OnlineSchools.org is a higher education site with guides to using online learning to obtain degrees, jobs, or general education.
The database there is a comprehensive collection of every accredited online school in the United States, and is the most extensive searchable database available online. The site also features and online learning ebook as well as student interviews to help prepare everyone for online education.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Online Schools dot Org
http://www.OnlineSchools.org
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Foundation to assess city schools' Summer Dreamers Academy
Foundation to assess city schools' Summer Dreamers AcademyAugust 14, 2013 12:08 am
Niederberger / Pittsburgh Post-GazetteAs part of a $50 million investment in summer K-12 programs including one in Pittsburgh, the Wallace Foundation is taking a close look at whether those programs work.
Wallace has been one of the funders for Summer Dreamers Academy operated by Pittsburgh Public Schools.
The academy drew 2,200 students this summer. The foundation has spent a total of $2.8 million in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in Pittsburgh. It also has contributed to programs in Boston, Cincinnati, Dallas, Duval County in Florida and Rochester. In addition to the district investments, Wallace also awarded grants to four nonprofit organizations that support summer learning.
Wallace has hired the Rand Corp. to study whether the summer programs improve student learning and what the best practices are in such programs.In a report released Monday, the researchers made recommendations on how to launch summer learning programs, including planning early for summer programs, hiring teachers by February so the best teachers are available and using commercially available curriculum rather than district-created curriculum.
It also recommends spending three to four hours a day for academics.To be cost conscious, the report recommends avoiding assigning small numbers of students to many sites, using enrichment providers to fill out the program, hiring staff based on projected attendance rather than enrollment and operating a full-day program for five to six weeks.
The studies focus on summers of 2011 and 2012. Some 5,000 students are being tracked in the studies.
One goal is to document what efforts can narrow the achievement gap between low-income and higher-income students.
Ann Stone, senior research and evaluation officer at the Wallace Foundation, said many students forget a portion of their school year learning over the summer.
However, she said, research shows the losses are greatest for low-income children, who already enter school academically behind their higher-income peers.
"We think summer learning could be one of the best ways to reduce that achievement gap," Ms. Stone said.
Here is my $.02 for this overall mission.
We need more parent engagement. The parents need to know that the schools are going to try hard, but without some boosters and support at home, then the efforts won't really work in the long run.
I enjoyed meeting the parents when this was possible. But, it isn't woven into the programs as it is now. The kids get on the bus. The kids get off the bus. There are few, if any, times when the kids, their parent(s) / grandmothers / guardians, and their peers and the teachers as well as the activity providers get to interact.
The "night out" was a flop.
The "open house" was a flop. too.
Our swim party and group swim lesson had potential, but it wasn't organized in advance and didn't occur.
Our post camp trips / days were great, but too many were not invested and tied into the program.
I loved seeing some of the parents play SKWIM. That's more of what we need. Then, sky is the limit for the kids and the district.
Message to PPS Board and Administrators at public comment about Erik and Summer Dreamers too
My name is Mark Rauterkus
My family and I live at 108 South 12th Street, South Side.
I'm a proud parent, concerned citizen, scholastic coach and the lead activity provider with the BGC with Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo Camp.
Erik is going to make a great swimmer for Swarthmore. Of course he'll take care of his studies and figure out what to devote his life to along the way.
Erik was also a varsity golfer. He was in the top 10 in PA Junior cycling.
As governor, he delivered more than a dozen podium speeches to hundred-plus audiences. He gave 2 keynote speeches. One to the PA Lobbyist Assn and another to the state-wide YMCA professionals.
He attended three week-long conference: One for fellow youth governors and twice went to CONA, a Congress of North American Affairs. As he enters college he already has good friends and contacts from around the nation.
Erik was a fixtures on a great Ultimate Frisbee team that played in the regional semi-finals.
He and his mates went to Ohio twice for water polo. Last year our side had 8 wins and 1 loss there.
He was 7th in his graduating class.
For 4 years he went to the PIAA Swim Championshps. Last year our relays set new city records in the pool, going faster in 2 events than than anyone ever in the city.
But this is what I want to stress. For the past 3 years, Erik worked as a coach for PPS Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo Camp.
This summer, Erik, with 2 other recent PPS graduates, led Swim & Water Polo activities at Camp Carmalt. They bonded with the kids, taught butterfly, and backstroke. They played great water polo. Almost all passed their deep water test. The last day of Summer School, tears came with their Good Byes. They bonded with the kids. Eight of the Carmalt kids, ran in the Liberty Mile. Erik WON the Liberty Mile in 2012.
It was a busy, action packed summer for myself and the 25 others on the staff in five sites. We ran, exercised, swam, played water polo, raced and did an “A for Athlete” literacy project that we're sharing with the world on a wiki.
