Literacy for Life: Schools plan to standardize reading skills | NevadaAppeal.com

Literacy for Life: Schools plan to standardize reading skills NevadaAppeal.com:

"Teachers are beginning a three-year process to align the reading curriculum throughout the district.

Susan Keema, associate superintendent for educational services, said it's important because reading is the fundamental skill that serves as the backbone to education.

“It's the No. 1 thing,” she said. “You can't pass a math or science test unless you can read. If a person can't read, they can't even take a driver's test.”"

Commission on the 21st Century Economy Issues Recommendations to Modernize, Stabilize & Simplify California’s Outdated Tax System

Commission on the 21st Century Economy Issues Recommendations to Modernize, Stabilize & Simplify California’s Outdated Tax System:

"Commission on the 21st Century Economy Issues Recommendations to Modernize, Stabilize & Simplify California’s Outdated Tax System
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the Commission on the 21st Century Economy released its final report and recommendations on ways to update and improve California’s out-dated revenue system and make it more reflective of our state’s economy. The report reflects nine months of work by the 14-member bi-partisan commission that was jointly appointed in December by the Governor and Legislative leaders. The Commission’s charge was to suggest ways to modernize California's out-of-date revenue laws in order to improve the state's economic competitiveness and to reduce the revenue volatility that has led to the state's feast-or-famine state budget cycles.

“The boom-and-bust economic cycles the current tax system depends on has turned our state budgeting system into an unpredictable roller coaster ride that brings windfalls one year and painful deficits the next,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “I asked the commissioners to think outside the box and they certainly did. I applaud the hard work of the bipartisan commission and encourage everyone to give the recommendations a thorough review.”

http://www.cotce.ca.gov/"

Michael Boskin and John Cogan: Tax Cuts Can Help California Grow Again - WSJ.com

Michael Boskin and John Cogan: Tax Cuts Can Help California Grow Again - WSJ.com:

"The commission's majority report recommendations were made public yesterday. They include a sweeping overhaul of the personal income tax code that reduces tax brackets to two from six; eliminates all deductions and credits other than for charity, mortgage interest and property taxes; and cuts the top statutory income tax rate to 6.5% from 9.3%. Most taxpayers would receive a 25%-30% tax cut and all would pay less. The commission also recommends abolition of the state's corporate income tax and the elimination of most of the state sales tax that finances the state's general revenue fund (as opposed to special funds for transportation, etc.). Finally, to replace the lost revenue, the commission recommends a broad-based, low-rate state value-added tax (VAT), collected on business net receipts (revenues less purchases from other businesses, including immediate expensing of capital), that is capped at 4%."



Read full report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12340338/Commission-on-the-21st-Century-Economy-Issues-Recommendations-to-Modernize-Stabilize-and-Simplify-California’s-Outdated-Tax-System


http://www.cotce.ca.gov/

Commission proposes dramatic state tax overhaul

Commission proposes dramatic state tax overhaul:

"Besides doing away with the traditional sales and corporate taxes, the 415-page report by the bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy suggests across-the-board reductions in personal income tax rates. However, the wealthy, whose income taxes make up the lion's share of the state's tax base, would see larger tax cuts under the proposed changes."

Court: Teacher refusing training can be fired

Court: Teacher refusing training can be fired:

"Veteran schoolteachers who refuse training that qualifies them to instruct students who speak only limited English can be fired, a state appeals court ruled Tuesday."

A San Joaquin County school district that ordered all its teachers to take language training was within its authority to begin dismissal proceedings against a tenured high school music teacher who defied the requirement, said the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento.

The teacher, Theresa Messick of Ripon High School, is considering an appeal to the state Supreme Court, her lawyer said.

The ruling is the first to address districts' authority under a recent state law that requires teachers to get special training to work in classes that include students not fluent in English - about one-fifth of California's total enrollment. The law also requires schools to make all their programs available to those students. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/29/BAI519UG02.DTL#ixzz0SamLErUF

Sacramento Press / Mayor Kevin Johnson: New arena is a "front-burner" issue

Sacramento Press / Mayor Kevin Johnson: New arena is a "front-burner" issue:

"Johnson, however, seems willing to change turn the conversation away from Cal Expo, still not ruling out downtown as a location for a possible arena.

