What if you earned a Penny for the PA Every Time You Searched the Internet?

Help support the PA every time you do an Internet search. Click the flyer for info!

Raffle Winners!!

Here are some fun raffle results! Congratulations to all the winners! Thanks yet again to the many generous donors and ticket sellers and buyers!
Ms. Liendra Baptiste was the raffle's Grand Winner (she also sold the tickets that won these prizes!):
Brand-new 2GB iPod nano

$100 Lands' End Gift Certificate

$50 J. Crew Gift Certicate
USPS Star Wars-themed Gift Basket



Ms. Richards
4 New Victory Theater Tickets for 2007-2008 Season



Ms. Margo Wilson
One-of-a-Kind Necklace of Semi-Precious Stones, designed and donated by Jewelry by Chandrika
Surprise Goody Bag


Michael Pagano
Christopher Norman Chocolates Deluxe Box

Rebecca Chan
The Ultimate Rolling Stones Swag Bag


Ms. Lakeima Roberts
3-Piece Luggage Set
Brittany Newman & The Security Officer
Lunch with Mr. Damweber
Brittany Newman
Afternoon with Mr. Rosenberg


Dr. Clagnaz
One-year Family Membership, American Museum of Natural History


Anna Fighera
Disney Shelf CD player
Albert Yau
Prepaid telephone calling card
Candace Ifill
Digital camera
Debony
Designer Handbag

Joshua Rivera
Nextar MP3 Player

Rudolph Roman
Disney slimline telephone

Robert Chanze Moss
Biking with Mr. Brown

The Chronicle of Higher Education News Reader

The Chronicle of Higher Education's daily news reader is now also posted in the sidebar! Online, The Chronicle is published every weekday and is the top destination for news, advice, and jobs for people in academe. It's never too early to get to know the scene!

New York Magazine Family and Kids News Reader Added!

There's now a news reader from New York Magazine in the the roster of feeds on this website. Why waste paper and create clutter? Save your wallet and a tree by reading it here! Here's a sample of what you can read in the sidebar!

Minor-League Options
In minor-league baseball, most of the players are going nowhere and nobody cares who wins. Here's what really matters with the local teams.

Beaches Near Here
Get a dose of sand and sea. Be home by dinner.

Pour Darlings
Rainy-day spots for every type of player.

Great Spirit
Original New Yorkers (and friends) convene.

'Bossy Bear'
Find a useful moral in this story.

A Huge Thank-You to All Picnic and Raffle Participants and Supporters!!!!!

Please click the poster to for an expression of thanks to everyone who made yesterday's picnic and raffle such a huge success!!!!

Picnic Pics!!!

Yesterday's First Annual RGA Picnic, held at Washington Market Park's beautiful gazebo, was an enormous success!!! The event was headed up by Isadora Bolton, Mary Shanahan and Meilyn Soto-Chapman, who all deserve enormous thanks for their efforts, as do all the family, faculty and administrators who generously contributed to the raffle* (*more details to come)!

According to Margaret Ng, the raffle —which brought in a whopping $1,152 into the PA coffers — was the evening's highlight. "PA co-president Sherrill Collins worked her magic and was busy selling raffle tickets until seconds before the drawing. The raffle box was overfilled with ticket stubs,and children lined up to each place a hand into the raffle box to draw out the winning ticket for each raffled item. I'm not sure who was more excited, the children who welcomed the opportunity to pick the winning ticket or the parents who won the prizes!"

Mary Shanahan further reported, "I can’t believe how many people came; how many people brought food; and how much fun everyone had together! The lower school children loved the hats and bubbles that Iz brought. Erika Kirkland and Brittany Newman both came as clowns, to the delight of the children, whom they presented with wonderful balloon creations! A lot of new families attended. The raffle was dramatic and fun, thanks to Nathan (otherwise known as Mr. D). Everyone discovered Washington Market Park, and, with luck, the school will make use of this nearby resource frequently in the future!

While thunderstorms prevailed on the originally scheduled date, the weather was perfect yesterday for picnicking!! (Great banner, btw, Iz!)

(Photos courtesy of Meilyn Soto-Chapman; Picasa upload graciously handled by Louis Diaz!)

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTS DRAFT OF 2007-08 DISCIPLINE CODE

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
JOEL I. KLEIN, Chancellor

N-3, 2007-2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2007

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION POSTS DRAFT OF 2007-08 DISCIPLINE CODE

Public Hearing To Be Held On August 8

The Department of Education (DOE) today published proposed revisions to the Citywide Standards of Discipline and Intervention Measures (Discipline Code) on the DOE’s website here.

