From: Mark Rauterkus, swim coach
Date: August 13, 2010
With Summer Dreamers, we got to do some swimming. But there is a whole lifetime of fitness and learning that needs to continue. This letter is an invitation to join us for additional, ongoing fun at the swim pool with water polo.
Many of the students in Summer Dreamers made great progress in the three lessons at the Kingsley swim pool. Almost all who came got to the point of being able to swim across the pool in the deep end. Messages of closing your lips, body position, floating, head under, rolling, big strokes and kicking were blended with some high energy games and teamwork play.
We played a modified game of WATER POLO -- and I'm not sure about the kid's reactions -- but I had a great time. The lifeguards and camp leaders all played hard with the kids. The effort level was high and new rules were followed.
Everyone needs to know how to swim. Swimming can save your life. Use our city pools with Citiparks, our school pools with PPS, and the Kingsley Center opportunities. Visit the Allegheny County Pools, such as North Park. Be confident to swim at Sandcastle, the beach, and then one day, swim around off your boat while on vacation. I'd love for all the kids to be strong in the water. Now is the time to dedicate yourself to getting those skills and growing up fit.
Learn how to master flip turns, butterfly, breastroke, backstroke. Learn how to race and compete on a swim team. Train with a coach and team mates. Strive to be on a high school squad and do relays and participate in the City Campionships. Score goals in a real water polo game against out of town players.
When swimming is offered at school in gym class, get in the water. Ask the teachers to show you something new. Try new skills. Consider getting a job as a lifeguard too. Always respect the water and the environment.
Some of the students have splendid swimming talents. Most can become aquatic athletes with practice. If you want to continue with some structured instruction, see these details.
Join us for WATER POLO on:
Monday, August 16, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Association.
Wednesday, August 18, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Association.
Cost $0. www.KingsleyAssociation.org, 6435 Frankstown Ave, 15206
Plus, the Kingsley Stingrays are another option for year-round competitive swimming.
We had a great time. Let's keep going to the pool. There is much more to do, learn and explore. Develop into scholar athletes and responsible adults that value community fitness.
Hope to see you soon!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Today Show, Navy Seals, Water Polo
This is from months ago, but I'm just seeing it.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Final Day of Summer Dreamers is here. I've been making some posters and gearing up for the final water polo tournament
The first ever Summer Dreamers Camp, organized by Pittsburgh Public Schools comes to a close on Friday. It has been five weeks and I've been helping with the Health Smart Camp that operated out of Peabody. Each week a different group of kids would join us and we'd cover some lessons and spend three days at the swim pool.
Tonight we built some posters for the end of camp wrap-up. Here are a few elements from those posters.
I'm not too sure how many kids will be swimming tomorrow with the Summer Dreamers -- nor with our other water polo group that meets at 10:30 am. In both sessions, we'll have some game play.
With the PPS Summer Dreamers, I've set up a end of season tournament. It is a work in progress as we'll have to deal with the kids that show. Some might opt for the zoo. Others will opt for flag football in the gym. I hope to get three or four teams. Not sure of the numbers -- so I've got both situations ready.
Furthermore, I'd love to get the kids excited about swimming and water polo into the future. All are invited to next week's practices. So, Summer Dreams is over -- but -- we can still meet for sessions next week.
The sessions unfold for the Summer Dreamers starting at 12:30 as lunch finishes. Then we hike up to the Kingsley Center. We'll have a huddle and welcome at 1 pm with all the kids and any parents that attend in the gym in the bleachers. Then we'll get into the activities. That needs to end by 2:20 or so for snacks, final certificates and a walk back to the school to catch our buses home.
Stay tuned for final results.
Championship Rules for the Summer Dreamers Water Polo Tournament:
EVERYONE PLAYS for a TEAM.
Team selection does NOT match Health Smart Colors perfectly.
1. Only ONE hand on the ball, else turnover.
2. Sinking ball is a turnover too.
3. Six players per team (unless adjusted). Subs sit out of pool at corner to wait for turn from coach.
4. Game is 1 period, 10 minutes.
5. Ejections are for 30-seconds or 1-minute by referee for brutal acts. Two ejections and out of the game. Third ejection is out of event.
6. No talk back to officials.
7. Be ready for next game without delay, sitting in chairs on pool deck.
8. Do not stand or walk behind the goals so you do not get hit by balls or cones.
9. Assistant officials help with goal and off-sides calls.
10. Games can end in a tie.
11. Total goals scored can help establish teams finish. Keep play moving!
Join us for WATER POLO play in the days to come.
After Summer Dreamers Ends, join Coach Mark and other city kids for more fun.
Monday, August 16, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Center.
Cost $0.
Monday, August 16, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5
Wednesday, August 18, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Center.
Cost $0.
Wednesday, August 18, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5
Saturday, August 21, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5
Starting August 23, we hope to have a schedule at Pittsburgh Schenley / PPS Obama at Reizenstein.
Call Coach Mark Rauterkus, 412 298 3432.
Join the Facebook Group: Pittsburgh Schenley Water Polo
Four Team Schedule:
(First Team Defends Locker Room Side)
Game 1 = Green vs. White
Game 2 = Purple vs. Red
Game 3 = Red vs. Green
Game 4 = White vs. Purple
Game 5 = Red vs. White
Game 6 = Purple vs. Green
If time permits:
Game 7: Championship Game:
Top two teams play.
