text:
Volume IV
The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, Washington, DC
What's New
- U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announces selection of 2006 Presidential Scholars.
- Secretary Spellings issues letter to America's teachers.
- At the kick-off of National Charter Schools Week, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings delivers remarks.
- Secretary Spellings speaks at the "No Child Left Behind Summit: The Path to 2014."
- Secretary Spellings issues statement regarding Earth Day.
- President Bush and Secretary Spellings visit Tuskegee University.
- President Bush issues executive order creating a National Mathematics Advisory Panel.
- Secretary Spellings travels to Bangalore India with U.S. Senators.
- First Lady Laura Bush announces a Conference on Global Literacy that the U.S. Department of Education will co-sponsor.
- U.S. Department of Education announces guidelines for new Academic Competitiveness and National SMART Grants.
- U.S. Department of Education releases "Toolkit on Teaching and Assessing Students with Disabilities."
- Eight new states chosen for State Scholars Initiative.
- The National Assessment of Title I: Interim Report to Congress is released.
- Title I Accountability and School Improvement Efforts From 2001 to 2004 is issued.
- U.S. Department of Education organizes summer 2006 Teacher-to-Teacher workshops.
- NCES releases a report on The Adult Lives of At-Risk Students.
- NCES releases a report comparing the content of two fourth and eighth grade science assessments.
- NCES releases a report that includes findings from the 1999 Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Video Study.
- The May edition of the Education News Parents Can Use program will highlight OII programs and staff.
- Guidance to assist private schools in becoming providers of supplemental educational services (SES) is released, and a new website related to private school participation in SES is launched.
- The Montalvo Arts Center (CA) offers Teaching Artist Fellowships.
- The History Channel's Save Our History Grant Program now accepting applications.
- The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems sponsors a Superintendents' Academy.
- A report by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) analyzes the impact of NCLB on English language learners (ELLs).
- Frederick M. Hess of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and Michael J. Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation co-author No Child Left Behind: A Primer.
- National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) launches online parent center.
- A report from Jobs for the Future (JFF) examines the nation's high school dropout situation.
- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) will sponsor its annual Reading Is Fun Week from May 14-20.
- RIF website nominated for a Webby Award.
- The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) continues work on Great Schools by Design and releases findings from its National Summit on School Design.
- The Brookings Institution's Hamilton Project releases Identifying Effective Teachers Using Performance on the Job.
- A study from Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) analyzes teachers' professional development.
- Education Week releases Technology Counts report.
- Standard & Poor's releases a new paper and Benchmarking Workbook.
- The National Writing Project hosts poetry reading, and the Spring 2006 edition of lesson plans from Smithsonian in Your Classroom is available online.
Innovations in the News
- Charter Schools/Choice
- Closing the Achievement Gap
- Parental Involvement
- Raising Student Achievement/School Reform
- Teacher Quality and Development
Expanding Educational Options - The DC Opportunity Scholarship Program
Shirley Hayes understands the importance of choice in education. Ms. Hayes chose her career path early, deciding as a little girl that she would grow up to be a teacher. Ms. Hayes spent much of her professional life as a principal or, in her words, "a teacher with a larger audience," at Park View Elementary, a public school in Northwest Washington, DC. After 23 years, Ms. Hayes chose to leave Park View to venture to the east side of the city and into the realm of private education, becoming the principal of Nannie Helen Burroughs, a religiously affiliated elementary school. After arriving there, Ms. Hayes was pleased to learn that many of her former students were enrolling their children and grandchildren at Nannie Helen Burroughs because they trusted her as a school leader. But Ms. Hayes also knew that many more of her former students did not have a choice for where they could send their children to be educated because their income levels could not support private school tuition. Now, 12 years later, Ms. Hayes is proud that her school is one of 68 private schools in Washington, DC, accepting children through the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, the nation's first federally funded initiative to provide low-income students with scholarships to attend private elementary and secondary schools.
Congress created this five-year pilot program in January 2004 through the District of Columbia School Choice Incentive Act of 2003. The Office of Innovation and Improvement at the U.S. Department of Education subsequently held a competition for the grant to administer the program. In March of that year, the nonprofit Washington Scholarship Fund (WSF) was selected by the U.S. Department of Education to administer the program, with the supervision and support of the office of DC Mayor Anthony Williams. WSF named its new initiative the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP). It became the only joint scholarship initiative at the elementary and secondary level of the Federal government and a local educational agency, the District of Columbia Public School system (DCPS).
The purpose of the OSP is to give DC parents the opportunity to exercise greater choice in the education of their children. Elementary and secondary school students who are residents of Washington, DC, and are members of families whose income does not exceed 185 percent of the poverty line are eligible to apply. Students receive scholarships of up to $7,500 per year to pay for tuition, fees, and transportation costs to attend participating private schools in the city. In making scholarship awards, if there are more eligible applicants than available scholarships, applicants receive scholarships through a lottery system. Scholarship priority is given to applicants attending schools identified as in need of improvement, corrective action, or restructuring under Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act. During the 2003-2004 academic year, 15 elementary, middle, and high schools in Washington, DC, fell into one of those categories. In 2004-2005, 88 schools in the city fit that description. Between 2003 and 2005, about 44 percent of the total public school OSP applicant pool came from a public school that was identified as in need of improvement.
Opportunity Scholarships are renewable for up to five years (as funds are appropriated), as long as students remain eligible for the program. Participating private schools must be located in Washington, DC, and agree to report to parents of scholarship students at least once per year, describing the academic performance of the student and the aggregate performance of other students in their schools. In addition, schools must report to parents regarding the safety of their facilities. Private schools must agree to scholarship program requirements regarding fiscal responsibility and nondiscrimination in admissions and operations with regard to program participants. The statute also requires that the OSP submit to an ongoing, rigorous, independent evaluation of the effects on students and families. Georgetown University and Westat Corporation, on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES), were chosen to lead the evaluation. Currently, data are being collected for an analysis of the OSP's effectiveness in improving student outcomes. These data and analyses will be presented in a 2007 report. A study just released from the evaluation team details OSP participation during 2005-2006, the program's second year.
According to this study, OSP reached capacity with over 1,700 students using scholarships at 60 of the 68 participating private schools. WSF reports that the eight schools that did not serve scholarship students either had no scholarship recipients choose to attend their institutions because the schools ended in either kindergarten (three schools) or third grade (one school), or that the schools filled their open slots before scholarship recipients could be placed. (Five schools stopped accepting applications by February 1). The IES study reveals that during the OSP's first- and second-year application periods, a total of 5,818 individuals applied for Opportunity Scholarships, 4,047 of whom were deemed eligible to receive funds. Based on Census numbers from the year 2000, this total correlates to ten percent of the base of eligible low-income students participating in the OSP during both years of the initiative.
The relatively high number of OSP participants may be attributed to a comprehensive outreach campaign led by WSF before the start of each academic year. Approximately 23 percent of the WSF outreach budget originated from contract funds from the U.S. Department of Education. The rest of the funds for outreach activities were raised privately. When the OSP first began, WSF held public meetings at the Washington Convention Center and other locations throughout the city so that families could learn more about the scholarships and fill out applications. At Nannie Helen Burroughs School, Principal Hayes took it upon herself to reproduce the WSF announcement and forward it to parents at her school and in the surrounding community. After three weeks of initial outreach efforts, nearly 2,700 families submitted applications before the start of the 2004-2005 academic year. Ultimately, 1,027 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade enrolled in private schools through the OSP in 2004-2005. On average, OSP students in 2004-2005 came from families that consisted of one adult and three children. The average family earned an annual income of $18,742, far below the program's income-eligibility threshold of 185 percent of the federal poverty level, which for a family of four in 2004-2005 was $34,873.
A chronicle of the OSP conducted by the Annie E. Casey Foundation reveals that outreach efforts for the second year of the program were varied and far-reaching. WSF organized more than 60 neighborhood application meetings; two 25,000-piece mailings to recipients of food stamps and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); home visits to disabled parents and guardians; and informational meetings for groups including the Counsel for Child Abuse and Neglect, Asian-American LEAD (Leadership, Empowerment, and Development), the Vietnamese-American Community Service Center, and the Spanish Education Development Center. WSF also mailed 33,000 informational packets to families of children attending schools in need of improvement. To cast a wider net, WSF collaborated with the DC State Education Office (SEO); DC ParentSmart, a parent information center working in the city; and a local charter school association, among other organizations, to inform 83,000 public school families, including public charter school families, of the availability of Opportunity Scholarships. WSF also reached out to non-English speaking families by employing Spanish-speaking staff at its main office and creating information booklets and applications printed in Spanish, Chinese,Vietnamese and Amharic.
Although publicly funded private school scholarship programs have existed in cities and states across the country for the last 15 years in areas such as Milwaukee and Cleveland, no model for a program characterized by a Federal/local partnership had existed before OSP was initiated. As a result, WSF had to create innovative methods for community outreach, systems for student placement, and other administrative procedures. From the outset, WSF has received assistance from community organizations including DC Parents for School Choice, the Greater Washington Urban League, and Capital Partners for Education.
WSF has emphasized the importance of support for students and families interested and participating in the OSP. WSF conducts one-on-one meetings with parents and has created numerous guidebooks and brochures, as well as a comprehensive website. The WSF website, for example, features lists of private schools participating in the OSP, news articles and studies concerning the program, and a "testimonials" page with feedback from parents, students, and national and community leaders. Additionally, the website includes links that enable visitors to listen to audio playback of interviews with OSP families. To help OSP families make informed choices and identify schools that can best serve the needs of their children, WSF has created a school directory. The directory lists the availability of enrichment activities and before- and after-school programming at participating schools, as well as information about the proximity of participating schools to public transportation. WSF has produced a brochure entitled, "How to Apply to a Private School" that walks families through the unfamiliar territory of the admissions process at private schools. Another booklet, "Planning Your School Search," helps families evaluate and rank school features that are important to them.
Many DC parents have cited school proximity and safety as key factors in selecting new schools, while others have cited the academic rigor and discipline at the private schools they chose. Still others sought schools that aligned with their religious denomination. Nikia Hammond, a mother of three children who attend Nannie Helen Burroughs School, notes, "Knowing that my children are learning good things and that a lot of things are instilled in them that I'm not able to do when I'm at work gives me a lot of peace of mind. With them in the Opportunity Scholarship Program, I see them as doctors. I see lawyers. I see teachers. I see them being anything they want to be." Ms. Hammond also chose the Baptist school because her mother knew and respected the principal, Ms. Hayes.
A Georgetown University/Westat evaluation of the OSP's first year, released in the fall of 2005, highlights parents' and students' satisfaction with the program. According to the study, of 45 participating families, nearly all of the parents and guardians reported becoming more involved in their children's education. They also perceived the private schools as safer, with smaller class sizes and more challenging expectations for students' behavior and academics than some of the public schools their children formerly attended. The students, who nearly unanimously reported that they intend to enroll in college, believed their new schools could help them reach that goal.
For advocates of the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program such as Principal Shirley Hayes, the positive impact of the scholarships on students and families is a natural outgrowth of school choice. She notes, "Children and parents deserve the best. School choice provides parents the opportunity to seek and secure the best educational environment for their children...resplendent with resources and experienced, caring teachers in a safe and nurturing school environment." Ms. Hayes recently affirmed her commitment to the scholarship program by accepting a position to chair the Educational Opportunities and Partnerships Committee for the Washington Scholarship Fund's Board of Directors.
What's New
From the U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced that 141 high school seniors have been selected as 2006 Presidential Scholars. These students have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, artistic excellence, leadership, citizenship, service, and contribution to school and community. Presidential scholars will be honored in Washington, DC, from June 24-27. (May 4)
Secretary Spellings issued a letter to America's teachers during Celebrating Teachers Week (April 30-May 6). She noted, "The No Child Left Behind Act has brought out the best in our teachers. And they have brought out the best of this law, turning high standards and accountability into real results for our children." (May 2)
At the Charter Schools Program Showcase in Washington, DC, organized by the Office of Innovation and Improvement, Secretary Spellings launched the celebration of National Charter Schools Week. The Secretary discussed the importance of charter schools as one of the public school choice options under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). (May 1)
Secretary Spellings spoke at the "No Child Left Behind Summit: The Path to 2014." At the first in a series of summits on the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Secretary Spellings discussed the role of teachers and administrators in ensuring that every child receives a high-quality education. (Apr. 27)
Secretary Spellings issued a statement concerning the 36th anniversary of Earth Day and congratulated the young people honored at the President's 2006 Environmental Youth Awards. (Apr. 21)
Along with President Bush, Secretary Spellings visited Tuskegee University. The President spoke about the American Competitiveness Initiative, which aims to strengthen innovation and education in the U.S. in part by improving mathematics, science, and foreign language studies and encouraging more rigorous coursework in high schools. In conjunction with the event, Secretary Spellings released a "parent checklist" outlining steps parents can take to ensure their children are prepared for higher education and the competitive workforce. (Apr. 19)
President Bush issued an executive order creating a National Mathematics Advisory Panel, which will advise the President and Secretary Spellings on the best use of scientifically based research for the teaching and learning of math. The panel's interim report will be submitted to the President and Secretary Spellings by January 31 with specific recommendations on a range of topics related to math education. (Apr. 18)
Secretary Spellings joined U.S. Senators Mike Enzi of Wyoming, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, and Johnny Isakson of Georgia on their visit to Bangalore, India, as they learn more about foreign educational systems and the implications to U.S. competitiveness in the emerging world market. (Apr. 12)
As honorary ambassador for the United Nations' Decade of Literacy, First Lady Laura Bush announced a Conference on Global Literacy, scheduled for September 2006. The conference will be held in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of State, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Nations' Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (Apr. 25)
