Moving into Pgh Peabody High School seems to be back to fall 2012

Hi All,

The school move into Peabody for the IB school (also known as Pgh Obama) was talked about again at the PPS Board of Education meeting last night (WED, Nov 17, 2010). Their "agenda review" meeting had a conversation about this topic. We've been organizing a bit on this issue. I was there for a while and did have a couple of conversations with administrators and board members.

Watch the meeting:
Go to MINUTE 52:20 on the slider on the bottom of the frame.
http://ppstube.pps.k12.pa.us/play.php?vid=618



Recap: Ms. Sherry Hazuda put forth some questions to Mr. Lopez. It goes for about 8 minutes.

The push to MOVE the Pgh Obama Academic program from Pgh Reizenstein to Pgh Peabody in the fall of 2011 was pulled. This acclerated move was put in the newspapers last week and caught some by surprise. So, the move is back on for 2012, as the original promise states, and as the past board votes confirmed. However, in the month of December and January 2011, there may be a SURVEY of the parents and students asking them if they would WANT to rush to the new site sooner, in fall 2011. If there is overwhelming support for the rushed move, then the matter could go before the PPS Board again in January 2011 for an amended vote.


Whew.

The last time a survey was taken by PPS Administrators, the name "OBAMA" was chosen among the students. Let the record show, the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies was not the top vote getter in the prior survey. The top vote getter was Schenley. That poll also had strong votes in 2nd and 3rd for Hogwarts and Frick. But Obama was picked (4th choice) and it is what it is. I love democracy. But, I worry a bit about polls. Who is counting the votes? How are questions asked?

In my not so humble opinion, the best solution: I want trust to be earned by PPS. I want PROMISES to be kept. I hate the trend and feeling of being yanked around by Pittsburgh Public Schools.

The class of 2012, the first to graduate from Pgh Obama, (i.e,, NOT Schenley), has had a rocky road. They should NOT move again at the start their senior year, Give time for the facility at Peabody to be made ready for the new school. Give time for the school to focus on academics, not moving and boxing materials and so on. That was a promise made to them and it should be honored.

In the 2011-2012 school year, it would be GREAT if the facilities of BOTH Peabody AND Reizenstein were made available in AFTER SCHOOL TIMES to the students of the city and the 6-12 school. The middle school setting and the high school needs are hard pressed to fit within one school. The schools were built for either middle school or high school. Not both. The crunch is GREATEST after school as multiple teams with multiple sports try to fit in one pool, one gym, one field. It doesn't work well -- especially if the goal is to develop kids, teams and programs to compete with the WPIAL soon.

On MONDAY, Nov 22, 2010, another PPS Board Meeting happens where the board listens to PUBLIC COMMENT in 3 minute chunks. To speak, or get onto the speaker list, call 412-622-3600 and ask to be included on the agenda. That meeting begins at 7 pm. I am speaker #3. My topic: Moving IB to Peabody in fall of 2012. I will also talk about using all the available facilities for all sorts of after school activities.

Then on Tuesday, the board will vote. But, the question of a rush to Peabody for the fall of 2011 has been removed from the agenda as of now.

Thanks for caring about our kids and their opportunities -- both in and beyond the classrooms.




One of the reason why it is NOT prudent to move into Peabody in the fall of 2011 is the fact that the PPS Summer Dreamers is slated to use Pgh Peabody for five weeks in the summer of 2011. The fix up work, even a fresh coat of paint and removal of the Highlanders markings would take longer than the two open weeks to prep for the new school year for the new school population. It is great to have Summer Dreamers at Peabody. And, it will be great to have the facilities people have a number of months in the next year to spruce up the space.

National Opt Out Day at the Airports

Cullen Jones gives children gold-certified swim lessons - USATODAY.com

Cullen Jones gives children gold-certified swim lessons - USATODAY.com

Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones was back in the pool Wednesday, sharing his story with a community where six teenagers drowned in the Red River this summer because they couldn't swim.

Jones' appearance was part of Make A Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation's child-focused water safety initiative. Make a Splash partners with cities, schools, swim clubs and non-profit groups across the country to offer swimming lessons.

Cook: Steelers make wrong move with Reed

Cook: Steelers make wrong move with Reed It's never a good thing to take on the paying customers.

As inane as his ramblings were, Reed was much more inflammatory during the summer after he failed to reach a long-term contract with the Steelers. "I was told one thing and another thing happened. I'm not a big fan of lying," he said,

Possibly the Greatest Arcade Basketball Rapid Fire Dominance You’ll Ever See

Possibly the Greatest Arcade Basketball Rapid Fire Dominance You’ll Ever See

Some Running Mate should go to this, before going to the Harry Potter movie at midnight

dorkbot is an international movement centered around people who like to do strange things with electricity. This time:

Heather Knight, a doctoral student at Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute and founder of Marilyn Monrobot, creates socially intelligent robot theater performances.

Kelly Gates does work that has focused on the politics of computerization and surveillance system development in post-war United States.

WHEN: Thursday, Nov 18: 7:30 PM at Brillobox Theater:
http://www.thisishappening.com/VenuePage.php?curVen=60769&show=profile

NEIGHBORHOOD: Bloomfield

IT'LL COST YOU: $Free

AGES: all ages

PRODUCED BY:
+Dorkbot http://www.thisishappening.com/OrgPage.php?curOrg=38051&show=profile

Rugby!

Folks, enjoy this year's NFL while you can as the league is going to take a year-long vacation next year. There will be a labor and ownership problem. The games will not be played. That's a dark outlook, but it has been brewing and may come to pass.

With this in mind, it is a great time to get into world rugby action.

On Saturday there is a game on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. This is called a 'Test Match.' South Africa visits Scottland. Who is going to win? Place your vote in the poll on the left side of the blog.

Vote today.

Next year the rugby will be better understood if you get into it this year. And next year is a world championship rugby tournament.

Folks will fall in love with international rugby, if you give it a chance.

End of Liberty - video

This video is 1 hour and 14 minutes. It is a movie. I've not watched it yet.

Linux Install Fest Invite

Western PA Linux User Group will hold an installfest this weekend.

WHEN:Saturday November 20 from 1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
WHERE: Wilkins School Community Center, 7604 Charleston Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218

Official Website/Wiki: http://wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20101120

Eventbrite Invitation: http://nov2010wplug.eventbrite.com/

At an installfest, you bring in your computer from home and we install Linux together. You do not need any experience with Linux to install Linux at the installfest. All you need is a computer, keyboard, mouse, display and an open mind. Watch this video to see how really easy it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owdEDcmF1SI

Say you've got a problem with your Linux system? Bring it on down to the Installfest and we will take a look together. Some people feel more comfortable just showing someone what's going on instead of posting to wplug at http://wplug.org.

I got started with Linux by attending WPLUG installfests in 1999. The environment is helpful and supportive. A successful installfest doesn't just happen. It takes people, like you, to sign up to help.

We especially need volunteers who will be available experts to answer questions. You don't need to be an expert at everything. Nobody is. What we need is good neighbours who can share their experiences with installing Linux. Join the technical support staff of the meeting.

Want to help but don't have technical background yet? We always need
people to help us setup, clean up, and give us yummy snacks.

Sign up to be a part of the technical support staff, setup crew, cleanup crew, or refreshment provider on the wiki. http://wplug.org/wiki/Meeting-20101120

Hope to see you there!

Beth Lynn Eicher

Mark Schubert speaking out about USA Swimming ouster - More Sports - SI.com

Mark Schubert speaking out about USA Swimming ouster - More Sports - SI.com

Rehab efforts for the South Side branch of the Carnegie Library - call to meeting

The South Side will be getting yet another expresso machine in the library next.

Andrew Lang of Oxford Development posted:

The South Side Library has received funding (approximately $3.9 million*) to perform needed renovations and improvements. If you use the library, the architects would like to know what your priorities are for the renovations.

The first neighborhood meeting to discuss the renovation of CLP-South Side has been scheduled for TOMORROW evening Wednesday, November 17 at 6:00 PM at The South Side Library. See the above flyer.

I encourage you to attend so that you can learn about the process and provide input. Your attendance also shows support for the library.

*Note the $3.9M is from funds earmarked specifically for capital improvements and can NOT be used for operating budgets.

Steelers cut kicker Reed

Steelers cut kicker Reed

Bye Jeff.

