Thursday, March 25, 2010
Belmont Club » “It’s For the Children”
Belmont Club » “It’s For the Children” Admission to top Chicago schools has long been a competitive and murky process, with longstanding rumors of abuse. Mr. Duncan created a formal appeals process in 2008, and when he left to join the Obama administration, his successor, Ron Huberman, created a system to stop the gaming of the system.If a school soars with a waiting list and there is more demand, then the school could be expanded.
Does it scale?
I went to a meeting about afterschool activities in Pittsburgh the other day.
By the way, another open informational meeting will be held for all and any afterschool providers on Friday, tomorrow, at 9 am (to 10) on the South Side on Sarah Street at the Brashear Association, right next to Phillips Elementary School. Join me there if you can.
There are lots of questions and issues that swirl around the whole concept of afterschool and getting the best for our kids -- while they are in school and out of it.
One of the questions was about scaling programs.
I look at swimming as an afterschool activity that scales -- and I don't mean like the skin of a fish either. Rather, we need to teach swimming to kids of all ages and even can have masters (adults) swimming. Plus, we can have and should have swim lessons at all our city pools -- in the schools. I want to lead a learn to swim enterprise that teaches swimming from the east end to the west end -- and all the places in between.
Here is another way to look at scales in a fun light.
By the way, another open informational meeting will be held for all and any afterschool providers on Friday, tomorrow, at 9 am (to 10) on the South Side on Sarah Street at the Brashear Association, right next to Phillips Elementary School. Join me there if you can.
There are lots of questions and issues that swirl around the whole concept of afterschool and getting the best for our kids -- while they are in school and out of it.
One of the questions was about scaling programs.
I look at swimming as an afterschool activity that scales -- and I don't mean like the skin of a fish either. Rather, we need to teach swimming to kids of all ages and even can have masters (adults) swimming. Plus, we can have and should have swim lessons at all our city pools -- in the schools. I want to lead a learn to swim enterprise that teaches swimming from the east end to the west end -- and all the places in between.
Here is another way to look at scales in a fun light.
Board votes to close 2 Pittsburgh schools
Board votes to close 2 Pittsburgh schools: "The board, in an 8-1 vote, approved the closure of Pittsburgh Vann K-5 in the Hill District and Pittsburgh Rooney 6-8 in Brighton Heights, effective June 30.
Pittsburgh Weil Accelerated Learning Academy K-8, also in the Hill, will be reconfigured to Pre K-5 beginning with the 2010-11 school year."
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Fw: Hi, it's me. The Internet.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: The Internet <info@freepress.net>
Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 11:59:17 -0500 (CDT)
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Subject: Hi, it's me. The Internet.
 |
| Dear Mark, It's me, the Internet. Can you help me? My future is in danger, which means your online freedom is in danger, too. The FCC just released its National Broadband Plan to get me into more homes in America, but the agency punted on the most serious problem: Companies like Comcast and AT&T have made me too expensive, too slow and too scarce. Even with this plan, you won't see a better me anytime soon, and many Americans still won't have access to me. You've already done so much for me. But I urgently need your help again today. Can you donate $3 a month to save me? The FCC has sent their plan to Congress, and industry lobbyists will be out in full force to try to make the plan meet their own interests rather than yours. My friends at the Free Press Action Fund are working to make sure that the FCC hears from you, and that industry lobbyists don't strong-arm the FCC into accepting their anti-consumer agenda. Your contribution today will help the Free Press Action Fund to:
Your access to information and freedom to communicate will be decided in this monumental fight. Don't let companies like AT&T and Time Warner Cable take away the free-flowing platform I was born to provide. The National Broadband Plan is my best chance to thrive — but it won't happen without strong leadership from the FCC. Defend me with a $3 monthly gift If thousands of people chip in just $3 a month, it will go a long way toward sustaining the Free Press Action Fund's work. And it will ensure that I'm here and healthy for generations to come. Thank you — and see you online! Your friend, P.S. Your monthly gift to the Free Press Action Fund will help get me, the Internet, into every home and business in the country. Without access to me at my best — fast, affordable and neutral — millions won't have access to the world. That's a future none of us can afford. Please donate today! Want to learn more? Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. If you haven't already, you can also join our E-Activist list. You ( mark@rauterkus.com) are receiving this e-mail as an opt-in subscriber to Free Press' E-Activist Network. You can unsubscribe or manage your account at any time.  |
School District may scrap neighborhood school alignment
Get this, parents cheering at a school board meeting. How refreshing.
