Georgia Schoolchildren Strike Gold with King Tut Exhibition Field Trip Assistance Initiative

PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to offset rising fuel prices that are a deterrent to school field trips, Georgia's State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox, along with organizers of "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs," announced that $200,000 in fuel will be made available to Georgia schools to assist with classroom visits to the exhibition, and up to 10,000 students will receive free entrance. The initiative is being made possible through the support of RaceTrac Petroleum, the third largest private company in Georgia. RaceTrac operates more than 525 retail gasoline convenience stores in 12 southeastern states.

The U.S. premiere of the exhibition at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center will be presented by the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University from November 15, 2008 to May 25, 2009. To further supplement classroom visits, a robust portfolio of educational content and lesson planning materials developed by the Carlos Museum is available for free at http://www.kingtut.org/ or http://www.carlos.emory.edu/teacher-programs.

According to a survey by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), released July 29, almost half of school districts nationwide are cutting back on field trips due to rising transportation costs.

"This is a perfect example of how the business community can support the education of children," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "The King Tut exhibit will allow students to see history and science firsthand, and this field trip would not be possible for most school districts without the generous support of RaceTrac and the exhibition organizers. This will truly be one of those remarkable field trips that students will remember for the rest of their lives, and I urge our educators across GA to take advantage of this opportunity that has the potential to benefit thousands of kids across the state."

All Georgia schools are eligible to participate in the fuel program on a first-come, first-served basis, which will benefit up to 80,000 students. Educators interested in participating in the program and receiving the fuel subsidy may do so by calling 866-52GROUP or visiting http://www.goldengasoffer.com/.

Participation in this program could possibly alleviate moratoriums on school bus availability in some local communities for field trips to this exhibition. Schools receiving free admittance will be designated by the Georgia Department of Education.

"We take our commitment to the community and local youth very seriously," said Allison Moran, senior vice president of operations for RaceTrac. "As one of Georgia's leading gasoline retailers, and with the current economic climate threatening school field trips, this assistance program is the perfect opportunity for us to give back to the community by providing local children with access to an invaluable educational experience."

"Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is the second National Geographic exhibition dedicated to the remarkable treasures of King Tutankhamun and ancient Egyptian royalty. The first exhibition, "Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs," has drawn 5 million visitors during its U.S. and London engagements, and has been visited by 250,000 schoolchildren since opening in June 2005.

"We are indeed grateful to businesses like RaceTrac that are rallying much-needed resources to make Tutankhamun accessible to schoolchildren in Georgia," said Bonnie Speed, director of the Michael C. Carlos Museum. "It takes an engaged community to understand the cultural and social significance of this exhibition -- its power to kindle the imagination, build bridges across cultures and provide an unparalleled educational experience. We hope that school systems across Georgia will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" is organized by National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI) and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt. Northern Trust is the presenting sponsor, and American Airlines is the official airline of the exhibition.

"Seeing artifacts from King Tut and other Valley of the Kings tombs is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said John Norman, president of Arts and Exhibitions International (AEI), one of the exhibition organizers. "We are committed to making every effort to ensure that this exhibition is accessible to students throughout the state, and RaceTrac's sponsorship helps make this possible."

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Premiering November 15, 2008 to May 25, 2009, at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, "Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs" will feature striking objects from some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2600 B.C. -- 660 B.C.). Derived from a variety of contexts, including temples and royal and private tombs, many of these artifacts have never before visited the United States.

The exhibition will highlight more than 50 treasures from Tutankhamun's tomb and more than 70 artifacts representing other pharaohs and notables, along with the latest scientific research about King Tut. The storyline will focus on the splendor of the Egyptian pharaohs, their function in the earthly and divine worlds, and what kingship meant to the Egyptian people.

Four galleries devoted to King Tut will correspond to the four rooms of his nearly intact tomb where the treasures were discovered by British explorer Howard Carter in 1922. Legendary artifacts from the antechamber, the annex, the treasury and the burial chamber will include Tutankhamun's golden sandals, jewelry, furniture, weaponry and statuary.

For more information about the exhibition, visit http://www.kingtut.org/.

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Georgia Launches Hurricane Preparedness Website

GEORGIA HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS WEBSITE: http://www.gadoe.org/hurricane.aspx

With hurricane season upon us in full force, the Georgia Department of Education has launched a Hurricane Preparedness website for Georgia's schools.

The website contains information and links that will be helpful to schools as they prepare for the possibility of severe weather and the impact it could have on schools.

"As a state, we must be prepared for the impact that severe weather, like hurricanes, can have on our schools and school systems," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "This website will serve as a clearinghouse of information should schools have to cancel classes, take emergency safety precautions or enroll students evacuated from other areas of the state or the country."