How far behind can Ben be?

My letter to PPS Board Member Hazuda

Updated below:


Hi Board Member Hazuda,

We talked at the A+ Schools Meeting and you seemed to not be able to firmly LOCATE the source of the PROMISE to the students who are presently High School Juniors at Pgh Obama, (first class that isn't Pgh Schenley), Class of 2012.

The promise to those kids was made as that class needed to stay in the basement of Frick, their middle school, in 9th grade -- and NOT have a move to Schenley nor with the others in high school at Reizenstein.

The promise said that they would NOT need to need to MOVE again as a move to Reizenstein was for 3 years, at the shortest.

Well, the best source of this promise has been found -- it is the BOARD OF EDUCATION with Pgh Public Schools. TWICE this YEAR the board voted to move the IB Program, Pgh Obama, into Peabody in the fall of 2012 -- NOT sooner.

The plan, all along, has been made clear that the move to Peabody would NOT in the fall of 2011, but would be in the fall of 2012.

I have this on video tape also from Mr. Lopez.

The board voted. That is the way it should be. The promises were made. To change this now is not welcomed.

We would welcome a solution to the tiny middle school gym problems that have been pressing on the school forever -- with the availability of use of the gyms at Peabody and Reizenstein throughout the 2011-2012 school year. We can't fit all the activities into one middle school facility. There are pressing headaches. These can be resolved in that year while the Peabody school gets its touch ups.

Another promise from the IB Site Selection Committee was to relocate the program to a PERMANENT HOME in the fall of 2012 AFTER some renovations were made.

We now hear that no renovations are going to be made.

That Peabody building is 30 years since an update. Sci-Tech got an update. Westinghouse got an update. Carrick got an update. CAPA and now Rodgers got an update! Peabody is missing two computer labs needed that Reizenstein has. The rooms in Reizenstein, while not perfect, are hooked up with six ports for the internet -- missing in the Peabody classrooms.

Summer Dreamers had a BIG site in 2010 at Peabody -- and that should be able to happen again in 2011 summer. So, it makes sense to do the upgrades of the facilities in the fall and winter of 2011-2012 and get the school in top shape for 2012 fall.

This is an all city magent. Kids from all over town go to this school. Everyone should take some care to see that everyone's academic integrity isn't totally washed down the drain on this shifting target still in the wake of closing Schenley.

Finally, I do greatly welcome the change to the single gender academy at Westinghouse in that they will be "ALL CITY MAGNETS." Great. That is something that I pushed for. It makes sense. Kids from the West End should be able to go to Westinghouse, if they choose to do so. Well done with that move.

---

a reply:

Mark,

Thanks for your investigation. Because of questions raised, that information was recently provided to us.
While you are an advocate of holding off the move into the Peabody building, we are also receiving communications from stakeholders in favor of the move. As with most things we do, a variety of folks are looking from a variety of angles and the result is a variety of opinions.

Glad to hear you're in favor of the Westinghouse work. It's important that folks understand the opportunity that is being presented there.

Take care,
Sherry

---

Thanks for the reply.

Let's look a bit deeper:

+ The only folks I know that are in favor of the move urgently would be MORE in favor of getting access to BOTH FACILITIES, Reizenstein AND Peabody for after school efforts for the duration of 2011-2012 school year.

We need the gym space. That is pressing. But, give use of the gym space URGENTLY. Allow us to work in some intramurals, space for practices, space for clinics for the entire city even. Give use of both gyms and fields and pools for middle and high school use.

Then the academic move can happen in a smooth transition in the fall of 2012.

Presently the auditorium at Peabody is used by the students at Reizenstein -- for the Schenley musical, for example.

I hope you figured out the half-day ROBOTICs issues and how moving the academic elements of IB won't impact ROBOTICs students.

ALL STAKEHOLDERS of PPS are very interested in PROMISES, be they Pgh Promise or School Board Promise or Administration Promises too. No doubt, this promise and VOTE was made. Getting yanked around and getting skeptical of promises is something that needs the highest level of honesty.

Fw: 2011 Team Citius Junior Development Cycling membership head count

From: Fred Gohh
Subject: 2011 Team Citius Junior Development Cycling membership head count



Hi everyone,


After a very successful first year of Team Citius, we are looking tocontinuing to improve next year by adding volunteers, new sponsors, andshorter rides for new cyclists.

We are trying to get a rough head count on how many kids will be participating in the 2011 Team Citius Junior Development Cycling program. It would be greatly appreciated if you can e-mail me back your kid(s) name(s) and age(s). The head count will allow us to plan our budget and ask our sponsors for their support. If your kid(s) are looking for a winter cycling training program, please let me know so that we can arrange our coaching services.

If you know any other kids who may be interested in participating, please send me their parents' contact info.

Thank you for your help and support.

Regards,
Fred

City may stop water bill subsidies for south, west neighborhoods

City may stop water bill subsidies for south, west neighborhoods

Councilman Bruce Kraus, who represents the South Side and Hilltop communities, said he was aware of Mr. Dowd's legislation but hasn't had an opportunity to study the details.


Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10320/1103688-53.stm#ixzz15SA70ccw

Will someone please do the homework for Mr. Kraus. Then give it to him before he trys to order another independent audit and hires another bunch of out-of-town consultants to tell him what he needs to do.

State overseers again reject mayor's 2011 budget

It's back to the drawing board for Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl after state overseers Monday rejected his 2011 budget and five-year spending plan for the second time.

The Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority described the documents as "deficient," and Chairwoman Barbara McNees urged City Council and Mr. Ravenstahl to work together to develop a budget, five-year financial plan and pension bailout.

Budget No. 3 is due to the ICA by Nov. 30.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10320/1103665-53.stm#ixzz15SAjsggt

Speaking of past due homework and help with the heavy lifting within the duties of the job, Luke needs some help too.

Steelers' Reed says bad turf contributed to missed field goal

Steelers' Reed says bad turf contributed to missed field goal

Jeff Reed, who in the past has refused to publicly knock Heinz Field as a poor place to kick, ended his diplomacy after he missed a 26-yard field goal Sunday night, his seventh of the season, in a 39-26 Steelers loss to the New England Patriots.

And he tossed in a few critical remarks about Steelers fans as well.

"I'm not one to make excuses," Reed began. "I'll take the credit for the miss. It was a great snap, a great hold, great protection. It's kind of hard when you plant your foot and the hole -- a piece of ground moves where the ball's under the holder. I almost missed the ball completely.

"I'm not going to make excuses. If you've played any kind of sports in your life, you realize that what we play on is not very good turf. It happens."

It was the seventh missed field goal attempt this season for Reed, who missed just 10 total in the three previous seasons combined. He is 15 of 22, the most he's missed since he was 20 of 27 for the 2006 season. He only missed more in 2003, his second season with the Steelers when he was 23 of 32.

Reed said he's not in a slump.


Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10319/1103534-66.stm#ixzz15NeradAw

Time to get a new stadium? Wait until the ice rink arrives on the field.

Invite: Proclamation for Family Engagement week in PPS

Sent by Mark Connor, and I expect to be there too.

Please join me at 10:00 tomorrow morning, Tuesday, November 16th at City Council chambers on the 5th floor of the City-County building to receive a proclamation from city council on the importance of Family Involvement on our district.

All families are wanted and needed to represent importance of what parents bring to the education of our own children and demonstrate how important community is in this work as well.

Please come and STANDUP for families, meet us at 9:45 outside of chambers.

Family and Community School Involvement Week

November 15-20, 2010

Whereas; Family and community engagement is a key goal for the District;

Whereas; Family and community involvement is critical to the success of our students and schools

Whereas; Families and communities are an essential part of a student’s Pathway to The Promise; helping students nurture dreams and ambitions and ensuring that all students develop the habits and behaviors that lead to success in school and in life

Whereas; The 17th Annual National Parental Involvement Day is on Thursday November 18, 2010.

Whereas, To celebrate this occasion and to raise the profile of the importance of family and community involvement, Pittsburgh Public Schools will host a week of events and activities spotlighting the importance of family and community engagement November 15-20, 2010.

