Tag Archives: Society

Finally it is Teacher Appreciation Week

“Teacher appreciation makes the world of education go around.” Helen Peters. Whether you are 8 or 18 years old, you live in South Korea or in Sweden, you are black or you are white. Everyone around the world has at least one teacher who has inspired them and motivated them to keep on going and never give up. The only thing we can give back is showing our appreciation for their work and effort. This appreciation makes teachers aware of what their efforts mean to us and keeps them doing the great things they do. Students from different country celebrate this in their own way, with their own and unique habits and on different dates.

Finally it is Teacher Appreciation Week

Today starts the week during which students of the US can express their gratefulness for what their teachers have taught them. Today starts the week where for once the teachers don’t give, but the students do. Today starts the week that entire classes work together to surprise their teachers. Today starts the week that makes teachers feel good about what they do. Today starts the week that makes the world of education go around. Today starts Teacher Appreciation Week.

Until May 7th, teachers will walk out of their homes with an even bigger smile on their face than usual. Because they now that this is the week that they get recognition for all the effort they put into this job. “Teachers appreciate being appreciated, for teacher appreciation is their highest award.” - William Prince. They work so hard by teaching us how to write, read and count. They treat us as their own children and from today on, we can show them that we treat them as our second parents. Although we give them headaches and make them upset all the time, there is one week to make it all up and make sure that they don’t forget why they do so much for us.

During this week and especially on Tuesday, everyone does their best to be as creative as possible and surprise their teachers with the most amazing and original ideas. On teacher appreciation info you can find a lot of initiatives that were done in the past and different tips. One tip is to keep in mind which teachers you are surprising. Try to know as much as possible about them and use this to create a present. In this way, your present means much more to those particular teachers and gets a personal touch. Your teachers are happy and so are you, because for once, you managed to give them something that means a lot and not the other way around.

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Ras And Bev Robinson And Vance Russell Announce Austin-Area Book Signings

Readers in the Austin area have an early holiday treat coming to them with the announcement of book signing events by the well known Christian authors Ras Robinson and Vance Russell on November 14th, 15th, and 16th. The two are traveling the area together, promoting their new books “Convergence” written by Ras Robinson with his wife Bev Robinson and “Victory at the Gates” by Vance Russell. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Robinson and Russell, purchase their new works and have their copies autographed at these events which are generating a lot of interest in the area.

Bev and Ras Robinson’s “Convergence” examines the Scriptures in the light of modern scientific knowledge, particularly quantum physics and chemistry, providing a fascinating look at the place faith plays in the lives of people in our modern age. Bev Robinson’s scientific background (she holds degrees in chemistry and microbiology), Ras Robinson’s experience in pastorship (he was the founding pastor of Fort Worth’s Fullness in Christ Church) and the couple’s shared commitment to their faith inform this work, one which many readers throughout the Austin area will be hoping to receive as a gift this Christmas season.

Vance Russell is well known as the founder of Arise Christian Fellowship, with ministries located in Austin and San Antonio, Texas. His new book “Victory at the Gates” follows the philosophy that Russell has always espoused; establishing a personal relationship with God which allows for spiritual growth in integration with the personal goals of every person of faith. Examining a variety of topics and providing an entirely new insight into the Scriptures, “Victory at the Gates” is a book that anyone with even a casual interest in Christianity will not want to miss.

The four Austin area book signing events where Ras and Bev Robinson and Vance Russell will appear are as follows:

Saturday, November 14th, 2 PM – 5 PM‚ Mardel Christian Book Store‚ Cedar Park (Austin)‚ 1501 E Whitestone Blvd Bldg F‚ Cedar Park, TX 78613

Saturday, November 14th, 6 PM‚ Home of Kenn and Michele Renner‚ (Book Signing and Ministry)‚ Lakewind Estates‚ (Next to Green Light House on Highway 620 by Lake Travis Dam)‚ 4311 Rum Runner Rd.‚ Austin, TX 78734‚ Phone:512-423-5626‚ (Call for Gate Code)

Sunday, November 15th‚ 11:00 AM, Morning Service‚ (Ras and Bev Robinson will be sharing)‚ Book signing to follow (approx. 1:30PM)‚ Arise Ministries International‚ 8231 Burnet Road‚ Austin, TX 78757

Monday, November 16th, 7 PM‚ Home of Fernando and Cathy Corral‚ (Book Signing and Ministry)‚ 524 Clearview Road‚Georgetown, TX 78626

For more information on Bev and Robinson and their book “Convergence”, please visit:http://www.FullnessOnline.org

To learn more about Vance Russell and his book “Victory at the Gates”, please visit:http://www.AriseMinistries.com

You can order the books online at http://www.RoyalPressInternational.com or Amazon & Barns and Noble.

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A New Christian Book Teaches 40 Bible Study Methods

Learn to Study the Bible (ISBN 9781607915768) by Andy Deane teaches readers forty unique and fun ways to study the Scriptures. Studying the Bible should be exciting, and with forty different Bible study methods readers will learn a variety of ways to do it. Each method has easy to follow instructions and handwritten examples to show readers what a completed Bible study should look like. Bible Study Magazine (the makers of Logos Bible Software) says that “Deane presents an image of the Bible as a treasure trove for the reader’s keeping!” DR. Michael Catt, producer of the movie FIREPROOF, said “Learn to Study Your Bible is an affordable and practical book for those who want to dig deeper and get more out of their personal Bible study.” If you are interested in taking your personal Bible study to a deeper level then this new book is for you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andy Deane is an associate pastor at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge in New Jersey. He oversees an exciting youth ministry and teaches Bible study seminars to youth groups, churches, Christian schools and at Bible college. For more information about how Pastor Andy can lead a Bible study seminar at your church visit http://www.learntostudythebible.com/bible-study/bible-study-workshops.asp or call (888) 271-2551.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

First Things First

Take a look at how getting into the Bible can change your life.

