Schools Chancellor Joel Klein says state budget cuts might force the city layoff 8,500 teachers. "These cuts would bring tremendous instability to our schools and students," Klein told NY1. The city would fire 15 percent of math, English, science and social studies teachers, starting with educators who have the least experience. All school districts would face cuts, but the Upper East Side and South Bronx would have the largest staff reductions, losing about 20 percent of teachers. According to the Daily News, some of the cuts could be averted under an Assembly spending plan that would restore about $600 million of the $1.4 billion of school aid that Gov. Paterson wants to cut—giving the city an extra $193 million. more ›

The transition of the beloved neighborhood past time of double dutch into the official realm of NYC high school varsity sport is examined in the NY Times today. A physical education teacher who will teach a co-ed team, Shani Newsome, said, “In Bed-Stuy it’s an unspoken rule that you have to learn how to jump rope. You can’t stay outside if you don’t know how to double-dutch.” more ›