Government sequestration of airline traffic controllers is to blame

Towson, Md.— Airline delays from automatic federal budget cuts and resulting air traffic controller furloughs have already begun in some major airports across the nation. The furloughs, which started on Sunday, are expected to continue impacting airline passengers due to reduced staffing at air traffic control towers and the need for controllers to space planes farther apart. “One of the major issues with any delay in air traffic, at even a single airport, is the ripple effect that it has on so many other flights down the line,” said Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Planes which cannot land or cannot get to the gate to load and unload passengers cause pile ups at airports which can take hours to clear.”

As expected, the major airports and hubs such as Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Newark, JFK, LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, San Diego, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Chicago Midway and San Francisco are anticipated to be the most impacted. According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), New York, Chicago and San Francisco could see delays of up to 90 minutes during peak hours. Safety, however, not on-time performance must be the top priority for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the DOT, who will only permit the amount of air traffic that current staffing levels can safely handle.  Airline passengers are encouraged to appreciate that safety must take priority over on time-performance.

With the busy summer travel season kicking off in just weeks, AAA Mid-Atlantic urges passengers to be prepared as delays could worsen once families head out for their summer vacations.

AAA Mid-Atlantic offers the following common sense advice for flyers:

• Travelers can check delays at airports around the nation using the FAA’s airport delay map.
• Allow extra time to arrive at your destination or meet connecting flights whenever possible. If you are cruising, for example, you may even want to consider flying in the night before to ensure that the ship doesn’t sail without you.
• For must-attend events, such as weddings, don’t expect to arrive exactly when you must be there, and build in extra time, again arriving the day before if possible.
• Try to avoid booking the last flight of the day, as delays can increase exponentially as the day goes on. The first flight out in the morning may be your best bet.
• Prior to departing to the airport be sure to check the status of your flight through your airline’s website or mobile apps and stay informed of conditions at your local airport through the airport’s website.
• Pack your favorite snacks in your carry-on and purchase bottled water near the gate to carry on as well. (Only liquids purchased after passing through TSA’s security check point may be carried on board the plane with some exceptions for baby formula and medical solutions.)
• Pack your own personal “entertainment” selection. If stranded on the runway you can immerse yourself in a great book, catch up on work, write a note to a friend, or plan your next adventure. The possibilities are endless, but don’t just take a book for you, the kids will need one too. Card games, travel checkers, and magazines can keep kids entertained for hours
• Dress comfortably and in layers. It may be hot or cold on board the plane, so layers will ensure that you can easily adjust to the temperature on the plane. Sandals are great in the heat of summer but result in cold feet on the plane. Toss a pair of socks in your carry-on that you can put on if needed.
• Attitude is everything. Try to embrace this time to relax and or spend time with your family or away from your office. If you are physically comfortable and mentally prepared, your travels will be much less stressful.

Attendees of the 1920’s themed fundraiser held at the Shipley’s Choice Clubhouse for Bello Machr.

Anne Arundel County, Md.— The Severna Park High School’s National Honors Society raised over $700.00 to support people with developmental disabilities. The club organized a 1920’s themed dance fundraiser at the Shipley’s Choice Clubhouse for Bello Machre on Monday, March 25, 2013 with over 100 people in attendance.

Bello Machre and the Severna Park National Honors Society have been working together for over three years. With 450 members, the National Honors Society’s mission is character, leadership, scholarship, and service focusing on making a difference in their community. Tracy Lynott, Development Director commented, “Severna Park National Honors Society has made a difference at Bello Machre. The students amaze me every time they come out to volunteer. We are honored to work with such an inspirational, community-minded group of young men and women.”

Jenna Fisher, Severna Park High School student and a National Honors Society committee chairperson, was instrumental in organizing the event said, “As high school students, we like to go out and have fun. Why not have fun and support a good cause at the same time? That’s just what we did. Our 1920’s themed dance fundraiser was a huge success!”

The organizers included Severna Park High School students Jenna Fisher and Lyla Doyle, as well as band members, who Jenna refers to as the Honors Society Band, Tony Guarino, Adam Narimatsu, Cory Chubb and Dan Joy.

