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Florida
12th January 2026
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THE HOT STORY

School founder fights for future

Juliet Sanomi, founder and principal of a K-12 private school for students with special needs in Plantation, Florida, is facing a financial crisis due to mismanagement of the state’s school voucher program. “This is a program to change the life of a child who the system says is impossible,” Sanomi said. The school, which serves primarily students with intellectual disabilities, has struggled since the state expanded the voucher program in 2023, leading to delayed payments and financial instability. Sanomi has borrowed $300,000 to keep the school operational, while parents like Tamara Takacs expressed deep concern over the potential closure, stating, “If this school doesn’t exist, I don’t know what I’m gonna do.” A recent audit revealed significant issues with the voucher system, prompting lawmakers to consider reforms to improve accountability and funding management.

SAVVAS - CONNECTING MATH AND STUDENT RELEVANCE

Amplify Real-World Relevance with Place-Based Learning

Students can often feel disconnected from the world outside the walls of their math classrooms. You can transform mathematics from a classroom subject into a lens through which students see, evaluate, and describe their world.  

One new approach to make this a reality is to connect students' lived experiences with place-based learning, encouraging them to find mathematical patterns in their own communities. As students begin to recognize math in their everyday lives, they grow more curious, connect core concepts to real-world STEAM applications, and start to see math as a meaningful problem-solving tool outside the classroom.  

Watch this place-based learning webinar!

 

NATIONAL NEWS

Judge pauses funding freeze on child care subsidies for five Democratic-led states

A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from withholding child care subsidies and other social safety-net funding from California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York, granting a 14-day order to maintain the flow of money while the legal challenge proceeds. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian wrote that the states had demonstrated “good cause” for an order “to protect the status quo” while he considers the merits of the case. The states say the sudden freeze, affecting programmes that collectively provide them more than $10bn a year, has already delayed payments and created “operational chaos,” while the Department of Health and Human Services claims it paused funds over concerns benefits were being provided to people in the U.S. illegally, without offering evidence.

STATE NEWS

Florida middle-schoolers may get recess boost

Legislation introduced in Florida aims to mandate 20 minutes of "free-play recess" daily for middle-school students, extending the current requirement that only applies to kindergarten through fifth grade. Republican State Representative Paula Stark, who proposed the bill, emphasized its importance for mental health, saying: "This gives them an opportunity to either just decompress on their own or have a friend they are decompressing with." The bill, along with a similar Senate version, is set for discussion in the upcoming legislative session.

Historic school mansion hits the market

Redland Hill House, a former school built in 1761, is set to be auctioned with a guide price of $1.6m to $1.75m. This Grade II Listed Mansion features original classrooms, an assembly hall, and has the potential to become one of the largest private family homes in Bristol. Olly Hollis, director and auctioneer, said: "This prime property is located just moments from Whiteladies Road and The Downs in this incredibly sought after corner of Bristol." The auction will take place online on March 11, attracting interest from family buyers and developers alike.

DISTRICTS

Parents unite to save Bonneville Elementary

Bonneville Elementary School, a cherished institution in east Orange County since 1961, faces potential closure due to low attendance, as cited by Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). Parent Amanda Weber expressed her concerns, saying: "I know a lot of the parents that send their kids here, went here as well." Her son, Logan Canada, also voiced his distress: "I love this school, you know." In response to the threat of closure, Weber initiated a petition that has gathered over 1,000 signatures. Commissioner Michael Scott emphasized the need to prioritize keeping schools open, noting: "It shouldn’t be why should we close the school, but it’s about why we should keep this school open." OCPS has yet to make a final decision, but community meetings are scheduled to discuss the future of Bonneville and other schools on the closure list.

CHARTERS

Young inventors tackle invasive species

Students from Pembroke Pines Charter High School have achieved the prestigious Lemelson-MIT Inventeam designation, becoming one of only eight teams nationwide. Their journey began in the school's robotics classroom and was inspired by a field trip to Everglades National Park, guided by a professor from FIU. “For me, the Everglades is a sacred place... it's our duty to kick out all the invasive species,” said sophomore Joe Kahura. The team developed a robotic solution to help clear invasive plants, a task they found challenging during their fieldwork. “The amount of brainstorming... it's a lot,” noted senior Steve Jacob. Their invention will be showcased in Cambridge in March, with MIT providing $7,500 in seed funding and mentorship. “I am so proud of these kids,” said Darlene Laffler, the robotics teacher.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

First Student eyes IPO with Goldman, Morgan Stanley and RBC as lead banks

EQT-backed school bus operator First Student has appointed Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and RBC to lead its planned IPO, though the timing remains undecided as the private equity owner weighs options. The Cincinnati-based company, acquired from FirstGroup in a $4.6bn deal in 2021, operates 47,000 vehicles and employs 63,000 people across North America.

SPORTS

Florida Panthers donate ice rink to students

The Florida Panthers have officially opened a synthetic ice rink at SLAM Miami, providing students with a unique opportunity to learn skating and hockey year-round. This initiative is part of the 2026 NHL Winter Classic Legacy Project, which aims to create a permanent home for the rink used during the historic outdoor game at loanDepot park. The synthetic ice offers a realistic skating experience while minimizing maintenance costs. "Now it will be used to give students on campus an opportunity to learn to skate and play hockey year-round," said a representative from the Panthers.
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