VIDEO: NY Dad Keeps Promise To Son—And Degree—In Viral Commencement Chase VIDEO: NY Dad Keeps Promise To Son—And Degree—In Viral Commencement Chase
Video: NY Dad Keeps Promise To Son—And Degree—In Viral Commencement Chase A University at Buffalo graduate turned his commencement into a viral family affair. Jean-Paul Al-Arab made headlines when he sprinted across the stage while carrying his infant son–and while being chased by campus police–at UB’s College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 18. Al-Arab, who immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 2022, earned his bachelor or arts degree in criminology all while working overnight restaurant shifts and being the primary caretaker for his son during the day while his wife worked, he told NPR. “I promised myself and I promised him …
Judge Halts Trump Administration's Block On Harvard Foreign Students (UPDATE) Judge Halts Trump Administration's Block On Harvard Foreign Students (UPDATE)
Judge Halts Trump Administration's Block On Harvard Foreign Students (Update) A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration's attempt to block Harvard University from hosting international students in the President's latest political attack on the Ivy League school. Massachusetts District Court Judge Allison Burroughs issued the ruling on Friday, May 23. The pause came just hours after Harvard announced the lawsuit over the Department of Homeland Security's decision to revoke the university's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. The suit claims the move was meant to punish Harvard for rejecting Pr…
Trump Administration Bans Harvard From Enrolling International Students Trump Administration Bans Harvard From Enrolling International Students
Trump Administration Bans Harvard From Enrolling International Students The Department of Homeland Security has taken away Harvard University's ability to host international students in President Donald Trump's latest political attack on the Ivy League college. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard's certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the department announced on Thursday, May 22. The Trump administration has accused the Cambridge, Massachusetts, university of allowing "anti-American, pro-terrorist" foreign students to disrupt campus life. The decision puts the legal status in doubt for Harvard's nearly 6,80…
Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department
Federal Judge Blocks Trump From Dismantling Education Department In a decisive legal ruling, a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education, mandating the reinstatement of employees who were terminated.  US District Judge Myong Joun of Massachusetts said the department cannot be shut down without Congressional approval. In his injunction, Joun also told the administration to reinstate Education Department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced on Tuesday, March 11, "to restore the Department to the status quo." President Trump issued an executive order on Thursda…
Principal Out At NJ School Amid Lawsuit Alleging Sex Abuse Coverup Principal Out At NJ School Amid Lawsuit Alleging Sex Abuse Coverup
Principal Out At NJ School Amid Lawsuit Alleging Sex Abuse Coverup The principal and assistant principal at an Essex County elementary school have been placed on leave after a lawsuit alleges a teacher sexually harassed an 11-year-old girl for more than three years. In a letter to parents, Glen Ridge School District Superintendent Kyle Arlington said Ridgewood Avenue School Principal Michael Donovan and Assistant Principal Jonathan Heitmann have been placed on leave "until further notice." An attorney filed a notice of complaint last week against administrators alleging a teacher, Gerald White, groomed a student over a period of four years. White, who had …
Kindergartener Hands Out Alcohol In Jell-O At PA School: Superintendent Kindergartener Hands Out Alcohol In Jell-O At PA School: Superintendent
Kindergartener Hands Out Alcohol In Jell-O At PA School: Superintendent A Pennsylvania kindergartener handed out alcoholic Jell-O cups to classmates at school, alarming parents and prompting a hospital visit, school officials said. The incident happened at Johnstown Elementary School in Cambria County earlier on Wednesday, May 14, according to a statement from Greater Johnstown School District Superintendent Dr. Amy Arcurio. Three students reportedly ingested alcohol from the Jell-O shots before staff intervened. All affected children were evaluated by the school nurse and then taken by EMS to a local hospital for further treatment. Parents met their children t…
Bergen Engineer Flunked Out Of Rutgers In 1957; At 85, He Graduates As Oldest Student Ever Bergen Engineer Flunked Out Of Rutgers In 1957; At 85, He Graduates As Oldest Student Ever
Bergen Engineer Flunked Out Of Rutgers In 1957; At 85, He Graduates As Oldest Student Ever Tom Maniscalco was 18 when he first stepped onto the Rutgers campus in 1957. Nearly 70 years later, he’s graduating. At 85 years old. The Garfield resident will earn a master’s degree in engineering this week, becoming Rutgers’ oldest graduate in school history, the university said. “It’s a sense of accomplishment at my age,” Maniscalco said. Maniscalco originally enrolled at Rutgers to study mechanical engineering, but flunked out after one semester. He got an A in calculus and a B in physics, but failed engineering drawing. “Of all things, engineering drawing! And I became a design engi…
Schools Chief Of Bergen County Town Leaves After Two Decades For Top Job Elsewhere Schools Chief Of Bergen County Town Leaves After Two Decades For Top Job Elsewhere
