The solution chatter

Sadly, PPS, by and large, fails to understand some of the basics of life.

What does PPS want? It says "safety" is the top priority. 

For many, to amp up the safety factors makes life feel more oppressed. Confinement, surveillance, oppression, ridged authority, supervision with gatekeepers and control is their rulebook guide.

“In order to get people to do what you want them to do, you have to understand what motivates them."

PPS doesn't always have a good grip on what motivates the youngsters.

You also have to know how to present yourself and your product to get their interest, their trust, and

ultimately their willingness to call you, visit you, or send you their talents, energy and enthusiasm. 

There are transactions to be made here. Money is a part of it with the citizens paying the taxes, of course. Others can choose to vote with their feet and depart the city. 

Human psychology has not changed in ten centuries.

As a coach, I don't wish for safety as a top goal. It seems to me that safety is an artifact of responsibility, learning, betterment, engagement, devotion and improving results. 

When we win, we are safe. When we win, we show up. PPS is losing the safety battle and losing in achievements in education and sports.

Fwd: Introducing: The Global Girls Alliance

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

From: Michelle Obama

a new way to support adolescent girls

Hi Mark, Today, more than 98 million adolescent girls around the world aren't in school. What could those girls accomplish if they were allowed to unlock their full potential? What could they achieve if the hurdles that keep them out of school—scarce resources, early marriage and pregnancy, a toxic mindset that says they are unworthy of an education—were swept away? We're determined to find out. Today, on International Day of the Girl, I'm proud to announce the Obama Foundation's launch of the Global Girls Alliance, an effort to empower adolescent girls around the world through education, so that they can support their families, communities, and countries. As a part of the Global Girls Alliance, we're taking a fresh approach to support the grassroots leaders who are already working in communities all over the world. First, we've created a network that will allow these leaders to connect with one another, share best practices, and, ultimately, scale their work. Second, we've partnered with GoFundMe to create a new crowd fundraising platform—a place where anyone, anywhere around the world, can support efforts to empower girls in places like India, Guatemala, or Uganda. And finally, we're looking for your help. Everyone can be an ally. I hope you'll follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and visit our website to educate yourself on this issue, read about the tremendous work already being done, and get started taking whatever action you can. Learn more about the Global Girls Alliance, and how you can be an ally today: https://go.obama.org/global-girls-alliance Thank you so much. Together, we can help these girls fulfill their boundless promise. Sincerely, Michelle

412-Blast Email: Great time for a community cleansing. Schedule enclosed for your consideration.

Some are saying that today is "historic" in regard to the Supreme Court nomination drama unfolding in Washington D.C.

I think it is time to take a deep breath, jump in a swim pool, practice and model "playing well with others," and of course, wrap up by taking a good scrub, shower and cleansing. Let's prepare to live a another day.

I'm on a mission to promote "playing well with others," and can you your help, as soon as tonight and tomorrow and throughout the days to come.

Background:

The focus of my swim coaching for the past decade has been in the city of Pittsburgh, Now, it is growing to a much wider reach. I'm still at some city school pools, but we're offering aquatic experiences at South Park, Mt. Lebanon, Chartiers Valley and Moon.

9/27

Tonight, Thursday, the adult water polo players, https://Renegades.4rs.org, are going to help out with a game night with the new squad of scholastic players we call Pittsburgh Combined, https://waterpolo.cloh.org at South Park High School.

9/28

Tomorrow, Friday, from 7:15 to 9 pm, kids and adults (mentors, guardians, parents, coaches) are invited to our first SKWIM and water polo practice at the new, indoor, high school swim pool at Mt. Lebanon. Rookies welcome. Fun aquatic game play with a disk. Learn and perfect appropriate counter-attacks, offense and defense.

MeetUp page:

• https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/254993954/

Gratis try-outs too.

10/2

Then on Tuesday, from 7:30 to 9 pm we go to another venue for the first time, Chariters Valley's high school pools. There we've got two pools and can play water polo in the deep tank and younger kids can work on teamwork, sportsmanship, fitness and swimming with the SKWIM disk and mentor leaders in the other pool.

MeetUp page:

• https://www.meetup.com/pittsburgh-free/events/vjzwgqyxnbdb/

Summary:

Sign up. SKWIM up. Scrub up and by all means -- live another day in healthy ways in our robust communities.

Peace.

Thanks for the consideration. Hope to see you, squeaky clean, out and about in the community soon.

Call if you have any questions or want to be removed from this list. Feel free to pass along the invite to others as well.

----

Mark Rauterkus Mark@Rauterkus.com

Executive Director of SKWIM USA, a 501(c)(3)

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Middle School Swim Coach at The Ellis School

Former Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team, https://waterpolo.CLOH.org



https://CLOH.org



412 298 3432 = cell

Czech Parenting Policy

The Czech government is primarily interested in giving the families true and genuine freedom to decide on the form of reconciling their family, personal and professional lives, but not only in relation to the support of employment. The Czech Republic perceives the home parental care for small children as a full-value and socially relevant alternative to gainful activity, while fully respecting different preferences and strategies of the parents in taking care of their children. In order to implement the principle of freedom to choose the duration and scope of care for the child itself, the governments considers it essential to create suitable conditions also for those parents, who decide to care for their children largely themselves, without making use of the child care services. 

