El Valle De Anton

Where in the world can you go to be within thirty minutes of some of the worlds most beautiful beaches and enjoy an almost perfect daily climate in a mountainous setting? El Valle De Anton! El Valle De Anton is one of the most sought after locations for Expats relocating to Panama. The year-round average high temperature is 20 C (68 F), and the average nighttime minimum is a comfortable 16 C (61 F), there is little variation between summer and winter temperatures, the major difference being the amount of wind and rain from season to season.

At an altitude of 2200 meters (7217.85 ft) El Valle is nestled in the long extinct second largest volcanic crater in the world (three by five mile crater). When you begin your descend into the crater from the rim you will notice that it is indeed situated in a round bowl of jagged mountain peaks. You will also notice an overall green appearance to the area due to the richness of the volcanic soil lending itself to the abundance of flowers that bloom there year round. It is very refreshing in contrast to Panama City where the building and houses fill the lots from corner to corner barely allowing sunlight to pass between them. El Valle is spread out with large lots; an abundance of trees and grass separating the well maintained houses. Many of homes are owned by local residents whose names could make up a Whos Who of Panama book.

Without the presence of a town square the pavilion covered local artesian market sells a variety of crafts, produce, and plants and is the true hub of the town. It is located on the main street that runs through El Valle it is enhanced by the presence of several restaurants, hotels, and markets that have sprung up over time due to El Valles popularity with visiting tourists and as a weekend getaway for many of Panama Citys residences.

El Valle is a step back in time when neighbors paused in the street to greet one another. When it was safe for children to ride their bikes or ride horseback in the street without a concern for safety. Where once you are established its still possible to run a tab at the local grocer and pay your bill monthly. Its the kind of place where if your kids take off with a friend after breakfast only to return at bed time you dont worry. Someones Mom has fed them lunch or theyve picked up something in the grocery and you know they are safe. A favorite weekend pastime of locals is gather together for dinner at someones house until late in the evening with board games and great conversation. But dont be deceived, this deliciously lazy and gentle little community has more to offer than first meets the eye.

Pozos Termales (El Valle Hot Water Springs)

The El Valle hot water springs are located just off the main road in El Valle. The facility is the only one of its kind in the area, as are their thermal waters. Open from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. from Monday-Friday, and 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. on weekends, it costs $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children. It offers two therapeutic mud treatments, one for the face and one for the body. An attendant will some you how to use the treatments and explain its therapeutic benefits, some English is spoken. After allowing the mud to dry, its off to the rinsing station, where the thermal waters flow from a pipe allowing you to remove the mud. Next you will be allowed to enter the pool that offer bathers still warm, hot springs water. Soak as long as you like and on the way out dont forget to grab a couple of containers of mud to take back with you. On your departure you may also notice a home on the right side as you are leaving the springs that has a fountain/pool in the front yard with steam rising from it, only in El Valle.

El Nispero Plant & Zoo in El Valle

Open from 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. 7 days a week, the zoo provides the best location in El Valle to see the endangered and famous golden frogs of Panama. The zoo contains numerous animal and plant species. There is a trail that passes through the zoo, which takes an hour or so to complete depending on your pace.

Ranas Doradas (Golden Frogs of El Valle)

There are no wild frogs in El Valle proper. To see the frogs in their natural habitat you will have to take a tour into the surrounding mountain range. Starting at the area they call "La Mesa" the hike is quite challenging as it is mostly up hill on a thin winding path and depending on your physical condition takes approximately 2-2 1/2 hours to complete each way. You should plan to dedicate one day to this hike should you decided to go.

Bird Watching in El Valle

El Valle is full of birds and rated as one of Panama's best birding areas. You can enjoy them from the valley or you may choose to take a birding hike in the Gaital Nature Preserve.

Arboles Quadrados (Square Trees of El Valle)

These particular trees have a square trunk at the base becoming round as your gaze progresses up the trunk. The trail to the tress is fairly easy to find and relatively well marked, its an easy few minutes hike on the trail.

