nashville schools http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for nashville schools Copyright 2008 Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:46:23 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/nashville+schools Nashville Schools Examines Its 2005-2006 Performance http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-examines-its-2005-2006-performance http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-examines-its-2005-2006-performance#comments Mon, 11 Sep 2006 18:27:13 +0000 nashville schoolsadequate yearly progressboard of educationprogress resultspoverty schoolseducation reviewstennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-examines-its-2005-2006-performance Nashville Schools Reviews Results

Every year, every school district in must examine its performance from the pervious school year. This summer Nashville Schools had to do this as well. The Nashville Schools' Board of Education, which included both the outgoing members from 2005-2006 and the incoming members from 2006-2007, reviewed the results from the Tennessee Adequate Yearly Progress. The results will help to pinpoint for Nashville Schools those areas that have improved and where continued progress is needed. Nashville Schools had both remarkable achievements in some areas and areas that continue to be a challenge. This is the third year that the majority of schools in the Nashville Schools have received a rating of Good Standing, the highest rating that can be given. The remaining schools had moved either up or down from the previous year. The number of schools in Good Standing was 81 which is the same number as last year.

Possibly the biggest gain this year for Nashville Schools is that some of the schools categorized as high received Good Standing ratings. Two schools Kirkpatrick and Napier Elementary Schools achieved a Good Standing rating for the first time since the Tennessee Adequate Yearly Progress was established. These two schools are two of the highest poverty schools in Nashville School District. There ratings reflect the effort that the students, teachers, parents and principals put in last school year.

But many schools did not receive a rating of Good Standing or even the same rating as last year. Many of these schools received a lower rating than previously. This indicates that there are still lots of areas that still need improvement. Nashville Schools has made the commitment to strive for every school to receive a Good Standing rating. Each summer the Nashville Schools' Board of Education meets to determine what steps can be taken to improve the coming school year's scores. The difficulty is that there are a variety of factors that can influence the rating. A small adjustment in one area could affect the overall standing. With this in mind the Board tries to find a way to make every school a school that rates Good Standing.

One of the biggest concerns for the Nashville Schools' Board of Education is the size of the District. Nashville Schools currently has around 74,000 students and must provide educational opportunities that meet the needs of this student population. Nashville School District includes both Nashville and Davidson Counties, so there are logistic concerns also. Nashville Schools are very confident about how this school year will proceed. The Nashville Schools Board of Education is a nine member body that is elected at the end of every school year composed of educators, community leaders and administrators. The members are elected in a public vote by the citizens of the Nashville School District. The Board believes that there is a real potential for all the schools to gain ratings of Good Standing by summer of 2007. Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Nashville schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Budget Barely Keeping With Inflation http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-budget-barely-keeping-with-inflation http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-budget-barely-keeping-with-inflation#comments Sat, 28 Jul 2007 22:34:59 +0000 nashville schoolsbudget gamebudget cutattendanceparentsguidance counselorsabsent from school http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-budget-barely-keeping-with-inflation Nashville Schools are bracing for a . While costs are rising at about 3.4% due to inflation and other needed costs, the increase in the overall budget is only 1.1%. Despite the Nashville Schools best efforts to insure this deficit is not felt by students-there will certainly be changes felt by the loss of 40 classroom teachers and almost 100 custodians.

While the cuts will hurt some areas of the district, the Nashville Schools will still have some winners in the . Several positions will be added, programs kept or expanded, and critical concerns addressed. For starters, there will be an overall increase in and counselors. These are two positions that are expected to improve overall student success in Nashville Schools by steering students towards appropriate programs, and by ensuring regular and consistent attendance.

The Nashville Schools will continue to fund its attendance initiative. One key part of that is the automated `phone home' program that notifies if their children are . Nashville Schools feel this is a vital program to keep parents informed of their child's attendance, and to hold parents accountable. Also, slated to be kept on the budget for Nashville Schools, is the credit recovery program for both middle and high school students. This program allows students to earn missing credits in order to move up to the next grade level and to graduate on time. The Nashville Schools have seen an overall increase in the number of students graduating on time since its implementation.

The safety officers at each high school will actually see an increase in their numbers as both parents and administrators feel that they are necessary to keep students in Nashville Schools safe. In addition to safety officers, behavior specialists will be placed in schools with the most behavior challenges to help resolve these issues and have a positive impact on the academic lives of these students. The Nashville Schools will also be adding several special education teachers to better serve special needs students. The highly gifted students of the Nashville Schools will see an increase of nine new classrooms for highly gifted students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

A control clerk will be added to the textbook department which will save thousands of dollars a year in lost and misplaced textbooks. The Nashville Schools estimate they lose thousands of dollars each year in books that the school board simply can't trace. The Nashville Schools will also see an increase in the budget for charter schools. While charter schools aide in the education of students of the metro Nashville area, they deplete funds from other schools where teachers and supplies must be kept on hand even though the student population drops. There are also slight increases in the budget for materials, technology information, routine classroom supplies and clerical supplies. The Nashville schools also made an increase in their budget to cover the inflationary costs of fuel, natural gas, and electricity. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Begin New Projects To Help Teachers And Parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-begin-new-projects-to-help-teachers-and-parents http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-begin-new-projects-to-help-teachers-and-parents#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2006 14:27:08 +0000 nashville schoolsinformation parentsrandallstelephone information servicetelephone message servicenew telephone systemtornadoes http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-begin-new-projects-to-help-teachers-and-parents Nashville Schools' Telephone Information Program

The Nashville Schools has started a new that offers valuable information to parents. The Nashville Schools new will offer information about such school related information as: schools that are closed due incidents of snow, or any other issues; schools on lock-down during drop-off or pick-up times; any important parent meetings; an emergency situation at any of the Nashville Schools; and attendance information.

