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Post your recipe and get notifications when other cooks assessment and add images to it. The Bean Sprouts Cooking Enjoyable For Youngsters app is filled with fun and healthier kid-friendly recipes, videos, games, books, photographs and puzzles developed to empower, entertain and educate little ones to cook and eat healthfully. This is far more than just one of these entertaining camping recipes for youngsters – when you let them make it themselves it also becomes a giggling camping activity for the youngsters also. A super easy and delicious way to get you youngsters to enjoy the last of the fresh summer fruit.
This summer season, incorporate the youngsters with some colorful, effortless to make recipes that are confident to please! This one particular takes a bit of prep work, but will maintain the kids entertained for hours! Little ones adore the intense green colour, and you will be amazed by this deliciously fruity smoothie. Check out these entertaining and healthy No-Bake Cocoa Bars for a sweet, effortless-to-make treat.
Most of the recipes are low in calories, but a couple of may possibly have a high content material of sugar. But this technique includes a lot of adult supervision simply because they can rapidly burn, plus the fact that children and campfire flames are as well frequently a hazardous mixture. I do not permit mine close to the stove a lot, so no-bake desserts, slow cooker meals, and even a casserole can be fun recipes for kids to make with mom! This tool encourages creativity, and laughter, even though little ones find out about and experiment with healthy meals.
You will see in this cooking with kids hubs that I love to use cookie cutters to make cooking both entertaining and intriguing for kids. Next time that you are searching for fun food recipes, consider about these candy recipes and try them. The author behind Enjoyable Camping Recipes for Little ones, and camping activities for children is Gus, an avid life-long tent camper that has camped in the mountains and on the plains, and in all 4 seasons – from 100+ to -10 degree climate. Repeat until all the popcorn is used up. Your kids will really like this special treat and they can help with rolling the mix into balls with you. These effortless ground beef recipes are the perfect weeknight dinner, or weekend snack.
Baking recipes for kids are a fantastic way to get your small 1 started in the kitchen. Get the little ones with each other and attempt whipping up some of these healthful no-bake desserts You don't have to tell them they're wholesome! Cut pictures into pieces and the little ones should put the pieces back collectively the correct way. A pan and water… Straightforward adequate appropriate… It is just like generating spaghetti but with a enjoyable twist.…
No question breakfast is the most hectic meal of the day around our home. Inside a week, I felt a enormous distinction and I honestly really feel I was much more productive at my job since of consuming a healthful breakfast each single day. Anytime breakfast isn't going to be simple cereal, the request is really often for Golden Buck and due to the fact it is a really rapid and straightforward breakfast recipe. Being English we do sometimes have a mammoth breakfast fry up which as you know can satisfy like no other breakfast! Ultra Cheesy Breakfast BurritoThe avocado in this recipe offers a wonderful texture and taste that is comparable to cheese. This recipe pairs the pumpkin with oats, chia seeds, cocoa , and almond milk for a quick and easy breakfast. Flax lends a healthy dose of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids Mashed bananas (a single of our favorite healthful baking subsitutions ) allow for a slight reduction in the added fat and sugar as well.
They are fantastic due to the fact they give you the capacity to make a breakfast item that contains your entire breakfast into one conveneint on-the-go breakfast treat! I have to laugh since I utilised to print off recipes for him – ones I've either tried or believed he may possibly like and would match into his schedule. A cross between a breakfast cookie and a muffin, these moist and chewy treats are tasty delights for mornings on the go. Your suggestions makes it so easy for me to start a every day routine of consuming in the morning.
I used to hate consuming breakfast when younger and only ate snacks out of my lunchbox when at college in the course of classes trigger I was so hungry by 10am and snacks weren't as great as the healthier cereals and fruits I have now. These crispy bites are simple to eat and easy to make (only five ingredients and five minutes cooking time)—just appropriate for your busy loved ones. Layer on two sunny-side up eggs for a healthier dose of protein, and you have got a nicely-rounded breakfast. These grab-and-go breakfast bites taste indulgent, but they're made with entire wheat flour, nuts, and dried fruit. Poached eggs are the pure type of egg – I really like to watch 'em materialise in the water.
Your purpose is to have the toast prepared and the eggs poached just as the sauce thickens to the point that lumps are starting to seem. And at 31 grams of carb per serving, they're a healthful selection for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Even although we had been a huge group, Grandma constantly seemed to make sufficient food to feed an army instead. Stack 'em in a tupperware container for straightforward transport or cook the yolks a bit more and make the whole issue into a sandwich. Sarah Roe's sweet waffles will have everybody at the breakfast table asking for much more! I will also de-bunk some breakfast dieting myths that I've disproved from my personal experiences. Come join me as I cook and understand new recipes and some quick kitchen tipsalong the way.
Wake up to a residence smelling like sausage and effortlessly place breakfast on your plate, all thanks to the beauty of a slow cooker Layer the vegetables, sausage, and cheese in the Crock-Pot, then best with a mix of eggs and cream (you'd be fine making use of normal or nondairy milk too for a lighter option), and you happen to be just one sleep away from a delicious meal.…
The distance from Seattle, Washington to the Town of Steilacoom (pronounced Still-ah-come), is about 45 miles…and 80 years. Serve sprinkled with sliced spring onions, slices of red chilli and fresh herbs. When it boils add abundant salt to the water and get ready to throw in your penne pasta. Add crushed rosemary, Spike Natural Seasonings, and black pepper, shaking evenly over salmon and bread crumbs. I love salmon cakes, and salmon burgers, What a excellent way to use up leftover pieces of salmon! The tuna fillet in this recipe is deliberately a small bit larger and thicker than in the previous two recipes. What I would do with the salmon is buy japanese sweet rice, soy sauce, wasbi, and cut the salmon to thin slices.
And of course, I took pictures (about 200 in all!!!!) so that we could share this epic recipe with all of you. Add the pasta straight into the pan or if you feel that could get messy place first a small amount of the broccoli/cream cheese and salmon sauce in a bowl. See some of the suggestions after the recipe as properly for more tips to add to this fantastic fundamental swift and simple salmon loaf recipe. Firstly marinate the fish with fresh dill greens, crushed garlic and coriander leaves, lime juice, chilli powder, salt and olive oil ( or some other herb and spice mixture). Will have to pick up some salmon products so we can give it a go. Well presented.
Informative article plus a delicious product to go with it. These protein packed patties would satisfy the hungriest of youngsters and leave mum and dad with additional money in their pocket. I was just telling my husband that I have to discover how to make a excellent piece of salmon. I am often hunting for fish recipes and this 1 sounds like the youngsters will really like it. I can sneak some veges in it to. I adore trader Joes, and they have some fantastic wild salmon canned items and frozen too.
The fresh salmon is reduce into big chunks which are chilled ahead of becoming pulsed in a food processor. Our grilled salmon features a fresh cut of salmon in a maple ponzu glaze, served with mushroom risotto and our vegetable du jour. These will make the excellent begin to any meal and they're equally as very good for lunch along with a side salad and the obligatory tartare sauce. You will be surprised at how simple it is to make fried salmon and at how delicious it tastes. I produced it with fresh Penne and added fresh dill will attempt it with basil subsequent time, thanks for the inspiration. Season the salmon with salt, pepper, dill, and paprika, and cook in the hot oil 1 to 2 minutes on each and every side, till tender sufficient to break apart. You could have also observed or heard of his cookbook – educate oneself further with Hawaiian and island recipes.
He loves above all to take fresh components and combine them in tasty and hopefully original techniques. Either in a pan or grill pan spot salmon with your preferred veggies, a tiny pat of butter or margarine. I now make my salmon cakes like you with fresh salmon alternatively of canned cannot evaluate. I am a salmon fan and your salad with this great dressing has genuinely created my mouth water!Outstanding idea!!! It's all about salmon right here these days, as it is economical and plentiful in the grocery stores proper now. Then add about a table spoon of Basil from Gourmet garden or some fresh reduce basil, what ever you have offered. The mix of fresh and cured salmon gave these burgers a good mix of flavors which the dill accented well. Scandinavian recipes make a herring salad with challenging-boiled eggs, vegetables, and potatoes. I make it my company not to eat something that is very good for me.. like salmon and vegetables.…
By now, you've most likely been told, time and time once more, that breakfast is the most critical meal of the day. Try this sweet take on a classic breakfast sandwich the next time you happen to be consuming on the go. Prepare a complete-grain toaster waffle and slice in half. It requires a small bit longer to make but it really is best for a weekend breakfast or brunch with the family members. In the morning, best with slivered almonds and half a sliced banana, and you're ready for breakfast. Get pleasure from a cup of Masala Chai along with Onion Tomato and Cheese Open Toast or a Rapid Rava Idli , and you are ready to face the day.
Here's a healthier take on a classic breakfast sandwich: Take two slices of a hearty whole-grain bread, spread every slice with 1 tablespoon of homemade macadamia ricotta cheese, and sprinkle with shiso or basil, kosher salt, and fresh cracked pepper to taste. You can even try an simple-to-make oven-baked bacon, if you want to make lots at once without the mess! Maintain it New and Exciting – Breakfast rapidly food is quite addictive since chains are often introducing new and thrilling goods. These are the simplest tiffin products to make during week days which is not only tasty but really filling.
This breakfast is created with boiled rice and is generally served with curry or coconut milk. At this point, I was eating breakfast nearly every single day but truly was feeling miserable. Oatmeal is a excellent breakfast notion for any parent and this particular recipe is excellent for busy parents looking to serve up a wholesome breakfast with out spending hours in the kitchen. They're straightforward to make and they'll fill everyone up, which is specifically what each parent looks for in a morning breakfast recipe. Bacon and eggs, those American breakfast staples, go Italian in this fast pizza.
If you have some leftover tofu and veggies (like peppers and kale), you are very good to go for this simple scramble. Make a bunch, wrap in foil, and preserve in the freezer for anytime the craving hits. French toast is a classic breakfast dish but possibilities are you haven't tried this delicious version. These tasty, effortless granola bars will remind you of your morning oatmeal, but you can consume them anywhere you like. An simple to make dose of your a lot needed morning nutrition, heaped with subtle flavours. A lot of of the conventional breakfast options like Batata Poha are swift effortless and quick also. I've constantly identified but in no way believed that I needed to consume it. 1st off, I am in no way hungry at breakfast time. Take a classic baked loaf and make it into adorable oatmeal cups with this recipe!
If the savory cheddar cheese, sausage, and jalapeno peppers in this southern breakfast favorite never wake you up, nothing will! The kids all agreed that a glass of cold milk would comprehensive this breakfast treat. Bacon (just a little), mushrooms, and tomato make this scrumptious egg dish not only excellent for breakfast but also lunch or dinner! Cooking quinoa in milk (cow, soy, or almond) and adding some sweet spices and fruit tends to make for a excellent substitute for classic hot breakfast cereals. Some of these dishes can also be carried along, so you can finish breakfast on-the-go!…
We are not vegetarian, but we love a very good meatless meal for lots of reasons – they are wholesome, price range friendly and they taste excellent. And as I pointed out last week with my zucchini cheddar entire wheat waffles , my children have in no way had quickly meals or take out (unless the grandparents are maintaining something from me!) so I've got lots of tricks up my sleeve to throw anything collectively at the last minute. With childhood obesity such a dilemma, I feel it is wonderful to tackle the problem by possessing youngsters and parents function collectively to get new habits. An anniversay, birthday or maybe just a date evening without the kids…any a single of these dishes will support make your evening a night to bear in mind. Most kids really like pizza, and this is a exciting new twist on the old common that they can assist make! Some ideas will fail, but the much more you improvise, the better the benefits will be. So the subsequent time you hit the wall when it comes time to cook dinner, quit and take a second look.
My children enjoy everything we grow and like getting capable to go out and choose things themselves. We utilised this strategy for teaching special ed kids distinct ideas like shapes, letters and numbers. Youngsters and adults alike won't be able to resist this delicious dinner built on comfort food classics. Little ones who are picky will adore the pasta and sausage, even though adults will like the added flavor of the beans, veggies, and tomatoes.
This will not support tonight but it might support avert ordering a pizza or producing retailer-bought chicken nuggets subsequent time you want rapid dinner ideas for kids. If your youngsters adore Mexican food, they will be all more than this straightforward, cheesy a single pot burrito style meal that comes collectively fast. To locate much more recipes for rapid dinner ideas for kids (and parents!) use our recipe browse function and check the Super Scramble Express or Scramble Express boxes under Meal Type". Even if your kids don't enjoy Mexican meals, they will go nuts more than a plate of tater tot nachos. This recipe is super effortless, and your children will enjoy the meatball and cheese filling. If the youngsters catch big crabs, the nets may possibly get torn from the crab claws, so hold a couple of further nets, just in case.
You'll probably invest more time attempting to come up with ideas for dinner than you will truly preparing and consuming it. It can be fun, but it can also be overwhelming, particularly when you're trying to make do with what you currently have in the pantry or fridge although still attempting to locate a dish that will please every person – or at least most of your loved ones.
If your youngsters don't like the taste of sauces, just reserve a bit on the side for them before adding the sauce. My husband is the YM president and of course, final minute, asked me to come up with one thing exciting for thier etiquette dinner. Prior to we get to the recipes, our ideal BTDT tip for hosting parties with little ones is to hold it straightforward. Easiest Slow Cooker Dinner leaves you with possibilities for there diverse Tex Mex dinners.…


