Lay of the land and terms of Pittsburgh Public School district

So, what background terms are we missing in this list?

DEFINITIONS

Allderdice High School - A comprehensive high school in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood for grades 9-12. Allderdice has a city-wide magnet for engineering.

CAPA - Creative and Performing Arts high school which is located downtown and had accommodated grades 9 to 12. As of the 2009-2010 school year, the CAPA expanded to house grades 6 to 12. CAPA is a city-wide magnet.

CTE - Career and Technical Education, once known as Vocational and Technical education or "Vo Tech".

DeJong - A consultant firm hired by Pittsburgh Public Schools to report on building conditions and offer recommendations regarding facilities closures.

Frick Middle School - A PPS Facility in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh for grades 6-8 with an international studies theme. The students and the program moved to the Reizenstein facility and is now a part of Pittsburgh Obama, 6-12.

IB - International Baccalaureate, an educational program with an international standard. Pittsburgh Public Schools opened an IB middle years program school for grades 6 to 10 in the fall of 2009 at Reizenstein. The school is now called Pittsburgh Obama Academy of International studies and will expand to grades 6-12 over the next two years.

IB Site Selection Committee - A group of citizens and district employees selected by the PPS Administration to consider the long-term location for the IB program after the closure of Schenley High School.

Obama International Studies Academy - Pittsburgh Obama Academy of International Studies - a city-wide magnet for grades 6-12 that uses the IB educational system. It is presently located at the Reizenstein facility, but may move to another location.

Peabody High School - A comprehensive high school for grades 9-12 located on Highland Avenue in East Liberty section of Pittsburgh. Peabody houses the city-wide magnet for its robotics program, which was previously located at Schenley High School.

Perry High School - A comprehensive high school for grades 9-12 located on the North Side. It is an all magnet school consisting of a "traditional academy."

Schenley High School - A PPS facility in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh that was closed in June 2008. The students from grades 10 to 12 were moved to Reizenstein in the fall of 2008. The last class at Schenley High School will graduate in June 2011.

Sci Tech - A science and technology school that now occupies the building once known as Frick. As of the 2009-2010 school year, the school accommodates grades 6-9 and will grow to house grades 6-12. Sci Tech is a city wide magnet.

U-Prep / Milliones - A middle school facility in the Hill District that, as of the 2009-2010 school year, accommodates students from grades 6-10. Now called U-Prep at Margaret Milliones, it is a partial magnet, partial feeder pattern school and is to expand to grades over the next two years. U-Prep is a city-wide magnet.

Vo Tech - see CTE above. Vo Tech is an out of date term it seems.

Westinghouse High School - A comprehensive high school for grades 9-12 in Homewood. This facility had a $30 million renovation within the last 10 years.

MEB's Coming to Pittsburgh!

He is not Michael Phelps, but I can roll out the red carpet for him for sure.

MEB's Coming to Pittsburgh! The first weekend in May, Mebrahtom Keflezighi (pronounced Kef-lez-ghee), more commonly known as “Meb,” will come to Pittsburgh to meet and inspire area athletes during the Dick’s Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend.

13th year of high school should be an option for all PPS students

PPS should pull together a 13th year / prep year for all PPS graduates who want a 13th year. This extra prep year could be hosted as part of the I.B. High / Pittsburgh Obama. Allow all students from PPS to take advantage of an extra year of study and maturity before going to college.

http://rauterkus.blogspot.com/2009/01/ib-high-should-have-13th-year-component.html

I am NOT in favor of tearing down the Civic Arena. I don't want to tear down much, except politicians that only want to churn our landscape.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

I don't want to tear down the Civic Arena. There is very little that should be torn down from our landscape. To build, add value. To destroy, subtract. I am on the side of building by increasing, by addition, by expansion.

Any third grader knowns that 1 + 1 = 2 and that 2 is larger than 1.

Luke's math: 1 + 1 - 1 = 1. That's not growth.

From Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events

We used to have a Civic Arena that could host concerts, basketball games, tracktor pulls and high school graduations. With the new Consol Energy Arena we'll be able to host the Penguin hockey games and the next day open for the Circus.

There is any demand for luxery box seats to go to a high school grduation, or college graduation as some of them have been held there too. There is no demand for luxery boxes for a circus or a monster truck jam or even Disney On Ice.

