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As 2025 approaches, Florida is embroiled in significant First Amendment disputes, particularly regarding book removals in public schools. Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody argues that these removals constitute government speech, stating: “Public-school systems, including their libraries, convey the government's message.” This legal stance has sparked numerous lawsuits and could reshape First Amendment law. Florida leads the nation in book bans, with groups like Moms for Liberty influencing state policies. Additionally, new laws restrict minors' access to social media and pornography, while a recent law prohibits anyone under 21 from working in adult entertainment venues. These developments have raised concerns about censorship and constitutional rights in the state.

 

News-Press.com

TCPalm

Despite a 30-year mandate for Florida schools to teach African American history, instruction often remains limited and inconsistent, leaving many families disillusioned. Community programs, such as the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum and church-supported initiatives, are stepping in to provide comprehensive lessons on topics like segregation, lynchings, and the Civil Rights Movement. While some districts meet the mandate, offering standalone Black history courses remains rare, with only 30 of 67 districts providing such classes in 2023. Efforts to expand Black history education face challenges, including restrictive state laws under Governor Ron DeSantis, limiting how race and discrimination are addressed in schools. Advocates like Tameka Bradley Hobbs argue for self-reliance in preserving African American heritage, while educators like Renee O’Connor develop independent programs to fill gaps. As students embrace these grassroots efforts, they gain a deeper understanding of their history and culture, fostering a connection that traditional classrooms often fail to provide. 

 

AP News

Cellphones remain a top concern for educators in 2024, as teachers and principals grapple with their disruptive impact on student learning, sleep, and mental health. Education Week's coverage highlighted the behavioral issues tied to cellphones, including unauthorized photo-taking, recording fights, and engaging in social media-driven dares. State policymakers have started addressing this challenge, creating policies to ban or restrict student cellphone use, though enforcement still varies widely across districts. Some schools implement total bans, while others allow limited use. Teachers and students shared insights on potential solutions, such as cellphone etiquette classes, and superintendents reconsidered long-standing no-ban policies. This issue underscores the need for clear policies and collaborative solutions as schools work to balance technology’s benefits and challenges.

 

Education Week News

A recent Study.com survey of nearly 900 teachers reveals that while job satisfaction has increased from 12% to 20% this year, it remains significantly lower than a decade ago. The survey highlights that 30% of K-12 teachers plan to seek new jobs, with 54% struggling to achieve work-life balance. As Peggy Carr, NCES commissioner, states: "There is still room for improvement." Factors contributing to teacher turnover include excessive workloads, lack of in-class support, and challenges in managing student behavior. Notably, 46% of teachers believe that more support from paraprofessionals would enhance their work experience. The findings underscore the need for a comprehensive approach to improve teacher retention and satisfaction in schools.

 

Bradenton.com

The Miami Herald

On December 16, a tragic shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to six others, with the shooter, 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow, taking her own life. Investigations reveal Rupnow was deeply engaged in online communities that glorified violence and shared extremist ideologies. Mary Ellen O'Toole, a former FBI agent, noted: “Bank robbers don't emulate other bank robbers,” highlighting the unique online influences on school shooters. The Anti-Defamation League found Rupnow participated in a Telegram chat linked to a neo-Nazi attack, and her social media presence included white supremacist content. Experts emphasize the importance of monitoring children's online activities, as many warning signs can go unnoticed. Dewey Cornell, a professor at the University of Virginia, said: “We have conducted extensive research showing that school-based threat assessment teams can safely and effectively resolve student threats.” The need for comprehensive threat assessment processes in schools is underscored by this tragedy.

 

Missoulian

Former Polk School Board member Lori Cunningham is set to attend a hearing in January regarding an unresolved ethics complaint related to her company selling mandatory uniforms to Lake Wales Charter Schools while in office. The Florida Commission on Ethics found probable cause that Cunningham violated ethical standards, although her attorney, Robin Gibbons, argued that the funds were private donations and not from the Polk County Public Schools. Gibbons noted: "Charter schools are not well understood by a lot of folks," suggesting the probable cause finding was a mistake. However, commission members expressed strong evidence against Cunningham, with Wengay Newton saying: “The paper don’t lie. And the checks don’t lie.” The case will proceed to a final hearing on January 15 and 16, 2025.

 

Lakeland Ledger

A federal judge has dismissed a challenge from a Broward County teen regarding the constitutionality of a 2021 Florida law that prohibits transgender female students from participating in women's and girls' sports teams. The ruling signifies a setback for advocates seeking to change the law, which has been a point of contention in discussions about gender and sports.