1. Introduction: The Joy of Bible Study
2. Tips for Profitable Bible Study
3. Observation: What Does It Say?
4. Interpretation: What Does It Mean?
5. Application: What Does It Ask Me to Do?
6. How to Have Daily Devotions

Basic Bible Study Methods

Simple ways for those new to bible study to learn from God’s Word.

6. Daily Bread
7. Timothy Method
8. SPECS ON
9. Rethink and Restate
10. Alphabet Method
11. One at a Time
12. Six Searches
13. Exhaustive Questions
14. Five P’s Method

Major Bible Study Methods

Time-tested approaches to help go deeper with your study time.

15. Verse-by-Verse Charting
16. Chapter Overview
17. Chapter Details
18. Book Overview
19. Book Details
20. Bible Characters
21. Biblical Topics
22. Bible Themes
23. Word Studies

Creative Bible Study Methods

Try out these interesting methods once in awhile to really mix it up.

24. Translation Comparison
25. Messy Bible
26. Modern Issues
27. Thirty Days
28. Vantage Point
29. Skeptics Method

Studying Specific Passages

Study different parts of the Bible with diverse techniques to add variety.

29. Royal Wisdom
30. Categorizing Proverbs
31. Meeting Jesus
32. Twenty Jesus Questions
33. The Commands of Jesus
34. Truly, Truly
35. Study the Biblical Types
36. Study the Prayers
37. Study the Miracles
38. Study the Parables
39. Study the Psalms

Study Methods For Younger Students

Each method will teach an individual basic skill needed for Bible study.

40. Heart Monitor
41. Funnel It
42. Weather Report
43. Climb the Ladder
44. Cross Thoughts

Wrapping It All Up

Some closing advice for studying your Bible.

45. Building a Reference Library
46. Some Final Thoughts
47. Notes

ENDORSEMENTS:

PASTOR BOB COY (Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale)

“Certain things in the Christian life are non-negotiable, and studying the Bible is one of them. Every believer, regardless of the spiritual season they’re in, must have a regular routine that gets them engaged in God’s Word. But while the “must” to study is universal, the “method” isn’t. What works well for some doesn’t work at all for others. We’ve been wired differently and learn in different ways, which is why this is such a relevant and important book. With 40 different methods of studying the Bible, there’s something here for everyone. No matter who you are or how you’re wired to learn, you’re going to find a key in these pages that will unlock the riches of God’s Word in your life.”

PASTOR BRIAN BRODERSON (Host of the Back to Basics Radio Show)

“Anything that will help Christian people get more into the word and more out of the word is bound to be a great blessing. This book will do just that. Andy has done a fantastic job of laying out numerous options for Bible Study. I’m sure there’s a method here that will be helpful for most everyone who is serious about growing in the Lord through his word.”

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Bunny Bear’s Holiday Special CD Offer

Bunny Bear’s Adventure’s in Diversity Land will make you laugh and make you sigh! Surprise your youngsters with this brand new collection of stories they can enjoy all year. Buy 2 audio CDs by November 30 and get one Free! Join story teller, trainer, and award- winning author Deborah Levine as she and Bunny Bear tell you about trying to fit, about being the new kid, the different one. Enjoy the humanity of trying very hard and how success comes in many unexpected forms. Teach youngsters how to make being different a positive life lesson. Stories are a big hit with ages 6-11 and adults will find themselves laughing and sighing along with them.

Here’s what grandmother and teacher Mary Jane McKinsey says about Bunny Bear. “I so much enjoyed listening to Bunny Bear’s Adventures in Diversity Land. I think that if I were a young child who has just moved to a new country, I would love to hear the adventures and the difficulties and the homesickness and the fun of a person like Deborah Levine. Your experiences in moving to the United States from Bermuda are so heartwarming and sad and happy, all in one little girl’s life.”

Don’t miss this special holiday opportunity! Mary Jane wants you to know, “I would highly recommend your CD to any child who is the new child on the block. You make one feel that anything is possible in a new situation. And your voice would make any child feel as if you are talking to just him.”

Don’t miss out! Order 2 copies and get your Free CD before the end of November. Go online to the CD Department at www.ADR-Store.com to the Bunny Bear Holiday Special.

Bunny Bear’s Adventures in Diversity Land is an original creation of the American Diversity Report LLC and is available in the ADR-Store of our online magazine at www.americandiversityreport.com.

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Drug Education For Children

Narconon provides free drug education for children at Monterey County Fair. In an effort to educate as many people as possible about the harmful effects of drugs, Narconon Northern California strives to have a presence in community settings where people congregate. Last week Narconon Vista Bay had a booth at the Monterey County Fair, which is one of the largest in the state. This provided the team an opportunity to share information and to mingle with members of the community.

