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Monday, June 8, 2015

Summer Meal Map Updated - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education)

Summer Meal Map Updated - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Unveils Map to Help Families Find Places Serving Free Meals to Students this Summer


SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that low-income families can find a place to take their hungry children for free meals this summer by visiting the California Department of Education’s updated2015 Summer Meal Service Sites interactive Web map, or by calling 1-800-952-5609, option 3.

"Only one in five low-income children who eat subsidized meals during the school year are taking advantage of the summer meal program, meaning a lot of kids are unnecessarily going hungry this summer," said Torlakson. "I urge families to use this free service so their children will have access to the healthy, fresh food they need to grow, learn, and succeed in school."

Thousands of organizations in California have signed up to become Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) meal sites. These sites open 15 days after the school year ends or when year-round schools are off track. The sites must be located in areas where at least half the student population comes from low-income families. Families can go to any meal site and their children will receive free meals. No questions are asked and no income verification is needed. Many sites also offer fun activities for children.

Torlakson started his Summer Matters initiative to keep kids healthy and engaged in learning during the summer. Providing nutritious meals to low-income children during the summer break is critical to their growth, development, and learning. During summer, they often lack access to nutritious meals they usually get during the school year, which may contribute to "summer learning loss" and cause them to lag behind their peers when school resumes.

The CDE administers SFSP in the state for the U.S. Department of Agriculture that is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The SFSP program also supports the local economy when meal sites purchase food from local farmers.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Non-renewed Knox County teacher speaks to school board | WATE 6 On Your Side

Non-renewed Knox County teacher speaks to school board | WATE 6 On Your Side:

Non-renewed Knox County teacher speaks to school board

Christina Graham


KNOXVILLE (WATE) – There was a large show of support Wednesday night for a teacher whose contract was not renewed for next year by Knox County Schools.
Christina Graham taught kindergarten for three years at Copper Ridge Elementary. Last year she spoke out against SAT-10 testing for kindergartners. After her speech to the school board, Graham was called in to talk to her principal about being a representative for Knox County Schools. Graham said that was only time she was ever pulled in to talk about an issue, and she was told then that it wasn’t a disciplinary meeting.


At the end of the 2015 school year, Graham said she was blindsided by the decision not to renew her contract. The only reason she said given for the move was that she no longer fit the vision for her school. Many parents and teachers are speaking out, saying the non-renewal is the district’s way of retaliating against a teacher who spoke out.
Graham’s picture is now all over social media, and the incoming president of the Knox County Education Association said teachers fear losing their jobs if they speak out to challenge policies. That idea was echoed throughout public forum comments at Wednesday night’s school board meeting, where about a dozen parents and teachers spoke to the school board about non renewed contracts, specifically Christina Graham’s.




“Have you been non-renewed or dismissed from a job,” she said, quoting every application she’s started. “And it has a little details box where I’ve put, you know, I wasn’t given a reason, my evaluation scores were fine.”
WATE 6 On Your Side pulled Graham’s personnel file and found there weren’t any problems, complaints or any reasons for her contract not being renewed. The school district said its policy states it doesn’t have to have a reason for not renewing a teachers contract.
Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre said, while he reviews all non-renewals, the idea that Graham was on the list because of retaliation is just a rumor.
“I will say this very clearly: we do not make decisions based on teachers speaking up at public board meetings. We just don’t. That’s not how we do business,“ he said. “And so any rumors to that effect are just not true.”
Dr McIntyre said non-renewals are usually for a combination of issues and he likes the decision being made by principals, but Graham said he and the board listened to her speech at the meeting and will at least consider changing the policy.Non-renewed Knox County teacher speaks to school board | WATE 6 On Your Side:

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 6/8/15


SPECIAL NITE CAP 

CORPORATE ED REFORM






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