Whereas, the District’s final Pathways to the Promise Night family event is on November 17 at Pittsburgh Milliones 6-12;

Whereas, an Excellence for All parents steering committee meeting featuring Superintendent Mark Roosevelt is on November 18 at Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy;

Whereas, on November 18 the University of Pittsburgh, Africana Studies Department will host the next Dame-Dame series monthly meeting highlighting an outstanding school educator at the University of Pittsburgh’s Langley Hall; and

Whereas, on November 20 the Hill District Education Council will host its Fall 2010 Education Conference titled “Connecting on Education Justice”.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Pittsburgh City Council officially proclaims November 15-20, 2010 as “Family and Community School Involvement Week” in the city of Pittsburgh at its Tuesday, November 16 Legislative Session.

Dawida heads the fight against billboard pollution

Dawida heads the fight against billboard pollution

Stan Geier, a local vice president for the company, wrote in an e-mail: "Many more companies than just Lamar are affected by the billboard hate group cleverly disguised as Scenic Pittsburgh."

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/1102988-53.stm#ixzz15IJakxR6

Peace Alliance Sends Message To Stop Neighborhood Violence - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

Peace Alliance Sends Message To Stop Neighborhood Violence - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

The Peace Alliance Network brought people together to jump start that process.

Around 100 people gathered today at Schenley High School in East Liberty to discuss issues in the black community that have led to violence.

One of the most recent events touched upon was last month's shooting of Jeron Grayson.

Did anyone who attended this event offer a recap or else a pointer to another site that does have some news and insights. Thanks.

Harry Potter enthusiasts look to capture 'snitch' at fourth annual Quidditch World Cup in Manhattan

Cute sports story.

Harry Potter enthusiasts look to capture 'snitch' at fourth annual Quidditch World Cup in Manhattan

Pipeline companies may seek eminent domain

Pipeline companies may seek eminent domain

It's the latest worry for those Pennsylvanians suspicious of the growing Marcellus Shale industry. Under applications currently before the Public Utility Commission in Harrisburg, pipeline companies would be able to use condemnation powers to gain rights-of-way, even from unwilling landowners.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10318/1103192-454.stm#ixzz15I6E3b4x

I hate eminent domain. And, I hate condemnation powers too.

Are you ready white team? Sports reform should look like this.

Sports reform in Pittsburgh needs to happen at the high school level. But the most important time to begin is when the kids are young, as I've tried to do.

Here we are getting ready for a water polo game with some rookie players. This is from the summer of 2009. In 2010, we did water polo with nearly 100 kids as part of the PPS Summer Dreamers program.

City League: Perry rights ship with playoff win over Schenley

High School football coach talks about Facebook.

City League: Perry rights ship with playoff win over Schenley: "Perry meets Brashear for the championship Saturday at Cupples Stadium.
Gallagher is a former Brashear assistant. After leaving Brashear in 2001, Gallagher led Perry to five consecutive City titles in his first five seasons there. However, Perry has not won a league championship since 2005 after winning it eight times over a nine-season span.
'[The Brashear coaches] are great guys and they do a wonderful job,' Gallagher said. 'In this day and age with Facebook all the kids know each other. It will fun. It's a great honor to be in the City championship game.'"

Panel urges African Americans to build their own institutions

Panel urges African Americans to build their own institutions: "The panel, titled 'The Disappearing Black Community and How We Get It Back,' took place in the auditorium of the August Wilson Center in front of an audience of about 350 people, but was broadcast to listeners throughout the country.
The program was meant to be a frank discussion of the state of black communities in the United States. Panelists, who delivered their messages with the fervor of pastors in the pulpit, drew frequent choruses of applause and affirmations from the crowd.
'We have been playing around with the truth,' said Ms. Smith. 'It's time for the truth.'"

What is the URL?

Community Stream

Steve wrote:

I wanted to let people know about an interesting exchange on the
"Locals Online" group (a community of practice for host on
neighborhood e-lists, forums, placeblogs, social nets, Facebook Pages,
etc.) on the idea of the "community stream":

http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/49NoINmwFmYtOA7pGcQbmD

The general question - at the hyperlocal level, how do you get
community groups and others to simply post the information raw
materials for local community, democracy, etc. - think unedited
pre-news. Since many of us come out of the civic engagement frame and
not journalism, I am interested in other successful examples of
getting this distributed publishing model revved up and sustained.

From our discussion, there appear to be two primary working models -
the multi-tech/multi-space approach/aggregation (Boreal) and the
unitary space, multi-tech syndication approach (our Issues Forums).

I recall a day when online news sites attempted to give online
publishing spaces to community groups on a shared platform owned by
the paper, but I'd call that an "information island" brochure approach
unless "what's new" is pulled into a stream that is presented to lots
of people somewhere. I think most of those efforts died as larger
community groups began to publish on their own.

In our case, the "community stream" seeks to get information from
groups that just do not have the capacity maintain a fresh web site to
at least publish online in lowest common denominator ways. We are
trying to convince community organizations to simply get in the habit
of sending an e-mail to a community forum and if they have in it,
attach the poster they stuck up on cork boards in the community.
Drafting: http://pages.e-democracy.org/Issues_Forums_for_organizations

If you have more lessons to share, consider joining -
http://e-democracy.org/locals - or posting on the groups where you
received this query.

Steven Clift - http://stevenclift.com

Feel free to add my email contact to your blast lists or when you have news. I try to post the items to this blog and elsewhere.

Furthermore, if you want to be a "running mate" and want to post directly to this blog, let me know.

City League Football Game -- Tonight

Tonight could be the last game of football for the Schenley Spartans. Fedko coverage will occur as the game with Perry is on the Skylight Highlights list.

At South Side's Cupples Stadium, tonight, comes the semi-finals between Schenley (away team) and the #1 seed, Perry team. Last year's champions were Schenley. And last week Schenley played Perry to an overtime game. Perry got the 2 point conversion and Schenley didn't.

So, this could be a great game.

I expect I'll be on the bridge. Join me is you can.

They Said This in August 2010

The PPS Board VOTED on this two, if not THREE times already.

Home Run with coaching hire

South Park hires parents' choice for baseball coach
Friday, November 12, 2010 By Sarah Steimer

The South Park school board voted Thursday evening to hire Steve Bucci as its high school baseball coach.

Last month the board had scheduled a motion to approve Rick Bubash as coach, but parents attending the meeting asked the board to reconsider Mr. Bucci's application.

Mr. Bucci's hiring is contingent upon his submission of a letter of resignation to Bethel Park School District, where he is currently the high school's baseball coach. The South Park school board will negate its offer if Mr. Bucci fails to resign.

Mr. Bucci's current position at Bethel Park came under debate when the district's teachers union filed a grievance over his hiring. Under the union's policy, a teacher in the district gets privilege for a coaching position. An arbitrator ruled in favor of the union; however, the school district is appealing the decision. South Park board members were concerned that if they hired Mr. Bucci, he would return to Bethel Park if the court ruled in his favor.

Sarah Steimer, freelance: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com Source: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10316/1102629-100.stm#ixzz155P6pSlW

Long wish list for Pittsburgh Public Schools chief made - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

My son and I went to the A+ Schools meeting last night in The Hill to talk about the next superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools. Let's look at the news that is out today about that meeting.

The Trib says that the community has a long list of qualifications and qualities -- but really -- I think that there was more of a large interest and not so much a long list. The list that got promoted on the screen was long and it was pre-made from A+ Schools. And, the one speaker had a theme that was about 'going deep' in a few areas and NOT trying to go to many points but in a more shallow way.

The little voting was hardly about building 'consensus.' It was a fun treat, but to really build a consensus, there would need to be much more voting and re-voting and re-asking of ballot questions. We don't get too far when the first questions are -- what is your skin color -- and there are less than 10 questions to vote upon throughout the entire night. People in the room could see who was in the room without the need of a clicker response on skin color.

It was an interesting night among community, no doubt. But it wasn't about consensus.

I did enjoy seeing many of my top replies get warm reactions among the others in the room. I want an "open source mentality" from the next superintendent. That means collaboration is important. I want an emphasis on sports reform to continue in planning and become a reality if the plans make sense. I want that because I feel that our schools are with lower spirit and missing out on valued community interactions. Bingo! Many people expressed a desire for the next superintendent to build student and neighborhood morale by bringing all sectors of the community -- like parents, colleges, businesses and service groups -- together for the benefit of students.

Long wish list for Pittsburgh Public Schools chief made - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Community leaders and parents have a long wish list when it comes to the qualifications and qualities of the next city schools superintendent.

