January 25, 2014
Controversial Common Core is focus of discussion By Lou Varricchio newmarketpress@ denpubs.com M I D D L E B U RY Ñ A n overview and question and answer session about the so-called Common Core education standard in Vermont will be held at Ilsley Public Library Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2-3 p.m. The session will be hosted by James Callahan, a math education consultant and former principal of the Mary Hogan Elementary School in Middlebury Ò The Common Core has many parts,Ó according to Callahan. This presentation will deal with the parts concerning mathematics in grades kindergarten through grade eight. This a large span so after the first presentation if I find that I have made to long of a stretch the second in the series will be closer in scope like kindergarten through grade three or something like that but I will know better after our first gathering.Ó Callahan said that the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, as it is formally titled, have many who approve of such a standards setting for our schools but it is not the majority at this time. Ò Schools are wrestling with this new set of guidelines; many are having a difficult time with the change of emphasis. Many states have approved the core without those who make these decisions even reading what has been written,Ó he said. According to Callahan, the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics outlines the following to be CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
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A Vermonter in Cuba
BARTERING TO SURVIVE
By Jack McMullen newmarketpress@denpubs.com BURLINGTON Ñ My 2013 trip to Cuba was wonderful, especially as it was an insiderÕ s view made possible by all the work arranging the itinerary done by Consuelo, the Cuban-American wife of a law school classmate of mine. On the plus side was the beauty and culture of Cuba, especially the art and music that seems to permeate the country. Also on the plus side the positive and friendly nature of the Cuban people and the congenial group of people assembled for our trip there. I enjoyed meeting and speaking with them all. On the negative side, here are my thoughts on the economic and political situation thereÑ itÕ s even worse than I thought. Cuba had the highest GDP per capita in the hemisphere save the U.S. and Canada mainly due to massive U.S. business and infrastructure investment (though proceeds were not well CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
“In Cuba everyone must steal from their employer (the national government) to barter for their needs and more,” writes Jack McMullen. “The Internet is outlawed in Cuba and replaced with an intranet which very few have access to and which is constantly monitored.” Photo courtesy of Jack McMullen
Airline Cape Air opens Rutland ticket office By Lou Varricchio
newmarketpress@denpubs.com
Pictured at Cape Air’s ribboon cutting event in downtown Rutland last week: Front—Tom Donahue, Mike Coppinger, Peg Bauer, Tracy Adams, Linda Fitzgerald, Joe Flanders, Jacqueline Donohoo, Alderman William Notte, Rep. Larry Cupoli, Rep. Tom Terenzini, Corinne Kopec, Stave Costello, Dave Correll. Back—Fred Nicholson, Chris Bitziel of the Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport, Jarrod Sammis, Jerry Hansen, Nanci Gordon, Tom Beardsly, and Gary Jacquith.
RUTLAND Ñ The ribbon was cut by the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce staff at the new downtown Rutland ticket office of Cape Air located at 118 West St., Suite 104, next to Small Dog Electronics. The new downtown office is open six days a week for information and ticket purchases and also acts as a call center for reservations on Cape Air. Cape Air, a JetBlue partner, operates three daily round trip flights from Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport to Boston Logan Airport with connections throughout the world. For more information on Cape Air online, see www. capeair.com or telephone 800227-3247.