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casino slots free bonus no deposit The Calgary Board of Education said overall attendance rates are up across the board, which the district said is a key predictor of learning excellence. According to the CBE’s Annual Education Results Report (AERR), students were absent 11.7 per cent of the time in the 2023-2024 school year. This is 0.7 percentage points lower than the 2022-2023 school year, which saw 12.4 per cent absenteeism. Students who are English As Additional Language Learners (EALs) were absent around 11.4 per cent of the time in the 2023-2024 school year, while those with special education needs were absent 15.6 per cent of the time. Mike Nelson, a superintendent of school improvement, said the overall improvement in attendance rates indicates that current processes for addressing student absenteeism are providing positive outcomes. According to the AERR, the CBE’s Attendance Team supported 174 schools with 658 students experiencing attendance concerns, the report said. Less than 10 per cent of students who were consulted needed additional intervention through the Provincial Attendance Board. Nelson also said that the improvement is a key indicator of learning excellence at the CBE. According to the National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. students who attend school regularly have been shown to achieve at higher levels compared with peers who chronically miss school. Kindergartners who constantly miss school were associated with greater absenteeism in subsequent years and lower achievement in reading math and general knowledge. Children with higher levels of absenteeism throughout their childhood also have higher high school dropout rates. A 2023 study published in Frontiers In Education also suggests that chronic absenteeism is associated with deficits in academic and social-emotional functioning and the effects can last several years. “We, of course, will continue monitoring attendance data and collaboration with students, parents, community partners, and this will help build to the success,” he told trustees at a Nov. 26 board meeting. However, Grade 10 to 12 students continued to see the highest rates of absenteeism. More than six per cent of these students were missing more than half of their high school classes, and many were absent for reasons that aren’t clear because the school didn’t receive contact from legal guardians. Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 4 to 6 students tend to miss less school than Grade 7 to 9 and Grade 10 to 12 students, the report added. Jennifer Turner, another superintendent of school improvement, said the district will continue to work with parents to drive home the importance of regular school attendance. “We know that we do have robust processes in our schools. They may work with our Attendance Team, but [mostly] through our assistant principals, guidance counselors and teachers,” she said. “If a student misses a certain number of days, [Attendance Team members] either connect with that independent student or their parent and if it continues, they use guidance counselors to try to leverage those relationships to improve attendance.” Turner also noted that students with identified special education needs are often absent from school due to medical appointments, treatment and therapy outside of the school environment. Staff are working with families to better understand the reason for the absence and the duration of the absence, as well as making plans to ensure that the student can keep up with school work during their absence. “We are not aware of any legal concerns as a result of [the absence] not being identified, although school staff do take a consistent relational approach with those families to ensure that we are understanding and finding ways to pull them back prior to moving forward through the more formalized attendance process,” she added.

Boss Jimmy Thelin insists Aberdeen “pushed it to the limit” against Premiership leaders Celtic. The battling Dons were edged out 1-0 in a top-of-the-table clash against the Hoops at Pittodrie. Aberdeen now trail Celtic by seven points, with the Parkhead side also holding a game in hand. It is now four games without a league win for Thelin’s side, with a return of just two points from the last 12. Thelin says he is proud of his squad for a performance where he says they deserved a draw. Celtic, who are undefeated in the Premiership this season, netted the winner via a Reo Hatate strike in the 78th minute to stun the Dons. Thelin said: “We pushed it to the limit. “We were competitive and looked a strong team. I’m happy with the performance, but not the result. “We showed real discipline and worked really hard. “I think a draw would maybe have been a fair result because of the chances both teams created. “I am proud of how the team competed as they showed real desire. “There was a lot of effort out there and it was good to see our energy is back again after a few games. “The games are so compact so we have to refocus on the game on Saturday and move on quickly.” ‘I don’t think about how the league will end’ Celtic have now opened up a sizeable gap on second-placed Aberdeen following this result. Aberdeen Now, though, the Hoops are on course to retain their league title, Thelin said: “I don’t think about how the league will end. “I don’t think about those kind of things. “I think about our performance, that’s what I focus on. “It was good to see how Aberdeen Football club showed ourselves as we want to create an identity of a strong team. “I liked to see the players and the fans not giving up as we know we are strong late in games.” Thelin hails ‘amazing’ keeper Doohan Keeper Ross Doohan was drafted in as replacement for Within 90 seconds of Doohan’s first Premiership start of the season, he was left poleaxed in a collision with Kyogo Furuhashi. The Japanese international’s leg collided with Doohan’s face. Stopper Doohan required treatment, with back-up keeper Tom Ritchie warming up to come on. But Doohan was deemed fit to continue and pulled off a number of key saves to deny the Hoops. Thelin said: “The knock looked really tough. “It was amazing from him that he continued to play. “We checked everything and he was okay to play. “Ross came on at half-time against Hearts and did very well. “And against Celtic it was a difficult game that requires a lot of concentration – but Ross did so well. “I’m so proud of how he did.” Celtic manager Rodgers’ reaction The game was played in horrific weather conditions with howling wind and driving rain. Aberdeen came close via efforts from Duk and Kevin Nisbet. A late shot from Aberdeen’s Ester Sokler to level was brilliantly blocked by Cameron Carter-Vickers to send it over the bar. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers said: “When you get to seven points clear with a game in hand we are in a very good place. “But there is still a long way to go. “It was a horrendous night weather-wise for football, so to get the win is great.”

