3 Reasons Girls Need Music as Much as Math

One simple yet profound quote by Emily Dickinson might summarize the position of women throughout much of the history of the United States: "I dwell in possibility."

Today, women have choices that most of their predecessors just a half century ago did not. Professions once dominated by men are open to them; they can have a successful career and a family -- or choose to remain independent throughout their lives.

"As we observe Women's History Month in March, we need to take stock of our past but also look to the future," says Elayne James, author of "Destiny's Call," the first installment of the young adult fantasy series "The LightBridge Legacy," (www.lightbridgelegacy.com).

"This year's emphasis during Women's History Month is on the STEM fields - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. I understand that the United States is lagging in these disciplines, but I join my voice with the many who feel the arts and STEM education should not be mutually exclusive. Both are equally important, and actually very complementary fields of study, for both girls and boys."

James reviews the many ways in which the arts can benefit a young woman's education:

• Mentors and outside-the-box teaching: Young girls need to learn in many different ways and by using all their senses, including their innate creativity. "Parents and educators in the STEM disciplines often have a clear agenda for kids, but mentors in the arts teach students to tap into a more personal well," says James. "That kind of individual evolution supports girls heading into their teen years by instilling a level of confidence and sense of self that traditional education doesn't always provide. They will be better equipped for the emotional complexities and challenges of being young women."

• Ample studies supporting academic improvement: Research throughout the past decade and earlier consistently show students who participate in arts perform higher on tests involving critical thinking, reading comprehension, oral examinations and various standardized tests. Studies from the Arts Education Partnership, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the Rand Corp., Johns Hopkins University and several school districts reveal comprehensive benefits to arts education, including an improved ability to adjust to real-world circumstances.

• The STEM fields are not monolithic: Anyone who thinks the STEM disciplines do not require creative thought does not understand them, James says. As in the visual arts, music and literature, there are rules to follow in STEM, but advances in these fields come with inspiration and ingenuity. "What better way to illustrate creative genius than with the arts?" she says. "Women's History Month is a reminder of the strides women have made in every field - a young girl is not an island unto herself, and neither are her interests."

•  A reason to stay in school: James credits the arts for saving her academic career. "I'd fallen in with a bad group in high school my freshman year; kids who didn't care about school and thought it was 'cool' to defy authority," she says. "I began ditching class every day. If it weren't for acceptance into one of the school's musical arts programs, my life would've been very different. Instead of becoming a high school dropout, I became an honor student, going from 'F's to 'A's, from hating school to loving it. Because of music, I graduated with a 4.0 GPA, and got into a good college. The arts literally transformed my life."

"The arts programs keep kids interested and involved in school, keeps their cognitive skills sharp, and provides vital social interaction, fostering rich relationships that can last a lifetime," says James. "Art teaches the perception of beauty. It is essential humankind. Without it we would surely perish."

About Elayne James

Elayne G. James has been a lifelong advocate of the arts. In addition to being an author, she has been a recording artist, a Hollywood sound effects editor, a successfull playwright, a theatrical lighting designer, a graphic artist and a professional photographer. Through her series The LightBridge Legacy, she inspires young people to embrace their individuality and believe in themselves. She lives in Southern California.

What: International Week at Rivermont Collegiate

 

When: Monday, 2/25 - Friday, 3/1

 

Why: To celebrate the diversity of our school community!  This year, theme days will be celebrated by continent.

 

Mon. - South America

Tues. - Europe

Wed. - Asia

Thurs. - Africa

Fri. - Australia

 

Special Events with GREAT Photo Opportunities:

 

Zumba! - Monday, 2/25 (South America Day)

(with Rivermont parent and owner of local studio Salsa Touch Latin Dance, Bettinna Bolger)

Grades 6-12 - 1:45-2:30 p.m.

Grades K-5 - 2:45-3:15 p.m.

 

African Dance - Thursday, 2/28 (Africa Day)

(with Rivermont parent Karen Roebuck)

Grades K-12 - 8:20 a.m.