Cascada El Macho (El Macho Waterfall in El Valle)

This waterfall is the largest in the region (70 meters/210 feet) and is a 15 minute walk from the town. The waterfall is open from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., 7 days a week. There are two small trails and one longer trail; all are good for photographic opportunities. There is also a lovely little natural pool deep enough for swimming at the base of the waterfall. There is a small changing area and benches at the pool area. You will be provided a walking stick with your entrance fee. It will help you maneuver the trail and suspended bridges that stay slightly wet and mossy. The smaller trails are suitable for children.

Rainforest Canopy Tour in El Valle

This is a ride in a gondola supported by cables through the canopy of trees. You will ride along the picturesque waterfall, El Macho for a breathtaking panoramic view of the great rainforest.

Petroglyphs (Stone Writings in El Valle)

About a 15-20 minute walk from town are the Petroglyphs, or stone writings. All of the writings can be found on one large vertical rock face and there is no mention as to what they signify.

La India Dormida (The Sleeping Indian Princess in El Valle)

You can see her from many places around town and she looks exactly like the profile of a girl sleeping, complete with eyelashes. Ask any local to point your gaze in the right direction. If you speak Spanish or you can find a local that speaks English, ask them to tell you the legend that goes with La India Dormida.

Bike riding and mountain biking in El Valle

The flat floor of the crater the town sits is an easy ride for site seeing or just exploring the town. On some of the nearby mountain slopes are mountain biking trails. Bicycle rentals are available in town.

Horseback riding in El Valle

Horses can be rented by the hour with a guide available upon request. Everyone in town knows where the place where the horse are rented at the fork in the road. Just ask a local.

IPAT Office (Tourism Office in El Valle)

Last but not least, we suggest you visit the office Panama's Tourism Institute. The office is in the center of El Valle. Open from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. they have maps of the area with all the major tourist attractions clearly marked.

If this is too much back to nature for your taste then you may prefer one of the many restaurants available for your dinning pleasure.

There are street vendors, a bakery that sales the most delicious fresh items and double yolk eggs. A pizza shop or even Don Pepe there are about eight different restaurants to choose from. There is even a boutique hotel and restaurant nestled on one of the hillside slopes which was created by a well-known restaurateur. The hotel features beautiful Tuscany type architecture and it tastefully finished with beautiful lush gardens, a picturesque view across to the mountains and an outdoor spa. The restaurant was the first thing built on the property the rest was built based on the restaurants popularity; people drive in from Panama City just to eat there.

One of the hotels in town has a stream that runs through the center of its indoor-outdoor lobby and restaurant area. The rooms are clean well kept yet offer a rustic artesian dcor. Another has a wellness and outdoor adventure focus. There are various bed and breakfasts, a world class eco resort, hostels, lodges, backpacker dormitory, and lodgings that accept pets. There is even a small gourmet coffee shop and El Valle has its own brand of organic locally grown coffee.

Suffice it to say there is something for everyone, lodgings and cuisines ranges from a world class boutique hotel to simple backpacker fare.

For more information, please visit:
panamaexpertos

Jean Bouttet is a researcher, with years of experience in finances and real estate.Duke University Employment Opportunities
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Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program

Arts for Academic Achievement Program

The Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program is a program that aims to reform schools by using collaborations between teachers, artists, and artistic organizations. The main goal is to raise the students academic achievement with strong content focus and arts strategies. Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program was launched in 1997 as part of the Annenberg Foundation educational reform grant. The Arts for Academic Achievement Program is a direct partnership with the Perpich Center for Arts Education. After the success of the Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program, the Perpich Center for Arts Education has expanded the Arts for Academic Achievement Program across Minnesota.

The Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program wants to provide the urban students of Minneapolis with opportunities in music, dance, writing, and other artistic forms. Arts for Academic Achievement Program teaches students how to express themselves better. It has also proven to reduce absenteeism among high school students. The more that the arts were integrated in the classroom, the better all students performed on tests, especially students with barriers to learning. The program is based on a great deal of educational research that shows the positive impact of arts based learning on students in not only academic areas but personal and social as well.

