The fifth edition of the annual Pacey Educational Games (PEG) for Lagos and Ogun states’ schools got underway Wednesday at Lagos African Church Grammar School, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos State.
According to the organisers, the competition, which will feature over 50 secondary schools in Lagos and Ogun states with about 1,500 athletes, is aimed at fostering all round development of students in secondary schools, through fun and interactive games.
Speaking at a media parley to unveil the competition at the weekend, spokesman for the organisers, Mr. Apo Olugbenga, said the games will help Nigeria to discover its next set of champion athletes, adding, “Since 2016, PEG has set out on a journey to discover and harness the hidden greatness in each and every one of them, because of the belief that every child is unique in his or her own way and they find expressions through different means.”
He disclosed that the students will fight for honours in such interactive games as chess, monopoly, scrabble, Rubik’s cube, and many other games that challenge their reasoning and help them unlock their brain power.
“The past events were greeted with wonderful experiences by students from Babcock University Secondary School, White Hall Schools, Wellspring College, and Lagos African Church Grammar School to mention but a few.
“This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, as it will attract many other schools. It has been carefully packaged to help the students develop their team spirit through exciting and competitive games,” he said.
Olugbenga disclosed that Honeyland College Breakthrough Academy, Whitehall Schools, Babcock University Secondary School, Lagos African Church Grammar school, and many other schools in Lagos and Ogun states will feature in the exciting games.
Olugbenga, who announced the games’ partnership with Sports360nja, said “the partnership is borne out of our aim to reach 40 per cent of the population of students of primary and secondary schools in Nigeria in the next five years.”
Also speaking during the media parley, Sports360nja Online Editor, Mr. Ugochim Uzoije, said: “This partnership is borne out of our aim to reach 40 per cent of the population of students of Primary and Secondary schools in Nigeria in the next five years.”
Earlier, PEG’s Founding Partner, Mr. Adeyemi Anifowose, disclosed that the organisation will launch Hackathon (coding challenge) for secondary schools, which is tagged “unveiling the power of technology.”
Anifowose said the importance of the challenge is to enable secondary schools’ students to crave more interest and develop trending relevant skills in IT, “which is needed or required to navigate their career as the world is continuously revolving around IT.”
An effort on Tuesday to add fifth grade at three charter schools, in alignment with Metro Nashville Public Schools’ own initiative, devolved into chaos and a heated debate about the role of school board members.
Metro Nashville school board members eventually voted to allow three charter schools — Rocketship Nashville Northeast, Purpose Prep Academy and Smithson Craighead Academy — to add fifth grade to their current K-4 elementary schools in alignment with the district’s own initiative to move fifth grade from middle schools back to the elementary level.
But the vote came only after heated debate as board members drew pro- and anti-charter lines and a yelling match with some of the many parents who showed up in support of the charter schools.
An initial motion by board member John Little, a charter school advocate, failed and he slammed his colleagues for not supporting the desires of parents. His colleague, board member Sharon Gentry, called his remarks a “tongue lashing.”
“We’re sending the wrong message to our families to say we’re going to change how we do elementary and middle school, but we’re not going to allow charter schools,” Little said.
Board member Freda Player-Peters had earlier said charter schools could have made the move to add fifth grade before Metro Schools introduced the ReimaginED initiative to do the same, saying the process is dependent on the school board’s decision.
But Little reminded Player-Peters that charter schools still have to propose amendments to their initial agreements with the district to change the grade levels along with the number of students they serve.
Parents applauded Little’s comments before the tone quickly shifted.
“It’s worth noting that these are charter school students, not necessarily our students,” said board vice-chair Rachael Anne Elrod, who attended the meeting virtually.
Several parents voiced their disappointment with Elrod’s comments, prompting Little to interrupt Elrod before stepping away from the dais. One parent stood in the middle of the board room, pointing and shouting at Elrod on the screen while chair Christiane Buggs gaveled for silence.
A motion by Elrod to deny Rocketship’s proposal also failed.
On top of that, there was confusion about the Rocketship vote totals, with some members not voting but not officially abstaining, either. As a result, the board had to reconsider Rocketship’s application.
When it was made clear that Rocketship was not requesting an enrollment increase to add two fifth grade classes, board members eventually approved the matter with a 6-2 vote.
The board then approved Purpose Prep and Smithson Craighead’s request to add fifth grade but did not approve enrollment increases for the two schools Tuesday night.
Should fifth graders stay in elementary schools?
For years, most elementary school students have transitioned to middle schools for fifth grade in Nashville. An earlier effort to move fifth grade back to elementary school — the most common practice for school districts — in 2017, under then-superintendent Shawn Joseph, failed after district officials determined the $300 million price tag was too high.
