Saturday, February 26, 2011
http://www.bravenewfoundation.org/americandream/
Dear Friend, In Wisconsin and around our country, the American Dream is under attack. Instead of creating much needed jobs, Conservatives are giving tax breaks to corporations and the very rich all while cutting funding for education, police, emergency response, and vital human services. This is unacceptable. Wisconsin is proof of what happens when billionaires, like the Koch brothers, are able to buy out democracy for their own gain. This is only the first battle in the right wing's attempts to destroy the American Dream. We must stop it before it spreads to other states. On Saturday, February 26, at noon local time, rallies will be organized in front of every statehouse and in every major city to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. Show Solidarity with Wisconsin! Join the Saturday rally to save the American Dream. Yours, Robert Greenwald and the Brave New Foundation team |
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Thursday, February 24, 2011
Providence city officials’ sudden announcement firing every single Providence teacher
WASHINGTON—Providence city officials’ sudden announcement firing every single Providence teacher—close to 2,000 people—without apparent regard to its effect or even consideration of the teachers’ performance, is shocking. What makes this even more stunning is that the district and the Providence Teachers Union have been working collaboratively on a groundbreaking, nationally recognized school transformation model. A mass firing, announced in the middle of a school year, does not help solve a budget problem—the purported reason—but, rather, disrupts the education of all students and the entire community. The mayor claims he needs flexibility. We looked up “flexibility” in the dictionary, and it does not mean destabilizing education for all students in Providence or taking away workers’ voice or rights.
Mass firings, whether in one school or an entire district, are not fiscally or educationally sound. The mayor and school superintendent owe it to the community and to the students and teachers in Providence to resolve whatever problem they’re dealing with, not by fiat, but by working in a collaborative way. For the past two years, that’s what they have been doing when it comes to work on improving low-performing schools, developing an innovative hiring process and revamping the teacher evaluation system.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
HUNGER IN CLASSROOM
February 22, 2011
‘Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength’s Teachers Report’ Finds
Connecting Kids to Breakfast Is Vital for Academic Achievement
Washington—Two-thirds of teachers across the United States say they have children in their
classrooms who regularly come to school too hungry to learn because they are not getting
enough to eat at home, according to a new national survey released today. More than 60
percent of the teachers surveyed for “Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength’s Teachers
Report” say that the problem has increased in the past year, and many find that breakfast
programs are a key link to students’ ability to succeed academically.
The survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners, contains highlights of a public opinion survey
of 638 kindergarten through eighth-grade public school teachers in urban, suburban and rural
communities nationwide. The study reveals that 65 percent of teachers report that most or a
lot of their students rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. This reliance is
widespread geographically, but particularly strong in urban and rural areas.
More than 40 percent of teachers say they believe it is a serious problem that children are
coming to school hungry because they have not had enough to eat at home. In fact, 61 percent
of teachers purchase food for their classrooms out of their own pockets, spending an average
of $25 a month.
“I’ve had lots of students come to school—not just one or two—who put their heads down and
cry because they haven't eaten since lunch yesterday,” said Stacey Frakes, an elementary
teacher at Greenville Elementary School in Madison County, Fla.
However, teachers agree nearly unanimously (96 percent) that there is a strong connection
between eating a healthy breakfast and a student’s ability to concentrate, behave well and
perform academically.
65 PERCENT OF TEACHERS SEE HUNGER IN CLASSROOM;
PROBLEM HAS INCREASED IN PAST YEAR
Connecting Kids to Breakfast Is Vital for Academic Achievement
Washington—Two-thirds of teachers across the United States say they have children in their
classrooms who regularly come to school too hungry to learn because they are not getting
enough to eat at home, according to a new national survey released today. More than 60
percent of the teachers surveyed for “Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength’s Teachers
Report” say that the problem has increased in the past year, and many find that breakfast
programs are a key link to students’ ability to succeed academically.
The survey, conducted by Lake Research Partners, contains highlights of a public opinion survey
of 638 kindergarten through eighth-grade public school teachers in urban, suburban and rural
communities nationwide. The study reveals that 65 percent of teachers report that most or a
lot of their students rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. This reliance is
widespread geographically, but particularly strong in urban and rural areas.
More than 40 percent of teachers say they believe it is a serious problem that children are
coming to school hungry because they have not had enough to eat at home. In fact, 61 percent
of teachers purchase food for their classrooms out of their own pockets, spending an average
of $25 a month.
