Fwd: Policy Brief: Pittsburgh Promise Raises Money, But Misses Primary Goals

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "allegheny institute for public policy" <allegheny_institute_for_public_p@mail.vresp.com>
Date: Jun 20, 2012 1:38 PM
Subject: Policy Brief: Pittsburgh Promise Raises Money, But Misses Primary Goals
To: <mark04@rauterkus.com>

	Policy Brief (Volume 12, Number 32)
		Pittsburgh Promise Raises Money, But Misses Primary Goals     (June 20, 2012)--Last week was a bounty of good news for boosters of the Pittsburgh Promise.  It was announced that $160 million had been raised over the past four years, putting it well on its way to a ten year target of $250 million.  The first recipients of money from the 2007-08 graduating class that went to a four year program just completed their studies.   The Promise uses funds to provide money for post-secondary education costs for students of the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) or one of the City's charter schools who attend from at least the 9th grade on, have a minimum 2.5 grade point average, a minimum 90 percent attendance record, and are accepted to an accredited public or private post-secondary school in Pennsylvania.    The stated goals of the Pittsburgh Promise program, as outlined on its website, are threefold:   Mitigate and reverse population declines in the City of Pittsburgh and enrollment declines in Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) Grow the high school completion rates, college readiness, and post-high school success of all students in PPS Deploy a well-prepared and energized workforce and an eager core of community volunteers The focus of this analysis is on enrollment and college readiness. Presumably, from the stated goals, both should have improved as a result of the Promise. Has either happened? According to District audits, total enrollment in PPS from the year before the Promise was announced (2004-05) to the most recent available year (2009-10) fell from 32,529 to 27,132, or by 5,397 students.  This was slightly more than the decline in the previous five year period (2000-01 to 2004-05) when enrollment dipped by just over 5,000.  The District's 2012 general fund budget summary states "even as the City of Pittsburgh's population has declined, the number of students attending [PPS] has declined even faster".  If the budget's enrollment numbers are accurate, enrollment in 2011-12 stood at 25,034.  Using SAT scores as the best objective measure of academic achievement and preparedness for college we can assess whether the Promise program has had a salutary effect on learning in Pittsburgh schools.   In the 2004-2005 school year, 1,096 Pittsburgh school district students at ten high schools took the SAT exam.  The average score on the math portion was 478 while the average for the verbal section stood at 473. In the 2010-2011 school year, 977 students took the exam, a drop of 11 percent from 2004-05.  The number of test takers fell from the 2004-05 level at eight of the ten schools, with only the CAPA performing arts school showing a significant rise in the number of students taking the test.  Westinghouse test takers were also up slightly.  The average math score in 2010-11 had slipped to 462 and the verbal slid to 458. Scores fell at every high school on either the verbal or math portion and most often both except for CAPA. What's worse, the average for all high schools hides a bad story.  If the reasonably good scores at Taylor Allderdice and CAPA are taken out, the average math score for the eight other schools dips to 425 and the verbal to 416. Several schools' combined verbal and math score failed to reach a total score of 800 and have fallen even further below the state and national averages since 2004-05. By way of comparison, the state combined average score was 994 and the national was 1,011.  As long as SAT scores keep falling why would parents who care deeply about the quality of their children's education want to keep them in Pittsburgh schools or move to Pittsburgh so they can take advantage of the Promise program?  If they can enroll at Taylor Allderdice or CAPA, maybe: otherwise, no. The Allegheny Institute noted on previous occasions that education performance might well decline since the criteria set for receiving Promise funds were so low in order to provide help to virtually all students who graduate and apply for the money. In short, the Pittsburgh Promise has yet to deliver either greater enrollment or better academic performance. By promising money to anyone with a 2.5 average, the incentive to study hard is even further reduced. And there is no way to tell how much easier grading has become over the period in order to help as many students as possible to receive college funds. But to the extent these factors are operating, the Promise program is actually hurting education. Sending unprepared students to college is a dreadful thing to do in terms of their futures as well as wasting resources that could be put to better use. If the Promise is going to achieve either of these primary goals it needs to establish stricter standards of academic achievement by putting a minimum SAT score qualification.  Certainly, any student that cannot score 850 on the SAT is going to have problems in college.  Promise grants could be escalated for each 100 additional points scored on the SAT.  By encouraging students to do better in order to receive Promise funding, the PPS might actually see some improvement in academic achievement.  Jake Haulk, Ph.D., President Eric Montarti, Senior Policy Analyst   If you wish to support our efforts please consider becoming a donor to the Allegheny Institute.The Allegheny Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible.Please mail your contribution to: The Allegheny Institute 305 Mt. Lebanon Boulevard Suite 208 Pittsburgh, PA15234   For more on this topic click here Link to Allegheny Institute Website Forward this Brief to a friend
	Tel: (412) 440-0079 Fax: (412) 440-0085 Email: aipp@alleghenyinstitute.org

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Race. Grant is 2nd from L. MB is 4th, Erik is 5th.

Latest message from Ron Paul

Mark Sammartino, recent candidate for office of the Pgh Federation of Teachers, may have written in an email:

This got sent as an email and I think it is legit.

I cannot begin to express my appreciation to all of the PFT Members who have given me, and the entire TFC Slate, such incredible support over the past year. I am honored to have had the opportunity to meet and talk with so many of you. I have learned a lot about your thoughts and concerns with respect to the PFT’s role in supporting you and I will continue to share your opinions at Executive Board Meetings. Additionally, I want to congratulate Nina, Jason Bell, and the members of the CCEU Slate who won positions on the Executive Board.