Starting in 2018, three elementary schools that feed into Antioch Middle School began adding fifth grade and now as part of the district’s multi-year Metro Schools ReimaginEd initiative, schools in specific clusters are making the change.
And district leaders acknowledge that most parents prefer their fifth-grade children stay in elementary school.
Academically, fifth-graders learning in an elementary school environment outperform their peers attending fifth grade in middle schools, said Elisa Norris, executive officer of strategy and performance management and leader of Metro Schools’ ReimaginED initiative.
State standards and most curriculums also group grades together, typically as K-3 or K-5, 6-8 and 9-12, making it easier for fifth-grade teachers to plan and collaborate with other elementary school teachers, said David Williams, the district’s executive director of curriculum and instruction.
This school year, elementary schools in the Pearl-Cohn, Maplewood and Whites Creek clusters, have transitioned fifth grade back into their buildings
Bobby Miles, principal of Rocketship Nashville Northeast, told The Tennessean Tuesday morning that his school hoped to add two fifth grade classes for the 2022-23 school year because many current parents have been hopeful the school board will approve the effort.
Amending charter school agreements
Charter schools have to propose amendments to change the grade levels along with the number of students they serve. Both Purpose Prep and Smithson Craighead asked to increase enrollment in addition to adding fifth grade. But Rocketship Nashville Northeast is only requested to add two fifth grade classes, which the board granted.
Rocketship’s second Nashville elementary school, United Academy, did not seek to add fifth grade because the school does not have the space, said James Robinson, executive director for the Rocketship charter school network in Tennessee.
The district’s Office of Charter Schools recommended the board approve the grade additions for all three schools but found that Purpose prep and Smithson Craighead’s enrollment increase requests “fall outside of the maximum enrollment threshold” at both schools per their charter agreement.
Smithson Craighead for instance has never met its current enrollment cap and does not have a weight list, according to Shereka Roby-Grant, director of charter schools for the district.
Board member Emily Masters, who typically sides with the anti-charter school board members, voted in favor of adding fifth grade at all three schools and even spoke in favor of Smithson Craighead, which is located in her district.
“I had a great visit at Smithson Craighead and I was really straightforward that I’m very appreciative of everything that they’re doing in that school and that I would be glad to vote for them to add fifth grade …because that is a pedagogical decision that doesn’t require the addition of seats. I can be understanding of that,” Masters said.
The role of school board members
After the board finished its votes — and the room nearly cleared out — Gentry questioned Little’s motives
“I would be remiss if I didn’t say a couple things. I will be honest with you Mr. Little, I’m talking about you sir, with some of these comments you made sitting at this board,” she said. “It just concerns me that I would be chastised for serving as a school board member and making decisions that are in the best interest of MNPS. I’m concerned when the tongue lashing comes.”
Gentry also reiterated Elrod’s earlier point that charter schools are not MNPS schools.
“They’re public schools, but they’re not MNPS schools,” she said.
Little said many families have children in a variety of schools, whether a charter school, a traditional zoned public school or a magnet school, and therefore parents and students should be treated equitably no matter the “brand” of their school.
Gentry argued the board is capable of making decisions in the best interest of students, using Tuesday’s votes to add fifth grade as an example, but members are charged with making decisions in the best interest of the district.
Charter school proponents often argue that parents choose charter schools when their zone or neighborhood school doesn’t serve them well or when their only options appear to be underperforming public schools. But those who are against charter schools argue they have little oversight and pull money out of local schools, making it harder for them to improve.
The majority of the present board members eventually voted in favor of the three charter schools’ amendments. Elrod voted against all three. Board member Abigail Tylor voted against the proposals for Rocketship and Purpose Prep but in favor of Smithson Craighead’s application.
The board also voted to renew its contract with LEAD Prep Southeast but deferred Knowledge Middle School’s renewal at the request of the school.
Want to read more stories like this? A subscription to one of our Tennessee publications gets you unlimited access to all the latest news throughout the entire USA TODAY Network.
Meghan Mangrum covers education for the USA TODAY Network — Tennessee. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.
From remaining, Mike Fleak, vice president of organization advancement at Williamstown Bank, Kelly Allen, senior vice president of possibility administration at Williamstown Bank, Sharon Anderson, president and CEO Williamstown Financial institution, Lubeck Elementary Principal Amber Hardman and Jennifer Seckman, department manager Williamstown Financial institution. (Photograph Supplied)