There will be a public hearing on the proposed revisions from 6 pm-8 pm on August 8 at DOE headquarters in the Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers Street, Manhattan.

Speaker sign-up will begin at 5:30 pm. Each speaker will be given three minutes to speak. Written comments regarding these revisions will be accepted through August 8 by email or by fax to 212-374-5751. Click press release below.

Gone Fishin'!!

From Louis Diaz: Yesterday, the Lower School went fishing in Prospect Park! As one attendee described it, it was back to the basics—fishing Huckleberry Finn style. All the children were led through four stations, each manned by a park ranger. They were taught concepts of safety and learned about the food chain. (Some children had very interesting definitions of what a food chain is...)

We were then handed poles and selected an appropriate location. Each pole was a long bamboo stick with fishing line tied at the end, (no reel, so no casting for safety reasons). The bait was not live worms, which would have yielded very interesting reactions, but kernels of corn. To make the challenge even greater, the entire pond was filled with a thick layer of duck weed and algae. As you can see, the chances were really stacked against the kids! Success was just getting your corn to pierce the upper layer of green. At the end, no one visited the recording station to measure their catch as all the fish remained safe from the RGA Lower School hooks. (Honorable mention goes to Olivia, who apparently did get a nibble, but did not pull in quite in time to get the catch.)

If it's any consolation, the Middle School did not catch any fish either — with the exception of one child, who wisely increased his chances by bringing his own pole.

I took some pictures of the experience — fewer than I usually take since much of my time was taken up cleaning algae and duck weed from the hooks!"

Capture Your Family's Summer and Support the RGA PA!!!

Did you know that if you register for UseYourPhoto's Click-and-Give program, contributions from the photo products you purchase go directly to the RGA PA—each time you revisit the site and place an order? You only register once! Most products yield 20% contribution for the PA; prints yield 10%! It adds up fast!!!

To register, visit UseYourPhoto and select Ross Global Academy as the organization to receive your donations. Take advantage of UseYourPhoto's buy-one-get-one-free promotion through September 30th!!! Cool products include prints, calendars, trading cards, poster-size prints, and photo books!

Jeopardy!

A first report from the summer session from Louis Diaz:"I wanted to share with you the great time that our RGA children had yesterday. All the lower school children had breakfast in their classrooms. This was because the cafe was converted into a game show, similar to Jeopardy!—complete with buzzer, mic, and scoreboard. (All that was needed was Alex Trebek.) The classes were divided into two teams, 1A & 2A were the Blue team, 1B & 2B were the Red team. There was a host as well as a referee. The teachers then selected the contestants to represent each team for each event. Everyone made sure that everyone participated. During the academic portions, Anwen and Taina deserve honorable mention since they did great at answering many questions correctly.

But, it wasn't all academic. There was also dancing, in which both teams did great. Some of the other interesting activities were hula hoop as well as tug of war (the team with Amaru easily won that one!).

I can't stress how everyone had such an incredible time. Make sure to ask your children about it. I was also so amazed by how each side completely supported their team. Many adults could learn much from our children.

Special thanks should go to Dr. Clagnaz as well as anyone else who helped or came up with such an incredible idea. This was a great way to start the summer session. I'm sorry, but due to this great summer heat, and my desire to travel lightly, I was not carrying my camera."

Columbus Park Events — FREE

Just in time for RGA's summer session, Columbus Park hosts a number of FREE CityParks Foundation performances on upcoming Tuesdays:


Dance China NY
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
From 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Columbus Park
CityParks Kids
Dance China NY offers dazzling programs of traditional Chinese dance and music for audiences of all ages. Through workshops, performances, and lecture/demonstration programs, DCNY transports the audience to a world of colorful myths, historical drama, and timeless beauty with stimulating programs that weave through many varied terrain's of time, region, legend and


Hiawatha
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
From 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Catskill Puppet Theatre
The Catskill Puppet Theater shines equally on a big stage or a festival lawn, and can set up indoors or out. Their beautiful puppets transform even the simplest environment into a fantasy world rich with wonder and excitement!


Zany Umbrella Circus: My Grandfather’s Circus
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
From 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Zany Umbrella Circus exists to build and strengthen communities through education and folk artistry-- particularly puppetry, circus, music, storytelling, street theatre and visual arts. Bringing together large, diverse audiences, Zany Umbrella Circus strives to reintegrate art into daily life through shows that tickle the imagination and teach important life lessons. The Circus uses art as a vehicle to further social change, promote dialogue, teach cooperation skills and encourage children of all backgrounds to use their imaginations and create artwork of their own.

