COVID-19: CDC Outlines 'Key Strategies' Schools Should Employ To Keep Kids, Staff Safe COVID-19: CDC Outlines 'Key Strategies' Schools Should Employ To Keep Kids, Staff Safe
Covid-19: CDC Outlines 'Key Strategies' Schools Should Employ To Keep Kids, Staff Safe The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its COVID-19 safety guidelines for schools as students return to the classroom.  CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said the most important recommendation from the agency is that everyone eligible for COVID-19 vaccination gets vaccinated before school starts.  Walensky shared the guidelines at a White House press briefing on Tuesday, Aug. 31. Walensky said universal masking is also important for students, teachers, staff and visitors, regardless of their vaccination status. The CDC also recommended that schoo…
High School In Hampshire County Goes Remote After Substance Found On Walls High School In Hampshire County Goes Remote After Substance Found On Walls
High School In Hampshire County Goes Remote After Substance Found On Walls A high school was forced to alter its reopening plan after a suspicious substance was found growing on the walls and furniture inside the building in Western Massachusetts. South Hadley Schools Superintendent Jahmal Mosley issued a letter to the community in Hampshire County this week advising that “a black/white” substance was located inside the building, prompting them to open the year remotely. Mosely said that the district called in Fermata Home Services to assist, which took samples of the substance and sent them to a lab for testing. It is unclear when the test results will be avail…
COVID-19: University In Region To Fine, Limit WiFi To Unvaccinated Students COVID-19: University In Region To Fine, Limit WiFi To Unvaccinated Students
Covid-19: University In Region To Fine, Limit WiFi To Unvaccinated Students Students and staff at an area college will have to get vaccinated for COVID-19 before the fall semester, or else face harsh penalties. Quinnipiac University located in Hamden, in New Haven County, Connecticut, announced that it will be fining students who do not receive a vaccine, as well as exempting students who miss COVID-19 testing. Those in violation of vaccination policies will also lose access to the school’s campus network and wi-fi. Officials said that students who fail to receive a COVID-19 vaccine will be fined up to $2,275 for the semester, and unvaccinated students who fail to…
COVID-19: Increase In Cases Among Children Could Be 'Just The Beginning,' Experts Say COVID-19: Increase In Cases Among Children Could Be 'Just The Beginning,' Experts Say
Covid-19: Increase In Cases Among Children Could Be 'Just The Beginning,' Experts Say With new COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations threatening to overwhelm hospitals in some parts of the country, officials are cautioning that the rise in cases among children “is just the beginning.” As the new academic year approaches, top US health experts are cautioning that the rise in new COVID-19 cases among children who are still ineligible to get vaccinated is likely to get worse when classes resume. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), more than 121,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the US among children last week, more than 14 times the weekly number as…
COVID-19: Nation's Largest Teachers Union Calls For Educators To Be Required To Get Vaccinated COVID-19: Nation's Largest Teachers Union Calls For Educators To Be Required To Get Vaccinated
Covid-19: Nation's Largest Teachers Union Calls For Educators To Be Required To Get Vaccinated The president of the largest teachers union in the United States has released a statement announcing the association's support for a requirement for educators to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing. National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the statement on Thursday, Aug. 12, said the union wants students to safely return to the classroom, and more vaccinations will help combat rising cases of the delta variant.  "NEA has said from the beginning that we need to follow the science, and evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines, combined wi…
Russia Bans College In Region It Calls 'Undesirable,' Report Says Russia Bans College In Region It Calls 'Undesirable,' Report Says
Russia Bans College In Region It Calls 'Undesirable,' Report Says Russia has prohibited academic ties with a college in New York, naming it an "undesirable nongovernmental organization." On Friday, Aug. 6, the Albany Times Union reported that activities at Bard College, located in Dutchess County, in Annandale-on-Hudson, were deemed "undesirable" by the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation in June. Russia did not cite a specific reason for the designation, but hundreds of millions of dollars in charitable gifts given to the college by Hungarian-born American billionaire investor and philanthropist George Soros were cited by…