 

International Food Festival - Friday, 3/1

A Carnival of Continents - take your tummy around the world with cooking demonstrations, parade of nations, and more - see attached flier!

3:30 -5:00 p.m.

$54 Million Fine Arts Complex Will Create 775 Construction Jobs and Strengthen University's Renowned Arts Programs

NORMAL - February 21, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced a $54 million capital investment to build a new fine arts complex that will strengthen Illinois State University's renowned arts programs and create 775 construction jobs. Funded through the governor's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, the project is part of his commitment to creating jobs and growing the Illinois economy.

"This investment means Illinois State University will be able to build on its excellent reputation in the fine arts while creating hundreds of good jobs in Normal," Governor Quinn said. "Higher education is a powerful force for growth in Illinois. We all benefit when our universities have the facilities to engage and educate our young people, whether the field is art, accounting or engineering."

The Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program will provide $54.25 million for the Fine Arts Complex, starting with $7.5 million for design and planning. The project includes renovation of existing buildings and construction of new, state-of-the-art space for instruction and performance. It will create more than 775 construction and related jobs, and spending by those workers will support an additional 775 jobs in the community.

"We are extremely grateful to Governor Quinn for his perseverance in bringing this project to Illinois State," ISU President Al Bowman said. "The College of Fine Arts offers first-class programs with outstanding faculty, staff and students who deserve first-class facilities."

The new complex will replace or renovate three buildings: Centennial East, Centennial West (both constructed in 1959) and the Center for Visual Arts (constructed in 1973). The College of Fine Arts includes departments in art, music, theater, dance and arts technology. It serves more than 1,100 students with 160 faculty and staff members, and 40 fields of study.

The next step toward a new complex is hiring an architectural and engineering firm to design it with input from faculty, staff members and students in conjunction with the state's Capital Development Board.

"This project is a great example of what the Illinois Jobs Now! program can accomplish," Jim Underwood, the Capital Development Board's executive director said. "It will create good jobs while strengthening Illinois State University. With the leadership of Governor Quinn and the guidance of ISU administrators, we're going to build a complex that will benefit students for years to come."

Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! program includes $1.5 billion for higher education, including $788 million for public universities and $400 million for community colleges. The overall $31 billion program, which began in 2009, is expected to support an estimated 439,000 construction jobs over six years.

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Courtney Wachal of Bettendorf, Iowa, is the current student in the spotlight at Mount Union College.  Ms. Wachal, a sophomore, is majoring in French and International Studies.

http://www.mountunion.edu/courtney-wachal

Due to the Winter Storm Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, the Vegetable Transplant Production Workshop scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Scott County Extension Office has been rescheduled. The workshop will now be Saturday, March 2 from 1 - 5:30 p.m. There is no change in the location; the rescheduled workshop will be held at the Scott County Extension Office, 875 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf.

Those interested in attending and not registered for the event can register by going to http://transplantproduction.eventbrite.com/.

For more information about the workshop, contact Ajay Nair at nairajay@iastate.edu or 515-294-7080.

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today thanked House Republicans for spearheading the effort to make Iowa's schools best in the nation again. The governor and lieutenant governor also thanked the full House of Representatives for the overwhelming, bipartisan support of their effort to replace "allowable growth" with 100 percent state aid, which offers further protection to Iowa property taxpayers.

"This morning, the Iowa House passed an education reform plan that will set us on a path to again have the nation's best schools," said Gov. Branstad from an economic development trip in California. "This plan will give our teachers a new, 21st century system designed to reward their efforts and ensure great teaching in every classroom. Most importantly, this reform means our students will have the skills they need to compete with their peers across the globe."

The governor is pleased with the Senate's progress in offering meaningful reform as well.

"I want to commend Senate Democrats for their efforts, and the seriousness with which they are approaching educational reform," continued Branstad. "This is a significant effort, and I look forward to working with the Senate to continue our progress and sign this legislation into law this year."

Reynolds noted the broad support the legislation enjoys.

