Suffolk NY
Schools
Athletic Cuts, Bigger Class Sizes Loom After Voters Reject Suffolk County School Levy Increases Athletic Cuts, Bigger Class Sizes Loom After Voters Reject Suffolk County School Levy Increases
Athletic Cuts, Bigger Class Sizes Loom After Voters Reject Suffolk County School Levy Increases Teachers and parents in two Long Island school districts are bracing for major budget cuts after voters rejected a pair of tax levy increases. In Suffolk County, both the Sachem Central School District and the West Babylon School District fell short of the 60-percent supermajorities that were needed as the proposed budgets exceeded the tax cap. Final vote tallies Wednesday, May 22, showed 56-percent of voters backed West Babylon’s levy increase, while just 50.3-percent supported Sachem’s. Prior to Tuesday’s vote, the Sachem Central School District said the levy increase was needed to “pres…

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by Michael Mashburn
Montgomery MD
Schools
Teen Student Charged As Adult For Carrying Gun On School Grounds In Montgomery County: Police Teen Student Charged As Adult For Carrying Gun On School Grounds In Montgomery County: Police
Teen Student Charged As Adult For Carrying Gun On School Grounds In Montgomery County: Police A 16-year-old who came to school armed with a handgun in Montgomery County will be charged as an adult, according to police. An eagle-eyed teacher at Paint Branch High School spotted what was believed to be a gun on a boy at the school on Tuesday morning, leading to his apprehension, officials say. Shortly before 10:15 a.m. on May 21, Montgomery County Department of Police Community Engagement officers were called to the campus in the 14100 block of Old Columbia Pike to investigate the incident. The student, Derreon Vick, consented to a self-search, which police say led to the recover…

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by Zak Failla
South Passaic
Schools
Parents Fighting To Save Immaculate Heart Of Mary In Wayne Slated For Closure After 65 Years Parents Fighting To Save Immaculate Heart Of Mary In Wayne Slated For Closure After 65 Years
Parents Fighting To Save Immaculate Heart Of Mary In Wayne Slated For Closure After 65 Years After nearly 65 years, the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Wayne is closing its doors. But many of its families refuse to accept its fate, and are fighting to keep the school that has provided love and nurture to their children alive. "The school didn't need to close, and it didn't need to close in the manner that it did," said Judy Simon, who has three children at IHM, who opined that more could be done from a business and marketing perspective. "I feel that the Diocese of Paterson didn't do anything to stop it." Father Mateusz Jasniewicz shared details about the school's closing …

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by Cecilia Levine
Worcester
Schools
How Sweet: Charlton Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl How Sweet: Charlton Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl
How Sweet: Charlton Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl Forget the apple; this distinguished Massachusetts teacher is getting a cookie party. Just in time for National Teacher Appreciation Day, cookie chain Crumbl announced the winners of its “Teacher of the Year” awards, given to educators “for their extraordinary commitment to their classrooms.” In Massachusetts, the honor went to Worcester County teacher Eileen McNamara at Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School in Charlton.  Recipients were selected from a pool of over 6,000 nominations that included testimonials from parents, students, colleagues, and friends. The…

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by Michael Mashburn
Danbury
Schools
How Sweet: Danbury Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl How Sweet: Danbury Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl
How Sweet: Danbury Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl Forget the apple; this distinguished Connecticut teacher is getting a cookie party. Just in time for National Teacher Appreciation Day, cookie chain Crumbl announced the winners of its “Teacher of the Year” awards, given to educators “for their extraordinary commitment to their classrooms.” In Connecticut, the honor went to Fairfield County teacher Melinda Scott at Stadley Rough Elementary School in Danbury. Recipients were selected from a pool of over 6,000 nominations that included testimonials from parents, students, colleagues, and friends. They were chosen from each state, the Di…

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by Michael Mashburn
Capital District
Schools
How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl
How Sweet: NY Educator Named 'Teacher Of The Year' By Cookie Chain Crumbl Forget the apple; this distinguished New York teacher is getting a cookie party. Just in time for National Teacher Appreciation Day, cookie chain Crumbl announced the winners of its “Teacher of the Year” awards, given to educators “for their extraordinary commitment to their classrooms.” In New York, the honor went to Monroe County teacher Dan Graf at State Road Elementary School in Webster. Recipients were selected from a pool of over 6,000 nominations that included testimonials from parents, students, colleagues, and friends. They were chosen from each state, the District of Columbi…

