I had a great time visiting with 3 AVID classes at McCant’s Middle School (my old stomping ground). My hat’s off to Ms. Owens and Ms. Brissey for their commitment to these young people. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college-readiness system designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. Although AVID serves all students, it focuses on the least served students in the academic middle. The formula is simple – raise expectations of students and, with the AVID support system in place, they will rise to the challenge. 
One student asked me a question that I could not answer: “Have we ever had a President that didn’t have a first lady?” Here’s the answer: Single during entire term: Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, James Buchanan, Chester A. Arthur. All but Buchanan were widowers. Single during part of their terms: John Tyler, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, Woodrow Wilson. Tyler and Wilson lost their wives and remarried while in office. Harrison lost his wife but did not remarry while in office. Cleveland married for the first time in office.
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