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View Article  Passing On a Note from the State PTA Office

Orange County CORE recently recieved this information from the Florida State PTA Office. Please use it at your discretion and for your informational purposes.

Please note that the Florida PTA is planning a rally in Tallahassee.  It will be held on March 18th, during the legislative session.  Our rally slogan is, “Invest in Children, Invest in Public Education”.  We are working in conjunction with the Florida School Board Association and the Florida Education Association.  We will be gathering about 10:30 AM to start the rally at 11:00 AM.  We will be on the Supreme Court side ...   more »

View Article  The Superintendent's Citizen Budget Study Commission IS open to the public.
You are encouraged to go and listen to the process of how this committee functions and the ideas which the Superintendent brings to the table.
 
There is no public input, but if you have questions after the meeting, Orange County CORE would be willing to find the answers to those questions for you.
 
Here is the meeting schedule- PLEASE try to attend
 
December 17, 2008
January 7, 2009
January 21, 2009
February 4, 2009
February 11, 2009
February 25, 2009
 
Meetings begin at 4:30 p.m. in Conference Room A unless otherwise noted.
445 W. Amelia Street, ...   more »
View Article  The FLIP has FLOPPED!
Last night, December 9, 2008, the Orange County School Board voted to reverse the high school-middle school schedule flip.  The change back to the old schedule will become effective next fall at the start of the school year.  The vote was 4-3.  Supporting the change back to the old schedule were board members Vicky Bell, who made the motion, Nancy Robbinson, who seconded the motion, Christine Moore, and Rick Roach.  Opposed to the motion were board members Joie Cadle, Kat Gordon, and Daryl Flynn. 
 
Click HERE to link to the Orlando Sentinel story regarding the vote.
 
Today, CORE ...   more »
View Article  The NEW Action

On May 13, 2008 the Orange County School Board voted 4/3 on a very controversial school schedule 'flip'. This decision 'flipped' the school start times of middle and high schools throughout the county. This starts middle schools at approximately 7 am each day with a release of 2pm (1pm on Wednesdays) and starts high schools at 9:30 am each day with a release of 4:30pm (3:30 pm on Wednesdays). This decision was made with little or no consideration  of the public who showed in numbers their opposition to the 'flip'. And this decision affected 84,000 secondary students in our county.

 

Since this ...   more »

View Article  Letter From Representative Adams

Thank you for your email regarding the proposed “flip” schedule by the Orange County School Board.  While I too have concerns about the “flip”, I realize this is under the jurisdiction of the Orange County School Board.  My concern is for the middle and high school students and the potential impact they will encounter.  I am not sure if the school board has fully vetted the financial benefit gained once the cost of moving extracurricular activities, such as sports are factored into the equation. Also, having the middle school students waiting in darkness for their early morning buses is of ...   more »

View Article  COMMUNITY ALERT
COMMUNITY:
 
THIS IS VITAL AND IMPORTANT  information for the future of your children in the Orange County public school system.
 
On May 13, 2008 the School Board of Orange County voted 4-3 on the school schedule flip situation. The school board members did not receive a cost analysis on this proposal  from the staff, but they still chose to vote on this situation which will affect 84,000 secondary students along with the members of their families, their employers, and our local governments. In as much as the people in the community were not listened to by the school ...   more »
View Article  NOW YOU KNOW by Andrea Samson

NOW YOU KNOW  - An editorial that won’t get published anywhere else.

(from the Parents/Professionals group against the School Flip)

 

Let me begin by saying the Elected School Board Chair is not our issue, and we do not, as a parent group, take a position on it.  We have but one issue and that is the flipped schedule.  The issue discussed here is one of fairness, equal standing, and voters with a Constitutional right to representation from currently elected officials.   

 

That said, the board meeting 7/22/08 was a revelation in priority setting.  Did you know that ...   more »

View Article  Letter From Parent at Last Night's Meeting
 
Hello,
I hope all of you are doing well. I attended the school board meeting last night.  There was not a large crowd.  It is imperative that we have a big crowd at the meeting next Tuesday night!  It is the meeting to approve the budget and bus schedules for next year!  The issue of flip time is going to come up and we need as many parents and students there as possible to reinforce our stand on the issue. 
 
We can't think that "someone else" is going to be there for us!  We all need to show ...   more »
View Article  PETITIONS NEED TO BE TURNED IN FRIDAY JULY 17
PETITIONS need to be turned in tomorrow...........Friday July 17, 2008. Please contact us at savecommschools@aol.com and let us know where we can meet you to pick them up. We would like as many as possible on Friday---still continue to gather petitions as you cater to your neighborhood functions and stores etc......these petitions will go into a second submittal.........please, once again, contact us to pick up ANY petitions you already have signed!
   more »
View Article  ¿Cuánto Nos Costará a Nosotros el FLIP ?

¿Cuánto Nos Costará a Nosotros el FLIP ?

