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Education

Best High Schools: Massachusetts Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Best High Schools: Massachusetts Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings
Best High Schools: Massachusetts Well-Represented In Brand-New U.S. News Rankings Massachusetts is well-represented on U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings of the nation's best high schools. The brand-new rankings were released Tuesday, April 23, and determined by performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare students for college. The highest-ranked school in Massachusetts is Boston Latin School, which is rated 27th nationally. It drew high marks for students taking at least one AP exam, as well as proficiency in mathematics and reading, and for its high graduation rate. These other schools made the Top 10 in the Com…
She Touched Many Lives: Mass Native Dies In New Jersey Car Crash She Touched Many Lives: Mass Native Dies In New Jersey Car Crash
She Touched Many Lives: Mass Native Dies In New Jersey Car Crash Stephanie Weymouth, a Wilmington native, is being remembered for her passion for teaching and performing after being killed in a car crash earlier this month in Jersey City. The 31-year-old Bayonne resident was killed Saturday, Feb. 3, in a car crash after the vehicle she was riding in struck the back of a tractor trailer, authorities said.  A 2010 graduate of Wilmington High School moved to New Jersey to attend Drew University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in theater arts, and later receiving a master's degree in education, according to her obituary. Stephanie Weymouth introd…
Central Mass Lottery Winner Has Noble Plans For His Payday Central Mass Lottery Winner Has Noble Plans For His Payday
Central Mass Lottery Winner Has Noble Plans For His Payday A Worcester County lottery winner said he wants to put the money he's won to good use by funding his son's education and giving to charities he believes in.  Venkataramanan Balakrishnan, of Shrewsbury, won $25,000 a year for life after he matched the first five numbers on his Season Ticket. They're the same five numbers he's been playing for years.  Balakrishnan chose to take the one-time lump sum payment of $390,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity.  He said he would use the money on his mortgage, his son's education, and charitable causes. He didn't go into which cha…
Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Central Mass Wrong-Way Wreck Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Central Mass Wrong-Way Wreck
Funeral Set For 'Beloved' Teacher, Worcester Native Killed In Central Mass Wrong-Way Wreck The superintendent of the school district where a 35-year-old woman who worked has canceled classes on Friday, Dec. 8, so students and staff can attend her funeral.  Connecticut resident Kayla Morey, age 35, of Dayville in Windham County, died Saturday Dec. 2 in Massachusetts when she was involved in a head-on collision in Worcester County.  Related: 'Gifted, Talented' Teacher Killed In Wrong-Way Crash In Webster Police said Jordan Pimentel, age 31, got onto I-395 in Webster, driving north in the southbound lane, and crashed into Morey just after 10:15 p.m. They both di…
New Report Ranks These High Schools As Franklin County’s Best New Report Ranks These High Schools As Franklin County’s Best
New Report Ranks These High Schools As Franklin County’s Best As the back-to-school season settles into full swing, the community and school ranking site Niche named these Massachusetts schools as the best in the area. The 2023 “Best Public High Schools in Franklin County” list, released by ranking site Niche, evaluated institutions in the area and based on categories such as academics, diversity, and more, declared the following as the best of the best: No. 1 - Frontier Regional School No. 2 - Four Rivers Charter Public School No. 3 - Turners Fall High School  No. 4 - Greenfield High School No. 5 - Mohawk Trail Regional High School …
These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In Worcester County, Report Says These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In Worcester County, Report Says
These High Schools Ranked Top 5 In Worcester County, Report Says The grades are in, and these high schools are a cut above the rest, according to the community and school ranking site Niche. After considering several key areas, the following schools were ranked in the website’s 2023 “Best Public High Schools in Worcester County” report: No. 1 - Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science in Worcester No. 2 - Westborough High School No. 3 - The Bromfield School in Harvard No. 4 - Shrewsbury Senior High School No. 5 - Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough All five high schools earned an overall grade of A+, receiving top marks in the academics, t…
