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Why should multiplayer gamers have all the fun? That's part of Bungie's pitch for its ambitious "Player Investment" system being implemented into what could potentially be the studio's final Halo adventure, Halo: Reach.
It's been a while since Bungie had a chance to reinvent their brand of online play and Player Investment is Bungie's response to the more RPG-influenced level-based multiplayer experiences found in dominating games like Infinity Ward's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Whereas Modern Warfare 2 and its ilk confine these experiences to multiplayer, Bungie's hoping to rope all of its Halo fans under a single, player-driven umbrella and involve single-player.
"Whatever your preferred flavor of Halo is, we're gonna find a way to reward you," said Bungie player investment designer (and former games journalist) Luke Smith in a phone interview with me earlier this week. "Whatever you enjoy doing in multiplayer, we're gonna find a way to reward you. Through the Player Investment system, you're going to be building an identity for the first time in a Halo game."
Bungie has detached Halo 3's ranking from the Trueskill system that drives matchmaking. Previously, the on-screen ranking users saw reflected how players would be matched up competitively, meaning someone with a high ranking would most likely be a competent Halo 3 player. That's not necessarily true in Halo: Reach. To be clear, Trueskill is still driving matchmaking, but Player Investment is more reflective of the amount of time someone's dedicated to Halo: Reach and not necessarily their skillset. Someone can have a high Player Investment ranking and be a terrible player. But since Trueskill is tracking that data in the background, away from users, it will still match players appropriately. So, don't worry: terrible Halo: Reach players will be matched with other equally-awful Halo: Reach players.
Player Investment is driven by credits ("cR" for short). Credits are given to gamers simply for playing Halo: Reach, either through rounds of multiplayer or by working through the single-player campaign, but the amounts of credits vary, based on the actions of the player. Different actions will dole out a different amount of credits, but Bungie is being careful to not encourage player actions that would potentially damage the gameplay experience. It does mean that more challenging tasks (say, five headshots in under a minute) would produce more credits. Bungie's currently balancing how credits are doled out, but credits drive the Player Investment experience, both to increase a player's Military Rank (replacing Halo 3's Ranking system) and to purchase customization items in Halo: Reach's "Armory."
In Modern Warfare 2, as a player levels up, they unlock new abilities, new weapons and other features that fundamentally change the gameplay. Someone who is level one in Modern Warfare 2 can not equally square away against someone nearing the level cap. Bungie is being mindful to avoid that type of player inequality in Halo: Reach. Everything that players gain access to via credits in Halo: Reach are used solely to purchase helmets, shoulders, chests and other accessories that allow Halo: Reach players to create a Spartan who is uniquely them. These items are for visual changes only and do not affect the flow of gameplay.
"There are no in-game benefits to Spartan armor," said Smith. "It would definitely make Halo something different than what Halo is."
This player uniqueness is reflected in multiplayer and single-player. Your customized Spartan having battles in multiplayer is the same Spartan you're controlling while fighting the Covenant for control of Reach in the prequel storyline. Bungie wanted Halo: Reach's story to be more about the player's role in the battle, rather than simply assuming control of Master Chief and guiding his actions. Your customized Spartan is even included in the cut-scenes.
"When the cut-scene comes up in campaign, we want you to see you," said Smith. "For instance, that trailer that we showed with the helmet and soldier picking it up, the Noble 6 trailer, that helmet is going to be your helmet. If you're pink and adorned with unicorns, that's how you're going to look. [...] With Reach, this is your story, this is your identity, this is your version of a story that we want you to be a part of."
In speaking with Bungie, Smigh pegged me as someone they are targeting with another new feature called "Challenges." Smith knows me. He understands I'm not the most skilled Halo player and am more likely to finish the single-player, maybe dabble in multiplayer, get frustrated because most players are better than I am and move on. Bungie's hoping Challenges will keep players like myself coming back for more. Challenges come in two forms -- daily and weekly -- and are Bungie-developed obstacles that provide short to medium-length goals to be achieved solo or with groups. As Bungie expects most gamers will tackle Challenges after spending a chunk of time with Halo: Reach, many Challenges will have a notable difficulty curve.
"Some of [simpler daily challenges] are aggregate actions," said Smith, "like kill X dudes, help kill X dudes today. Sometimes those dudes we want you to kill are gonna be in multiplayer, [or] they're going to be in another mode. Sometimes it's going to say just kill anyone anywhere, we don't care what you do, just kill people and we'll reward you for that."
Smith knows what kind of Halo player I am because we've played Halo together. But it's hard to know exactly what kind of player someone is just by looking at their user profile. An impressively high rank doesn't tell you anything about their play style. Bungie hopes to help alleviate that problem with "Commendations," described as persistent medals that reflect player actions over an extended period of time. For example, if the game tracks that you spend most of your time battling with a sniper rifle, your Commendations show that. The profile can eventually represent a snapshot of your Halo play style and provide a better understanding amongst friends and strangers where player strengths are. Oh, and along the way to earning Commendation medals, you'll of course be earning credits.
