reality a bit at our house by watching past episodes of the funny television comedy “The Office” each even..."

State will seek waiver from No Child Left Behind

State will seek waiver from No Child Left Behind: "MARIETTA — Georgia will apply for a waiver from No Child Left Behind when the U.S. Department of Education offers them to states that are seeing an increase in Adequate Yearly Progress failures, Co..."

Cobb School District finishing $225M improvement projects

Cobb School District finishing $225M improvement projects: "MARIETTA — Some projects may come down to the wire, but Cobb County School District faculty and students will see a lot of improvements when they go back to school next week. The CCSD is wrapping ..."

School board confronted by citizens on 'black list'

School board confronted by citizens on 'black list': "MARIETTA - Discussion of Open Records Requests, filed by Cobb residents seeking answers to possible interaction between board members outside of the boardroom about the traditional calendar debate,..."

Georgia Voices: Better Child Care - Little kids, big idea

Georgia Voices: Better Child Care - Little kids, big idea: "Gov. Nathan Deal may be on to something - consolidating Georgia's two largest providers of pre-school services. During a recent speech to a civic club in Athens, Mr. Deal said he believes that you..."

Missing AYP means some can transfer schools

Missing AYP means some can transfer schools: "MARIETTA — The Cobb County School District is releasing school choice information and scheduled meetings for schools listed as “Needs Improvement” following the release of Adequate Yearly Progress ..."

School calendars: Too many breaks? And could kids really be going back next week?

School calendars: Too many breaks? And could kids really be going back next week?

All A-Twitter about Education : Education Next

All A-Twitter about Education : Education Next

I am so motivated by this article!! Our twitter is @ccaepresident, help me make it grow!!

Also, our new technology chairperson is planning exciting twitter contests and live tweetcasts!!

Milford community: We want school to be closed

Milford community: We want school to be closed: "MARIETTA — While most parents and community members asked that their neighborhood elementary school remain open through the south county elementary school redistricting plan at the Cobb School Dist..."

Accreditation agency to address Cobb school board

Accreditation agency to address Cobb school board: "MARIETTA — The president and CEO of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools will address the Cobb school board Wednesday, member David Banks said, though he could not be more specific as t..."

Budget Update

Dear Members,

I wanted to let you know that you will be receiving an email from the school district regarding the budget and the reduction of the local salary supplement. Please understand that this is due to the 2 furlough days we are already aware of. This is not another salary reduction. The district is required by law to send out a notice to all employees and to hold two hearings regarding this. We are pleased that the proposed budget only contains 2 furlough days. You may want to contact your school board member and remind them that the 2 proposed days are enough, we don't want to see them vote for 5 furlough days. As always, CCAE will be at the board meeting and will keep you up to date on events and the budget. Thank you for being a member!

Connie Jackson
President, CCAE

Feds: All kids, legal or not, entitled to school - USATODAY.com

Feds: All kids, legal or not, entitled to school - USATODAY.com

School Board Members must Substitute in Schools

I love this idea!! A new law in Lousiana would make it mandetory for school board members to substiute teach at least 3 days a year. Let's see if we can get this passed here in Georgia!!


http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2011/05/jefferson_parish_school_board_42.html

Board: Search for new super still ongoing

Board: Search for new super still ongoing: "MARIETTA - The Cobb School board has met in executive session for more than 34 hours since March 12 to discuss the ongoing superintendent search, and least one member said he believes the process m..."

Gates, Broad: Who is running America’s schools and are they running them aground?

Gates, Broad: Who is running America’s schools and are they running them aground?

Who's the power behind CMS? | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

Who's the power behind CMS? CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

This is about the same as georgia, especially since Gwinnett won the Broad award.

Better budget picture in store for schools  | ajc.com

Better budget picture in store for schools ajc.com

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=myfoxdc

http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=250&username=myfoxdc

New learning tool brings video gaming to Gray Elementary classrooms - Living - Macon.com

New learning tool brings video gaming to Gray Elementary classrooms - Living - Macon.com Wow, my 5th grader would love this program. He finishes way ahead of everyone else and this would reward him for it instead of him getting extra work. On the other hand, should we encourage students to expect rewards for just doing their assigned work? Or, should we realize today's students are different and utilize that knowledge and tune in to what is important to them? So many questions, what do you think?

School board puts focus on SACS, budget

School board puts focus on SACS, budget: "MARIETTA - Superintendent Fred Sanderson told Cobb school board members Wednesday that he will do"

Cobb superintendent search continues  | ajc.com

Cobb superintendent search continues ajc.com They were very reluctant to share any information when I talked to them yesterday, only saying that they are trying to finish the process. Hope we know something soon.

