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Feb
1
My Life As a Greeting Card
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then being imitated in the New York Times Sunday Magazine has got to be one of the biggest compliments an essayist could hope for. Read this (in case you don’t remember when I first wrote about it here in the blog) and then read this. Sigh. I really do need to pitch and submit more, don’t I?
But even bigger than that compliment?
Going into your child’s elementary school classroom and having his teacher and friends say, “You really are a professional writer ‘cuz your name’s in here!” because there, with the rest of the class’s books and magazines, on the top rack, in front of all the other materials, was this month’s Cleveland Family magazine, with my column, My Life As a Greeting Card, on the back page, with a cute graphic.
That’s what one of my kid’s classmates said to me as I worked with him on a monthly newsletter, and pushing hard to get him to describe why “It’s fun!” “It’s cool!” and “It was creepy!” (“Can you tell me why it was fun? It was fun because…why? What made it creepy? It was creepy because…why?”)
I’d written the piece so long ago that I had to read more than an entire column before I remembered exactly what I’d written. Ah, yes, my annual comeuppance for Valentine’s Day, with a twist and a few tears.
Sometimes, I think I’m the luckiest person on the planet, like when I realize that I get to write that stuff and read it, in my child’s classroom no less, sitting right there next to Eric Carle and Shel Silverstein.
Who cares if no one reads blogs.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:38 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
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Feb
1
My Life As a Greeting Card
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then being imitated in the New York Times Sunday Magazine has got to be one of the biggest compliments an essayist could hope for. Read this (in case you don’t remember when I first wrote about it here in the blog) and then read this. Sigh. I really do need to pitch and submit more, don’t I?
But even bigger than that compliment?
Going into your child’s elementary school classroom and having his teacher and friends say, “You really are a professional writer ‘cuz your name’s in here!” because there, with the rest of the class’s books and magazines, on the top rack, in front of all the other materials, was this month’s Cleveland Family magazine, with my column, My Life As a Greeting Card, on the back page, with a cute graphic.
That’s what one of my kid’s classmates said to me as I worked with him on a monthly newsletter, and pushing hard to get him to describe why “It’s fun!” “It’s cool!” and “It was creepy!” (“Can you tell me why it was fun? It was fun because…why? What made it creepy? It was creepy because…why?”)
I’d written the piece so long ago that I had to read more than an entire column before I remembered exactly what I’d written. Ah, yes, my annual comeuppance for Valentine’s Day, with a twist and a few tears.
Sometimes, I think I’m the luckiest person on the planet, like when I realize that I get to write that stuff and read it, in my child’s classroom no less, sitting right there next to Eric Carle and Shel Silverstein.
Who cares if no one reads blogs.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:38 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
New study says small schools reform works
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Especially since the Gates Foundation is turning its attention away from small schools and toward teachers and curriculum. Let me tell you something – that small schools thing? It was given five years. High school? It lasts four years. Did ANYONE really believe that you would be able to assess results before the first class to have been through small schools for all four years graduated? Hello? Been saying that since day one. Ugh.
One caveat: the entity that conducted the study is funded by…Gates.
From the summary (I rarely if ever have quoted this much text but this exception is worthwhile):
The report, developed by WestEd, a non-profit education research, development and service organization, and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, examined preliminary data from 14 new small high schools that opened in September 2002 as part of the Children First reform agenda implemented by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and the New Century High Schools Initiative, which is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Open Society Institute, and the Gates Foundation.
“Our research shows that these new schools are doing exactly what they set out to do,” said Tracy Huebner, a senior research associate at WestEd and the report’s principal author. “These schools show that a culture of high expectations, rigorous academics, and individualized attention accompanied by the appropriate supports help students to succeed in their secondary education.”
The schools surveyed also had higher attendance and ninth-grade promotion rates, two predictors of graduation rates, according to WestEd. The most recent data available indicate that the average attendance rate at the 14 new schools was 89% in 2004-05. The ninth-grade promotion rate across the featured schools was 92% in the same year and 91% in 2005-2006, according to the report.