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tis the season for giving! With hat said I'm offering sweepstakes where you can enter to win a 9″x 12″ alla prima portrait in oil!
An alla prima portrait is a painting completed entirely in one sitting. It gives a bit more of an expressive feel and still captures the essence of the subject! Would you like to see your pet in a painting?
The winner will be announced on December 19th. Just in time for the holidays if you want to give it to a friend or family member for use after the holiday!

subset: commoncrawl


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June 10, 2013
Keywords: Eco-business / Social Venture Manufacturing industry
Tromso Co., based in Hiroshima Prefecture in Japan, developed a process for preparing non-fossil, solid fuel, called Momigalite, using rice husks, and in the fall of 2008, started selling the Momigalite manufacturing machine. The machine, known as a Grind Mill, grinds rice husks, and then compresses them to yield solid fuel. Because of these activities, Tromso has been recognized as a pioneering company in new business fields by Hiroshima Prefecture.
Momigalite, which is resistant to moisture, and is able to maintain its shape and quality for long periods, provided that it is kept dry. It can therefore be stored for use during disasters and emergencies, in addition to its typical use as biomass fuel. Momigalite has the following features:
(1) It can be easily and safely ignited,
(2) Its emissions are much cleaner than those of fossil fuels,
(3) It burns with a flame, which is able to keep many people warm,
(4) It releases about 4,000 kilocalories of heat during combustion, and burns several times longer than firewood,
(5) Its use contributes to the conservation of forests, and
(6) Its ashes can be recycled as a soil conditioner.
Momigalite is made of 100 percent rice husks, which are otherwise discarded as agricultural waste. In Japan, about two million tons of rice husks are produced every year. Momigalite is an environmentally friendly fuel that emits neither nitrogen oxides nor sulfur oxides when burned. It is also expected to adsorb endocrine disruptors. Furthermore, rice husks are readily available in rice-producing areas; thus Momigalite can promote the concept of "local production for local consumption."
Related JFS article:
Japanese NPO Launches Pellet Stove Rental Business to Encourage Biomass Use


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Home > Lincolnshire > North Scarle
Lost Pubs In
North Scarle, Lincolnshire
Sedan Inn
Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photographs of closed
or lost pubs in North Scarle? Become a contributor and submit them here.Like this site? Recommend us via the social networking share button on the left hand side of the page, or follow us on


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ERT, Inc. today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center (LaRC) to provide subject matter expertise to support complex proposal evaluations, management and technical assessments, and advanced studies. The Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity, cost plus fixed fee contract has a potential value of $91M over five years. ERT will be supported by eight subcontractors: Futron Corporation, MCR Federal LLC, a.i. Solutions, Applied Defense Solutions, Inc., Galorath Incorporated, Integrity Applications Incorporated (IAI), PRICE Systems LLC, and Strategic Space Development, Inc.
The NASA Headquarters' Science Mission Directorate (SMD) facilitates NASA's pursuit of the most noteworthy approaches for missions, payloads, spacecraft, instruments, and research that help answer big questions in Earth and Space science. Located at LaRC, the Science Office for Mission Assessments (SOMA) helps SMD select and manage missions, spacecraft, and instruments. To accomplish this, SOMA manages and provides oversight of evaluations, assessments, and studies for SMD and other NASA organizations. These include evaluation of proposals received in response to NASA Announcements of Opportunity, NASA Research Announcements, Cooperative Agreement Notices, and Broad Agency Announcements, as well as highly specialized studies and assessments, such as life cycle and independent cost estimates, schedule assessments, and risk analyses. ERT will perform its Evaluations, Assessments, Studies, Services, and Support (EASSS) contract in Hampton, VA, with visits to NASA field locations as required.
"We look forward to providing responsive and high-quality support to NASA proposal evaluations, assessments, and studies for SOMA in support to NASA Headquarters' Science Mission Directorate research as well as to continuing our legacy of partnership with NASA", said Dr. Peter Li, ERT President.


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udballer wrote:Any chance Demetrius Lake is able to qualify. That would be a JUCO pickup that I would support. We need as many pure scorers as possible... especially now that Allen is leaving.
Lake signed with Grand Valley. He's a scoring machine (averaged over 36 ppg as HS Sr., over 31 as Jr), and I'm surprised a D-I school didn't pick him up if he can qualify. I don't know if it is easier to qualify at D-II, but I didn't think so. Anyway, he's signed, not just verbaled, so they would have to release him from his LOI. He averaged 17.6 ppg at Schoolcraft this year and has 3 yrs left.
Another guy who played well at Schoolcraft this year is Walt Kelser, over 21 points and 3.5 assists per game.