Budget picture improves for Cobb Schools  | ajc.com

Budget picture improves for Cobb Schools ajc.com

In a Texas classroom, big lessons for Georgia  | ajc.com

In a Texas classroom, big lessons for Georgia ajc.com This concept seems all well and good, but who will want to teach my classes, special education reading with a high population of ESOL, poverty, title 1, and 40%+ transient rate? I am not even sure I will want to teach at all, let alone what I teach now.I am not afraid of data or being evaluated, I think I am a fairly decent teacher, but to base my pay on how well my students do on a test? When there are so many more issues that go into it, student IQ, ability, disability, poverty or socioeconomic status, ability to speak/read English, discipline, home life, ect.....

Why I Teach: Opening a Diverse World | Teaching Tolerance

Why I Teach: Opening a Diverse World | Teaching Tolerance

Wealthy Amateur Advises Decision Makers about Class Size

http://larrycuban.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/wealthy-amateur-advises-decision-makers-about-class-size/

Skype's New Teacher Network

Skype's New Teacher Network Love this idea!! My children and I already Skype for personal reasons, but I am excited by the possibilities of using this in the classroom!

Study Finds High Dropout Rates for Black Males in KIPP Schools

Study Finds High Dropout Rates for Black Males in KIPP Schools Interesting that one of the highly touted "reform" schools is still seeing the same problems as the rest of us.

Great Story - Brain-Based Teaching in Our Schools: A New Way to Reach Students

courtesy of Adam Shapiro,
http://www.adampr.tv/
Adam.Shapiro@adampr.tv


Brain-Based Teaching in Our Schools: A New Way to Reach Students

By D’Jon McNair

It is my honor to serve as a special education teacher for fifth graders at Allatoona Elementary School in Acworth. My career has provided many rewards in understanding how to reach every student in a way that leads to successful learning in school and for life.

In earning my master’s degree in Brain-Based Teaching through Nova Southeastern University, I had the opportunity to expand my base of knowledge and learn a variety of teaching and learning strategies that benefit my students. At the foundation of this educational approach is the concept that many children become better students when they are taught how to learn. Teaching students to “think about their thinking” equips them with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to succeed inside and outside the classroom.

For example, one of my students has an emotional behavior disorder. He gets anxious and sometimes acts impulsively. As a result, he developed a reputation as a “problem student.” For this student to succeed, I had to teach him to master what we call “an internal locus of control”—to underscore that he is in charge of his learning and behavior.

My interactions with students are often as an instructional coach, to help implement a plan to meet their needs at school and in the community. This requires a caring attitude, clear intent, and meaningful instruction that students can apply in a variety of settings.

After several months of mentoring, this particular student learned to control his anger and self-expression by using a journal to record his thoughts and beliefs. He became a more self-motivated learner after being presented with learning opportunities that helped him successfully overcome some obstacles and frustrations. The old saying that “success begets success” is definitely true in my teaching experience. This student is doing much better. He still has some academic and personal challenges but is well on his way.

Another student struggled in school because of low motivation and effort. In a meeting with her other teachers, we agreed to focus on improving the skills she needed by providing classroom supports and encouraging her progress with verbal praise and the flexibility to choose some assignments. Giving students choices helps keep them engaged and allows them to pursue topics of personal interest.

I gave this student a self-monitoring folder with a daily work completion log to help her track her progress. On the outside of the folder was a sticker with the reminder, “The More You Do, The More You Can Do.” We met each morning before school to discuss her daily goals. I also shared some of my athletic and academic adversities and how I overcame them with persistence and effort. Using personal examples is another idea I learned while earning my graduate degree; it is a way to model the use of thinking and learning skills and to show the rewards of trying hard to achieve whatever you set out to do.

As we continued to work together, this student became more motivated to complete her daily assignments and would often request extended time to add more features and details to classroom projects. Ultimately, she achieved 100% of her critical objectives in reading and 80% of her annual goals in mathematics and writing. Just as importantly, her parents noticed a big decrease in her complaints about homework and school. They told me that she even seemed excited about going to school.

