Atlanta: Judge Reduces Prison Time for Convicted Educators

The judge who sentenced educators to jail for as long as seven years changed his mind. “Before sentencing on April 14, Baxter had urged the convicted educators to accept an offer from prosecutors that would have allowed them to avoid extensive time behind bars in exchange for taking responsibility, apologizing and waiving their right to […]

Jaime Franchi: Long Island Still Counting Opt Outs

Jaime Franchi writes in the Long Island Press that the counting of opt outs continue, and parent leaders expect the numbers refusing the math tests will be higher than the ELA tests. ““Parents’ conversations at the ball fields have changed from ‘Why opt-out?’ to ‘Why high-stakes testing?’” says Anthony Griffin, a Central Islip High School […]

Aldi Review and Giveaway: Enter to Win a $25 Aldi Gift Certificate!

ALDI, the popular low-priced grocery store, is finally here in Richmond!

Locations: 1776 North Parham Road in Henrico, VA (Corner of Parham and Starling Drive next to the McDonalds)
465 Charles H. Dimmock Pkwy in Colonial Heights, VA
Hours: M-F 9 am – 9 pm; Sat. 9 am – 8 pm on Saturday; Sun. 9 am – 7 pm.

ALDI officially opened their doors to the public on April 23^rd.


Here are some tips that you need to know when shopping at ALDI:

• Bring a Quarter: You’ll need a quarter in order to use a shopping cart. Don’t worry, you get the 25-cents back when you return your cart! This prevents loose carts in the parking lot, stolen carts etc. Helping bring down the prices of your groceries!
• Private Label Brands: More than 90% of the products sold in-store are ALDI-exclusive brands. These items are produced to meet their stringent quality standards, and are sold only in ALDI stores.
• ALDI does not accept manufacturer coupons: ALDI does not accept manufacturer coupons. They do allow ALDI store coupons, but these are not released often.
• Payment: They ONLY accept cash, debit and EBT cards!
• Fast Checkout: ALDI packages have multiple UPC bar codes, to read dependably from every direction. The checker can drag an item across the scanner without taking the time to turn it over!
  

• Bring your own BAGS. You will need to purchase plastic or paper bags if you need them. Be sure to reuse your current stash of paper/plastic/reusable grocery bags and bring with you to ALDI.
• Bag your own groceries: You will need to bag your own groceries but if you are OCD like me and have a specific way of how you want your groceries bagged, then this is great for you!
• Great selection of Organic and Gluten-Free Products: They offer a great selection of Organic, all-natural and gluten-free products!

The ALDI ad runs Wednesday-Tuesday. Each week, ALDI ad highlights 6 produce deals at rock bottom prices, the Fresh meat special buy and their red hot special. These deals change every week. You can access their ad online.

liveGFree:

For those that are gluten free, ALDI offers a line of delicious Gluten Free foods at an affordable price of up to 50%* less than traditional grocers! Some of the products that they carry are brownie mixes, frozen pizza, pasta, granola crunch and bread! Their Gluten Free bread is priced at only $3.99 compared to $5-$8!

Organic:

ALDI also carries all-natural and organic products at great prices! I love their organic popcorn. Their organic line includes organic milk, organic salsa, organic coffee cups and lots more!

I got the opportunity to check out the new store the day before the official grand opening and meet some of the ALDI execs! Although I have been shopping at the ALDI store in Stafford, I was very impressed with the layout and design of our ALDI! It is very nice and welcoming!

I could go on all day how much I love ALDI. Their prices are great, the food is good and they have good customer service. I find that I save money shopping at ALDI even though they do not accept coupons. I encourage you guys to try out ALDI if you haven't already!

Giveaway:
One lucky person will win a $25 ALDI Gift Certificate! To enter-fill out the form below. This giveaway will end on May 9th!

Thank you ALDI!

All opinions expressed in this post are my own.

*Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Joe Dowd of Long Island Business News on Casualties of Common Core

The Long Island Business News is all over Common Core. It published an article exploring the money trail that leads again and again to Pearson. Unlike Newsday, the major newspaper on Long Island, LIBN is attentive to the widespread parent revolt against Common Core and the testing associated with it. In this editorial, Joe Dowd […]

United Opt Out Gives Advice to Kentucky Parents

Parents in Kentucky who want to opt out have been warned that their children will face severe disciplinary consequences. Some have turned to United Opt Out for help. This is what UOO says: “The Kentucky Dept. of Education has stated that schools will not provide alternative activities during testing time. They have stated that students […]

Valerie Strauss on NPE: “Teachers of the World, Unite! You Have Nothing to Lose But Your Rubrics!

