Back of the bread line

Arlene Ackerman was fired from her $350,000 job last August from her position as Philly Schools Superintendent. She received a $900,000 contract buyout, but just can't seem to make ends meet. She was recently denied an unemployment claim she filed for $573 per week. Show this woman some brotherly love Philly. How can one live on a draw from close to 1 million?  Who says education doesn't pay?

STORY: Arlene Ackerman, Ousted Philadelphia Superintendent, Denied Unemployment Bid

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRiAZNPK_RUg7UVp18EK1vnwdsTDKumjqcmwJyX2WBfTuTmY4sa" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRiAZNPK_RUg7UVp18EK1vnwdsTDKumjqcmwJyX2WBfTuTmY4sa" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Arlene Ackerman was fired from her $350,000 job last August from her position as Philly Schools Superintendent. She received a $900,000 contract buyout, but just can't seem to make ends meet. She was recently denied an unemployment claim she filed for $573 per week. Show this woman some brotherly love Philly. How can one live on a draw from close to 1 million?  Who says education doesn't pay?<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/ousted-superintendents-un_n_1249737.html">Arlene Ackerman, Ousted Philadelphia Superintendent, Denied Unemployment Bid</a>

Everybody loves Ellen

Like many public schools across the nation, Chester Upland School District is facing hard times. Thanks to PA Governor "Tommy-gun" Corbett, funding for many p[public schools is woefully inadequate. Instead of levying a tax on natural gas production, Tom decided to sacrifice education. Thanks to Ellen Degeneres, teachers at Columbus Elementary School received a check from JC Penney for $100,000 to help. The school district has had to cut 40% of the teaching staff and 50% of the support staff. Teachers are working without pay for as long as they can! We are waiting for the Governor to work without pay as well...as long as he can. Tom got lots of dough from the natural gas industry to support his gubernatorial campaign.

STORY: Sara Ferguson, Pennsylvania Teacher Working For Free, Gets Surprise On Ellen Degeneres Show

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQuvdW1X-HHPg4DCO0tS_8i0SnZQMAbIzw4oNmBgr385wfDvTLaJOSZ1fO2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQuvdW1X-HHPg4DCO0tS_8i0SnZQMAbIzw4oNmBgr385wfDvTLaJOSZ1fO2" width="311" /></a></div> <br /> Like many public schools across the nation, Chester Upland School District is facing hard times. Thanks to PA Governor "Tommy-gun" Corbett, funding for many p[public schools is woefully inadequate. Instead of levying a tax on natural gas production, Tom decided to sacrifice education. Thanks to Ellen Degeneres, teachers at Columbus Elementary School received a check from JC Penney for $100,000 to help. The school district has had to cut 40% of the teaching staff and 50% of the support staff. Teachers are working without pay for as long as they can! We are waiting for the Governor to work without pay as well...as long as he can. Tom got lots of dough from the natural gas industry to support his gubernatorial campaign.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/02/sara-ferguson-pennsylvani_n_1250603.html">Sara Ferguson, Pennsylvania Teacher Working For Free, Gets Surprise On Ellen Degeneres Show</a>