With the Civic Arena here, re-tooled for sure, we'd be able to host a mega block party when the Pens play a HOME playoff game, with the overflow spectators going to the Civic Arena.

Monday =IB Movie. Tuesday = Global Poverty lecture. Spiker action too

On Monday night, tonight, the IB FILM Class from Schenley shows its film project. Happens at Pgh Filmakers, free.

OAKLAND: Wahu Kaara, advocate for social justice in Kenya, will deliver a lecture, "Roots of Global Poverty," at 7 p.m. in Hamburg Hall Room 1000 on Carnegie Mellon University's campus. The talk will explore the economic and political systems that impoverish Africa and Latin America. Event, which is free, begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10102/1049678-53.stm#ixzz0ktqarb0q

HS Volleyball for Schenley this week begins with a home match today, 3:15 varsity game, vs city team (Langley). Then game on Wed at Mt. Lebo and Thursday at Perry, 3:15. Saturday is a tournament at Hempfield for varsity and JV.

Swimming for the JCC Sailfish begins again tonight as well.

After iPad, Rivals Offer Hybrid Variations - NYTimes.com

After iPad, Rivals Offer Hybrid Variations - NYTimes.com Just as Apple’s iPhone shook up a complacent cellphone industry, the company’s iPad is provoking PC makers — and non-PC makers — to fight back with new devices.

Fw: The Premiere Blogarama Newsletter

Reposted in full below. Scrqp the horiscope. But burnout in Pgh has been huge.