Each of the 14 schools examined had successfully created a “college-going” culture through academic programs that emphasize the new “3 Rs” – rigor, relevance and relationships. For example, the schools provide increased access to advanced courses; better preparation for Regents exams and extra support to help struggling students catch up; connect curricula to students’ personal experiences, contemporary issues, and career opportunities; and encourage strong relationships between teachers, students, and their families to give students more individualized attention and to enable their families to support them.
“The results in this report reflect four years of hard work and dedication on the part of the schools’ teachers, principals and partners, as well as students and their families,” said Robert L. Hughes, President of New Visions for Public Schools, which created, together with the New York City Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers, and the Council of Supervisors and Administrators, the schools featured in the report as well as many of the other new small schools in New York City. “The challenge for New Visions and for other partners engaged in school reform is to apply the lessons learned here across all schools, both new and old, to ensure that more students reach higher levels of personal and academic achievement.”
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:31 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
Who’s that man giving away money to bloggers?
Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments
Now, did anyone really think that I could learn about scholarships for bloggers and not try to learn more about the person or people behind the money? Interestingly, intense researching turned up next to nothing and so I emailed Daniel Kovach of the Daniel Kovach Scholarship Foundation to find out more about Mr. Kovach, where he got his money and why he wants to help bloggers.
Mr. Kovach responded promptly although not as thoroughly as I would have preferred. However, a follow-up exchange of emails led him to call me. And that was a treat. We had an inspired conversation about several topics and I pray that someone with more clout will be able to get him to talk more – I suspect there’s an excellent story in Mr. Kovach but he’s quite determined, right now anyway, to keep the focus on the scholarships and information provision. As an assurance that it’s not just me he’s refusing, I’ve threatened to give him the kind of tongue lashing only a mother can give if he provides answers to other people to questions I asked that he politely refused to answer for me; Daniel…I’m watching!
Mr. Kovach has a warm voice with a slight, perhaps Southern accent and I believe he let slip something about NC State. He’s articulate and, in his word choice and questions he asked me (about education reform – really, it was a very cool and unscripted and impromptu conversation), impressed me as very bright and sincere. He gave me his age and I can tell you that he’s not quite two decades younger than I am, and very ambitious.
He is, also, obviously, very vested in philanthropy and being altruistic. And in this day and age, there just can’t be enough such people.
Here’s what additional information I can provide from my Q & A:
WLST: In your About page, you explain the impetus for creating a centralized college scholarship web portal. What if any previous experience did you have with philanthropies prior to starting the site?
DK: As I mention on the site, after reading “The Richest Man in Babylon”, I really came to understand the Laws of Wealth. One of them, simply put, is that you must give in order to receive. This is a very general statement, but I have found in my life experiences that everything positive I do (including thoughts), directly impacts my well being.
As for previous experience with philanthropy, I used to allocate a certain percentage of income to Children International. I knew I had to give, and I just chose that organization because it was the first thing that popped in my head. After a while, I decided to go into scholarship funding.
WLST: Why did you create the blogger and political blogger scholarships and what contributions do you hope those receiving the scholarships will make?
DK: I created both scholarships because I got tired of seeing the same old scholarship categories. I wanted something new and effective.
I feel that students who can successfully blog also have the skills to exceed in today’s technology-driven marketplace. Test scores don’t mean much to me. The blog really does tell all.
WLST: What do you expect to see happen with the Scholarships Around the U.S. site over the next two years? five years? ten years?
DK: I plan on providing easy to access college financial aid information for as long as I can. I really don’t have a particular plan; I will just change as the demands of the students change.
WLST: What else are you working on right now?
DK: We are going to offer some more unique scholarships…just wait and see.
I’m also learning to play the piano. I love music production.
Daniel, I know you might not want it, and I promise not to gloat, but I really do hope that you get more attention for your work, if only to inspire others to give or facilitate giving.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:58 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 4 Comments
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Feb
1
Cleveland Schools CEO: dress codes, specialty schools & more
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Here’s a report on Cleveland Municipal School District chief, Eugene Sanders’ State of the Schools speech, given a couple of hours ago downtown. A video accompanies the news.