Thank you Dave Tompkins

There is no news release for this blog...I ask that you indulge me today as I write a long overdue thank you to the man who inspired me to become a biology teacher and to whom I am deeply grateful. I grew up during the perfect storm for science education. Post-Sputnik era support for science education with plenty of funding and research as well as the push to identify gifted children and place them in an accelerated curriculum that was discovery and inquiry based. Our community enjoyed a true partnership with the local General Electric Plant in Lawrence Park that resulted in state-of-the-art science facilities in a brand new junior/senior high school. All these stars aligned...but without an incredible group of science teachers (Spencer, Luce, Kring, Buzanowski, and Dave Tompkins), the opportunity to learn science in depth and by using the scientific method would have been lost. Of all of these great teachers, Mr. Tompkins was the finest. He taught me the art and science of teaching and a love for the life sciences in particular. As a first year teacher in a neighboring school district, I met with Mr. Tompkins, the man with the broad shoulders and eternal grin...the man that inspired me in ninth grade, coached our junior high football team and varsity swim team, and later went on to earn his doctoral degree and serve first as high school principal and later in a leadership role at a local university. We talked, in his classroom after school one day about teaching. I was worried that I wasn't reaching every student. He told me that I probably wouldn't...that he knew he hadn't. But he also said that I needed to be sure I reached out to every kid every day. Later in my career that spanned 35 years in public education, when I was teaching at the university level, I know that I channeled him in advice I would give aspiring science teachers...always be well prepared, be creative, listen to your students and watch them because they will teach you so much. Engage them with science as method and content. And, always be the one reaching out to them even when it seems they are unwilling to reach back. Dr. Tompkins passed away a few weeks ago, and when I left the funeral home, I knew this letter was long overdue. So here it is and I hope that for all of you who have been inspired by great teachers, you won't wait to write to them.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTn86znbj8DUJuSG4shlbEza4O6lXi4ZI39Re8S-0Zn8kttvxRs1Q" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTn86znbj8DUJuSG4shlbEza4O6lXi4ZI39Re8S-0Zn8kttvxRs1Q" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> There is no news release for this blog...I ask that you indulge me today as I write a long overdue thank you to the man who inspired me to become a biology teacher and to whom I am deeply grateful. I grew up during the perfect storm for science education. Post-Sputnik era support for science education with plenty of funding and research as well as the push to identify gifted children and place them in an accelerated curriculum that was discovery and inquiry based. Our community enjoyed a true partnership with the local General Electric Plant in Lawrence Park that resulted in state-of-the-art science facilities in a brand new junior/senior high school. All these stars aligned...but without an incredible group of science teachers (Spencer, Luce, Kring, Buzanowski, and Dave Tompkins), the opportunity to learn science in depth and by using the scientific method would have been lost. Of all of these great teachers, Mr. Tompkins was the finest. He taught me the art and science of teaching and a love for the life sciences in particular. As a first year teacher in a neighboring school district, I met with Mr. Tompkins, the man with the broad shoulders and eternal grin...the man that inspired me in ninth grade, coached our junior high football team and varsity swim team, and later went on to earn his doctoral degree and serve first as high school principal and later in a leadership role at a local university. We talked, in his classroom after school one day about teaching. I was worried that I wasn't reaching every student. He told me that I probably wouldn't...that he knew he hadn't. But he also said that I needed to be sure <b>I reached out to every kid every day</b>. Later in my career that spanned 35 years in public education, when I was teaching at the university level, I know that I channeled him in advice I would give aspiring science teachers...<b>always be well prepared, be creative, listen to your students and watch them because they will teach you so much</b>.<b> Engage them with science as method and content. And, always be the one reaching out to them even when it seems they are unwilling to reach back</b>. Dr. Tompkins passed away a few weeks ago, and when I left the funeral home, I knew this letter was long overdue. So here it is and I hope that for all of you who have been inspired by great teachers, you won't wait to write to them.

Fewer boots on the ground

UGG (literally)! Pottsdown Middle School Principal Gail Cooper recently notified parents that "open top boots" are officially banned in the classroom. Apparently, these middle schoolers are smuggling contraband in their booties...not weapons, not drugs, not pornography...but those darn cell phones! The school already has a mandatory dress code that includes such fine detail as the requirement to wear matching color shoe laces. We understand the need to limit cell phone use to prevent disruption of the classroom environment, but if the problem is pervasive, limiting student expression is unlikely to solve the problem. As technology shrinks the size of communication devices, we have to wonder how far dress codes can go to keep up. We are also concerned about international relations with our Aussie allies. Ugg.

STORY: Pennsylvania Middle School Bans Boots

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://favim.com/orig/201108/30/black-and-white-boots-combat-boots-fashion-girl-Favim.com-133774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://favim.com/orig/201108/30/black-and-white-boots-combat-boots-fashion-girl-Favim.com-133774.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> UGG (literally)! Pottsdown Middle School Principal Gail Cooper recently notified parents that "open top boots" are officially banned in the classroom. Apparently, these middle schoolers are smuggling contraband in their booties...not weapons, not drugs, not pornography...but those darn cell phones! The school already has a mandatory dress code that includes such fine detail as the requirement to wear matching color shoe laces. We understand the need to limit cell phone use to prevent disruption of the classroom environment, but if the problem is pervasive, limiting student expression is unlikely to solve the problem. As technology shrinks the size of communication devices, we have to wonder how far dress codes can go to keep up. We are also concerned about international relations with our Aussie allies. Ugg.<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/pennsylvania-middle-school-principal-bans-boots/story?id=15459244#.TybMZMU7XJi">Pennsylvania Middle School Bans Boots</a>

High schoolers mistakenly see gay porn

Blood banks in favor of gay porn, not giving blood!