The staff, like Erik are mostly young adults, mostly varsity swimmers. They worked half a day and made some money. Plus, they made tremendous impacts on the lives of the PPS students. The students, mostly going into 4th grade, learned a life skill that they'll never forget and had a sports-camp experience.
I think it is imperative that PPS put at the top of its priority list a vision that screams: WE PLAY Well with Others.
That is what we need in our neighborhoods. The wellness has to spring to life in the afternoons, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and summers.
Summer Dreams is 5 weeks. I also worry about the other 47. Summer Dreamers had 5 sites, 2 with PPS pools, and had more than 1,300 rejection letters.
Our capacity in terms of QUALITY interactions leaves something to be desired.
We had a lot of help: Shoe vendors, Pgh Marathon, PPS, sponsors, partners, Citiparks.
With a little more help from PPS and a philosophy that puts Erik and other kids much like him on our team – together – we are 10-times better, stronger and more robust.
The key to a thriving PPS comes with a serious change of heart to the overall after-school approach within PPS.
PPS has to be a place were we value, teach and learn how to play well with others. Playing well with others is a learned skill that must happen year-round and beyond the school day.
My family and I live at 108 South 12th Street, South Side.
I'm a proud parent, concerned citizen, scholastic coach and the lead activity provider with the BGC with Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo Camp.
Erik is going to make a great swimmer for Swarthmore. Of course he'll take care of his studies and figure out what to devote his life to along the way.
Erik was also a varsity golfer. He was in the top 10 in PA Junior cycling.
As governor, he delivered more than a dozen podium speeches to hundred-plus audiences. He gave 2 keynote speeches. One to the PA Lobbyist Assn and another to the state-wide YMCA professionals.
He attended three week-long conference: One for fellow youth governors and twice went to CONA, a Congress of North American Affairs. As he enters college he already has good friends and contacts from around the nation.
Erik was a fixtures on a great Ultimate Frisbee team that played in the regional semi-finals.
He and his mates went to Ohio twice for water polo. Last year our side had 8 wins and 1 loss there.
He was 7th in his graduating class.
For 4 years he went to the PIAA Swim Championshps. Last year our relays set new city records in the pool, going faster in 2 events than than anyone ever in the city.
But this is what I want to stress. For the past 3 years, Erik worked as a coach for PPS Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo Camp.
This summer, Erik, with 2 other recent PPS graduates, led Swim & Water Polo activities at Camp Carmalt. They bonded with the kids, taught butterfly, and backstroke. They played great water polo. Almost all passed their deep water test. The last day of Summer School, tears came with their Good Byes. They bonded with the kids. Eight of the Carmalt kids, ran in the Liberty Mile. Erik WON the Liberty Mile in 2012.
It was a busy, action packed summer for myself and the 25 others on the staff in five sites. We ran, exercised, swam, played water polo, raced and did an “A for Athlete” literacy project that we're sharing with the world on a wiki.
The staff, like Erik are mostly young adults, mostly varsity swimmers. They worked half a day and made some money. Plus, they made tremendous impacts on the lives of the PPS students. The students, mostly going into 4th grade, learned a life skill that they'll never forget and had a sports-camp experience.
I think it is imperative that PPS put at the top of its priority list a vision that screams: WE PLAY Well with Others.
That is what we need in our neighborhoods. The wellness has to spring to life in the afternoons, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and summers.
Summer Dreams is 5 weeks. I also worry about the other 47. Summer Dreamers had 5 sites, 2 with PPS pools, and had more than 1,300 rejection letters.
Our capacity in terms of QUALITY interactions leaves something to be desired.
We had a lot of help: Shoe vendors, Pgh Marathon, PPS, sponsors, partners, Citiparks.
With a little more help from PPS and a philosophy that puts Erik and other kids much like him on our team – together – we are 10-times better, stronger and more robust.
The key to a thriving PPS comes with a serious change of heart to the overall after-school approach within PPS.
PPS has to be a place were we value, teach and learn how to play well with others. Playing well with others is a learned skill that must happen year-round and beyond the school day.
Friday, August 16, 2013
How much wood would a wood church tweet, ...
Pittsburgh guy gets to pull the plug on his twitter account thanks to some counter attack from a professional athlete.
Small world story.
Link
Monday, August 12, 2013
The key to Pittsburgh's future is turned first in open yet closed schools
Opening closed schools is good work. I wish the best to all in that effort. Opening closed schools as schools again is even better. Wouldn't it be nice to have families desire to live here because of the thriving schools and programs for our youth,... Rather than the other way around. But perhaps best of all is the work and mission of opening our existing and in use schools as places for community development. Yep. Lets talk about the schools we have in use with school programs in school days, but are closed to us in afternoons, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and summers. Getting a pool permit for August days in a public school that is operational, with water, with EVERYTHING, including staff, proved to be IMPOSSIBLE. This, my friends, is where the journey to a healthy Pittsburgh begins.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Fwd: Celebrate the greatness of your youth! August 15th -starts at 3 pm
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Date: Friday, August 9, 2013
Subject: Celebrate the greatness of your youth! August 15th -starts at 3 pm
To: rflanag@aol.com
Celebrate the greatness of your youth!
