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Tag: APP Education

  • WS/FCS updates security measures after fatal stabbing at high school

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    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — North Forsyth High School students returned to in-person classes Friday as the community is still grappling with the deadly stabbing.

    What You Need To Know

    • All middle and high schools in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth system will be required to perform at least one kind of metal detection screening per day

    • The school district uses a smart entry that requires the entire student body to go through a single entrance and randomized checks outside of a set of classrooms

    • District leaders say they are working to get more metal detectors, but the devices are just one part of ensuring school safety

    Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools Superintendent Don Phipps said the students aren’t going back to the same school security policy that was in place before the killing.

    “What I’ve asked is that they are the devices that we have that are used every day,“ he said in an interview with Spectrum News 1 on Friday.

    The new policy requires that middle and high schools perform either a safe entry check or a randomized check every day.

    Right now, all the high schools have a pair of detectors, while middle schools rotate.

    Phipps said to provide OpenGate detectors to every middle school, they would need about $2 million.

    District leaders said they have been trying to get more OpenGate sensors for more than 2 years, but now they could come sooner rather than later.

    “I’ve also had a couple of folks in the community that have stepped up. They want to have a conversation, and I’m hoping that we’ll be able to find the opportunity to fund that,” Phipps said.

    Despite a budget deficit triggering a reduction in force, school leaders said the number of staff responsible for security hasn’t changed.

    But Phipps, who was a school psychologist in Cumberland County where he also led trauma outreach, said that metal detectors are just one piece to keeping students safe.

    “We have to know what their normal is and where they don’t seem to be normal. We have to know what resources exist within our community and encourage them to seek help in the community,” he said. “But I think it really is about caring for one another and making sure that they’re the best person they can be.”

    He said he is ready for the role and hopes his experience will make a difference for Forsyth County students.

    “My desire to be here is to help be a part of the solution,” he said. “For me, it’s about staff morale and the well-being of the folks that make up the school system. They’re operating under a really heavy cloud of just negative, and this is not any different.”

    “We’ve talked about changing the narrative and the things that I see when I go out and do school visits,” Phipps said. “I want the public to know about that.” 

    The surviving student involved in the fatal stabbing Tuesday will not face charges, the Forsyth County district attorney said Thursday.

    Crisis response teams will also be available for affected students as long as needed.

    Additionally, Phipps says that the district is taking a look at phone policies to see if any revisions are necessary.

    He said that they are working with many partners that have reached out in the aftermath to offer anti-violence programs for students.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Sasha Strong

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  • Cleveland nears 50th anniversary of school desegregation

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    CLEVELAND — Leah Hudnall’s grandparents moved to Cleveland, along with hundreds of thousands of other Black families from southern states during The Great Migration. She said many incoming residents were forced into redlined neighborhoods with overcrowded schools that were segregated under the city’s historic “Relay” policy.

    What You Need To Know

    • Leah Hudnall, several other nonprofits and civic leaders came together to create a political history campaign now called Relay Cleveland

    • Campaign director Leah Hudnall said the exhibit showcases the history of desegregation in the city’s schools, which will remain on display at the Cleveland Public Library through February

    • The exhibition features the lived experiences of former educators administrators, students and activists across generations

    The Cleveland Relay Policy split the school day into morning and afternoon sessions with Black students only attending for half of the day, rather than sending them to white schools with space in their classrooms during the 1950s and 60s. The NAACP sued the State of Ohio and Cleveland Schools in the 1973 Reed. v. Rhodes court case. The policy didn’t come to an end until 1976, when U.S. Federal Judge Frank Battisti declared that Cleveland schools had been operating a segregated system, Hudnall said.

    As part of subsequent reintegration efforts, Batiste also mandated crosstown busing, transporting students from predominantly Black schools on the city’s east side to whiter suburban schools on the west side.

    (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)

    “Now what you have are Clevelanders, elders in our community who are 70 and 75 years old, who may have only gotten three hours of the third grade or they may not have started kindergarten until they were seven years old,” Hudnall said.

    The exhibit also highlights the Cleveland’s larger role in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, Hudnall said.

    “You have parents, like Mrs. Daisy Craggett and Mrs. Clara Smith, who created a committee called Relay Parents March to fill empty classrooms,” she said. “… parent groups like that all banded together with historic organizations like the NAACP and Core Congress on Racial Equality, and they came together under a banner, calling it the Unite Freedom Movement.”

    While the exhibit celebrates nearly half a century of progress in education, Hudnall said, it is only a piece of an ongoing journey toward educational equity.

    Public data from the Ohio School Report Card shows many schools rated under 4 stars in 2024.

    (Spectrum News 1/Tanya Velazquez)

    “Cleveland saw a growth in many areas, graduation rates and academic success,” she said, “All of that led to what we all experienced together as a global community. The pandemic, which kind of shattered all of that hard work.