When a blood bank employee tried to show a power point presentation on the importance of donating blood, he accidentally showed high schoolers images of gay porn, "teaching" sex-ed instead.


Story: Porn Presentation at Pa. High School

<a href="http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/gay_flag1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/gay_flag1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Blood banks in favor of gay porn, not giving blood!<br /><br />When a blood bank employee tried to show a power point presentation on the importance of donating blood, he accidentally showed high schoolers images of gay porn, "teaching" sex-ed instead.<br /><br /><br />Story: <a href="http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/09/13/Gay_Porn_Presentation_at_Pennsylvania_High_School/">Porn Presentation at Pa. High School</a>

Hilter quoted in yearbook

"Hail Hilter." Say what? No, no, no, he was just quoted in a Pa. high school yearbook! The quote reads, "And in the last analysis, success is what matters," telling all students that the end justifies the means. Administrators and teachers seemed to just pass the quote over while trying to fill the yearbook with "inspirational" quotes.



Story: Pa. High School Under Fire Over Quote from Hilter in Yearbook

<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/082610_Hitlerquote_397x224.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.foxnews.com/static/managed/img/Scitech/082610_Hitlerquote_397x224.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 223px;" /></a><br /><br /><br />"Hail Hilter." Say what? No, no, no, he was just quoted in a Pa. high school yearbook! The quote reads, "And in the last analysis, success is what matters," telling all students that the end justifies the means. Administrators and teachers seemed to just pass the quote over while trying to fill the yearbook with "inspirational" quotes. <br /><br /><br /><br />Story: <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/08/26/pa-high-school-quote-hitler-yearbook/">Pa. High School Under Fire Over Quote from Hilter in Yearbook</a>

Over 500 images and videos of child pornography was found on this PA first grade teacher's computer! It appears that he only downloaded the images, not took personal pictures, but what's the difference? Perversion still shines through...


Story: Chesco first-grade teacher arrested on child porn charges

<a href="http://media.philly.com/images/100804_in_porn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://media.philly.com/images/100804_in_porn.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 282px; height: 370px;" /></a><br /><br /><br />Over 500 images and videos of child pornography was found on this PA first grade teacher's computer! It appears that he only downloaded the images, not took personal pictures, but what's the difference? Perversion still shines through...<br /><br /><br />Story: <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/100038474.html?cmpid=15585797"> Chesco first-grade teacher arrested on child porn charges</a>

Domestic Violence on The Youth Baseball Field

Family violence on the baseball field because son got thrown out of the game? Yes, but that's not all! The father, after being arrested, says he only hit the boy on the back when witnesses say otherwise. The boy was kicked off the field because he threw his helmet on the floor after getting out on third base...so close to home.

What a lovely family, a violent and apparently dishonest father and a sore loser for a son.


STORY: Youth Baseball Coach Accused of Punching Son in the Face

<a href="http://www.lolcaption.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/funny-fail-pics-baseball-punch-in-face.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.lolcaption.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/funny-fail-pics-baseball-punch-in-face.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 289px; height: 388px;" /></a><br /><br />Family violence on the baseball field because son got thrown out of the game? Yes, but that's not all! The father, after being arrested, says he only hit the boy on the back when witnesses say otherwise. The boy was kicked off the field because he threw his helmet on the floor after getting out on third base...so close to home.<br /><br />What a lovely family, a violent and apparently dishonest father and a sore loser for a son.<br /><br /><br />STORY: <a href="http://www.kwtx.com/nationalnews/headlines/98128269.html?storySection=story"> Youth Baseball Coach Accused of Punching Son in the Face</a>

High School Student Charged with Murder

A 16-year-old Chester High School student, Shaquille Byrd, was charged with murdering his companion, 16-year-old Andre Morales, after police shot him in defense. The boy was charged because this occured during a felony that both boys were committing at the time. The two boys broke and entered a garage with intent to steal.

Story: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100701_Chester_High_School_athlete_charged_with_murder.html

A 16-year-old Chester High School student, Shaquille Byrd, was charged with murdering his companion, 16-year-old Andre Morales, after police shot him in defense. The boy was charged because this occured during a felony that both boys were committing at the time. The two boys broke and entered a garage with intent to steal. <br /><br />Story: <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100701_Chester_High_School_athlete_charged_with_murder.html">http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20100701_Chester_High_School_athlete_charged_with_murder.html</a>

Ex-High School Student Sues Over Her Own Sexting Pictures

PA high school searches too far into a girl’s sexting pictures that were stored in her cell phone. The principal confiscated her phone and found the racy pictures when there was no need for him to look at her pictures in the first place. The photos then were sent to a prosecutor, who told her she needed to take course on sexual violence or else he’d sueher for child pornography. The girl says she was appalled that so many people viewed her naked pictures that she and her attorney feel is private. So, she decided to sue for violating her privacy two years after the fact.