“I’ve had lots of students come to school—not just one or two—who put their heads down and
cry because they haven't eaten since lunch yesterday,” said Stacey Frakes, an elementary
teacher at Greenville Elementary School in Madison County, Fla.
However, teachers agree nearly unanimously (96 percent) that there is a strong connection
between eating a healthy breakfast and a student’s ability to concentrate, behave well and
perform academically.
Contact:
Dave Slater 202/649-4332 dslater@strength.org
Theresa Burton 202/478-6522 tburton@strength.org
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
African American Heritage Month 2011
Join I Praetorian Publications as we ( I ) celebrate African American Heritage Month. There are numerous events planned to highlight and celebrate the IE's diversity, to honor our rich African American culture and to highlight the work of artists who keep African American traditions alive and vibrant in our schools and communities.
I Praetorian,et al is having an open invitation Creative Writing Competition; $100 cash prize.
CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
Theme: "The fight for Civil Rights - 1960 to 1968"
Eligibility: Participation requires the creation of an original written work inspired by the contest theme/topic and is open to all youth in grades 6-12 within the greater Inland Empire (Excluding Orange and Los Angeles Counties.)
I Praetorian,et al is having an open invitation Creative Writing Competition; $100 cash prize.
CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION
Theme: "The fight for Civil Rights - 1960 to 1968"
Eligibility: Participation requires the creation of an original written work inspired by the contest theme/topic and is open to all youth in grades 6-12 within the greater Inland Empire (Excluding Orange and Los Angeles Counties.)
Deadline: Entries MUST arrive by Friday, February 25, 2011
Guidelines for Entry:
- Creative writing must be an original work in the form of a poem, story, essay, etc., and not previously published.
- Entry must be TYPED on MS Word Document or on paper, not exceeding one page.
- PDF files also accepted.
- Judging is based on creativity, originality, clarity of the writing, and incorporation of the theme for given age level.
- Adults over 18 and MVUSD Administrators may not participate.
- No purchase necessary since we have nothing to sell. Only one entry per participant.
Participant Must Include (On same page or separately):
- Grade Level
- Participant's full name
- Participant's home mailing address
- Participant's home or mobile phone number & email address
- School or Organization's name & address
- Teacher's full name, telephone number & e-mail
- Title of entry
To learn more about the contest and where to submit your entries, please call Your School District's PR Director or submit entries by email to catdanc@hotmail.com. Win or not entries will NOT be returned.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
The William Grant Still Arts Center commemorates the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day with doll and quilt workshops, HIV/AIDS education and information, and a mobile (anonymous) HIV testing unit outside of the facility.
Saturday, February 5
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
William Grant Still Arts Center
2520 S. West View St., Los Angeles
(323) 847-1540
19th Annual Pan African Film & Arts Festival
America's largest black film festival showcasing over 150 new films from Africa, the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, the South Pacific, South America and Canada. This event also features 100 black fine artists and craftspeople from the world over, poetry, fashion shows, free forums and panels.
Wednesday - Monday, February 16 - 21
Various times
Magic Johnson Theaters at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza
3650 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Los Angeles
(323) 295-1706
African American Heritage Celebration
This celebration includes poetry, storytelling, live gospel, jazz and blues. African artifacts for sale such as kente cloth, mud cloth, soapstone, handmade masks and tribal earrings add an authentic flavor to the event.
Friday, February 18
2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Angelus Plaza
255 S. Hill St., Downtown Los Angeles (4th Floor Auditorium)
(213) 623-4352
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
16-year-old Riverside girl reported missing
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Mary Jan Gieling, 16, of Riverside was reported missing Friday, Feb. 4, 2011. (KABC Photo)
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- A search is under way for a 16-year-old teenager who was reported missing by family members in Riverside.
Mary Jan Gieling was last seen on Friday at about 1 p.m. at her school wearing blue jeans and a black sweater. Her family has not heard from her since then.
Gieling's relatives said they did not notice any unusual behaviors or arguments before the teen's disappearance. They believe she may have been in contact with a male for several weeks, but they don't know who he is.
If you have any information regarding Gieling's whereabouts, you're urged to contact Riverside police at (951) 353-7107.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Why does an L.A. T.V. station cover local schools and kids better than our own newspaper?
