Fwd: Complete the BKS Challenge in 2019

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From: Black Kids Swim <blackkidsswim@inboundmagic.net>

About BKS Shop BKS Blog Contact Us Donate     The Black Kids Swim Challenge! Black Kids Swim needs your help to change the relationship between the Black community and the water. Join us and start 2019 with a commitment to increase the number of Black swimmers. Accept the Challenge         #1 Learn to Swim According to USA Swimming, if a parent cannot swim there is only a 13% chance their child will learn how to swim. Visit your local pool or YMCA and sign up for lessons this month. You can always email info@blackkidsswim.com for information on lessons and private instructors.   Contact BKS     #2 Support Black Competitive Swimmers Donate to the BKS Summer Swim Scholarship Fund.  Participating on a summer swim team is the perfect way for kids to fall in love with the sport of swimming.  Every summer BKS awards  scholarships for kids to join summer swim teams - help us to increase the number of scholarships we award in 2019. Make a Donation     #3 Share BKS Encourage families to consider competitive swimming as the sport of choice for their kids.  Strong swimmers have access to a wide range of educational and professional opportunities. Help us create more Black competitive swimmers! Forward BKS emails and share our social media posts with family and friends. Share     #4 Make a Purchase Proceeds from sales in the BKS Store go to support young Black swimmers and all BKS activities.  Visit the BKS store and make a purchase for the swimmer in your life.  We have swim caps and hair care products specifically created for Black swimmers. Shop Now   Thank You for Your Support And Happy New Year from Black Kids Swim!   © 2018 Black Kids Swim, LLC - All Rights Reserved.10 Cabot Road | Medford, MA | 02155

Fwd: Interesting comparables on the evil neoliberal concept

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From: John H

In recent weeks I have been asked on a few occasions what I mean when I refer to neoliberalism and why is it I tend to disparage it in operation.  Therefore, in order to help clear up this perplexing question I have attached two articles.  The first is an account of the rise of the 'Yellow Vest' movement in France which discusses what happens to a society when political ideology of neoliberalism is imposed from above (and it always is imposed from above).  One of the best ways to understand neoliberalism is to watch how it operates and observe the consequences of its imposition.  This is fairly clear in the 'Yellow Vest' protests and it is quite similar to how it works here and elsewhere in the world.  This may be one of the most important movements how happening in the world.  It is in the line of watch what I do and not what I say examination of neoliberalism.

The second piece, for those of you who like detailed explanations, is by Dr. Philip Mirowski of Notre Dame University, one of, if not the foremost, experts on neoliberalism today.  It is fairly long, and should you take the time to read it, you will understand why it is that neoliberalism is so difficult to define in just a few well-chosen words. 

For what it's worth, my shorthand definition of neoliberalism is 'corporate communism'.  Parse that one out for a while.

John

Links

• article 1

• article 2

Fwd: Meeting Announcement on cracker plant on January 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Sunnyhill

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From: John H

Meeting Announcement Allegheny County Chapter Izaak Walton League of America   Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 7:00 PM Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills (Sunnyhill) 1240 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228   The Allegheny County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America will be hosting a special presentation on the environmental consequences of the Shell Cracker Plant, and what can be done about it. Presenters: Matt Mehalik – Executive Director of the Breathe Collaborative and its communications platform, the Breathe Project.  The Breathe Collaborative is a coalition of local residents, environmental advocates, public health professionals and academics with a common commitment to advocate for the air the Pittsburgh region needs in order to be a healthy, prosperous place. Patricia DeMarco – IWLA Member, Author: "Pathways to Our Sustainable Future – Global Perspective from Pittsburgh", Forest Hills Borough Council, 2016-2020. Robert Schmetzer – Chairman of the Beaver County Marcellus Community / BCMAC . and Citizens to protect the Ambridge Reservoir.  CPAR.  Terrie Baumgardner – Beaver County activist, Field Organizer for Clean Air Council, volunteer with Beaver Marcellus Community and Citizens to Protect the Ambridge Reservoir. Thaddeus Popovich – Co-founder Allegheny County Clean Air Now, Protect Franklin Park, Climate Reality Project. Co-Sponsored by: the Harry Enstrom  IWLA Chapter (Greene County) A major part of this event will be a discussion between audience activists, and the presenters.  Please join us for this excellent educational event. A brief Allegheny County Chapter Membership Meeting will precede this presentation at 06:00 PM. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know that may be interested in attending this meeting, or joining the IWLA. If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at miststout629@gmail.com. In Solidarity, Mike Stout Chapter President Allegheny County Chapter Izaak Walton league of America

 

Mr. Obvious on company culture and employee turnover.

https://christielindor.blogspot.com/2017/10/people-do-not-quit-companies-managers.html?utm_content=buffer3de41&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_campaign=buffer&m=1

Fwd: Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

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From: John H

As we head into the new year it is time for those of us hoping and working for meaningful changes to the neoliberal system of oppression now swarming over the world in a desperate attempt to save itself from its own internal contradictions, we must refocus on those issues which can be resolved and, for the most part this work must be done locally.  One of the not too surprising results of neoliberal generated inequality and effective disenfranchisement of majority populations is the ominous rise of right-wing populism in this country and throughout the world.  As this is happening the neoliberal mainstream media is attempting to liken right-wing populism with the rising populism of the left in an ongoing effort to discredit left activism.  This is a danger which we must confront vigorously and the first two attachments delve into this issue. 