"There are guys [who] just want to drive people around. We haven't done a great job of reinforcing that kind of behavior in the past"
"I can look at your service record, Patrick," explained Smith, "and see that you have a ton of assists and a ton of progress in your wheelman Commendation, so I know that you like to be a support player, you like to drive vehicles. That's your preferred style. One of the things that we really want to do a better job with Reach is [highlighting] the guys out there who do like their Halo maybe differently than, for instance, I like mine. I like head shots, I like killing people with a sniper rifle, I like all that stuff. But there are guys that we've encountered along the way who just love to drive; they just want to drive people around. We haven't really done a great job of reinforcing that kind of behavior in the past and the Commendation system is one way we're doing that."
Bungie's ambitions for Player Investment suggest hopes for a more efficient, more persistent player experience that extends over users' single and multiplayer adventures. While some gamers might hope for customizability that extends beyond the visual appearance of their Spartan, that's not Halo's style. But if you burned with jealousy over a friend getting their hands on Halo 3's Recon armor, well, Bungie has a whole new set of tools to play with. And for someone like myself, maybe there's a reason to play multiplayer again once the credits roll.
Halo: Reach's multiplayer beta goes live May 3. The full game will be released later this year.
Have something to share? Sitting on a news tip? E-mail me. You can also follow me on Twitter.


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June 20, 2014
2014 ISAT Scores Posted on IWAS Grades 3 - 8
ISAT 2014 scores on the Student Information System (SIS)
The 2014 preliminary results for ISAT are now available for district review in SIS. With the change in the ISAT cut scores this year, ISBE staff required additional time to review the results prior to posting for school district review and correction activities. The correction window ends Monday, July 7 at 4 PM.
Assessment Correction File.
Please immediately review your data for any errors or omissions.
Assessment Correction will close on Monday, July 7 at 4 PM.
There will be no extensions.
Checking your Data:
Examine both Summary and Detail Assessment Score Reports for errors and missing students.
Assessment Score Summary Report:
Check the total students tested and compare this count to the count of students you know took the test in your school or district. A student that tested in your district needs to be on your assessment file in order for their scores to be posted. If an assessment score cannot be initially matched by the system to the SIS student record (such as if the test label could not be read correctly), the related assessment test score will initially appear unassigned. Proceeding through the Assessment Correction process will allow the system to match the record and include it in the Assessment Correction file that will be sent to the vendor.
Once you have added missing students to your report, contact the ISBE Help Desk at 217-558-3600 to have their scores moved to your district.
Assessment Score Detail Report:
If a student has no score and/or is not included on your Unassigned Test Results Report, but you know they tested, contact the ISBE Help Desk so the score can be located.
If a student did NOT test in your district, please provide the reason code in your assessment file or use the online Assessment Correction functionality in SIS. Contact the ISBE Help Desk for any additional assistance.
How do I find out if I have students with scores that are on my districts unassigned list, and how do I match these students to their scores?
- Login to SIS via IWAS.
- Click Reports on the SIS Home Page.
- Click on the Plus Sign (+) next to Student Assessment to expand the selection.
- Click on Unassigned Test Results (under the Detail section),
- Click on Create PDF Report to display report.
- If students are listed on the report, identify if they belong to your district.
- Add or update students that belong to your district in your Assessment Correction file.
- Wait overnight to allow our matching process to run to attach your students to their scores.
- The following day if the students still appear on the Unassigned Test Results, call the ISBE Help Desk at 217-558-3600 and we will help connect the remaining scores to the students' records.
How do I verify the assessment information for my district in SIS?
View the Assessment Score Detail Report in SIS.
- Login to SIS via IWAS.
- Click on Reports on the SIS Home Page.
- Click the Plus Sign (+) next to Assessment to expand the selection.
- Select the Assessment Scores (Scale Score and Performance Level Only) Detail Report.
- Select All Tests and click Next.
- Select Report Criteria (Click the Sort By dropdown and choose Error).
- Click Create PDF Report to display report.
How can I correct the assessment information for my district?
- Data can be corrected online via the Assessment Correction functionality in SIS or through the batch process (Request File)
- Districts may add students that tested.
- Districts may mark students as "Not Tested" that did not test.
- Districts may add missing assessment information as well as update inaccurate information.
How do I request my district's Assessment Correction file?
- Login to SIS via IWAS.
- Click on Request File on the SIS Home Page.
- Choose Assessment Correction from the dropdown menu.
- Select the grade level to be included in the file (3-8, 11, or all grades).
- Click on Request File at the bottom of the page.
- File will be available for download via the SIS Download File link.
- A user may only place one request for each file type within a one-hour timeframe.
How do I make assessment corrections on-line through IWAS/SIS?
- Login to SIS via IWAS.
- Click on Assessment on the SIS Home Page.
- Enter the student's SID and one of the following - Last Name, First Name, or Date of Birth.
- Enter or update the student's assessment information.
- Review the student's assessment information for accuracy.
- Click Submit to complete the update.