If time permits:
Game 8: Runner Up Game:
Other teams play.
Three Team Schedule:
(First Team Defends Locker Room Side)
Game 1 = Green vs. White
Game 2 = Purple vs. White
Game 3 = Purple vs. Green
If time permits:
Game 4 = Knock Out Game
Lowest Scoring team vs. Highest Scoring team
___________ vs. ___________
If time permits:
Game 5 = Championship Game:
Team not in Game 4, vs. Winner of Game 4
___________ vs. ___________
If time permits:
Game 6 = All Star Team vs. Adults
Tonight we built some posters for the end of camp wrap-up. Here are a few elements from those posters.
I'm not too sure how many kids will be swimming tomorrow with the Summer Dreamers -- nor with our other water polo group that meets at 10:30 am. In both sessions, we'll have some game play.
With the PPS Summer Dreamers, I've set up a end of season tournament. It is a work in progress as we'll have to deal with the kids that show. Some might opt for the zoo. Others will opt for flag football in the gym. I hope to get three or four teams. Not sure of the numbers -- so I've got both situations ready.
Furthermore, I'd love to get the kids excited about swimming and water polo into the future. All are invited to next week's practices. So, Summer Dreams is over -- but -- we can still meet for sessions next week.
The sessions unfold for the Summer Dreamers starting at 12:30 as lunch finishes. Then we hike up to the Kingsley Center. We'll have a huddle and welcome at 1 pm with all the kids and any parents that attend in the gym in the bleachers. Then we'll get into the activities. That needs to end by 2:20 or so for snacks, final certificates and a walk back to the school to catch our buses home.
Stay tuned for final results.
Championship Rules for the Summer Dreamers Water Polo Tournament:
EVERYONE PLAYS for a TEAM.
Team selection does NOT match Health Smart Colors perfectly.
1. Only ONE hand on the ball, else turnover.
2. Sinking ball is a turnover too.
3. Six players per team (unless adjusted). Subs sit out of pool at corner to wait for turn from coach.
4. Game is 1 period, 10 minutes.
5. Ejections are for 30-seconds or 1-minute by referee for brutal acts. Two ejections and out of the game. Third ejection is out of event.
6. No talk back to officials.
7. Be ready for next game without delay, sitting in chairs on pool deck.
8. Do not stand or walk behind the goals so you do not get hit by balls or cones.
9. Assistant officials help with goal and off-sides calls.
10. Games can end in a tie.
11. Total goals scored can help establish teams finish. Keep play moving!
Join us for WATER POLO play in the days to come.
After Summer Dreamers Ends, join Coach Mark and other city kids for more fun.
Monday, August 16, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Center.
Cost $0.
Monday, August 16, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5
Wednesday, August 18, 10 am to noon at Kingsley Center.
Cost $0.
Wednesday, August 18, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5
Saturday, August 21, 5 pm to 7 pm at North Park Swim Pool
Youth Admission 6 - 12, $3
Junior Admission 13 - 17, $4
Adult Admission 18 - 59, $5
Starting August 23, we hope to have a schedule at Pittsburgh Schenley / PPS Obama at Reizenstein.
Call Coach Mark Rauterkus, 412 298 3432.
Join the Facebook Group: Pittsburgh Schenley Water Polo
Four Team Schedule:
(First Team Defends Locker Room Side)
Game 1 = Green vs. White
Game 2 = Purple vs. Red
Game 3 = Red vs. Green
Game 4 = White vs. Purple
Game 5 = Red vs. White
Game 6 = Purple vs. Green
If time permits:
Game 7: Championship Game:
Top two teams play.
If time permits:
Game 8: Runner Up Game:
Other teams play.
Three Team Schedule:
(First Team Defends Locker Room Side)
Game 1 = Green vs. White
Game 2 = Purple vs. White
Game 3 = Purple vs. Green
If time permits:
Game 4 = Knock Out Game
Lowest Scoring team vs. Highest Scoring team
___________ vs. ___________
If time permits:
Game 5 = Championship Game:
Team not in Game 4, vs. Winner of Game 4
___________ vs. ___________
If time permits:
Game 6 = All Star Team vs. Adults
Calling Jim Roddey and the GOPers to let the people decide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 12, 2010
CONTACT:
Oliver Hall - (202) 248-9294
PENNSYLVANIA MINOR PARTIES CALL ON REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO WITHDRAW PETITION CHALLENGES AND TO CONDEMN USE OF PUNITIVE AND DISCRIMINATORY ELECTION LAWS TO SUPPRESS VOTER CHOICE
Major Party Challenges Filed Against Every Non-Major Party Candidate for Statewide Office in Pennsylvania Are an Assault on Democracy that Attempts to Deny Voters a Free Choice at the Polls, State Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties Say
HARRISBURG, PA – In a display of non-partisan unity on behalf of all Pennsylvania voters who desire a free choice of candidates in the November 2, 2010 general election, the state’s Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties today called on Republicans and Democrats to withdraw the nomination petition challenges that major party operatives filed against every non-major party candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania. The minor parties also called on the major party candidates who are the intended beneficiaries of the challenges to condemn them as an attempt to suppress voter choice in the upcoming election. Under Pennsylvania’s uniquely punitive and discriminatory ballot access scheme, minor party and independent candidates may be ordered to pay $80,000 or more in litigation costs and attorneys’ fees if they defend against such challenges.
The Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties specifically called on Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett to condemn the challenge filed against Libertarian Party gubernatorial nominee Marakay Rogers. They called on Republican congressional candidate Pat Meehan to condemn the challenge to independent candidate Jim Schneller. And the minor parties called on Democratic senatorial nominee Joe Sestak to condemns and withdraw the challenge that he personally filed to Green Party senatorial nominee Mel Packer. Corbett, Meehan and Sestak must condemn the challenges whether or not they were involved in the filing, the minor parties say, because they are the intended beneficiaries.
"These petition challenges filed against every non-major party candidate for statewide office in Pennsylvania prove that when it comes to elections, Republicans and Democrats both stand against voter choice," said Constitution Party State Chair Wes Thompson. "Voters cannot allow our democratic process to be hijacked by private, entrenched political parties that want to decide who we can and cannot vote for."
"Pennsylvania Greens have fought to give voters a free choice on election day, and now we are asking voters to stand with us," said Green Party State Chair I.K. Samways. "Tell Joe Sestak that you oppose his anti-democratic effort to deny you a free choice of candidates in November."
"No one knows the potential for corruption to infect the petition challenge process better than Attorney General Tom Corbett," said Libertarian Party State Chair Mik Robertson. "It is a shame that so many soldiers have died to bring ballot choices to people in Iraq and Afghanistan, while the political machines in Pennsylvania work to restrict ballot choices for our own citizens."
In 2004, Pennsylvania courts adopted a uniquely punitive ballot access scheme, by authorizing the assessment of litigation costs against minor party and independent candidates who defend their nomination petitions when challenged by a private party. Prior to 2004, no state in the nation, including Pennsylvania, had ever ordered candidates to pay such costs. That is because, as the Supreme Court of the United States observed more than four decades ago in Harman v. Forsenius, "It has long been established that a State may not impose a penalty upon those who exercise a right guaranteed by the Constitution." Several landmark Supreme Court decisions since then have reaffirmed that states may not impose mandatory financial burdens on candidates and voters as a condition of their participation in elections.
Nevertheless, in 2004 Commonwealth Court Judge James Gardner Colins ordered independent presidential candidates Ralph Nader and Peter Miguel Camejo to pay $81,102.19 in litigation costs to the parties who challenged their nomination petitions. Relying on that unconstitutional decision, in 2006 Commonwealth Court Judge James R. Kelley ordered Green Party senatorial candidate Carl Romanelli to pay his challengers more than $80,000 in costs and fees.
Attorney General Tom Corbett’s Grand Jury investigation into the "Bonusgate" scandal subsequently revealed that employees of the State House Democratic Caucus had illegally prepared the Nader-Camejo and Romanelli petition challenges at taxpayer expense. The Pennsylvania courts still refused to set aside the judgments awarding costs to the challengers. The candidates continue to oppose enforcement of the judgments.
"In the wake of the Bonusgate scandal, which exposed rampant corruption in the petition challenge process, the Pennsylvania courts ratified a discriminatory ballot access scheme that subjects minor party and independent candidates to bank-breaking and clearly unconstitutional costs and fees if they defend their nomination petitions," said Oliver Hall, an attorney with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Competitive Democracy, which is representing Pennsylvania’s Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties in a federal lawsuit challenging state election laws. "If Pennsylvania voters want a free choice at the polls, they must stand up for candidates’ rights to seek office, regardless of partisan affiliation."
The Constitution, Green and Libertarian Parties say that Republicans and Democrats must pledge not to file nomination petition challenges until Pennsylvania’s unconstitutional election laws are reformed. The Voter Choice Act (SB 252), which State Senator Mike Folmer (R-48) and eight co-sponsors introduced in February 2009, would enact the needed reforms by eliminating the discriminatory requirement that minor party and independent candidates submit nomination petitions with tens of thousands of signatures. The bill, however, has languished in committee.
"The time is ripe for reform, but so far it’s business as usual in Harrisburg," Hall said. "The major parties are going all out to deny Pennsylvanians a free choice of candidates in November, and they will continue to do so until voters make it clear that they will not tolerate such anti-democratic tactics."
A caller after my call with Ron Morris and Jim Roddey said, "In Germany, Hitler won with only a smaller percentage of the vote. If you get a lot of folks on the ballot we could be electing someone like Hitler."
Hitler was NOT ever elected to office. He was appointed. It was corrected on the radio show.
No way.
The race for governor: Onorato's ploy - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "And a review of Mr. Krupa's nominating petitions, filed last week, shows that it's members of labor unions that have endorsed Onorato -- and even one of Onorato's campaign workers -- behind the petitions."
I would never call anyone who signed a petition to put a citizen onto the ballot a 'rat.'
Governor Rendell signed the petition to put another candidate on the ballot in a race where Rendell was running.
It is polite. It is civil. It is justified to help anyone get onto the ballot if the person's desire is to stand for political office.
Parking lease changes would slow rate hikes
This no compete zone is a huge sticking point in my view. I'd vote no just because of that element.