'Before I was the mayor, I would have always liked to see an arena downtown; and now that I am mayor, I would still like to see an arena downtown,' he said."

Swine flu school closings could cost billions - Wire Health & Science - sacbee.com

Swine flu school closings could cost billions - Wire Health & Science - sacbee.com:

"But in the month since classes began, many schools have closed. As of Monday, there had been at least 187 school dismissals across the country affecting at least 79,678 students, the Education Department said."

Marcos Breton: Lawyers win, school kids lose in Natomas land deal - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Marcos Breton: Lawyers win, school kids lose in Natomas land deal - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Lawyers gain while school kids lose.

It's happening in Sacramento, and involves a school district alleging that it grossly overpaid for land for a new school site � to the tune of millions of dollars.
Natomas Unified is suing key parties in the sale, including two companies headed by a developer who is arguably the most influential man in Sacramento."

No-tolerance on violence raises Elk Grove school's suspensions - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

No-tolerance on violence raises Elk Grove school's suspensions - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Last year, the 964-student population chalked up 1,224 suspensions. Of those, 507 were for violence or drugs � the 10th highest number in the state, according to figures compiled by the California Department of Education. The school also initiated 18 expulsions."

Politics Northwest | Nickels to host 60 U.S. mayors next week | Seattle Times Newspaper

Politics Northwest Nickels to host 60 U.S. mayors next week Seattle Times Newspaper:


"The event also will bring back some Seattle luminaries who have left for jobs in the Obama administration. Among those scheduled to speak are former King County Executive Ron Sims, now deputy secretary of HUD, and former Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, now U.S. Drug Czar.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu and HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan also are scheduled to address the mayors' group.

Among the 60-plus mayors who plan to show up: Oklahoma City's Mick Cornett, Los Angeles' Antonio Villaraigosa, Sacramento's Kevin Johnson, New Orleans' Ray Nagin, Denver's John Hickenlooper, Philadelphia's Michael Nutter, and Thomas Leppert of Dallas."

UC chief's glib NYT interview raises ire - SFBG Politics Blog

UC chief's glib NYT interview raises ire - SFBG Politics Blog:

"Just days after UC faculty, employees, and students took to the streets in protest of Yudof’s anti-democratic approach to making deep cuts and huge tuition hikes, here he is playing the cutesy wannabe celebrity who jokes about his lack of commitment to and qualifications for this important job.

And when given the chance to criticize Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger – which would seem a natural, given that he’s been blaming state government for his own destructive decisions – he dutifully plays the good company man and says of the dangerous defunding of higher education, “This is a long-term secular trend across the entire country. Higher education is being squeezed out. It’s systemic.”"

Oregon serious about trying to win Race to the Top federal education money | Oregon Education - OregonLive.com

Oregon serious about trying to win Race to the Top federal education money Oregon Education - OregonLive.com:

"Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Oregon schools superintendent Susan Castillo made their first formal joint pronouncement today that Oregon is going to mount a serious effort to win part of the $4 billion in 'Race to the Top' money that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan plans to award next spring.

Their announcement included naming the 22 people, mostly educators and education advocates, who are the 'design team' for Oregon's bid for the money. They also unveiled a web site where the public can learn more about the Race to the Top and Oregon's plans to try to win."

Oakland North » New schools head Tony Smith: “This is the future of democracy.”#more-13646#more-13646

Oakland North » New schools head Tony Smith: “This is the future of democracy.”#more-13646#more-13646:

"There are many people still waiting to see how this year turns out for Superintendent Smith, the first Oakland superintendent to be appointed by a local, independent school board since the state takeover. Smith, a Cal graduate (he played football for the Bears) and most recently the San Francisco school district’s deputy superintendent for instruction, innovation, and social justice programs, faces a stark achievement gap in Oakland, where African American and Latino children perform on average well below their white peers. The district is also losing $25 million in funding next year, after just having trimmed $69 million out over the past few years."