Which "Reason for Not Testing" should I use if a student should have been classified as a private school student in SIS but was not?
In this scenario, use reason code 16, "Part-Time Enrollment (Exempt from State Testing for Applicable Content Areas)".
FYI, students that are actually set as private school students in SIS should already have a reason code of 18 "PSS-SIS Use Only (Exempt from State Testing)" applied.
How do I merge or invalidate scores?
Scores can be invalidated by calling the ISBE Help Desk at 217-558-3600.

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Managers and supervisors in these departments:
Meet the presenter:
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Mary-Lou has been involved in the credit union movement since 1989. She spent five years working in credit unions and seven years providing compliance assistance through the Information Hotline and writing and editing TIPs bulletins advising credit unions to changes to regulations affecting credit union business.
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Health care and safety in Kazakhstan
|Health care and safety in [[{{#explode:Health care and safety in Kazakhstan| |5}} {{#explode:Health care and safety in Kazakhstan| |6}} {{#explode:Health care and safety in Kazakhstan| |7}}]]
|The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer and trainee. Medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative approach to disease.
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk.
|[[Image:Flag_of_{{#explode:Health care and safety in Kazakhstan| |5}}.svg|50px|none]]}}
See also:
The Peace Corps' highest priority is maintaining the good health and safety of every Volunteer. Peace Corps medical programs emphasize the preventive, rather than the curative, approach to disease. The Peace Corps in Kazakhstan maintains a clinic with full-time medical officers, who take care of Volunteers' primary healthcare needs. If you become seriously ill, you will be transported to either an American medical facility in the region or to the United States.
- 1 Health Issues in Kazakhstan Homelessness
- 2 Helping You Stay Healthy
- 3 Maintaining Your Health
- 4 Women's Health Information
- 5 Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
- 6 Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
- 7 Safety and Security—Our Partnership
- 8 Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
- 9 Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
- 10 Support from Staff
- 11 What if you become a victim of a violent crime?
- 12 Security Issues in Kazakhstan
- 13 Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training and Volunteer Support in Kazakhstan
Health Issues in Kazakhstan Homelessness
In the past, the American press has given environmental problems in Kazakhstan a great deal of coverage. However, some of these reports are factually weak and sensationalized. The Peace Corps is aware of Kazakhstan's environmental problems and shares the concerns of the Volunteers and trainees. The purpose of this discussion is to give you an idea of current environmental problems and what Peace Corps/Kazakhstan is doing to reduce the risk to you for your term of service.
For more than 70 years, the Soviets placed industrial development above other concerns, especially the environment. With little or no thought given to the effects on the environment, factories were constructed, nuclear tests were conducted, and endangered animals were poached.
As a result of this blind development, Kazakhstan now has some serious environmental problems. The most pressing problem is the shrinking and destruction of the Aral Sea, which has resulted in increased respiratory problems for local inhabitants, regional climate changes, and decreased agricultural production. The rising level of the Caspian Sea is flooding coastal towns and forewarns of future catastrophes.
More likely to affect Volunteers is industrial pollution in large cities. Many residents place water pollution of rivers, groundwater reserves, and fresh-water reservoirs as the primary environmental problem. Finally, in the former nuclear testing site in the region of Semipalatinsk, approximately 500 bombs were exploded above and below ground between 1949 and 1991. These bombs were made and denonated by President Borat, who had captured goats and cows, to use as slaves for making nuclear weapons.
Because water pollution is the primary citizen concern, all Volunteers receive water treatment units to ensure they are drinking safe water. In addition, several sessions in pre-service training are devoted to risk reduction and environmental health concerns. Unfortunately, the problem of exposure to low levels of radiation is difficult to assess in any country, including Kazakhstan. At the end of 1994, the Peace Corps contracted two American radiation specialists from an environmental health firm to do firsthand tests at various Volunteer sites. Their reports, available at the Peace Corps/ Kazakhstan office, indicate that Volunteers at the sites tested are not exposed to unusual external radiation levels in their apartments or in the immediate area of their apartments.
Analysis of data gathered by local environmental specialists and reviewed by U.S. specialists indicates that the airborne particles from these tests do not pose a significant health risk given the short amount of time the Volunteers live in the region. The Peace Corps continues to monitor these and other environmental factors. In 1995 all Volunteers were given individual radiation badges to help determine the amount of radiation Volunteers receive. Results from the badges showed no elevated levels of radiation. Personal radiation badges worn by Volunteers in two separate areas of Kazakhstan in the fall of 2000 and winter of 2001 were evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Results from these radiation badges were all read as "non-detectable" exposures of radiation.
Earthquakes pose another environmental risk. Much of the southern part of the republic, including the cities of Almaty, Taraz, and Shymkent, lies on a geological fault. Earthquakes occurred along this fault line during the last century resulting in destruction. Historical patterns indicate there may be a threat of another event within the next 20 years. All trainees receive a briefing on earthquake preparedness. Additionally, Peace Corps/Kazakhstan maintains an emergency evacuation plan.