Schools Chief Of Bergen County Town Leaves After Two Decades For Top Job Elsewhere After more than two decades of service, Palisades Park Superintendent Dr. Joseph Cirillo is stepping down and will become the new Superintendent of Demarest Public Schools, he announced. Dr. Cirillo, who began working in Palisades Park in 2004 and served as superintendent for the past 12 years, was officially appointed to his new role during a special meeting of the Demarest Board of Education, following what officials called an “extensive and thoughtful search process.” “Since September of 2004, it has been my honor to serve the children of Palisades Park and to collaborate with such suppo…
Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart
Millions To Have Paychecks Garnished As Federal Student Loan Collections Restart Millions of Americans may soon have their wages garnished as the Trump administration resumes student loan collections paused since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 5.3 million borrowers are set to receive wage garnishment notices in the summer of 2025, according to the Department of Education. The federal government officially restarted student loan debt collections on Monday, May 5. Nearly 195,000 borrowers began receiving 30-day warning letters from the Treasury Department. Their Social Security or other federal benefits will be seized through the Treasury Offset …
Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market
Record Student Loan Borrowers Face Default As Collections Resume, Grads Enter Weak Job Market A record number of federal student loan borrowers are seriously delinquent as debt collections resume after a five-year pause, while new college graduates face tough employment prospects. The Education Department restarted collecting defaulted federal student loan debt on Monday, May 5. Collections were paused at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The move threatens to seize tax refunds and garnish paychecks from millions of Americans in default on their loans. The Education Department said about 42.7 million people owe more than $1.6 trillion in student loan d…
Student Scored $127K In Aid With University Application Full Of Lies — Now He’s In ICE Custody Student Scored $127K In Aid With University Application Full Of Lies — Now He’s In ICE Custody
Student Scored $127K In Aid With University Application Full Of Lies — Now He’s In ICE Custody A student who faked his way into Lehigh University and received over $127,000 in aid is now in ICE custody — marking the school’s third international student in recent years to face criminal charges, including one who poisoned his roommate and another who used a fake death certificate to win a full scholarship. All three have since been removed or are being deported. Cryilstan Sowah-Nai, originally from Ghana, pleaded no contest to securing execution of documents by deception on Monday, April 28, according to the Northampton County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators say he misrepresen…
National Teacher Of Year Named As Woman Who Returned Home To Teach With Mentor National Teacher Of Year Named As Woman Who Returned Home To Teach With Mentor
National Teacher Of Year Named As Woman Who Returned Home To Teach With Mentor A Pennsylvania high school teacher has been named the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, education officials announced Tuesday, April 29. Ashlie Crosson teaches English and journalism at Mifflin County High School in Lewistown, where she also helps students publish a newspaper, magazine, and run social media accounts. She earned the national title after being selected as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Teacher of the Year by the state Department of Education. Crosson started teaching in Delaware in 2011, later returning to Pennsylvania to work in the Bellefonte Area School District while earning her m…
150+ College Leaders Blast Trump For 'Unprecedented Overreach' On Higher Education 150+ College Leaders Blast Trump For 'Unprecedented Overreach' On Higher Education
150+ College Leaders Blast Trump For 'Unprecedented Overreach' On Higher Education More than 150 college leaders issued a scathing letter criticizing the Trump administration's escalating threats against universities. The American Association of Colleges and Universities released the public letter on Tuesday, April 22. The group of university presidents accused President Donald Trump of "unprecedented government overreach," warning that the crackdown could harm students and democracy. Trump has demanded that colleges eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, along with other orders aimed at limiting campus activism. The Trump administration has paused…
IRS May Withdraw Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status As Fight Between Trump, University Escalates IRS May Withdraw Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status As Fight Between Trump, University Escalates
IRS May Withdraw Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status As Fight Between Trump, University Escalates The Trump administration is weighing whether to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status—an unprecedented and aggressive move that has escalated tensions between the Ivy League institution and the federal government, according to reports from The Washington Post and CNN. According to two people familiar with the matter, the Internal Revenue Service is preparing to rescind Harvard’s long-standing nonprofit designation, CNN reported. A final decision could be announced soon. Related: Obama Calls Out Trump Over "Unlawful" $2 Billion Cuts to Harvard The effort follows the White House’s …
