Scale of classroom violence revealed

The mounting frustration of staff towards the attitude of council employers was also evident, with accusations that serious incidents were routinely "swept under the carpet".

In one such case, a teacher who was kicked in the leg by a pupil and felt so traumatised she could not return to the class, was accused of a "dereliction of duty".

However, one teacher told the conference the issue of school violence was blown out of proportion and more support for disruptive pupils was required.

After nearly an hour of emotive debate, EIS delegates voted overwhelmingly to support a motion that pupils who carry weapons into class should be permanently excluded.

The motion comes in the wake of a rising tide of recorded violence in the classroom, with official statistics published in January showing the number of incidents where pupils were expelled in 2006-07 rose by 4% from the previous year to nearly 45,000.



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Group hopes to mentor students

Arthur Street Elementary School Vice Principal Phil Latella said students "get their attitude about school from home," and parents need to instill the importance of education in their children. He said many parents want to help their children do well in school but don’t know how

Latella said he would work with teachers over the summer to develop bilingual materials that will teach parents what their children should know before entering school and what they should be able to accomplish in the primary grades.

Latella said he found it "amazing" when watching students interact that "students who care about their studies and doing well in school stick together, and those who don’t take their studies seriously also stick together."

Latella, also representing the Hazleton Philharmonic Society, told parents about scholarships the society offers for summer music camp participation.


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Some notes on Shakespeare-s Romeo and Juliet

Parents or guardians also need to approach teachers with an open mind and positive attitude. A confrontational approach does not work. Any disciplinary measure taken against the student during the course of the year should not be just challenged. Teachers do not just punish students. There is justification to the punishment they give. They work well with their students until there is outside interference from guardians or parents. Students who defy school rules and are duly punished with parental support always reform. Over-protective parents spoil what could be good students and they regret in later years. Some have experienced it yet some show appreciation for schools which helped mould their children.
Here are some note on Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespear.
What is a boundary? – Amusing with sexual matters.


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The art of humor

He wants each child to leave the workshop with smiles on their faces and a positive attitude.

"Just bring a good sense of humor," he said. "Come prepared to have fun and giggle."

Space for the Steve Barr cartoon workshop for kids is limited. To register in advance, please call the Main Branch at 910-455-7350, the Richlands Branch at 910-324-5321, the Swansboro Branch at 910-326-4888, and the Sneads Ferry Branch at 910-327-6471.

Contact Aniesa Holmes at 910-526-9034 or aholmes@freedomenc.com

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Boy who lost his legs has 'amazing' homecoming

That playful attitude pervades nearly every exchange between Josh and his parents, even through the most serious of discussions.When they talk about his surgeries, Josh wonders why he wasn't able to keep his feet in a jar. For his next surgery, scheduled for June 10, Josh wants to do something different."I want to videotape it so I can see it," he said. "I want to see what's going on."He should, after that surgery, have a better range of abilities. His right hand has been sewn to his abdomen to promote tissue growth for more than a week, and it will be cut free. His left leg, which has been too sensitive to work much with a prosthetic, will have bones fused and strengthened.Josh takes it all head-on."At first I was nervous (about surgery)," he said. "But if it was going to make me better, I was willing to go through it."There's two things Josh really wants: to get back home in time for school in the fall and to play sports again.When his friends made it to the house Saturday, they gravitated to the basketball hoop outside.


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Student Excellence Awards 2008 Halton District School Board

Kyle is especially thoughtful and considerate of others and approaches his endeavors with a highly-positive attitude.

Sir Ernest MacMillan P.S. --Celia Du is an excellent role model who takes great pride in her work and always strives to do her best. She is an outstanding artist and always demonstrates great attention to detail. She participates in many extra-curricular activities, sports teams and leadership opportunities. She is willing to help others and always co-operates well with her peers.

Tecumseh P.S. -- Olivia Hashka puts forth a 100 per cent effort in all school activities and remains positive when faced with a difficult situation. The staff and students admire Olivia for her dedication to her school work and for the positive relationships she has with others. Congratulations, Olivia.


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Olmert, tell us the truth

Enough with the attitude of superiority. Show some humility. Be humble.

Stop feeling pity for yourself immediately. Nobody put a gun to your head so that you accept cash-filled envelopes. That was your free choice. You bear full responsibility for this choice. You. Not the circumstances, not the investigation, and not the temptation.

You should know better than anyone that you are not being persecuted or hunted and that you are not subjected to a lynching. The Israel Police has not conspired against you. You were completely free to say “no, thank you" when you received the first envelope containing the money. Yet you said “yes, thank you." Your hands were the ones that counted the money, not our hands.

Therefore, don't downplay the immorality of your actions.


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