I am obviously disappointed at the results of the election; however, I do respect the membership’s decision. I am dismayed at the paltry vote total. Approximately 50% of our members did not vote. I cannot fathom this. The source of my frustration isn’t that I believe that I may have won with better participation; rather, I am amazed at the apathy of our colleagues. For the PFT to provide strong representation for its members we must have full participation in our union. Both the CCEU Slate and the TFC Slate sent out several mailings informing our members about their options. The fact that 50% of us didn’t participate is inexcusable.

Throughout the campaign the TFC Slate has been talking about the importance of the membership’s opinion and solidarity. Now that the election is over we all need to do everything we can to unite our membership. This process must include seeking out the 50% of members who didn’t vote, find out the source of their apathy, and get them involved. Our profession continues to be under attack by a plethora of groups. For us to defend our rights, educate the public on the true aspects of our jobs, and protect our members, we must be united. This doesn’t mean that we will blindly follow where the Executive Board leads; it means we must participate fully in our Union and ensure that our elected leaders take us down a path that is dictated by the membership. I am very hopeful and optimistic that Nina will be responsive to the membership and lead us down a path that is dictated by the members.

Once again the TFC Slate and I would like to thank you for your support and encouragement. We ask that you not only continue your participation in our Union but that you increase it.

Sincerely,

Mark Sammartino

Stand up and cheer, except at your own kid's high school graduation

So sad. Gotta read this load of crap.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/05/12068135-sc-mom-busted-at-kids-graduation-i-cheered-for-my-baby-and-i-got-the-cuffs?lite

Motherload of school news comes from this new blog

Check it out.  http://www.pa-sos.org/ 

I am going to put it on this blog's sidebar now. 

Fwd: Fw: Thanks for taking action. Can you help spread the word?

An email with footnotes.

Reposting it about democracy.

. . . . . Snip starts . . . .

Thanks for demanding an end to Florida's unlawful voter purge and calling on Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate Governor Rick Scott and Secretary Ken Dentlzer. Now can you take a moment to ask your friends and family to do the same?
Below is a sample message you can copy and paste into a new email. Please only send it to people you know personally — spam only hurts our campaign.
 
Dear Friends,
An unprecedented attack on the right to vote is happening in Florida — a state George Bush "won" by just 573 votes in 2000.1
Florida Governor Rick Scott is trying to purge state voter rolls just before a key election2. Scott's purge will give 180,000 Floridians — 87% of whom are people of color — 30 days to prove their citizenship.3 Any person who does not provide proof will be dropped from the rolls and deemed ineligible to vote. If this reckless plan succeeds, thousands of eligible voters could be disenfranchised.4It could sway upcoming primary elections, and the presidential election.
Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sent a letter to Florida Secretary of State Ken Dentzler demanding a halt to the purge.5Governor Scott just responded with blatant disregard for the order and explained Florida's plan to continue the purge.
The DOJ has already taken the first step to stop this purge, now they need to hear that we're behind them. Florida's county election officials, Governor, and Secretary of State need to know that we will use our collective power to fight and protect our voting rights, and our democracy.
Please join us in demanding that Florida officials stop this purge, and asking the DOJ to investigate Governor Scott and Secretary Dentzler for violating the law. It only takes a moment:
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/rickscott/

In April, Governor Scott began the purge by sending lists of over 2,600 suspected non-citizen voters to county election officials across the state. After reviewing the lists and Scott's method of compiling non-citizen names, several officials (mostly Republican) have refused to comply with the state sanctioned voter purge, citing the lists as unreliable and suspect.6

This unlawful move is painfully reminiscent of the voter purges in 2000 ordered by former governor Jeb Bush — where thousands of mostly Black and Latino voters were disenfranchised prior to a presidential election. That year, despite much controversy, George Bush's victory was decided by a mere 573 votes.7

Based on current ratios of Floridians falsely flagged as non-citizens, there may be more than 35,000 eligible voters disenfranchised by this proposed voter purge in a state where elections have been decided by far fewer votes.8

This is not the first time Florida has come under federal scrutiny for tampering with the voting process. Just last year, the U.S. Department of Justice challenged three changes to the state's election law as discriminatory under the Voting Rights Act.9 Florida's legislature is seeking to cut the early voting period in half, place prohibitive regulations on voter registration drives and increase the use of provisional ballots. These changes effectively disrupt the voting process at several stages, suppress the vote by shrinking the electorate, and disproportionately affect Black and Latino voters.

For years, Republicans have used every trick in the book to gain a political advantage and steal elections by preventing certain kinds of people — Black people, Latinos, students, the elderly, and the poor — from voting. Right-wing groups and public officials use a range of tactics to advance this agenda: passing discriminatory voter ID laws, manipulating the distribution of voting machines, restricting voter registration,10 and attacking groups that register large numbers of voters. As a way of justifying many of these policies, they have spread the myth that "voter fraud" (individuals voting illegally) is a widespread problem, when in fact it occurs almost never.11 Voter purges like the one we're seeing in Florida are a very powerful form of voter suppression.
Governor Scott is waging a full assault on an essential component of any democracy — the right to vote. If the DOJ doesn't take further action to stop Governor Rick Scott's voter purge, thousands of citizens could become ineligible to vote. Please join us, and our partners at Florida New Majority, in this effort to end state sanctioned voter suppression. And when you do, please ask your friends and family to do the same:

http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/rickscott/
Thanks and Peace,
-- Rashad, Gabriel, Dani, Matt, Natasha, Kim, Aimée, Charlene, Arisha and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team