    Greg Deegan is the executive director of Teaching Cleveland, which joined other local groups, researchers, educators and leaders on the Relay Campaign Committee team. Deegan, who worked as a high school teacher for over 20 years, said many challenges still remain in Cleveland’s school system. 

    The Cleveland School District approved a plan Tuesday to close and consolidate dozens of schools in the city after facing a decades-long enrollment decline and budget deficit.

    “The more we talk about it, the more we sort of have a community conversation about this, the more we can be more well equipped for the challenges and opportunities today and what we see in schools,” Deegan said.

    Now, Hudnall said, the’re calling on other community members to “carry the baton.”

    “Our children in Cleveland need us,” Hudnall said. “They need us as neighbors, and they need us to actually get back in the game, on to fight for fair education.”

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    Tanya Velazquez

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  • New furniture manufacturer taps community college for new hires

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    DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. —  North Carolina has one of the largest manufacturing workforces in the Southeast, which is why a new Lithuanian furniture company has chosen to open its first U.S. facility in Davidson County.

    What You Need To Know

    • North Carolina is home to the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast

    • A new Lithuanian furniture company in Mocksville says that’s one of the many factors that attracted them to open its first U.S. facility in Davidson County

    • SBA Home partnered with Davidson-Davie Community College to help fill positions

    Davidson-Davie Community College students Logan Walterman and Austin Blackburn practice powering DC and AC every Tuesday.   

    It’s one of the many basics they learn in their industrial system technology class, where Blackburn focuses on mechanics and Walterman focuses on electricity.

    “As a kid, you know, I liked to help my daddy, you know, work on his bikes, and that’s where it all started,” Walterman said. 

    Both students are getting paid to learn their skills through the Davidson-Davie apprenticeship consortium by working for its newest employer partner, SBA Home. 

    “In my town, Marksville, where I’m from, and, you know, the idea of like, finally learning how to be an electrician and especially getting to work on robots, like, that really interested me. So I immediately, like, took interest in the program and SBA,” he said. 

    Blackburn is also in the program

    “It’s a two-year degree across four years, since we’re working full-time, like I said, 32 hours at the plant and then eight hours here. So you get yourself a full pay check,” he explained. 

    The new Lithuanian furniture manufacturer opened its first U.S. facility in Mocksville this August and is estimated to create 250 jobs by the end of 2029.

    “We’re thrilled the community needs these students. They need workers in manufacturing, especially now. It’s more important now than ever. With the whole tariff thing going on and companies moving back to America,“ said Davidson-Davie Community Industrial Systems Technology Instructor Billy Willard. 

    This summer, Walterman and Blackburn became the first two apprentices SBA hired. 

    “It’s been a big help being able to be here to get hands-on experience without actually having to use the stress in the field,“ Blackburn said. 


    “It’s actually pretty cool how I’ve got to, like, use stuff in this class at work,” Walterman added.

    SBA Home is the 11th employer to join the Davidson-Davie apprenticeship consortium.


    CEO Jurgita Radzevice said they have been working to open the facility since 2023, before tariffs were put in place. Now, their new facility allows them to be even more financially competitive with companies that rely on imported goods.

    “We will stay much more competitive than others, let’s say, market players who will be importing goods from Europe or other countries. So, for us, it just brings much more competitiveness and will bring much more affordability for American people. So I will say this is a win-win,” Radzevice said.


    In addition to strategic partners, the company hosted community days to find workers for its first shift. 

    They will begin hiring for a second shift this spring.

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    Sasha Strong

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  • Lakeland students create a banned book club

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — There are more than 700 books that are banned in public schools in Florida. It might not sound like a lot, but for two students in Polk County, the list has sparked a desire to learn why.

    So much so that they created a “banned book club.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Two Polk County students created a banned book club | View their page on Instagram

    • The book club dives into why the books are banned and brings people together to share their perspectives on the books

    • The first book they are starting with is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”


    With every turn of a page, Matthew is diving into the pages of a book. “I really wanted to choose this book because I thought it was something everybody could relate to,” he said.

    He and Charlotte, who asked that their last names not be shared, are the founders of the club.

    They say it started with curiosity and a Facebook post to see if there was any interest. For Matthew, it’s about expanding his love for reading.

    “One of the points of starting this book club in general was to learn more about these books and the content of them and even their authors and stuff and how it impacts us,” he said.

    The first meeting was comprised of only four people.

    But Charlotte says it led to a good conversation about the state of banned books. “We talked about our opinions on banned books and kind of what we think what it means to have a book banned,” she said.

    The book they’re starting with is “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” It’s one of the more than 700 books currently removed or discontinued by the Florida Department of Education. The latest list was released for the 2023 to 2024 school year.

    Charlotte says the club gives students like herself the freedom to learn about topics she might not otherwise learn.

