Fwd: Athletic Director Announcement

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Dear Ellis Community,   It is with tremendous excitement that I am writing to share the news that Katie Johnson has accepted the position of Athletic Director at The Ellis School beginning July 1, 2022. Katie stood out in a large, national pool of highly qualified candidates, and received rave reviews from the students, coaches, athletic faculty, staff, and parents who visited with her during her visit to Ellis in December. They were impressed by her deep experience as an athlete, coach, teacher, and assistant athletic director, her well-developed sense of what it takes to build and sustain a strong athletic program in a PK-12 school environment, her excellent organizational skills, her engaging personality, and her good humor.     Katie currently serves as Assistant Director of Athletics at The Lovett School in Atlanta, GA. Katie has been at Lovett since 2016, where she has held numerous roles in the Athletic Department, including head volleyball coach, and has served as a yearbook advisor, English teacher, and student advisor. Prior to her time at Lovett, Katie was a coach and English teacher at Cambridge High School in Milton, GA. Katie's undergraduate degree is from the University of Montevallo, where she played varsity volleyball for four years and earned her B.A. in mass communications with a minor in Spanish.   I will be working with Katie over the coming months to develop a plan for her transition to Ellis. For now, please join me in congratulating Katie and welcoming her to the Ellis community.     Warmly,   Macon     Macon Finley Head of School   THE ELLIS SCHOOL 6425 Fifth Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412.661.5992 www.theellisschool.org

Fwd: Make water safety a priority in 2022

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From: City Swim Project

Dear Mark,    Janet is one of the coolest 8-year-olds you'll ever meet. She is talkative, opinionated, intelligent and is, in her words, "fantabulous." You'd never guess that just a year ago, when she first started coming to the City Swim Project, that she was terrified of the water and struggled with reading. Find out more on how the City Swim Project helped Janet. "In City Swim Project, after my swim lesson Coach Patti and I read together, so it makes reading fun. My reading grades have gone up, and I get A's and B's.   "When I first came to City Swim Project, I was shy and scared of the pool, but I wanted to be in the water with the others," she said. "I didn't know anybody, but they looked like they were having fun in the pool." Now, light years away from that reserved little girl, Janet is a stand-out swimmer and a leader in her swim level.   Before coming to the City Swim Project, Janet had a tough time in reading and spelling. "I've seen growth in her confidence over the past several months," said Janet's favorite City Swim Project staff person, Coach Patti. "She works hard on her grades and is now on the same level as her other classmates."   Coach Patti and other staff help kids with their homework and academics during out of pool time programming when kids receive a healthy snack and hands-on tutoring focused on creating healthy eating habits and boosting academics.   "Her confidence in herself has improved," said Coach Patti. "Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean Janet has to. She knows she's pretty awesome being herself."   Janet is a participant of the City Swim Project.    At City Swim Project, swimming is more than a sport. And we are more than a swim team.  We are not just expanding access to swim lessons in diverse neighborhoods around Buffalo.  We provide children, families, and communities with the skills to rise above.  Above fear of the water. Above academic, cultural, and economic barriers.  Above the cycle of inequality. Even above the competition.   And, the positive feedback that she gets from adults she looks up to allows Janet to reach her goals. Recently, she got an award for Most Improved Swimmer.   Janet is just one of our amazing kids.   From swim lessons and academics to self-esteem and nutrition, the City Swim Project is changing the lives of kids like Janet forever.   Help us saves lives and empower more children like Janet.   Join our team by donating now! Click the button below. Save Lives Today! City Swim Project   651 Delaware Ave Ste 144 Buffalo, NY 14202   https://cityswimproject.org/

Visiting the ISHOF pool, years ago

Obama Golfing Team with Coach Mark

The solution chatter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Human psychology has not changed in ten centuries.