Children from Bali—Balinese/American Dance Exchange

Children from Bali
Balinese/American Dance Exchange

Thursday, July 12, 2007 5:00PM
Asia Society
725 Park Avenue at 70th Street, New York City
212-517-ASIA for more information

Nine Balinese children—all superb dancers—share their culture with American children and demonstrate the basics of traditional Balinese dance. Part of the National Dance Institute’s (NDI) dance exchange, the event finishes with an interactive workshop in kecak, sometimes known as the monkey chant.

FREE Admission.
First-Come, First-Served.
For information, visit the Asia Society website.

Please Remember to Buy Raffle Tickets!!!

Check out the raffle prizes! Click flyer for details!

FABULOUS RAFFLE PRIZES!!! Tickets on Sale Today!!!

Click flyer for info!!

Public Education Network Weekly NewsBlast

SCHOOLS SHUN CIVIC-MINDED NAMES
Across America, fewer new schools are bearing names like Jefferson High or Lincoln Elementary -- names that have long honored historical figures and connected students to the ideals and institutions we celebrate each Fourth of July, a think tank has concluded. Instead, modern school boards have taken to geographic- or nature-themed names such as Windy Pointe or Timber Hill, and the republic is worse off for it, says a report by the Manhattan Institute. It argues that boards prefer such benign references because even towering historical figures can provoke negative reactions. Abraham Lincoln, for instance, can be seen either as a man who preserved the union or trampled states’ rights, reports Mike Sherry in The Kansas City Star. Fewer than five percent of the nation’s schools are named after a president. Lincoln is the most popular (674 schools), followed by Washington (558) and Jefferson (480). Of almost 3,000 schools in Florida, five honor George Washington, while 11 are named after manatees, 54 after palm trees and 91 after wooded areas. "What we name our schools reflects and shapes our values -- and part of the civic mission of public education is to provide future citizens with models of civic behavior they can imitate and learn from," said lead study author Jay Greene.

THE NEUROSCIENCE OF JOYFUL EDUCATION
Most children can't wait to start kindergarten and they approach the beginning of school with awe and anticipation. Kindergartners and first graders often talk passionately about what they learn and do in school. Unfortunately, the current emphasis on standardized testing and rote learning encroaches upon many students' joy. In their zeal to raise test scores, too many policymakers wrongly assume that students who are laughing, interacting in groups, or being creative with art, music, or dance are not doing real academic work. The result is that some teachers feel pressure to preside over more sedate classrooms with students on the same page in the same book, sitting in straight rows, facing straight ahead. The truth is that when we scrub joy and comfort from the classroom, we distance our students from effective information processing and long-term memory storage. Instead of taking pleasure from learning, students become bored, anxious, and anything but engaged. They ultimately learn to feel bad about school and lose the joy they once felt. Current brain-based research suggests that superior learning takes place when classroom experiences are enjoyable and relevant to students' lives, interests, and experiences. Many education theorists, writes Judy Willis in Educational Leadership magazine, have proposed that students retain what they learn when the learning is associated with strong positive emotion. Classrooms can be the safe haven where academic practices and classroom strategies provide students with emotional comfort and pleasure as well as knowledge. When teachers use strategies to reduce stress and build a positive emotional environment, students gain emotional resilience and learn more efficiently.

DOES RELIGIOUS PARTICIPATION INFLUENCE PRIVATE SCHOOL OUTCOMES?
The vast majority of private schools in the United States are sectarian. Thus, when examining education policies that increase private school attendance, such as education vouchers and tuition tax credits, it is important to consider how religion may influence student enrollments and school outcomes. A new paper by Danny Cohen-Zada and William Sander analyzes the impact of both religious affiliation and religiosity on attendance at public, Catholic, Protestant, and non-sectarian private schools. Religiosity is defined as the degree of participation in church-related activities. As expected, the authors conclude that religious families prefer private schools that belong to their own denomination and non-religious families prefer non-sectarian private schools. However, more importantly, the authors show that religiosity has a strong and significant effect on the demand for private schooling. Parents who regularly attend church services are more likely to send their children to private sectarian schools. Studies that fail to account for religiosity and measure only the religious affiliation of families may overstate the positive influence of Catholic schooling, especially since children who grow up in more religious homes tend to have better educational outcomes.