Parking lease changes would slow rate hikes: "The no-compete zone for Downtown parking garage construction initially covered an area roughly bounded by Fort Duquesne and Fort Pitt boulevards, Liberty Avenue and Delray, Smithfield and Grant streets, plus an area bounded by Ross Street, the Boulevard of the Allies and the Parkway East. The new zone essentially connects those two areas, increasing the no-compete by zone many blocks.As a counter offer, I'd say a no compete for five years is fine. For ten years is less than ideal. Past that -- no way.
Private developers and certain government agencies may continue to build public parking garages in the zone; the no-compete clause does not apply to them.
If the city and authority want to build garages for general-purpose public parking, the leaseholder would have the opportunity to prove revenue loss and seek compensation.
Green Party candidate expects to be removed from ballot
Mark Rauterkus and Douglas Jamison, Libertarians. Doug is runnig for US Senate in Pennsylvania in the fall 2010 general election.
Green Party candidate expects to be removed from ballot: "Mr. Sestak similarly was able to remove Robinson machinist Joe Vodvarka from the Democratic primary ballot this spring."
Two good reasons to never vote for Joe Sestak.
Judge orders identities of commenters be revealed
Different strokes for different folks. I just saying that I'm free to post as I choose -- and put my name to my comments.
Judge orders identities of commenters be revealed: "Anonymous bloggers beware. You may not be as anonymous as you think.I understand that some are not so fortunate to post freely. And, I also wish that we'd have more civility as well as hopes of privacy.
Forward Township Supervisor Thomas DeRosa has won a court victory in the action that he filed in November to uncover the identities of people who posted comments on an online bulletin board that he said defamed him."
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
This was last year.... and we want to do it again!
Here we were in 2009 at Citiparks Swim Pool at Ammon Rec Center, Hill District.
We should do it again in 2010. We've been playing at Peabody High School. But, that ends in 2 more days. So, it would be great to move outdoors to either Ammon Rec or else Highland Park Pool.
I just sent this to Shelley, the boss of City of Pgh aquatics. I CCed to the Mayor and the Operations Director, Mr. Ashley. Mr. Ashley helped us get this started last summer.
Hi,
The City Swim Meet was fun. Thanks! Good job.
I've struck out in recent months trying to get water polo at Citiparks
in the summer of 2010. Still, I'd love to hold another clinic / set
of practices this summer too. We have been playing at Peabody as I've
been helping with PPS Summer Dreamers Camps for middle school kids in
the afternoons. So, I might be able to get some of those kids into the
fold with a new effort.
Here is what I'd love to propose.
We could hold practices at Ammon Rec Center from August 16 to August
27, M-F, for 90 minutes. I think we did this from 11:00 to 12:30 pm in
the past.
I do not know when you are going to close Ammon. But, if you close it
the second week, I'd love to move the practices to Highland Park Pool. (FYI, Ammon closes as do most of the other swim pools as school begins and lifeguards go back to colleges.)
Is that possible? Do you have the hours for the guards?
Last year we had 50 kids playing water polo in The Hill District at
Ammon -- one day. It was great. POSITIVE stuff. Now they want to build
a new Y. Fine. Let's do this as a city thing so folks get into the
hill.
Furthermore, we've got some kids coming to play with us from Shaler.
And, a Pitt player too.
I know this request is late -- but -- I think it is worth it if we can
get a guard to open and get those water polo goals back in the water.
I have the balls, hats, and a number of kids in tow.
Do let me know. If it is out of the question -- let's be sure to make
a plan earlier this year for next year. We ran into the snow emergency
stuff when I wanted to meet with those at City Hall this year.
We should do it again in 2010. We've been playing at Peabody High School. But, that ends in 2 more days. So, it would be great to move outdoors to either Ammon Rec or else Highland Park Pool.
I just sent this to Shelley, the boss of City of Pgh aquatics. I CCed to the Mayor and the Operations Director, Mr. Ashley. Mr. Ashley helped us get this started last summer.
Hi,
The City Swim Meet was fun. Thanks! Good job.
I've struck out in recent months trying to get water polo at Citiparks
in the summer of 2010. Still, I'd love to hold another clinic / set
of practices this summer too. We have been playing at Peabody as I've
been helping with PPS Summer Dreamers Camps for middle school kids in
the afternoons. So, I might be able to get some of those kids into the
fold with a new effort.
Here is what I'd love to propose.
We could hold practices at Ammon Rec Center from August 16 to August
27, M-F, for 90 minutes. I think we did this from 11:00 to 12:30 pm in
the past.
I do not know when you are going to close Ammon. But, if you close it
the second week, I'd love to move the practices to Highland Park Pool. (FYI, Ammon closes as do most of the other swim pools as school begins and lifeguards go back to colleges.)
Is that possible? Do you have the hours for the guards?
Last year we had 50 kids playing water polo in The Hill District at
Ammon -- one day. It was great. POSITIVE stuff. Now they want to build
a new Y. Fine. Let's do this as a city thing so folks get into the
hill.
Furthermore, we've got some kids coming to play with us from Shaler.
And, a Pitt player too.
I know this request is late -- but -- I think it is worth it if we can
get a guard to open and get those water polo goals back in the water.
I have the balls, hats, and a number of kids in tow.
Do let me know. If it is out of the question -- let's be sure to make
a plan earlier this year for next year. We ran into the snow emergency
stuff when I wanted to meet with those at City Hall this year.