This is a terrific column by Valerie Strauss describing the work of the Network for Public Education. I wish she had been there to share the excitement of the 600+ education activists from across the nation–teachers, parents, students, retired teachers, principals, school board members. Wherever they came from, they feel isolated and powerless as the […]

Wall Street Journal: Corporations Dropping Employee Grades and Rankings

Here is a curious turn of events. Just as the federal government is forcing schools across the nation to evaluate and rank teachers using dubious metrics, corporations are beginning to back away from simplistic performance measures. The change reflects the philosophy of business guru W. Edwards Deming, who staunchly opposed merit pay and rankings, on […]

Psychologist: The Common Core Tests Cannot Be Independently Verified for Validity or Reliability

A reader, Charlene Williams, who holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, sent the following comment in response to this post about the vocabulary used on one of the Common Core tests:   This speaks to one of the essential issues in the current high stakes testing debacle. Why the Pearson, PARCC, and Smarter Balanced testing […]

Free Sample of Arm and Hammer Toothpaste

Request a FREE sample of Arm and Hammer's Truly Radiant Toothpaste! Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Aldi Deals 04/29-5/2

• Aldi is now open in Richmond and Colonial Heights!
• Aldi does not accept manufacturer's coupons
• You will need to rent a shopping cart for $0.25 but will get it back when you return the cart.
• Bring your own bags or else pay $0.06 each per bag
• View Aldi's ad online

Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts $1.88/lb

Fresh 73% Lean Ground Beef $13.99 (5lbs)

Produce Picks of the Week:
Mangoes $0.49 each
Avocados $0.79 Each
Strawberries $1.49 16oz
Multi-Colored Peppers $1.99 3-Pack
Sweet Corn $1.59 4-Pack
Vine Tomatoes $1.49 24oz

Casa Mamita Diced Tomatoes or Green Chilies 10oz $0.59

Casa Mamita Refried Beans 16oz $0.79

Casa Mamita Taco Shells $0.99

Casa Mamita Taco Seasoning Mix $0.35

Burman's BBQ Sauce 18oz $0.99

Tuscan Garden Marinade 12oz $0.99

Clancy's Tortilla Chips $1.19

L'Oven Fresh Kaiser Rolls $1.79

Barissimo Fair Trade Bagged Coffee 12oz $3.99

Goldhen Eggs $0.99/Dozen!

Happy Farms Shredded Mexican Style Cheese 12oz $2.79

Starbucks: 1/2 Priced Frappuccinos Starting May 1st!

Enjoy 1/2 priced frappuccinos at Starbucks May 1st-10th each day from 3-5pm! Extended until 6pm if you are a Starbucks Rewards member! A tall frappuccino is usually $3.95 for me so $2 during happy hour!

Massachusetts State Board Takes Control of Holyoke Public Schools, Suspending Democracy

With the endorsement of State Superintendent Mitchell Chester,  the Massachusetts State Board of Education voted 8-3 to take control of the public schools in Holyoke.   Chester called it an “opportunity” for the district. Most Holyoke residents who attended the hearing opposed the state takeover.   Odd that in the birthplace of American democracy, local […]

Indiana: GOP Legislators Can’t Stop Beating Up on Glenda Ritz

The Indiana Legislature and Governor Mike Pence can’t accept the fact that Glenda Ritz got more votes in the 2012 election than any of them. They want to crush her. Would they do this to a man? Maybe, who knows? But they are certainly acting the role of bully.   They have worked out a […]

More than 50% of Juniors at Palo Alto High School (CA) Did Not Take Common Core Test

More than 50% of the junior class at Palo Alto High School did not take the Smarter Balanced Assessment. It is hard to know whether the high test refusal at Palo Alto High School was a genuine opt out or just smart kids who knew that the Smarter Balanced Assessment didn’t count for anything. California […]

Daily Howler Rebukes Kristof for Cherry-Picking Stats to Make U.S. Education Look Bad

Nicholas Kristof seems to have a very big hatred for American public education. Did he go to public schools? Did he have horrible teachers? What does he have against this democratic institution that is part of the fabric of every community in the nation?   The Daily Howler, which catches journalistic fraud, lambastes Kristof for […]

NEPC Debunks Latest Charter Report

The National Education Policy Center regularly reviews research findings, in effect, acting as an independent peer review board. In this case, its reviewer challenges the latest CREDO report on urban charters: Is It Time to Stop the CREDO-Worship? New review explains CREDO charter school research flaws, raises concerns about misunderstandings of effect sizes Contact: William […]

Fun Music Ministry Opportunity!

