My latest rant in the comments at PureReform

The education blog, PureReform, has a focus on Pittsburgh Public Schools and a thread developed. I put in my two cents.

I think that the board does hold the keys to hiring and firing the superintendent. That was the question and the first reply at the top is accurate.

I also think that board presidents have more power than other board members. Squeaky wheels, no big deal.

Sure, parents have power. Most deploy that and move out of PPS, to the burbs, to private / Catholic schools or to charter schools. Some may stay and rely upon tutors and enrichment in other avenues.

Year-after-year the city's population churns and those with kids flee. That's the year-after-year story. PPS shrinks greatly every year because many parents who have the power opt to put their kids elsewhere.

Those without kids care far less than those who do raise their children here. Fact of life. Bill Peduto and Michael Lamb and Jim Ferlo and a host of yuppies living in apartments in South Side Works care a tiny bit....

Meanwhile, those who do have kids are often so close to the action that the selfish streak is going to come out first. There is forest, trees and momma bear in the woods, if you know what I mean.

IMNSHO, the next revolution -- or more to the point -- the next revolution that will gain some system-wide changes and be noted in history as a game-changer is NOT about taking down or taking out people with power, captains on a sinking ship.

Be careful for what you wish for in terms of changing principals and such. Once upon a time the people of Poland could turn to their hopes to the east and see Stalin and then to the west and see Hitler. Today's (and for generations I guess) the middle east is a quagmire with ISIS, Syria, Iraq, Iran, etc., etc. Friends are not generally found with the enemy of an enemy. We're learning that lesson, right?

The next revolution that is going to work is going to be one that HELPS THE KIDS. This is something that we can all get behind, even those YUPPIES that use the bike lanes that Peduto is happy to build and boast about. A new venture that greatly helps the educational options and outcomes with a lot of kids is going to get many people excited and make a serious impact.

That's the ticket.

I'm not inclined to pitch a protest and rail against any figure-head and repeat the mistakes of the past.

I have serious doubts that Dr. Lane's replacement would be any better than what we've already got and that is not saying much.

Body Fat 23.7 and 43 pounds of fat -- as per the Great Race Expo visit

Got my body fat examined by Allegheny Health Network at the Great Race Expo, Sept 27, 2014.

Had 23.7 percent body fat.

I had 43 pounds of fat.

This was with a hand held device.

I think my weight with clothing on was 209 or so.

Fwd: Colorado Gubernatorial Candidates Stand United for Open Debates on Sept. 30

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Free & Equal <info@freeandequal.org>
Date: Thursday, September 25, 2014
Subject: Colorado Gubernatorial Candidates Stand United for Open Debates on Sept. 30
To: mark <mark@rauterkus.com>

