On January 23rd - 29th, 2011, school choice advocates across the nation will unite to shine a spotlight on effective education options for every child.  National School Choice Week was created to raise awareness about all forms of educational choice, including charter schools, independent schools, magnet schools, and home schooling, and the need for an effective educational system that offers parents the freedom to choose their children's education.  Over 150 organizations, leading policymakers, and opinion leaders are "all in" for this mission, including The Center for Education Reform, American Federation for Children, Alliance for School Choice, Children's Scholarship Fund, Association of American Educators, Foundation for Excellence in Education, and many more.  School Choice Week isn't about raising one education model above others or doing away with public schools, but about reforming the system so that every parent has the power to choose the education that fits their individual child.

Educational alternatives give parents the opportunity to choose a setting that will work best for their children, resulting in an education that will pay dividends for a lifetime.  The best way to find the right fit for your child is to visit a variety of schools, talk with admission representatives and faculty, take a school tour, and even take your child to a sporting event, school play, or science fair to experience extracurricular options and get a feel for the school climate.  Most importantly, ask questions!  Inquire about the curriculum, how quality and achievement are measured, student-to-teacher ratio, faculty teaching experience, availability of independent study and accelerated classes, and school accreditation.

How will you observe this week of focused attention on education alternatives?  We suggest you explore the options in your community!  Join us for an Open House at Rivermont Collegiate, on Thursday, January 27th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Rivermont is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, nonsectarian college-prep school, serving students in preschool through twelfth grade.  At Rivermont, a challenging curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and knowledge application and small class sizes ensure focused attention and individualized instruction.  What are you waiting for?  Drop in to explore our philosophy and curriculum, take a tour of campus, and get answers to all your questions about Rivermont!

Rivermont Collegiate is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.

For additional information on National School Choice Week, visit http://schoolchoiceweek.com

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

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• Ashley Danielle Brosius of Moline, IL was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2010 semester. Brosius is a graduate of Moline High School in Moline, IL, and is enrolled in the university's College of Arts & Sciences.

• Elizabeth Jane Gibson of Pleasant Valley, IA was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2010 semester. Gibson is a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School in Pleasant Valley, IA, and is enrolled in the university's College of Arts & Sciences. 

Wyn Boerckel of East Moline, IL, a sophomore at Washington and Lee University, has earned honor roll status for the recently ended fall term.  Honor roll status at Washington and Lee, located in Lexington, VA,  represents a term grade-average of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Thomas Ratkiewicz of Moline, IL Named to Graceland University's Dean's List with a GPA of between 3.25 and 3.64.  Graceland University is located in Independence, Missouri.

John Philibert of Rock Island a Sophomore Arts & Sciences student at Creighton University, Omaha, was named to the fall Dean's List for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, has released its Dean's List for the Fall 2010 Semester. These students have achieved a 3.3 grade point average or higher after completing 12 or more credit hours with the college:

Bettendorf, IA:  Amy Lea Berg, Scott, Occupational Therapy Assistant - AAS; Brendan Ronald Bishop, Scott, Culinary Arts - AAS; Paige Veneta Blocker, Scott, Education - AA; Andrew James Burken, Scott, Fire Science Management - ASCO; Christopher Steven Cotton, Scott, Pre-Business Transfer - AA; Abigail Ann Donohoe, Scott, Dental Hygiene - AAS; Melissa Erin Gill, Scott, Culinary Arts - AAS; Ashley Elise Hansen, Scott, Culinary Arts - AAS; Robert A Harmon, Scott, Liberal Arts - AA; Jeffrey Cole Nicely-Green, Scott, Entry-Level Firefighter - AAS; Ben Joseph Palczynski, Scott, Golf Course and Athletic Turfgrass Management - AAS; Jennifer Marie Salib, Scott, Paralegal - AA;