PARKERSBURG — Lubeck Elementary School has benefitted from the donations at The Providing Cup coffee shop operated by Williamstown Financial institution.
The bank through the 12 months donates proceeds from The Offering Cup to beneficiaries, of which Lubeck Elementary University has been a proud lover for around a yr. Williamstown Bank is the Companion in Education at Lubeck Elementary.
On Nov. 5, Principal Amber Hardman satisfied with representatives of Williamstown Bank to acquire the fourth disbursement of donations from The Giving Cup. donations produced to the espresso shop in the bank’s Lubeck Place of work go to nearby beneficiaries, this sort of as Lubeck Elementary, to support the local community.
The donation supports the academics and the learners both of those physically and mentally, Hardman stated.
“We actually want the lecturers and learners to know just how considerably we appreciate them and their difficult attempts by way of the quarantine and even now.” Hardman reported. “The endeavours to present the teachers and college students the administration ‘s help will occur by various signifies such as these things as educational conferences for teachers to expertise during the summer months, as properly as, aid packages for the pupils, by their time at the Elementary College. Other Giving Cup donations to the Lubeck Elementary College have been made use of to nutritional supplement the know-how employed in the course of the college, as nicely as the strategies and implementations from teacher conferences that ‘change the total environment of the college, in a great way.”
The Offering Cup to day has disbursed $5,300 to Lubeck Elementary University with totals achieving upward of $13,000 in total contributions from folks of the community.
“Williamstown Financial institution is honored to give back to local nonprofits like Lubeck Elementary by way of proceeds gained from The Providing Cup.” mentioned Sharon Anderson, president and CEO of Williamstown Lender.