H1N1

H1N1:


"This is a message from the Sacramento City Unified School District about health care steps our schools are taking to prevent the spread of swine flu and how you can help us.
Please know we are complying with all notification and sanitation guidelines as directed by our County Department of Public Health and the California Department of Education. Our Department of Health Services is taking the lead in this matter."

More time in the classroom won't fix education problems

More time in the classroom won't fix education problems:

"“…greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right, greed works.”

President Obama’s latest proposal is to increase classroom time by as much as three hours a day and to open schools on weekends to give kids a safe place to hang out. What is unclear is whether or not this additional time in class would be instructional time. And true to form, the President never discussed the financial impact.

Although unspoken, his reasoning is essentially financial. At a time when most school districts are cutting teacher salaries and benefits, and increasing the student/teacher ratio and pupils per classroom, the unions are negotiating reductions in classroom time as compensation. In other words, less pay translates into less time in class for the children."

Extended School Year Would Have Dire Economic Effects, Critics Say - Political News - FOXNews.com

Extended School Year Would Have Dire Economic Effects, Critics Say - Political News - FOXNews.com:

"If the academic year gets pushed deeper into summer, as President Obama is advocating, the grumbling will not be limited just to students and teachers who will be forced to spend more days in school.

Critics say the president's call for a longer academic calendar and a shorter summer vacation will bring on a host of unintended consequences -- including increased costs for school systems, major cuts to the nation's hotel and tourism industries, and"

The McGraw-Hill Companies :: Connecting Education With Innovation: Leaders Honored With the 22nd Annual McGraw Prize in Education

The McGraw-Hill Companies :: Connecting Education With Innovation: Leaders Honored With the 22nd Annual McGraw Prize in Education:

"The 2009 Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education honors Sarita Brown, Linda Darling-Hammond and Joseph Renzulli for their guiding work in accelerating educational success among Latinos, teacher training, and gifted and talented enrichment, respectively. Announced today by Harold McGraw III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of The McGraw-Hill Companies, the honorees will be recognized this evening at a dinner at the New York Public Library.

'Providing an exceptional education to students of all backgrounds and skills sets is critical if we want our country, and our citizens, to succeed in today's global, knowledge-based economy,' said Mr. McGraw. 'In order for our nation to maintain its standing in the world, our educational system needs innovators who are always looking to push beyond boundaries to identify creative, effective solutions to our biggest challenges. Each of this year's recipients has done just that and as a result has made a tremendous difference in the lives of students and educators.'"

Fairsite Elementary School in Galt is now home to successful pre-school program

Fairsite Elementary School in Galt is now home to successful pre-school program:

"First 5-related programs, including a jumpstart kindergarten camp that brought in 40 students in July, have already been operating on the campus, according to Mayo-Whitlock.

A parent-toddler playgroup that starts today has close to 30 enrolled, the group will not only assist parents in learning about other caregiving options before kindergarten, but give them a support system, she said."

College Fairs prove most useful to juniors and seniors - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health | Sacramento Bee

College Fairs prove most useful to juniors and seniors - Sacramento Living - Sacramento Food and Wine, Home, Health Sacramento Bee:

"At a single college fair in Rocklin last year, 4,000 to 5,000 people -- teens and parents -- swarmed the tables of college recruiters in the academic equivalent of speed dating.
At such events, colleges bring their most attractive brochures and students bring breathless questions ranging from 'How hard is it to get in?' to 'How far is it to the beach?'"

Op-Ed Columnist - Peering at the Future - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Columnist - Peering at the Future - NYTimes.com:

"Visiting classrooms is like peering into the nation’s future. Right now the view is somewhat frightening. American kids drop out of high school at an average of one every 26 seconds. Only about a third of those who graduate are prepared to move on to a four-year college. And in the savage economic downturn that has gripped the U.S. for the better part of the past two years, retrenchment in public schools and colleges is widespread."