WEALTHIER DISTRICTS WORRY ABOUT LOWER TEST SCORES AND HOME PRICES
The tight connection between test scores and home prices that was reported by a recent Trinity College study raises fresh doubts about the ability of an open educational marketplace to improve schooling for all children. Although the study focused only on West Hartford, Conn., its conclusions apply to other blue ribbon communities across the country. When parents spend a king's ransom to buy a house, they understandably want to protect what is undoubtedly for most the biggest investment of their lives. Unfettered school choice poses a direct threat by allowing children from urban schools to enroll in suburban schools at the expense of local taxpayers. Too many of these outsiders bring huge deficits in socialization, motivation, and intellectual development through no fault of their own, which lower test scores and, in turn, house prices. Faced with that possibility, suburbanites have fought back, with remarkable success, writes Walt Gardner in the Christian Science Monitor. It's more than mere coincidence that efforts in the past to desegregate public schools abruptly ended at precisely the same time that suburban schools were imminently threatened. Emboldened by their ability to prevail in the courts, suburbanites aren't likely to relinquish their hold on maintaining local schools for themselves. They've worked too hard and too long to establish residency in communities where existing schools have garnered well-deserved reputations for educational quality. After all, they have as much of a right for their children to benefit from top-flight schools as parents from the inner cities do for their children. Yet suburban parents' fears are exaggerated. Inner-city parents who take advantage of the opportunity to enroll their children in schools outside their neighborhood send an important signal about their involvement in their children's education. And it's that kind of strong, parental commitment, studies show, that is a powerful predictor of future academic performance. So, in the end, students who take advantage of vouchers are highly likely to be a proud asset, rather than a menacing liability in their adopted districts.

A WORLD WITHOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Should America have public schools, or would we do better without them at all? Nothing is more important to this country than the transformation of children into educated American citizens. That's what public schools are for, and no institutions are better suited to the role--in principle. They used to fill it with distinction, writes David Gelernter in the Weekly Standard. According to Gelernter, there's no reason we must have public schools. Granted, the public has a strong interest in educating America's children, at a cost that's divided equitably among all taxpayers and not borne by the parents of school-age children alone. But these requirements don't imply any need for public schools. We need an Air Force, and the Air Force needs planes. Taxpayers pay for the force and the planes. But the pilots are supplied directly by the government, the airplanes by private companies (with government oversight and assistance). Schooling might be furnished on either model: mainly by public or mainly by private organizations. We know that private schools are perfectly capable of supplying first class educations. So the question stands: Why have public schools? How should we decide whether to have them or not? The basic law of public schools is this: Public schools are first and foremost agents of the public. They exist to transform children into "educated citizens" as the public understands this term -- in other words, as a public consensus defines it. Of course, the United States is a large country and standards have always differed from state to state. So each state has its own public schools, charged with satisfying the consensus definition of "educated citizen" in that state. Maybe the schism in public thinking means that we need our public schools now more than ever. But the schools are not acting as if they want to bridge the great divide.

USING SOCIOECONOMICS TO DIVERSIFY SCHOOLS
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's new limits on using race to attain diversity in classrooms, a less controversial option is gaining attention: a student's socioeconomic background. Baltimore, Cambridge, Mass., and districts in a dozen other states already consider students' income and other non-racial factors in seeking to mix school enrollments -- a system that advocates say can result in some degree of racial integration, as well. While the idea is not universally supported, reports John Mooney in the Star Ledger, officials and experts said it could prove the winning constitutional ingredient for other districts that have openly sought to integrate their schools by race but may now be challenged by the court's latest ruling. "There's no doubt it is perfectly legal, and I think you'll see a lot more districts looking at going in this direction," said Richard Kahlenberg, a senior fellow of the Century Fund in Washington, and one of the strategy's biggest supporters. "I use as comparison our income tax system, where we treat the rich differently than those of low-income," he said. "There is no constitutional controversy about that; it is perfectly accepted. But if we did that by race, there would be outcry." Angelo Genova, an attorney who represents several school districts, said the ruling will bring lots of discussions about what is now acceptable and what is not. He said the court's decision and especially the concurring opinion from Justice Anthony Kennedy allowed for some wiggle room. Kennedy wrote that while he agrees with the majority in striking down the Louisville and Seattle plans, he did not rule out race as a factor in school assignments as long as it wasn't the deciding factor. In that context, Genova said he understands the allure of the race-neutral plans like those that depend on socioeconomic factors, but called them a "cop-out" in the battle to integrate schools. "While appealing, I don't know if they get you over the hump," he said. "If you are going to deal with race, I think you need to deal with race head-on.