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The Parliament of Zimbabwe had a busy year, passing five bills while still having at least 10 outstanding. This reflects its ongoing commitment to fulfilling its constitutional mandate to create laws that ensure peace, order, and good governance. Notably, this year marked the second anniversary of sessions held in the new Parliament building in Mount Hampden. This modern facility is spacious and equipped with advanced technology, a significant upgrade from the previous, more cramped quarters. Additionally, President Mnangagwa delivered his State of the Nation Address (SONA) and legislative agenda at this impressive six-storey structure, which symbolises the strengthening of bilateral relations with China, the building’s benefactor. This year has seen legislators actively engaging in debates, fulfilling their roles in legislation, oversight, and representation. One of the Bills that drew a lot of attention was the Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO) Amendment Bill which seeks to demand better financial accountability of private voluntary organisations through tightening of financial accounting. It demands that PVOs remain solely within listed functions, while it will deal with criminals carrying out undesirable and harmful illegal activities under the name of charity in compliance with the Financial Action Task Force, which is the world’s police against money laundering by ensuring that charitable trusts are not misused as means for channelling funds to sponsor terrorism and other criminal activities or to launder the proceeds of criminal activities by buying properties in Zimbabwe and other countries. The Bill was sent back to Parliament last year after President Mnangagwa expressed reservations on some clauses he wanted cleaned up but it subsequently lapsed owing to the prorogation of the Parliamentary session before it was eventually dissolved to pave the way for general elections in August last year. One of the Bills that have sailed through is the Death Penalty Abolition Bill which seeks to abolish capital punishment in the legal statutes, a move that has been welcomed by human rights activists. The Bill was initially brought before Parliament by Dzivarasekwa Member of Parliament, Mr Edwin Mushoriwa as a Private Members Bill before the Executive, represented by Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi took over in a show of convergence between legislators and the Executive on the need to remove capital punishment. The Bill sailed through Parliament and now awaits presidential assent before it has legal force and effect. Another law that has passed and now awaits Presidential assent is the Administration of Estates Act which seeks to confer some autonomy on the Master of the High Court by removing the office from the Judicial Service Commission. The Act has also rationalised some powers used to be conferred on the Master of the High Court. They include the powers to unilaterally dispose of assets of an estate or powers to remove an executor without going through the due process of approaching the court and arguing his or her way. The new measures are meant to enhance transparency and protection of widows, widowers and orphans in the exercise of their rights on deceased estates. Another Bill is the Persons with Disability Amendment Bill meant to advance the interests of people living with disability. The Person with Disabilities Bill seeks to provide for the alignment of the law over disabilities to the Constitution and reflects a human rights-based approach to disability, fundamental rights and freedoms of persons with disabilities. There is also the Parks and Wildlife Amendment Bill, Medical Services Amendment Bill and Civil Aviation Amendment Bill that are still under consideration. The Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill that seeks to among other things make it mandatory for motorists to buy a radio license before buying a vehicle licence and insurance cover is also going through a public hearing through the relevant portfolio committee. The public hearings are part of the requirement by legislators to gather views from members of the public on a Bill in fulfilment of Constitutional requirements. Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere tabled the Bill in the National Assembly last Thursday where it was read for the First time. The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which has been on the cards for more than six years, seeks among other issues, to reserve the small-scale mining sector for local people and build up the rights of a farmer ahead of a miner in a case where a mineral is found on actively farmed land. There has been a long wait on the Bill as stakeholders wait in anticipation that it will end the farmer and miner dispute, particularly on whose rights take precedence. The Medical Services Amendment Bill seeks to align the principal Act with the Constitution, especially in the Declaration of Rights where the right to health care for all citizens and permanent residents is entrenched along with the rights of children, rights of the elderly, rights of the disabled and rights of war veterans where medical services are a factor. The Insurance and Pension Commissions Amendment Bill, which seeks to revolutionalise the insurance sector, is also under consideration, as is the State Service Pension Fund. The State Services Pension Fund seeks to ensure that Members enjoy a decent standard of living in retirement by providing Pensions, gratuities, and