Tuesday, June 8, 2010

This Week In Education: Video: Student Falls Asleep At Obama RTTT Event

Video: Student Falls Asleep At Obama RTTT Event

by Alexander Russo

Watch this Kalamazoo high school junior choir member* fall asleep while President Obama speaks at commencement:

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Talk about bad advance work. Don't they know to make them chug Red Bull before they go onstage? Let's all hope that the Race To the Top Commencement Challenge isn't a harbinger of how things are going to go for RTTT over all. [*Not to worry -- the kid (aka "the guy sleeping behind obama at kalamazoo graduation") got lots of friends on the Facebook page named after him.]

Conn. man arraigned on NYC class-trip sex charges - Boston.com

Somber graduation for Ohio school hit by tornado It's been a bittersweet gathering for graduating seniors of a high school in Ohio that was ripped apart by a tornado last weekend. [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to digg] [image: Add to StumbleUpon] [image: Add to Reddit] ...

Conn. school board to revote on church graduation Enfield's Board of Education has voted to appeal a temporary injunction that would keep the town's two high school graduation ceremonies out of a Bloomfield megachurch. [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to digg] [image: Add ...

Conn. man arraigned on NYC class-trip sex charges A Connecticut father chaperoning an elementary-school bus trip brazenly groped a half-dozen preteen girls and brushed off alarmed teachers who told him to stop, then became so combative it took eight or more police officers to arrest him, prosecutors ...

Blog U.: Closing the Idea-to-Curriculum Gap - Technology and Learning - Inside Higher Ed

Closing the Idea-to-Curriculum Gap
By Joshua Kim June 8, 2010 9:26 pm

One advantage of learning technology is it can help us close the gap between and idea and curriculum. When I first started teaching (in grad school in 1993) the task of finding teaching materials was extremely time consuming. I remember spending lots of time at the photocopy machine, transferring charts and graphs to plastic transparencies that I'd display in class with the overhead. Collecting VHS tapes to show video segments in class was a particular passion of mine - leading my (shared) grad student office that was cluttered with tapes. Good teaching content was a scarce and valuable commodity, and it was difficult to rapidly locate and process "just in time" non-text based curriculum.
Today we are able to find and share rich curricular materials with amazing agility and ease. YouTube, Google Image Search, and FlickR, combined with the ease of sharing these materials in the LMS (as links or embed code), has moved rich curricular development from a scarce to an abundant good. Where in the past we may have shared with our students only a

Portland the site for launch of national teen anti-drug campaign | OregonLive.com

Portland the site for launch of national teen anti-drug campaign

By Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian

June 08, 2010, 7:43PM

Doug Beghtel/The OregonianGil Kirlikowske, director of national drug control policy, talked with Portland-area students about drug and alcohol issues Tuesday. Among the students who talked with Kirlikowske are (from left) Cleveland High freshman Vanessa Altree, McCoy Academy senior Joshua Slaney, Wilson High freshman Gerhett Moser and Wilson senior Chloe Jones.
A new White House-backed teen anti-drug campaign, designed in part by Portland high school students, has hit screens and the streets across the Portland area and will soon go nationwide.

The campaign, officially launched by White House Drug Czar Gil Kerlikowske in the Bronx on Monday and at Portland's Wilson High on Tuesday, will be very different from the one that preceded it.

Dubbed "Above the Influence," it is designed to give teens the chance to talk and interact about the positive influences that keep them above drug and alcohol use and ways to counter the negative influences that tempt them in that direction.

Already, the distinctive upward-pointing arrow of the campaign has been plastered on billboards, bus shelters and benches around the Portland area. Look for it on TV, on video panels at Lloyd Center and on your smart phone, your FaceBook page and in other new media displays.

Vote for Community Vote for Patrick and Ray!

Sacramento City Council 2010

Hi I am the Big Education Ape-A. P.arent E.ngaged. I am also known as Mike Simpson. I have been a Sacramento area resident since 1982. I have had the good fortune to live, work and to be a part of this wonderful community. I think it is called being blessed. In my years in this community I have had the honor of working with some of the most excellent leaders in government, education and the private sector.

I have the special privilege to call two of these excellent leaders, Ray Tretheway and Patrick Kennedy, my friend.

I worked for Ray Tretheway at the Sacramento Tree Foundation. It was Ray that taught me how to love the community I live in, Ray taught me to “get involved, participate, and make the community better”. If you love our City of Trees you can thank Ray (and SMUD).

