U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mitt Romney (R-UT) have introduced legislation to prepare principals, superintendents, and other school leaders to facilitate high-quality early childhood education programs in school districts. The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act would provide school leaders with the tools and training to support early childhood educators.
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Due to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) final rule that took effect on October 26, 2023, approximately 3,000 more school districts will be eligible to serve free breakfasts and lunches to all students under an expansion of the Community Eligibility Provision. The final rule amended the Community Eligibility Provisionās minimum threshold for low-income schools and school districts, lowering the minimum āidentified student percentageā (i.e., the percentage of students enrolled who are certified as eligible for free school meals) from 40% to 25%. It also allows all students in a school district to receive free meals without requiring families to fill out applications.
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As reported by K-12 Dive, on October 19, 2023, by a 3-2 vote, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved an expansion of the E-rate program to support Wi-Fi on school transportation vehicles. The support will help schools to address inequities for students who lack internet access at home, particularly those who live in rural, tribal or high-poverty neighborhoods. Supporters said that using E-rate funds for school bus Wi-Fi will help close the āhomework gapā caused by some students lacking connections to broadband internet at home.
The two “no” voters cited concerns over limited evidence showing that the expansion would support studentsā academic success.
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According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, last school yearāsĀ influenza seasonĀ was more severe for children and youth and also started earlier than most previous seasons. The report showed cases emerged in early October 2022 and peaked in late November and December. Rates of flu-related medical visits and hospitalizations were higher for children and adolescents ages 5-17 than any other season since 2016-17.
Among those hospitalized during the 2022-23 season, a lower percentage were vaccinated than in previous seasons. However, flu-related deaths remained low and consistent with past seasons.
In itsĀ guidance for educators, the CDC warns that āflu seasons are unpredictableā in their timing, severity and duration.Ā The agency said schools should:
-Encourage students, parents and staff to get vaccinated, top the spread of germs by staying home when sick, and wash their hands.
-Establish relationships with local and state public health officials.
-Provide enough supplies like tissues, soap and water to maintain proper hygiene.
TheĀ CDC also advises schoolsĀ to routinely and correctly clean and disinfect.
Click to access Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools from the CDC.
Click to access How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu from the CDC.
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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has partnered with Mappedin to develop a suite of new AI-powered tools aimed at automating the mapping process. Such tools include Mappedin Response, a cloud-based capability that enables first responders to review and analyze indoor floor plans in real-time while responding to emergencies. In addition, Mappedin says its new tool, Mappedin Maker, will bridge the gap by providing access to an interactive 3D wayfinding map as well as a facility for multi-format exports
According to K-12 Dive, users can upload a floor plan of their venue or use the Maker App for iOS to create a map, which Mappedin Maker converts into a digital map. This map can be posted on websites for wayfinding or downloaded as a PDF for offline use, Mappedin says.
Mappedin Maker is widely available for free to users.
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