Parents seem to want an easy system for communication between themselves and the schools. The telephone system will be an automated call out system that will call parents. The calls will be no longer than forty-five seconds to show the value of the parents' time. For school closings calls will be made about thirty minutes before the child is scheduled to be picked upped by their bus. Any calls that are about non-emergency information will be made before 8:00PM. For emergency situations calls will be made as soon as the information is available.

Nashville Schools' will be programmed with the best way to reach the parents which include home phones, business phones and/or cell phones. The Nashville Schools aims to provide information to the best possible way.

Nashville Schools Creates New Training Center with the Nashville Alliance for Public Education

The faculty and staff of the Nashville Schools will have a new training center for professional development. The new Martin Professional Development Center will be completed with a combination of private and public funds. The Nashville Schools' Martin Professional Development Center is named for the work of Charlie Martin and the Martin Foundation.

This new facility will be located at the Eakin Elementary. The Eakin Elementary will be converted into the new training center. This Center will replace the existing Randall's Learning Center which is over 80 years old. The new center is scheduled to open in October. The new center comes after months of work by the Nashville Alliance for Public Education to secure $3.5 million in renovation funds. These renovations will create a 10,000 square foot space that can be used for a variety of purposes. Nashville Schools' Martin Professional Development Center renovation will include creation of a media facilities improved classrooms and the buildings' façade will be replaced.

Private donations came from the Martin Foundation which has pledged $1.5 million to the project. Additional contributions from the Orrin H. Ingram Fund and the Turner Family Foundation provide another $1.5 million. Some other funds will be secured after the sale of the Randall's Learning Center property. At the announcement for the Nashville Schools' Martin Professional Development Center, Director of Nashville Schools Pedro E. Garcia, Ed.D., Mayor Bill Purcell and Nashville Schools' Director of Professional Development Lenna Allen all spoke about how pleased they were with the project and the new Center. They later thanked the Nashville Alliance for Public Education, the Martin Foundation, the Ingram family and the Turner Family Foundation for their generous contributions and dedication to education. Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Nashville schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/tennessee/nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Move To All Standard Attire For Students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students#comments Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:35:00 +0000 nashville schoolskhaki slacksmetro nashvillenashville public schoolswiggle roommetropolitan nashvillefist fight http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students Nashville Schools will have to wear standard attire. As one can imagine, the move was not made without protest, but the school board is determined that this will be the directive for all Schools for the foreseeable future.

Standard attire is not school uniform. Although the two are often confused, standard attire does not constitute a uniform. Instead the standardization outlines kinds and colors of clothes to be worn by students in Public Schools. The district will not provide the clothes nor tell parents which specific items or brands to buy.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- What does it Entail?

Standard attire will consist of blue, black or , shorts, or skirt and a white or navy blue collared shirt. The mandated attire is intended to give students a clean and professional look. Certain Nashville Schools have elected to add other color shirts which are allowed (up to 4 additional) by the school board.

In addition to color and kind, standard attire also addresses style in the following ways. All shirts are to be tucked in. Although not explicitly stated in the policy, tucked in shirts which give a neater look, might be a deterrent during fights. The loose tail of a shirt is often used to grab a student during a . In addition, pants can not be worn in a loose or saggy manner. This is done to combat the "gang" look of a lot of young men today.

There is some in the new standards of attire of Nashville Schools. As noted above, schools can endorse other color shirts including the school's colors. School logos are permitted as well. In addition, the standard attire of Nashville Schools can be suspended temporarily for things like spirit week when students may dress up for "retro day" or "cowboy day" or "mythology day" or the like.

Nashville Schools has also established a waiver process. Students can get a waiver out of standard attire for various reasons. If religious practice requires a different style of dress such as a burka or headdress, this can be permitted. Waivers are also allowed for medical reasons or special education needs.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- Will it Solve Anything?

Nashville Schools, like the schools in most cities, have been plagued by a number of issues in recent years that have led to difficulties in the classrooms. Instituting standard attire is one step that Nashville Schools hope will cut down on gang violence and socio-economic stress that is often played out in the clothes that students wear. It's a good step forward towards addressing the city's problems, but let's just hope that the powers that be in Nashville Schools see it as just one small step in a line of others that will boost performance in the educational system. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Nashville Schools Move To All Standard Attire For Students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students#comments Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:25:02 +0000 nashville schoolskhaki slacksmetro nashvillenashville public schoolswiggle roommetropolitan nashvillefist fight http://www.artwoo.com/article/nashville-schools-move-to-all-standard-attire-for-students Nashville Schools will have to wear standard attire. As one can imagine, the move was not made without protest, but the school board is determined that this will be the directive for all Schools for the foreseeable future.

Standard attire is not school uniform. Although the two are often confused, standard attire does not constitute a uniform. Instead the standardization outlines kinds and colors of clothes to be worn by students in Public Schools. The district will not provide the clothes nor tell parents which specific items or brands to buy.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- What does it Entail?

Standard attire will consist of blue, black or , shorts, or skirt and a white or navy blue collared shirt. The mandated attire is intended to give students a clean and professional look. Certain Nashville Schools have elected to add other color shirts which are allowed (up to 4 additional) by the school board.

In addition to color and kind, standard attire also addresses style in the following ways. All shirts are to be tucked in. Although not explicitly stated in the policy, tucked in shirts which give a neater look, might be a deterrent during fights. The loose tail of a shirt is often used to grab a student during a . In addition, pants can not be worn in a loose or saggy manner. This is done to combat the "gang" look of a lot of young men today.