‘Unlawful’: Obama Defends Harvard Against Trump’s $2B Funding Threat ‘Unlawful’: Obama Defends Harvard Against Trump’s $2B Funding Threat
‘Unlawful’: Obama Defends Harvard Against Trump’s $2B Funding Threat Former President Barack Obama is lending his voice to support Harvard University after the prestigious Ivy League school dared President Donald Trump to follow through on his threatened $2 billion federal funding freeze if the school didn’t comply with his administration’s new guidelines. Among other demands, Trump wants Harvard to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; ban masks at campus protests; implement a merit-based admissions and hiring system; and reduce the influence of faculty and administrators he claims are “more committed to activism” than education, a letter …
NJ High School Principal Dies: 'Heart Of Wayne Valley' NJ High School Principal Dies: 'Heart Of Wayne Valley'
NJ High School Principal Dies: 'Heart Of Wayne Valley' A New Jersey high school is mourning the loss of its principal, district officials announced Thursday, April 10. Wayne Valley High School Principal Ken Palczewski who died after more than 30 years in education and over a decade leading the school, Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said. "Ken was more than just a principal — he was the heart of Wayne Valley," Toback said. "His care for every student, his dedication to his staff, and the sense of family and Valley Pride he brought to our school community made an indelible impact. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in ever…
Villanova Student Removed From Campus After Assault Outcry, Won’t Walk At Graduation Villanova Student Removed From Campus After Assault Outcry, Won’t Walk At Graduation
Villanova Student Removed From Campus After Assault Outcry, Won’t Walk At Graduation A Villanova University student who recorded another student’s sexual assault will not walk at the school’s graduation ceremony following intense backlash, the victim's attorney told Daily Voice on Wednesday, April 9. Juan Eguiguren, a Villanova senior, was present during the assault of a female classmate, according to a lawsuit and campus petition. Rather than intervening, Eguiguren allegedly took photos of the incident and later slept in the same room, organizers of the campaign allege. In the underlying case, Elijah Joseph Katzenell, 22, of Camp Hill, PA (according to the Pennsylvania S…
Kermit The Frog Confirmed As 2025 UMD Commencement Speaker — And The Internet Has Best Reaction Kermit The Frog Confirmed As 2025 UMD Commencement Speaker — And The Internet Has Best Reaction
Kermit The Frog Confirmed As 2025 UMD Commencement Speaker — And The Internet Has Best Reaction It's not easy being green, or delivering an epic commencement speech.  But Kermit the Frog, a Peabody Award winner and best-selling author (and muppet) will do both in May, when he will return to the campus where he was first brought to life (by creator and alum Jim Henson, Class of 1960) to deliver the commencement speech in May. The school made the announcement this week, and the internet's reaction is everything you could've ever hoped for. "Kermencement," one absolute genius commented on UMD's post on Facebook. Others begged for the event to be live-streamed, while many …
NJ Student Diagnosed With Tuberculosis: Principal NJ Student Diagnosed With Tuberculosis: Principal
NJ Student Diagnosed With Tuberculosis: Principal A student at Colonia High School in Woodbridge Township has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, principal Christopher Chiera announced in a letter to parents on Friday, March 14.  School officials are working with the Middlesex County Office of Health Services to identify students and staff who may have been potentially exposed to the individual., Chiera wrote.  Those individuals identified as a close contact will be screened as a precautionary measure, Chiera said. School officials will contact parents/guardians of students identified by the Middlesex County Off…
NJ College Closing Renowned Polling Institute Due To 'Changing Political And Media Landscapes' NJ College Closing Renowned Polling Institute Due To 'Changing Political And Media Landscapes'
NJ College Closing Renowned Polling Institute Due To 'Changing Political And Media Landscapes' Monmouth University is shutting down its polling institute, a nationally recognized research center treated as a "gold standard" in New Jersey's political world. University president Dr. Patrick Leahy announced the closing of the Monmouth University Polling Institute in a community-wide letter on Wednesday, Mar. 12. The institute will officially close on Tuesday, July 1. The decision follows a year-long review of all university centers and institutes, with school leadership ultimately determining the polling firm "is no longer aligned with our current strategic goals." "The chang…
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, NJ College Named Parents' Top Dream School: Survey Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, NJ College Named Parents' Top Dream School: Survey
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, NJ College Named Parents' Top Dream School: 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…
Rolling Hills, Gothic Spires, Waterfront Views: Most Beautiful College Campuses In Northeast Rolling Hills, Gothic Spires, Waterfront Views: Most Beautiful College Campuses In Northeast
Rolling Hills, Gothic Spires, Waterfront Views: Most Beautiful College Campuses In Northeast 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…
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…
