School recognition money: Hundreds of Florida schools will split more than $123 million in state recognition money for student performance based on school grades. Schools that receive or maintain an A grade from the state are eligible, as well as those that improve a letter grade. Schools receive an extra $100 per student, which they can use for bonuses, supplies or temporary workers. Traditionally, most of the money goes to employee bonuses. If school employees and advisory councils can't agree on how to use the money by Feb. 1, the money is split among all the teachers at the school. Gradebook.

Testing for lead: Thirteen water sources at nine Polk County schools have higher levels of lead than the federal threshold for safe drinking water, according to school officials. Faucets and pipes with the contaminated water have been repaired, and will be retested before the schools are allowed to use them. Water in a dozen other schools tested under the EPA's 15 parts per billion standard for safe water. The district began the voluntary testing after neighboring Hillsborough County found lead in the drinking waters at schools last summer. Lakeland Ledger. (more…)

Students out of schools: About 45,000 Florida students are missing school because of Hurricane Michael. Schools in five counties -- Bay, Calhoun, Gadsden, Jackson and Liberty -- remain closed until further notice. Four other districts have announced reopening plans. Holmes County teachers and staff return to work today, with students to follow Monday. Teachers and other staff return to Franklin County schools Monday and students Tuesday, Washington County has set a tentative return date of Tuesday for teachers and Wednesday for students, and Gulf County has tentatively set Nov. 5 as the day schools reopen. State officials say districts may need to hold classes during holidays or summer, or extend the length of school days to make sure students meet the state-required 180 days of classes. Pensacola News Journal. Panama City News Journal. WKMG. WJHG. Orlando Sentinel. Florida Department of Education. Apalachicola Times. Northwest Florida Daily News. Washington County News. WJHG. Foster Folly News. Photos and a video of damaged Bay County schools. Panama City News Herald. WKMG. Thirty-five counties are being allowed to use student counts taken before Hurricane Michael made landfall Oct. 10 in Bay County for enrollment figures. Florida Department of Education.

Frustrations of teachers: A day spent following around 15 American teachers, including middle science teacher Lori McLain of the Babcock Neighborhood School in Charlotte County, reveals the common frustrations they have with the job: the pressures for achievement, inadequate resources, low pay and, most of all, the lack of respect. It's taking a toll on them and on the future. For the first time in 50 years, a majority of Americans polled say they don't want their children to become teachers. USA Today. (more…)