In our high schools, we should give the kid a choice to go to a city-wide magnet such as Perry Traditional, CAPA, Sci-Tech, U-Prep, or the International School (IB at Obama) -- as well as the more traditional schools of Allderdice, Carrick, Brashear, Langley, Oliver, Peabody and Westinghouse.
If everyone had the freedom to go to what school they desire, perhaps fewer would go to the Charter Schools too. Likewise, private and Catholic schools are an option as well.
If the city gets rid of the feeder pattern for high school students, the district would retain more families in the city too.
Montour may scrap neighborhood school alignment during renovation The Montour School District likely will drop its neighborhood school alignment for a year while its high school is renovated.I have been an advocate, and some others agree with me, that the Pittsburgh Public School District should go to an "All Choice" system for all high school students. This would get rid of the "Feeder Pattern" system of locking in certain students to certain high schools based upon where their parents say that the kid resides.
Under the scenario laid out by acting Superintendent Donald Boyer at a crowded public meeting Tuesday night, grades 8-12 would move into David E. Williams Middle School in the fall, with grades 6-7 into Ingram Elementary School, grades 3-5 into Burkett Elementary and grades K-2 into Forest Grove Elementary.
The plan drew cheers from many in the audience. Many parents have called for moving the high school to David E. Williams so those students could have a full curriculum and a somewhat normal year of high school.
In our high schools, we should give the kid a choice to go to a city-wide magnet such as Perry Traditional, CAPA, Sci-Tech, U-Prep, or the International School (IB at Obama) -- as well as the more traditional schools of Allderdice, Carrick, Brashear, Langley, Oliver, Peabody and Westinghouse.
If everyone had the freedom to go to what school they desire, perhaps fewer would go to the Charter Schools too. Likewise, private and Catholic schools are an option as well.
If the city gets rid of the feeder pattern for high school students, the district would retain more families in the city too.
140 Character Conference
Anyone up for a NYC Road Trip?
140 Character Conference: "Welcome to Jeff Pulver’s 140 Characters Conference! (#140conf)
The 140 Characters Conference: New York City (#140conf) will be taking place April 20-21, 2010 at the 92nd Street Y. This event is shaping up to being the largest worldwide gathering of people interested in the effects of the real-time Internet on both business and “we” the people.
If you are thinking about attending #140conf NYC, now would be a great time to secure your seat. With the ticket costing only US$ 140 for the two day event, register NOW to guarantee yourself access to the event. Based on the strong demand for the “early bird” tickets, we are now on a pace to sell all of the available tickets before mid-April."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Final 500 of the high school season, Erik at States.
Erik swam in lane 8 and did a 5:08 in the 500 free. I don't know if that is a team record or not? It was a personal best.
More PIAA Swim Video to come soon.
Wishing to work on sports reform for the Pittsburgh Public Schools
I just sent the following email to Principal Vader of Brashear High School:
All in all, I'm very happy to see this begin. Mr. Lopez was there to get the support of the coaches so that the district can move forward in the next five years. The conversation began. Roles are to be discussed.
Sports are an important function of schools and the educational process, as pointed out by Mr. Lopez, because being part of a team is essential to human growth. In every field of human endeavors, we are called upon to produce on a team. This is true in schools, in college studies, in the workplace.
Coaches model commitment for athletes, so it was stressed. There is some reading between the lines there. Lopez also said it wasn't wise to give athletes a pass. Coaches can't call off practices. A coach's professionalism is paramount.