The U.S. Department of Education has announced guidelines for current college students and high school seniors to apply for the new Academic Competitiveness Grants and National SMART Grants for the 2006-2007 academic year. Students who completed rigorous coursework in high school or who are pursuing degrees in math, science, and critical foreign languages are eligible. (May 4)
The U.S. Department of Education offers a new toolkit to help states implement the accountability provisions of NCLB for students with disabilities. The toolkit includes up-to-date guidance on assessing achievement and progress of students with disabilities, a set of technical assistance products, and information about new research. (Apr. 25)
Eight new states have been chosen for participation in the State Scholars Initiative, a national business/education partnership funded by the Office of Vocational and Adult Education and managed by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. The initiative is designed to increase the number of students who participate in rigorous curricula in high school. (Apr. 21)
The National Assessment of Title I: Interim Report to Congress has been released. The report includes two parts: Volume I, "Implementation of Title I," and Volume II, "Closing the Reading Gap: First Year Findings from a Randomized Trial of Four Reading Interventions for Striving Readers." The entire report examines key Title I components related to state assessments and student achievement scores, school choice and supplemental educational services (SES), and teacher quality. (Apr. 18)
Title I Accountability and School Improvement Efforts From 2001 to 2004 PDF, (151MB), examines the implementation of accountability and school improvement under Title I of NCLB from 2001-2002, the year before NCLB went into effect, and through 2003-2004, the second year of NCLB implementation. The report includes a special focus on 2003-2004, with findings on the identification of schools in need of improvement, interventions implemented at schools identified for improvement, and public school choice and SES under Title I. (Apr. 18)
This summer, the U.S. Department of Education will organize 14 Teacher-to-Teacher regional workshops for teachers to learn from fellow educators who have been successful in raising student achievement. A number of workshops will focus on enhancing instructional strategies in math, science, and critical foreign languages, subjects that are integral to the President's American Competitiveness Initiative. Workshops will be held across the country from June through August. Schedules and registration forms are available online. (Apr. 17)
NCES has released The Adult Lives of At-Risk Students: The Roles of Attainment and Engagement in High School. This study is a longitudinal investigation of the power of participating in high school and later educational outcomes. (Apr. 13)
NCES has released a report describing a study that compares the content of two fourth and eighth grade assessments in science: the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) from the year 2000 and the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) from the year 2003. (Apr. 6)
NCES has released a new statistical analysis report that includes findings from the 1999 Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) Video Study. The video study analyzes teaching practices in eighth grade science classrooms in five countries: Australia, the Czech Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, and the United States. This study expands upon the TIMSS 1995 Video Study. The study is the first attempt to analyze eighth grade science lessons as they are actually delivered to students. (Apr. 4)
From the Office of Innovation and Improvement
Acting Assistant Deputy Secretary Christopher J. Doherty, as well as OII staff and programs, will be featured on the Department's May production of Education News Parents Can Use. The focus of the program will be "New Tools for Parents: Getting Informed and Getting Involved," and will cover school choice and SES.The program will air on May 16 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. (May 11)
Acting Assistant Deputy Secretary Christopher J. Doherty and Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education Henry Johnson released new guidance to assist private schools in becoming providers of SES.The guidance responds to questions from the private school community in response to a call from Secretary Spellings that private schools become more involved in SES. OII also unveiled a new webpage containing more information on SES for private schools. (May 11)
Grant Opportunities
A new Teaching Artist Fellowship from the Montalvo Arts Center's education program (CA) and the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Programs is the first national award of its kind dedicated to professionals in the teaching artist field. The fellowship provides a four-month residency at the Lucas Artists Programs and a partnership with a local school for curriculum development. The application deadline is June 15. (Mar. 16)
The History Channel's Save Our History Grant Program is funding partnerships between schools and local history organizations to create projects that teach students about their local history and engage them in its preservation. Projects may be implemented at any point during the 2006-2007 academic year. Guidelines and criteria are available online. The application deadline is June 2. (Mar. 14)
The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems is sponsoring a Superintendents' Academy, a 10-month program that prepares top executives from business, nonprofit, military, education, and government backgrounds to lead school systems in urban areas. Applicants should be outstanding senior executives with proven track records of leadership success. The application deadline is September 15. (May 11)
No Child Left Behind
A report by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) analyzes the impact of NCLB on English language learners (ELLs). The report concludes that, while many states exempt ELLS from test score and student outcome reports, the Federal law holds considerable promise for closing the achievement gap between ELLs and their peers. (Mar. 22)
Frederick M. Hess of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and Michael J. Petrilli of the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation (and former Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Innovation and Improvement) have produced an NCLB "citizen's guide." In the No Child Left Behind Primer, the co-authors trace the history of the law's main provisions, explain how these provisions are designed to work, and discuss the challenges involved with the law's implementation. (Feb. 2006)
Parental Involvement
The nonprofit National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) has launched an online Parent Center. The center includes articles about parenting children with learning disabilities, stories from parents, and an interactive guide to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004. (Apr. 25)
Raising Student Achievement
Making Good on a Promise: What Policymakers Can Do to Support the Educational Persistence of Dropouts, a report from Jobs for the Future (JFF), is now available online. The report analyzes whether pathways exist to help dropouts pursue an education and move toward an economically productive adulthood. A couple of the report's key findings show that dropping out is epidemic in central cities and rural, low-income communities and that socioeconomic status, not race, is the key indicator for dropping out of school. (Apr. 11)
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), an Office of Innovation and Improvement grantee, will sponsor its annual "Reading Is Fun Week" from May 14-20. Students, teachers, schools, and parents can choose to celebrate the joy of reading in any way they choose. The RIF website offers sample activities. (May 11)
Riffington, the blue monster mascot for Reading Is Fundamental, may need to start practicing his acceptance speech. The Webby Awards, an international honor recognizing outstanding websites and called the "Online Oscars" by Time magazine, recently nominated the RIF website for the Best Charitable Organization/ Nonprofit Website of 2006. As a nominee, RIF's website also is eligible to win a People's Voice Award. (Apr. 11)
School Facilities
Great Schools by Design, a national initiative of the American Architectural Foundation (AAF), seeks to improve the quality of America's schools and the communities they serve by promoting collaboration, excellence, and innovation in school design. Great Schools by Design engages architects, superintendents, teachers, parents, students, and others in conversations about improving school facilities. AAF will release the findings of its National Summit on School Design this month. (May 11)
Teacher Quality and Development
The Brookings Institution's Hamilton Project released a white paper entitled Identifying Effective Teachers Using Performance on the Job. The paper asserts that teacher quality can be improved by basing tenure and bonus pay on student academic achievement and by eliminating barriers for teacher certification. (Apr. 2006)
A new study from Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) reveals that professional development for teachers can have a positive impact on student achievement if it: (1) is sustained over time; (2) focuses on specific content areas or instructional strategies; (3) supports the collective learning of most, if not all, teachers in a school; (4) aligns with school and teacher goals; and (5) provides opportunities for teachers to practice and apply new knowledge. (Spring 2006)
Education Week's ninth annual Technology Counts report, The Information Edge, examines how technology and education policies are supporting the use of data to improve students' performance. The report reviews trends at the state, local, and classroom levels. (May 4)
In conjunction with National Charter Schools Week (May 1-6), Standard & Poor's recently released a paper explaining how the data and tools on SchoolMatters.com can be used to facilitate discussions and assessments of charter school performance. Additionally, a new Benchmarking Workbook helps educators plan and conduct benchmarking studies. (Apr. 25)
The National Writing Project and the Rural School and Community Trust sponsored an evening of rural poetry on May 8 at the Library of Congress. The rhythm of poetry and poet Langston Hughes are the centerpiece of the spring 2006 lesson plan series from Smithsonian in Your Classroom. Judy Buchanan, Deputy Director of the National Writing Project, serves as an advisor for the lesson plan series. (Spring 2006)
Innovations in the News
Charter Schools/Choice
For the winner of a Minnesota essay contest, her charter school saved her life. She writes, "In fifth grade, my parents divorced, my beloved dog was killed, and I was forced to deal with an alcoholic father...I was contemplating suicide. My teacher...Ms. DeMunck was the only thing that saved me." That student, and other winners of the contest for charter school students statewide, read their essays on the steps of the State Capitol on May 5. The contest was sponsored by the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs' Center for School Change at the University of Minnesota. [More-University of Minnesota News] (May 5)
Randi Weingarten, president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), may have a new career in documentary film. The UFT opened its own charter school, the UFT Elementary School, in September and hired a film crew to trace the successes and challenges of the endeavor. Barbara Malmet, a professor at New York University and friend of Ms. Weingarten, produced the film. On April 28, the 35-minute documentary was screened at the Tribeca Film Festival. After the screening, the UFT hosted a red carpet fundraiser at Stuyvesant High School where 20 kindergartners and first graders sat in directors' chairs, donned Hollywood-style sunglasses, and signed autographs. [More-The New York Sun] (Apr. 24) (subscription required)
The Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved charter applications for 22 schools in New Orleans. The approvals followed the recommendations of a committee assembled by the National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) to review the applications. The committee recommended "unconditional approval" of charters at six schools and "conditional approval" of another 16 charters. Charters with conditional approval must address the weaknesses in their applications and report to BESE. In addition to opening the door to new charter schools, State Superintendent of Education Cecil Picard announced that Robin Jarvis will serve as acting superintendent of the New Orleans' recovery school district, which took control of 107 low-performing schools in the 117-school system after Hurricane Katrina. [More-The New Orleans Times-Picayune] (Apr. 21) (subscription required)
Closing the Achievement Gap
Nationwide, about 72 percent of girls in the high school class of 2003 earned diplomas, compared to 65 percent of boys. This "gender gap" is even more prevalent among minorities, according to a recent PDF (1.97MB). Leaving Boys Behind: Public High School Graduation Rates that, in 2003, 59 percent of African American girls, but only 48 percent of African American boys earned diplomas. Among Hispanics, the graduation rate was 58 percent for girls, but only 49 percent for boys. [More-The New York Times] (Apr. 19) (subscription required)
Parental Involvement
In Charlotte (NC) parent involvement means much more than becoming a teacher's "classroom helper." Parents are analyzing students' test scores, examining demographic trends, building electronic networks, and helping to shape curricula. These parents are trained to connect with schools through a group called Charlotte Advocates for Education. Parents who have been trained so far are involved in a variety of school initiatives - from helping Spanish-speaking students learn English to incorporating writing across the curriculum. Charlotte Advocates for Education is modeled after the Kentucky-based Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, which offers reports on turning around high-poverty schools, as well as other resources. [More-The Charlotte Observer] (Apr. 18)
Raising Student Achievement/School Reform
Newsweek recently released its annual "Best High Schools" list that recognizes public schools that "do the best job of preparing average students for college." Schools are ranked according to a ratio, devised by Washington Post writer Jay Mathews, that is the number of Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate exams taken by all students at a school in 2005 divided by the number of graduating seniors. In an accompanying article, the magazine attempts to answer the question, "What is high school really for?" Creating good citizens, celebrating the liberal arts, preparing students for the world of work, educating boys and girls separately, reaching out to all students, and emphasizing science and technology were some of the answers the magazine highlighted. [More-Newsweek] (May 8)
The number of home-schooled students nationwide who are taking Advanced Placement (AP) exams tripled between 2000 and 2005, from 410 students taking exams to 1,282 students. The growth in the number of test-takers may be attributed to home-schooled students wanting to validate the rigor of the academic material they studied. A Pennsylvania-based business, PA Homeschoolers, started by parents of a home-schooled student, provides AP test preparation classes for home-schooled students. PA Homeschoolers now serves 227 students who are taking AP exams in subjects from music theory to computer science. [More-Education Week] (April 26) (subscription required)
For high school freshman Lincoln Shryack, an extra credit essay turned into a ticket to the Oprah Winfrey Show. Lincoln was reading Elie Wiesel's memoir Night for his honors U.S. history class when his teacher, Darla Grady, informed him of Oprah Winfrey's first National High School Essay Contest. The assignment was to explain why Wiesel's 1958 book, which recounts his experiences as a teenager during the Holocaust, is relevant in today's society. Lincoln is one of 50 winners nationwide who will be on the Oprah Winfrey Show with Elie Wiesel, who was awarded the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize. The show will air in May. Darla Grady is one teacher in Springfield (MO) who benefits from a Teaching American History grant from the Office of Innovation and Improvement. [More-News-Leader] (Mar. 23)
Teacher Quality and Development
Maryland has a reason to be proud, with Kimberly Oliver, a kindergarten teacher at Broad Acres Elementary School in Silver Spring, named the 2006 National Teacher of the Year. Ms. Oliver is the first educator from Maryland to receive the award. The National Teacher of the Year program is the oldest national honors program that recognizes excellence in teaching. The program, presented by the ING Foundation, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers and is sponsored by Scholastic, Inc. [More-The Washington Post] (Apr. 25) (subscription required)
China's education minister has announced a plan to help hundreds of teachers in the United States learn or expand their knowledge of Chinese, calling the language "an important tool for the rest of the world." The initiative will bring more than 150 teachers from China to U.S. high schools. Nearly 600 U.S. teachers will be immersed in Chinese language and culture through summer institutes. The initiative also will provide financial aid to nearly 300 U.S. teachers seeking state certification in Chinese. The Chinese government will provide $4 million this year for the initiative, but total costs of the five-year program have not been finalized. [More-CNN] (Apr. 21)
New York City will offer housing subsidies of up to $14,600 to lure new science, mathematics, and special education teachers to work in some of the city's most challenging middle and high schools. The housing incentive program was negotiated with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's administration and the city's teachers' union to address teacher shortages in these subject areas. Teachers must have at least two years of classroom experience to be eligible. The program will pay as much as $5,000 up front along with a $400 monthly housing stipend for two years. Teachers must commit to teach in the city for three years. [More-The New York Times] (Apr. 19) (subscription required)
Field trips aren't just for students in East Brunswick (NJ). Eleven teachers in the district are traveling to Gettysburg and other national historical sites through their participation in "The Overcoming Obstacles to Liberty" (TOOL) program, funded through a Federal grant from the Teaching American History program in the Office of Innovation and Improvement. These teachers, in addition to 43 other Central Jersey educators, are immersing themselves in American history by taking part in a series of colloquia with university experts, attending conferences, and reading books by authors such as David McCullough and Richard Brookhiser. [More-Home News Tribune] (Apr. 15)
Last Modified: 07/09/2009


