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ExcelinEd Releases “The Path to Personalized Learning: The Next Chapter in the Tale of Three States”
 

Today, the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd) released “The Path to Personalized Learning: The Next Chapter in the Tale of Three States.”  Utah recently announced the school districts and charters participating in their newly created Competency-Based Education Grants Program to develop best practices for the pilot implementation phase in the 2018-19 school year.

“Over the course of the next year, the pilots and Utah State Board of Education will have some of those critical foundation building conversations to learn about competency-based education, share tools and existing resources, as well as develop new resources,” said Sarah Young,  Digital Teaching and Learning Coordinator at the Utah State Board of Education. “We will conduct site visits, in and out of state, to places that successfully implemented a competency-based education program to get a sense of what is working and what was challenging. We will look for things to bring back that will inform Utah’s effort around competency-based education.”

 Lessons learned from Utah’s pilot program include:

• Thoughtfully and deliberately develop a state framework and build a shared understanding of the elements of a successful competency-based education program. The statewide pilot was originally designed for three local education agencies (LEAs) to spend one-year planning and implement the following year. But upon a closer analysis of the field, the Utah State Board of Education determined that there was a need for a preliminary exploratory phase first to ensure that all participating LEAs have a common understanding of competency-based education and have a role in establishing the framework for statewide competency-based education program.
• Involve students in the planning process. Innovations Early College High School, Utah’s model competency-based education program, and Logan County High School incorporated student feedback in the design of their program and the necessary resources to allow for flexible learning.
• Communicate early and often with students, parents and other community stakeholders. Switching to a competency-based education program is a significant change, and LEAs need to communicate early and often with parents and other community stakeholders to ensure they understand what will change and how it will improve education for their students.
• Provide ongoing support and training to teachers to shift to competency-based education. The LEAs in Utah that have successfully implemented a competency-based education program make it clear teachers are the key. That said, switching from the traditional model of education to a more personalized approach can be challenging and intimidating. Shifting to a competency-based education approach can involve more technology-based resources, which can prompt worries that teachers are being replaced by computers. Successful competency-based education programs address these anxieties directly.
• Invest in technology infrastructure that supports instructional strategies. While technology shouldn’t drive instructional design, it can be a critical tool for teaching and learning in a successful competency-based education program. Technology can support teachers in developing, assessing and tracking progress against individual student learning plans and can support “pace and place flexibility” by allowing students to access curricula even when they’re not in the school building.

This comprehensive policy paper picks up where ExcelinEd’s 2016 paper, A Tale of Three States, left off following the different paths Florida, Idaho and Utah are taking to implement personalized learning pilot programs. Districts and schools in each of these states have made considerable progress in implementing their pilots. This report examines how pilot participants are overcoming policy barriers, how they are engaging with parents and stakeholders, key lessons learned and next steps.

“Personalized learning is a student-centered approach designed to fully prepare students with the knowledge and skills necessary for college or career,” said Patricia Levesque, ExcelinEd CEO. ”Utah is among dozens of states across the country taking bold steps for their students and families to prepare them for a successful future. ExcelinEd is excited and proud to partner and support many of these efforts to provide the flexibility and support schools to truly meet the needs of their students.”

For more information on the integral role of competency-based education in personalized learning, watch Building a Foundation for Personalized Learning and Engaging Students and Personalized Learning.

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CAFE RIO MEXICAN GRILL OPENS THEIR 30TH UTAH LOCATION IN

FARMINGTON ON OCTOBER 25TH AND CELEBRATES THEIR 20TH YEAR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 16, 2017, Farmington, UT- Cafe Rio Mexican Grill will reach a monumental milestone on October 25th at 10:30 A.M when they celebrate their 20th birthday and open their 30th Utah location in Farmington, UT! The grand opening festivities and community check presentation to the Utah Food Bank will happen at 426 Cabela Dr., just across the street from Station Park at 10:30am.

The company attributes their continued success to the commitment that they made twenty years ago, which is to use only the freshest ingredients and make each meal by hand from start to finish, every single day in all of their 109 locations nationwide. That commitment still stands strong today and continues to be the number one priority for the restaurants, along with making the customer experience the best it can be.

Each Cafe Rio restaurant features a wide-open kitchen where guests can clearly view sauces simmering, team members hand rolling and cooking fresh tortillas all day, hand scooping avocados, chopping tomatoes, grilling meats and squeezing over 1000 fresh limes each day. They adhere to a strict “no freezers and no microwaves” policy in all of their locations. Over the years, the company has won hundreds of awards, including the coveted title “#1 Mexican restaurant in the nation” by the prestigious Sandelman & Associates for eight consecutive years. FastCasual.com recently selected Cafe Rio Mexican Grill as one of the top brands in its annual list of Top 100 Movers and Shakers.

