16 Apr 2013

Harkin Announces More than $26,500 for Eastern Iowa Community College

By Sen. Tom Harkin

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that Eastern Iowa Community College in Davenport has been awarded $26,518 from the Department of Transportation's National Summer Transportation Institute Program (NSTI). The funding will be used to promote awareness of educational and career opportunities among disadvantaged and at-risk middle and high school students around the country. Harkin is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the subcommittee that funds the DOT.

"Job training and educational programs like NSTI provide resources that help prepare young Iowans for good jobs in high-demand industries.  This is an investment that provides opportunity and promotes job growth for local communities," said Harkin.  "I congratulate Eastern Iowa Community College on this award and look forward to the progress these classes will bring."

Specifically, Eastern Iowa Community College will use the funds to host educational classes focusing on transportation careers for Quad Cities area high school students.

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15 Apr 2013

An Opportunity to Learn about the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Process

By Whitney Smith-Bringolf
The Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency's Parent & Educator Connection Program is sponsoring a
workshop to present basic IEP information.

Date: Thursday, May 2, 2013

Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Location: Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency
729 21st Street
Bettendorf, Iowa 52722

There are a limited number of seats available. Minimum of 15 participants required.

A $25 stipend per family is available.

Reserve your seat by April 25, 2013 by contacting:
Kathy Anson, Parent & Educator Facilitator
kanson@aea9.k12.ia.us or 563-242-6454 ext. 6392

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15 Apr 2013

4th Grade Community Service Project

By Janine Parr
2013 Fr. Schaab Pb&P.JPG
April 15, 2013

Jordan fourth grade students collected Peanut Butter, Jelly, and Crackers for their Lenten
service project "Peanut Butter & Prayers." The food was donated to the St. Vincent
DePaul Food Pantry to serve as a healthy snack for children. The Jordan students prayed
each day for all children in our community who go to bed hungry.

Pictured in the photo: Fr. Mike Schaab accepts a donation of peanut butter, jelly, and
crackers from Jordan fourth grade students (from left) Zachary Otten-Thoms, Kaia
Akiona, Brianna Waller, and Casey Magee.
15 Apr 2013

RECORD NUMBER OF JORDAN STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO SAU ENGINEERING CAMP!

By Janine Parr
SAU Engineering Acceptance.JPG
Sixteen 6th grade students at Jordan Catholic School were accepted to St. Ambrose University's Engineering Camp. The school reported a record number of students qualifying for the camp and attributes it to Jordan's strong S.T.E.M. program.

Pictured (in alphabetical order): Emma Beardsley, Chloe Boyd, Anna Darrow, John Do, Sydney Elliott, Jonathan Fernandez, Julia Fout, Parker Georlett, Lauren Hird, Evan Juarez, Nate Maynard, Aaron Mickelson, Faith Pickslay, Vanessa Reger, Ava Reynolds, Kaitlynn Zonnevylle
15 Apr 2013

Jordan Spring Open House

By Janine Parr
On Wednesday April 24th from 4:00 - 6:30 P.M. Jordan Catholic School will hold a Spring Open House. Come see all that Jordan has to offer your family. Take a tour of our school, meet the administrative staff and teachers, view preschool - 8th grade classrooms, science, engineering, and computer labs, library, and fine arts classrooms. You can also learn about Jordan's faith formation, curriculum and enrichment, special education and speech services, and athletic programs.

Jordan Catholic is recognized for its outstanding academic programs, cultural diversity, and safe, friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. Jordan Catholic School is the FIRST choice of families seeking an outstanding core academic program, lab-based science and technology, dynamic middle school enrichment, a comprehensive & secure campus, and inspiring teachers.
15 Apr 2013

University of Nebraska-Lincoln honors local students at All-University Honors Convocation

By Tom Simons

LINCOLN, NE (04/12/2013)(readMedia)-- University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students will be honored in conjunction with UNL's All-University Honors Convocation April 14 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, including 42 seniors who will be recognized as Chancellor's Scholars, the university's highest undergraduate academic honor.

Students are recognized at Honors Convocation for their cumulative academic achievements (compared with Dean's List, which is for one semester). Honorees include :

? Chancellor's Scholars, students who graduated in December or who will receive their degrees in May or August and have maintained 4.0 grade-point averages on all collegiate work at UNL and elsewhere;

? Superior Scholars, seniors graduating in the 2012-13 academic year who have been recognized at Honors Convocation each year of their enrollment;

? High Scholars, students other than Chancellor's Scholars and Superior Scholars who are in the top 10 percent of their class.

