Baltimore Bee Recap

Learn It Systems hosted the Baltimore Bee Saturday, March 12, 2011.

Robbie Palmisano of Hereford Middle School was the 2011 Baltimore Spelling Bee champion. The event lasted from 10:00am-1:30pm and was held earlier today (Saturday, March 12, 2011) at Towson University.  This is Robbie's second year in a row winning the Bee.  He was last year's Baltimore Bee champion and thus will be making his second trip to Washington, DC in June to represent the greater Baltimore region in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 

Robbie's winning word was: Execration - meaning the act of cursing or denouncing.

The 1st and 2nd place participants from this year were also the 1st and 2nd place participants from last year's Baltimore Spelling Bee.  Overall, this year's Bee lasted 33 rounds with the final two spellers completing 25 consecutive rounds against one another before the winner was crowned. 

The students ages range from 3^rd grade (8-9yo) to 8^th grade (13yo).  These students come from Public, Private, Charter and Home schools in Baltimore City and County.  All students in the Baltimore Bee won their school spelling bee which qualified them for participation in this event.

 

The results of the Bee are as follows:

 

1st Place- Robbie Palmisano, 8th grade, Hereford Middle School, from Phoenix, MD

2nd Place- Elizabeth Bernatowicz, 7th grade, Masters Academy, from Freeland, MD

3rd Place- Ashon Carwell, 6th grade, Woodhome Elementary/Middle School, from Baltimore, MD

 

Learn It Systems would like to congratulate all participants for their tremendous efforts and doing a great job representing their individual schools.  

A couple of interesting notes about the 2011 Baltimore Spelling Bee:

 

1. The Bee was the 6th Annual Baltimore Spelling Bee held at Stephens Hall on the campus of Towson University

 

2.  This years judges were Councilman Bill Henry, 4th District, Baltimore City Council and Tina Nelson, Baltimore County Public Schools.  Additionally, Councilman William P. Welch provided the schools with Commendations and warm regards to this year's 60 participants.

 

3. The Bee is sponsored by Learn It Systems in partnership with Towson University

 

4. Towson University has hosted the Bee for the past four years

 

5. Learn It Systems is an educational services company based in Baltimore, MD that provides research-based reading and math tutoring services to struggling students in Baltimore City, County and in 27 other states across the United States and in Puerto Rico and U.S.V.I.

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Results

Learn It's Biggest Loser contest has come to a close, and we have crowned our winner!

Last Friday was the final weigh in day for contestants.  Many sighs of relief were made after stepping off the scale for the last time!

The total amount of weight lost during the entire competition came to 143.9 pounds, making this by far the most competitive round at Learn It Systems!   Our top three contestants battled it out to the end, and they all did an amazing job!  Again, weight losses were measured as percentages rather than pounds.  The results are as follows:

1st place – Nathan with a total weight loss of 23 lbs - $386.25

2nd place – Jim with a total weight loss of 24 lbs - $77.25

3rd place – Stephanie with a total weight loss of 12.6 lbs - $51.50

Congratulations to Nathan Livengood for his tremendous efforts in losing 23 pounds and becoming Learn It's Biggest Loser!  

What was Nathan's secret?  It's actually no secret at all.  Nathan proved that eating healthy everyday in moderation with regular exercise is the best way to lose weight.  

Let's also put our hands together for Jim Eikenberg and Stephanie Suerth.  Jim was right next to Nathan the entire contest with significant weight loss, and Stephanie is one of our few females in our company's history to lose over ten pounds in a nine week span.

All contestants did an outstanding job, and we hope you are inspired to keep going on your own!  

Live it, love it, lose it!

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Tip #7

This Friday is the last weigh-in day for Learn It's Biggest Loser contest!

Participants are doing a great job losing weight and developing healthier life styles, but they sure are ready for the competition to end!  Some are battling it out for the top three spots while others are trying to resist the urge to "pay out."  Last week, a total of 10.5  pounds were lost, and the top two contenders have .23% difference of weight loss between them.  

It's the last push before our winner is crowned on March 11, 2011.  Just like a race, participants might need a little boost to cross the finish line.  

Tip #7:

Many of us start to crash during the afternoon hours.  If you start to feel tired around 2:00 or 3:00, eat a handful of nuts.  This will boost your energy levels back up.  Having more energy makes it easier to hit the gym or run around the block.   

