Teacher accused of teaching class while drunk

Story: San Jose teacher accused of teaching class while intoxicated

I would say blood-alcohol level of .16 constitutes being drunk. So maybe her Happy Hour starts at 7am when she lines up a couple shots of Wild Turkey whiskey. This is definitely a great learning environment for elementary school students. The class was tipped off to her behavior when she began throwing things across the room during a rage that started because she just wanted a slice of pizza to eat.

<a href="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/buterfly67/drunk_woman.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/buterfly67/drunk_woman.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 247px; height: 288px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/hotjobs/ci_10363903">San Jose teacher accused of teaching class while intoxicated</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">I would say blood-alcohol level of .16 constitutes being drunk. So maybe her Happy Hour starts at 7am when she lines up a couple shots of Wild Turkey whiskey. This is definitely a great learning environment for elementary school students. The class was tipped off to her behavior when she began throwing things across the room during a rage that started because she just wanted a slice of pizza to eat.<br /></div><span> </span>

School employee arrested with gun in backpack

Story: School employee arrested with gun in Dorchester

Wait a second...this isn't Texas! Sometimes instead of packing a lunch, I prefer to pack heat. It's no accident when you arrive on campus with a .380 handgun and 12 rounds of ammunition. Do we really need to spark up the debate again, or can't we just agree that not all people need to be carrying firearms?

<a href="http://katmeyer.serverpro2.com/Photo_Gallery/gun_holding.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://katmeyer.serverpro2.com/Photo_Gallery/gun_holding.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 349px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/09/school_employee.html">School employee arrested with gun in Dorchester</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Wait a second...this isn't </span><a href="http://detentionslip.org/2008/08/texas-school-district-letting-teachers.html" style="font-style: italic;">Texas</a><span style="font-style: italic;">! </span> Sometimes instead of packing a lunch, I prefer to pack heat. It's no accident when you arrive on campus with a .380 handgun and 12 rounds of ammunition. Do we really need to spark up the debate again, or can't we just agree that not all people need to be carrying firearms?<br /></div><span> </span>

School suspends over 20 for tribute shirts

Story: Local ACLU Joins Millard South Shirt Fight

Every day more and more students are facing 1-3 day suspensions for wearing a t-shirt that pays tribute to a classmate who passed away. Since it is well within the administrators rights to decide when and where teens can grieve and memorialize a friend, they plan to continue punishing these children for "disrupting the learning environment." On the other hand, the ACLU sees nothing offensive or distracting about the shirts, and plans to fight this case. In a related note, the school principal plans to spit on the grave of the fallen boy.

<a href="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/articles/rip.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/files/articles/rip.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 255px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.ketv.com/news/17338433/detail.html">Local ACLU Joins Millard South Shirt Fight</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Every day more and more students are facing 1-3 day suspensions for wearing a t-shirt that pays tribute to a classmate who passed away. Since it is well within the administrators rights to decide when and where teens can grieve and memorialize a friend, they plan to continue punishing these children for "disrupting the learning environment." On the other hand, the ACLU sees nothing offensive or distracting about the shirts, and plans to fight this case. In a related note, the school principal plans to spit on the grave of the fallen boy.<br /></div><span> </span>

Strikes, Protests Hit Schools Like Wild Fire!

Schools everywhere hit with student, teacher strikes

It was the first day of school for millions across the country. But for thousands and thousands, strikes and protests prevented this day from going smoothly. Over 1000 Chicago students protested unbalanced funding in poorer neighborhoods by skipping school and showing up at the wealthier one instead. Some schools near Seattle had to be canceled altogether because of a teacher strike. The same thing is happening near Pittsburgh because of a wage dispute that doesn't appear to have a close ending in sight. Across the state outside Philadelphia, contract problems are looming and forced 7,000 students to not start class as scheduled. Detroit avoided a near-miss, but could have a rough ride in next 30 days if disagreements don't get resolved. So what is to be learned by all this? That the American public is completely satisfied with the current state of education.

Story featured on this Carnival.

