Upcoming Events
« Previous EntriesSolutions to the Dropout Crisis radio webcast Tuesday, June 16
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
Solutions to the Dropout Crisis radio webcast, to be broadcast live on Tuesday, June 16, at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. (12:30 PDT)
Mentoring is one of the most effective and certainly the most economical dropout prevention strategies. But in order to have positive effects, mentoring needs to incorporate the right elements, i.e., The Elements of Effective Practice.
Kate Schineller, VP of MENTOR, will present a full program about mentoring, including who needs mentors; what the research says; and program design and planning. She will then introduce listeners to a successful mentoring program for children of prisoners, the Caregiver’s Choice Project, a demonstration project of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and administrated by her organization, MENTOR.
Materials including the slide show/PowerPoint are available online now! On the day of the broadcast, go to http://www.dropoutprevention.org/webcast and select this program. You may participate live and call in questions of our guest. If you are unable to join us on the 16th, listen to the archived version or subscribe to our program on Itunes.
Any questions, contact ndpc@clemson.edu.
Topics: Dropouts, Recommended Resources, Resources for Mentor, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Save the Date REMINDER: National Association for Multicultural Education Conference
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, March 10th, 2009
There is still time to register for The 2009 Oregon Chapter of NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education) Conference on May 1, 2009, at Western Oregon University in Monmouth.
For those who are not familiar with this wonderful resource for information AND inspiration, this organization describes itself as Advocates for Educational Equity and Social Justice.
The title of this year’s conference is Lies & Truths in Our History: Teaching What Happened — And What We Can Do About It Now. The conference will feature James Loewen as Keynoter, author of Lies My Teacher Told Me and Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism.
Concurrent sessions throughout the day will focus on what works in preK-20 classrooms and the community. I attended last year’s conference. It was a full day opportunity to learn from people who are passionate about their work with kids and schools, about how to enrich our relationships, and strengthen our communities. In addition, the resources I collected have greatly enhanced my library. Many of the handouts and lots of great information from last year’s conference is available on their website at http://oregonname.org/2008handouts.htm
This conference is also an opportunity to share what YOU know, and what works in your classroom, program or community. A request for proposals will be forthcoming, and will also be posted on the website: http://oregonname.org.
“We are especially interested in proposals from educators that work with diverse populations who would like to showcase their successful strategies.”
Topics: Recommended Resources, Things to do, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
COLORED PENCILS ART AND CULTURE NIGHT
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Thursday, February 19th, 2009
America’s immigrants have always unpacked new vitality and new possibilities. Colored Pencils Art & Culture Night is an effort to re-assert the cultural wealth of immigrants into newcomer and settled Portland.
Mark your calendars for Friday, February 27, and join artists and performers in an evening of culture and art at the Center for Intercultural Organizing office, 700 N. Killingsworth, Portland.
For more information and to visit the website http://www.interculturalorganizing.org/resources/enews/2009/coloredpencils.html
The first of its kind in Portland, Colored Pencils Art & Culture Night sets the stage for a monthly open mic and art show hosted by people from Asian, African, Arab Slavic and Latino backgrounds. Once a month, for as long as art matters, contributors from three forms of artistic expression, participants of every age and from everywhere, will perform or exhibit their work for the benefit of Portland. An international variety of food will be offered, along with lots of laughter.
The event is hosted by Colored Pencils Art and Culture and Center of Intercultural Organizing.
Topics: Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Be the Change: Sign Up to Volunteer Soon
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
Hands On Greater Portland and United Way of the Columbia-Willamette are organizing a Weekend of Service January 17 – 19 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
There will 33 ways to volunteer over the course of three days. Thirty three service projects to better our community. (And, if you believe as I do, that encouraging kids at risk to do something for someone else, 33 ways to spend time doing something meaningful with and for the kids you care about.)
Projects that you can participate in include being a Big Brother or Big Sister for a day, building new bicycles from donated parts, sprucing up the children’s section of the Hillsboro Public Library, and creating greeting cards for sick children, stock the pantry at the Oregon Food Bank, and much more
For more information, to see the list of projects, and to sign up, visit the website
Topics: Quality Time, Things to do, Upcoming Events | 1 Comment »
Mark your calendars! OSBA 62nd Annual Convention
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, November 3rd, 2008
Oregon School Board Association
62nd Annual Convention
November 13 - 16
Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel
Every child deserves a future that embraces a world of new opportunities and knowledge. Our schools must prepare every student to succeed in the world, providing the skills and insight that will help them adapt and learn throughout their lives. As leaders in our schools and communities, you must believe in the promise of the future - and you must believe your work helps to make every future count. Click here for information and registration
Among the many offerings at this year’s convention, (click here to view the schedule of events) two are related to our project, Making Connections:
1. Making Connections: Strong relationships keep kids in school
Making Connections is an online relationship-building tool created by Oregonians for Oregonians who work with kids. One-on-one students/adult relationships make students more successful in school and more likely to graduate. Making Connections was developed to lower the turnover rate among adult professionals and volunteers. Panelists explain how the lessons, activities and support from peers helped them create connections with students, improve their experience and enrich their community.