Please add info@freeandequal.org to your address book to avoid spam filters. View this email in your browser Dear Supporters, A press conference will be held on September 30th, 2014 at 10AM MT in Infinity Park Plaza in Glendale, CO, with Colorado Gubernatorial candidates Mike Dunafon (independent), Marcus Giavanni (independent write-in), Harry Hempy (Green), and Matthew Hess (Libertarian). The candidates will be coming together in unity to discuss the need for inclusive and open political debates, with all ballot qualified candidates, for all elections. Other speakers include attorney Rob Corry of Club 64, Free & Equal Elections Foundation chair Christina Tobin, Titus Peterson of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Bruce Baumann of We Are Change Colorado, and more. Free & Equal Elections is hosting an Open Gubernatorial Debate at Infinity Park International Ballroom on October 8th at 7PM MT and has invited all ballot-qualified candidates, leading by example so that all debates nationwide will include all voices and choices to restore power back to the individual voter. Tickets will be going on sale soon and are limited to 400 seats! The debate is co-hosted by the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by Rock the Vote, Mint Press News, HeadCount, Marley Coffee, Free Speech TV, Corry & Associates, Ballot Access News, We Are Change Colorado, Club 64, The Founding Family, March Against Monsanto, Hearthstone Winery, Juice Rap News, Progressive Women of Colorado, Next News Network, Green Shadow Cabinet, The Tony Stiles Show, FairVote, The Collective 360, Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle, The Anti-Media, and Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. Free samples of Nature's Path Foods Inc. organic granola bars will be distributed at the debate. Confirmed candidates include: Mike Dunafon (independent), Marcus Giavanni (independent write-in), Harry Hempy (Green), and Matthew Hess (Libertarian). Free & Equal has invited the rest of all the ballot-qualified candidates to participate in this historic event: Bob Beauprez (Republican), Paul Noel Fiorino (independent), and incumbent Gov. John Hickenlooper (Democrat). Please support our efforts by becoming a member of Free & Equal. Free & Equal will stream the debate live, for free, online at FreeAndEqual.org and will allow any news network to simulcast the raw feed at their TV or radio outlet. The Infinity Park International Ballroom is limited to the press and around 500 general admission attendees. Supporters from around the country have reached out to Free & Equal to host debates in their districts. Free & Equal plans on hosting several online debates broadcasted via live YouTube/Google Hangouts. Potential debates include the states of California, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and West Virginia. Jeff Allen, the Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Glendale Chamber of Commerce, stated, "Everyone says they want more choices rather than just the two party candidates, but the major parties make it so that no one else gets any publicity and they work to exclude anyone else in the debates," in an article the Glendale Cherry Creek Chronicle recently wrote about Free & Equal hosting an open debate for Governor of Colorado on the front page of one of their latest issues. Open and inclusive public debates are crucial for the political health of our nation. Click here to donate to Free & Equal's efforts to open the debates. Open debates help educate the general public about the issues that status quo candidates are unwilling to address: electoral reform, money in politics, PATRIOT Act, cannabis & drug policy reform, the militarization of police, NDAA, labeling of GMOs, the illegitimacy of the Federal Reserve, prison system, NSA surveillance, and the military industrial complex. Free and Equal hosted the 2012 Third Party Presidential Debate moderated by broadcast legend Larry King, which aired live on C-SPAN, Al Jazeera, The Free & Equal Network, Link TV, and RT America, whose channels were available to broadcast in 1.1 billion households in total worldwide. The event was top ten trending on Twitter. In solidarity, The Free & Equal Team Facebook Twitter FE Home UWSF Home YouTube Pinterest Google Plus Free & Equal Elections Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization, whose mission is to shift the power back to the individual voter through education. Copyright © 2014 The Free & Equal Elections Foundation, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

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Ta.


Mark Rauterkus       Mark.Rauterkus@gmail.com
Swimming and Water Polo Coach, Schenley High School, Pittsburgh, PA
http://CLOH.wikia.com
412 298 3432 = cell

Mindfullness

Nice into video, 14-minutes long.

Top flight science teacher needed in Pittsburgh to fix a big weakness

http://www.topschooljobs.org/jobseekerx/viewjobrss.asp?cjid=93523&accountno=102416&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

Can't wait to see this movie: The Rise and Rise of Bitcoin

City Paper covering PPS education

http://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/gaining-steam-parents-teachers-pushing-for-new-curriculum-at-citys-woolslair-school/Content?oid=1778745

People are not going to move to this school from outside the city. However, people in the city might stay longer if it was in the mix. Of course some kids are going to move from school to school. So what. That's fine. That isn't the problem. Moving out of the city is the big problem and Dr. Lane might not see that.

Fwd: water polo request

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dan Sharadin <commissioner@collegiatewaterpolo.org>

Collegiate Water Polo Association

320 West 5^th Street Bridgeport, PA 19405  (610) 277-6787   Fax: 7382   commissioner@collegiatewaterpolo.org       www.collegiatewaterpolo.org

 

Date:   September 15, 2014

To:       CWPA Membership

From:   Daniel Sharadin, Commissioner

 

Team Leader,

 

It is not often I write a letter like this, but I would like to bring to your attention an opportunity to help recognize a former CWPA water polo player.

 

The Army Water Polo Club is attempting to get their pool named after John Hallett, a former water polo player at the academy that was killed in Afghanistan a few years ago when his vehicle contacted an IED. He was on his way to help a village deal with their cholera outbreak.

 

I met John during his first year at West Point when he contacted me about getting the team active once again. I was incredibly impressed with his leadership and organizational skills and with minor assistance, watched him move the club from inactivity to a competitive team. During this process he had to overcome some significant challenges, not the least of which is Army bureaucracy and his own military schedule. West Point is not your typical college environment.