The Hurricane Preparedness website will be updated as necessary and will remain live throughout the school year.

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Sallie Mae Launches ‘Education Investment Planner’ to Help Families Build a Customized Plan to Pay for College

BUSINESS WIRE --Sallie Mae, the nation’s leading saving- and paying-for-college company, today launched a new, free online tool that makes understanding the total cost of college and how to pay for it easier for students, parents, financial aid professionals and guidance counselors. The Education Investment Planner, available at www.SallieMae.com/plan, enables families to:

• Estimate the full cost of a college degree: Find out how much four years for a bachelor’s degree, two years for a master’s degree, or other programs will cost at a specific school, including the average growth of tuition over time.
• Build a customized Plan to pay for college through a combination of their own money, federal and state grants, scholarships and, if necessary, federal and private student loans.
• Compare schools: Compare actual costs for approximately 5,500 colleges and universities—not only tuition, but also average room and board expenses, fees, books and supplies.
• Determine if they need student loans and, if so, estimate what their monthly payments could be after graduation—and project how much a graduate would need to earn to keep payments manageable.

Sallie Mae developed the Education Investment Planner in response to feedback from customers and higher education policy advocates indicating that families need better ways to assess the cost of college and their choices for footing the bill. New data from a Gallup survey conducted in May and June, commissioned by Sallie Mae, found that 41% of families did not consider students’ expected income after graduation on their decision to borrow for college and another 29% said expected income made no difference their borrowing decision. Another study, Sallie Mae’s 2007 Survey of Parents of College-Bound Freshmen, indicated that parents want an honest assessment of the total cost of college: 39 percent of all respondents said the most helpful information from the financial aid office was “an honest assessment of total costs over four years,” and 32 percent said “basic information about federal loans, private loans, and payment plans.”

“Sallie Mae offers this free online tool to help families make more informed choices about school selection by understanding upfront how to pay for it without going beyond their means,” said C.E. Andrews, president, Sallie Mae. “So often we think of financial aid in a one-year snapshot. We developed the Education Investment Planner as part of Sallie Mae’s commitment to financial literacy and to helping students and parents understand the full cost of a college degree.”

The Education Investment Planner takes families through a series of questions, prompting users to model various funding sources, including 529 college savings plans, parent and student savings and income, scholarships, federal and state grants, institutional aid and other sources. It helps families follow Sallie Mae’s “1-2-3 approach” to paying for college: first, use free money such as scholarships and grants; second, fully explore federal student loans; and third, fill any remaining gap with private student loans.

“The college search and selection process is one of the most daunting tasks undertaken by high school students and their families, and the Education Investment Planner is a terrific step forward—simple to use and a great confidence booster for families as they explore how to estimate costs and plan into the future,” said Brian Ralph, vice president for enrollment management, Queens University of Charlotte, in North Carolina. “As someone who works with prospective and current students, I know that students who plan well are less likely to struggle financially during their college experience, resulting in higher rates of student success and graduation. This new site will be a great resource to supplement the college planning process.”

Using the Education Investment Planner, families considering student loans can explore various options and estimate monthly repayment amounts, better understand repayment terms and learn what beginning salary is needed to keep payments manageable—before borrowing a penny.

“Now is the right time for families to start thinking about their students’ futures, and having a free planning tool that helps educate families on how to save and pay for college is crucial,” said Tom Burton, immediate past president of the Ohio Middle School Association. “Starting early is the best way to make sure there are no surprises years down the road when it’s time for college.”

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Big Lots Announces Award Recipients in Lots2Give Contest

GFP Note: Congratulations to Feagin Mill Middle School, of Warner Robins, GA.

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Just in time for back to school, Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) announced today that 26 schools will share $80,000 in cash prizes to help get their school year off to a great start. One $10,000 grand prize winner, three $5,000 first place winners, and 22 second place finalists are being awarded $2,500 prizes for their creativity in the first-ever Big Lots Lots2Give Contest. America voted for their favorite videos and the results are in with McCarthy Teszler School of Spartanburg, SC selected as the grand prize winner thanks to a school staff member's nomination.

Big Lots, the nation's largest broadline closeout retailer, launched the Lots2Give contest by creating an online campaign at www.lots2give.com for parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to log on and nominate the school of their choice. From May 5 - June 21, Lots2Give entrants were asked to create a short video (90 seconds or less) and write a brief paragraph explaining why their school deserved the $10,000 grand prize. The public was then invited to vote for the winners between June 30 and July 22 and cast an amazing 365,614 votes for their favorites.

And the winners are...