"I want to commend the House in passing this legislation, which shows legislators are serious about passing meaningful education reform that again makes Iowa a national leader," said Reynolds. "The broad, statewide support this reform enjoys is the result of years of input and consensus building. We now turn our attention to the Senate, and we will work with them to ensure our reform efforts move forward."

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today thanked the myriad Partners for Education Reform who have signed on with their proposal to make Iowa's schools the best in the nation. Branstad and Reynolds both understood the need for a broad, bipartisan effort when they released their proposal just last month.

"We have many good schools with committed educators, but they are stuck in a system designed for the 20th century, not the 21st century," Branstad said. "I am ready to invest significant resources into these educational reforms, which truly have the power to dramatically raise achievement. I want to thank these vital partners who will help us move education reform forward."

Reynolds highlighted the importance of enhancing the teaching profession as a whole.

"This is about strengthening the teaching profession for the benefit of both students and teachers," Reynolds said. "Teachers are the single most important influence on a child's success inside school, and educators are being asked to do much more to prepare students for our knowledge-driven economy. We must make sure new teachers are ready to rise to that challenge, while also providing more support for teachers already in the classroom. Our Partners for Education Reform understand this."

An electronic list of the Partners for Education Reform can be found HERE. The growing list is as follows:

Pioneer

Wellmark

3M

Principal Financial Group

Iowa Chamber Alliance

Greater Des Moines Partnership

Urban Education Network of Iowa

Iowa Biotechnology Association

Iowa Board of Regents

Deere & Company

Master Builders of Iowa

MidAmerican Energy Company

Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company

Monsanto Company

Iowa Board of Educational Examiners

Meredith Corporation

Alliant Energy Corporation

CenturyLink

Alliance Pipline, Inc.

Mechanical Contractors Association of Iowa

NECA, IA (NEC)

NextEra Energy

Iowa Association of Business and Industry (ABI)

Iowa Association of Realtors

StudentsFirst

Hy-Vee, Inc.

Iowa Engineering Society

American Council of Engineering Companies

Associated Builders and Contractors of Iowa

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB/IA)

Professional Educators of Iowa

Siouxland Chamber

Iowa Department of Education

College Student Aid Commission

 

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Jordan Catholic School 7th & 8th Grade Science Fair Friday February 22nd, 4-6pm

Over 70 7th & 8th grade students will participate with more than 40 projects displayed. This first round of fair will take place at Jordan on Friday: • 10:00am - 12:30pm: Judging- judging teams are composed of engineers from John Deere, St. Ambrose and Augustana faculty and students, as well as science degreed professionals.


• 1:15pm to 2:50pm: Open to the Jordan student and faculty
• 4:00pm to 6:00pm: Open to the public

Students may earn an opportunity to compete in the regional tournament in March at Western
Illinois University, and then to the Illinois State Science Fair in May at University of Illinois.

KERRVILLE, TX (02/18/2013)(readMedia)-- Schreiner University of Kerrville has named Samuel Kuznetsov of Bettendorf, IA to its President's List. Kuznetsov, son of Alex and Danielle Kuznetsov was named to the roster of high-achieving students for the fall 2012 term.

To qualify for the President's List, full-time students must earn at least a 3.7 grade point average and have at least 12 hours credit for the term.

Schreiner University is an independent coeducational liberal arts university related by choice and covenant to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more information, visit our website at www.schreiner.edu or call the Office of Admission at 830-792-7217.

encore.jpg
For the second time in two years Moline High School's Encore! acting troupe/speech team got first place in the Illinois High School Association State Finals held this weekend in Peoria for its PIR--Performance in the Round.  The name of the performace was "The Starcatcher".

Cast members include : Alejandro Raya , Christian Frieden , Clare Van Echaute , Jennie White , JJ Schrick , Josef Pautsch, Matthew Hayes, Micah SantAmor Bernas, Peter Condit, Sadie Buckles, Taylor Romeo

The award winning team will be performing this Friday at the MHS cafeteria at 7:30 pm.  The high school's "Dessert Theatre" will also showcase other acts--both sectional and state performers.

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