They want someone with experience in the classroom and in an urban school district who is fiscally responsible and will listen to the community and reduce the racial academic achievement gap.

"We need someone who knows how to manage change," said James Stewart, who serves on an advisory board working to reduce the achievement gap in the district.

Stewart was among about 90 people who attended an A+ Schools meeting Thursday night at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District to share their ideas about what qualifications and qualities are important in the next Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent and what the priorities should be. The information gathered will be shared with the school board members.

The Black Political Empowerment Project and the Urban League of Pittsburgh co-sponsored the meeting.

A+ Schools used an electronic polling system so everyone could see the consensus around the room after smaller group discussions. The options used were gathered from an online survey A+ Schools conducted about the superintendent search.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt is leaving at the end of the year to become president of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Many people expressed a desire for the next superintendent to build student and neighborhood morale by bringing all sectors of the community -- like parents, colleges, businesses and service groups -- together for the benefit of students.

However, they believe the superintendent's top priorities should be continuing efforts to promote teacher excellence, reduce the racial achievement gap and provide support and instruction based on students' needs.

Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of Great City Schools, a Washington, D.C.-based advocate for urban school districts, spoke before the discussion. He said the meeting is a good start.

"The secret to (successful) searches is the community and the board to be clear about what they want, the direction they want to go in, the process they want to follow and then following that process and being transparent about it," Casserly said.

Frankly, I don't have much faith that Pittsburgh's school board and the diverse community will have great clarity in our wants. We all agree that we need a person to take the job and do well.

The P-G article also talked about "morale" -- more school spirit, IMHO. Trust and morals play into the quality as well.

Being able to listen is a HUGE character trait that comes with leadership.

City schools: Same or new direction?
Citizens tell 6 school board members they want good listener, morale builder as superintendent
Friday, November 12, 2010
By Eleanor Chute, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

What should the Pittsburgh Public Schools board consider when looking for a replacement for superintendent Mark Roosevelt?

About 85 community members gave their opinions at a community forum Thursday night.

The top vote-getter for the most important qualification -- 23 percent -- was experience in the classroom or administration. The second highest, 20 percent, was evidence of being able to reach consensus and work collectively.

For the top quality, two characteristics tied, with 58 percent of the vote combined: being willing to listen and having the ability to build morale and inspire confidence.

The group also picked a top priority, with 28 percent naming addressing racial disparities in access and outcome and 26 percent choosing ensuring that teachers are effective, supported and trained. Only 6 percent voted for continuing the work already begun as a priority.

The forum at Ebenezer Baptist Church in the Hill District was organized by A+ Schools, a public education advocacy organization, and co-sponsored by the Black Political Empowerment Project and the Urban League of Pittsburgh.

Mr. Roosevelt announced that he was resigning at the end of December to become president of Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The board has not yet named a temporary or permanent replacement.

Six of the city school board members attended the forum: Dara Ware Allen, Mark Brentley Sr., Bill Isler, Thomas Sumpter, Sherry Hazuda and Sharene Shealey.

At the forum, participants met in small groups and then recorded their answers on an electronic device.

An electronic tally divided participants into five regions, but the largest number -- 46 percent -- were from the East End. About 55 percent were black, and about 39 percent were white.

The largest groups were concerned citizens, 33 percent; educators, 30 percent; and parents, 24 percent.

The meeting included some expert advice from Michael Casserly, executive director of the Council of the Great City Schools, and Thomas Payzant, former superintendent of Boston, San Diego and several other districts.

Dr. Casserly said some boards make the mistake of first thinking about whether they want someone with experience, certain degrees, an urban background or other traits.

But he said the first thing that must be considered is what kind of a school district the board envisions. He said board members must think about whether they want to continue in the same direction or make some changes.

He said it would take a different type of leader to build on what's existing than to start over.

Dr. Payzant said the board needs to reach an agreement on both how to sustain what's working and how to change. He recommended the board set three to five key goals.

Sports and the arts also got a mention in one of the long lists -- and got the top support of 23% of the voters. That's a nice win too.

What if the City League Sports Teams merged into the WPIAL?

The City of Pittsburgh school district has sports teams that form its own league, often called the City League, also known at PIAA District 8. In Roman Numerals, VIII. Isn't sports jargon something?

The City League plays various sports, but, all the teams from all the schools play in the same league but also play in the same "classification" for the regular season. The big schools are mixed in with the little schools. Every week there are games between the Davids and the Goliaths. When little Westinghouse plays Brashear or Allderdice, it is Westinghouse with the slingshot and the much larger student body on the other side of the pitch.

Meanwhile, in the WPIAL, the little schools play against the little schools. The middle sized schools play against the middle sized schools. And, guess what, the biggest schools play against the other big schools. This happens all the time, with the exception of a few exhibition games.

Competitive balance matters greatly in sports. In the city, there is none of that. In the rest of thw world, it is one of the most important features for competitions.

In some sports, such as soccer, there are three classifications. In other sports, such as basketball, there are presently four. The smallest schools are Single A. The largest are Quad A.

If the city sports teams merge into the WPIAL, a splendid benefit will be the on-going embrace of the classifications and an awareness of competitive balance. The soccer teams would play in one of three classifications based upon the student population of that school.

To be exact, the students of each gender in grades 9, 10 and 11 are counted, not grade 12. This counting happens every two years.

In the charts below various options are presented based upon the suggestion from some that the PPS schools should enter into "co-ops" as the teams migrate to the WPIAL. For example, with a co-op, the students of Pgh Sci-Tech might play on the same teams as the students of Pgh U-Prep. That's just one possible co-op example. With this example, every day after school the U-Prep students who wanted to play basketball would need to finish their school day at U-Prep and then get onto a bus and go to the gym at Pgh Sci-Tech, put on the Sci-Tech uniforms, and so on. Of course they'd need to try out and make the team first. Sci-Tech's team would have players from both Sci-Tech and U-Prep. Furthermore, the student population from both Sci-Tech and U-Prep would be counted as one unit so as to determine the team's classification.

The smallest schools are listed at the top of the list. The largest schools at the bottom. 

Pittsburgh Allderdice and Pittsburgh Brashear are big schools. No matter what, those teams from those schools would play in the 3A classification against the other giant schools in Western PA: Norwin, North Hills, Mt. Lebo.

But Pittsburgh has a number of smaller schools. Unlike the present city league, the teams at Langley, Oliver, Westinghouse would NOT need to play against the soccer powerhouse Allderdice and the over-reaching Schenley. Unless, of course, the ugly plan of coops is put into place. Then the kids at Langley would play with Brashear and face off with the big schools. And if Westinghouse joins with Allderdice, as one of the plans option reads, they would be playing against the bigger schools as well.

Kids from Pgh Westinghouse and Pgh Langley don't want to play all their soccer games against teams from Hempfield and Seneca Valley. Those kids play soccer year round. Those kids play with their soccer mates for years as they grow and develop in their respective soccer programs and reach varsity status in their high school teams.

For sure, the smaller schools have some talented players. But, the smaller schools don't have a full bench of year-round cup players. Often, varsity athletes at smaller schools get to play two or three sports per year where the players at the larger schools are often more devoted to a single sport and play year-round in that sport with camps, club programs and specific conditioning.

Pittsburgh Obama, in the chart below, given the assumptions of school enrollment, is posted as the second smallest school in the middle classification, Double A. But, if Pgh Obama should contract every so slightly, it would be one of the larger schools in Single A. That's a big difference. Playing Vincentian Academy, with 84 boys students, and playing against Hampton, West Mifflin and Montour means a great deal in terms of competitive balance.

What is worse is if Pgh Obama is forced to hook up in a boys coop with Pgh Sci-Tech and Pgh U-Prep. Then the side goes against Plum, Penn Hills and North Allegheny in every match. Getting a single win might be impossible.

This week those same kids, playing under the banner of Schenley, played against Norwin and Hampton and the combined scores for boys and girls games was 13 to 2.


Example 1: boys, soccer, 3 classifications in PIAA.

