ROCK ISLAND, IL (04/08/2015)(readMedia)-- In Augustana College's "More Than I Imagined" series, exceptional seniors from a wide variety of majors are asked to look at what they've accomplished at Augustana and see opportunities ahead.

Augustana faculty members and coaches have nominated the following seniors from your area for this distinction:

Andrew Shearouse of Coal Valley (61240)

Jessica Bacon of Rock Island (61201)

Christine Harb of Davenport (52807)

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.

ROMEOVILLE, IL (04/08/2015)(readMedia)-- Lewis University undergraduate student Jacob Dopler of East Moline (61244) recently finished in the Top Eight in the Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge held in Washington D.C.

"Only eight out of 22 teams qualified for the next round, and we were among top tier schools like NYU, Columbia, Harvard, Georgetown, CMU etc.," said Dr. Faisal Abdullah, professor of management information systems.

The students were given a cyber-attack scenario and had to present policy alternatives to a group of judges. After an intense question-answer round, the students qualified for the semifinals.

Students for the Lewis University team were selected from the undergraduate Computer Information Systems and Information Security programs. The students who competed include :

  • Jon Pankhurst, B.S. Information Security student from Joliet
  • Paul Derdzinski, B.S. in Information Security student from Romeoville
  • Bryan Cameron, double major in the B.S. in Information Security and B.S. Computer Information Systems program from Bolingbrook
  • Jake Dopler, double major in the B.S. in Finance and the B.S. in Information Security programs from East Moline

The Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge is the only student competition devoted to high-level policy recommendations for day-after responses to a major cyber incident. Organized by the Atlantic Council and hosted by American University, the Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge engages students with a small group of experts representing various sectors including government, finance, telecom and the press. The competition promotes awareness of cyber security policy issues while providing students and experts an opportunity to network with cyber security experts and develop new ideas on the future of cyber security policy.

The College of Business offers a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems and a bachelor's degree in Information Security and Risk Management. Courses in the Computer Information Systems and Information Security majors are hands-on and focus on providing skills that are in high demand. Students have the option to complete their coursework, assignments and projects online using the redesigned VMware CloudLab. Scholarships, internships, job opportunities, alumni news and news articles are posted regularly on MIS Department's Facebook page.

Lewis University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,700 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

Moline, Ill. - What starts here, changes the world one student at a time. Black Hawk College is proud to host the 2015 North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Judging Conference, a three-day event at the iWireless Center in Moline, Ill. expected to see more than 1,000 attendees from across the United States between April 8 and 10.

NACTA is an organization committed to advancing the scholarship of teaching and learning in agricultural, environmental, natural and life sciences, and this annual judging contest will bring that commitment to the heart of the Midwest in 2015.

"This conference is really an investment in the future of our agricultural young leaders." said Andrew Larson, an organizer of the 2015 NACTA Judging Conference and a recruiter for the Agriculture Department at Black Hawk College. "Our event will provide collegiate and high school students the opportunity to learn and develop valuable agricultural skill sets, while also getting the chance to network with key industry leaders and companies."

Attendees will range from 4-H members at the high school level to agriculture students at the collegiate level, and the main focus of the conference will be the judging competitions, which cover everything from soils and agribusiness to crops and livestock management.

The conference will also include the first Agricultural Networking Fair on Thursday, April 9, sponsored by Pfister Seeds. This networking fair is designed to provide participants and volunteers valuable opportunities to engage with industry leaders like John Deere and also give participants additional learning experiences in a unique environment.

Black Hawk College, along with many conference sponsors, are also organizing group activities in the Quad Cities to involve students and volunteers when they are not participating in a contest. These activities include a tour of the John Deere World Headquarters, a visit to the Niabi Zoo and a tour of the Figge Art Museum.

Interested participants can register for the conference, competitions and group activities on the 2015 NACTA Judging Conference website at www.BHCNACTA.com. Also posted online, a complete schedule of events for the weekend.

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(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad today announced he will sign Senate File 227 on Friday, April 10, 2015, at 1 p.m. Senate File 227 is an Act relating to the school start date and to exception and penalty provisions and including effective date provisions.

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

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

Friday April 10, 2015

1 p.m. Gov. Branstad signs Senate File 227

West Steps

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

Note: Should inclement weather prevent the bill signing from occurring outside, the bill signing will occur in the State Capitol Rotunda.