 

John not only prevailed, he helped establish the team financially into the future and made them a contender to win their division before graduating. He was a perfect example of the type of individual the Academy desires, one who will see a challenge and in spite of the obstacles, figure out a solution and succeed.

 

When I hear of the loss of an athlete in the water polo community, it always saddens me. In John's case it comes much closer to home as I knew him and his family personally. I believe the sacrifice he gave for his country and the effort he gave to our sport and conference deserve some recognition and I'd love to see this happen.

 

If you agree, click on the link below and sign the petition. Likewise, feel free to forward it to others that might feel the same.

 

https://www.change.org/p/the-west-point-museum-historic-memorialization-committee-rename-the-intramural-pool-the-im-pool-at-west-point-rename-it-hallett-pool?recruiter=146139695&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition

 

College Water Polo Results this past weekend

Saturday, September 13, 2014
2:20	Penn State University	vs.	Carnegie Mellon University		13-10
3:30	Bucknell University	vs.	Grove City College		20-13
4:40	Bloomsburg University	vs.	Penn State University		10-18
5:50	Grove City College	vs.	University of Pittsburgh		9-18
7:00	Bucknell University	vs.	Carnegie Mellon University		11-15
8:10	Penn State University	vs.	University of Pittsburgh		12-6
9:20	Carnegie Mellon University	vs.	Grove City College		17-3
Sunday, September 14, 2014
9:00	Bloomsburg University	vs.	University of Pittsburgh		12-13
10:10	Penn State University	vs.	Bucknell University		13-9
11:30	Carnegie Mellon University	vs.	University of Pittsburgh		13-12
12:40	Bloomsburg University	vs.	Bucknell University		2-19

Fwd: Tonight! Philharmonic plays Ravel, Sibelius, and more

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Carnegie Mellon School of Music" <music-communications@andrew.cmu.edu>
Date: Sep 14, 2014 3:00 PM
Subject: Tonight! Philharmonic plays Ravel, Sibelius, and more
To: <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic Andrés Cárdenes, Artistic Director Tonight, Andrés Cárdenes and the Carnegie Mellon University Philharmonic will open the 2014-15 season featuring Joshua Burca on Jean Sibelius's Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47. Also on the program will be Maurice Ravel's Alborada del gracioso, Veljo Tormis' Overture No. 2, and selections from Sergei Prokofiev's orchestral suites No. I & II from Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64. ADDITIONAL INFO: Preview Party - Come early (6:30 pm) and enjoy a variety of educationally interactive opportunities to enhance your concert experience Tweet Seats - During the concert participate in an online discussion about the performance Webcast - If you can't join us in person, join us online! Andrés Cárdenes, conductor Joshua Burca, violin Sunday, September 14 at 7:30 pm Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland $5 General Admission. CMU & Pitt faculty, staff, and students get in free at the door with ID as well as K-12 students.    follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend Carnegie Mellon School of Music 5000 Forbes Avenue | Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890 music.cmu.edu © 2014 All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, attended an event, and/or requested information about the School of Music.  unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

Fwd: To my friends and colleagues

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Judith A. Rubin, PhD, ATR-BC" <jrubin@expressivemedia.org>
Date: Sep 11, 2014 3:15 PM
Subject: To my friends and colleagues
To: "Mark Rauterkus" <mark.rauterkus@gmail.com>
Cc:

    

September 11, 2014 Dear Friends & Colleagues,  I'm writing now to let you know about an exciting educational event in NYC that will be held November 6-9, 2014. It's the 4-day Expressive Therapies Summit, now in its fifth year. Along with our teaching films, the Summit helps Expressive Media to achieve its mission of promoting the power of the arts in healing. For more information, please visit the Summit site at www.summit.expressivemedia.org.   This year we're offering over 140 presentations, including workshops and courses in all of the creative arts therapies as well as several related disciplines. They include: symposia on play and the arts in the treatment of traumatized children, expressive therapy approaches to work with persons affected by autism and learning disabilities, and ways of using the power of storytelling in therapy. In addition, there are training tracks on Archetypal approaches to the arts in therapy, the treatment of eating disorders, and art studio skills for therapists. Even if you can't join us there, please let your friends and colleagues know about the Summit by posting one of our many special topic digital flyers on social media.  We are also delighted to announce that DVDs of our latest film, "Lessons from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," will be available for purchase at this year's Summit.  To see clips or order our other films, visit our site by clicking here. Hope to see you in New York City! Judy Rubin, PhD, ATR-BC, HLM Co-founder, Expressive Media

