22 Oct 2015

Branstad, Reynolds announce all Iowa school districts have applied to join Teacher Leadership System

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced that all 336 Iowa school districts have applied to join the state's Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, the most comprehensive teacher leadership system in the nation.  This targeted effort to tap into the expertise of top teachers to better support the more demanding work that teachers are expected to do and to raise student achievement, is the centerpiece of the landmark education reform package adopted by the Legislature and signed by Branstad in 2013.

The legislation created a three-year phase in process to develop a statewide teacher leadership system, with the goal of all school districts participating by the 2016-17 school year. As of this week, all school districts in Iowa have developed and submitted local plans to participate in the teacher leadership system.  When the teacher leadership system is fully phased in, it will cost $150 million annually.

"As the Lt. Governor and I travel around the state and visit with schools districts that are engaged in the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System, we're hearing that this system is transforming instruction in the classroom," said Gov. Branstad.  "We know that these targeted investments are paving the way to give Iowa students a world-class education while revitalizing the teaching profession."

The teacher leadership system rewards outstanding teachers with leadership opportunities, attracts promising teachers with competitive starting salaries and support, and fosters greater collaboration for all teachers to learn from each other.

"In order to achieve our goal of making Iowa schools the best in the nation, we must continue to be innovative in our approach," said Lt. Gov. Reynolds.  "Teachers are the key to giving students a globally competitive education.  The teacher leadership system is working to ensure that we are attracting the brightest and best teachers to our classrooms.  We want to ensure we are giving teachers the tools to be successful.  I commend all districts on their planning efforts."

Iowa Department of Education Director Ryan Wise said feedback from Iowa teachers and principals has been overwhelmingly positive.

"I hear over and over again that the teacher leadership system has empowered teachers and principals to work together in new and creative ways," Wise said. "With higher expectations for all students in place today, it's critical that we support the important and complex work of teaching, and Iowa is doing that through the teacher leadership system."

The teacher leadership system is rooted in collaboration and partnership and was that way from the beginning, when a state task force's recommendations in 2012 formed the basis of the successful legislative proposal. After a year of planning, school districts began applying for funding to implement the teacher leadership system plans locally. The first teacher leadership system districts wrapped up their initial year last spring.

For more information on the teacher leadership system, visit: https://www.educateiowa.gov/teacher-leadership-and-compensation-system 

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22 Oct 2015

Jessica Erbst elected social media committee leader of the Iowa State University ExerCYse is Medicine Club

By Cathy Curtis

AMES, IA (10/22/2015)(readMedia)-- Jessica Erbst was elected to serve as social media committee leader of the Iowa State University ExerCYse is Medicine Club for the 2015-16 academic school year. Erbst, from Bettendorf, Iowa, is a junior studying pre-diet and exercise in the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State.

The organization encourages regular physical activity and understanding of its health benefits among members of the Iowa State campus and the Ames, Iowa community. ExerCYse is Medicine members recognize that physical activity is integral in the prevention and treatment of disease and should be a part of medical care. ExerCYse is Medicine ambassadors are active volunteers at events to help communicate this message.

This organization is directly affiliated with the Iowa State University Department of Kinesiology in the College of Human Sciences and the American College of Sports Medicine.

21 Oct 2015

Award-winning Author Margi Preus to Visit Rivermont Collegiate

By Nicholas Depew

Thursday, October 22, 2015, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Rivermont Collegiate, 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf

The media is invited.

Schedule:

·        8:45 to 9:15 a.m. - Reading of her picture book "The Legend of the Lady Slipper" in Becherer Hall Auditorium

·        9:25 to 11:30 Presentations and Q&A in Becherer Hall Auditorium

·        12:20 to Approx. 2:30 - Afternoon activities and book sale in the Mansion

Paul Ziebarth of Barnes and Noble will offer for sale a selection of Preus's works and other titles. Margi will sign her books, even those purchased previously -- all in the mansion first floor in the afternoon.

About the Author:

Margi Preus is a New York Times bestselling children's book author and playwright. Her novels for young readers have received multiple awards including a Newbery Honor and the Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature, and have been selected as ALA/ALSC Notable Books, Notable Books for a Global Society, and an NPR Backseat Book Club pick. Visit: www.margipreus.com.

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21 Oct 2015

Rivermont Students Take 1st Place in 3D 3R Sculpture Contest

By Jill Weitzel

Congratulations to Nikhil Wagher and Hannah Laufenberg who took 1st place in their age group for their 3D 3R sculpture titled, Refunction, Dysfunction! They created a prosthetic arm holding hands with a real arm to exhibit the importance and growing advances in prosthetics that help people who have lost limb function in their daily lives. They repurposed over 20 different materials including items such as copper sheeting, cardboard, aluminum cans, old keys and hair curlers.

Congratulations to Laylon Baucom! His team's sculpture titled, Not Half Bad, took 1st place in their age group for their 3D 3R sculpture. Not Half Bad was created using items such as milk cartons, egg cartons, soda bottles, toothbrushes, and junk food adds. Students juxtaposed the positive impacts of a healthy lifestyle and the negative impacts of an unhealthy lifestyle.