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Justin has an amazing body — there's no doubt about it. Lucky for us, the singer can't keep his shirt on! Browse our gallery of Justin's hottest topless and bottomless moments.
Whether Justin Bieber is tweeting topless pictures of himself or baring his butt on a red carpet or flaunting his many tattoos, the 18-year-old "Boyfriend" singer loves getting nearly naked for his fans!
This may be one of the many reasons that Selena Gomez dumped Justin, and while we feel for the Wizards of Waverly Place actress, we can't deny that we're guilty of enjoying the pictures.
According to a report in Us Weekly, a source close to Justin says that the stripdowns are an attempt to shake up how his fans view him. "Justin wanted to change his image around his 18th birthday last March," the insider says. "Justin wanted to move from being pop-py to sexy."
We definitely think Justin is sexy! What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Take a look through our photos and tell us: which type of topless or bottomless pic is your favorite?
Watch: Justin Bieber Flashes His Naked Butt; Selena Gomez Strikes Back With Revenge Song
More Justin Bieber Shirtless Pics:


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REDLANDS - Grove School students are renovating their stage for this spring's play, "Midsummer Night's Dream," as part of a mini-course on stagecraft.
In the middle of a small field facing Orange Street, they're screwing wooden block bases together, attaching back boards and preparing to assemble the stage.
The school uses the same pieces every year for their annual Shakespearean production.
"This stage is going to be unorthodox," because it will be bigger than it's been before and include a mountainscape, said junior Drake Citron.
It's also going to be taller than usual. The students will stack the stage pieces to create an alpine effect.
They've been working on it for about five days so far, and expect it take about three days more, just in time for rehearsals to begin, said seventh-grader Matthew Thornton on Wednesday morning, while he was working on the project.
"It's going to be a mini-castle with a balcony," he said.
Eighth-grader Ethan Durham said Wednesday was a particularly strenuous work day, because there was heavy lifting and use of power tools.
Once the stage is assembled, painting will begin.
Drake, vice president of the campus' Thespian Society, has been involved in the school's Shakespearean plays for five years. Being in theater counts toward his school requirement of 70 hours of internship and community service.
The stagecraft course meets Wednesdays and sometimes after school under the leadership of former Farm manager Bill Feld, who left Grove a couple of years ago to move to Texas, but recently came back and is now serving in a volunteer capacity. The Farm and The Grove compose Redlands' public charter school.
English teacher Beth Elliott-Hora is the Shakespeare play director.
Costume making already has begun.
The play will be performed May 4 and 11 at Orange and Iowa streets, and will be open to the public. Tickets will be available. For more information, call the school at 909-798-7831.
Kaitlyn Berry, Gloria Chavez, Garrett Durham, Alyssa Fresquez, Dennis Neal Miller and Paloma Olmos contributed to this report. They are members of The Grove's mini-course on journalism, under the instruction of Daily Facts editor Toni Momberger.