The Narconon booth included a prize wheel and gifts. During the extent of the fair over 4000 pieces of printed drug education material was placed in the hands of children. Parents and other members of the community expressed appreciation of the positive and proactive approach that Narconon provides in drug education and prevention.

Drug abuse has been a cause of concern for parents and the nation for generations. Rather than simply focusing on ‘just saying no’, Narconon drug education focuses on realistic aspects of drug use and abuse. The real facts are presented without the use of scare tactics. When kids have the entire picture of what drugs can do to their life they are more likely to make the right decision. Humor is a huge part of the program for kids’ presentations and trainings.

These training programs are in place in schools across the country as they assist in meeting several criteria for the US Department of Education, Title IV, (Safe & Drug Free School) funds. In order to keep the presentations and training materials up to date and current, trends of youth substance abuse are tracked and monitored and modifications are made as needed. Being proactive results in prevention of drug use, which is the true goal of drug education.

The Narconon Prescription Drug Addiction Treatment, which has more than a 70% success rate, is a drug-free method for rehabilitation. The program actually consists of two stages or components: detoxification and rehabilitation itself.

“Narconon Drug Rehab” has successfully graduated thousands of individuals that have gone on to live stable, productive, and drug-free lives. “Narconon Prescription Drug Treatment” focuses on eliminating drug abuse through drug education, information and rehabilitation. Preventative efforts focus on proactive presentations and training materials provided by professionals in a realistic way.

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Brilliance Academy Bloggers Shed New Light on Daycare in Dallas

Brilliance Preschool & Academy provides an opportunity for local parents to get information on local news.

There’s nothing more important than a child’s education. For over a decade Brilliance Preschool & Academy has been reaching out to the students in their community, helping pave their way to a better future through a blend of customized learning techniques. Now they’re sharing their knowledge and experience with the parents in the Dallas community with the launch of the Brilliance Blog.

The Brilliance Blog being launched will give parents the latest headlines in Dallas daycare and education, along with a healthy collection of parent resources, including information on early childhood education and helpful tips for helping their children thrive both in and out of the classroom.

The Brilliance Blog is the next step in reaching out and connecting parents and their children with the Dallas community. “Brilliance Academy is a change leader in the new millennium, providing an opportunity for…active parents to develop intellectual skills in children that will help them succeed in a competitive and global society,” says Kelly Mayberry, Director at Brilliance Academy. When Brilliance Academy first launched in January of 1996 the institution set-out not to be another Dallas day care. Over the years their commitment to excellence and their dedication to building a positive learning environment for their students have made them the premier early childhood education center for preschoolers and elementary students through grade 4.

“Brilliance Preschool & Academy was founded in January of 1996 to fill a need for preschool education,” Ms Kelly Mayberry exclaims. In the following years, the institution added 1st – 4th grades based on the success of their original programs.

This growth is directly attributed to the positive development that parents have witnessed during their children’s preschool attendance at Brilliance. She adds, “We inspire, in our students, creativity, exploration and social skills that will be valuable in the years to come, as well as fully preparing them for the integration of new technologies and world cultures.”

Check out the Brilliance Blog at http://www.BrillianceAcademy.com/blog.htm and visit Brilliance Academy on the web to find more about their early childhood education experience at http://www.BrillianceAcademy.com.

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Free Classes For Victims Of Station Fire Provided By Anger Management Agency

All those affected by the devastation of the Station Fire can be at risk of doing or saying something out of their normal character due to the extraordinary pressure cause by this disaster.

Daybreak Counseling Service an anger management center in Pasadena, California is offering 3 free sessions of anger management for residents affected by the fire. This is a service valued at $150.

If you need to manage your anger regarding the Station Fire and you live in the following cities: Tujunga, Acton, Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Sunland, La Canada, Flintridge, or La-Crescenta. Please contact the offices of Daybreak Counseling Service at 310-995-1202.

All interested in attending these 3 free anger management classes must provide a valid identification proving you live with the fore mentioned cities.

This courtesy is offered for the entire month of September. A special class has been added Tuesday evenings at 6pm until 7pm.

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New Website for Students and Educators By Fascinating Learning Factory

Fascinating Learning Factory (FLF), a non-profit organization and a leader in innovative, engaging educational programming for classrooms, television and the World Wide Web, has launched an entirely new website offering new on-line tools, information and links for students and educators, and better reflects the breadth and quality of its programs and initiatives.

“The new site is brighter, bolder and lots more fun,” says FLF’s Executive Director Bunnie Strassner. “For teachers and students, the site now features hundreds of educational stories and cartoons f r o m the popular “Our Fascinating Earth” books by Drs. Phil and Nancy Seff, as well as current programs and new projects in development. Plus, we have opportunities for visitors to offer their own ideas for programs. Teachers and students are invited to join the Fascinating Learning factory for free and we will offer new and unique items for sale in the on-line store.”

Another recent addition is 30 one-minute animated features called Facts of Congress, a fun way to teach civics and government.

“I’m very excited“, comments Heather Boyle-Noland, Development Director at the ‘Learning Factory, “It’s a great new step we have taken to bring educational information to the web in a user friendly and engaging. We are also hoping it will drive new donors to visit us and get out our message of the critical need for higher quality and a broader reach of programming.

The site was designed by, and is being maintained by Flashback Media Productions of Lafayette, Colorado.