More: Bio, E-mail, Recent Stories, News Team
NORCO, Calif. (KABC) -- School officials in Norco have a real dilemma: A popular teacher was allegedly threatened by a special-needs student there. Students at John F. Kennedy Middle College High School held a rally and protest march Thursday morning. They want their teacher back.
For the past 54 school days, a substitute teacher has been teaching Heather Ellis's 11th-grade English class. Ellis's students say it's unfair, and it's time for their teacher to return to the classroom.
At least 150 students packed the Corona-Norco Unified School District parking lot after walking out of John F. Kennedy Middle College High School Thursday morning.
Their demand was simple: Bring back beloved junior English teacher Mrs. Heather Ellis.
"We are protesting because a teacher was harassed and threatened and nothing was done about it," said Avery Smith, a senior at the school.
Students marched a mile to the district office in protest over a death threat their teacher allegedly received in October.
Students say the classmate who sent the threat was suspended for seven days but the teacher, fearing for her safety, has not returned to the classroom.
District Assistant Superintendent Thomas Pike says he cannot discuss the incident because of privacy issues.
"With respect to specific incidences, we take that very seriously, we look at it very closely," said Pike.
Oscar Ruiz's daughter attends the high school. He came out to the demonstration with a few of his own questions for the school's principal.
"What is he doing to protect my daughter and all the kids? What is he doing to protect the teachers from kids that are not fit to be in school? And if he needs help, send him to get some help," said Ruiz.
Students say the district is not following its own policies when it comes to protecting their campus because they say the student in question has mental health issues.
During a two-hour meeting students broke up into groups with school administrators to voice their concern and to demand action.
"Our parents always tell us follow the rules and do what's right -- well, they are not following the rules or doing what's right," said Avery Smith.
"I feel like we got our message across and now they understand what we want, but for the most part they avoided most of our questions," said senior Ammon Cruz.
Ellis was reached by phone Thursday. She said she could not comment on the incident that took place, she said that she was deeply moved by the support that students are showing.
A school board meeting scheduled for Tuesday is expected to be jam-packed with students, parents and teachers voicing their concern over this incident
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Our Collective Denial: What the Tucson Shooting Says About America
Our Country is 236 years old. Of those 236 years we have been in a war of one kind or another or some kind of military action for a total of 165 years and still counting.
In case you think my count is off here is the history:
War of Independence 1775-1783
Northwest Indian War 1785-1795
Quasi-War 1798-1800
Barbary Wars 1801-1815
War of 1812 1812-1815
1st Seminole War 1817-1818
2nd Seminole War 1835-1842
Mexican-American War 1846-1848
3rd Seminole War 1855-1858
Civil War 1861-1865
Indian Wars 1865-1898
Spanish-American War 1898
Philippine War 1898-1902
Boxer Rebellion 1900-1901
Mexican Revolution 1914-1919
Haiti Occupation 1915-1934
World War 1 1917-1918
World War 2 1941-1945
Korean War 1950-1953
Vietnam War 1964-1973
El Salvador 1980-1992
Beirut 1982-1984
Persian Gulf "Support" 1987-1988
Invasion of Grenada 1983
Invasion of Panama 1989
Persian Gulf War 1991
Somalia 1992-1993
Bosnia 1995
Afghanistan 2002-2011
Iraq 2003-2011
1, 317, 348 Americans have died in these 30 conflicts. I could not find reliable figures for the number of people who were causalities at our hands, but suffice it to say I am sure it is far greater than 1.3 million.
Just since 1976 the United States have executed 3, 260 of its citizens.
Killing people seems to be what we do best. We glorify killing, we put it up in the bright lights of Hollywood, we sprinkle it all through our theology and we justify it as “free speech”. We call a movie with two people “making love” porn and call it immoral. We make movies showing people being blown to bits and we give them Academy Awards.
So has our political speech become so violent as to have played a part in what happen in Tucson last week? I think if one reads the list the answer is clearly NO. It is simply who we are as a society.
So there is the truth in black and white for all to see. Say what you will, but we are far better at just eliminating those who disagree with us rather than finding a way to live together in our diversity.
However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t time to take a second look at how we talk, how we think, how we live and how we relate to others.