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

---

From: Blogarama <news@blogarama.com>

Date: 12 Apr 2010 16:55:47 -0700

To: <mark@rauterkus.com>

Subject: The Premiere Blogarama Newsletter

Welcome to the premiere issue of the Blogarama Newsletter! No matter what part of the world you live in, you are about to be moving into the changing of the seasons. For those of you who will soon be welcoming spring, you may be finding a place outdoors where you can sit with your laptop and blog away the day. If you are about to move into autumn, you may start planning some chilly days blogging by the fireplace. Wherever you are, things are going to change. Whether the month of April means spring or autumn for you, it will be a time for moving ahead and revving your blogs up to reflect the changes. The Blogarama Newsletter hopes to offer you guidance as well as a bit of fun thrown in. Our newsletter hopes to bring you some guidance as well as a bit of fun thrown in. Regular monthly sections will be "Blogging 101" and your monthly "Horoscopes". In Blogging 101, you will find tips for the new blogger. Although it is centered on someone who is new at blogging, often there will be tips that veteran bloggers will also find helpful. So be sure to give it a glance each month! There will also be a special featured article each month regarding something that bloggers will find interesting, and perhaps, helpful. This month Tips to Avoid Blogging Burnout is featured. Everyone needs a bit of fuel to keep those creative blogging juices flowing. To that end, you will find a recipe for an easy to make, delicious AND nutritious snack to keep you going while you blog! It is sincerely hoped that you will enjoy what you find within this newsletter. In addition, please feel free to offer comments and suggestions as to what you would like to see included in future issues of the Blogarama Newsletter. Blogging 101 Use your Passion The very first thing to do as a new, or beginning, blogger is to create your blog around something you are PASSIONATE about. This may also be the most important thing you do with regards to your blog's success. Everyone has something that stirs and excites them in ways that nothing else does. Find out what that is for you and base your blog around it. Chances are great that if you truly love a subject, you will know quite a bit about it just from being involved with it so avidly. Your blog is going to be about the knowledge you have gained and can share with others on your chosen topic. It will also be where you state your opinion on said topic and invite others to agree or disagree with you. When you sit down to write a blog post, you want to feel eager and excited about doing it. Again, your passion makes this possible. Stay away from things that you have heard others say is "popular" right now. Suppose new technology is what a large number of readers are flocking to read about. However, you have no interest in or knowledge of modern technology. Should you blog about it anyway just to ensure that more people visit your blog? NO, no, a thousand times NO! Consider that if something is boring to you, what you write about it will come across as boring. People will not enjoy reading something that presents itself as painfully disinteresting. Your writing is a reflection of your thoughts and feelings. If you couldn't care less about what the latest cell phone is capable of, no one reading your blog will, either. What you are going to aim for instead of writing about what "everyone wants to read about," is to create enthusiasm for YOUR topic. For example, suppose you LOVE doing a particular craft. It may not be something that others would think to search for in a blog, but you are going to write about this craft with such passion and enthusiasm, that people will find you and get caught up in your craft. Soon, people will be actively trying to LEARN your craft just because your blog is so filled with joy about it. Yes, you CAN do this! Everyone had to start somewhere. It is completely possible to create a blog about something you love and draw readers to it. Find your passion and be ready to write about it to share with others. Next month: How to Set Up Your Blog Tips to Avoid Blogging Burnout Burnout is something that all writers experience from time to time. This is true no matter how much you adore writing and blogging. It can come about due to having a schedule you want to adhere to, or a deadline you are definite about meeting. Whatever the reason is, you may have just set yourself up to develop a serious case of blogger's burnout. This can be a very limiting "disorder" because you will suddenly not have any idea what to write. Even if you are the most passionate person in the world about your particular blog topic, you will not be able to think of a single thing to write about. Though this can be very disheartening for the normally enthusiastic blogger, there is hope to move past it and be happily blogging away again. Have a look at these tips to keep your brain feeling fresh and alert: Don't set yourself up to develop blogging burnout. Make a realistic schedule. This should be one that you can stick to easily without being over worked. On occasion when you feel that you have more to say on a particular week, you can certainly sit down and write it. Just don't force yourself to stay on a schedule that stresses you. On a day when you are feeling particularly creative and the words seem to be just flowing, write until your heart's content. Then stockpile these blog posts. For many bloggers this is something that works quite well. They choose one or two days a week and write all their posts at once. This can work whether or not you are doing daily or weekly posts. Then you will have some to choose from when you're busy or when you just can't seem to find the words to write. Don't be too rigid with your schedule. Leave some flexibility for yourself to get enough rest, spend time with your family, relax, and have fun. Believe it or not, these are the very things that keep your mind working and ready to produce your thoughts when it is time. When you find yourself out of ideas to use for posting, look around for a related subject to give your thoughts on. If you have a decent following, encourage them to participate in the discussion. You may even hold a contest of some sort for your readers. If you start to feel overwhelmed with your workload, take a break. Don't let your joy become a burden. A lot of times it only takes a short break from writing to get your creative juices flowing again. Invite a guest