Quick Hits

Parents: 'Get involved before it's too late': After blowing the whistle on DJ Skinny's alleged Internet activity with minors, the 15-year-old's parents reflect on the rules they set that kept their daughter from being persuaded to trade nude or semi-nude photos for concert tickets. (Shreveport Times)

Conference gives girls up-close look at possible careers in math, science: Maria Salazar of Oceanside was surprised that so many organisms lived in her mouth – but there they were yesterday on a slide, magnified 100 times under a microscope. (San Diego Union-Tribune)

6,000 rally to demand better education funding in Florida: They've starved themselves, launched letter-writing campaigns and even held a "funeral" for public education that turned up on YouTube. And Saturday, parents, educators and others gathered by the thousands in Orlando to rally against school-funding cuts in what was Florida's biggest statewide, education-related demonstration in 40 years. (Orlando Sentinel)



High school bullying or criminal stalking? Judge to decide: Storm Stockstill's final semester at Jupiter High School could have been his finest. He was leading the lacrosse team to perhaps its best record in school history, earning a diploma and heading to Quinnipiac University on an athletic scholarship. Instead, Stockstill sits at home most afternoons, facing a much darker reality. Mix allegations of simulated sex and fake rape, an arrest three months after the incident and a coach who was once in the middle of the lacrosse scandal at Duke University, and it becomes a case that has shaken a well-regarded Palm Beach County school. (Palm Beach Post)

Students unlock mysteries of message in bottle: Equipment operator Cody Spencer was bulldozing debris on Pirates’ Beach when a bottle with a cork caught his eye.Through mud-caked glass, he saw a florescent orange postcard with the words, “Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.” Spencer, who oversees projects for Leimer Bros. Construction, recognized the teachable moment and passed the bottle to his girlfriend, third grade teacher Cherié Gardner. (Galveston Daily News)

To Keep Students, Colleges Cut Anything but Aid: Students considering a wide range of private schools, as well as those who are already enrolled, can expect to get more aid this year, not less. The increases highlight the hand-to-mouth existence of many of the nation’s smaller and less well-known institutions. With only tiny endowments, they need full enrollment to survive, and they are anxious to prevent top students from going elsewhere. (New York Times)

Utah Senate passes PTA bill: PTA members from across the state gathered Friday to watch the Senate pass a bill requiring schools to give all parent groups equal access. SB199, which passed 21-7, would prohibit schools from favoring one parent group over another when it comes to access and decision making. (Salt Lake Tribune)

Rhode Island students rally for laid-off teachers: The termination notice for a math teacher at Portsmouth High School has upset many students, parents and other teachers. Kimberly Cunningham was one of 45 teachers who were notified earlier this week that their contracts would not be renewed. The reason cited for most of the notices was the budget crunch facing the schools. (Newport Daily News)