Davenport, IA:  Nick Scott Bakeris, Scott, Construction Management - AAS; Chase Cartee, Scott, Liberal Arts - AA; Misty Lynn Deleu, Scott, Respiratory Therapist - AAS; Angela Michelle Eckert, Scott, Liberal Arts - AA; Sarah F Franco, Scott, Physical Therapist Assistant - AAS; Elizabeth  McCoy, Scott, Respiratory Therapist - AAS; Angela L McConville, Scott, Architectural Technology - AAS; Alexander Matthew Norman, Scott, Liberal Arts - AA; Timothy Patrick O'Leary, Scott, Industrial Maintenance and HVAC Technology - AAS; Alex R Palos, Scott, Golf Course and Athletic Turfgrass Management - AAS; Giannina M Roldan, Scott, Occupational Therapy Assistant - AAS; Keriann Hanson Wilder, Scott, Dental Hygiene - AAS;

Moline, IL:  Minetta-Kay  Mockmore-Horton, Liberal Arts - AA

Devin Bayer and Matthew Purl, both of Davenport, have been named to the Fall 2010 Dean's List at Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The following students from the Quad Cities area were named to the fall Dean's Lst at Creighton University, Omaha for the 2010-2011 academic year:

• Stephanie Haas of Davenport a junior Arts and Sciences student
• Elizabeth Hines of Davenport a freshman Arts and Sciences student

• Diane Ferry of Eldridge a senior Business Adminstration student
• Kailee Steger of Milan a freshman Arts and Sciences student
• John Philibert of Rock Island a sophomore Arts and Sciences student

Full-time students who earn a 3.5 grade-point average or better on a 4.0 scale are eligible for the Dean's Honor Roll.

Anna Windeknecht of Blue Grass, Iowa, has been named to William Woods University's (Fulton, MO) Dean's List for academic accomplishments during the 2010 fall term.To be named to the Dean's List, a student must be full-time and have achieved a minimum 3.6 semester and cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Upper Iowa University names its 2010 Fall Dean's List. To be honored, the undergraduate must have earned a minimum 3.50 GPA for the semester and be enrolled as a full-time student.

• Cody Hobson, Bettendorf, IA
• Michelle Marsden, Davenport, IA

Katherine Kautz, daughter of Ann and Gregory Kautz of Bettendorf, IA, has been named to the Saint Mary's College Dean's List for the Fall 2010 semester. A student must achieve a grade point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale to earn academic honors at Saint Mary's, located at Notre Dame, IN.

Janie Almblade, a resident of East Moline, IL, was among 64 students from Lakeview College of Nursing, Danville, IL who made the Fall Dean's List.

Beloit College, Beloit, WIisconsin. has announced that William A. Hawkinson, senior, and Devin T. Lundy, freshman, both of Davenport, have achieved academic distinction during the Fall term of the academic year and have been named to the Dean's List, which recognizes students who have maintained at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average for the semester.

Dominican University, River Forest, IL has announced the Dean's List for the Fall 2010 semester. To qualify for the prestigious Dean's List, students must achieve a semester grade point average of 3.8 (on a 4.0 scale), based on a full-time enrollment of 12 credit hours.

• Kaitlin Cleppe, a resident of Bettendorf, was named to the Dean's List. Cleppe is a graduate of Pleasant Valley Community High School.
• Joshua Johnson, a resident of Port Byron, was named to the Dean's List. Johnson is a graduate of Riverdale Senior High School.

Q.  Do you offer Iowa students opportunities to intern in your office?

A.  Yes.  I strongly encourage college students and recent graduates to intern in my offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City, Waterloo and Washington, D.C.  Four-month internships are available during the fall and spring semesters, and six-week internships are available during two summer sessions.  Many colleges and universities recognize internships for college credit.  In addition to being a tremendous learning opportunity, the experience can make students more competitive in the job market, on and off Capitol Hill. Many members of my permanent staff are former interns.

Q.  What do interns do?

A.  Interns assist permanent staff members in the administrative, legislative, and press departments, as well as my Judiciary Committee staff.  Some intern responsibilities include assisting with scheduling, helping constituents with questions, giving Capitol tours and researching topics related to current Senate issues.  Internships are a great way for young Iowans to gain valuable work experience and learn first-hand about the legislative branch of government.