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Eat more protein to sleep better
Why is sleep important?
Eat more protein to sleep better. Sleep is the best meditation for a mind. While eating a lower calorie diet with a higher value of protein, sleep quality improves for middle-age peoples. Sleep plays a critical preface in good health and benefit entirely your life. Find sufficient quality sleep at the fixed times can help maintain your mental health, physical health, safety and quality of life.
The way you experience while you're wakeful depends on in the portion on what happens while you're sleeping. By sleep, your body is work to support healthy brain work and sustain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also aid help to growth and improvement.
Healthy brain function and feeling blessing:
Sleep support your brain work completely. While you're sleeping, your brain produces for the next day. It's creating new energy to help you learn and remember knowledge. This sleep quality is greater compared to those who reduced the same amount of weight while consuming a standard amount of protein. Studies prove that a good night's sleep raise learning. Whether you're learning math, how to blow the piano, how to consummate your golf swing, or how to drive a car, sleep helps improve your knowledge and problem-solving skills. Sleep too helps you pay observation, generate decisions, and be ingenious.
Studies also shows that sleep requires change activity in some features of the brain. While you're sleeping lack, you may have disturbance making decisions, resolve problems, control your feeling and behavior, and cope with diversity.
Physical health:
Sleep plays a vital role in your physical health. For example, sleep does engage in cure and refit of your heart and blood vessels. Continuous sleep lack is critical.
As a result, sleep lacks is not only injurious on an own level, but it even can sake sizable harm. For example, sleep lack has played a preface in human mistake connected to unfortunate accidents, such as atomically reactor meltdowns, a basis of big ships, and aviation accidents. The key to super energizing your weight loss plus slipping into sounder, more restorative sleep at bedtime is protein and more protein.
Mind and Body:
Best protein is necessary for body. Sound sleep is essential for the mind or soul. Both plays a great role on health and fitness. So, we should get proper rest and sleep for perfect healthy bodybuilding.


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Office and Location
These Sugar Creek Executive Suites are located in a prime and sought-after location, (with close proximity to Hwy 90, Beltway 8, and Hwy. 59) with dozens of recommended restaurants and distinguished businesses within a short distance. The suites are also minutes from Sugar Land Town Square, Fort Bend County's newest upscale shopping complex; and from Sugar Land City Hall. In case of out-of-town visitors and business conferences, hotel accommodations are readily available nearby at the Sugar Land Marriott Town Square and the Sugar Land Drury Inn. Listed below are a few of the establishments available for you.
- Pappasito's
- Pappadeux
- P.F. Chang's
- Perry's Steakhouse
Business Establishments:
- Noble Drilling
- Schlumberger
- Fluor-Daniel
- Imperial Sugar
Sugar Land Town Center Marriott
Sugar Land Drury Inn
Sugarcreek Executive
54 Sugarcreek Center Blvd. Suite 300
Sugar Land, TX 77478


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New York New York – It's a wonderful town
New York gets to all of us!
The predicted rain happened early this morning, which meant that the Choristers could walk around Manhattan and visit 'Ground Zero' later on. According to one chorister, the experience was 'moving'. They had lunch at Davis and Polk, 450 Lexington avenue. A very special thanks to an old member of Christ Church, Denny Lewis, who generously bought lunch for all the choristers! On their 'What we've done on tour' list, they can now cross off 5th Avenue and hopefully one day they can go up to the top of the Rockefeller Center. For the rest of the choir, other sites visited during our time in New York include Central Park, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Grand Central Station, Abercrombie and Fitch, an eclectic music store selling ethnic instruments, St Thomas' Fifth Avenue, Theatre District, Ellis Island, The Village, Brooklyn, Chinatown, the Empire State Building…and a fountain two blocks from the hotel, where Vincenzo took some very artistic photographs, as did Henry.
Today's concert was in St Bartholomew's Church, affectionately known in the city as St Bart's. The regular 3pm start came around and it was quite a surprise to find that the acoustic was rather like that of Christ Church. A very good turn out enjoyed the programme. We had already performed the pieces at least once or twice on tour so it was a confident performance, although we certainly missed the generous acoustic of Washington!
After a relaxed reception we headed back to the hotel for a few more beverages. Some took the opportunity to go up the Rockefeller Center,dressed in full black tie concert dress, and view the stunning New York skyline at night. It's an earlyish start tomorrow, getting picked up at 9.30am for a travel day to Boston.
And night is best
Empire State
Rockefeller Centre


