DES MOINES, IA (07/27/2011)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald reminds Iowa State Fair visitors to stop by the College Savings Iowa booth and register for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account for their child or grandchild. "Some lucky boy or girl will go home from the fair this year with more than just fond memories -- free money for college," says Fitzgerald. "Make sure you stop by our booth and see us while you're in the Varied Industries Building."

Treasurer Fitzgerald encourages families to start saving for college as soon as possible. "Saving ahead of time may reduce a need to borrow to cover educational expenses, which can help parents - and their children - get through college with less debt," says Fitzgerald. "Even a small amount of money, invested regularly over time, can grow into a substantial sum," he added.

Anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $2,865 per beneficiary from their 2011 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* Investors can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses including tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.

Investors can enroll online in about ten minutes with as little as $25. Online account services and multiple contribution methods, including electronic investment options that allow for the transfer of money directly from an existing checking or savings account, make it easy for busy families to save regularly and manage their accounts.

Saving for a child's education is always a smart investment, and College Savings Iowa is here to help. For more information about College Savings Iowa, visit www.collegesavingsiowa.com or call 1-888-672-9116.

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income. The earnings portion of non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

###

August 5                               
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office

August 23                             
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

September 2                       
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

September 27                     
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 5                             
Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

October 7                             
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

October 25                           
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 27                           
Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 4                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

November 9                        
Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm 

November 16                      
Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 29                      
Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am 

December 2                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

December 7                        
Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am 

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley is asking the Department of Education secretary to provide details of any policies governing how department employees should handle contact with private investors seeking to profit from non-public agency information.  Grassley's inquiry comes after revelations of contact between investors tracking federal regulations affecting for-profit colleges and high-level Department of Education employees.

"Certain investors contact government agencies to try to gain any advantage they can over other investors," Grassley said.  "Since that's inevitable, the question is how federal employees respond.  Do federal employees give out information that short sellers can use to make money?  Are the employees influenced in their rule-making by investors who don't disclose their financial interests?  The Department of Education should account for how it handled investor contacts leading up to the regulations affecting for-profit colleges and going forward.  An accounting is necessary to establish confidence in the integrity of government management."

Government watchdog groups have obtained documents through the Freedom of Information Act that show contacts between Department of Education employees and short sellers who make money by betting against certain stocks, including a known short seller who publicly criticized the for-profit education industry.  The Department of Education inspector general reportedly is conducting an investigation of the propriety of the department's conduct.

In a letter today, Grassley asked the Department of Education secretary whether the department has any policies for employee contact with financial speculators looking for non-public information to profit in the securities markets.  The text of Grassley's letter is available here.

-30-

Red or blue binder?  Crayons or colored pencils?  Ballpoint or gel pens?  As you begin preparing for the upcoming school year, don't forget the most important choice - the school itself.  As a parent, you have the freedom and right to choose a school with a philosophy and approach to learning that fits your child.  Where do teachers create educational experiences that suit individual needs?  Where are students motivated to be enthusiastic about learning in an academically rigorous environment?  Where are students part of a supportive learning community that stimulates personal growth, nurtures intellectual curiosity, and encourages critical thinking and innovation?  At Rivermont Collegiate, of course!

Rivermont, located in Bettendorf, is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school for students in preschool through twelfth grade.  At Rivermont, small class sizes, individualized attention, and high academic standards result in students who nourish personal talents while gaining a critical foundation to life and learning.  Rivermont infuses a traditional curriculum with innovative ideas and technology, as well as the freedom to take risks in academics, leadership, athletics, arts, and service.  100% of Rivermont graduates are accepted to four-year colleges and universities and over 90% earn four-year renewable college merit scholarships.

What are you waiting for?  Explore your educational options!  Drop in for Open Tours on Tuesday, August 2nd from 8:30-10:00 a.m. No appointment necessary!  This casual event gives families the opportunity to tour campus and explore our philosophy and programs. 

Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.  Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!

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

 

-END-

The German American Heritage Center is offering German Language Classes to be held on twelve consecutive Thursdays beginning September 1 through November 17.

 

The Level l Beginning Class will be 5:00 - 6:30

The Level ll Advanced Class will be 7:00 - 8:30

 

The course is $95.00 for non GAHC members and$75.00 for GAHC members plus $20 for the textbook.

 

Registrations are due by phone at (563)322-8844 or by email at info@gahc.org by August 26.

SAVANNAH, GA (07/22/2011)(readMedia)-- Grace Allison of Walcott, Iowa (52773), was named to the dean's list at the Savannah College of Art and Design for spring quarter 2011. Full-time undergraduate students who earn a grade point average of 3.5 or above for the quarter receive recognition on the dean's list. Allison is seeking a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Sequential Art.