Big Lots Chairman and CEO Steve Fishman and Senior Vice President of Marketing Rob Claxton will be on hand to present the McCarthy Teszler School with the $10,000 prize money on August 1 at the Spartanburg, SC Big Lots store. The following three schools were selected as first place prize winners and also will be awarded $5,000 in separate ceremonies: Pleasant Grove Elementary School, of Inverness, FL; Feagin Mill Middle School, of Warner Robins, GA; and Rowlesburg School, of Rowlesburg, WV. Additionally, 22 schools will receive $2,500 thanks to the nominations of the contest's second place prize winners. A complete list of entrants and their videos are accessible online at www.lots2give.com or available upon request.

Throughout the year, Big Lots supports community-based efforts that enhance student learning and the contest was created to reward schools throughout the country that are in need of materials, books, and equipment. "We know that students who have the proper learning materials are more likely to do better in school, and in life," said Steve Fishman, Chairman and CEO, Big Lots. "We recognize the importance a solid education plays in preparing young people for a successful future and are grateful to have the opportunity to give back to the communities we serve by providing funding to help inspire learning."

Back to School Savings as Easy as 1-2-3

In tandem with the theme of the Lots2Give contest, Big Lots stores across the country will be recognizing educators with special discounts on brand name school supplies. Aiming to make it easier for educators to have the tools they need to do their job, Big Lots will host a Teacher Appreciation Day at store locations across the country on Saturday, August 2nd. Those with valid school identification will receive an extra 10% off their entire back to school shopping purchase.

"We know that educators and parents alike shop Big Lots to find the very best deals on their back to school supplies. Teacher Appreciation Day is our way of letting educators know how much they are valued and appreciated. We hope these types of programs and events help lighten the burden of keeping their classrooms stocked," said Rob Claxton, Big Lots Senior Vice President of Marketing.

Dean will give State of the School Address

Dr. D. Douglas Miller’s, dean of the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, State of the School Address has been rescheduled for noon Friday, Aug. 15 in the Natalie and Lansing B. Lee Jr. Large Auditorium in the Auditoria Center. The address had been scheduled for July 23.

The address will be given during the school’s monthly Faculty Senate meeting.

Superintendent to Honor "National Champions"

State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox will honor the co-national championship football team from Georgia School for the Deaf (GSD) on Thursday, December 20, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.

The GSD Tigers finished the season with a 7-1 record, but were undefeated in 8-man football (their only loss was against the 11-man team from the Alabama School for the Deaf).

"I'm so excited to go up to Cave Spring to celebrate with these remarkable young men," Superintendent Cox said. "Their competitive spirit and determination served them well on the football field and will serve them well in life."

The Tigers were led on the field by Coach Erik Whitworth and four captains -- seniors Patrick Bryant, Andy Sugg and Andrew Henderson and junior Timothy Simmons. (A full roster is below)

The GSD Tigers are one of 24 teams from schools for the deaf that are in the 8-man football category. They were co-national champions with the Arkansas and Minnesota Schools for the Deaf.

The Georgia School for the Deaf is one of three state schools operated by the Georgia Department of Education. The other two are the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf in Clarkston and the Georgia Academy for the Blind in Macon.

Media or members of the public wishing to attend Thursday's event at GSD should contact Dana Tofig in the Communications Division, (404) 463-1487, or dtofig@gadoe.org.

For directions, go to http://www.gsdweb.org/contact-us.html
For more on the Georgia School for the Deaf, visit http://www.gsdweb.org/index.html

2007 GSD Tigers 8-man Football Team

Argenis Duarte Baena, 16, of Whitfield County
Westley Thomas Blankenship, 17, of Carroll County
Patrick Fraser-Hudson Bryant, 19, of Franklin County
Charles “Charlie” Pierre Chandler, 17, of Douglas County
Jason Timothy Crosby, 17, of Colquitt County
Jeremy Dale Crosby, 17, of Colquitt County
Davion Andre Gilling, 16, of Gwinnett County
Terry Ryan Hall, 17, of Colquitt County
Andrew Henderson, 18, of Chatham County
Jabril Andre Moss, 17, of Richmond County
Christopher Matthew “Matt” Powers, 15, of Chatham County
Jonathan Blake Roach, 17, of Murray County
Javante’ “Jay” Antuan Roberson, 15, of Wheeler County
Edward Benard Snipes, 17, of Peach County
Andy Sugg, 18, of Floyd County
Timothy Lemual Simmons, 18, of McDuffie County
Brandon Paul Stevens, 17, of Baker County
Brandon Eric Welch, 16, of Chattahoochee County
Eric Laden Williams, 18, of Baker County