The Fascinating Learning Factory, a Colorado 501(c)(3), is dedicated to improving the quality of educational programming for ages 10 through adult. Some of their award winning, broadcast programs include “Guerrilla Guide to Politics, “Our Fascinating Earth”, and “Shoshone Voices, Native Choices”, a documentary about the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and their participation in the artifact identification program at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. For more information, please visit their website, www.fascinatinglearningfactory.org, or call 303-545-9955.

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Over 2.5 Million Inspiring Audio CDs Distributed Worldwide Since 2005 By Lighthouse Catholic Media

Lighthouse Catholic Media, NFP announces that they have achieved the milestone of having distributed over 2.5 million inspiring audio CDs distributed worldwide since their inception in late 2005.

Over 2.5 Million Inspiring Audio CDs Distributed Worldwide Since 2005 By Lighthouse Catholic Media

Lighthouse Catholic Media’s CDs are distributed two ways: through their FAITHRAISER Kiosk Program displayed in over 2,000 parishes, Catholic schools and missions, and via their popular CD of the Month Club. The CD of the Month Club is a subscription-based service to individuals and parishioners at an amazingly low rate.

What’s more, when the parish sponsors the CD of the Month Club for their parishioners, the parish receives a percentage back for the purpose of funding religious education, or whatever purposes the parish sees fit to utilize the funds. There is no cost or investment for the program, nor is there any administration by the parish; the program, which is both a faith-raiser and true fund-raiser, has grown substantially in the last year.

Recently, Lighthouse Catholic Media received an endorsement by the archbishop for the US Military Services, Archbishop Broglio, recommending Lighthouse Catholic Media’s inspiring Catholic audio CDs to soldiers, sailors and airmen serving in over 450 military bases around the world.

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Escuela Del Sol Has Hired A Design Firm To Help Communicate Its Unique Brand Of Creative Education To Its Constituents

Albuquerque’s Escuela del Sol had a problem. Even after 40 years of continuous operation, there was growing confusion among parents as to what the Montessori system offered their children, how it differed f r o m other educational methods, and what results they should expect. The lack of communication was making it difficult to maintain, much less grow, enrollment, and had caused some dissatisfaction with currently enrolled families.

Now if Montessori schools know how to do anything, it is how to prepare kids to be creative thinkers and problem solvers. So the school’s board decided to practice what they teach. They put on their thinking caps, thought like a business and came up with a business solution-applying the very same traits they strive to nurture in their students.

This creative bit of problem solving led them to Ripe Inc., an Albuquerque-based design firm that specializes in building brands and identities for businesses. Normally. But the chance to work with such a forward thinking school was too good an opportunity to pass up. Ripe had to be equally creative in taking on a branding assignment f r o m a school. But they did their homework well.

Working closely with the school they developed an engaging, informative, visual and verbal communication system to clarify and deliver the brand message. The message was developed through intensive workshops in which consensus about the key attributes of the school’s brand were uncovered and documented. The analysis and evaluation became an internal brand reference guide book provided to all faculty and staff members-so there’s common understanding and consistent language when communicating the Escuela del Sol brand.

It also became the conceptual platform for developing the graphics libraries, website, messaging system, and electronic template that facilitates the school’s unique educational approach. And for developing its award-winning print collateral as well. The school’s new logo & stationery design has been s e l e c t e d to appear in PRINT’s 2009 Regional Design Annual. Planned advertising campaigns will focus on specific challenges-like boosting enrollment, and increasing parent engagement in the school’s educational process.

Escuela del Sol has made it their business to enhance their communications and their profile within the community. And they expect business to be good.

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Borenson And Associates, Inc., With Headquarters In Allentown, PA Will Be Training Additional Instructors To Conduct The Making Algebra Child’s Play Workshops Nationwide

Since 1990 Borenson and Associates has conducted more than 2500 Making Algebra Child’s Play workshops showing teachers how the visual and kinesthetic approach of Hands-On Equations enables even 4th and 5th graders to succeed with algebraic equations not normally presented until the 8th or 9th grade.

borenson

The instructor candidates, coming from five different states, will be receiving their training at the Holiday Inn in downtown Allentown. The training will take place each day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is expected that a student demonstration will take place each day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

All of the candidates have used Hands-On Equations in their classrooms for several years and are now coming to learn how to present the program to teachers.

Leading the training program will be Dr. Henry Borenson, who received a U.S. Patent for Hands-On Equations. With this group, the company will have about three dozen certified instructors. Borenson anticipates the need for 100 instructors within the next two years to meet the growing interest in his approaching to simplifying the abstract nature of algebra.

Recently, the company received their first order from Educational Opportunities, Inc. who have set a goal of introducing the program to 1,000 classroom in Africa, Asia and India.

“There is no reason for young students to be intimated by algebra,” says Borenson. “Through this visual and kinesthetic approach algebraic concepts become intuitive and are much easier to understand than division of fractions or long division– and much more fun!”

Borenson believes that when young students are successful with algebra their sense of self-esteem is enhanced. “There is no doubt about the effectiveness of this program,” he says. We have almost ten research studies posted at www.borenson.com to prove it.

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Optima Provides Stylish And Safe Glass Partitioning Solutions For The Schools Of England As Part Of The Governments Building Schools For The Future Initiative

optimasystems

The government Building Schools for the Future scheme aims to rebuild 250 schools per year over the next ten years. Its main goal is to have every one of the 3,500 secondary schools in England completely refurbished by the year 2020. Building Schools for the Future is the largest ever school buildings investment programme.