Volunteer Musicians Wanted HEAV invites you to come and play background music at the 32nd Annual HEAV Homeschool Convention! We are now accepting applicants and are looking for experienced musicians to fill the registration lobby and UCS hall with refreshing background...

Thirty-One Gifts 3-Day Flash Sale: Great deals plus 50% Off Personalization!

While supplies last, Thirty-One Gifts is having a 3-day flash sale offering deep discounts on totes, accessories and more! I own quite a few Thirty-One Items and these would make great gifts! They probably will not come in before Mother's Day but you could save them for a birthday, Christmas gifts etc.

Please note that the site is moving very slow due to high traffic.

If you area Thirty-One Sales Consultant, feel free to leave your link below!

A Report on the Network for Public Education Conference

I am writing at the conclusion of the second annual conference of the Network for Public Education. Last year, we met in Austin, this year in Chicago. It was a smashing success! Attendance was 50% higher than in Austin. There were attendees from every corner of the country. All the sessions were held in the … … Continue reading →

Auditions for ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’

PETER AND THE STARCATCHER DIRECTION BY NATHANIEL SHAW Auditions will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015, from 6 – 10 p.m. Auditions are by appointment only and will be held at Virginia Rep’s November Theatre, 114 W Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220.   Please e-mail casting@virginiarep.org to make an appointment.   Prepare selected sides …

Peter Greene Explains to Nicholas Kristof What Went Wrong with Reform

Peter Greene was not happy with Nicholas Kristof’s column saying that–after twelve years of trying–school reform hasn’t worked out and it was time to pay attention to the youngest children, where research was clear and there was bipartisan agreement. Here is a snippet of Greene’s outrage: “Look, I believe there are a handful of reformsters […]

BASIS Charter Chain Will Open 5 Schools in Louisiana

BASIS, an Arizona charter chain known for its intense academic standards, plans to open five charter schools in Louisiana. BASIS expects all students to complete AP courses and work very hard to reach its high standards. It accepts everyone, but loses large numbers of students who can’t keep up with the school’s academic pressure.   […]

Andy Smarick: A Reformer Who Pays Attention to Opt Outs

Andy Smarick is a reformer with a low opinion of public schools, like other reformers. But in some of his writings, he has shown a willingness to challenge the formulaic party line of corporate reform. In this post, he disagrees with his fellow reformers who scoff at parents who opt out. As he shows, the […]

Randi Goes to Pearson Shareholders’ Meeting to Speak Against Spying

Randi Weingarten is on her way to speak at the Network for Public Education’s second annual conference in Chicago this weekend. But she detoured to London to attend the Pearson shareholder meeting. She took the opportunity to tell Pearson to stop spying on children through their social media accounts. And she requested that Pearson stop […]

NY Times: Should Students “Sit and Stare” if They Opt Out?

The New York Times has written another article about the historic Opt Out movement in New York. Thus far, we know that 150,000-200,000 students opted out of the ELA, and we don’t know yet how many opted out of the math tests. The subject of the article is whether opt out students are treated unfairly […]

Heidi Hayes Jacobs: Don’t Just Sit on Your Plinth!

Heidi Hayes Jacobs has surmised that this is an ominous situation. Before you go into a paroxysm of laughter, remember that life is ephemeral. If you wonder why the outbreak of clamorous verbiage, please note that Jacobs has collected some of the unusual words that appeared on the 6th grade Common Core test in Néw […]

Weekend Deals – Clothes Rack Bag Sale, Sam’s Club Membership, Consignment Sales

Robinson Street Walkabout – During Saturday’s event, some merchants will be offering special sales (subject to change): - Deep Groove Records Sidewalk Sale – 25 cent Records - Halcyon Vintage Clothing Rummage Sale – everything 75% off retail - Clothes…

Read more ›

New 10-Point Pampers Rewards Code (exp 4/25)

Here is another 10-point code to use that expires on April 25th!

FB7893219187815

New to Pampers Gifts to Grow Program?

Our popular Gifts to Grow rewards program is as simple as 1, 2, free.
1 – Register online 2 – Purchase Pampers products and earn points 3 – Redeem your points for free gifts! Simply join Pampers today and get started with 100 bonus points. Click Here to sign up!

Also Use code JOINNOW4REWARDS to get 50 points added to your account!
GTGWELCOME10PTS (10 Points)

Free Cone Day at Carvel April 30

Get a FREE junior soft serve cup or cone at participating Carvels next Thursday, April 30, between 3pm and 8pm.