Education

Let's ask Oprah to expose Puppy Mills

Wed, 3 Nov 2004 04:0:04 CST

I have emailed the editors at Oprah's show 3 times without success for her to do a show about where puppies come from. The public needs to know about puppy mills and the abuse, filth, and sadness that they cause proliferate.

eBay policy concerning the sale of Teacher Edition materials needs changed or removed

Wed, 24 May 2006 18:1:32 CDT

eBay recently instituted a policy banning the sale of Teacher Edition educational materials. The primary reason for this policy, according to eBay, is that they cannot tell if the person buying the materials is a student that wishes to cheat. As a result of this policy, eBay has cancelled many of its member's auctions. eBay members that are selling these Teacher Edition materials are typically homeschool parents who are selling complete homeschool curriculum packages (which include the homeschool teacher reference materials) to other homeschool parents, as well as people selling antique educational books from other eras. Homeschoolers often rely on selling their used curriculum in order to pay for the next year's educational materials. eBay's policy makes this practice nearly impossible on their website. By signing this petition, you are acknowledging that you agree to the following: * This eBay policy is not logical, is unfair, and should be changed to allow legitimate homeschool materials and educational antiquities to be sold on the eBay website. * If it is too difficult for eBay to enforce the policy given the allowances above, then the policy should be eliminated altogether. * By its very nature, this eBay policy is prejudiced against homeschoolers.

Save Northeast Catholic High School for Boys

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 16:1:00 CDT

We, the parents, students, alumni, and community of Northeast Catholic High School for Boys wish to continue the tradition of Salesian excellence, education, and have the school remain open.

Non au code uOttawa / No to the uOttawa code

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:1:14 CDT

(English version below) ATTENDU QUE le Code �tudiant de conduite non-scolaire propos� par l'Universit� d'Ottawa impose des p�nalit�s scolaires (suspension, r�vocation de bourses) pour des comportements hors du contexte scolaire; et ATTENDU QUE le Code pourrait �tre utilis� pour faire taire les critiques envers l'administration ou encore interdire des moyens de pression l�gaux, comme une gr�ve; et ATTENDU QUE les �tudiant.e.s punis par le Code n'auront pas droit � un juste proc�s devant une instance impartiale; et ATTENDU QUE ce Code ne prot�ge aucunement les �tudiant.e.s et accentue leur position d'inf�riorit� face aux autres membres de la communaut� universitaire; et ATTENDU QUE l'administration souhaite faire adopter ce Code durant l'�t� sans consid�rer l'opinion de toute la communaut� universitaire; Nous, soussign�.e.s, nous opposons au Code �tudiant de conduite non-scolaire propos� par l'Universit� d'Ottawa. -------------------- WHEREAS the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct drafted by the University of Ottawa imposes academic sanctions (suspension, revocation of financial aid) for behavior not related to academics; and WHEREAS the Code could be used to silence critics of the administration or to forbid lawful actions, such as a strike; and WHEREAS students sanctioned by the Code will not have access to a fair trial by an impartial body; and WHEREAS the Code in no way protects the students, and worsens their position of inferiority compared to other members of the university community; and WHEREAS the administration is attempting to adopt this Code during the summer, without considering the opinion of the whole university community; We, the undersigned, oppose the Student Code of Non-Academic Conduct drafted by the University of Ottawa.

Prince William County Grading Scale

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 07:0:47 CST

Prince William County students are at a disadvantage because they are one of the few counties in Virginia on a 10 point grading scale. The Fairfax County School Board just voted to change thier grading system to a 10 point scale. Prince William County students deserve to have equal opportunity when applying for college. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by Nancy Ferraiuolo @ January 27, 2009, 9:02 am
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I was just informed of a mistake on this petition. It should have said Prince William is one of the few counties NOT on a 10 point grading scale. Prince William is currently on a 6 point scale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by Nancy Ferraiuolo @ January 29, 2009, 10:22 am
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Prince William County is currently on a 7 point grading scale. This petition is to ask the board to change to a 10 point grading scale. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by Nancy Ferraiuolo @ February 17, 2009, 1:26 pm
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The school board may vote on this issue February 18th. I have signed up to speak at the board meeting and will bring a copy of this petition. If anyone is interested in signing up to speak, you can sign up at pwcs.edu. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by Nancy Ferraiuolo @ February 25, 2009, 7:24 am
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THE PWC SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSED IN DETAIL AT THEIR FEB. 18TH MEETING, BUT DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO CAST VOTES THAT EVENING! THEY WILL BE VOTING ON MARCH 4TH!!! WE NEED PEOPLE TO SPEAK AT THE BOARD MEETING ON THE 4TH ESPECIALLY STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND ADMISSIONS COUNSELORS FROM COLLEGES WHO SUPPORT THE CONVERSION TO THE 10 POINT SCALE. PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD TO GET THIS PETITION SIGNED AND FIND SPEAKERS!!!

Mission: Kelly Green

Wed, 19 Jul 2006 14:1:54 CDT

We, the fans of Marshall University want the President, Athletic Director and Board of Governors to bring back Kelly Green as the official color of Marshall University. We realize that sometimes Kelly Green is not easy to find. However, it is our color. It is a part of tradition in which we take great pride. We want to build a gameday atmosphere that rivals some of the top schools in the country. If you visit Ohio State, you don't see 3-4 different shades of Scarlet. In Knoxville, there is but one shade of Orange. In Morgantown, you see no variations in the Blue & Gold. We want consistancy at Marshall University. We want to turn on ESPN and see Huntington, WV and it's sea of green. We want to walk down the streets and through the tailgate areas on football gameday and be unified by a common color. Kelly Green is what set us apart from Michigan State and Ohio University. When people see Kelly Green they think of Marshall University. However, since the color change just a few years ago we have lost our identity. With the release of "We Are Marshall" in the fall, we believe this is an opportunity to return to our roots. To return to the days that Kelly Green was a source of pride for the people of Huntington and Marshall fans all across the country. If there was ever a time we could address the availability of Kelly Green Merchandise it's at this time, when the world can see big names such as Matthew Mcconaughey and Matthew Fox wearing the tradition Marshall colors. So please consider our recommendation to return to Kelly Green as the official green of Marshall University.

Save Indiana University Labor Studies

Sat, 15 Jul 2006 16:1:23 CDT

BACKGROUND: The Division of Labor Studies (DLS) is a statewide academic unit with tenure through IUPUI, reporting to the IUPUI Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. In spring 2005 the Indiana State Legislature ended a $358,000 annual special appropriation for the Division of Labor Studies. IUPUI Chancellor Bantz appointed a nine-member Budgetary Affairs Committee to resolve Labor Studies’ budgetary situation, which included Vice-Chancellor for Financial Administration Bob Martin, IUPUI administrator James Johnson, two senior tenured IUPUI faculty, and five elected DLS faculty. In October 2005 the DLS BAC produced a five-year balanced budget. Since last summer DLS faculty have cut expenditures, increased their teaching load, and radically increased income. As a result, in the just concluded 2005-06 fiscal year Labor Studies: * Enrolled 3,600 students in Labor Studies credit courses across the state; * Exceeded all expectations with $2 million in income, doubling the income goal set by the Administration; * Broke records on enrollment and income for the fourth straight year, while cutting expenditures 25%; and * Continued to expand its popular and innovative online program, which IU officials had previously hailed as a model. Chancellor Bantz also requested that Labor Studies begin discussions with schools and regional campuses to find a new reporting line. The DLS faculty support Chancellor Bantz’s request that Labor Studies merge with another academic unit. However, as the faculty have sought to find a merger partner they have run into roadblocks. Incorrect information has been continually distributed by IUPUI spokespersons, stating that Labor Studies is in a dire financial crisis, with the result that no academic unit has expressed interest in taking in the DLS. In June 2006 Chancellor Bantz appointed Mark Sothmann, Dean of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, to oversee what the Administration calls “reorganization” or “decentralization.” It is clear from documents Dean Sothmann has given to members of the DLS faculty leadership committee that over the next three years the Administration plans to downsize and phase out the program – to close Labor Studies offices on most of the six campuses where it is based, fire all non-tenured faculty and support staff, and shrink the online initiative. There is no financial basis for the Administration’s actions. There have been similar attempts to eliminate labor studies departments at universities across the country which have been initiated by Republican state governments as a result of corporate lobbying efforts. Because the IU Labor Studies crisis was set in motion by the Republican legislature and Governor, the DLS faculty believe that Indiana business interests have successfully pressured the Administration to eliminate the Division of Labor Studies because it teaches students about worker rights. Labor Studies majors and alumni, unions across the state, and a group of Indiana State Legislators have petitioned Chancellor Bantz to cease the dismantling of the DLS. PETITION: Labor Studies provides courses with a unique analysis of the workplace, workers’ issues, and the changing world of work in a global economy. While Labor Studies experienced a brief financial crisis in mid-2005, that crisis has passed and Labor Studies is now solidly in the black. The effort underway to dismantle the Division of Labor Studies is a violation of academic freedom and university policy. * Threats to terminate non-tenured Labor Studies faculty should come to an end and a block on the tenure process should be removed. * Accurate financial information regarding Labor Studies' sound financial footing should be presented to the press and to all campus Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors. * IUPUI Administration should assist Labor Studies faculty in finding a new home within an IU academic unit or regional campus, and cease efforts to dismantle the program under the guise of "reorganization." * Labor Studies should be given ample time – three or four years – to find a merger partner within the university.