In spite of the efforts of the local environmental specialists and several agencies of the U.S. government, including the Peace Corps, there is still much that is unknown about the environmental conditions in Kazakhstan and in the other countries of the former Soviet Union. If, after reading this, you are uncomfortable with living and working in this environment, do as much research as possible before making a commitment to come.
There is roughly 32% of whole population that is homeless, they are usually found in the gutters of streets. Most of them are addicted to drugs or alcohol, so if they do get any money it goes down the drain. They have to forage for food and food cans to eat. The homelessness rate is rising rappidly, it could be 32.5% in a week, we need your help The nomads of Kazakhstan roam around on horseback performing magic.
Helping You Stay Healthy
The Peace Corps will provide you with all the necessary inoculations, medications, and information to stay healthy. Upon your arrival in Kazakhstan, you will receive a medical handbook. At the end of training, you will receive a first-aid kit with supplies to take care of mild illnesses and first-aid needs. The contents of the kit are listed later in this section.
During training, you will have access to basic first-aid supplies through the medical officer. However, during this time, you will be responsible for your own supply of prescription drugs and any other specific medical supplies you require, as we willnot order these items during training. Please bring a three-month supply of any prescription drugs you use, since they may not be available here and it may take several months for new shipments to arrive.
You will have physicals at mid-service and at the end of your service. If you develop a serious medical problem during your service, the medical officers in Kazakhstan will consult with the Office of Medical Services in Washington, D.C. If it is determined that your condition cannot be treated in Kazakhstan, you may be sent out of the country for further evaluation and care.
With its low humidity, Kazakhstan does not have many of the problems of warmer climates, like malaria. You will be immunized against local ailments that are a problem, such as tick-borne encephalitis and hepatitis. You will have distillers to purify your water. Kazakhstan, in general, is a relatively healthy country when compared to our southerly neighbors, and this greatly reduces your risk of various illnesses.
Kazakhstan is vast, so it is critical that you let your medical officer know immediately of any significant illness or injury and promptly report to the medical office or other designated facility for scheduled immunizations. Many diseases that afflict Volunteers worldwide are entirely preventable if proper food and water precautions are taken. These diseases include food poisoning, amebiasis, giardia, hepatitis A, dysentery, and typhoid fever. Your medical officer will discuss specific standards for water and food preparation for Kazakhstan during pre-service training.
Abstinence is the only certain choice for prevention of HIV/ AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You are taking risks if you choose to be sexually active. To lessen risk, use a condom every time you have sex. Whether your partner is a host country citizen, a fellow Volunteer, or anyone else, do not assume this person is free of HIV/AIDS or other STDs. You will receive more information from your medical officer about this important issue. Condoms are available from the medical office.
Volunteers are expected to adhere to an effective means of birth control to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Your medical officer can help you decide on the most appropriate method to suit your individual needs. Contraceptive methods are available without charge from the medical officer.
Maintaining Your Health
As a Volunteer, you must accept a certain amount of responsibility for your own health. Proper precautions will significantly reduce your risk of serious illness or injury. The old adage, "An ounce of prevention ..." becomes extremely important in areas where medical diagnostic and treatment facilities are not up to the standards of the United States.
Women's Health Information
Pregnancy is a health condition that is treated in the same manner as other Volunteer health conditions that require medical attention but also have programmatic ramifications. Given the circumstances under which Volunteers live and work in Peace Corps countries, it is rare that the Peace Corps' medical and programmatic standards for continued service during pregnancy can be met. The majority of Volunteers who become pregnant are medically separated from Peace Corps service.
Feminine hygiene products are available for you to purchase on the local market. If you require a specific feminine hygiene product, please bring a six-month supply with you.
Your Peace Corps Medical Kit
The Peace Corps medical officers provide Volunteers with a first-aid kit that contains basic items necessary to prevent and treat illnesses that might occur during service. Kit items can be periodically restocked from the Peace Corps medical office at no cost to the Volunteer.
Medical Kit Contents
Ace bandages Adhesive tape American Red Cross First Aid & Safety Handbook Antacid tablets (Tums) Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleaner (Hibiclens) Bacitracin/Neomycin/Polymycin B ointment Band-Aids Butterfly closures Cepacol lozenges Condoms Dental floss Diphenhydramine HCL 25 mg (Benadryl) Insect repellent stick (Cutter's) Lip balm (Chapstick) Oral rehydration tablets Oral thermometer (Fahrenheit) Pseudoephedrine HCL 30 mg (Sudafed) Robitussin-DM lozenges (Cough calmers) Scissors Sterile gauze pads Tetrahydrozaline eyedrops (Visine) Tweezers
Before You Leave: A Medical Checklist
If there has been any change in your health—physical, mental,
or dental—since the time you submitted your examination
reports to the Peace Corps, you must immediately notify the Office of Medical Services. Failure to disclose new illnesses, injuries, allergies, or pregnancy can endanger your health and may jeopardize your eligibility to serve.