New Turf at South Side Cupples Stadium looks to be finished -- sans track
The new grass (artificial turf) at South Side's Cupples Stadium, a PPS facility, seems to be done. However, they are not going to do the track that circles the football field until later. There were some problems and the time to do the track is not present now as football season nears.
The best thing about the field is that it is flat and without a big crown. The soccer players will love it as the past field had a slant so that the balls would roll too fast to the sidelines.
The best thing about the field is that it is flat and without a big crown. The soccer players will love it as the past field had a slant so that the balls would roll too fast to the sidelines.
Crying me a river: Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » All Statewide Minor Party Petitions in Pennsylvania Challenged
Ballot Access News » Blog Archive » All Statewide Minor Party Petitions in Pennsylvania Challenged: "An earlier blog post today said that a challenge had been filed to the statewide petition of the Pennsylvania Green Party. Since then, the Libertarian and Tea Party statewide petitions have also been challenged. See this story.Here is my solution to this mess -- and I've been here and done that dance in the past.
Tolerance for minor party and independent candidate election activity in Pennsylvania has drastically declined during the last 70 years. After 1938, and until 2004, no minor party or independent candidate statewide petition was ever challenged in Pennsylvania. But starting in 2004, such challenges have been filed every even-numbered election year in that state. A challenge to Libertarian Party presidential nominee Bob Barr was defeated in 2008, but challenges succeeded against Ralph Nader in 2004, and the Green Party statewide slate in 2006."
If a challenge knocks the ONLY opponent off of the ballot, then the replace for that candidate is "NONE OF THE ABOVE."
If we had NONE OF THE ABOVE put onto the ballot, either by the force of a knock off or else as an automatic slot in all elections in PA -- then we'd be sure to have some choice and more competition for these elections.
West Mifflin school director cites death threats
West Mifflin school director cites death threats: "In the report, the workers said they made repairs to Dr. Graham's swimming pool and installed a new dishwasher. Later, the workers provided photos of the work alleged to have been done at Dr. Graham's pool."Swimming pools are in the news again. But, not in a good way -- and with mentions of deaths -- and that's never in a good way. But here, it swirls in with ethics. Good golly. The Mon Valley is so special, isn't it.
All Choice Model -- can't happen -- back of the room whispers
At the meeting last night, there were a few board members attending and I had a short, whispered conversation with one from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, Sherry Hazuda. She asked some questions at recent meetings that goes along with my thinking that we should make the move to eliminate all feeder patters in the city for high school students. I want to advocate for an all-choice model.
Seems she heard that an all choice model is 'illegal.' What if the student does not make a choice? That student needs to be assigned to go to some school. That's the reasoning, so it seems.
Say what?
Okay, then. Let's assign all the kids in the city to attend Brashear High School. Then if they do NOT make a choice, they go there. Otherwise, they can make choices and go to CAPA, IB (Obama), Sci Tech, Allderdice, Carrick, Gateway Vo Tech (whatever Oliver is to be called), Single-Gender Westinghouse, U-Prep, Langley, -- etc.
Next objection, anyone????
Seems she heard that an all choice model is 'illegal.' What if the student does not make a choice? That student needs to be assigned to go to some school. That's the reasoning, so it seems.
Say what?
Okay, then. Let's assign all the kids in the city to attend Brashear High School. Then if they do NOT make a choice, they go there. Otherwise, they can make choices and go to CAPA, IB (Obama), Sci Tech, Allderdice, Carrick, Gateway Vo Tech (whatever Oliver is to be called), Single-Gender Westinghouse, U-Prep, Langley, -- etc.
Next objection, anyone????
City schools official makes pitch for single-gender academies
My question at last night's community meeting was hit upon in the discussion and then found its way into the Post-Gazette article today. I posted the question in the past at my blog and elsewhere (see comments).
First of all, my real question that I sent into the PPS site and also at A+ Schools was not asked. Only part of it was asked. And, my follow up question was a question -- based upon what Mr. Lopez said.
Mr. Lopez did do his homework. He knew what was coming, of course. His answer was blended to cover some of the un-asked parts of the question even.
A strange element of the answer he gave was to imply that things would work at Westinghouse with its six basketball teams because the adults involved at Westinghouse would communicate with each other and that those positive results have not unfolded at the other 6-12 school known as Schenley and Obama (both at Reizenstein) because that doesn't happen there.
My jaw dropped.
He also said that when he was in Michigan at a high school with one gym and six basetball teams, he could make the space work. There, at Berkley High School, they had varsity, JV and 9th grade teams for both boys and girls. Well, in Pittsburgh Westinghouse, as well as in Pittsburgh Obama/Schenley (also 6-12), we'll have varsity, JV and MIDDLE-SCHOOL teams. If a middle school program was put into Berkley, that should couldn't work. And, PPS does not do much with 9th grade teams -- and it should. Plus, you don't want to put middle school kids onto the court nor into the locker rooms with the high school kids. A 9th grade team and a JV team are very similar. Not so with a JV team and a MIDDLE-SCHOOL team.
Let's do the math. Even if the boys and girls teams can practice at the same time, with a big gym, then we'd have Varsity at 3 pm to 5 pm, JV at 5 pm to 7 pm and Middle School at 7 pm to 9 pm. Furthermore, I think Westinghouse might be an extended day school. The school day might end at 4:15 or 4:30 pm for others as the students are going to have work placements and job training and internships. So, the practice time of 7 to 9 pm might be welcomed as that might be when they are off of work, have eaten and back to the gym.