Students from this area who will be honored include :

Bettendorf: Hannah Marjorie Kurth, senior, Superior Scholar, College of Fine and Performing Arts .

Bettendorf: Nathaniel Robert Sullivan, junior, High Scholar, College of Fine and Performing Arts with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Davenport: Samantha Walton Adrales, sophomore, High Scholar, College of Arts and Sciences .

Photographs of 36 of the 42 Chancellor's Scholars (six were unavailable for photographs) can be found at http://go.unl.edu/uau. A list of all students recognized at Honors Convocation can be found at http://go.unl.edu/5ei.

15 Apr 2013

Discover Western-QC and Discover Western Engineering Set for April 20

By Tami S. Seitz

April 12, 2013

MOLINE, IL -- Freshman and transfer students interested in attending Western Illinois University-Quad Cities can tour the new campus and learn about WIU-QC programs by attending the Discover Western-Quad Cities Open House set for Saturday, April 20 at the WIU-QC Riverfront campus.

Discover Western-QC programs, which are offered several times during the year, are designed to serve freshmen and transfer students. The Discover Western-QC April 20 open house event will take place from 9-11:30 a.m., with an introduction of representatives from WIU's academic colleges and to the wide range of services offered at Western.

In conjunction with the Discover Western-QC April 20 event, Discover Western Engineering will be held from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch will be provided at 12:30 p.m. for Discover Western Engineering attendees.

Through a class project, senior marketing students enrolled in a marketing management course collaborated this semester to promote and coordinate Discover Western Engineering. To prepare for the event, the students?who will be present at the event?created a 30-second promotional video, sent marketing materials to area high schools and businesses and collected prizes.

"This class project has been a rewarding learning opportunity," noted Rebeka Farias, a senior from Moline pursuing her bachelor's degree in business with an emphasis in marketing. "It has enabled us to work on a real-world project and the chance to communicate and build professional relationships with peers, professors and businesses."

All Discover Western-QC attendees (including Discover Western Engineering participants) for the April 20 event will receive a raffle ticket and will be entered to win a variety of prizes, also collected by the students.

For more information about the Discover Western-QC portion of the program, contact WIU-QC at (309) 762-1494. Individuals can register online at wiu.edu/qc/discover.

For more information about Discover Western Engineering, contact WIU-QC Engineering at (309) 762-9481, ext. 62783. Individuals interested in attending Discover Western Engineering can register online at wiu.edu/qc/engineering.

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15 Apr 2013

Two Plus Two Equals Four: Respected Education Groups Endorse Compromise Proposal

By Tim Albrecht

(DES MOINES) - Senate Democrats on Thursday provided misleading information regarding the finances of the education reform conference committee offer made by legislative Republicans and the governor.

"Senate Democrats have repeatedly stated 'The price for education reform is four and four' (meaning 4 percent allowable growth or supplemental state aid for the next two fiscal years)," said Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht. "The governor and legislative Republicans took them at their word, and found a way to meet this demand. Senate Democrats could have everything they wanted, in exchange for all the fundamental reforms Republicans want. Now, Senate Democrats are trying to confuse the issue by saying the offer is not equivalent to their demand of four percent each year."

The reality: 4 percent growth in state aid for FY 2014 is equivalent to funding of $6,241 per pupil - a total of about $2.7 billion statewide.  The offer by the Governor and legislative Republicans of 2 percent supplemental state aid and a 2 percent one-time payment is equivalent to that same $6,241 per pupil.

"Simply put, two plus two equals four," said Albrecht.

Senate Democrats demanded 4% in FY 2015, and the conference committee offer met that request.

"Respected education organizations recognize the opportunity presented in this compromise proposal," continued Albrecht. "That's why the proposal has been endorsed by the Iowa Association of School Boards, the School Administrators of Iowa, and the Urban Education Network of Iowa."

Though the communication from Senate Democrats mentioned nothing about the policy in House File 215, these organizations recognize that the transformational reforms the bill offers will dramatically increase student achievement. In addition, nearly the entire business community endorsed House File 215 when it passed the House in February.

"We will not continue to put additional money into the existing system absent fundamental reforms in education that will increase student achievement," said Albrecht. "The conference committee proposal offers the ability to provide school districts the regular funding they have requested, all while transforming education in Iowa."

