Private schools: Dana Sostchin, a first-grade teacher who has taught for more than 20 years at Yeshiva Elementary School in Miami Beach, receives a Governor’s Shine Award from Gov. Rick Scott. Jewish Journal.
Charter schools: A new Brevard County K-5 charter school focuses on the classics, with literature and Latin lessons. Florida Today. The governing board of University Preparatory Academy, Pinellas’s newest charter school, meets today. Tampa Bay Times.
Dual enrollment: Polk County high school students taking part in a dual enrollment program with Southeastern University get to tour the campus. The Ledger.
Digital learning: Two Pinellas County high schools get to expand their digital technology programs thanks to a $14,500 grant. The Tampa Tribune.
Common Core: Department of Education officials have received nearly 13,000 public comments on Common Core State Standards. Tallahassee Democrat.
Afterschool: Pinellas County schools make a final push to enroll students in the district’s new afterschool tutoring program, Promise Time. The Tampa Tribune.
Teacher pay: Miami-Dade teachers will vote on a $70 million deal that will provide raises of at least $1,100 to 21,000 instructors. Miami Herald. Lee County teachers approve a $1,700 raise for effective and highly effective teachers. Fort Myers News-Press.
Early learning: Advocates for early learning recommend standardizing licensing and staffing requirements for daycare, school readiness and VPK programs, including those in religious schools. The Florida Current.
Check mate: Sunrise uses the game of Chess as an education tool at three Broward County elementary schools. Sun Sentinel.
School boards: Palm Beach County school board members take another look at two lobbying contracts worth $381,000 in the next two years. Palm Beach Post. The Manatee County School District looks at ways to correct the $3.9 million shortfall. Bradenton Herald.
Teacher awards: A Brevard County high school English teacher is named Journalism Teacher of the Year for a nine-county district by the Florida Scholastic Press Association. Florida Today.
Principals: Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart encourages principals to maintain a positive outlook in the face of growing challenges. Tampa Bay Times.
Smoke-free: A group wants the Pasco County school district to change its policy allowing older schools to escape the smoke-free designation in place at newer campuses. Tampa Bay Times.