Parents Fight Back After NJ DUI Super Returns To Work Parents Fight Back After NJ DUI Super Returns To Work
Parents Fight Back After NJ DUI Super Returns To Work A New Jersey superintendent who was arrested for drunk driving last fall has returned to work and some parents are none too happy about it. George Chidiac, the superintendent for the Stafford Township School District, was placed on leave last year after he was arrested for driving under intoxication last October, after crashing into a utility pole in Berkeley Township, causing a power outage, Berkeley Township police said.  Police said Chidiac, 52, was walking away from his gray Kia Forte when officers arrived. He told the officers he was "going home to get help." When questioned …
Bergen County Schools Closed, Delayed Ahead Of Dangerous Winter Storm (UPDATED) Bergen County Schools Closed, Delayed Ahead Of Dangerous Winter Storm (UPDATED)
Bergen County Schools Closed, Delayed Ahead Of Dangerous Winter Storm (Updated) A wintry mix will bring hazardous travel conditions across the region beginning late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, Feb. 6, prompting several school delays and closings, officials say. The following schools in North Jersey announced delayed openings or closures: BERGEN (closed): Allendale Bergen County Special Services Bergen County Vocational Bergenfield Closter Cresskill Demarest Dumont Elmwood Park Emerson Fair Lawn Fairview Franklin Lakes Garfield Glen Rock Harrington Park Ho-Ho-Kus Haworth Hillsdale Mahwah Midland Park Montvale Montville New Milford Norwood Oakland Paramus Pa…
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…
Go Birds? NJ School District's Delayed Opening For Eagles Super Bowl Has Parents Divided Go Birds? NJ School District's Delayed Opening For Eagles Super Bowl Has Parents Divided
Go Birds? NJ School District's Delayed Opening For Eagles Super Bowl Has Parents Divided Kids and their teachers in two Camden County school districts have another reason to be thankful the Philadelphia Eagles are in the Super Bowl. The Pennsauken Public School district and Gloucester City School District announced  two-hour delays for Monday, Feb. 10, the day after the Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. "We feel this allows our students, families, and staff the ability to enjoy the game and still attend school safely the next day," Pennsauken Public Schools said.  Pennsauken High School is just 14 miles from Lincoln Financial Field, where the…
'No Remorse:' Teacher Fired For Cruel Punishment Of NJ High Schooler, Officials Say 'No Remorse:' Teacher Fired For Cruel Punishment Of NJ High Schooler, Officials Say
'No Remorse:' Teacher Fired For Cruel Punishment Of NJ High Schooler, Officials Say A teacher in Morris County has been fired after she hit a 14-year-old student and prevented him from leaving class in what education officials say was a "cruel or unusual" punishment. Hui-Tzu "Isabella" Chen was a Mandarin teacher with tenure at Morristown High School when she pushed the student, a freshman, struck his forearm and pushed herself against the door to block his way on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, according to charging documents. Chen had taught at the school since 2017. Chen had suspected the student copied his Mandarin assignment and wanted him to stay after class to review his…
Hackensack BOE Pres Resigns, Cites Board Drama, Wasted Resources As Challenges (WATCH) Hackensack BOE Pres Resigns, Cites Board Drama, Wasted Resources As Challenges (WATCH)
Hackensack BOE Pres Resigns, Cites Board Drama, Wasted Resources As Challenges (Watch) Hackensack Public Schools Board of Education President Scott James-Vickery announced his resignation during his final board meeting Wednesday, Dec. 18, using the occasion to highlight persistent challenges he believes are holding the district back from reaching its full potential. James-Vickery, who served six years on the board and held the role of president since 2019, listed several issues he said have hindered Hackensack Public Schools, including internal politics, wasted resources, and a lack of focus on students’ needs.  “The students’ resources are being drained by the board,” h…
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm
Sharp Drop In College Enrollment Raises Alarm Fewer high school graduates began college this fall, with enrollment in that age group dropping 5 percent from last year, according to an analysis by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.  Four-year institutions were hardest hit, with public colleges seeing an 8.5 percent drop in first-year enrollments and private nonprofit colleges reporting a 6.5 percent decline.  This trend poses significant challenges for colleges and universities, particularly those reliant on tuition revenue.  As the competition for students intensifies, institutions face mounting pressur…
Rutgers Student Charged With Lewdness, Sexual Contact In 12+ Incidents On Campus Rutgers Student Charged With Lewdness, Sexual Contact In 12+ Incidents On Campus
Rutgers Student Charged With Lewdness, Sexual Contact In 12+ Incidents On Campus A Rutgers University student is accused of committing lewd acts and criminal sexual contact in more than a dozen incidents at the university's Piscataway campus and in South Brunswick, prosecutors announced on Tuesday, Dec. 10. Jihad Goines, 21, of Monmouth Junction, was charged after investigations tied him to incidents at the Royal Oaks Apartment Complex and the Dickson Carr Library on the Rutgers campus, authorities said. The alleged acts occurred between November 2023 and December 2024, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayd…