Latest news with #ELO
Associated Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
TransAct's Upgraded Extended Learning Platform Provides San Diego USD Families with Streamlined Access to Programs
District launches Out-of-Schooltime Tracker software to streamline ELO program registration, attendance, and reporting for thousands of parents and students 'We're proud to support San Diego Unified in delivering equitable, accessible out-of-school learning experiences,' said Nate Brogan, CEO at TransAct.'— Nate Brogan, CEO LYNNWOOD, WA, UNITED STATES, June 4, 2025 / / -- TransAct, a leading provider of operational and compliance software for the education sector, announced today that the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) has successfully launched its Out-of-Schooltime Tracker software solution to manage the district's Extended Learning Opportunity (ELO) programs. SDUSD is California's second-largest school district, serving more than 90,000 students from pre-school through 12th grade. Its ELO offerings, such as its Summer PrimeTime Program, provide enriching opportunities for students in the arts, sports, STEM, dance, and more outside the traditional school day and year. To enhance the experience for its families as well as to provide real-time access for program providers, eliminate attendance-related accountability concerns, and reduce staff workload, the district sought to replace its disparate enrollment and attendance systems with a unified platform that would provide a more modern, user-friendly system. After a competitive RFP process, SDUSD chose TransAct's Out-of-Schooltime Tracker solution for its ability to seamlessly handle registration, attendance tracking, and reporting for its ELO programs available to TK-8th grade students—all in one place. The launch of Out-of-Schooltime Tracker for the upcoming summer ELO programs is complete. More than 60,000 students were invited to apply, with parents and guardians receiving automated email and text notifications when registration opened. Thanks to easy integration with the district's student information system (SIS), key student-related fields are prepopulated in Out-of-Schooltime Tracker, making the registration process faster and easier for families. Within the first 24 hours alone, more than 13,000 applications were submitted — a number that continues to rise. 'TransAct is proud to support San Diego Unified in delivering equitable, accessible out-of-school learning experiences,' said Nate Brogan, CEO at TransAct. 'Innovative districts like SDUSD are leading the way in using technology to simplify program management, improve communication with families, and ultimately expand access to high-quality enrichment opportunities. We're excited to be part of their mission to create enriching, inclusive experiences for students beyond the classroom.' To learn more about TransAct's Out-of-Schooltime Tracker and how it supports ELO programs nationwide, visit: About TransAct For 30 years, TransAct has been dedicated to providing K-12 districts and state departments of education with software solutions that help them more efficiently meet mission-critical requirements, reduce operational complexity, and more safely and effectively serve their students. More than 30 State Departments of Education and 3,000+ school districts across the country use TransAct software to reduce operational complexity, more efficiently meet state and federal requirements, improve campus-wide communication, enhance board performance and more safely and effectively serve their students. For more information about TransAct, visit Jennifer London TransAct Communications +1 564-225-2790 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Conservatoire scholarship launched in ELO star's name
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) keyboardist Richard Tandy is to have a scholarship named after him at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC).A donation by his wife Sheila earlier this year established the scholarship which will support first-year undergraduates studying keyboard, piano or was born in Birmingham and officially joined ELO after the release of the group's first album in 1972. He died at the age of 76 in April 2024.A charity auction and sweepstake, to raise money to help boost the number of students that can receive the scholarship, has been organised by ELO founder Jeff Lynne. Tandy's final on-stage appearance was at the RBC's Bradshaw Hall in 2019 as part of his work championing students, the conservatoire said."Richard cared so much about music, and was thrilled to inspire other players and performers, especially those in Birmingham where he grew up," Tandy's wife said."He wanted the students at RBC to benefit from everything he achieved, and the scholarship will help so many young people follow their music ambitions." Tandy was a core member of the band alongside Lynne and drummer Bev Bevan until they split in Lynne reformed the band as Jeff Lynne's ELO in 2014, Tandy joined can donate to win tickets to see the group's final concerts at their Over and Out tour next month with the proceeds helping train the next generation of musicians, RBC said. Stephen Maddock, RBC principal, said scholarships and bursaries were becoming more vital than ever."The Tandy Scholarship, and the charitable donations that have made it possible, will provide opportunities for students for the next decade and more. This is a legacy that Birmingham and ELO fans can be proud of," he this year, RBC will also officially open a Richard Tandy Production Suite containing some of his instruments, music equipment and memorabilia donated by his family. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Times
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Steven Wilson review — a cosmic display of prog rock and comedy
For those of us who were children in the Seventies and Eighties, progressive rock was the closest music got to a proper, kid-friendly sci-fi adventure. Albums such as Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds and ELO's Out of the Blue promised all manner of thrills, even when the music went to places beyond our comprehension. Something of that spirit must have soaked into Steven Wilson, because at 57, the UK's reigning master of modern prog, currently at No 1 with his remix of Pink Floyd's Live at Pompeii album, infused the first night of a run at the London Palladium with the same boyish energy. Wilson, appearing on stage barefoot, was not afraid of bludgeoning the audience into submission with a
