Photo of baby from Shutterstock.

Babies and bullying: Five DC elementary schools are bringing babies into the classroom as part of a program to foster empathy in kids. (Post)

Improprieties alleged at charter: The DC government claims that the founder of Community Academy PCS has diverted millions of dollars to a for-profit management company he owns. (Post)

Principal comes out of the closet: Wilson High School Principal Pete Cahall chose the school’s Pride Day event to reveal his sexual orientation. (Post)

PE and test scores: Third-to-5th graders in DC who spent more time in physical education classes also got better scores on standardized tests. (American University)

Engaging parents: Low-income parents may be less able to get involved in their children’s education, but some DC schools are trying to build partnerships to boost the chances of kids’ success. (DCFPI)

There’s something about handwriting: Children who learn to write by hand learn to read more quickly and are better able to generate ideas and retain information. (NYT)

Alternatives to suspension: A national report recommends preventive measures to avert student misbehavior, along with tactics like peer conferences and restorative practices. (Post)

It’s not just kids who are absent: A study classifies 16% of urban teachers as chronically absent, meaning they missed 18 or more days per school year. (Huffington Post)

Immigrant kids and pre-K: Immigrant families are the least likely to enroll their kids in federal and state preschool programs. (NPR)

The extended day debate: Adding more hours onto the school day can be beneficial, but it all depends on how it’s done. (The Atlantic)

Do charters skim the cream?: Parents who choose to enroll their kids in charter schools may be more motivated, but one blogger argues that charters are doing more for kids even if you account for that factor. (Eduwonk)

Natalie Wexler is a DC education journalist and blogger. She chairs the board of The Writing Revolution and serves on the Urban Teachers DC Regional Leadership Council, and she has been a volunteer reading and writing tutor in high-poverty DC Public Schools.