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Last Modified: Wednesday, November 07, 2012 2:42 PM
By Alex Hickey / American Press
With its 35-14 win over Northwestern State, Central Arkansas became the first team in the country to clinch a berth into this year's Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.
It was also the first official Southland title for the Bears since moving into the league from Division II. UCA had the best record in the Southland in 2008, but did not qualify for the crown because they were in a transitional period.
"It's we been amazing the last six years some of the milestones and benchmarks that have been reached," said Bears coach Clint Conque. "Hopefully this team has some more football left in them, and hopefully we continue to maximize that potential."
Northwestern State Bradley Dale Peveto was highly complimentary despite being on the wrong side of a trophy presentation.
"Bringing that place from Division II football from the FCS is just outstanding," Peveto said. "They've done a very fantastic job, bottom line. It's a beautiful place with a beautiful crowd, very big-time."
• BEARKATS ROLLING: Sam Houston State showed it is not to be trifled with in a 70-0 pounding of Southeastern Louisiana.
"We played very well," said master of understatement Willie Fritz. "We executed strongly offensively, defensively and in the kicking game."
A no-huddle offense that was installed this spring is starting to jell.
"Going no-huddle slowed us down a little bit early," Fritz paradoxically noted. "But now the kids have got a really good grasp."
Sam Houston will clinch a share of its second-straight title if it beats Northwestern State this weekend, giving the Demons the unfortunate possibility of watching two straight trophy ceremonies.
• THE OTHER SIDE: It's not a very good week to be a SLU Lion.
"We ran into a buzz saw there," said SLU coach Ron Roberts. "They just dominate you physically from the get-go. We didn't take care of the ball. You name it, it went wrong. The biggest thing is you've got to get over that. It's an emotional beatdown when you get beat that bad."
• SOMEBODY'S A WINNER: Neither Lamar nor Nicholls State has won a conference game this season. That will all change this Saturday when the struggling teams clash.
"They're kind of like us. One of us is going to get our first conference win this week," said Lamar coach Ray Woodard. "We're excited about it and they are too."
Woodard doesn't think either team in the game is bad, per se.
"I think both teams have improved from last year. I think the problem is everyone in the Southland is improved," Woodard said. "Both teams have made strides but we're playing in a very tough league. You can't hardly breath. It makes for tough games on Saturdays if you're not playing well."