Kiom da personoj parolas Esperanton?

Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:0:23 CST

Ĉar Esperanto ne estas la oficiala lingvo de iu ajn ŝtato, ne ekzistas oficialaj statistikoj pri la Esperanto parolantaro. Do, malfacilas trovi kiom da personoj parolas ĝin. Tiu ĉi petskribo simple provas trovi kiom da personoj regas la Internacian Lingvon. Se vi parolas Esperante, bonvolu aldonu vian nomon sur la listo! Dankon!

Homework should be banned

Thu, 9 Dec 2004 02:0:03 CST

Homework should be banned, I hate homework, work should stay at school. Homework should be optional, cause some people need to do homework to get good grades, and others don't, if you know the material you shouldn't have to do extra work!

Reinstate BEE Wood and Metal Courses

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:1:51 CDT

PETITION TO REINSTATE B.E.E. WOOD AND METAL COURSES We are very concerned about the decision on the part of the Deans of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering to terminate the long-running and very popular courses �Introduction to Wood Construction�, � Introduction to Metal Fabrication� and �Advanced Metal Fabrication� offered by instructor Tom Cook. These courses offer practical, hands-on instruction in building siting, concrete construction, carpentry, fine woodworking, repair and maintenance of buildings and equipment, sheet metal working, plumbing, forging, welding, brazing and a host of other critical construction and fabrication methods and techniques. The course content informs and supports curricula across many disciplines throughout the University. Students in Agriculture, Architecture, Art, Engineering, and City and Regional Planning have found the courses especially beneficial. It is particularly urgent that the decision to terminate these classes be reconsidered because Spring preregistration begins next week and students who had planned to take one of the welding courses will need to have it included in the computer course listings. Mr. Cook has been informed that the reason for the termination of these courses is the need to use the fully equipped and professional workshops as �surge space� (temporary storage). He has provided 24 years of dedicated teaching that has empowered thousands of Cornell graduates and employees with knowledge and skills. These include: how to fact find, design, organize and safely construct everything from footers and foundations to complex farm machinery and implements, to understand the physical and chemical properties of the materials used in both the wood and metal fields, and much more. It is a great disservice to both future students and Mr. Cook to cancel these courses for the sake of �additional storage�. These courses give depth, breadth, hands-on and critical experience to students and employees in their quest for excellence in the Solar Decathlon, Habitat for Humanity, Formula SAE , Hybrid Vehicle, Baja SAE, Energy Efficient Home Challenges, Automotive X Prize challenge, BioFuels Development, and many other endeavors all over the campus. As our country enters an era of economic instability, where all indicators point to a future America that will be self-sufficient in its energy, manufacturing and food production, Cornell needs practical courses such as Mr. Cook�s more than ever. Cornell University, with its reputation as a world leader in cutting edge research and education, will need to produce thousands of future leaders who will grow the food, fiber and bio-feedstock needed to supply America�s food and energy needs. These future leaders will need practical skills in design, welding, machinery repair, construction, carpentry, and masonry to become successful farmers, manufacturers, and sustainable builders. Similarly, engineers, designers, instructors and architects need practical hands-on experience with materials in addition to theoretical knowledge. Please reconsider the decision to cancel Mr. Cook�s courses. He produces students who are self-sufficient and who exhibit ingenuity and a �can do� attitude. It is inexcusable for Cornell to cancel these courses when the knowledge Mr. Cook imparts is so useful and is unavailable elsewhere.

Save the Accessibility Institute

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:1:30 CDT

To: Dr. Stephen A. Monti Monti@mail.utexas.edu Executive Vice Provost The University of Texas at Austin Main Building 201 1 University Station � G 1000 Austin, Texas 78712-1111 Phone: 512-232-3306 Dear Dr. Monti, I am writing to urge the University of Texas to reconsider its decision to close the Accessibility Institute, founded and led with distinction by the late Dr. John Slatin. While Dr. Slatin�s inspirational leadership was critically important to get the Institute started, there are others able and prepared to carry the torch of knowledge forward. The University of Texas established a reputation as leader on Universal Design issues. The research and practical application of findings pioneered by Dr. Slatin, Dr. Kay Lewis and the graduate students they worked with have helped to shape global understanding of the importance of technology access. Indeed, their work has helped to establish standards and best practice all over the world. As technology rapidly changes, current accessibility standards continue to evolve. Research-based practices must be developed, implemented and evaluated. Accessibility leaders from all over the world look to UT as an exemplar. At a time when governments are trying to establish equitable standards and businesses are seeking to include all markets in their messaging and services, UT can not stand down from this important work. Please dedicate the resources necessary to maintain and build on Universal Design theories and practices pioneered by John Slatin at the Accessibility Institute.

Wed, 6 Oct 2004 21:1:06 CDT

Jeg klager herved p� f�lgende vedtak om �Forskrift om studier ved Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet (NTNU) som ble fastsatt av styret ved NTNU 11.02.2003 med hjemmel i Lov av 12. mai 1995. nr 22 om universiteter og h�yskoler �� 40,46, 47, 48, 49, 50 og 52. Her er jeg uenig i � 30 punkt 3 der det st�r f�lgende: �Dersom studenten har best�tt har han/hun rett til � framstille seg en gang i et emne hvert studie�r for � forbedre karakteren.Det er da beste karakter som teller. Der karakteren fastsettes p� grunnlag av flere delvurderinger, m� alle vurderingene taes opp igjen� Jeg mener at studenter fritt skal f� velge hvor mange emner studenten selv �nsker � forbedre. I denne forskriften blir studenten begrenset til bare kunne forbedre et emne per skole�r.

American Kennel Club Resinding Pet Land Agreement

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 20:1:58 CDT

We, the undersigned, demand that the American Kennel Club rescind any and all agreements with Pet Land Stores as it pertains to the sale of puppies to be registered with the AKC. We find that the AKC's own insistence of its members to be 'responsible breeders' and to adhere to a 'strict code of conduct' to be in direct conflict with this agreement with Pet Land Stores. The continued sale of puppies though pet retailers such as Pet Land continues to do harm to the breed by promoting over population, contributing to the strain on the already over burdened rescue programs and fails many times to produce 'well bred' dogs suitable as pets or deserving of registration with the AKC. Furthermore, we demand that the AKC refrain from entering any other agreements with any pet retailer that does not hold to the highest standard of the breeding and care of dogs as determined by the AKC's own standards. As responsible and reputable breeders and owners, we try to uphold the standards set by the American Kennel Club. To endorse the sale of puppies at a pet retail store would lower those standards and diminish the goals we have achieved in the betterment of our dogs.