Boys Soccer Classifications:
Single A
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh, 20
Beaver County Christian, 33
Trinity Christian School, 38
Eden Christian Academy, 49
Geibel Catholic, 67
Quigley Catholic, 68
Saint Joseph, 72
Vincentian Academy, 84
Elderton, 91
North Catholic, 98
Winchester Thurston, 102
Monessen, 106
Sewickley Academy, 108
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, 115
Serra Catholic, 128
Pgh CAPA boys, 128
Bentworth, 136
Springdale, 141
Chartiers Houston, 148
Bethlehem Center, 149
Avonworth, 150
Neshannock, 150
Pgh Sci Tech, 150
Brentwood, 162
Riverview, 165
South Side, 171
Pgh Westinghouse, 171
Bishop Canevin, 175
Carlynton, 176
Pgh Oliver, 183
Pgh Langley, 188
Greensburg Central Catholic, 190
Pgh U-Prep, 190
Seton LaSalle, 199
Mohawk, 207
Shady Side Academy, 213
West Shamokin, 218
Riverside, 219
Freedom, 225

AA Classifications
Brownsville, 222
Pgh Obama, 225
South Allegheny, 230
Charleroi, 233
Steel Valley, 241
Ellwood City, 245
Quaker Valley, 246
Freeport, 250
New Brighton, 252
Burrell, 254
Southmoreland, 261
Washington, 263
South Fayette, 266
Deer Lakes, 267
Waynesburg Central, 267
Beaver, 279
East Allegheny, 282
Mount Pleasant, 285
Pgh CAPA girls, 285
Keystone Oaks, 296
Yough, 309
McGuffey, 317
Valley, 318
Blackhawk, 321
Derry, 321
South Park, 321
Highlands, 325
Kittanning, 325
Pgh Perry, 333
Indiana, 336
Belle Vernon, 346
Elizabeth Forward, 353
Pgh U-Prep + Pgh Sci-Tech, 340
Pgh CAPA (boys) + Pgh Obama, 353
Hopewell, 356
Thomas Jefferson, 358
Ambridge, 366
Uniontown, 375
Mars, 378
Knoch, 380
Greensburg Salem, 387
West Allegheny, 389
Pgh Carrick, 392
Pgh Obama + Pgh Westinghouse, 396
Hampton, 399
Montour, 403
West Mifflin, 406
Ringgold, 418

AAA Classification
Central Valley, 339
Trinity, 429
Chartiers Valley, 447
Moon, 465
Laurel Highlands, 481
Albert Gallatin, 482
Franklin Regional, 498
Pgh CAPA girls + Pgh Obama, 510
Pgh Perry + Pgh Oliver, 516
Peters Township, 541
Pgh Brashear, 558
Greater Latrobe, 560
Upper Saint Clair, 560
Kiski, 565
Woodland Hills, 565
Pgh Obama + Pgh Sci-Tech + U-Prep, 565
Plum, 568
Canon McMillan, 577
McKeesport, 578
Pine-Richland, 595
Gateway, 606
Fox Chapel, 610
Penn Trafford, 610
North Hills, 619
Pgh Allderdice, 625
Baldwin, 641
Connellsville, 643
Mount Lebanon, 658
Bethel Park, 665
Norwin, 666
Central Catholic, 670
Shaler, 677
Penn Hills, 686
Pgh Langley + Pgh Brashear, 746
Hempfield, 792
Pgh Allderdice + Pgh Westinghouse, 796
Seneca Valley, 899
North Allegheny, 984
Butler, 1107

Another look at the WPIAL merger with the city comes with a four classification sport. Soccer, as above, has three classifications. But boys basketball has four. Likewise, football has four classifications. But the PIAA wanted to make five for football a couple of years ago, and the WPIAL didn't want to do that as it would be impossible to have five games played at Heinz Field on one day.

Wilkinsburg does not filed a boys soccer team. But it does have a boys basektball team, in Double A.

Example 2: Boys Basketball Classifications (4 classes)
Single A
Trinity Christian, 38
Eden Christian, 49
Geibel Catholic, 67
Quigley Catholic, 68
Mapletown, 69
Saint Joseph, 72
Avella, 80
Vincentian, 84
Elderton, 91
North Catholic, 98
Western Beaver, 98
Cornell, 99
Winchester Thurston, 102
Jefferson Morgan, 104
Monessen, 106
Sewickley Academy, 108
Union, 112
West Greene, 112
Lincoln Park Charter, 113
OLSH, 115
Leechburg, 116
Clairton, 124
Carmichaels, 125
Rochester, 125
Serra Catholic, 128
Pgh CAPA boys, 128
Bentworth, 136

Double AA
California, 140
Springdale, 141
Aliquippa, 148
Chartiers Houston, 148
Bethlehem Center, 149
Avonworth, 150
Neshannock, 150
Pgh Sci Tech, 150
Wilkinsburg, 155
Frazier, 157
Jeannette, 158
Sto-Rox, 160
Brentwood, 162
Fort Cherry, 162
Riverview, 165
South Side, 171
Pgh Westinghouse, 171
Bishop Canevin, 175
Carlynton, 176
Northgate, 176
Shenango, 177
Pgh Oliver, 183
Burgettstown, 188
Pgh Langley, 188
Laurel, 189
Greensburg Central Catholic, 190
Pgh U-Prep, 190
Seton LaSalle, 199
Apollo Ridge, 202
Mohawk, 207
Shady Side Academy, 213
West Shamokin, 218
Riverside, 219
Brownsville, 222
Freedom, 225
Pgh Obama, 225
South Allegheny, 230
Charleroi, 233
Steel Valley, 241
Ellwood City, 245
Ford City, 245
Quaker Valley, 246
Beaver Falls, 247
Summit Academy, 248
Freeport, 250
New Brighton, 252

Triple A
Burrell, 254
Southmoreland, 261
Washington, 263
South Fayette, 266
Deer Lakes, 267
Waynesburg Central, 267
Beaver, 279
East Allegheny, 282
Mount Pleasant, 285
Pgh CAPA girls, 285
Keystone Oaks, 296
Yough, 309
McGuffey, 317
Valley, 318
Blackhawk, 321
Derry, 321
South Park, 321
Highlands, 325
Kittanning, 325
Pgh Perry, 333
Indiana, 336
Central Valley, 339
Pgh U-Prep + Pgh Sci-Tech, 340
Belle Vernon, 346
Elizabeth Forward, 353
Pgh CAPA boys + Pgh Obama, 353
Hopewell, 356
Thomas Jefferson, 358
New Castle, 360
Ambridge, 366
Uniontown, 375
Mars, 378
Knoch, 380
Greensburg Salem, 387
West Allegheny, 389
Pgh Carrick, 392
Pgh Obama + Pgh Westinghouse, 396
Hampton, 399
Montour, 403
West Mifflin, 406
Ringgold, 418
Trinity, 429

Quad A Classification
Chartiers Valley, 447
Moon, 465
Laurel Highlands, 481
Albert Gallatin, 482
Franklin Regional, 498
Pgh Perry + Pgh Oliver, 516
Peters Township, 541
Pgh Brashear, 558
Greater Latrobe Senior, 560
Upper Saint Clair, 560
Kiski, 565
Woodland Hills, 565
Pgh Obama + Pgh Sci-Tech + Pgh U-Prep, 565
Plum, 568
Canon McMillan, 577
McKeesport, 578
Pine-Richland, 595
Gateway, 606
Fox Chapel, 610
Penn Trafford, 610
North Hills, 619
Pgh Allderdice, 625
Baldwin, 641
Connellsville, 643
Mount Lebanon, 658
Bethel Park, 665
Norwin, 666
Central Catholic, 670
Shaler, 677
Penn Hills, 686
Pgh Langley + Pgh Brashear, 746
Hempfield, 792
Pgh Allderdice + Pgh Westinghouse, 796
Seneca Valley, 899
North Allegheny, 984
Butler, 1107

Coops stink for PPS.

