15 Apr 2015

Two Rivermont Juniors Qualify to Enter 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program

By Jill Weitzel

Congratulations to Rivermont  juniors Christian Elliott and Alexander Skillin who have met the high PSAT score requirements to enter the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. Based on the October 2014 Preliminary SAT/NSMQT Test taken by about 1.5 million juniors, these two Rivermont students are among the 50,000 highest scoring test takers recognized as National Merit Scholarship participants. In the fall of 2015 about 16,000 students will be named Semifinalists from this pool of high scoring students and will proceed to the Finalist competition.

Best of luck to both of you in the next round, Alex and Christian!

Located in Bettendorf, Iowa, Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade.

Visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.

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15 Apr 2015

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launch teacher leadership listening tour

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Listening tour stops scheduled Benton, Rock Valley, and Southeast Polk Community School Districts

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will visit three Iowa school districts this month to learn more about how the first year of Iowa's new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System has gone, starting with the Benton Community School District today.

Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is the centerpiece of Iowa's landmark 2013 education reform package. It is being phased in over three years, with a price tag of $150 million annually when fully in place in 2016-17. Iowans agreed to make this investment because it's critical to restore our schools to best in the nation and give students a globally competitive education.

Better utilizing the expertise of many of Iowa's top teachers in new roles will help schools improve instruction and raise achievement. Those new roles include instructional coaches, mentors and model teachers. With higher expectations for all students, teacher leaders support the more demanding work teachers must do by analyzing data, fine tuning lessons and co-teaching.

Benton is among the first 39 school districts, with about a third of enrollment statewide, to adopt teacher leadership systems this school year. Another 76 school districts, with about a third of students statewide, will adopt teacher leadership systems in 2015-16. The goal is for all remaining districts to have their teacher leadership systems in place in 2016-17.

"We are confident that this unprecedented collaboration by teacher leaders, teachers and school administrators will transform education across Iowa," said Branstad. "Broad, bipartisan agreement in the Legislature allowed us to create the most extensive teacher leadership system in the nation."

"One of the biggest selling points for new Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation System is that it will do more to attract and retain highly effective teachers," said Reynolds. "It is changing the culture of schools with more opportunities for ongoing professional development right in the classroom."

In addition to Benton, the governor and lt. governor will visit the Rock Valley and Southeast Polk Community School Districts.

The following teacher leadership listening tour stops are open to the media:

Wednesday, April 15, 2015 

11 a.m. Benton County Teacher Leadership Presentation

Atkins Elementary Center - Teacher Leadership Center

217 Fourth Ave.

Atkins, IA

 

Wednesday, April 22, 2014

12:30 p.m. Sioux County Teacher Leadership Presentation

Rock Valley Community School District Library

1712 20th Ave.

Rock Valley, IA

Note: A tour of Rocket Manufacturing will follow

 

 

Monday, April 27, 2015

7:30 a.m. Polk County Teacher Leadership Presentation

Southeast Polk Junior High School Orchestra Room

8325 Northeast University Ave.

Pleasant Hill, IA

 

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15 Apr 2015

MTI offers assistance to Paul Mitchell students

By Nick Ostdick

MOLINE, Ill. - Midwest Technical Institute's School of Cosmetology in Moline is offering assistance to all students impacted by last Tuesday's announcement that the Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School will close its Davenport, Iowa campus later this month.

The school will cease all operations April 25, according to several Davenport-area media outlets, a decision that is said to be attributed to low enrollment numbers at the school's Davenport campus.

MTI admissions representatives are available to field phone calls and other inquiries from former Paul Mitchell students interesting in continuing their education as a member of the MTI family.

Mary Link, school director of the School of Cosmetology, believes MTI is uniquely positioned to help former Paul Mitchell students continue their path toward a lifelong, fulfilling career.

"We can help these students by offering the education they need to obtain their license," explains Link, who also feels the school's knowledgeable faculty and flexible class schedules are an important part of what MTI has to offer.

"With smaller class sizes at MTI, we can be sure to offer students the needed attention from licensed instructors," Link adds.

MTI's School of Cosmetology offers a 1500 and 2100 hour program to provide students the hands-on training necessary to enter the workforce - job placement and financial aid opportunities are also available to qualifying students.