Modern breaking information and more in your inbox

With a personalized profile and the simply click of a button, REPerformance is locating a way to adjust physical education and learning from just one more mandatory course into capabilities that will past a lifetime.

“(Gym’s) not the exact same as each other course, appropriate? It’s not a move or are unsuccessful, it’s about creating wholesome practices in children for lifestyle,” claimed Callen McGibbon, co-founder and CEO of REPerformance.

“So individualizing an encounter for each pupil is definitely demanding for teachers, so our system makes it possible for that to materialize.”

McGibbon reported in just two yrs, REPerformance supports much more than 1,000 college students a day with hundreds of lecturers using the item in Canada. There are also pilot courses in Sweden and the United Kingdom.

“The have to have is huge from the standpoint that 99 per cent of pupils are not participating in athletics previous high faculty,” he mentioned.

“So to be ready to equip youngsters with competencies like comprehending how to take in, comprehension meditation, understating yoga, comprehension fitness, giving kids those person techniques in their phys-ed expertise then equips them to be successful in everyday living in their possess overall health.”

Application has two sides to it

McGibbon explained the net software has two sides to it in get to aid lecturers, coaches and college students with their health and fitness journey. A single is assessments that usually transpire in phys-ed lessons.

“Those assessments are commonly recorded on paper, pen,” he claimed. “It is pretty tricky to share that information and facts with a university student to allow them know how they’re executing over time. So the very first portion of our system digitizes that working experience.”

The second section is an AI system that builds customized workout ideas for each individual pupil dependent on their needs and life style.

Not only has the program caught notice in the instruction technique, but most a short while ago the Sudbury Catalyst Fund invested $220,000 into the organization.

“REPerformance embodies the spirit of the form of promotions we’re wanting to (support),” mentioned Don Duval, Sudbury Catalyst Fund co-founder and NORCAT CEO.