Massachusetts Named Best State To Live In (But Not The Cheapest), Study Says Massachusetts Named Best State To Live In (But Not The Cheapest), Study Says
Massachusetts Named Best State To Live In (But Not The Cheapest), Study Says Massachusetts residents can sit comfy knowing that their state was ranked the best place to live by a new report.  A new study by WalletHub studied 51 factors that impact livability and compared the results for all 50 states and found that the Bay State won out over all others.  Massachusetts led the pack with a score of 61.67, narrowly beating out the second-place state, New Jersey, which scored 61.48. New Hampshire followed closely behind in third place, scoring 59.32 points. At the opposite end of the spectrum were Louisiana, Alaska, and New Mexico, which ranked 48, 49, and 50, respect…
Child Porn: Ex-Preschool Teacher In Central Mass Gets 5 Years In Prison: Feds Child Porn: Ex-Preschool Teacher In Central Mass Gets 5 Years In Prison: Feds
Child Porn: Ex-Preschool Teacher In Central Mass Gets 5 Years In Prison: Feds A 48-year-old Worcester County man who had worked as a preschool teacher in Sweden and admitted to having child porn was sentenced to more than five years in prison, authorities said.  Oliver Smith, of Sutton, pleaded guilty in March to one count of possession of child pornography, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. A federal judge sentenced him to 66 months behind bars, followed by 10 years of supervised release last week.   Reports after his arrest said investigators in Sweden, where Smith has dual citizenship, found videos of his students urinating that he had fi…
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say
Legacy At Stake: Harvard Admissions Perk Under Federal Review, Reports Say Harvard University is under federal scrutiny for its preferential treatment of donor and legacy candidates, reports say.  The US Department of Education announced this week it had opened an investigation into the prestigious Massachusetts university's admissions practices for undergraduate applicants, according to Harvard's newspaper, the Crimson.    Related: End Of 'Legacy': Wesleyan University Halts Admissions Perk The investigation will seek to determine if the legacy or donor admissions discriminate on the basis of race, the Crimson reported. If so, the university m…
Beloved Western Mass Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded Beloved Western Mass Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded
Beloved Western Mass Educator Dies Days After Car Crash; Parents Seriously Wounded Donna Woodcock, a former Greenfield teacher, principal, and coach, died this week after being critically wounded in a car crash on Friday, May 5. Her parents, who were in the car with her, are still recovering from their injuries at Baystate Medical Center.  Woodcock crashed on Mohawk Trail in Shelburne near Dragon Hill Road around 6 p.m. Paramedics rushed her and her parents (Courtney Woodcock, 92, and Barbara Woodcock, 87) to Baystate Medical Center, where she later died, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said on Thursday. She turned 65 on the day of the crash.  Woodco…
'We're A Family': Central Mass Town Rallies Around Teen Seriously Injured In Accident 'We're A Family': Central Mass Town Rallies Around Teen Seriously Injured In Accident
'We're A Family': Central Mass Town Rallies Around Teen Seriously Injured In Accident Vickie St. Francis says one of the worst moments of her life has shown her why she is so happy to live in Auburn.  Earlier this month, St. Francis' 13-year-old son Cameron was seriously injured while playing with friends at the Pappas Recreational Complex. Since then, she says she's had endless support from the community and even some strangers who want to help.  "I can't speak more highly of this community (Auburn)," she said in a phone interview on Monday, April 24. "... The amount of calls of people offering help or kindness has really shown me we're a family." A GoFundMe for …
Former Central Mass Asst Principal, Harvard Grad Dies From Medical Emergency While On Vacation Former Central Mass Asst Principal, Harvard Grad Dies From Medical Emergency While On Vacation
Former Central Mass Asst Principal, Harvard Grad Dies From Medical Emergency While On Vacation A 74-year-old former Worcester Public Schools teacher and administrator died last week after suffering a medical emergency while on vacation in Mexico, a fundraiser said.  John McFadden, of Paxton, died Friday, March 3, after being airlifted from Cancun to UMass Medical Center in Worcester, his family wrote in a GoFundMe. They wrote McFadden suffered a stroke and took a hard fall, causing a traumatic brain injury. He underwent emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.  They wrote he died surrounded by his family after returning to the United States.  The …