Save Prince William Middle School Sports

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:0:50 CST

We believe the proposal to replace interscholastic sports with intramural sports in our middle schools is a bad decision. This petition is asking the PWCS School Board to modify the Superintendents budget to maintain our existing program. SAVE OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS!! http://savemiddleschoolsports.wardcentral.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by geneward @ February 12, 2009, 4:41 pm
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I do not believe anyone is advocating sacrificing our children's education to keep the existing sports program. If you look at the budget, you will see that this piece of the proposal is one of the smallest cuts. I have also heard that this an agenda item for Dr. Walts and not really a budget issue. I am disappointed that they are using the budget to scapegoat their policy change. The long term effects of dropping this program will be felt in this county for a long time and they tried to sneak this one in. I appreciate your support in this effort. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by geneward @ February 19, 2009, 8:37 am
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I am leaving this petition open even in light of the announcement yesterday from the Superintendents office. (http://www.pwcs.edu/absolutenewsmanager/templates/?a=1579&z=16) I have asked some important questions and am not getting answers that give me any confidence. Based on the way the Superintendent worded the suggestions they will not be fully funding the existing sports program. They are not adding the $383,000 back in but going with the existing budget proposal and then charging a $50 player participation fee. The Supervisor of Athletics has confirmed that this will not cover the budget shortfall. So they are funding the new intramural program and setting up the interscholastic program to fail financially. You should all keep an eye on this and let Dr. Walts know that this is not what we asked for. I do not want to seem like I am complaining when we got what we wanted, but I have had several conversations behind the scenes and am getting no answers or answers that scare me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by geneward @ March 19, 2009, 2:14 pm
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Thank You for Your Support!! I wish to thank all of the people who spoke out or signed the petition. I believe this action had a significant impact in the decision to keep our interscholastic sports programs in place. I would still like to see the new participation fee used to improve / expand the program instead of just off setting the existing costs, but am happy we got this. It is important to remember that this was a policy decision and not really a budget issue as it was presented. We will need to fight this fight again at a later time. In the meantime, go support your school sports programs by attending a game that your child does not participate in and cheer the young athletes. If you would like to see the budget announcement, you can go here: http://www.pwcs.edu/absolutenewsmanager/templates/?a=1639&z=16 Thanks again, Gene Ward

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 11:0:33 CST

In seguito al comunicato stampa del 13 dicembre 2005, della Conferenza dei Rettori delle Universit� Italiane, reperibile presso questo indirizzo:

http://www.crui.it/link/?ID=2726

Noi, sottoscrittori del presente appello: studenti, laureandi e dottorandi, ricercatori, professori universitari, utenti e professionisti del software libero e open source, rappresentanti di aziende, cittadini, dichiariamo quanto segue:

1. Valutiamo positivamente l'intento e l'obiettivo di aumentare l'accessibilit� alle tecnologie per gli studenti, in qualunque modo essa avvenga, e che tale iniziativa vada nella direzione da tutti auspicata. 2. Riteniamo che la CRUI e le Universit� in generale, debbano continuare in questa direzione. 3. Riteniamo tuttavia discutibile che tale intento venga attuato esclusivamente con la collaborazione di una unica azienda produttrice di software. 4. Riteniamo che la Fondazione CRUI che opera in nome della Universit� Italiane debba, onde favorire il pluralismo tecnologico e una conoscenza eterogenea da parte degli studenti, favorire e promuovere allo stesso modo la diffusione di altri sistemi operativi e programmi applicativi. Tra i sistemi liberi e open source, quali GNU/Linux ed altri progetti simili. 5. Riteniamo che la gratuit� effettiva di questi sistemi liberi, che non pregiudia la qualit�, sia un ottimo incentivo per essere adottati da studenti, ricercatori e strutture universitarie, accanto agli sconti pur positivi praticati da societ� commerciali. 6. Il software libero e open source costituisce oggi, grazie alla sua costante penetrazione del mercato del software, una irrinunciabile piattaforma di conoscenza per le nuove generazioni di laureati. La tendenza � oramai consolidata: basti pensare al sempre crescente interesse che l'intero mondo informatico e industriale ha avuto negli ultimi anni verso progetti quali Linux, GNU, Apache, KDE, Gnome, Open Office e molti altri. Testimonianza di tale tendenza � il coinvolgimento in questi prodotti liberi e a sorgente aperto da parte non solo di piccole e medie aziende, ma anche di multinazionali quali IBM, Sun e HP. 7. Il software libero inoltre ha giocato un ruolo di primaria importanza per lo sviluppo e la diffusione dei formati aperti, che incontra i favori degli utenti e delle amministrazioni pubbliche (si veda il caso dello stato del Massachussettes negli USA), professionali e non, come dimostrato (ad esempio) dalla recente iniziativa Open Document. 8. I sistemi liberi, essendo caratterizzati tra dalla totale libert� di studio della loro realizazione offrono un' alta valenza didattica, soprattutto per quelle facolt� scientifiche e tecnologiche che studiano, sviluppano ed utilizzano software. Infatti, grazie alle licenze libere e a sorgente aperto, la modificabilit� e libera distribuzione del software diventa, per natura propria, ideale per fini didattici; permettono non solo un mero utilizzo del prodotto informatico, ma anche un'attiva partecipazione allo sviluppo. 9. Le caratteristiche del sofware libero e open source costituiscono un forte valore aggiunto per la conoscenza degli studenti. Grazie alla libera accessibilit� dei codici sorgenti, il software libero sviluppa un maggiore senso critico nell'uso delle tecnologie, favorisce la nascita di nuove idee e la loro libera messa in pratica, senza costi aggiuntivi. Viene cos� favorito anche lo sviluppo di nuovi progetti, che possono avere un immediato ritorno nel mondo industriale a costi molto bassi, favorendone la diffusione. Incentiva la nascita di nuove imprese sulla base di progetti vincenti per i neolaureati, oppure ne favorisce l'inserimento nel mondo del lavoro. 10. Molti progetti software oggi liberi e a sorgente aperto costituiscono prodotti allo stato dell'arte tecnologico. Valga per tutti l'esempio della straordinaria evoluzione e qualificazione del sistema operativo GNU/Linux che oggi viene utilizzato in ambienti molto eterogenei e ad alta esigenza tecnologica, fino all'automazione industriale, avionica, controllo di processo e di reti, cell-phone ed embedding. 11. Il software libero e open source, grazie alla sostanziale gratuit�, costituisce una opportunit� di accesso per quelle fascie pi� deboli e disagiate a tecnologie comunque all'avanguardia. L'attenzione verso questi temi dovrebbe riguardare, nello spirito della nostra Costituzione, l'attenzione di Istituzioni Pubbliche o chi le rappresenta, come appunto la CRUI. 12. Il software libero e a sorgente aperto favoriscono la competitivit� in quanto pongono tutti gli attori del sistema produttivo sullo stesso piano delle conoscenze: quindi la competizione avviene esclusivamente sulla professionalit�, qualit� del servizi offerti, capacit� tecniche particolari, piuttosto che su un vantaggio precostituito basato esclusivamente sull'aquisto di diritti di licenza.

PER TUTTI QUESTI MOTIVI RITETIAMO

che il software libero e open source soddisfi pienamente gli obiettivi della Fondazione CRUI stessa, che citiamo da http://www.fondazionecrui.it/?Arg=206 :

"studiare e realizzare iniziative per favorire la competitivit� dell'universit� italiana a livello europeo e internazionale"
"offrire servizi e prodotti altamente qualificati ai soggetti coinvolti nel sistema universitario"

CHIEDIAMO QUINDI

che anche il software libero e open source al pari di altre tipologie di software, trovi un non secondario posto nelle iniziative della Fondazione CRUI e del CRUI stesso.

che la CRUI si faccia promotrice di attivit� che incoraggino il mondo Universitario Italiano alla partecipazione in progetti di sviluppo di tecnologie informatiche libere.

Anti-Hilary Duff

Tue, 1 Feb 2005 22:0:32 CST

Hilary Duff just sucks in complent english!

Help Save Our Lady of Angels School!