Students had 2 hours to create a sculpture out of repurposed, recycled, re-useable materials following the theme "Technology for Health". This event took place at the Figge Art Museum on Saturday, October 17th and was organized by Global Awareness Citizens.

All of the students' sculptures will be on exhibit at Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 E. 2nd Street, Suite 102 & 104, Davenport, Iowa 52801 at the Bereskin Fine Art Gallery & Studio.

Great collaborative efforts and fun at the Figge!

Visit www.RivermontCollegiate.org

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16 Oct 2015

Eldridge's Raegan Czupka inducted into Eta Sigma Delta honor society

By Carole Custer

AMES, IA (10/15/2015)(readMedia)-- Raegan Czupka, from Eldridge, Iowa (52722), will be inducted into Eta Sigma Delta, an honor society for top students studying event and hospitality management. Czupka is a senior studying event management in the College of Human Sciences at Iowa State University.

Only the top students in event management and hospitality management can claim membership in Eta Sigma Delta, an international honor society that recognizes exceptional academic achievement. Eta Sigma Delta is administered by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE), the leading international association devoted to the fields of event, hospitality, and tourism education.

Czupka will be inducted into Eta Sigma Delta on October 28, 2015, at a ceremony in the LeBaron Hall Conference Room on the Iowa State University campus in Ames
12 Oct 2015

Treasurer Fitzgerald Teams Up with Daycares to Encourage College Savings

By Karen Austin

Families can learn about 529 plans and be registered to win a $1,000 College Savings Account

DES MOINES, IA (10/12/2015)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is encouraging Iowans with young children to start thinking about saving for their children's educational expenses. "Throughout the month of October, we are teaming up with daycares across the state to introduce our new 529 tutorial, College Savings Iowa InFocus, to parents," Fitzgerald said. "This interactive learning experience explains the benefits of saving for a loved one's higher education, while also registering families for a chance to win a $1,000 College Savings Iowa account!" You do not have to have children in a daycare to participate, just visit Iowa529InFocus.com to complete the tutorial and see official rules.

"College Savings Iowa is also offering an additional $10 contribution to the first 500 people who complete the tutorial and open a College Savings Iowa account," Fitzgerald added. "This is a great way to begin and potentially boost your child's college savings!" The newly established accounts must have a minimum $25 contribution and be opened within the first seven days of tutorial completion to be eligible for the $10 contribution.

College Savings Iowa offers families a tax advantaged way to save money for their children's higher education. It only takes $25 to open an account, and anyone - parents, grandparents, friends and relatives - can invest in College Savings Iowa on behalf of a child. Iowa taxpayers have the additional benefit of being able to deduct contributions up to $3,163 per beneficiary account from their 2015 Iowa adjusted gross income.*

Investors do not need to be a state resident and can withdraw their investment federally tax-free to pay for qualified higher education expenses, which includes tuition, books, supplies and certain room and board costs at any eligible college, university, community college or technical training school in the United States or abroad.**

. For more information about future giveaways and events find College Savings Iowa on Facebook and Twitter (@Iowa529Plan).

*Adjusted annually for inflation. If withdrawals are not qualified, the deductions must be added back to Iowa taxable income.

**Earnings on nonqualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes. The availability of tax or other benefits may be contingent on meeting other requirements.

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Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as the responsibility for any federal and state tax consequences. If you are not an Iowa taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

For more information about the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan, call 1-888-672-9116, or visit CollegeSavingsIowa.com to obtain a Program Description. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are included in the Program Description; read and consider it carefully before investing. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

12 Oct 2015

Iowa Students Cash In On Financial Literacy With Pennies to Paychecks Performance

By Jenny Pfarr

(Des Moines, IA) One hundred schools across Iowa will host Pennies to Paychecks, a live sketch comedy program aimed at increasing financial literacy among students this fall. The Iowa Insurance Division and The National Theatre for Children (NTC) have collaborated since 2009 to deliver educational and entertaining messages to young people who are emerging as consumers. Craig Goettsch of the Iowa Insurance Division sees the value of investing in students. "Today's teens are tomorrow's young adults, who will face important decisions regarding their spending and saving habits," he says. "When we prepare them to develop healthy habits, the benefits are enormous?they will have less stress, less debt and less confusion about their finances."

Pennies to Paychecks is a forty-minute performance divided into segments that humorously address topics like take home pay, wages and deductions, saving and investing, credit and debit cards and how to form a savings habit. Two professional actors take suggestions from the audience and incorporate the ideas into their scenes through improvisation. "The kids respond so well to the program because they get to help shape it," says NTC President and founder Ward Eames. "It's an interactive experience rather than a passive presentation. The energy is very high, the information is relevant and meaningful to the kids and the information sticks with them because learning and laughter are blended so seamlessly."