TEACHER UNION PRESIDENTS SEE NEW ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The term "teacher union leader" typically evokes a hard-charging labor activist who shares an adversarial relationship with the school district, is focused solely on protecting members’ bread-and-butter interests, and flees from phrases like "school reform." But a new report based largely on interviews with 30 local union presidents who each have spent less than eight years in office paints an evolved picture of leaders who are often involved in collaborative relationships with their school superintendents; who have to work constantly to balance the needs of a new generation of teachers with the needs of older members; and, who see the importance of framing arguments for improved salaries and working conditions within the context of improved schools and building a better teaching force. The report released by Education Sector, writes Vaishali Honawar for Education Week, attributes the changes to "new realities" in public education that threaten the future of both teachers’ unions and public schools, including unprecedented demands for evidence of student success under state and federal accountability laws. In this new atmosphere, "industrial-style bargaining, which pits one side against the other, is of little use in solving different problems or developing new programs," it says. There are also challenges from within, the report points out. Today’s union leaders deal with two very different groups of members: veterans who want to preserve traditional approaches to pay and protections, and new teachers who demand strong support from unions in the first years of teaching, and ongoing training, as well as innovations in pay. Susan Moore Johnson, a professor of education at Harvard University, who co-wrote the report, said it is often difficult for presidents to satisfy both groups and to present a clear and unified vision of the organization. "We don't have an answer about where this will end up, but it is a period of great change and opportunity for the unions," she said.

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL LUNCHES LEAVE A BITTER TASTE
When too many parents fell behind on paying for school lunches, the Chula Vista Elementary School District decided to get tough ... on the children. They told students with deadbeat parents that they had one lunch choice: a cheese sandwich. The sandwich, on whole-wheat bread, came with a clear message: Tell your parents to pay up or no more pizza and burgers for you. Cheese sandwiches and other "alternate meals" have been added to menus in school districts across the country as districts try to take a bite out of parents' lunch debts. The strategy worked in Chula Vista, Calif.: Lunch debts in the district fell from about $300,000 in 2004 to $67,000 in 2006. However, some angry parents say success came at too high a price. The cheese sandwich, they say, has become a badge of shame for the children, who get teased about it by classmates. One student cried when her macaroni and cheese was replaced with a sandwich. Another girl hid in a restroom to avoid getting one. Many sandwiches end up untouched or in the garbage. Sometimes, children pound them to pieces. The sandwiches' low appeal is one thing, reports Richard Marosi in the Los Angeles Times. The stigma attached to them is worse, parents say.

SUSTAINING & ACCELERATING HIGH SCHOOL REFORM
Carnegie Corporation of New York, announced it will provide $10 million to better prepare more than 30,000 students at 70 small high schools and three redesigned larger high schools for college and for meaningful employment in a knowledge-based economy. Carnegie Corporation's grant will be awarded to New Visions for Public Schools, a local education fund, that works in partnership with the New York City Department of Education to support increasing academic achievement in public secondary schools. With the new funding, New Visions and the schools will focus on deepening and expanding their data-driven model of instructional and operational improvement and school leadership development. Called "Scaffolded Apprenticeship Model" (SAM), the program creates teams comprised of a principal, teachers and school counselors who are trained to analyze data and develop tailored strategies to improve instruction, especially for low-achieving students. With the new funding the SAM components will be expanded to increase the academic rigor of the high school curriculum in order to prepare students for the content and skill demands of college courses. Curricular and instructional changes will strengthen students' academic skills and increase enrollment in and successful completion of advanced classes by many more students. Participating schools also will develop extensive college counseling and connections programs.

HOW CAN HIGH-POVERTY SCHOOLS MAKE DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS?
For decades, one of the top concerns among educators, policymakers, and business leaders has been improving students’ ability to think critically. Daniel T. Willingham, a cognitive scientist, explains why critical thinking is not just a set of skills that can be easily taught. Rather, it’s a type of thought that three-year-olds can engage in, and scientists can fail in -- and it depends very much on both knowing relevant content and thinking about it in critical ways. Also, in the summer issue of American Educator, Leo Casey, a former teacher whose school experiences prompted him to work with the United Federation of Teachers, describes the aims and accomplishments of teacher unionism. Critics may claim that wages and working conditions are all that matter, but teacher unions strive for much more: to provide a professional voice for teachers. In particular, they have been, and continue to be, central actors in the quest to improve the quality of teaching. How can high-poverty schools make dramatic improvements? That’s the question Karin Chenoweth answers in her new book "It’s Being Done: Academic Success in Unexpected Schools." This issue includes two articles adapted from the book. Lastly, Anne Marie Whittaker, an educational tour designer who mixes history and monuments with poetry, discusses how to make field trips memorable. By matching poems to places, she brings history alive and shows students that poems can brighten their lives, too.


RETOOLING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
Career technical education has undergone a sea change from the vocational classes that used to shunt underperforming students into shop and home economics classes. California’s state Board of Education adopted standards for 15 career technical education disciplines in 2005, so educators have now had two years to align their practices with those requirements and prepare their students for the 21st century economy. In the latest issue of California Schools magazine, staff writer Marsha Boutelle reports on how the high standards are affecting CTE programs, how the programs are encouraging students to prepare for their futures and the challenges that remain, such as recruiting and training qualified teachers.