I’m trying to get a copy of the State of the Schools report, but this Plain Dealer article gives a more detailed sketch of the specialty schools (including the “Ginn Academy for at-risk boys guided by Glenville High School track and football coach Ted Ginn Sr.”), and this one (by my education beat buddy, Angela Townsend, nice job – but will it work, Angela???) covers the uniform code.
And this item outlines several other aspirations:
Traditional high schools, grades nine-12
Required internships or community service.
A mentor or tutor for every student.
A laptop or home computer for every freshman, provided mainly through donations.
Expanded student activities, including a marching band of at least 100 members at each school.
Opportunity to earn two to four years of college credit through the new university-based school.
A required ACT and SAT preparation seminar for those interested in college.
Elementary schools, kindergarten to grade eight
Algebra or pre-algebra for every student (eligible for high school credit.)
Physical science for every student by the end of eighth grade (eligible for high school credit.)
Opportunity for honors students to earn a year of high school credit by the end of eighth grade.
Opportunity to take two years of foreign language.
But what’s he think about the school funding amendment? And, since the changes apparently echo some of what Sanders did in Toledo, how about our Toledo friends enlightening us – good, bad, just ugly? What are we in for?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:32 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
Seeing bX-vjhbsj? Blogger says to hit refresh
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
I shouldn’t admit that I check my stats often enough to see that there’s a problem before I actually experience the problem, but I did notice something amiss this morning and when I went to figure it out, I got the error code bX-vjhbsj. That was several hours ago now, but finally Blogger posted this comment on its status site:
Some users see the error code bX-vjhbsj when trying to view a blog. We have identified the source of this error and will push the fix to the site shortly. In the meantime, hitting Refresh in the browser may workaround the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Repeat after me: I write for myself. I write for myself. I write for myself.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:22 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
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Feb
1
New study says small schools reform works
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
Especially since the Gates Foundation is turning its attention away from small schools and toward teachers and curriculum. Let me tell you something – that small schools thing? It was given five years. High school? It lasts four years. Did ANYONE really believe that you would be able to assess results before the first class to have been through small schools for all four years graduated? Hello? Been saying that since day one. Ugh.
One caveat: the entity that conducted the study is funded by…Gates.
From the summary (I rarely if ever have quoted this much text but this exception is worthwhile):
The report, developed by WestEd, a non-profit education research, development and service organization, and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, examined preliminary data from 14 new small high schools that opened in September 2002 as part of the Children First reform agenda implemented by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and the New Century High Schools Initiative, which is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Open Society Institute, and the Gates Foundation.
“Our research shows that these new schools are doing exactly what they set out to do,” said Tracy Huebner, a senior research associate at WestEd and the report’s principal author. “These schools show that a culture of high expectations, rigorous academics, and individualized attention accompanied by the appropriate supports help students to succeed in their secondary education.”
The schools surveyed also had higher attendance and ninth-grade promotion rates, two predictors of graduation rates, according to WestEd. The most recent data available indicate that the average attendance rate at the 14 new schools was 89% in 2004-05. The ninth-grade promotion rate across the featured schools was 92% in the same year and 91% in 2005-2006, according to the report.
Each of the 14 schools examined had successfully created a “college-going” culture through academic programs that emphasize the new “3 Rs” – rigor, relevance and relationships. For example, the schools provide increased access to advanced courses; better preparation for Regents exams and extra support to help struggling students catch up; connect curricula to students’ personal experiences, contemporary issues, and career opportunities; and encourage strong relationships between teachers, students, and their families to give students more individualized attention and to enable their families to support them.
“The results in this report reflect four years of hard work and dedication on the part of the schools’ teachers, principals and partners, as well as students and their families,” said Robert L. Hughes, President of New Visions for Public Schools, which created, together with the New York City Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers, and the Council of Supervisors and Administrators, the schools featured in the report as well as many of the other new small schools in New York City. “The challenge for New Visions and for other partners engaged in school reform is to apply the lessons learned here across all schools, both new and old, to ensure that more students reach higher levels of personal and academic achievement.”