blogger to post on your blog. This will give you some time to go on vacation or even just take a long weekend. Many times this will offer your readers a fresh take on your blogging topic. Take your laptop and work in different places. If the weather is nice, go outside to enjoy the weather. Visit your favorite coffee shop and use their Internet access to write your blog. Sometimes, just being in a new and inviting environment can work wonders. A lot of bloggers find that their favorite music keeps them feeling upbeat, relaxed, and able to write their blogs more effectively. Think about other things. Do some research on another topic that interests you. In this way, you are able to move your mind away from where it was stuck and let it open up again through something fresh and new. Last, but not least, try just getting up and doing some form of exercise. Go for a walk. Hop on the treadmill. Ride your road bike or exercise bike. A lot of people feel that this helps them clear the cobwebs from their brains and opens up more portals of information to write. So the next time that you start to feel that blogger's burnout creeping into your life, try following some of the above tips. You just might be amazed at how quickly your burnout can be cured so that you can start to write again. As time goes on, you may come up with your very own individual tips to add to the list. Keep Up Your Energy with Healthy Snacks What could be more energizing than a tasty as well as healthy snack of a Fun Snack Mix? It is easy to make, delicious, good for you, and can be placed in a bowl right by your computer to munch on as you work. Fun Snack Mix This is the perfect snack to nibble on while you work. Ingredients: 1 Cup of Diced Dried Apricots ½ Cup of Dried Cherries or Cranberries ½ Cup of Unsalted or Lightly Salted Sunflower Seeds or Roasted Almonds 1 ½ Cup of Unsalted or lightly Salted Roasted Peanuts ½ Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/3 Cup of White Chocolate Chips (if desired) Put all the ingredients into a 1 gallon size plastic bag. Seal it. Then shake the bag well to mix the ingredients thoroughly. This makes 3 ½ cups or 10 1/3 cup servings, or 4 cups if white chocolate chips were added. See? It's one of the easiest recipes you will be able to find. You can whip it up in no time but spend hours enjoying it. Signs of the Times Have a look at your personal Zodiac sign below to find out what lies ahead of you this month! AQUARIUS (January 21st – February 19th): The month of April brings not only flowers and sunshine but also a new wealth of creative ideas. Use this month to catch up on procrastinations that you just should not put off any longer. Love may not be all you want it to be but you will have your moments. PISCES (February 20th – March 20th): You want to spend a lot of time with your head in the clouds this month but that is really not the best idea. New projects have a great chance for getting off the ground especially if you are considering an independent business deal. Your emotions tend to be on a roller coaster so hold on tight. ARIES (March 21st – April 20th): Understand that everything does not revolve around you. Other people have their own responsibilities as well. This month you need to pay attention to some little small voices telling you there is something you are missing. If you really focus, you will find where you are most needed. TAURUS (April 21st – May 21st): No one is more loyal than you and you will get the chance to prove that this month. Things are heading in a great direction for you in April and you need to take advantage of all opportunities that present themselves. Someone you thought had forgotten you finally makes contact. GEMINI (May 22nd – June 21st): Your communication skills are in high demand this month along with your creativity. The ideas you come up with tend to astound others. Too many new thoughts run through your head in April and it's hard to choose which ones are the best. Go with your amazing intuition. You won't be wrong. CANCER (June 22nd – July 22nd): Do what you can to curb those temperamental impulses in April. If you can't do it, you may lose out on a really important and lucrative opportunity just because you were in a bad mood. There will be many things this month to put a small smile on your face. Some of them may even make you laugh out loud. LEO (July 23rd – August 22nd): There's a lot to be said about your charisma for April. Basically, if you want it, you can have it. You are a bit like the Pied Piper as so many people tend to follow where you lead right now. Use your ability to be a people magnet to draw in those who can help you meet some personal goals more quickly. VIRGO (August 23rd – September 23rd): You have the ability to create order out of chaos when you are in the mood for it. No one is more organized than you are and others realize this. If you aren't careful, you will find yourself doing your work and that of others, too. Pay attention and don't let that happen. Focus on your own goals. LIBRA (September 24th – October 23rd): Nothing is ever just black and white. Believe it or not, there ARE shades of gray. Keep this in mind this month when you are approached by someone who wants you to think outside of the box for a new project. Listen to all of the facts and details before making your decision. SCORPIO (October 24th – November 22nd): Your magnetism is amazing during the month of April. If you want to sway someone to your way of thinking, just train those hypnotic eyes on them and there's no way they will say no. A good friend seems to need your advice on something. However, you've already warned this friend. There's nothing else you can do. SAGITTARIUS (November 23nd – December 21st): Burning the candle at both ends is not the way to move successfully through April. Even though you may feel the need to get a lot done, becoming overwhelmed is not the way to do it. Ease up on yourself a bit and you will be amazed at everything you will get accomplished. CAPRICORN (December 22nd – January 20th): April promises to be a rather productive month for you if you have your goals set. Be ready to jump on a new idea that hits you about the middle of the month. It will open some major doors for you. Friends tend to be a bit needy this month but remember that you will be rewarded for your help. Ok, that's it for this month, Bloggers! We hope that you have picked up a bit of knowledge as well as had a little fun while reading this month's newsletter. Don't forget that we welcome your comments and suggestions. Until next month, Happy Blogging!

