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Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers
Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise this week by signing an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The move has thrilled many Republicans, but Connecticut Democrats fear long-lasting repercussions for the state's most vulnerable students. Trump signed the order Thursday, May 20, in the East Room of the White House, flanked by children. The goal, the president said, is to return school decisions to the states. But such a major overhaul will require congressional approval, meaning it needs some Democratic support. "Everybody knows it’s right, and the…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Yale Ranked Top 5 Dream College: Survey Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Yale Ranked Top 5 Dream College: Survey
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Yale Ranked Top 5 Dream College: Survey For high school seniors, spring is a nerve-wracking time as college decisions roll in — but the class of 2025 is more stressed than ever, according to a new survey. The Princeton Review said 73 percent of students and parents reported "high" or "very high" stress over the admissions process. That's the highest level in the 23-year history of the College Hopes & Worries Survey, which had its 2025 edition released on Tuesday, Mar. 4. The 2025 survey polled 9,317 students and parents about a wide variety of college-related issues. Financial Pressures, Testing, AI Concerns Financial s…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable'
Lamont’s Veto Of $40M Special Ed Funds Sparks Educator Outrage: 'That Is Unacceptable' Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont returned home on Monday, March 3, and vetoed a $40 million spending measure for special education initiatives in cities and towns across the state. Now, educators are urging lawmakers to override that decision. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support last week before reaching the governor's desk. The measure would allocate $40 million to this school year's budget to cover special education funding gaps. Lamont told reporters Monday that he wanted to preserve the state's spending cap, which is designed to keep the state financially stable. State lawm…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Yale, Wesleyan Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Yale, Wesleyan Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why
Yale, Wesleyan Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Choosing a college is about more than academics, sports, and social life — campus beauty can also make a lasting impression. Travel magazine Conde Nast released its 2025 list of the 54 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the United States. Across the Northeast, several schools stand out for their historic architecture, stunning landscapes, and picturesque settings. Whether framed by rolling hills, autumn foliage, or Gothic spires, these colleges offer students an inspiring backdrop for their studies. Connecticut Wesleyan University was recognized for utilizing Greek Revival a…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
A Nye-ce Surprise: CT Teacher Competes To Bring Science Legend To His Classroom A Nye-ce Surprise: CT Teacher Competes To Bring Science Legend To His Classroom
A Nye-ce Surprise: CT Teacher Competes To Bring Science Legend To His Classroom A Connecticut teacher with a passion for science hopes to land his class a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a virtual lesson from legendary science educator Bill Nye, "The Science Guy." Josh Bartosiewicz, 31, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at the Unquowa School in Fairfield, is competing in the "America’s Favorite Teacher" award, a contest that benefits the Planetary Society. Voting is now open and runs until March 6. If he wins, Bartosiewicz will receive a $25,000 cash prize, a trip to Hawaii, and the chance to have Nye—a childhood hero—teach a live, virtual class for his students. …

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment
Education Pays: Northeast States Among Nation's Best In School Quality, College Attainment Several Northeast states are among the most educated in the US, excelling in school quality, college attainment, and overall academic achievement, a new study said. Massachusetts was ranked as the country's most-educated state, according to a WalletHub study released on Monday, Feb. 10. Maryland was second, followed by Vermont, Colorado, and Connecticut in the top five. The study analyzed all 50 states using 18 factors, including educational attainment, quality, and achievement gaps. "There's a strong correlation between being more educated and receiving higher compensation," said Wal…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A
CT Students To Talk With Astronauts Aboard International Space Station In Rare Space Q&A Students in one Connecticut town will get a rare chance to hear directly from NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Rocky Hill Library will host the talk between astronauts and kids in Kindergarten through 12th grade, NASA said in a news release on Tuesday, Feb. 11. The 20-minute space-to-Earth call will happen at 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. NASA astronauts Nick Hague and Don Pettit will answer prerecorded questions about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. "The goal is to engage area students by introducing them to the wide variety of STE…

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by Chris Spiker
Schools
(Update) Waterbury School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police (Update) Waterbury School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police
(Update) Waterbury School Bus Crashes Into 73-Year-Old Man, Sending Him To Hospital: Police Update: Police have reopened the intersection of Harpers Ferry Road and East Main Street following the bus crash on Wednesday morning, Feb. 5. The man who was hit is in serious but stable condition, Waterbury police said.  Original: A 73-year-old man suffered serious injuries Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, after a school bus struck him at an intersection, police said. The crash happened around 8:23 a.m. at Harpers Ferry Road and East Main Street, authorities said. Officials have not released details on what led to the crash. Five students were on the bus, along with the driver, but n…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Region 15 School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board Region 15 School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board
Region 15 School Superintendent Charged With DUI Will Keep His Job: Board A Connecticut school leader who is accused of crashing his car while driving intoxicated last month will not be fired, the school district announced this week.  Superintendent of Pomperaug Regional School District 15 Joshua Smith, 52, was charged with operating under the influence and failure to maintain his lane in the Jan. 18 crash, Southington police said this week.  Smith crashed his 2015 Lexus on Mulberry Street in Southington around 1 a.m. when he slammed into a utility pole and another vehicle in a driveway, authorities said. Eversource had to repair the pole, whi…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School
New Study Reveals Shocking Amount Of Phone Use By Teens While At School A brand-new study has uncovered surprising trends in teen phone use during school hours, raising fresh concerns about digital distractions in the classroom. The study, published by JAMA Pediatrics on Monday, Feb. 3, found that students spent a significant portion of the school day on their phones, with messaging, Instagram, and video streaming among the most-used apps. Researchers also noted that a quarter of students logged more than two hours of screen time during class. In addition, students whose parents held bachelor’s degrees or higher spent about a half-hour less on their phones dur…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix
Group Threatens To Sue CT School District For Suspending Teacher Over Crucifix A Connecticut teacher was placed on administrative leave earlier this month after refusing to remove a crucifix affixed to a wall near her desk, authorities said. Now, a group known for handling religious liberty cases in public schools is championing her cause. Marisol Arroyo-Castro, who has worked in Connecticut schools for 32 years, has been a teacher at DiLoreto Elementary & Middle School in New Britain since 2003. She has kept the crucifix by her desk for a decade, according to a Jan. 21 letter from the First Liberty Institute. However, in December, one of the school’s vice princip…

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by Josh Lanier
Schools
Ex-CT Teacher Nabbed After Tickling Students At Private School: Police Ex-CT Teacher Nabbed After Tickling Students At Private School: Police
Ex-CT Teacher Nabbed After Tickling Students At Private School: Police A former Connecticut private school teacher has been arrested after being accused of inappropriately touching students in West Hartford, authorities said. Nicholas Ricciardi, 46, of Manchester, was arrested earlier this month and charged with risk of injury to a child and second-degree breach of peace, according to West Hartford police. A parent came forward around Thanksgiving to report Ricciardi had tickled their child at Solomon Schechter Day School, police said. School officials placed Ricciardi on leave after the incident. NBC Connecticut reported that he tickled a student's…

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by Josh Lanier