Students do better in school when their parents are involved in their learning. In October, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is sponsoring an interactive webinar for parents, grandparents and teachers with tips on how to help children and youth be successful learners.

The free webinar is Tuesday, Oct. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. and features ISU Extension and Outreach family life specialists Donna Donald and Lori Hayungs. Advance registration is not required.

"We'll discuss proven practices surrounding nutrition, physical activity, sleep, routines, learning at home, and love and limits and what we know from research right now about how to help kids learn," said Donald.

The webinar is part of the Science of Parenting, www.scienceofparenting.org, a resource from ISU Extension and Outreach sharing research-based information to help parents rear their children.

Participation in the webinar is easy and convenient, Hayungs said. Webinar attendees may participate from any computer with Internet access. Participants will hear the presenters through their computer speakers and will have the opportunity to interact with the presenters and other attendees using a chat box in the webinar meeting room.

Prior to the webinar, participants should make sure their computer meets the minimum computer requirements, Hayungs said. "Visit our webinar connection page to test your computer's ability to participate in the webinar. If the diagnostic test finds that you don't have the required software, you will be automatically provided with a link to the free download."

For computer requirements and how to connect to the webinar, visit http://

www.extension.iastate.edu/families/page/sop-webinar.

-30-

Launch 'Friends of Magic' to Provide At-Risk Students with Resources to Get Back on Track and Build a Bright Future

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today joined Earvin "Magic" Johnson to launch the NBA Hall-of-Famer's new organization, "Friends of Magic." The movement aims to provide at-risk students with the tools they need to graduate high school and have a successful future. The Governor's participation in the launch is part of his agenda to prepare every child for success in college, career and beyond.

"It means a lot to have someone like Magic Johnson make this important investment in the students of Illinois," Governor Quinn said. "We must remember that it is everyone's responsibility to help students who are  struggling by keeping them in school or on the road to recovery. I thank Magic for bringing attention to this cause, especially as someone who knows that - either on the court or in the classroom - you can accomplish great things if you never give up."

Friends of Magic is a new organization that brings together a network of individuals, foundations and companies whose mission is to provide students who are at risk or have dropped out the resources and assistance they need to not only graduate high school, but the opportunity to build their future through educational resources, internships and real-world experiences.

"As many as one quarter of our nation's students are not finishing high school, our goal is to ensure that no student falls through the cracks, and that all students have the opportunity to receive their high school diplomas and be fully prepared for college or the workplace," Johnson said. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to bring our Bridgescape program to Chicago, and greatly appreciate the support we have received from the community."

Today's announcement takes place at the newly established North/South Lawndale Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy, one of two Chicago-area blended-learning programs that provides students who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out of school with a free alternative path to earn a high school diploma in an environment that fits their schedule, life circumstances and learning needs. Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academies are currently in six states with a total enrollment of 1,675.

Governor Quinn has been leading a strong education agenda to build a brighter future for all Illinois students. The Governor signed landmark education reform laws in 2011 that gained national attention and in August enacted a new law that lowers the compulsory school age for students in Illinois in order to ensure all children have the opportunity to build a solid foundation for academic achievement and to help combat truancy. Research shows that children who start school at an earlier age are more likely to attend college and less likely to drop out of school, be placed in special education or commit crime.

###

DES MOINES, IA (09/17/2013)(readMedia)-- For families already busy juggling the demands of work and home, college planning may be the last thing on your mind. However, with the cost of a higher education rising faster than inflation, nearly every family will face the question of how to pay for it when the time comes. Thankfully, the answer is quite simple - start saving today. By starting early, saving regularly and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them and College Savings Iowa is here to help.

To get a jump start on helping your loved ones start saving for college, celebrate College Savings Month with us. College Savings Month is a national campaign to help bring attention to the fact that saving for college is one of the most significant things families can do for their children. As a way to help families start saving, we are celebrating by giving away a $5,290 College Savings Iowa account. For more information and to enter the giveaway, please visit collegesavingsiowa.com any time before November 30.

While any form of saving for college is better than not saving at all, there are additional benefits to using a 529 plan like College Savings Iowa. Administered by the state treasurer's office, College Savings Iowa offers multiple investment choices, including four age-based options that take into account the child's age and the account owner's tolerance for risk. As the beneficiary nears college age, the assets are automatically shifted to more conservative portfolios. This allows you to reduce the market risk before you begin making withdrawals for college expenses.

In addition, 529 plans offer significant federal and state tax benefits to help grow your savings even more. Contributions and earnings grow free of federal and Iowa state income taxes while invested and remain tax-free when used to pay for qualified higher education expenses at any eligible college, university, community college or accredited technical training school in the United States or abroad.* College Savings Iowa sweetens the deal by allowing Iowa tax payers to deduct up to $3,045 in contributions per beneficiary account from their 2013 adjusted gross income.**

By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them. Start saving today and help make college a reality for a child in your life - you'll be glad you did! To learn more about College Savings Iowa, visit collegesavingsiowa.com or call 888-672-9116.