In addition to the live show, participating schools also receive student workbooks, teacher guides and access to interactive digital learning materials at no cost. "This information is crucial," says Goettsch. "we want every school to be able to access this opportunity. This is knowledge that will make a real difference in their lives."

The tour runs from October 19th to November 20th, and includes visits to schools throughout the state. Schools interested in participating in Cash Course can contact NTC at 1-800-858-3999 ext. 1 for further information.

About the Iowa Insurance Division (IID)

The Iowa Insurance Division (IID) has general control, supervision and direction over all insurance and securities business transacted in the state, and enforces Iowa's laws and regulations.  The IID investigates consumer complaints and prosecutes companies, agents and brokers engaging in unfair trade practices. Consumers with insurance or securities-related questions or complaints may contact the IID toll free at 877-955-1212 or visit the division on the web at www.iid.iowa.gov.

About NTC

NTC is an award-winning educational content provider whose methods include theatrical all-school assemblies, print and digital curriculum, professional development, extracurricular events and volunteers-in-the-schools.  NTC has developed the art of teaching through educational story-telling into a science of its own, and is an international company with operations in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.  www.ntccorporate.com

09 Oct 2015

QUAD CITY ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE COUNCIL SCHOLARSHIPS OPEN FOR APPLICATION

By Christine Cournoyer

Scholarship application available for high school seniors interested in STEM degree

The Quad-City Engineering and Science Council, or QCESC, has released its 2016 scholarship application at www.qcesc.org . Applications must be mailed by January 22, 2016. The scholarships will be awarded at its 54th annual National Engineers Week banquet on February 25th, 2016. This will be the 22nd year of awarding college scholarships to encourage high school students planning to major in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Last year 12 scholarships were awarded worth $20,500. Funding comes from QCESC member societies, industry, and regional universities.

The scholarships are awarded based on academics, extracurricular activities including work and community service, and leadership experience. The applicants' essays on career goals and why they are interested in the STEM field round out how these applications are evaluated. High school seniors from Carroll, Henry, Knox, Lee, Mercer, Rock Island, and Whiteside counties in Illinois; and Clinton, Louisa, Muscatine, and Scott counties in Iowa are eligible to apply.

The Quad City Engineering and Science Council (QCESC) is an umbrella organization representing 30 technical societies in the Quad City region with approximately 5,000 associated members. The QCESC is non-profit organized in 1963. Its mission is to Promote and support engineering, science, and technical professionals and associated societies in the Quad City Region and to also support and encourage students in the Quad City Region to study in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) related fields.

 

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09 Oct 2015

Rebecca Ness honored with Fred Foreman Scholarship for Growth in Leadership Participation

By Carole Custer

AMES, IA (10/08/2015)(readMedia)-- Rebecca Ness, of Muscatine, IA (52761) was selected as one of sixty College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) students to receive the Foreman Scholarship.

Ness, a student in Agricultural Business at Iowa State University, was selected for a combination of classroom performance and out-of-class leadership and volunteerism. The Fred Foreman scholarship is awarded to top students who serve the college by acting as peer mentors, club officers and representing the college on competitive teams with a preference for students in activities that assist in recruiting prospective students.

The Foreman Scholarship is renewable and can be received by students a maximum of three times to encourage continued participation. In addition, the scholarship features fifty-five $1,000 awards and five $5,000 awards, with top performing student leaders competing for the top five awards.

All Foreman Scholarship recipients are invited to be recognized at an annual dinner where they have the opportunity to meet with the family who funds the award. The students dine with Endowed Dean Wendy Wintersteen, the donors, CALS faculty and staff, and the other recipients of the award. In addition, speeches are offered by students, faculty and alumni paying tribute to the group's accomplishments and how they exemplify the values of the late Animal Science professor, Dr. Fred Foreman.

07 Oct 2015

Wartburg to induct 72 into Phi Eta Sigma honor society

By Emily Christensen

WAVERLY, IA (10/05/2015)(readMedia)-- The Wartburg College chapter of the Phi Eta Sigma first-year honor society will induct 72 new members Sunday, Oct. 10.

Those being honored include :

Cody Birely, a music therapy and music education major from Davenport

Brooke Chapman, a music education major from DeWitt

Allison Coe, a music therapy and music education major from Dixon

Elizabeth Mallon, a fitness management advising preference major from Davenport

Mallory Weaver, a neuroscience advising preference major from Bettendorf

Andrea Weiss, a music therapy and music education major from DeWitt

Phi Eta Sigma is the oldest and largest freshman honor society. A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 and be in the top 20 percent of their class by the end of the first year.

Wartburg College's Phi Eta Sigma members have the opportunity to win additional scholarships through the honor society as well as participate in a variety of social and service events on campus.

Wartburg, a four-year liberal arts college internationally recognized for community engagement, enrolls 1,661 students. Wartburg is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and named after the castle in Germany where Martin Luther took refuge disguised as a knight during the stormy days of the Reformation while translating the Bible from Greek into German.

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