Optima has been working closely with many schools, Local Education Authorities (LEAs), contractors and architects across the country to help provide outstanding and inspirational educational environments which will supply the children of England with comfortable, safe and clean surroundings in which they can develop and flourish.

Optima has developed atrium glazing, glass partitioning, glass doors and custom advanced drywall for several schools across England. Optima restored the tired teaching rooms of Bishop Ramsey School, Ruislip, where a high level of acoustics was required. Optima’s Revolution 97 mullion-free double glazed system was the ideal solution.

For enhanced safety, fire rated screens were installed within all fire escape routes and corridors within the school for safety, achieving a combination of 30 minutes and 60 minutes integrity and insulation. Optima hopes to be able to install fire rated screens into every school in England, to safeguard the lives of millions of children.

Optima has also recently completed work on refurbishing classrooms and school buildings at Mundy Primary School in Heanor, Derbyshire. Here, Optima implemented its Mistral partitioning system due to its quick fitting time which meant the refurbishment could be completed without having to close the school during important term time. 

A recent technical report published by PriceWaterhouseCoopers revealed that the BSF scheme is making excellent progress across England. The report also found that both staff and pupils at refurbished schools are satisfied that the changes have greatly helped to improve their learning environment. The scheme continues to deliver huge benefits for teaching and learning alike.

Optima will continue to work with educational establishments to improve standards for young minds.

For more information on Optima’s glass partitioning solutions or the Building Schools for the Future initiative please visit http://www.optimasystems.com/building-schools-future.php.

 

About Optima:
Optima offers the highest quality service and innovative design to secure consumer satisfaction, ensuring that their extensive range of partitioning systems are able to meet customers’ exacting specifications, supported by technical expertise to achieve successful project completion.

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New Obesity And Tobacco Prevention Products For Preschoolers And Childcare Providers By Cafe Prevention

cafeprevention.com

CafePrevention.com announces the addition of two exciting, affordable, and new prevention products – the Fit for the Future Toolkit for preschoolers and childcare providers and the tobacco education resource, Smoking Makes Me Ugly program, for middle school students.

In an effort to provide exceptional service, Community Partnership will do their best to accommodate those who need the prevention education resource order before June 30 for fiscal year deadlines.

Community Partnership has developed their business around creating and supplying parents, schools, agencies and communities around the globe with a wide variety of tested and innovative prevention strategies and materials. Each product is both educational and eye-catching, and will engage the target audience, whether they are pre-schoolers, teens or adults.

The Fit for the Future Toolkit is designed for children ages 3-5 and childcare providers. The childhood obesity rate for children in this age group has risen to 12.4%, and childcare providers offer the perfect setting to teach about, and encourage, healthy eating and physical activity habits. The kit includes a teacher’s manual, training DVD, children’s books, a movement CD, as well as games and activities to support children making healthy choices.

Comments from childcare teachers have been extremely positive, and evaluations indicate the children are remembering what they learn and the cooks are changing what they serve.

For middle school students, Community Partnership is proud to unveil the Smoking Makes Me Ugly DVD, a comprehensive youth tobacco prevention program. The target ages of 10-12 years old were chosen, as these are the ages the CDC has identified as at risk to begin tobacco use.

Physicians, educators and students themselves were responsible for the content of the interactive DVD, and features include an animated tour of the body, hosted by Cig Free, the talking cigarette, showing how smoking affects teens; interactive lessons, including what smoking does to the outward appearance, and accompanying handouts and worksheets for teachers and students.

Smoking Makes Me Ugly is a new approach to an old problem and has been enthusiastically received by teachers and student alike. Teachers report the tobacco education and prevention DVD is unique and unmatched by any other in its approach to educating middle school youth about the hazards of smoking.

Both the Fit for the Future Toolkit and Smoking Makes Me Ugly DVD are designed to deliver critical information in an engaging and affordable format. CafePrevention.com is a community’s source for high quality prevention materials designed to improve the health and well being of youth.

Café Prevention is full of postcards, games, bookmarks, door hangers, wallet cards and posters on substances of abuse and teen resiliency. Many have chosen our large postcard format over brochures, as they find it easier to read and it can be mailed or handed out. For more information on these products, or to place an order, please visit http://www.cafeprevention.com.

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Debatepedia Documents All Pros And Cons Of Merit Pay For Teachers

Debatepedia has developed the world’s most extensive article on the pros and cons of merit pay for teachers. The article draws over 30 pro and con arguments and quotations from over 20 of the most outstanding editorials, opinion pieces, essays, and political statements on the issue. And, it structures these arguments and quotations in Debatepedia’s unique pro/con “logic tree” structure. The structure helps separate the primary sub-debates (and arguments and counter-arguments) in this debate, which are represented by some of the following questions: Does merit-based pay improve education? Does it improve the quality of teaching by incentivizing hard work? Does it help attract and retain quality teachers? Does it help weed out bad teachers? Does merit pay distract teachers? Does it create undesirable competition between teachers? Does it discourage teachers from going to needy schools? Can teacher merit be successfully measured? Or does varying student performance get in the way? Is merit pay fairer to teachers? Does it fall pray to principal cronyism? Does it encourage teachers to cheat? Does the market demonstrate the importance of pay for performance? If teachers should be paid more in general, is merit pay the best way to do it? What do past examples of merit pay around the world demonstrate? Debatepedia’s community has outlined the pros and con arguments and quotations that fit within and respond to the above sub-debate questions, making it truly the most comprehensive breakdown of the debate available.

