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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Local schools benefit from block grants The 2007-2008 Mid-Year Report for the Pennsylvania Accountability Block Grant Program shows that local school districts are putting their grants to extremely good use. Currently in its fourth year, the Accountability Block Grants program invests in programs proven to enhance student achievement. Schools can use their funds for full-day kindergarten programs, literacy and math coaching, performance of student subgroups, social and health services, tutoring assistance, science and applied-knowledge skills, professional education, quality pre-kindergarten programs and K-3rd grade class size reduction. Other concepts that have been added since the program's inception include world languages in elementary grades, high school reform, elementary science education and research-based improvement strategies. I was very pleased to see that the 12 school districts in the area I represent were able to take advantage of the Accountability Block Grants, benefitting thousands of students and preparing them for bright and successful futures. Public education must always be a priority in our Commonwealth, from the youngest child through high school and beyond. I want to congratulate the school districts in the 36th Senatorial District – I respect the work our schools and teachers are doing and look forward to continuing to work together with them. PA Career Guide highlights agriculture The 2007-2008 Pennsylvania Career Guide is a valuable tool to anyone just beginning a career or changing careers, containing training, wage and job outlook information for more than 250 occupations. The Guide acknowledges the career search process for what it is – a journey – through three sections entitled The Road, The Map and The Destination. Pennsylvanians can take interest assessments, browse the occupational data bank and learn more about resources for education, training and job searching. This year, the Guide focuses on agriculture and food production as a 'most important industry.' Throughout the listening sessions held last year by the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, which I chair, we heard many comments regarding agricultural workforce availability. As a result, my committee held a hearing with the Senate Labor and Industry Committee last fall to glean more information and suggestions from those who make their living from agriculture. The inclusion of agriculture in this year's Career Guide is evidence that these concerns are being heard and addressed seriously by our Commonwealth. Anyone who would like to review the Pennsylvania Career Guide can find a link from my web site at www.senatorbrubaker.com. New Fluoride Finder tool available St. Joseph Health Ministries has launched an interactive online Fluoride Finder map to help residents of Lancaster County check whether the fluoride in their water system is at the optimal level for the prevention of cavities. The Fluoride Finder can be accessed on the St. Joseph Health Ministries web site at www.sjhm.org. Areas that are served by public water appear on the map as purple, if the water system has a natural fluoride concentration below optimal levels as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or green, if the concentration is at or above the optimal level. This map can help bring awareness about fluoride deficits to dental and medical professionals as well as consumers. It can also serve as a valuable tool to improve oral health in the community by helping dentists more accurately determine whether a patient's fluoride inventory is accurate. I encourage everyone to visit the web site to learn more about fluoridation and good oral health.
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