GLOBAL SCHOOLS NETWORK

In the News

2008-08-10T19:51:00.000-07:00

Schools struggle to pay for English-learner program

Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA
10, 2008 12:00 AM Arizona public schools have struggled with how to pay for a new state program teaching immigrant students English, especially since ...

Districts see rise in school job applicants
Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA
10, 2008 12:00 AM A downturn in the economy has meant an uptick in job applications for Southeast Valley school districts. Human-resources departments are ...

YMCA's Director to Join Schools
Washington Post - United States
By Kameel Stanley The Loudoun County school system has hired the executive director of the county's YMCA to be its new outreach supervisor, replacing an ...

School scores an imperfect start
Pioneer Press - St. Paul,MN,USA
"Adequate Yearly Progress" is the hot bureaucratic buzz phrase for determining whether an elementary or secondary school is doing its job. ...

Too many hot dogs on school menus? (and other news)

2008-08-05T03:45:00.000-07:00

Too many hot dogs on school menus?
Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
A Washington, DC, organization is calling on school districts to get hot dogs, pepperoni and other processed meats out of school cafeterias. ...

New GI Bill assistance offers tuition coverage

Seattle Post Intelligencer - USA
Under a less generous version of the bill, veterans are more likely to enroll in community college or a for-profit school than a state university, ...

School district cut from moment of silence suit
Houston Chronicle - United States
Rick Perry and the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, where the couple's three children still go in the suburbs of Dallas. ...

Fitch Rates Milwaukee, Wisconsin's $210MM School RANs 'F1+'
MarketWatch - USA
CHICAGO, Aug 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'F1+' rating to the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin's $210000000 school revenue ...

Black Students Showing Strong Gains, Charter Schools Research Finds
MarketWatch - USA
Results from four studies show Black students in public charter schools making important gains and outperforming their counterparts in traditional schools ...

Police: Alabama Teen Planned Mass School Attack, Plotted to Burn ...
FOXNews - USA
Police say a north Alabama high school student wrote out plans for a mass killing and tried to get others to provide weapons for the plot, which included ...

Students return to Corona High School
Arizona Republic - Phoenix,AZ,USA
4, 2008 12:56 PM For some Corona del Sol High parents, the first day of school brought traditional worries about new teachers and classes as well as ...

School budgeting by '65% solution' more popular in South
USA Today - USA
Conservatives and libertarians nationwide tout the "65 percent solution," an enticing, simple — and some say deceptive — school budgeting concept, ...

Kansas Highway Patrol to inspect Durham school bus fleet
Bizjournals.com - Charlotte,NC,USA
The Kansas Highway Patrol is conducting its annual inspections of more than 500 Durham School Services buses, the primary transportation provider for ...

Clemson named home to happiest college students
Kansas City Star - MO,USA
The school posted the ranking on its Web site. And a glowing student was on the phone to talk about it within minutes of a reporter's request. ...

Free Magazines

2008-08-03T05:25:00.000-07:00

Here is a link where you can get free subscription to educational magazines-- Free Educational Magazines

For a complete list of titles, check the alphabetical arrangement here: Free Magazines. To make sure that the title is available in your area, please check the icon that comes with the title. A globe icon means it's free everywhere.

Advice To Teachers

2008-08-02T18:41:00.000-07:00

There are certain things which you cannot discuss
in front of a class of sixth graders. The sperm whale
garners a giggle, whether it is navigating the open
ocean far from the land of the platypus and wombat,
or near icebergs where fairy penguins reside.

Never preface the ornithology section of the book
with, “Class, I would like to give you the bird.”
And do not introduce the spotted redshank on the same
day as the woodcock. Woodpeckers can be touch and go,
particularly the hairy or the red-cockaded.

How to Cut College Costs

2008-07-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is a useful article. My comments to follow. For the meantime, enjoy the article.

If you're heading off to college this fall, or are a high school senior about to apply, you'll realize right away that a college education doesn't come cheap. While scholarships and grants are good ways to get a break on tuition, they are not always easy to win.

Consider these three tips from Christina Couch of Bankrate.com on ways to cut college costs:

Read More...