The first excellent piece by Jim Kavanagh, The Polemicist, focuses on the populist rise of the 'Yellow Vests' in France and other European nations that are increasingly being strangled by European Union neoliberal economic and political policies.  The second article, by Paul Street, distinguishes between the two populisms and why it is important to continue to make this distinction clear in every venue possible.  The third piece, by Michael D. Yates, discusses why all elements of oppression engendered by neoliberal capitalism must be attacked firmly and uniformly in order to insure that those in opposition will not be divided and destroyed by differences of interests and perspectives.  These are all important issues to be considered and I urge you to begin the New Year by reading all of them.

With that, I wish you all the merriest of holidays and a fruitful new year!

John

• Link 1
• Link 2
• Link 3

Fwd: Superintendent Hamlet's Year in Review

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From: Pittsburgh Public Schools <superintendentsoffice@pghschools.org>
Subject: Superintendent Hamlet's Year in Review

Season's greetings to you and yours! As the calendar year closes and the academic calendar nears its midpoint, I'd like to share with you some reflections on some of the milestones Pittsburgh Public Schools achieved in 2018.  We are now in Phase Two of our Strategic Plan, "Expect Great Things." We continue our quest for transformational improvement through several key initiatives: Innovation in Early Childhood: Thanks to a partnership with the Carnegie Science Center and the support of the Heinz Foundation, we expanded STEM opportunities for students with the opening of the first early childhood classroom located in a science center. Additionally, all early childhood classrooms in the district use technology.  Achievement gaps: We have made progress in the achievement gap for African-American students, more of whom are graduating from high school (77.4 percent up from 64.3 percent). More third-grade students (45.5 percent) are reading at grade level today compared to three years ago.   Improved access: We have implemented a pilot program at six schools to screen all second-grade students for eligibility in gifted programming, and all 11th graders will take the SAT for free on March 6. All sophomores and juniors took the PSAT for free on Oct. 10.   New Corporate Partners: Corporate donations have enhanced educational opportunities for PPS students, such as an $11,000 donation of bicycle desks to elementary-age children at Pittsburgh Weil by United Healthcare in October and Sprint's 1Million Project, which gave 630 high school students a free mobile device and free WiFi service.  Reduction in Suspensions: With the introduction of PBIS, restorative practices, and second grade suspension ban, suspension rates are down 35 percent compared to three years ago.  Greater transparency: The State of the District report marks the first time PPS has shared a report that not only includes district-level results, but also graduation rates, detailed suspension information, and budget information. New District Data Dashboards with School-level results can be viewed at www.pghschools.org/dashboards.   In addition to publishing the State of the District report online, I also shared this presentation around the city with many of you. My hope was to share some of our milestones while also soliciting your input on how to best enhance our efforts. Over a six-month period, we convened a working group that included District staff, representatives from the University of Pittsburgh, Chatham University, The Heinz Endowments, and the Grable Foundation. In partnership with the National Institute of School Leadership, members of this working group studied high-performing educational systems in the United States and abroad. The group then learned the nine building blocks for a world class education system. We've used the knowledge and skills of the working group to conduct research and planning to explore five key areas. Three of the areas are required by the Pennsylvania Department of Education's District Improvement Planning process, these include:  Early Childhood Education Gifted Education Aligned Instructional Systems New Teacher Induction and  Job-Embedded Professional Development. It is important to acknowledge that 2018 also brought its share of challenges to our District, particularly the tragedy at the Tree of Life synagogue in October. We felt these losses keenly and continue to work in support of one another as we seek to heal and find a path forward, both for our District and our city.  As we close the book on this year, we embrace the promise of what lies ahead: a strong foundation for the future of our District and our students; a contract with the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers that allows us to partner together in forging meaningful change; and ultimately, better outcomes for all our students and a brighter future for our city.  On behalf of Pittsburgh Public Schools, I wish you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year. Dr. Anthony Hamlet  Pittsburgh Public Schools 341 S. Bellefield Ave. | Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (412) 529- HELP ‌ ‌ ‌

Pittsburgh Public Schools | 341 South Bellefield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by superintendentsoffice@pghschools.org in collaboration with

12 days of Christmas

Written for a middle school girls team. 

Twelve Days of Christmas, traditional style where every preceding LINE gets repeated with each new verse added to total. 