 

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Course Name: Using Children's Nonfiction in PreK-2nd Grade Science

Location: Western Illinois University Moline Campus, Moline

Date: May 2, 2015

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join us for this workshop dedicated to showing early childhood educators (grades prekindergarten through three) how you can use children's nonfiction to help your students learn about Illinois fish and wildlife while meeting Common Core State Standards that emphasize nonfiction. We'll investigate field guides and incorporate resources from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as well. Poetry from "science poets" will be discussed, and we'll demonstrate how children can make an informational book, using observations and the field guides. Led by Dr. Jean Mendoza of the University of Illinois' Illinois Early Learning Project, you'll take away resources, ideas and experiences that can be incorporated instantly into your curriculum. This workshop is part of the ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) program from the IDNR. Register at https://www.enticeworkshops.com. Professional Development Hours are available.

We are excited to share that 5 Rivermont students placed in the 2015 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program Art Contest
sponsored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The competition was fierce with 529 entries from across Iowa.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Michal Porubcin: First Place, Grade Group 10-12 (12th Grader)

Alexander Xiao: Third Place, Grade Group 4-6 (6th Grader)

Eve Strasser: Honorable Mention, Grade Group 4-6 (7th Grader)

Angela Jones: Honorable Mention, Grade Group 4-6 (6th Grader)

Sarah McVey: Honorable Mention, Grade Group 4-6 (6th Grader)

More information about the contest:  http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/2014jdspbrochuresdffinal-small.pdf

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only Private College Prep School for PreSchool through 12th Grade.
For more information visit www.rivermontcollegiate.org or call 563-359-1366.

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Are Cultural Misinterpretations A Root Cause For
Disproportionate Discipline Of African-American Students?

Numerous studies have revealed that African-American students are more likely than their white peers to face referrals to the office, suspension, expulsion or other forms of discipline at school.

But it doesn't have to be that way, says Renae Azziz, founder and director of Virtuoso Education Consulting (www.virtuosoed.com), which provides professional development training to teachers and school district leaders.

Azziz, a school psychologist who helps districts across the nation resolve disproportionality in discipline, says in many cases it's a clash of cultures, and not necessarily racism, that leads to disproportionate punishment for minority students.

"Teachers need to understand that sometimes what they see as misbehavior is not viewed the same way by African-American students," Azziz says. "It's just that in these cases the educators come from different cultures than their students. The teachers need to increase their knowledge about those differences and improve their skills for handling the situations."

Azziz says there are a number of promising strategies schools can and are using to reduce disproportionality in discipline.

• Develop supportive relationships among and within school staff and students through the implementation of restorative-justice frameworks, which use conflict resolution and open dialogue. Restorative justice focuses students on the ramifications of their actions so that they take ownership of those actions and learn from their poor decisions.

• Engage in culturally relevant and responsive instructions and interactions to make the curriculum engaging for all learners.

• Change disciplinary codes of conduct to align with positive school climates through the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) that are culturally responsive.

• Commit to ongoing professional development for teachers focused on developing their awareness, knowledge and skills related to culture.

African-American students often have more negative views of their schools than white students because they perceive them as being less fair and consistent with discipline. That this perception exists, Azziz says, reinforces the idea that educators need to be culturally responsive so that the school environment meets the needs of students from all cultural backgrounds.

It's not that schools have failed to make an effort to address problems with discipline. For two decades, the method known as Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports has been implemented across the nation as a way to decrease suspensions and expulsions, Azziz says.

That worked - sort of, she says.

Data indicates PBIS does indeed reduce the overall rates for those disciplinary actions, but there's a caveat.  Minority students, especially African Americans, still receive the majority of the punishments.

"That tells me that PBIS is not as effective for African-American students as it is for other ethnic groups," Azziz says. "So why is that?"
The answer may lie in those cultural differences, she says.

Here's an example: Teachers who expect students to raise their hands before responding in class often send African-American students to the office for repeatedly talking out.

But many of those students see classroom discussions as more informal, Azziz says.

"Some students, particularly African-American students, show that they are listening and engaged by blurting out their thoughts instead of raising their hands," Azziz says. "This is a communication-response style called back-channeling and it's often seen in the African-American culture."

Teachers who understand that back-channeling is a cultural pattern of behavior can better teach the students when that behavior is appropriate in the classroom and when they need to raise their hands, she says.

