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Special Education Teacher Remembered By New 'Sensory Bus' For Students In Putnam Special Education Teacher Remembered By New 'Sensory Bus' For Students In Putnam
Special Education Teacher Remembered By New 'Sensory Bus' For Students In Putnam A retired school bus at a Putnam County elementary school has been transformed into a sensory-friendly haven for students in honor of a beloved special education teacher who fought a brave battle with cancer. Brewster Central School District administrators, teachers, facilities staff, and students gathered on Tuesday, March 11, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new sensory bus dedicated to Megan Gersch, a special education teacher who died in July 2024 after a five-year fight against breast cancer.  At the front of the bus, a sunflower bearing the words “For Megan” serves as …

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
District To Retire 'Raiders' Name In Hudson Valley To Avoid Losing State Funding: Officials District To Retire 'Raiders' Name In Hudson Valley To Avoid Losing State Funding: Officials
District To Retire 'Raiders' Name In Hudson Valley To Avoid Losing State Funding: Officials An Orange County school district has announced it will no longer use the “Raiders” name for its athletic teams following state education regulations that prohibit schools from using Native American-related team names and imagery.  In a letter to the community on Wednesday, March 12, Port Jervis City School District Superintendent John J. Bell confirmed the decision, stating that the district will not select a new team name at this time.  The "Raiders" name and mascot logo will be dropped as of Monday, June 30, Bell wrote.  In his letter, Bell explained several reasons b…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
School Board President Resigns Suddenly In Putnam County School Board President Resigns Suddenly In Putnam County
School Board President Resigns Suddenly In Putnam County The school board president of a district in Putnam County has announced his sudden resignation.  Mahopac Board of Education President and Trustee Jonathan Schneider's resignation was announced on Thursday, March 6.  In a statement, the Board expressed gratitude for Schneider’s service, recognizing his dedication and contributions to the district. "His contributions have been valued and his commitment to the District will not be forgotten," the Board wrote.  With Schneider’s departure, Vice President Fernando Martinez will now serve as Acting President, in accordan…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Superintendent Of Major City School District In Hudson Valley To Step Down Superintendent Of Major City School District In Hudson Valley To Step Down
Superintendent Of Major City School District In Hudson Valley To Step Down A major school district in the Hudson Valley will soon see a leadership change.  Poughkeepsie City School District Superintendent Eric Jay Rosser has formally submitted his resignation, which will go into effect on Monday, June 30, district officials announced. In their announcement, the district's Board of Education expressed its gratitude for Rosser’s dedication to students, families, and staff during his tenure, wishing him well in his future endeavors. To ensure a smooth transition, the Board has appointed Gregory D. Mott as Acting Interim Superintendent, effec…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Two NY Colleges Among Top 10 Dream Schools: Survey Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Two NY Colleges Among Top 10 Dream Schools: Survey
Students Feel Record Stress Over Admissions, Two NY Colleges Among Top 10 Dream Schools: 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
11 Students Hospitalized After THC Gummies Handed Out At NY School 11 Students Hospitalized After THC Gummies Handed Out At NY School
11 Students Hospitalized After THC Gummies Handed Out At NY School Around a dozen students were sickened after ingesting marijuana gummies at a Long Island middle school. A student at William Floyd Middle School in Moriches handed out edible THC gummies to around a dozen students who became ill on Monday morning, March 3, the William Floyd School District confirmed. Suffolk County Police and medics responded to the campus at around 11:15 a.m. for reports that multiple students had overdosed.  In all, 11 students were taken to local hospitals for treatment, district officials said. No additional details were given. “We are grateful to our first respo…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
Three Hudson Valley Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why Three Hudson Valley Colleges Named To Most Beautiful Campuses In US List: See Why
Three Hudson Valley Colleges 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
Al Roker Surprised With Honorary Doctorate From NY College: 'I Am Thrilled' (VIDEO) Al Roker Surprised With Honorary Doctorate From NY College: 'I Am Thrilled' (VIDEO)
Al Roker Surprised With Honorary Doctorate From NY College: 'I Am Thrilled' (Video) You may call him Dr. Roker. Longtime Today show weatherman Al Roker got an unexpected forecast of his own: Siena College is awarding him with an honorary doctorate degree. And the news came in the most fitting way possible–on live TV. During a special “breaking news” segment by the college’s student-run SCTV News team on Wednesday, Feb. 26, Roker joined from the Today studios in Manhattan to give a campus-centric forecast for Loudonville. After assuring students that the frigid days were numbered, Roker heard from Siena alum and NBC executive producer Tom Mazzarelli, who had a forecast of…

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by Michael Mashburn
Schools
NY's Education Performance Analyzed In New Study: See How It Stacks Up NY's Education Performance Analyzed In New Study: See How It Stacks Up
NY's Education Performance Analyzed In New Study: See How It Stacks Up 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
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
Water Woes Force Early Dismissal At School District In Hudson Valley Water Woes Force Early Dismissal At School District In Hudson Valley
Water Woes Force Early Dismissal At School District In Hudson Valley A water issue in Dutchess County has forced an early dismissal for all schools in the Millbrook Central School District on Thursday, Jan. 30, officials announced.  According to district officials, a town water issue on Alden Place in Millbrook prompted the schedule change, with secondary schools dismissing at 12:15 p.m. and elementary schools letting out at 1 p.m.  Parents of students who require pickup were asked to make necessary arrangements. The village delayed the water shutoff until after lunch to ensure students were served meals before dismissal, officials said. Notifica…

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by Ben Crnic
Schools
NY Unveils Media Literacy Toolkit For Schools To Combat 'Scourge' Of Misinformation NY Unveils Media Literacy Toolkit For Schools To Combat 'Scourge' Of Misinformation
NY Unveils Media Literacy Toolkit For Schools To Combat 'Scourge' Of Misinformation New York is joining the fight against fake news. Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled the state’s first “Media Literacy” toolkit to help educators teach students how to critically analyze and assess information, particularly online. The initiative, announced Thursday, Jan. 23, follows growing concerns about misinformation, social media influence, and the role of online radicalization in recent violent incidents, including the Buffalo mass shooting, Hochul’s office said. “Whether it’s cell phones and social media or the scourge of misinformation teens encounter each day, I’m taking action to protect …

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by Michael Mashburn