President Obama has repeatedly stated his support for merit pay for teachers. Yet, with many priorities on his plate, it would appear that the debate will continue for some time, and even after any policy decisions are made, the debate is likely to continue for years to come, in the United States and abroad. For this reason, Debatepedia’s pro/con structure is particularly valuable in helping walk citizens and decision-makers through the many arguments and quotations so that they can effectively deliberate, make decisions, and make the policy that will guide education in the 21st century.

Debatepedia is a wiki encyclopedia of pros and con arguments and quotations. It is essentially “the Wikipedia of pros and cons”. Started in 2006 by Brooks Lindsay and William Wnekowicz out of Georgetown University, Debatepedia subsequently merged with the International Debate Education Association in 2007. IDEA is a 501c3 non-profit piloted initially by the Open Society Institute in 1999. While IDEA promotes debate in all of its forms around the world, Debatepedia fits within its mission to expand a new industry in journalism – what it calls the “in-depth journalism of public debates”.

Related links:

*Merit based pay for teachers:
http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Debate:_Merit-based_pay_for_teachers
* Home page: http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Welcome_to_Debatepedia!
* Media kit: http://wiki.idebate.org/index.php/Debatepedia:Media_Kit

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The Book Of Dreams Project Chapter One Description

I was a little nervous when the students at Harford Friends School and I began our studies of The Underground Railroad,and local Black history.. After all, this was the Book’s first chapter, and uncharted territory for all.

As the kids settled in to the project,my fears were replaced with pride. After four three hour sessions, the first chapter of an original piece of fiction inspired by our studies had been composed. The story centers around a boy and girl, both slaves. The kids worked together, with no help from teachers or parents. I’m very proud of what they created. (click here to read) I emphasized to the students that there is history beneath our feet, and in front of our faces, everyday, everywhere. It’s just that many of us never bother to check it out,because we don’t know it’s there.

I knew that we would not have to look very far to find some tasty local Black history. After all,we live in Maryland!

As it turned out, we would Christen the Book Of Dreams by entering the first chapter just two miles from our school.

In 1867,a one room school house was built from wood,and stood amidst the rolling farm land of Darlington,Maryland. The school was for black children only,during the long years of segregation. The Hosanna school has been restored to it’s original condition.. It still stands alone with fields all around,as though little had changed. As we entered the classroom, there was a silence,occasionally punctuated by the creaking of a wooden floor board..The old desks were still in their original positions,empty and mute. A pot belly stove sat in the same corner as it always had when it was the sole source of heat for the small building. There was a quiet energy about this place..

It would not have taken much to imagine the ghosts of children and teachers long gone, learning to read,write,and add in this very room. Many of the children and some of their parents who had never learned to read walked 6-7 miles each way,rain or shine. Teachers in black schools such as this were paid about half of what teachers in the white schools were paid. The curriculum in black schools was very different than in white schools as well. The local board of education explained the disparity by stating that the black children would grow up to be farm hands,so they did not need the same level of education as their white neighbors children. The cool thing about today was, that we did not need to imagine ghosts.. We had Christine Tolbert with us, who along with her parents and grandparents, had been a student here as a young child.

We also had Gladys Williams who was Christine’s teacher,right here in the very room in which we all were now seated.

Today,they would both be OUR teachers. The kids listened well,and asked many questions as the ladies wove their stories of a bygone era..Later,Tamika Hudson read two original spoken word pieces to us all, in the voice of Harriett Tubman. Christine told us that even when she was a child,there had always been strong relationship between the Deer Creek Friends Meeting,and the Hosanna School, and surrounding black community.She said that today felt like a family reunion of sorts. Tamika and Gladys seemed to really hit it off,as did we all.The kids then put quill pen to Cotton paper,and the first chapter had been entered.

It was an awesome day, and not one that any of us will soon forget. I know that the Book will travel to many schools and historical sites,and I’m looking forward to seeing it take on a life of it’s own.

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Book Of Dreams Project By Gandhi Hurwitz

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

The Book of Dreams is living testament to good people who chose to act when the evil of slavery governed in America. Written by American school children in the 21st century, it will tell the stories of ordinary people, black and white, enslaved and free, who tapped into deep waters and together worked to create safe passage to freedom on the Underground Railroad for thousands of American slaves. The Book’s creator, Gandhi Hurwitz, sees the project as a way for children to understand that if their ancestors could work together in such a tumultuous and primitive world, so can they in today’s world.

Born at the Steppingstone Museum in Havre de Grace, Maryland, the Book of Dreams was “beaten out of the fire, carved out of wood” by Steppingstone’s resident blacksmith, Tom Alexander, and Masters of the Shop and woodworkers, Wade Whitlock and John Weifenbach, with jointing by Joe Cambria. It is massive, structural, permanent. Handcrafted entirely of iron and black walnut, it measures 30”x 36” x 9” and weighs in at about 60 lb. Visitors to Steppingstone’s Fall Harvest Festival on September 23 and 24, 2006 will be able to watch these master craftsmen put the final touches on the Book of Dreams, using traditional techniques and hand- and foot-powered tools.