There is some in the new standards of attire of Nashville Schools. As noted above, schools can endorse other color shirts including the school's colors. School logos are permitted as well. In addition, the standard attire of Nashville Schools can be suspended temporarily for things like spirit week when students may dress up for "retro day" or "cowboy day" or "mythology day" or the like.

Nashville Schools has also established a waiver process. Students can get a waiver out of standard attire for various reasons. If religious practice requires a different style of dress such as a burka or headdress, this can be permitted. Waivers are also allowed for medical reasons or special education needs.

Standard Attire in Nashville Schools- Will it Solve Anything?

Nashville Schools, like the schools in most cities, have been plagued by a number of issues in recent years that have led to difficulties in the classrooms. Instituting standard attire is one step that Nashville Schools hope will cut down on gang violence and socio-economic stress that is often played out in the clothes that students wear. It's a good step forward towards addressing the city's problems, but let's just hope that the powers that be in Nashville Schools see it as just one small step in a line of others that will boost performance in the educational system. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Metro Nashville Public Schools Promote Unconventional Role Models http://www.artwoo.com/article/metro-nashville-public-schools-promote-unconventional-role-models http://www.artwoo.com/article/metro-nashville-public-schools-promote-unconventional-role-models#comments Sun, 30 Sep 2007 11:34:58 +0000 metro nashvillenashville schoolsnashville public schoolsvisible role modelsleadership capabilitiescommunity organizationslocal community http://www.artwoo.com/article/metro-nashville-public-schools-promote-unconventional-role-models Nashville Schools

We're all familiar with the kinds of students who are projected to be potential leaders in high schools =96 the debate team member, the math club geek, the student council president. These are the stereotypical American leaders of tomorrow; lucky enough to have their special abilities recognized while they are still in school. But what of the other less ? The kid with a stammer who has a lot to say if he could only get the words out clearly enough, the teenage mom with unlimited potential, even the kid at the back row who spends more time in detention than in class?

You'd cringe at the thought of these students being portrayed as leaders and nobody would blame you. In a groundbreaking new program, Nashville schools believe that this exact group of "low on achievement but high on potential" students has the capabilities to make an impact on society. So confident are schools that these students, if given a gentle nudge, can make equal or greater contributions to society that they are partnering with local to promote this belief.

Identifying Role Models at Metro

Alignment Nashville, a group that aims to bring together Nashville schools and organizations like the YMCA, and Hands on Nashville, wants to create a more organized framework for co-operation between these bodies. Earlier well intentioned attempts to coordinate Nashville schools and voluntary organizations fizzled because of the unsystematic nature of the efforts. This time around the focus is on going beyond words to actual implementation. The organization has launched a couple of programs at two Metro Nashville Public Schools targeting students who possess but are currently frittering away these abilities in other pursuits. In other words it aims to draw out the potential of at-risk teens who might not have otherwise had a shot at any roles in the school system, leave alone positions of leadership.

Creating Unlikely Leaders at Nashville Schools

This heartening initiative to empower students in Metro Nashville Public Schools who have been marginalized and draw them into leadership roles in the system works in a surprisingly simple manner. Staff is asked to nominate students they feel are currently on the fringes of the school, but could blossom given the right opportunities.

The program then aims to target these students through reading programs, discussions, maintaining journals, enhancing problem solving and team work abilities. Students are encouraged to communicate successfully and respect diversity. Although it's still too early to gauge the success of this program, authorities at Metro Nashville Public Schools say changes are already visible. Students in the programs are already assuming positions in school bodies and clubs and even at other local organizations. In the long run, Nashville schools expect this commendable program to lead to fewer dropouts, decreased school fights and an overall enhanced school environment for all. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Tennessee/Nashville/index.html ]]> Get Cheap Car Insurance In Nashville Tennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-cheap-car-insurance-in-nashville-tennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-cheap-car-insurance-in-nashville-tennessee#comments Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:19:57 +0000 cheap car insurancecar insurance policyauto insurance policyfinancial responsibilitynashville autoresponsibility requirementstennessee department of safety http://www.artwoo.com/article/get-cheap-car-insurance-in-nashville-tennessee financial responsibility requirements; therefore, in Nashville can be obtained in a variety of different ways to meet the financial as well as your own financial needs.

The following are ways you can meet Tennessee's financial responsibility requirements:

=95 An auto insurance card (the kind you keep in your glove compartment)

=95 Other written proof (such as a file or binder) from an Tennessee auto insurance company affirming you have a policy that meets financial responsibility requirements

=95 A certificate issued by the (DOS) affirming you've posted a cash deposit or bond that meets financial responsibility requirements

=95 A certificate issued by the Tennessee DOS affirming you've qualified as a self-insurer (to provide insurance/money yourself)

Cheap car insurance in Nashville will come from whichever one of the above financial responsibility choices works best for you. Remember, if you aren't in a financial situation that allows you to post cash deposits or bond, or self-insure, there's nothing obsolete about a good old fashioned Nashville . You can still save month on those, too.

=95 Make your insurance premium payments quarterly, or every six months, rather than every month. This can help cut down on additional fees.

=95 Raise your deductible. Even though this means you'll have to pay more money out of your own pocket in the event of an accident, raising your deductible also means you pay a cheaper Nashville car insurance premium.