Research shows that teachers and their teaching are altered by the Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program as well. The program changes the teachers perceptions about students. Through their participation in the arts students gain intelligence, leadership and motivation and this is shown in the classroom. Many teachers change their instruction to a more student-centered approach. Teachers encourage the concept of self criticism and risk-taking.

The Organization of the Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program

The Arts for Academic Achievement Program involves planning; teachers plan using clear standards to teach in and through the arts. The Arts for Academic Achievement Program provides teachers with a support system that includes teams that work together to integrate arts into teaching and learning. These teams are based in a school and different school teams work together in cross school groups to develop lessons that include learning through the arts. The Minneapolis Schools also provides teachers with to understand more deeply and examine more rigorously their arts integrated teaching practice.

A big part of the Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program is collaboration between various groups. This includes cooperative efforts between artists, arts partners, and other educators to forge new and/or deepen existing models and strategies to successfully engage all students in meaningful learning in and through the arts. One of the biggest parts of the collaboration is, of course, the students. Currently the Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program works with around 8,000 students from 35 elementary, middle, and high schools. This also includes 150 teachers, several hundred art organizations and independent artists.

The Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program in 2006-2007

There are continued challenges for the Minneapolis Schools Arts for Academic Achievement Program in this years school year. The collaborations mentioned above must continue, already some schools from 2005 have not continued their involvement in the program. The program is also affected by the artists and teachers that leave the program.

Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information on Minneapolis schools visit schoolsk-12/minnesota/minneapolis/index.html.American University Womens Association
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School Reform Is Hot Topic For Philadelphia Schools

Philadelphia Schools are in dire need of reform. In an effort to achieve this goal, two committees, The Right to Education Task Force and The School Reform Commission, have been formed to focus on improving the situation for all Philadelphia Schools students. A new mission statement, a Declaration of Education, an anti-truancy effort, and summer programs have all been implemented within the district of Philadelphia Schools.

The Right to Education Task Force, which focuses on special education and persons with disabilities served by Philadelphia Schools, strives to do the following:

* Review state and national legislation that affects improvements of special education classes
* Participate in active and meaningful discussion about education concerns, and give recommendations to resolve them
* Serve as advisors and advocates to protect the rights of students with disabilities
* Encourage and facilitate cooperation between public and private agencies and their officials to provide services to persons with disabilities

Philadelphia Schools has put a School Reform Commission in place in order to continue the improvement of Philadelphia Schools. The commissions mission statement is as follows: The mission of Philadelphia Schools is to provide a high quality education that prepares, ensures, and empowers all students to achieve their full intellectual and social potential in order to become lifelong learners and productive members of society. The Commission has set several target goals for themselves, teachers, administrators, and staff, which they hope to achieve by June of 2008. These goals include Early Literacy, Academic Achievement, a Safe and Orderly Environment, Community Collaboration, Equity, Efficient and Effective Philadelphia Schools, and improved Support Operations.

Among other efforts, Philadelphia Schools have teamed up with Mayor John F. Street to implement a citywide anti-truancy initiative. The program is designed to ensure that school-aged children and teens are actually present in their Philadelphia Schools, and that their parents are aware of truancy laws. The initiative also intends to assure that parents and students alike are aware that the City, Philadelphia Schools, and the Family Court plan to hold them accountable.

In addition, Philadelphia Schools offer numerous summer programs that both keep kids off the streets, and serve to help students who have fallen behind in their studies. The programs are focused on academic enhancement and enrichment, and are mandatory for any 1st 8th grader who did not achieve proficiency in a core subject, such as Math or Reading. Eighth graders who need additional help meeting Philadelphia Schools promotion criteria and 12th graders needing additional credits to graduate are eligible.

Mark S. Schweiker, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce sums it up by saying, The reformation of the Philadelphia public schools serves as a model for the entire nation. As the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce touts the advantages of this region to the world, our rapidly improving public school system is an example that Greater Philadelphia is a progressive place to live and raise a family.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit schoolsk-12/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia/index.htmlDuke University Campus Pictures
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