    - First Day of Christmas, 1 no breath flip turn

    - Second, 2 two hand touches

    - Third, 3 fist pumps of emotion

    - Fourth, 4 poolside press ups

    - Fifth, 5 seconds rest

    - Sixth, six various stroke drills *

    - Seventh, 7 strokes of partner pulling (or kicking)

    - Eighth, 8 descending 25s

    - 9th, 9 underwater fly kicks after a dive

    - Tenth, 10 med ball trunk twists

    - Eleventh, 11 lengths of backstroke

    - Twelfth, 12 (x-yard) Individual Medleys

Totals:

if x-yard = 100-yard, then 12 x 100 IM = 1,200 yards

(Could be 200 IMs, or even 50-yard or 25-yard IMs.)

550 backstroke

30 med ball truck twists

4 x 9 dives with underwater fly kicking (Bob Gillett style)

5 sets of 8 x 25 descending = 1,000 yards

36 press ups

12 flip turns without breathing

* Tips for the SIX stroke drills wild-card is going to take a blog posting. Stay tuned.

--

Ta.

Mark Rauterkus       Mark@Rauterkus.com 

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

The Pittsburgh Project - swim coach and head lifeguard

Middle School Swim Coach at The Ellis School

Former Varsity Boys Swim Coach, Pittsburgh Obama Academy

Sabbatical for 2018: PPS Summer Dreamers' Swim & Water Polo 

Pittsburgh Combined Water Polo Team

http://CLOH.org

412 298 3432 = cell

Fwd: It's probably worse than you think!

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From: John H

Most of us understand that climate destabilization is a critical problem for humankind and other creatures of this planet, but things may be far more serious than most of us realize.  The first attached article discusses an issue which is even more critical in a much shorter time frame – that of biological annihilation which has been both preceding and following along with climate changes.  It now appears that we may well be fairly far along in the route of the 'sixth extinction' of life on earth and this is no simple problem for us to address.  The second attachment discusses the need for labor to both demand and to participate in a Green New Deal pointing out the many ways in which such a movement can and will benefit labor if it is willing to jump on board.

John

• Link 1
• Link 2

Fwd: Deadline extended for the Education Public Policy and Leadership Certificate Program: Apply by Dec. 14!

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View this email in your browser Interested in education public policy? Want to be a leader and advocate for your profession? This graduate-level 12-month online certificate program is for you! Ohio University's Patton College of Education and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs have partnered to offer the Education Public Policy and Leadership Certificate (EPPLC) program, an engaging yearlong online program that begins January 2019. The EPPLC was created to facilitate greater understanding of educational public policymaking and provide professionals experience in real-world theory and practice. The program will also foster leadership and advocacy in the education public policy arena. To accomplish this, your online coursework will culminate in a three-day networking and capstone experience in Washington, D.C. Students in the program will represent various vocations, such as K-12 school districts, national and international government agencies, legislative offices, professional associations, civic and private organizations, non-governmental organizations, foundations, organizations that interface with educational entities, philanthropic organizations, and embassies. This will result in a thorough exploration of the topic from different vantage points and experience, leaving you with a strong command of education public policy development, analysis, implementation, evaluation, and advocacy.   The EPPLC program is a dynamic 12-month experience that will forever connect you with a network of peers and increase your employability in the education public policy arena. Click here for further information, or contact Dr. Dwan V. Robinson at robinsd3@ohio.edu. The application deadline has been extended to Dec. 14, 2018!   ©2018 OHIO Alumni Association. All rights reserved. 52 University Terrace, Athens, OH 45701. Questions? E-mail alumni@ohio.edu. Your OHIO Alumni Association connects you! Shop The Bobcat Store. Unsubscribe | Update my email preferences

nonprofit software

Fwd: CC Summit registration is now open!

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From: Creative Commons

Hello friends. Great news! We're writing to let you know that registration for the 2019 Creative Commons Global Summit is now open. The Creative Commons Global Summit will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, 9-11 May 2019. Join us for three days of dynamic programming at Museu do Oriente, with a special keynote evening event held at the historic Cineteatro Capitolio. We've grown the CC Global Summit every year as hundreds of leading activists, advocates, librarians, educators, lawyers, technologists, and more have joined us for discussion and debate, workshops and planning, talks and community building. Whether you're new to the community or a long-time contributor, the CC Global Summit is a can't-miss event for anyone interested in the global movement for the commons. Your Participant Pass includes:  Access to all conference programming including workshops, talks, and keynotes (full schedule to be announced in early 2019) Breakfast, lunch, and snacks served onsite every day Evening events showcasing local Lisbon artists Please be sure to read the event's Code of Conduct. All attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers at our conference are expected to cooperate to help ensure a safe environment for everyone. Submit a proposal for the CC Global Summit program! As always, the summit's programming is built out of ideas from you. Are you an activist, artist, educator, creator, partner, community member, lawyer, journalist, or CC enthusiast? Submit a proposal for a summit session. We're accepting proposals through December 10, 2018. A huge thanks to the CC Portugal team for their ongoing support in co-hosting the event. We're excited to see you in Lisbon in May! Yours Sincerely, The Creative Commons Team Photo in graphic by Aurélien Maillet (aka sharkgraphic), used under CC0. Thanks, Aurélien!