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by Michael Mashburn
Montgomery MD
Schools
Lockdown Lifted At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Classes Canceled (UPDATED) Lockdown Lifted At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Classes Canceled (UPDATED)
Lockdown Lifted At Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, Classes Canceled (Updated) Updated: The reported threat was determined to be unfounded and the lockdown was lifted at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. The remainder of the school day was canceled and parents were given directions by the principal on dismissal and reunification processes. Original Story: The Montgomery County Department of Police is investigating the validity of a reported bomb threat that prompted a lockdown on Thursday. Officers were called to the school before noon on May 16, where there was a reported threat targeting the building, which was still under investigation as of 12:45 p.m. P…

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by Zak Failla
Lancaster
Schools
'I Will End Your Life' PA Convict Jumps On School Bus With Students, Threatening Driver: PD 'I Will End Your Life' PA Convict Jumps On School Bus With Students, Threatening Driver: PD
'I Will End Your Life' PA Convict Jumps On School Bus With Students, Threatening Driver: PD "I will end your life," a 31-year-old said when he hopped on a school bus with children on board the Millersville police announced on Wednesday, May 15.  Angel Lui Sanchez-Abreu, a Millersville resident, did not have permission to enter the bus, the police said. The driver opened the door with the intention of letting students off — not for Sanchez-Abreu to enter, the police explained, adding that "numerous young children were still seated on the bus." The incident happened at the intersection of South Duke and Elizabeth Streets in Millersville at 4:5 p.m. on May 8, the police det…

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by Jillian Pikora
Middlesex NJ
Schools
East Brunswick To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career East Brunswick To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career
East Brunswick To Cut 51 Teachers, Staff In 'Most Difficult' Budget Of Superintendent's Career In his 31 years of leading school districts, East Brunswick Public Schools Superintendent Victor Valeski said he'd never had to craft a school budget as difficult as the one for 2024-25. There was an $7.8 million rise in costs and $1.3 million reduction in state aid in next year's school budget.  "This is by far the hardest and most impactful," Valeski told Daily Voice. A total of 51 staff members had to be eliminated, Valeski said. The cuts included 15 teachers, 10 instructional coaches, seven school counselors and the assistant superintendent of student activities and services. Th…

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by Jon Craig
Armonk
Schools
Byram Hills HS Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist Byram Hills HS Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist
Byram Hills HS Senior Named National Merit Scholarship Finalist A high school senior from Northern Westchester has won a $2,500 scholarship after being selected as a finalist in a prestigious national program. Samara Brown, a senior at Byram Hills High School in Armonk, has been named one of 2,500 Merit Scholars in the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program, the Byram Hills Central School District announced on Monday, May 13.  The program's finalists, who all earn $2,500 scholarships, were chosen for their strong mix of accomplishments, skills, and college potential.  The winners are chosen by a committee of college admissions officers and h…

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by Ben Crnic
Nassau
Schools
US Presidential Scholars: 4 Nassau County High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor US Presidential Scholars: 4 Nassau County High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor
US Presidential Scholars: 4 Nassau County High School Seniors Awarded Top Honor These students have a date with the president. Six graduating seniors from New York were among just 161 high school students across the country to be selected as a US Presidential Scholar, one of the nation’s highest honors for students. Established in 1964, the award recognizes distinguished seniors who have shown exceptional accomplishments in areas like academics, leadership, and service to their school and communities. The program was later expanded to include students in the visual, creative, and performing arts, and in career and technical education fields. In the Empire State, the…

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by Michael Mashburn
Morris
Schools
College Dropout TV Actor Returns To Drew University For Commencement College Dropout TV Actor Returns To Drew University For Commencement
College Dropout TV Actor Returns To Drew University For Commencement James Van Der Beek finally got his degree from Drew University. Van Der Beek delivered the commencement address at the Morris County university, receiving an honorary degree, years after the actor "deferred his education" to take the iconic role of Dawson Leery on "Dawson's Creek." The actor recalled his performance at a commencement as part of the 36 Madison Avenue a cappella group while he wondered might the future might hold. He told graduates to be careful of what you think you know- having thought his second audition for "Dawson's Creek" would be a waste of time. Van Der Beek also tol…

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by Sam Barron