By Jill Miller Zimon at 2:31 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
Who’s that man giving away money to bloggers?
Filed Under Politics | 4 Comments
Now, did anyone really think that I could learn about scholarships for bloggers and not try to learn more about the person or people behind the money? Interestingly, intense researching turned up next to nothing and so I emailed Daniel Kovach of the Daniel Kovach Scholarship Foundation to find out more about Mr. Kovach, where he got his money and why he wants to help bloggers.
Mr. Kovach responded promptly although not as thoroughly as I would have preferred. However, a follow-up exchange of emails led him to call me. And that was a treat. We had an inspired conversation about several topics and I pray that someone with more clout will be able to get him to talk more – I suspect there’s an excellent story in Mr. Kovach but he’s quite determined, right now anyway, to keep the focus on the scholarships and information provision. As an assurance that it’s not just me he’s refusing, I’ve threatened to give him the kind of tongue lashing only a mother can give if he provides answers to other people to questions I asked that he politely refused to answer for me; Daniel…I’m watching!
Mr. Kovach has a warm voice with a slight, perhaps Southern accent and I believe he let slip something about NC State. He’s articulate and, in his word choice and questions he asked me (about education reform – really, it was a very cool and unscripted and impromptu conversation), impressed me as very bright and sincere. He gave me his age and I can tell you that he’s not quite two decades younger than I am, and very ambitious.
He is, also, obviously, very vested in philanthropy and being altruistic. And in this day and age, there just can’t be enough such people.
Here’s what additional information I can provide from my Q & A:
WLST: In your About page, you explain the impetus for creating a centralized college scholarship web portal. What if any previous experience did you have with philanthropies prior to starting the site?
DK: As I mention on the site, after reading “The Richest Man in Babylon”, I really came to understand the Laws of Wealth. One of them, simply put, is that you must give in order to receive. This is a very general statement, but I have found in my life experiences that everything positive I do (including thoughts), directly impacts my well being.
As for previous experience with philanthropy, I used to allocate a certain percentage of income to Children International. I knew I had to give, and I just chose that organization because it was the first thing that popped in my head. After a while, I decided to go into scholarship funding.
WLST: Why did you create the blogger and political blogger scholarships and what contributions do you hope those receiving the scholarships will make?
DK: I created both scholarships because I got tired of seeing the same old scholarship categories. I wanted something new and effective.
I feel that students who can successfully blog also have the skills to exceed in today’s technology-driven marketplace. Test scores don’t mean much to me. The blog really does tell all.
WLST: What do you expect to see happen with the Scholarships Around the U.S. site over the next two years? five years? ten years?
DK: I plan on providing easy to access college financial aid information for as long as I can. I really don’t have a particular plan; I will just change as the demands of the students change.
WLST: What else are you working on right now?
DK: We are going to offer some more unique scholarships…just wait and see.
I’m also learning to play the piano. I love music production.
Daniel, I know you might not want it, and I promise not to gloat, but I really do hope that you get more attention for your work, if only to inspire others to give or facilitate giving.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:58 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 4 Comments
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Feb
1
Have fun reading this. I like this paragraph, especially since I specifically called out Cuyahoga County Commissioner Dimora re: supporting Issue 3:
These days, you won’t find anyone in the party, white or black, willing to go against the boss — at least publicly. At the end of the day, he not only decides who sinks and swims in the Democratic Party, but who gets a sweetheart contract, a plum appointment, an influx of cash into this program or that. The sum of his muttered “yes” votes will add up to $1.2 billion in handouts this year. He oversees 8,500 employees.
It’s an article by the Scene. It’s got a voice all its own. Nevertheless, the portrait drawn of Dimora, even attributing it to an edited piece of writing, conveys a sense of the man that people would say, “I can just imagine.”
And I don’t like what I imagine. Anyone got something to create a different image?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:33 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 3 Comments
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Feb
1
Cleveland Schools CEO: dress codes, specialty schools & more
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
Here’s a report on Cleveland Municipal School District chief, Eugene Sanders’ State of the Schools speech, given a couple of hours ago downtown. A video accompanies the news.