June 9th, 2012

References
1. "Florida weighs warning against voter purge," Reuters, 6-2-12
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/02/us-usa-voting-florida-idUSBRE85011W20120602
2. "Florida Continuing to Protecting Citizen Voting Rights, Miami Herald," 6-6-12
http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2012/06/06/18/40/7E4PS.So.56.pdf
3. "Florida voter-suppression campaign means WWII vet has to prove he is American or lose his vote," BoingBoing, 6-1-12
http://boingboing.net/2012/06/01/florida-voter-suppression-camp.html
4. "Florida Gov. Scott appears ready to fight DOJ on voter rolls purge," Miami Herald, 6-6-12
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/06/06/v-print/2835357/florida-gov-scott-appears-ready.html
5. "TPM Docs- DOJ Demands Florida Stop Voter Purge, ThinkProgress," downloaded 6-6-12
http://www.scribd.com/doc/95500652/TPM-Docs-DOJ-Demands-Florida-Stop-Voter-Purge
6. "Florida Election Officials Refuse to Use Rick Scotts Inaccurate List to Purge Voters," ThinkProgress, 6-1-12
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/06/01/493206/florida-elections-officials-refuse-purge-voters-inaccurate-lists/
7. See reference 1
8. "Florida voter purge to intensify," The Rachel Maddow Blog, MSNBC.com, 5-31-12
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/news/2012/05/31/11987875-florida-voter-purge-to-intensify?lite.
9. "Shameless: Florida's Tea Party Governor Trying to Strip Voting Rights from Thousands," AlterNet, 5-31-12
http://www.alternet.org/teaparty/155676/shameless%3A_florida's_tea_party_governor_trying_to_strip_voting_rights_from_thousands/.
10."Voter registration groups sue over new Florida election law," Tampa Bay Times, 12-16-12
http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/voter-registration-groups-sue-over-new-florida-election-law/1206508 "The Myth of Voter Fraud," Washington Post, 3-29-07
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_myth_of_voter_fraud/
11."The Myth of Voter Fraud," Washington Post, 3-29-07
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_myth_of_voter_fraud
You can unsubscribe from this mailing list at any time.
 
 
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little. "
Franklin D. Roosevelt


--
--
Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance

http://NeighborhoodLearning.org

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Groupthink at school

The trouble with 'Groupthink' in school reform from The Answer Sheet at the Washington Post This reminds me of a phenomenon called "Groupthink." What we are experiencing in education is actually a virulent and coercive strain of Groupthink, and it is harming our students. The value of test data has been inflated way beyond its true worth, in a manner similar to real estate prices during the bubble of the past decade. Once this bubble is launched, many people begin to depend on it for their livelihoods.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/the-trouble-with-groupthink-in-school-reform/2012/06/08/gJQAywg6OV_blog.html#pagebreak

PR video for Neighborhood Learning Alliance about waterpolo with me, Coach Mark

Let's all go swimming on Thursday, after school is out!

We’re going for a Guinness World Record!

Thelma Lovette YMCA is a host site for…

…and YOU’RE INVITED!

Pre-register NOW for this unique event to be a part of history and receive a FREE swimming lesson!

June 14^th, 2012Check-in: 10-10:30am
Lesson begins promptly at 11 am(must be present for the entire lesson to be included in the attempt)

You will receive an official certificate showing your participation in the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson happening around the entire world!

REGISTER TODAY!

Worlds Largest Swim Lesson, world record. Happens Thursday at Hill District's YMCA. Kids and teachers are invited.

I will try to be there. What about you?

Rivers Casino wants what?

Got an email from Rose that read in part:

So, the what of the Rivers Casino's tax assessment appeal for years 2009-2013 - an appeal that if they win will force the Pittsburgh School District to write a check to the Casino for somewhere in the ballpark of $5 million dollars!

So much for the new Casino benefiting our communities! I would like to have as many community groups as possible sign an open letter to the Casino (that we could hopefully get printed in the paper) to tell them to stop their appeals. This is mostly to shame the Casino - whose owner, Neil Bluhm, is on the record in New York telling investors about the hundreds of millions of dollars they are making at the Rivers just weeks before he testified in Allegheny County tax court that "in 20/20 hindsight he never would've made the investment here" because they've lost so much on their investment(!) - and to scare other major real estate holders and corporations from taking on the same sort of appeals and deprive our schools of even more desperately needed funds. I'll be reaching out by phone about this soon, starting with those of you directly involved with education focused groups, but please, if this interests you, reach out to me now and we can figure out how best to work together on it.

Pitt has Big East flap pulled from Allegheny County to Federal Courts

See the court papers from Pitt about the case.  http://aforathlete.wikia.com/wiki/File:BIG_EAST_COMPLAINT.pdf

Plan A is still Ron Paul pulling off a Tampa miracle. Plan B is Gary Johnson.

Now that's Drama! Pittsburgh High School kids got a taste of bigots in the Culture District

Link to a story in the school newspaper about the CLO treatment of a high school theater group at the awards night.

http://www.obamaeagle.org/top-stories/2012/06/05/obama-drama-voices-protest-over-gene-kelly-awards/

I'm proud that the school newspaper did such an article.

Tweet it!

Update:

A friend posted speculation that this will all be worked out and that the article will be taken down from the website. My reply is different. I said, "No way will the article be taken down from the school paper. That would be more of an outrage than the crap the kids experienced in the Cultural District that day.

Schools are getting an "F" in this graphic.

I didn't create it, just re-posting it. Food for thought. Chew as you wish, mouth open or closed is fine.


Via: OnlineEducation.net

Graduation speech for the kids from Glenbrook Evening High School

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight
you, then you win."

Last night I was invited to deliver the Commencement Address to
the Graduating class of 2012 at my high school.

Consider this a great milestone for our efforts to restore America.

Why?

For years we have fought to make our message part of the American
Dialog using every format we can think of... Websites, films,
news shows, flyers, street actions, elections and more...

Despite the attacks from the establishment against our message the
fact that I was given the podium and able to address the young
graduates is a major victory.