In addition, the MTI School of Cosmetology also houses MTI's Student Salon wherein students gain the real-world, salon experience required to secure entry-level employment in the cosmetology field and mature into industry-leading professionals.

For more information on MTI's School of Cosmetology, contact the Moline campus at (309) 277-7900. Media availability or other inquiries should be directed to MTI's Director of Marketing Stacey Wierman at (309) 427-2750, ext. 1228.

About Midwest Technical Institute

Midwest Technical Institute offers hands-on training in a number of mechanical trade and allied health career fields to help students succeed as a member of today's rapidly-changing workforce. MTI, along with its sister school, Delta Technical College, operates seven campuses across the Midwest and Mississippi Delta regions. For more information, visit www.midwesttech.edu. 
14 Apr 2015

Gov. Branstad to sign House File 488 establishing Iowa reading corps

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that he will sign House File 488 Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at 3:50 p.m. in the Governor's Formal Office of the Iowa State Capitol. House File 488 is an Act relating to the programs of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service by establishing an Iowa reading corps and specifying uses of funds.

The bill passed the Iowa House 96-0 on April 1, 2015. It passed the Iowa Senate 48-0 on April 8, 2015.

The following bill signing is open to credentialed members of the press:

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

3:50 p.m. Gov. Branstad signs House File 488 establishing Iowa reading corps

Governor's Formal Office

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

 

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14 Apr 2015

Micaela Terronez is featured in "More Than I Imagined" series

By Sam Schlouch

ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/13/2015)(readMedia)-- Micaela Terronez, an Augustana senior from East Moline majoring in history and anthropology, has been featured in the 2015 "More Than I Imagined" web series, where exceptional seniors from a wide variety of majors reflect on what they've accomplished at Augustana and discuss plans for their futures.

Terronez's "More Than I Imagined" profile may be viewed at http://www.augustana.edu/x62242.xml.

To be included in "More than I Imagined," seniors must be nominated by an Augustana faculty member or coach as an outstanding student.

Founded in 1860, Augustana College is a selective four-year residential college of the liberal arts and sciences. The college is recognized for the innovative program Augie Choice, which provides each student up to $2,000 to pursue a high-impact learning experience such as study abroad, an internship or research with a professor. Current students and alumni include 155 Academic All-Americans, a Nobel laureate, 13 college presidents and other distinguished leaders. The college enrolls 2,500 students and is located along one of the world's most important waterways, the Mississippi River, in a community that reflects the diversity of the United States
14 Apr 2015

Kaitlin Clevenger inducted into Phi Upsilon Omicron

By Carole Custer

AMES, IA (04/13/2015)(readMedia)-- Kaitlin Clevenger, a junior studying event management in the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State University, was inducted into Phil Upsilon Omicron on April 12, 2015. Clevenger is a Davenport, Iowa (52803) native.

Phi Upsilon Omicron is a national honor society in family and consumer sciences that promotes academic excellence, develops professional leadership, and encourages professional and personal integrity.

On April 12 the organization inducted eighteen undergraduate College of Human Sciences students. The speaker for the initiation ceremony was Dr. Barbara Woods, College of Human Sciences' Extension and Outreach.

13 Apr 2015

Fun Stories Happening at Pleasant Valley Schools!

By Beth Marsoun

Hello everyone!  Here are some happenings coming up at PV!

Real World Experience for PV Students

Tuesday, April 14th, 4th grade students will interview for JA BizTown!  As you probably know, at BizTown students build their own city, and do all the jobs that come along with it - banker, postmaster, DJ, restaurant owner, journalist.... You name it!  All students will be bussed to the Junior High for the interviews.  Real life experience for our kids!  You'll see a lot of smiling kiddos!  A great photo/video opportunity.  April 14th, Junior High 3501 Wisconsin Street, LeClaire, from 9 to 12.

Wall of Honor

Wednesday, April 15th, PV will add another distinguished alumnus to our Wall of Honor.  Every year we recognize one PV grad for his or her academic achievements and contributions to society.  Dr. Azeemuddin Ahmed is a 1992 graduate and is a professor of business and medicine at the University of Iowa.  He is also the Medical Director for University of Iowa AirCare and the EMS Learning Resources Center.  He will be visiting all PV schools on Wednesday.  There is also a meet and greet at 3:30 and the ceremony at 7:00 at the High School (it's a part of our academic awards night).  Feel free to join us at any point during the day!