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:0:52 CST

Help Save Our Lady of Angels, Bay Ridge! The Brooklyn Diocese has been recommended that Our Lady of Angels School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn be closed at the end of the school year. It is not clear if this is due to the low enrollment or inadequate funding. Over the last couple of years great strides have been made to increase funding to the school and it has begun to actually make a profit. In addition to its own income stream, a very generous benefactor left money to the school. This has made OLA one of the few schools not reliant upon the Diocese in funding its operations. And while enrolments could be higher, current enrolments are good and there are plans in play to increase them. We are putting together a petition to try to save our children�s school which is a wonderful mainstay of the neighborhood. Don�t allow an almost 90 year old Bay Ridge institution be swallowed by the modern world! The decision to close OLA is NOT final; we still can convince them that we love this school and it should stay open. Please sign this petition as gesture of hope and goodwill towards the OLA community. Please forward this link to ANYONE you think is interested in this cause, family members, alumni, friends and anyone else that loves and cares about your children and you. Over the last 90 years, children of Bay Ridge have attended OLA. It is a small community within a community - a village of people from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. We have come to love each other and have created a beautiful and peaceful environment for our children to learn in. It is a modern, yet nurturing, learning experience with small class sizes, reliable yet comparative academic curriculum and caring teachers. The students at OLA become life long friends as well as neighbors. OLA is part of Bay Ridge�s history and should not become another statistic of current economic crisis. It has a life and a purpose. It�s a safe and warm place of learning within a chaotic world. It teaches our children to be kind and productive. It gives working parents a secure and loving family to leave their children with all day while they are away at work. It is not JUST a school; it is like a second home. If the school closes, our children will have to leave each other and be separated into other schools, other classes and other lifestyles. They will all have a difficult time of adjustment maybe even so much that it affects some of them for a long time to come. With the school closing, there is the probability that other things will change as well: � The after school and early drop off programs parents rely on may not be available in other schools. � The sports and theater camps through the school breaks and summer will have to eventually find another location so that even parents without children in OLA will have to travel further and/or find other camps for their children. � The CCD (religious education), where will it go? � What about the Boy and Girl scout troops? � And other community groups that meet at OLA? � The surrounding area schools will become over crowded and overwhelmed with all of the extra students. � The families of children who go to new schools may join the parishes of those new schools reducing the congregation of the OLA Church. � The OLA teachers will finds themselves out of work at a time of high unemployment. The bottom line is that closing OLA will have a domino effect. It will effect everyone not just the students who go to OLA. We ask �why make the lives of our children, parents and neighbors harder in an already unsteady world?�. So, please take a few minutes out of your busy day to support us in our attempt to save a wonderful and important part of our community and our children�s lives! Sign our partition now! Thank you so very much. ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by OLAPARENT @ January 15, 2009, 7:48 am
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Keep up to date with what is happening at http://www.olabayridge.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by OLAPARENT @ January 25, 2009, 12:51 pm
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PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE ABOVE WAS WRITTEN IN HASTE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE. IT WAS WRITTEN ON THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND BEFORE WE WERE INFORMED ABOUT THE DETAILS CONCERNING THE CLOSURE. THIS PETITION WAS SET UP BY AN OLA PARENT AND WAS NOT BY THE SCHOOL, PARISH OR ANY OTHER GROUP THAT IS AFFILIATED WITH THE SCHOOL. WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY CONFUSION THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED. THERE IS A PROPOSAL SET IN PLACE TO HELP KEEP THE SCHOOL OPEN AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER IDEAS BEING LOOKED INTO. ALTHOUGH THE PETITION CLEARLY STATES IT IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE MAY LOSE THE PROGRAMS THAT RUN OUT OF THE SCHOOL, THIS WAS NOT ACCURATE. IF THE SCHOOL CLOSES THESE PROGRAMS WILL REMAIN. WE THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT, PRAYERS AND PASSION FOR OLA SCHOOL AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO SIGN THE PETITION AS SUPPORT TO THE SCHOOL. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Added by OLAPARENT @ February 13, 2009, 5:06 am
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OLA to become Holy Angels Academy in September 2009! The Diocese of Brooklyn announced on 02/12/2009 that the Bishop had accepted the alternative proposal offered by the leadership of Our Lady of Angels School (Bk), seeking the conversion of these schools into independent Catholic academies. It is expected that these two new academies will open in September, 2009. We thank everyone who has signed this petition!

ARE YOU AWARE? WEAR RED.

Thu, 6 Apr 2006 18:1:08 CDT

SURF SAFE, WEAR RED is a movement for online empowerment and awareness, inspired by the film HARD CANDY and its protagonist’s red hoody. Wear a red hoody to stand up for online safety and against internet violence.

Save Cardinal Dougherty High School

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:1:52 CDT

Alumni help current Cardinal Dougherty students and parents save you Alma Mater and let us in the future reminisce on our high school as you did. We cannot go down without a fight. Show your support and concerns please! LEt the Archdiocese know that you do care and that Cardinal dougherty can be saved

Keep Mr. Balkovec a Teacher at Homestead Highschool

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:0:21 CST

We the students of Homestead Highschool believe that Mr. Balkovec is a outstanding teacher and should not be laid off due to teacher cuts. Please only put real names and sign it only once. I encourage everyone to send this link to your friends and help us fight this. Added On (2008-02-27): If you have a Facebook account you can join the group at There will be more updates and we will keep you posted

Graduation Speaker for the Class of 2007

Sun, 3 Dec 2006 18:0:57 CST

We, the graduating class of 2007, have a great deal of respect for President Wagner. However, in terms of making our graduation special and meaningful, we would like to bring in an outside speaker for graduation. We understand that we are still planning on bringing someone for Class Day. However, as President Wagner already speaks at graduation about the specifics of the Emory community, the decision to have him as the only speaker diminishes the importance of the ceremony.

The Petition to Save Bishop O'Reilly High School

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:0:11 CST

We, the undersigned, respectfully ask His Excellency, the Most Rev. Joseph Martino, Bishop of Scranton, to bless and approve the continuation of Bishop O'Reilly Junior/Senior High School as a separate academic institution for the students of the West Side of the Wyoming Valley. We firmly believe in the power and value of Catholic education, and in particular, the education made possible by the dedicated faculty and staff of Bishop O'Reilly High School for over fifty years. The closure of the school would bring an end to a half century of tradition, academic excellence, and evangelization. Furthermore, such a decision would afford fewer students the opportunity to receive a Catholic education in our region. We pray that God bless our efforts and our school.

PISD Feeder Alignment 2011-2012

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:1:00 CDT

Dear Feeder School Alignment Committee: As a PISD resident, I am writing today to strongly urge you to consider voting for the 2011-2012 Feeder School Alignment Model CW-1. CW-1 is the closest model to existing routing. It ensures the smoothest transition which potentially impacted thousands of students and their siblings, families. CW-1 is the most cost effective model. Other models will move students too far. An example, for students currently enrolled at Schimelpfenig Middle School, the commute to high schools would be nearly doubled. Consequently traffic flow and transportation cost increased significantly. CW-1, in contrast, means saving of tremendous time, PISD operation expense, convenience to the families, and in long term, contribution to PISD performance sustainability and environment. Thank you for your support. ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: pisdres on October 22, 2009, 11:33:10 am ---------------------------------------------------- Dear Feeder School Alignment Committee: As a PISD resident, I am writing today to strongly urge you to consider voting for the 2011-2012 Feeder School Alignment Model CW-1. CW-1 is the closest model to existing routing. It ensures the smoothest transition which potentially impacted thousands of students and their siblings, families. CW-1 is the most cost effective model. Other models will move students too far. An example, for students currently enrolled at Schimelpfenig Middle School, the commute to high schools would be nearly doubled. Consequently traffic flow and transportation cost increased significantly. CW-1, in contrast, means saving of tremendous time, PISD operation expense, convenience to the families, and in long term, contribution to PISD performance sustainability and environment. Thank you for your support.

Save History and Philosophy at OISE/UT

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:1:07 CDT

The History and Philosophy of Education program at OISE may be closed on the basis of erroneous reasons bearing NO apparent relation to the positive External Reviews of this Doctoral program nor any relation to the report provided to OCGS by History and Philosophy in May 2009, at their demand, in which History and Philosophy detailed the actual vibrancy of graduate program at OISE (7 faculty, 17 Associate Instructors, and 85 graduae students). The University of Toronto School of Graduate Studies is currently deciding whether to abide by this recommendation. SIGN THIS PETITION TO TELL THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO: 1. There is a fundamental problem with the decision\\\'s basis to close the graduate program based on �imminent returements��on the basis of the AGE of 2 of its 7 tenured faculty - who have NO plans to retire. 2. To indicate your objection to the unjustified threatened closure of the doctoral program in History and Philosophy of Education at OISE, UT. Given the value of humanities, quality of this renowned program, 85 current graduate students, and committed faculty, keep this program alive and grant it the new faculty position that will evidence institutional support presently denied.

...RACISM must STOP!

Tue, 4 Oct 2005 19:1:24 CDT

Racism must stop right now! Everyone started out as a piece of semen. You did not decide what color you would be or where you would be born. All colors and all people are all singled down to one word. HUMAN. Most racists are insecure and find comfort in hating someone else to make themself feel better. Inside, they are hurt and want to be loved (even though they say they don't want to be loved). If you are a racist, then you hate yourself and the one who created you as God created all people from one man and woman. I hope you have a nice day and find peace in your heart. Everyone is special.

Fight for the Rights of Excelsior Nursing Grads

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:1:21 CDT

"Please join forces with RN graduates of Excelsior College (formerly known as Regents College) in our fight to be permitted to sit for the state licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) in order to obtain our RN license and to be permitted to work under the professional title of RN, which we have rightly earned."

