Graduation Schedule
The Academy at Hickory Hollow: May 22 10 am @Hickory Hollow Mall Food Court
The Academy at Old Cockrill: May 22 2 pm @Mt. Zio Church, Old Hickory Boulevard
Antioch High: May 20 3 pm @Lipscomb University Allen Arena
Cane Ridge High: May 19 2 pm @Lipscomb University Allen Arena
Cohn Adult: May 22 4 pm @Cohn Adult Auditorium
Cora Howe: May 18 12 pm @Cora Howe
East Magnet: May 19 2 pm @Belmont Curb Event Center
Glencliff High: May 20 4 pm @Grand Ole Opry House
Harris-Hillman: May 18 12:30 pm @Harris Hillman Commons Area
Hillsboro High: May 20 7 pm @Lipscomb University Allen Arena
Hillwood High: May 22 6 pm @Lipscomb University Allen Arena
Hume-Fogg Magnet: May 22 7 pm @Bridgestone Arena
Hunters Lane High: May 19 10 am @Municipal Auditorium
Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet: May 19 6 pm @Lipscomb University Allen Arena
Maplewood High: May 20 6 pm @Municipal Auditorium
McGavock High: May 20 2 pm @Municipal Auditorium
MNPS Middle College High: May 21 6 pm @West End Middle School
Nashville Big Picture High: May 17 6 pm @West End Middle School
Nashville School of the Arts: May 17 7 pm @Grand Ole Opry House
Overton High: May 19 6 pm @Belmont Curb Event Center
Pearl-Cohn High: May 19 2 pm @Municipal Auditorium
Stratford High: May 19 6 pm @Municipal Auditorium
Whites Creek High: May 19 10 am @Belmont Curb Event Center
A Metro elementary school teacher was placed on administrative leave Monday after an audio tape of her insulting her students surfaced.
Noelle Smith teaches third grade at Sylvan Park Elementary School in Nashville.
Concerned parents told Nashville's News 2 they placed a tape recorder in their daughter's backpack after the student made a disturbing statement.
"She made the statement a couple of nights ago and it just killed me," said the parent who asked not to be identified. "[She said], 'Well, maybe I should just die.'"
In Rutherford County, Blackman High School’s physics classes were missing something.
Minorities.
In Wilson County, not one black high-school student took an advanced-level math, science or foreign-language class during the 2009-10 school year.
Things were slightly better in Williamson County, where 12 percent of black high-school students took Advanced Placement classes compared with 27 percent of white students.
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FRANKLIN, Tenn. — A Library of Congress traveling exhibition with facsimiles of historic documents will visit Franklin, Tenn., Tuesday and Wednesday.
The exhibit in a customized 18-wheel truck will park at the main library.
Included in the exhibit are facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence; the 1455 Gutenberg Bible; Walt Whitman's poem "Leaves of Grass" and others. The free, museum-style exhibit is titled "Gateway to Knowledge."
Elsewhere on its journeys, it is parked at schools, community centers and other public venues.
A specially-designed 18-wheel truck is bringing treasures and information from the Library of Congress into cities and towns across America. Beginning in September 2010, the "Gateway to Knowledge" rolling exhibition is visiting up to 60 sites in states across the Midwest and South during the coming months.
The truck, staffed and driven by two docents well-versed in the Library and its collections, parks at various universities, libraries, community centers and other public venues.
(ARA) - A slow economy and dwindling resources for financial aid may have you worrying more than ever about funding your child's college education. But there are still scholarships available for those who pursue them and take the all-important step of applying long before the school year starts.
Applying for scholarships should be one of the first steps in your search. However, scholarship myths continue to flourish and need to be dispelled.
Myth 1: Billions of scholarship dollars go unclaimed.
In reality, the number of unused scholarships is minuscule. You'll need to do your research and apply early to have a chance at getting your share of available funding.
Myth 2: Scholarships go only to the best students.