    “Banned doesn’t mean we can’t access it, it just means we can’t read it in school, and it’s not free,” she said.

    Matthew is hoping this creates a space where the younger generation can feel motivated to learn more about and connect with the pages in each book.

    “I’ve gotten so many perspectives and the books that I have read so far are so important,” he said. “So when I heard there were books I couldn’t read, I was intrigued.”

    They’re cracking open the books their schools have closed to them so that they light a fire in others to read.

    You can view the club’s page on Instagram.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Madeira Beach class of 2000 opens 25-year-old time capsule

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    MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — For 25 years, the 5th grade class of Madeira Beach Fundamental from the year 2000 has waited patiently to open their time capsule.

    What You Need To Know

    • A 25-year-old time capsule was opened by the 5th grade class of Madeira Beach Fundamental from the year 2000

    • The capsule contained items like old pictures, notes and Pokémon cards

    • Former students and teachers reunited for the event, sharing memories and enjoying the occasion


    With the help of a buzzsaw, hammer and other tools, former students and teachers got a peek into what they stored.

    Former student Ryan Malize said he’s excited to see what’s inside.

    “I know they were like paint can size, and I know that we can fit as much as we could into half a paint can with a friend that you were partnered with, and I believe that I got some Pokémon cards in there,” he said.

    Malize isn’t the only one ready to open the capsule.

    Former teacher Dave Rapp taught at the school for decades.

    He said he’s happy the time capsule brought everyone together, but what’s truly special to him is seeing how all his former students are living their lives.

    “This was a special class,” he said. “You know, teachers really shouldn’t have favorite students or classes, but if I have a class that I can certainly remember, this would be one of them.”

    Opening the time capsule and handling the cans with care, some opened with a soft bang on the table, while brute force took care of the others.

    Slowly, the highlights of 2000 appeared.

    “A lot of plastic made it through, some paperwork, and photos,” Malize said. “The smartest people used Ziploc, so they were ahead of the game here.”

    From old pictures, notes, toy cars and even Pokémon cards, many things from the 5th grade class of 2000 stood the test of time.

    As the memories from that year rush back, Malize said he’s happy they have a reason to come together.

    “It’s a riot of a good time and seeing people after so much time, everyone should meet up every couple decades at least,” he said.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Pasco County Schools offering pay incentives to attract more school bus drivers

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County schools are in need of school bus drivers.

    What You Need To Know

    • 49 of the district’s 297 bus routes do not have permanent coverage, meaning students are showing up to school after class has begun
    • The district says it will pay drivers who have limited absences $500 per quarter, and those who take designated high-need routes will earn another $250 per quarter


    Dozens of bus routes do not have permanent coverage, meaning some students are showing up late to class. So now, Pasco County Schools is offering new incentives to get more drivers on board.

    The district says it will pay drivers who have limited absences $500 per quarter. Those who take designated high-need routes will earn another $250 per quarter.

    Behind the wheel of one Pasco County school bus, bus driver Lynn Zion-Weick has her eyes on the road.

    “I’m pretty good with kids and I decided to give it a shot,” she said.

    “The bus is so easy to drive. A lot of times that scares a person, you know, with such a big vehicle. But the way buses are now, they’re just like driving a nice car.”

    Zion-Weick has been a bus driver here for the last four years. Originally retired, she wanted to get behind the wheel after seeing an ad for the role.

    “I kept seeing it and kept thinking, ‘You know, I like to drive and they need drivers,’” said Zion-Weick. “So I said let me give it a shot. I think the hardest part of it was learning the engine. You had to learn at that time and the parts of the engine of the bus.”

    But times have changed and so too has the need for school bus drivers in Pasco. Forty-nine of the district’s 297 bus routes do not have permanent coverage.

    “Our goal is to ensure that every student gets to school on time so that learning can occur,” says Superintendent Dr. John Legg.

    Legg says the school district has developed a plan, offering pay incentives to bring in more school bus drivers.

    “If our bus drivers are in attendance and are able to drive the routes, they get a quarterly bonus,” said Legg. “And if they take on our more challenging routes, they get a bonus as well.”

    Those challenging routes are the more remote areas of the county, such as Zephyrhills. But for someone who grew up in Port Richey, like Zion-Weick, driving the next generation of Pasco County students means a little more.

    “It’s really, pretty nice because some of the kids, actually, I went to school with their grandparents,” she says. “More than likely grandparents.”

    Pasco County Schools will be hosting a bus driver recruitment event on Dec. 11 in Land O’ Lakes.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Ohio’s largest district considers ending high school buses

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Schools is considering eliminating yellow bus transportation for high school students or shifting them to Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) service as it looks to close a $50 million budget gap, raising safety and access concerns among families.