I am a practicing LPN (licensed practical nurse) and have been working in the nursing profession for 19 years. I recently enrolled in Excelsior College. Excelsior College is a nationally accredited college located in Albany, NY, and their nursing program is accredited by the NLN (National League of Nursing). Excelsior College has a nursing program specifically designed in a distance learning format for LPN\'s to work towards an RN degree. For thousands upon thousands of adult learners who must maintain fulltime employment in order to survive, this program has been the only achievable option available for furthering their education. It has recently come to my attention that the Virginia Board of nursing has decided to no longer allow these nursing graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and will refuse granting an RN license to any nurse that graduates from Excelsior College effective in 2009. With a little digging I found out that there are several other states whose Boards of Nursing are moving (or have already moved) in this same legislative direction. Presently, as our nation teeters on the edge of a recession that will further hinder the shrinking middle-class from ever being able to afford higher education, our healthcare industry continues to experience a critical nursing shortage, and in adopting this legislation the state boards of nursing are now officially contributing to an increased nursing shortage. I am circulating this petition in hopes to bring this tragic revelation to the national forefront, in the hopes that national attention can assist in amending this legislation. This simply MUST be amended.

If you are unfamiliar with the Excelsior College nursing program please google it and read up on it, as this petition site does not allow links to be included. Once you are aware of the program I implore you to sign this petition. If you\'d like more information or would like to join me in making this a national movement, please contact me. I have included the ability to receive e-mail messages from anyone who signs this petition. I hope that you will stand with me and the thousands upon thousands of Excelsior nursing grads around the country.

Sincere Thanks,

Nikki Hudnall

Alexandria, VA

SOS - SAVE OUR STUDENTS\' UNION

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:0:37 CST

A petition to show the support for the Students\' Union and the facilties it provides for the students of the University of Gloucestershire. It will be used a source for a constructive campaigning in conjunction with the Facebook and Twitter groups. More information regarding the issues surrounding the campaign can be found in the following places: http://www.yourstudentsunion.com/ http://www.saveoursu.co.uk/ http://www.twitter.co.uk/saveoursu * Please note offensive or inappropriate comments may be deleted.

Fully Fund Tennessee Higher Education!

Mon, 1 Dec 2008 08:0:11 CST

Dear State Legislator: We are UTK students who would like to voice our concerns over the current budget situation at UT. As our classes get cut, our graduation dates seem farther and farther away, and we worry about our financial aid still being available next fiscal year. We urge you to support full funding for education. The state must maintain its commitment to UT students, staff, and faculty. The last thing that we need in an economic downturn is to reduce our investment in higher education, which would make us less competitive economically in the future. Budget cuts to education would sacrifice the economic future�our economic future�for the sake of a minimal short-term gain. Thanks for your time and attention. Sincerely, The Undersigned

SAVE GLENMEADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN CHINO HILLS

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 01:1:09 CDT

The Chino Valley Unified School District is seriously considering the closure of Glenmeade Elementary School. This decision is being rushed through the process at this moment, with a decision being urged for the next Nov.6,2008 Board Meeting. The negative impact on property values and community would be enormous. It seems unfair that the budgetary problems of the entire school district should fall upon our neighborhood school. Help us save our school, community, and property values. Please sign this petition.

Ban Homework!

Tue, 31 May 2005 03:1:29 CDT

I strongly believe schools should ban homework and just give us assignments instead. We learn enough at school and we need to spend the time at home not worrying about school and relaxing. Too much homework can put alot of stress on children and alot of people will find it too hard and therefore resulting in the homework being uncomplete and the children getting punished. We should either ban homework or reduce the amount of homework we get from our schools and make our lives easier and stress-free.

Quit the Split

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 22:0:15 CST

As you know, PISD will be voting on a redistricting plan for the PISD in the very near future. \"Quit the split\" is not endorsing any of the plans as that is the decision of the PISD. We just want our children to have the same 4 year experience every other 9 - 12 grade students are currently given. Jasper is not to be split by any of the current board plans but a new plan is being recommended (CW-1m) that would split Jasper and according to all past board recommendations no school in Plano was to split after the new senior high school was built. Each senior high school was to have 2 high schools as feeder schools. Under the current split system at Jasper we have sports teams, academic programs, band, theater, choir etc, all trying to teach programs for 2 senior high schools thus the Jasper students are a great disadvantage when arriving at their senior high. They have to separate from their friends as well as not be well prepared in all of the senior high\'s programs because they were being taught programs of the other senior high school. They do not have a chance of leadership positions because they are a significant minority in the senior high school. It is affecting their chances of getting scholarships as well their self esteem. By signing this petition you are agreeing NO HIGH SCHOOL in Plano should be split. This is not just about Jasper, it is about the entire PISD. Every student should have the right to enjoy a 4 year high school experience. Please support \"Quit the Split\" ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: Barry L. Burke on November 8, 2009, 9:41:04 am ---------------------------------------------------- We OPPOSE any feeder plan that keeps a split at Jasper High School. Currently, Jasper High School is the only split school in PISD. We believe that the split feeder system is unfair to the students of Jasper and that continuing that split, no matter how you divide the students, is a negative in their High School experience. The split feed at Jasper divides the students� and teachers� loyalties, negatively effects overall school spirit, and opens the students up to many difficult choices regarding transfers and UIL activities that are a direct result of being faced with separation from friends after their sophomore year. High school is hard enough without adding this burden on our kids. We SUPPORT the original guiding principles of the PISD Realignment Committee (http://www.pisd.edu/feeder.realignment.committee/FeederAlign.html) and the recommendations of the 2002 Blue Ribbon Boundary Task Force (http://www.pisd.edu/feeder.realignment.committee/blue.ribbon.task.force.pdf)) to eliminate split feeder schools within PISD. We SUPPORT strengthening every PISD school by encouraging a sense of unity, school spirit and community that will continue through Middle School, High School AND Senior High

Stop the Special Ed Cuts, CPS!

Fri, 2 Jun 2006 21:1:47 CDT

We, the undersigned, want Chicago Public Schools to stop the $26 million cut out of the 2007 Special Education Budget. We demand the student to teacher ratio remain low so that youth with disabilities and Deaf youth are educated to their fullest ability. We also demand that students be provided with aides to make sure they learn in the least restrive environment, as required by LAW! This petition is being circulated by Advance Youth Leadership Power (AYLP), an advocacy group of young people with disabilities. Stop the budget cuts NOW!

Kelly Tyrrell Gill Field

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:1:14 CDT

I am calling on all Milford High School Staff, and former and current students to support the dedication of the MHS Field Hockey Field to be dedicated to the memory of our friend Kelly Tyrell Gill. She was an inspiration to her students, players and colleagues at Milford High School. Please sign our petition, I will then carry our plea to the proper administrative office. With your support for our colleague, teacher and friend, we can make this happen. Kevin DiCostanzo ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: kevindicostanzocomcast.net on August 31, 2009, 2:50:48 pm ---------------------------------------------------- I am calling on all Milford High School Staff, and former and current students to support the dedication of the MHS Field Hockey Field to be dedicated to the memory of our friend Kelly Tyrrell Gill. She was an inspiration to her students, players and colleagues at Milford High School. Please sign our petition, I will then carry our plea to the proper administrative office. With your support for our colleague, teacher and friend, we can make this happen. Kevin DiCostanzo ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: kevindicostanzocomcast.net on August 31, 2009, 3:04:03 pm ---------------------------------------------------- I am calling on all Milford High School Staff, and former and current students to support the dedication of the MHS Field Hockey Field to be dedicated to the memory of our friend Kelly Tyrrell Gill. She was an inspiration to her students, players and colleagues at Milford High School. Please sign our petition, I will then carry our plea to the proper administrative office. With your support for our colleague, teacher and friend, we can make this happen. Kevin DiCostanzo ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: kevindicostanzocomcast.net on August 31, 2009, 3:18:45 pm ---------------------------------------------------- I am calling on all Milford High School Staff, and former and current students to support the dedication of the MHS Field Hockey Field to be dedicated to the memory of our friend Kelly Tyrrell Gill. She was an inspiration to her students, players and colleagues at Milford High School. Please sign our petition, I will then carry our plea to the proper administrative office. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ADD YOUR NAME TO THE \"I support this petition\" FIELD WHEN IT POPS UP. With your support for our colleague, teacher and friend, we can make this happen. Kevin DiCostanzo

Stop de paardengevechten in de Filippijnen

Wed, 20 May 2009 07:1:26 CDT

The Old Horses Lodge organiseert een petitieactie tegen het houden van paardengevechten in de Filippijnen. Hengsten worden opgejaagd door lawaai, slagen, en andere mishandelingen. Daarna worden ze met twee of meer tegelijk losgelaten in een kleine arena waaruit ze niet kunnen ontsnappen. Wat volgt is een gruwelijk gevecht op leven en dood waarbij de hengsten elkaar vreselijk verminken. We verzamelen zo veel mogelijk handtekeningen om deze wreedheden een halt toe te roepen. De handtekeningen worden op het einde van de actie gebundeld en afgegeven op de Filippijnse ambassade in Brussel.