<a href="http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/images/Montana%20fire%20%281%29.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.traditionalmountaineering.org/images/Montana%20fire%20%281%29.jpg" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 383px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 197px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" /></a><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Schools everywhere hit with student, teacher strikes</span><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify">It was the first day of school for millions across the country. But for thousands and thousands, strikes and protests prevented this day from going smoothly. Over <a href="http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080902/D92UPD280.html">1000 Chicago students</a> protested unbalanced funding in poorer neighborhoods by skipping school and showing up at the wealthier one instead. Some schools near <a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008152576_bellevue01m.html">Seattle had to be canceled</a> altogether because of a teacher strike. The same thing is <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08246/908773-100.stm">happening near Pittsburgh</a> because of a wage dispute that doesn't appear to have a close ending in sight. Across the state outside <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20080902_Souderton_teachers_on_strike.html">Philadelphia, contract problems</a> are looming and forced 7,000 students to not start class as scheduled. <a href="http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080902/NEWS02/809020321">Detroit avoided a near-miss</a>, but could have a rough ride in next 30 days if disagreements don't get resolved. So what is to be learned by all this? <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">That the American public is completely satisfied with the current state of education.</span><br /></div><br />Story featured on this <a href="http://whyhomeschool.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Carnival</em></span></a>.

Students find new ways to cheat

Story: Students find new ways to cheat

It used to be such a hassle writing answers on your palms. Now it's as easy as surfing the web on your cell phone during a test. Or taking a picture of it, only to distribute copies to everyone else. Let's hand it to teens, they really have a grasp for creative uses of technology. Maybe this can help spur the debate for the actual value of test-taking.

<a href="http://ndn.newsweek.com/media/36/071005_SO02_vl-vertical.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ndn.newsweek.com/media/36/071005_SO02_vl-vertical.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 323px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080831/LIFESTYLE/808310323/1004/LIFESTYLE">Students find new ways to cheat</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It used to be such a hassle writing answers on your palms. Now it's as easy as surfing the web on your cell phone during a test. Or taking a picture of it, only to distribute copies to everyone else. Let's hand it to teens, they really have a grasp for creative uses of technology. Maybe this can help spur the debate for the actual value of test-taking.<br /></div><span> </span>

Georgia girl kicked off football team

Story: Girl kicker booted off school football team

She was immediately forced by the school to enroll in Home-Ec courses instead. The league directors also plan on keeping a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't vote when she turns eighteen. The boys on the team, however, didn't seem to have a problem sharing the locker room with her.

<a href="http://www.lilredembroideryshop.com/football%20sport%20girl.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.lilredembroideryshop.com/football%20sport%20girl.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 298px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/henry/stories/2008/08/29/football_girl.html">Girl kicker booted off school football team</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">She was immediately forced by the school to enroll in Home-Ec courses instead. The league directors also plan on keeping a close eye on her to make sure she doesn't vote when she turns eighteen. The boys on the team, however, didn't seem to have a problem sharing the locker room with her.<br /></div><span> </span>

Health care benefits cut for 1,300 employees

Story: Glitch cuts benefits for 1,300 LA school workers

In an effort to save on budget, they were hoping this 'glitch' would go unnoticed. As it turns out the odds are NOT in your favor when you have 1,300 people who you are banking on not getting sick. Rumor has it, they also try and skip out on some paychecks for employees that have direct deposit, and just hope that they don't check their account balances.

<a href="http://happytrailsboardingkennel.com/sitebuilder/images/sick_puppy-600x319.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://happytrailsboardingkennel.com/sitebuilder/images/sick_puppy-600x319.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/08/29/state/n212315D59.DTL&type=science">Glitch cuts benefits for 1,300 LA school workers</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In an effort to save on budget, they were hoping this 'glitch' would go unnoticed. As it turns out the odds are NOT in your favor when you have 1,300 people who you are banking on not getting sick. Rumor has it, they also try and skip out on some paychecks for employees that have direct deposit, and just hope that they don't check their account balances.<br /></div><span> </span>

Plane crashes into Idaho elementary school

Story: Plane crashes into Idaho elementary school

Not this this is necessarily a result of poor education policies, but it a noteworthy story. As an elementary student, I remember losing my focus if maintenance starting mowing the lawn outside my classroom. I can only imagine having a single-engine Cessna crashing through the window. It's a good thing this school isn't built by a railroad track.