    What You Need To Know

    • Columbus City Schools may eliminate high school bus service or shift students to COTA to help close a $50 million budget gap, with a board vote set for Dec. 2

    • Parents have raised safety and access concerns, including early-morning waits and loss of transportation for sports and after-school activities

    • District leaders say major cuts are unavoidable, and the board continues to gather community feedback

    Superintendent Angela Chapman said transportation is one of several spending areas under review as the district searches for substantial savings.

    “Small cuts will not close this budget gap. We have to make big decisions, tough decisions,” Chapman said.

    One proposal would end high school bus service entirely, leaving students in grades 9 through 12 without transportation and returning the district to the state minimum. Another option would replace district-run buses with COTA passes for high school students. Parent Latrice Bradley, whose son is a junior, said the change would disrupt his commute and daily routine.

    “The fact that there’s a chance you will not have a bus sounds ludicrous to me. It doesn’t make sense,” she said.

    Bradley said she is concerned about her son waiting for a public bus before sunrise, riding alongside adults and depending on drivers who are not trained to transport minors. She added that he relies on district buses to travel between schools for sports and after-school activities.

    “That’s a big deal to put kids in front of adults that are going to work, that are just riding a bus,” she said.

    Board members acknowledged the difficulty of the decisions.

    “No matter what decision we make, kids will be affected by those determinations,” board member Sarah Ingles said.

    Bradley said she fears some students may skip school without the structure that traditional transportation provides. School Board President Michael Cole said attendance will remain a firm expectation.

    “Not attending school is not an option. It is not for legal purposes and most importantly, for the highest aspirational purposes of your education and your future,” he said.

    District officials say they will continue collecting community feedback as they finalize the budget reduction plan. The school board is expected to vote on the cost-cutting recommendations at its Dec. 2 meeting.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Federal Shutdown Raises Concerns Over Childcare Funding

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — A brief pause in federal funding left early learning centers across Ohio scrambling to maintain operations, prompting school leaders in Columbus to call for more stable childcare funding to prevent future disruptions.

    What You Need To Know

    • A federal funding pause caused closures and uncertainty at early learning centers across Ohio

    • School leaders said childcare should be funded like infrastructure to withstand federal disruptions

    • Economic losses tied to childcare shortages in Ohio are estimated at $5.4 billion annually, according to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce

    During the freeze, some early childcare programs closed while others struggled to stay open. Staff at the Columbus Early Learning Center said families and educators felt the effects immediately.

    Antywanna Williams, a teacher’s aide whose son attends the center, said the uncertainty would deeply affect young children if access to schools were suddenly cut off.

    “How do you explain to your four-year-old that there is no school?” Williams said. “You have to wait until you’re five years old to go to kindergarten.” 

    Williams said the situation also raised concerns about her own job security and what a shutdown would mean for her family. She said her work is rooted in close relationships with the children in her classroom and their families, and losing that stability would affect them as much as it would affect her.

    Columbus Early Learning Centers CEO Gina Ginn said the funding pause highlighted how dependent early learning providers are on federal dollars and how vulnerable families become when that support stalls. She said the instability also carries a broader economic cost.

    “We are missing out in the state of Ohio on $5.4 billion a year in our economy because families can’t go to work because they can’t find affordable, high-quality childcare,” Ginn said.

    Ginn said the disruption underscored the need to treat childcare as core infrastructure—similar to roads, water systems and K–12 schools—so centers can withstand fluctuations in federal support. Without stable options, she said, families face long-term barriers.

    “It really is the foundation and the backbone of families being able to work. And then also create pathways out of poverty,” she said.

    School leaders said they are now evaluating how local funding structures could be modernized to prevent future shocks to early learning programs.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Teachers react to absences, request guidance following Border Patrol activity

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Student absences at schools are still in the tens of thousands since the arrival of U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in North Carolina.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Wake County Public School System reported 10% of its student body, or more than 19,000 students, were out on Tuesday 

    • Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported over 30,000 absences on Monday. On Tuesday, that number was down slightly to 25,000 

    • Several teachers spoke before the CMS Board of Education Tuesday, asking the district not to act as if things are business as usual when it comes to the impact of Border Patrol presence on some families

    • East Mecklenburg High School teacher Rebecca Costas said she has concerns it will be a while before families feel safe again


    The Wake County Public School System reported 10% of its student body, or more than 19,000 students, were out Tuesday. 

    Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported over 30,000 absences on Monday. On Tuesday, that number was down slightly to 25,000. 

    Several teachers spoke before the CMS Board of Education Tuesday, asking the district not to act as if things are business as usual when it comes to the impact of Border Patrol presence on some families.

    In addition, they are requesting guidance on how to explain immigration enforcement activity in the city to students. 

    While the district shared a message with staff, teachers Spectrum News 1 spoke with say it’s still not enough. 

    Rebecca Costas teaches multilingual learners at East Mecklenburg High School. 

    “We have a hallway where we do a lot of our contact classes with [these students], their English and their learning linguists development, and it was a ghost town. Our hallway was empty,” said Costas about attendance on Monday.

    She shared a photo of her classroom, where she had four students out of 20. 

    Tuesday night during the Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill addressed the more than 30,000 student absences Monday. 

    “This week has been hard. There’s not one member in our community that has not been affected by the recent activity in our community,” Hill said. 

    While the district said there has been no immigration enforcement activity on CMS properties, teachers like Costas voiced their concerns to the school board about this situation. 

    “I can’t overstate the terror that these families are experiencing, and the communication thus far, including a video recorded only in English, has not provided evidence the district understands its severity,” Costas said. 

    Tiffany Newkirk, a multilingual teacher at Pineville Elementary, agrees the statements made by the district don’t fully address the fears. 

    “Those empty seats in my building are not just numbers. They are 5-year-olds and 8-year-olds and 10-year-olds whose families are too afraid to leave their homes,” Newkirk said. 

    She said students attending school are asking questions. 

    “Those students who have come sit in hollow classrooms asking, where are my friends? Are they okay? And I don’t have answers for them, not because I’m not paying attention, but because there has been no clear guidance, no language and no support for how I should respond,” Newkirk said. 

    Costas said it doesn’t get easier with older students.

    “We’ve received no kind of training, no kind of resources for how to respond to our students, you know, to how to talk to them about this, perhaps how to talk and communicate with our families. This is a very different kind of trauma,” Costas said. 

    On Tuesday, CMS sent a video to staff sharing student support services staff are available for families. 

    “Our priority remains unchanged the safety, well-being, and education of every student. We are committed to ensuring all students receive the education they deserve for a promising future,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Assistant Communications Officer Tom Miner said.

    Board Chair Stephanie Sneed said students remain a priority. 

    “Our schools must remain places where every child and every family feels seen, protected and welcomed,” Sneed said. 

    The message on the video explains that the district is following all laws regarding immigration. For when enrolling students, schools can’t ask immigration status or social security number. In addition, CMS staff are legally obligated to safeguard the confidentiality of personal information, including immigration status, except if otherwise required by federal law. Furthermore, immigration officials may not gain access to private areas in the schools or documents without a properly executed warrant or subpoena. 

    Costas said she wants more clarity of actions teachers should follow if Border Patrol is on school property.

    “We don’t know when we go on lockdown. We don’t know when teachers and parents are notified. We want internal plans,” Costas said. 

    Tuesday night, Hill said the district considered virtual learning, but she said there could be unintended consequences to this option, including students not receiving free meals and employees not having job duties without students. 

    The district is also offering counseling services to employees to help navigate this ongoing situation. 

    In a statement in response to teachers’ concerns, Board Communications Director Sheri Costa shared the board understands the fear and anxiety the entire community feels about the immigration enforcement activity. Because of community concern, she said the district has shared multiple videos and messages and taken numerous calls and emails on this topic since the federal guidance changed in 2025, determining schools were not protected areas when it came to immigration enforcement. 

    “To be clear, the district cares deeply about our students and has communicated this in all of our messages to students, families and staff. In these uncharted times, we understand our efforts may not feel like enough as the ultimate hope – including the district’s hope – is that all families can feel safe going to school, work and their community gathering places,” Costa said in a statement. 

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Pasco Schools to approve new funding for Heroes in the Classroom

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — The Pasco County School Board is expected to give final approval Tuesday for dedicated funding that will support Heroes in the Classroom, an incentive program designed to bring retired first responders and military veterans into Florida’s teaching workforce.

    Launched in 2023, the state-backed initiative offers a $4,000 first-year bonus to eligible veterans and former first responders who transition into education. 

    What You Need To Know

    •  Heroes in the Classroom was approved by Florida Legislators in 2023, and administered by the Florida Department of Education

    •  Pasco Schools began the program in March of 2025

    •  Teachers are required to show service records and hold a valid teaching certificate 

    • Recipient teachers receive a $4,000 bonus in their first year on the job 


    District leaders say the incentive is already helping address teacher shortages while bringing uniquely skilled professionals into local classrooms.

    One of the program’s early success stories is Taylor Liamero, a 28-year-old Air Force veteran who spent nearly six years on active duty. 

    Straight out of high school, Liamero served in the Middle East, Europe, and later at a base in Virginia — experiences she says shaped her desire to continue serving her community in new ways.

    Now, instead of military missions, her daily assignments involve coaching and teaching students at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel.

    “It’s something I always wanted to do,” Liamero said. “I’ve always loved coaching and athletics — from my time in the military and even before that as a young athlete. It just felt like something I needed to take a shot at.”

    District leaders say Heroes in the Classroom is part of a broader effort to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention.

    Kelly Smith, program coordinator for Teacher Pathways with Pasco County Schools, said the district has made major progress in reducing vacancies.