Petition to extend Mr. Brewer's DISD Superintendent Contract

Tue, 25 Jan 2005 23:0:03 CST

Please sign the petition to give to DISD school board trustees petitioning for renewal of Mr. Brewer's superintendent contract.

Investigate Katehi\'s Role in UICU Scandal

Tue, 7 Jul 2009 18:1:02 CDT

Linda Katehi, incoming Chancellor of UC Davis, has been linked to the corruption of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Newspapers from Illinois to California have reported that perhaps hundreds of children of the wealthy and well connected were granted admission to UIUC despite questionable qualifications. Linda Katehi has claimed from the outset that she was not involved in this \"Category I\" admissions system, a discretionary privileging of the the rich and well connected over poor, unconnected students. However, recent revelations show direct links between a well connected, wealthy Greek family and Linda Katehi after which she forwarded an email to her direct subordinates saying as much. From the California Chronicle: \"Despite early declaring she knew nothing about the university\'s secret admissions system for well-connected students, the Tribune has detailed how Katehi � currently the University of Illinois provost � helped facilitate admissions for a student she referred to as \"the daughter of a fairly prominent Greek family in Chicago.\" From the Davis Vanguard: \"She passed an email through giving full name and title to the individual making a special request. She argues that she \"took no action made no effort to alter, influence or interfere with the admissions decision of this applicant\" and yet at the same time she referred to an influential by name and title. Her claim, \"that was how\" she \"knew him.\" We do not need, nor do we want, a Chancellor who sees fit to be complicit, or at the very least complacent, with corruption that seeks to further disempower working and lower class students, students of color, and students who are not well connected. Until UC President Mark Yudof agrees to a full investigation rather than stubbornly defending Katehi despite the mounting evidence against her, we cannot, in good conscience, support her appointment to Chancellor of the University of California, Davis.

save midnight sun

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 15:1:08 CDT

i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 1, 2009, 4:41:27 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 2, 2009, 3:07:45 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 2, 2009, 4:41:56 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 2, 2009, 5:40:24 pm ---------------------------------------------------- !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 3, 2009, 8:15:37 am ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 3, 2009, 12:20:32 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 3, 2009, 2:44:27 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 3, 2009, 3:09:23 pm ---------------------------------------------------- love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!5 ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 3, 2009, 7:58:54 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 4, 2009, 6:58:05 pm ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 6, 2009, 10:05:16 am ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on October 27, 2009, 11:29:51 am ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on November 14, 2009, 10:10:46 am ---------------------------------------------------- i love midnight sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ---------------------------------------------------- Added by: rachel245 on November 29, 2009, 1:00:48 pm ---------------------------------------------------- I love sims!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Habbo Hotel in Lithuania or send sms from Lithuania and get credits!

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:1:49 CDT

We, Lithuanian Habbo Hotel fans, want to send sms from our country and get credits or Habbo Hotel in Lithuania, because we can't get credits in other Habbo Hotels and become HC member! A team of Lithuanian Habbo fans club.

Lacrosse in Chesterfield County Schools

Wed, 21 Dec 2005 17:0:58 CST

I am interested in playing Lacrosse for Chesterfield County as a junior varsity or varsity sport.

Expressão Dramática

Tue, 4 Jul 2006 17:1:26 CDT

Uma vez que: • Conforme comprovam vários especialistas de todo o mundo, a Expressão Dramática é extremamente útil no desenvolvimento harmonioso do indivíduo, a vários níveis, e por isso deve ser leccionada em escolas, por professores com formação na área; • Em 1989, foi criada a disciplina de Oficina de Expressão Dramática, que nunca foi avaliada e, apesar da importância que teve no desenvolvimento dos alunos que a frequentaram, foi excluída na última Reforma do Ensino Secundário; • No 3º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, existe uma disciplina chamada Oficina de Teatro, semestral, leccionada maioritariamente com professores sem uma licenciatura na área do teatro, apesar de existirem vários cursos superiores que formam docentes de Teatro / Expressão Dramática; • Recentemente, houve em Portugal uma Conferência sobre a Educação Artística, na qual vários políticos portugueses opinaram sobre a sua importância, mas ao que parece, não existiu desde então nenhuma medida que acompanhasse o fulgor dos discursos; • Recentemente, a Ministra da Educação anunciou que as escolas de 1º Ciclo passarão a ter Música e Desporto, esquecendo a Expressão Dramática; • A Educação Artística tem sido o “parente pobre” da Educação e a Expressão Dramática tem sido o “parente pobre” das Expressões Artísticas; Vimos por este meio, exigir: • A criação de um grupo de docência de teatro e a definição de regras explícitas para a colocação de professores desta área, devendo dar-se prioridade a licenciados profissionalizados na área do Teatro (formação artística e pedagógica); • Que volte a existir a Oficina de Expressão Dramática no Ensino Secundário Regular; • Que a Oficina de Teatro no 7º e 8º anos passe para disciplina anual, mantendo-se a divisão das turmas em dois grupos; • Que as escolas interessadas em leccionar Oficina de Teatro ou Oficina de Expressão Dramática, o possam fazer, no exercício pleno da sua autonomia; • Que não se permita a prossecução da Lei que prevê que os professores de Educação Artística só possam ser contratados em Part-time, em contratos de três meses; • A prossecução da Reforma do Ensino Artístico Especializado para os alunos que queiram prosseguir profissionalmente a área do Teatro.

bay county school uniforms

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 14:1:12 CDT

this uniform is rediculous. i’m not saying this because i’m forced to wear it, i’m saying this because it’s gotten out of control. the uniform hasnt cut down on anything, such as teasing. rich kids still know what brands are expensive and what brands arent. kids still get made fun of. we go to a public school, not private school. if you step out into the public, you dont see people in dress code, you see people wearing whatever they want or whatever they can afford. it should be the same way for a public school. the superintendant had good intensions, but school uniforms were not the way to go. if the teachers and administration had inforced what we had in place before, we wouldnt be in this situation. what harm is flip flops doing?! we live in florida! NO ONE wears socks and shoes everyday! it’s common knowledge that the more you tell teenagers what to do and force them into something, the more they tend to reject it. i am a good student, never in trouble, and i make good grades. i keep a 3.0 or higher GPA. but in the last year, ive been written up and sent out of class numerous times. weather it be because i had a jacket that had a hood, or my shirt was untucked, or whatever. ive never been one to get in trouble, but as soon as we got this uniform, i cant seem to stay out of it. kayla

Chewing Gum AT Shcool

Wed, 16 Mar 2005 03:0:50 CST

We should be aloud to chew gum at shcool becuase peaploe get woken up by mint gum in the moring and it aslo hepls during tests and also scients have just discoverd it improves memory! Some peaole do but their gum under the deck or on the gournd but getting in troulbe ofr hta needs to be higher so everyone will follow the rules and but their gum in the trash adn aslo if the gum is disrupting the class or the teacher then u must do some punishment to them! Please help us out and sign this petition. Thank you, --Erin*

Say \"NO\" to PISD Feeder Plan CW-2,3,4

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:1:48 CDT

Dear Parents and Homeowners, As you might know, PISD will be voting on 1 of 4 proposed scenarios for school redistricting in West Plano on November 3rd. Only one of these proposals, CW-1, keeps students from Schimelpfenig (Carlisle, Bethany and Mathews) going to Jasper HS which is rated exemplary by the Texas Education Association. In the other three scenarios, CW-2, 3, and 4, children from our neighborhoods will feed into either Clark HS or Vines HS, both of which are rated only recognized. Since this is one of the most important issues facing our neighborhoods, we want to make sure that as many people as possible are aware of how they may be affected. The redistricting will have a dramatic impact on our children\\\'s education and our home values. We feel that a feeder system that keeps Schimelpfenig Middle School (SMS) students feeding through Jasper HS is the only solution. Our current feeder plan has our neighborhood going from SMS to Jasper HS and then on to Plano Senior HS (PSHS). Plan CW#1, proposed by the feeder committee, has our neighborhood feeding Jasper HS then on to Plano West Senior High (PWSH). While this is not ideal from a capacity standpoint, it is the only plan which keeps our neighborhood aligned with Jasper HS. We strongly believe that the current feeder system, or a modified version of CW-1, are the best options as they are the only options that keeps our children attending an exemplary high school. Our home values are tied to the schools in which our neighborhoods feed into. Many homeowners chose our location based solely on this fact. We live in a neighborhood that is serviced by the best schools in Plano, and arguably the best in the state of Texas. If CW-2, 3, or 4 passes, our children will be moved to lower rated schools negatively impacting our home values regardless if you have children in the school system or not. CW-2, 3, and 4 will have a negative impact on our environment. They will require children in our neighborhood to be bussed across town to either Vines or Clark High Schools. Jasper HS is within 1-2 miles and walking distance for many of our neighborhood kids. Vines and Clark are 5-7 miles away and would require 30-45 additional minutes everyday for our students to get to and from school. This is unacceptable. Our current feeder system or a modified CW-1 provides the shortest commute and least environmental impact. By signing this petition, you are sending a message to the Plano ISD Board that feeder scenarios CW-2, 3, and 4 are NOT acceptable options. You believe that the current feeder system or a modified CW-1, which keep SMS students at Jasper High School, is the only solution that will retain our property values, have the lowest environmental impact, and most importantly, provide the best education possible for our children. Thank You PISD Feeder Realignment Website: http://www.pisd.edu/feeder.realignment.committee/FeederAlign.html

makif omer- azuma

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 22:1:13 CDT

תלמידי מקיף עומר שלום! בתאריך 20.6.2006 התקיים טקס סיום שנת הלימודים בו עלה ראש המועצה מר פיני בדש לשאת דברים. מר פיני בדש נשא דברים קשים בנושא ציוני המגן ואף הזהיר מפני "מורים שהחל משנה הבאה יהיו כאן על תנאי" בשל ציוני "מגן" נמוכים. מדבריו השתמע כי המורים הם האשמים היחדים בציוני המגן שלנו למרות שלא נעים להודות אך גם חלקנו אינו קטן אם לא המלא ביותר. היה קשה לשבת בקטס ולשמוע את דבריו ולנסות להאמין שדברים אלה יוצאים מפיו של ראש מועצה שמשקיע רבות בבית הספר. הטקס הסתיים בצורה מאכזבת ללא חלוקת תעודות הצטיינות שחיכו להם תלמידים רבים שמגיעה להם הערכה זו! בנוסף בוטל יום ההורים שלמרות שרובנו לא מחבבים אותו הוא יום חשוב שמסכם תקופה בחיינו. הצורה שבה נאמרו הדברים לא תאמה את רוח המקום ולא את הזמן שבו הם נאמרו! התססה של התלמידים כנגד המורים הייתה מאוד לא במקום לנוכח חוסר הכבוד שממילא נמצא בין מורים ותלמידים. בנוסף, ההתלהבות שהייתה באולם מצד חטבית הביינים הייתה ללא ידעה על הנושא וההתלהמות הייתה משום שנשמעו רמיזות לפיטורי מורים. ההלם ששרר בקרבינו היה בעקבות הדברים והמקום שבהם הם נאמרו! לסיכום, אנו התלמידים נפגענו כתוצאה מהדברים שנאמרו בבית הספר ומביעים את תמיכתנו במורים ובדרך המחאה שלהם ומאמינים בהם ובמטרה שלשמה הם נמצאים איתנו. בנוסף אנחנו מבינים שהמורים לא נגדנו אלא בעדנו ולמרות כל החיכוכים אנחנו מחזקים אותם ואת דרכם. העצומה מיועדת לתלמידי מקיף עומר בלבד. אנא כבדו זאת גם אם אתם בדעתנו. מקווים לשיתוף פעולה, התלמידים

NCAA Gymnastics Program at the University of Texas at Austin

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 06:1:55 CDT

This is a formal petition to implement a Division I NCAA Gymnastics Program at the University of Texas at Austin. History: The University of Texas at Austin at one time had a gymnastics program; however, due to a loss of funding, the program was cut several years ago. Texas needs an NCAA Division I team, given the level of Texan talent within the Junior Olympic Gymnastics Program that is taken by out of state by universities such as OU (3 time NCAA National Champions), Michigan, Penn State, Stanford, and Minnesota. Furthermore, athletes from the Junior Olympic Program in Texas consistently rank among the top in the nation. As a university dedicated to scholastic and athletic achievement, we should keep them in-state and continue our reputation for academic and athletic excellence. We, the UT Gymnastics Club, ask that you sign this petition to show your support for the development of a successful NCAA Division I Gymnastics Program to cultivate the great athletes that come from within the Texas Gymnastics Community, and to further show your support for the continuation of Texas Longhorn athletic excellence.

Pour un Institut National des Sciences du Vivant

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:1:29 CDT

Construire sans tarder un Institut National des Sciences du Vivant

Si l’on veut que la recherche biologique Française garde son rang dans le monde, il est nécessaire de mener à leur terme les réflexions sur les changements à apporter à ses structures.

Alors que la plupart des pays développés et même émergents engagent des sommes considérables dans la biologie, nous constatons depuis plusieurs années que la France peine à suivre le mouvement.

Or trois raisons militent pour l’investissement dans la Biologie :
-   Sur le plan des connaissances fondamentales, ce domaine connaît des évolutions rapides.
-   La compréhension des mécanismes biologiques est essentielle au progrès sociétal et au développement de thérapies nouvelles.
-   La valorisation des connaissances en biologie revêt un potentiel économique considérable.

Contrairement à ce qui est souvent dit, la biologie en France est de haut niveau. Ses chercheurs ont une excellente réputation et les jeunes thésards français sont très prisés à l’étranger. En revanche, l’avenir est de moins en moins assuré et il est urgent de mettre en place les conditions qui nous permettront de continuer à occuper notre rang au niveau international. Nous considérons qu’un des handicaps majeurs de la recherche en biologie est la complexité du système, en particulier la multiplication des structures, qui conduit les chercheurs à consacrer un temps déraisonnable à la recherche de financements morcelés et à l’exercice de taches administratives lourdes dans un secteur où la réactivité est essentielle.

La recherche en biologie est répartie principalement entre quatre organismes qui peuvent travailler en co-tutelle avec les universités et les grandes écoles. Il s’agit du CNRS dont la vocation initiale est la recherche fondamentale, de l’INSERM dont la priorité était la recherche médicale, de l’INRA tourné vers les sciences agronomiques et du CEA qui a joué un rôle moteur dans la mise en place de grands outils, en particulier dans le domaine de l’imagerie et de la radiobiologie. Si cette structuration a pu jouer son rôle, la pratique actuelle démontre l’existence d’un continuum et d’interactions réciproques entre la recherche fondamentale, ses différents domaines d’application, et la recherche dite de transfert. Pour ne prendre que l’exemple du CNRS et de l’INSERM, qui peut nier que d’excellents chercheurs INSERM font de la recherche fondamentale alors que nombre de chercheurs CNRS font de l’excellente recherche de transfert ? Les laboratoires CNRS sont parfois dirigés par des chercheurs INSERM et inversement. Les personnels CNRS et INSERM co-habitent, d’ailleurs très bien, au sein des Unités. Pourquoi cette bonne coopération à la base ne serait-elle pas promue au sommet ?

Le bon sens impose de regrouper les sciences de la vie dans une structure commune. Nous proposons donc la création d’un Institut National des Sciences du Vivant qui regrouperait l’ensemble des acteurs de la recherche en biologie et santé, avec un socle commun de recherche fondamentale. Dans un premier temps, on pourrait se contenter d’une structure rassemblant la biologie du CNRS et l’INSERM qui, sur le plan des statuts des personnels et des modes de fonctionnement, sont très proches. Il ne faut, cependant, certainement pas s’arrêter à ces deux EPST, mais bien couvrir à terme toute la biologie. Il faut que la solution administrative soit simple et évite qu’un des établissements soit perçu comme faisant une OPA sur l’autre. Des discussions directes entre eux doivent s’ouvrir pour trouver une solution rapide.

Certains collègues du CNRS se sont mobilisés avec succès pour la création d’un institut du vivant propre au CNRS. Certains de leurs arguments sont très pertinents. Par exemple, il ne faut pas perdre les forces de la multidisciplinarité. Mais, à vrai dire, la recherche à l’interface ne dépend pas forcément d’une appartenance administrative commune et la plupart des biologistes du CNRS n’ont même jamais croisé de physicien ou mathématicien du CNRS. Les bonnes équipes de recherche en biologie, qu’elles soient CNRS, INSERM, CEA ou INRA, continueront à collaborer sans difficulté avec des équipes de mathématiciens, physiciens ou chimistes, que ces dernières soient universitaires, CNRS ou autre. Il faudra simplement veiller à ce que la politique de cet Institut National des Sciences du Vivant permette ce type de collaboration, partout où cela sera ressenti comme nécessaire.