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Tip #6

Participants have made it through 7 weeks of  Learn It's Biggest Loser Contest, and there are only two weigh-in's left!  

Last Friday, we were pleased to see a female take the number three spot in line!  We have had pervious male winners, and the men tend to take the leads.  Will we have a female winner in the end this time around?

Today is the last day of February, and Spring is inching closer.  We all have been doing a great job with our diets and exercising.  But we are also good at watching a lot of TV.  Who can help it with all these reality shows?   Sitting in front of the TV usually leads to snacking, so read on for our next tip to consider while in the comfort in your own home.

Tip #6:
While sitting in front of the television,  keep your hands busy and multitask.  If you work on your laptop, do crossword puzzles, knit, or do something else while watching your favorite shows, you are less likely to grab snack food.  Following this simple tip will limit your unhealthy snacking habits and send you to bed without a full stomach.

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Tip #5

There are three weigh-in days left for Learn It's Biggest Loser contest!

As we are getting closer to the end of the contest, participants are still losing impressive amounts of weight.  Our top contenders have lost about 15 pounds each!

After weighing in last Friday, Learn It's corporate office enjoyed some outside grilling in the 70-degree weather.  Yes, 70 degrees in February!  Participants kicked backed and relaxed with some delicious hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs, and other goodies.

Now it is Tuesday, about 25 degrees outside, with inches of snow on the ground.  We all got a little taste of Spring last week, but today is a reminder that Winter is still here for about a month.  Here is another tip to consider while pushing through the last few weeks of Learn It's Biggest Loser Contest.

Tip #5:
We all know it is healthy to drink water.  But did you know that you should drink a glass of water after waking up in the morning?  We lose oxygen throughout the night, and our cells need to rejuvenate.  Drinking a glass of water in the morning will resupply your body, and you will have more energy during the day.  Some of us may need this extra boost of energy to stick with our exercise routines this time of year.

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Tip #4

There is one month left for Learn It's Biggest loser contest!

Participants remain focused and pounds are still being shed.  A total of 8 pounds were lost this past week, and our top two contestants are fighting for the number one spot with a weight loss difference of .02 percent.

The cold weather we have had this winter has been brutal.  Luckily this week is warmer with average daily temperatures in the 50-degree range.  Though we are getting a break, we are still only half way through February.  A lot of us still need some motivation to push through the end of the contest, which is the focus of this week's tip.  

Tip #4:

Sticking to an exercise schedule can be difficult, and motivation can get lost during the process.  Try the "buddy system."  Taking a partner to the gym with you or updating someone about your routine can be rewarding.  Choose someone you trust and who has a positive attitude.  Sharing this experience will push you harder and, it will be more enjoyable.

We just returned from the Title I Conference in sunny Tampa, FL, and man, was it a big hit!  

For those of you who don’t know, the Title I Conference is an annual gathering of the National Title I Association, an organization made up of Title I and Federal Program Directors from throughout the country.  With an attendance of over 4,000 people, this is Learn It’s largest conference of the year, and our presence was definitely felt.

  

Learn It team at the booth

Curriculum display and giveaway items

The booth was busy from beginning to end, as we were the only booth at the conference to offer free popcorn!  Our wide-open booth really provided a family atmosphere, as educators were able to come into the booth, engage in conversation, grab some popcorn, and enter our drawing to win an IPAD.  Our big winner this year was Mr. Roy Holt, the Federal Programs Director from Upshur County Schools, West Virginia.  Congratulations, Roy!


The festivities didn’t end at the booth, though.  Once again, we proved that Learn It Systems is not only a world class education company, but also throws the best party at the Title I Conference every year!  This year, we held our annual VIP reception at the Downtown Tampa Embassy Suites.  We enjoyed drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and the soulful sounds of DJ Saxwell, who kept the dance floor rocking from beginning to end.  It was an amazing night, and those that attended are still talking about all the fun they had.  We’d like to thank everyone that attended, and if you missed it, well… there’s always next year!  

I'd like to give a special thanks to the staff from Learn It Systems that made this our most successful Title I Conference yet.  They include:  Michael Maloney, Michael Robinson, Jerrelle Francois, Fred Cusimano, Bill Kuljam, Chris Ruiz, Tanya McCain, Marybeth Jones, Troy Laur, and Bruce Henson.  If I left anyone out, please charge it to my head and not my heart, and just know that we appreciate you and everything that you do to make Learn It Systems a success.

