Monday, January 18, 2016

Fwd: The Big Short analysis

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "John Hemington" <jehemington@verizon.net>
Date: Jan 18, 2016 2:07 PM
Subject: The Big Short analysis
To: "John Hemington" <jehemington@verizon.net>
Cc:

Ever since I saw The Big Short last week I've been telling everyone I know to go and see it as it does a pretty good job of explaining what happened during the run-up to the Great Financial Crisis in 2007-2008.  It is, however, far from perfect.  The primary defect is that it glamorizes those who took advantage of the massive criminal fraud which ginned up the mortgage bubble to bet against it as being some kind of heroes.  And they most certainly were not.  It also fails to really identify the real culprits behind the fraud as well as many of the victims.  Having said that it is still, I believe, an important movie because it does make some of the scams which almost led to the collapse of the world economy at least somewhat visible to average viewers who have generally been misguided or simply perplexed by what happened and why.

 

Attached are two articles – one of a particularly bad and misleading review of the movie clearly intending to divert attention away from regulatory and financial culprits; and one critical of the book and movie themselves.  I encourage you, if you haven't already done it, to both see the movie and read these two articles.  In the end you will have a much clearer understanding of just what happened and why this kind of financial crime should never be tolerated in a democratic society.

 

John

 

 

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Debate Highlights with Rand Paul

Fwd: Obama Academy Information


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Nothing in life is so complicated that it cannot be achieved by discipline and hard work
Obama Families and Friends 

The PTSA would like to remind everyone that we have a unique opportunity to provide input on the District's selection of a new superintendent.  This is our chance to make sure that our new superintendent fully supports our implementation of the IB.

Let's make sure the Obama Academy's IB voice is heard:
  • We want a superintendent who understands and appreciates the IB program and will recognize the IB program as a valuable part of District offerings.
  • We want a superintendent who will financially and philosophically support PPS's IB program.
  • We want Obama Academy to be a strong and vibrant asset of the PPS's school options.
  • We want a superintendent who supports Obama's IB curriculum that encourages students to think critically and consider both their local and international environment.
There are many ways to share your thoughts including:
 
Please help us to make sure the Obama Academy's IB voice is heard. We only have about 2 weeks left to make comments.  Community input will be collected until 1/28, when a job description will be sent nationwide. Follow the superintendent search progress on http://pittsupsearch.com/.

Barack Obama Academy of International Studies, 515 N Highland Avenue, PITTSBURGH, PA 15206






Monday, January 11, 2016

PPS Permits in 2016, first quarter

Two permits. One for Mondays to do kayaking. Other for Tuesdays to do water polo.



Fwd: Ex-Offender Workshop--January 12th--2:00pm--113 N. Pacific Avenue

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <RFlanag@aol.com>
Date: Jan 10, 2016 5:10 PM
Subject: Ex-Offender Workshop--January 12th--2:00pm--113 N. Pacific Avenue
To: <rflanag@aol.com>
Cc:




 

Friday, January 08, 2016

Fwd: January 15th training---Developing Positive Student/Teacher Relationships

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <RFlanag@aol.com>



 

 

PLEASE

 

RSVP

http://neighborhoodlearning.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=c9afc990b44f9d6d4e0019059&id=cb03597e0a&e=71d44ef4c3
http://neighborhoodlearning.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c9afc990b44f9d6d4e0019059&id=ba7b0af0c2&e=71d44ef4c3

Next Training

Love and Logic:
Developing Positive Student/Teacher Relationships

Friday, January 15th – 11:30am to 1:30pm / 3 to 5 pm

We are pleased to announce the next in a series of 7 no-cost trainings that will allow participants to become fully trained in the 9 Essential Skills for the "Love and Logic Classroom", a nationally recognized model and philosophy of classroom management.  Participants are able to earn a "Love and Logic" certificate, ACT 48 hours and/or PQAS hours.

In this session participants will learn:

  • How coercive strategies and tangible rewards backfire with disruptive, resistant students
  • That positive teacher-student relationships are the key to success with such students
  • The difference between general praise and specific encouraging feedback
  • The importance of greeting students each day with friendly eye contact, a smile, and a handshake
  • The "One-Sentence Intervention" technique for building successful relationships with the most challenging students.
Location: The Children's Home, 5324 Penn Avenue.
Register online

About the trainer

Shayna Willis, M.A.Ed. is a highly qualified teacher with over 12 years experience in the field of education. Currently, she serves educators by developing and delivering professional development seminars throughout the Pittsburgh region while serving students as an adjunct mathematics professor at Community College of Allegheny County. Shayna is also a tenacious advocate for children and the founder of Willis Advocacy, which works throughout the South Hills of Pittsburgh to help parents navigate the educational system and ensure that schools are meeting the needs of their gifted students.