Un argument important, souvent avancé contre un Institut commun des Sciences du Vivant, concerne la désaffection que sa création pourrait entraîner pour la recherche fondamentale. Il faut de ce point de vue insister pour que l’Institut National des Sciences du Vivant couvre l’ensemble des domaines de la biologie et pas seulement ceux de la santé. Nous affirmons que la recherche fondamentale a sa valeur propre et nous savons, de surcroît, qu’il n’y pas de recherche appliquée compétitive sans une recherche fondamentale exceptionnelle. L’important est d’assurer au sein de cet Institut une présence éminente de la recherche fondamentale. La vigilance sur ce point est essentielle.

C’est en raison même de notre profond attachement aux valeurs du CNRS que nous souhaitons qu’un Institut National des Sciences du Vivant préservant les intérêts des partenaires initiaux se mette en place. On peut, certes, imaginer des étapes intermédiaires et rechercher les modalités administratives qui permettraient cette union, par exemple la double labellisation des laboratoires qui le souhaiteraient. Mais sans perdre de vue l’essentiel : plutôt que de nous opposer, unissons nos forces et contribuons ainsi à faire de la France, en Europe, un acteur incontournable dans le champ des sciences du vivant.

Liste des premiers signataires:

-Joel Bockaert, Professeur Universitaire, Directeur IGF, Montpellier, Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Alain Bucheton, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, Directeur IGH, Montpellier.
-Margaret Buckingham, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, Institut Pasteur, Membre de l’Académie des Sciences. Médaille d’Argent du CNRS.
-Florence Cabon, Directeur de Recherche INSERM, Campus CNRS Villejuif.
-Jean-Laurent Casanova, Professeur Universitaire, Directeur U550. Hospital Necker, Paris. Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Giacomo Cavalli, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, IGH, Montpellier.
-Jean-Pierre Changeux, Professeur au Collège de France et à l’Institut Pasteur, Médaille d’Or du CNRS, Membre de l’Académie des Sciences
-Fréderic Coin, Directeur de Recherche INSERM, IGBMC, Strasbourg.
-Robert Feil, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, IGMM UMR5535, Montpellier.
-Vincent Geli, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, Directeur de l’IGC, Marseille.
-Eric Gilson, Professeur Universitaire, Ecole Normale Supérieure Lyon. -Christo Goridis, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris.
-Annick Harel-Bellan, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, Directeur du CNRS FRE2944. Villejuif.

-Jean-Luc Imler, Professeur Universitaire. IBMC, Strasbourg.
-Marie Korner, Directeur de Recherche, FRE2944, Villejuif.
-Vincent Laudet, Professeur Universitaire, Ecole Normale Supérieure Lyon.
-Pierre-Marie Lledo, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. Directeur UMR2182, Institut Pasteur.
-Bernard Malissen, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. CIML, Marseille. Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Marcel Mechali, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. IGH. Montpellier. Membre de l’Académie des Sciences. Médaille d’Argent du CNRS
-Patrick Mehlen, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. Directeur UMR5238. Lyon. Médaille d’Argent du CNRS.
-Dino Moras, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. Directeur IGBMC, Strasbourg. Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Stéphane Noselli, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. Directeur UMR6543. Nice. Médaille d’Argent du CNRS.
-Jacques Pouyssegur, Directeur de Recherche CNRS. Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Alain Prochiantz, Professeur au Collège de France. Directeur UMR8542. Ecole Normale Supérieure. Paris. Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Miroslav Radman, Professeur Universitaire. Directeur U571. Institut Necker, Paris. Membre de l’académie des Sciences
-Paul-Henri Romeo, Directeur de Recherche INSERM. Directeur de l’Institut CMR au CEA.
-Jean Rossier, Professeur Universitaire. UMR7637. Ecole Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles, Paris, Membre de l’Académie des Sciences.
-Frederic Saudou, Directeur de Recherche INSERM, institut Curie
-Pierre Tambourin, Directeur Genopole, Ancien directeur des Science de la Vie du CNRS
-Hugues de Thé, Professeur Universitaire, Directeur UMR CNRS7151, Paris, Membre de l’Institut Universitaire de France.
-Lazlo Tora, Directeur de Recherche CNRS, IGBMC, Strasbourg.
-Antoine Triller, Directeur de Recherche INSERM, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris.

Connect UTA to Dallas, Forth Worth, Grand Prairie

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 04:1:54 CDT

We, the undersigned, support the development of a train system that will connect Dallas, Grand Prairie, Arlington (namely the University of Texas at Arlington) and Fort Worth. This initiative is spawned because of a lack of public transportation from and to these communities mentioned. The benefit of the people of North Texas will be great. The existing Trinity Rail line that just touches the northern tips of these communities is useless for those who have no cars to access that line. For commuters, that can’t help but contribute to the congested highway problem, and those who care about our environment and the pollution that comes from car oil and gas, we the people plead for an environ-mentally friendly form of mass transportation. The existing freight lines, belonging to GM, pass through the hearts of all the mentioned communities. These lines pass right by the University of Texas at Arlington, and the future Cowboy’s stadium. Could there not be an agreement reached that would allow for commuter trains to be scheduled around the freight trains, or a new rail line built along side the existing GM line. The proposed train line would bring business to all parties involved, including tax from ticket sales.

SAVE THE RELIGIOUS STUDIES DEPT. AT FIU

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:1:14 CDT

The department of Religious studies at Florida International University is a very prestigious program in danger from being shut down. We need everyone to help save this valuable department which has inspired many students at FIU. The department has even brought his Holiness the Dali Lama twice to the University. Please help us save the Religious studies department and their many valuable staff and professors. We need as many signatures as possible and those of you who feel very strongly about the department being closed, we are asking that you write letters to the Dean petitioning to keep the program running. We need everyone to help even if you are not a Religious studies major or minor. we need every student at FIU to help

American Pit Bull Terriers Deserve Justice!

Thu, 23 Jun 2005 02:1:31 CDT

I have realized that people are thinking of banning American Pit Bull Terriers. It's not fair! I know there are bad Pits out there. It's the owner's fault for letting their dog be that way. And if it was a stray, well, why did you make them one? APBTs are a very loyal breed. This breed alone have done very brave deeds. Not convinced? The original Bull-and-Terrier was nicknamed "The Children's Nursemaid" in England. Still think I'm a lunatic? Look up "Weela Watkins" somewhere. Like Google. And get this: WEELA IS A PIT BULL. It is simply stupid that people plan to ban this wonderful breed. I'd write a whole report on this, but I would fill up too much space. If this "wonderful and fair law' is passed, some fellers won't care and keep breeding and raising their dogs in secret. Just as there is dog fighting in secret. They don't care. They just want to see someone get killed. If the breed was banned and was continually and illegally bred, it would make an even worse reputation out of these dogs. All the good Pits are gone, and the bad ones reign. BECAUSE OF THEIR OWNERS AND BREEDERS. German Shepherds used to have the badrap. But were they ever faced on the point of extinction? I will look that up sometime. I have made this petition in hopes that we can educate (see the category) those about Pit Bulls and have this petition sent to a reliable, hardworking and active orginization or group that can distribute this to more people. I have once made a shirt where anyone who wanted to save Pit Bulls could sign, Out of many week's allowance (they want to be cool so they sign the shirt, but dp they donate? Nooooo...) I made some money that went towards helping APBTs. It was only about $28.00, but it was something. It's one of my dreams to have April 25 National Be Kind to Pits Day... Please help us save the American Pit Bull Terriers. If it passes you will sadden very many owners who have had the sweetest dogs around. Make us not the only one who has sympathy in the world. They are my favorite breed. SAVE THE PITS.

Lincoln Park Change in Dress Code

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 01:1:47 CDT

We the parents of students and students of Lincoln Park Michigan School District are not happy or comforted with the 2006-2007 dress code for Lincoln Park Public Schools. We would like to make changes to the new dress code. We feel these changes that board members voted on take away from the focus of education on all parties involved. If these standards are not revised or changed we ask that a voting take place to where students, parents and staff have the abillity to vote on a dress code. We are in agreement that there should be a reasonable dress code in place and enforced.