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The ChalkboardBy Jeff Branscome
Stafford's school system will not show President Obama's back-to-school speech Sep. 3, 2009 5:28 pm
Stafford County public schools will not show President Obama's back-to-school address on opening day Tuesday because of "logistical issues," according to the division's Web site. Obama is giving the speech at Wakefield High School in Arlington County. It will be aired live at noon on C-Span and via whitehouse.gov. The Free Lance-Star will publish a story this weekend about how area school divisions are handling the speech. The Stafford school system released this statement on its Web site: "Because of logistical issues related to the first day of school and other concerns regarding the short planning window available, members of the Stafford County School Board have elected not to have Stafford's schools participate in the live presentation on September 8th. They have instead expressed a preference to make the President's comments to students available via video at a later date. The plan and procedures associated with making this opportunity available for Stafford's students will be announced next week."
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1252013289
June 9, 2009 4:48 pm
After eight years on the Stafford County School Board, Robert Belman told me today that he will not be running for re-election in November. Instead, he said, he's endorsing Meg Bohmke for the Falmouth District seat. She's running against Lars Larsen. Here's a look at other candidates for the Stafford School Board as of this afternoon: Hartwood District: Incumbent Doreen Phillips and Noreen Crowley Aquia District: Stephanie Johnson (Incumbent John LeDoux said he is not running.) Garrisonville District: Ty Schieber (Incumbent Nanette Kidby has said she intends to run, but she hadn't filed as of 4:30 this afternoon.) *School Board candidates have until 7 tonight to complete their paperwork. Read Thursday's Free Lance-Star for information on all local races.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1244580517
June 3, 2009 1:00 pm
The University of Mary Washington has the third highest graduation rate among "very competitive" Southern schools, according to a new national survey. In the same category, James Madison University in Harrisonburg placed first. UMW's graduation rate is 76 percent; JMU's rate is 81 percent. The American Enterprise Institute study of 1,385 four-year schools found that on average 53 percent of freshmen graduate within six years. In Virginia that number is 56.7 percent.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1244048456
May 10, 2009 5:13 pm
University of Mary Washington President Judy Hample announced at the beginning of Saturday's graduation that she wouldn't be shaking hands because of concern over swine flu. One graduate humorously wore a glove on his right hand as he walked onto the stage, but it's unclear whether he shook Hample's hand. UMW has not reported any cases of swine flu on its Fredericksburg campus. In Washington, Howard University officials distributed hand sanitizer to graduates and guests at commencement, according to an Associated Press story. Some graduates said they were advised to shake hands at their own risk because of swine flu concerns.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1241989980
Apr. 15, 2009 3:25 pm
I’m writing a short story for Tuesday’s Stafford Extra on who is running for the Stafford County School Board this year. Nobody has filed paperwork to run. If you intend to run, please give me a call at 374-5402.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1239823519
Mar. 12, 2009 3:12 pm The King George School Board on Wednesday discussed the possibility of allowing students who live outside the county to pay tuition to attend King George High. The School Board hasn't accepted tuition students in the past because of lack of space. The new high school, with a capacity of 1,700, now enrolls about 1,200 students. School Board member Payne Kilbourn said the tuition idea makes sense and that the school system might even profit from it. But member Dennis Paulsen said there are "hidden impacts." For instance, he said, the school system might have to pay more money for students with special needs. It's unclear how much tuition students would pay if the School Board approves the proposal. Assistant Superintendent Dick Roberts will provide the School Board with more information on the tuition proposal at a meeting March 25.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1236885139
Mar. 12, 2009 2:42 pm Howard Zinn has agreed to a telephone interview with The Free Lance-Star at 6 this evening. I still haven't heard from any Stafford parents and students about the issue. Feel free to call me at 540-374-5402. I want to hear all points of view.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1236883353
Mar. 11, 2009 4:45 pm
Several parents and students at Tuesday night's Stafford County School Board meeting complained about a book by Howard Zinn that is required reading in advanced-placement history classes. The book is titled "A People's History of the United States." Zinn's book "presents American history through the eyes of those he feels are outside of the political and economic establishment," according to howardzinn.org. But some parents, including at least a couple with history degrees, say it's leftist propaganda and requested that the book be removed from the school system's curriculum. School Board members John LeDoux, Nanette Kidby and Dana Reinboldt requested copies of the book but did not comment further on the complaints. I'll be writing a story on the issue soon but need more information. What other books do students read in the history classes? What's the tone of class discussions about Zinn's book? Do other area school systems use the book? Has it been banned from any school systems? I'll keep you updated. Please call me at 540-374-5402 if you are a Stafford student or a parent of a Stafford student who has had to read the book for a class. I'd like to hear all opinions.
Perma-link: http://www.fredericksburg.com/blogs/view?blogger_id=54&p=1236804353
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Jeff Branscome covers Stafford and King George schools, and the University of Mary Washington for The Free Lance-Star.
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