text: For Sale: Four Michelin LTX M/S 2 tires 285/70-17 Load Range D Less than 900 miles on them. They are rated for 70,000 miles. Still has blue stuff left on the while letters, and the little tag things (tread wear indicators?) are still on the tires (in the grooves, on the shoulders, and sidewalls). Featuring Green X low resistance technology Looking to get $850. Over $1000 new. Im located at Blacksburg, VA and Branchburg, NJ. The tires are currently with me in VA, but I am headed home to NJ on friday and I can take the tires home or leave them here depending on who's interested. I can upload pictures if intersted. Soon for sale: 1.5" aluminum spacers, Ford torsion bar keys, and most likely the extended length Bilstein shocks Thanks for looking!


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Agreed, and I will be surprised if we aren't at that level tech-wise within 3-5 years.
I'd look into it if it fits 5 people comfortably, costs less than 50k, can go 300 miles on a single charge, and battery swaps/charges less than 10 minutes.
This is a bunch of bull shite. The industry is so hardheaded and resistant to change. I love how something simple as swapping a fricking battery is considered big news. Pathetic.
The fisker was just a terrible concept from a business money making standpoint.
You pay a little bit extra for the "supercharging" option and you can use Tesla's supercharger network free of charge for life.
So I'm kind of confused, they said in there that a swap would cost 60 to 80 dollars. How is that saving you money when it only lasts 200 miles?
I'm a Noob to all of this, but I'm having the feeling that this could come back and bite Tesla in the arse if this takes off, similar to how unlimited data has been a problem for telecom companies.
They need to figure out a way to do other things while charging the car. Like getting a car wash or rotate your tires or something so you do not feel like you are wasting 25 minutes.
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text: [h=2] 94 pickup sbc 350-engine issues[/h] Hey guys, kinda new to these forums. I have a 94 chevy pickup that we just rebuilt. Bored 40 over with vortec heads, roller lifters, and roller rockers. When we start the engine it idles and run awesome, but when you go to romp it, it falls on its face. We checked the MAP sensor, rebuilt the throttle body, checked the timing, and checked the vacuum lines. Can't figure it out. I should tell you that this issue was present with the old engine as well. We thot that we would get the new engine in and see if that would help. Not sure if we have a badf computer or fuel flow problems or what. Def could use some help./ Thx Read more: http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php/103880-94-pickup-sbc-350-engine-issues#ixzz2B4UTYZKX


text:
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text:
Peter Elliott, John Leigh and Bronwyn Bradley haven't even sat down before they start swapping stories about high school. Who got what in School Cert maths? Who left of their own accord? Who found PE classes the most tortuous? And why, so many years after leaving school, does it still matter?
Leigh sums it up most succinctly when he says that school days may not be the best of your life, but they are frequently the most formative and are usually populated by a classroom full of characters - teachers and students alike - you never forget.
"And that's why teachers are so important. We trust the future of our children to them, yet the way we treat them is insane. They're like nurses, in that society doesn't value them enough - they get paid so little for what they do, if they get paid at all [referring to the Novopay debacle], and we muck them around by changing our minds about what we want from them.
"With teachers, there are those who inspire you and make you think about the so-called bigger picture, while others will teach you what you need to pass and get the little slip of paper you need to get on in life.
Both types are valuable and have a role to play."
All of which will be music to the ears of the teacher unions and playwright Dave Armstrong. It shows that Armstrong's latest comedy, Kings of the Gym, in which Leigh has the lead role as PE teacher Laurie O'Connor, pushes buttons.
Set at fictional Hautapu High, Kings of the Gym is a satirical look at what happens when a progressive and ambitious principal (Viv "Cleavage" Cleaver, played by Bradley) determines to turn around a struggling school, but is faced by the intractable old-fashioned mindset of Laurie O'Connor and his sidekick, Pat Kennedy, played by Brett O'Gorman. They think kids should learn about life, harsh as those lessons may be, and not just what they need to pass exams.
Ask Leigh - best known for playing barmy arsonist Sparky on Outrageous Fortune and mild-mannered cafe owner Lionel Skiggins on Shortland Street - if he ever expected to play a PE teacher and his response is cheerfully self-deprecating.
"No, I never saw myself as a PE teacher, but he's let himself go a bit which is perfect for me, really."
Armstrong acknowledges a number of his plays have been set in or around schools - even last year's The Motor Camp dealt with education or lack of - and says it used to concern him but he's relaxed about it now.
"I'm writing about what I know. I'm an ex-teacher and the issues that are involved in education and the institutions themselves are great settings to explore things about the world we live in.
"We've all been to school - we all have first-hand experience and opinions on education."
It might sound like we've seen and heard it all before - liberal and conservative educators try to teach each other a lesson - but Armstrong says there are a couple of twists in Kings of the Gym.
He's written his first committed Christian character (Annie Tupua, played by Cian Elyse) and there's a stronger romantic comedy element than in previous works.
"It's the first time I've written a religious character and while there are a lot of plays which dump on Christianity and religion, I didn't want to do that because I didn't want the church or religion to be seen as a bad force.
"It considers politics and education - what we want for our kids - but also wider issues such as tolerance. Ultimately, it's like most of my plays in that it's trying to work out how we can all get along better," he says.
And setting it in the "scummy, dirty gym of a tawdry and failing low-decile school" made it all the more challenging to write a romantic comedy.
Peter Elliott, who starred in Armstrong's The Tutor and now makes his directorial debut for Auckland Theatre Company, says there are no clear "villains" or "good guys", which mean the audiences' loyalties shift.
"I'm not a fan of empty comedy. The core of Dave's work is what's at the heart of all of us as human beings, and he has an innate understanding of how people work. If you intensify that, you find the comedy and it doesn't have to be manufactured."
So principal Viv lets slip the odd comment about her own background, which shows her softer side; Laurie shows he's not as conservative as he may appear. Bradley says she has treated Viv like a politician because she believes that's how senior school administrators often behave.
"I've thought about this a lot, how we perceive school principals and the way they have to behave. It is an incredibly political job so Viv has a front, but Dave has written her so beautifully that every now and again we see who she really is and where she's come from. She's a scrapper and I like playing her."
What: Kings of the Gym
Where and when: Maidment Theatre, February 7-March 2; Turner Centre, Kerikeri, March 6-7; Forum North, Whangarei, March 9


text:
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The College of Business and Administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder has honored Robert F. (Bob) Charles with the 1997 Deans Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
Charles, who moved to Boulder in 1965 with his wife, Judy, managed Boulders original McDonalds on 28th Street. By 1969 he owned that store and had opened another on Baseline. In the early 1990s, Charles operated 11 franchises and was heralded as the Burger Baron of Boulder County. He presently owns three stores two in Arvada and one in Westminster.
Charles is a member of the CU-Boulder Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Board and he funds the B&J Enterprise Scholarship at the College of Business.