Even with 90 minutes per practice on the court, the schedule would be 3 to 4:30 pm, 4:30 to 6 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm. Then there are out of season conditioning times and open gym and such after 7:30 pm.
Then there are games, wrestling matches in the gym, baseball's pitches and catchers, volleyball's pre-season, cheerleader tryouts, etc.
And, this is to be a 'single-gender landscape.' So putting both the boys and girls into the same, but big, divided gym is happening too. Oh well.
Stay tuned for video, later this week, I hope.
City schools official makes pitch for single-gender academies: "Their inquiries about the plan were wide-ranging, addressing everything from the safety of the neighborhoods of the school campuses to how the Westinghouse campus would accommodate all of the boys' and girls' basketball teams with only one gym.Okay, let's take a deep breath and look at what was said in this answer.
'This is not rocket science,' Mr. Lopez said, addressing the latter concern. 'This is about adults talking about a schedule.'"
First of all, my real question that I sent into the PPS site and also at A+ Schools was not asked. Only part of it was asked. And, my follow up question was a question -- based upon what Mr. Lopez said.
Mr. Lopez did do his homework. He knew what was coming, of course. His answer was blended to cover some of the un-asked parts of the question even.
A strange element of the answer he gave was to imply that things would work at Westinghouse with its six basketball teams because the adults involved at Westinghouse would communicate with each other and that those positive results have not unfolded at the other 6-12 school known as Schenley and Obama (both at Reizenstein) because that doesn't happen there.
My jaw dropped.
He also said that when he was in Michigan at a high school with one gym and six basetball teams, he could make the space work. There, at Berkley High School, they had varsity, JV and 9th grade teams for both boys and girls. Well, in Pittsburgh Westinghouse, as well as in Pittsburgh Obama/Schenley (also 6-12), we'll have varsity, JV and MIDDLE-SCHOOL teams. If a middle school program was put into Berkley, that should couldn't work. And, PPS does not do much with 9th grade teams -- and it should. Plus, you don't want to put middle school kids onto the court nor into the locker rooms with the high school kids. A 9th grade team and a JV team are very similar. Not so with a JV team and a MIDDLE-SCHOOL team.
Let's do the math. Even if the boys and girls teams can practice at the same time, with a big gym, then we'd have Varsity at 3 pm to 5 pm, JV at 5 pm to 7 pm and Middle School at 7 pm to 9 pm. Furthermore, I think Westinghouse might be an extended day school. The school day might end at 4:15 or 4:30 pm for others as the students are going to have work placements and job training and internships. So, the practice time of 7 to 9 pm might be welcomed as that might be when they are off of work, have eaten and back to the gym.
Even with 90 minutes per practice on the court, the schedule would be 3 to 4:30 pm, 4:30 to 6 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm. Then there are out of season conditioning times and open gym and such after 7:30 pm.
Then there are games, wrestling matches in the gym, baseball's pitches and catchers, volleyball's pre-season, cheerleader tryouts, etc.
And, this is to be a 'single-gender landscape.' So putting both the boys and girls into the same, but big, divided gym is happening too. Oh well.
Stay tuned for video, later this week, I hope.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Water polo play on August 10, 2010 at Peabody High School
Great day. We had three swimmers join us from Shaler as well as their coach. She had played water polo at Penn State University and has been coaching the kids in long-course swimming.
Max was there too -- as he is trying to stay in shape so he can swim and play polo in college in CT.
Jan had to get out early -- with a leg cramp.
A new swimmer came to practice straight from the Highland Park Pool and the Kingsley Stingrays practice. He is a swimmer, I think, with Allderdice.
We need to get the girls of Schenley to get into the groove.
Our goalies are playing very well. We can't get many balls past them. Keep it up S and C.
We'll play the rest of the week from 10:30 to noon. I have a few other bits of info to gather before we announce when play is going to happen next week. We might be able to play at North Park some time soon as well.
Tomorrow I expect to see Marshall and Grant as well as some others from Shaler.
Some of the footage above is from the ball-handling and shooting drills we did first, before splitting into two teams and playing a game. So that's why the caps are not on all the players in the early photos.
The Information War by Justin Raimondo -- Antiwar.com
The Information War by Justin Raimondo -- Antiwar.com: "The Information War
We're winning – and the War Party is losing…"
'Dogs coach Hill agrees to pay cut, new contract - Fresno State Football - fresnobee.com
'Dogs coach Hill agrees to pay cut, new contract - Fresno State Football - fresnobee.com: "'Dogs coach Hill agrees to pay cut, new contractGo Fresno State!
Says he's trying to help the athletic department, community."
Fw: games of Mt. Lebo
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: leifevans@comcast.net
Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2010 10:13:25 +0000 (UTC)
To: <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
Subject: games
Pittsburgh Friends and Neighbors:
We have around 200 folks for the games so far but we need to fill 300 t-shirts so sign up now or condemn a very nifty t-shirt to the unspeakable limbo of having no-one to get sweaty on...
