The way we fund education is broken. Figures it would be a teacher who would figure out how to fix it at the level we need it most. Hence Donorschoose.org. So, okay Norwalk teachers get your projects/needs up here please. And voters, start to ask those candidates who say they want to put more dollars into Education what they mean.

Boingboing is sponsoring a blog challenge to raise money for schools they selected. So if you are interested in in helping more needy schools and kids, click here.

The details:

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Neither presidential candidate has a grasp of economic issues, despite, oh the irony, years in the Senate. If you haven’t figured out by now, the Congress is largely responsible for domestic policy since it is they who enact, or in the case of the last 15 or so years un-enact regulations and laws responsible for shaping the policies that shift programs from ideas to action. Or at least that’s what the founding fathers suggested way back when. So while the world suggests the collective WTF, concerning our economic meltdown, our erstwhile and covetous candidates to be leader of the largest sinking economy spar with words. And misguided statements. Today, I focus on Tuesday’s Obama statement about raising the FDIC insurance limit from $100k.

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Thanks to reader Diane Cece, we have some questions brewing about just what exactly is going on over the Norwalk Emergency shelter. By request, your thread to organize as you will.

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This Saturday October 4th, between 10AM and 2PM it’s the Fire Department’s turn to hold an open house. The festivities and hands on demonstrations will take place at the Volk Fire House, 121 Connecticut Avenue. It’s also fire prevention week October 5-11. So make sure you change out those fire detector batteries.

Sparky will be on hand, a live burn demonstration and vehicle extraction are the quick highlights, but the complete lineup of fun and activities is in the PDF link below:

nfd-open-house_2008.pdf

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Now that the District B Democrats have separated themselves from Guardian Angel advocacy, the Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations (CNNA) has stepped in via Al Raymond, president of the Spring Hill Neighborhood Association. According to the Advocate:

“We’re going to try to help the police department, just be eyes and ears out on the street,” Raymond said.

Though the group has a right to organize, Police Chief Harry Rilling and Mayor Richard Moccia have opposed a Guardian Angels chapter in Norwalk, saying it would send the wrong message about the city and creates liability problems.

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The South Norwalk Community Charter School Planning Team, co-chaired by REv. lindsay Curtis apprently thinks Norwalk does need a new school. And what kind of school do we need?

In addition to a rigorous academic curriculum, the school plans to address students’ personal development including “character and perseverance.”

Parents will be expected to participate in their “children’s success.” Teachers will be selected based on their professional credentials as well as their understanding of “the social and cultural backgrounds of the students.”

“This doesn’t mean the Norwalk public schools don’t have good teachers,” said Curtis. “But we do not have a population of teachers who reflect the population of Norwalk.”

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Up till this point, local political races for the state rep and senate seats was pretty boring. It’s almost as if the public financing sucked all the energy out of campaigning, at least in Fairfield County. All thos unopposed races may have something to do with that.

Notably, look around. The number of lawn signs and bumper stickers announcing races is pretty much at an all time low. Not that I’m complaining about that. But the serious part of good old fashioned debate and discussion over issues seems absent as well. It may be a sign of the times. Are we more focused on the daily economic meltdown, or just burnt out by the endless presidential coverage?

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