Michael L. Fitzgerald, State Treasurer

*The earnings portion of 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.

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

###

Investment returns are not guaranteed and you could lose money by investing in the plan. Participants assume all investment risks as well as 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 888-672-9116 or visit www.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.

College Savings Iowa is an Iowa trust sponsored by the Iowa State Treasurer's Office. The Treasurer of the State of Iowa sponsors and is responsible for overseeing the administration of the College Savings Iowa 529 Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc., serves as Investment Manager and Vanguard Marketing Corporation, an affiliate of The Vanguard Group, Inc., assists the Treasurer with marketing and distributing the Plan. Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, provides records administration services. The Plan's portfolios, although they invest in Vanguard mutual funds, are not mutual funds.

Davenport West High School will be presenting The West High Hall of Honor Awards to three alumni between October 2 and October 5, 2013 as a highlight of Homecoming 2013.

Recipients Mr. James Skinner, Mr. Rick Price, and Dr. James Kibbie will be honored at two  locations. Mr. Skinner will be honored at an "invitation only" luncheon on October 2, 2013 at West High School. Dr. Kibbie and Mr. Price will be honored at a banquet to be held at Modern Woodmen Park in the Skydeck on Saturday October 5, 2013 from 6 to 8 PM. Tickets for the Saturday event are available for $30.00 per person and the public is encouraged to attend. Send a check made out to West High School to Marcia Jensen at West High School, 3505 W. Locust St. Davenport, IA 52804. Reservations must be made by September 21, 2013.   Dr. Kibbie will be performing a concert at 3PM on Sunday October 6, 2013 in the main sanctuary of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa. The concert is free.  Donations will be accepted for renovations of the sound system in the Liddy Auditorium at West High. For more information, contact Marcia Jensen at West High School (563-386-5500) or by email at jensenm@davenportschools.org

Mr. James Skinner (1962) CEO McDonald's (Retired)

"Jim's first job was working in his neighborhood McDonald's restaurant in Davenport while attending high school.  After graduation, Jim joined the United States Navy, specializing in electronics.   After 10 years of service to the Navy, Jim returned to McDonald's in 1971 as a restaurant manager trainee in Carpentersville, IL and never looked back.  He quickly ascended through the ranks, holding many different leadership positions with global accountability.  Jim retired in 2012 after being McDonald's eighth CEO.  To sum up his career, Jim likes to say that he has worked for two great brands:  The United States Navy and McDonald's. He has been recognized professionally by his peers, the media, and many professional and educational institutions.  Chief Executive Magazine named him the "2009 CEO of the Year" and Barron's recognized him as one of the "30 Most Respected CEOs."  Most recently, he was listed in SmartMoney's Power 30: The World's Most Influential Players. He also received honorary doctorate degrees from Roosevelt University and DePaul University. Jim serves on the Board of several organizations, and is also a member of many civic and business organizations."

Mr. Rick Price (1963) Educator (Retired)

Rick excelled in sports while a student at West High School. While at West he earned seven athletic letters in basketball, football and baseball and was selected to Hawkeye Boys State in 1961. He was catcher on the 1962/63 West team that won the Baseball State Championship. He began his significant leadership roles with the office of West High Student Body President in 1963 as well as being Co-Captain of the senior year football team.  He continued to distinguish himself in football and leadership at the University of Northern Iowa while getting his degree in education, earning the honors of being CoCaptain and Most Valuable Player during his senior year. Mr. Price spent thirty-eight years as a coach and educator beginning as a teacher and assistant principal at JB Young Junior High in Davenport and retiring as a principal from Carmel Middle School in Colorado Springs, CO. He was the cofounder of Entrada, the first school based health clinic in Colorado Springs as well as Peak Education, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting middle school students from low socio-economic backgrounds in achieving academic success. He has been a member of several boards and has been a community volunteer in every place he has lived.

Dr. James Kibbie (1967) Organist and Bach Expert

Dr. Kibbie is Professor of Organ at the University of Michigan. He also maintains a full schedule of concert, recording, and festival engagements throughout North America and Europe. His performances have been broadcast on radio and television in the USA, Canada, and Europe. During his month-long concert tour of the former Soviet Union, the Russian press hailed him as "a marvelous organist, a brilliant interpreter."   James Kibbie is internationally renowned as an authority on the organ music of Johann Sebastian Bach and is in constant demand as a Bach recitalist and clinician. His recordings of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach on historic baroque organs in Germany have been welcomed with enthusiastic acclaim.   He has been awarded the Grand Prix d'Interprétation at the prestigious International Organ Competition of Chartres, France, and is also the only American to have won the International Organ Competition of the Prague Spring Festival.  The University of Michigan has endowed the James Kibbie Scholarship in perpetuity to support students majoring in organ performance and church music. Among the honors he has received, Dr. Kibbie is particularly proud of the James Kibbie Scholarship, endowed in 2004 by former students, family and friends to support students majoring in organ performance and church music.