Some of the talk was just get to know you stuff from Mr. Lopez. He had to unload on a few fronts and then kick off the discussions. Unsportsmanlike behavior was a bullet point. Ongoing issues include, practices, recruiting, student misconduct and sportsmanship, Title IX (brewing big), team size, parents and community perceptions.
No joke.
The Title IX report is a year late and an inch thick and the space between Mr. Lopez' thumb and first finger is still empty as the report isn't released -- yet.
A commission to study athletics within PPS is going to be formed. The members will include folks from central office, a principal at least, coaches, parents and students.
Time will tell if I'm invited. I hope so.
Some other notes from the meeting: Business as usual is not acceptable.
I'd love to see some talk about the role of boosters, the role of the athletes, the role of the parents and the role of the community. It has to be more than just a principal, coach, teacher club. What about the role of the taxpayers?
Sports do have value in many ways. Mr. Lopez likes that the students are learning new skills within a new construct. They have to sort out the team positions and relationshps as well as the sports skills. He thinks coaches are the adult of last resort. I say that the slide should be re-written to say "FIRST" and not 'last.' If coaches are the last to know, then something is wrong. I just posted about how Big Ben called Coach Tomlin from Georgia.
A giggle moment did come when Mr. Lopez said that our kids want to grow up to be the next Michael Jordan or Big Ben. -- Well, a fresh example for #7 might make for less blushing.
Mr. Lopez was a track coach with 150 athletes on his squad. He recruited them. But, that is a hot potato word, recruitment. Coaches are told to recruit in the school but not outside of the building.
Questions came from right field to left field -- of course. The middle school seasons are too short. The snow day policy is not uniform. The segregation of fans, teams and all who attend a game is unhealthy. The depth of participation in the city is small. The legacy honors and banners are absent. Access to fields and facilities on Saturdays and summers is impossible.
There is much to do. If the crazy stuff of PPS sports was removed, then this process would be half way to finished. It sounds as if Mr. Lopez is well intentioned. Time will tell. Video is pending.
Hi Principal,Yesterday, on March 22, a meeting was held for all sports coaches by Mr. Lopez, a PPS Administrator, concerning PPS sports. It was a mandatory secondary schools coaching meeting.
Please count me in on any and all work on PPS' sports overhaul plans
as talked about yesterday with Mr. Lopez. This is something that I've
been asking for for many years. Put me on your lists and feel free to
call or email at any time.
I understand that there is much to do. I have plenty of suggestions as well.
Looking forward to the next chapter and meetings.
All in all, I'm very happy to see this begin. Mr. Lopez was there to get the support of the coaches so that the district can move forward in the next five years. The conversation began. Roles are to be discussed.
Sports are an important function of schools and the educational process, as pointed out by Mr. Lopez, because being part of a team is essential to human growth. In every field of human endeavors, we are called upon to produce on a team. This is true in schools, in college studies, in the workplace.
Coaches model commitment for athletes, so it was stressed. There is some reading between the lines there. Lopez also said it wasn't wise to give athletes a pass. Coaches can't call off practices. A coach's professionalism is paramount.
Some of the talk was just get to know you stuff from Mr. Lopez. He had to unload on a few fronts and then kick off the discussions. Unsportsmanlike behavior was a bullet point. Ongoing issues include, practices, recruiting, student misconduct and sportsmanship, Title IX (brewing big), team size, parents and community perceptions.
No joke.
The Title IX report is a year late and an inch thick and the space between Mr. Lopez' thumb and first finger is still empty as the report isn't released -- yet.
A commission to study athletics within PPS is going to be formed. The members will include folks from central office, a principal at least, coaches, parents and students.
Time will tell if I'm invited. I hope so.
Some other notes from the meeting: Business as usual is not acceptable.
I'd love to see some talk about the role of boosters, the role of the athletes, the role of the parents and the role of the community. It has to be more than just a principal, coach, teacher club. What about the role of the taxpayers?
Sports do have value in many ways. Mr. Lopez likes that the students are learning new skills within a new construct. They have to sort out the team positions and relationshps as well as the sports skills. He thinks coaches are the adult of last resort. I say that the slide should be re-written to say "FIRST" and not 'last.' If coaches are the last to know, then something is wrong. I just posted about how Big Ben called Coach Tomlin from Georgia.
