WI Web Staff
More than 300 District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) teachers have been targeted for pink skips by the end of the current school term, but they have until August 15 to find alternate posts in the system.
School officials announced on May 4 that notices were issued to 333 teachers, as part of DCPS's annual changes aligned with its budget and enrollment.
However, with about 60 percent of the targeted teachers facing rehiring, it's likely that just a third – or 133-- of the them will lose their jobs, according to Washington Teachers Union president, Nathan Saunders. He also said during an interview Monday that the process could have been handled a lot better.
"It's my job to grow that 60 percent to a higher percentage," said Saunders. "We're all interested in having high quality teachers in our classrooms, but to have hundreds of people exit at the end of the school year is really a shock therapy to the public schools system," je said. "[The layoffs] create a tremendous amount of anxiety and a perception that this is not a stable workforce to become part of or to be retained within."
Teachers who fail to attain other employment by August, or those with high performance evaluations will have the choice of a $25,000 buyout or a "grace year" when placed at a school. Teachers with lower ratings face firing.
While Saunders feels that less than 100 teachers will be affected, he said there are important issues like resume writing, portfolio development skills and job interviewing skills that WTU is currently trying to help members with "in order to manage the annual changes and processes."
Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson was not available for comment as of late Monday.
This year, First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver commencement addresses at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (North Carolina A&T), and Oregon State University (OSU). Mrs. Obama will begin her 2012 commencement addresses at Virginia Tech where she was inspired by the resilience of the student body and community coming together to support each other during difficult times.
The next day, the First Lady will travel to North Carolina to speak at North Carolina A&T, part of the rich legacy of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that have been instrumental in educating generations of African Americans. The President and First Lady both have recognized the important contributions of HBCUs across the country and have delivered commencement addresses to highlight their successes.
In June, Mrs. Obama will deliver the commencement address to OSU graduates. OSU's student body has been recognized for its efforts to promote healthy communities by organizing large scale food donation drives. OSU researchers also have worked to identify factors that lead to childhood obesity and are developing prevention programs for school districts, parents and health care providers to help improve children's' health. Mrs. Obama's brother, Craig Robinson serves as the school's head men's basketball coach.
In 2009, Mrs. Obama spoke at the graduation of University of California Merced's first full senior class. She also addressed the Washington Math and Science Tech Public Charter High School Graduation in Washington, D.C. In 2010, Mrs. Obama addressed graduates of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the George Washington University, and the Anacostia Senior High School. Last year, Mrs. Obama delivered commencement addresses at the University of Northern Iowa, Spelman College, and Quantico Middle High School. The First Lady also spoke to graduates and families at West Point.
Friday, May 11, Blacksburg, Virginia (12 p.m.)
The First Lady will address more than 5,000 graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Mrs. Obama will join U.S. Senator Mark Warner who will also deliver a commencement address to Virginia Tech's graduates.
Saturday, May 12, Greensboro, North Carolina (10 a.m.)
The First Lady will deliver the commencement address at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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New York, NY – Legendary R&B icon R. Kelly makes headlines this week as he finds himself in a familiar spot: atop all of the Urban Adult Radio charts with "Share My Love," the debut single from his upcoming "Write Me Back" album, due out on June 19 (RCA). "Share My Love" is the No. 1 Urban Adult Single on the Mediabase and BDS charts. The single also scored a 'Hot Singles' nod from PEOPLE Magazine.
In this week's Between the Bullets Billboard column Chart Manager Karinah Santiago states, "R. Kelly nabs another No. 1 on Adult R&B as "Share My Love" swims to the top with a healthy 172-detection increase, according to Nielson BDS.
"Love" becomes Kelly's first No. 1 since the title track to 2010's Love Letter soared to the summit. The new single is the first release from forthcoming album Write Me Back, a sequel to Love Letter. "Share My Love' is Kelly's sixth No. 1 on this survey and puts him in a tie with the late Luther Vandross and veteran Brian McKnight for the most leaders among men."
R. Kelly has referred to Write Me Back, his 11th studio album, as the next chapter to his 2010 critically acclaimed Love Letter. That album debuted at #6 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, with first-week national sales scanning over 154,000. One lucky fan who had the privilege of an advance listening session described Write Me Back as a 60s, 70s and 80s audio hologram that celebrates Kelly's rich classic soul influences.
On Love Letter Kelly celebrated the music of 50s and 60s, channeling artists such as Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson. Write Me Back is poised as the natural progression of Kelly's musical time machine, featuring several tracks that ride his smooth infectious dance beats as evidenced by the debut and #1 track, "Share My Love." You can hear the influence artists such as Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Barry White, Teddy Pendergrass and Michael Jackson had on Kelly's production prowess, they literally jump outta the grooves!