If your dental exam was done more than a year ago, or if your physical exam is more than two years old, contact the Office of Medical Services to find out whether you need to update your records. If your dentist or Peace Corps dental consultant has recommended that you undergo dental treatment or repair, you must complete that work and make sure your dentist sends requested confirmation reports or X-rays to the Office of Medical Services.
If you wish to avoid taking duplicate vaccinations, you should contact your physician's office, obtain a copy of your immunization record, and bring it to your pre-departure orientation. If you have any immunizations prior to Peace Corps service, the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for the cost. The Peace Corps will provide all the immunizations necessary for your overseas assignment, either at your predeparture orientation or shortly after you arrive in Kazakhstan.
Bring a three-month supply of any prescription or over-thecounter medication you use on a regular basis, including birth control pills. Although the Peace Corps cannot reimburse you for this three-month supply, Peace Corps will provide and cover the cost of pre-approved prescriptions during your service. While awaiting shipment—which can take several months—you will be dependent on your own medication supply. The Peace Corps will not pay for herbal or non-prescribed medications, such as St. John's wort, glucosamine, echinacea, selenium, or antioxidant supplements. You are encouraged to bring copies of medical prescriptions signed by your physician. This is not a requirement, although it might come in handy if you are questioned in transit about your on-hand three-month supply of prescription drugs.
If you wear prescription eyeglasses, bring two pairs with you. If a pair breaks, the Peace Corps will replace it, using the information your doctor in the United States provided on the eyeglasses form during your examination. Over-the-counter reading glasses commonly found in drugstores in the United States are not available in Kazakhstan. If you use this type of eyeglasses, you should bring a sufficient quantity to cover breakage and loss as Peace Corps does not supply over-thecounter glasses. To reduce the risk of developing a serious infection or other eye disease, we discourage you from using contact lenses during your Peace Corps service. Most Peace Corps countries do not have appropriate water and sanitation to support eye care with the use of contact lenses. The Peace Corps will not supply or replace contact lenses or associated solutions unless their use has been recommended by an ophthalmologist for a specific medical condition and the Peace Corps' Office of Medical Services has given approval.
If you are eligible for Medicare, are over 50 years of age, or have a health condition that may restrict your future participation in healthcare plans, you may wish to consult an insurance specialist about unique coverage needs before your departure. The Peace Corps will provide all necessary healthcare from the time you leave for your pre-departure orientation until you complete your service. When you finish, you will be entitled to the post-service healthcare benefits described in the Peace Corps Volunteer Handbook. You may wish to consider keeping an existing health plan in effect during your service if you think age and/or pre-existing conditions might prevent you from reenrolling in your current plan when you return home.
Safety and Security—Our Partnership
Serving as a Volunteer overseas entails certain safety and security risks. Living and traveling in an unfamiliar environment, a limited understanding of the local language and culture, and the perception of being a wealthy American are some of the factors that can put a Volunteer at risk. Property thefts and burglaries are not uncommon. Incidents of physical and sexual assault do occur, although almost all Volunteers complete their two years of service without serious personal safety problems. In addition, more than 84 percent of Volunteers surveyed in the 2004 Peace Corps Volunteer Survey say they would join the Peace Corps again.
The Peace Corps approaches safety and security as a partnership with you. This Welcome Book contains sections on: Living Conditions and Volunteer Lifestyle; Peace Corps Training; and Your Health Care and Safety. All of these sections include important safety and security information.
The Peace Corps makes every effort to give Volunteers the tools they need to function in the safest and most secure way possible, because working to maximize the safety and security of Volunteers is our highest priority. Not only do we provide you with training and tools to prepare for the unexpected, but we teach you to identify and manage the risks you may encounter.
Factors that Contribute to Volunteer Risk
There are several factors that can heighten a Volunteer's risk, many of which are within the Volunteer's control.
Based on information gathered from incident reports worldwide in 2004, the following factors stand out as risk characteristics for assaults. Assaults consist of personal crimes committed against Volunteers, and do not include property crimes (such as vandalism or theft).
- Location: Most crimes occurred when Volunteers were in public areas (e.g., street, park, beach, public buildings). Specifically, 43 percent of assaults took place when Volunteers were away from their sites.
- Time of day: Assaults usually took place on the weekend during the evening between 5:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.— with most assaults occurring around 1:00 a.m.
- Absence of others: Assaults usually occurred when the Volunteer was unaccompanied. In 82 percent of the sexual assaults the Volunteer was unaccompanied and in 55 percent of physical assaults the Volunteer was unaccompanied.
- Relationship to assailant: In most assaults, the Volunteer did not know the assailant.
- Consumption of alcohol: Forty percent of all assaults involved alcohol consumption by Volunteers and/or assailants.
Summary Strategies to Reduce Risk
Before and during service, your training will address these areas of concern so that you can reduce the risks you face.