1) Neighborhood Learning Alliance's (NLA) Reading Warriors
2) BGC's City of Pittsburgh/Pittsburgh Partnership Summer Employment Workers
3) BGC's Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board In School and Out of School Employment Program
4) Amazing youth that recovered failed school credits in a program implemented by the NLA and many citywide partners.
You are be asked to attend the
End of the Summer Celebration of Success Event!
Thursday, August 15
3:00 pm (Food and informal greeting of the youth)
4:00 pm (Brief testimony)
Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center
5321 Penn Avenue
Food, Fun, and Positive Testimony!
Family, friends, and worksite supervisors are strongly encouraged to attend. Government, community, and agency leadership are also encourage to attend.
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Last Day Slide Show from Camp CAPA at Summer Dreamers Swim & Water Polo Camp
Swim & Water Polo Camp slide show for last day of 2013 Summer Dreamers with Pittsburgh Public Schools from Mark Rauterkus
Great job to Max, Sam and Martin, as well as the PPS Teachers and PPS Students.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Fwd: Training Camp Sign-Ups are open now!
This looks like a great weekend event. I wish I was 15 again.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: JCCS Communications <info@jccsailfish.org>
![]()
From: JCCS Communications <info@jccsailfish.org>
| JCC Sailfish |
| Training Camp Sign-Ups are open now! |
| It's time to Sign-up for the JCCS Training Camp! This is a team travel meet. Location: Emma Kaufmann Camp, Morgantown, West Virginia (along Cheat Lake) Google Map Who Can Attend: Any JCCS swimmer, from any group, who is at least 13 years old. Departure Date: Saturday, September 7th. The bus will depart from the Forbes Ave. entrance of the JCC at 7:00 am. Swimmers should have already eaten breakfast before getting on the bus. Return Date: Sunday, September 8th by 6:30 pm Fee for weekend: $100.00 to cover bus, meals, room, workouts, and fun activities. Fees are due by August 29th. Checks should be made out to JCC Sailfish and mailed to: JCC Sailfish 305 Sharon Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Lake Activities: canoeing, kayaking, paddle boats, trampoline blob Pool Extras: diving board, slide Field Games: rope courses, basketball, volleyball What to Bring: Pillow; sleeping bag or linens for a twin size bed Schedule: Saturday AM: Swimming workout as soon as the bus gets to camp Lunch after practice Free time for fun after lunch 4:00-6:00pm: Swimming workout 6:30pm: Dinner and talk on strokes, mental training, and season plan 8:00-10:00pm: Free time AM: Swimming workout Breakfast after practice Rest of the day: Fun, Lunch. Fun Depart for home at 5:00 pm There is only room for 20 girls and 20 boys (13 years and up). You should sign up on the team website by August 8th. Because this is a team travel event, you must be signed into the website to see this event. Questions can be directed to Al by email or phone (412) 906-2583. |
Visit Us Online at: http://www.jccsailfish.org/ |
Friday, July 26, 2013
Fwd: Youth Organizers for Educational Change - Apply Now!
------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Hill District Consensus Group <hdcg@wildapricot.org>
Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2013 at 1:17 PM
Subject: Youth Organizers for Educational Change - Apply Now!
To: Mark Rauterkus <mark@rauterkus.com>
![]()
Date: Fri, Jul 26, 2013 at 1:17 PM
Subject: Youth Organizers for Educational Change - Apply Now!
To: Mark Rauterkus <mark@rauterkus.com>
|
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Fwd: STOP THE FRACKING OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Douglas Shields
Date: Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Subject: STOP THE FRACKING OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY REGIONAL PARKS
Dear Friends,
I just created the petition "Stop The Fracking of Our Allegheny County Regional Parks" and wanted to ask if you could add your name too.
This campaign means a lot to me and the more support we can get behind it, the better chance we have of succeeding. You can read more and sign the petition here:
Thank you!
Douglas
P.S. Can you also take a moment to share the petition with others? It's really easy – all you need to do is forward this email or share this link on Facebook or Twitter:
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
Friday, July 19, 2013
Fwd: 3rd ANNUAL JAKIM DONALDSON BASKETBALL CAMP 2013
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: City Council District 6 - DISTRICT 6 NEWS
Date: Friday, July 19, 2013
Subject: 3rd ANNUAL JAKIM DONALDSON BASKETBALL CAMP 2013
| | ||||
| ||||
| © 2013 City of Pittsburgh | City Council District 6 | Having trouble seeing this message? Click here to view it in your browser. | ||||
--
--
Ta.
Mark Rauterkus Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim and Water Polo Camp Head Coach
Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team
http://Rauterkus.blogspot.com
http://FixPA.wikia.com
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell
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