NCAA Division Swimming Rankings

Division III
Men's Team Rankings

1 Kenyon 425, 2 Denison 399, 3 Emory 347, 4 Kalamazoo 292, 5 Johns Hopkins 290, 6 Washington (Missouri) 267, 7 Stevens Institute 233, 8 MIT 214, 9 Williams 196, 10 Amherst 194, 11 TCNJ 177, 12 DePauw 158, 13 Carnegie Mellon 154, 14 Washington and Lee 143, 15 Hope 140, 16 Middlebury 137, 17 UW-Stevens Point 127, 18 Grove City 124, 19 Chicago 123, 20 Carthage 93, 21 St. Olaf 91, 22 Tufts 88, 23 Case Western Reserve 85, 24 St. Thomas (Mn) 79, 25 Olivet 78

Women's Team Rankings

1 Emory University 375, 2 Denison University 351, 3 Kenyon College 342, 4 Williams College 270, 5 C-M-S 214, 6 Johns Hopkins 205, 7 Amherst College 199, 8 MIT 169, 9 UW-Stevens Point 162, 10 WashU 146, 11 Carthage College 144, 12 Stevens Institute 118, 13 UW-LaCrosse 117, 14 Grove City College 99, 15 Chicago 87, 16 Carnegie Mellon 85, 17 Hope College 85, 18 Calvin College 83, 19 Ithaca College 82, 20 Mary Washington 82, 21 Kalamazoo 65, 22 Middlebury 62, 23 Gustavus Adolphus 60, 24 Keene State 59, 25 Springfield 58,

Division II Dual Meet Poll - AP Format

Women's Team Rankings
1 Grand Valley State 421,  2 Ashland 341,  3 UC-San Diego 328,  4 Drury 298,  5 Incarnate Word 293,  6 Ouachita Baptist 292,  7 California-PA 254,  8 Truman State 234,  9 Indianapolis 229,  10 Tampa 229,  11 CW Post 222,  12 Indiana -Pennsylvania 206,  13 Wingate 204,  14 West Chester 190,  15 Bridgeport 150,  16 Grand Canyon 136,  17 Clarion 130,  18 Nova Southeastern 123,  19 Henderson State 118,  20 Southern Connecticut 106,  21 Wayne State 104,  22 Saint Cloud State 98,  23 Pace 84,  24 Findlay 79,  25 Hillsdale 67

Men's Team Rankings  

1 Ashland 439,  2 Missouri S&T 385,  3 Grand Valley State 372,  4 Drury 357,  5 Incarnate Word 341,  6 Wayne State 327,  7 UC-San Diego 282,  8 Nova Southeastern 281,  9 Ouachita Baptist 275,  10 Wingate 273,  11 Florida Southern 252,  12 Indianapolis 198,  13 Queens University 197,  14 Grand Canyon 178,  15 Bridgeport 161,  16 Southern Connecticut 148,  17 Tampa 124,  18 Lewis 116,  19 Texas at Permian Basin 111,  20 West Chester 109,  21 Henderson State 107,  22 Limestone 104,  23 Mesa State College 98,  24 Bloomsburg 85,  25 Clarion 79

At first, plans put green in place of Igloo

At first, plans put green in place of Igloo

GRASS. Great.

Councilman protests South Side patrol cancellation

Councilman protests South Side patrol cancellation

Pittsburgh City Councilman Bruce Kraus today sent a letter to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl complaining about the abrupt cancellation of special police details last week in the South Side entertainment district.

The city had saturated the neighborhood with police on recent weekends amid complaints from Mr. Kraus and residents about illegal parking, public urination and other problems connected with weekend revelers.

Mr. Kraus said he was pleased with the progress being made and stunned when the city canceled the operation with little explanation last weekend. Even stranger, he said, the cancellation was announced just hours after the city said the special patrols would continue.


Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10314/1102176-100.stm#ixzz14uH6jIrf

I think I did a post on this latest folly from Bruce. KDKA Radio was reporting that the sweeps were nixed after Bruce went to the mayor's office and had a melt down that began with some conversation about the loan that was promised but not delivered to the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.

Last night the police were in the South Side, in force, giving out tickets to those who ran the red light at 10th Street and East Carson Street. There were nearly a dozen motorcycle police and when I walked past -- three were giving out tickets a couple blocks away and another batch were on their motorcycles ready to swoop as any driver pushed the yellow light into red and dared to pass through the intersection.

Freediver Carlos Coste sets new world record with 150m swim through cave | Mail Online

Freediver Carlos Coste sets new world record with 150m swim through cave | Mail Online

This is a worthy read. Hat tip to ASCA.

Pittsburgh Public Schools -- THIS SUCKS!

Pittsburgh Public Schools shuffles reconfiguration plan - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Public Schools is proposing two changes in its plans to reconfigure schools in the East End.

Administrators asked the school board Tuesday to make the single-gender academies at Westinghouse High School a magnet program open to all district students and move the Obama 6-12 International Baccalaureate program a year early to Peabody High School, which closes at the end of this school year. The program wasn't to move from Reizenstein until 2012-13.

The district could postpone an early college program at Oliver High School until 2012-13 because of ongoing community discussions about changes to North Side school configurations. The board is expected to vote on the plans later this month.

No way.

Pgh Obama is to stay at Reizenstein for the rest of this year (2010-2011) and for next year (2011-2012). Then the move to Peabody should occur for the start of the school year in September 2012.

Sports Reform aricle in the Trib

Future of City League uncertain - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "The public received its first look at the potential future of athletics within Pittsburgh Public Schools on Monday night -- a future that could see the end of the century-old City League."

Let's get into this article.

At a community meeting at Oliver High School, Jake House, the leader of the school district's athletics overhaul committee, presented comprehensive working recommendations for athletic reform in the district. The idea for reform was born in part from an internal Title IX audit the district performed last year, but it also came from the City League's dwindling participation numbers and lack of success at the state level.

Not really. The Title IX audit was unwelcomed by me. The Title IX audit told us what we already knew. The Title IX audit was a huge waste of time. It cost a little money, but it was a sink that delayed the reform efforts by more than two years.

The idea for reform of athletics has been put upon Mr. Roosevelt since he arrived in Pittsburgh -- by me and others. For years I told him that this needed to happen. Finally, in January 2010, I got an email from Mr. Roosevelt that he was going to take sports off the back burner.

Before Mark Roosevelt's arrival to Pittsburgh there was another effort at sports reform -- 2001 vintage. I was not on that exact committee but did attend four or five meetings at various locations (East Liberty Libary) to talk among other interested people about those efforts. Dr. John Thompson was in town then. Promises were made -- and then broken. Reminders were made -- and then those got broken too.

If there were 100 suggestions that were made back in 2001, less than five were done. One of the big victories -- middle school boys play fall baseball, not softball. That's nice. My son played baseball this year. Greenfield won the city middle school league. There were a few great teams and players. Allegheny, South Hills, Colfax and others were impressive. Pgh Obama had some good players and good innings too.

This is no "grassroots effort" to reform sports. This is a superintendent ordered effort with a newly hired, full-time employee.

In a grassroots effort to improve the school district's overall athletic program, the wide-ranging proposals have been spread across eight categories: coaching, wellness, connection to academics, sportsmanship, facilities and equipment, transportation and schedules, league structure and participation.
"I feel like we're moving in the right direction," said Derrick Lopez, the district's assistant superintendent for secondary schools. "It's not like we've gotten to these recommendations without a lot of conversation and disagreements. But I think we've gotten to the point right now where we want to make sure what's best for the kids participating in sports is what the recommendations will hold."

The aim is subject to personal opinion, but I'd say it isn't to improve the overall athletic program. Improvement and reform are close cousins. A booster group could make improvements. This is much more. This is more urgent.

Mr. Lopez feels that the moves are going in the right direction, but I don't. The talk might be buzzing around various directions -- some right and some wrong. But, the positive movement is yet to be seen by me. The low-hanging fruit for quick improvements has died on the vine this fall. Things are plugging along with each sport and each sport -- but -- the status quo is not the right direction. The system has been content to manage decline for years.

Good to see that there is mention of disagreements from Mr. Lopez. Those recomendations are not supported fully. Some are harmful in my not so humble opinion.

I've misplaced by decoder ring, so if anyone can filter the following quote, please do so in the comments: "But I think we've gotten to the point right now where we want to make sure what's best for the kids participating in sports is what the recommendations will hold."

But the recommendations regarding league structure would mark a drastic change to the look of high school sports in the area. Under the proposal, the City League -- also known as PIAA District 8 -- would join with the WPIAL, District 7 of the PIAA. Also, on a sport-to-sport basis, several former City League schools may co-op their athletic programs if participation numbers in a certain sport are too low.

"Right now, in looking at all of things we've gathered to this point, we are looking at what it would look like for the City League to dissolve and to merge with the WPIAL," assistant superintendent for secondary schools Derrick Lopez said.

When I first heard of the plan to consider joining the WPIAL, I was elated. Then my heart sank with the next suggestion of forming new coops, (or co-ops) among schools to form sports teams.