Wishing Chair played Here!

House concert: hosts and talent!

Inspired Church Music for today folks. Join us.

Special music at 10;30 am service at Allegheney UU Church on Sunday (today). Our friends, Wishing Chair, are playing. Later is our house concert. We have a full house now -- and then as well, 51 fit.
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

$34 million debt approved for IUP center

Love the Lay the Shovel Down statement!

$34 million debt approved for IUP center: "But some on campus, noting the bonds may have to be paid off with university operating funds, questioned why officials let a project with at least 40 percent of its funding not yet identified break ground in November 2008 amid a worsening economy.
'Folks, to quote a friend of mine, to get out of a hole, the first rule is to stop digging,' Robert Mutchnick, an IUP professor and president of the faculty union's campus chapter, wrote in a campus e-mail."

Heads should roll. The IUP President should be fired over this. Others as well. They should go back to the private sector.

Have you ever been to Guam? If we go, let's not all rush to the port side at once.

Congress Critters have been wiser, I think.

Today's Meetings at Univ of Pittsburgh in advance of the visit from Bangladesh

I took the second photo so I had a hard time getting in the shot itself.

Title IX audit report - chatter from Pure Reform blog

Title IX audit report

One of my comments in a thread there:

Ther is no talk in the Title IX audit about the new PPS theme schools that I'm aware of.

The sooner that the audit is just a distant dot in the rear view mirror in our discussions the better. The sooner the audit consultant is a distant memory the better as well.

We need to look forward, not backward.

We need to make progress with those here now, not with some template issued audit advice that makes for more exposure than anything that hints of a single solution.

The audit dodged the hard questions fully.

The audit was a sink and a delay ploy. If it lingers, we sustain the sinking.

Lay the shovel down.

Now let's demand progress and let's talk about what really needs to occur.

To publicly spank booster groups that are NOT even created yet is to say sports are hard work so let's not even have them.

What about the 6-12 school sports? Great question. Let's talk. But above all, let's not go to the audit for solid answers to pressing questions as we won't find meaningful insights there.

The audit is more like a jolt of caffine needed to get us (PPS Administration) going after a long, deep slumber.

PoliticsPA: Debate questions trip Onorato | Politics PA

PoliticsPA: Debate questions trip Onorato | Politics PA: "Debate questions trip Onorato"

Pittsburgh, suburban public schools listed high in quality study

Pittsburgh, suburban public schools listed high in quality study The Pittsburgh area ranks No. 7 in the nation for its public schools among cities with populations above 300,000, according to GreatSchools, a nonprofit organization that compiles school data nationwide.
GreatSchools, located in San Francisco, included 160 schools with Pittsburgh addresses in its results, said Pamela Ardizzone, spokeswoman for GreatSchools.
The list includes Pittsburgh Public Schools, which has 66 schools, as well as some suburban schools and charter schools.

Activist calls for Justice Melvin to resign

Activist calls for Justice Melvin to resign: "Mr. Stilp claimed that Justice Melvin 'had to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know what was going on in her campaign' for the high court last year. He said the conduct board should ask 'what did she know and when did she know it?'"

I wish people would be more politically correct and not slander the deaf, dumb and blind so easily.

Resign. Defend oneself. Then if you are found not guilty, run again. Same too for Senator Orie.

Here is an update to the Census

Respected City Residents and Community Members;

Although the City’s numbers are up; our projected returned census questionnaires are still below the National, State and County rates. As of this morning, the census response rates are as follows:


National returned rate is - 63%


State – 68%


County – 69%; and the


City at 61%. (The City of Pittsburgh’s return rate for Yr 2000 was at 69%)


You can continue to monitor the census returned rate progress at the web-site link provided below:


http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/


By April 10, 2010, USPS will deliver 2010 Census replacement questionnaires to those who have not returned their forms. As the City, we are nearing the end of that final push and that we need to strategically position ourselves; in reiterating the importance of completing the census forms and why this is important for the City. Please also refer to the attached flier on how you assist with this initiative.
Relatively low response rates are noted in the identified neighborhoods; and again if we could all work together in targeting these neighborhoods, it would be much appreciated. The identified neighborhoods are as follows:


- Arlington- Northside - Perrysville Avenue- Homewood North- Hill District- East Liberty- Hazelwood
4. This is our one last push in ascertaining that everyone is counted. Your time and attention to this matter is greatly appreciated


Noor Ismail, AICPDirector of City Planning, City of Pittsburgh

Former Chartiers Valley superintendent named to interim post

Less is seldom best.

Former Chartiers Valley superintendent named to interim post: "Director Patti Frey said that a recent school conference in Phoenix convinced her that conducting a national search for a new superintendent is not in the district's best interests.
School laws vary widely, making out-of-state appointments potentially difficult, she said. Mrs. Frey further noted that finding the best superintendent is especially crucial to Chartiers Valley because the district does not have a permanent assistant superintendent."

Win by addition.

Sure, the laws of one state won't exactly match that of another state. Fine. But people of one state can step into another state and be effective. The laws of one's prior state are not a burden with the arrival to the new location. Come now.

Athletics in city high schools is a losing proposition

Let the Games Begin! In this case, the games are really not about play -- but rather discussions.

