hard deadlines

This Saturday, May 19, the Highlander Institute is sponsoring an educational technology conference on "blended learning," and if you're thinking of attending, read on for a discount code.

The conference web site offers a look at the sessions, and has details on the hands-on area and the sponsor displays.

Teachers (and edtech fans) can register for the event through this web site, and if you use promo code BLTtech, it's $10 off.

Read previous coverage here.

Editorial note: Written substantially from a press release.

The estimated date for re-opening Portsmouth's Escape Bridge is now late August, according to RIDOT's Chief of Information and Public Relations, Charles E. St. Martin III. In an e-mail exchange today, St. Martin blamed the slippage on unexpected decay in the structure, which serves as an evacuation route from the coastal area of Island Park.

"During work on this project, we encountered more deterioration that was difficult to ascertain before demolition," said St. Martin. "The additional concrete repairs are needed to ensure the successful repair of the bridge and to assure its longevity."

When asked why this delay had not been included in the most recent "community update" from RIDOT, St. Martin said only, "We will look into incorporating this type of information."

I had heard about this from a resident who spoke to RIDOT Director Michael Lewis by phone last Thursday. Pressed on why Lewis had privately communicated the date to a resident last week, St. Martin said, "Director Lewis was responding to a direct inquiry."

So here's the picture, fellow citizens of Portsmouth. If you can get Director Lewis to take your calls, you can find out what's going on. If not, you'll have to live with the less-than-useful information they've been handing out — and which I've been running — in their updates.

Does anybody else find this unacceptable?

How about their promise to try to accelerate the schedule. St. Martin said,"We will work with the contractor to accelerate the remaining work to see if it can be reopened prior to late August. We also will work with the community regarding any evacuations that might be needed due to tropical storms that might impact our area."

If you're worried, you might be comforted by St. Martin's observations about about our modern world. "Please keep in mind that weather forecasting is far more sophisticated now than it was in 1961 when the bridge was built, with much more advance notice given to coastal residents when storm surges are possible."

I guess Mr. St. Martin is unaware of how totally effed up Portsmouth's response was to the storm surge for Irene.

Full disclosure: I live in the evacuation zone of Island Park.

The Portsmouth Charter Review Committee (PCRC), established to consider four specific amendments proposed by the Portsmouth Concerned Citizens (PCC) as well as an overall analysis of the Town's guiding document, submitted their final report to the Town Council today, according to an e-mail from PCRC secretary Mark Katzman. You can download it here (70k PDF). The report was submitted by Chair Sal Carceller on behalf of the 28-member committee which has been meeting every month since early 2011.

According to Katzman, the Town Council is scheduled to consider the report at the meeting of May 29. They will decide which of the proposed amendments from the PCRC would be placed on the November, 2012 ballot.

The full report has the detail, but here are the high-level recommendations:

• Establish an eight-year Charter review cycle
• Provide a mechanism for the Town Council to discipline its members
• Require the Town Administrator to produce an annual "state of the town" report
• Reinstate the possiblility of appointing a Town Engineer
• Create a Municipal Court
• Remove the requirement that the Department of Public Works Director be a resident
• Allow for the creation of a Parks and Recreation department
• Move the date for the submission of the school budget to the Town about one week later
• Fix an incorrect reference to RI General Law in the Planning Board section of the Charter
• Require yearly advertising for Planning and Zoning Board positions
• Protect open space and recreation areas from sale or leasing without voter consent

For those who recall the origin of this committee, it is worth quoting from the conclusion of the report at length:

[W]e note that not long before the creation of the PCRC, and as an apparent stimulant for the Council’s creation of the PCRC, the Council had received four proposals for charter changes from the Portsmouth Concerned Citizens group, and one group of proposals from the Lower Glen Farm Preservation Committee. Because of that history, this report will conclude by specifically addressing these five proposals:

1. Proposal for a Charter rule to require review of the charter every six years. [Previously submitted to the Council by the PCC]. As cited in this report, this matter was considered and a decision made to approve a change to Charter Section 103 to require the formation of a Charter Review Committee every eight years.
2. Proposal to eliminate “straight party lever voting” from local elections. [Previously submitted to the Council by the PCC]. This proposal was rejected. There was considerable debate about how such a proposal would be worded, and concern about what the Town is authorized to do versus what election matters are solely within the authority of the State of RI.
3. Proposal to add to the charter a procedure allowing for recall of local elected officials. [Previously submitted to the Council by the PCC]. The proposal was debated at length and rejected.
4. Proposal for two-year terms for School Committee members. [Previously submitted to the Council by the PCC]. The proposal was rejected. Of concern was that its adoption would prohibit staggered terms of office, and that the educational aspects of the office is sufficiently complex that continuity on the School Committee was needed in order to serve the best interests of the town.
5. Proposed changes to section 912, Property Transfer. [Previously submitted to the Council by The Lower Glen Farm Preservation Committee]. The proposals submitted resulted in the approval of suggested changes to section 912, as noted in detail in this report.

