In the groundbreaking documentary "Race to Nowhere," concerned mother turned filmmaker Vicki Abeles embarks on an inquiry into the insanely hectic lives of America's overstressed, overscheduled, overcompetitive students.  Students rushing from class to sports practice and from volunteer work to homework, increasingly relying on stimulants and sleep deprivation, are facing consequences ranging from depression to eating disorders to suicide.  The film points to the silent epidemic in our schools: cheating becoming commonplace, students becoming disengaged, and young people arriving at college and the workplace unprepared and uninspired.  "Race to Nowhere" is changing the dialogue on education, with nationwide coverage including the Today Show and Oprah.

How do we foster healthy development while maintaining rigorous, high-quality curriculum?  Experts agree that increasing student voice in the classroom increases engagement and encourages real learning instead of memorization.  Research shows that students who believe teachers listen to them and want to get to know them are more engaged in learning, less likely to cheat, and show fewer signs of stress.  In addition, experts recommend giving students quality time off and productive ways to cope with stress.

At Rivermont Collegiate, small classes and a continued relationship with a faculty advisor encourage in-depth student-teacher interaction and provide focused attention and support.  Students are encouraged to customize their education and design their own "Rivermont experience."  Rivermont features a nurturing, balanced environment where character counts as much as grades do.  Final exams followed by holiday, winter, and spring breaks offer quality time off and designated "no homework" nights allow students to enjoy extracurriculars without the added stress of homework.  Students are encouraged to participate in numerous stress-relieving activities, from video game parties at the end of finals week to yoga and knitting during "mini period."

What are you waiting for?  Explore the Rivermont approach to learning!  Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month.  The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, January 4th from 8:30-10:00 a.m.  No appointment necessary!  Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, and see our teachers in action.  Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only PS-12th private, independent, nonsectarian college prep school, located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.

In a grassroots sensation, theaters and schools nationwide are hosting community screenings of "Race to Nowhere."  The film will play in Des Moines, IA at Fleur Cinema & Café on January 25th at 7:30 p.m., as well as several locations in Illinois throughout January and February.

For additional information, including screening locations, visit http://www.racetonowhere.com

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Americans across the country prepare to welcome the New Year, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) today highlighted new health care benefits that will take effect on New Year's Day.  These new provisions, established by the Affordable Care Act, will require insurance companies to give Americans better value for their premium dollars and provide seniors with discounts on prescription drugs and free preventive care.   

"What many Americans may not know is that as they're ringing in the New Year, they're also ringing in important new health care benefits created by the Affordable Care Act," said Chairman Harkin.  "Starting Saturday, insurance companies will be required to dedicate at least 80 percent of health care premiums to actual health care services rather than profits or executive salaries - and if they don't comply, their customers will get a refund.  Meanwhile, our senior citizens will be able to get big discounts on their prescriptions and free preventive care to keep them healthy."       

The Affordable Care Act was signed on March 23, 2010 by President Obama.  Harkin, as Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, played a pivotal role in the bill's passage and was on hand for the bill signing.

Among other new protections taking effect on January 1, the health care law will:

• Give Americans Better Value for Their Premium Dollars - Insurance companies will now be required to spend 85 percent of all premium dollars collected for large employer plans on health care and improving quality of care.  For plans sold to individuals and small employers, at least 80 percent of the premium must be spent on benefits and quality improvement.  If insurance companies do not meet these goals because their administrative costs or profits are too high, they must provide rebates to consumers.

• Offer Prescription Drug Discounts to Seniors - Seniors who reach the Medicare coverage gap known as the "donut hole" will receive a 50 percent discount on prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D.

• Provide Free Preventive Care to Seniors - Seniors on Medicare will now be offered free preventive services, such as annual wellness visits and personalized prevention plans.

Specialized Illinois National Guard Unit Mobilized for Afghanistan, Nearly 20 Soldiers Mobilize Jan. 3 As Part of an Embedded Training Team

SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/29/2010)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony is scheduled for approximately 20 Soldiers who will deploy to Afghanistan as part of an embedded training team. The ceremony for the Bilateral Embedded Staff Team A7 will be Jan.3 at 10 a.m. at the Illinois Military Academy at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

The Bilateral Embedded Staff Team Soldiers will train for a brief time at Camp Atterbury, Ind. before deploying to Poland for approximately two months to train with the Polish Land Forces. The unique mission allows Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers to train and deploy side-by-side with their Polish counterparts. Following the training, the Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan for a six-month mobilization. The Soldiers are from various parts of Illinois and were selected for the mission based on their training and skills.

"This mobilization illustrates the diverse skill sets and training of our Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers and the variety of missions we support in today's challenging international environment, as well as in our state and community," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "These troops are instrumental in helping train foreign Soldiers to defend their country all the while polishing our Guardsmen's skills."

The team will assist the Afghan government to extend its authority across the country, perform security operations and help stabilize the war-torn nation. The Soldiers will also mentor and support the Afghan National Army and support Afghan government programs to disarm illegally armed groups.

709th Medical Company Mobilizes for Iraq, Deployment Ceremony Scheduled for Jan. 4 for Peoria Army National Guard Unit

PEORIA, IL (12/30/2010)(readMedia)-- A deployment ceremony for approximately 75 Soldiers from the Peoria-based 709th Area Support Medical Company will be Jan. 4 at 11:30 a.m. at Pere Marquette, 501 Main St. in Peoria.

The Soldiers will train for a brief time at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash. before deploying to Iraq for approximately 10 months in support of Operation New Dawn. This operation is the new name for Operation Iraqi Freedom as the U.S. military continues to withdraw troops from Iraq.

The mission of the 709th will be to provide medical care for U.S. and coalition servicemembers in Iraq. The unit will also assist in evacuating injured personnel.

Some Soldiers with the 108th Sustainment Brigade in Chicago, 708th Medical Company in North Riverside and 710th Area Support Medical Company in North Riverside are deploying with the 709th. The Soldiers come from all parts of Illinois and parts of Iowa, with a majority of the servicemembers from the Chicago area.

The unit will be mobilized for approximately one year, returning home around Christmas of 2011.

ATTENTION FILMMAKERS

SIOUXLAND FILM FESTIVAL

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Sixth Annual Siouxland Film Festival will be held at Sioux City, Iowa's Orpheum Theater on Saturday, March 5, 2011.

Don't miss the exciting chance to see your work on the big screen.

For more information, contact

Siouxlandfilm@aol.com

DON'T DELAY. THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 24, 2011.