El Consejo Escolar del Condado de Orange, en su intento de ahorrar .02% por ciento de su presupuesto anual de funcionamiento, ha votado a favor de interrumpir la rutina diaria de más de 250,000 ciudadanos. Aunque usted no tenga un niño en una escuela pública del condado Orange, se podría ver negativamente afectado por esta decisión en la cual se aprobó el "Flip," donde los horarios de escuela media y High School fueron invertidos. Desafortunadamente, un cambio como este será perjudicial para nuestra comunidad, para nuestros niños y la economía de la ...   more »

1 Attachments
View Article  MEETING MONDAY JULY 14

For Immediate Release:  July 10, 2008

 

Contact

Christine Aleknavich

Legislative Assistant, Representative Darren Soto

407-249-4743 or Christine.Aleknavich@MyFloridaHouse.gov

 

Rep. Soto Urges Families to Participate in Meeting to Affect School Schedule

 

School Board Members Rick Roach and Jim Martin will host a Community Meeting on Monday, July 14th, 2008, 6:30-8:00 PM, at the Educational Leadership Center, 445 W. Amelia Street, Orlando, FL   32801.  The purpose of the meeting is to share information with the Spanish-speaking population on the impact and adjustments being made for the new school start times in August....   more »

View Article  PETITION INFORMATION

All petitions which are being collected need to be turned in to a central person. When you are finished collecting petitions, please email savecommschools@aol.com and we will arrange for the petitions to be picked up.

Petitions need to be turned in  no later than July 18th---email the above for more information!

 

 

   more »
View Article  Commissioner Rober Stuart's Take on the 'FLIP'
As a City of Orlando Commissioner, we are tasked, specifically, with it's fiscal responsibility.  I'm deeply concerned over the financial impact of the change of the school start times as has been approved by the Orange County School Board.  Let me cite just two examples that concern me:

First, much of our after school day care at our 11 facilities throughout Orlando is supplemented by quality staff provided through local high schools.  This quality core of working students have allowed us to keep our rates far below the market and well within the reach of hard working families.   These ...   more »
View Article  Letters of Support---List as of July 11, 2008

The opposition to the OCPS 'FLIP'  has received many letters of support. As of this date, at

1 PM, these are the letters we have received.... more are being prepared from local, state and federal Political entities.

* Orange County Council of Mayors

* West Orange Chamber of Commerce

* Representative Bryan Nelson

* Harris Rosen

* Commissioner Kathy Till

* Candidate Armstrong (for Orange County Sherriff)

* Canidates for District 4 School Board Seat- Vicky Bell, Lou Roeder, Dr. Deeba Ahmad

* Canidates for District 7 School Board Seat- Bert Carrier, Michael Kimbrough, Laura Keller, Christine Moore Curtis

 

   more »
View Article  Orlando Sentinel Wants YOUR Opinions

This is from the Sentinel's Blog today!

PLEASE write in about the school situation---expose the FACTS....show how this is affecting 1/2 million people---flood with ideas and concerns----LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD IN A BIG WAY----- This is not a dead issue....litigation has started and it will get hotter----keep the motivation and remember that we are  doing this for the kids and the families affected! SPEAK OUT FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR NEIGHBORS!!!!

 

If you've got a problem with a Central Florida government or state agency, we'd like to hear about it. We're looking ...   more »

View Article  Mr. Gledich from Andrea's Eyes and Research

Nicholas Gledich, OCPS Chief Operations Officer, has been a finalist in the Memphis school system's search for a new superintendent. In a question and answer session with the public, Gledich stated his positions on a number of issues

"Asked about tackling gang issues, Gledich said early intervention is key with students in elementary and middle schools. He said it is a partnership with law enforcement and community groups. And, it is a sustained effort. 'It can't be a one shot wonder. This is something that needs to be ongoing and something that needs to be done with intent and purpose. ...   more »

View Article  Harris Rosen's Take on the 'flip'
Here is the letter that Mr. Rosen sent the school board in respose to a current school board work session discussion with Kat Gordon. Please, make sure you read HIS words and his view of the poor decision the board is attempting.   more »
1 Attachments
View Article  This issue is NOT 'dead'
 
Please read below and respond as needed in action.....this is a vital time in our schooling history and the MAJORITY of the communities are in opposition to this 'flip'.
Four school board members (Geiger, Cadle, Flynn and Gordon) are refusing to listen to their communities.
I have attended 3 school board meetings/ functions in the last week. These members have stated, in public record, that their communities are in TOTAL acceptance of this decision. THEY need to hear from their people and communities! You may listen and watch these proceedings on the OCPS web site under the school board heading ...   more »
View Article  PETITION ACTION ITEMS.....

To all,

 

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that last night’s meeting produced nothing in the way of meaningful change.  Stubborn, illogical, and self-serving are all descriptions that fit.  In Kat Gordon’s case, “over the edge” also fits.  Moving forward, below are positive things you can do to continue.  Do not fall victim to thinking we’ve lost.  We have not.    

 

Read the letters that follow this message!  There are so many town and city officials and community leaders that are willing to step up and support us.  I would urge you to directly contact your local Chambers ...   more »

1 Attachments
View Article  ACTION ITEMS---- Position Statement

Can Orange County Afford the “FLIP”?

On May 13, 2008, the Orange County Public School Board voted at its regularly scheduled

meeting to “FLIP” the scheduled start/stop times for middle and high school students

beginning in August, 2008. As stakeholders, we believe such a change in schedules will

jeopardize the safety and academic success of our students, impose severe hardships on the

teachers and families in our community, and damage the economic well-being and viability

of the Central Florida business community.

It is our position the Orange County School Board acted hastily and irresponsibly in

regards to this change, in ...   more »