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Do men and women play chess differently? GM Harika Dronavalli explains ‘bad day at work' for a mother
Harika Dronavalli didn't think that men and women approached a game of chess differently, until she knew that they did. 'I never grew up thinking or believed that chess is different for men and women players. Because I never had to struggle for support (from family, and later partner and in-laws). But now I know this sport is a harder thing for women compared to men,' says India's second Grandmaster among the active women players, ranked 14 amongst women. It's a punch to the gut frankly – like it was for her, though the realisation was gradual. A mental sport, played sitting, with equal access to preparation tools (engines), though not funds – why should it be different? Chess doesn't need muscular power / strength, you would think. Or does it? With her standard ELO rating of 2483, Harika is at a fairly elite level in chess' hierarchies. At 34, she is acquainted with broader contours and detailed crevices of the game, and plays in Open tournaments (women & men), whenever she can. A multiple Olympiad champion, the motivation is not in short supply, because the world title is a goal. She acknowledges the absolute support from family, even more post motherhood. But she insists there's a reason for why only one woman is ranked in the world's Top 150 (though Hou Yifan hardly plays these days, while womens world champ Ju Wenjun is 215). It doesn't matter if you don't like her reason. 'It is harder for women,' she repeats. 'They are definitely two different people playing. Women do get emotional and become softer. There are physical struggles like periods, PMS, pregnancy and hormones. To keep focus through that is a real challenge. There are small differences. In energy, in motivation. But there's a huge difference in playing open events and women's only matches,' she says. Playing at Pune 's Women's Grand Prix recently, Harika had a tournament that Gen Z would describe as 'mid'. She wasn't overtly upset with the results, and fairly upbeat about the season ahead. But the differences she's filed down over the years have given her clarity and acceptance – something she factors in when she plays open events. Chess theory is equal. Women, especially when young, can play radically risky games, aggressive attacks and might not be lacking in any self-confidence. 'Emotionally just the way women see things, positions of pieces on board can be softer. A high emotional quotient sees more turns in the head. Men play with practicality,' she says. Real life, on bad days, can be annoyingly cliche-conforming. Having struggled to convert a few positions at Pune event, Harika was forced into her 'win or learn' approach to an average showing. The year has been a tad stagnant, with hits and misses, though the Olympiad gold and a surge in interest in chess, has been interesting to follow, for Harika. She played top table and led India at the Olympiad, and she replays the success over and over again in her head when chips are down. 'Having won before I know there wasn't much recognition for women in India for years. It's just the passion to be on the podium. I didn't see gold as something extraordinary, but things have changed a bit more since Olympiad and Gukesh winning World's was one of the best days in Indian chess,' she says. 'Our gold – of course we cherish getting better and stronger. And then concentrate on next one.' (LEFT) Harika Dronavalli with her daughter; (RIGHT) Harika takes on Polina Shuvalova at the Pune Women's Grand Prix. (PHOTO: Harika X, Abhilash Shinde via FIDE). What's the motivation to continue at 34? 'Chess is the only thing I've known since childhood. It's my daily routine. It's not tough to be dedicated because I played 2022 Olympiad when heavily pregnant. Family is supportive,' she explains. Child birth added another challenge, though it has its upside that compensates for all the troubles. 'Mom guilt in chess is very real. The time spent away, I miss my daughter. Life changed when it became a daily question of choosing between chess and kid. You ask yourself 'is it worth it?' almost daily,' she says. Physical struggles post pregnancy couldn't be waved away and she could sense going softer on the board. It was bewildering to know for a fact that men had no such impediments. To the extent that she jokes that at times she felt she was living lives of two different people – like a plain Jane moonlighting as secret assassin. An intense cut-throat player on board and a completely opposite softie at home. She has a check list when she senses the tiniest of slackenings when playing – the 'womanly ones'. 'I make a conscious attempt to remind myself 'Why I started all this?' (Playing chess). And making the hard choices because you can't sit back and enjoy motherhood. You have to make space for tournaments.' Harika takes inspiration from countless working mothers from all strata of Indian society, whose daily struggles are not even acknowledged. 'Women in India live tougher lives juggling work and children, can't complain. But what I've realized is nothing is right or wrong about being a mother. Perfection doesn't exist. You could be still working or taken a break or left work – anyway you can't be called a bad mother, so never guilt yourself,' she says. Harika Dronavalli takes on Polina Shuvalova at the Pune Women's Grand Prix. (PHOTO: Abhilash Shinde via FIDE) As an athlete mother, in a mind game, some days can feel like wrecking balls. 'After motherhood the brain changes, it's wired different. The killer instinct really is off a bit. More hits and misses. But on the upside, you are more relaxed in your career – you know it's not just about sport. You are very important for this little person who doesn't care if you win or lose or play badly,' she says. Can that contentment blunt the ambition for a world title? 'No way. I'm not backing off from that dream,' she says. 'World Championship is the only thing remaining in my career. It just keeps taking time. Makes me more ambitious!' she laughs, adding she might have to go through a wringer and 'win emotionally'. But win it, she will.