We recorded it for you to see and share. I hope it inspires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W8Zg_-oDbI


Forever Vigilant for Liberty,

Gary Franchi
RTR National Director

FUD kills nations too

From another source on a web thread:

The concept of "Romney Supporters" is an Oxymoron. So refer to them instead as the (GOP) "establishment".

The establishment's biggest weakness (problem) is that they embrace the culture of FEAR.

Fear is at the root of our country's problems. These fears have been created, nurtured, expanded, and embedded into our very culture by TPTB for the purpose of manipulating the people into surrendering to tyranny and the NWO. (death of Liberty)

Based on my experience, I think they KNOW that our country is screwed, but because they have such great FEAR they fail to take any action - including mentally recognizing the problems, and therefore doing anything about them - (we would call them "asleep" vs. those with less / no fear are "awake").

Now, because they are driven by their fears, it is much easier for them to "accept" the falsehoods of TPTB and actually embrace evil than it is to "man up" and do what is right. They SUBMIT to SLAVERY because they are COWARDS.

FUD = Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt.

Israel and apartheid

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Julian P Heicklen" <jph13@psu.edu>
Date: Jun 1, 2012 9:35 PM
Subject: Israel and apartheid
To: "Julian Heicklen" <jPH13@psu.edu>

Hi Tyranny Fighters

I have received e-mails, seen Facebook postings, and videos, where Israel is called an apartheid state.

This e-mail is to clarify this situation.

The world is an apartheid world.  It is sending all of its Jews to live in the ghetto called Israel.

Anti-semitism has grown rapidly since 2000 all around the world.  Jews are fleeing their native countries.

A significant factor driving this is the emigration of Muslims into many world countries, particularly in Europe.

The Muslims are the world's leading zionists, driving Jews into Israel.

As far as I know, there are only 2 countries in the world where the Jewish population is growing.

These countries are Israel and Germany.

Since the second world war, the Jewish population in Germany has grown from zero to about 100,000, mostly emigrants from the former Soviet Union.

Over the same period, the Jewish population in Israel has grown from about 100,000 to over 6 million.

In all of the rest of the world Jews have been sufficiently badly treated that they left their home countries.

All of Africa, except South Africa and maybe Morocco is cleared of Jews.

All of Asia, except for Iran, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and parts of India have been cleared of Jews.

Vast emigrations now are taking place from Western Europe.

Emigrations are increasing from North America.  In Jerusalem, I live in an area of almost total North American Jews.

Please be careful when you use the word apartheid in reference to Israel.  Israel is the ghetto.  The rest of the world is apartheid.

Yours in freedom and justice—Julian

Teachers teach

Bram is diving into education at his blog. He is way out of his comfort zone, and that's okay from time to time.

I posted this at his blog.

---

Here is the deal. Bad teachers should be fired. That needs to happen throughout time.

Good teachers in the wrong settings, perhaps, should be moved to different settings once or twice. But, PPS can't be keeping bad teachers.

There are very few bad teachers, but they are exist.

Furthermore, if we did fire bad teachers, then it would be easy to decide who needs to stay and who needs to go based upon years on the job.

Because some bad teachers have stayed too long, because of failures of middle and upper management, and because of a lack of peer review among teachers, we are in a mess.

Yes, teachers need to watch out for other teachers, helping and otherwise.

I wish there was more peer review and more peer pressure.

First, gang up on the teacher (among other teachers, staff and administration and even trusted parents) so that the challenges are overcome to make sure that the students are getting good opportunities, making progress and successes are delivered.

But by the end of the year, the staff needs to realize that the hand holding can't be forever.

Sadly, when a teacher is floundering, they don't get the help. And in due time, they don't get the next assignment nor the boot.

Bad teachers that linger are hurting public education, PPS and the Teachers Union. IMNH, good and great teachers have to carry some (say 5%) of the blame. The principals get the lion's share of the blame. Central Admin gets some too.

Great teachers know what's going on in their buildings.

Ask how much impact in all the rubics outlined in the blog posting are with peer review?

Heading to Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday

These students get to go to Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday at 10 am to get a Proclamation. Erik Rauterkus (far right) is the Pennsylvania Youth Governor this year.

Flashback: Four years ago, we were getting set for the Olympics in Beijing

We love the Olympics. In 2008, we went to Beijing. Here is a little slide show from then.

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpYTYyYTMzMWUtZmM1My00NjIwLWE1YWEtYWY3YTMwZmE5OTdk

John Carlos in the UK, before the London Olympics

My life is not about winning medals. My life is about being a freedom fighter.

It is not about "black vs. white." That is what they want us to believe. It is about "right vs. wrong."

Olympic Project for Human Rights.

I am not afraid to offend my oppressor.

Grant jumps from NA Tigers to Princeton Tigers to get ready for possible JO tournament in California in August

Screen shot.

USA_Waterpolo_Transfer_Grant_May_2012.bmp

So, this summer Grant might play water polo at the JOs in northern California with a team from Princeton. The deadline for switching one's club status is tomorrow. Grant moved from being a NA Tiger to a Princeton Tiger.

This happens all the time. The NA program is going to field teams in other age groups, but not 14-under boys.

Fwd: Raising money for Obama music programs -- by baking! (PSO concert too)

From: Jean Siegel <jeanmsiegel@gmail.com>

Hi PPS Parents,

Would you please help earn money for PPS Obama Academy's music
programs -- by baking?

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is returning to East Liberty
for a fifth annual Community Engagement Concert at East Liberty
Presbyterian Church on Saturday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m.

ALL proceeds from the concert will benefit music education programs at
Pittsburgh CAPA, Pittsburgh Dilworth, Pittsburgh Obama, and Hope
Academy of Music and the Arts.

Helen Blier is again running the bake sale after the event, once
again, the proceeds will support the music programs at the 4 schools.
She's a little stricter than I am baking for teachers -- she asks
folks to make something, and to individually wrap the items, so they
can sell them a piece at a time.  Please contact Helen at   pacem1
-at- gmail -dot- com. Also, Helen would appreciate one or two
volunteers to staff the bake sale as well.

If you're interested in the concert itself, here are the details:
(please buy your tickets at the school from Mr. Schrader, because then
we keep all the money)

Tickets:

$10 - Adults

$ 5 - Students & Seniors 60+

FREE - Children and youth 18 and under with adult

SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICALLY IMPORTANT: The proceeds from tickets we sell
at the school before the concert, we get to keep, completely. That's
100%, as in all (A-L-L) of it!

Tickets are available for purchase at the school from Mr. Schrader.

Tickets are also available online at Brown Paper Tickets
www.brownpapertickets.com (online sales will be split between the four
participating schools).

There will be cash sales at the door the evening of the performance
(door sales will also be split between the four schools).

THANK YOU for your support.

Fwd: Car Wash / Bake Sale

We are sponsoring a car wash, bake sale with kettle corn, apple crisp.

Busy Beaver - Crafton/Ingram shopping center from 9 to 3 pm on Sat.
May 26, 2012.

Come and let us wash your car and have some apple crisp or kettle corn
while you wait.

From Coach Mike Schneiderlochner

Fwd: Heicklen flees U. S.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Julian P Heicklen <jph13@psu.edu>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HEICKLEN FLEES UNITED STATES

Julian Heicklen arrived in Israel on May 22, 2012 as a political exile.  He was granted Israel citizenship at customs.  

There is a warrant for his arrest in Santa Ana, CA  because he distributed pamphlets on the sidewalk in front of the U. S. District Courthouse in Santa Ana.  Also he was arrested for the same offense, but the cases were dismissed, in Springfield, MA, Newark, NJ, and 11 times in Manhattan, NY.  However the Department of Homeland Security refuses to return his confiscated property.

He was tortured 7 times in 3 New York hospitals and once in a Springfield hospital.  He was dragged out of his bed at home  at 6:00 am by 11 law enforcement officers and placed in jail in the federal courthouse in Manhattan.

He was arrested by New York City police for standing on the sidewalk in front of the Isaiah wall across from the UN building in New York City and holding two signs which read STOP HATING JEWS.  As a result he was incarcerated for two weeks in the Riker's Island jail before his case was dismissed in the interest of justice.  However New York City refuses to return his confiscated property.

He has been convicted for criminal contempt of Court in Orlando, FL and sentenced to 145 days in jail for distributing jury information on the sidewalk connecting the county courthouse to the parking lot. The conviction has been appealed, though Heicklen already has served 22 days in the Orange County (Orlando) jail.

In Manhattan, NY he was on trial based on a grand jury indictment forged by the U. S. Attorney.  Title 18 USC § 3161(c) states: "In any case in which a plea of not guilty is entered, the trial of a defendant charged in an information or indictment with the commission of an offense shall commence within seventy days from the filing date (and making public) of the information..."  

Judge Kimba Wood colluded in the forgery by purposely violating 18 USC § 3161(c) to give the U. S. Attorney time to produce a witness.  On at least 2 occasions, undercover agents posed as jurors to entrap Heicklen into jury tampering.  Both attempts failed.   Heicklen has copies of the recordings.  After 18 months with no success, Judge Wood dismissed the charges on April 19, 2012.

THE PRICE OF JUSTICE IS ETERNAL PUBLICITY

The situation described above is the 21st century version of the Watergate scandal of the Nixon administration.  Yet the U. S. and world press mostly have ignored this story and refuse to publicize it.  Without publicity there will be no justice.

All of the above happened because Heicklen told the truth.  The United States is now Nazi Germany of the mid 1930s.  Hitler is in the White House.  The press is afraid to report the news.  The American people are in denial.    The United States is the number 1 prison state in the world.  The mass executions are still to come.  

Fwd: FW: CAPA CABARET TONIGHT, Saturday

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bonita Allen
 
Dear Friends:

CAPA CABARET is Saturday, 5/19/12, and you can buy tickets at the door ($20 for adults and $15 for students).  Please forward this email to everyone you know to support this important fundraiser for the students of CAPA!   I am out of town and sad to be missing this big event, but Steve and Erik will be there with money to spend on raffles and auctions. Look below for more information about this incredible event!
CAPA CABARET 2012!

Tickets include live entertainment, light hors d'oeuvres & desserts.   There will be wonderful raffle & auction items including student artwork, a KindleFire, a diamond ring, a Lemieux autographed hockey stick and more! An affordable family-friendly event also featuring a 40 minute show of CAPA talent.

Proceeds from this year's event are to benefit all CAPA students by funding their Arts Department programs. 
For more information click here: http://www.pps.k12.pa.us/capa/site/default.asp

Event: CAPA CABARET 2012
Hosted by the CAPA PTSA
Location:
Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12
111 Ninth St
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Thank you for your support and I hope you can attend CAPA Cabaret 2012!

--
--
Ta.
 