Coops are failing now in PPS in terms of sports participation. They stink. U-Prep is not getting its kids into sports teams as it should and could.

Citizen quote: It took the spirit away and killed it.

Well, to be sure, they (PPS) killed school spirit with a move of all the football games to Cupples Stadium on the South Side. They killed neighborhood spirit too. But, sports are still alive and not dead YET. PPS sports, on the whole, are sick, injured and in a deep slumber. The killing blow, however, could be sports coops.

It was 20 years ago today. Our 20th Anniversary

I like to say my dad taught me very well. He taught me how to "marry up."



This photo was taken on our deck at are home on the South Side in 2004. I think it was before a gala event hosted by the Depaul School. My wife is a board member there. We missed the event this year as we were in South Africa.

Water Polo Streaming annoucement

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: Dan Sharadin <commissioner@collegiatewaterpolo.org>

Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2010 20:25:11 -0500 (EST)

To: Mark@Rauterkus.com<Mark@Rauterkus.com>

Subject: Streaming annoucement

November 9, 2010 CWPA to Stream Championships Live Need to get your water polo fix??? Looking to see some great collegiate competition??? Last week the Division III Collegiate Club Championship was held at Macalester College in Saint Paul, MN. All games were streamed live and archived as well. You may still access the games to watch the action. This weekend all of the competition at the Collegiate Club National Championship will be streamed live from Cedar City, Utah and will also be available for viewing following the weekend. Games begin Friday morning at 9 AM and continue until 11 PM Eastern time on Friday and Saturday. The championship round begins Sunday at 9 and concludes in the afternoon. The following weekend of November 19-21 features the top eight men's varsity teams in the conference competing for a chance to go to the NCAA Final Four. Games will be streamed live beginning Friday and will also be recorded and available following the tournament. For more information, check out the website at www.collegiatewaterpolo.org.

To unsubscribe from this email, click here

Fw: Faith in America Releases Ground-Breaking New Report

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

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From: "Steve Hildebrand" <steve@faithinamerica.org>

Date: Tue, 09 Nov 2010 11:10:40 -0600

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

ReplyTo: steve@faithinamerica.org

Subject: Faith in America Releases Ground-Breaking New Report

Friends,   Today, Faith in America released its ground breaking new report calling upon LGBT organizations and individuals to adopt powerful new messaging and strategies designed to attack religion-based bigotry as the biggest obstacle to achieving full equality.   Get the report here:   This report is not the final word on this important topic, but it provides powerful and effective messages that will elevate this discussion in a significant way. We hope LGBT leaders and activists will take time to read the report, absorb it and use the tools and arguments we are providing to improve the intersection between religion and homosexuality.   The following are core messages from Faith in America's report. We encourage people, especially LGBT organizations to adopt this language when addressing those who espouse religion-based bigotry.   1.      Religion-based bigotry causes enormous harm to LGBT people, especially young, vulnerable teens.   More than a million LGBT teens are suffering debilitating depression because their families and religious institutions see them as deviants. Suicide rates amongst LGBT youth are four times higher than those of heterosexual youth.   LGBT people are victims of discrimination and bigotry, which are often justified and promoted by religious teachings that say homosexuality is immoral, sinful or an abomination. If we don't talk about it, no one will know how much hurt and suffering it causes. It is particularly important for those in the religious movable middle to hear this, because no concept is more antithetical to the faith values of love and compassion than causing harm to others.   2.    Sexual orientation is a natural part of a human's being whether heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. Studies have shown that if a person believes sexual orientation is a choice, they are 70% more likely to be against LGBT equal rights (2007 Gallup's annual Values and Beliefs Survey). Conversely, if a person believes sexual orientation is part of how you are created, they are 70% more likely to be in favor of LGBT equal rights. We've learned there is something much deeper here that we need to address. The religious teachings that many people of faith embrace play an important role in whether people see being gay as a choice. Many people of faith believe the heterosexuality is the normal and natural expression of sexuality, while homosexuality is a conscious choice to deviate from this norm. We must educate Americans on the scientific facts about sexual orientation. Homosexuality is not a deliberate choice. It is innate to most people. One's sexual orientation is not a deliberate decision to act against God's will.   3.    Religion-based bigotry against LGBT people is wrong…just as it was wrong to use religious teachings to justify discrimination against Native Americans, African Americans, minority religious groups, woman and interracial couples.   Demonstrating a parallel between historical bigotry against other groups and the attitudes of some people today toward homosexuality is one of the most effective ways to educate people about the denial of equal rights to the LGBT community. Getting people to recognize religion-based bigotry as a common denominator in prejudice and discrimination toward minorities is not a shortcut for changing attitudes but Faith in America has found it to be an effective educational tool for bringing awareness and understanding.   Please take the time to read the full report and then share it with your friends and family. Please also consider a donation to help us with this important work. We can't do it without your help.   Thank you,   Steve Hildebrand Follow FIA on Facebook and Twitter

Use this link to unsubscribe from this mailing list   Faith in America | P.O. Box 1176 | Hudson | NC | 27638

Roast Roosevelt in the $125 cheap seats, anyone?

You're Invited!

As Superintendent Mark Roosevelt and his family prepare to begin a new chapter, we as a community would like to celebrate Mark's remarkable accomplishments. In just five years time, Mark lead the Pittsburgh Public Schools on a journey that established The Pittsburgh Promise and instituted an agenda of school reform that attracted national attention, as well as almost $80 million in funding from outside the region. His leadership also inspired the confidence of Pittsburgh's foundation and corporate communities to again invest in our schools and students. Most importantly, Mark's work has equipped our students with the tools to achieve academic success and the reason to believe in a future full of promise.

Please join us on Wednesday, December 1st at Carnegie Museums' Music Hall to celebrate and honor Mark Roosevelt for all he has given to the students and families of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. Food and drinks will be served in the music hall foyer from 5:30-6:45pm and the Roast and Sentiments of Gratitude will begin at 7pm in the auditorium. Tickets to the event are $250 each for reserved front of house seating and $125 each for regular seating. If you would like to purchase a ticket to this wonderful celebration or make a contribution to the Mark and Dorothy Roosevelt Excellence in Urban Education Fund, please contact Marsha Kolbe at marsha@pittsburghpromise.org.

Have a good time.

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PPS has been in a funk for decades that has been about the management of decline. That is what needs to break with the next superintendent. That character trait is what I think Pittsburgh needs in the search for a new superintendent. We need a person who is going to do much more than just manage decline.

The VERY BEST place for our rebirth in PPS is with sports, afterschool, play, community engagement, athletics and extra stuff. That's where we have fumbled most of all. It takes time and not much money to play with our kids. These activities are cheap. This is rewarding as well. That struggle and devotion is all about volunteers. Volunteers put on the Olympic Games. That's total engagement and where both cooperative and competitive spirit is kindled.

Mark Roosevelt made a semi-public apology to me and the others on the sports reform committee a month before he resigned. He said he had put sports on the back burner for the past five years. He was out to change that -- and then he quit.

Finally, we had a ray of hope.

Furthermore, and more presently, the suggestions from part of the athletic reform committee calls for widespread adoption of these sports' teams cooperatives where kids of different schools have to join another school's sport squad. That's more yanking of kids and families around town. That's more management of decline. Sports coops make a horrible solution for Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Fw: Pennsylvania voters support Libertarian Party candidates

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Media-Relations@lppa.org

Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 14:33:40 -0600

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: Pennsylvania voters support Libertarian Party candidates

Election results for Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania candidates

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPa)
3915 Union Deposit Road #223
Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.lppa.org

For Immediate Release: November 8, 2010

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org or
Michael Robertson (Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org

Harrisburg -  The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is pleased to announce that many of  our 2010 candidates received very strong voter support in the general elections despite our statewide candidates being challenged off the ballot this year.

- General Assembly 64th District Rep candidate Vance H. Mays (Venango County) received 15.8% of the votes in his district.
- General Assembly 28th District Senate candidate Ed Gately (York County) received 15.7% of the votes in his district.
- General Assembly 120th District Rep candidate Tim Mullen (Luzerne County) received 14.9% of the votes in his district.
- General Assembly 63rd District Rep candidate Michael J. Robertson (Clarion County) received 11.2% of the votes in his district.
- General Assembly 85th District Rep candidate Erik Viker (Snyder County) received 9.0% of the votes in his district.