A giggle moment did come when Mr. Lopez said that our kids want to grow up to be the next Michael Jordan or Big Ben. -- Well, a fresh example for #7 might make for less blushing.
Mr. Lopez was a track coach with 150 athletes on his squad. He recruited them. But, that is a hot potato word, recruitment. Coaches are told to recruit in the school but not outside of the building.
Questions came from right field to left field -- of course. The middle school seasons are too short. The snow day policy is not uniform. The segregation of fans, teams and all who attend a game is unhealthy. The depth of participation in the city is small. The legacy honors and banners are absent. Access to fields and facilities on Saturdays and summers is impossible.
There is much to do. If the crazy stuff of PPS sports was removed, then this process would be half way to finished. It sounds as if Mr. Lopez is well intentioned. Time will tell. Video is pending.
Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow days - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Pittsburgh parking ticket writers to make up snow daysHere is an idea. Let's change the time and the enforcement for parking at a meter in the South Side around East Carson Street -- near the bars -- from the present periods of enforcement (9 am to 5 pm) into the later hours when the parking is at a premium. Put on enforcement from the hours of 9 am to 3 am. Then, others who park in illegal ways will also get tickets too.
Paramedics say they're scapegoats for city's snow response
Paramedics say they're scapegoats for city's snow response A couple of medics pointed out that they were in town and working during the snowstorm while Mayor Luke Ravenstahl was out of town. He had gone to a Laurel Highlands ski resort to celebrate his birthday.Golly. Two wrongs do not make a right.
Council will hold a hearing at 10 a.m. April 5 on the city's response to the February snowstorm.
Tomlin says Big Ben called him within hours of accusation
Of course he did. He's the coach. Coaches take those calls. Coaches don't wish for them, but we expect them.
Tomlin says Big Ben called him within hours of accusation: "Ben Roethlisberger called Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in the early hours of March 5 to inform him that a 20-year-old woman had just accused him of sexual assault in Georgia.Call your coach. Coaches are not the person to turn to at the last resort -- but a prime, early, and trusted source for all sorts of players.
State College, PA - PIAA State High School Basketball Championships
State College, PA - PIAA State High School Basketball Championships Return This Weekend All-session tickets are good for the following doubleheader dates and times:
Friday, March 26, 2010 at noon – AA Girls’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 2pm – A Boys’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 6pm – AAAA Girls’ Final
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 8pm – AAA Boys’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at noon – A Girls’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 2pm – AA Boys’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 6pm – AAA Girls’ Final
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 8pm – AAAA Boys’ Final
Single-session tickets are also available now and cost only $8 for adults, $5 for Penn State students, and $4 for students 18 and under. Don’t miss the action as the state’s best high school boys and girls basketball teams converge at the Jordan Center! For more information, visit www.piaa.org.
PIAA Basketball players that recently played at the Bryce Jordan Center:
• DeJuan Blair went to Schenley High School and was named 2007 player of the year for Class AAAA. He went to Pitt and was drafted to the San Antonio Spurs, where he currently plays.
Participation 3.0 - E-Democracy.org
Participation 3.0 - E-Democracy.org: "Participation 3.0 - Social media in local public life for engagement, transparency and problem-solving.
Participation 3.0 is E-Democracy.org's next generation local online civic engagement initiative for 2010 forward. It represents a new and third wave of activity since our founding in 1994. Today, we seek to connect local people everywhere with the best ideas and opportunities for local online civic engagement."
A Tea Party comes to Pittsburgh on April 3, 2010
This isn't my perfect cup of tea, but for many, it is.
"Announcing The Pennsylvania Tea Party 2010!
DATE: Saturday, April 3, 2010
TIME: 12:00 NOON
LOCATION: Allegheny Landing, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
[The Allegheny Shore between the 6th and 7th Street Bridge]"
Environmental Justice in the City April 8-10, 2010
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary's Metro-Urban Institute will convene its 14th annual Urban Intensive Weekend conference April 8-10, 2010. This year's conference will be a national dialogue on ecological and social justice as tasks to be addressed by the Church of Jesus Christ through both evangelism and community organizing.