“A good possibility, a system, transformation platform technological innovation to kind of redefine how to take care of wellness and activity probable, coupled with the point that you have an extraordinary CEO and founder who is aware how to develop a business, which is the kind of spirit and tech corporations that we’re seeking to commit in.”

The fund started off up about two years back just ahead of the COVID-19 pandemic. REPerformance is the third investment the fund has manufactured so much.

“We want to make investments in fantastic startup tech businesses to aid them expand in scale,” claimed Duval. “We play in that extremely early stage, sort of to start with funds in, so numerous of the transactions that we search at are pre-earnings, pre-capitalized. We shift in and present them that necessary cash to get them some meaningful milestones and proceed to mature.”

Duval explained it can be additional than just a fiscal financial investment.

“To qualify to be regarded for investment, all of the tech firms have to be a client of the NORCAT innovation centre,” he reported.

“So the NORCAT mentors will work with these companies, figure out if they have any blind spots or the place they may well require some enhancements, but eventually what we’re trying to do at NORCAT is get them ready to pitch.”

Right now, the program sells for $350 for every instructor for each year, but McGibbon mentioned faculty boards can also buy it for the full board.

“My vision would be to guarantee that every single student has the competencies to just take care of their own physical health when they graduate college,” he mentioned.

“The entire world is our current market. There is not a country that doesn’t have phys-ed and I don’t definitely truly experience that there is not a youngster in the globe that does not deserve to study those people competencies.”
We’re thrilled to be able to present to you a plethora of varied speakers covering a vast array of subjects so relevant and pertinent to our Relocate Global community.Please find their bios below with links to their webinar pages.
MONDAY 15th NOVEMBER 2021
Mark O’Donoghue, CEO and Executive Head, King’s InterHigh
Mark O’Donoghue is CEO and Executive Head of King’s InterHigh. He has a background of over 20 years in digital education spanning online learning, university counselling and apprenticeships.He has led online learning in digital skills with AVADO, forging partnerships with Google and Tableau. He ran Hotcourses, a web service helping students find the right course for themselves (bought by IDP Education the world’s largest education consultants). He leads Inspired Education’s online schools, King’s InterHigh and Academy 21. His primary passion is how online school can provide an education that simply works better for some children. Watch his webinar hereAmy Oswalt, Head of Global Division and Director of Innovation, The Lab School of Washington
Amy has been working with children with language based learning differences for over twenty years. Before joining Lab School to lead and create the Global Division, Amy worked in schools on three continents.Her experience has varied from teaching and leading in public schools in the states to teaching and leading in private schools both in the states and internationally. Amy has spent significant time teaching and leading in International Baccalaureate schools and has guided two schools through the IB authorization process. As a former school head, Amy understands the importance of new program development and the need to design solutions for students and families. Amy believes that all children can be successful academically if they are provided with the tools that are right for them. Amy has degrees in Linguistics, Special Education, and Education Administration, and is widely regarded as a creative, visionary, and innovative thinker and educator. Watch her webinar hereAleka Bilan, SPAN Safe Passage Across Networks
Aleka Bilan is a Certified education transitions coach who helps children, their parents and educators navigate cultural transitions around the world and is currently based in central Oregon, USA.Safe Passage across networks (SPAN) is a not for profit organisation that helps to build transitions care practices around the world, particularly for schools and organisations.Watch her webinar hereMelodi Jordan, Head of Lower School, TASIS The American School in England
Melodi Jordan is currently the Head of Lower School at TASIS England. She has served as an international educator for over 20 years, holding positions in Lithuania, Italy, the UK, and the US. Melodi has worked as a New England Association of Schools and Colleges Lead Accreditation visitor, supporting schools as they improve practice. Melodi is passionate about maximizing opportunities for deep, authentic, and meaningful learning for all students.She has significant experience in the areas of child development, curriculum design, and data-informed instruction. Melodi originally comes from America, but now lives in England with her husband. Carmen Powell, children’s author and professional educator
As a professional educator, with a passionate belief in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) philosophy and approach Carmen Powell established productive relationships with stakeholders, collaborating across all professional levels and with parents. When educating young children, it is vital to incorporate parents into the learning process. Ofsted noted her relationship with parents as ‘exemplary,’ which is a true point of pride for her. She has three children’s books published, ‘Matthew and the Magic Goat’, ‘Sprite and the Two Talking Turtles’ and ‘Sprite’s Christmas Flight’. The books focus on inclusion, to support children’s personal, social and emotional development as well as their communication and language skills.Service has always been very important to her. She volunteered at the Bulembu School in Eswatini, assisting with curriculum development. She also volunteered at Epsom RDA, supporting disabled children. Currently, she is a trustee for an educational charity.Watch their webinar hereCarmen Powell, children’s author and professional educator (see above).Watch her webinar hereRuth Van Reken, author and speaker on globally mobile families
Ruth Van Reken is a second generation Third Culture Kid* (TCK) and mother of three adult TCKs. She is co-author of Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds, 3rd ed., and author of Letters Never Sent, her personal journaling seeking to understand the long-term impact of her cross-cultural childhood.For more than thirty years (pre-covid!) Ruth travelled extensively speaking about issues related to the impact of global mobility on individuals, families, and societies. She is co-founder and past chairperson of Familiesin Global Transition. In addition to her two books and many articles, she has writtena chapter in other books including Strangers at Home, Unrooted Childhoods, and Writing Out of Limbo. In 2019 she received an Hon. Litt.D from Wheaton College for her life’s work. Ruth is currently Chairperson of the Governing Board of Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN). She now lives in Indianapolis, USA with her husband, David. Watch her webinar here
Tuesday 16th November 2021
Jeff Farrington, High School Principal at The International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL)
Jeff is the High School Principal and has been with ISKL since 2014. He has been an administrator for more than 20 years. Jeff began his international education career in 1994 and is actively involved in leading instruction, assessment, and teacher supervision since 2000 (MS Principal, HS Principal, K-12 Director of Learning). He was a recipient of the US-based National Association for Secondary School Principals (NASSP) 2021 Principal of the Year. Jeff holds a Master’s degree in International Education, BEd, and BSc.Watch his webinar hereClaudine Hakim, Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support, International School of London