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text:
Brainerd downs Patriots in opener
The Pequot Lakes Patriots opened the season with a 25-21, 25-17, 25-23 non-conference loss to the host Brainerd Warriors on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
Both teams were hindered by injuries in the opener. Especially Pequot Lakes as it played without Kayla Miller and Brittny Bzdok, last year starters who are both out with torn ACLs suffered during the off season. The Patriots also had new starters following the graduation of players from last season.
"We have some things to work on, but the biggest thing is we didn't attack." Pequot Lakes coach Kate Dale said in a Brainerd Dispatch story. "We weren't aggressive at the net. We were kind of waiting to see what they were going to throw at us. They did and we just reacted instead of us dictating the pace."
Morgan Lohmiller led Pequot with five kills, six digs, 15 set assists and three blocks. Vanessa Lane, who returned to the team after running cross country last year, added five blocks, three digs and two kills. Katie White also had six digs and 16 set assists.
The first game was close. Two Heather Fletcher kills and a Paige Rivers ace serve pushed Brainerd to a 17-14 edge, which it maintained to the end.
Katy Johnson collected four of her 10 kills in the second game. Fletcher rattled off seven straight serves, including two aces, to build a 19-11 edge.
The Warriors created a 17-8 lead in the third game before the Patriots rallied to tie it 19-19. The Warriors eventually built a 24-22 lead before scoring the final point.
Johnson led Brainerd's attack with 10 kills and Fletcher added seven. Rivers and Madison Stall led Brainerd with 25 digs.
After playing at Pillager on Tuesday, Sept. 3, the Patriots are scheduled to play at the annual Pine and Lakes tournament on Saturday, Sept. 7, at Pine River-Backus High School gymnasium.
Pequot Lakes statistics:
Ashley Abear 10 digs; Justyne Litzau 2 kills, 3 digs, 1 block; Amanda Nies 5 digs; Morgan Lohmiller 5 kills, 6 digs, 1 ace serve, 11 set assists, 3 blocks; Vanessa Lane 2 kills, 3 digs, 5 blocks; Laura Squires 1 kill, 8 digs; Katie White 1 kill, 6 digs, 16 set assists, 1 block; Barbara Miller 3 kills; Debra Mitchell 1 dig, 1 ace serve.


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Re: Drawing Home avatars
Nice pictures Cupcake and Joanna
Every request i received has a nice style, thanks for sending them
I forgot to add the reflection on the hairs, and i also corrected some mistakes and changed colours for the last time.. so this is the final version
I will draw the next one in few days, as soon as i have time to sit and concentrate
Re: Drawing Home avatars
Re: Drawing Home avatars
I looooove them all! Thank you sooo much Julia. *massive virtual hug*
When I saw the pink hair version it reminded me of the character Genkai from my favorite anime, Yu Yu Hakusho, which is what inspired my avatar's appearance in the first place.
I lost my internet for a few days so it's super rad to get back online and find this artwork you've made. Thank you again.
Re: Drawing Home avatars
Thank you for sticking the thread again also, its a nice gesture and i know its not something i should take for granted
Re: Drawing Home avatars[ Edited ]
Your drawings are truly amazing and this thread deserves to remain stickied. If you had an custom title, it would be "Official Artist of the PlayStation Community".
(You know... if we had custom titles. Otherwise, that "Poster of the Week" title was grealy deserved.)
Re: Drawing Home avatars
It was Beanclay turn, he is a Homeling,
He posted this picture of his avatar:
And i made this:
Its a different style than the other drawings, i dont know if you like it, but i had fun drawing it


text:
We ask that you please limit yourselves to just one picture in your signature, and that the picture is limited in size.
A good example would be this pic(Borrowed from JG21)
Please try to keep your pic to somewhere near this size and no bigger. Larger pictures slow load times of the board, and multiple pics have a similar effect. Ask around on the boards if you need help resizing your favorite pic. I'm sure someone will assist you.


text:
Studio near Place de la Nation Square
Maximální počet hostů2
Počet místností1
Velikost14 m²
Floor No.2
- Kuchyně
- Televize
- Ručníky
- Internet/WiFi
Accommodation summary
|Rue Guénot, 75011 Paris, Francie
|Typ nemovitosti
|Ident. objektu
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
The compact studio features stylish décor and a double sofa bed. It offers storage space, and the kitchenette includes a coffee maker. A hairdryer is provided in the brightly tiled bathroom and bed linen and towels are provided. An ironing board is also available.
The famous Pere-Lachaise Cemetery is 15 minutes' walk from the apartment. Nation Station is a 5-minute walk away, offering access to numerous subway lines and an RER train line. A Vélib bike hire station is 10 minutes' walk away.
The surrounding area offers a bakery, restaurants, and a supermarket.
Domovní řádA €100 security deposit is required.
|Weekly rate for up to 2 guests
|358 €
|Monthly rate for up to 2 guests
|1158 €
|Příjezd po
|Check-in before
|Odjezd před
|Stornovací podmínky
We had a wonderful time in Paris and the small apartment was perfectly located close to the Metro and shops where everything we needed was available. The 14 square meters were quite enough for living in during the 30 days we spent there as tourists. We can highly recommend it, also for the good reception we got.
Tommy & Gerd
We stayed at the apartment for 4 nights. The apartment is small, but very tidy and everything you need is available. The Nation metro station is only a 5 minute walk and well connected to the Parisian metro system. We would definitely recommend staying in Juliens' apartment for a short stay. We had a great time in Paris!
Julien is polite and very helpful. The apartment is ideal for two people, clean and well organized. Our vacation in Paris was perfect!
We staying 3 nights and the apartment was clean and very well located, 5 minutes walk from Nation/RER station.
However we had problem with hot water tank and no WIFI for 2 days.
The apartment was indeed in a great location; we found it to be very quiet, although central to all amenities, including metro/rer at Nation station.The apartment was spotless; a little small, but everything worked, and self catering was easy. Julien was very welcoming and flexible. The only thing we had any problem with was the door lock, but once we got the hang of it it was fine! I would reccomend this apartment without any hesitation.
Good studio with everything that is necessary for a stay. Although I couldn´t speak french we could understand each other quite well.
Nice and clean! Not far from the centre of Paris!
I recommend!
Small but nice room. Absolutely sufficient for two people. You have your own bathroom and a small kitchen to cock or prepare breakfast. Coffe maschine, toaster, water boiler is available. Nearby is the metro station "Nation" from where you can go straight to Monserate or City Centre. Nice restaurants are near as well as supermarkets and bakeries where you can get fresh croissants for your breakfast.
The contact with Julien was pretty easy and nice. Unfortunatley we didn't met in person.
Final statement: I would recommend this studio to other Paris visitors.
- Ověřenou kvalitu ubytování
- Prověření každého hostitele
- Bezpečné platby prostřednictvím SSL šifrování


text:
banging a girl on all fours then kicking her arms out from underneath her causing her to get rug burns on her forehead.
by dizzzog November 08, 2003
the act of cumming to ones large hat then putting the hat on a partner's face the hitting the back of the hat,(to squash it) to cover the persons face in the contents.
by pantsman40 February 26, 2011
When your banging a girl doggy style then lift her up by her arms and run around, banging her into shit like bookcases and chairs.
My girl got knocked out when I texas snowplowed her into the refrigerator, so I decided to finish the job myself.
by Leeroy Smithington August 03, 2006