I’m trying to get a copy of the State of the Schools report, but this Plain Dealer article gives a more detailed sketch of the specialty schools (including the “Ginn Academy for at-risk boys guided by Glenville High School track and football coach Ted Ginn Sr.”), and this one (by my education beat buddy, Angela Townsend, nice job – but will it work, Angela???) covers the uniform code.
And this item outlines several other aspirations:
Traditional high schools, grades nine-12
Required internships or community service.
A mentor or tutor for every student.
A laptop or home computer for every freshman, provided mainly through donations.
Expanded student activities, including a marching band of at least 100 members at each school.
Opportunity to earn two to four years of college credit through the new university-based school.
A required ACT and SAT preparation seminar for those interested in college.
Elementary schools, kindergarten to grade eight
Algebra or pre-algebra for every student (eligible for high school credit.)
Physical science for every student by the end of eighth grade (eligible for high school credit.)
Opportunity for honors students to earn a year of high school credit by the end of eighth grade.
Opportunity to take two years of foreign language.
But what’s he think about the school funding amendment? And, since the changes apparently echo some of what Sanders did in Toledo, how about our Toledo friends enlightening us – good, bad, just ugly? What are we in for?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:32 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
OPENERS again with Q Poll numbers (Gov=good) before 8am!
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I am so proud of them.
I’ve always said that when I cancelled my subscription to the PD, it was more out of frustration based on my belief that the individual parts at that paper seem so much better than the product I was getting. I still believe that – there really isn’t one reporter or editor I’ve met whom I don’t believe can do or does good to great work. I just don’t see it in the final product, somehow.
So I love seeing that someone, Mark Naymik or whomever posts his pieces for him, put up this information about a new Quinnipiac poll at 7:43 am. Sure, you can tinker with times, but I’ve been online on and off since 6:15am. I know it was posted more or less around then.
Thanks.
Btw, is it happy first birthday yet for OPEN? Should be, or should have been, just around now. Congrats.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:25 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
Seeing bX-vjhbsj? Blogger says to hit refresh
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
I shouldn’t admit that I check my stats often enough to see that there’s a problem before I actually experience the problem, but I did notice something amiss this morning and when I went to figure it out, I got the error code bX-vjhbsj. That was several hours ago now, but finally Blogger posted this comment on its status site:
Some users see the error code bX-vjhbsj when trying to view a blog. We have identified the source of this error and will push the fix to the site shortly. In the meantime, hitting Refresh in the browser may workaround the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Repeat after me: I write for myself. I write for myself. I write for myself.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:22 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
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Feb
1
G-ddamn breast cancer, Molly Ivins RIP
Filed Under Politics | 2 Comments
You know, there’s a place and time for some expletives. That’s all I can say. S**t.
Molly Ivins. Reactions here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 12:13 pm February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
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Feb
1
New study says small schools reform works
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
Especially since the Gates Foundation is turning its attention away from small schools and toward teachers and curriculum. Let me tell you something – that small schools thing? It was given five years. High school? It lasts four years. Did ANYONE really believe that you would be able to assess results before the first class to have been through small schools for all four years graduated? Hello? Been saying that since day one. Ugh.
One caveat: the entity that conducted the study is funded by…Gates.
From the summary (I rarely if ever have quoted this much text but this exception is worthwhile):
The report, developed by WestEd, a non-profit education research, development and service organization, and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, examined preliminary data from 14 new small high schools that opened in September 2002 as part of the Children First reform agenda implemented by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein and the New Century High Schools Initiative, which is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Open Society Institute, and the Gates Foundation.
“Our research shows that these new schools are doing exactly what they set out to do,” said Tracy Huebner, a senior research associate at WestEd and the report’s principal author. “These schools show that a culture of high expectations, rigorous academics, and individualized attention accompanied by the appropriate supports help students to succeed in their secondary education.”