Obama Education Appointee: The Fox Guarding the Hen House

Obama Education Appointee: The Fox Guarding the Hen House:

"A few months ago I wrote about Kevin Jennings, the homosexual activists appointed to a high position within the Department of Education.
Jennings is the the founder and former head of the pro-homosexual Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) organization, a group that pushes the normalization and acceptance of homosexuality despite the moral and health pitfalls of this practice."

School boards seek more power to control costs | thedailyjournal.com | The Daily Journal

School boards seek more power to control costs thedailyjournal.com The Daily Journal:

"School boards need more power at the bargaining table to get a better grip on rising costs, according to Frank Belluscio, communications director for the New Jersey School Boards Association, which includes 4,800 local board members."

UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - City class sizes: Better, not more, teachers - Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009

UnionLeader.com - New Hampshire news, business and sports - City class sizes: Better, not more, teachers - Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009:

"'For me, class size is the most important component in achievement,' school board member Katherine Labanaris said in yesterday's story on the larger classes.
Alderman and mayoral candidate Mark Roy, the official candidate of the Manchester teachers union, says he's 'very deeply' troubled by the larger classes. He wants to find more money to pay more teachers so we can have fewer students in each room."

What your child's math teacher may not be telling you

What your child's math teacher may not be telling you:

"The author points out again one of the best kept secrets in special education masters programs. There is no emphasis in any sort of subject matter, like reading, math, science, etc to teach special education students. No wonder special education students lag way behind their general education peers! The unknowing public taxpayer assumes the reason is because the students are 'retarded' or 'intellectually challenged' even those these children are actually a very small segment of the special education population. Most special education students have average or above intellectual functioning. However, as time marches on and and they are subjected to ineffective teaching methods, they fall further and further behind. It is not because they can't learn, it is just because they have not had access to properly trained teachers.
Our teaching candidate continues:"

Klobuchar introduces National Anti-Truancy legislation

Klobuchar introduces National Anti-Truancy legislation:

"With debate over the reauthorization of major education law heating up, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today introduced the “Student Attendance Success Act” to help schools better address the challenge of truancy, especially for students in the middle-school years. The bill is cosponsored with North Carolina Senator Kay Hagan, and Klobuchar said she wants it included in the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind.

Citing the need for more effective federal support of the nation’s K-12 schools, Klobuchar also called for significant reform of the No Child Left Behind law, which is up for reauthorization by Congress this year."

“Occupy and Escalate”: Inside the Barricades at UC Santa Cruz : Indybay

“Occupy and Escalate”: Inside the Barricades at UC Santa Cruz : Indybay:

"We work and we borrow in order to work and to borrow. And the jobs we work toward are the jobs we already have. Close to three quarters of students work while in school, many full-time; for most, the level of employment we obtain while students is the same that awaits after graduation. Meanwhile, what we acquire isn’t education; it’s debt. We work to make money we have already spent, and our future labor has already been sold on the worst market around. …Even leisure is a form of job training. The idiot crew of the frat houses drink themselves into a stupor with all the dedication of lawyers working late at the office. Kids who smoked weed and cut class in high school now pop Adderall and get to work. We power the diploma factory on the treadmills in the gym."

whose works have been banned or challenged

whose works have been banned or challenged

Banned Books Week falls on the last week in September every year. To mark it this year, we thought we’d offer a little tribute to Jewish children’s book authors whose works have been banned or challenged. And in homage to one Jewish writer whose books get attacked with great regularity, we decided to do it in verse, a la Shel Silverstein. Silverstein’s 1974 book Where The Sidewalk Ends was challenged at the West Allis-West Milwaukee School Libraries in 1986 because it “suggests drug use, the occult, suicide, death, violence, disrespect for truth, disrespect for legitimate authority, rebellion against parents,” and at the Central Columbia School District in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.,

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » Gavin Newsom, Cory Booker and the Struggle for Urban America

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » Gavin Newsom, Cory Booker and the Struggle for Urban America:

"Although San Francisco and Newark, New Jersey appear to have little in common, both have young, high profile mayors trying to revive long distressed urban communities."