New Families May Flock To Mass For Child Rearing Perks New Families May Flock To Mass For Child Rearing Perks
New Families May Flock To Mass For Child Rearing Perks Raising children anywhere can be a challenge, but certain US states make it harder than others, while others are especially suitable for child rearing. A new study identified the states with the best combination of qualities that are important to parents and children, and Massachusetts ranked first out of 50, according to Wallethub.  The study analyzed 51 key factors, including median annual family income, housing affordability, COVID-19 vaccination percentages, and unemployment rates, and the bay state came out on top.  The key factors analyzed for the study were sorted into fiv…
These 4 Massachusetts Schools Named 2022 Blue Ribbon Winners These 4 Massachusetts Schools Named 2022 Blue Ribbon Winners
These 4 Massachusetts Schools Named 2022 Blue Ribbon Winners Four Massachusetts schools were named 2022 National Blue Ribbon winners. The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, a part of the United States Department of Education, announces hundreds of award recipients each year. The award was created to recognize schools that are considered outstanding, and the winners are honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, where schools receive plaques and flags. The following Massachusetts schools won awards this year (click on the school name to see the Blue Ribbon review): Edith C. Baker Elementary School in Chestnut Hill Luther Conant Scho…
Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means
Americans 'Self Silencing' In Record Numbers, New Study Reveals: Here's What It Means If you’ve ever found yourself hiding your true opinion just to avoid ruffling feathers, you’re not alone, according to a new study from the think tank Populace. Researchers wanted to find out how prevalent self-silencing, or preference falsification, is - defined as saying what you think others want to hear rather than what you truly believe. What they found is a tendency for people of all demographics to succumb to social pressures to have the “right” opinion when it comes to hot-button issues like abortion, mask wearing, and discussing gender identity in schools, despite their true feelin…
Mass Outdoor Enthusiast, 22, Killed By Lightning Strike While Camping In Wyoming Mass Outdoor Enthusiast, 22, Killed By Lightning Strike While Camping In Wyoming
Mass Outdoor Enthusiast, 22, Killed By Lightning Strike While Camping In Wyoming A Massachusetts family is mourning the loss of their 22-year-old son who was struck by lightning and killed during an outdoors course in Wyoming.  John "Jack" Murphy was struck by lightning while camping in the Absaroka Mountains on Tuesday, Aug. 2, according to a release from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).  Murphy was attending NOLS' Wilderness First Responder expedition when he and another student were struck. Murphy was pronounced dead at the scene and both were flown to a Jackson hospital where the second student received treatment.  "This is a very sad day for NOLS, o…
Blind Massachusetts Native 'Harnessing Sight' On Service Dogs & Disabilities Blind Massachusetts Native 'Harnessing Sight' On Service Dogs & Disabilities
Blind Massachusetts Native 'Harnessing Sight' On Service Dogs & Disabilities A visually-impaired Canton native is using her college experience with a service dog to spread corresponding education, disability awareness and diversity and inclusion.  Isabella "Bella" Scott said her dog O'Hara motivated her to attend class, go to the dining hall and get outside in general during her four years at Curry College.  “I'm such an introverted person that without O'Hara I probably would have sat in my room 24/7,” she said. “I would have just been overly isolated." Although, helping O'Hara focus on her training was incredibly challenging. “[People] see a dog and they automati…
Ex-Teacher From Western Mass Found Guilty Of Raping Fifth-Grader Ex-Teacher From Western Mass Found Guilty Of Raping Fifth-Grader
Ex-Teacher From Western Mass Found Guilty Of Raping Fifth-Grader A former Massachusetts elementary school music teacher has been found guilty of raping a fifth-grade student multiple times inside the classroom more than 10 years ago. Hampshire County resident Stephen Jaszek, age 66, of South Hadley, was found guilty on Thursday, May 12, according to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early, Jr. After a three day jury-waived trial, Worcester Superior Court Judge William Ritter found Jaszek, a former music teacher at Julia Bancroft Elementary School, located in Auburn, in Worcester County, guilty on all charges including: Two counts of aggravated …