NEW GRANT AND FUNDING INFORMATION
Hope for Education Grants Provide Technology & Software to Schools
Samsung's Hope for Education will be partnering with teen music sensations Aly & AJ for its 2007 program designed to minimize the technology gap in the educational system. Through a partnership with Microsoft Corporation, Hope for Education will provide more than $2 million in technology and software to schools in the U.S. that enter an essay competition describing how technology can help improve students' education. Maximum Award: $200,000. Eligibility: legal residents of the United States; minors must obtain parental consent. Participants should nominate a public or state-accredited private school in their community. Deadline: July 22, 2007.

Read more.

News from the NEA Annual Meeting

Presidential Primary Candidates Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, Huckabee, Kucinich, Obama and Richardson, speak at the National Education Association Representative Assembly.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY)
Education policy decisions based on evidence, not the “test, test, test” of No Child Left Behind is the way to reform schools, Sen. Hillary Clinton said Monday to loud applause from the 86th NEA Representative Assembly.


Former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC)
Raising student achievement and ensuring high standards and accountability requires empowering educators, not relying on constant testing, former Sen. John Edwards said in a speech Monday to more than 9,000 delegates to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly


Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd told delegates to the National Education Association Representative Assembly Monday that the No Child Left Behind act needs to be changed to reflect multiple measures of student achievement. Said Dodd, “Learning is not about filling in bubbles, it's about connecting the dot


Sen. Barack Obama, (D-IL)
No Child Left Behind has become “one of the emptiest slogans in the history of American politics,” Illinois Sen. Barack Obama said Monday to a crowd of more than 9,000 at the National Education Association’s annual Representative Assembly.


Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH)
Quality public education, including professional development for teachers and access for every student to a great public school requires ending the war in Iraq and making education funding a priority, said Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly.


Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM)
Speaking to the Representative Assembly of the National Education Association, Gov. Bill Richardson said the No Child Left Behind law has been “implemented unfairly and underfunded,” penalizing educators, students and public sch


Former Gov. Mike Huckabee (R-AR)
Teaching is “a vital and important profession” deserving of professional-level salary and benefits and elevated respect as we seek to “educate our replacements, the next generation” in this country, said former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in a speech to the National Education Association’s annual Representative Assembly.


Sen. Joe Biden, (D-DE)
Leaving no child behind requires ending the war in Iraq and turning from a war economy to one that makes education a top priority, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden said in a speech to the National Education Association’s annual Representative Assembly.

New Raffle Item: One-Year Family Membership to the American Museum of Natural History!!

Michelle Patton and family have generously donated a one-year family membership to the American Museum of Natural History (value $115!) to the RGA Raffle and Community Picnic on July 18th!!

A one-year family membership includes lots of cool stuff for families:
Unlimited complimentary general admission and special exhibition tickets for two adults and up to four children
Unlimited discount on Space Show and Imax for two adults and up to four children
A one-year subscription to Natural History magazine
One year subscription to Rotunda, the AMNH member's newsletter
Discounts on Museum shops & restaurant purchases and on Museum programs
Opportunities to participate in special tours, programs and workshops for members only
Invitations to special exhibition previews and member-only events for your family
Individual childs membership card upon request
Invitation to the annual Family Holiday Party

(Video Description: "The habitat dioramas are among the greatest treasures of the American Museum of Natural History. Perhaps nothing embodies the spirit and mission of the Museum so completely as these amazing technical feats of illusion, which are recognized internationally as superb examples of the fusion of art and science." —Lewis W. Bernard, Chairman of the American Museum of Natural History.)

New Raffle Item! One-of-a-Kind Necklace by RGA Parent Chandrika Shrobe!!

RGA Parent Chandrika Shrobe, a jewelry designer, is very generously donating one of her beautiful original necklaces to the raffle to be held on Wednesday, July 18th during the RGA Community Picnic!!! Her designs have been featured in InStyle magazine, Metropolitan Home, Britain's Untold magazine, on CNN Headline News and at the 2003 Grammy Awards. Each original necklance is handcrafted by the artist in her Brooklyn studio and features semi-precious stones culled from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

So far other raffle items include:
iPod (Mary Shanahan)
Four New Victory Theater Tickets for 2007-2008 Season (Lisa Trollbäck)
One-Year Family Membership to the American Museum of Natural History (Michelle Patton)
$100 Lands' End gift certificate (Margaret Ng & Michael Chan)
The Ultimate Rolling Stones Swag Bag (DVDs, CDs and Attire for the Rock 'n' Roll Family) (Meilyn Soto-Chapman)
Star Wars USPS gift basket (Camera Miley)
Christopher Norman Chocolates (Margaret Ng & Michael Chan)
Three-piece luggage set (Ray Rawls)
$50 J. Crew gift card (Tahisha Fields)
Homework pass (Dr. Clagnaz)
Lunch with Mr. Damweber
Sunday matinee with Mr. Rosenberg
Bike adventure with Mr. Brown
Lunch or music video with Mr. Noguera

Raffle books go on sale on Monday, July 9th!! Stay tuned for more announcements!!

