Honor Society makes Anthem tree lighting "fan"tastic

By: Lori Kurowski

Honor Society's new CD Fashionably Late,is available on iTunes NOW!

Photo: honorsociety.com

The band "Honor Society" was on hand Saturday night for the Anthem tree lighting. Singing songs from their newly released Fashionably Late CD, they had over 12,000 fans on their feet.

The band was in Anthem to help celebrate the lighting of the tallest tree in the Nation. Fans drove from all over the state to see the band perform.

During the performance the band announced that a free daily down-load is available at their website ."FASHIONABLY LATE" is in stores and on iTunes NOW!!

The band can be reached at: 315.849.3471

Official Twitter Page: www.twitter.com/honorsociety


Members of Honor Society:

Michael Bruno - lead vox/guitar

Jason Rosen - keys/vox

Andrew Lee - bass/vox

Alexander Noyes - drums/sampling


Read more of Lori's News at: http://www.examiner.com/education-in-phoenix/lori-kurowski

GOP standing firm; NO COMPROMISING!

Change. That was the promise given as President Obama took office. Now the Nation has spoken loudly that what we really need is hope. All we can do now is hope for change: that the GOP, backed by the tea party, stands strong this time even in the face of Democratic accusations that it is playing “politics as usual,” or acting like the “Party of No.” Because it’s a sure thing that such accusations are on their way. Indeed, even as voters were still heading to the polls on Tuesday, Michelle Malkin noted the Democratic National Committee had already released talking points that attacked Republican leaders who “are not willing to compromise.”

Of course, that’s precisely how so many Republicans got elected in the first place. “We are determined to stop the agenda that Americans have rejected and turn the ship around,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. Which sounds great, robust and uncompromising. But look out: In a sign of what may be an unfolding Democratic strategy or bunker mentality, or both, President Obama followed up at his White House press conference by rejecting outright the notion that his agenda had anything at all to do with the election that gave Republicans their historic gains. Rather, he insisted, the vote reflected the frustration of Americans over the slow pace of his agenda — another point over which there is no place for compromise.

There are more, as Malkin noted: “No more compromising bailouts in times of crisis. No more compromising conservative principles for D.C. party elites. No more compromising the American economy for left-wing special interests.” No more compromising.

Change. That was the promise given as President Obama took office. Now the Nation has spoken loudly that what we really need is hope. All we can do now is hope for change: that the GOP, backed by the tea party, stands strong this time even in the face of Democratic accusations that it is playing “politics as usual,” or acting like the “Party of No.” Because it’s a sure thing that such accusations are on their way. Indeed, even as voters were still heading to the polls on Tuesday, Michelle Malkin noted the Democratic National Committee had already released talking points that attacked Republican leaders who “are not willing to compromise.”

Of course, that’s precisely how so many Republicans got elected in the first place. “We are determined to stop the agenda that Americans have rejected and turn the ship around,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. Which sounds great, robust and uncompromising. But look out: In a sign of what may be an unfolding Democratic strategy or bunker mentality, or both, President Obama followed up at his White House press conference by rejecting outright the notion that his agenda had anything at all to do with the election that gave Republicans their historic gains. Rather, he insisted, the vote reflected the frustration of Americans over the slow pace of his agenda — another point over which there is no place for compromise.

There are more, as Malkin noted: “No more compromising bailouts in times of crisis. No more compromising conservative principles for D.C. party elites. No more compromising the American economy for left-wing special interests.” No more compromising.

Read more of Lori Kurowski's - AZ Lori at: http://seekingalpha.com/user/777037-az-lori/instablog

Kurt Warner pairs up with Expect More Arizona to help Arizona school children plan for their future

By:
Lori Kurowski
Phoenix Education Examiner.


Kurt Warner and Expect More Arizona are gearing up to help Arizona school children succeed.
Photo: examiner.com

Kurt Warner recently posted on Expect More Arizona's blog page about helping Arizona school children become successful. Find the full posting below made by Kurt Warner. Kudos to both Kurt and Expect More Arizona for preparing our children for the future.