Other Libertarian candidates throughout Pennsylvania generally received 5-6% of the votes in their districts.

Libertarian candidates did well despite being at a heavy disadvantage running against two old party machines that benefit from public funding and legal privileges. Despite this challenge, many voters recognized that these Libertarian candidates could improve the quality of government in Pennsylvania.

The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania is grateful to these candidates for the time and effort they committed to running for office. We hope that more voters in the future will see the need for limited government.

The Libertarian Party is the third largest political party in Pennsylvania and the United States. More than 200,000 people across the country are registered Libertarians, and Libertarians serve in hundreds of elected offices. Please visit www.LP.org or www.LPPA.org for more information.

###
 

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Summer Dreamers for 2011 is starting to fish for proposals

We are seeking activities providers than can provide students entering Grades 1-9 with unique summer activities in Summer 2011. I thought you might be able to help us spread the word to appropriate providers and/or organizations that may be interested in responding to this RFP by December 3, 2010.

Funded by stimulus monies, this unique summer program will offer each student a comprehensive approach to literacy, life skills, high school and college readiness, and summer fun. We are determined to give students the ability to enhance their literacy skills and develop new and unique passions through this innovative camp. We are looking for partners with that same determination.

More About the Activities Providers
* We plan to partner with multiple organizations of varying sizes and experience in providing quality and fun extracurricular activities.
* Activities Providers submitting a proposal must demonstrate an outstanding commitment to children and have the interest and capacity to provide students with unique summer activities such as kayaking, ceramics, drama, debate, urban gardening, and more.
* Providers will be expected to offer activities to students almost every day during this exciting 23 day program.

More About the RFP Process:
* Proposals will be accepted through December 3, 2010 at 5 p.m.
* A second Pre-Bid Conference is slated for 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Nov. 17th.
* Organizations will be selected based on their ability to meet the criteria outlined in the Request for Proposal and possibly interviews.

Please visit our website (www.pps.k12.pa.us/summercamp) for additional information.

Reject the Welfare/Warfare State

Reject the Welfare/Warfare State

Real reductions in federal spending can be achieved only by getting to the meat of the federal budget, meaning expenditures in all areas. The annual budget soon will be $5 trillion unless Congress takes serious steps to reduce spending for entitlements, military, and debt service. Yet how many Tea Party candidates who campaigned on a platform of spending cuts talked about Social Security, Medicare, foreign wars, or bond debt?

Latest results and fixtures: African Women Championship 2010

Latest results and fixtures: African Women Championship 2010

Influence Tracker of Congress Critters at Wired

Ron Paul got 79 percent of the vote in his congressional area in his re-election in 2010.

Chuck ponders the funeral in PA of a swimmer, F.C.

ASCAOnline - Your Coaching Resource

Following the burial, a reception was held at Germantown Academy. There, many of us lingered in the hallowed space that is the swimming pool at GA and the place where Dick Shoulberg has shaped both swimmers and souls for decades. When you step in, you don’t want to leave and you know you are in a cocoon of passion, of heart, of commitment, of success and accomplishment. It is a sanctuary where the greatest of teaching takes place, and where young men and young women grow and emerge and blossom into adults ready to make a difference in the world.

Thanks for the recap.

African Cam

Since our trip to Africa has ended, we've been hungry for more sounds, more sights, more stimulation. This URL goes to an internet camera set up at an African watering hole. It makes a great sound machine.

http://www.africam.com/wildlife/index.php

The audio experience in Africa, even outside our hotel room in Cape Town, was fantastic. The bird sounds are everywhere and quite different.

Diversity of thought, what's up with that?

I hear that this movie will be show on Pitt's campus soon. Be there at 8:30 PM on Wednesday, Nov 10, at 203 David Lawrence Hall, University of Pittsburgh.

City schools seeking input on athletics

City schools seeking input on athletics

PPS has been in the a mode that seems to only try to "manage decline."

If sports are dropped, the decline would accelerate, for sure.

If sports reform brings less hope in terms of competitive balance, then the decline will continue too.

The outward migration needs to turn around -- and with sports (and all afterschool activities), IMNSHO, there is an opportunity to stop the decline and loss of student population.

Of course, its sports as well as INTRAMURALS, EXTRA-MURALS, and music, etc. that needs to be a part of the mix for the opportunities for the students, from HS on down to the wee ones.

If PPS cuts sports, the district would die quickly.

If PPS does sports reform poorly, the district dies.

If sports reform is done well, with that complete overhaul, with the Citiparks cooperation, with the volunteers energized, with the coaches hired by talent/skills and big accountability elements -- then PPS can begin to build spirit and rebound in many ways.

Frankly, playing with our kids is not that expensive.

City kids and their school sports teams can compete with the WPIAL schools if competitive balance is understood and implemented. Fifty other things have to happen too, but landing the programs in the right classifications is MANDATORY and should be a prime discussion point.

WESTINGHOUSE, for example, can play against SINGLE A teams in the WPIAL. Same too with LANGLEY. Likewise, Obama/Schenley's girls volleyball squad can play in AA in the WPIAL -- if there is NO "Coop".

But it all goes down the drain when they combine ("coop") the sports teams so athletes from 1 or 2 or even 3 schools are bussed into another schools for sports participation. Those teams are then playing against the 'big boys' of the WPIAL (NA, PH, WH, BP, USC, etc.) Then we'll have hooey multiple times every week until everyone quits.

Hope to see you all on Monday, November 9, 2010, at 6 pm at Oliver High School.

More chatter at Pure Reform blog.

Meetup: Sheriff Mack in Westmoreland County

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Gary <dragonflydreams2@hotmail.com>

Sender: ronpaul-1834-announce@meetup.com

Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2010 16:00:09 -0400

To: <ronpaul-1834-announce@meetup.com>

ReplyTo: ronpaul-1834@meetup.com

Subject: [ronpaul-1834] New Meetup: Sheriff Mack in Westmoreland County

Announcing a new Meetup for The Ron Paul Revolution: Pittsburgh!

What: Sheriff Mack in Westmoreland County

When: Saturday, November 13, 2010 6:00 PM

Where: Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department
495 Edna Road (1/2 mile off of Rte 30)
Adamsburg, PA 15611
724-527-6250

During Richard Mack's tenure as sheriff of Graham County, Arizona, federal officers informed the sheriffs of the state that they would be required to enforce the so-called "Brady Bill" handgun control law and run background checks at their expense under the law. In 1994, Mack and six other sheriffs from across the country, challenged the constitutionality of the Brady Bill and ultimately fought it all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In a 5-4 decision, the Court sided with Mack and struck down portions of the Brady bill that violated the Tenth Amendment. Today, he tours the country lecturing and conducting seminars on constitutional issues relating to gun control, law enforcement, States' rights, the farce, otherwise known as the drug war, and as a member of Oath Keepers, the importance of remaining faithful to one's oath of office. He has also been a consultant for lawyers, and people in general helping them with cases of unlawful arrests and police misconduct and is the author of The County Sheriff, America's Last Hope

On Saturday, November 13th, Richard Mack will be speaking at Adamsburg Volunteer Fire Department, 495 Edna Road, Adamsburg, PA. Directions

For more info and to RSVP to this Meetup:
http://www.meetup.com/ronpaul-1834/calendar/15362210/




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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Grant did survive the charge from this hippo

We (Catherine, Grant, Mark, Erik) are standing for a photo in front of a hippo at a water hole in South Africa. A few minutes later, Grant would be standing at the water's edge and be scared out of his shoes and need to outrun a hippo charge.

Yep. That's our story and we're going with it.

More people die each year by hippo attacks in Africa than all the other animals combined. Go figure.

Thanks to Dave, a fellow traveler, for the photo. Images and story of the brush with the leopard and Grant should be posted soon. Stay tuned.

Panel debates merits of legalizing marijuana use

Way to go Duquesne. Offer an educational experience that is filled with a big blind spot.

Panel debates merits of legalizing marijuana use: "None of the panelists would go so far as to advocate legalizing recreational marijuana like Proposition 19 in California would have done had it not been defeated 54 to 46 percent at the polls this week."

Talking about solutions to the War On Drugs but not talking about the legalization of pot is foolishness.

Yep, We saw some animals in our trip to South Africa.

Schenley High School Basketball at the Civic Arena in State Finals

Blast from the past:

Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4:


Second Half:
Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Part 4: