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PSRP Scholarship Deadline: February 7

2014 LFT PSRP Scholars Award Program

“LFT supports PSRPs enhancing their education”

One-Time $500 Grant

(Paraprofessionals and School Related Personnel Only)

*

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY:

Must be a LFT member in good standing for at least one year and pursuing accredited courses in education only. No full- or part-time LFT, AFT or local staff, may apply.

*First time applicants ONLY can apply.

 

Please type or print neatly.

NAME__________________________________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS________________________________________________________________________________________

CITY STATE ZIP CODE_____________________________________________________________________________

E-MAIL___________________________________________________________________________________________

TELEPHONE________________________________________________________________________________________

COLLEGE TO BE ATTENDED___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBJECT TO BE STUDIED_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

INFORMATION ON LFT LOCAL

You must have this form signed by a local official.

___________________________________________________

LFT LOCAL NAME

NUMBER OF YEARS THE APPLICANT HAS BEEN A MEMBER________________

_______________________________________________________

LOCAL OFFICIAL SIGNATURE

**DO NOT SUBMIT, IF NOT SIGNED BY LOCAL PRESIDENT.

 

 

WRITE AN ESSAY NO LONGER THAN 350 WORDS ON THE FOLLOWING TOPIC:

(NOTE: Essay must be typed.)

“Why do I deserve this award and how would I use the LFT PSRP Scholarship Award”

I hereby certify that all information provided in this application is complete and correct.

___________________________________________________

Signature Date

The LFT/PSRP Scholarship Award can only be used at institutions that are accredited to offer postsecondary degrees or certificates by an accredited agency certified for that purpose by the U.S. Department of Education.

DISCLAIMER: Awardee must provide proper documentation verifying enrollment before receiving the award.

This application must be completed in full and submitted with the required attachments. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Download Printable version Here: Scholarship Application (1)

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Screen Bully in your classroom or at your school, and receive a FREE toolkit!

The movie Bully has captured the hearts and minds of students and adults across the nation, offering a window into the damage bullying can cause. The Bully Project has a wonderful toolkit with materials and a DVD (including a version of the video that is appropriate for younger audiences). 

Educators who thoroughly complete this short survey will receive a kit for FREE, while supplies last (feel free to share this survey with any AFT member who works with students).

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FREE Resource: Share my Lesson: Olympic Winter Games Collection!

2014 Olympic Winter Games

From February 7-23, all eyes will be on Sochi, Russia, as it hosts the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. The Sochi Olympics marks the first time the Olympics have been held in Russia since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This year, there will be 98 events held in 15 different sports, and some events, such as women’s ski jumping and ski half-pipe, will be held for the first time.

The Share My Lesson team has highlighted some free lesson plans, activities and classroom materials that you can use to bring the Olympics into your classroom. From presentations about Russian history to videos about the science behind different Olympic events to hosting your own mini-Olympics, we’ve got everything you need to present a gold medal-worthy lesson.

Resources about Russian history

Russian history
Learn about the history of Russia with this PowerPoint presentation and handout.

Russian revolution
Review key events of the Russian revolution with your students.

Cold War
Learn about the events that led up to the Cold War with these activities.

 

Olympic-themed activities

Elementary school resources

Sesame Street and Team USA
Figure skater Sarah Hughes and Elmo discuss the word “persistence” and what it takes to be a Team USA Olympic athlete.

Mini-Olympics
Use these fun activities to hold your own Olympics in PE class.

Olympic medals
Learn more about gold, silver and bronze medals with this resource.

Competition suits
Find out how speed-skating competition suits help improve athlete performance by reducing friction and improving aerodynamics in this lesson from NBC Learn and theNational Science Foundation.

Snow and the Olympics
Discuss how humidity and temperature help form snow, a very important part of the Winter Olympics.

Secondary school resources

Greek legacies: Ancient Greek Olympics
Students learn about the Ancient Greeks and the Olympic games they made to honor Zeus in this lesson from 21st Century Lessons: A Boston Teachers Union Initiative.

Design your own Olympic team
Get your students into the Olympic spirit by having them create their own Olympic teams.

Science of ice
Find out what makes ice slippery enough for speed skaters in this NBC Learn and National Science Foundation resource.

Engineering the half-pipe
Explore how engineers create the half-pipe to enable athletes to get more air time and perform complicated tricks.

The physics of slope-style skiing
Learn the physics behind slope-style skiing, a gravity defying freestyle skiing event debuting in Sochi.

Figure skating
Find out how the center of mass – a physics concept – controls balance and stability, both crucial to figure skaters.

Bobsleds
Learn about the engineering challenges associated with making sleds faster and tracks safer.

Stability in alpine skiing
This lesson from NBC Learn and the National Science Foundation describes how advanced materials and engineering help reduce unwanted vibration, optimizing the performance of athletes.

 

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Red River United President’s Message- 1/28/2014

With No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, COMPASS, and Common Core, we now have a decade of top down test based schooling behind us. So, let’s assess — how has that worked for us?

Well, according to PISA, the Program for International Student Assessment, which occurs every three years and ranks schools worldwide, the results would probably tell you– not so good.

The latest results, released in December, show the US scoring below average in Math and close to average in Science and reading. More importantly, there has not been any significant growth in the United States rankings since 2003.

