ACET, Inc. Blog

We’re debuting a new series!  For the next five weeks, we’ll be posting 10 random facts about each staff at ACET. And since today just happens to be my birthday, it’s my turn first!

Pretty much anything I say about myself will be news to you since I’m the newbie (although Dan has me beat by a couple of months). But I figured I’d try to tell you a few things that won’t make you fall asleep at your desk, e.g., I take showers in the morning, I drive a car, I once had a dog, etc.

1.  I’m adopted from South Korea and came to the U.S. at three months old. (Did you know that Minnesota has the highest number of Korean adoptees per capita in the entire world?)
2.  I love to swim!
3.  I sing in a band.
4.  Two Christmases ago, I left my purse on top of my car and found it on the side of the freeway, unharmed, several hours later.
5.  I have a fair amount of guilty pleasures. Jersey Shore and Justin Bieber are among them (please don’t throw things at me)!
6.  Although I grew up in a small town (Delano, MN), I’m a city girl at heart.
7.  Everyone else wears jeans on casual Friday but I’m almost always wearing a dress.
8.  Brussels sprouts are my favorite vegetable.
9.  I am terrified of clowns.
10.  A few friends and I are on a mission to find the best breakfast in Minneapolis. We’re called Brunches of Fun and I welcome your suggestions!

Thanks for reading—look for Stella’s list on her birthday, September 4th!

Here is a link that highlights a variety of webinar hosts for small businesses.  This is a great place to start if you’re looking to add webinars as an option in your program.

Did you know that the cost of spaying and neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising a dog or cat for one year?*  My husband, Zack, and I are passionate about reducing pet overpopulation and this year we will be participating in the 4^th Annual “Pins for Pets – Bowl for the Fix.”

Pins for Pets raises money for spay and neuter initiatives across the state of Minnesota. And this year all money raised at the Pins for Pets event will go to MN-SNAP, the Minnesota Spay and Neuter Assistance Program. MN-SNAP operates a mobile veterinary clinic that provides high quality spay and neuter services to shelters, rescues, and low-income families across Minnesota.

If you are interested in reducing pet overpopulation, you can make a tax-deductible donation to our Pins for Pets fundraising page or you can learn more about Pins for Pets.

Thanks,

Kirsten, Zack, and Casey

Casey, July, 2010

*data came from ASPCA – http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/pet-statistics.aspx

Over the last few weeks, many of our clients have inquired about the availability of their test data from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to meet reporting requirements. Here’s the most recent update from MDE’s Research and Assessment division:

“MDE is still evaluating the specific timelines for the release of the Reading and Mathematics MCA, MCA-Modified, and MTAS results, and we will provide one week’s notice before the results will be released. While we understand that not having a specific date makes it difficult for your planning purposes, we are holding some flexibility in the event we are able to complete our work and release results earlier than late September. Once a final determination is made, we will provide one week’s notice before results are released. We thank you for your patience as we continue work through the challenges created by the government shutdown.”(http://www.education.state.mn.us/MDE/Accountability_Programs/Assessment_and_Testing/index.html)]

We will keep you updated on projected timeline and new information when they become available.

Joseph

We are pleased to introduce our new Evaluation Specialist, Dan Regnier. Dan hails from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, and brings a wealth of knowledge in research and evaluation studies to the ACET team. Prior to joining ACET, Dan completed projects with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, substance abuse treatment programs, and a low-income assistance program. In Dan’s spare time, he enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, and discovering the greater Twin Cities.

Please join us in welcoming Dan to our team!