Athletics in city high schools is a losing proposition Athletics in city high schools is a losing proposition
By Karamagi Rujumba, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Athletes in the Pittsburgh Public Schools generally have low self esteem because of a lack of high-quality programs and resources.

The Board of Education, or really just a sub group of the board, the Education Committee, talked about athletics and opportunities for girls for 90 minutes at last night's meeting. But most of the talking was from a consultant who has been marked tardy with the report in the past on this blog. A litany of interactions occurred with the process including the use of some crude and shallow tools that netted passionate replies.

I do not think that the following key statement was ever talked about at the table, "Athletes in the Pittsburgh Public Schools generally have low self esteem because of a lack of high-quality programs and resources." Much of what was in the report was not said. Rather, the spoken direct points to the PPS was fairy tale and dream-world pats-on-the-back about being a model for the rest of the nation. Say what?

The unspoken theme from the consultant was "Rehire me! I'll still give you all a gold star for effort in hiring me."

My global point: It does not take a women rocket scientist to reveal "pervasive and severe" inequities in the PPS athletic opportunities. And, these are so pervasive that boys and girls suffer greatly. To bring the girls games to an equal position of that enjoyed by the PPS boys is a perfect formula for getting nobody to win much of anything of value. As a system, the boys opportunities are very, very poor and the girls opportunities are very, very, very poor. Getting them all to just double poor would be a world-class fumble. The gender disparities among athletes is tiny when contrasted to the generally low emphasis on student sports.

"The interscholastic athletic program overall appears to suffer from poor self-esteem," said Ms. Pennepacker of High School Title IX Consulting Services.

I am not paid $10,000 for my comments. And, I'm not two years late in making them, just prompt, present and polite.

The consultant, who signed a $10,000 contract with the district said that her survey of student athletes and coaching staff found that they have a "general notion of apathy, hopelessness and anger regarding the quality and perceived lack of importance that the school district in general places on interscholastic athletics."

Mark Rauterkus, a swimming and water polo coach at Schenley High School said he was not surprised by the report's conclusions.

"We have known this all along. I haven't seen any types of reforms in student athletics in a long time," Mr. Rauterkus said.

Dr. John Thompson, prior PPS Superintendent, didn't do much with the sports and athletics efforts in the PPS either.

Even Mr. Lopez talked about how sports in the city have "De-Volved." That is from a Tenn Vol, too. (pun alert) We've been standing still or getting worse in many regards -- so he said at the all coaches meeting.

School administrators "have been focused on other things for a while now, and yet we know that student athletes can be even better students when they are given the support they need," he added.

Mr. Rauterkus said the school district "now knows that this is something they need to pay more attention to and the fact that we are talking about it shows they understand that we have a problem."

The 140-page audit report, which assessed all aspects of student athletics -- including practice and training facilities, the number of experienced coaches and staff and availability of sports uniforms -- at the nine city high schools found that, compared to the national average, far fewer city high school girls participate in sports.

Despite the district's shortcomings, Ms. Pennepacker commended it for opening itself to public scrutiny on the question of gender disparity in sports.She did deliver some wild assertions that put the district in an inflated place.

Heather Arnet, executive director of the Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania, and a former school board member who pushed for the audit, agreed.

"This took courage on the part of the school board because they knew it would shine a light on the district," she said. "But you can't fix the problem until you quantify it and now we know the disparity."

Another key finding of the report was that city schools have not taken steps in recent years to significantly expand sports programs for female students.

And because female athletes in the district remain significantly under-represented in interscholastic athletics, Ms. Pennepacker recommended that the district develop a strategic action plan to expand female athletics and create a timetable for implementation.

In 2009, as a volunteer coach, I began a new sports team -- well -- three really. We started a non-varsity water polo program for girls, boys and even a 'co-ed' team. I've expanded female athletic opportunities in PPS with fall water polo. I want that to continue in the spring and the summer.

Water polo, like swimming, is for both boys and girls. And, we've got slightly more girls on the teams than boys, but for the most part it is sorta even. The boys do show up for practices a little more than the girls did this past year. But, we've had more scholastic swim practices at Schenley this year than any other program in the city -- perhaps twice as many.

Part of that plan, she added, should explore the idea of creating some oversight over high school sports booster clubs, which can create a disparity because of their fundraising for certain sports.

