14 Mar 2013

Classrooms First legislation passes House committee

By Kara Beach

SPRINGFIELD - March 13, 2013. After hearing testimony from Lt. Governor Sheila Simon on Wednesday morning, the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee unanimously passed Classrooms First Commission legislation that will make it easier for school districts to voluntarily consolidate. House Bill 2267, sponsored by Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria), now moves to the full House for consideration.

Simon, the state's point person on education reform, served as the chairperson of the bipartisan Classrooms First Commission, which examined ways school districts could reduce duplicative spending and improve educational offerings. Based on the Commission's findings, legislation approved by committee would allow non-contiguous school districts to consolidate, small schools to dissolve voluntarily without referenda and high school districts to tie consolidation dates to capital funding.

"We want Illinois to lead the nation in education performance, not bureaucracy," said Simon. "This legislation will make it easier for school districts to put their students first by dedicating resources to expanding classroom opportunities, and I would like to thank Rep. Gordon-Booth for her continued work to move this bill though the House."

The Classrooms First Commission was comprised of P-20 stakeholders including teachers, administrators and parents and it held public hearings across the state on school district consolidation last year. You can learn more about the commission's recommendations here.

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14 Mar 2013

Iowa Learning Farms host cover crops workshop in Welton

By Amanda Heitz
Ames, Iowa–Iowa Learning Farms will host a cover crops workshop, along with the Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association (EIHPA), Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Practical Farmers of Iowa, on Thursday, March 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Buzzy's Pizza in Welton. The workshop will focus on cover crops for feed, soil and nutrient management.

Topics covered at the event include strategies and goals for cover crop implementation, incorporating cover crops for rotational grazing and row crops with livestock; and includes a field tour at the Neal Engel farm, in Jackson County. The workshop will have presentations and discussion with Sarah Carlson, research and policy director at Practical Farmers of Iowa; Mark Carlton, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field agronomist; Bruce Van Laere with Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Clinton County and a panel including Neal Engel and other area cover crop farmers.

The event is free and includes a complimentary lunch. This workshop is in conjunction with the EIHPA annual meeting. The EIHPA will collect annual dues as part of the business meeting at the workshop. The public is invited to attend, but an RSVP is  recommended. To register for this event, please call one of these county NRCS offices: Cedar County, 563-886-6214; Clinton
County, 563-659-3456; Dubuque County, 563-876-3418; Jackson County, 563-652-3237; Jones County, 319-462-3196. All numbers will use extension 3.

The workshop will be held at Buzzy's Pizza, 414 Main Street, Welton. The field tour will be to the Neal Engel farm, 25439 Iowa Highway 64, Maquoketa. The farm is located four miles southeast of Maquoketa at the junction of Highway 64 and County Road Y-60; approximately 10 miles north of Welton on Y-60.

Iowa Learning Farms takes a grassroots approach offering innovative ways to help all Iowans have an active role in keeping our state's natural resources healthy and not take them for granted. A goal of Iowa Learning Farms is to build a Culture of  conservation, encouraging the adoption of residue management and conservation practices. Farmers, researchers and ILF team members are working together to identify and implement the best in-field management practices that increase water and soil quality while remaining profitable.

Iowa Learning Farms is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (USEPA section 319); in cooperation with Conservation Districts of Iowa, the Iowa Farm Bureau and the Iowa Water Center.

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12 Mar 2013

Simon to present Classrooms First legislation

By Kara Beach

SPRINGFIELD - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon will testify before the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee on Wednesday, presenting legislation created from her Classrooms First Commission.

Simon, the state's point person on education reform, served as the chairperson of the bipartisan Classrooms First Commission, which examined ways school districts could reduce duplicative spending and improve educational offerings. Based on the Commission's findings, legislation being presented on Wednesday would allow non-contiguous school districts to consolidate and small schools to dissolve without referenda.

"We want Illinois to lead the nation in education performance, not bureaucracy," said Simon. "This legislation will make it easier for school districts to put their students first by dedicating resources to expanding classroom opportunities."

Later Wednesday, Simon will address more than 100 representatives from Illinois' Main Street communities. This year marks the 20th year of Illinois Main Street, a program dedicated to revitalizing local economies through investment and job creation. Simon is the state ambassador for Main Street.


Committee Testimony

DATE: Wednesday, March 13
?TIME: 8:30 a.m.
PLACE: Room D-1, Stratton Building, Springfield

Illinois Main Street Rally

DATE: Wednesday, March 13
?TIME: 11:30 a.m.
PLACE: Capitol Rotunda, Springfield

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11 Mar 2013

MOUNT MERCY LOCAL ADMISSIONS VISIT

By Jennifer Jentz

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (March 7, 2013) - Mount Mercy University Admissions Counselor Heidi Goetzinger will be at

Bettendorf High School, Tuesday, March 19, at 10:00 a.m

Moline Senior High School, Tuesday, March 19, at 1:15 p.m

West High School, Tuesday, March 26, at 9:00 a.m

Davenport Central High School, Tuesday, March 26, at 1:00 p.m

to answer questions about admission, campus life, service-learning opportunities, scholarships and academic programs. (Last Name) will meet with high school students interested in learning more about Mount Mercy's 35 majors, 15 varsity athletic teams and more than 30 clubs and organizations. For more information about Mount Mercy University, please visit www.mtmercy.edu or call (800) 248-4504.

Mount Mercy University offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 traditional, transfer, adult and graduate students. Popular undergraduate majors include business, nursing, criminal justice, education, and social work. Students have numerous clubs and organizations to participate in, ranging from the Biology Club to the Quiz Bowl. The Mount Mercy Mustangs have earned more than 35 conference championships competing in men's basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, bowling, cross country and track & field, and women's basketball, softball, volleyball, golf, bowling, cross country, track & field, and soccer.

Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community and lead courageous lives. Mount Mercy offers baccalaureate and graduate education to more than 1,800 enrolled students and uniquely blends liberal arts education with professional preparation.

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08 Mar 2013

What: Rivermont Collegiate Middle School Info Night

By Brittany Marietta

When: Wednesday, March 13th - 6:00 p.m.

Where: Rivermont Collegiate - 1821 Sunset Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722

RSVP: Rachel Chamberlain, Director of Admission & Marketing - chamberlain@rvmt.org or (563) 359-1366 ext. 302

Why:  Do you have a student entering Middle School (grades 6-8) next year?  The Middle School years, more than any other time of life, are filled with dramatic life experiences, intellectual growth, and emotional expansion.  Rivermont Collegiate recognizes that Middle School students have unique needs!  Join us for an informational meeting to explore our curriculum, extracurricular activities, and comprehensive advising system.  Join us for a light dinner and discussion of the who, what, when, where, and why of Rivermont Middle School!

Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, is the Quad Cities' only private, independent college prep school, with students from throughout the Quad City community.  Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!

This event is open to the community - anyone interested in Rivermont's Middle School program is invited to join us.

06 Mar 2013

Rivermont Celebrates Theatre in Our Schools Month

By Brittany Marietta

March is Theatre in Our Schools Month!

The American Alliance for Theatre and Education (AATE) designated March as Theatre in Our Schools Month to advocate and celebrate the benefits of theatre education.

Rivermont Collegiate Middle School Play

Comic Book Artist by Pat Lydersen

Performances: Saturday, March 9th & Sunday, March 10th at 2:00 p.m.
06 Mar 2013

REP. SMIDDY INVITES RESIDENTS, EDUCATORS TO SPEAK UP AT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

By Rep. Mike Smiddy
PORT BYRON, IL - State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) invites residents to an upcoming meeting of his Education Advisory Committee on Tuesday, March 26 from 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM. The meeting will be held in the Riverdale High School library located at 9622 256th St. North, near the intersection of County Hwy 36 and 94th Ave. North, in Port Byron.

After spending the afternoon at Riverdale to speak to social studies classes and sit in on teachers' meetings, Smiddy will meet with educators, administrators, parents, and local education advocates to discuss the state's education policies and share ideas on state legislation. The meeting is open to the public.

"As the husband of a public school teacher, I know that the challenges that educators face in the classroom are immense and complicated," Smiddy said. "Meeting with interested members of the community to collaborate with each other on these issues gives us all a better opportunity to improve the quality of education for our students."

Smiddy is seeking local feedback on a number of legislative initiatives under consideration by lawmakers, including legislation he recently introduced in the House to establish a process for out-of-state border students to receive in-state tuition rates at Illinois' public institutions. House Bill 2967 gives the State Board of Higher Education the authority to review such requests on a case-by-case basis to put Illinois universities on a level playing field as border students consider their higher education options.

"We have to continually find new and creative ways to expand educational opportunities for students from preschool to college," said Smiddy. "This bill gives us another opportunity to attract bright students to our state and strengthen our public university system."

For more information or to RSVP, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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05 Mar 2013

Samuel Kuznetsov Inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta

By Lynn Bacon

KERRVILLE, TX (03/04/2013)(readMedia)-- The Schreiner University Chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta welcomed Samuel Kuznetsov of Bettendorf, IA into the Freshman Honor Society at the February induction ceremony held at the Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center. Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society recognizing students who have achieved outstanding scholarship status during their freshman year at the college and university level.

Schreiner University is an independent coeducational liberal arts university related by choice and by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). For more information, visit Schreiner's website at www.schreiner.edu or call the Office of Admission at 830-792-7217.

01 Mar 2013

Kindergarten Round-Up at Rivermont

By Brittany Marietta

Discover Kindergarten at Rivermont!

When: Friday, March 8 - 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Families are invited to join us to learn all about what makes Rivermont Collegiate's Kindergarten so special. This informal setting
is the perfect opportunity to meet the teachers, discover what to expect as your child advances to Kindergarten, and hear about Rivermont's unique philosophy. Lunch will be provided from the Rivermont cafeteria. Students are welcome to attend and may either eat lunch with their parents during the presentation or join our current Junior Kindergarten students in supervised care.

What Makes Rivermont Kindergarten Unique?

Subject-specific teachers in science, foreign language, music, art, & library

Wide variety of field trips & events extend learning beyond the classroom "Centers" facilitate socialization & development of teamwork skills Science curriculum focusing on exploration into insects & spiders, solar system, color & light, and more
Foreign language curriculum including songs, games, & cultural celebrations creates a language-rich environment

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 7th
Rachel Chamberlain, Admissions Director
563-359-1366 ext. 302 - chamberlain@rvmt.org

01 Mar 2013

Loebsack Office Now Accepting Service Academy Nominations

By Vonnie Hampel

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that his office is now accepting applications for nomination to the U.S. Service Academies for the class entering in the fall of 2014.  Loebsack is able to nominate ten Iowans for each Academy, with the final selection for admission made by the individual Academy from that group.

"As a military parent with kids who attended the Naval Academy, this process is very personal to me," said Loebsack.  "I look forward to nominating our future leaders and encourage all interested students to apply."

Our nation's Service Academies offer educational opportunities for young people interested in military service.  Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, or the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Additional information on the selection process can be found on Loebsack's website: www.Loebsack.house.gov. Please contact Katie Kluever, Loebsack's Academy Coordinator, in his Davenport office at 563-323-5988 with any questions.  Katie can also be emailed at Katie.Kluever@mail.house.gov.

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