Spread the Word


Thursday, January 07, 2016

Fwd: Become a Babysitter’s Training Instructor & Help Train Our Next Generation of Babysitters

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Hennessy, Ann J." <Ann.Hennessy@redcross.org>
Date: Jan 7, 2016 11:49 AM
Subject: Become a Babysitter's Training Instructor & Help Train Our Next Generation of Babysitters
To: "Mark@Rauterkus.com" <Mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED, Emergency Medical Response and Lifeguard Instructors are now able to take the Babysitter's Training Instructor Bridge online and free of charge!

 

It's a simple process, all that is needed is to access the Instructor and Participant course materials and complete the online exam. 

 

Instructions can be found on www.instructorscorner.org.

§  Click on the "Caregiving" tab then

§  Click on Babysitter's Training then

§  Download the Instructor Bulletin

 

Per Person Participant Certification Fee is $10.  You can find this information on Page 17 of the AP/LTP Course Listing that can also be found on www.instructorscorner.org  

§  Click on Instructor Tools Tab then

§  Click on AP and LTP Resource then

§  Download the AP and LTP Course List

 

Supplies needed to teach the Babysitter's Training Program are listed in the instructor's manual on Instructors Corner. 

 

The purpose of the Babysitter's Training course is to provide youth, ages 11-15, who are planning to babysit with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely and responsibly give care for children and infants. This training will help participants to develop leadership skills; learn how to develop a babysitting business, keep themselves and others safe and help children behave; and learn about basic child care and basic first aid.

 

If you do become a Babysitter's Training Instructor, your BST Instructor certification will be added to your profile.  To check your profile, please go to the Red Cross Learning Center: https://classes.redcross.org/Saba/Web/Main

Log in.  If you do not know your user name and password, please call 1-800-733-2767 option 3 then option 2 then option 4 for help in retrieving your user name or password.

 

§  Click on "My Profile."  On the top row click on "expand all."  Scroll down to check your expiration date under licenses and certificates.

§  If you need to change personal information like your email address click on "Edit Profile Snapshot" enter the new information then "save."

§  You will also see primary and secondary organizations on your profile.  The organizations you are connected to in the learning center are listed here.  

 

Thank you for your consideration and please call or email if you have any questions. 

 

Ann

Ann Hennessy

Sales Representative, Preparedness, Health and Safety Services

 

American Red Cross

Western PA Territory

2801 Liberty Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15222

(412) 439-9958

Ann.Hennessy@redcross.org

 

 

 

Fwd: Developing Positive Student Teacher Relationships-Free Training

---------- Forwarded message ----------


 
 
  PLEASE RSVP---- THIS TRAININGS HAVE BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS...
 
 




Wednesday, January 06, 2016

Fwd: Join us in Miami for the Media Learning Seminar, May road trip?

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Alberto Ibargüen, Knight Foundation" <web@knightfoundation.org>
Date: Jan 6, 2016 12:15 PM
Subject: Join us in Miami for the Media Learning Seminar
To: "Mark" <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

Registration is open for the Media Learning Seminar in Miami.
View this email in your browser

Dear Mark,

I hope you will join me for Knight Foundation's ninth annual Media Learning Seminar May 1-3, 2016, to see firsthand how community and place-based foundations have become leaders in using technology, journalism and civic engagement to make their cities more successful. Registration is now open.

This year's event will gather philanthropic and media leaders to examine the pillars of city success – retaining talented people, expanding opportunity and creating a culture of engagement – and emphasizing the role of accurate and contextual information in fostering each. Sessions will range from the use of virtual reality in storytelling to insights on leading game-changing projects for cities. They will draw on the expertise of foundations around the country and Knight's programs in communities, journalism, media innovation and the arts.

The event begins Sunday afternoon with pre-sessions on social media and the human-centered design process. We are considering a pilot project that would pair community foundations and local information partners in using the design process to develop new ways to inform and engage their communities. If that interests you, please register for the pre-session workshop.

Sunday evening, we will host a screening of "Spotlight," the award-winning film that chronicles The Boston Globe's investigation into the priest sex-abuse scandal in Boston, with a panel presentation including members of the original editorial team. 