In closing Kelly added, "Did you get my love letter? Well, get ready to write me back on June 19th baby!"
Brandi Elzie,anncancer survivor, celebrated her one-year anniversary on May 5. "I walked for myself and for those that could not," Elzie stated.
The 10th Annual Avon Walk for Breast Cancer ended with an emotional celebration at the Washington Monument on Sunday, May 6. Over two thousand participated in the walk this year raising over 4 million dollars for Breast Cancer research.
Whether you're looking for a great eatery to treat Mom on Mother's Day or just have a yearning for a scrumptious late Sunday breakfast, here are some top-notch brunch restaurants in the District to consider:
14K Restaurant & Lounge
Downtown | Contemporary American
Acadiana
Downtown | Creole / Cajun / Southern
Art and Soul
Capitol Hill | American
B. Smith's
Capitol Hill | American
Casa Oaxaca
Adams Morgan | Contemporary Mexican
Chef Geoff's Downtown
Downtown | Contemporary American
District Commons
Foggy Bottom | Contemporary American
Georgia Brown's
Downtown | Low Country
Hudson Restaurant & Lounge
West End | American
M Street Bar & Grill
Dupont Circle | American
Stone's Throw Restaurant & Bar
Woodley Park | Steakhouse
Federal prosecutors have recommended that former D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. spend nearly four years in prison for converting public funds to his personal use.
Thomas, 51, vacated his Ward 5 Council post in January after admitting in court that he embezzled more than $350,000. The money had been earmarked for youth sports programs.
Thomas, who had just entered his second term in office, also admitted to filing false tax returns. At that time, was sentenced to 38 months in prison, and during proceedings Thursday in U. S. District Court, the embattled father of two asked to be incarcerated in either Florida or Alabama.
Thomas' mother Romaine Thomas, who attended the May 3 hearing, reportedly pleaded with Judge John D. Bates for mercy and leniency on behalf of their family -- particularly his young children.
Meanwhile, in spite of a 46-month prison term sought by U.S. Attorney Ron Machen, Thomas' legal team has asked for a sentence of 18 months.
White House Announces Nearly 300,000 Summer Youth Jobs
Wednesday, 02 May 2012 22:21 Published in National
U. S. Secretary of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis joined Mayor Michael Nutter at Philadelphia's City Hall on Wednesday to announce that the Obama Administration has secured additional commitments from 95 companies and non-profits, three cities, two federal agencies and the White House to provide 110,000 new summer jobs and other employment opportunities for low-income and disconnected youth as part of the Summer Jobs + Initiative. The initiative is part of the president's "We Can't Wait" campaign, and among the nearly 300,000 opportunities that will exist, are paid positions, mentorships, internships and training programs.
The Administration will also launch the Summer Jobs+ Bank, a new online search tool to help connect young people to jobs, internships and other employment opportunities this summer and year-round.
"In January, we called on the private and public sectors to help us address record unemployment among America's youth," said PresidentBarack Obama. "We are proud to announce that cities, federal agencies, non-profits, and companies from across the country have come together to provide hundreds of thousands of summer jobs and employment opportunities for our young people."
Solis said the Summer Jobs+ Bank and the growing list of organizations stepping up to answer Obama's challenge are important to maintaining the administration's commitment to the next generation of the American workforce.
"There's no replacement for the dignity that comes with earning your first paycheck, and whether young people are looking for a job at the retail store around the corner or at a national park states away, they now have one place to start their search," Solis said.
As part of the Pathways Back to Work fund, $1.5 billion has been proposed for high-impact summer jobs and year-round employment for low-income youth ages 16-24 in the American Jobs Act. When Congress failed to act, the federal government and private sector came together in January to commit to creating nearly 180,000 employment opportunities for low-income youth in the summer of 2012, with a goal of reaching 250,000 employment opportunities by the start of summer.
Commitments announced since January include: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association; Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Bread for the World; Bright Horizons; Cambia Health Solutions; Capital Workforce Partners; Coppin State University; and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
A plan by Mayor Vincent Gray to compensate city workers for four days of forced furloughs last year, has been defeated (7-5) by the D.C. Council.
The measure, which was pushed through for a vote by Council Chairman Kwame Brown, involved a $22 million plan for the Presidents Day, Emancipation Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July holidays which the workers weren't paid in order to close a $188 million gap in the city budget. But a $64,000 surplus was reported the latter part of 2011 and Gray was looking to compensate workers from those coffers.
"We are disappointed the Council has failed to approve this critical legislation," Gray spokesman Pedro Ribeiro, said in an interview. Ribeiro added that the vote was "immensely short-sighted and highly irresponsible."