SCAD: The University for Creative Careers

The Savannah College of Art and Design is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution conferring bachelor's and master's degrees to prepare talented students for professional careers. As the most comprehensive art and design university in the world, SCAD offers more than 40 majors and more than 50 minors at distinctive locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning.

SCAD has more than 20,000 alumni and offers an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body, consisting of more than 10,000 students, comes from all 50 United States and nearly 100 countries worldwide. Each student is nurtured and motivated by a faculty of more than 700 professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience. These professors emphasize learning through individual attention in an inspiring university environment. SCAD's innovative curriculum is enhanced by advanced, professional-level technology, equipment and learning resources and has garnered acclaim from respected organizations and publications, including 3D World, American Institute of Architects, BusinessWeek, DesignIntelligence, U.S. News & World Report and the Los Angeles Times.

For more information, visit scad.edu.

# # #

EAST PEORIA, IL (07/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Illinois Central College, East Peoria, congratulates 854 graduates for completing their respective program requirements during the Spring 2011 semester. Graduation ceremonies were held May 14 in the ICC CougarPlex on the East Peoria campus.

Local students and the degree/certificate they received include :

Roger H Steiner Jr, of Davenport, IA -- Certificate

Angela Marie Schmedt, of Coal Valley, IL -- Associate in Arts and Science Degree

Started in 1967, ICC is a comprehensive, public community college that prepares students to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a bachelor's degree or providesskills and knowledge to enter a career.

FAYETTE, IA (07/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Upper Iowa University names its 2011 Spring Dean's List. To be honored, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 G.P.A. for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.

Ty James Grunder, Durant, IA

Michelle Susanne Marsden, Davenport, IA

Randel Lee Hendrickson, Davenport, IA

For more information about Upper Iowa University, go to www.uiu.edu.

About Upper Iowa University

Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to nearly 6,800 students-nationally and internationally-at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.

New Law Will Improve Quality of Illinois' Charter Schools  

and Empower Parents with More Choice  

   

CHICAGO - July 20, 2011. As part of his agenda to give Illinois' children more opportunities for a quality education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of legislation that will increase school choice for parents. Senate Bill 79 establishes an independent charter school commission that is dedicated to school reform and has the power to authorize and regulate charter schools throughout the state.  

   

Currently, 13,000 children in Illinois are on waiting lists for charter schools, which can only be created when authorized by school districts and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. The new State Charter School Commission will provide an alternative path to charter school creation and improve the quality of charter schools by setting accountability and outcome standards.   

   

"I am committed to expanding choices for a quality education for every child in Illinois," said Governor Quinn. "Parents shouldn't be limited by zip codes when choosing a school for their children. By creating an accountable body dedicated to charter schools, we are giving communities another way to empower parents with more choices for their child's education."  

   

Sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), Senate Bill 79 allows the State Charter School Commission to hear and decide all appeals to charter school applications. The Illinois Board of Education will appoint the nine members of the commission from a slate of candidates proposed by the Governor. The commission will be funded through fees to charter schools which are authorized by the commission.  

   

Governor Quinn also announced the signing of House Bill 2401, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R- Rock Falls) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), which clarifies Illinois law to ensure that each re-enrollment charter school campus has the option to enter the collective bargaining process as its own entity.   

   

Charter schools are just one part of Governor Quinn's broad agenda to give children more options for a great education in Illinois. In recent months, Governor Quinn signed legislation to pave the way for a longer school day and longer school year in Illinois, and establish first-ever performance standards for teachers. Senate Bill 79 goes into effect immediately and House Bill 2401 takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.  

 

###

July 26                                  
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

August 5                               
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

August 23                             
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

September 2                       
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

September 27                     
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 5                             
Aquatic, Forest and Roadside Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 9/28/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

October 7                             
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

October 25                           
Scott County Extension Council Meeting at the Extension Office
7pm 

October 27                           
Mosquito & Public Health Pest Management CIC, $35 if registered by 10/20/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 4                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

November 9                        
Ornamental & Turf Applicators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/2/11, after that $45
At the Scott County Extension Office, 1:30pm-4pm 

November 16                      
Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management CIC, $35 if registered by 11/9/11, after that
$45, at the Scott County Extension Office, 9am-11:30am 

November 29                      
Fumigation CIC, $35 if registered by 11/22/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension Office,
9am-11:30am 

December 2                        
Pesticide Applicator Testing
10am-2pm at the Extension Office 

December 7                        
Pest Control Operators CIC, $35 if registered by 11/30/11, after that $45, at the Scott County Extension
Office, 9am-11:30am 

Visit our events calendar at our web site:   http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

Pages