Ever since congress enacted the No Child Left Behind rules, and even before that, schools have been under the gun to show improvements in certain key areas of the curriculum. Most notable of these areas are Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Some schools have discontinued using school assemblies and school assembly programs altogether, out of a misguided idea that all assemblies are little more than an unnecessary distraction from time on task. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. 

We had a great day today, talking to school assembly coordinators from all over the greater Chicago area about our school assemblies! Today, of course, was the first of two days comprising the Center East Showcase at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois.

Some information to consider today about different types of school assembly performers. All different kinds of people are now involved in bringing programs to schools. We can divide them into some groups, though, in order to bring in some structure.

Great news today, especially for those of you looking for school assemblies in California or in general on the West Coast.

Every Fall, teachers and parents find they have a new job. Somehow they wake up and find out they have been given the job of picking and scheduling the school assembly programs for their school. Yes, you know who you are!

I read an article today that really did not surprise me. Did you know that Americans are basically illiterate when it comes to world geography? It’s true! Apparently, we are only interested in ourselves. A recent study showed that, despite the war, 63 percent of Americans aged 18-24 could not find Iraq on a map. Seventy percent didn’t know the whereabouts of Israel or Iran. And ninety percent failed to locate Afghanistan ... on a map of Asia!

Another story today about the experiences of one of our presenters, and the power of school assemblies to impact the lives of children!

I thought some of you might have an interest in learning a little bit about how the whole business of school assemblies and school assembly programs got started.

A little advice today for those seeking new ideas for school assemblies. With all of the standard presentational type school assembly programs available,  I found, when I was scheduling programs for my school, that something out of the ordinary was occasionally a great treat. 

Just a quick one ... I just had to share this!