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Toward a Better Letter
By Jim Paterson
Letters of recommendation don't always measure up. How could they get better?
At a local high school, a counselor and an AP teacher both are again staying late, staring into their computer screens at letters they've been meaning to write for several weeks but never seem to complete. And just up the highway, also behind schedule, a group of college admission counselors are working their way through stacks of similar letters.
They all have something else in common. They aren't certain about the value of the effort.
Letters or recommendation consume a lot of time and thought as they are solicited, written, and read, and, while many high school and college admission officials say that work pays off by providing a university with valuable and sometimes unique information about prospective students, most everyone also agrees they could be more effective.
"Sadly the goals of the letter writer and letter reader are sometimes at odds with each other," said Nathan Kuncel, a professor at the University of Minnesota who has studied letters of recommendation. He said letter writers want students to get in the school of their choice while colleges want clear, accurate information that can help many students improve their status but might exclude others.
Former Dartmouth Director of Admissions Rebecca Sabky was more critical of the process in a recent New York Times article, even as she celebrated one letter that had an impact on her (see sidebar).
Letters that Stick
A recommendation letter played a key role in getting a student into Dartmouth College (NH) recently, not so much because of what it said but because of who it was from and what the relationship behind it said about the student.
Writing in the New York Times, Rebecca Sabky, the former head of admission at Dartmouth, tells how the letter on behalf of an applicant from a school janitor convinced the Ivy League school to admit the student.
The custodian wrote about the student's thoughtfulness—the only person in the school who knew the names of every member of the janitorial staff. He turned off lights in empty rooms, consistently thanked the hallway monitor and picked up rooms even if nobody was watching. This student, the custodian wrote, "had a refreshing respect for every person at the school, regardless of position, popularity or clout."
"Over 15 years and 30,000 applications in my admissions career, I had never seen a recommendation from a school custodian," Sabky said. "It gave us a window onto a student's life in the moments when nothing 'counted.' That student was admitted by unanimous vote of the admissions committee."
"Letters of recommendation are typically superfluous, written by people who the applicant thinks will impress a school," she wrote. "They generally fail to provide us with another angle on who the student is, or could be, as a member of our community."
Others, however, think they are useful but could be improved, especially if all three players do a better job of making sure the letters serve the purpose intended: helping the college and the student find the right fit.
"A so-so letter can make a reader question an otherwise solid application," said Suzanne McCray, director of admissions at the University of Arkansas. "But others find a way to lift the student off the page. Those can improve a good, but not great, application and make a committee interview or accept a student or award them a scholarship."
Beth Wiser, executive director of admissions at the University of Vermont, agreed.
"The most memorable are those that tell a story about a student and bring it to life," she said. "I want to get a sense of the student's personality, or find the student has really made a connection with their high school and the community. That will often make an impact in the review process."
Where They Go Wrong
Kuncel said the letters aren't as effective as they could be for a few reasons.
The writer typically is biased, he said. A student chooses a reference because they believe that person likes them or admires their work and is therefore a supporter. There also is pressure on letter writers, aware they might diminish the student's chances at the school or that the student could see or hear about the letter.
Generally, experts also say people are flattered to be asked and usually are positive in their comments. In fact, research shows fewer than 7 percent of applicants for schools or jobs receive average or below average assessments.
"Given that most applicants select the people who will be their reference providers, we probably shouldn't be surprised by the lenient ratings," said Michael Aamodt, a psychology professor at Radford University in Virginia, who also researched the process.
He said the writer's personality plays a role: They may not think that a certain good or bad quality is important and downplay it—great social skills or introversion, for instance, or the student's habit of planning poorly and turning in late work, especially if a similar trait afflicts them.
Kuncel said admission officials and others reading letters of recommendations should be aware of bias on both sides and differing goals. However, he and other experts warn against colleges being too cynical about letters of recommendation, discounting or ignoring them and missing good data.
"Even in their current form they actually capture some useful information and can add to admission applications if used correctly. Our research suggests that they give us the most information about a student's motivation and drive, and can meaningfully improve our ability to predict whether they'll finish the degree."
Aamodt said readers should still search for information of value even if letters seem excessively flattering.
"Rather than using letters of recommendation as a separate evaluation tool, admission committees should use them to fill in missing pieces—things such as participating in class discussions or never missing class," he said. "Those are things that are probably not in the application materials."
The Reader's Perspective
Aamodt also said that because writers focus on issues important to them, colleges could get better information if they requested brief letters about specifics. "For example, they might want to know about writing skills, analytical skills, or the ability to work on team projects," he said. In addition, he said individual schools should develop a rating system for their admission counselors that ranks letters on certain criteria "to indicate how strong the endorsement is" then factor that into other findings or include it in any statistically-driven selection system.
Deniz Ones, the co-author of Kuncel's study and a colleague at the University of Minnesota, said letters are more accurate when accompanied by a score, but she recommends a ranking provided by the writer using standardized criteria. And, she said they are more accurate when several writers contribute their thoughts.
Ones also recommends colleges specifically look at characteristics that aren't captured on other application material such as transcripts and standardized tests. "Discipline, curiosity, typical intellectual engagement, and interests have been shown to relate to academic success," she said.
To help letter writers, McCray believes it is important for colleges to offer written guidelines or information sessions for counselors and other educators, including AP teachers, who often write recommendation letters.
Giving students specific directions also is important, said Candance Boeninger, director of admissions at Ohio University. "We encourage them to find recommenders who truly know them well and can specifically address whether and how the student is academically prepared to succeed in our environment."
She says they also tell students to think about what information will enhance their application, consider who can address it, and give the letter writer some guidance about what they hope the letter will address.
Richard Nesbitt, director of admissions at Williams College in Williamston, Massachusetts, suggests colleges seek references from teachers since they work with a student every day. "An effective teacher reference provides a direct assessment of the student's classroom performance, intellectual engagement, curiosity, creativity, and potential for academic growth," he said. They know about their ability to read carefully and critically, understand and analyze complex ideas, write clearly and persuasively, engage in class discussion, and manage time and work load efficiently, he said.
"If a student asks for a general recommendation letter," said Boeninger, "too often that's all they and the college will get."
For the Writers
Experts say school counselors and others charged with writing letters of recommendation should provide applicable, specific insight.
"The more detailed the letter, the more likely we are to use it in the review of a student file," said Aundra Anderson, director of admissions at Washington College (MD). She said standardized forms and block letters are less likely to be used. "Examples are the best. Johnny is a leader? Great, can you give us an example of a time he showcased his leadership skills."
Nesbitt also believes letter writers should be encouraged to discuss any examples of character, interpersonal and collaborative skills, and resilience that a letter writer directly observed.
"We look for compelling information," said McCray, "something that goes beyond a list. We look for stories that give a face to the student, that take us beyond service hours, GPA, and scores. What makes the student tick? Is the student really engaged in some way? We know that engagement will transfer to other kinds of involvement as well."
Writing in Atlantic recently, teacher and writer Andrew Simmons put it this way: "My job is not to draw big neon circles around a student's achievements so that an admissions officer will pay more attention to them. Instead of bragging on behalf of the student, I want to render human the person admissions officers may view as a collection of letters and numbers, to say what those grades and scores cannot."
He wrote that letter writers should think of themselves as a combination of detective and journalist, accurately investigating the student and reporting their findings.
Related to that, McCray said she appreciates it when a counselor or other letter writer explains an issue that might come up elsewhere in the application. For instance, they might discuss the test anxiety of a student with lower than expected SAT scores, describe how an illness affected a student's grades for a quarter, or even explain how a once unsuccessful student has developed new habits.
"Is there a hardship that the student has overcome that connects to motivation? If the writer has a real abiding concern, what is it? Has the student learned from whatever the issue might be? Can the letter writer make the case for why it should not be an issue?"
Kieron Miller, vice president for enrollment at Whittier College (CA), said recommendation letters should be a narrative more than a checklist.
"The best letters tell stories that offer insight. Stories that reveal something not revealed elsewhere in the application. Stories that are memorable and effective with concrete examples to make a student come alive in a way that goes beyond a list of achievements, adding color to an application."
Jim Paterson is a writer and former school counselor living in Lewes, DE.
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Having Internet access every minute of every day helps us do many tasks of varying difficulty more efficiently. We no longer even process its presence because it's just so integrated into our lives: we just chat with our friends anytime, send out work e-mails all day, search for quick info or entertainment, go shopping conveniently, and many others. The perks of being online basically comprise our lifestyles, without us having to really think about our cyber involvement. Once we do, however, an important question arises: how can I ensure my personal safety while availing everything that being online has to offer me?
The issue of personal safety on the Internet takes many forms. These include safeguarding one's privacy and personal information, avoiding identity theft, watching out for malware, detecting fraud and various scams, even staying away from predators and/or cyberbullies. This means that our many conveniences should always come with a certain level of vigilance.
One of the easiest and most obvious things to do is be smart with passwords. For your accounts, creating passwords that are hard to decipher is the first step, but not the only one. It also helps to have different ones for different sites, and to change all of them every once in a while. Then again, passwords aren't enough to ensure the security of your accounts.
Having great passwords doesn't mean we can do whatever we want with our profiles and such. Be very aware of what you share online. Of course, it's a lot of fun to post photos on social media, but you also have to consider: what info about me can people online infer from these photos? Is my home address shown to the general public, or just my friends? From religious affiliations to current employers, it's also sometimes tempting and seemingly necessary to exhibit many details about yourself on certain sites and apps, but think carefully about which ones you put on your profile.
Watch out for sites that ask for your bank accounts or Social Security number. Of course, it's unavoidable to enter your credit card details when shopping online, but do the necessary background checks on the stores or whatever other sites you're giving your information to. Identity theft is a prevailing problem on the Internet, and knowing which sites or apps are reputable should help a lot.
Lastly, the Internet provides many avenues for us to meet other people. To keep these interactions safe and enjoyable, we also need measures to ensure our personal safety. Users sometimes fake their identities (called catfishing) in order to have people send them money, lure others out in real life, prey on children, and lots of scary stuff. Some basic tips when arranging to meet in person: make sure to have the meetup in a public place and tell a family member or a friend about it.
The BeepBeep Nation app has its own mechanisms to help with its users' personal safety. As the app encourages people to help each other out by meeting and interacting in person, it's very important to know just how safe you are when using it. Fuelled by the EMINENT (EMN) token, BeepBeep Nation's payment methods are cashless and therefore more secure for you. Because the app has a built-in e-wallet that stores EMN, you don't have to enter your bank details with every encounter. Payments are carried out with just one tap. The EMN is an ERC20 token, processed in the Ethereum blockchain platform, which makes for faster and safer transactions.
Aside form this, the app itself has other features. Both people who request for help (requestors) and people who can offer help (helpers) can put a profile photo, which will aid in recognizing each other during the meetup. Real requestors and helpers should have no reason to hide their appearance. Below their profile photo, all users also have a green bar with a score of 1 to 10 called a Beep Rank. After a meetup, requestors and helpers can rate and even comment on each other. The Beep Rank takes into account these ratings and other important factors about a user's previous help history.
Requestors and helpers are also encouraged to take a Beepie with each other. A Beepie is sort of like a selfie with the two of you or more, and it will be taken on the spot during the meetup for help. By uploading Beepies as evidence of previous help transactions, it assists other users to identify which requestors or helpers can be trusted. There is also a Chat feature to converse with your prospective requestor or helper, which you can use to verify some information before you proceed with the meetup.
Ultimately, BeepBeep Nation's goal is to create a helping economy in which people willingly help each other out in many different ways. Because the personal safety of its users is paramount to the app in achieving this goal, BeepBeep Nation also provides them with practical measures. It's up to the individuals as well to use the potential of these safety features wisely.
BeepBeep Nation will launch soon in selected cities worldwide. Make sure to check out the EMINENT token sale, now available!


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Dr. Paul J. Corrado, DDS
Dr. Corrado grew up in Danvers and graduated from St. John's Prep in 1976. He graduated cum laude from Fairfield University in 1980 and received his doctorate degree from Georgetown University in 1984.
Dr. Corrado has run numerous marathons and enjoys playing guitar in a rock band in his spare time. Dr. Corrado is a member of the Northshore Dental Society, The American Dental Association, and The Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Paul DeFeo, DMD
Dr. DeFeo grew up locally in Middleton, and attended high school at St. John's Prep in Danvers. He played for the schools golf team all four years, was a captain his senior year and won two team state championships. He then attended Boston University where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in biology. While at Boston University, he played rugby.
Dr. DeFeo began his professional training at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Following this, he completed a general practice residency in dentistry at Harvard University/Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Dr. DeFeo practices a broad scope of general dentistry with special interests in dental implants and cosmetic dentistry.
When not in the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons and is an avid golfer and taxi service for his boys.
He is a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society, the North Shore Dental Society, the American Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Costello grew up locally in Boxford, Massachusetts, and attended high school at St. John's Prep in Danvers. At the Prep, he was a member of three state championship golf teams. He attended Salem State University where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a B.A. in Molecular Biology and Chemistry.
He received his D.M.D. from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Prior to joining Danvers Dental Care, Dr. Costello was in private practice in Swampscott. He brings expertise in a broad spectrum of general dentistry with special interests in cosmetic, reconstructive and implant dentistry.
Dr. Costello served on the board of the North Shore District Dental Society. He is a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society, the American Dental Society, Spear Continuing Education Study Clubs, and Rotary International.
In addition to golf, he enjoys skiing, hiking and travelling in his free time.