    “When I first came on as a recruiter many years ago, we were in the triple digits starting the school year,” Smith said. “We’ve been very low in our vacancy count, and year over year we continue to make improvements.”

    Smith says incentives like the veterans program help set Pasco apart from other districts competing for new educators.

    For Liamero, the initiative gave her the chance to begin a career she now says feels like the right long-term fit.

    “Now that I’m doing it,” she said, “I can’t imagine doing anything else—ever.”

    To participate in Heroes in the Classroom, applicants must provide proof of eligible military or first-responder service and hold a valid teaching certificate or meet certification requirements

    More details are available here.

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    Jason Lanning

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  • Pinellas school officials host meeting about declining enrollment

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    LARGO, Fla. — Pinellas County community members got to hear from the school district Monday night at Largo High School. 

    This is one of the meetings they’re hosting to address declining enrollment.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County saw enrollment decline by 3,651 students from last school year to the current school year

    • Attendees got the chance to leave feedback for the school district

    • The next meeting is on Dec. 2 in Dunedin


    From shrinking enrollment to possible uses for empty school buildings, Jennifer Dull, the Chief Operations Officer for Pinellas County Schools, gave a presentation to address parents’ questions and provide them with an opportunity to weigh in.

    “We’re trying to be really thoughtful about what is happening in our community and also taking into consideration and being thoughtful about what our community is really looking for as we go through a long-term planning process,” Dull said.

    According to the school district, enrollment has gone from nearly 78,000 last school year to just over 74,000 this school year. The official decrease is 3,651.

    Dull said with enrollment not expected to increase in future years, that’s why they’re hosting these meetings.

    No questions were taken during the meeting, but the district wants to make sure they hear people’s concerns.

    Boards were set up in the back, and attendees wrote dozens of posted notes, leaving suggestions for what they want to see.

    “That feedback is important to our board and to our superintendent that our school community really comes forward and kind of helps us determine as we make recommendations for what Pinellas County Schools looks like in the future,” Dull said.

    This is not the last of these meetings the school district is hosting.

    While the presentation won’t change, there are still three meetings to give community members across Pinellas County a chance to listen.

    The next one is in Dunedin on Dec. 2.

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Teacher attendance seems normal, schools say, despite calls for walkout

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    School districts across the state were concerned about teacher shortages after an anonymous social media post pushing for teachers to call out of work Friday and Monday went viral.

    What You Need To Know

    • An anonymous post called on North Carolina teachers to call out of work Friday and Monday

    • Schools in Durham and Guilford counties said there were not an unusual number of teacher absences as of Friday morning 

    • The post called for the protest because of the lack of a state budget, leading to stagnant wages for teachers 

    • Teachers’ unions across the state criticized the anonymous post and asked its members to not participate in the walkout 


    Some schools alerted parents Thursday to warn them of the potential disruption.

    “While students may have a different teacher or classroom location for the day, learning will continue as planned,” reads an email from North Garner Middle School sent to parents Thursday night.

    But administrators from Durham and Guilford county schools said they had not seen an increase in teacher absences as of Friday morning.

    The post calling for the protest cited the lack of a state budget, leaving schools to operate with the same amount of funding as last year. Without money for regular raises, teacher’s wages were left stagnant. 

    None of the large teacher unions in North Carolina have claimed credit for the post, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Association of Educators asked its members not to take part in the walkout.

    “CMAE does not endorse and will not participate in the anonymously organized social media campaign encouraging educators to call out on Nov. 7 and 10,” reads a statement issued by the union Thursday. “Our power as educators comes from unity, strategy, and collective action—not isolated walkouts.”

    Wake North Carolina Association of Educators also criticized the post.


    “Big serious actions aren’t generated by viral social media posts,” reads its post reacting to the call for the walkout.

    It highlighted the months of planning and organizing that it took for previous walkouts in 2018 and 2019.

    On May 16, 2018, more than 1,000 teachers called out of work in Durham County Schools alone, causing the county’s schools to close that day.

    The following year, Raleigh’s streets were once again filled with teachers, who called out of work to protest and demand higher compensation.  

    “Winning campaigns are strategic,” the post from the Wake North Carolina Association of Educators reads. “They have specific targets, with well-designed tactics, and demands.”

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

     

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    Caroline King

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  • N.C. college helping students affected by shutdown

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    DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. — Data shows food insecurity continues to affect college students across the country, an issue heightened by the federal government shutdown.

    A Government Accountability Office report estimates over 3 million students were eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, long before this recent shutdown. But many students reported not receiving those benefits. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Food insecurity continues to affect college students nationwide

    • The issue has been heightened by the recent government shutdown 

    • Many college students rely on SNAP benefits, which have been only partly funded as of Nov. 1

    • One North Carolina college shares how they’re ensuring student needs are taken care of during the shutdown


    The Hope Center Student Basic Needs Survey released in 2025, fielded between spring 2023 and summer 2024, found 59% of students nationwide experience at least one form of basic-needs insecurity, connected to food or housing.

