APS Press Releases

Westfield Bank launches interactive financial literacy program to students at Ellet High School

Thu, 16 May 2013 13:16:00 EDT

Westfield Bank presented Ellet High School students with a new financial literacy education program by providing them with access to the EverFiTM-Financial Literacy™ learning platform. This Web-based program uses the latest in new media technology – simulations, avatars, gaming and adaptive-pathing – to bring complex financial concepts to life for today's digital generation. Through this platform, students will become certified in hundreds of topics in personal finance, allowing them to become more informed, responsible citizens.Westfield Bank has partnered with EverFi Inc. to bring the interactive financial management program to various Akron area high school students at no cost to the schools.

"Having just come through one of the worst economic crisis in generations, it is more important than ever to arm young people with the skills to navigate an increasingly complex financial system," commented Westfield Bank President Timothy Phillips. "We are excited to offer students an innovative educational experience that uses the tools they love – digital learning and gaming – to teach this important topic."

"Students today are more tech savvy than ever before, which is why this EverFi program on financial literacy plays so well to their skill set while simultaneously addressing key student learning outcomes," remarked Ellet High School economics teacher Steve Neid. "Students can work at their own pace reinforcing what they are learning in class. This differentiation of instruction addresses gaps between learners."

The 10-unit course offers approximately six hours of programming aimed at teaching, assessing and certifying students in a variety of relevant financial topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k and other critical concepts that map to national financial literacy standards. The platform uniquely tracks the progress and score of every student and provides students who successfully complete the course with Certification in Financial Literacy, a valuable mark of distinction on college applications and resumes.

"From the small rural towns to major cities across the U.S., EverFi technology is literally transforming how students learn; and we are incredibly grateful for the public-private partnerships that make this possible," said EverFi CEO Tom Davidson. "Westfield Bank is critical to the success of our mission to ensure that these cutting-edge tools reach all communities."

About Westfield Bank
Westfield Bank is one of Northeast Ohio's leading financial institutions and rated five-star "Superior" by BauerFinancial, an independent rating company. Through knowledgeable banking professionals and the conveniences of online technology, Westfield Bank provides comprehensive commercial and personal banking services to Northeast Ohio customers and independent agencies that represent Westfield Insurance.

Westfield Bank is an affiliate of Westfield Insurance, one of the nation's 50 largest property and casualty insurance groups, represented by a network of over 1,000 independent insurance agencies. In business for more than 160 years, Westfield provides commercial and personal insurance in 21 active states and surety services to customers in 31 states. For more information, visit www.westfield-bank.com.

About EverFi
EverFi Inc. is the leading education technology company focused on teaching, assessing and certifying K-12 and college students in the critical skills they need for life. The company teams with major corporations and foundations to provide the programs at no cost to K-12 schools. Some of America's leading CEOs and venture capital firms are EverFi investors including Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, Twitter founder Evan Williams, Rethink Education, New Enterprise Associates Inc. (NEA), and Tomorrow Ventures (the investment arm of Google Chairman Eric Schmidt). Learn more at www.everfi.com.

APS: National Honors to Akron School for the Arts

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:20:00 EDT

The Akron School for the Arts, headquartered at Firestone High School, has won national recognition and will be honored at a special ceremony in Minneapolis later this year.

In its news release, the Educational Theatre Association reported, "After careful consideration by a team of volunteer judges, the Educational Theatre Association is ready to announce the 2013 award recipients." Included is Troupe 5570 from Akron Public Schools, directed by Mark Zimmerman.

The release continues, "All of this year's nominees demonstrated their ability to 'act well their part,' resulting in a competitive pool of applicants and difficult decisions for our judging committees," Ginny Butsch, awards administrator, said. "It is inspiring to read about all that our individual members and Thespian troupes are accomplishing to improve the world of theatre education."

Recipients will be presented an award at Thespian Festival 2013 in Lincoln, Neb., this June; and Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the 2013 EdTA Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minn., this September.

Troupe 5570 theatre director Mark Zimmerman said, "It is a special honor to have the talent, hard work and dedication of our students and staff recognized by the Educational Theatre Association. Members of the theatre program at the Akron School for the Arts strive every day to 'act well our part'; it is especially gratifying to have others notice."

(*The order of the categories listed below is not as it appears in the EdTA news release. It has been altered to put APS at the top!)

