Jacob (Genesis 27:16

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(StatePoint) Over the past two years, public schools have faced continual disruptions brought about by COVID-19. Experts say that federal relief funds have given the nation a one-time opportunity to learn from the experience and to focus recovery efforts and resources on delivering high-quality instruction and support for students in ways that will accelerate their learning and meet their social and emotional needs.

“The federal government has provided $189 billion in resources for states and localities targeted at education recovery. If unchecked and unsupported, states risk bending to the pressure of forces more concerned with political expediency and ideology than sound policy that helps students,” says Jim Cowen, executive director of the Collaborative for Student Success. “Parents, educators, administrators and policymakers deserve credible information about effective policies and practices that are using these funds to accelerate student learning.”

According to Cowen, this is why the Collaborative for Student Success, in partnership with The Center on Reinventing Public Education (CRPE) and the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University, launched EduRecoveryHub.org, a one-stop resource that showcases emerging practices in schools supported with Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding (ESSER) and other federal recovery funds that can be replicated nationwide.

From improving school facilities to easing teacher shortages, the site provides insights into the smart investments that best ensure schools recover stronger and every student benefits. Parents and families can use this site to advocate for their students and point to good ideas that meet specific needs as they talk to teachers, principals, and school board members. Educators and district staff can learn from their colleagues about ways in which they are overcoming the lingering challenges of the pandemic. The site also allows policymakers to reference and compare state-by-state recovery information and access expert analysis from diverse viewpoints. Apanel of national and state-based organizations and experts serving or representing parents, school and district leaders, classroom educators, and the civil rights community review and comment on specific practices they support.

“As difficult as pandemic learning has been, our research has shown many bright spots: schools and educators who have gone above and beyond by making powerful connections with students, finding creative ways to deliver personalized learning, and working with community partners to ensure students are healthy and ready to learn,” says Robin Lake, director of CRPE. “But many of these efforts are ad hoc. The unprecedented federal investment will allow school systems to implement effective approaches -- if they pay attention to what we know has worked.”

“The federal investment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for school districts to help students reengage in school, get back on track in reading and math, and earn sufficient credits to graduate ready for college or a career,” says Chad Aldeman, policy director of Edunomics Lab. “In the wake of the pandemic, we are seeing districts use funds in new ways to address challenges and improve student outcomes. These savvy, nimble investments may catch on in other communities and help propel students forward.”

Interactive and easy-to-use, the EduRecoveryHubis updated frequently. Individuals or organizations can reference these evolving resources or share their own examples of innovative programs in education by visiting edurecoveryhub.org.

From innovative ways to address student mental health needs to work being done to accelerate academic learning, spotlighting education recovery efforts across America can spark progress and improvements in other communities.

Deli Macaroni Salad

What better to take on a picnic than a macaroni salad. As simple as this one is,people will think you stopped at the deli. 1/3 cup fat-free Ranch dressing 1/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish 1/2 cup small curd fat-free cottage cheese 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni, rinsed and drained 2 teaspoons dried onion flakes 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

In a medium bowl combine Ranch dressing,mayonnaise,pickle relish and cottage cheese. Add macaroni, onion flakes,parsley flakes and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Gently stir again just before serving. Serves 4.

HINT:Usually 1 1/3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni cooks to about 2 cups. • Each serving equals:173 calories, 1g fat,7g protein,34g carbs,558mg sodium, 32mg calcium, 1g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges:1 1/2 Starch/ Carb,1/2 Meat; Carb Choices:2.

Visit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com,or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 to signup for our FREE monthly newsletter. All you pay is the shipping and handling. This is the only national food newsletter for diabetics,heart/cholesterol concerns and healthy weight loss.

Healthy French Toast

Our slimmed-down take on this Sunday-morning favorite is practically saintly. Subbing in low-fat milk and egg whites gives it half the fat and a third less cholesterol than traditional French toast. Plus,it’s a cinch to whip up. One more blessing in disguise:You can still serve it with maple syrup,which is naturally fatfree. 2 large egg whites 1 large egg 3/4 cup(s) low-fat (1 percent) milk 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract Salt 2 teaspoons margarine or butter 8 slices firm whole-wheat bread Maple syrup (optional) Fresh blackberries, raspberries and blueberries (optional) 1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. In pie plate, with whisk, beat egg whites,egg,milk,vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt until blended. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, on medium heat, melt 1 teaspoon margarine. 2. Dip bread slices,one at a time,in egg mixture,pressing bread lightly to coat both sides well. Place 3 or 4 slices in skillet,and cook 6 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned on both sides. 3. Transfer French toast to cookie sheet; keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining margarine, bread slices and egg mixture. Serve French toast with maple syrup and berries if you like. Makes 4 servings. • Each serving:About 300 calories, 9g total fat (2g saturated),56mg cholesterol, 755mg sodium, 46g total carbohydrate,6g dietary fiber,12g protein.

For thousands of triple-tested recipes, visit our Web site at www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipe finder/.

1. ANCIENT WORLD:Who was the king of Troy during the Trojan War? 2. MEDICAL TERMS:What happens during sternutation? 3. MOVIES:What movie featured the famous line,“It ain’t gonna be no rematch”? 4. LITERATURE: In which of Shakespeare’s plays does the character of Titania appear? 5. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES:If a standard quarter weighs .2 ounces, how many quarters would it take to equal 1 pound? 6. SCIENCE: What geological process formed the Grand Canyon? 7. EXPLORERS:Who was the first European explorer to travel the length of the Mississippi River? 8. ENTERTAINERS:In “The Gene Autry Show,”who was Autry’s wellknown comic sidekick? 9. TELEVISION: What was the name of the chimpanzee on “The Beverly Hillbillies”? 10. MUSIC:What kind of instrument is a euphonium?

Answers:

1. Priam 2. Involuntary sneeze 3. “Rocky” 4. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” 5. 80 6. Erosion 7. La Salle,in 1682 8. Pat Buttram 9. Cousin Bessie 10. Brass instrument that resembles a small tuba

1. In 2008,Bobby Jenks of the Chicago White Sox became the second-fastest reliever to notch 100 career saves (187 games). Who was the fastest? 2. How many of the 30 major-league teams still play in the state where the franchise started? 3. Name the last Auburn quarterback before Kodi Burns in 2008 to run for 100-plus yards in a game. 4. Which NBA players won the regular-season MVP award three consecutive years? 5. Name the last player in Carolina Hurricanes franchise history to have four goals in an NHL game before Eric Staal did it in 2009. 6. When was the last time before 2009 that the U.S. men won a gold medal at the world four-man bobsled championships? 7. Entering 2009, name the last major that golfer Phil Mickelson won without breaking par in the final round.

Answers

1. Kazuhiro Sasaki of Seattle did it in 160 games. 2. Twenty teams. 3. Phil Gargis had 129 rushing yards versus Florida State in 1976. 4. Bill Russell (1961-63), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-68) and Larry Bird (1984-86). 5. Ron Francis in 1984,when the franchise was located in Hartford. 6. It was 1959. 7. The 2005 PGA Championship.