We've seen some winners and losers at a number of schools in recent weeks.

Thankfully, the two losers were teachers who are replaceable, while the one winner who stood out is a 9-year-old elementary student.One of the worst stories involved Marylin Zuniga, a teacher in Orange, New Jersey, who was suspended for asking her third-grade class to write "get well" letters to Mumia Abu-Jamal, the former Black Panther now serving a life sentence for the 1981 murder of white Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner.Abu-Jamal's family said he was hospitalized last month for complications from diabetes.Before being released from the hospital on April 1 and returning to the prison, a supporter reportedly delivered the letters from Zuniga's students.In a statement released Friday, the school stated Zuniga didn't seek approval nor were the parents notified.Earlier this year, a middle school teacher in Monessan, Pennsylvania, created a stir by giving students a word search puzzle based on "Fifty Shades of Grey," an erotic novel and movie. Based on the book by E.L. James about a college student and her torrid affair with a 27-year-old billionaire, the puzzle contained explicit terms.One parent, James Carter, complained at a school board meeting, but officials refused to talk when he insisted on recording their conversation.A school board member later said the puzzle became a huge issue when a student posted a copy on social media.Sydney Smoot, an elementary student in Brookville, Florida, created the most positive school news story when she recently spoke at a school board meeting, suggesting that state tests be administered throughout the year, instead of once at the end of the year.She urged parents and students to contact Florida Gov. Rick Scott to stop or change the testing procedure.Sounding well beyond her years, she said: "I consider myself a well-educated young lady, however, with FSA tests my five years of school all on honor roll do not matter."Smoot was also concerned about a form in the test requiring students to refrain from talking about the test to parents."I am not comfortable signing something like this," she said, "I have the right to talk to my parents about any, and everything related to school and my education."Smoot also said the practice of using extra lesson time to cram for a test eliminated "fun" activities at schools, such as recess.When she ended, audience members rose to their feet and gave her a standing ovation.The speech also created an buzz an gave her instant notoriety when it was posted on the Internet.If Brookville elementary ever considers a debate team, they have a formidable cleanup hitter in Sydney Smoot.She certainly set a high bar for 9-year-old orators.By JIM ZBICKtneditor@tnonline.com