I got to know Patrick Kennedy when he was running for School Board Member for Area 7. My wife Vicki Simpson was running for Area 3 and thankfully lost to our super Area 3 School Board Member Donald Terry. If there was a theme for this election, it was Community and Parent Engagement and it became the litmus test. Patrick Kennedy got an A+ on the test. I have got to know Patrick as a proud Dad, bragging on our kid’s successes and as a School Board Member working hard to improve public education in our community. Patrick is the Sacramento version of the Energizer Bunny; he keeps on and keeps on finding new ways to serve the Sacramento Community.

Do me and the Community a favor: Vote for Ray and Patrick. We need them both.

Vote for Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner!

Tell Your Friends to Vote for Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner!

Dear Friends,

It's less than a week to Election Day and I need your help!

I'm the only candidate for Insurance Commissioner endorsed by the California Democratic Party, and I've received great endorsements from the Sierra Club, the California Nurses Association, the California Teachers Association and many others, but the most important endorsement I could get is yours.

Your friends, family, work colleagues and acquaintances are getting ready to vote on Election Day. Some are already returning absentee ballots. They are turning to trusted sources to get recommendations on who they should vote for. A few words from you about my candidacy will make all the difference.

Please tell everyone you know that we need an Insurance Commissioner who is not afraid to take on the insurance companies and that's why you're supporting me.

Send your friends a personalized email message about why you're supporting me for Insurance Commissioner or copy and paste the sample text below into an email and send it to everyone in your contact list:

"Election Day is Tuesday, June 8th. I'm writing to you to ask you to vote for Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner. Insurance Commissioner is one of the most important elected offices in California because not only will it be responsible for overseeing the implementation of national Health Care Reform Legislation, it is also an office that can hold the insurance industry accountable.

As a member of the California State Assembly, Dave Jones is leading the fight to stop health insurance companies like Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield from hiking their health insurance rates. Jones won an award as the state's most effective legislator for his landmark work protecting privacy rights, creating the nation's largest preschool program, and stopping discrimination against women by insurance companies. He is not afraid to take on the insurance companies and we can trust him to stand up for us.

He is the only candidate endorsed by the California Democratic Party and he's also endorsed by the Sierra Club, classroom teachers, nurses, and many others.

I'm voting for Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner and I hope you will, too. For more information, please go to his website at: http://www.facebook.com/l/34ac3;www.DaveJones2010.com."

Only with your help can we take back the Insurance Commissioner's office. Please send a message to your friends and family today!

Thanks again for your help and support,

DAVE JONES
Only Candidate for Insurance Commissioner Endorsed by the California Democratic Party!

P.S. Please tell your friends and family to support Dave Jones for Insurance Commissioner. We just have one week left to Election Day!

Phil Serna for Sacramento Supervisor 2010, District 1 - Phil Serna for Sacramento Supervisor 2010

Phil Serna for Supervisor

Phil Serna, 41, lives and works in Sacramento's Natomas community. Phil grew-up in Sacramento's Curtis Park neighborhood where he attended local schools. Phil earned a B.A. from California State University, Sacramento in 1992 and a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1994. While attending graduate school, Phil met his wife Roxanna. They've been happily married for 14 years.

Following graduate school, Phil and Roxanna lived in San Francisco where Phil worked for a consulting firm specializing in environmental, economic and fiscal assessment. Later, Phil took a position with the Home Builders Association of Northern California as its Vice President of Governmental Affairs managing research and advocacy efforts relative to urban planning, environmental mitigation, and regional cooperation. Phil routinely worked with state legislative commissions, environmental and affordable housing advocates, business groups, and local governments to advance smart growth initiatives. Phil was also very active in his local community serving as an appointed member of the San Ramon Planning Commission and Architectural Review Board.

After returning to Sacramento in 2003, Phil established his own project management firm, Serna Consulting, LLC. Serna Consulting offers clients a variety of project management services, including advocacy and government relations. Phil has worked on a number of real estate projects with an emphasis on negotiating "win-win" solutions for both property owners and local governments. Some of his achievements include negotiating a multimillion dollar developer-funded supplemental school fee agreement for new school construction, crafting a first-of-its-kind agreement requiring developers to fund Interstate 5 congestion relief, and securing hundreds of acres of permanent open space and habitat mitigation over and above current regulatory requirements. In addition to his daily responsibilities with Serna Consulting, Phil is also a partner in Revolution Wines, a small commercial winery and tasting room located in Midtown Sacramento.