Well, that’s it for now from the 2011 Title I Conference.  We’ll see you next year at the 2012 Title I Conference in Seattle, WA.  Take care, and as always, Live It, Love It, Learn It!

Brandon Nelson

School Parnership Coordinator

For a further look at Learn It's booth, watch this video:

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Tip #3

Friday weigh-ins continue to be successful as most of our Biggest Loser participants remain dropping pounds!  

Last week as a whole, a total of 10.4 pounds were lost, and our top contenders are losing about two pounds each week. Our contestant currently in first place has lost 6.45% of body weight so far.  Way to go!

We are about a week into February, and Winter continues to drag with all the snow still covering the ground.  Let's stay motivated, as March is just around the corner.  And yes, Target has already had bathing suits out on display for a couple of months!

Our past two tips have focused on healthy eating, so we will talk about exercise this week.

Elliptical Machine

Tip #3:
Not everyone enjoys or excels at running, which can make the sport along with a treadmill undesirable.  Use an elliptical machine instead.  Elliptical trainers have little to no resistance, which is great for those with knee, hip, back, and joint problems.

Learn It's Biggest Loser: Tip #2

Learn It's Biggest Loser contest is going on strong, and our top runner has already lost ten pounds!

With the Baltimore area getting about 10-12 inches of snow last week, the pounds shed off as we all had to shovel our way out of our houses.  Last week's weigh-in's were quite impressive with a total of 18.08 pounds lost! So as we stroll into the office after giving in to the weekend's indulgences, let's continue our stride and remember one good, dietary tip while eating.

A fist or cupped hand = 1 cup

Tip #2

While you may be eating healthier, portion control is still a necessary factor in losing weight.  A good method to use while packing lunch or fixing dinner on a plate is to measure portions with your fist.  The size of your fist is a fast and easy guide in determining your food intake.

Live It, Love It, Lose It!

The Corporate office at Learn It Systems 
is beating the winter blues and trying to lose!

How many times have we made New Year’s resolutions that consist of eating healthier, exercising more, shedding a pound or two, or just all around feeling better after the typical winter hibernation indulgence?  Does anyone really follow through with it? Time is passing and it will soon be Spring... then Summer.  

As seen on NBC: Tuesdays from 8-9pm

The Learn It Corporate office is now having a "Biggest Loser" contest to see who can lose the largest percentage of weight.  Not only is this a chance to win the pool of money, it is a great motivator to looking and feeling our best.  Or is that the other way around?

Learn It Biggest Loser Contest Details:

• There are 16 participants
• There was an initial entry fee of $20 to participate
• Weigh-in's take place every Friday morning
• Weight loss is measured in percentages
• If any weight is gained during the weigh-in, the participant must put $5 into the pool
• The same type of clothing must be worn each weigh-in (example: if you have shoes
  on during your first weigh-in, you must always have them on)
• There is a buy-out option: if you start the program and decide you no longer want to
  participate, there is a $20 buy-out fee
• The contest ends on March 11, 2011
• The participant with the largest percentage of weight loss wins the pool of CA$H!

The dreaded march to Finance/HR

Though there are no intense workouts all day, professionals monitoring our food intake, and weigh-ins on a stage, our participants still do not have it easy around here.  There is no workout equipment and physical activity challenges, but there is a never-ending staircase up into the attic where the Finance, Payroll, Accounting, and HR teams have been moved.  Don't feel bad for them... they will be the ones to make it on the top in the end!  And who can forget the delicious goodie begging to be eaten all over the office?   Whether it is in the kitchen, at a birthday celebration, or sitting on desks, our most competitive players like to throw out temptations!

So what is the point of this blog post?  
We thought we would play nice and share some easy tips to follow for healthy eating and exercise to include in your every day routine.  At the beginning of each week, we will share a new tip that should help you trudge your way to Friday's weigh-in.  Don't feel left out if are not participating; these tips are great for everyone!

Tip #1  

Bring your lunch everyday!  This will discourage stopping by fast food restaurants. If you make your lunch at home, you will also be more attentive to what you are eating.