Mr. Ira Leonard is a professor of history at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Ct. and in an essay entitled; “Are We a Peace-Loving Country or a Violent One?” sums it up rather accurately when he writes:
"The reality is that war -- whether on a large or small scale -- and domestic violence have been ever-present features of American life and culture from this country's earliest days almost 400 years ago, though this is not taught in American schools and textbooks. Violence, in varying forms, according to the leading historian of the subject, Richard Maxwell Brown, 'has accompanied virtually every stage and aspect of our national experience,' and is 'part of our unacknowledged (underground) value structure.' Indeed, 'repeated episodes of violence going far back into our colonial past have imprinted upon our citizens a propensity to violence.'"
"Thus, America demonstrated a national predilection for war and domestic violence long before the 9/11 attacks, but its leaders and intellectuals through most of the last century cultivated the national self-image, a myth, of America as a moral, "peace-loving" nation which the American population seems unquestioningly to have embraced.
"Despite the national, peace-loving self-image, American patriotism has usually been expressed in military and even militaristic terms. No less than seven presidents owed their election chiefly to their military careers (George Washington, 1789, Andrew Jackson, 1828, William Henry Harrison, 1840, Zachary Taylor, 1848, Ulysses S. Grant, 1868, Theodore Roosevelt, 1898, and Dwight David Eisenhower, 1952) while others, Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, for example, capitalized upon their military records to become presidents, and countless others at both federal and state levels made a great deal of their war or military records.”
How sad is that we have become so accustom to violence it only shocks us occasionally.
What is really sad about all this is it does not account for all the murders committed in this country. It does not account for all the people who die way to early because of a lack of medical care, lack of mental health services, safe housing or enough proper food to eat.
It does not account for the countless number of people who are beaten to within an inch of their lives or killed because of the color of their skin, religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any one that does not fit those in power belief system.
My friends, read those numbers again; try to wrap your mind around the fact that we live in a world that is far more interested and invested in killing you. We say we honor life but when given the opportunity to do that, we miss the mark not just a little but by a lot
"The reality is that war -- whether on a large or small scale -- and domestic violence have been ever-present features of American life and culture from this country's earliest days almost 400 years ago, though this is not taught in American schools and textbooks. Violence, in varying forms, according to the leading historian of the subject, Richard Maxwell Brown, 'has accompanied virtually every stage and aspect of our national experience,' and is 'part of our unacknowledged (underground) value structure.' Indeed, 'repeated episodes of violence going far back into our colonial past have imprinted upon our citizens a propensity to violence.'"
"Thus, America demonstrated a national predilection for war and domestic violence long before the 9/11 attacks, but its leaders and intellectuals through most of the last century cultivated the national self-image, a myth, of America as a moral, "peace-loving" nation which the American population seems unquestioningly to have embraced.
"Despite the national, peace-loving self-image, American patriotism has usually been expressed in military and even militaristic terms. No less than seven presidents owed their election chiefly to their military careers (George Washington, 1789, Andrew Jackson, 1828, William Henry Harrison, 1840, Zachary Taylor, 1848, Ulysses S. Grant, 1868, Theodore Roosevelt, 1898, and Dwight David Eisenhower, 1952) while others, Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy, for example, capitalized upon their military records to become presidents, and countless others at both federal and state levels made a great deal of their war or military records.”
How sad is that we have become so accustom to violence it only shocks us occasionally.
What is really sad about all this is it does not account for all the murders committed in this country. It does not account for all the people who die way to early because of a lack of medical care, lack of mental health services, safe housing or enough proper food to eat.
It does not account for the countless number of people who are beaten to within an inch of their lives or killed because of the color of their skin, religious beliefs, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any one that does not fit those in power belief system.
My friends, read those numbers again; try to wrap your mind around the fact that we live in a world that is far more interested and invested in killing you. We say we honor life but when given the opportunity to do that, we miss the mark not just a little but by a lot
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Howard Thurman
When we face challenges that seem too daunting to overcome, where can we find the strength to carry on? There is an inexhaustible wellspring of energy available to us in the moments of quiet stillness when we become aware of the Divine.
Howard Thurman
Howard Thurman
When we face challenges that seem too daunting to overcome, where can we find the strength to carry on? There is an inexhaustible wellspring of energy available to us in the moments of quiet stillness when we become aware of the Divine.
Howard Thurman
Howard Thurman
When we face challenges that seem too daunting to overcome, where can we find the strength to carry on? There is an inexhaustible wellspring of energy available to us in the moments of quiet stillness when we become aware of the Divine.