When Phil isn't working or playing music with several local jazz, folk, and rock-n-roll bands, he commits his time and energy serving on the Board of Directors for the CSUS Serna Center and for Cottage Housing Incorporated, a local non-profit transitional housing provider. Phil has also served as an adjunct faculty member of the CSUS Geography Department where he has taught economic geography and urban planning.

Vote Lucas H. Frerichs for Yolo County Democratic Central Committee

Friends/Voters of Yolo District 2-

I am asking for your help on election day this TUESDAY, JUNE 8th.

I am on the ballot running for Yolo County Democratic Central Committee--(District 2) which serves as the official representative and governing body of the California Democratic Party in Yolo County.

I have been engaged and involved in the City of Davis and Yolo County since I moved here in 1996. Throughout that time, I have been committed to Democratic values in Yolo County.

I respectfully ask for your support and your vote on June 8th and elect me to represent the voters of District 2 on the Central Committee.

Be sure to vote at the polls June 8th.
You can go to the following url to find your polling place:
http://www.yoloelections.org/voting/polling_place

If you are voting by mail:
Fill out your ballot by June 8th and mail it back.
OR
Drop off your completed ballot to your local polling place on June 8th.

Thank you for your friendship and continued support!
-Lucas

About Dr. Ami Bera | Bera for Congress

ABOUT DR. AMI BERA

“As a first generation American, born and raised in California, I benefited from what this state and this country had to offer— equality, opportunity, and the promise that through hard work and education I could reach my potential and create a full and successful life.

“But for many of us this promise no longer rings true. We face a record jobless rate, a health care crisis, and a crumbling school system that is failing our children. We need change because too many career politicians in Washington are bailing out Wall Street instead of helping us.

“I am running for Congress because I know things can be different. Together, we can change our course and begin to create a more compassionate, sensible, and sustainable America.” – Dr. Ami Bera

Ami Bera

Physician and Educator

For over 15 years, Dr. Bera has served the Sacramento region as a physician and educator.

Ami was born and raised in California at a time of great opportunity. He grew up in a vibrant household, benefiting from traditional values of discipline and hard work, solid educational foundations, and an underlying belief in the American dream.

Most recently, Dr. Bera served as Associate Dean for Admissions at the UC Davis School of

Medicine and was the former Chief Medical Officer for the County of Sacramento. Today, at age 45, Ami is running to represent his district in the United States Congress. He lives in Elk Grove with his wife, Janine, and 12-year-old daughter, Sydra.

Ami Bera

Physician and Educator

For over 15 years, Dr. Bera has served the Sacramento region as a physician and educator.

Most recently, Dr. Bera served as Associate Dean for Admissions at the UC Davis School of

Tom Torlakson for State Superintendent of Public Instruction 2010

Contribute Volunteer Sound Off

Lauren Hammond Democrat for Assembly

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the California State Assembly from the 9th District. I want to bring independent thinking, fresh ideas, and a decade of experience with the Sacramento City Council to the Capitol, to deliver the kind of representation I think is sorely missing in the Legislature.

I would appreciate your support of my campaign for State Assembly. Together we can change old bad habits that too often have stood in the way of solutions and we can tap new leaders with fresh ideas who can break the cycle of impasse and failure that prevails in state government today.

Sincerely,

Banned from graduation: Did the punishment fit the crime? | The Education Report

Banned from graduation: Did the punishment fit the crime?

By Katy Murphy
Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 at 2:09 pm in high schools, students, teens.

Skyline senior's painted car (courtesy photo)

It seemed like a fun idea at the time: Painting their cars like floats in a parade and cruising down the off-limits service road that runs around Oakland’s Skyline High School campus at lunchtime.

But about 11 of the students that took part in Friday’s senior prank — those who were caught — learned yesterday they would be suspended and banned from walking the stage at tomorrow night’s commencement at the Paramount, said Raeshon Culberson, whose daughter Jasmine was suspended (and, incidentally, who used to teach at Skyline).

They’ll be allowed inside the theater, Culberson said, but not on stage — and not dressed in a cap and gown.

Troy Flint, a spokesman for the Oakland school district, said the prank posed a safety threat. He said a number of teachers reported that cars were doing donuts and other tricks near students and staff, and that the drivers refused to stop, even when staff approached the cars. They also reported that some bystanders were almost hit, he said.

“I don’t think anyone at the school would classify this as a parade (other than t

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