Did the school have a right to look through her cell phone?

Story: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20005591-504083.html

<a href="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/fotosblog/gente/sexting.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p114/fotosblog/gente/sexting.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 377px; height: 205px;" /></a> <br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 9"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 9"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/FALCON%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:donotoptimizeforbrowser/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Wingdings; panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:2; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 268435456 0 0 -2147483648 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} h1 {margin-right:0in; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:24.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning:18.0pt; font-weight:bold;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {margin-right:0in; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} span.commenttease {mso-style-name:commenttease;} span.fbconnectbuttontext {mso-style-name:fbconnectbutton_text;} span.fbsharecountinner {mso-style-name:fb_share_count_inner;} span.db-bodydb-compact {mso-style-name:"db-body db-compact";} span.db-count {mso-style-name:db-count;} span.db-copy {mso-style-name:db-copy;} span.linkiconfontsize {mso-style-name:"linkicon\000D\000A fontsize";} p.image-caption, li.image-caption, div.image-caption {mso-style-name:image-caption; margin-right:0in; mso-margin-top-alt:auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:1973711735; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-1059689632 -1101389744 75945704 222886114 -1615582030 811471248 239002070 1288083442 -1688968956 1135775388;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-number-format:bullet; mso-level-text:; mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Symbol;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style> <span style="font-size:85%;"> <br /> <br /></span><span style="font-family:";font-size:85%;">PA high school searches too far into a girl’s sexting pictures that were stored in her cell phone.<span style=""> </span>The principal confiscated her phone and found the racy pictures when there was no need for him to look at her pictures in the first place. The photos then were sent to a prosecutor, who told her she needed to take course on sexual violence or else he’d sueher <span style=""> </span>for child pornography.<span style=""> </span>The girl says she was appalled that so many people viewed her naked pictures that she and her attorney feel is private.<span style=""> </span>So, she decided to sue for violating her privacy two years after the fact. <br /> <br />Did the school have a right to look through her cell phone? <br /> <br />Story: <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20005591-504083.html">http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20005591-504083.html</a> <br /></span>

PA Teacher's Aide Suspended over Porn Allegation

An unidentified 57-year-old teacher's aid viewed porn on a Westwood Elementary School's computer.   He was suspended, but is still getting paid. Good to know the PA school system still pays people who view porn around children.

WTF?!  http://kdka.com/wireapnewsfnpa/Pa.teacher.s.2.1689127.html

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://akalol.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/kitty_20porn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://akalol.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/kitty_20porn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><br /> </span></span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">An unidentified 57-year-old teacher's aid viewed porn on a Westwood Elementary School's computer.   He was suspended, but is still getting paid. Good to know the PA school system still pays people who view porn around children.</span><br /> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /> <b>WTF?! </b> <a href="http://kdka.com/wireapnewsfnpa/Pa.teacher.s.2.1689127.html" style="color: #0658b5;" target="_blank">http://kdka.com/<wbr></wbr>wireapnewsfnpa/Pa.teacher.s.2.<wbr></wbr>1689127.html</a></span>

10,000+ Photos Taken of Students by School - Parents Sue

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Duder Leaves Pot in 6-Year-Old Son's Backpack

Dad of the Year Ronald Washington allegedly made a call to his 6 yr old sons school saying that "he left something in his sons elmo backpack, and needed to come pick it up".. Well.. when he showed up the cops were there to pick him up. Doh!

STORY: Uniontown Man Allegedly Left Marijuana In 6-Year-Old Son's Backpack

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/scanner/Marijuana-1114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/scanner/Marijuana-1114.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br /> Dad of the Year Ronald Washington allegedly made a call to his 6 yr old sons school saying that "he left something in his sons elmo backpack, and needed to come pick it up".. Well.. when he showed up the cops were there to pick him up. Doh!<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://kdka.com/watercooler/Menallen.Elementary.school.2.1621380.html">Uniontown Man Allegedly Left Marijuana In 6-Year-Old Son's Backpack</a>

Charter School Doubles as Bar (VIDEO)

In a true display of urban mixed use development, one Philly charter school has been set up to be a full on night club after hours. Like some 1920's speak easy where the chalk boards flip down to reveal racks of Crystol and Ciroc and the patrons come in to get  "crunk". Rapper and scholar TI has been known to frequent the place.