Music Instructor In Region Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student Music Instructor In Region Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student
Music Instructor In Region Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student A Connecticut music teacher has been charged with allegedly sexually assaulting one of his students. An investigation in New Haven County into the assault began in January after police in Wallingford responded to a complaint of a sexual assault of a minor.  After a lengthy investigation by the Wallingford Police Detective Division, Adam R. Romo, age 36, of Meriden was arrested on Thursday, March 17, authorities said. Through investigation, it was found that Romo had established a sexual relationship with a minor who was one of his music students, said Sgt. St…
Student At Elite School In Region Dies By Suicide, Police Say Student At Elite School In Region Dies By Suicide, Police Say
Student At Elite School In Region Dies By Suicide, Police Say This story has been updated. A 17-year-old student at a prestigious academy in New York has died by suicide, authorities said. The incident took place in Westchester County around 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 17 at the EF Academy in Thornwood, according to Chief Paul J. Oliva, of the Mount Pleasant Police. Police were notified of a suicidal person by a 911 call from the academy, Oliva said. The first responding officers were directed by school staff to a dormitory room attached to the main building. Upon entry to the room, the officers discovered a deceased 17-year-old male student…
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Region Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Region
Police Release New Info On Fatal Shooting Of College Student From Region The 21-year-old SUNY Potsdam student from the Hudson Valley who was killed just off-campus was fatally shot multiple times in a drive-by shooting, according to new information released by police. Putnam County resident Elizabeth Howell, age 21, who was a senior at SUNY Potsdam, was struck by three bullets that were fired from a grey, four-door Honda Civic at around 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, investigators from the Potsdam Police Department announced. Original story - Brewster HS Grad Killed In Upstate Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator Police said that her alleged shooter, St. Lawrence C…
College Student From Region Killed In Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator College Student From Region Killed In Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator
College Student From Region Killed In Shooting Was An Aspiring Educator A female college student from the Hudson Valley who was shot and killed on a street just off-campus in upstate New York is being remembered  as an aspiring educator and talented musician. Putnam County resident Elizabeth Howell, age 21, was a senior at SUNY Potsdam, where she was a music education student at the college's prestigious Crane School. At about 5:50 p.m. on Friday, Feb.18, police in Potsdam, New York, located in St. Lawrence County, responded to a report of an unconscious female on College Park Road near the entrance to SUNY Potsdam. Responding patrols located Howell, of t…
Student From Massachusetts Advances To Finals Of Regeneron Competition Student From Massachusetts Advances To Finals Of Regeneron Competition
Student From Massachusetts Advances To Finals Of Regeneron Competition A pair of school students in New England were among 40 nationally that were chosen as finalists in the prestigious 2022 Regeneron Science Talent Search (STS). This year, approximately 1,800 students entered the Regeneron STS, where they “submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study.” The organization said that the search is “unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and globally, Regeneron STS focuses on identifying, inspiring, and engaging the nation's most promising young scientists.” Judges narrowed the field to just 300 semifinalists, based on the…
State AG Announces Run For Governor State AG Announces Run For Governor
State AG Announces Run For Governor Massachusetts’ top law enforcement official is set to make a run at the state’s top office. Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, age 50, announced on Thursday, Jan. 20 that she will be launching a campaign to run for the governor of Massachusetts, replacing outgoing Republican Gov. Charlie Baker. 