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Main Content
Because of Sam
Watch Because of Sam
Bring to Your Organization
Contribute to the Movie
A movie that transforms how the world views people with disabilities and inspires ALL people to pursue their dreams.
Please Rent the Movie NOW!
Please Watch the Movie Trailer Here
Because of Sam – Documentary Film Synopsis
YES! I Want to Rent the Movie Because of Sam NOW!
This new, inspirational documentary film is about Tampa native, Sam Piazza, a young man with Down syndrome who overcomes bullying, wins Homecoming King at Gaither High School, and is an advocate for people with disabilities. Sam works at PDQ Carrollwood (Tampa) and volunteers for many worthy causes.
Sam not only overcame tremendous obstacles, but he now uses his life to help others. He works tirelessly as a volunteer Ambassador for Best Buddies International, volunteers at Gigi's Playhouse, has earned a black belt in karate, participated in the ROTC, was the volunteer basketball team manager in high school and active in the Special Olympics. Watch the movie trailer with WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil here.
Because of Sam transforms how the world views people with disabilities and inspires ALL people to pursue their dreams.
In 2009, he caught the eye of filmmaker and fellow Tampa native, Renee Warmack, who read an article in The Tampa Tribune about how he was crowned Homecoming King at Gaither High School in Tampa.
The documentary Because of Sam will show the world that being different can be difficult, yet the conflicts, triumphs and epiphanies that occur in the life of a person with disabilities can serve as catalysts for positive change in the lives of other people.
This movie will change the viewers' belief systems from that of doubting the capability of people with disabilities, to believing that they can achieve great things. Furthermore, the viewers will reflect on their own lives and be inspired to tap into their potential to pursue their goals.
Producer | Director | Writer
Tampa native, Renee Warmack, MPA, is a Producer, Speaker, and Coach who grew up in a blue-collar family and is the youngest of three girls. At an early age, she knew that earning an athletic scholarship was the only way she could afford college. She worked hard to excel as a multi-sport, high school athlete and ultimately earned a tennis scholarship at the University of South Florida (USF).
Warmack earned her BA degree in Creative Writing and a Master's degree in Public Administration at USF.
In 2019, she produced, directed and wrote Because of Sam that chronicles the inspirational journey of Sam Piazza, a young man with Down syndrome who won Homecoming King and is an advocate for people with disabilities. The movie is transforming how the world views people with disabilities.
In 2008, she produced, directed and wrote "A Community with a Dream: The Founding of the Children's Board" (CBHC) a documentary that commemorates the 20th anniversary of a special taxing district in Tampa dedicated to helping kids succeed. The film describes the touching, grassroots effort that led to the creation of the CBHC. The movie premiered on government television and was widely embraced by the community.
Warmack produced her first film in 2007, with NO filmmaking training. The documentary, called "Ten at the Top in Tampa Bay", chronicles the careers of top female government leaders and shares how they broke the glass ceiling. She produced, directed and wrote the documentary to celebrate an unprecedented time in Tampa history where 10 women led (at the same time) government institutions. The movie premiered on PBS in 2007, aired on government channels, was featured in film festivals, to include the Gasparilla International Film Festival.
Warmack retired in 2017 from a 20-year government career where she worked in human rights advocacy, public relations and program administration. Her inspirational movies, engaging events, and impactful coaching program are game-changers that help empower dreamers.
Movie Setting – Tampa, FL (Hillsborough County)
Sam Piazza was born and raised in Tampa (Hillsborough County), Florida. Setting the film in Sam's hometown adds charm and authenticity to the story. The city's diverse population, inviting communities and winding Hillsborough River make it a meaningful and attractive backdrop for Sam's journey. Showcasing the schools Sam attended, Tampa's cultural landmarks, and the beautiful waterways found in the Sunshine State will reveal the character of this major port city. Production of the documentary film Because of Sam will put Sam Piazza's story on a global stage.
A longer-term vision of Sam's and filmmaker Renee Warmack is to use the documentary Because of Sam as a catalyst to create awareness about Sam's story so that it can launch the process for producing a major theatrical film, in Tampa, that is based on Sam's life, similar to Where Hope Grows or Rudy. Tampa has yet to produce a major feature film about a hometown hero like Sam Piazza and Tampa native, Producer, Director and Writer Renee Warmack intends to do just that.
Movie Photo Gallery
Check out cool pictures of Sam, his family, and friends.
Photo Gallery
Movie Trailers
Rent the Movie Because of Sam NOW!