 
Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com    
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach with Neighborhood Learning Alliance

http://NeighborhoodLearning.org

http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: PTC Sponsor - Rev Pittsburgh - Grand Opening

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Brett Prince" <brett.prince@gmail.com>
Date: May 18, 2012 12:39 PM
Subject: PTC Sponsor - Rev Pittsburgh - Grand Opening
To:

PTC,

On May 26, one of our new 2012 sponsors, Rev Pittsburgh, is hosting a grand opening event at their facility in Cranberry township:

It's official… REV is open! Let co-owner Frank Velasquez, former strength coach for the Pirates, and co-owner Aimee Slattery, former World Wrestling Rehab Specialist, welcome you to our state of the art 3600 sq. foot turfed facility. Enjoy refreshments, door prizes, 10 min informative "chalk talks" every hour, a FREE chair massage, and talk shop with Pittsburgh Pirates players and staff.  It's the one stop shop in care! First of its kind in the area! "There is something for everyone at REV" Visit our REV website at www.REVpgh.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Date: May 26^th, 2012     Time: 10am - 2pm     Location: 290 Executive Drive #400 Cranberry Twp. PA 16066      Contact: 724-591-8228

10:45 – 10:55am: "Shoulder Care for the Overhead and Throwing Athlete" Frank Velasquez Jr. ATC, CSCS*R

11:45 – 11:55am:  "The Female Athlete" Aimee Slattery, PT, MS, CSCS

12:00 – 12:10pm:  Official "Ribbon Cutting" Ceremony

12:30 – 12:40pm: "Change without Pain" – Carrie Velasquez, BS, LMT

12:40 – 1:40pm: "Free Chair Massages"

--

Brett Prince
(412) 335-3478

brett.prince@gmail.com

Water Safety in Schools. Imagine that!

United States House of Representatives formally acknowledges that water safety education should be included in primary and secondary schools. (H.RES.658)

May 15, 2012, marked the Inaugural International Water Safety Day (IWSD) prompting the United States House of Representative via H.RES.658 to formally acknowledge that water safety education should be included in primary and secondary schools. The day was celebrated with water safety tips and lessons by life guards, teachers and swimmers from around the world, including Olympic Great Anthony Ervin and the Michael Phelps Foundation, all striving to make a planet that’s 70 percent water, 100 percent water safe.


This important congressional resolution brings annual in-classroom water safety education on May 15th a step closer for schools across the nation. It also strengthens the critical advocacy work conducted by the water safety community.

Read the full resolution via the Library of Congress:  (H.RES.658)

Thanks to the Diversity in Aquatics efforts.

Fwd: Reminder - You're Invited: EPLC Education Policy Forum - May 17 - Pittsburgh

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Education Policy and Leadership Center <robinson@eplc.org>

Reminder: You are invited to attend the PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION POLICY FORUM  "Western Pennsylvania Breakfast Series"  Thursday, May 17, 2012  Continental Breakfast - 8:00 a.m.   Program - 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.   Holiday Inn Pittsburgh University Center (100 Lytton Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)     SUBJECT: College Completion Agenda   If you have already RSVP'd, there's no need to RSVP again.    SPEAKERS:   Gregg Fleisher National AP Training and Incentives Program Director, National Math+Science Initiative      Marcus S. Lingenfelter  Director, State Government Relations, The College Board Dr. Peter H. Garland Executive Vice Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  The Lumina Foundation, The College Board, and Complete College America are among just a few of the nation's leading organizations calling for a dramatic increase in the percentage of young adults with a 2-year college degree or more to at least 55%. In the recently released College Completion Agenda 2011 Progress Report, Pennsylvania (43.4%) ranks just above the national average of 41.3%, while it trails far behind neighboring states New York (49.2%), New Jersey (46.2%), and Maryland (46.1%). With educated citizens as the basis for innovative, productive, and healthy economies, Pennsylvania currently stands at a disadvantage.    This session will discuss the degree attainment/completion agenda landscape nationally and locally. It will include discussion of best practice policies and programs being utilized around the country seeking to "fix the leaky P-16 pipeline." Also included are a host of resources, data, and policy initiatives from the College Board's Advocacy and Policy Center (http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/). The College Board's College Completion Agenda Report is available at http://completionagenda.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/reports_pdf/Progress_Report_2011.pdf   * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Please RSVP Today!    Registration is free, but everyone must RSVP at http://www.eplc.org/events-calendar/western-pennsylvania-breakfast-series/.  Please share this invitation with your friends and colleagues. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thanks to our Sponsors:  AFT Pennsylvania Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties College of Education - The Pennsylvania State University Center for Educational Leadership - University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Educational Testing Service (ETS) OnHand Schools Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals  Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Pennsylvania School Boards Association Pennsylvania State Education Association The College Board

Pittsburgh's 48 Hour Film Project Registration Is Open

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kahmeela Adams <pittsburgh@48hourfilm.com>

Hello Pittsburgh 48HFP Filmmakers and Fans!!

It's time to claim your spot in this year's project.  That's right, registration opened yesterday!!  And signing up is as simple as going to our website and clicking the "Register for Pittsburgh now!" link.  The early bird rate of $140 per team is in effect through June 25, 2012 - after that it jumps up to $160.
Sign up today and save:
www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh
As always, 48HFP will bring a wild weekend of filmmaking fun to our city.  You'll see filmmakers throughout the city rushing to create a 4-7 min film in only 48 hours.  Armed with a genre, character, prop and line of dialogue our fearless filmmakers will make their way through the cinematic jungle and emerge with a creative masterpiece.
Are you up for the challenge?  Show us what you've got by registering your team now!!
www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh
Not ready to put a team together yet, but know you don't want to miss out on the excitement that is the 48HFP?  Put yourself out there via our join-a-team database which is made available to registered teams.  If someone is looking for help, they just may call YOU!
http://www.48hourfilm.com/join/?city=pittsburgh
Mark your calendars.  This year's filmmaking will take place the weekend of July 20 -22 and our screenings will be at The Hollywood Theater in Dormont July 28 & 29.The winner of Best Film will go on to represent Pittsburgh as it vies for Best Film of the World against 115 other city winners.

Top 3 Reasons to Register Early:
3. Access to database of people looking for a team
2. Save $20 on the fee - available until June 25.