That last item is the change to the open space language that tightens up the existing restriction on sale of land over two acres.

Full disclosure: Both my wife and I are appointed members of the PCRC. If you want to want to ensure that the Council gives appropriate consideration to the work the the two dozen citizens on the committee have done over the past year, I'd ask you to read the report and think about attending the May 29 meeting.

Portsmouth school committee chair Cynthia Perrotti announced at last night's meeting that she is resigning, effective May 15, according to a summary posted on the school department web site:

In a very thoughtful and heartfelt speech, Mrs. Perrotti shared with her fellow School Committee members and members of the community her intentions to resign from the School Committee effective May 15, 2012, for personal reasons. In her remarks, she expressed her appreciation to School Committee members, administrators, staff, and the community for their work and support. Mrs. Perrotti thanked the community for electing her to the School Committee as well as thanked members of the School Committee for electing her to serve as School Committee Chair. Mrs. Perrotti received a standing ovation by the audience.

Perrotti was appointed to the Portsmouth School Committee in May, 2009 by the previous Town Council (at a meeting during which no public comment was permitted) to fill a seat left vacant by the resignation of Jamie Heaney (R). She ran for school committee in 2010, and was the top vote-getter. Perrotti was elected as Chair by the members of the school committee on Nov. 23, 2010, despite the Democrats holding a 4-3 majority.

Full disclosure: I was a Democratic candidate in the 2010 school committee election.

Childrens' book author and illustrator Maurice Sendak died this morning, according to multiple media reports. Here is the NY Times obituary, the Sendak collection at the Rosenbach (h/t fran).

In our house, it is impossible to separate the experience of parenting from Sendak and his work. In this, I do not imagine we are unique, and our memories of reading to Jack, his palpable delight in Sendak's books, are deeply a part of our life. I cannot imagine childhood without Sendak.

In an age of one-season celebrity picture books, there is nothing that compares to Where the Wild Things Are, which will soon be 50 years old. The story of the rebellious Max, his visit to the kingdom of the Wild Things, and his return to supper is the hero monomyth in thumbnail, the secret story of all of us.

We will miss you, Mr. Sendak. Our thoughts today are with your family, friends, and the uncountable families of fans.

Goodbye to the most wild thing of all.

Gov. Chafee and RI Dept. of Education (RIDE) Commissioner Deborah Gist paid a surprise visit to Pleasant View Elementary in Providence this morning to announce that the school had won the RI Innovation Powered by Technology model school grant, according a release from RIDE. The $470,000 grant will finance a plan that that Pleasant View educators developed to redesign the school and transform its instructional practices through the use of technology.

“To prepare our students for success in the global economy, we must encourage innovations and we must invest in technology that can advance learning and achievement,” said Governor Chafee. “We are pleased to provide this support for the students and educators at the Pleasant View Elementary School, and we hope to move forward with the technology bond I have proposed that will bring broadband wireless access to every classroom in Rhode Island.”

“I am committed to improving public education across Providence and equipping our students with the necessary skills to compete.” said Mayor Angel Taveras. “Through this grant, I am confident that Pleasant View will set a model for other schools across the city to improve technology access and resources for all students.”

“Today, we are taking a significant step that will bring the Pleasant View Elementary School and other schools across our state to the forefront of virtual learning,” said Commissioner Gist. “Our students, teachers, and families already use digital technology in every facet of their lives – and it is time we bring digital learning into our schools in a bold and dramatic way.”

“We are so thrilled for Pleasant View Elementary,” said Dr. Susan Lusi, Superintendent of Providence Schools. “Dr. Field and her team have put enormous efforts into creating a vision for the future of the school, and this funding gives them the traction and the resources to begin immediately executing that vision to improve student achievement and make Pleasant View a top-notch place for teaching and learning.”

With this grant, Pleasant View Elementary School will:

• implement an extended daily schedule for targeted, small-group learning;
• increase student-centered instruction and instructional time;
• allow students to spend at least half their school day with online learning;
• make content come alive with integrated multimedia experiences through technology;
• allow students to proceed with learning at their own pace;
• adopt flexible schedules for instructional time; and
• redefine “classrooms” as “flexible learning environments."

Pleasant View will use these funds for extensive professional development for teachers as well as to purchase equipment – creating three computer labs and purchasing 110 laptops for student use.

In January, RIDE announced a grant of up to $470,000 over two years to support the redesign of a school that will use technology to transform education and encouraged all school districts, state-operated schools, and charter public schools to apply for this Innovation Powered by Technology Model School Grant.

RIDE asked applicants to propose a school site at which they would create a technology-rich learning environment that would fundamentally rethink and restructure teaching and learning through such initiatives as digital curriculum, gaming, one-to-one computing, virtual-learning environments, expanded learning opportunities, and flexible scheduling.

As the recipient of the grant, Pleasant View will become a pilot program to help launch a statewide initiative in innovations powered by technology. Pleasant View will launch implementation during the coming school year (2012-13) and refine the process during the 2013-14 school year.