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Evaluating Schools' Tech. Readiness for Common-Core Testing
State and district officials acknowledge that they face many unknowns about their readiness for new online testing
With about a year to go before new, online assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards are scheduled to be given in schools, districts around the country are still taking stock of whether the technology and connectivity they have on hand will meet their needs—or fail them in the moment of truth.
Schools have turned to a number of resources to help them gauge their readiness for the online testing, from guidelines spelling out the minimum hardware and software they need to give the exams, to systems designed to allow districts to test their available Internet speeds.
Even so, state and district officials acknowledge that they face many unknowns about their ability to manage computer-based assessments. Those questions include whether schools have an adequate supply of bandwidth and devices to deliver the tests, and how they will schedule exams so that they can handle the surge of online demand posed by the testing, without disrupting online instruction occurring elsewhere on school grounds.
In addition, state and district officials, as well as the consortia designing the tests, are trying to plan for the exams while accounting for the rise of new technologies, as others fade from view.
In an effort to anticipate problems, the two main groups of states designing common-core tests, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, have staged pilot tests and tryouts and are planning to run more elaborate field tests of their exams later this year. Four other consortia are focused on delivering assessments for either English-language learners or special education students, though their work in some cases is behind the schedules of Smarter Balanced and PARCC. (See descriptions of the six consortia, Page 28.)
Some school systems have made major improvements in recent years to their Web connectivity, which should help them meet the demands of common-core testing, particularly for Internet bandwidth. One of those districts is the 5,000-student Canby school system in Oregon, which has invested heavily in building fiber-optic connections, buying computing devices, and overhauling internal Web connections.
Even so, the common-core tests pose challenges for the district. Despite ramping up its supply of computers, the projected need for devices during testing times is such that Canby will still have to carefully stagger student schedules to ensure that all students can take the exam within the available assessment window and to avoid disrupting other instruction, said Joe Morelock, the district's director of technology and innovation.
When test time comes, "you can't afford a week of hiccups," Mr. Morelock said. "If districts have not prepared before now, it's a big uphill climb."
Technical Guidelines
To help school systems prepare for online testing, Smarter Balanced and PARCC have each published minimum and recommended guidelines for the types of hardware, software, and bandwidth they believe will be needed to deliver the assessments.
In many respects, their recommendations are similar. Both, for instance, recommend that districts using desktops or laptops relying on Microsoft operating systems have versions with Windows 7 or newer models, and districts using Macs have at least version 10.7 in place. The consortia's recommendations for Linux operating systems, as well as for tablets, including Androids and iPads, are comparable but not identical.
Another similar standard: Both groups, at this point, have required that most computing devices used during testing have external keyboards, rather than ones that eat up space on screen (unless students with special needs have academic calling for something different). The goal is to make sure students' tasks in answering questions are not made more difficult, or substantially different, based on the type of device they're using. As a result, some districts are likely to have to add USB cords or wireless keyboards to devices they're planning to use for testing.
"It's about making sure that students' experiences are the same," said Susan Van Gundy, PARCC's director of assessment technology. "We want to remove that as a variable, if we can."
The technology recommendations developed by the alternate testing consortia for ELL and special-needs students are similar in most ways to those developed by Smarter Balanced and PARCC, with some exceptions. For instance, the Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment Consortium, a group focused on crafting tests for students with significant cognitive disabilities, is requiring that certain devices have faster speeds and larger screen sizes to provide greater clarity and usefulness for test-takers requiring text-to-speech features and video.
Partnership for the Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
17 states, plus District of Columbia
Developing optional, diagnostic and mid-year performance assessment for students. Online tests for accountability purposes begin in spring of 2015. Paper and pencil tests will be available, though PARCC is encouraging schools to make the transition to online.
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
23 states
Offering optional, interim assessments for schools to use over the course of the school year. Summative tests for accountability purposes begin in spring of 2015. Unlike PARCC, Smarter Balanced is using computer-adaptive testing, meaning the questions students receive vary, based on earlier answers. Paper-and-pencil testing will be offered for the first three years of operational testing, though the consortium is encouraging schools to shift online.
Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment Consortium
18 states
Developing assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities. The consortium is arranging to give students adaptive, instructionally embedded assessments in English/language arts and math over the course of the school year. States will also have an end-of-year summative assessment in spring of 2015. Starting during the 2015-16 school year, they may have the option of including results from the instructionally embedded component in their overall scores.
National Center and State Collaborative
25 states
Developing assessments for students with severe cognitive disabilities. The comprehensive system includes formative assessment tools for teachers as part of curriculum guides, instructional units, and other resources for educators. The NCSC online summative assessments will include multiple-choice and constructed-response questions, with the first operational administration conducted in spring of 2015. They will be "stage adaptive" tests, with groups of items that will vary, depending on student performance.
English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21)
Membership: 11 states
Focusing on assessments for English-language learners. It is developing two types of assessment, a screener to assess baseline English-language proficiency and summative assessments by grade band to be given near the end of the academic year. The consortium plans to be operational in the 2016-2017 school year.
Assessment Services Supporting ELs Through Technology
Membership: 35 states
Developing assessments for English-language learners. The consortium is creating interim assessments to be used throughout the school year. It is also developing annual, online summative assessments, using computers with headsets in order to assess speaking and listening, which will be operational in late 2015.
Many school and technology advocates have raised concerns about the possibility of online tests being interrupted if schools lack robust connectivity. In an attempt to guard against those breakdowns, PARCC is making "caching" available to schools and districts, in which administrators download encrypted tests onto local servers, prior to giving the exams, with the goal of reducing the strain on bandwidth.
Smarter Balanced is not recommending caching; its test instead relies on a process that immediately transmits student responses to a central server bank, and protects those answers, said Brandt Redd, the consortium's chief technology officer. Smarter Balanced tests are designed to not require high bandwidth, and its exams have computer-adaptive features, in which each student sees a different set of questions. Those features reduce the need for caching, and the benefits from it, Mr. Redd said.
Both consortia, meanwhile, are also coping with large-scale shifts in the technology market.
Microsoft is scheduled this spring to end technical support for XP, which, according to recent estimates, is believed to have been the mostly widely used operating system in K-12 schools. Fearing that districts would be left in the lurch if XP failed during testing periods, both consortia say that even though XP is still acceptable for testing, they recommend that districts move to Windows 7 or a newer version.
Cameron Evans, the chief technology officer for Microsoft's education division, said that while districts should not "get into a panic that the sky is falling," sticking with XP increases the chance they will be struck by Malware or other problems, including during testing.
But the Microsoft official also said that over the past year, the nation's schools have made a major shift away from XP. He now estimates that about 70 percent of the districts using Microsoft operating systems rely on version 7, with just 20 percent remaining on XP and 10 percent using a newer version, Windows 8. While many districts are still using XP in some capacity, Mr. Evans believes most of them are doing so for fairly rudimentary tasks, where there are fewer security risks—not for testing.
With the aim of ensuring that new technologies meet districts' needs, Smarter Balanced took the controversial step of setting up a process through which manufacturers can have devices certified as complying with the common-core test, in exchange for a fee. Hardware manufacturers and developers of operating systems would pay $35,000 a year for a product to be tested for compatibility, while developers of assistive technologies, designed to give special-needs students access to tests, would pay $5,000.
Certifying Digital Devices
One of Smarter Balanced's goals is to try to keep up with the steady emergence of new devices, such as Androids, iPads, and Microsoft's Windows RT tablet, and share the costs with manufacturers of adapting new software and testing its compatibility, said Mr. Redd.
But the certification process is drawing a skeptical response from Mr. Evans. He called the effort a "noble goal," but one that will heap new demands on manufacturers each time they develop new technologies. And because Smarter Balanced is the only common-core consortium requiring certification, Microsoft could end up making changes to devices that are not relevant to other customers, or even other testing groups.
"It's not a trivial engineering effort," Mr. Evans said.
The two major consortia have emphasized that districts should be making technology purchases aimed at improving teaching and learning—not merely to help them with common-core assessments. But Mr. Evans said it's obvious from the solicitations he sees being put forward by districts that they are making many of their technology purchases with common-core testing in mind.
"A lot of the technology preparation has been driven by the testing consortia," he said. Districts may test "two days out of the year," he said, and "a lot of the buying decisions are based on the two days, rather than the other 178."
Many technology supporters, meanwhile, predict that the level of comfort or pain districts encounter while administering common-core tests will depend not only on the devices and systems they have on hand, but also on how much experience they and their states have with computer-based assessments, and overall technology, to date.
Although online testing has grown increasingly common, the landscape is still varied. At least 33 states were delivering at least one major test via technology as of 2011, and the rest of the states had not yet taken that step, according to the State Educational Technology Directors Association. But the number of states committed to online testing, and the population of students taking those tests, has almost certainly risen since then, according to SETDA, a nonprofit based in Glen Burnie, Md.
It stands to reason that states that haven't given online assessments, or where existing assessments are much less complex than common-core assessments—which are designed to move beyond simple multiple-choice questions—are more inclined to run into problems, said Geoffrey Fletcher, SETDA's deputy executive director.
Michigan Moves Forward
One state that has sought to make strides in preparing for online common-core testing is Michigan, where its experience with online testing to date has been limited to social studies and science tests over the past two years, in addition to other, relatively small-scale online exams.
Over the past four years, the state has sought to prepare to implement online assessments on several fronts. Over the past two years the legislature has provided $95 million to support district technology improvements, professional development, and other strategies. In addition, state officials have encouraged districts to take part in pilot tests of the Smarter Balanced online test and to use tech-readiness tools developed by the state, said Vince Dean, the director of the state's office of standards and assessment.
Gradually, Michigan is making progress, Mr. Dean says: Eighty percent of the state's districts meet the "minimum" technology-readiness standards put forward by Smarter Balanced, though far fewer school systems meet the consortium's "recommended" specification. He notes that even the recommended standards represent a lower tech threshold than what state officials believe is necessary for Michigan schools to support good online instruction.
Additionally, there are pockets of districts across the state that don't have enough connectivity or devices they need to deliver tests reliably. State officials are trying to help them by offering advice on how to stagger the assessments so students aren't inadvertently logged off during testing windows because of bandwidth problems.
"We need to put a lot of attention on scheduling," Mr. Dean said. "If they have too few devices, and they've got bandwidth limitations, it means they have to weigh when to test."
Other states, such as Oregon, have a long history with online testing. Yet implementing common-core tests is still likely to pose significant challenges for some districts, said Doug Kosty, the assistant superintendent for the state education department's office of assessment and accountability.
One hurdle is that Oregon allows districts to schedule state tests over a six-month period, lasting from November through May. The testing window for the Smarter Balanced test, Oregon's choice of common-core exam, is much shorter—between five and 12 weeks, depending on the grade level tested. Mr. Kosty also estimates that the Smarter Balanced test will take one to two hours longer per student than the current state tests, depending on grade level and subject.
Both of those factors are likely to increase the pressure on districts to ensure that they have adequate bandwidth, functioning internal connections within and among classrooms, and enough devices to deliver the new tests, Mr. Kosty said.
Reliable speed and connectivity should not be problems in the Canby district, though. Over the past decade, the district has invested at least $3 million in improving external and internal technology and computers, upgrades that it hopes will eventually support a 1-to-1 student-to-device program, said Mr. Morelock, Canby's technology official. If it wanted, the district's bandwidth strength is strong enough that it could handle each student working on three to five devices at once, he said.
But other concerns, such as the shorter Smarter Balanced testing window, persist. Right now, Canby's plan is to make the most efficient use of its limited number of test-ready devices—mostly iPads, along with some laptops and desktops—via a combination of rotating students through rooms equipped with computers and taking devices to other students on mobile carts.
"Before, we could space it out over time," Mr. Morelock said. "Now, the window of time is constricted."
The district's technology improvements weren't made specifically with assessments in mind, he said, but with the broader goal of improving instruction and student learning.
Mr. Fletcher, whose organization has offered written guidance designed to help states and districts make smart investments in technology, said the best approaches are holistic, not just focused on online testing.
"The online assessments have been able to shed a spotlight on the question of, 'What are the technologies school districts have in place now?' " Mr. Fletcher said.
While his organization, SETDA, and others recognize that many school officials are now focusing on "the technology requirements for assessment," he said, the goal should be to "raise the vision and move it away from 'assessment only' to think about 'instruction first.' "
Vol. 33, Issue 25, Pages 26, 28-29Published in Print: March 13, 2014, as Moment of Truth For Common Core
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There is a new "gentle" framing of infant and toddler sleep "problems" that seems to be going around. I am happy to announce that it seems to be against crying-it-out and other forms of extinction sleep methods and claims to be looking holistically at the child to get at the root of the sleep problems. It sounds very much like what I do with families. However, it also doesn't and the way it differs has me worried for the families taking part.
The main problem I have with this new approach can be summarized by one of the taglines that is mentioned in it:
"If all your child's needs are met, sleep will come."
In a sense it's nice because it means they aren't looking at sleep as the actual problem (yeah!), they seem to focus on needs being met (yeah!), but my goodness, does it ever ignore a very strong reality about sleep: Sometimes it doesn't come (oops!).
Imagine if you are a parent trying to get your baby to sleep and yet she keeps waking at night, not getting this uninterrupted time that you keep hearing will come if only you just met her needs. So you keep trying harder and harder, doing the things these people tell you that you need to do, as if attachment is built by following rules and once those rules are met, your baby will sleep. Yet she continues to wake. At that point, what parent doesn't suddenly doubt themselves and feel like they are failing their children?
Yet so many kids wake and this is 100% normal. Heck, up the age of 3 years, waking at night is a normal phenomenon (and likely later, but we have documented normal up to age 3). You may have the most amazing relationship and your kid will still wake. There are tons of reasons that can range from something outside your control (e.g., sensory issues) to environmental (e.g., living in a noisier area) to developmental (e.g., she ain't ready yet). I'm not suggesting there aren't times when needs aren't met and that needs to be addressed, but that's very different from saying that if all needs are met, sleep will come.
The other danger with this comment is that it creates problems where none may exist. If you view a child not sleeping as needs not being met, then you will always be looking for what isn't met and when we look hard enough, we'll find something and treat it as something even when it's nothing. One of the most common concerns that comes up when we talk about attachment and needs is the idea of permissiveness. If your child isn't sleeping, one response parents can hear is that they've been too permissive in letting their child dictate the terms at night. This fear of permissive parenting is one that families really struggle with and hits at the core of our struggle to balance attachment, love, responsiveness, and boundary-setting.
If our lens is looking for permissiveness, it's easy to see how all these things like nursing or cuddling to sleep, bedsharing, and so on are forms of permissiveness and children are really running the show. But what if our lens is that of biology? Then the idea of waking and nursing back to sleep is simply called "normal". As is waking and nursing again. As is breastsleeping. As is a child getting upset if we try to wean them when they are not ready. This gets us back to the evolutionary mismatch theory (see here) and how we actually may be creating more problems by looking at our children's behaviour through a cultural and not biological lens.
If you are a parent who is worried about your child's needs and sleep, let's review a few things:
- Sleep can be affected by unmet needs, but that doesn't mean that meeting them all will lead to perfect sleep.
- If you worry about whether or not your child's needs are met, consider what they are. They center n both physical and psychological safety and security. Our kids have to be fed and warm and all that, but they also need to feel safe and secure with us (the psychological). We can do things that counter this, but rarely does this come from being responsive. In fact, it often comes when we are not responsive.
- Setting boundaries isn't inherently responsive or meeting needs. There is a mistaken belief that if we just set and hold more boundaries, we are providing our kids what we need. However, not all boundaries are necessary or even right. When we look at nighttime parenting as an example, setting a boundary of not nursing to sleep is not a boundary that does anything for our child. It isn't biological and it isn't "helpful" for our kid (even if it helps us). In this case, you aren't a better parent or meeting needs by implementing it. Boundaries are for safety and respect for other people's space. That's pretty much it. (You can read more on that here.)
- Permissiveness and responsiveness are different. Permissive is when we know we should do one thing, but we fear our kids' being upset so we don't do it. We "give in" despite knowing it's not best for our child (think letting our kid eat dessert for breakfast every single day to avoid him being upset over healthier food). Responsiveness can seem like this if we hold cultural views of what our kids need instead of a biological one. You cannot be permissive with love. You cannot be permissive in responding to a child's biological need or norm. On the flipside, if you know there's a boundary to be held and your child will be upset, remember that holding them and validating their feelings is being responsive, not permissive. You don't have to be harsh to avoid permissiveness.
At the end of the day, I want to make it clear that while we need to look at things holistically and consider the entirety of a child's life when looking at sleep, we do no one any favours by making claims that are unsubstantiated and can in fact harm families. Although it may always be worth it to look at how needs are being met (or not), linking that to sleep can be a very dangerous game that ends up not being so gentle after all.