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12 Apr 2013

Iowa Students Get "Mad About Money!"

By Rick Martin

The Iowa Insurance Division Sponsors Live Performances Teaching Financial Literacy in Middle Schools

Minneapolis, MN (April 11, 2013) - Beginning April 15, thousands of middle school students throughout the state of Iowa will be treated to performances of Mad About Money II: Pay Yourself First! This unique and entertaining program - featuring live, educational theatre performances by professional actors - also includes print and Internet curriculum designed to get students to consider good habits around earning, saving and spending money.  Sponsored by the Iowa Insurance Division (IID), the program will play in 50 middle schools throughout the state.

Mad About Money, produced by The National Theatre for Children (NTC), features two professional actors who play a variety of characters in a 40-minute program for the entire school.  Students learn important lessons about their money and buying habits through four comical and informative sketches, including:

  • Wages minus deductions equals take home pay
  • Saving and investing always have some level of risk involved
  • Don't let advertisers make your decisions
  • Financial choices affect your future

While the performance and educational content is completely scripted, the shows are built to incorporate certain moments of improvisation.  At the beginning of each scene, actors solicit information from the audience that is then humorously integrated into the show.  "The improvisational part of the show is really fun," says Jolene Schurman of the Iowa Insurance Division. "The actors are able to take those suggestions from the audience and blend them into the action of the show in some really amazing ways.  The comedy of the show actually changes every time you see it!"

IID is a committed advocate for financial literacy in the state of Iowa, sponsoring a Mad About Money program into Iowa schools for the last six years.  Following the performances, students return to their classrooms to complete print activities and digital classroom games that further reinforce the financial literacy concepts from the show.  "Live theater is a really exciting and unique teaching platform," Ms Schurman confirms.  "Especially when you combine it with classroom activities and homework assignments.  And the sooner students begin learning about managing their money, the better off they are in the long run."

The Mad About Money program and format was the focus of a study conducted by financial literacy researcher Dr. Lewis Mandell.  His study provided empirical evidence that NTC-style productions?live educational theatre combined with print and classroom activities - positively influence student attitudes on personal finance.  For a copy of Dr. Mandell's study, please contact NTC.

About the Iowa Insurance Division (IID)

The Iowa Insurance Division's mission is to protect consumers through consumer education and by effectively and efficiently providing a fair, flexible and positive regulatory environment.  The IID supervises all insurance business transacted in the state. The insurance commissioner grants permission to companies wishing to sell insurance in Iowa and has general control over all aspects of their business, from the forms they use to the rates they charge. The commissioner also serves as the administrator of the securities act which involves the licensing of brokerage firms and their agents, examining new securities offerings and investigating investment fraud cases:  www.iid.state.ia.us

About The National Theatre for Children (NTC)

In 1978, NTC dedicated itself to delivering entertaining and highly educational programs to positively motivate families, students and educators.  We educate young people - and their families - on important and timely curricular subjects including: wise energy use, STEM, financial literacy, health and nutrition and environmental literacy, among others.  Originally focused on delivering its programs via live theatre, NTC has added printed curriculum and multiplatform media and developed the art of teaching through educational theatre into a science of its own.  NTC has grown to become the largest in-school touring educational theatre company in the world: www.nationaltheatre.com

11 Apr 2013

Treasurer Fitzgerald Encourages Iowans to Invest Their Tax Refunds in College Savings Iowa

By Karen Austin

DES MOINES, IA (04/11/2013)(readMedia)-- State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald is encouraging Iowans to make the most of their tax refunds this year by investing in College Savings Iowa. "Much like the April 15 deadline for taxes, the time to save for college is over before you know it," said Fitzgerald. "Put your refund to good use and start saving for a loved one's future educational needs today. By starting early, saving a little at a time and making smart investment choices, families can make their savings work for them."

College Savings Iowa is designed to provide 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. Participants who are Iowa taxpayers can deduct contributions up to $3,045 per beneficiary from their 2013 adjusted gross income, and there are no income or residency restrictions.* Earnings grow tax free and investors can withdraw their investment federally and Iowa state 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.**

Saving for a child's education is always a smart investment, and College Savings Iowa is there to help. To learn more about College Savings Iowa or to open an account, please 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.

**Earnings on 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.

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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 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.

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.

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