(NewsUSA) - Ongoing professional development for teachers is essential to meet the changing needs of today’s students, experts say, and further investment for teacher training is an opportunity to use remaining federal funds allotted to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the pandemic, many schools received funding through the Elementary and Secondary Emergency Relief Fund, also known as ESSER; any funds yet unused must be committed by September 2024, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. 

ESSER was an unprecedented infusion of funds to schools, and using remaining ESSER money for professional learning will help teachers enhance and adapt their methods to meet the needs of today’s students, according to experts at Discovery Education, one of the leading providers of educational technology and professional learning to educators. 

“Times change, and the classrooms of today demand new strategies for teaching and learning. Investments in professional learning are investments in the future, as participating educators will learn new ways to help this generation of learners prepare for success beyond graduation,” says Dr. Karen Beerer, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at Discovery Education. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools invested in educational technology to keep students learning in a remote environment. Although in-person learning has resumed, taking advantage of funding to enhance teacher training yields long-term benefits and helps school systems increase their return on pandemic resource investments, Dr. Beerer adds.  

Discovery Education’s professional learning supports teachers’ ongoing development and helps them make continuous improvements to their classroom instruction throughout their teaching careers. This helps them make better use of online resources that are designed to help teachers nurture curiosity and improve student engagement. 

“We know that learning opportunities for each educator will enhance learning opportunities for each student,” Dr. Beerer says. 

For more information about Discovery Education’s professional development, visit discoveryeducation.com/solutions/professional-learning/. 

(NewsUSA) - Being a mom can be challenging, but celebrating Mother’s Day and other spring events can be easy. What better way to celebrate moms and spring than with a brunch or an outdoor cocktail hour on the deck or patio?

Festive spring occasions call for a menu to match. For a spring party, think airy quiches, fruit parfaits, flaky croissants, and refreshing drinks.

Make Mom’s day or any spring celebration extra special with a Seagram’s Escapes Strawberry Mamarita featuring the perfectly sweet and tangy flavor of Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Happy, a unique blend of lemon, watermelon, strawberry and guava.

The directions are simple; five minutes and a few ingredients and you have the perfect spring cocktail that enhances any event and adapts to any menu, from casual to elegant.

Seagram’s Escapes Strawberry Mamarita

-  1 strawberry

-  1 oz. tequila

-  1 lime, juiced

-  1/2 cup Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Happy

-  Sea salt, for rim of glass

-  Watermelon slice and strawberry, for garnish                                                                                                                                         

To prepare the Mamarita, start by adding sea salt to a shallow dish. Take a lime slice and run it around the edge of a margarita glass, then dip the glass into the salt until the rim is well coated.

Slice the strawberry into a cocktail shaker and muddle until it is broken down, then add tequila, lime juice, and ice, and shake until chilled. Strain the chilled mixture into the prepared margarita glass over ice. For the grand finale, top with ½ cup of Seagram’s Escapes Jamaican Me Happy, and garnish with another strawberry and a watermelon slice, if desired.

As with any recipes in the Seagram’s Escapes collection, you can make this one your own. Create a unique drink for a particular event, customize with extra spirits or add your favorite fruits.

Enjoy at a Mother’s Day event, bridal shower, wedding, graduation, or any other spring celebration.

As warmer weather kicks in, try freezing Jamaican Me Happy or any Seagram’s Escapes flavors mixed with lemonade, then blend for the ultimate adult slushy.

Visit seagramsescapes.com for more information and other recipe ideas for spring and summer.

(NewsUSA) - Youth Apprenticeship Week, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor, features a range of events and speakers at venues across the United States to showcase the many benefits of Registered Apprenticeship programs for youth and young adults ages 16-24.

The nationwide initiative takes place from May 5 – 11, 2024, and includes more than 300 events and over 70 proclamations intended to celebrate and educate the public about Registered Apprenticeships. Current apprentices and graduates of Registered Apprenticeship programs will share their experiences and success stories.

Youth Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers, and government leaders to host events, launch new programs, and raise awareness of these life-changing Registered Apprenticeship career opportunities for youth and young adults and how they create a sustainable pipeline of skilled and diverse talent for the jobs of today and tomorrow for critical industries.

Attendees will hear how youth and young adults can utilize Registered Apprenticeships to earn competitive wages while obtaining training and skills to grow and advance in careers essential for today's workforce and jobs of the future. Registered Apprenticeships result in a nationally recognized credential and may include the chance to earn college credit and often a degree at no expense to the apprentice.

"Youth Apprenticeship Week recognizes the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to creating employment opportunities for youth and young adults and the critical role they play in our nation's workforce infrastructure," said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su in a statement announcing the event. "Youth apprenticeships are not just pathways to careers; they are bridges to futures filled with promise, opportunity, and endless potential," she emphasized.