“To open our thirtieth location in our home state of Utah while celebrating twenty amazing years, is incredible,” states Dave Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Cafe Rio Mexican Grill. “It is our loyal and wonderful customers that have brought Cafe Rio to this pivotal point and we could not be more grateful. We welcome everyone in Utah to come join us for the celebration in Farmington when we open our doors on October 25th at 10:30 A.M.”

Cafe Rio welcomes the public and the media to join them and the Davis Chamber of Commerce for their grand opening. The restaurant will host their signature “giant burrito” and ribbon cutting. A free meal will be given to the first 300 people that are present for the ribbon cutting ceremonies (Oct. 25 at 10:30 A.M. prompt) at the restaurant.

WHAT:                      Cafe Rio Mexican Grill

                                                Farmington

            WHEN:                      Wednesday, October 25, 2017

                                                10:30 AM

WHERE:                   426 Cabela Dr.
Farmington, UT 84025

MEDIA INFO: All media members will receive a free meal all day on October 25, 2017 at the new Farmington location with proper media credentials.

In keeping with their tradition of giving back to the community, Cafe Rio will give another $2,500 donation to Utah Food Bank during the grand opening festivities of events.

“Utah Food Bank is incredibly grateful to Cafe Rio for joining us as a partner in fighting hunger statewide, and we look forward a successful long-term partnership with a fellow Utah institution,” said Jim Yorgason, Utah Food Bank President & CEO. “With our ability to turn each dollar donated into $7.81 worth of goods and services, Cafe Rio’s support will go a long way in helping the 417,000 Utahans who face hunger.”

Jim Yorgason will say a few words at the opening, along with Farmington Mayor Jim Talbot and a Cafe Rio representative. They will all be available for media interviews. To set up an interview at a different time or an appearance with a Cafe Rio representative, please contact Media Representative, Jennifer Burns. Contact info listed below.

For video footage and stock photos, media can visit www.caferio.com/press.

Username: caferio Password: cafe-78.

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, Inc.:

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill, Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been serving its loyal customers fresh Mexican food since 1997. Their menu is inspired by the traditional Mexican cooking found in the Rio Grande region of Northern Mexico, Southern Texas, and New Mexico. Cafe Rio specializes in serving its customers the highest-quality, made from scratch Mexican meals, using only the freshest ingredients. For more information, visit: www.CafeRio.com.

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https://www.disneyonice.com/dream-big
 
Disney Princesses Create Their Own Happily Ever After When

DISNEY ON ICE presents DREAM BIG

Skates into Salt Lake City, November 16–19, 2017

(Salt Lake City) – Believing is just the beginning when dreamers throughout Salt Lake City witness the empowering tales of Disney’s most courageous leading ladies told through artistic skating and acrobatics in Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. Audiences are invited to join eight Disney Princesses – Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White – as they embark on incredible adventures, determined to make their dreams come true. In addition, experience the sisterly love that has captivated millions as Disney’s Frozen is brought to life on the icy stage. Disney On Ice presents Dream Big is playing the Vivint Smart Home Arena from November 16th– 19th.

Audiences will be transported to a world where imaginations soar and anything can happen. Through enchanted pixie-dust, Tinker Bell takes audiences on a journey of beloved Disney tales. Make a splash with the fearless dreamer Ariel as she yearns to explore life above the waves. Watch Rapunzel, Cinderella and Belle as they learn about the power to make their own magic. Travel to the wintry world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and the hilarious snowman Olaf from Disney’s Frozen as they learn that true love is the greatest magic of all. Be there to discover a whole new world with the daring Jasmine, and join Snow White, Aurora and Tiana as they remind you that strength and kindness go hand-in-hand. High-flying jumps, daring acrobatics, breathtaking skating and lovable Disney friends make Disney On Ice presents Dream Big an experience your family will never forget!

WHEN:                        Thursday, November 16 – Sunday, November 19

o   Thursday, Nov. 16         7:00 PM

o   Friday, Nov. 17               7:00 PM

o   Saturday, Nov. 18          11:00 AM, 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM

o    Sunday, Nov. 19             1:00 PM & 5:00 PM

WHERE:          Vivint Smart Home Area – 301 S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

TICKETS:               Tickets start at just $15 each!

                                Discount Opening Night tickets available for only $10 on select seating (not valid for premium VIP/Front Row seating) 

Tickets available for purchase online at Ticketmaster  or in-person at the venue Box Office.

*prices subject to change; additional venue/ticketing fees may apply