Latest news with #WSD
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Partnership encourages businesses to come into Wahluke schools
Jun. 3—MATTAWA — The Wahluke School District is inviting businesses in Mattawa, or any business outside of Mattawa that's interested, to participate in a new initiative that will bring volunteers from those businesses to Wahluke classrooms. Wahluke Superintendent Andy Harlow said "Partners in Educating Kids" is a way to increase connections between school and community. People have told him, Harlow said, that sometimes it's difficult to build the kind of relationships between WSD and businesses that can be found in other cities like Othello and Quincy. "I just don't believe it," he said. "I think we have an amazing community. We have different challenges, for sure, but it's taking time to develop these relationships. It might look a little different than Quincy or Othello, but it can be done." The PEAK program will start in the 2025-26 school year. Participating businesses can choose to support one or more of WSD's elementary schools, Wahluke Junior High, Wahluke High School or at the district level. Participants donate to the school they're supporting, $500 for an elementary school or $1,000 for WJHS or WHS. "What makes this partnership different is it requires the PEAK partner to be in the building they're sponsoring three times during the year. And (the sponsor visits) can be all sorts of things," Harlow said. Some businesses have already signed up, including the Columbia Basin Health Association, Umpqua Bank, the real estate agency Generations Home Team NW and Grant County Public Utility District. Harlow said he's had people from other businesses express interest. "We're still looking for partners," he said. The South Grant County Chamber of Commerce is a sponsoring partner with WSD, and Pam Thorsen, secretary to the board of directors, said she thinks it's a good way for students and business owners to learn more about each other. "There's a lot of opportunity to engage the community," she said. The children are the next generation of employees and business owners, she said, whether in Mattawa or elsewhere. It's good for business owners to get to know them and for young people to get a look at the world after graduation. Thorsen said there are a lot of people in and around Mattawa — and elsewhere — who have information and experiences that could and would be beneficial to WSD students. She cited a Desert Aire neighbor who's an airline pilot, and the winery employees at a WHS career education fair who detailed opportunities available in that industry. "You just don't know where you might find resources," she said. Harlow said the PEAK initiative grew out of the effort to strengthen connections between the district and its residents. Sometimes it isn't easy to get volunteers for school activities, but in one case, the 2025 Amazing Shake, almost all the volunteers were from outside the district. Harlow said district officials wanted to find other ways to get out into the community and bring the community to school. "Then, just by chance, I was at a presentation at the Pasco School District," he said. Pasco has been sponsoring a similar program for about 15 years, he said. "I'd never heard of it, and I was totally amazed," he said.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Audi Is Quietly Building The Most Advanced AI Factory In The Auto Industry
'IRIS' uses cameras to check if labels showing technical information are applied to the vehicle ... More correctly While many automotive AI headlines focus on self-driving cars or flashy infotainment upgrades, Audi is quietly building something more foundational: AI that runs the factory floor. In a June 2 briefing, the German automaker revealed that more than 100 AI projects are now in operation or development across its global production network. These systems are doing real work from inspecting welds and predicting equipment failures to optimizing logistics and assisting human workers in tasks that range from parts flow to process simulation. 'Artificial intelligence is the game changer in our industry,' said Gerd Walker, Audi's Board Member for Production and Logistics. 'By using it in a targeted way, we are creating a production environment that is not only more efficient and cost-effective but that also meets the highest quality standards.' Audi shares that these AI projects aren't just limited pilots or technology-focused proofs-of-concept. Instead, Audi has implemented AI across its factories to guide decision-making and production at scale. What makes Audi's approach to AI stand out is how deeply it's embedded. Most manufacturers have tested AI in narrow contexts, such as visual inspections, coordination of robotic assembly, supply chain forecasting, or predictive analytics. Audi is pushing past those point use cases, creating a more full-stack approach to AI in the production environment that can adapt dynamically. Its computer vision systems now inspect surface finishes and structural welds with high degrees of consistency and accuracy. Its 'Weld Splatter Detection' (WSD) application uses AI to detect possible weld splatter on vehicle underbodies and its IRIS tool uses computer vision-powered cameras to verify whether labels with the correct technical data in the right language are correctly attached to the vehicle Generative AI models simulate factory layouts and help plan production changes before implementation. Predictive maintenance tools, trained on petabytes of machine and sensor data, flag potential issues days or weeks before they become problems. The company's 'Tender Toucan' tool analyzes bids as part of its procurement process, using specifications to create a list of requirements, then using that information to search for the relevant sections in the bids, and evaluates the degree to which they are fulfilled. Employees have reported time savings of up to 30 percent. Even though AI technology gets the attention, the real breakthrough at Audi is data utilization. Audi's plants generate staggering volumes of data daily, with multiple petabytes across sensors, robotics, and logistics systems. Rather than treat this as digital exhaust that ends up unused in the organization's data 'swamp', Audi uses it to train machine learning models that constantly refine how production is run. In some facilities, these models have helped cut unplanned machine downtime by nearly 30%. In others, they're shortening assembly time by fine-tuning when and how components arrive at specific stations. 