Many scholarships are awarded based on elements other than academic achievement. Some scholarships are based on the student's major field of study, involvement in extracurricular and community activities, ethnicity and geographic origin, or other factors.
Myth 3: Scholarship searches are worth paying for.
This myth eventually will die as people discover the many free resources available on the Internet or in the print media.
So how do students and their parents sort through the myths and get to the facts? Start the process early - January is perfect for the next school year - and utilize the resources around you. To find scholarship opportunities, start with your high school guidance counselor and local library for a list of possible resources. Next, check with your college financial aid office. Most states and many colleges offer scholarships, so students should also inquire about them. Finally, the Internet and organizational Web sites are excellent places to search. Remember, this information should always be free.
Don't count yourself out just because you are not the valedictorian, class president or star athlete. There are scholarships available for many interests, backgrounds and abilities. The bottom line is apply now, and the more scholarships for which you apply, especially local and regional opportunities, the better your odds are to be selected.
Though the scholarship application process can be time consuming, most scholarships require similar information. Once you complete your first application, you can easily re-use the same information for additional scholarships.
Scholarships come from many sources, but the student may have to do some detective work to uncover them. For example, at www.usbank.com/studentloans, you can apply to be one of 40 high school seniors or college undergraduates to receive a $1,000 U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship. Over the past 13 years, U.S. Bank has awarded more than $350,000 in scholarship funding for this program. Scholarship award recipients are selected through a random drawing process. There are no essays to complete or minimum grade point average requirements. The U.S. Bank Web site also features a powerful scholarship search engine.
Scholarship search tips
* Start early - Experts recommend college-bound students and their parents start looking as early as their freshman year in high school. By identifying potential awards, students can choose classes and activities that will increase their chance at winning a specific award in the future.
* Use the Internet - But be wary of scams posing as scholarships. If a scholarship is reputable, you should be able to find information about it through multiple sources. Try to use two sources and make sure the profile submitted is accurate; paying fees does not increase your chances of winning.
* Think small - Competition can be tough for large awards. Smaller awards ($1,000 and less) typically have less competition and are easier to obtain.
Additional free scholarship Web sites you may want to visit include:
* www.collegeboard.com/scholarships
* www.collegeplan.org
* www.collegescholarships.com
* www.collegenet.com
* www.scholarships.com
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - From digitizing and analyzing America's health records to developing the next big video game or hardware program, careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields continue to gain prominence in the work force. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor predicts a growing demand for technological advances will result in a job growth of 22 percent for STEM occupations between 2004 and 2014.
As employment opportunities within these new and emerging industries continue to expand, educational institutions are taking a look at refining curriculums to provide career-focused higher education, and better prepare students for careers in specific fields.
To do this, universities are working directly with high-caliber employers to ensure their future employee needs will be met. DeVry University, for example, works directly with companies including IBM and Cisco to create these student programs. DeVry University graduates from the last five years have worked at 96 of the Fortune 100 companies.
"Students are looking to obtain the education and knowledge needed to succeed in the high-growth industries that continue to thrive," says Donna Loraine, vice president, academic affairs for DeVry Inc., and dean, DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management. "Our academic structure is one that allows for swift implementation of new programs and curriculum once we notice a specific need, allowing us to better prepare students for these in-demand 21st century careers."
According to the Center for Education Policy Analysis, technology is pervasive in almost every aspect of daily life, and as the workplace changes, STEM knowledge, skills and the ways in which problems are approached and solved in these subjects are important for a variety of workers.
DeVry worked closely with Cisco using the Cisco Networking Academy program to deliver curriculums that teach students how to design, build, troubleshoot and secure computer networks.
"Working with DeVry University to equip students with technical knowledge and hands-on experiences will help meet growing demand for skilled workers in a variety of industries ranging from broadband and wireless to healthcare and green technologies," says Amy Christen, vice president of corporate affairs at Cisco and general manager of the Cisco Networking Academy. "Individuals that are trained in the latest technology careers today will be well-prepared for a variety of exciting career opportunities tomorrow."
