LinkEd Blog
New York Faces Huge Budget Cuts
Posted by annamarkowitz
November 16, 2009, 8:33 am
New York is facing budget deficits that could put them in the same boat as California who is giving IOU's to their state employees. To try to reduce the deficit and stay afloat, they are going to be cutting education funds. They promise that there will be no teacher layoffs, but they want to reduce the spending per child since we pay 63% more per child than most states. Read the full story here.
Sesame Street Family Day at the Brooklyn Library
Posted by annamarkowitz
November 05, 2009, 1:19 pm
Learn about the past 40 years of Sesame Street and meet Elmo himself at the Central Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. The exhibit runs untill February 21st but this family friendly day is only on November 14 from 11 AM to 4 PM. Check out more information here.
Unions Support Charter Schools?
Posted by annamarkowitz
October 09, 2009, 12:34 pm
Unions in New York City have switched their anti charter school stance. Check out this Post article to see if it is a real switch or just a cosmetic change.
Free Educational Computer Games
Posted by annamarkowitz
October 07, 2009, 8:17 am
Check out Curriculum Bits for interactive computer games for you students. These are great games to do at home or in the classroom.
Charter Schools are Closing the Achievement Gap
Posted by annamarkowitz
September 24, 2009, 2:36 pm
A recent article in NY Daily News reported that charter schools in New York are 90% of the way towards closing the achievement gap between the predominantly low income students in the charter schools and their wealthier counter parts in Scarsdale. An eight year study followed students who were not chosen to attend charter schools verses their peers who were chosen to attend charter schools.
Apply for School Meals Online!
Posted by annamarkowitz
September 09, 2009, 8:16 am
New York families can visit www.nyc.gov/accessnyc to apply online for School Meals for their children. The online application can be submitted even before the school year begins!
Applying online saves time
By applying for School Meals online, families only need to submit one application for all their children, even if their children attend different schools, or if they attend different types of schools (public, private or charter).
Applying online is fast and easy
Queens rises to the challenge
Posted by annamarkowitz
September 08, 2009, 10:28 am
This year Queens is raising the bar and only 40 schools are "in need of improvement", this is down from 63 schools last year. That is a 37% improvement compared with a citywide improvement of 27%. So way to go Queens! Keep up the hard work and clue in the rest of the boroughs to what you are doing right. Check out this NY daily news article to read more about this.
Free Museum Day - 9/26!
Posted by Beardy
September 03, 2009, 7:27 am
Mark your calendars for Free Museum Day on September 26th. Take a look at the list of participating museums, print the coupon, get a group together, and take the kids to the museum of their choice.
After School Programs Near You.
Posted by Beardy
August 25, 2009, 10:26 pm
There are many after school programs available to the public across the five boroughs and the great part is: many of the them are free! Take a look - and take advantage - of these opportunities we found across the boroughs by simply Browsing Categories for 'After School' programs. Make sure you are making the most of your child's education.
Community League of the Heights - MANHATTAN
An inside view of NYC's Rubber Rooms
Posted by Rachel
August 24, 2009, 1:46 pm
A New Yorker article examines New York City's "Rubber Rooms," places where teachers accused of incompetence or misconduct sit idle, often for months, while continuing to receive full salaries.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/08/31/090831fa_fact_brill?currentPage=all
DOE Back to School Kick-Off on Saturday
Posted by AdminLinkEd
August 21, 2009, 2:48 pm
The Department of Education’s Office of Family Engagement and Advocacy is holding their second annual back-to-school kick-off event in Central Park this Saturday. The event will be held at the Bandshell (72nd & 5th Ave) from 10am - 3pm. There should be performances, DOE information stations, speeches, snacks, and of course a table to get more information about LinkEducation and the many free or low-cost resources available to you in NYC. Come pay us a visit and enjoy the park on a great weekend day!
Assessment - The Triple Axel Failure
Posted by SusanHorowitz
August 19, 2009, 6:25 pm
Part of the Assessment Series by NYC Public School Teacher, Susan Horowitz
Looking for free reading games for K-5?
Posted by annamarkowitz
August 18, 2009, 9:36 pm
Whether you are a teacher or a parent, it is important to spend as much time reading and practicing phonetics as possible. If you are like many parents and teachers, you are always looking for a fun easy way to incorporate reading into your daily lives. The Florida Center for Reading Research has tons of free games for K-5 readers. They have games and tools on phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension and fluency.
Back to School Sweepstakes
Posted by Beardy
August 18, 2009, 3:05 pm
Pottery Barn Kids and Real Simple are teaming up with a $5,000 back to school sweepstakes. It's free to enter, so why not? Take a look >
Stimulus Money for School Supplies or Cable Bills?
Posted by Beardy
August 17, 2009, 7:56 pm
Here is another update on the $200 gift to each child in NYC whose family is on food stamps: the money was deposited in EBT accounts last week and families have at least 90 days to cash in the money, according to NY Times. Cash is cash and it can be used however people want - school supplies or cable television bills. Hopefully people will opt to buy their kids the books or uniforms they need for classes, some of which start August 24th and others in September.
NYC Kids Get $35 Million Back to School Gift
Posted by Beardy
August 13, 2009, 4:52 pm
In case you haven't already heard, George Soros made a pretty significant donation to put $200 in the pockets of New York City children who's families are on welfare. The point is to help the students pay for school expenses - uniforms, books, pencils, etc. - with no strings attached. The money for the eligible children goes straight into the food stamp accounts. That money is a great start given the increase of expenses to families because of school budget cuts.
Summer Streets this Saturday!
Posted by Beardy
August 12, 2009, 11:08 am
Don't let summer get away from you. Be sure to take advantage of this finally clear summer weather and explore Park Avenue on foot, bike, skates with no cars!
Park Avenue and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will again be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic. The 6.9 mile route will be open for all to walk, bike, skate, run and play. Take part in free fitness classes, family and art activities, listen to musical performances along the route, and enjoy free bike and skate share. Come out and see New York in a whole new way!
Certification Map
Posted by Beardy
August 06, 2009, 3:05 pm
Interested in being a teacher? Or are you doing research on how people go about getting certified across the states? Or perhaps you want to know how to get into teaching with an alternative to certification?
I just stumbled across a great website that summarizes answers to all of those questions: Certification Map. Their site has a handy map to help you navigate. Take a look - it's almost teaching season again - this could be your answer to a new career.
Be A Mentor!
Posted by Beardy
July 31, 2009, 2:30 pm
Are you looking for a new activity to engage yourself with the community? Maybe help out a growing kid or young adult? iMentor has an event on August 6th where you can learn more about their program and finish off the summer with a great plan for the fall months. Check it out here >>
French Language Program Starts in Queens
Posted by annamarkowitz
July 30, 2009, 11:13 pm
Did you know that 31,000 children in our New York City school system speak French but that there are only 5 dual language French programs in New York? Now PS. 151 in Queens is accommodating its French European and African students. Read more about the program here.