Is this a new way to generate money for strapped school districts?

We're intrigued. Hey Philly, if we come down to check it out can we get comp'd bottle service?

FULL STORY: Charter school doubles as bar

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Top 5 Reasons Schools are Closing This Week

As a kid, you always hoped that some unforeseen circumstance causes your school to close so you don't have to go to class. Below you'll see which students got their wish this week.


5. Boiler Room Fire: Woodstock elementary closes early after boiler room fire

4. "Strange Smell:" Hudson High closed because of 'strange smell'

3. Liquid Mercury Leak: Mercury Contamination Closes School

2. Bats!: Bat infestation at elementary school

1. Teacher Electrocuted: School Closes After Teacher Burned

We can only hope that whatever they did on their day off, that the school wasn't spying on them via laptop webcams!

<div align="justify"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.deleon-art.com"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441631490858838306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8hRUDiIyOg0OwJhDsM4jxkXI8CFPpd39eKo_ORmbiAVtl9nRrQqtcKODMqpg1_HhPsCB7HkuLncajFjjkGm1_flDBIjjj8rLrUYjJnqpVK-GVo9gAcjktEIqmk6S8Wxi1b_WOwcl0q21d/s320/closed.JPG" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 283px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a>As a kid, you always hoped that some unforeseen circumstance causes your school to close so you don't have to go to class. Below you'll see which students got their wish this week.<br /><br /><br />5. Boiler Room Fire: <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2010/02/woodstock_elementary_closes_ea.html">Woodstock elementary closes early after boiler room fire</a><br /><br />4. "Strange Smell:" <a class="url entry-title" href="http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/features/x1650249180/Hudson-High-School-evacuated-because-of-strange-smell" rel="bookmark">Hudson High closed because of 'strange smell'</a><br /><br />3. Liquid Mercury Leak: <a href="http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0210/709396.html">Mercury Contamination Closes School</a><br /><br />2. Bats!: <a href="http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/local&id=7293159">Bat infestation at elementary school</a><br /><br />1. Teacher Electrocuted: <a href="http://www.wfsb.com/education/22633737/detail.html">School Closes After Teacher Burned</a> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><em>We can only hope that whatever they did on their day off, that the school wasn't <a href="http://www.detentionslip.org/2010/02/big-brother-students-spied-on-by-school.html">spying on them via laptop</a> webcams!</em> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div>

BIG BROTHER: Students Spied on by School Issued Laptop Webcams

STORY: Suit: School spied on students via webcams

These are the stories that keep us getting out of bed in the morning. An affluent school district in PA decided it would be an awesome idea to give all the students laptops - and then use the built-in webcams to spy on the kids while at home!

Apparently Lindy Matsko, an assistant principal at Harriton High School, told a student that school officials thought he had engaged in "improper behavior" at home and cited as evidence a photograph from the webcam embedded in student's personal laptop issued by the school.

Of course, the family of the student has now filed a class action lawsuit against the entire district. This is really amazing.. they were spying on kids at home through the webcams, and then disciplining kids for actions that took place at home! Out of control.

You can read the entire court complaint here: Robbins v. Lower Merion School District (PDF)

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache-02.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2008/10/big_brother_laptop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache-02.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/8/2008/10/big_brother_laptop.jpg" /></a></div><b>STORY:</b> <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35461838/ns/technology_and_science-security/">Suit: School spied on students via webcams</a><br /> <br /> These are the stories that keep us getting out of bed in the morning. An affluent school district in PA decided it would be an awesome idea to give all the students laptops - and then use the built-in webcams to spy on the kids while at home!<br /> <br /> Apparently Lindy Matsko, an assistant principal at Harriton High School, told a student that school officials thought he had engaged in "improper behavior" at home and cited as evidence a photograph from the webcam embedded in student's personal laptop issued by the school.<br /> <br /> Of course, the family of the student has now filed a class action lawsuit against the entire district. This is really amazing.. they were spying on kids at home through the webcams, and then disciplining kids for actions that took place at home! Out of control.<br /> <br /> You can read the entire court complaint here: <a href="http://craphound.com/robbins17.pdf">Robbins v. Lower Merion School District (PDF)</a>

