Keyword: Steve Kussin
29 results total, viewing 1 - 10
There is a tremendous amount of paperwork to be done, much of it with strict due dates. OK, let’s get into the nuts and bolts of it. more
Over the years, I’ve investigated many hot-button topics in education, but none is as contentious as the battle over high-stakes testing for students in grades 3 through 8. more
Our beloved dog Kirby died last week. She was a yellow lab mix adopted from the North Shore Animal League 16 years ago. A long life— but not nearly long enough for us. My three sons named her after the baseball player, Kirby Puckett. Never mind that she was a female. To say we’re devastated is an understatement. The house feels empty; someone is missing. Why is the loss of a pet so painful? I guess it’s because she was a member of the family who gave no-strings-attached, unconditional love and loyalty without expecting anything in return. more
To the layman, the publication of teacher ratings would seem to make sense. Don’t parents have the right to know the effectiveness of their children’s teachers? This sentiment is frequently expressed by well-meaning people. However, this thinking is extremely flawed, and I am troubled by this “rush to judgment.”  more
On Feb. 7, State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican from Merrick, hosted a 30-minute webcast on cyberbullying. While there have been numerous school assemblies and parent programs devoted to this subject, the web cast brought the discussion into the home. more
Last year I described former Merokean Jessica Sussman’s plans to travel to Cameroon, where she would use her expertise as a social worker to help in AIDS prevention. She has now returned— and in the two-part series that begins with this column, she details her experiences in Africa. more
Part one of five. We’re about to begin an extended series about a topic that’s often in the news –– charter schools. I must admit that researching the topic became an education for me. I recently ran a series of broadcasts about charters on WCBS Newsradio 880. There was so much I didn’t know. In the next few columns, I will share what I learned. more
As explained last time, it’s a fall ritual: my annual “trifecta,” three features I traditionally run at this time of the year. Not only has the “Study tips, tricks, and techniques” column been tweaked this year, but also there is so much to add that I have divided it into two installments, this being the second. My “college checklist” for seniors and parents will follow next time. And then my “anniversary” column as the Principal’s Office begins its seventh year. more
I hope that you weathered Irene. Floods, an earthquake, a hurricane –– what a summer! I’ll bet you’re ready for September and the beautiful autumn that is fast approaching. more
Kennedy High School graduate Joshua Gelb of Merrick joined the Israeli Defense Forces last year. As of this writing, he had nearly completed his military stint. I recently interviewed Gelb about what led to his life-changing decision to join the IDF and his experiences in the Israeli army. This week and next, I will share his enlightening answers. more
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