“We need a governor who sees everyone, who can bring people together, and who can harness our tremendous potential as a state,” Healey stated. "That’s the kind of campaign we're going to run, and it’s the kind of governor I will be." The two-term AG, who was elected as the first openly gay …
Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals
Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals A new survey found that nearly one-quarter of workers in the United States plan to find a new job this year. ResumeBuilders.com said in a report on Monday, Jan. 3, that it surveyed 1,250 American adults who are currently employed, and found that 23 percent plan to find a new job in 2022. Nine percent of those respondents also said they had already secured a new job. The survey found the turnover will be the highest among the following fields: Retail Food and hospitality Education Office and administrative support The website reported that 31 percent of retail workers and 26 percent of fo…
COVID-19: 'Omicron's A Different Animal,' Says Expert, Sounding Alarm Over In-Person Learning COVID-19: 'Omicron's A Different Animal,' Says Expert, Sounding Alarm Over In-Person Learning
Covid-19: 'Omicron's A Different Animal,' Says Expert, Sounding Alarm Over In-Person Learning A pediatrician who is an expert on disease and vaccine development is sounding the alarm about the ability of schools to resume in-person learning during the height of the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic sparked by a surge of cases from the highly contagious Omicron variant. Connecticut native Dr. Peter Hotez is the dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. "Here's the problem," Hotez said in an interview on MSNBC Wednesday morning, Dec. 29. "We're kind of going off ol…
Man Admits To Paying Bribes For Contracts At Colleges In MA, NY Man Admits To Paying Bribes For Contracts At Colleges In MA, NY
Man Admits To Paying Bribes For Contracts At Colleges In MA, NY A Connecticut contractor admitted to securing deals at colleges in New York and Massachusetts in exchange for a kickback fee over the course of several years, federal officials announced. Fairfield County resident Stephen Dinapoli, age 42, of Wilton, the principal of a Connecticut environmental consulting firm in Norwalk, pleaded guilty in federal court in Springfield in Hampden County for his role in paying bribes to procure consulting contracts at educational institutions in Massachusetts and New York. Specifically, federal prosecutors said that Dinapoli pleaded guilty to one count of con…
Ex-Teacher From Region Charged With Sexual Assault Of Minors Ex-Teacher From Region Charged With Sexual Assault Of Minors
Ex-Teacher From Region Charged With Sexual Assault Of Minors A Connecticut social studies teacher and coach has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting minors. New London County resident Craig McCue, age 31, of North Stonington, was arrested in Windham County on Tuesday, Oct. 12, by Plainfield Police following a months-long investigation. The investigation began after a concerned parent alerted authorities in May regarding alleged inappropriate text messages on their child’s cellphone, said Plainfield Chief of Police Mario A. Arriaga. Arriaga said McCue, a former 8th-grade teacher at Plainfield Central School, sent messages that alleged…
COVID-19: Massachusetts National Guard Activated To Test Students For Virus COVID-19: Massachusetts National Guard Activated To Test Students For Virus
Covid-19: Massachusetts National Guard Activated To Test Students For Virus Hundreds of members of the Massachusetts National Guard have been activated to help support the testing of Kindergarten through 12th-grade students across the Commonwealth. Gov. Charlie Baker issued an order on Tuesday, Oct. 12 enlisting up to 450 members of the state’s National Guard to help support two missions. The Governor’s orders activate up to 200 members of the Guard to support COVID-19 testing in K-12 schools throughout the Commonwealth and up to 250 members to offset potential staffing shortages at the Department of Correction (DOC). “We are grateful that the National Guard has …
Five Massachusetts Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status Five Massachusetts Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status
Five Massachusetts Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status Five schools in Massachusetts have earned top marks in 2021 by being recognized with National Blue Ribbon status. US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced 325 schools across the country were recognized for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among students. In Massachusetts, these schools were designated as National Blue Ribbon recipients: John D. Hardy Elementary School in Wellesley (Norfolk County); Josiah Haynes Elementary School in Sudbury (Middlesex County); Northfield Elementary School in Northfield (Franklin County); Weston Middle Sc…
COVID-19: School District In Western Mass Considering Vaccine Mandate COVID-19: School District In Western Mass Considering Vaccine Mandate
Covid-19: School District In Western Mass Considering Vaccine Mandate A school district in Western Massachusetts is considering a COVID-19 vaccination mandate to go along with orders to wear facial coverings while in school buildings. Officials in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District are considering taking the extra step to provide extra protection against the spread of the virus by mandating faculty and staff members all get the COVID-19 vaccine. The decision will now move forward to a special school committee vote. Officials noted that if mandated, particular religious and health exemptions would have to be agreed upon between the school and its se…