Q.  Who should apply for an internship?

A.  All college-age Iowans are welcome to apply.  I look for detail-oriented, enthusiastic individuals.  Internships aren't just for political science majors.  I've had interns who were majoring in everything from theater to business to Russian, as well.

Q.  How can students apply for an internship?

A.  My office is currently accepting applications for the summer sessions.  The first session runs from May 23 to July 1.  The second session runs from July 5 to August 19.  Applications for both sessions are due March 15.  Applications are available in the placement offices of many Iowa colleges, my Iowa offices, and online at http://grassley.senate.gov/info/internships.cfm.  Completed applications should be sent to intern_applications@grassley.senate.gov or faxed to 202-224-6020.

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Nicholas Skaggs of Davenport, IA graduated from Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Arts degree during the 2010 Winter Commencement cermony.

Trent Carlson, Bachelor of Science, Business Economics and Kevan Kadavy, Bachelor of Science, Biomedical Sciences, both of Davenport, along with Matthew Noe, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration and Tara Vandygriff, Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations, both of Rock Island, were named to the Dean's List at Marquette University, Milwaukee, for the Fall 2010 term.  Also, Andrew Czachowski of Bettendorf has graduated from Marquette University with a Master of Arts degree in English.

Adam Ryan Eaker, School of Engineering & Computer Science; Blake Matthew Rauba, Hankamer School of Business, both of Moline, IL, were named to the Dean's Academic Honors List at Baylor University, Waco, TX.

The following local students have been named to the President's List at Drake University, Des Moines. This academic honor is achieved by earning a grade point average of 4.0 during the Fall 2010 semester at Drake.

Kelsey Berneking of Bettendorf, IA, Kelsey Brandt of Bettendorf, IA, Lauren Brandt of Bettendorf, IA, Amanda Cleppe of Bettendorf, IA, Jared Dammann of Bettendorf, IA, Caitlin Pryor of Bettendorf, IA, Abby Sheehan of Bettendorf, IA, Chelsea Rink of Davenport, IA, Erika Sevigny of Davenport, IA, Stephanie Merrick of Eldridge, IA, Jordan Porter of Eldridge, IA, James VanEchaute of Moline, IL, Claire Vandercar of Port Byron, IL, and Marshall Phares of Princeton, IA.

Caitlin Araujo of Bettendorf, IA, Stuart Bildner of Bettendorf, IA, Leah Christensen of Bettendorf, IA, Bret Larson of Bettendorf, IA, Erika Milas of Bettendorf, IA, Elizabeth Shoemaker of Bettendorf, IA, Kathryn Hamilton of Blue Grass, IA, Evan Clark of Davenport, IA, Scott Copeland of Davenport, IA, Alise Farrell of Davenport, IA, Luke Hansen of Davenport, IA, Eric Hartmann of Davenport, IA, Kristin Stopulos of Davenport, IA, Taylor Bender of Eldridge, IA, Karmen Rocker of Hillsdale, IL, Taylor Odegard of Le Claire, IA, Kayla Pearson of Milan, IL, Christine Hoegner of Moline, IL, Andrew Olson of Moline, IL, Hailey Shelton of Moline, IL, Ryan Hendricks of Rock Island, IL, and Sarah VanLandegen of Rock Island, IL.

The following area students graduated from Creighton University, Omaha, NE during the winter commencement ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010.

Chris Cameron of Davenport earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Diane Ferry of Eldridge earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Adminsitration degree.

Tate Kapple, a resident of Parnell, Iowa, made the Dean's List for the fall 2010 semester at the University of Montana Western, Dillon, MT.

Brittany Kahler, a Senior majoring in Studio Art from Marengo, IA

Ayla Serrano, a Sophomore majoring in Life Science from Rock Island, IL

Sarah Voss, a Freshman majoring in Physical Education from Marengo, IA