RIDE awarded the grant through a competitive-bid process, based in part on student need. A team from RIDE and a team of outside experts reviewed 12 grant applications as part of the award process.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

Full disclosure: Sigh. Only 12 applications? It's a cliche, but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. I understand that Portsmouth was not able to mount a grant application in this timeframe, but I wish the school committee pushed more on innovation rather than their laser-like focus on cost containment. I mean, really, what's more important for our kids — technology-enabled classrooms or outsourcing custodial staff?

Portsmouth residents will see some temporary water discoloration next week as the Water and Fire District (PWFD) performs their annual flushing, according to an e-mail sent to media today. The flushing will proceed in each neighborhood from 8pm to 6am, and may cause water discoloration and low water pressure. The PWFD advises against washing clothes or drawing hot water during the scheduled operation.

May 14 East Main Road and Middle Road from Crossings Court to Hedly Street. Hedly Street and all side streets, including Industrial Park. Corys Lane and all side streets. Kings Grant and all side streets. West Main Road from Hedly Street to Union Street, including Father Flanagan’s and John Street.

May 15 Middle Road and all side streets to the west, Mill Lane and all side streets, West Passage Drive to Locust Avenue, Stonegate Drive, Greylock Drive, and Greystone Terrace area.

May 16 East Main Road to Middle Road, from Town Hall to Union Street.

May 21 East Main Road from Sherwood Terrace Vanderbilt Lane, east to the Sakonnet River, Union Street, Jepson Lane, and all side streets.

May 22 East Main Road from Lawrence Farms to Sherwood Terrace. Vanderbilt Lane to Sandy Point Avenue and all side streets.

May 23 East Main Road from Union Street to Mitchell Lane and side streets, Oakland Farms, Bramans Lane east to Meadow Lark Lane. Sandy Point Avenue and Sandy Point Farms.

May 24 Wapping Road to Old Mill Lane. Bramans Lane and side streets. Old Mill Lane, Indian Avenue and side streets.

Editorial note: Written from a news release.

The awesome vN cover. Click to embiggen.

Major science fiction site io9 ran a glowing review yesterday of Madeline Asby's debut novel, vN, due out in July from Angry Robot books. Calling it "the most messed up book about robot consciousness ever," reviewer Charlie Jane Anders says:

"It's a strange, dazzling look at the world through the eyes of a rogue artificial woman, who sees things in an off-kilter fashion, and becomes the most dangerous robot in the world as a result. You get drawn into the lush, disturbing world, seeing it through the eyes of a robot, and soon enough you're losing your whole sense of reality. The familiar human world will never look the same again."

Anders offers comparisons to Blade Runner and Battlestar Galactica and tips the essence of the book, which, like all great artificial consciousness stories, is really about us humans: "It's actually a pretty great coming-of-age novel wrapped inside a robot adventure."

As you have probably inferred by now, I've read this book, and think it's awesome. Ashby brings the kind of life to her vN (von Neumann) robots that only comes from keen observation, empathetic insight, social consciousness, and immense craft.

Available July 31 from Angry Robot books or you can pre-order from Amazon now; folks here on the Island can order through Island Books and support our great local book store.

Full disclosure: I had the privilege of workshopping with Ashby and had the chance to read this in manuscript. It was one of the few times I was so totally blown away that I just couldn't find anything to critique. Artificial consciousness stories are one of my soft spots, and this just nails it. I cannot wait for book two...

In an e-mail to constituents this morning, Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI1) voiced his opposition to Republican efforts to poison the student loan rate deal and announced a web page where students (and parents!) can share their student loan stories.

At issue is the interest rate on Federally backed student loans, which will double from 3.4% to 6.8% in July without congressional action. Last week, a compromise proposal pushed by the Republican-controlled House would keep the lower rate, but pay for it by raiding a fund for public health and preventive care.

"After initially voting to maintain 6.8% interest rates, House Republicans passed their own proposal, which would cut funding for preventative health care services," Cicilline said in the e-mail. "I strongly opposed this bill, and I am going to keep fighting to make sure we address student loans in a way that is both fair and responsible."

Cicilline said he plans to share these stories with House Republican leadership next week.

Editorial note: I'm horrified by the cost of college and the impact of student loan debt on families, kids graduating into this economy, and the entrepreneurial risk-taking we need from the next generation. If you've got a story to share, take a minute to click through.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Ray Gallison (D-69) that would protect RI military personnel from foreclosure passed the house unanimously today, according to a state house release. The bill — (H 7225 (pdf) — would allow a stay of foreclosure proceedings on the home of any member of the military during active duty or deployment, or within nine months of its completion.

“Foreclosure has become all too common in this economy," said Gallison. "But there should be some more flexibility when it happens to someone those who are off serving their country. When they come home, home ought to still be there for them.”

Similar legislation in the Senate — S 2533 (pdf) — was voted out of committee yesterday.

“Active service members deserve this break," said Gallison. "Their service makes the society we enjoy possible, and if lenders won’t recognize that on their own, we will have this law to protect them." Gallson represents Portsmouth and Bristol and serves as chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.