Science Barge Visits Riverside Park! FREE!

The Science Barge, a sustainable urban farm designed by New York Sun Works, tours New York City’s public waterfront parks, offering sustainability education programs to wide audiences. The barge is powered by solar, wind, and biofuels, and irrigated by rainwater and purified river water. Show your kids how food is grown in the city with no carbon emissions, no water use, and no waste stream.

Public Tour Schedule:
(This schedule begins July 7)
Tuesday: 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00PM
Thursday: 4:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM
Tours are first-come, first-serve.
The barge is currently in Riverside Park, opposite West 70th street.
FREE!

Odetta in Concert Tomorrow — FREE!

There's an Odetta concert tomorrow, Saturday, July 7 at 1:30 PM on Governors Island as part of the Folks on the Island Festival. Concert, access to the island, and ferry ride are FREE!

Odetta is one of the most influential artists alive today — and if you have a chance, take your kids! Her 1950s and '60s classic recordings of "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands," "Kumbaya," "Goodnight Irene," "Amazing Grace" and "This Little Light of Mine," became folk and spiritual classics throughout the world and inspired an entire generation. She is a pioneer, and the first major influence on the careers of Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Tracy Chapman, Carly Simon, and Jewel, to name a few. Directions to the ferry.

CITY COUNCIL EDUCATION CHAIR ROBERT JACKSON TO CALL FOR CHANGES TO DOE'S DRAFT CONTRACTS FOR EXCELLENCE

City Council Education Committee Chair Robert Jackson will join education advocates and elected officials on SUNDAY, JULY 8, to call for changes to the Department of Education's Contracts for Excellence.  Specific issues include the absence of a five-year plan for class size reduction, and inadequate reductions proposed for year one, in breach of State regulation.

Council Member Jackson will also be encouraging parents, teachers, and community members to attend public hearings being held by DOE next week in each borough, in order to express their concerns about the Contracts for Excellence.

WHO:  Education Chair Robert Jackson, Class Size Matters, Educational Priorities Panel (EPP), Parent to Parent, Alliance for Quality Education (AQE), and other education advocates and elected officials
WHERE: City Hall Steps
WHEN:  Sunday, July 8, 2007
TIME:   11:30 am

Fireworks! Tomorrow! Happy 4th!

Macy's annual 4th of July extravaganza - the nation's largest - is a big crowd pleaser, and that, of course, means big crowds! If you're willing to brave the mayhem, remember that you can only enter the FDR Drive at 23rd, 38th, and 42nd Streets (handicapped access is at 38th) - and arrive early to ensure your place. Views are also great from South Street Seaport; the lower FDR drive is accessible at Manhattan Civic Center (Brooklyn Bridge/Pearl Street exit ramp). In Queens, check the view along the river from Long Island City. On the Brooklyn side of the East River, Greenpoint is the place to be. Take the E or F train to Queens Plaza and transfer to the G train, getting off at Greenpoint Avenue. Walk east to West Street, turn right at the dead end, and walk three blocks to India Street. Left to the pier. Another option is the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights. Or watch the southern East River show from Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. Bring a radio tuned to 1010 WINS for musical accompaniment! [212.494.4495] (From Go City Kids)

FDR open to pedestrians 7pm
Fireboat Water Show 7:15pm
Fireworks @9:25pm
FREE!

For a list of other fun Independence Day-themed events, please check out Go City Kids!

Do You SchoolPop?

Pop by SchoolPop to order online from hundreds of merchants, and — as a registered supporter of Ross Global Academy —you'll earn contributions to our PA — without spending a penny extra. See the full list of all SchoolPop merchants, including Lands' End, Apple iTunes, Apple Store, Banana Republic, Barnes & Noble, Circuit City, FAO Schwarz, Footlocker, The Gap, J. Crew, Target, and hundreds of others.

Reminder — July 18th School Picnic!!

Click the poster above for information on RGA's First Annual Community Picnic and Raffle, to be held Wednesday, July 18th from 5 PM to dusk.

To make a raffle donation, please contact Isadora Bolton, PA Treasurer!

So far, raffle items include:
iPod (Mary Shanahan)
New Victory Theater Tickets (Lisa Trollbäck)
The Ultimate Rolling Stones Swag Bag (DVDs, CDs and Attire for the Rock 'n' Roll Family) (Meilyn Soto-Chapman)
Star Wars USPS gift basket (Camera Miley)
$100 Lands' End gift certificate (Margaret Ng & Michael Chan)
Christopher Norman Chocolates (Margaret Ng & Michael Chan)
Three-piece luggage set (Ray Rawls)
$50 J. Crew gift card (Tahisha Fields)
Homework pass (Dr. Clagnaz)
Lunch with Mr. Damweber
Sunday matinee with Mr. Rosenberg
Bike adventure with Mr. Brown
Lunch or music video with Mr. Noguera

Paper Moon Screened Outdoors This Evening in Bryant Park—FREE!!

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Paper Moon
Monday, July 2
5:00pm – 11:00pm
The Lawn
The lawn opens at 5:00pm for blankets and picnicking. The films begin at sunset (typically between 8pm and 9pm).
Tatum O'Neal will stop by the park to introduce the film.

Film description: Peter Bogdanovich directs father-daughter team Ryan and Tatum O’Neal, playing Depression-era grifters who scam recently widowed women and hilariously seek out the big score. Shot in B&W, perfectly capturing the striking scenery of the Great Plains. (1973) 102 Min. (Paramount)

PAL'S SUMMER PLAYSTREET PROGRAM

The Polic Athletic League’s summer PlayStreet Program is the foundation of PAL’s summer programs. PAL closes off streets and other public areas throughout New York City to give children safe, supervised places to play. Playsites offer sports, arts, crafts, games, reading, music and dance. Mobile reading teachers bring a variety of books to the children to encourage summer reading. Summer playsites serve youngsters in neighborhoods in all five boroughs. Check this list for a PAL PlayStreet near you. Sites include Columbus Park, between Mosco and Mulberry Streets, just a couple of blocks from school!

Subscribe to TONY Kids and 50 Percent Goes to the Parents Association!

Jumpstart your family's summer! Subscribe to Time Out New York Kids for only $10 for 12 issues brimming with informaton about activities, events, deals, and steals for your family — and 50 percent gets donated to the PA through the generous TONY Kids Schools Program. Keep informed and support the PA at the same time!! Click the picture above to go straight to RGA's subscription page!!

New PA Officers Officially Begin Their Terms Today!

The newly elected officers of the Parents Association officially begin their term today, July 1, 2007. Reada Edelstein and Sherrill Collins are Co-Presidents, Albert Yau is Vice President, Isadora Bolton continues as Treasurer, and Brenda Shrobe continues as Parent Trustee.

RGA parents have been a vital and active force at the school since last spring when many of us went to court to support RGA's stuggle with NEST+M. Since then, parents have done a tremendous amount to enrich our children's academic and school-community experience. (Please see the June 27th post for a summary of parent accomplishments in 2006-2007.)

Please offer your full support of our new PA officers, who already have plunged into their new roles by tackling the critical issue of after-school programming for the 2007-2008 academic year. The outgoing officers, including Ian Pearce, President; Richard Kixmiller, Vice President; and Lisa Trollbäck, Secretary, extend our thanks to Sherrill, Reada, Albert, Isadora and Brenda, who bring new ideas, abundant energy and talent to the Parents Association leadership.

To get in touch with the new PA officers:
Isadora Bolton
Sherrill Collins
Reada Edelstein
Brenda Shrobe
Albert Yau

Clearview Summer Kids Club — FREE Movies!

Clearview Cinemas Summer Kids' Club offers free kids' movies every Thursday at 10:30 AM in July and August, starting on July 5. In NYC, participating theaters include Chelsea and First Avenue & 62nd Street. For kids' groups, call: 1-877-Kid-Fun-Movie.

Summer Reading!!!

Visit the Summer Reading website of the New York, Queens and Public Libraries to check out reading lists, have your kids log the books they've read, engage in online chats with authors, and find FREE library events taking place this summer. And, parents, do you find yourself too exhausted to embark on reading aloud Alice in Wonderland? Check out Tumble Books via the New York Public Library for thousands of FREE audiobooks, puzzles, games, language-learning books and more.

2007 NYC Youth Guide to Summer Fun

The New York City Youth Guide to Summer Fun, a broad citywide calendar of family-oriented events and resources, is published annually by DYCD. The vast compilation includes activities that range from the artistic to the athletic, from the literary to the musical, and can be enjoyed at indoor and outdoor locations – most for free or at low cost. The guide also includes a list of all public swimming pools and barbeque sites at public parks, as well as a comprehensive section on "Places to Explore" within the City.