=95 Purchase multi-line insurance. If you already have an insurance policy from a particular company (for example, a homeowner's insurance policy), find out if you can purchase an affordable Nashville , too. Many insurance companies offer discounts for purchasing more than one line of insurance with them, which means you could end up saving money on both insurance policies. The sites that I recommend http://ezquoteguide.com/car/ Cheapest Car Insurance http://www.myquoteguide.com/Multi-Line.shtml Fast Car and Home Quotes ]]> Discover Flying http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-flying http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-flying#comments Mon, 10 Apr 2006 14:11:36 +0000 discovery flightemailgary bradshawhttplearning to flyjourneypilot http://www.artwoo.com/article/discover-flying Discovery Flight Available

Have you ever thought about ?

March 1 (Nashville TN) -- .com has announced a new introductory flight program called Discovery Flight. This program is sponsored in part by Pilot Journey, hundreds of flight schools, and several corporate sponsors. The goal of the Discovery Flight program is to share what learning to fly can do to change lives by introducing them to aviation.

The Discovery Flight consists of a real flight lesson, a Discovery Flight online seminar and a Discovery Flight Plan e-book, all delivered instantly via from www.pilotjourney.com . The Discovery Flight coupon, online seminar and e-book are all free and entitles someone to purchase a flight lesson at a local flight school for $99, "this is lower than the actual cost of providing the lesson" according to , president of Pilot Journey. "Even if a person never uses the coupon, the seminar and e-book are still free since payment is made only to the flight school if the flight takes place"

"This program is important" says Bradshaw. "this is not just about having just another hobby, this is about doing something that will change someone's life" Asked what he means Bradshaw states that learning to fly seems to have almost a spiritual effect on people, in that it increases self-esteem and cause people to have a can do attitude about other things in life.

There are over 600,000 pilots in America, along with 2,000 flight schools and yet this adventure is still not known to most people. The thought is that one has to be rich to learn to fly. Most pilots actually rent airplanes and fly with others for family vacations, meetings and just plain fun, according to the website. About The Author: Gary Bradshaw is an evanglist for learning to fly at Pilot Journey in Nashville. The company's website is http://www.pilotjourney.com ]]> How To Find The Most Affordable Nashville Tennessee Home Loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-most-affordable-nashville-tennessee-home-loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-most-affordable-nashville-tennessee-home-loans#comments Sat, 20 Jan 2007 12:27:08 +0000 tennessee home loansnashville tennesseemortgage brokerbuying a housetime consumingmoney in your pocketfighting traffic http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-find-the-most-affordable-nashville-tennessee-home-loans Tennessee home loans, you already know how difficult and that can be. Let's face it, this is one big city and there are a lot of real estate professionals out there, all vying for your business.

But does it have to be this way? Does it have to be time consuming and even confusing? The answer is no.

Rather than investing hour upon hour as you attempt to visit one after another, you can now use the Internet to find the best broker that can service your account. It is not as hard as it may appear. Not if you begin with a few thoughts in mind.

First of all, and this is important, when you begin searching for a mortgage broker make sure that you work with one who has years of experience in securing the best and most affordable home loans. There is a reason why this experience is important to you as a buyer. Companies with years of experience will most often have more access to different programs and options. What this means to you is a wider choice of options, and that can mean real savings, in real dollars, each and every month. There is little argument that for most families and individuals alike, is the biggest investment that they will make in their lifetime.

Every increase in the rate that you agree to is more money out of your pocket each month. Likewise, every decrease in rate that you agree to is more each month. The only way to move between these two is through having a wide choice of options from different lending agencies, and that is where your mortgage broker comes in. Experienced brokers will have access to many more options than the newer brokers when it comes to offering the best Nashville Tennessee home loans.

Second, it is important to find a broker who will be there when you need to ask questions or have something explained to you. Just because they are accessible through online methods does not release them from the responsibility of having a real person available to answer your questions and address your concerns. Look for a company that offers a toll-free phone number that is manned during normal business hours. They should also have an email address for you to use, but you want phone access, as well.

Third, make sure the broker offers several programs. Not everyone has perfect credit and that should not necessarily keep you out of the market. If your credit is less than perfect, look for a broker who can work with you.

One great place to begin is with The Mortgage Depot at http://www.tmdloan.com, where you can find a lot of useful information on Nashville Tennessee home loans. Visit today to learn more. http://www.tmdloan.com is a Nashville Tennessee Home Loan lender with many years of experience in the industry. ]]> Have The Vacation Of A Lifetime At The Grand Ole Opry In Nashville, Tennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-the-vacation-of-a-lifetime-at-the-grand-ole-opry-in-nashville-tennessee http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-the-vacation-of-a-lifetime-at-the-grand-ole-opry-in-nashville-tennessee#comments Sat, 05 May 2007 15:14:55 +0000 grand ole opryryman auditoriumcountry music singersthis means thatcountry music starshank williams srpasty cline http://www.artwoo.com/article/have-the-vacation-of-a-lifetime-at-the-grand-ole-opry-in-nashville-tennessee Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry is a mainstay of this city known as the "home of country music" and anytime you go you are guaranteed to see a mixture of current , legends, and new artists trying to break into the business.

The best way to get tickets to the Grand Ole Opry is to buy them on the website early. you can get the best tickets that are up close to the action and you can really see all that is going on. If you wait until you are actually in Nashville to buy your tickets for the Grand Ole Opry you may find yourself out of luck or else in the very back. Anywhere you sit in the Grand Ole Opry is a great place, but the best view is up close!

Any time of year is a great time to visit the Grand Ole Opry, but if you visit during non traditional vacation times you are sure to have an easier time getting tickets not to mention you won't need to deal with the crowds. The Grand Ole Opry is Nashville's biggest attraction so everyone is trying to get tickets at the same time, which makes it a bit of a challenge sometimes if you wait until the last minute.

The Opry is open on Tuesday nights starting in March and continues on Friday and Saturday the rest of the year. The Opry starts at different times each night and there are two shows on Saturday.

