March 2013 - test-neighbhorhood@test.highlandparkpa.com

[Highland Park] For Sale
by Cathleen Fink 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

For sale glass hallway table 50.00 Wooden Desk $75.00 Please call Michelle 4128187228

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[Highland Park] ISO Drywall Contractor Recommendations
by Maura Belajac 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

We are looking to hire someone to remove plaster and wood paneling in two bedrooms and put up drywall within the next few weeks. Does anyone have a good recommendation? Thanks! Maura -- Maura Jones Maura Ellen Photography www.mauraellenphotography.com Like Us on Facebook!<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maura-Ellen-Photography/118629224915526>

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[Highland Park] Opting out of PSSA
by Guido Giuntini 25 Mar '13

25 Mar '13

Have you heard about opting out of the PSSAs?12from the yinzercation blog: http://yinzercation.wordpress.com/Those who choose to opt their children out of high-stakes-testing are not opposed to quality assessment. Teachers need to give tests so they know what students are learning. The problem is the high-stakes in high-stakes-testing, which has radically changed education over the past decade. Under the mandates of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act, high-stakes testing has effectively created the system of “teaching to the test” and “canned curricula.” Teachers have far less control over their classrooms, while students spend more and more time preparing for tests and practicing test-taking skills. Ironically, the impact has been an actual decrease in real learning. While students have mastered test-taking skills, they are not mastering content.We have watched high-stakes-testing dramatically narrow our school curricula with its laser focus on reading and math. To be sure, these are essential skills but students have lost music, art, foreign languages, history, science, and much more in the quest for higher standardized test scores in these two areas. The Great Recession has exacerbated the situation as schools faced massive budget cuts and were forced to eliminate programs, keeping only those classes that would be measured on the tests. And the stakes are so high – with teacher’s being evaluated on test scores and schools threatened with closure – that now we have a plague of cheating scandals as desperate students, teachers, school districts, and even states try to game the system. Just this past fall, Pennsylvania’s own state secretary of education got caught trying to cheat.There’s a way to fight back and end this madness. The national Opt Out movement has been growing quickly and taken root here in Southwest PA this year. Parents from Mt. Lebanon to Westmoreland County have been talking to each other and will be taking their children out of high-stakes-tests. In the city of Pittsburgh, the movement has been spreading fast in just these past few weeks to Phillips, Linden, CAPA, Liberty, Colfax, Montessori, Sci-Tech, and beyond. Here are some Yinzercation pieces and other resources those families have been sharing:“Testing and More Testing” – an introduction to international tests score panics and the new Keystone Exams“The VAM Sham” – how testing is hurting our teachers“National Opt Out Day” – an overview of the national movement“Out Opt FAQs” – a long list of FAQs raised by Yinzercation folks on the blog and Facebook“What Education Activism Looks Like” and “Fighting on Many Fronts” – updates on the national movement, especially the incredible movement in Seattle started by teachers and in Portland by students“Who’s In to Opt Out?” – our call to action on this issue!“No More Whoohoo” – Dr. Tim Slekar’s moving testimony about Opt Out from the Rally for Public Education, with a link to his video segmentThe United Opt Out website has sample letters and other helpful information.The national organization FairTest has a good resource page.Dr. Tim Slekar explains the nuts-and-bolts of opt-out in a recent blog piece on @TheChalkFaceOpt Out Flyer 1: Tests Not Helping Education (this and the next two made by Pittsburgh Montessori parent Elaine Rybski)Opt Out Flyer 2: Myths vs. FactsOpt Out Quiz: Test ResultsSo how do you opt out? It’s simple. Make an appointment to meet with your school’s testing coordinator (every school assigns a staff member to this role – it could be a teacher or the principal). Ask to review a copy of the PSSA. You can take the time to read the test, or simply hand over your prepared Opt Out letter, which can be as short as: “Dear Superintendent _________, Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(5) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child, [insert name here], excused from PSSA testing because of religious and philosophical beliefs. Signed ________.” Pennsylvania will only accept exemptions for “religious” reasons, but philosophical beliefs fall in this category – and the state is forbidden by law to ask about your religion.For more info about Opting-Out - http://yinzercation.wordpress.com/

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[Highland Park] Jewelry for sale
by Alexandra 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

I am selling off my possessions to help to buy down my debt so I can live credit card free. My loss is your gain. Don't feel bad about my situation, just take advantage of these wonderful goodies so I can attain my goal of being debt free by the end of 2013. NOTE: I am not a dealer. These items are my personal possessions. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/jwl/3635786849.html - Jewelry - Goddess Casting Ring - Stirling Silver Hand Wrought - Lapis http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/jwl/3701764786.html - Jewelry - 7 Seven Diamonds - 50 Point 1/2 Karat - 10 Karat Band Mens Womens Alexandra 412.612.5016 NO TEXTS