This booster mention makes me chuckle. I often talk about boosters as a way to put forth improvements, not only in sports but in other areas of the PPS. I'm part of a 'booster group' for male engagement in PPS. We help with Take a Father to School Day. I suggested that the PPS Afterschool Czar (coordinator) form a booster group. Often I talk with others at PPS about booster groups and hear, "What's that?"

Where are there strong booster groups in PPS now?

Schenley Volleyball has a booster group. We'll have a Schenley swim banquet this weekend organized by parents, a swim booster function. Carrick's hockey team had a booster group in the past. I had meetings with them when we still had a closed indoor ice rink in the South Side. There are tons of booster activities associated with the South Side Sabers, a youth football team. But that isn't PPS.

Marching Band Boosters are often the most organized examples in the WPIAL.

PPS does not need Booster Oversight as there is little to inspect. We do need Booster Incubators. However, boosters are a big deal in most sports settings elsewhere.

Among her recommendations, Ms. Pennepacker said the district ought to create a Title IX compliance officer position, specifically to oversee what would be the implementation of the school system's Title IX action plan.

I'm going to suggest that the Schenley Principal, Ms. Sophia Facaros, be pegged as the one to be the PPS Title IX compliance officer.

Derrick Lopez, assistant superintendent for secondary schools said the district is already taking steps to implement such a plan.

The girls swimmers at Perry High School were talked about by the consultant. Perry added the team the year before while the consultant was doing some the early work. This year, Schenley swam Perry in our first city league meet and again in the second meet. The girls squad at Perry had less than 4 swimmers in the first meet. Schenley had 25 or so. In the second meet, at Perry, none of the girls showed up. Oh well. Frankly, I am a 'fix it kinda guy.' The wiki I began is called "Fix PA." It isn't titled, "QUANTIFY THE SINS." Of course fixes can be made before losses are racked up and quantified. A coach does not conduct a season or TWO, and watch how the ball moves while keeping stats. Then, after the seasons have ended, go to the players and say that the stats reveal basement-level performances. It must be some wacky lawyer/bureaucrat speak to feel accomplished so as to only conclude that there is sufficient reason to believe that improvements will be taught to those on the teams in the future. As for courage, think again. No doubt, the district has courage like a bull. However, getting that bull to take a jog in the realm of sports and athletics is still unseen. So, I'll continue to wave colorful flags and try to garner attention. But, I'm not really wishing for the courage so as to make a rush of a bull in a china shop. Courage and confidence comes with doing the right things, day to day, moment to moment. My long-time comment was said in a context of multiple superintendents. Mr. Roosevelt told me in past years that sports issues were on the "back burner." The PPS Administrators had other challenges that were more pressing. Then around the first of the year (January 2010), he emailed me to say that sports is moving to the front burner, finally.

Fw: LibertarianList Returns

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

-----Original Message-----
From: LibertarianList <info@libertarianlists.com>
Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 03:24:45
To: <mark04@rauterkus.com>
Subject: LibertarianList Returns



LibertarianLists is Back! We have a new website that is finally taking
shape and we will be gaining new features in days to come. Though we
are registered on "white lists" it is always a good idea to recognize
our emails as such in your email client.

For our inaugural allert, we would like to discuss a campaign shaping
up down in Texas.

Tip O'Neill once said that "all politics is local."

Let's look at an example: Everyone knows the 14th Congressional
District of Texas - Ron Paul's district. Are you aware that many
high ranking GOP members within this district actually work against
Dr. Paul? While Dr. Paul carries a message of liberty to not only his
constituents, but to the whole nation, there are those who would
prefer that this icon of freedom was silenced. Indeed, a portion of
his district hosts many within the neoconservative ranks. They control
virtually every portion of government except for Dr. Paul's seat. In
doing so, they utilize tax dollars as a revenue basis to fund his
opponents time and time again.

These 'neoconservatives' are absolutely opposed to free markets and
competition. They establish political "machines" which serve to
insure their interests are served in government above all others and
at the expense of the taxpayers. They obtain government "no bid"
contracts, receive special tax breaks and use their ill-gotten gains
to perpetuate ever more oppressive burdens on the communities they
afflict. Perhaps calling them corporatists, crony capitalists or
corporate welfare queens would be more fitting.

So if the 'local' folks are working against someone like Dr. Paul, how
can anyone else outside of that area try to make a difference and
help?

There is hope.