1. No fear of getting stuck on the waiting list

Let's show Pittsburgh what 48 hour filmmaking is all about!!
Best wishes,

Kahmeela Adams & Nina Gibbs

Pittsburgh Producers
48 Hour Film Project
www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh

www.facebook.com/pittsburgh48hfp

Twitter: Pittsburgh48HFP

_______________________________________________
Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project
http://www.48hourfilm.com/pittsburgh

Fwd: FANTASTIC TRAINING FOR ANYONE WORKING WITH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - May 23rd

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Stephen MacIsaac <macisaac2@wireless-neighborhoods.org>
Date: Tue, May 15, 2012 at 11:09 AM

To: Training RSVPs to trainings@neighborhoodlearning.org


Please join us on May 23rd to become part of the movement in the city of Pittsburgh to help every student graduate.  The dropout statistics are startling but the reality is that these are the children that live in our neighborhoods, attend our churches, play on our sports teams, attend our community centers and participate in our afterschool programs.  This training will give us all the knowledge and tools to help every child navigate the path to school success and graduation.  Please join us or forward this flyer along to others who are in a position to help.  Thanks.

To enroll in the training, reply to trainings@neighborhoodlearning.org, visit our "Training and Credentialing" page on our website: http://www.neighborhoodlearning.org/programs/training-and-credentialing, or join our facebook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/170212439772549/


Stephen MacIsaac, Executive Director, Neighborhood Learning Alliance
United Way Agency Code: 1528678

Fwd: Paul Campaign Convention Strategy

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jesse Benton

Memorandum

To:               Supporters, Interested Parties

From:          Jesse Benton, Chief Strategist

Date:           May 15, 2012

Re:              Paul Campaign Convention Strategy

Every day, I see firsthand how humbled and encouraged Dr. Paul is to have the enthusiastic support of so many who are committed to revitalizing our country.

Let me be very clear.  Dr. Paul is NOT dropping out or suspending his campaign.

As Dr. Paul has previously stated, he is in this race all the way to the Republican National Convention in Tampa this August.

And he is deeply grateful for every resource he has been entrusted with to run an historic campaign that continues to defy all expectations.

Looking ahead, our campaign must honor that trust by maximizing our resources to ensure the greatest possible impact at the National Convention.

So while our campaign is no longer investing in the remaining primary states, we will continue to run strong programs at District and State Conventions to win more delegates and alternate delegates to the National Convention.

To this end, our campaign has several positive and realistic goals:
1)    Having recently WON Maine, we believe we can win several more states.
2)    We will win party leadership positions at both the state and national levels.
3)    We will continue to grow our already substantial total of delegates.
We will head to Tampa with a solid group of delegates.  Several hundred will be bound to Dr. Paul, and several hundred more, although bound to Governor Romney or other candidates, will be Ron Paul supporters.

Unfortunately, barring something very unforeseen, our delegate total will not be strong enough to win the nomination.  Governor Romney is now within 200 delegates of securing the party's nod.  However, our delegates can still make a major impact at the National Convention and beyond.

All delegates will be able to vote on party rules and allow us to shape the process for future liberty candidates.

We are in an excellent position to make sure the Republican Party adds solid liberty issues to the GOP Platform, which our delegates will be directly positioned to approve.  Our campaign is presently working to get several items up for consideration, including monetary policy reform, prohibitions on indefinite detention, and Internet freedom.

Finally, by sending a large, respectful, and professional delegation to Tampa, we will show the party and the country that not only is our movement growing and here to stay, but that the future belongs to us.

Dr. Paul will begin this new phase of the campaign this Friday by speaking and holding several events at the Minnesota State Convention.  He has also recently accepted an invitation to speak at the Texas Convention, and we are busy scheduling appearances around other State Conventions later this month and into June.

As Dr. Paul stated in his message yesterday, this fight is NOT over.  We will continue fighting and expanding, and "we will not stop until we have restored what once made America the greatest country in human history."

But for Dr. Paul's efforts in the remaining State Conventions to be successful, and to ensure we get as many Ron Paul delegates to Tampa as we can, he needs you to continue standing with him.

Along those lines, as you probably already know, the grassroots are holding a Money Bomb on Thursday, May 17.  Any money raised from that Money Bomb will go toward winning delegates and finalizing our plans for Tampa.

As those plans for the National Convention come together, we will make sure all of our delegates, whether bound or unbound, get the information and aid they need.

Your support on May 17 will also help us reach more Americans with the solutions we know can restore our nation.  Each person we add to our cause strengthens our movement for the critical work that awaits us beyond Tampa.

Dr. Paul, John Tate, myself, and the entire campaign staff know what incredible sacrifices have been made by each of our supporters.

Thank you for all of your hard work and your dedication to liberty.  Together, we will champion Ron Paul and his message in Tampa, and we will lay the groundwork for future victories.

North Allegheny Tiger Water Polo Players Bring Home Gold, Silver & Bronze in USA Water Polo National Tournament

PRESS RELEASE

Contacts: Nikola Malezanov, Head Coach, NASH Water Polo, Malezanov@gmail.com, 443-995-2622
Victor Siclari, Media Contact, vsiclari@comcast.net, 412-965-4912

North Allegheny Tiger Water Polo Players Bring Home Gold, Silver &
Bronze in USA Water Polo National Tournament;

Spring League Enjoys Record Turnout;

Upcoming Tournament Will Overflow NA Pool & Chartiers Valley HS;

Next Stop, Junior Olympics

McCandless, May 9, 2012– North Allegheny Water Polo continues to make a splash across the
country with its latest accomplishments by sending more than a dozen players of all ages to
represent the Northeast Zone in the national tournament in Boca Raton and Miami, Florida over
the March 30-April 1 weekend.