More Controversy in the classroom

More Controversy in the classroom:

"As parents we have a real dilemma with some of the curriculum that is being taught to our children in schools. The students in California may be shown pro-gay videos. The posters introducing the videos are displayed in the school now. The videos have been ordered by the various California school boards. There are two films one is of a boy “coming out” by wearing his mom’s bikini and the other is one that uses the spiritualism of Native American’s to cast LGBT (lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender) persons as “two-spirit” people."

State of the State: K-12 Education - The Daily Californian

State of the State: K-12 Education - The Daily Californian:

"Two years ago, California spent significantly less on schools than most other states. Now we are making deep cuts in educational spending. Two years ago, California ranked nearly last in the nation in the number of adults per student in our schools. Now we are laying off teachers. Two years ago, California faced a severe shortage of college graduates in the coming decade. Now the UC and CSU systems are eliminating classes and restricting enrollments."

No more retreating at CCSF | SocialistWorker.org

No more retreating at CCSF SocialistWorker.org:

"Most of all, the current cuts in funding for all California higher education are not a one-time, temporary loss. Even California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott has warned that further mid-year budget cuts are 'quite likely' as state tax revenues continue to drop in the recession.

Moreover, annual budget deficits will rise unless the state's legislators move beyond 'borrowing and gimmicks.' And City College's current budget plans for more cuts in programs and classes in 2010-11. This means layoffs, sooner or later."

Cal State students, it's time to stand up -- latimes.com

Cal State students, it's time to stand up -- latimes.com:

"These days, the big budget shortfalls in Sacramento have left our Cal State brothers and sisters unprotected. All Californians should fight to protect them. But the students also need a few lessons in standing up for themselves -- or else they'll always be on the losing end of those Capitol funding brawls.

Five faculty members and students made this point on the first day of classes, as part of a day of protest at college campuses all over the state. They held up a series of five words on signs outside the main parking lot:

'When Will You Fight Back?'"

Manteca Bulletin - Longer school days? Where’s the money?

Manteca Bulletin - Longer school days? Where’s the money?:

"With that the Commander-in-Chief believes that students today spend too little time in the classroom. Coming this week, those involved in education at the local level who have had to deal with the crippling economic blow that is still digging into coffers, aren’t quite sure that the concept of longer school days and shorter vacations – while maybe a good theoretical idea – is currently feasible."

“Who Asked Us?” Dear Arnold: Sign onto Education Funding Fairness - NAM

“Who Asked Us?” Dear Arnold: Sign onto Education Funding Fairness - NAM:

"Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,

When is the last time you talked to a public school student?

And I don’t mean one of those meet-and-greet, dog-and-pony shows. I mean, you know, really talked to one of us, like inviting us over to your office in Sacramento or going to lunch at a McDonald’s. To find out what’s really going on in our schools and in our lives."

2 teachers unions take on districts - SignOnSanDiego.com

2 teachers unions take on districts - SignOnSanDiego.com:

"The two largest teachers unions in the county are filing unfair-labor-practice complaints against school districts that increased class sizes this year to deal with unprecedented budget cuts. The Sweetwater Union High School District's union claims the school board failed to negotiate with educators as required before changing last year's 28-to-1 student-teacher ratio to 30-to-1 this year."

Mr. Jackson Told Me I Would Go Places - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Mr. Jackson Told Me I Would Go Places - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos:

"“While parents and politicians worry about crumbling facilities and decimated budgets, students know that the heart of education beats inside the individual teacher. More than spacious playgrounds or sparkling cafeterias; more, even, than top-notch textbooks and state-of-the art computers, it’s the teacher who makes the difference. When NAM asked young people in our youth communications programs to write about the one teacher who’d really made a difference, they barely had to think before the keys were flying. This collection of pieces was underwritten by a project funded through the California Teachers Association.”)"

Sacramento Press / Whole lot of love

Sacramento Press / Whole lot of love:

"The fifth annual Mustard Seed Spin was held yesterday on the American River Trail with guest speaker Mayor Kevin Johnson showing his support for the need to take care of our children and keep what safety nets we do have in place from disappearing."