Former Texas LP Vice-Chairman Kevin Tunstall has battled these same
forces for years. Running for City Council in Missouri City
(population 70000) in 2007, Tunstall garnered 46% of the vote on a
very modest budget, despite an opponent who received significant
financial backing from these nefarious political interests.

During his campaign, he discovered many activities by the local
government that were deemed illegal by the state, but carried no
enforcement provisions or criminal penalties. Additionally, he
uncovered a cottage industry of lawyers and property managers
contracted with certain neighborhood associations whose purpose was to
prey on elderly homeowners by initiating foreclosures for trivial
purposes. Even when homeowners decided against such practices and
voted out their association boards, they fall victim to the very same
lawyers who then support the board members who refuse to vacate their
positions upon removal. This is of course illegal, but again there is
no enforcement of the law.

We've been informed that Tunstall is running once more. At the
urging of two sitting council persons and a former council
representative, he has tossed his hat into the ring and caused a stir.

When we spoke with Tunstall, he stated: "Missouri City is a
"closed" city for general development. There is a monopoly of
developers and vendors who receive all permits and outsiders are not
welcome. This cartel of businesses then drain the government coffers
by obtaining all of the contracts outside of the bidding process and
virtually all of the contracts available for bidding while inflating
the costs of projects. They will then fund their candidates,
regardless of whether they are Democrat or Republican, who will help
protect their monopoly. It is a 'pay to play' system."

"Whenever we see a grass-roots movement to unseat or defeat one of the
vendor network candidates, the political operatives crawl out of the
shadows and begin denigrating and marginalizing the concerns of
sincere and honest citizens while they attempt to destroy the
candidates who promote open and honest government."

What is the strategy?

"How does this affect the Liberty Movement, Kevin? Why should folks
from around the country help your local campaign?" we asked. Tunstall
replied "We all have to focus on one city at a time. One race at a
time. You can choose where to give your pro-liberty support, and
hopefully you'll spend them locally, at the town and city levels, if
there is a worthwhile race there. But what if there isn't? Where
should you give then?"

Being specific, he added "Missouri City has a 5 to 2 split on the
council right now. Should we be successful , we will
have a majority and the city will be lost to the cartel. We can then
refocus our efforts on Sugar Land, Richmond and Rosenberg, and
continue our campaign to rid our government institutions from those
who oppose the interests of the taxpayers, and stop them from spending
our money against our interests."

"We need successful races. We must start at the local level and work
our way up to the county, state and national levels. As we build a
cadre of representatives who promote our interests, we will be force
to be reckoned with" he concluded.

It sounds pretty ambitious until you realize that the liberty
candidates running in the Missouri City race not only look viable, but
the Mayoral challenger is currently a sitting council person. Kevin's
picked a race that he can win and he isn't running a paper candidacy
like so many other races that ask for your funds. Considering that
Tunstall has not only lead a good race in the past, he's served the LP
at the county and state levels, and managed other high-profile
campaigns, we believe he knows what he is talking about here.

We can think of no better candidate to lead our efforts to revitalize
the Libertarian List. Our primary goal: reach pro-liberty folks all
over, and ask them to help where and when it really counts, where
their dollars might make a real difference this time. We know it's
tight all over, but if everyone who gets this email gave just a few
dollars, Kevin's campaign chest will be filled and ready for action.

We know his opponents are funded by the very people who oppose Dr.
Paul. Let us show them that we too, the Pro-Liberty forces can mount
viable campaigns.

We ask that you give, and give generously, to Tunstall's campaign
efforts. Click the link below and let's get this guy elected and get
that ball rolling.

Additionally, forward this email and get every liberty minded person
you know to sign up for Libertarian Lists. As we grow, so does the
power of our message.

As an added bonus, The "Liberty Campaign for Texas PAC" has just
endorsed Tunstall. If you contribute as a result of this email,
Liberty Campaign for Texas PAC will match your contribution. This is
an exciting way to bring local (Texas) dollars into play while
assisting a high profile, pro-liberty candidate.

Donate to the Tunstall Campaign at
http://libertarianlists.com/lists/lt.php?id=NxpWVQBVWE9cS1UDBwY%3D

If you wish to leave our list, we understand, and we'll be sorry to
see you go.

Best Regards,

Seth Cohn

Director

LibertarianList.com



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