text: After directing a successful run in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Brad Peyton is reportedly in negotiations to direct disaster movie, San Andreas 3D. Plot details are scant, but the crux of the picture revolves around an earthquake that strikes California. We previously reported that the plot also involves a man taking a journey from Los Angeles to San Francisco in order to reconcile with his estranged wife who has taken their children and moved in with another man. The script, originally written by Andre Fabrizio and Jeremy Passmore (the Red Dawn remake), was touched up by Allan Loeb (Just Go with It). Heat Vision reports that New Line is in talks with Peyton, who was recently attached to write and direct the DC Comics' Lobo feature and will also be heading the third Journey installment.


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Arthur Schopenhauer is a German philosopher who lived at the height of a philosophical period in Germany, known as "German Idealism." German Idealism all started with Kant, whose way of thinking and conceiving reality also helped spark the sector of philosophy known today as Continental Philosophy. Schopenhauer's conception of reality is one of the most interesting concepts ever devised. It resonates with Eastern philosophical traditions and calls for a form of ethics centered around pessimism. Not only that, but on a personal note, Schopenhauer is hands down one of my favorite philosophers. His life is filled with a bouquet of events that made him interesting on both a philosophical and humanistic level.
Early Life
Arthur Schopenhauer was born into a wealthy family. His father chose his first name carefully because 'Arthur' was spelled the same in many languages. Throughout the earlier portion of his life, he had traveled a great amount. Whether he was with his father or on his own, he spent much of his time in different countries. In his earlier teen years, he spent over two years in France, a time of his life which he regards as his favorite.
Schopenhauer always knew he wanted to enter a scholarly career, but the wishes of his father had prevented this from happening for awhile. When Schopenhauer was 19, his father had died (it is unclear whether or not it was suicide) and left him the family business. For two years after his father's death, Arthur Schopenhauer attempted to follow in his father's footsteps out of the respect for his wishes.
Ultimately though, he decided to attend school at the university of Göttingen, first studying medicine and eventually switching to philosophy. After two years he left Göttingen and went on to study philosophy at The University of Berlin, receiving lectures from Fichte, and Schleiermacher. Here, he wrote his dissertation on The Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason. This writing became the centerpiece of his work which he would later use to refute the German Idealists.
Oh, and it is appropriate to mention (as I'm sure Schopenhauer would have liked) the outright hate Schopenhauer had for Hegel. Philosophically, he thought Hegel had everything backwards and, personally, didn't like anything about him. They ended up lecturing in the same university, and, as the story goes, Schopenhauer scheduled a course at the exact same time as Hegel's. Unfortunately for Schopenhauer, Hegel was a much better known scholar at the time, leaving Schopenhauer with a meager audience (roughly two to three students). Schopenhauer left professorship two years later.
The World as Will and Representation
Often regarded as Schopenhauer's masterpiece, it was intended as a response to Kant and German Idealism in general. One interesting thing about Schopenhauer that came up many times in this book was his appreciation for Asian philosophical concepts. While most scholars could argue that this material was available to many at that time and even before it, Schopenhauer is one of the only philosophers that willingly admits and draws connections between his beliefs and the beliefs of Hindus and Buddhists.
Without complicating things too much, The World as Will and Representation explains that there is only one central underlying principle behind reality. That is, the will. The will that causes our milky way galaxy to spin around the super massive black hole at its center is the very same will that causes me to continue typing — already the eastern overtones appear. This will inhabits human beings in such that the only way in which we are able to comprehend it is to cast a false image or "Representation" of the will.
Nietzsche's conception of the Will-to-Power grew out of Schopenhauer's Will-to-Life, which appears later in The World as Will and Representation. Schopenhauer explains that all Humans have a will to survive and live as long and as best as they can. In the end, though, one realizes that the will to live is ultimately the same as the will of the universe that ceases there existence.
Other ideas
Pessimism is a strong theme throughout all of Schopenhauer's philosophy. In most of his writings he stresses the meaninglessness of life and that all life boils down to is suffering. This belief has Buddhist views tied into it. It also displays a lot of early existentialist ideas, which Nietzsche and others played off of.
Schopenhauer was also very concerned for animal welfare. He owned several poodles throughout his life and had much to say about treating animals respectfully. After all, animals are, in his view, another manifestation of the will and should not be discounted.
Later Life and Conclusion
Schopenhauer lived a rather quiet life after all was said and done. He revised The World as Will and Representation a few times and sent out different editions but didn't have many other major works. He was confident that the book would catch on, so he didn't feel the need to do much other than write a few essays. Eventually, he moved to Frankfurt and lived alone with his succession of poodles until his death in late September, 1860, at the ripe old age of 72.
Schopenhauer's philosophy inspired great philosophers and scientists. His poetic writing style and passion makes him a great read for anyone. Though it is suggested by Schopenhauer himself that reading his work without the knowledge of Kant is fruitless, I would still suggest you pick up something by Schopenhauer and give it a look over. Try Schopenhauer's Aphorisms. They're easier to comprehend than The World as Will and Representation and offer some really interesting thoughts. I hope you enjoyed this long-short introduction to the world of Schopenhauer's philosophy. Until next time, keep on thinking!
– Joseph