The schools surveyed also had higher attendance and ninth-grade promotion rates, two predictors of graduation rates, according to WestEd. The most recent data available indicate that the average attendance rate at the 14 new schools was 89% in 2004-05. The ninth-grade promotion rate across the featured schools was 92% in the same year and 91% in 2005-2006, according to the report.
Each of the 14 schools examined had successfully created a “college-going” culture through academic programs that emphasize the new “3 Rs” – rigor, relevance and relationships. For example, the schools provide increased access to advanced courses; better preparation for Regents exams and extra support to help struggling students catch up; connect curricula to students’ personal experiences, contemporary issues, and career opportunities; and encourage strong relationships between teachers, students, and their families to give students more individualized attention and to enable their families to support them.
“The results in this report reflect four years of hard work and dedication on the part of the schools’ teachers, principals and partners, as well as students and their families,” said Robert L. Hughes, President of New Visions for Public Schools, which created, together with the New York City Department of Education, the United Federation of Teachers, and the Council of Supervisors and Administrators, the schools featured in the report as well as many of the other new small schools in New York City. “The challenge for New Visions and for other partners engaged in school reform is to apply the lessons learned here across all schools, both new and old, to ensure that more students reach higher levels of personal and academic achievement.”
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:31 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
Print This Post
Feb
1
Who’s that man giving away money to bloggers?
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
Now, did anyone really think that I could learn about scholarships for bloggers and not try to learn more about the person or people behind the money? Interestingly, intense researching turned up next to nothing and so I emailed Daniel Kovach of the Daniel Kovach Scholarship Foundation to find out more about Mr. Kovach, where he got his money and why he wants to help bloggers.
Mr. Kovach responded promptly although not as thoroughly as I would have preferred. However, a follow-up exchange of emails led him to call me. And that was a treat. We had an inspired conversation about several topics and I pray that someone with more clout will be able to get him to talk more – I suspect there’s an excellent story in Mr. Kovach but he’s quite determined, right now anyway, to keep the focus on the scholarships and information provision. As an assurance that it’s not just me he’s refusing, I’ve threatened to give him the kind of tongue lashing only a mother can give if he provides answers to other people to questions I asked that he politely refused to answer for me; Daniel…I’m watching!
Mr. Kovach has a warm voice with a slight, perhaps Southern accent and I believe he let slip something about NC State. He’s articulate and, in his word choice and questions he asked me (about education reform – really, it was a very cool and unscripted and impromptu conversation), impressed me as very bright and sincere. He gave me his age and I can tell you that he’s not quite two decades younger than I am, and very ambitious.
He is, also, obviously, very vested in philanthropy and being altruistic. And in this day and age, there just can’t be enough such people.
Here’s what additional information I can provide from my Q & A:
WLST: In your About page, you explain the impetus for creating a centralized college scholarship web portal. What if any previous experience did you have with philanthropies prior to starting the site?
DK: As I mention on the site, after reading “The Richest Man in Babylon”, I really came to understand the Laws of Wealth. One of them, simply put, is that you must give in order to receive. This is a very general statement, but I have found in my life experiences that everything positive I do (including thoughts), directly impacts my well being.
As for previous experience with philanthropy, I used to allocate a certain percentage of income to Children International. I knew I had to give, and I just chose that organization because it was the first thing that popped in my head. After a while, I decided to go into scholarship funding.
WLST: Why did you create the blogger and political blogger scholarships and what contributions do you hope those receiving the scholarships will make?
DK: I created both scholarships because I got tired of seeing the same old scholarship categories. I wanted something new and effective.
I feel that students who can successfully blog also have the skills to exceed in today’s technology-driven marketplace. Test scores don’t mean much to me. The blog really does tell all.
WLST: What do you expect to see happen with the Scholarships Around the U.S. site over the next two years? five years? ten years?
DK: I plan on providing easy to access college financial aid information for as long as I can. I really don’t have a particular plan; I will just change as the demands of the students change.
WLST: What else are you working on right now?
DK: We are going to offer some more unique scholarships…just wait and see.
I’m also learning to play the piano. I love music production.