Country music icons like ., Ernest Tubbs, and sang at the Opry and today their legends carry on with new singers and stars. Today's enjoy singing at the Opry as much their ancestors did and visitors really love the show and the entertainment!

But, the Grand Ole Opry isn't just country music. It is also a mix of gospel, comedy, bluegrass, today's hits and more. The Grand Ole Opry is located at the Grand Ole Opry House but was located for years in the and before that in other locations in Nashville. The Grand Ole Opry has really been a success in Nashville and it is the best place to go if you are in Nashville !

There is a website that has great information on USA Vacations and Unique Travel Spots Listed State By State and Season, the website is called: Seasonal Vacation Spots, and can be found at this url:

http://www.seasonalvacationspots.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright =A9 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections. Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 6 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970's-80's. Unknown-Creatures http://www.unknown-creatures.com ]]> Removing Unwanted Paint From a Car http://www.artwoo.com/article/removing-unwanted-paint-from-a-car http://www.artwoo.com/article/removing-unwanted-paint-from-a-car#comments Mon, 27 Oct 2008 06:01:22 +0000 new car ownernew car smellunwanted paintelbow greasesmooth accelerationpaint removerbrand new car http://www.artwoo.com/article/removing-unwanted-paint-from-a-car new car smell of the interior and the of the brand new engine can make any fall head over heels for their new car. You've been taking care of that car since day one; not getting a scratch on it and washing it once a week. But you can't avoid everything. Driving to work one day you see paint splattered on the roadway but you can't move into the oncoming lane of a two lane road because you are approaching a blind bend. The paint is unavoidable. You drive the car right through the paint and it still has its strong scent. That can only mean one thing. The paint is fresh and it is now all over your .

How do you remove from a car? This method works but it takes a lot of time and a lot of . The first step in removing the unwanted paint is to get the car out of the direct rays of the sun. If the paint is only on one side of the car; turn that side of the car away from the sun. Make sure you wash the car before doing anything else. There are plenty of different items that can be used for removing unwanted paint from a car. Some of them are paint thinner, goo gone and anything with acetone in it such as nail polish. Paint thinner can work but you have to be very, very careful. The paint thinner can ultimately remove the original paint from your car.

After applying these substances to the vehicle make sure you rewash the car and then put a coat of wax on the area that was covered in the unwanted paint. When removing the unwanted paint from the vehicle make sure you don't use your fingernail to scratch off the paint but use a soft rag dipped in soapy water. Spray the onto the areas of the car you are working on at the time and rub gently but with some elbow grease. Also, don't work on the same area for an extended period of time or the original paint job will begin to wear off. Move from area to area, slowly removing the unwanted paint.

Since you drove through the wet paint on the roadway, it is splattered on the tires and on the plastic covers above the wheel attached to the body of the car. Those plastic covers can be removed to clean them. Also, take off each wheel and clean it with soap and water. That should be enough to get the paint off of the wheel. If not, you can use paint thinner since there is no other paint on the wheel.

The process works but it takes a good handful of hours to get the paint completely off of the car without ruining the original paint job.Nashville Automobile Shipping Nashville Auto Transport]]> Spot Cleaning Your Carpet http://www.artwoo.com/article/spot-cleaning-your-carpet http://www.artwoo.com/article/spot-cleaning-your-carpet#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:15:03 +0000 carpet cleaningspot cleanerdabscrape awaypaper toweldry wellands http://www.artwoo.com/article/spot-cleaning-your-carpet ands or buts, you will get spots. Read this article for some tips on spot cleaning your carpet when the worst does happen.

The first step in spot cleaning is to as much of the solid material as possible. Use a dull instrument such as a spoon to gently remove solid material. Never use anything sharp like a knife. The next step is to blot up as much of the spot with a clean white towel or dye free . , do not rub as that could damage the carpet. Next you will get your out. Before you use any spot cleaner for the first time be sure to test it on a hidden area of your carpet such as a closet. Spray the spot cleaner on a rag and then dab the spot until the stain is removed. You want to dab to avoid damaging the carpet and you want to spray the rag not the carpet to avoid spreading the stain. Work from the outside in until all of the stain is removed. Be careful not to get the area to wet since this can lead to the stain wicking back and returning later. Finally you will let the area before putting it back to use. If possible place a fan on the spot to speed dry it.

That is it, Your carpet is now beautiful again. Regular spot cleaning like this can help you maintain your carpet so that you get the most enjoyment out of it and so it lasts for years. If you can not get a spot out with a general spotter you should call a cleaning professional in instead of trying other chemicals. You do not want to make it worse by playing chemist. Visit http://www.thecarpetcleanerlist.com/nashville.htm for tips on and care. ]]> Number Of Charter Schools Increasing Over Traditional Tampa Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/number-of-charter-schools-increasing-over-traditional-tampa-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/number-of-charter-schools-increasing-over-traditional-tampa-schools#comments Thu, 26 Jul 2007 03:15:01 +0000 public charter schoolscharter schoolfirst chartergovernor jeb bushtraditional schoolsstudent test scoresapproaches http://www.artwoo.com/article/number-of-charter-schools-increasing-over-traditional-tampa-schools governor Jeb Bush co-founded the first within the state of Florida, when most educators across the nation thought of charter schools as nothing more than a fad. Now, there are more than 350 charter schools within the state of Florida; there are 38 across the Tampa Bay area with several in the Tampa Schools area =97 private and public. The movement has mushroomed across Florida with charter school enrollment expected to top 100,000 students this year.