After months of training as part of USA Water Polo’s Northeast Zone (NEZ) Olympic
Developmental Program (ODP), sixteen players helped the NEZ teams take first, second and
third places in the competition among six zone teams, ranked by age and gender. The NEZ 12 th
grade and under team was coached by Nikola Malezanov, who is the head coach for the NA
High School varsity water polo boys and girls’ teams and the NA Tiger Water Polo club team.
The team and their parents agree that Nikola has significantly elevated the level of play and
accomplishments of the local water polo players by drawing on his coaching experience with the
varsity program at the US Naval Academy and as an assistant with the US Men’s National team.

NEZ 10th grade & under and 8th grade & under boys’ teams went undefeated. Max Staresinic, a
freshman, was named tournament MVP for the 10th grade & under boys. He and Nick Kohler
(from the 8 & under team) were selected to go to the National Training Camp (NTC) in California
over the Memorial Day weekend. NTC provides an opportunity for the players to continue to
train and hopefully be eligible for selection to play on the USA Water Polo men’s and women’s
national teams. Also contributing to the win for these teams were Ryan Pieton and Gabe Gaspar
(sophomores on the 10& under team), and Grant Rauterkus and Martin Raitt (8 under team).

The 12th grade & under boys’ team narrowly missed an undefeated tournament when they lost
by one shot in the final minute against the Mountain Zone team in a game whose score rocked
back and forth like a ship on a stormy sea. Representing the team were senior Zach Presto, who
will play Division I water polo at Iona College and was also selected for the NTC, and juniors
Domenic Caputo, Rob Clinger, Alex Shaffer and Steven Siclari.

Not to be outdone by the boys, the 10th grade & under girls’ team went undefeated for their
second straight year with sophomore Mia Siclari on the roster. She was also selected for NTC.
The 8th grade & under girls clinched second place with the help of Taylor McClelland and
Esma Dollaku. Esma was this NEZ team’s captain and was selected for NTC as well as the All-
Tournament Team, which recognizes the top players in the competition. Despite contributions
from junior Mary Riley and senior Meghan Mahoney, the 12th grade & under girls suffered some
narrow losses but still placed a respectable third in the tournament. Meghan was selected for the

NTC and 12& under All-Tournament Team, and also will be playing Division I water polo at
Iona in the fall.

According to Nikola, “Having so many players selected for the NTC proves how the hard work
in the practices improves their playing ability. Now the players have been rewarded for their
sacrifices and commitment, and the younger players are also encouraged to work hard because
they can see how it can pay off.”

Spring League Enjoys Record Turnout

For the third year, the Tiger Water Polo Club has run a Spring Instructional League to introduce
a new sport and activity to young athletes of many ages. The purpose of the League is to instruct
players on the fundamentals of water polo, implement the skills in games, and generally have fun
at a sport that is wildly popular on the West coast, and slowly but surely continues to catch on in
the East.

The program is run by the coaches of the Tiger Water Polo Club, and the players get additional
one-on-one assistance from the more experienced members of the Tiger Water Club’s high
school aged athletes. The League meets on Sundays over the course of two months, and has had
a record turnout of players, ranging from ages 7-16.

“The number of players this year shows how water polo has grown in popularity in this area,”
says Nikola. “We have had many players from Shaler High School and its surrounding district
participate in our program. We hope that it results in Shaler establishing its own high school
program in the near future.” Added Jim Staresinic, a key organizer of the league, a coach and
parent of two players, “Of the many things we do to promote the sport of water polo in the
Pittsburgh area, the Spring Instructional League is one that makes us most proud. Each year
more and younger athletes are giving it a try and – in the process – discovering an Olympic sport
that is fun, challenging and very social. It is rewarding to see young athletes find something they
truly enjoy doing.”

Upcoming Water Polo Tournament Is Overflowing with Participants

During the weekend of May 19-20, 2012, the NA Tiger Water Polo Club will be hosting what will
likely prove to be its biggest tournament yet. The Spring Invite will be attended by teams from
Canada, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Maryland, and due to the overwhelming interest,
the games will be played in two venues: at the NA High School and Chartiers Valley HS in
Bridgeville. Since the Club will also be holding its final Sunday play for the Spring League,
there will be hundreds of players—from beginners to aspiring Olympians—enjoying a sport
that leverages the skills of swimming and combines it with a spattering of the techniques found
in rugby, football, soccer, lacrosse, and hockey. The Spring Invite will be open to the general
public. For more details, please visit the Tiger Water Polo website @ www.tigerwaterpolo.com
and register your inquiry on the “Contact Us” tab.

Next Stop, Junior Olympics

And if the kids are bored once school ends, there will be plenty to keep them busy through the
summer until the High School varsity season training ramps up in August. (Did you not know this sport is year-round? How else can they stay in such great shape?) The Club is gearing
up for the world’s largest annual youth water polo tournament—USA Water Polo’s Junior
Olympics, which is a national competition of teams from all over the country who will gather in
Stanford, CA at multiple venues for about 10 days in July and August to compete for the best of
the best.

The Club’s goal is to field enough members to enter teams for 16 & under girls, 16 & under
boys, and 18 & under boys, as well as seek out players from other Northeast teams to round
out a 14 & under boys’ team. Nikola says, “I am excited to be able to take so many teams to
this competition. We will have the whole summer to hone their skills and leverage our summer
playing schedule. We expect to play a lot of tough games and know that our players will be
challenged, but expect them to step up to the challenge and ultimately return as better players.”

The opportunity to play water polo in outdoor pools in Southern Cal is a dream vacation that
has been experienced by many of the seasoned players over the last four years. The players also
take time to surf the Pacific in between games, and refuel their bodies by hitting every In-N-Out
Burger joint they can (this is a burger chain that began in 1948 as California’s first drive-thru
burger stand and is acclaimed by West Coasters as the best burger place around). Their mouths
are already watering at the thought of biting into the competition, and then the burgers.