15-B Insider -- November 2002

This is the title of a Showtime production that my wife, Linda, and I recently watched on cable TV. It was followed up with a town-hall type discussion led by Linda Ellerbe. What a compelling production dealing with school violence. It could have been like Columbine or some other public school that has had to deal with the aftermath of a school violence tragedy. The production certainly was able to show what un-stemmed bullying can lead to, and it was about prevention of such tragedies.

It also brought into focus the Crisis Training that our 15-B Coordinating Council had on October 8^th. The training was led by 15-A Uniserv Director, Kathleen Betts. Our council will look at the Crisis Plans of our districts and attempt to evaluate what is in place. Interestingly, some of our districts are starting to look at what they put in place two or three years ago. Some are going to update what they have in place, and, perhaps, start training their employees. One of our superintendents mused: "We conduct two tornado drills and eight fire drills each year, and yet we don’t talk about other types of potential crises." From NEA’s website dealing with school safety, "bullying" involves "systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt and/or psychological distress on one or more students". The targets of such behavior can experience extreme fear, and the perpetrators can find this behavior escalating into more serious behavior, such as harassment, or criminal activity. Bystanders can also be affected by feeling anger and helplessness for not knowing what to do. "If we want to have peace in the world, we have to start with the children." – Gandhi

Have you checked our web page lately? Webmaster, Jim Neff, is making changes on an almost weekly basis. I just visited the Teachers net link and looked at a few Effective Teaching columns by Harry and Rosemary Wong. Jim has added the Work Keys information for paraprofessionals under the ESEA web site link. Have you ever thought about the use of cartoons to teach biology? Find out why digesting cheesecake is like washing the dishes! Check out the link to Biology in Motion. Learning is fun, but I know there is only so much time - and so much to do.

This law is also referred to the "No Child Left Behind Act of 2001". How this law will be implemented is becoming a little clearer, but the rules and the process are still in flux. In our last issue, we published the amount of federal money that is involved for your district. This new law will force districts to do more to get the money. Are you a highly qualified teacher? What qualifications must our paraprofessionals have? Is your school a Title I school? Currently there is a debate on what constitutes adequate yearly progress. There will be bargaining issues surrounding this law.

It looks like paraprofessionals will be referred to as paraeducators. It also looks like the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is going with the Work Keys test as the State Assessment for paraeducators for one year, and its staff will evaluate the results as to whether it meets the needs required for ESEA or whether a Michigan test needs to be developed. Work Keys has 43 service centers across the state that will be able to give the tests and to score them.

Many of you may recall a bus-semi accident that occurred this fall. That accident occurred downstate, and I believe there were 45 injured with no one killed. A safety analyst has estimated that up to 10 students would have been killed in this accident had they had seat belts on. Yes, despite popular misconception, seat belts would have been detrimental. The way buses are currently designed, seat belts become more of a hazard than a safety feature.

I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to each of our members who contributed to Cash for Kids this year, and also to those presidents, treasurers, and Cash for Kids Captains or coordinators who have put so much time and effort into contacting our members, getting materials out, and encouraging members to contribute. Our cooperative efforts have increased participation from 163 members contributing $4,662.00 in 2001/2002 to 193 members contributing $6,173.50 so far this year. Although our campaign was over on November 11th, we will continue to accept Cash for Kids contributions throughout the remainder of the school year. If you haven’t given yet, please consider doing so. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. Your contribution maintains and strengthens your influence in the political system. Watch the December Insider for final results of our campaign incentives!! Any local association whose entire Executive Board each make a contribution to Cash for Kids will receive special recognition.