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[Highland Park] Many items for sale listed on Craigs List
by Alexandra 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

Many items for sale listed on Craigs List I am selling off my possessions to help to buy down my debt so I can live credit card free. My loss is your gain. Don't feel bad about my situation, just take advantage of these wonderful goodies so I can attain my goal of being debt free by the end of 2013. NOTE: I am not a dealer. These items are my personal possessions. WHOO HOOO!!! Let's Do This! http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/clt/3692589133.html - Beatles memorabilia http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hsh/3692582157.html - Round 1/4" plate mirror http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hsh/3692577644.html - 400 Champagne Corks http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/clo/3651635309.html - Black stiletto heels size 11 -New in box http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bar/3675417387.html - Shrink Wrap (cryovac) http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hab/3675369109.html - Medical folding walker in mint cond. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hsh/3665861083.html - Wrought Iron Corner Table http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hsh/3665847005.html - Wrought Iron Tall plant stand http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hsh/3665836618.html - Wrought Iron wall mount shelf http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/fuo/3611551983.html - Wrought Iron Table and Chair set http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3665776601.html - Snow Ease walk behind snow plow (Never lift a shovel ever again!) http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3665764753.html - Toro Power Snow Shovel - Electric http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3665706158.html - 52" Flexible Drill Bit Extention 1" bore http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3665660531.html - Stanley 2 foot and 4 foot levels http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3665648252.html - 10" Ryobi Miter saw with electric break http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/fuo/3658389224.html - Rocking Chair - wooden - Great Cond. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/clt/3658377074.html - Cat Door Stop - Hand Carved and Painted http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/clt/3658291690.html - Assorted Cat Collectibles and dishes - Never used http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/3658243600.html - Drum throne - padded seat - adjustable height http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/3658228491.html - Three assorted Microphone Stands http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/msg/3651610148.html - Musical Inst.. Guiro Hand Painted Fish - 26" long Hand Percussion http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3611520006.html - Ryobi 18V Cordless Speed Saw Rotary Cutter -w- accessories http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3611523327.html - Skil professional palm sander http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3611526281.html - Milwaukee speed clutch drywall screw gun http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3614190840.html - Leather tool belt with 12 pockets - used once - very clean http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/tls/3614177138.html - Dustless Drywall sanding kit and pole with pad http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bfs/3614154376.html - Landlord Rental Signs - "Apartment for sale" and "Storeroom for sale" http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/hsh/3614153181.html - Gimbles Christmas Soldier Display - 6' tall http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bfs/3611757322.html - Case 1000 Dixie "PerfecTouch" Insulated Hot / Cold 16oz Coffee Cups http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/3611553717.html - 4 Ford E350 Truck 16.5 Rims and Tires Alexandra 412.612.5016 NO TEXTS

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[Highland Park] I have moving boxes
by Laura Gordon 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

All shapes and sizes. Small, medium, large, dish packs, wardrobes. They were new before we used them to move from NC so they are generally in very good condition. Please contact me if you'd like to pick some up.

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[Highland Park] Artificial ficus tree
by Laura Gordon 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

Have had it for many years but it's in very good condition. Please contact me if you are interested. Asking $10 and that you come pick it up at our Highland Park home.

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[Highland Park] great apt available in Squirrel Hill
by SusieSlg＠aol.com 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

If you are looking for a large apartment that is available August 1, look no further!! Two apartments available in Squirrel Hill on Wightman Street. Both are 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms. Great size and great location! The rent is $1750-!960 plus utilities. Contact Susie if interested. Thank you!

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[Highland Park] Recent rash of vehicle break ins
by Q R 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

Hi All, I posted earlier this week about someone breaking into my car on Euclid at Stanton on Tuesday afternoon. I heard from about 10 other people with similar recent experiences, all on different days. This afternoon (Sunday) I walked along Euclid and saw 2 more cars near Bryant that have also been broken into, possibly this afternoon since the windows were not taped up. PLEASE DO THE FOLLOWING:Remove all valuables from your vehicle. I did not have anything valuable in my vehicle, but they still broke in anyways. So "hiding" things out of sight in your car won't stop them. If you want to keep something, DO NOT keep it in your car.Call 911 to report it if your car is targeted. More reports = more police attention. Thanks!QR

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[Highland Park] car break-in on North Euclid
by Janna Eversmeyer 24 Mar '13

24 Mar '13

Another heads up for the neighborhood. My son's car was vandalized in the 1100 block of North Euclid sometime during the last 36 hours. They broke a rear window and pawed through everything, but nothing was taken. He will file a police report tomorrow morning. Janna Eversmeyer North Euclid Avenue

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