Daniel, I know you might not want it, and I promise not to gloat, but I really do hope that you get more attention for your work, if only to inspire others to give or facilitate giving.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:58 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
Print This Post
Feb
1
Cleveland Schools CEO: dress codes, specialty schools & more
Filed Under Politics | Comments Off
Here’s a report on Cleveland Municipal School District chief, Eugene Sanders’ State of the Schools speech, given a couple of hours ago downtown. A video accompanies the news.
I’m trying to get a copy of the State of the Schools report, but this Plain Dealer article gives a more detailed sketch of the specialty schools (including the “Ginn Academy for at-risk boys guided by Glenville High School track and football coach Ted Ginn Sr.”), and this one (by my education beat buddy, Angela Townsend, nice job – but will it work, Angela???) covers the uniform code.
And this item outlines several other aspirations:
Traditional high schools, grades nine-12
Required internships or community service.
A mentor or tutor for every student.
A laptop or home computer for every freshman, provided mainly through donations.
Expanded student activities, including a marching band of at least 100 members at each school.
Opportunity to earn two to four years of college credit through the new university-based school.
A required ACT and SAT preparation seminar for those interested in college.
Elementary schools, kindergarten to grade eight
Algebra or pre-algebra for every student (eligible for high school credit.)
Physical science for every student by the end of eighth grade (eligible for high school credit.)
Opportunity for honors students to earn a year of high school credit by the end of eighth grade.
Opportunity to take two years of foreign language.
But what’s he think about the school funding amendment? And, since the changes apparently echo some of what Sanders did in Toledo, how about our Toledo friends enlightening us – good, bad, just ugly? What are we in for?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:32 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
Print This Post
Feb
1
Seeing bX-vjhbsj? Blogger says to hit refresh
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I shouldn’t admit that I check my stats often enough to see that there’s a problem before I actually experience the problem, but I did notice something amiss this morning and when I went to figure it out, I got the error code bX-vjhbsj. That was several hours ago now, but finally Blogger posted this comment on its status site:
Some users see the error code bX-vjhbsj when trying to view a blog. We have identified the source of this error and will push the fix to the site shortly. In the meantime, hitting Refresh in the browser may workaround the problem. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Repeat after me: I write for myself. I write for myself. I write for myself.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:22 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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1
Have fun reading this. I like this paragraph, especially since I specifically called out Cuyahoga County Commissioner Dimora re: supporting Issue 3:
These days, you won’t find anyone in the party, white or black, willing to go against the boss — at least publicly. At the end of the day, he not only decides who sinks and swims in the Democratic Party, but who gets a sweetheart contract, a plum appointment, an influx of cash into this program or that. The sum of his muttered “yes” votes will add up to $1.2 billion in handouts this year. He oversees 8,500 employees.
It’s an article by the Scene. It’s got a voice all its own. Nevertheless, the portrait drawn of Dimora, even attributing it to an edited piece of writing, conveys a sense of the man that people would say, “I can just imagine.”
And I don’t like what I imagine. Anyone got something to create a different image?
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:33 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 3 Comments
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Feb
1
OPENERS again with Q Poll numbers (Gov=good) before 8am!
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I am so proud of them.
I’ve always said that when I cancelled my subscription to the PD, it was more out of frustration based on my belief that the individual parts at that paper seem so much better than the product I was getting. I still believe that – there really isn’t one reporter or editor I’ve met whom I don’t believe can do or does good to great work. I just don’t see it in the final product, somehow.
So I love seeing that someone, Mark Naymik or whomever posts his pieces for him, put up this information about a new Quinnipiac poll at 7:43 am. Sure, you can tinker with times, but I’ve been online on and off since 6:15am. I know it was posted more or less around then.
Thanks.
Btw, is it happy first birthday yet for OPEN? Should be, or should have been, just around now. Congrats.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:25 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | Comments Off
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Feb
1
G-ddamn breast cancer, Molly Ivins RIP
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You know, there’s a place and time for some expletives. That’s all I can say. S**t.
Molly Ivins. Reactions here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:13 am February 1st, 2007 in Politics | 2 Comments
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