<a href="http://www.madcowprod.com/fi04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.madcowprod.com/fi04.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >Story: </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-aug2908-plane_crash.24ed994a.html"><span class="vitstoryheadline"><span>Plane crashes into Idaho elementary school</span></span></a><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Not this this is necessarily a result of poor education policies, but it a noteworthy story. As an elementary student, I remember losing my focus if maintenance starting mowing the lawn outside my classroom. I can only imagine having a single-engine Cessna crashing through the window. It's a good thing this school isn't built by a railroad track.</span><br /></div><span> </span>

School bans beverages from hallways, classrooms

Story: West Genesee bans beverages from hallways, classrooms

The school was having a huge problem with the students staying properly hydrated. It's only a matter of time until kids are bootlegging Gatorade out of the bathrooms.

<a href="http://www.americanrecycler.com/apr03/gatorade.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.americanrecycler.com/apr03/gatorade.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.9wsyr.com/mostpopular/story.aspx?content_id=162bf595-949a-442d-a086-47710c13029d">West Genesee bans beverages from hallways, classrooms</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">The school was having a huge problem with the students staying properly hydrated. It's only a matter of time until kids are bootlegging Gatorade out of the bathrooms.<br /></div><span> </span>

Ohio school bans short cheerleader skirts

Story: Ohio School Says Cheerleaders' Skirts Are Too Short

In a related story...attendance at all football and basketball games dropped about 33% this year. For some reason Dads just aren't as interested in watching their kids ride the bench anymore. Although their skirts are no longer appropriate, no changes were made to how annoying their chants can be.

<a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2477833999_c5c8c435af.jpg?v=0" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2477833999_c5c8c435af.jpg?v=0" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6576">Ohio School Says Cheerleaders' Skirts Are Too Short</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In a related story...attendance at all football and basketball games dropped about 33% this year. For some reason Dads just aren't as interested in watching their kids ride the bench anymore. Although their skirts are no longer appropriate, no changes were made to how annoying their chants can be.<br /></div><span> </span>

Boy, 11, Takes Grenade To School

Story: Boy Takes Grenade To Show-And-Tell

It's among the items I've considered taking to Show and Tell. G.I. Joe's were way too remedial. If I didn't have actual WWII weapons, I threw a fit. So I know where this boy is coming from. His classmate plans to upstage him next week by being dropped off at school in a tank.

<a href="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n4/RobertOak/diane-arbus-1962.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n4/RobertOak/diane-arbus-1962.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.nbc4.com/news/17313861/detail.html">Boy Takes Grenade To Show-And-Tell</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">It's among the items I've considered taking to Show and Tell. G.I. Joe's were way too remedial. If I didn't have actual WWII weapons, I threw a fit. So I know where this boy is coming from. His classmate plans to upstage him next week by being dropped off at school in a tank.<br /></div><span> </span>

Teacher Accused of Giving Students Cocaine

Story: Teacher Accused of Giving Students Cocaine

She is also accused of stripping for students and allowing them to blow lines off of her chest. Nothing makes parents feel safer about sending their kids to school than knowing their teen can score some coke from their teachers. It really takes 'smoking in the boys room' to the next level. If it wasn't for school metal detectors, she planned on selling small firearms out of her filing cabinets as well.

<a href="http://www.fife.police.uk/images/cocaine.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.fife.police.uk/images/cocaine.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 238px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Story: </span><a href="http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=88f8d221-31c9-44ab-a8f1-f0005aea1135&rss=702">Teacher Accused of Giving Students Cocaine</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">She is also accused of stripping for students and allowing them to blow lines off of her chest. Nothing makes parents feel safer about sending their kids to school than knowing their teen can score some coke from their teachers. It really takes 'smoking in the boys room' to the next level. If it wasn't for school metal detectors, she planned on selling small firearms out of her filing cabinets as well.<br /></div><span> </span>