SYSTEM CONCEPTS, INC. AND BLACK STAR PROJECT UNITE

Unique programming challenges Chicago businesses to join forces

CHICAGO, IL --- Citing their shared vision of increasing parental and community involvement in education, System Concepts, Inc. (SCI) has teamed up with The Black Star Project for SCI’s first-ever Planned Giving Program. The goal for this partnership is to increase Black Star’s business sponsorship base, enabling a more national impact for its programs, which center on eliminating the racial academic achievement gap through increased family and community involvement in the lives of young people.

To kick-off the Planned Giving Program, SCI will be hosting a community-awareness and fundraising event in Chicago on May 24th. SCI’s intention is to reach out to all of its partners, suppliers and other Chicago businesses that are operating in the youth and education sectors. As part of its Planned Giving Program, SCI will also donate two percent of all pre-tax revenues to the Black Star Project.

“We hope to inspire the kind of support that would help the Million Father March become a national celebration,” said Cynthia Nielsen-Morgan, President of SCI. “This event will give businesses that are active in education the opportunity to offer leadership and resources for a movement that could change the way America thinks about education.”

As part of the 2004 Million Father March, Chicago men, fathers and caregivers were first asked to take their children to school on the opening day of classes to show their support for education. Now Black Star Project is working toward the same outpouring of civic participation for the last day for public schools in 2005, when an even greater turnout is expected.

“There is only one thing that can solve this: parental involvement,” said Phillip Jackson, founder of the Black Star Project, explaining that studies have shown that student’s grades improve when parents care about school. “It’s that simple. You’ve got to have the parents.”

For twelve years, SCI has offered innovative education-technology services in over 300 schools and institutions throughout Illinois. On March 2nd, 2005, SCI publicly unveiled the ACTIVboard and their 21st Century Model Classroom, which is receiving national acclaim.

For eight years Black Star Project and Phillip Jackson have worked to improve the quality of life for others. The group has reached many parents and students in Illinois and his campaigns include Parental Involvement Programs that help parents to become the most important and the best teacher for their children.

For more information contact the Black Star Project at http://www.blackstarproject.org/ or contact System Concepts, Inc. at http://www.sc-inc.com/.

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A few notes for Friday:

1. Chicago reporter Paul Erickson hits the road today on an unparalleled journey that follows two American women who are traveling to Malaysia for surgical procedures. The two women, one a retired schoolteacher and the other a registered nurse, arranged their travel through Sensible City client MedRetreat. Follow the journalist's blog at www.medicaltourmalaysia.com or visit www.medretreat.com.
2. Special thanks to the Chicago Defender for carrying an excellent piece on March 3rd, highlighting System Concepts Inc's "21st Century Classroom" unveiling. More will be posted soon. To learn more about SCI, visit www.sc-inc.com.

REALTY 1 NETWORK REACHES OUT TO HISPANIC COMMUNITIES

Social Responsibility Program Enables Home Ownership for Immigrant Families

CHICAGO, IL --- How does a new U.S. citizen, who speaks very little English and has limited access to resources, achieve home ownership with no money down and 100% financing? It happens every day. Operating from a humble office on the Northwest Side, Realty 1 Network has challenged its industry in Chicago by delivering a series of programs that not only put Immigrants in new homes, but also fund West-Side community organizations.

Delia Peterson, co-founder of Realty 1 Network, was born in Amealco (Mexico). In 2002, she and business partner/husband, Mike Peterson, decided to be a positive force within Chicago’s underserved Hispanic communities. They created two programs that have sent ripples through the city, putting people in homes and funding nonprofit organizations for the past two years.
The first organization on the list was one near and dear to Delia’s heart: Ciudadanos Unidos de Amealco. The Peterson’s created a 10% opt-in donation program out of the brokerage commissions they collect from participation in transactions. Clients are offered a selection of charities from which to choose, though many leave the choice up to Realty 1 Network.
Since that first donation, Realty 1 Network’s Sharing Program has provided over $16,000 in funds as well as over 100 hours of home buying workshops through charities including Crib Collective and Victory Outreach.
“We’re doing business with a conscience,” Delia explained, a feeling the couple has shared since they were married in 1994.

Through its Sharing Program, Realty 1 Network has seen their business’ referral rate grow exponentially. The Petersons explained that clients respond to their business practice of donating and pass the word to their friends and family, which does more than simply provide them with new business leads.

“At the end of the day, it makes us feel good,” Delia said.
In 1996 Mike and Dee founded Realty 1 Network, Inc. They work as a team, providing personal service for their clients. They are current members in good standing of local, State and national real estate organizations and Mike Peterson was “Lister of the Year” for one of Chicago's largest franchise branch offices in 1994 & 1995 when he was awarded membership in The International Diamond Society for the top 15% of Real Estate Agents Nationwide. For more information on Realty 1 Network and their Sharing Program, please contact Mike and Delia Peterson, 773-388-2224 or visit their website www.realty1network.com.

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Contact:
Ian Bryan of The Sensible City
+1-312-528-9111 / ianbryan@sensiblecity.com

Pictures of the new kid in town

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Finally! A second heir...

8:46 AM, March 2nd

9 lbs, 14 oz

a boy named Luca

a very tired mama and papa

We'll post news and pictures soon.

PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW

SYSTEM CONCEPTS, INC TO UNVEIL ACTIVBoard

21st Century Classroom already helping Chicago students

CHICAGO, IL --- In classrooms around the globe, students have been introduced to the future of learning and are succeeding beyond their teachers’ wildest dreams. Now the 21st Century Model Classroom is making its way into the schools of the United States. System Concepts, Inc invites you to observe the future of education with your own eyes.

The 21st Century Model Classroom will be unveiled for the press and educational community Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at 1 p.m. CST at 55 E. Monroe Street, lower level. A full demonstration will be conducted by Cynthia Nielson-Morgan, president and founder of SCI. Technicians and Chicago Public Schools educators will be on hand to explain the full capabilities of the system and answer questions.

Since 2002 when the ACTIV board system was introduced in the United States, SCI has placed this educational tool in school districts across the state of Illinois, including the Chicago Public Schools system, and are preparing to roll out the Promethean teaching solution to classrooms in six Midwestern states beginning next month.

The 21st Century Model Classroom includes the Collaborative Classroom System, a nearly indestructible teaching aide which is already making chalk and dry erase boards practically obsolete. By allowing interaction through the use of a battery free stylus with left and right-click capability, teachers use lesson development software to instruct their classrooms with true technology: point and click, multimedia, internet, thousands of researchable resources and highly integrated hardware and accessories. This educational process has proved invaluable to students of all ages and education levels, including those with ADD and ADHD.

System Concepts, Inc. was founded in 1993 by president and owner Cynthia Nielsen-Morgan to address the technology needs of educators. SCI delivers system integration services for video, voice, data and security networks. The company, which is 100 percent woman-owned with WBE/DBE certification in the City of Chicago, strives to inspire positive change by bringing their clients solutions which deliver results and improve the bottom line, both in the boardroom and in the classroom. Find them online at www.sc-inc.com.

What: 21st Century Model Classroom Press Conference
Where: 55 E. Monroe Street, lower level
When: Wednesday, March 2, 1 p.m.
Details: Parking- Millennium Park Garage (1/2 block east - under Millennium Park, $10). Food and beverages will be provided.
Contact: Ian Bryan, The Sensible City, (312) 528 9111 ext 3