The Czech Republic supports such parents, in particular, by a sufficiently long period of maternity and parental leave. In addition, it provides financial support throughout the parental care for a child during the maternity and parental leave in order to compensate as much as possible the loss of wage and the lost opportunities, by granting tax allowances for the working parent, supporting family services focused on prevention of social exclusion of parents caring for children under maternity or parental leave (such as mother and family centres) and supporting projects to enhance parental competence through appropriately targeted subsidized facilities.

Content above from https://www.mpsv.cz/files/clanky/6600/information_family_policy.pdf

Fwd: Water

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

From: John H

If you think that water depletion and contamination by pollutants is not a world-wide problem, you're not thinking – you're dreaming.  Check out this article from today's Washington Post for some frightening information on depletion and then consider that a very high percentage of the water we drink, cook with and bathe in is being polluted by an unimaginable volume of pollutants, some visible and some not, injected legally and illegally by corporations and people on a daily basis.  Many of these chemical pollutants are not even acknowledged or identified.  But one strong indicator is the incredible spiking of the cancer rate in many areas of this nation.  It's long past time to stop this flagrant abuse of this critical resource for life. 

John

ARTILCLE: Humans are causing massive changes to the location of water all around the Earth

Lifeguard shortage and more

Citiparks needs 50 additional lifeguards and the summer season is here.

Guards needed at The Pittsburgh Project and elsewhere too. 

This lifeguard shortage stinks. I want to step up and help to shift the tide. 

#1. I can help as a catalyst so we can have LIFEGUARDS (and junior lifeguards / friends) march in the Pittsburgh LABOR DAY PARADE. This should be a joint effort. It can be an event we promote all summer and be a capstone celebration for the end of a SAFE SUMMER and a reminder for the kids to get certified in the winter for working in future summers. 

Our presence in the parade should be early in the lineup so that our people can depart downtown in time to get back to their work sites at the region's various swim pools. Monday of Labor Day weekend is a workday for most who work at outdoor pools. 

How do we get onto the agenda for the parade marshalls? 

Can Citiparks be the "sponsor?" 

#2. I am doing other PR efforts on my end too. Email blast. Website. Social networking. They are also behind the curve for hiring at The Pittsburgh Project. But there, with the guest house, we can supply room and board for those interested in working here. We may need to import some workers for TPP, local pools and Citiparks. With our opportunities to play in a college water polo match and coach kids water polo in the summer, we can make efforts to recruit potential employees to college swim and water polo teams. 

#3. A digital badge to bestow to kids (and adults) who pass the Pre Lifeguard Swim Test is also available and being made ready for much wider deployments. Mindshare. Planting the seed of the idea to do the Nobel work as a guard in due time. 

#4. More can happen in 2019 as I get a focus upon a bigger role at The Pittsburgh Project. How about a Nipper Camp and Lifeguard Games? 

#5. I am going to Seattle to speak on Tuesday with Kevin at the Washington Recreation and Parks Association conference. Title of talk: For Water Safety, the name of the game is SKWIM. 

#6. Let's also make a local water safety booster group, among friends. A few have been BCCed. Perhaps I can host a monthly conference call that turns into a podcast resource. 

Thanks for all you do. 

Vote for Catherine for AAA President

 https://rauterkus.com/election-for-ame…iology-president/

Voting has started.

Act 47 recommends -- Throwback to June 30, 2004 and the Trib

Pittsburgh has a new acting director of Citiparks in early 2018, and I'm excited to meet with him about some fun summer plans.

This is a snip from the Tribune, June 30, 2004 when a divided council passes the Act 47 plan. The headline in this part read: Key recommendations of the Act 47 recovery plan:

Playing well with others, in the city, took a beating in those times and never fully recovered.

Content marketing and a SXSW presentation

Content strategy guides the creation, delivery, and governance of useful, reusable content.

http://braintraffic.com/blog/the-truth-about-content-broken-dreams-and-the-big-fix

Newspaper coverage: National Fatherhood with Evelyn Hines, Erik Vecere and Mark Rauterkus

Photo in December of January as the Christmas tree was still up.

Erik was 8 and Grant was 5.

Tribune Review article.

Job descriptions for summer helpers

Two Facebook Flashbacks

In 2010, from my Blackberry phone I posted. Maryland Terps Hoops graduate 8 percent. Duke more than 90. Money after graduation and debt after degree unknown.

Four years ago I was posting for a few weeks from a hospital in Dallas, while enduring two surgeries -- ruptured appendix. One of my tips then was, "Don't eat rotisserie chicken the meal before flying south."

Come Live Over Here

Pyramid PGH from Duquesne University Media on Vimeo.

Original link. http://www.duquesnemultimedia.com/second-year-duquesne-university-media-grad-student-creates-video-on-pyramid-pgh/

Mental Health insights - suite of article via Molly

A Checklist for Parents with Children with Mental Health Problems

For Teachers: Children’s Mental Health Disorder Fact Sheet for the Classroom

Promoting Mental Health at Home: How to Design the Perfect Meditation Room

Healthy Eating and Depression: How Diet May Help Protect Your Mental Health

5 Ways to Use Feng Shui in Your Home Design

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction

Anger Management and Addiction: How to Take Charge of Anger Issues in Sobriety

Elderly Mental Health: How to Help Your Senior

Coping with the Loss of a Loved One

From: Molly Anderson

Another nice link:
https://tradesmencosts.co.uk/meditation-room-mental-health

PPS Teachers are voting on their contract offer

I offered some input in a discussion on Facebook in a thread of a PFT teacher.

I posted.

Brava! You make a good case.

One tiny counter-point: There are public hearings when the board and the administration (you called them "they") get to listen to suggestions and concerns. Of course, the time to do that was months ago -- not when sparks were flying. Furthermore, written remarks are always able to be submitted. I trust that they are read, but who knows. To me, that is the focus group and meeting of consequence. Wants and needs for city taxpayers, students, families, government, employees, and all the other interest groups and stakeholders should be able to have a viable input forum. It happens monthly.

I do wish for a bit more transparency.
Plus, I hope that a strike is avoided.
Finally, I wonder about the details of sports coaching within the contract. But, I guess I can wait a bit longer to see what's what.

Jacob Davis, former Stingrays and Brashear swimmer

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-colleges/2018/03/01/Brashear-grad-Jacob-Davis-swimming-Saint-Vincent-Josh-Gurekovich/stories/201803020007

Organizational tools

Nice article:

https://www.process.st/organizational-tools/

Fwd: USNA Summer Seminar and Summer STEM - Now is the Time!

Something to consider for summer for middle and high school students:

These programs at NAVY may interest some, especially if STEM-focused.  

1.  For an out-of-the-ordinary STEM summer session at the U.S. Naval Academy (5 days, students residing in the dormitory, Bancroft Hall), and it's for 8th-10th Graders (for the Fall).  The Academy Admissions Office drafted the email notice itself, and passed it out to USNA Blue & Gold Officers around the country.  "Blue & Gold Officers" (like Coach Ed) work with the Admissions Office to help spread the word about not-your-normal but hopefully stimulating programs that younger students may find challenging, particularly if they love STEM or science fields.  

2.  For a Summer Seminar about a college - a week like no other.  This is for rising Seniors who may be considering a career in the Navy or Marine Corps, and wish to see a bit of what it may be like (or more!)  Through the lens of one of the pathways to becoming an officer, at the U.S. Naval Academy.  Like the STEM Summer Session for younger students, this one is also residential, so parents drop 'em off and pick 'em up later!  

Below is the approved USNA-style email advisory:

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

Good afternoon!

The applications for the United States Naval Academy's Summer Seminar and Summer STEM are OPEN!

Summer STEM is geared toward students currently in 8th, 9th and 10th grade, the Summer STEM residential program will give attendees an opportunity to engage in hands-on math and science activities with our faculty and midshipmen. 

 

2018 Sessions:

June 4-9 for current 8th graders (rising 9th graders)

June 11-16 for current 9th graders (rising 10th graders)

June 18-22 for current 10th graders (rising 11th graders)

 

Attached is a digital brochure and the website is:

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/STEM.php#fndtn-panel1-Attending

Naval Academy Summer Seminar (NASS) offers an opportunity for rising high school seniors to experience the academy for one week. Participants learn about life at the Naval Academy, where academics, athletics, and professional training play equally important roles in developing our nation's future leaders at this four-year college.

2018 Sessions:

June 2-7

June 9-14

June 16-21

 

Attached is a digital brochure and the website is:

https://www.usna.edu/Admissions/Programs/NASS.php#fndtn-panel1-Steps-For 

This past summer,

​

USNA

 hosted students from all 50 states, US territories, as well as students living abroad. Both attendees and parents raved about the experience, and we are counting on you to help spread the word about these fantastic opportunities. 

You can check out more on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/NavalAcademyAdmissions/

 

Please watch and

​

feel free to

​

share our videos:

STEMandNASS

Summer Seminar

 

PPS offering Restorative Practices Training Sessions

Several restorative practices training sessions are being offered in February and March, 2018.

Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively is offered once per month at no-cost to PPS staff and District partners who have not yet attended restorative practices training. Note that all sessions take place at the Greenway Professional Development center (1400 Crucible St, 15205) from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm with a one hour break for lunch. Additionally, registration is limited to 30 participants per session. District partners can register by e-mailing restorativepractices@pghboe.net. For additional details and contact Keiterez Bynum at 412-529-3985 with questions.

More insights at this PDF.

Slide show updated