The Achieve Quad Cities, "Career Navigators" mentor program is being highlighted with a news conference at Washington Junior School in Rock Island this Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 2:45 pm as part of the annual Lights ON Afterschool Day Celebration.  The program is led by United Way and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend and includes the, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Rock Island School District and the Rock Island Regional Office of Education.

The year-long program is being offered to 70 middle/junior high school students in the Quad Cities and is designed to assist in increasing graduation rates and reduce high school dropouts by pairing students with adult "career navigators" or mentors.

The navigators at Washington Junior School are from various local businesses who have agreed to serve as resources and guides over the next 12 months during after school hours.  The career navigators will help the students expand their interests and help them make tough decisions about high school classes and career goals.  They will meet twice a month and will include site visits to work sites, local community colleges, museums and media outlets.

Officials with Achieve Quad Cities, Big Brother Big Sisters, educators and a previous mentor will be available at the news conference which is being held on National "Lights On Afterschool" day.  Thursday, October 21st is a day designated to recognize the importance of after school programs.  The news conference in Rock Island is one of 7,500 events planned around the country to celebrate the 11th annual Lights On Afterschool day.  More than one million American are expected to rally for afterschool programs during this day.

WHAT:  News conference about the Achieve Quad Cities Career Navigators Program
WHERE:  Washington Junior School, 3300 18th Avenue, Rock Island
WHEN:  Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 2:45 pm
WHO:  Officials with United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Achieve Quad Cities, The Rock Island Regional Office of Education, The Rock Island School District  and the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend.


###

In a world where video games, computers, and cell phones are replacing bike rides and capture the flag, it's not surprising that our children are not reaching recommended levels of physical activity.  Nearly 10 million children and adolescents in the United States ages 6 to 19 are considered overweight, and one of the factors having a dramatic impact is physical activity - or lack thereof.  Even First Lady Michelle Obama has gotten involved, joining in the Let's Move campaign - America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.  "Exercise is not an option," Obama said during a recent interview with AOL Health senior editor Jennifer Fields.  "For our kids to be successful academically, they need to be successful physically."

Running, as well as other sports, helps kids gain health and maturity, inspiring self-respect and sportsmanship.  Rivermont Collegiate is hosting a unique cross country event on Saturday, Oct. 16th for runners in grades 5-8.  This exciting event will have athletes completing a 2 mile course around the Rivermont campus - featuring varied terrain of grass and pavement.  Rivermont is located on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi, so there will be challenging hills, as well!  Over 30 students from local Quad City Conference schools will be participating, with volunteers directing them around the unique course.  The race begins at 9:00 a.m., with check-in beginning at 8:15 a.m.  Rivermont is located at 1821 Sunset Drive in Bettendorf, directly off 18th Street behind K & K Hardware.  Join us to cheer on these young runners as they rise to the challenge!

For more information on the Let's Move! campaign, visit www.letsmove.gov

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org.

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, non-sectarian PS-12th grade college preparatory school.  Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!

-END-

If you've been watching NBC at all this week, it's been hard to miss - Education Nation!  This nationally broadcast, in-depth conversation about improving education in America is exploring our educational "ecosystem", where 68% of eighth-graders can't read at grade level, one-third drop out of high school, and another third aren't college-ready when they graduate.  Education Nation's mission is to gather parents, teachers, and students with leaders in politics, business, and technology for enlightened discussion of potential solutions in education.  As you take in the thought-provoking coverage of Education Nation this week, consider exploring the educational options available in your community!

Rivermont Collegiate is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college preparatory school, serving preschool through twelfth grade.  As an independent school, Rivermont offers faculty the freedom to create education experiences that meet individual student needs, with vast options in choosing curriculum.  100% of Rivermont graduates are accepted to four-year colleges and universities, with over 90% earning four-year renewable merit scholarships ($1.4 million in 2009).  Our close-knit school community creates a supportive learning environment that nurtures individuality and curiosity, while encouraging students to express ideas, share perspectives, and think critically.

Join us for Open Tours the first Tuesday of every month to explore the Rivermont approach to learning!  The next Open Tour will be held Tuesday, October 5th from 8:30-10:00 a.m.  No appointment necessary!  Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, see our teachers in action, and get answers to all your questions about Rivermont.

For additional information on Education Nation coverage, including NBC programming and numerous interactive resources, visit www.educationnation.com

For additional information on Rivermont Collegiate or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Cindy Murray at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or murray@rvmt.org

 

-END-

Thursday, September 23, 2010

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today joined fellow foster youth advocates to release new data showing the educational playing field is not level for children in foster care, whose academic careers are often affected by multiple school relocations.  Grassley is founder and co-chair of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth and ranking member of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over foster care programs.

"One of the primary goals of the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth is to get these kids involved in shaping the policy that affects them," Grassley said.  "We've heard firsthand from foster youth how hard it is to stay in the same school. A foster youth might get a new placement that's a few miles from his current school, yet have to switch schools because of school district rules. New schools don't always accept paperwork from the old school. Congress needs to look at whatever can be done to ease the burden on these kids and help them make healthy, lasting connections. And we'll continue to hear from the kids themselves as we move forward on policy."

Grassley joined a news conference held by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and Fostering Media Connections to release preliminary findings from a pilot program showing that foster youth in four counties in California are less likely than their closely matched peers and the general student population to achieve proficiency in English and math at all grade levels.

As one of the principal drafters of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 - the most significant foster youth legislation to become law in recent years -- Grassley supported provisions to promote stability in educational placements for youth in foster care.

Earlier this year, Grassley spearheaded a request from the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee encouraging the committee to hear from foster youth in hearings on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The committee agreed and heard testimony from a former foster youth.

To watch video of Grassley's remarks at today's press conference, please click here.