Remote Management Systems for Universities and Big Companies

2008-05-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Big institutions like the universities depend heavily upon their IT system to be able to efficiently run their organization. Because of such, expenditures in this area increases over time specially on the rare and skilled IT specialists whose salaries are increasing at a phenomenal rate. Because of that, IT departments share in overhead costs increase over time.

As economists say, demand creates its own supply.

Such a statement may not be taken to literally mean the creation of more IT specialists. Cost saving solutions also come about and companies like EMS take the lead. This firm has unique remote IT management solutions to include log management that enables organizations to optimize the deployment of their IT resources.

That is a good idea, if you will ask me.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

2008-05-02T19:58:00.000-07:00

Since this site talks about bullying, women's rights and people's rights in general, we might as well remind everyone that there is such thing as the Universal declaration of human rights proclaimed by the United Nations.

Here is the full draft:

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the full text of which appears in the following pages. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

PREAMBLE

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.

Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

Article 4.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.

Article 12.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.

(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.

(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.

(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.

(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.

(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.

(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

Top Web Hosting Services

2008-04-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

There’s this web designer who continuously creates Wordpress themes and freely shares it with whoever wants to use his designs. From time to time, he also creates blogger templates, some of which are originally designed in Wordpress and converted to blogspot. Just like the Wordpress themes, these too are offered for free to anybody who wants to use it. The free templates can be found in Kaushal Sheth’s personal blog (www.kaushalsheth.com).

A few days ago, however, this generous soul was unable to do his work because all his websites went offline, meaning, the company hosting his domains had a black out.

As properly explained by him, we agree that a web hosting provider should maintain multiple servers as backups in order to keep all the domains online all the time. Website owners publish their sites for a variety of reasons but one thing is common between all of them. They all want the contents of their sites visible all the time. A website that is offline suffers greatly in reputation and that should never happen if the fault is not theirs. Because of such incident, Kuashal Sheth searched for the best web hosting and came up with a list of the best providers. The front runners are headed by Host Monster which now hosts his domains. So far, all of Kuashal’s domains have been up 100% of the time and he is confident that it will remain that way. According to Sheth, even the price tag was surprisingly low.

Now, that’s the kind of hosting service that everybody will love- cheap and efficient!

To Increase or not increase, that is the question

2008-04-26T00:38:00.000-07:00

DUBAI — Schools in the emirate are confused and unsure if they can increase the transportation fees above the fee cap and have urged the emirate’s education body to clear the ambiguities surrounding the issue.

Heads of schools claim they were under the impression that the 16 per cent cap on increase of fees over two years included costs of books, uniforms, transport or food. However, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) states that it only regulates “mandatory” costs and not optional services.

FULL STORY

PUT THEM BEHIND BARS: India's Educ Sec Proposes

2008-04-24T00:29:00.000-07:00

In India, the country's education minister proposes that parents should be placed behind bars should their children fail to attend school. Such a proposal provoked widespread outcry with the parents saying that such a proposal equates them with criminals.

FULL STORY IN THIS LINK

2 students attend a model UN conference in Beijing

2008-04-21T05:05:00.000-07:00

Nine high school students from The American International School of Muscat (TAISM) participated in the annual Beijing International Model United Nations (MUN) conference from March 13-16.

PLEASE READ THE FILL STORY HERE

2 schools may be closed

2008-04-19T05:01:00.000-07:00

STAMFORD — Two magnets, Toquam and the International School at Rogers Magnet, are the schools being considered for closure by the board of education.

Malloy and Starr announced their recommendations at a special meeting of the school board's redistricting committee on Thursday, April 10.

PLEASE READ THE FULL STORY HERE

ILO CALLS FOR SUBSIDIES TO KEEP POOR ASIAN KIDS IN SCHOOL

2008-04-19T04:56:00.000-07:00

The International Labor Organization (ILO) praised an Indonesian model of giving cash subsidies to poor parents as a response to price hikes. That move, according to the UN agency helped a lot in keeping the family afloat and the kids in school...