Nomination process info here -- http://www.pleasval.org/wall-of-honor-nominations/

Background info attached!

Golf Outing!

Our Pleasant Valley Educational Foundation is holding its premier fundraising event April 27th.  Golfers will hit the links at 11am at Palmer Hills Golf Course.  This event raises 10s of thousands of dollars for the school's foundation.  This spring the foundation will give out 70 scholarships for graduating seniors.  Each scholarship is at least $1,000!  I'll do the math for you - that's $70,000 in scholarships!  All money raised in PV for PV students.  There are dozens of stories about our scholarships.  In particular, one of our teachers at the Junior High, Jeff Paul, decided to start a scholarship a few years back.  He chooses a student who needs an extra push and gives them an ipad.  If they continue to succeed through High School, they also receive a scholarship.  He funded the scholarship through monies he's won from road races across the country.  Others have heard of this and are also donating money won in road races - people from all over the country!

***Also - at tonight's board meeting, the board will be discussing the calendar for next year and our budget as well.  That starts at 6 tonight at the Belmont Admin Center (525 Belmond Road, Bettendorf) I will be there, so that's a bonus.
13 Apr 2015

Area students recognized at MTI welding competition

By Stacey Wierman

MOLINE, Ill. - A number of area high school students received recognition and cash prizes for their welding skills at the annual Midwest Technical Institute High School Welding Competition Thursday and Friday at the school's Moline campus.

The two-day competition featured more than 70 participants from 17 QCA high schools and career centers, including Moline High School; Clinton High School; Muscatine High School; Kewanee High School; Davenport West and Davenport Central high schools; Mercer County High School; and Whiteside Area Career Center.

Students were tested on a wide range of welding skills and theories, including live welding challenges as well as classroom-based testing. Ten students were recognized in each day of competition for their work with first place winners receiving cash prizes of $500 - second and third place winners received $250 and $100, respectively, and the top ten finalists were awarded commemorative medals for their efforts.

Thursday's first place honors went to Michael Koster of Whiteside Area Career Center, while Steven Comeaux of Davenport West High School took the top prize at Friday's competition. Thursday's top three finishers also included Drew Burger and Sam Wike, also from Whiteside, while Nate Anderson, of Davenport Central High School, and Victor Mendoza, of Davenport West, rounded out Friday's top three students.

Established in 2007, the competition offers high school students more than an opportunity to simply showcase their welding talents. Participants also had the chance to tour the Moline campus, meet with faculty and staff and receive valuable information on how to turn their passion into a lifelong, lucrative career.

MTI's Director of High School Development Eric Gleason believes the competition provides students with a well-rounded look at the skills and work ethic required to be a professional welder.

"The weld competition is designed to allow area high school students to not only showcase their skillset, but also to get a feel for the MTI environment and experience welding at the next level."

The Moline campus offers MTI's Journeyman Welder I and II Program to train students for employment as professional welders in as little as seven months.

For more information on the welding competition, contact the Moline campus at (309) 277-7900. For interview requests and other media inquiries, contact MTI's Director of Marketing at Stacey Wierman at (309) 427-2750, ext. 1228.
13 Apr 2015

Emma Simmons Named to Central College Dean's List

By Laura Billingsley

PELLA, IA (04/13/2015)(readMedia)-- Emma Simmons of Davenport earned a spot on the fall 2014 dean's list for Central College while studying abroad.

The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester.

Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America that began in 1916. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just two minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

10 Apr 2015

Gov. Branstad signs school start date bill into law

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today signed Senate File 227 into law. The bill states, "...the school calendar shall begin no sooner than August 23."

The bill passed the Iowa House 71-29 on March 24, 2015. The bill passed the Iowa Senate 28-22 on March 25, 2015.

Photos from the bill signing can be downloaded at the links below. The photos can be attributed to the Governor's Office. Students photographed are from Indianola, Iowa.

1.       Gov. Branstad speaks prior to signing the bill into law.

2.       Prior to signing the bill, Gov. Branstad shows the students from Indianola, Iowa, where the Senate President, House Speaker and he sign the bill making it a law.

3.       Students from Indianola, Iowa, lean in to get a close view of Gov. Branstad signing the law.

4.       After signing the bill, Lt. Gov. Reynolds and students applaud the signage.

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