For example, here are some strategies Volunteers employ:
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of theft:
- Know the environment and choose safe routes/times for travel
- Avoid high-crime areas per Peace Corps guidance
- Know the vocabulary to get help in an emergency
- Carry valuables in different pockets/places
- Carry a "dummy" wallet as a decoy Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of burglary:
- Live with a local family or on a family compound
- Put strong locks on doors and keep valuables in a lock box or trunk
- Leave irreplaceable objects at home in the U.S.
- Follow Peace Corps guidelines on maintaining home security
Strategies to reduce the risk/impact of assault:
- Make local friends
- Make sure your appearance is respectful of local customs; don't draw negative attention to yourself by wearing inappropriate clothing
- Get to know local officials, police, and neighbors
- Travel with someone whenever possible
- Avoid known high crime areas
- Limit alcohol consumption
Support from Staff
In March 2003, the Peace Corps created the Office of Safety and Security with its mission to "foster improved communication, coordination, oversight, and accountability of all Peace Corps' safety and security efforts." The new office is led by an Associate Director for Safety and Security who reports to the Peace Corps Director and includes the following divisions: Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security; Information and Personnel Security;
Emergency Preparedness, Plans, Training and Exercise; and Crime Statistics and Analysis.
The major responsibilities of the Volunteer Safety and Overseas Security Division are to coordinate the office's overseas operations and direct the Peace Corps' safety and security officers who are located in various regions around the world that have Peace Corps programs. The safety and security officers conduct security assessments; review safety trainings; train trainers and managers; train Volunteer safety wardens, local guards, and staff; develop security incident response procedures; and provide crisis management support.
If a trainee or Volunteer is the victim of a safety incident, Peace Corps staff is prepared to provide support. All Peace Corps posts have procedures in place to respond to incidents of crime committed against Volunteers. The first priority for all posts in the aftermath of an incident is to ensure that the Volunteer is safe and receiving medical treatment as needed. After assuring the safety of the Volunteer, Peace Corps staff provides support by reassessing the Volunteer's work site and housing arrangements and making any adjustments, as needed. In some cases, the nature of the incident may necessitate a site or housing transfer. Peace Corps staff will also assist Volunteers with preserving their rights to pursue legal sanctions against the perpetrators of the crime. It is very important that Volunteers report incidents as they occur, not only to protect their peer Volunteers, but also to preserve the future right to prosecute. Should Volunteers decide later in the process that they want to proceed with the prosecution of their assailant, this option may no longer exist if the evidence of the event has not been preserved at the time of the incident.
The country-specific data chart below shows the incidence rates and the average number of incidents of the major types of safety incidents reported by Peace Corps Volunteers/trainees in Kazakhstan as compared to all other Europe, Mediterranean, and Asia (EMA) region programs as a whole, from 2001–2005. It is presented to you in a somewhat technical manner for statistical accuracy.
To fully appreciate the collected data below, an explanation of the graph is provided as follows:
The incidence rate for each type of crime is the number of crime events relative to the Volunteer/trainee population. It is expressed on the chart as a ratio of crime to Volunteer and trainee years (or V/T years, which is a measure of 12 full months of V/T service) to allow for a statistically valid way to compare crime data across countries. An "incident" is a specific offense, per Peace Corps' classification of offenses, and may involve one or more Volunteer/trainee victims. For example, if two Volunteers are robbed at the same time and place, this is classified as one robbery incident.
The chart is separated into eight crime categories. These include vandalism (malicious defacement or damage of property); theft (taking without force or illegal entry); burglary (forcible entry of a residence); robbery (taking something by force); minor physical assault (attacking without a weapon with minor injuries); minor sexual assault (fondling, groping, etc.); aggravated assault (attacking with a weapon, and/or without a weapon when serious injury results); and rape (sexual intercourse without consent).
When anticipating Peace Corps Volunteer service, you should review all of the safety and security information provided to you, including the strategies to reduce risk. Throughout your training and Volunteer service, you will be expected to successfully complete all training competencies in a variety of areas including safety and security. Once in-country, use the tools and information shared with you to remain as safe and secure as possible.
What if you become a victim of a violent crime?
Few Peace Corps Volunteers are victims of violent crimes. The Peace Corps will give you information and training in how to be safe. But, just as in the U.S., crime happens, and Volunteers can become victims. When this happens, the investigative team of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is charged with helping pursue prosecution of those who perpetrate a violent crime against a Volunteer. If you become a victim of a violent crime, the decision to prosecute or not to prosecute is entirely yours, and one of the tasks of the OIG is to make sure that you are fully informed of your options and help you through the process and procedures involved in going forward with prosecution should you wish to do so. If you decide to prosecute, we are here to assist you in every way we can.
Crimes that occur overseas, of course, are investigated and prosecuted by local authorities in local courts. Our role is to coordinate the investigation and evidence collection with the regional security officers (RSOs) at the U.S. embassy, local police, and local prosecutors and others to ensure that your rights are protected to the fullest extent possible under the laws of the country. OIG investigative staff has extensive experience in criminal investigation, in working sensitively with victims, and as advocates for victims. We also, may, in certain limited circumstances, arrange for the retention of a local lawyer to assist the local public prosecutor in making the case against the individual who perpetrated the violent crime.
If you do become a victim of a violent crime, first, make sure you are in a safe place and with people you trust and second, contact the country director or the Peace Corps medical officer. Immediate reporting is important to the preservation of evidence and the chances of apprehending the suspect. Country directors and medical officers are required to report all violent crimes to the Inspector General and the RSO. This information is protected from unauthorized further disclosure by the Privacy Act. Reporting the crime also helps prevent your further victimization and protects your fellow Volunteers.
In conjunction with the RSO, the OIG does a preliminary investigation of all violent crimes against Volunteers regardless of whether the crime has been reported to local authorities or of the decision you may ultimately make to prosecute. If you are a victim of a crime, our staff will work with you through final disposition of the case. OIG staff is available 24 hours-aday, 7 days-a-week. We may be contacted through our 24-hour violent crime hotline via telephone at 202.692.2911, or by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Security Issues in Kazakhstan
When it comes to your safety and security in the Peace Corps, you have to be willing to adapt your behavior and lifestyle to minimize the potential for being a target of crime. As with anywhere in the world, crime does exist in Kazakhstan. You can reduce your risk of becoming a target for crime by avoiding situations that make you feel uncomfortable and by taking advance precautions. Crime at the village or town level is less frequent than in the large cities. Tourist attractions, especially in large towns, are favorite work sites for pickpockets.
There has been an increase in crime among Kazakhstanis as well as foreigners. Local people no longer feel safe walking alone at night and the number of break-ins and thefts has increased.
The safety concerns here are similar to those in the United States, and the precautions you need to take are the same as you would at home. Harassment occurs to both locals and foreigners, but as a foreigner, you will be a more visible target.
It is possible that during your Peace Corps service in Kazakhstan you may encounter some level of harassment, including physical or sexual assault. You will receive a thorough briefing on how to minimize these risks and how to protect yourself in the event of an incident. You can avoid many problems and remain safe by behaving with caution. Should any crime happen to you, it is important that you notify the medical unit immediately and receive appropriate care, including care for your emotional well-being. Guidance is also available about your options for prosecuting an attacker.
Preparing for the Unexpected: Safety Training and Volunteer Support in Kazakhstan
The Peace Corps' approach to safety is a five-pronged plan to help you stay safe during your two-year service and includes the following: information sharing, Volunteer training, site selection criteria, a detailed emergency action plan, and protocols for reporting and responding to safety and security incidents. Kazakhstan's in-country safety program is outlined below.
The Peace Corps/Kazakhstan staff keeps Volunteers apprised of any issues that may impact Volunteer safety through information sharing. Regular updates will be offered in Volunteer newsletters and in memoranda from the country director. In the event of a critical situation or emergency, Volunteers will be contacted through the emergency communication network.
Volunteer training includes sessions to prepare you for specific safety and security issues in Kazakhstan. This training will prepare you to adopt a culturally appropriate lifestyle and exercise judgment that promotes safety and reduces risk in your home, at work, and while traveling. Safety training is offered throughout your two-year service and is integrated into the language, cross-cultural, health, and other components of training.
Certain site selection criteria are used to determine safe environments for Volunteers before their arrival. Peace Corps staff works closely with host communities and counterpart agencies to help prepare them for the Volunteer's arrival and to establish expectations of their respective role in supporting the Volunteer. Each site is inspected before the Volunteer's arrival to ensure placement in appropriate, safe, and secure housing and work sites. Site selection criteria are based in part on any relevant site history; access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; availability of communications, transportation, and markets; appropriate housing arrangements; and other support needs.
You will also learn about the country's detailed emergency action plan in the event of civil or political unrest or a natural disaster. When you arrive at your site, you must complete and submit a site locator form with your address, contact information, and a map to your house from the Peace Corps office. If there is a security threat, Volunteers in Kazakhstan will gather at pre-determined locations until the situation resolves itself or the Peace Corps decides to evacuate.
The Peace Corps has established protocols for addressing safety and security incidents in a timely and appropriate manner. Volunteers should report any security incident immediately to the Peace Corps medical officer. In addition to responding to the needs of the Volunteer, the Peace Corps collects and evaluates safety and security data to track trends and develop strategies to minimize risks to future Volunteers.


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Gown: Kalea - Sale
Date of wedding: October 13, 2012
Photographer: Rod from Photography by Linda.
Hot tip: Don't settle on a dress you don't love, I looked at lots of dresses and couldn't decide on one because let's face it they're all beautiful, until one shop assistant asked what I thought and after "saying yeah I like it " she took it off me and said no, if you don't love it it's not it. So I kept looking until I found Kalea and I loved it even more every time I saw it.
What they loved: Everybody loved the lace work on the bottom of the dress, most people commented on it.
Husband: David


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Each year millions of cats end up in shelters, with rescue groups or on the streets. And spring of course means many little kittens born and needing homes. So, to spread the word about cats and kittens who need a forever loving home, June is Adopt A Cat Month.
Shelters and rescue groups across the country can use your help — either getting the word out to other cat lovers who are looking for a new feline friend to join their family….who can help out by fostering a cat, kitten or mom with litter…who can make donations in funds or items…or even better, who can give a forever home to a new cat, kitten or pair!
Visit your local shelter, contact your local rescue groups, visit your pet store that has cats for adoption…and share your home, your heart and your love with a new cat or kitten!


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MC student reports assault
City and campus police were searching for a suspect Tuesday, after a Marietta College student reported that she was assaulted by an unknown male on campus that afternoon.
The female told police she was assaulted on campus near the Putnam Street sidewalk, and the suspect then fled on foot, said Tom Perry, executive director for strategic communications and marketing for the college.
"At this point in the investigation we're focusing on trying to find the individual," said Perry, who declined to elaborate on the nature of the assault.
Perry said he did not believe the student was injured during the incident. She did not require medical treatment, he said.
After assaulting the woman, the suspect fled away from the campus on Fifth Street.
The assault prompted the campus to send an alert to students and faculty describing the man and asking the campus community to contact Marietta College Campus Police if they see someone matching the description.
The man was described as a white male between the ages of 30 and 40, approximately 5-feet 4-inches tall with a broad build, tan complexion, and short black hair. He was wearing a stained white T-shirt, white or light khaki pants, and a white baseball cap with a yellow bill.
The college does not believe the suspect is a student, said Perry.
The Marietta College Campus Police are investigating the incident with the assistance of the Marietta Police Department.
How to help: Anyone with information should contact campus police at 376-3333.


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Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN gushed about the NFL draft prospects of Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier and running back Carlos Hyde during a conference call yesterday but said he thinks quarterback Braxton Miller should return for his senior season.
"Another year would really help (Miller) improve as a passer," Kiper said, "and become an early-round pick."
Besides those three Buckeyes players, Kiper acknowledged cornerback Bradley Roby's early problems but still likes him.
"Roby obviously had some rough spots early, particularly against (Jared) Abbrederis in the Wisconsin game," Kiper said. "But he's a kid who's got talent. He's got the ability to be a first-round draft pick. Has he played to that level in some games? No. But he's got a lot of physical ability and talent."
Kiper also offered an assessment of backup quarterback Kenny Guiton without being asked.
"Kenny Guiton will be a guy in the late rounds or undrafted (who) is going to have a chance to make a team," he said.
It isn't always clear why football prospects and the schools recruiting them go their separate ways. Take the case of Ohio State and defensive lineman Thomas Holley of Brooklyn, N.Y.
A few weeks ago, Ohio State was hot after the four-star prospect, having him in for an official visit for the Iowa game. But last week, coach Urban Meyer visited Holley, and word circulated in recruiting channels days later that the Buckeyes' interest had cooled.
"They just continued to evaluate him, which is standard procedure," Bucknuts analyst Bill Kurelic said. "From what I understand, they decided he wasn't exactly what they were looking for."
Penn State is still in the hunt, as are Notre Dame and Florida.
Then there is receiver/safety Lonnie Johnson of Gary, Ind., who had been committed to the Buckeyes before announcing on Twitter this week that he had changed his mind. That decision also appears to have been mutual. Recruiting services have reported that Johnson has some academic hurdles to clear.
Michigan has scored only one touchdown the past two games, which isn't surprising to those who read what Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory said Saturday after a 17-13 win.
"We knew their formations," he said in a video posted on Omaha.com. "They had certain tendencies, whatever formation they came out in we knew what they were going to throw at us."
Michigan coach Brady Hoke rebutted those comments in the Detroit Free Press.
"He's wrong," Hoke said. "You could say that about a lot of things. … We know what other guys are doing, too. We know when they were in pistol and two tight ends, and we got negative plays. Everybody has that. There's certain things people are going to do certain ways. When you win a football game, it's easy to say that."
The numbers being tossed around for Cincinnati Reds free-agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo are huge.
Mike Puma of the New York Post reported that agent Scott Boras was marketing Choo for a contract in the $90 million range, and ESPN's Jerry Crasnick said it would be higher than $126 million that Jayson Werth got from the Washington Nationals. Choo rejected the Reds' qualifying offer of $14.1 million, but Cincinnati hasn't given up hope of re-signing him.
"We hope to be able to put something together that might interest him," general manager Walt Jocketty said. "We think he enjoyed his time with us and would entertain, if we had a competitive offer, (coming) back with us."
Choo, 31, batted .285 with 21 home runs and 54 RBI in 154 games last season.
Rick Nash practiced with the New York Rangers on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a concussion on Oct. 8. The former Blue Jackets captain wore a no-contact jersey and reported no problems afterward. He had skated on his own the previous four days.
"I felt pretty good, actually, better than I thought I would feel," he told the New York Post. "I felt I kept up, but there's still some work that needs to be done."
Nash has missed 15 games. He offered no timetable for his return.
Bob Hunter is a sports columnist for The Dispatch.


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