Massachusetts Public Schools Are Best In US, According To New Study Massachusetts Public Schools Are Best In US, According To New Study
Massachusetts Public Schools Are Best In US, According To New Study The Massachusetts public school system is the best in the country, according to a new study. WalletHub released its 2021 ranking of public school systems in all 50 states and the District of Columbia on Monday, July 26.  The site said researchers did not just focus on academic performance. Instead, they took a "comprehensive approach," comparing the school systems on 32 metrics.  WalletHub said its study took into account things such as funding, performance, safety, and class size. Massachusetts students ranked the highest in reading test scores and math test scores. The state a…
NY School District Issues Warning For THC-Laced Cookies Packaged As Popular Brand Names NY School District Issues Warning For THC-Laced Cookies Packaged As Popular Brand Names
NY School District Issues Warning For Thc-laced Cookies Packaged As Popular Brand Names A New York school district is cautioning the community to be wary after discovering that there were cannabis-laced cookies designed to look like name-brand products being sold on store shelves. The PTA for the district, located on Long Island, in the city of Long Beach in Nassau County, alerted Schools Superintendent Jennifer Gallagher that local stores were carrying cannabis-laced cookies that are designed to look exactly like Chips Ahoy and Oreos (see photos above). Instead of “Chips Ahoy,” the THC items are dubbed “Trips Ahoy,” while “Oreos” are packaged as “Stoneos.” “I am sure y…
Teachers, Staff Demand More Discipline For CT Principal Accused Of Using Racial Slur Teachers, Staff Demand More Discipline For CT Principal Accused Of Using Racial Slur
Teachers, Staff Demand More Discipline For CT Principal Accused Of Using Racial Slur Staff members from a Connecticut school district are calling on additional discipline for a magnet school principal who was recently demoted and removed from her position after allegedly using a racial slur. Earlier this month, the New Haven Board of Education voted 4-3 to reassign Brennan-Rogers Magnet School Principal Laura Roblee from her position after she allegedly used the racial slur this winter during a workshop on racism and inclusion. According to reports, Roblee is being assigned as an assistant principal at a different district school. However, the demotion and public outcry wa…
Western Mass School Districts Announce Early Dismissals Due To Heat Advisory Western Mass School Districts Announce Early Dismissals Due To Heat Advisory
Western Mass School Districts Announce Early Dismissals Due To Heat Advisory With a Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service in effect, some Western Mass school districts have announced early dismissals on Monday, June 7. Heat index values in the upper 90s are expected Monday afternoon. The heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Monday. Chicopee Public Schools All schools will be closing early for both in-person and remote learners. School will start at its regular time, but the schedule for dismissal is as follows: 11 a.m.: All middle and high schools 11:30 a.m.: Pre-K-Elementary Schools Holyoke Public Schools Three-hour early release Springfiel…
High School Under Fire For Altering Yearbook Photos Of 80 Female Students High School Under Fire For Altering Yearbook Photos Of 80 Female Students
High School Under Fire For Altering Yearbook Photos Of 80 Female Students Officials at a high school in Florida are in hot water after being caught altering the yearbook photos of dozens of female students to make them appear to be showing less skin. At least 80 female students at Bartram Trail High School in St. Johns, Florida, a suburb of Jacksonville, had their photos altered, according to a report by NBC affiliate WTLV in Jacksonville, which reviewed the yearbook photos. The photos showed the students' clothing was digitally cut and pasted over what would have been exposed skin. The alterations have led to backlash from parents and rights groups who are…
Referendum On Starting Time Sparks Debate At School District In CT Referendum On Starting Time Sparks Debate At School District In CT
Referendum On Starting Time Sparks Debate At School District In CT A referendum on whether or not to review and potentially change the starting time for schools in a Connecticut school district has led to a mass debate and much consternation in the community. On Wednesday, June 2 in Fairfield County, there will be a referendum vote from noon until 8 p.m. in New Canaan at the high school over whether or not the Board of Education should spend nearly $500,000 to study start times for students. Absentee ballots can be left at the ballot box in front of Town Hall. Town Council member Michael Mauro made a motion in March “to reduce the Board of Education Opera…