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Printable View
In my opinion there is no difference between increasing the members of the league or increasing the players each team needs to start....both in the end do the same thing, make the league harder...because you need to search deeper on depth charts for players.
everyone would agree adding more teams makes a league more difficult to win in, yet everyone's arguing that adding more players makes it easier...but that doesn't make sense since essentially more teams vs more players does the same thing.
I don't like having a bunch of scrubs on my roster. Their point output is so low it's not even worth having them on your team. Since this is only a one year thing, then I feel as though ST points need to have some importance so that there are more players that aren't completely useless that can fill out rosters.The only league I use this format is a dynasty league where it truly will show who the better player is. Whoever puts in the most effort in that league can have good players at all those positions and truly dominate.
You just start your team, and plug in backups on bye weeks...that's it.
I came in 2nd place in this league 2 years ago simply because my opponents were bad when i played them, and because Drew Brees was so ****ing ridiculous that I didnt really care who started on my team. It wasn't because the scrubs were performing, I can tell you that much...
becides that I'm just an old carpenter not a rocket scientist ;)
I'm just letting people know why I don't like this unorthodox set up to a league. Changing scoring is fairly normal, because people like to make sure positions are at least close to the same value, but, to have a league that already has 12 players, WITH a deep bench, and now to add flex + an addition WR....idk....that's just boring to me.
hey Jp I wonder how long DB and AR will be on the board this year
arrived last night
5 total Gracie's first litter she totally didn't get it...it took awhile....


text: Children are very innocent and they follow what they see around them. Normally, child follows his parents' first, then other close family member and then friends when you send him to school. Therefore, as a parent, it is your responsibility to teach good behavior and disciplines to child from very small age. You need to make a habit that your child has to follow it. Good manners and disciplines are essential quality to be developed in your kids from childhood. Disciplines teach your child regarding difference between wrong and right. It is the continuous learning process to make your child capable to improve himself and understand what is right for him. You should teach good behavior and disciplines to your child very politely and skillfully. You do not need to get very strict and punish your child if he does not obey your instructions initially.


text: So I started working out for the past couple weeks. I also reduced the amount of calories I take it. I started taking protein after workout drinks (about 36g of protein). I started working out I weighed ~210, and in 1 week I gained almost 6-7 lbs. Im assuming that this is due to putting on muscle and from the protein drinks, but I would ultimately like to put on muscle and lose weight. I also suffer from having not the greatest backs so one reason I take the protein is to help recover quicker. I dont overlift either since I know the toll it can take (I had hurt my arm a while ago overlifting). Also something funny that happened, on new years I had a party at my house, and my friends from college who I hadnt seen in about 2-3 weeks came over. They all said it looked like I had been losing weight, but it was just weird because I knew I had put on weight lol so im assuming either A) they were being nice, but I dont think this was the reason. Or B) I actually cut fat and put on muscle. So my main questions, in order to lose weight: Should I cut out the protein, and see if this makes me lose weight. Should I add more cardio to my workouts. (I do very little, and to me I believe this is indeed the problem) Thanks everyone for your help.


text: This is for my neighbor. He bought this truck right when i moved in. Turns out the pre-owner never chainged the oil, the valve train baked itself dry, and the engine froze.... wish i moved in sooner to tell him 'dont buy it' lol anyway- were starting to take everything apart to do an engine swap. im excited cause this is the newest vehicle ive ever done this in (its always been carb non emission engines) any advice? its 2wd so that will make it easier. I think its a 2002. he still needs to find a replacement long block... my only concern is tunning this new engine once we change out everything. things like valve lash and timing are totaly different for these engines because of the computer. dose the valve-lash and timming come preset when you get a new engine? I was thinking we would clear the computer's memory, then disable the ignition, and trun the engine over to both prime it, and let the sensors talk to the computer for crank position, etc... then see if it starts itself. any advice on the procedure, where to get a engine, or resources to explore would be awesome. thanks!


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Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience. MB Rule # 1
I know the argument will be...but if his best days are behind him why did he still break 1000 yards? Because he got much of those yards in 3 just over 100 yard spurts and one 200 yard spurt. The rest of the games were anywhere from 16 yards to 78. Very sporadic.
Last edited by Rat_bastich; 03-30-2013 at 06:15 AM.
It cracks me up that you guys are ragging on his feet. In his last game against the eagles he rushed for more yards and more yards per carry then golden boy flip, who coincidentally took himself out of that game because the weakling eagles D injured him.
I think the giants did him wrong, if his injuries were soo bad why not put torain in? They likely ran him so much on that last game just to hope he would fail his physical so they would have a reason to cut him.
But anyway the point is, he out rushed flip bad feet and all.
It is only March, you have to be an idiot to think that Bradshaw will not be signed somewhere before the season starts
In the Osi thread, you said that you think Reese is a liar without any actual PROOF that he promised Osi anything.....other than Osi saying Reese said it.
Are you sure you're a Giants fan? You sound more like a conspiracy nut job.
I stopped fighting my inner demons. We're on the same side now.
As for bradshaw, my point was more to everyone on this list that everyone's always ragging on his feet. Then turned down Nicks and put in Randle against the eagles, why not do the same with your starting running back. Flip started the game after all why not leave him in? Answer. The giants are cheap, we know this. Im not saying they ran him into the ground, but it ironic isn't it...? That a guy finishes the season with a solid game....a game you had him in for a majority of the time...then a few weeks later you give him a physical and he fails, then you cut him and save some $$$. Obviously he was well enough to out-rush flip a few weeks back...Just saying...
Coughlin and the coaching staff decide who plays and what's best for team to win the game....Not Reese.....and they don't NEED him to fail his physical to cut him. They can cut him simply based on his cap hit.
Your conspiracy theory is a total failure.
Last edited by FBomb; 03-30-2013 at 11:04 AM.
I stopped fighting my inner demons. We're on the same side now.


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Excerpt: " Ryan Spadola does not come from a school you would call a hotbed of NFL players. Spadola, a wide receiver, from Lehigh University will be among the players showcasing their talents for NFL scouts this week at the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game.
The game does not feature the big names or likely early draft picks who attended last week's Senior Bowl, or even the East-West Shrine Game. There are, however, many players participating in the game who will go on to have successful NFL careers.Spadola, a two-time FCS All-American at Lehigh. hopes to be among them. Spadola spoke with me over the weekend, prior to leaving for Texas vs. the Nation practices, which begin Tuesday.
Spadola, 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, said he is hoping to show scouts "I have the same talent as most of these guys who went to 1-A levels."In a four-year career at Lehigh, the Howell, N.J. native caught 232 passes, 24 for touchdowns, averaging 15.6 yards per catch. He was a third-team FCS All-American after catching 78 passes as a sophomore and a first-team All-American after 96 receptions his junior season. He set a single-season Patriot League record as a junior with 1,614 receiving yards." Read more...


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To the Editor:
In response to the Jan. 10 letter criticizing a cartoon featuring the pope, below which you expressed an interest in other readers opinions about it, I, for one, want to say that I thought that cartoon was one of the cleverest and funniest I have seen in recent memory in the Journal. If anyone ever deserved to be satirized, it is Pope Benedict; in his previous role heading up the Catholic Church's agency that in an earlier incarnation had conducted the Inquisition, he earned the nickname "God's Rottweiler." ?
Clearly, in that role, protecting the good name of the church took priority over protecting children from pedophile priests.
John Arteaga


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All-Suite Luxury within a Desert Oasis
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Nestled at the base of America's largest urban park and wilderness preserve, Arizona's only AAA Four Diamond all-suite resort features spacious one and two-bedroom suites.
Whether meeting with colleagues or vacationing with friends, gracious service, creative culinary delights, and unique recreational activities await. All in the midst of a tropical escape.