PLEASE READ THE FULL STORY HERE

FIRE IN AFRICAN DORM: AN EYE OPENER FOR EVERYONE

2008-04-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

The latest fire to hit an African school dormitory should serve as an eye opener for dormitories all over the world. Especially in developing nations where school and dorm population is very high, the need to address the safety requirements of the students should be given an importance equal to the level of attention being given to text books and overall quality of instruction. As the saying goes, how good the grass may be, it will be useless if the cattle is already dead.

People everywhere are in agreement that investing in education is very important. This time, let them include the general safety and well being of the kids in their priority list.

Have a good weekend, everyone!

FULL STORY IN THIS LINK

Assemble your PC’s: Recommended for all students, businessmen and everybody.

2008-04-16T18:44:00.000-07:00

Students are in great need for computers as they go about their research, countless term papers and of course, data storage. With a PC, several years’ worth of notes can be stored for easy retrieval and reference. Having a laptop or a PC therefore ranks very high in their priority list. One big problem for the usually cash strapped and budget conscious students is that PC’s do not come cheap. Here’s one solution for them. As easy as my PC offers customized PC Kits that can easily be assembled and save the buyer a lot of money. Based on my personal experiences’, assembling a PC is very easy and poses very little risk of errors. All the PC’s that I’ve seen can be taken apart and reassembled fast since every part can be attached to any socket or slot where it exactly fits. In addition, the PC kits come with fully illustrated step by step instructions and required only a screw driver. For the technically oriented kids nowadays, assembling a pc should not be a problem at all.
As for people engaged in business, assembling PC’s should also be taken into serious consideration. PC’s are huge investments and a few hundreds of dollars in savings for every unit translates to several thousand for their entire company.

EDUCATORS AMONG THE TOP ENTRY LEVEL JOBS IN THE US

2008-04-15T23:34:00.000-07:00

It seems that this field continuous to remain highly valued in the US. In a list of of entry level jobs that pay well, here are jobs worthy of mention in this post.

2. High School Teachers -- $59,269 entry earnings at top schools
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics puts entry level high school teacher salaries at $31,000 on average, teachers' pay varies dramatically from one district to the next. Teach an in-demand subject with a shortage of applicants in a pricey school district, and you can pull down a near-$60,000 entry-level salary. To qualify for any teaching career, you'll typically need to earn a teaching degree, in addition to completing your state's teacher certification requirements.

To fill urgent needs--especially in math and science--many districts will let you begin your classroom teaching while taking online education classes that lead to accelerated licensing. Public school salaries are a matter of public record, so research should tell you where the best jobs can be found.

3. Education Administrators -- $80,000 entry earnings
If you're already a teacher, think of the high-paying, entry-level salary you can earn as a principal or school district administrator. Administrators either work at the individual school level, directing the academic performance of the teaching staff, or work at school district headquarters, helping define curriculum and teaching methods. To prepare, keep your current teaching job, and attend an online masters in education administration degree program.

FOR THE COMPLETE LIST, PLEASE CLICK ON THIS LINK

The alluring Cher'

2008-04-15T23:24:00.000-07:00

My first encounter with this remarkable woman was when I was a little boy in grade school. Her sexy attire was the first to catch my attention followed by constant mentions of her name in magazines. Now, so many years after, her name still carries the same aura that she had when I was little. Judging from the reaction that she draws everywhere, it seems that this lady has survived the test of times, refined her craft in the performing arts, repackaged herself as a better being and continuous to excel. Among her many hits, her song Do you believe in love after love still rings in my ears every time I hear or read about her. It is not so much the lyrics that captured my attention, it’s her style and distinct voice that makes me not forget that beautiful creature.

In my opinion, this woman is one of a kind. Her voice is something that’s distinctively hers. If ever she calls you on the phone, there will be no doubt in your mind that it is her. And now, at the age of 62 and more than 40 years after her start in the business, this woman shows no sign of waning talent. One of a kind indeed, her ability to captivate the audience seemed to have gotten better. Searches of her concert videos show that her younger admirers are not alone. In fact, a good number of people in her audience are young enough to be her kids or grandchildren.

This remarkable woman will soon be in Las Vegas to take the place of Celine Dion. God granting, I will be in the area and watch one of her shows. Being an admirer of great talent, I will be reserving Cher tickets at Ceasars Palace and revolve my schedule around it. See you soon, Cher!