"Making your dreams come true doesn’t happen overnight. Succeeding in the NFL takes a lifetime of commitment, practice, and hard work. I never expected anything to be handed to me; I planned and worked every day to make my dreams come true.

I believe that it’s up to all of us to encourage every Arizona student to dream big and go for it. They are our future doctors, teachers, engineers, leaders, writers and athletes. And with the right support and motivation, every one of them has the potential to succeed in college, career and life.

Postsecondary education, including university, community college, and career and technical education, is a critical step toward individual success. Studies show that students who complete postsecondary education earn more and receive better benefits, like health insurance, paid vacations, sick leave, and retirement plans. Most importantly, a quality postsecondary education gives our students more options for the future. In turn, their success strengthens our economy and overall quality of life.

That’s why I am proud to partner with Expect More Arizona and Arizona GEAR UP on the College and Career Planning Guide. The Guide will be available to every 8th, 9th and 10th grader in the state starting this fall. You can get your copy by downloading the Guide and starting to help the students in your life plan their pathway to academic and postsecondary success.

Think of the College and Career Planning Guide as the playbook for every Arizona student’s future. Students are encouraged to read through it every year with their parents, teachers, coaches, or friends to discuss which steps will put them in the best position to succeed. The Guide walks them through the process of “dream, plan, work hard and track your way to success.”

Each Arizona student must look to the future and determine his or her own meaning of success. To me, success means excelling in everything I set out to do. You don’t need to play in the Super Bowl to be a success; you just need to set goals and work as hard as you can to achieve them. So, ask the students in your life, “What does success mean to you?” And then help them get there."

Kurt Warner is a two-time NFL MVP, and led the Arizona Cardinals to their first Super Bowl in the 2008 season. He retired from the NFL earlier this year, and spends his time giving back to the community. Expect More Arizona partners with many different organizations to help improve education for Arizona's children. Visit their web site at: www.ExpectMoreArizona.com

Using cell phones in the classroom as a learning tool

By:
Lori Kurowski
Phoenix Education Examiner


The annual “Speak Up” campaign for education, has emerged with some interesting data regarding student use of mobile devices. The results are excellent news for teachers and schools considering mobile devices in learning. Below are a few of the findings from the report.

Among high school students
• 85 percent report having an iPod
• 70 percent have a laptop or netbook
• 30 percent have smart phones

For the first time since 2003, when asked to identify the major obstacle to prevent use of technology in school, students in grades 6–12 said “I cannot use my own cell phone, smart phone or Mp3 player in school.” Previously, the top response was “school filters and firewalls.”

11% of teachers and 16% of parents dismiss mobile devices as having no positive impact on learning. (This means that overwhelmingly parents and teachers agree that mobile devices can have a beneficial impact on learning!!!)


The most recent PEW study on Teens and Cell Phones conducted by Amanda Lenhart has uncovered some interesting (although not surprising) data. Below are a few of the highlights:

• Cell phones help bridge the digital divide: Teens from low-income households, particularly African-Americans, are much more likely than other teens to go online using a cell phone.
• Most schools treat the phone as a disruptive force that must be managed and often excluded from the school and the classroom.
• For parents, teens' attachment to their phones is an area of conflict and regulation.
• Girls more fully embrace most aspects of cell phone-based communication.
• One in three teens sends more than 100 text messages a day, or 3000 texts a month.

The Explorer school, in the Paradise Valley School District in Arizona, is allowing students to use their cell phones as learning devices in the classroom. Administrators and teachers say that the use of cell phones is engaging students in their learning and cutting down on classroom expenses. Students who don’t have a phone are able to share with other students. Teachers send assignments via text messaging, and students are able to complete assignments via their cell phone. Teachers say that they can’t possibly stop all students from bringing cell phones to school, so they might as well use them as a learning tool.