*Outstanding School Award
Akron School for the Arts, Troupe 5570, Akron, Ohio
Ashland High School, Troupe 4630, Ashland, Oregon
Centerville High School, Troupe 2204, Centerville, Ohio
Labette County High School, Troupe 6290, Altamont, Kansas
Liberty High School, Troupe 984, Sykesville, Maryland
Liberty High School, Troupe 6730, Hendersonville, Nevada
Northwest School of the Arts, Troupe 5634, Charlotte, North Carolina
Olathe South High School, Troupe 5006, Olathe, Kansas
Pomona High School, Troupe 4203, Arvada, Colorado

Administrator's Award
Banks Bitterman, Troupe 2971, Buford High School, Buford, Georgia
John Brewington, Troupes 3178 and 2326, Virginia Beach Public Schools, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Rick McDaniel, Troupe 7052, McKinney Boyd High School, McKinney, Texas

Hall of Fame
E. Frank Bluestein, Germantown, Tennessee
Michael Fisher, Springfield, Oregon
Jeff Nienhueser, LaVista, Nebraska
Leslie Van Leishout, Olympia, Washington
Bob Singleton, Houston, Texas

Honorary Thespian of the Year
Michelle Bidart, Troupe 6737, Spanish Springs High School, Sparks, Nevada
Alan Malcom, Troupe 1338, Jonesboro High School, Jonesboro, Arkansas
Kim Nupp, Troupe 984, Liberty High Schools, Sykesville, Maryland

Inspirational Theatre Educator Award
Billy Dragoo, Troupe 1747, Stephen F. Austin High School, Austin, Texas
Richard Hogle, Troupe 88005, Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Chad Little, Troupe 4551, Parkway North High School, St. Louis, Missouri

Spirit of Thespis Award
Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School, Troupe 6616, Merritt Island, Florida

APS STEM robots make rare appearance outside of school on May 18

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:56:00 EDT

Book Store is Ready for Them (Have Your Code Ready!)*

Barnes & Noble and the National Inventors Hall of Fame^® STEM High School welcome APS learners and their families to the STEM Showcase and Book Fair on Saturday, May 18, at Barnes & Noble (4015 Medina Road) from 1-3 p.m.

Featured in the STEM Showcase will be robots built by STEM High School engineering students, Shakespearean Readers Theatre, the STEM High School choir and talent show performers.

Along with Barnes & Noble's vast selection of books, DVDs, music and gifts, learners may obtain summer reading lists for the STEM High School honors program.

A portion of every dollar spent at Barnes & Noble on May 18 and 19 will go to the new National Inventors Hall of Fame^® STEM High School when you mention the code #11099561* or the name STEM High School when you check out.

Online sales qualify through May 24. Barnes & Noble hours are Saturday 9 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Director and APS program for homeless students recognized

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:07:00 EDT

Women’s Network Honors With Dorothy O. Jackson Award

APS program Project RISE and its director, Deborah Manteghi, (MAN tuh ghee), will be receiving the Dorothy O. Jackson Award at the Women of Achievement event sponsored by the Women’s Network on June 28, 2013.

Project RISE (Realizing Individual Strength through Education) is a collaborative effort by Akron Public Schools, local shelters and the community to provide supplemental educational services to children who are experiencing homelessness. The program serves approximately 800-900 students annually.

The Dorothy O. Jackson Award recognizes and honors area businesses or organizations that have demonstrated excellence and leadership in their commitment to the empowerment of women and promotion of diversity in the workplace.

Candidates must be local businesses or organizations and able to accept the award in person at the Women of Achievement Awards luncheon. The award recipient may be from the for-profit or nonprofit sector and may be a sole proprietor, partnership or corporation.

Dorothy O. Jackson Award Past Recipients

2011 – ACCESS Inc.
2010 – The University of Akron College of Nursing
2009 – FedEx Custom Critical
2008 – Child Guidance & Family Solutions
2007 – Fair Housing Contact Service
2006 – The Akron-Summit County Public Library
2004 – Fifth Third Bank
2003 – Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC
2002 – Summa Health System
2001 – Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve Inc.
2000 – Coming Together Project

APS and AkronReads Summer Tutoring Kick-Off on June 3-4

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:45:00 EDT

Akron Public Schools and AkronReads will hold summer reading program kick-off events as follows:

Monday, June 3, 6 p.m.
Vernon Odom Branch Library
600 Vernon Odom Blvd., Akron 44307
330.434.8726
Tuesday, June 4, 6 p.m.
Maple Valley Branch Library
1187 Copley Road, Akron 44320
330.864.5721

Tutors, parents and students are invited to these events for a presentation of the AkronReads Summer Tutoring Program, followed by a meet-and-greet with refreshments and program information. For more information, contact the phone numbers listed; or visit www.akronlibrary.org.