Error message

Updates from Organizations - Government agencies - Advertise Various Artists

Wednesday, October 18, 2017 - 4:00pm

IN PRAISE OF ELI BROAD. Much has and will continue to be said about the contributions of Eli Broad to the cause of great education for kids. Many have praised his support of charter schools, his efforts to help Los Angeles (in particular to recruit and elect pro-reform candidates to the board and other positions) and, of course, his continual financial support of myriad efforts to improve the public good.

Less discussed, however, is the gradual but clear recognition that the public education system Broad once sought to improve is broken. Indeed, investing in disruptive innovations, like charter schools and personalized learning approaches, is far more likely to gain traction for kids in the short and long term than trying to turn around a union-dominated behemoth. While he’s retiring from active work, we hope Eli will help convince his fellow philanthropists to take risks and stand up to adults, on behalf of students.

 

IF YOUR TEACHER LOOKS LIKE YOU... Then it means you’re likely to do better in school — particularly if you’re a black student. So say NPR, Black Male Educators, Jersey BAEO and others.

Of course, if we care about this fact, then we have to be serious about how to ensure that more students of color become educators. That starts, first, with giving them a great experience in their own school, and second, by getting them excited about a career in teaching.

Much can be and has been written on this subject, but on the point of giving students a great education to start — well, let’s just say the controversy around simple things like educational choice are the subject of misguided documentaries, pronouncements against edreform from national organizations like the NAACP and more. The data on this subject should compel union-loving politicians and the ed-establishment elite to do everything they can to stop over-labeling black kids who weren’t taught to read as “special needs,” and to start advocating for choice and innovation.

 

BACKPACK FULL OF CASH. While we continue to fight with our friends who produced the Matt Damon-narrated film that distorts most of our efforts and motives, we must again remind our followers that we wholeheartedly celebrate the “backpack full of cash” metaphor. Every child should be worth the same amount of money, and every school should vie for the privilege of educating our children. Want to get funded? Let parents decide who gets their backpack.

Put another way: Parent power is critical to advancing the needs of kids. In fact, that was the focus this past weekend of the Black Male Educators Convening, and it’s the focus of every committed edreformer. It turns out that business is pretty passionate about the issue, along with Jersey BAEO and many others.

 

 

EDUCATION, JOBS, THE ECONOMY AND APPRENTICESHIPS. On Monday, Labor Secretary Andrew Acosta visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He met with business, industry and government leaders, from the local, state and national levels, all of whom are eager to find a new path to close the #skillsgap and ensure that the six million jobs available today find occupants who have, or can develop, the skills they need.

Whether you start at the tail end of schooling or the beginning, it’s clear that traditional approaches to education (e.g., the traditional agrarian public-ed system) are not only failing to prepare students to be exceptional academically; they’re also failing to expose them to the potential of a rapidly changing world. The Chamber’s latest talent pipeline initiative is promising. Learn more here.

 

Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform (CER) aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — thus ensuring that conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education. Follow CER on Twitter at @EdReform.

===============================

JERSEY MIKE’S SUBS TO OPEN

FIRST RIVERDALE LOCATION

 Owners Celebrate With Free Sub Fundraiser

RIVERDALE, Utah, Oct. 18, 2015 – Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs, will open in Riverdale on October 25.  Franchise owners TC Krueger and Brett Lewis will hold a grand opening and free sub fundraiser from Wednesday, October 25 to Sunday, October 29 to support Bonneville High School.

The new restaurant, located at 829 W Riverdale Rd., is circulating 10,000 coupons throughout the community offering a free regular sub for a minimum $2 contribution to Bonneville High School.  Customers must have a coupon to be eligible. 

“The first time I had Jersey Mike’s was in North Carolina,” said Krueger.  “It was that first bite that had me hooked on the brand.  The #9 Club Supreme is my favorite! Between the food and the culture of Jersey Mike’s, we were psyched to have the opportunity to become franchisees in Utah. For this grand opening, we have partnered up with the local high school.  Everyone here has been so welcoming to us and we are excited to build and grow alongside such a great community.”

Krueger and Lewis are exemplary Jersey Mike’s franchise owners who share the company’s commitment to quality products and exceptional customer service, and who are dedicated to giving back to the local community. Since 2010, Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the country have raised nearly $25 million for worthy local charities and have distributed more than 1.5 million free sub sandwiches to help numerous causes. This year, the company’s 7th Annual Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving in March raised more than $5.5 million for nearly 150 charities throughout the country.

Started in 1956, Jersey Mike’s now has 1,500 restaurants open and under development nationwide. This year, Jersey Mike’s was named the country’s fastest-growing Limited Service Chain and fastest-growing sandwich chain in the 2017 Nation’s Restaurant News Top 100.

The growth is fueled by passionate Jersey Mike’s fans who crave their subs made Mike’s Way® with the freshest vegetables – onions, lettuce and tomatoes – topped off with an exquisite zing of “the juice” – red wine vinegar and olive oil blended to perfection.  Jersey Mike’s premium meats and cheeses are sliced on the spot, piled high on in-store baked bread and served up with a helping of neighborly banter from a dedicated and high-energy team. 

This is the 3rd Jersey Mike’s location for TC Krueger and Brett Lewis.  In May 2016, they opened their first Jersey Mike’s location in Orem, Utah and went on to open another later that year in Lehi. 

The restaurant’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  You can contact this location directly at (801) 675-5462.

Jersey Mike’s, a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise with more than 1,500 locations open and under development nationwide, believes that making a sub sandwich and making a difference can be one and the same.  Jersey Mike’s offers A Sub Above®, serving authentic fresh sliced subs on freshly baked bread – the same recipe it started with in 1956 – and is passionate about giving back to its local communities. For more information, please visit www.jerseymikes.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/jerseymikes) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/jerseymikes).

==============================

Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser announces appointment of Senate chief of staff

 

SALT LAKE CITY (Oct. 18, 2017) — Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser has appointed Mark Thomas to serve as Utah Senate chief of staff.

 

As chief of staff, Thomas will oversee Senate operations and staff management, and will serve as the Senate’s primary spokesperson. Thomas will advise the Senate President and membership on issues related to policy, communications and constituent relations.  

 

“I am confident that Mark Thomas will be an exceptional addition to the Utah Senate team. His demonstrated ability to understand complex policy issues and his track record of finding common-sense solutions makes him a uniquely suited individual to take over this critical role. My Senate colleagues and I are anxious to have him aboard,” said President Niederhauser.

 

“I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to represent the Senate Minority Caucus on the committee to select the new Senate Chief of Staff,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis. “After interviewing many excellent candidates, I am confident that Mark will do an outstanding job for the Utah Senate and the people of this state. Our caucus is united in our support for Mark’s appointment and look forward to his leadership in guiding continued collaboration across the aisle.”

 

“I’m excited to accept this position and to become part of a superior Senate team. I look forward to working with President Niederhauser and the membership of the Senate in my new capacity,” said Thomas. “It is an honor to begin this new adventure with the Senate as its members continue to act as a thoughtful, deliberate voice of the people of Utah.”

 

Thomas currently serves as the chief deputy and director of elections for Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Prior to this position, Thomas served as office administrator to then Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert. He was appointed director of elections in 2009 by former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, and has since focused on modernizing Utah’s elections and campaign finance, developing online voter and absentee registration, and updating antiquated election laws. Thomas was the recipient of the 2012 Governor's Award for Excellence for Innovation and Efficiency, the 2013 Making Democracy Work Award and the 2014 G. Homer Durham Distinguished Service Award. He is a graduate of the University of Utah.

 

 

Thomas will transition to this new position in mid-November.