The Book of Dreams will “visit” its first school during Black History Month, in February 2007, where the students at Harford Friends School in Darlington, Maryland will research local Underground Railroad history and write Chapter One as a parent-led and expert guest enrichment activity. Hurwitz, whose daughter Clairellen attends the school, says he was inspired by local Quakers who worked on the Railroad, including members of Deer Creek Meeting where the school is located. (The previous Meetinghouse in Darlington is believed to have been burned down by arsonists who objected to Quakers’ antislavery activities.)

After leaving Harford Friends, the Book will travel far and wide to schools along Railroad routes in Maryland and beyond, perhaps circulating as far south as North Carolina. Students from each school will research local Railroad history and write a Book chapter. Each chapter will be recorded on a large sheet of archival cotton paper and entered into the Book. Hurwitz has invited Tamika Hudson, an actor and Harriet Tubman interpreter, to contribute a written piece in Tubman’s voice. After the Book has circulated, it will return to its permanent repository at Harford Friends School where 8th grade students will write the last chapter as part of their year-long study of Harford County and American history.

Hurwitz calls Steppingstone the perfect birthplace for the Book of Dreams. Located on the site of a Quaker family farm believed to have been a station on the Underground Railroad, Steppingstone is a living history museum and interpretive center of American farm life near the Mason-Dixon line. Hurwitz found receptive partners when he first presented his vision to Steppingstone’s Director, Linda Noll, its board of directors and craftsmen. Under the Museum’s sponsorship, the craftsmen – all volunteers – have dedicated dozens of hours to building the Book.

The Book’s striking appearance was inspired by a design created by Clairellen Hurwitz. Two wrought iron, life-size arms – one shackled and skeletal, the other unshackled – reach across the Books’ black walnut cover. They are connected by a railroad track. A hand-carved rendering of the African continent rises out of the wood. A burnished iron North Star sits near the top. “Book of Dreams” is boldly embossed along the Book’s iron spine. You can view photographs of the Book on the project’s website: www.bookofdreamsproject.org

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Host a Rocket Contest and Help Kids Reach for the Stars

You have read about it and heard it in the news – students in the U.S. are falling behind in test scores.. We need to get kids interested in science, technology, engineering and math – the STEM subjects. To get them involved you have to get their attention. Nothing draws more attention than a rocket launch – except a rocket contest. To that end we offer the national Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest.

Rocket launches are great for publicity! Use the contest to advertise your presence, build your membership and / or raise funds. They are a terrific way to get kids excited about learning. Running a local event is as easy as 3, 2, 1. Three – find at least twelve contestants and order supplies. Two – build and launch your rockets. One – award certificates and prizes. A step-by-step video and on-line help are available to guide you.

Compete locally. Celebrate nationally. The contest, for ages 10 to adult, is designed to be run by local organizations, is safe, easy and affordable. Everyone benefits. All contestants get a reusable Estes model as well as the unforgettable experience of launching a solid-fuel powered rocket hundreds of feet into the sky. Everyone involved receives a commemorative achievement certificate – suitable for framing. Each certificate bears an inspirational quote from Christa McAuliffe. Sponsors receive recognition and the satisfaction of Helping Kids Reach for the Stars.

As Homer Hickam, author of “The Rocket Boys” (aka “October Sky”) recently stated, “What’s better than a rocket launch to inspire young people? They learn about science, engineering and, at the end, they get to launch a rocket.” Everyone remembers their first rocket launch. What other activity can you say that about?

The contest is in its third year. It runs continuously and has annual deadlines for each celebration. Go to TheRocketman.net for deadlines and details. Our six national winners get memories to last a lifetime and bragging rights for generations to come!

Results from local events are entered in the national contest. National winners get their choice of launching their rockets at the Astronaut Hall of Fame and celebrating at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex – or they can celebrate with author, Homer Hickam and launch with the original Rocket Boys at the October Sky Festival in Coalwood, West Virginia. They will also receive a Space Shuttle Challenger – commemorative coin as well as other prizes.

Dr. Warren Layfield, Educational Director at COSROCS (Colorado Springs Rocket Society) and TARC mentor considers the Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest to be the “perfect training ground for kids who will go on to more challenging competitions like the Team America Rocketry Challenge and NASA’s Student Launch Initiative.”

Tickets to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for three national winners and their families are provided by DNC Parks. Lodging and breakfast is compliments of the award winning Country Inns and Suites by Carlson in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Without the generosity of these companies, the winners’ celebration would not be possible.

Your efforts will promote the Helping Kids Reach for the Stars program and honor the legacy of Christa McAuliffe – NASA’s first Teacher-in-Space.

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Happy Energy Seminars Launches New Website: Happyenergyinc.com

Happy Energy Seminars, launched its new website, www.happyenergyinc.com, designed to provide information to people on how to break through the obstacles hindering their day to day success. It also provides information on upcoming seminars on how to function from a state of happy energy, even during these tough times. To get results, requires energy; to get great and consistent results, requires happy energy.

“What stops you from great results is one word: You,” says Jacob Forbai, CPA and Head of the management team of Happy Energy Seminars. “When you live and function in your ‘head’ you become overly attached to your desired results; your ego gets in the way, limiting your results,” added Mr. Forbai.

In these harsh times, it is easy to overlook this major obstacle that frequently leads to excuses or illusions. Unfortunately, failure to identify and remove this and other obstacles hinders great results. More seriously, it prevents working with the kind of freedom, energy and happiness that are needed to excel.

