First, a caveat - numerous bills still remain alive and are included in either the Senate or the House budget proposals. Because of this, these bills are deemed “necessary to implement the budget” (NTIB) so remain ‘alive’ until the eventual end of session (whenever that will occur). In addition, any bills still in House Appropriations or Senate Ways and Means have until the April 7 deadline to advance.

Representative Chris Reykdal (D, 22nd Legislative District) stopped by our office this morning to discuss HB 2214, which deals with assessment reform. The bill passed the House 87–7 and now moves on to the Senate. Watch the video below and contact your Senator with your position.

The deadline is fast approaching for bills to be heard and then voted out of committee. They are then passed to their respective Rules Committee for placement on their chamber’s floor calendar for a possible vote. Some bills are being heard and voted out of committees, others are not yet scheduled for a hearing, and others are being held as potential bargaining chips for use near the end of the session (April 26). As the end nears, the question becomes, “What are the critical, ‘must have’ bills that each House insists on having?“

The two main issues of importance this week are the continuing need by districts to increase the pool of substitutes available and the re-emergence of two fairly draconian pension reform bills.

Q. We would like to purchase items to reward kids on good behavior. These items are NOT for resale, but to give out as a “reward”. Is our ASB allowed to do that? I heard we cannot purchase food as a “prize”, and so we are looking at purchasing beanies, water bottles, Nerf footballs, etc. I’m sorry that I’m bothering you about this, but before we purchase these items I wanted to find out from you if we can. Thank you.

The soil is the ultimate source of nutrients our bodies need. The vitamins and minerals that are a necessary part of our diet come from plants that have, in turn, gotten those same vitamins and minerals from the soil. Soils support agriculture by serving as the foundation of where we grow food.

There are two “W’s” that come into play now that the first major deadline has passed. “Whew!” is the first one. Bills that have failed to clear their house of origin are ‘dead’. Some good bills didn’t make it; some bad ones didn’t either. “What the ?” is the next one, as a reaction when any of these bills come back ‘alive’, either because they are deemed necessary to implement the budget, or just because legislators desire it.

Bills are clearly on the move through both chambers as they race to meet the March 11 deadline where bills need to clear their chamber of origin.

The Children and Nature Network blog has some great tips for increasing the quality and quantity of time spent outdoors. They break down their tips into time and quality, what schools can do, and what communities can do. Here's their list for schools:

February 27 is the deadline for all bills from fiscal committees to have passed out of committee. Attention then focuses on floor action. All bills will have until March 10 to clear their chamber of origin.

Two important legislative cut-off dates are February 20 and February 27. The first date is when all policy bills have to have been heard by a committee(s) and the latter date is the similar deadline for all bills from fiscal committees.

Prior to the first major cutoff date of the 2015 legislative session, 32 bills moved out of the House Education Committee. Five bills that continue to churn through the process important to principals include:

Way to go, Bethel! So inspiring to hear a principal (along with teachers and central office leaders) remind us of the power of vertical alignment, powerful instruction, and communication and collaboration with families in leading to positive outcomes for students. It’s so refreshing to hear their honest acknowledgement of the challenges at first – for everyone, including students. Yet, students today are being touted as “engineers” who are “farther ahead” than they have previously been in their mathematics learning. It’s noted that, “kids love the challenge,” and are willing to tackle work they may not know how to take on at the outset. Now that’s a skill that will help them be college and career ready!

The beauty of the democratic system is that citizens have access to their political leaders. And often, those leaders listen and respond. This has certainly been the case in addressing the lack of substitute teachers for school districts. But, this only occurs if and when legislators hear from those in their communities. (See remarks below on SB 5148 for an important opportunity to be heard.)

Monday, the House Education Committee held a public hearing on two bills of importance to principals state wide

Lesson Purpose: To identify with a tree using the senses of touch, sight, hearing and smell.

Q. Our Middle School conducted a fundraiser under ASB. Now they would like to donate $500 of the $12,000 raised to Homeless Backpacks (nonprofit). They would note it in their minutes. Will that be sufficient since they didn’t raise it under Private Purpose Trust (6000) account?

The availability of substitute teachers is a real problem for school districts across the state. The good news is that legislators have clearly heard from their school leaders in their legislative districts about the need to expand the pool of those eligible to substitute. There is also data from a recent survey that further expresses the need.

Encourage students to be on the lookout for environmental articles in magazines or newspapers. When they bring them in, select one and duplicate as many as needed. Distribute copies to students. Instruct the students to read the selection very carefully. On a clean sheet of paper have them write the following...

Q. Can we temporarily store money that belongs to the Boosters in the school safe?