The U.S. Department of Labor is hosting two events during Youth Apprenticeship Week, including a Kickoff event with Youth Apprentice Trailblazers on May 6 and a special Signing Day event with new youth apprentices on May 9. These events highlight careers in a range of fields important to America's success, including construction, transportation, advanced manufacturing and clean energy, education, cybersecurity, robotics, and healthcare. Youth apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn strategy that gives young people a pathway into a good job, and a jump-start into a well-paying career. Under the Biden-Harris administration, more than 1.4 million apprentices have been served, including more than 541,000 new youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 years, according to the US Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship, the government agency responsible for Registered Apprenticeship programs.

For more information about Youth Apprenticeship Week and how to participate, visit www.apprenticeship.gov. Spread the word on social media through #YAW2024 and #ApprenticeshipUSA.

(NewsUSA) - APRIL 2024 Backyard adventures await! As spring unfolds, parents seek the perfect outdoor swing set—a beacon of fun and a fortress of safety. The challenge lies in finding a backyard playset that meets all of your family's needs: It must be safe for the kids, one that will grow with your family as they do, and stylish enough to complement your backyard aesthetics. With Backyard Adventures, you can rest assured that our wooden swing sets are meticulously designed with the utmost safety and design. Every detail is crafted to protect your little ones, from the sturdy construction to the rounded edges. Ensuring your children's well-being is always our top priority, giving you peace of mind as they embark on their backyard adventures. 

For over forty years, Backyard Adventures has been the pioneer in creating outdoor playsets that, in the eyes of a child, magically transform into pirate ships and fairy-tale castles. Our monkey bars don't just hang, they morph into a jungle canopy, and our slides don't just slide, they convert into cascading waterfalls. These unique features set our outdoor playsets apart, making them the perfect choice for parents who want to ignite their children's imagination and see them embark on thrilling adventures right in their backyard.

At Backyard Adventures, we believe no two families are alike, and neither should their playsets. That's why we offer an array of swing set designs that can transform into hundreds of configurations. You can even design your own play set using our proprietary online playset design tool. This empowers you to create a playset that perfectly suits your family's needs and preferences, ensuring that your children's outdoor play experience is truly one-of-a-kind. 

Explore our latest Treehouse Peak series, designed with family in mind to encourage interactive play for parents and children. This series of wooden swing sets features high-quality forts, swings, and customizable accessories such as slides, playhouses, and monkey bars with ninja-style training features. If value is key, then explore the Summit Outlook series. Scale to new heights on climbing walls and rope ladders, or indulge in nostalgic play with classic tire swivel swings. Bridged swing sets promise a grander escapade, which can link fortresses to create an elaborate children's outdoor play structure.

Compact yards can also be a fun place to play with our Space Savers wooden swing sets, built to maximize enjoyment without sacrificing space. These playsets have climbing features, picnic areas, gangplanks, and sandboxes, providing all the essentials for a thrilling backyard adventure.

Backyard Adventures caters to various budgets, offering wooden playsets starting at $2,500 for cozier setups to $50,000 for the most elaborate ensembles. Each model features an attractive two-tone stain finish and is constructed from durable, natural cedar wood, ensuring a long-lasting and beautiful addition to any family's outdoor space. Each slide and swing invites discovery, with imagination unfurling its wings, painting new worlds in vibrant hues of play. 

With Backyard Adventures, you're not just buying a swing set, you're becoming part of a vibrant community of like-minded parents who share your values of outdoor play and family time. The support and resources available are just a click away, ensuring that your journey with Backyard Adventures is filled with joy and peace of mind. We value your participation in our community and are here to support you every step of the way.

For more information and to find your nearest dealer, visit us at www.backyardadventures.com and follow us on social at BackyardAdventuresPlaysets.

(NewsUSA) - Want to learn more about the latest innovations in artificial intelligence?

Don’t miss the first-ever AI Expo for National Competitiveness, which takes place on May 7-8, 2024, in Washington, D.C. at the D.C. Convention Center.

The event, sponsored by the Special Competitive Studies Project, is meant to spark an exchange of ideas and initiatives related to the intersection of AI, emerging technology, and national security.

The AI Expo provides a unique opportunity to spotlight companies and organizations that play critical roles in the ability of the United States to be competitive on a global scale.

“Witness firsthand the groundbreaking technologies poised to maintain U.S. leadership on the world stage,” says SCSP President and CEO Ylli Bajraktari. “Dive into meaningful dialogues with experts and enthusiasts alike, all with a shared vision: to solidify the United States’ position as the leader in critical, emerging technologies.”

The Expo will bring together experts from a range of fields to explore the key areas of AI and emerging technology that impact our national security, economy, and society.

The agenda features more than 300 renown speakers.

SCSP is a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape national security, the economy, and society.

The Expo is free and open to the public, and offers a range of opportunities for sponsors, exhibitors, and participants. This event will not be livestreamed, so be sure to get your ticket! 

For more information, visit expo.scsp.ai.