text:
August 2010
Rwanda Cup of Excellence® Competition - Part 2
We are mid-way through the Cup of Excellence competition here in Rwanda, and I wanted to take an opportunity to share some details of the event. Read more »
Roaster Restoration – Part 2
Bishops' Hats and Scally Caps
For over twenty years, I've longed to get my hands on a Whitmee coffee roaster. Due to their extreme scarcity and cost - whenever one did come onto the market in the UK, it carried a price beyond my means - the dream eluded me. I contented myself instead by diligently researching and collecting heavy-duty 'Monitor' roasters built here in the U.S. and amazing open-drum and open-flame 'Uno' roasters manufactured in England.
Why Whitmee? Read more »
Rwanda Cup of Excellence® Competition - Part 1
One of the most anticipated coffee events of 2010 is about to happen – the Cup of Excellence® competition being held in Rwanda at the end of August! I'm honored and thrilled to have been selected as one of the handful of international cupping judges for this competition, proudly representing Coffee Bean International. Read more »
Coffee Aisle Lessons from the Underwear Legend
Living in England, a friend advised me "you have to buy new underwear at Marks & Spencer. Everybody buys their underwear at Marks & Spencer." Where I came from it was uncommon to buy underwear at the same place you shopped for your fruits and vegetables, but with a recommendation like that, where do you think I bought my next underwear?
Marks & Spencer gained fame for its underwear by standing out for its pure and simple quality. Read more »


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Welcome to the Quilting Board!
the last pile of melted gunk I had, came off with bug and tar remover. I didn't use that all the way down to the metal, but putting cotton balls saturated on top loosened a lot. I had nothing to lose on that machine. I did coat the metalwork I wanted to protect with oil before positioning the cotton ball, and didn't lose any paint.
I'm a Queen.... at least my pantyhose say I am!
(proud caretaker of a magenta 221, purple 222, assorted 66's, a 301, a pink Atlas and Monarch, and Granny's 201-2.
What I used on the Pfaff 130 in the pictures was Rubbing Alcohol 91%. The before picture shows a lot of black gunk, a small pile, and it came off with Rubbing Alcohol on paper towels. Wipe it off quick though.
I bought a Singer 15-30 treadle with gingerbread/ tiffany decals years ago that had an added on motor with 'melted' wiring. The melting was so bad that it had run over the up-right arm, over the bed and down onto the wooden belly pan. Funny how older wiring either melts into a goo or becomes totally brittle.
I removed it with kerosene. I soaked small flannel rags in kerosene. I then placed the rags on a small section of the wiring puddle for 10 minutes or so then rubbed the puddle with this rag. I continued to repeat this using a fresh rag each time. This action slowly removed the puddle a tiny layer at a time. Nothing quick about job. A small amount of the goo never came off of the belly pan.
This machine is now drop dead gorgeous. I had no damage at all to the decals, but the shellac on this machine was intact. If the shellac had been compromised I suspect that I would have seen decal damage.
"Most sewing machine problems are due to the carbon based unit in the chair in front of the machine"
I have some work to do on a couple melted up machines. I'm going to try all of the above and see what gets the goo off. Just not today.
NEVER let a sewing machine know you are in a hurry.
good mothers let you lick the beaters - great mothers turn it off first
Well if all else fails you could soak it in kerosene and light it. That should "melt" the gunk off. LOL.


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After looking at my bees last weekend, I've got one Colony that's a 2 deep hive bodies unit. This colony is full in both hive bodies with the queen laying top and bottom. While I know that I could watch this colony closely and prevent swarming until after the end of the surplus honey flow here(July 1st) I'd prefer to split it by March 1st so as to have 2 colonies producing a surplus honey crop. With that said I started calling around today looking for a VSH Queen with everyone telling me May or June earliest available. I can appreciate all those that were intelligent enough to order early with the proper foresight.
In all of my 1st 10 years of beekeeping not once did I have a colony this strong this early in the year, and with the fact that 1 of my New Years resolution's was to renew my beekeeping hobby the need for a queen ASAP was not remotely on the radar.
With all that said does anybody have a lead on the early delivery (March 1st) of a VSH queen?
If this is a fantasy for me, chalk it up to a part of my updated honeybee education. Lol


text: I had a rancher friend of mine that one of his bee keepers accidentally left two supers in his barn. Problem is that they are FULL of honey and moth larvae. Should I freeze it for a week or just get rid of it. The reason I got it is he is letting me out bees on a different tract of land that he manages. What say you.


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I am hoping for honey next year: this year was sort of a wash.
The thing is, can I just take a frame of honey out when I need it, so that I don't have to mess with granulation and re-heating? Or would it granulate anyways?
I know of a lady who is interested in selling my honey with her vegetables, and it would be easier, I think, to extract a few jars worth as they are needed.
I have a 2 frame extracter, and it would take a long time to extract a years worth at a time. However, I COULD easily extract a supers worth at a time, bottle it, and just extract more as it was needed.
I will only have the one hive to extract to start with. I hope to end the year with more than that, but I don't expect much honey (if any) from new hives.


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forum: Food & Drink
#31 Thu 22 Nov 12 8:44am
- Forum champ Occupation Retired pipeline precommissioning financial engineer
- From Surin, N.E. Thailand
- Member since Mon 29 Dec 08
Re: Take 4 good sized potatoes ......
hippytea wrote:
Half-fill each potato skin with mince and top with mash. Put under grill until top is browned. Mini cottage pies!
You could do this with fish and white sauce too, and make a fish pie. Or use lamb mince for shepherd's pie.
I have never done this, I just made it up just now. I am startled by my own genius.
This is definitely on my "next things to cook" list. Sounds very tasty.
#32 Thu 22 Nov 12 1:20pm
- Forum champ Occupation Musician
- From NYC
- Member since Fri 12 Dec 08
Re: Take 4 good sized potatoes ......
beerforyorky wrote:
koukouvagia wrote:
I've never heard of frozen salt cod. Cod that is frozen is fresh cod......
It is fresh (frozen) cod. Salted cod is not available here as far as I know.
Never mind then, that won't work for the recipe I gave you.
#33 Thu 22 Nov 12 2:10pm
- Forum super champ Occupation Just being me
- Member since Fri 28 Mar 08
Re: Take 4 good sized potatoes ......
Couldn't he poach or cook it and use it?


text:
My first swarm I used a couple cardboard boxes because that is what I had on hand. Used a medium sized box to shake the bees into and then placed that box inside a larger box for transport. Figured that in case some bees got out of the inner box I would still have the larger one to keep them from buzzing around in my jeep.
Now I am taking a spare deep and am thinking of screwing a piece of plywood to the bottom of it. Would put in a few frames and make a lid with latches on the side to hold it shut during transport. Will drill some tiny holes in the lid for ventilation.
This sound like a plan? What do you guys use?


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Hello All,
Yesterday I captured my first swarm. It was from my own bees and they made a huge swarm in a nearby peach tree. To be brief, I boxed them up in a new deep super, waited until dark, then placed the hive in it's permanent location (about 10-12 feet from original hive (maybe too close?). My main question is: What is going on today (behavior-wise) in the new colony (the captured swarm)? What is the likelihood of them staying? I put them on 10 frames of foundation and also fed them and will feed them again today. Started out yesterday with a couple of baggies of syrup for overnight, they will need a better feeding arrangement today.
I plan to inspect the "old" hive today.
Also, the swarm hive is very busy outside the entrance this morning. It is supposed to be a very nice, warm day. Do caught swarms exhibit lots of activity at the entrance right away or might they be planning another trip?
Thanks for any help!
Yes, stung twice capturing the swarm...LOL


text:
Our weekly feature, Talking Tactics with Stewart Robson, continues today.
Every week, Arsenal Player's analyst will be looking back on the last first-team game.
Presenting from the first-team dressing room at Emirates Stadium, Stewart will tell you how the match was won, lost or drawn.
This week, the defeat to Tottenham is the focus.
The points discussed include:
- Arsenal dominating possession in midfield
- more freedom for Sagna
- Gervinho causing problems
- a lack of clear cut opportunities for the Gunners
- Spurs' defensive strength
- an impressive outing for Francis Coquelin
- questionable defending for Tottenham's first goal
- reoccurring defensive frailties
- lapses in concentration for the second goal
- Alex Song showing his attacking strengths
- a key decision from Harry Redknapp
- some encouraging signson all fronts
We hope you enjoy this feature.Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source