    Identifying which students are impacted by the reduction in SNAP funding can be difficult task for some higher education institutions.

    A North Carolina community college has taken steps to raise awareness about services and resources, so students can focus on academics and not their next meal.

    Davidson-Davie Community College’s vice president of student affairs Keisha Jones is supporting staff and faculty with helping nearly 4,700 students flourish along their academic journey.

    Jones notified employees on Oct. 30 about the potential SNAP funding stoppage and possible effects it could have on students.

    Jones said the message was meant to raise awareness about resources in place to support students, like the food pantry, so their academic pursuits would continue uninterrupted.

     “Something like SNAP benefits being taken away from certain people, it could impact the way they show up in the classroom,” Jones said. “Helping faculty and staff really think about signs I should be looking for that [a] student may be in distress, what are resources I can notify my entire class about [and] not singling anyone out. We provide a lot of resources to our students that they are aware or not aware of.”

    “Ways the faculty and staff could potentially donate through the foundation if they wanted to add to what we already have. We also connect students to community resources [like] additional food pantries to get support from,” Jones said.  

    That guidance has helped instructors better respond to students’ needs.

    Assistant professor of mathematics Kevin Eagan said the college’s leadership has encouraged flexibility and awareness as students navigate uncertainty of the shutdown.

    “It helped me feel supported to support them,” Eagan said. “Sometimes, you feel like you don’t really know what to say to a student, but not the case here.”

    Eagan said that simply offering understanding during a tough time can make a difference for a student.

    “I’ve noticed a couple of things and try to be really flexible as an instructor and understanding,” Eagan said. “Our students, they’re so hard-working, I know sometimes just to give them a little bit of flexibility is all they’re going to need and give them support so they can succeed.”

    For weeks, student volunteers at Davidson-Davie have been stocking shelves at the Storm Food Pantry as more learners turn to it for help during the shutdown.

    “We are stocked up for any student to come and utilize if they are in need,” said Katrina Prickett, a student and pantry volunteer. “We service students daily. Me going through this myself, I can relate to the disadvantages people may be going through right now.”

    The food pantry served nearly 500 students in 2024, double the previous year’s total.

    Staff said they’re on pace for another record season, as more students turn to the pantry for help.

    “We have seen a tremendous increase in student use of the food pantry since the government shutdown and lack of SNAP benefits,” said Lynne Watts, director of student life and leadership at Davidson-Davie. “I understand there may be some partial benefits coming this month, however, some food is not nearly enough food, especially when college students are left to decide between finding their next meal and studying for an exam.”

    “Food should not be a luxury and today, sadly, many college students are in a position where that’s exactly what their reality is,” Watts said.

    Prickett said for her, the college has become a trusted, reliable resource for students trying to overcome so much. 

    “Once I notified staff here at the school that I had [something] going on, they sprung into action to connect me to those resources,” Prickett said. “Coming from someone that has little to no support already, I fit right in here. They have felt like my family.”

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Head Start programs face financial challenges as government shutdown continues

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    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Helping low-income children and families access education is an investment that pays off for the entire country, says Khari Garvin, president and CEO of Family Services of Forsyth County.

    “The way that I like to think about it is Head Start is one of several programs that’s part of our nation’s prescription to end poverty,” Garvin said. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Head Start programs in North Carolina receive $290 million in federal funding

    • The program supports 19,500 students and more than 5,600 jobs in the state 

    • Head Start is responsible for 20% or more of licensed child care facilities in 22 rural counties statewide


    Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide free learning and development services to children in low-income families. The ages of participants range from birth to 5 years old.

    Most programs receive funding from the federal government, and some have not received those payments because of the ongoing government shutdown.

    Family Services of Forsyth County is the grantee for 10 sites in Winston-Salem and the surrounding area. The nonprofit secured enough grants to keep its Head Start programs funded through May. 

    “The theory is that if you assist a child and family with accessing those important resources to development, health care, education, nutrition, parent engagement and parent development, if you help these families access to services that they would otherwise not have ready access to given their situation, then you’re giving them a head start, as it were, to development,” Garvin said.

    Other programs across the state, such as the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project and the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, are on hold or suspending operations because they don’t have the funding.

    Gov. Josh Stein, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt and Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green sent a letter to Congress in April about potential cuts to funding for Head Start programs. According to the letter, Head Start programs statewide receive $290 million from the federal government. It says Head Start supports 19,500 students and more than 5,600 jobs in North Carolina. State leaders believe if federal funds end for these curriculums, roughly 500 child care programs could close.

    “These are not children who, No. 1, they’re not being babysat,” Garvin said. “Secondly, they’re not just sitting around watching cartoons all day and eating snacks. These are early education programs designed to help support children’s educational trajectory to enter kindergarten and go beyond literacy, numeracy and social emotional development.”