Larry Evans c 412-445-2951
Mt. Lebanon Village Intergenerational Games
Saturday, August 14, 2010
9am-2pm at Mt. Lebanon Park and Tennis Center
Mt. Lebanon Village (MLV) is a community oriented, non-profit organization established in 2009 to give residents of Mt. Lebanon, age 50 and older, the practical means, confidence and peace of mind to enjoy life while residing in their own place of residence in the environment they value as they grow older, and to serve as a model and mentor to other such villages.
The Mt. Lebanon Village Games present a way to get to know our neighbors, to enjoy a day of playing together and to celebrate our common bonds. The Village Games are designed to bring together old friends and new acquaintances, pairing people of different ages and generations. The idea is to partner adults over 50 with someone under 50. The pairings could be with a son, daughter, grandchild, friend or neighbor – or maybe even some husband and wife teams! You can also come on your own and enjoy the festivities. Partners will spend the day participating together in the activities of their choice. It will be a fun-packed day of gently competitive team sports, individual pursuits and group games, followed by a picnic and prizes. Participants will be given a chance to win prizes for every event in which they partake.
START THE DAY WITH A FUN RUN OR WALK! At 9 a.m. the Village Games will open with a "Chase Your Elders" one mile fun run/walk in Mt. Lebanon Park where older folks start first, followed by a staggered progression by their younger partners so that all may finish at about the same time. A pre-race warm-up, led by fitness instructor Gurney Bolster, will begin at 8:45 a.m. at the Mt. Lebanon School District Entrance on Horsman Drive.
THEN PLAY BALL AND OTHER FUN STUFF! From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Mt. Lebanon Park, choose from a wide variety of friendly coed, intergenerational team sports including volleyball, softball, soccer, basketball, tennis and bocce. Then measure your athletic skills in a 50 yard dash, punt, pass and kick, free throw, target toss, and radar gun stations. There will be old fashioned games like a treasure hunt, relay races, water balloon toss, horseshoes, shuffleboard, hula hoops, scrabble, checkers, and chess. You can also engage in creative activities such as an inter-active story-telling session led by the Wing & a Prayer Pittsburgh Players.
Throughout the day, be prepared to share your favorite Mt. Lebanon memories with a roving MLV volunteer camera crew.
DON'T MISS THE PICNIC! Beginning at noon, enjoy a delicious picnic provided by Pittsburgh Barbecue Company. Come to the Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center Founder's Room and Deck to share great food and listen to live banjo music provided by "The Entertainers". Ted Sohier of WQED will be our MC and prizes will be drawn. (Participants must be present at the picnic to receive prizes.)
BOWLING BONUS! Wear your Games T-shirt and enjoy two free games of bowling (shoes included) at Mount Lebanon Lanes (AMF) on Washington Road between 2-4pm Sunday, August 15th!
REGISTER TO PLAY on line or by mail by August 12th to receive a nifty Mt. Lebanon Village Games T-shirt!
REGISTRATION FEES: Individual (over 50) $15. With Partner (under 50) $25. Family (up to 6 members) $40.
Or Volunteer – students can earn community service hours! – plus get a t-shirt & free lunch!
info@mtlebanonvillage.org or (412) 343-4054 | 710 Washington Rd, Pgh., PA 15228. www.mtlebanonvillage.org
The Mt. Lebanon Village Games Registration Form
Individual (over 50) __________________________________________________________________
Age (as of August 14)_________________Gender_______________ T‐shirt size_________
Address___________________________________________________________Zip_________________
E‐Mail_________________________________________Phone__________________________________
Partner (under 50)____________________________________________________________________
Age (as of August 14)_________________Gender_______________ T‐shirt size_________
Address___________________________________________________________Zip_________________
E‐Mail_________________________________________Phone__________________________________
Additional Immediate or Extended Family Members (indicate pairing, any age mixture is ok)
3.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____
4.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____
5.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____
6.________________________________________________Age______Gender______T‐shirt size_____
Please check below the events in which you & your partner/family wish to participate
OPENING EVENT 9AM
___ Chase Your Elders One Mile Fun Run/Walk (8:45 a.m. group aerobic warm‐up at start line)
Onsite registration and Village Games packet pick‐up begins at 8AM at the Tennis Center Founder's Room off of Cedar Blvd
TEAM SPORTS 10AM – 1PM (select no more than 3 since games are scheduled on hourly intervals)
___ Soccer___ Softball___ Doubles Tennis___ Basketball___ Volleyball___ Doubles Bocce
___ ATHLETIC SKILLS 10AM – 1PM (come when you want)
Includes Free Throws (Basketball), Radar Gun (Softball & Soccer & Football), Target (Softball & Soccer & Football), Punt, Pass and Kick (Football & Soccer) and a 50 Yard Dash
___ OLD FASHIONED GAMES 10AM ‐ 1PM (come when you want)
Includes Relay Races, Treasure Hunt, Horseshoes, Shuffleboard, Water Balloon Toss, Chess, Checkers, Scrabble, Hula Hoops
___ INTERACTIVE STORY TELLING 11AM to Noon (with the Wing and a Prayer Pittsburgh Players)
Upon arrival at the Tennis Center's registration headquarters participants will receive a program mapping out the event locations and an individualized schedule of activities. (The schedule is a guideline (not etched in stone) so you can freely move among the games.)
REGISTRATION FEES: Individual (over 50) $15. With Partner (under 50) $25. Family (up to 6 members) $40.