MSU Offers Students International Medical Exposure

2008-04-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

THE International Medical School (IMS) in Bangalore, India, is the result of a unique regional collaboration between the Management & Science University (MSU) and MS Ramaiah Medical College.

It is the university's first international offshore branch campus and the seventh school under its flagship of faculties, schools and centres of learning.

The setting up of IMS illustrates MSU's commitment in offering critical and relevant programmes, particularly in health and medical sciences.

Please read the story here

Something worthy of honorable mention for students, academic professionals and almost everybody!

2008-04-14T05:59:00.001-07:00

Here’s something new and highly recommended for students, professionals and everybody else out there. As students, academic professionals and corporate people, have you experienced losing important data due to computer virus attacks, hardware failure, and external and internal hacker threats? I am sure that most of you have. Imagine the inconvenience of having to try to restore damaged hard drives, corrupted files and stolen data. I know that it is quite depressing, stressful and hectic. I need not mention that students can also fail their courses, get dismissed or fail to graduate for having failed to submit the requirements on time. In the real world, the professionals or entrepreneurs can lose their jobs and businesses. Whatever the consequences may be, I am sure that it can range from mildly irritating to downright irreparable.

Never let these things happen to you. iDrive.com offers a free Secure Online Backup of up to 2 Gigabytes allowing everybody access to their files from anywhere there is an internet access. For those who need more, a monthly subscription of $4.95 allows an unlimited amount of data storage. Good isn’t it? I take it back—it’s excellent! From the cash strapped student to the moneyed businessman, this free service is worthwhile recommending to everybody. With iDrive.com, lost data had become an excuse of the past.

Our gratitude to iDrive!

REMEMBERING CHARLTON HESTON'S SPEECH IN HARVARD

2008-04-09T07:08:00.000-07:00

With the passing of American screen legend and gun rights activist Charlton Heston, perhaps it is a good time to look back at his Harvard speech, one more time.

Here it is, Charlton Heston's speech in Harvard.

Your comments, please...

Thanks!

HOW UK EDUCATION COMPARES WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD

2008-04-05T03:48:00.000-07:00

As more and more Britons leave the UK, many are looking for world class education for their children; we look at the alternatives to a British education.

FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE

TEACHERS STRIKE TO PARALYZE MORE THAN 1000 UK SCHOOLS

2008-04-05T03:46:00.000-07:00

By Richard Garner, Education Editor More than 10000 schools will close when Britain's biggest teachers' union, the NUT, stages a one-day strike later this ...

FULL STORY: Teachers strike 'will close more than 10000 schools'

SCHOOL BAN ON BIRTHDAY CAKES

2008-04-05T03:40:00.000-07:00

CHILDREN in a New Zealand school have been banned from taking cakes to the classroom to share on their birthdays, due to new government guidelines on ...

Full story here

SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH LOCAL FARM TO PROVIDE KIDS WITH HEALTHIER FOOD

2008-04-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

This is noteworthy. A school partnered with local farmers to provide kids with healthier lunches. Since the program started, a remarkable increase in enthusiasm for freshly squeezed fruits, vegetables and lunches was noticed among the school children. Isn't that good?

Farmers benefiting from a new customer while school kids gets to enjoy healthier meals. This is something worthy of emulation everywhere.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE STORY HERE

eCOMMERCE FOR EVERYONE

2008-04-05T03:25:00.000-07:00

In the academe, this is something good for entrepreneurs wanting to sell printer inks, books and other school supplies. For those in the other businesses may also equally benefit from what this software can do. All they have to do is put up a website and install an eCommerce Webshop and they are in business. Not only that, a professionally managed ecommerce solution makes a web based company so efficient and allows them to expand the reach of their business beyond the local boundaries that they are used to. With the internet and proper SEO, a company is suddenly able to sell nationally and beyond.
For a small amount each month, pace retail, the provider of the online software will provide endless support that will ensure that your business runs as surely as the clock ticks every second. To name some benefits that the monthly subscription comes with, they provide a fully managed solution like a fast setup, fast hosting, daily backups, unlimited phone support, etc.

A good business advice not only to those wanting to sell school supplies but to almost any kind of business is attack the market through the internet. It’s the next frontier.