Illustrious childhood art education program draws on mid-year success and outlines new expansion plans to bring specialized curriculum to Pittsburgh

Building on the momentum of a sensational national campaign celebrating the brand’s 30^th anniversary in 2018, Young Rembrandts has announced a new expansion plan to bring its proprietary art education curriculum to more kids in Pittsburgh.

With more than 100 existing franchise partners already in place in the United States and across the globe, Young Rembrandts has identified Pittsburgh as one of the specific priority target markets for expansion, as part of the brand’s strategic effort to provide its cognitive development-centric art curriculum programs into the second half of 2018 and onward into 2019.

“Even as we celebrate our 30^th anniversary this year, we’re never content to rest on our laurels and we’re ready to bring art education to as a many children as possible for years to come, beginning with a strategic plan to expand in Pittsburgh,” said Kim Swanson, director of franchise development for Young Rembrandts. “We want to build a legacy in this community, and the first step is finding the right partner who believes in our mission and understands Pittsburgh, and what parents and kids here want in afterschool enrichment.” [Read more…]

New Study Underscores Concerns with Cosmetic and Personal Care Products Lack of Regulation

By Dr. Nina Radcliff

 

It is that time of the year where back-to-school beckons to millions of families nationwide, raising stress levels with increased activities and jitters as schools and colleges welcome record numbers of students this fall.

For both parents and kids, there are commitments with end-of-summer events, last minute getaways, shopping for “the right” supplies and clothes, start-up of extracurricular activities,  and too the emotional anxiety that often comes with changes with sleep times, getting up earlier, homework, new teachers and friends.

What You Need To Know About Reducing the Stress and Planning a Healthy Back-To-School Transition

Communication, communication, communication…and planning

First off, schedule a family meeting this week where everyone has the opportunity to participate by sharing their thoughts and concerns on the upcoming transition. Make it a team effort! And, parents, try keeping the tone fun to facilitate (lively) interaction. Whether entering kindergarten or K through college, by listening, we can pick-up cues of any related worries or activities that need to be addressed ahead of time.

Also, consider utilizing a written calendar that will not only mark back-to-school and related activities, but also pleasurable events—school dances, the upcoming breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And make sure to schedule follow-up discussions to address, and check-off, items: school supplies; school clothing or uniforms; backpacks; upcoming appointments (e.g., doctors, back-to-school night, parent teacher meetings, shopping); extra-curricular activities, and safety; and planning healthy routines (e.g., eating balanced meals, daily physical activities, and a sound sleep schedule). Hang this calendar in a well-visited location such as the refrigerator so it stays “relevant” and items are not forgotten.  [Read more…]

By Dr. Roxanne Gonzales

Susan is a 52-year-old mother of two who wants to pursue a graduate degree in Education.  Terry is in the Army and travels extensively, access to a degree no matter where he is deployed is critical.  Don, a paramedic, must take continuing education every year to maintain his license. Ann is on her university’s swim and dive team and finds it difficult to schedule her classes around her practices and meets.

Jessie is a home-schooled high schooler but would like some additional learning opportunities.  These people have one thing in common – they need education and training that will work with their lifestyles and circumstances, they either don’t have the ability to attend class in person or have opted out of the traditional class setting.

Over twenty years ago, an innovation and game changer to education was created to address the needs of Susan, Terry, Don, Ann, and Jessie – access to classes offered over the internet.  The innovation of online learning has truly changed the face of education to a point where it is now considered a viable option for students of all ages.

Online learning started out very simply, email was the primary communication between the faculty and student – more along the lines of an electronic correspondence course with adults as its primary target.  For those early adopter educators, it was very clear that online was going to be a disruptive force because it provided the flexibility and access to higher education needed by many students. 

Online certainly had its critics and still does today, however as technology has improved and a new profession has been established around online learning, the model is here to stay.  Today, online learning is available from kindergarten through graduate degrees providing options that were unheard of twenty years ago.  [Read more…]

Home Instead Senior Care is offering Dementia Education classes in October and November. These 2-hour classes are open to the general public. Organizers will discuss symptoms and root causes of dementia, explain various types and some differences between them, along with details on how family caregivers or professionals can effectively engage with those suffering from dementia.

RSVP by Oct. 8

The workshop will cover how to:

• Manage Behaviors
• Encourage Engagement
• Care for Yourself While Caring for a Loved One

Date: October 15 or November 27, 2012

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location:

Home Instead Senior Care
661 Allegheny Ave.
Oakmont, PA 15139

RSVP: 412-517-8337

By Daniel Casciato

Results of the annual Graduate Management Admission Council Alumni Perspectives Survey reveal that compensation packages for MBAs are increasing as the economy begins to improve. In the survey, involving 3,490 business school graduates, MBA graduates are earning an average of $5,500 more in annual salary and $7,500 more in bonus compensation from three years ago.

“Because of the current state of the economy, when companies spend their employment dollars, they definitely want to make sure they get the most value for their buck,” says Ken Buckley, director of the career management center for Baylor University’s MBA program in Texas. “So they’re very concerned about overspending their limited recruiting funds.”

Ninety-three percent of the respondents said they were employed–a 3% increase from 2009, while 88% of those who graduated in 2010 had jobs upon graduation. Meanwhile, 70% of this graduating class stated that their starting annual base salary either met or exceeded their expectations. The median starting salary was $78,820. The median salary by all respondents was $94,542, compared to $89,000 in 2007. The median bonus compensation was reported as $17,565, compared to $10,000 in 2007.

“As businesses are operating with less resources and increased pressure from competitors, managers need individuals who understand the business climate, are innovative and have technical as well as soft skills,” says Lori Hollenbeck, assistant dean of St. John Fisher College’s Ronald L. Bittner School of Business in Rochester, NY.

Hollenbeck adds, “An MBA focuses on developing these skills and differentiates candidates in the job market. Many business programs are re-evaluating curricula to ensure relevancy to the needs of employers especially with the recent and current economic conditions.”

The GMAC survey drew responses from business school graduates who earned their MBAs between 2000 and 2010.

“Years ago you could look at your career and you could look at the industry, and there were jobs you were going to do because people had been doing them for 10 to 15 to 20 years and then there were people retiring after having done those jobs,” says Buckley. “Today, the jobs are changing so fast. For students who are currently working on their degrees, their future jobs and job titles and responsibilities could be changing dramatically by the time they get out. They’re actually being prepared for jobs that haven’t even been developed yet.”

Whether a master’s in business today means more than it did a decade ago is debatable for Hollenbeck.

“There are more MBAs today than a decade ago which means employers have more choices,” she says. “There are definitely more programs and more program differentiators, so degree pursuers and recruiters have to do their research.”

Other findings in the survey revealed that alumni rated their MBA as excellent and and felt that their business degree provided them with excellent preparation for their chosen career. It also provided them with opportunities for quicker career advancement.

“If you’re hiring a person with an MBA, you’re getting somebody who has the ability to make a high-level impact on your business,” says Buckley. “Having that MBA gives you credibility. Now you have to deliver on that, but you at least get a chance at bat.”