Bello Machre is a non-profit organization in Anne Arundel Country, Maryland that provides homes and support to children, teens, adults, and seniors with developmental disabilities. Its mission is to enrich the lives of those served through loving care, guidance, and opportunity so that they can live life to its fullest. Many of the people it serves live in its 53 community homes located throughout Anne Arundel County. Bello Machre also provides help and support to hundreds of children and adults in their own homes. The Ray of Hope Program offers assistance with expenses such as specialized summer camp, physical therapy, and adaptive equipment. Trained and caring staff also provides residential respite care during family hospitalizations, emergencies, and vacations – 24-hours a day – seven days a week. Bello Machre is there to help with whatever is needed, empowering people with developmental disabilities to live life to its fullest.

First-of-its-kind pilot program aimed at providing students and partners with a premium SAT preparation alternative in college test prep

Baltimore— To provide college-bound students with a premium SAT[i] preparation alternative, Sylvan Learning is teaming up with The Princeton Review to offer Princeton Review SAT test preparation courses and diagnostic tests this summer at Sylvan Learning Centers.

This unique retail partnership will allow The Princeton Review to offer its most popular and intensive SAT preparation course— the SAT Ultimate Course— at four of Sylvan's supplemental education centers. Under the partnership, the courses will be available under a trial arrangement at Sylvan Learning Centers in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Timonium, Crofton and Bel Air in Maryland.

"We are approaching this partnership with one goal in mind: preparing students to excel in college entrance exams. We are committed to offering the best-in-class programs and more choices to fit the varying needs of families in the communities we serve," said Jeffrey H. Cohen, chief executive officer, Sylvan Learning.

The Ultimate Course is a 30-hour, instructor-led program that is available in a classroom or a small group format (4 students or less). Both course formats come with a 150-point score-improvement money-back guarantee, and include a kit of study materials, as well as access to an online student center. The online student center provides access to both The Princeton Review’s SAT and ACT self-paced online courses.

"We've scheduled this pilot to take place over the summer to prepare students for the October SATs," Cohen said. "We believe it's a winning combination, both for students and for our companies, and that it will open the door to future collaboration."

“The partnership between The Princeton Review and Sylvan Learning is founded on a common goal of ensuring students get into their best-fit college,” said Scott Kirkpatrick, president, The Princeton Review. “We are confident that combining The Princeton Review’s expertise in test-taking skills and strategies with Sylvan’s expertise in improving fundamental math, reading and writing skills will significantly increase students’ test scores and help them achieve their college aspirations.”

For more information about the partnership, visit: www.princetonreview.com/sylvan.

Parents and students can also inquire about the programs at one of the four participating Sylvan Learning Centers or contact The Princeton Review/Sylvan hotline at 877-408-8867.

Bowie, Md.— A Bowie State University communications professor was named a 2013 Apple Distinguished Educator for her use of emerging technology in creating a student mobile journalism lab.

Allissa Richardson, a lecturer in the Department of Communications, is one of 200 educators from all academic levels selected among applicants from 37 different countries, including the United States, China, New Zealand and Turkey. She joins a community of more than 2,000 educators, recognized because of their passion for innovative teaching and their integration of Apple technology into the learning environment.

“We are doing cutting-edge work at Bowie State,” she said. “This honor puts what we’re doing on the map.”

Richardson infuses technology into her online and mobile journalism courses for undergraduate students by equipping them with iPads and iPods that they use for recording news assignments. She has created a mobile journalism lab at Bowie State where students learn hands-on techniques and prepare for careers creating digital content for websites, social media, and mobile applications.

As an Apple educator, Richardson will be able to access free Apple products, such as film and editing software and equipment to expand the mobile journalism lab and enable students to create video and audio podcasts in their journalism classes. She will also join a network of educators who can provide feedback on her work. In addition Richardson will be deployed at times by Apple to locations around the world to assist with strategic technology projects as an official trainer and implementer of Apple products.

The Apple Distinguished Educators will showcase their projects and participate in a weeklong professional development workshop at the Apple campus in Austin, Tex. in July. They will also preview new Apple products and collaborate with other members of the cohort to develop new instructional uses for the technology.

Richardson’s classroom innovation was recognized in 2012 when the National Association of Black Journalists named her “Educator of the Year.” That year, she created a traveling iPod workshop series for Slavery by Another Name, a PBS documentary film that aired nationally. With this project, she taught educators around the country how to use the iPod to make multimedia slideshows based on the film. Through her summer mobile journalism academy, Richardson has also empowered youth in about a dozen cities in Africa to tell stories using mobile devices.