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Blogger for a Day: Teachers Matter, But How Do You Measure It?

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Blogger for a Day: Teachers Matter, But How Do You Measure It?:

"Guest blogger Rick Beach, president of the San Diego Science Alliance, is taking on the topic of how to measure teacher performance. You might remember that a few bloggers debated this issue last month. We're continuing this conversation with Beach, who questions whether test scores are the right way to gauge teaching."

Series Introduction: Helping Our Teachers : NPR

Series Introduction: Helping Our Teachers : NPR:

"Everyone from President Obama on down seems to agree that a good teacher can make a huge difference in a child's life. American schools have been trying for decades to improve teacher quality. The results are mixed. Over the next year, NPR will explore those efforts and take a look at the latest crop of teachers entering the profession."

Newsom plans college 'savings bond'

Newsom plans college 'savings bond':

"Mayor and new daddy Gavin Newsom will unveil a plan to provide every San Francisco kindergartener with a $50 'savings bond' for college - just as soon as he can figure out how to make sure illegal immigrants can qualify."

The idea behind the Kindergarten to College program would be for San Francisco to seed an account for each of the 4,500 children who enter kindergarten in the city's public schools each year. The students and their families would take it from there.Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/28/BA4019SSEV.DTL&feed=rss.matierandross#ixzz0SSDcBhQZ

Cash for the classrooms -- latimes.com

Cash for the classrooms -- latimes.com:

"The teachers are still mostly young -- well, one tough year older -- and passionate about the mission of teaching disadvantaged students. The big difference: There are 43 more of them than last year, a 25% increase. And a tour of classrooms -- English, math, chemistry -- shows fewer students in each. Average class sizes, which had hovered in the low 30s last year, are now in the mid-20s.

This isn't just a change from the year before; it stands in marked contrast to the Los Angeles Unified School District and many other public school systems that have laid off teachers and increased class sizes because of miserable education funding. At the same time, Green Dot maintains order on what was a traditionally unruly campus by spending hundreds of thousands of dollars more on security than most schools."

Bridge to college | bridge, college - Local News - Victorville Daily Press

Bridge to college bridge, college - Local News - Victorville Daily Press:

"It’s a feat that’s brought tears to the eyes of Sacramento bureaucrats, local educators and proud parents: A whopping 100 percent of Serrano High School’s roughly 500 graduating seniors have accepted their diplomas with plans to go on to post-secondary education or the military for the past two years."

Bottled Water Giant Nestle Coming to Most Threatened River Delta in America? : TreeHugger

Bottled Water Giant Nestle Coming to Most Threatened River Delta in America? : TreeHugger:

"That's right, reports the Sacramento News & Review, - Nestle Waters North America has pulled out of its bid to get water from McCloud, near Mt. Shasta and instead is setting up shop in Sacramento. We reported just this year that this area is the #1 most threatened river basin, so why would a water bottling company come here of all places? Is there anything you can do? Click through the jump to find out more."

Sacramento News & Review,

http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=1263766

ACLU Opposes Surveillance Camera Plan - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

ACLU Opposes Surveillance Camera Plan - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento:

"'We didn't have $615,000 in our budget for security cameras, but there was Homeland Security money available. I fought for the money and got it. Public safety is a top priority for my administration, and I will use every tool to help reduce crime in our city,' Johnson said in a statement. 'Cameras alone won't solve crime, but they can be part of the solution. If technology helps keep our residents and visitors safe, we'd be foolish not to use it.'"

The School Issue - College - When Your Dorm Goes Green and Local - NYTimes.com

The School Issue - College - When Your Dorm Goes Green and Local - NYTimes.com:

"Thoreau said education often made straight-cut ditches out of meandering brooks. But not at the EcoDorm, which houses 36 undergraduates and is the spiritual heart of Warren Wilson College, a liberal-arts school of fewer than 1,000 students in Swannanoa, N.C."