Become more informed in minutes....

Tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war have led to a notable increase in antisemitism within U.S. K-12 schools, with advocates reporting a rise in incidents since the October 7 2023 attack on Israel. Various states have enacted measures to address antisemitism, with some laws defining certain criticisms of Israel as hate speech. Kristen Thompson, a Republican state senator in Oklahoma, stated, “These bills make it clear that Oklahoma stands with our Jewish communities and will not tolerate hatred disguised as political discourse." However, civil liberties groups warn that these measures may suppress pro-Palestinian speech. The Anti-Defamation League recorded 860 antisemitic incidents in non-Jewish schools last year, highlighting the growing concern.

 

Local10

Midfloridanewspapers

Florida's public schools are preparing for a new wave of charter school takeovers as the expanded Schools of Hope program begins targeting campuses statewide. Lawmakers, however, are moving to repeal a controversial rule that allows private charter operators to occupy underused public school buildings rent-free. Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson stated, “By eliminating language requiring colocation in public schools, we are ensuring schools do not face the unintentional consequence of an unfunded mandate.” Critics argue that the program forces local districts to subsidize private charter operations, undermining public education. The repeal effort comes as districts scramble to prevent potential takeovers, with Duval County and Broward County taking steps to block charter operators from occupying their schools.

 

Florida Politics

Sun Sentinel

In a recent webinar hosted by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, district leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on teaching and student care during turbulent times. Jason Stricker, chief policy officer of the K12 Coalition, noted: "There are threats to creating a cohesive system, and how we as leaders respond to these threats … is where the magic is going to be." Challenges such as declining enrollment, political issues, and funding uncertainties were highlighted. A survey indicated that 29% of leaders identified politics and 24% cited funding as major threats to district cohesion. Strategic plans were recommended as essential tools for guiding districts through challenges, with leaders like Tony Watlington of Philadelphia's public schools advocating for a focus on student safety, community partnerships, and academic achievement. LeTricia Gloster, head of transformation for Prince George's County Schools, also stressed the value of strategic planning in navigating difficult times.

 

Education Week News

Brian Sanchez Corona will transition from Water Spring Middle School to become the principal of Horizon High School starting December 1. This change follows the departure of Andrew Jackson, the former principal of Horizon, who has accepted a new role at West Orange. Sanchez Corona has been at the helm of Water Spring Middle since its opening in August 2021 and played a key role in its planning and launch.

 

Orange Observer News

Ethan Tincher from Matanzas High School has been recognized as the 2026 Sunshine State Scholar for Flagler Schools, with Suki Liu from Flagler Palm Coast High serving as the alternate. This program honors top 11th graders in STEM fields and will take place in Orlando on March 5-6, where scholars will engage with college representatives and attend workshops. The Flagler County Education Foundation also awarded 54 teacher grants, supported by Beaver Toyota and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

At a Junior Achievement "Discovery Center" in Tampa, elementary students engage in a mock city experience. Two similar facilities are planned for Emma Booker Elementary and Booker Middle Schools in Sarasota. Superintendent of Schools Terry Connor discussed the district's utilization plan, emphasizing the importance of maximizing resources. "We want to create opportunities for our students to learn in innovative ways," Connor said.

 

Sarasota Observer

The School District of Lee County is actively promoting enrollment in the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program, which is a free, state-funded initiative designed to prepare young children for kindergarten. Dr. Bethany Quisenberry, Director of Early Childhood Learning, stated, "The 2024 Florida Department of Education Kindergarten Readiness data show that children in Lee County who did not attend VPK are significantly less likely to enter kindergarten with the literacy skills needed to be kindergarten ready." Participation in VPK has been linked to better performance on third-grade ELA tests, timely high school graduation, and improved lifelong outcomes.

 

WINK News

Ontario's Bill 33 has sparked criticism in Durham Region for potentially undermining parental advocacy and local democracy in schools by allowing the education minister to appoint supervisors over school boards and override trustees. While the province cites financial mismanagement in five existing takeovers, critics argue the bill paves the way to eliminate elected trustees altogether, weakening accountability and community representation in education decisions. Trustees are an accessible source of information for parents and also advocate for issues such as bussing routes or additional support for children, commented Mary Fowler, president of the Durham Region Labour Council. School boards that have been taken over by the province “don’t have the same support in trying to navigate … what can sometimes be a very bureaucratic system,” she added. Last week, the province moved to fast-track Bill 33 by limiting debate and skipping the committee hearing stage.  The bill is a “foregone conclusion” because of the majority government, but community members should still speak out against it, said Jennifer French, Member of Provincial Parliament for Oshawa. 

 

CBC News