'Artificial intelligence enables us to make more extensive use of our enormous wealth of data in production and accelerates the journey of our 360factory towards becoming a data-driven factory,' said Walker. Audi shares that the 360factory is the company's production strategy for fully connected, innovative, and sustainable manufacturing. Audi's push reflects a bigger transition in how manufacturers view production. Rather than see factories as fixed systems with rigid processes, companies like Audi are turning them into adaptive environments, more like living systems than static machines. AI is helping these manufacturers handle disruptions in supply chains, reconfigure workflows faster, and plan for increasingly customized vehicle production runs, especially in a more challenging global political and economic environment. Other carmakers are moving in this direction. Porsche has deployed AI to monitor welding quality in Leipzig. BMW has extended AI to final inspection steps. Tesla has integrated AI into robot programming and vision systems. Few have gone as far as Audi in weaving AI into the full production lifecycle, but clearly that is the direction the industry is heading. Most corporate AI deployments today fall into a predictable pattern: one tool for one job. Audi's strategy shows what happens when AI becomes part of the operating fabric. That distinction matters. It suggests a future in which AI doesn't just 'assist', but rather it becomes the connective tissue linking systems, people, and decisions. Think less about dashboards and more about real-time optimization happening invisibly behind the scenes. This approach also reflects a shift in AI maturity. The conversation is moving from capability to utility. Companies like Audi are proving that what matters most now isn't what AI can do, but what it can do to change the way an organization operates.
GMA Network
29-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
‘Smuggled' sugar shipments worth P9 million seized in Manila port
Authorities have intercepted two separate shipments of sugar, which lacked necessary permits, at the Port of Manila (POM) for violations of customs and importation rules. In a statement, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) Administrator Pablo Luis Azcona, BOC Assistant Commissioner of the Post Clearance Audit Group Vincent Philip Maronilla, Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Group Juvymax Uy, and POM District Collector Alexander Gerard Alviar jointly led the inspection of the intercepted sugar shipments on Thursday, May 29, 2025. The BOC said the first operation was carried out on May 23, 2025, following a Pre-Lodgement Control Order issued by the BOC-POM. The Customs said a joint team from the BOC, SRA, DA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and other enforcement units examined two 20-foot container vans from Thailand containing 1,000 sacks of refined sugar. While the consignee was registered with the SRA, the BOC said the shipment lacked the required import allocation and clearance, rendering the importation unauthorized. The Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS)-POM recommended the issuance of a Warrant of Seizure and Detention (WSD) for violations of Section 117 (Regulated Importation and Exportation) in relation to Section 1113 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and Sugar Order No. 6, Series of 2022–2023. Another shipment, which arrived on April 29 at the POM from Thailand, involved two container vans of refined sugar imported 'without any permit or import allocation from the SRA.' The BOC said it examined the two abandoned 20-foot containers in coordination with the SRA, DA, Chamber of Customs Brokers Inc. (CCBI), Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) -POM, and CIIS-POM and found 1,040 bags labeled 'sweet mixed powder.' Both shipments of sugar are valued at approximately P9 million, according to the Customs. 'President Marcos Jr. has made it clear that the smuggling of agricultural commodities and other regulated goods will not be tolerated. These operations are a direct response to his marching orders to safeguard our borders and protect the welfare of the Filipino people,' said Rubio. In a separate statement, Tiu Laurel said, 'We cannot let these illicit trading practices undermine the agriculture sector and hurt our farmers, particularly those in the sugar industry.' 'The closer coordination among government agencies to clamp down on smuggling as well as the implementation of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law which doesn't allow bail should put fear on these illicit traders,' the Agriculture chief said. The DA chief instructed the SRA to blacklist the importers of the seized sugar shipments. The DA, through its Inspectorate and Enforcement office, last year seized P2.83 billion worth of smuggled farm goods, around P1 billion higher compared to the level in 2023. From January through May 19 this year, DA-IE already seized and condemned smuggled farm goods worth a total P407.6 million. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News
Zawya
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
World Stage Design 2025 secures key global and local partnerships ahead of Middle East Debut
UAE: World Stage Design (WSD) 2025, which will take place in Sharjah, UAE, from October 18-25, 2025, has secured key partnerships with leading local and international organizations. WSD is the 'Expo' for the global performance industry, occurring once every four years. WSD is the only international event that showcases excellence in performance design from individual designers. This year marks its sixth edition and the first-ever in the Middle East. WSD is co-produced by the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) and the International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians (OISTAT). The event is supported by the Department of Culture Sharjah and the Ministry of Culture Taiwan. Onboard as the Official Build Partner of WSD, are Taylex Group Middle East, a creative solutions production company at the heart of the Live Events, Exhibitions, and Brand Experience industry. As the region's exclusive beMaster partner for beMatrix, the leading sustainable frame system, they offer a smarter approach to event construction. Taylex Group Middle East will provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional custom-builds for exhibition stands. This solution allows designers and participants to place sustainability at the forefront without compromising creativity. International logistics consultant EFM Global is the Official Logistics Partner. The partnership offers special rates to participants bringing their work and performances at WSD2025 to get materials transported safely and efficiently from their location to Sharjah. Charcoalblue – a globally reputed theatre, acoustic, and experience consultancy service – is the sponsor of the Theatre Architecture Competition. Entries closed on 14th April, and the competition received submissions from over 50 countries. First Star Computer, Sapsis Rigging, and ShowTex are the first, second, and third prize sponsors, respectively, of the Technical Invention Prize. The competition is free to enter and open for submissions from technicians who have developed a gadget or solution for the live events industry. WSD2025 features a Design Exhibition, Theatre Architecture Competition (TAC), the Technical Invention Prize (TIP), and Scenofest - a celebration of scenography with a wide range of seminars, workshops, performances, and presentations by theatre practitioners and artists. About Sharjah Performing Arts Academy Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is the only dedicated performing arts academy in the Middle East, offering comprehensive education in both performing and production arts. SPAA trains students for various roles, from actors and dancers to stage managers and scenic designers, preparing them for success in the competitive global industry. The Academy's mission is to develop confident, creative professionals who can lead and collaborate in any global context. About OISTAT OISTAT was founded in Prague in 1968. It stands for 'Organisation Internationale des Scénographes, Techniciens et Architectes de Théâtre' in French, and 'International Organisation of Scenographers, Theatre Architects and Technicians' in English. OISTAT is a global network for theatre practitioners celebrating design, technology and architecture in live performances.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Wahluke updates dual language learning programs for 2025/26
Apr. 25—MATTAWA — The Wahluke School Board met Tuesday night for a regularly scheduled board meeting where the plan to implement an updated dual language learning program was approved for the 2025/26 school year. "As we look at our data, we notice that our kids hit more than they need to in their English language development and they're not necessarily getting all the way where we want them in their Spanish language development," said Bethany Martinez of Wahluke's Migrant Department. Instruction is currently on the 50/50 model, meaning students learn in either English or Spanish at the start of the unit and by the end convert to the other language. Instead, the district is considering switching to an 80/20 model. The new plan aims to have all students become bilingual and biliterate and gives both English- and Spanish-speaking students the ability to read, write and communicate in both languages, according to the WSD Dual Language Immersion Program Master Plan document shared on the district website. "The research says both will give you the exact same result for English and the 80/20 will give you the higher results for Spanish," said Martinez. "(Students) tend to feel like they connect more with their Spanish and want to use it." With the 80/20 plan kindergarten will start out with an 80% focus on learning in Spanish and bridge to 20% English learning by the end of the unit. As the students move up grade by grade they will transition to more English learning, eventually coming back to the 50/50 model by the time they reach fourth grade. "It still gets them to the English level of proficiency that we want them at, instead of them trying to navigate both languages in the very beginning," Martinez said. "Once you learn to read in one language you know how to read." Focusing on immersion for both students with and without a Spanish background is key to the program and the school wants to ensure that students feel comfortable talking in whatever language they prefer, she said. Martinez said the schools will hold a Dual Language Celebration on April 30 that will be fully hosted by students in multiple languages. These ideas were in part brought about by the recent National Migrant Conference in San Francisco, Representatives of Wahluke School District attended and presented at the conference. "We had the opportunity to go explore San Francisco and go learn a little bit more about what other school districts are doing in the migrant program," said Liliana Barajas, migrant graduation advisor at Wahluke High School. At the conference WSD staff discussed strategies to engage parents, mental health support, working cooperatively with other programs, the importance of students embracing their language and cultures and ideas for helping staff gain a better understanding of their migrant students. Wahluke hosted their own workshop as well to show what their schools are doing currently to help students coming from migrant families, said Barajas. Other national presenters at the conference representing Wahluke were Magali Gonzalez, Daisy Pfeifer, Chelsea Brannock and Alice Jaakola. "We got to hear from the former secretary of education and the deputy secretary of the English language acquisition," said Brannock. "They shared some other pieces of legislation, what's going on across the country with multilingual learning." The conference had students from around the area embracing their different cultures, showing the variety of different cultures that exist across the country, said Pfeifer. The other items of business included environmental standards for school buildings, planned trips for clubs throughout the rest of the school year and into the summer, the Wahluke senior trip to Seattle and the plans for Prom presented by the Student Board Representatives Damien Cardenas and Jasmin Gil Aguilar. Aguilar said the Wahluke High School prom is planned for May 10 at Sagecliffe Resort, the first school dance held outside Mattawa. Transportation would be provided for students who are unable to get their own ride. "I think we just wanted to try something new," said Cardenas. "Not many kids go to our events ... that's what we're trying to do, just get more kids involved."