other benefits as part of providing social security to retired civil servants. Other Bills include the Finance and Appropriation Bill currently under consideration which is meant to give legal force and effect to various fiscal policy measures that were introduced by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube. With all these Bills, one hopes they will be concluded soon so that they begin to have an impact on the National Development Strategy 1. Mukudzei Chingwere, Herald Reporter The flames of independence were kept ablaze by music before and during the protracted liberation struggle in high-density suburbs like Mbare, Highfield, Makokoba, Mpopoma, Mtapa and Sakubva, among others, President Mnangagwa has said. He was speaking at the presentation of gifts to Mbare Chimurenga Choir Groups on Boxing Day at State [...] Crime Reporter At least 77 people were killed while 401 others were injured in 1 211 road traffic accidents recorded countrywide between December 15 and yesterday. During the same period last year, 71 people were killed while 393 others were injured in 1 454 road accidents recorded. In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul [...] Gibson Nyikadzino, Herald Correspondent FRANCE is happy about the improving business and trade ties with Zimbabwe and will continue nurturing them to allow more cooperation between the two countries, French Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Paul-Bertrand Barets, has said. Ambassador Barets said relations between the two countries “can still be improved a lot and developed”, adding that [...]Luke Humphries bid for back-to-back World Championship titles on track after win

FLINT, MI -- Evangelos P. Papadopoulos, a former partner in one of Flint’s most-loved coney island restaurants, has died at age 89. Papadopoulos, known as Angelo, was born in Greece in 1935 and emigrated to the United States in 1956. He settled in the Flint area, ultimately helping to establish Angelo’s Coney Island as an iconic east side institution that served Flint-style coneys to generations of people from all walks of life. Papadopoulos died on Saturday, Nov. 30, surrounded by his family. “(He and his partners) treated customers with respect no matter what your status was,” his daughter, Mary Papadopoulos said. “They respected the unemployed person at the counter (the same as) the politicians and the big-time executives.” Papadopoulos worked as a cook at the former Nite Owl Coney Island in Flint before becoming a partner of Angelo’s from 1962 until his retirement in 1998. After the business was sold and other outlets added, the original restaurant at the corner of Davison Road and Franklin Avenue closed in 2018 after nearly 70 years in operation. Since publishing Angelo’s obituary , the Papadopoulos family has been flooded with tributes to their patriarch on social media from former customers, employees, and family friends. A former waitress at the restaurant made it a point to call his wife, Eleni, to personally pay her respects. “We are so grateful” to those who have reached out, Mary Papadopoulos said. “My dad touched so many lives ... It is just an outpouring of love and rightly due for my dad.” Mary Papadopoulos said her father met her mother under a Christmas tree in Detroit in 1960. The couple married in 1961 and have been inseparable since. “When my mom would walk into a room, he always had that twinkle in his eye for her,” she said. “He was an amazing husband to my mom for 63 years.” Angelo Papadopoulos was involved in every aspect of the restaurant business, according to his daughter, balancing books, calculating change due customers in his head, and of course, chopping onions. The restaurant served burgers, bacon and eggs, roast beef sandwiches, fries smothered in gravy, and of course, Flint-style coneys -- a hot dog topped with a dry ground meat sauce, onions, and yellow mustard. Angelo Papadopoulos prided himself in working hard and keeping a clean apron, and in teaching his daughter life lessons when she worked the cash register at Angelo’s. Mary Papadopoulos said early in her work at the restaurant, her father pulled her aside when she clocked in just before her shift began at 9 a.m. He told her that in the future, she should be at the business 30 minutes before it opened, ready to go to work, as an example for others. He believed in providing “quality products and excellent service,” Mary Papadopoulos said, and knew how to help build Angelo’s into a successful operation. “My dad was a financial wizard as far as I was concerned,” she said. “He had a sixth-grade education but he knew so much.” Angelo’s wasn’t the first coney island in Flint, but the family that opened it in 1949 ran coneys islands in downtown Flint as far back as the World War I era, according to Flint Journal files. Relatives of the Papadopoulos family are still involved in the coney island business at Starlite Coney Island in Burton and Apollo Family Restaurant in Davison, Mary Papadopoulos said. Visitation for Angelo Papadopoulos is scheduled for 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road in Grand Blanc Township. A Parastas service will be held at the funeral home at 7 p.m. Friday, and Angelo Papadopoulos will lie in state at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 2143 S. Center Road, Burton, prior to a funeral service at the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the church. In addition to his wife and daughter Mary, Angelo Papadopoulos is survived by daughters Kathy Condon and Elva Selmi.