The brain is the most powerful tool we possess. Learning and thinking are some of our most important assets. It’s time we start fully harnessing human potential and the brain’s ability to keep learning and storing new information to help all students succeed. I’m glad to play my part and would be happy to discuss the concepts of learning how to learn and thinking about one’s thinking with other parents or teachers in our community.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Family-Engagement-Spring-Newsletter.html?soid=1101628192357&aid=12i0Aeb6gBg

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Family-Engagement-Spring-Newsletter.html?soid=1101628192357&aid=12i0Aeb6gBg

this newsletter, by the PTA, is an excellent resource. They are also offering classes in parent engagement to educators. Great way to add to your resume and to get more parents involved. Let your administrator know you attended and get it added to your evaluation!!

Students disciplined for Facebook posts about teacher  | ajc.com

Students disciplined for Facebook posts about teacher ajc.com

What do you think about this? Should students be liable for saying things about a teacher outside of school? Should the students say things that could get a teacher fired or arrested?

Deal taps education standouts to serve as advisers

Deal taps education standouts to serve as advisers


I am excited to let everyone know that I have been appointed to serve on the Governor's Education Taskforce!! I promise to faithfully represent public education and Cobb County!! Wish me luck!!

Special Education Programs, Private Placements, Under Assault

Special Education Programs, Private Placements, Under Assault

As a special education teacher, it breaks my heart to hear that special education is facing cuts. A little known fact is that my first teaching experience was at a private psychiatric day school that took public school students who were too mentally ill or too emotionally/behaviorally disabled to attend public schools. These students could not be served by a public school. They needed the support and specialised instruction that we provided. We had a full time psychologist at the school of about 40 students. We were all specially trained to work with the students. Every classroom had a counselor assigned to it. I am devastated that now students will have to remain in public schools where they don't belong, don't succeed, and where the learning of the other students will succeed. Having been on both sides of the educational divide, there are special education students who don't belong in an inclusion classroom or even in a public school. It is a shame when money decides what is best for children.

The Marietta Daily Journal - Another day another vote

The Marietta Daily Journal - Another day another vote

We need YOU to go to the Cobb website and vote on the calendar!! www.cobbk12.org

The Marietta Daily Journal - District keeps promises of transparency

The Marietta Daily Journal - District keeps promises of transparency

Shaking trees for good principals. Few to be found.

Shaking trees for good principals. Few to be found.

Really good principals are hard to find. No news there, any teacher can tell you the same thing. A principal needs to walk a fine line between caring and harsh, between micromanaging and being too lenient, between being a leader or a dictator. I have worked under a great Principal (Darryl York) and under a really bad principal (name withheld). I was the same person, but so much was changed by the leadership I worked for. Under a harsh principal, I felt unappreciated, I worried more, I always felt I was being watched for faults or mistakes, and most of all, I felt stressed and miserable. When working for someone who made me feel heard, involved, and like a quality teacher, I flourished. I loved my job, I loved coming to work, and most importantly I was a better teacher. In my current position I often see both kinds of leaders, I only hope that the good outweigh the bad.

Teachers: Don’t send e-mails on school accounts

Teachers: Don't send e-mails on school accounts

I was amazed by this legislation. As a teacher, I thought my email was more secure, guaranteed that I was who I said I was. I understand not using the computer during school time, but to say we can't use school computers at all and we can't use our school email accounts, seems to me to be going over the top.

New spot proposed for Smyrna elementary school  | ajc.com

New spot proposed for Smyrna elementary school ajc.com

Grad rate could fall 16 percentage points, Barge says  | ajc.com

Grad rate could fall 16 percentage points, Barge says ajc.com

Local School Board Members Play Hardball With Duncan

Local School Board Members Play Hardball With Duncan

I am so glad to see that local school board members are asking the tough questions of Duncan that most of us wish we could ask. Of course, no answers are given, so we are yet again left with just questions.

Education secretary to Atlanta board: Get your act together  | ajc.com

Education secretary to Atlanta board: Get your act together ajc.com

Drive for education reform has teachers unions on the defensive

Drive for education reform has teachers unions on the defensive

Wanted: Ways to Assess the Majority of Teachers

Wanted: Ways to Assess the Majority of Teachers

CCAE Lobbying day at the Capitol

CCAE will be lobbying our legislators. We welcome both experienced members and those that have never gone down to the Capitol. We will teach you all you need to know. Please Get Involved!!


The CCAE Lobbying Day is Wednesday, February 23. If you are interested in joining us to lobby the legislators at the Capitol that day, please RSVP immediately to gayeshin@aol.com. If enough are interested, the Political Action Committee will consider getting a bus. We need to know soon in order to make the arrangements.


Gaye Shin
CCAE PAC Chair