Time: Friday, November 14 at 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Location: Willamette Room
Presented by: Emma Burkhart, teacher, Rigler Elementary
Brendan Bassett, lead program coordinator, Metropolitan Family Service
Toni Plato, program administrator,
Portland State University
Jeff Renfro, project manager: Making Connections, Innovation Partnership
I will be presenting on Saturday – I hope to see you there.
2. The third R: Relationships
School districts need relationship help! This session explores the importance of relationships to schools and community. Although research shows that rigor, relevance and relationships are the keys to educational success, the first two get the bulk of our time and money. This session teaches you how to achieve this essential competency and explores how school districts can support teachers and mentors in building strong, culturally competent relationships. The content and strategies are based on research collected by a panel of 30 community leaders and professionals from education, business and government.
Time: Saturday, November 15 at 2-3:30 p.m.
Location: Medford Room
Presented by: Tobi Kibel Piatek, education consultant,
Portland State University, Graduate School of Education
Topics: Resources for Mentor, Resources for Teacher, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Upcoming Event: Special Screening “Sangre de mi Sangre” ~ Fund Raiser
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Wednesday, July 30th, 2008
Special screening
“Sangre de mi Sangre” (winner of the best film at the Sundance Film Festival)
Thursday, August 14th @ 7:00 pm
at the Living Room Theaters (341 SW 10th)
$10.00-Admit One
FUND RAISER
Entire proceeds will go to producing “Papers”, a story about undocumented youth and the choices they must make as they become adults without legal status.
Graham Street Productions, based in Portland, is producing this film. Please take a look at the following video to get an idea of the strong message they want to share with the community.
Topics: Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Upcoming Event: A CONVERSATION WITH ALANA:ONE BOY’S MULTICULTURAL RITE OF PASSAGE
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, July 21st, 2008
Friday, July 25, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 333, Smith Memorial Student Union, at Portland State University
A Conversation with Alana is a one-act play performed by its author, Dr. Carlos E. Cortes, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of California, Riverside. This performance is one of a series of parallel sessions for a Core Commitments conference being held by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. For play description, see below. I had the opportunity to see this play while participating in Summer Institute for Intercultural Communication at Reed College. This annual conference is put on by the Intercultural Communication Institute, a private, non-profit foundation designed to foster an awareness and appreciation of cultural differences in both the international and domesitc arenas.
The play is a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a man who was part of many cultures but never quite fit any of them. It is well worth seeing for any of us who work with kids from multicultural backgrounds (or, for those of us who know this experience first hand.
A CONVERSATION WITH ALANA: ONE BOY’S MULTICULTURAL RITE OF PASSAGE
“A Conversation with Alana” is a one-hour, one-person autobiographical play written and performed by Carlos E. Cortés, Riverside. In his play, Cortés presents his story of growing up as a young man of mixed ancestry in racially segregated, religiously divided early post-World War II Kansas City, Missouri. The son of a Mexican Catholic immigrant father and an American-born Jewish mother, whose parents came from Austria and Ukraine, Cortés had to learn to navigate Kansas City’s rigid racial, ethnic, and religious fault lines, while simultaneously dealing with the internal conflicts of his own divided family.
Topics: Culturally Competent, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Jazz for Peace
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Wednesday, June 11th, 2008
Upcoming Event: JUNE 20th
A concert and small auction benefitting Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) and celebrating World Refugee Day. Reception starts at 6:30 pm and concert starts at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now. Call for more information.
The mission of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is to promote the integration of refugees, immigrants, and the community at large into a self-sufficient, healthy, and inclusive multiethnic society.
Location: World Trade Center Auditorium - 121 SW Salmon ST., 3rd Floor Portland, Oregon - Map to this address
Contact: (503) 234-1541 ext. 103 for more details. For tickets and other information JazzforPeace.org.
Topics: Things to do, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Get Out and Play: Free and Fun
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
State Parks Day Saturday, June 7, 2008
Come celebrate State Parks Day with Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Get out and GO PLAY! Visit with the local pros to learn more about recreation in the great Northwest. The park will feature information and resources on hiking, disc golfi ng, biking, boating and camping of course. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. JR Beaver will make a special guest appearance so don’t forget your cameras!
SATURDAY, June 7, 2008 9:00 – noon free event for all ages - no preregistration necessary
Check this site for location and details http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_144.php
For more information, and ideas for things to do - check out the summer catalog - there are lots of events and ideas for kids, families, volunteers and parents. Also, lots of ways to volunteer your time and knowledge. http://www.tryonfriends.org/education/ExploreGuide.pdf
Learn more about all that this great park has to offer http://www.tryonfriends.org/
Topics: Quality Time, Things to do, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
Museum Family Sundays (at the Art Museum)
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | Monday, June 2nd, 2008
Mentors looking for inexpensive and free ways to bring art into your lives, and experience one of Portland’s great resources will love Museum Family Sundays. On “select Sunday afternoons ” throughout the year, the Portland Art Museum offers adult and kid combinations hands-on activities, demonstrations and performances designed to “lead you on a journey of discovery as you explore our galleries filled with art from around the world.”
On June 22, 2008: Explore art of the Northwest through art–making, family tours of the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards and the Center for Northwest Art, artist demonstrations, and more family fun.
sunday
jun 22, 2008
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Price: Free with museum admission (kids under 17 are free)
Topics: Quality Time, Things to do, Upcoming Events | No Comments »
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