Telegraph
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘Trendy' Luke Littler to headline pop festival with Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo are among the headline acts booked for the annual series of British Summer Time Hyde Park concerts. The third headliner is more unexpected. Luke Littler will take to the stage in a darts tournament, as promoters cash in on the sport's soaring popularity with young audiences. The 18-year-old features alongside Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Fallon Sherrock in the championship on July 8. The tournament will take place on an outdoor stage in the Royal Park and has been masterminded by the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC). The event will be held two days after Carpenter performs a double bill of weekend concerts. Rodrigo will open the festival, which ends with gigs by Neil Young, Stevie Wonder and Jeff Lynne's ELO. Matthew Porter, the chief executive of the PDC, described it as 'a really exciting concept' and said: 'We're really looking forward to putting on a world class darts show.' He added: 'The organisers approached us to say they had a gap in their music schedule. We normally only stage professional tournaments but this is something a bit different, something with a nice profile. 'It shows where darts is positioned in the cultural landscape now. It's in a very different place to where it was 20 or 30 years ago. And, spearheaded by Luke Littler, the sport is younger – not just the audience but the players are from a younger demographic. People like the fact that it's authentic. It doesn't have that Premier League feeling of elitism. Part of the appeal is that it's normal people playing elite level sport, and in a fun environment.' Spectators will be seated at bierkeller-style trestle tables, as they are at Ally Pally. Porter said: 'Outdoors and darts don't generally mix, for obvious reasons. But the stage will be protected from the elements. 'It's an opportunity to watch the best players in the world and with all the elements that you see on TV: fancy dress, 180 cards and a few drinks.' The four players are expected to compete against one another in a knockout tournament before ending with a pro-am session in which they will be partnered with celebrities including Olly Murs, Roman Kemp and Dion Dublin. Dublin, the former footballer turned Homes Under the Hammer presenter, said: 'Never thought I'd swap the pitch for the oche, but I'll give it a go. Music, legends and darts – what more could you wish for?' Ticket holders will be encouraged to wear fancy dress, just as they do for the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace. The action begins at 6.30pm and organisers hope that people will flock to the park after work. Tickets include access to a craft drinks festival with street food and DJs. Littler has been credited with making darts cool to Gen Z after he became the youngest World Darts Championship finalist in 2024, aged 16, and the youngest world champion a year later. His last brush with showbiz was an appearance on ITV's Jonathan Ross Show, where he demonstrated his darts skills to the Stranger Things actress Millie Bobby Brown, who was a fellow guest on the programme. But this will be the first time he has shared a bill with pop stars. While Littler has made history at the oche, Sabrina Carpenter has set records of her own. The former Disney Channel star had the most-streamed song of 2024 with Espresso, and one of the most complained-about performances of 2025 with her raunchy opener at the Brit Awards. Littler's competitors at the tournament are also the sport's biggest names. Humphries tops the PDC Order of Merit, based on prize money won over the last two years, and beat Littler in the 2024 PDC final. Michael van Gerwen is the three-time PDC world champion from the Netherlands, while Fallon Sherrock made history as the first woman to beat a man at the world championship.