 

Orlando Sentinel

Sun Sentinel

The Broward County School Board has approved the 2025/26 school calendar for Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) during a meeting on December 17, 2024. The calendar features a week-long Thanksgiving break, two weeks for winter break, and one week for spring break. Key dates include the first day of school on August 11, 2025, and the last day on June 3, 2026. BCPS Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn expressed enthusiasm, saying: “We are excited to share the 2025/26 school calendar with our families and community,” highlighting the importance of community feedback in creating a supportive learning environment. The full calendar is accessible on the District’s website.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

At the Hernando County School Board meeting on December 10, Ed LaRose, principal of Weeki Wachee High School, was honored as the district's 2024-25 Principal of the Year. Gina Michalicka, assistant superintendent, praised LaRose as a "homegrown education hero," highlighting his commitment to fostering a supportive learning environment. LaRose, a Central High graduate, has been instrumental in implementing effective teaching strategies and has hosted the Teachers in Action Conference, attended by over 1,800 educators. He emphasized the importance of knowing and valuing every individual in the school community, stating: "It's just knowing our people, identifying what our best practices are." Additionally, Alexa Neal from Moton Elementary was recognized as the Assistant Principal of the Year, and bus driver Lonnie Powell was honored as the Veteran of the Month. The board also voted to remove three books from circulation despite committee recommendations.

 

Hernando Sun

Jaeden Couron from West Florida High School has been named the Escambia and Santa Rosa County High School Student of the Week, receiving 50% of the votes. Runner-up Hannah Villarreal garnered 46.89%. Couron, an 11th grader, excels academically with a perfect 4.0 unweighted and 4.5 weighted GPA, placing him in the top ten of his class. He is a member of the Aerospace Engineering Academy and has been selected to represent ECPS at the Sunshine State Scholars event in Orlando.

 

Pensacola News Journal

The 28th Annual Christmas Smiles Project Toy Drive brought joy to thousands of children in the Miami area, particularly those from underprivileged immigrant families. Over 100 volunteers helped distribute toys at the Caribbean K-8 Center in Cutler Bay, where kids eagerly lined up before dawn. Samantha Rey, a high school senior who organized the event, noted: "Every year it gets bigger and bigger." The initiative, started by her mother, Rosemarie Rey, in 1997, has grown significantly, now officially recognized as a nonprofit in 2023. Rosemarie reflected on the impact of the project, remarking: "Everybody thinks like, 'Wow, you're impacting these kids' lives so much,' but I think they're impacting ours more." The toy drive not only serves local children but also extends its reach to those in need internationally.

 

NBC Miami

Brevard Public Schools elementary schools have come together to create heartfelt holiday video messages for military personnel stationed overseas. This initiative has garnered enthusiastic participation from both staff and students, showcasing a strong community spirit. The videos were sent to military members at Incirlik Air Base in Adana, Turkey, fostering a warm exchange of holiday greetings. In appreciation, each school received personalized video messages from the troops, expressing gratitude for the festive cheer. This initiative emphasizes the importance of supporting our military during the holiday season and strengthens the bond between Brevard Public Schools and those serving abroad.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

Jamar "Jesepi" King, a former foster youth, was honored as the Outstanding Youth Advocate at the 2024 Palm Beach Advocates for Children Awards, presented by Florida's Children First. King, who spent time in the foster care system, emphasized the need for improvements, saying: "A lot of kids are still kids when they age out." He is actively involved with Florida Youth SHINE, advocating for housing support for children in care. King's passion for cooking, developed while living in a group home, has led him to aspire to own a food truck, showcasing his culinary skills in pasta, Asian cuisine, and desserts. Florida's Children First is dedicated to advancing the rights of children impacted by various systems.

 

TCPalm

The December 2024 issue of School Bus Fleet features the 2025 Fact Book, a comprehensive guide to the school bus industry. It includes vital information on bus and chassis manufacturers, specifications, and contact details for national and state associations. Sandra Dainora Petersen has been appointed as the senior VP of product at an alternative transportation provider, while Sebastian Giordano joins GreenPower's Board of Directors. The issue also highlights the need for nominations for the 2025 award recognizing leadership in pupil transportation. The report also covers the latest statistics on school bus sales and safety, sponsored by First Light Safety Products.

 

School Bus Fleet

A recent controversy in Iowa's Fremont-Mills Community School District has emerged over a teacher's ban on trendy slang words like "Ohio," "skibidi," and "rizz." Parents and the Foundation for Individual Rights (FIRE) argue that this ban infringes on students' First Amendment rights. FIRE attorney Aaron Terr said: "Our concern is that this teacher is imposing a blanket ban on a long list of words... without regard to their context." The school district removed the poster listing the banned words, which was part of a civics assignment aimed at promoting discussions about language. While officials defended the need for classroom discipline, they acknowledged the importance of fostering a positive learning environment. The debate highlights the tension between maintaining order in classrooms and respecting students' freedom of expression.

 

DesMoines Register.com