So, we have to wonder, what will work if testing ad naseum and vilifying and sanctioning educators, all while underfunding and starving schools, closing neighborhood schools, selling them for pennies on the dollar, and creating private for profit charter schools have not worked for the past decade?

Just look at the top tier nations, what are their priorities? In stark contrast to our policies, the top tier countries do not have a fixation on testing. They actually respect public education and work to ensure their teachers are well prepared and supported. Their students have curriculum and standards, but they also have the resources needed to meet them. They consider equity issues and insure that students who need extra resources to succeed get them.

Here locally, in Caddo and Bossier parishes, top tier thinking means elevating our approach by working together to ensure that every student in Caddo and Bossier has a school that is a safe and welcoming place for teaching and learning. Top tier thinking means making sure that policies and practices mirror the commitment that all of our teachers will be well-prepared, supported, and have the time they need to plan and collaborate. It means continuing to insist on the arts and music in our curriculum. It means ensuring that there are resources available for all children to have access to Pre-k education with extended day, extended year, and wrap around services. These steps mirror the top tier nation approaches that have been proven to work.

Let’s have the collective courage to say no to failed policies. The only ones to be angered are the ones with their hands out. Let’s instead embrace a steadfast and earnest approach in insuring that our priorities stay our priorities – our children, each and every one of them. That is Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education.

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[SURVEY] Bullying Prevention – FREE Toolkit

Educators, complete this survey and receive a FREE Bullying Prevention Toolkit. 

Bullying is a community issue that extends beyond the school campus and is prevalent online. The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with educators, school leaders, community and advocacy groups to recognize, prevent and combat bullying.

The purpose of the AFT’s campaign, “See a Bully, Stop a Bully: Make a Difference,” is to raise awareness and provide resources to educators, students and parents.

Screen Bully in your classroom or at your school

The movie Bully has captured the hearts and minds of students and adults across the nation, offering a window into the damage bullying can cause. The Bully Project has a wonderful toolkit with materials and a DVD (including a version of the video that is appropriate for younger audiences). Educators who thoroughly complete this short surveywill receive a kit for FREE, while supplies last (feel free to share this survey with any AFT member who works with students).

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AFT Bullying Prevention Info

Bullying Prevention

Bullying is a widespread problem with harmful—sometimes tragic—consequences. As the school year gets into full swing, now is the perfect time to focus on reclaiming the promise of public education for all children by creating safe and welcoming learning environments. There are many ways to engage in bullying prevention and intervention; each approach will necessarily take into consideration the differing needs of your students. Below are a few ways for you and your members to participate.

Tell us about bullying prevention in your community

The AFT takes school safety seriously, and we would like to know how we can support you and your members in your efforts to promote safer, more supportive schools and communities. Please take this short survey to tell us about your bullying prevention efforts and where you could use help. Feel free to share the link with your membership for them to complete.

Visit the AFT’s bullying prevention webpage for FAQs, classroom activities, booklists and more

Distribute AFT materials

The AFT offers free bullying prevention materials to affiliates, including brochures, posters and “See a Bully, Stop a Bully” wristbands. Consider holding a bullying prevention event at your school and having each student sign a pledge to work to stop bullying (for ideas on how to hold such an event, see this guide from our partner PACER). After students sign the pledge, give them wristbands to wear to signify their dedication to helping make their school a more tolerant place. Be sure to wear your own band to signify your commitment to safe and inclusive learning environments, and that you are available to help them deal with bullying or harassment. We also have colorful posters available for you to hang in your school or classroom to raise bullying awareness and brochures you can distribute to fellow educators. Click here for descriptions of available materials, and how to order.

Download resources from Share My Lesson

SML has some wonderful bullying prevention and intervention materials, including a collection of some of our favorite resources on the topic. Do you have ideas or resources you would be willing to share with educators throughout the country? Be sure to upload them to Share My Lesson!

Screen Bully in your classroom or at your school

The movie Bully has captured the hearts and minds of students and adults across the nation, offering a window into the damage bullying can cause. The Bully Project has a wonderful toolkit with materials and a DVD (including a version of the video that is appropriate for younger audiences). Educators who thoroughly complete this short surveywill receive a kit for FREE, while supplies last (feel free to share this survey with any AFT member who works with students).

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Strike a Pose for Early Childhood Education

Strike a Pose for Early Childhood Education!

During his annual State of the Union address on Jan. 28th, President Obama will list his goals for the upcoming

year. Right now, the week prior to the State of the Union, we will call on the president to include early learning in his

speech through a Twitter action with advocates across the country. Tweet your support for early childhood education

using hashtag #StrongStart.

 

Download Your #StrongStart sign here.

 

We will be tweeting at the President using photos of people who believe all children should get a

#StrongStart! Join us by following these three easy steps:

1. Download and print out a #StrongStart sign here

 

2. Take a photo with the sign, like one you see here. Feel free to get creative—you could have children

(or yourself) strike a “strong muscles” pose or make a funny face.

 

3. Send your photo to photos@aft.org or tweet them to @AFTunion.

The more photos we’re able to tweet, the more likely we’ll get the president’s attention. So send in as

many photos featuring different people as you’d like, and forward this request to your friends and family.

Then, on Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, we will tweet your great photos on the hashtag

#StrongStart. Please contact Socnet@aft.org if you have any questions.

Thank you for everything you do to support early learning!