Banning of certain words by NYC board shows fear of tough topics

By Matt Greenemeier | April 5

Apparently the New York City Board of Education is simply ahead of the curve when it comes to producing young, free-thinking minds.

Auburn Educators Talk About New Teacher Code of Ethics

By Sarah Craft/Associate Copy Editor | July 28

The Alabama Legislature is working to enforce a new code of ethics for educators and cracking down on the inappropriate behaviors found in schools.The new code of ethics contains provisions regarding conduct standards for teachers, unlawful acts and maintenance of student confidentiality.According to the new code of ethics, teachers can be disciplined if they engage in behaviors such as using inappropriate language on school grounds, failing to provide adequate supervision to students and exposing students to unnecessary embarrassment."The code protects the health, safety and general welfare of students and educators; outlines objective standards of conduct for professional educators; and clearly defines actions of an unethical nature for which disciplinary sanctions are justified," reads the code's introductory text."I support the Alabama Education Association (AEA), but (the new code) could be abused," said Jason Wright, principal of Auburn Junior High School.

Governor Riley Announces First Class Pre-K Program

By Jordan Brantley/Staff Writer | July 17

Gov. Bob Riley announced July 7th that 27 classrooms around the state will now be sites for the First Class Pre-K program.The nation's top-rated kindergarten program will now serve a total number of 3,808 children.According to the press release, since the First Class initiative first started in November 2007, 68 percent more four-year-olds are being served by the program, and there are now 213 First Class classrooms in Alabama."Alabama is providing the nation's highest quality pre-K program to more students than ever before," Riley said in the press release.

Auburn Hosts First National Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology Conference

By Sarah Phillips/ Staff Writer | July 16

Auburn recently was host of the first-ever National Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology (BEST) Conference on June 18 through June 20.This was a first for Auburn, as it was recently named the national BEST headquarters in January thanks to the work of Mary Lou Ewald and George Blanks."Auburn has a rich tradition of outreach programs for K-12," said Ewald, director of outreach for the College of Sciences and Mathematics and Vice President and Regional Representative of BEST Robotics.

First Book Encourages Local Childhood Literacy

By Grace Henderson/Staff Writer | July 16

First Book, a non-profit organization, gives children one resource many take for granted: books.Founded nationally in 1992, First Book strives to increase literacy by donating books to underprivileged communities."I think this effort makes a difference in the lives of youth locally and helps to improve literacy rates among child populations," said Chippewa Thomas, a professor in the department of special education, rehabilitation and counseling."As the organization's adviser and president of the Alabama Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Thomas said she will work this year to collect books and distribute them to local youth organizations, schools and individuals."As part of the 'Read Across Alabama' initiative in November, books will also be given to children at a school in Birmingham who don't have books at home of their own to read," Thomas said.First Book raises awareness in Auburn by planning fund-raisers at local restaurants and bookstores, said Kimberly Parent, First Book president at Auburn."We also raise the bulk of our funds through the generosity of our donors, and we do appreciate whatever people are willing to give," Parent said.Parent said gift cards will be available in October for those wanting to support the organization."Anyone who wants to show their support for children in need can purchase one and give it to someone they care about to show some holiday spirit," Parent said.The Auburn chapter of First Book began as an advocacy project, consisting of a book drive and reading day at a local elementary school, for one of Parent's classes."Then the idea kept getting bigger, and I spoke to someone who had started a First Book chapter at their school," Parent said.

State pre-K program tied for top in nation

By Kristen Bost / Staff Writer | April 30

For the third consecutive year, the National Institute for Early Education Research ranked Alabama and North Carolina as having the top pre-kindergarten programs nationally.