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Marlboro County acreage located minutes from Bennettsville Wal Mart, Marlboro Park Hospital and Downtown Bennettsville this parcel offers plenty of road frontage and has many potential uses. Currently under farm lease 2 parcels front on Beauty Spot Road and have access to city water and gas. Additional acreage on Hickory Grove Road with 20 acre site surveyed for residential subdivision.
135 acres with loads of potential ~ General Development
September 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment


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There is so much out there on the web to help kids learn. But it's so hard to find! At EdAlive Top Sites you'll find over 500 educational web sites designed expressly for, or useful to you in your quest for great resources.
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If you'd like to suggest a site then click here.
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BabylonTranslate from one language to another
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Free language education in Spanish, English, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Irish, Norwegian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Russian, A free language-learning platform that includes a website and app along with a crowd sourced text translation platform and a language proficiency assessment center. The website and app offer over 40 different language courses across 23 languages.
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Supports families and educators who teach and raise bilingual children. Offers dual-language books and multilingual children's products in over 40 languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Haitian-Creole, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese and more. Free lesson plans.
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Online language education with private teachers. Myngle is a face to face online language learning service provider for business professionals. Based in The Netherlands they provide tailor made one to one lessons through an online virtual classroom. In this virtual classroom, learners and teachers see and hear each other real time from anywhere in the world. This has resulted in students and teachers participating from over 150 countries.
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Sophisticated translation and word conjugation with audio pronunciations. Reverso is a portal of linguistic tools including: translation, dictionary, spell-checker, conjugation, grammar, pronunciation feature – just click on a word or a selection of words or on the voice icon.
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Without horologists there would be no next generation of time pieces, a lack of knowledge on influential milestones and no experts on hand to make and repair time pieces of all shapes and sizes, be it clocks, watches or chronometers.
Requiring a great deal of patience and skill, this line of work is demanding and only for those who are committed to becoming an expert in the field. After all, what would man do without the ability to record time?
Some have managed to push the boundaries to become pioneers in their field, being truly influential in how most timepieces operate today. We take a look at the leading horologists who can be described as the biggest and best in history.
Abraham-Louis Breguet
* en.wikipedia.org
Starting as an apprentice to a watchmaker at Versailles, Breguet was destined for big things in the watch making world. Having taken refuge in Switzerland during the French Revolution, he returned as the principal watchmaker of the empire. Breguet was a keen inventor and those of great note were the over coil which aimed to improve the balance spring that was incorporated into precision watches and most famously, the tourbillion- compensating for the errors and fluctuations which occurred due to the inevitable changes in position experienced by watches.
The tourbillion worked by mounting the escapement on a mobile carriage which revolved on itself in a given period. This meant that errors were reproduced regularly and therefore cancelled one another out.
His creations made him top choice for the esteemed influential and wealthy, making watches for important historical figures such as Louis XVI and Marie- Antoinette, George IV and Napoleon Bonaparte.
John Harrison
* en.wikipedia.org
Yorkshire man John Harrison solved a substantial problem through his love of horology, inventing the marine chronometer- a device which solved the problem of establishing the East- West position of a ship at sea. This meant that sea travel could be extended to longer journeys, vitally important during the in Age of Sail. During this era, the clocks were dependent upon the earth's gravity for their operation meaning that they were inaccurate at sea. In fact, they weren't portable whatsoever and needed resetting even if they were moved across a room.
Inspired by a £20,000 reward by the English Admirality, Harrison completed his first chronometer in 1735 which he submitted for the prize and continued to build three more instruments each smaller and more accurate in succession. His fourth proved to be the most successful- travelling on a nine week voyage from England to Jamaica, the device only had an error of five seconds. His fifth model took the form of a compact timepiece similar to the pocket watch today.
George Daniels
* en.wikipedia.org
George Daniels is often hailed as the most important horologist of recent time and is remarkably self-taught having sparked his interest in watches at the age of five. Having made nearly 40 watches independently, he collaborated with his protégée Roger W Smith to build a further 50, each encompassing his signature look with clean and clear dials. His exquisite pocket watches were each hand made and took up to a year to produce, reaching prices in excess of £100,000.
Daniels' main achievement was to overcome a design flaw in the traditional lever escapement- the need for lubrication. His solution resulted in the creation of the coaxial escapement, a deceptively simple looking arrangement of cogs and levers, which virtually eliminated the need for lubrication by significantly reducing sliding friction. This allowed greater accuracy over time and reduced the need for servicing.
The invention was later endorsed by Nicholas Hayek (Swatch Group's Chairman) to be adopted by the Omega brand. The first mechanical watch featuring the coaxial design was revealed in 1999 at the Basel Watch and Jewellery fair, and has been used in high end Omega models ever since.
These horologists hold great importance in how time is recorded today. Do you think there will be a new breed of watch experts in years to come?


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Property ID : Ipana
For Sale $169,847 Starting at - Condos
Ipana Condos is part of the Outstanding New Development Downtown Playa del Carmen, Siempre Playa!! With a Fabulous location on 38th Street and 10th Avenue walking distance to the Beach, 5th Avenue, and everywhere you could need when string in Playa.
Siempre Playa is an exquisite well thought and very complete complex with private access that has it all: restaurants, bars coffee shops and more and of course the Fabulous Ipana Condos.
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it was created with one purpose and with top of the notch design and amenities, now you can spend your free time on what really matters.


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Stromstad Ferries
New Email
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Trailer / Caravan
Coronavirus ferry travel advice
Please note that the information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time we have received the same information from the Ferry Operators. The situation is changing rapidly and we will try to keep the website updated as soon as we receive updates from the ferry companies.
Stromstad Routes
3 crossings daily2 hr 30 min
1 crossings daily2 hr 30 min
Special Offers
Stromstad ferry port is located just a few minutes' walk from the centre of Stromstad, and is close to the railway station and the city's many attractions and amenities. Ferries from Stromstad are operated by Color Line and go to Sandefjord in Norway. With the simple booking form from AFerry you can easily find the right ferry for you.
When available, AFerry displays Stromstad ferry times, as well as the best deals.
Ferries to and from Stromstad
Color Line operates six modern ships, including cruise ships, and a high-speed passenger ferry and a cargo ship. On board there are all categories of restaurants and large tax-free shops with a wide selection of goods.
Color Line offer a wide range of cabins on their ships from the roomy five-star Color Class suites to the more modest one-star cabins.
With Fjord Line you will find a full range of facilities and accommodation. On board, you will also find a buffet restaurant with hot and cold dishes, an Italian restaurant and also a cafe serving hot and cold drinks and snacks.
About Stromstad
Stromstad is a city in western Sweden. Stormstad is a fishing town that is popular with tourists due to the wealth of historical sites in the area; Stromstad is home to a number of prehistoric monuments, including the Blomsholms stone ship, from the early Iron Age (1050-500 A.D.).
There is plenty to do in Stromstad; the town has many attractions such as the Stromstad Museum, which chronicles local history; the EkoPark, where visitors can learn about energy and recycling; and Bukta, an old area of the city with some beautifully preserved houses dating from the early 18th century.
Stromstad port facilities
Stromstad ferry port offers a range of services and facilities for passengers. The close proximity of Stromstad ferry port to the town centre allows passengers easy access to the city's many amenitites and attractions.
Getting to Stromstad
Stromstad ferry port is located close to the city centre and is easily accessible by car and public transport. If you are travelling as a foot passenger, in the summer you can park in Stromstad town centre and catch the free P-bus to the ferry port.
Compare and book Stromstad ferries simply and securely with AFerry.
Stromstad Map
View map
Port Addresses
Fjord Line
Torskholmen, Strömstad, 452 31 , Sweden


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November, 15, 2012
Via: Greekragnaroker
Besides stating the obvious about an unfair war, and about the slaughter of the Palestinian people, I have to say that I don't care that much this time about the attack in Gaza. I am quite certain that nothing can come out of it that could benefit neither the Israeli nor the Palestinian people.
There is absolutely no possibility that Israel would attempt to recapture Gaza. On the contrary, such conflicts only strengthen militants like Hamas. There is also no possibility that the Palestinians could gain something out of this conflict. Hamas' blind rockets can never push Israel to a retreat, and definitely do not help them towards Israelis accepting a possible Independent Palestinian state.
The whole conflict looks like a political game by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. With this war "Bibi" is attempting to strengthen himself ahead of January's elections in Israel, just like Ehud Olmert did in December 2008, before his scandals chocked him up.