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

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

Fwd: iConnection - Important information for instructors

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From: American Red Cross Training Services <info@outreach.redcross.org>

View Web Version     January 2022 Begin Teaching Our New Program Login to Red Cross Learning Center  Quick Links  Lifesaving Awards Program Red Cross Learning Center Facebook LinkedIn Training Support Center    Hours of Operation    M-F 8:30am - 9pm ET    Sat 7:30am - 8pm ET    Chat with a specialist    Email support Updating Your Red Cross Instructor Account   This new year, resolve to update your Instructor account on the Red Cross Learning Center. Please take a look at your account to ensure the information is accurate and that your certifications are current for all courses you plan to teach this year. It's easy to do and will help ensure that your 2022 training year runs smoothly. As a reminder, if the certification for a course you are teaching is not current, Instructors/Instructor Trainers will not be able to set up, teach and report their courses. If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the Training Support Center ( support@redcrosstraining.org). Instructor Recertification Reminders Instructor and Instructor Trainer certifications are valid for 2 years. Instructors and Instructor Trainers must complete all recertification requirements to recertify every 2 years. This must be done prior to certificate expiration to remain currently certified. To recertify, Instructors and Trainers must meet the teaching requirement AND successfully complete a recertification course as outlined in the program Instructor's manuals and Instructor Trainer guides. Teaching Requirements: Instructors must teach one basic-level course of record. The qualifying courses are outlined in the program-specific Instructor's Manuals. Instructor Trainers must teach one instructor course of record. Read More Are You a Red Cross Aquatic Achiever? We're getting close to naming our Red Cross Aquatic Achievers – recognizing the outstanding work organizations, their instructors, and instructor trainers achieved in 2021. Join us virtually in celebrating our Red Cross providers, who despite the challenges of 2021, embodied the Red Cross Vision: "In an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives." Read More Learning for All: Instructor Inclusion Training The American Red Cross aspires to be an organization that reflects all communities we serve. That's why we've created Instructor Inclusion Training: Creating an Inclusive Learning Environment, a free online course on how to foster a space where all participants feel valued. We encourage all Training Services Training Provider Instructors and Instructor Trainers to complete this course as soon as possible as it will be a requirement prior to your next recertification date. Read More Train for the Moments that Matter Interested in learning how your students can master critical lifesaving skills in less time? Our recently updated, revolutionary First Aid/CPR/AED training program with Skill Boost modules combines a new and unique educational model with the latest science-based advancements in lifesaving care. Register to attend our webinar with EHS Daily Advisor on February 16 at 2:30P ET to learn more. Can't attend live? That's OK! Register now and watch on-demand later. Upcoming LinkedIn Live Mark your calendars for an upcoming LinkedIn Live featuring Nathan Charlton and Jeffrey Pellegrino from the Scientific Advisory Council. They'll discuss the importance of active learning from the latest Red Cross First Aid Course. Bookmark the Training Services LinkedIn page so you can be notified when the event occurs. Be sure to share with your network so they can get the latest scoop. Reimagine The Way You Learn & Teach: Active Learning With the American Red Cross Monday January 31 at 1:00 PM ET Featuring Red Cross Experts Nathan Charlton & Jeffrey Pellegrino, Ph.D., MPH Coming soon: New updated First Aid Mobile App New features will include access to course certifications with your Red Cross Learning Center account, new lifesaving First Aid content and the ability to view and nominate people for Lifesaving Awards. Quality Assurance Update Happy New Year from the QA Team! As a friendly reminder and best practice please make sure you are regularly checking your instructor/instructor trainer certifications to make sure they are current. Failing to keep on top of your certifications could result in cancellation of your classes and removal of all certifications you have granted while uncertified. Read More     To ensure you receive Training Services emails from the American Red Cross, please add info@outreach.redcross.org to your address book. American Red Cross Training Services 431 18th St NW Washington, DC, 20006, US     Follow us on social media!

                                                           

Fwd: Please help the future of women in sports

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From: SPIRE IA (Institute and Academy) <admissions@spireinstitute.org>

We just need five minutes of your time!