In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is anticipating an approximate 45 percent growth in the computer software engineer and application occupations. Anticipating this demand, these student/employer partnerships aim to prepare soon-to-be graduates for these technology careers, while helping to fill a growing need for professionals in the emerging industries around the world.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Few of us have funds set aside for this endeavor. In addition, the College Board's annual "Trends in College Pricing" reports a rise in tuition costs at public and private institutions for the 2009-2010 school year. According to the report, annual tuition and fees at private four-year colleges rose 4.4 percent to $26,273, and public university costs rose 6.5 percent to $7,020.
Prospective students often don't know where to start. But take heart; Darlene Violet, director of Financial Aid at Brown Mackie College - Akron, Ohio, offers advice on funding your education. "The U.S. Department of Education distributes $96 billion a year in grants, work-study assistance, and low-interest loans," Violet says. "Every student begins the process of seeking financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, known as the 'FAFSA.'" Information submitted on the FAFSA form determines the amount a student may receive through a federal Pell Grant, which is based on financial need. The recent economic stimulus program increased Pell Grant funds by $500 per student. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Beyond completing the FAFSA, many turn next to student loans. "An education is always a good investment," says Violet, "but many people don't realize the loans must be paid back starting six months after leaving school. I advise students to seek out and apply for scholarships." Wide varieties of organizations offer scholarships, from fraternities and sororities to community groups, foundations, and corporations. Winning candidates receive funds based on a vast spectrum of criteria, including ethnicity and cultural heritage. "Students just don't take the time to find them," Violet continued. "It can be a lot of work."
The Scholarship Committee at Brown Mackie College - Akron hired a group of honor students to help others navigate through the many scholarships available, complete the application forms, and provide feedback on essays written for submission. "This allows students the security to delve deeper into the scholarship world. It's well worth it," Violet says.
Scholarship awards can be as important to the educational institution as they are to the student. Federal guidelines, known as the 90-10 rule, mandate that no more than 90 percent of the funds received by a college can come from Federal loans and grants. A minimum of 10 percent must come from outside sources, including scholarships, private loans, and the students' own financial contributions.
Violet recommends checking additional resources as well. "Many employers will pay or reimburse tuition expenses, sometimes even for immediate family members. And the Veteran's Administration offers benefits to those who have served our country," she says. The Workforce Investment Act offers grants to those who qualify, and many churches offer scholarship opportunities. In addition, the Orphan Foundation of America offers scholarships to students who are wards of the state.
Further savings can come in the form of a temporary tax credit. The American Opportunity Tax Credit, included in the economic stimulus bill signed by President Barack Obama, can be worth as much as $2,500. People who earn $80,000 or less a year (or $160,000 or less for joint filers) can claim this credit on money paid for tuition, certain fees and course materials for higher education in 2009 and 2010. For complete details, visit www.irs.gov.
Once a student enters college, Violet advises making other financial considerations:
Ride public transportation. In addition to saving on fuel and parking fees, public transportation provides time for students to get a head start on assigned reading and homework.
Avoid credit card offers. However tempting the offer seems, credit cards charge interest on purchases and impose fees for late payments.
Work while attending classes. Many students work full- or part-time while earning their degrees. The federal work-study program helps eligible students find employment on campus.
"Taking the time to apply for scholarship funds is a step that can help now while they're in school, and in the future when no bill comes due," Violet says.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
MIT OCW's goals are to:
MIT OCW would not be possible without the support and generosity of the MIT faculty who choose to share their research, pedagogy, and knowledge to benefit others. We expect MIT OCW to reach a steady - though never static - state by 2007. Between now and then, we will publish the materials from virtually all of MIT's undergraduate and graduate courses.
We will be continually evaluating the Access, Use, and Impact of MIT OCW over the course of the next five years. With 1,100 courses published as of June 1, 2005, we are still in a learning stage of this MIT initiative and we will benefit enormously from your feedback, as we strive to make MIT OCW as rich and useful as possible for our users.
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