Howard Thurman
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
LA TV station cover IE school news than the Riverside PE
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Saturday, January 1, 2011
Saturday, December 25, 2010
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The Art of SETTING LIMITS, Its not as easy as it looks.
Art of Setting Limits Setting limits is one of the most powerful tools that professionals have to promote positive behavior change for their clients, students, residents, patients, etc. Knowing there are limits on their behavior helps the individuals in your charge to feel safe. It also helps them learn to make appropriate choices.
There are many ways to go about setting limits, but staff members who use these techniques must keep three things in mind:
Setting a limit is not the same as issuing an ultimatum.
Limits aren’t threats—If you don’t attend group, your weekend privileges will be suspended.
Limits offer choices with consequences—If you attend group and follow the other steps in your plan, you’ll be able to attend all of the special activities this weekend. If you don’t attend group, then you’ll have to stay behind. It’s your decision.
The purpose of limits is to teach, not to punish.
Through limits, people begin to understand that their actions, positive or negative, result in predictable consequences. By giving such choices and consequences, staff members provide a structure for good decision making.
Setting limits is more about listening than talking.
Taking the time to really listen to those in your charge will help you better understand their thoughts and feelings. By listening, you will learn more about what’s important to them, and that will help you set more meaningful limits.
Download The Art of Setting Limits
SYSTEMATIC USE OF CHILD LABOR
CHILD DOMESTIC HELP
by Amanda Kloer
Published February 21, 2010 @ 09:00AM PT
category: Child Labor
Wanted: Domestic worker. Must be willing to cook, clean, work with garbage, and do all other chores as assigned. No contract available, payment based on employer's mood or current financial situation. No days off. Violence, rape, and sexual harassment may be part of the job.
Would you take that job? No way. But for thousands of child domestic workers in Indonesia, this ad doesn't just describe their job, it describes their life.
A recent CARE International survey of over 200 child domestic workers in Indonesia found that 90% of them didn't have a contract with their employer, and thus no way to legally guarantee them a fair wage (or any wage at all) for their work. 65% of them had never had a day off in their whole employment, and 12% had experienced violence. Child domestic workers remain one of the most vulnerable populations to human trafficking and exploitation. And while work and life may look a little grim for the kids who answered CARE's survey, it's likely that the most abused and exploited domestic workers didn't even have the opportunity to take the survey.
In part, child domestic workers have it so much harder than adults because the people who hire children are more likely looking for someone easy to exploit. Think about it -- if you wanted to hire a domestic worker, wouldn't you choose an adult with a stronger body and more life experience to lift and haul and cook than a kid? If you could get them both for the same price, of course you would. But what if the kid was cheaper, free even, because you knew she wouldn't try and leave if you stopped paying her. Or even if you threatened her with death.
Congress Aims to Improve Laws for Runaway, Prostituted Kids
by Amanda Kloercategories: Child Prostitution, Pimping
Published February 20, 2010 @ 09:00AM PT
The prospects for healthcare reform may be chillier than DC weather, but Democrats in the House and Senate are turning their attention to another warmer but still significant national issue: the increasing number of runaway and throwaway youth who are being forced into prostitution. In response to the growing concerns that desperate, runaway teens will be forced into prostitution in a sluggish economy, Congress is pushing several bills to improve how runaway kids are tracked by the police, fund crucial social services, and prevent teens from being caught in sex trafficking. Here's the gist of what the new legislation is trying to accomplish:Shelter: Lack of shelter is one of the biggest vulnerabilities of runaway and homeless youth. Pimps will often use an offer of shelter as an entree to a relationship with a child or a straight up trade for sex. In the past couple years, at least 10 states have made legislative efforts to increase the number of shelters, extend shelter options, and change state reporting requirements so that youth shelters have enough time to win trust and provide services before they need to report the runaways to the police. Much of the new federal legislation would make similar increases in the availability and flexibility of shelter options.
Police Reporting: Right now, police are supposed to enter all missing persons into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database within two hours of receiving the case. In reality, that reporting doesn't always get done, making it almost impossible for law enforcement to search for missing kids across districts. This hole is a big problem in finding child prostitution victims and their pimps, since pimps will often transport girls from state to state. The new bill would strengthen reporting requirements, as well as facilitate communication between the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the National Runaway Switchboard
We Must Never Forget These Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and Women
Nor the Fool Politicians that used so many American GIs' lives as fodder for the fight over an english noun - "Communism"