A school of fish in an aquarium, costumes by Marilyn Skow

Carnival of the Animals: Momentum's Dancers bring Camille Saint-Saens dazzling and clever score to life, creating movement vignettes for each of Saint-Saens animals: the prancing Lion, the lugubrious Tortoise, a pair of whimsical Elephants, a school of fish in an Aquarium, the shy Cuckoo, gliding and graceful (until they get on land) Swans, and a Grand Finale. Each segment features fabulous costumes by Marilyn Skow, unique dance movement, and lots of fun!

The program is aimed at ages 4-10 and their families.

This program has been made possible with support from: The National Endowment for the Arts, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Board of County Commissioners, City of Coral Gables and the Coral Gables Cultural Arts Council, the Thoresen Foundation, Citizens Interested in Arts.

Announcing All Kids Included Art Contest: "Dreams Take Flight"

  
The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce the 2nd annual All Kids Included Art Contest - "Dreams Take Flight": Overcoming Adversity, Following Your Dreams, and Celebrating Inclusion, Diversity and Acceptance

The Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs invites students to submit 2-D artwork to be featured in a special exhibit during the 5th Annual "All Kids Included" Family Arts Festival for children of all abilities, to be held April 23 - 26, 2011 at the new South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center in Cutler Bay. The theme for the festival is "Dreams Take Flight," inspired by the book "Jose! Born to Dance: The Story of Jose Limon," by Susanna Reich illustrated by Raul Colon, a story celebrating overcoming adversity and following your dreams. Be creative and use the theme elements, including: dreams, flight, dance, overcoming adversity, inclusion and celebrating diversity. The contest is open to all students in grades K-12 in any school within Miami-Dade County.

A 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and honorable mention winner will be selected from Elementary, Middle and High School. A Grand Prize for "Best in Show" will also be chosen. In addition, all winning students will each receive an All Kids Included Festival goodie bag.

Prizes:

All finalists' artwork will be exhibited during the All Kids Included Family Arts Festival April 23-26, 2011 at the new South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street, Cutler Bay. Contest winners will be announced during the All Kids Included Family Arts Festival on Saturday, April 23, 2011.

The deadline for all entries is Friday, April 1, 2011.

Please make sure to read the AKI Art Contest Guidelines and submit the Contest Submission and Authorization Forms. 

For additional information on the 5th Annual All Kids Included Family Arts Festival - "Dreams Take Flight" Art Contest, including entry forms, dates, prizes, and rules, please contact Francine Andersen fran@miamidade.gov / phone: 305-375-5024.

All Kids Included (AKI) is an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, made possible through grant funding provided by The Children's Trust. The All Kids Included initiative is funded by The Children's Trust. The Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.                  

 U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan vowed Tuesday to abolish the so-called "2 percent rule" that obscures an accurate portrait of the academic needs of America's students with disabilities.

In prepared remarks to the American Association of People with Disabilities gala in Washington, Duncan declared that students with disabilities should be judged with the same accountability system as everyone else.

"I just want to say-here and now-for the record-we are moving away from the 2 percent rule," Duncan said. "We will not issue another policy that allows districts to disguise the educational performance of 2 percent of students."

Instead, he said, "We have to expect the very best from our students-and tell the truth about student performance-so that we can give all students the supports and services they need." Continued HERE. 

What started out as Sal making a few algebra videos for his cousins has grown to over 2,100 videos and 100 self-paced exercises and assessments covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history. Click HERE to browse their library of over 2,100 educational videos.