"When teachers don't know about this communications style," Azziz says, "all they see is a student who disrupted their class and it becomes a top reason for discipline referrals."

About Renae Azziz

Renae Azziz is the Founder and Director of Virtuoso Education Consulting (www.virtuosoed.com). She and her team of consultants support educators nationally in the areas of Response-to-Intervention, Data-Based Decision Making, Assessment, Positive Behavior Support, and Culturally Responsive Practices. Before starting Virtuoso Education Consulting, Renae practiced as a school psychologist in Indiana. Renae also worked on grants funded by the Indiana Department of Education supporting Indiana's Initiatives on Response to Intervention, Culturally Responsive PBIS, and Minority Disproportionality in Special Education. She was also appointed by former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to the Commission on Disproportionality in Youth Services, which resulted in several legislative outcomes. Further, Renae and her team of consultants have served as project evaluators for statewide initiatives and Corrective Action Plans in Indiana and Louisiana.

Bettendorf, IA -  Please join us as we recognize our 2015 Business Integrity Award recipients as well as our 2015 Student Integrity Award recipients; honoring businesses and students that demonstrate superior ethics, reliability and trustworthiness. The Better Business Bureau of Iowa will present the winners at the BBB 75th Anniversary Luncheon, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at 11:45 am, taking place at Jumer's Casino & Hotel in Rock Island, IL.

"As Iowans we pride ourselves on integrity. For 75 years the BBB has been providing services that build consumer trust in our communities.  We consider it an honor to present this year's Integrity Winners and Student of Integrity Winners, they lead by example and embody the ideals of the Better Business Bureau." - Chris Coleman, President, CEO

Tickets for The Better Business Bureau of Iowa Integrity Award Luncheon can be purchased by phone at (563) 355-1705. Tables of 8 are available for $240.00.  Individual tickets are $35.00 per seat.  The public is encouraged to attend the event which starts at 11:45 a.m. For more information visit www.bbb.org/iowa

The Student of Integrity Awards program was established in 2001 to recognize and honor high school seniors who personify ethics and integrity.  The three Student of Integrity winners will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.  The winners are:

  • Molly Kelly, West Liberty High School
  • Claire Hamilton, Columbus community High School
  • Guadalupe Chavez, Davenport West High School

Sponsors include :

Premier Sponsors: Quad City Bank & Trust

Premier Media Sponsor: WQAD TV8

 

General Asphalt Construction Company                MidAmerican Energy

Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center             Iowa American Water

Werner Restoration Services, Inc.               Creekside Vineyards Winery & Inn

Molyneaux Insurance

 

Brus Construction, LLC.  Bush Construction

D'Souza & Krutzfeldt-QC Dentistry                      DeWitt Bank & Trust Co.

Kaplan University              Rock Valley Physical Therapy

BBB is a nonprofit, non-governmental, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. All BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews on more than 4 million businesses, 11,000 Charity Reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. BBB Serving Greater Iowa, Quad Cities and Siouxland Region was founded in 1940 and is one of 112 local, independent BBBs across North America.

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DES MOINES, IA (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- While the conference committee on Senate Files 171 and 172 met today, it was no April Fool's joke. The Democrats' funding offer of 2.625 was simply inadequate and the Republicans' rejection of this offer further demonstrates their callous disregard for the health and well-being of Iowa's public school students.

Thousands of Iowans have spoken out on the issue of funding for our public schools. They have spoken in favor of increased funding. At this point, we are gravely disappointed that both parties have now failed to listen to their constituents.

We stand with parents, students and citizens of Iowa firmly and strongly in favor of 4 percent funding for Iowa's schools.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.

CONWAY 28528, SC (04/01/2015)(readMedia)-- Kelsey Birdsell, of Moline, IL, has been elected Vice President of Public Relations of the Student Government Association at Coastal Carolina University for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The University offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree and seven master's degree programs in accountancy, business administration, education, marine and wetland studies, and writing. The University is offering its first Ph.D. program, in marine science, in fall 2014.

More than 9,900 students from across the country and the world interact with a world-class faculty, and enjoy a nationally competitive NCAA I athletic program, an inspiring cultural calendar, and a tradition of community interaction that is fueled by more than 180 student clubs and organizations.

Coastal Carolina University was founded in 1954 as Coastal Carolina Junior College and became an independent state university in 1993.

Learn more: http://www.coastal.edu/

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