PLEASE HELP THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN SPORTS   We just need five minutes of your time!   SURVEY LINK   The Aurora Games was conceived as a platform to celebrate the power of women in sports and as a standalone event to showcase their influence on today's culture. It is opportunity for women from the world to meet to share triumphs and visions in women's sport past, present and future. As a part of the vision for the Aurora Games, SPIRE is intended as the state of the art location for female athletes from around the world to train in an environment that is built specifically for women and caters to the specific needs of female athletes. The research on training and fitness techniques for women is woefully behind that of the men. The need for specialization becomes more apparent with every passing season. SPIRE will fill this void and incorporate research, medicine, women's studies, and more to help make SPIRE and Aurora Games a world class hub for everything related to women in sports and culture.   Thank you, SPIRE IA (Institute/Academy), 5201 Spire Circle, Geneva, OH 44041, +1 (440) 466-1002

Letter to PPS from a teacher, posted on social media and sent to the board

Kristen Johnson posted

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I am posting the letter I am sending to the board for tomorrow. I do not know if it will all be read because of time, but enough is enough! I ask each and everyone of you to write as well.

Pittsburgh Board of Education:

Good evening, my name is Kristen Johnson and I am a teacher at Brashear High School. I am writing to implore a sense of urgency in addressing our current situation within the district. This is a call to action for each of you and everyone who works at Central Office.

Five years ago I started working at Brashear high school as an English teacher. I have moved to the CTE department and now teach Personal Finance and Computer Fundamental elective courses. Working for PPS is a dream come true and Brashear is my “home” where I can show school pride, community pride, city pride, and PPS pride.

Nothing that has transpired over the past week, and frankly this school year, has elicited a sense of pride. We are all experiencing a myriad of emotions. I will keep this letter local and immediate to my experience, but I know many others share similar frustrations and anger.

When family and friends asked how I was doing at the end of last week I paused and said “I am disgusted”. I am disgusted that our district has experienced heinous acts of violence including the death of a 15 year old student. I am disgusted that many conversations end without closure or a plan for actual and effective change. I am astounded that my colleagues at Oliver do not feel secure in their building because of the number of exits without alarms. I am outraged that we continue “with business as usual” after the death of a student, staff injuries in breaking up a fight, and another young adult in the hospital as a result of a fight.

What is going on?

We, teachers, are fighting a battle much bigger than us individually. We are fighting a system that is not effective at educating or preparing students for a future. We are trying to instill a sense of self in students, develop self-confidence, empower students to achieve self-actualization and see themselves as an asset to our communities. We do this by building relationships with students and families so they can become the captains of their own destiny. We are doing this every day in every building, and we are emotionally exhausted because we are doing it alone.

Where are you?

I have not seen one of you, board members or otherwise, in our buildings unless is was a planned tour of a particular program. I ask again, where are you? You have to get in the trenches to understand our day-to-day struggle with high need students and their individual circumstances. When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was jailed in Birmingham, Alabama, he wrote “Letter from Birmingham Jail”. He began by addressing his fellow clergymen who called his visit “untimely and unwise”. Now is your time to see and be seen. We, teachers, feel we are doing this alone. We feel the support given by administration has been stifled because they are not willing, or able, to provide the necessary discipline to address minor student behaviors that perpetuate a climate and culture of disrespect for people and learning. Now is your time to come be substitute in our buildings, all buildings, but especially high school buildings and see for yourselves the profanity and disregard for redirection from staff. 

Where are you? 

Please come see for yourself what is happening. Not just once, take a week or two and sub in our buildings.

One year ago Amanda Gorman recited original poetry at the Presidential Inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She was the youngest person to every do so. Her poem “The Hill We Climb” speaks to the challenges we have overcome in recent history, difficult challenges that tested our persistence and willingness to listen to each other. At the end she says “When day comes, we step out of the shade, Aflame and afraid. The new dawn blooms as we free it. For there is always light, If only we’re brave enough to see it, If only we’re brave enough to be it.” I am “Aflame and afraid.” I beseech you to be brave enough to be the light so that we, teachers, may see it and share it. We must be the light and see the light to heal this district and our most precious asset, our students.

Norwin teacher who leads a middle school play is in hot water

Interested to see where this goes. 

https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/norwin-teacher-husband-in-court-over-participation-in-frozen-jr-performance/

Report says that the case is before the judge and half-way completed.