School using laptops to spy on students

Story: School district accused of spying on kids via laptop webcams

This is the perfect scam to satisfy your voyeurism fetish. The school gave everyone laptops with built in webcams, and now they can watch the students undress every night at home. I can picture some creepy tech guy sitting at home just sifting through a 30-screen grid of streaming video footage of teens at home. What an embarassment to public schools everywhere. I wonder if the students every learned about the Trojan horse in history class?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-nIKTuOOhdXshbX6FxvQIOyEjS0GcKLBZkAxmrH1qOnKKpdYYQKJ84sqEpR30NrnrbdzFpL0KCs69CwqSpktkxRljMI9lEYUnsWmZg9AP096t6FsmeiD7RBMg6NcL4uRqP7AsAsASuo/s320/Spy-vs-Spy-without-bombs-775529%5B1%5D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb-nIKTuOOhdXshbX6FxvQIOyEjS0GcKLBZkAxmrH1qOnKKpdYYQKJ84sqEpR30NrnrbdzFpL0KCs69CwqSpktkxRljMI9lEYUnsWmZg9AP096t6FsmeiD7RBMg6NcL4uRqP7AsAsASuo/s320/Spy-vs-Spy-without-bombs-775529%5B1%5D.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 274px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2010/02/school-district-accused-of-issuing-webcam-laptops-to-spy-on-students/1">School district accused of spying on kids via laptop webcams</a><br /><br /><div align="justify">This is the perfect scam to satisfy your voyeurism fetish. The school gave everyone laptops with built in webcams, and now they can watch the students undress every night at home. I can picture some creepy tech guy sitting at home just sifting through a 30-screen grid of streaming video footage of teens at home. What an embarassment to public schools everywhere. I wonder if the students every learned about the Trojan horse in history class?</div>

Pennsylvania Teacher Suspended Over Private Photo With Stripper

Story: Pennsylvania Teacher Suspended Over Private Photo With Stripper

In Pennsylvania, teachers evidently aren't allowed to go to bridal parties with male strippers. Well, if they do, they should make sure their freinds aren't posting the pictures online. I guess some school districts don't have anything better to do than sift through all the facebook pages of the entire community.

<a href="http://www.airuscafe.com/upload/chippendales.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.airuscafe.com/upload/chippendales.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 229px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.nowpublic.com/world/pennsylvania-teacher-suspended-over-private-photo-stripper-2565268.html">Pennsylvania Teacher Suspended Over Private Photo With Stripper</a><br /><br /><div align="justify">In Pennsylvania, teachers evidently aren't allowed to go to bridal parties with male strippers. Well, if they do, they should make sure their freinds aren't posting the pictures online. I guess some school districts don't have anything better to do than sift through all the facebook pages of the entire community.<br /></div>

School bus driver arrested for DUI during field trip

Story: School bus driver arrested for DUI during field trip

If school field trips don't include liquor store visits, you have to take matters into your own hands. Plus, sometimes the weekend doesn't come soon enough.

<a href="http://www.majesticmidways.com/images/ridepicts/crazybus_lg.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.majesticmidways.com/images/ridepicts/crazybus_lg.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 258px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/10019/1029369-298.stm">School bus driver arrested for DUI during field trip</a><br /><br /><div align="justify">If school field trips don't include liquor store visits, you have to take matters into your own hands. Plus, sometimes the weekend doesn't come soon enough.</div>

School Bans Fans From Basketball Games

Story: School Bans Fans From Basketball Games

The school has a sure fire plan to increase the popularity of its basketball team: To only allow parents of the players to attend the games. Way to make high school fun! I wonder if any colleges or pro teams will be adopting this model if the team starts a winning streak?

<a href="http://ahedofmytime.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/4da9fc8dab8c8c1fa36a722f50ebc55a-getty-86317051ge001_mavs_nuggets2.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ahedofmytime.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/4da9fc8dab8c8c1fa36a722f50ebc55a-getty-86317051ge001_mavs_nuggets2.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 349px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><strong>Story:</strong> <a href="http://www.myfoxphilly.com/dpp/news/education/011210_High_School_Bans_Basketball_Spectators">School Bans Fans From Basketball Games</a><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify">The school has a sure fire plan to increase the popularity of its basketball team: To <em>only</em> allow parents of the players to attend the games. Way to make high school fun! I wonder if any colleges or pro teams will be adopting this model if the team starts a winning streak?</div>