Claudine is currently the Head of Advancement, Transitions and Student Support at the International School of London. She was the founding Head of Secondary at ISL Surrey and leader of the award-winning Crossroads Transitions programme. Claudine leads the Student Support department and is passionate about fostering well-balanced and inclusive international communities.Claudine holds a Masters degree from the University College of London, Institute of Education in Educational Leadership and Management and a BA in Psychology and Counselling from Richmond International University.She is Vice-Chair, Safe Passage Across Networks (SPAN).Julia Love, Director of Admissions, International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), Malaysia
Julia Love is currently the Director of Admissions at the International School of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Before joining ISKL in July 2012, Julia worked in private school admissions in both the USA and the UK.With over 20 years’ experience in Boarding, Primary, Secondary and International schools, Julia is passionate about and committed to ensuring that school placement meets the requirements of every child.Additionally, having spent a good portion of her childhood overseas attending British, German and International schools, Julia understands first-hand the complex transitional needs of children during international relocation.She has participated in numerous international conferences, having presented and led training sessions on topics relating to school placement and the educational needs of Third Culture Kids (TCK) in Global Transition.Watch their webinar here.
Wednesday 17th November 2021
Tony Piper, Vice Principal and Head of Senior School, Jerudong International School, Brunei
Tony is currently the Vice-Principal – Head of Senior School at Jerudong International School (JIS) in Brunei. This role involves the overall management of the academic, pastoral and enrichment aspects of the Senior School (Years 7-13) at JIS. The Senior School comprises 1,081 students and is home to over 50 nationalities. Tony has been at the school for 12 years and during this time has also been the Head of Humanities and the Head of Sixth Form. Tony is a passionate geography teacher and has taught the subject at KS3, IGCSE, A Level & the IBDP level and enjoys nothing more than understanding the demography of a city or examining the history of a U-Shaped valley.JIS is his first international posting and before arriving in Brunei taught in the United Kingdom for 4 years. Without doubt what continues to inspire him is the students in his care. He tries to create the right environment in a school to inspire the students to be the next generation of socially conscious and environmentally responsible global leaders. When not at work, Tony & his wife enjoy the rainforest life of Brunei as well as trying to keep their three and four year old children in some sort of order! https://www.jerudonginternationalschool.com/
Mireille Rabaté, Head of School, Lycée International De Londres Winston Churchill
Mireille Rabaté’s career has been an international one from the start. She began her career as a French lecturer at Brandeis University, Massachusetts, USA and then continued at the University of Oslo, Norway.Her international experience in pedagogical innovation greatly influenced her career during the following twenty years as Head of schools in France and the USA. After various senior teaching positions in France, Mireille was offered the prestigious position of Deputy Head at the Lycée Rochambeau in Washington D.C. In 2009, Mireille assumed the role of Middle School Principal and Assistant Head at the French-American International School in San Francisco.After thirteen years in the USA, Mireille was thrilled to return to Europe to take on her new responsibilities with enthusiasm and commitment. “Having the opportunity to create and lead the Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill is every Head’s dream!” says Mireille. https://www.lyceeinternational.london/
Kili Lay, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development, American School of The Hague, The Netherlands
Kili Lay is inspired by learning and driven to help create a school where that is a hallmark of its culture. By helping teacher leaders find their voice within a school’s change initiatives, they are more confident and able to contribute to a shared vision where all learners are engaged and inspired by their learning.Leveraging her strengths like zest for learning and perseverance, she blends strategy with planning to guide vertical alignment and elevate the learning experiences within her PreK-12 school. A former high school chemistry teacher, Kili has served as an IB diploma coordinator, accreditation coordinator, taught middle and high school math as well as middle school science in Connecticut, Spain, and the Netherlands. Kili holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University and a bachelor’s degree in science from Bucknell University, both located in Pennsylvania, USA. She and her family currently reside in The Netherlands.Watch their webinar here
The Livingston Parish faculty district is partnering with the LSU Gordon A. Cain Heart this university yr to integrate STEM learning at the center and elementary amounts. Twelve colleges in the district are taking part in the pilot hard work, and implementation of the application is underway with just about every participating campus customizing the plan to very best healthy their teaching corps and scholar population.
Instructional Supervisor Kelly LaBauve explained the 9 elementary campuses in the plan have fully commited to applying a STEM discovering exercise or undertaking for each 9-weeks grading interval, and the a few middle university campuses are providing STEM elective programs to their seventh and eighth quality students, a news release stated.
The district’s STEM scheduling workforce, in conjunction with LSU instruction consultants, are now observing the different initiatives to decide most effective techniques that can be shared with other colleges in the district.
“This application is supplying our educational workforce a exceptional opportunity to see principles set into motion in the classroom, and we are acquiring fast suggestions from the instructors and the college students who are taking part in the learning actions,” LaBauve claimed. “There genuinely is no better way to gauge success of anything than to get firsthand knowledge.”
Just lately, the workforce frequented Eastside Elementary Faculty in Denham Springs. The workforce planners and consultants walked from classroom to classroom, observing a wide range of palms-on studying activities and conversations centered all-around the demanding curriculum created for just about every age group.
Two times each day we’ll mail you the day’s greatest headlines. Indicator up now.
Eastside Elementary Principal Nathan Foster gave a brief introduction to his campus attendees, then turned them free down the hallways to notice classroom actions at each grade degree, kindergarten as a result of fifth grade, including the school’s major disability classroom.
“We are thrilled about currently being a component of this pilot STEM program, and to be chosen for an observation. Our teachers have thoroughly embraced the finding out principles and our pupils are savoring observing the tangible results of their uncovered capabilities. We’re observing amazing function remaining performed at every single level,” Foster explained.
LaBauve claimed the group ideas to notice other educational institutions over the faculty 12 months. She explained a total report on the pilot plan will not be total until eventually up coming summer time, but that the district is now viewing positive indicators from our pilot faculties
“We are obtaining reviews that our learners surface to be additional engaged in STEM mastering actions than other functions. They are expressing a lot more creative imagination in acquiring their do the job, and they are taking more ownership of their get the job done,” LaBauve stated.
She claimed the schools are also reporting a lower in adverse classroom actions in those people class intervals in which STEM integration is happening.