Sean Williams, skipper Craig Ervine, and Brian Bennett demonstrated unwavering resilience, collectively defying expectations to steer the Chevrons to a record-breaking 586 runs in the ongoing Boxing Day Test against Afghanistan at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. This monumental feat shattered the doubts of many Zimbabwean fans, who had anticipated a lacklustre performance from the Chevrons following their dismal showing in the limited-overs series against Afghanistan. The Chevrons were whitewashed in both the one-day internationals and T20I series at Harare Sports Club. The significance of this achievement cannot be overstated. For the first time in Zimbabwean cricket history, three batsmen scored centuries in one innings, underscoring the exceptional talent and unyielding determination of the current squad. Williams spearheaded the charge with an impressive 154 runs, showcasing his mastery with the bat. He was well supported by Ervine, who batted brilliantly to score 104 runs while Bennett finished off the innings with an unbeaten 110. Together, they ensured that Zimbabwe batted their way to a commanding position against Afghanistan. This performance is not only remarkable for the individual achievements of the three batsmen but also for the team’s success as a whole. The Chevrons have struggled in recent years to compete on the international stage, and this innings showed that they are capable of standing toe-to-toe with the best teams in the world if the right players are selected and apply the correct techniques. We could not be prouder of our team. This historic feat is not only a highlight for Zimbabwean cricket but also for cricket as a whole. It is a reminder that the sport is about more than just individual brilliance but also about teamwork, perseverance, and passion. This innings has set a benchmark for Zimbabwean cricket, and we hope to see more performances like this in the future. We encourage the players to build on this success and to continue to work hard towards achieving their goals. With performances like this, we do not doubt that Zimbabwean cricket has a bright future. Congratulations to Williams, Ervine, and Bennett, as well as the rest of the team and coaching staff, on this remarkable achievement. Now, it’s time for the bowlers and fielders to step up and take inspiration from their teammates. With the historic win within reach, they must use this momentum to their advantage. They should focus on bowling tight lines and executing their plans while also maintaining sharp fielding standards. If they can do this, they can surely clinch a notable Test victory that will serve as a reminder of their resilience and talent. Jacqueline Ntaka IN a rapidly evolving world, technological advancements are reshaping the way we live, work, and interact. Among these advancements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative force with the potential to revolutionise various sectors. However, in Zimbabwe, there remains a degree of resistance towards AI, reminiscent of the initial reluctance to adopt [...] For 75 long days Mozambicans, Sadc and watchers of that country’s politics had been in suspense. The country staged a general election on October 9 and two weeks later, the election management body announced preliminary results which showed the Frelimo party retaining power with a crushing majority. But Maputo’s electoral law requires the Constitutional Council [...] Innocent Mujeri, Correspondent The intended introduction of a comprehensive parole system in Zimbabwe marks a pivotal moment in the country’s approach to justice and correction. Underpinned by the Prisons and Correctional Service Act, this initiative reflects a shift from a punitive model of incarceration to one focused on rehabilitation and reintegration. As Zimbabwe takes these [...]