This gathering is designed for community and place-based foundations, which, because of their local knowledge, are best positioned to help lead community change. With support from Knight Foundation, there is no registration fee for the seminar, which will take place at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. Foundations can bring one senior staff member and one board member; registration is on a first-come, first-served basis until the seminar is full. Knight's funding also makes possible a reduced hotel room rate of $245 per night for seminar attendees, which is available only through the online seminar registration. 

Please register today

I look forward to seeing you.

Best,

Alberto Ibargüen
President and CEO 
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation







 

Copyright © 2016 John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, All rights reserved.
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Thursday, December 31, 2015

Great Schools calls it an opportunity for parents, students, and teachers in Pittsburgh to speak about PPS Superintendent Search




Unique opportunity to provide input for superintendent search...
View this email in your browser

Superintendent Search: Community Forums


5pm - Registration
6pm - Forum Begins


Dates and Locations of Meetings:
- Barack Obama (January 7)
- Oliver High School (January 13)
- Brashear High School (January 19)
- Carrick High School (January 21)
- Board of Education Public Session (January 25)
- Langley School (January 26)
- University Preparatory at Milliones (January 28)
 

Pittsburgh parents, students, teachers and community members are being presented with a unique opportunity to provide input and contribute to the job description of Pittsburgh's next superintendent. For that reason, it is vital that we commit, to the best of our abilities, to participating in the upcoming community forums and search process.

 

The Pittsburgh School Board has committed to an open search process with input from the community. In order to gather this input, the School Board will host seven community forums in January. The format will be similar to the School Board Public Hearings with 3 minutes allotted to each registered speaker to talk. Registration to speak will begin at 5 pm the day of each event at each of the seven locations, and the forums will begin at 6 pm sharp. Feedback can also be submitted through a toll-free phone number, 888-839-5445, or emailed to input@pittsupsearch.com. More details are posted at pittsupsearch.com.

  

During the first Community Engagement meeting, hosted by Great Public Schools, on October 22, 2015, input was received from parents, teachers, students and community members on what they were looking for in the next superintendent. This information was compiled and is presented below by category and order of importance (as ranked by participants). Speakers may use any or all of this information when speaking at one of the seven community forums to directly share with the School Board and Perkins Consulting group their priorities for the next superintendent.

 

Transformative Parent/Guardian & Student Engagement

  • Community Schools with community input
  • Leaning on student strength - empowering students
  • A student union
  • Parents involved in policy/decision making
  • More support for students and families
  • Meetings in different neighborhoods
  • Better communication & PPS website

 

Healthy Living & Learning Environments

  • More recess and gym
  • Schools open 24/7
  • A Nurse in Every School Every day
  • Many more guidance counselors in every school every day
  • Mental health services
  • Physical activity integrated into everyday learning in every classroom
  • Transportation issues - safety, timing
  • Flexible school day schedules

 

Equity & Racial Justice

  • Superintendent engaged in city's development. Strategies and awareness of neighborhood makeup and housing diversity - can relate to feeder patterns
  • Poverty needs to be addressed
  • Recruit and retain more teachers of color
  • Support for teachers to learn cultural competency
  • Student and teacher voice captured through exit interviews (moving, graduating, etc).
  • Teach and make opportunities for all kids, not just gifted.
  • Challenge - Magnet schools can drive resources from neighborhood schools

 

Restorative Justice and Discipline

  • No zero to tolerance
  • Racial injustice lens
  • Teachers cannot do it alone - need other professionals/caring adults to support
  • Superintendent needs to be FULLY invested in restorative justice and restorative practices.
  • Individualized attention to students
  • Relationship building emphasized

 

Transparency and Accessibility of Administrators

  • More support for principals
  • Budget transparency
  • Accessibility of central office administration (close the fortress mentality)

 

What's Missing/Miscellaneous (red=more highly selected than any other area)

  • Expand sports programs (builds community)
  • Expand arts and music
  • A teaching philosophy rather than teaching to test
  • Superintendent needs a clear vision (i.e. more project-based learning, universal gifted testing)
Copyright © 2015 Great Public Schools Pittsburgh, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this specific email because you signed the petition to the School Board for a transparent community engagement process. To continue receiving updates about the Superintendent Search as well as opportunities to voice your concerns and stay informed about Pittsburgh Public Schools, please simply hit reply to continue receiving emails from GPS.

Our mailing address is:
Great Public Schools Pittsburgh
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1414 Brighton Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15212



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