 
 
 

If you do not want to receive future emails from Expressive Therapies Summit 2014, or Expressive Media, click Opt-Out.

Fwd: NO DEAL HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BY THE HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Hill District Consensus Group" <hdcg@wildapricot.org>
Date: Sep 9, 2014 11:50 AM
Subject: NO DEAL HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BY THE HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY!
To: "Mark Rauterkus" <mark@rauterkus.com>
Cc:

BACK ROOM DEAL HAS NOT BEEN SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY. NO DEAL! NO DEAL HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BY THE HILL DISTRICT COMMUNITY Tuesday, September 9, 2014 Dear Hill District Community & Stakeholders, There is an urgency by the Democratic Party elected officials to make a deal now. Why? Because a federal transportation grant that will bring $21 million more subsidy to the Penguins is soon to be decided. It is a very competitive grant. The deal has not been shared with the community. Bottom line. The Penguins should follow the community plan or they should not be supported. Any deals must be included in the lower Hill District Zoning text. In fact. It's time to renegotiate the agreement between the Penguins and the Public (City and County) regarding the Lower Hill Parking Lots. The current no-bid deal locked out all competition for Lower Hill development because of the friendship between the owner(s) of the Penguins and the Governor. The Penguins have refused to support the Hill District Community Plan and community benefits. 1. It is time to take back the gift of public land and parking revenue. Put the parking lots which are owned by the public (through the SEA and the URA) under public control. All parking revenue should be used for public purposes instead of providing more profit for the owners of the Penguins. The parking could be managed by the Pittsburgh Parking Authority or bids could be requested for an operator for all Lower Hill Parking lots. The Penguins Parking Company should be allowed to bid as well. This is a way to maximize public and community benefit from this public resource. The Penguins have refused to support the Hill District Community Plan and community benefits. 2. It is also time to request open competitive bids for the development of the Lower Hill District. Many developers would be interested in the opportunity to develop the Lower Hill but they were not allowed to participate. There was no open process. Previous administrations made a back room deal in a Philadelphia hotel room to not only build the new arena for the Penguins but they also gave them parking revenue and development rights for the parking lots. This is another way to maximize public and community benefit from this public resource.     Carl Redwood, Jr. Chair, Hill District Consensus Group 412-697-4692   BACK ROOM DEAL HAS NOT BEEN SHARED WITH COMMUNITY. NO DEAL! Copyright © 2014 Hill District Consensus Group. All rights reserved. Contact email: info@hdcg.org Unsubscribe

Fwd: 18th year for PGH Scholastic Disc Golf Series tees off this Sat. 9/13

---------- Forwarded message From: J. Gary Dropcho

Hi Disc Golfers,

The flyer (click that link to a PDF) has all the info about how you can win a disc golf package, including baskets, discs and a curriculum for your phys. ed teachers, in this year's disc golf series for kids.

The series starts at 1 pm this Saturday Sept. 13, 2014, with a putting and driving clinic followed by an afternoon round at Deer Lakes from the Red tees.  Register at the Blue Gill pavilion between holes 7/9.

Events 2-5 are at Phillips Park on 9/21, Schenley Park on 10/5, Two Mile Run Extension on 10/19 and the Finals at Knob Hill on Sat. Nov. 1.

Each $12 entry fee includes a golf disc.  Every series participant gets a disc golf shirt, and prizes are awarded each week and at the end of the series with an emphasis on "The Most Fun Wins"!

See you on the course!

J. Gary Dropcho

Course Superintendent

Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society

coursesuper@pfds.org

www.pfds.org

724-766-6121

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20140909141109/aforathlete/images/8/84/PSDGS_Flyer14.pdf