Yet, if you ask the average adult on the street, most have no idea what a charter school is. Though many charter schools are private businesses that operate under the guidelines of the state school board, many were converted to and still under the direction and control of the school districts, such as the Tampa schools.

Charter schools are given more flexibility from many of the regulations that apply to the traditional Tampa schools in exchange for greater accountability. Charter schools can be as different as day and night in their mission, vision for their students, to curriculum and teaching methods, and administrative structures, as well as their overall philosophy.

Each charter within the Tampa schools area must prove that their students are continuously improving academically from year to year. If they fail (indicated by on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)), they are closed.



Any individual or business that wishes to create a charter school can. Successful new approaches to education by some charter schools are copied by others. The primary philosophy of these schools, however, is that one curriculum and one way of doing things is not correct for every student.

The success of the charter schools within the Tampa schools' area has forced the Tampa schools' leadership and educators to re-evaluate their traditional schools, giving students and parents more educational choices from which to choose.

Clearly no longer just a fad, the Tampa schools lose many students (and the funding that goes with each student) to charter schools each year, and the numbers are on the increase. The Tampa schools now have 12 public charter schools converted from their traditional schools. Ten are lower grade levels and two are secondary. A few have middle school grades included.

Charter schools within the Tampa schools' area, as well as across the nation, continue to produce mixed results. Since their inception in Florida, 78 have closed, and nearly 30 percent were in the red financially a few years ago. Charters traditionally average 11 percent less funding per student, and their students generally score slightly lower on the FCAT, though they are improving.

Most charters within the Tampa schools' area have a greater proportion of minority students than the traditional schools. Many are located within the inner city communities, where all schools face their biggest challenges. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Tampa schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/florida/tampa/index.html ]]> The San Jose Schools Struggle With Charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-san-jose-schools-struggle-with-charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-san-jose-schools-struggle-with-charters#comments Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:25:02 +0000 california charter schoolseducational research grouppublic education systemurban school districtorganization charterbusiness charterbone of contention http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-san-jose-schools-struggle-with-charters urban school district, you can't say that the San Jose Unified School District hasn't tried a lot of different angles for success. The diversity in the San Jose Schools, with a significant percentage of Spanish and Vietnamese speaking families, can be part of the problem when communicating with parents and building successful schools. That's why the charter schools within the San Jose Schools are such a .

Charter schools are usually public schools which are independently run by a local or independent organization. Charter schools in the San Jose Schools often are freed from some of the constrictions that the regular public schools face. Is this good or bad? Well, there are a lot of opinions. For those who think that the San Jose Schools needs to be taken over privately, and run like a business, charter schools make a lot of sense. For those in the San Jose Schools we are trying to make the current system better, charter schools seem like a drain on funding that get to operate outside of the rule book. What do the results say?

Results of Charters in the San Jose Schools

A recent study of had some interesting results that may impact the San Jose Schools. An independent found that charters are better for middle school students, worse for elementary school students, and there was no consistent pattern for high school students.

What does this mean for students, parents and teachers in the San Jose Schools? A lot more indecision and confusion. Look at the Leadership Charter Schools. There's one in East San Jose, and a few more in outlying areas. Many parents are passionate about sending their children here, but the charter has continually butted heads with the local public schools. That's partially because schools lose money when students leave for another school. So the charters can cost the public schools money.



But here's what the San Jose Schools should be focusing on. There's a reason why charter middle schools seem to perform better than other middle schools. Let's not wait another 3 years for an independent research team to find out what's going on. The principals and teachers of San Jose Schools should be meeting and brainstorming to find out what the differences are. Charter and public schools on the same team. I suspect the need for preadolescents to have be in smaller and more intimate settings is going to show up as a factor. But why then, would charter elementary schools be in worse shape?

Maybe elementary schools are smaller to begin with so size is less of a factor? Maybe the elementary schools tend to be newer and by the time the kids filter up to middle the kinks are worked out? Lots of questions that need to be answered. At the moment, the San Jose Schools use the charter schools as an alternative, largely for low-income families. And with the state of education, alternatives aren't something we should give up. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/California/San-Jose/index.html ]]> RV Park Pals http://www.artwoo.com/article/rv-park-pals http://www.artwoo.com/article/rv-park-pals#comments Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:27:03 +0000 rv parksrv parkcalifornia rvgrand ole oprynashville areareminiscingbranson missouri http://www.artwoo.com/article/rv-park-pals s, you get to know the people of America. This is a terrific way to meet new friends and view the different lifestyles of folks across the country. We have met the most interesting people that we have ever met in our travels since we have been retired than we ever did working nine to five jobs.

We were staying in a park, some two thousand miles from home, when met a couple that lived just a mile or so down the road from us. Imagine the surprise when we learned that we were camping with our neighbors that we had never met in all of the years that we lived so close by. It took a two thousand mile trip for us to meet. We became very good friends and now we even travel together occasionally.

We have stayed in several RV parks in . On one such occasion we happened to meet my husband's cousin whom he hadn't seen in twenty years or so. We had a great time and catching up on our families. Their children are grown and we found out that their son and our son works for the same company.

About a year ago while staying at a Biloxi RV park, we met a very nice couple from Nashville, Tennessee. We have visited them since and they took us to the . They also showed us some very interesting sites in the that we did not know existed. It was a wonderful vacation and we got to see things that only a local resident would know about.