Send the Registration Form with a check payable to:
Mt. Lebanon Village, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 info: 412‐343‐4054
Larry Evans
417 Kurt Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15243
c412-445-2951
h412-341-1486
f412-571-1647
leifevans@comcast.net
Monday, August 09, 2010
NCAA Market - Job Search - Duquesne University
NCAA Market - Job Search
D.U. has a job opening for an Assistant Athletic Director. Go figure. Last year the Dukes cut men's swimming, men's baseball, men's golf and men's wrestling. Here is a tip. Hire someone who will promise to bring back all the men's teams recently cut.
D.U. has a job opening for an Assistant Athletic Director. Go figure. Last year the Dukes cut men's swimming, men's baseball, men's golf and men's wrestling. Here is a tip. Hire someone who will promise to bring back all the men's teams recently cut.
Fw: New version 5.04 of CmapServer / Nueva versión 5.04 del CmapServer
Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®
From: "Cmap Support" <cmapsupport@ihmc.us>
Date: Mon, 09 Aug 2010 08:32:58 -0500
To: <cmapsupport@ihmc.us>
Subject: New version 5.04 of CmapServer / Nueva versión 5.04 del CmapServer
(Español al final)
Hi,
You are receiving this message because at some point you downloaded or showed interest in the CmapServer program.
We are pleased to inform you that a new version (5.04) of the CmapServer has been released and is available for download.
This new version includes substantial improvements over previous versions.
If you are running an old version of the CmapServer (e.g. v4.18) you are not taking advantages of many of the recent additions to the
program, including thumbnails for Cmaps and resources in the Views window, incremental index submission to the
IndexServer and automatic classification of Cmaps based on the topological taxonomy for better retrieval by the Cmap search at the
Cmappers.net site, and a significant number of bug fixes and performance improvements.
CmapServer v5.04 is available for download at http://cmap.ihmc.us or through the "Check for Updates" program installed with the
CmapServer you are running. V5.04 of the CmapTools client has also been released.
If you have any questions or doubts please go to the CmapForum at http://cmapforum.ihmc.us.
Hi,
You are receiving this message because at some point you downloaded or showed interest in the CmapServer program.
We are pleased to inform you that a new version (5.04) of the CmapServer has been released and is available for download.
This new version includes substantial improvements over previous versions.
If you are running an old version of the CmapServer (e.g. v4.18) you are not taking advantages of many of the recent additions to the
program, including thumbnails for Cmaps and resources in the Views window, incremental index submission to the
IndexServer and automatic classification of Cmaps based on the topological taxonomy for better retrieval by the Cmap search at the
Cmappers.net site, and a significant number of bug fixes and performance improvements.
CmapServer v5.04 is available for download at http://cmap.ihmc.us or through the "Check for Updates" program installed with the
CmapServer you are running. V5.04 of the CmapTools client has also been released.
If you have any questions or doubts please go to the CmapForum at http://cmapforum.ihmc.us.
Sincerely,
CmapSupport
Institute for Human & Machine Cognition
www.ihmc.us
-------
Hola,
Está recibiendo este mensaje porque en algún momento descargó o mostró interés en el programa CmapServer.
Nos complace en informarle que una nueva versión (5.04) del CmapServer has sido liberada y está disponible para ser
descargada. La nueva versión incluye mejoras substanciales sobre las versiones anteriores.
Si está corriendo una versión vieja del CmapServer (e.g. v5.04) no está tomando ventaja de muchas de las mejoras recientes al
programa, incluyendo "thumbnails" para Cmaps y recursos en la ventana de Vistas, envÃo incremental del Ãndice al IndexServer y
clasificación automática de Cmaps basada en la taxonomÃa topológica para mejor recuperación en el buscador de Cmaps en el
sitio Cmappers.net, y un número significativo de correcciones y mejoras en el programa.
El CmapServer v5.04 está disponible para descargarse en http://cmap.ihmc.us o a través del programa "Check for Updates" que se
instaló con el CmapServer que está corriendo. La v5.04 del cliente CmapTools también está disponible.
Si tiene preguntas o dudas vaya al foro CmapForum en http://cmapforum.ihmc.us.
-------
Hola,
Está recibiendo este mensaje porque en algún momento descargó o mostró interés en el programa CmapServer.
Nos complace en informarle que una nueva versión (5.04) del CmapServer has sido liberada y está disponible para ser
descargada. La nueva versión incluye mejoras substanciales sobre las versiones anteriores.
Si está corriendo una versión vieja del CmapServer (e.g. v5.04) no está tomando ventaja de muchas de las mejoras recientes al
programa, incluyendo "thumbnails" para Cmaps y recursos en la ventana de Vistas, envÃo incremental del Ãndice al IndexServer y
clasificación automática de Cmaps basada en la taxonomÃa topológica para mejor recuperación en el buscador de Cmaps en el
sitio Cmappers.net, y un número significativo de correcciones y mejoras en el programa.
El CmapServer v5.04 está disponible para descargarse en http://cmap.ihmc.us o a través del programa "Check for Updates" que se
instaló con el CmapServer que está corriendo. La v5.04 del cliente CmapTools también está disponible.
Si tiene preguntas o dudas vaya al foro CmapForum en http://cmapforum.ihmc.us.
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