Utilizing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s theology of "The Beloved Community," this conference will explore strategies to bring people interested in saving trees and endangered species together with people concerned about gun-violence, poor schools, and poverty to help create a more physically and spiritually healthy environment for all.
Registration fee is $75. Fee includes all conference events and meals.
Visit The Metro-Urban Institute for complete information. Call 412-441-1393 or e-mail swerth@pts.edu with questions.
This three-day event (Thursday afternoon through Saturday) will focus on the theme: Building the Beloved Community: Environmental Justice in the City and will include practitioners in environmental and social justice as well as some of the leading scholars and pastor-scholars from Pittsburgh and various sections of the nation. The conference is the Second Calling for the Order of the Day dialogue among African American Presbyterians throughout the PCUSA.
The distinguished career of Dr. Gayraud Wilmore, Professor Emeritus of Church History, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA will be celebrated. In 1963, Dr. Wilmore became the first African American Professor to join the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
The conference will include presentations, site-visits, and community-based workshops led by community groups, and churches, schools giving participants an opportunity to interact with leaders of faith-based efforts in their host communities where positive changes are occurring.Registration Information
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Utilizing Martin Luther King, Jr.'s theology of "The Beloved Community," this conference will explore strategies to bring people interested in saving trees and endangered species together with people concerned about gun-violence, poor schools, and poverty to help create a more physically and spiritually healthy environment for all.
Registration fee is $75. Fee includes all conference events and meals.
Visit The Metro-Urban Institute for complete information. Call 412-441-1393 or e-mail swerth@pts.edu with questions.
This three-day event (Thursday afternoon through Saturday) will focus on the theme: Building the Beloved Community: Environmental Justice in the City and will include practitioners in environmental and social justice as well as some of the leading scholars and pastor-scholars from Pittsburgh and various sections of the nation. The conference is the Second Calling for the Order of the Day dialogue among African American Presbyterians throughout the PCUSA.
The distinguished career of Dr. Gayraud Wilmore, Professor Emeritus of Church History, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA will be celebrated. In 1963, Dr. Wilmore became the first African American Professor to join the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
The conference will include presentations, site-visits, and community-based workshops led by community groups, and churches, schools giving participants an opportunity to interact with leaders of faith-based efforts in their host communities where positive changes are occurring.Registration Information
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
Monday, March 22, 2010
Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben
Mike Tomlin concerned about Steelers’ franchise, Big Ben: "Tomlin and the Steelers are doing the right thing by letting the legal process work itself out when it comes to Roethlisberger’s situation. But the reality is that the organization should be concerned. Its starting quarterback has been accused of sexual assault twice in the last year and a half and while he may have not done anything wrong in either incident, this is the third time in the last four offseasons were Big Ben has gotten into some kind of off-field complication.
It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Roethlisberger’s future in Pittsburgh is in doubt."
A Medical Doctor and Insider -- Congressman, Ron Paul on Healthcare Reform
Congressman Ron Paul - Healthcare Reform Passes - Texas Straight Talk Following months of heated public debate and aggressive closed-door negotiations, Congress finally cast a historic vote on healthcare late Sunday evening. It was truly a sad weekend on the House floor as we witnessed further dismantling of the Constitution, disregard of the will of the people, explosive expansion of the reach of government, unprecedented corporate favoritism, and the impending end of quality healthcare as we know it.Read it and whatever.
CD Release Concert & Party at Our House on the South Side - Soon.
Feel invited:
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpMGJjNDZkNTItN2U5Yi00ZTc3LWExMDAtZGRmYWI0MjVmOTM4&hl=en
Click the link to a one page PDF hosted as a public Google Document.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0ByN94c3Pp4BpMGJjNDZkNTItN2U5Yi00ZTc3LWExMDAtZGRmYWI0MjVmOTM4&hl=en
Click the link to a one page PDF hosted as a public Google Document.
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