We now have many new friends that we have met in RV parks. Several of them visit us at our home, and many of them whom we stay in touch with meet us at a particular park somewhere. We have had so much fun travel throughout the United States and actually meeting the people of this great country. Kathleen Justing recommends http://www.getrvparks.com ]]> Baltimore Schools Lose In Court -- Ruling Favored Charter Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/baltimore-schools-lose-in-court-ruling-favored-charter-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/baltimore-schools-lose-in-court-ruling-favored-charter-schools#comments Fri, 29 Sep 2006 14:27:05 +0000 baltimore schoolsreiteratedstudent chartervaguelyvastpatterson parkcity neighbors http://www.artwoo.com/article/baltimore-schools-lose-in-court-ruling-favored-charter-schools City Neighbors and Public, two charter schools in Baltimore, appealed the ' per student funding formula to the state board. The board ruled in their favor, and the Baltimore schools appealed the board's decision in the Court of Special Appeals, Maryland's second highest court. Early this month, the court ruled in favor of the charter schools, requiring Maryland school systems to spend as much money per student at charter schools as they spend at their traditional schools.

Charter schools are publicly funded, but they operate independently under contracts with local school boards. Of the 24 charter schools in the state of Maryland, 17 are located in the Baltimore schools system.

The Baltimore schools' per student funding formula differs between their traditional schools and charter schools. Traditional schools receive the equivalent of approximately $11,000 per student. Charter schools receive $5,859 per student in cash, with the remainder received in services provided to the schools by the Baltimore schools system, such as special education and food. City Neighbors and Patterson Park Public contend that this formula limits their ability to choose how to provide services to their students, and the court agreed.

After the court handed down its ruling, the Baltimore schools board met in executive session, issuing a worded statement. It that the Baltimore schools remain a strong supporter of charters schools, but believe the recent court ruling will hurt the traditional schools by imposing a financial hardship on the majority of them. The statement further noted that the ruling could result in traditional schools receiving less per student funding than the charter schools. Additionally, the statement said that the board is fully committed to complying with the law, but it leaves open the possibility of an appeal by stating that the Baltimore schools board "feels obligated to fully consider its legal options."

After the statement was released, City Neighbors board President Bobbi Macdonald stated that they were not asking for more money, only equity within the Baltimore schools system. City Neighbors attorney Will DuBois underscored the fact that both the state board and the court agreed on a funding model that achieves the parity sought by the two charter schools.

The charter schools hope to meet with the Baltimore schools to discuss the court's ruling. They would like to move forward with the Baltimore schools board toward the interest of all Baltimore schools students. Meanwhile, the Baltimore schools board Chairman Brian D. Morris stated that the Baltimore schools currently is analyzing the financial impact of the court's ruling. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Baltimore schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/Maryland/Baltimore/index.html ]]> Are More Charter Schools In The Chicago Schools Future? http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-more-charter-schools-in-the-chicago-schools-future http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-more-charter-schools-in-the-chicago-schools-future#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:15:01 +0000 public charter schoolspublic charter schoolchicago schoolsmargaret spellingsbush administrationofficialspresident of the united states http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-more-charter-schools-in-the-chicago-schools-future president of the United States, he and his administration have instituted many federally mandated changes for public schools across the nation. Now, according to , education secretary for the , there may be more that directly affect the and the state of Illinois. Currently, the states of Illinois, Michigan and New York have the lowest caps on the number of s allowed. Illinois has the lowest cap of 60, then New York with a cap of 100, and Michigan with 150.

At one of the charter Chicago schools in late January, Spellings stated that the president wants all school districts across the country to change their restrictions on the number of public charter schools allowed, giving school districts, like the Chicago schools, the ability to convert as many failing traditional schools to charters as they wish.

Chicago schools' see this as a positive move. Over the years, they have aggressively pursued the conversion of failing schools to charters. The Chicago schools currently have 29 of their allowed 30 charter schools in place and running. With a current 185 low performing schools, the Chicago schools' officials see conversion to public charter schools as a possible solution to improve the schools' performance. Otherwise, their only option is to make major staff changes, since they can only convert one more traditional school to charter under current state guidelines.

Chicago schools' officials believe that more drastic interventions are required to make these failing schools successful. Charters within the Chicago schools have more freedom over their curriculum, budgeting and scheduling than traditional schools do. They also have more accountability to the Chicago schools.

Opponents to the Bush Administration proposal for changing the state's public charter school cap believe the president is going too far. Legislators involved in drafting Illinois' cap are some of those opposed to the proposal. The state's teachers' union also is against the proposal.



Representative Monique Davis, who is a Democrat representing Chicago (and the Chicago schools) and vice chairwoman of the House Education Committee, stated in response to the proposal that the legislators of Illinois believe, as many others across the nation, that charter schools still are in the experimental stage. Expansion of the number of public charter schools should be held back until they prove themselves as a viable and successful alternative for the future. They just are not there yet.

Regardless of what the Illinois legislators believe, the proposal will soon be in Congress. If the bill passes, it takes the matter out of state hands, since the federal government can impose whatever mandates they desire when contributing federal funding to schools. This means the Chicago schools' officials may soon be able to enact some serious interventions for their 185 low performing schools. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information on Chicago schools visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/illinois/chicago/index.html ]]> Make Up Schools - What You Should Know About Make Up Schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/make-up-schools-what-you-should-know-about-make-up-schools http://www.artwoo.com/article/make-up-schools-what-you-should-know-about-make-up-schools#comments Sun, 04 Nov 2007 22:34:59 +0000 fashion magazinesmake up tipscosmetology schoolscolor paletteinsschools of thoughtdrag queen http://www.artwoo.com/article/make-up-schools-what-you-should-know-about-make-up-schools schools of thought preach that less is more, while others encourage their followers to pile it on and make it dark. Most women will never go to an actual make up school, and tead learn from the comfort of their own home with a women's magazine as their professor. Women's magazines give countless that women can learn from, and can walk you through the application process step by step. Isn't that what they teach at anyway?