This new website gives information on how to get out of one’s own way. Together with Happy Energy Seminars, they give information on how to focus on energy, on Happy Energy. Then one is no longer inhibited; one feels free, swept in happy energy; free to take fearless action. The result is power, personal magnetism, self belief, and the outcome one is seeking.

Happy Energy Foundation, a feature on this website, offers a unique opportunity to reach out to others in a bold and enriching way. The result is one’s own growth in ways never imagined.

About Happy Energy Seminars: 
Happy Energy Seminars, Head Quarters – Dallas, TX. USA. is a seminar company that specializes in solving problems hindering everyday success. Its founders and management team have been in the speaking and seminar business for over 15 years, winning several awards for getting results.

For additional information on Happy Energy Seminars, contact Daniel Jingwa or visit www.happyenergyinc.com.

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Npower Events ‘Enthuse’ A Local School

Npower volunteers have returned Greendown Community School, one of the first schools selected to pilot npower’s ‘enthuse’ programme in 2007, the third consecutive year the event has taken place at the school.

During the recent two day educational experience over 260 Year 9 students participated in a range of 

interactive activities designed to help them think about the impact science and engineering has on their daily lives. South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove also visited the school to find out more about the programme.

Enthuse, which is part of npower’s Brighter Futures Programme, is a five year scheme designed to inspire and engage students aged 12-14 years old in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

The students were encouraged to think of ways to improve existing products or design a completely new concept, before considering the very real problem of how we can meet and reduce the UK’s future demand for energy. These activities were followed by a ‘facts and fiction’ session where the students were given the opportunity to meet with engineering staff f r o m npower’s Swindon offices. Throughout the day, the students took part in a series of hands-on activities relating to the power industry.

The day ended when the school’s Director of Specialism, Gill Sarjent was presented with an award, which recognised the continued support and efforts of the school towards the highly successful enthuse programme.

Gill Sarjent said: “The school is very proud to be involved with the ‘enthuse’ programme since day one and continued participation during the last few years. The students have been given an excellent insight into what it would feel like to be an engineer. Also, the opportunity to strengthen our relationships with staff f r o m npower helps bring the activities to life and gives the students a great introduction into the world of work.”

Anne Snelgrove MP commented: “It was fantastic to see the students having such a good time while they were learning. This scheme brings science and technology to life and makes it real.”

Connor Wood, a year 9 student, added: “I think the whole day was good as I liked learning about different careers and I really liked all the “hands on” activities. My favourite workshop was ‘Bright Ideas’ as I liked designing a new product, which was completely different. I think we should run this event every day for year 9 students!”

In 2008 alone, npower ‘enthuse’ days reached out to over 3400 students across the UK.

To find out more about npower’s education programme and free resources for schools and community groups, visit www.npower.com/education.

 

About npower:
npower is one of the UK’s largest electricity suppliers and draws on 50 years experience in supplying electricity and gas. npower offers a range of essential home and business services to 6.6 million customers across the UK.

RWE npower has been awarded the prestigious CommunityMark f r o m Business in the Community (BITC). npower is the only utility business, amongst 21 other companies in the UK, to receive this accolade. The CommunityMark is a new BITC standard which has been created to recognise companies that are good investors in local communities and who have brought about real and positive changes.

The aim of the npower Brighter Futures programme is to inspire young people f r o m their first day at school to their first day at work. This is achieved by helping them to develop their skills and knowledge to make their own choices and empowering them to achieve their vision of a ‘brighter future’ for themselves and for the environment. npower Brighter Futures also includes our apprenticeship and graduate recruitment schemes.

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Momentum Christian Church’s Lead Minister, Dan Smith, Will Be Preaching A Relevant Sermon Series On Sex In Today’s Culture October 19th And 26th, 2008

Lead Minister, Dan Smith, at Momentum Christian Church, will be speaking for two weeks on sex, and practical insights from the Bible on this subject, which churches often find taboo. The sermon series, titled “Bringin’ Sexy Back” will run October 19th and 26th.

“It’s no secret that America is saturated with sexuality, but most churches are pretty silent about the issue,” says Smith. “However, the Bible has a lot of really practical insights for people who live in a culture like ours.”

This sermon series won’t feature some lame, naive preacher yelling at people about their past mistakes because — to some degree — everyone has messed up in this area. It will be a lot of relevant, heart-to-heart teaching that will help us better understand why God created such a powerful magic.

The church and its staff have rated the sermons PG-12, but they encourage parents to bring middle school and high school students.

Momentum Christian Church meets at the Cinemark Theatre in Valley View at 10am on Sunday mornings. The service is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. Momentum designates itself as “a church for people who hate going to church.” They use rock music, funny videos, and relevant sermons to attract people who have previously thought church was boring and irrelevant.

Smith is a self-proclaimed “storyteller-preacher, comedy-writer, and lead minister of Momentum.” His comedy has been featured on CNN, VH-1, The New York Times, Glenn Beck, and Yahoo! In 2007, he was recognized by Cleveland Magazine as one of Cleveland’s “Most Interesting People.” Some say he’s mildly funny. His Mom thinks he’s very funny. At the very least, he cracks himself up.

Momentum is a non-denominational church located near Cleveland, OH. To learn more, please visit http://www.momentumchurch.com, or to schedule an interview with Dan Smith, please call Angie Dyer at 440-759-0663 or email angiedyer@yahoo.com.

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