There had been two versions of the proposal: One would have allowed workers to be immediately paid for the four days, and the other sought payment to the tune of $11 million for just two of the holidays. The rest of the money would have been earmarked for health care and housing initiatives. Employees would have received compensation for the remaining two days after revenue estimates had been made.
While At-Large Council member Michael Brown, described the defeat as a loss for "everybody," Kwame Brown said he had been committed to moving the surplus to a vote.
But he said the Council just wasn't satisfied with the measure.
"Some [Council] members believed that the affordable housing money was cut and that employees [looking for such housing] might not be able to participate in that program," the chairman said. He also said that passing the vote would have left many residents without health insurance, and that money earmarked for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients -- the city's poorest residents -- would likewise be reduced.
"We had was a lot of [Council] members with priorities, trying to make sure that they represented their constituency groups," Kwame Brown said. "We were committed to moving the measure through for the mayor, but it didn't get enough votes to pass."
Nelson, Llindberg to Collide June 23 Defending WIBA World Title
Tuesday, 01 May 2012 18:13 Published in Sports
Todd Wilson Goes for 14th Straight Win Against Winston Mathis on Jimmy Lange Boxing Card
Fairfax, VA (May 1, 2012) – In a battle of world champions, undefeated Tori "Sho Nuff" Nelson (6-0-1) of Ashburn, VA will defend her Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) Middleweight Title against Maria Lindberg (6-1-2) of Malmo, Sweden as the 10-round Co-Main Event on the Jimmy Lange Boxing card set for Saturday, June 23 at the Patriot Center. Presented by Valcourt Building Services, the card will also feature undefeated Fairfax, VA junior welterweight Todd "White Lightning" Wilson (13-0, 4 KOs) going for his 14th straight victory with an eight-round contest against Winston Mathis (7-5-1, 2 KOs) of Atlanta, GA.
Nelson captured the WIBA Championship with an impressive win over Vashon Living last February in Fairfax. Her biggest win to date came on July 29, 2011 in Trinidad and Tobago with a victory over Lorissa Rivas for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Middleweight Belt. A single mother of two teenagers who juggles jobs as a bus driver and cafeteria worker at Loudoun County's Broad Run High School and waitressing at IHOP, Nelson has made a strong connection with her fans, both inside and outside of the ring.
Lindberg, the WIBA's Light Middleweight Champion, defeated Diana Kiss in a non-title fight in her last bout held February 11, 2012 in Hamburg, Germany. Prior to that she lost a decision to Christina Hammer for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Federation Middleweight Championships on May 27, 2011.
Wilson, a former collegiate boxing champion and Virginia Military Institute graduate, has fought six times in front of hometown fans at the Patriot Center with victories against former world champion Eric "Mighty Mouse" Aiken and tough veteran Dean "Pitt Bull" White. Wilson defeated Eric Burke by fourth-round TKO in his most recent fight held February 25, 2012 in Charlotte, NC. Mathis is looking to bounce back after dropping his last fight to undefeated Chris Algieri on March 31, 2012 in Huntington, NY.
Fan favorite Jimmy Lange (38-4-2) of Great Falls, VA is headlining his 15th show at the Fairfax venue, and will face Tony "Mo Better" Jeter (13-3-1, 9 KOs) of Stevensville, MD in a 10-round bout. Officials also announced that popular LA Boxing instructor Lawrence Jones (4-6-2, 1 KO) of Reston, VA and Gundrick King (16-8, 11 KOs) of Tuscaloosa, AL will fight in a six-round junior middleweight contest. Jones served as a last-minute replacement in his last fight, a loss to Harry Joe Yorgey at the Patriot Center three months ago. King last fought on March 17, 2012, losing to Charlie Ota. In a four-round heavyweight showdown, unbeaten Duane Mobley (2-0, 1 KO) of Upper Marlboro, MD will be matched against Michael DeSantos, an LA Boxing trainer from Ashburn, VA who is making his professional debut. Mobley scored a first-round knockdown over Francois Russell last month in Indiana and won his first fight last February at the Patriot Center.
Doors will open at 6:00 pm, with the first fight scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm. All bouts are subject to change. Jackie "First Lady of Boxing" Kallen is the promoter with matchmaking handled by JD Brown.
Tickets, priced at $35, $50, $75, $125, $200, $300 and $500 (plus applicable service charges), can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com/ and via Phonecharge at 1-800-745-3000.
Information:
www.Facebook.com/JimmyLangeBoxing
Follow the Fighters:
Jimmy Lange - Twitter.com/boxerjimmylange
Tony Jeter Facebook
Tori Nelson Facebook
Maria Lindberg Facebook
Todd Wilson Facebook, Twitter.com/TWhiteLightning
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