Unless you like looking like a , I suggest that you choose one of the make up schools that teaches the natural look. If you're looking to a magazine to teach you, you can usually get a feel for what they want you to look like by the cover of the magazine. Look around the newsstands until you find a cover with a make up look that you want as your own. Usually on the inside they will list the names and shades of the make up brands that they used on the model or actress that graces the front. If you do this enough and buy the products that they list, eventually you'll have quite the to choose from each morning as you get ready.

Women's magazines are not only effective make up schools for people who want to be in the know, but they're also affordable. If you pay attention and practice enough each month, after awhile you'll be able to give any make up artist a run for his or her money. All this, and without the expensive school tuition! When you think about it, there's no better place to turn to than the pages of to learn the ins and outs of trendy make up and how to apply it. For more information on make up schools, visit the Makeup Forum at http://www.TheCosmeticsForum.com/ today. It's free to become a member so join today! ]]> Tennessee Real Estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/tennessee-real-estate http://www.artwoo.com/article/tennessee-real-estate#comments Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:25:01 +0000 blue ridge mountainspellissippi state technical community collegecontinuing education courseslush greenerytennessee real estatestate of tennesseeoverwhelming need http://www.artwoo.com/article/tennessee-real-estate Blue Ridge Mountains run through Tennessee offering rolling hills, mountains and throughout the western part of the state. You will find there are several cities in Tennessee that have a large draw other than just the countryside of mountains. Nashville, Chattanooga, Brentwood, Franklin, and Knoxville are just a few of the larger cities that have recently seen a fluctuation in real estate. You will find the climate is relatively mild in the . It offers snow in some parts during the winter, but for the most part the temperatures like to hang around 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the season. There are several reasons if you are a baby boomer looking for a vacation home or just a new place to live.

At the moment there are many communities that are for older folks. This means that communities in Knoxville and the county are offering residential homes to those who are over fifty. The communities offer the amenities such as no steps, no maintenance, and other activities that can become to strenuous in later life. While those who are fifty have not yet reached that stage, it is nice to have that will be a good investment for the future.

The communities for the homes in Tennessee real estate offer a wonderful location for where families and older generations would like to live. The housing is built in safe neighborhoods where it is easy to walk between houses and become a real part of a community rather than spend the days not knowing who your neighbors are. They are also close to public transportation. While not all communities in Tennessee are like this there is an for these types of places and they are being seen as a positive point for finding a vacation home or a safe home for children. The schools are near by, especially for those who would like to take from the .

You will find the Tennessee isn't just about Nashville and the homes of the rich and famous making country music or struggling artists looking for cheap apartments. There is plenty of recreation near the real estate offered through out the state. You will find hiking, walking, biking, and other activities such as cultural events that will have a lot of fun for you in the communities. The housing will range of course in cost depending on the area of the cities and outlying areas. Most often you will find housing is in the mid 200's and above for vacation homes, condos, and single family homes. For those looking to retire you will also find the taxes in Tennessee are lower than other states like Florida. While you don't have the beaches that exist in Florida you are going to find a more marketable investment, especially with the lower taxes.

Tennessee is still trying to increase the amount of individuals moving into the state, which is why they are often trying to find the best deals to entice new individuals and family. Tom Beaty offers Tennessee Real Estate information for buyers and sellers. Don't buy or sell without visiting this Blog or it could cost you: http://www.tennessee-real-estate-us.com,Tennessee real estate ]]> New York City Schools Include Charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-york-city-schools-include-charters http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-york-city-schools-include-charters#comments Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:35:01 +0000 charter schoolscharter schoolopen charternew york cityphilanthropiststraditional public schoolsstudent performance goals http://www.artwoo.com/article/new-york-city-schools-include-charters s have been formed. For many Schools families, charters appear to be the way to go.

Virtually anyone concerned with the state of New York City Schools can open a charter school. Parents, teachers, principals (whether they are from public New York City Schools or private ones), community leaders, and nonprofit organizations are all examples of the types of folks who schools in response to a perceived lack in quality public education.

But what is a charter school, anyway? Most people have heard about them, but are unclear or confused as to what they are, exactly. Charter schools are created by a contract (or "charter") with the New York City Schools system. They are held to the same standards as more , but operate with a greater autonomy than regular schools within the system. The purpose of the charter school is to offer new resources, personnel and ideas to education, as well as to give the families of New York City Public Schools a greater choice.

Charter schools are under the umbrella of the New York City Schools district, and are held directly accountable for meeting specific . If the charter school fails to meet these criteria, their charter can be revoked or not renewed. In return for these higher standards, these schools are exempt from New York City Schools regulations such as curriculum development, staffing, and budget.

There are 6 reasons why numbering charter schools among the options for families with children attending New York City Schools is a good idea. Charter schools have unique educational goals that are innovative and desirable:

- Charter schools within the districts of New York City Schools are responsible for increasing the learning opportunities and achievement of all students, most especially high-risk students =96 ones in danger of dropping out or who have a low reading ability, for example.

- These special New York City Schools also encourage the use of different and innovative teaching methods. Within the confines of the traditional public school classroom, teachers have fewer options with how they go about their jobs. Simple issues such as class size or available resources can considerably tie their hands.

- Charter schools obviously provide a greater amount of choice for parents and students of New York City Schools.

- Also, charter schools can provide motivated educators with the means to pursue their beliefs and ideas.

New York City Schools strive to offer its students the best possible education, and the choice of attending a charter school is one way to do so. Charter schools can offer their children a wider variety of opportunities. Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit http://www.schoolsk-12.com/New-York/New-York-City/index.html ]]>