    North Carolina is considered to be a child care desert. On average, five families compete to fill one spot at licensed child care facilities. Statewide, Head Start is responsible for 20% or more of licensed child care facilities in 22 rural counties.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Zach Tucker

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  • Pasco school leaders drafting AI guidebook for students, teachers

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County schools are working to incorporate artificial intelligence into their classrooms and creating guidelines to keep students safe while using the powerful tool.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco County schools, along with many others across the Tampa Bay area, are debating policies surrounding artificial intelligence in the classroom 

    • PCS leaders are drafting guidelines for students and teachers, set to take effect on Dec. 1

    • Pasco high schoolers older than 13 will have access to Microsoft Copilot, an AI-powered assistant, for use on their work

    • SEE ALSO: Pasco Schools set to unlock AI for student use on Dec. 1


    Gone are the days of slamming lockers. Now, students are slamming a keyboard.

    “AI is everywhere. AI is embedded in almost all the technology and, talking to students, the students are asking for the rules and guidelines,” said Superintendent John Legg.

    Talk about a sign of the times. Legg admits his students, even as young as elementary school age, are using artificial intelligence.

    He said it’s high time for his district to set guardrails on how to use it.

    “It’s not a policy, it’s a guideline of best practices. We looked at other school districts and universities to see what are their recommended best practices for AI, and we’re giving it to the teachers for them to decide how they best want to use it,” Legg said.

    Instead of an “all or nothing” approach, Legg said the district will start slow.

    This December, high school students older than 13 will have access to Microsoft Co-Pilot, an AI-powered assistant, that helps by answering questions, writing and even creating images.

    In the 19-page draft guidelines, the district suggests students use AI to help “brainstorm ideas, research topics, practice writing or giving feedback. Ultimately, the district is clear in the document: “AI should help you learn — not do the work for you.”

    “Twenty-five, 30 years ago, we thought it was the end of the world having computers,” Legg said. “And then they slowly emerged into the classroom, and now they’ve become part of our daily life that we use, along with any technology. (AI) is the next evolution of technology in the classroom.”

    Pasco school leaders are also making an effort to promote ethical use of AI. Teachers have access to AI writing detection tools and are being told to document instances of students using AI for the wrong reasons.

    But Legg acknowledges that whatever guidelines they publish will likely need constant updating as the technology continues to advance.

    “Students are using it now. They’re just using it without our assistance, they’re using it without our controls. And we’re providing those guidelines to maximize the advantage in our classrooms,” Legg said.

    To stay current with all the advances in AI, Legg said the district has a standing work group dedicated to addressing concerns around the policy and shaping it for years to come.

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    Andy Cole

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  • Florida bill would require public schools to teach cursive writing

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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — If a bill submitted to the Florida House passes, public elementary school students would be required to learn cursive writing in grades two through five.

    House Bill 127 would go into effect on July 1, 2026, which means the requirement would start in the 2026-2027 school year.

    What You Need To Know

    • If a Florida House bill is passed, students in second through fifth grade would be required to learn cursive writing

    • The bill would require students to be proficient in cursive writing by the end of fifth grade

    • The interim dean for the College of Education at the University of South Florida said teaching handwriting is important

    • If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2026, meaning the requirement would start in the 2026-2027 school year


    The bill would require students to be tested by the end of fifth grade to prove that they are proficient in cursive writing.

    Jenifer Schneider, the interim dean for the College of Education at the University of South Florida, said studies have shown that teaching handwriting is important for students.

    “There is science behind it,” said Schneider, who is also a professor of literacy studies at USF. “There’s research behind it that it shows that it’s beneficial for students to learn letter formation and to do it quickly so that they can ease up their brain power for the things that matter.”

    Schneider said cursive is another tool for students to get their ideas down on paper. Whether it’s print or script, Schneider said, the cognitive benefits of handwriting are similar, but noted that learning cursive adds a cultural benefit.

    “You could read an old document. You could read handwritten notes from different generations,” Schneider said. “So, there’s the ability to read cursive writing, if you learn cursive letters.”

    While instruction on cursive writing is currently required by Florida’s B.E.S.T. Standards for English Language Arts for grades three through five, there is no requirement to test students’ proficiency, which would change if House Bill 127 is passed.

    The bill, which was filed by state Reps. Toby Overdorf and Dana Trabulsy, is now in the Florida House’s Student Academic Success Subcommittee.

    The regular legislative session begins in January.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • USF Crescendo Lab presents jazz song inspired by scientific data on oysters

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A USF St. Petersburg anthropologist is using music and song to share scientific data. It’s a way to educate those who may not understand the science. It’s called the CRESCENDO Lab.

    What You Need To Know

    •  A USF St. Petersburg anthropologist has come up with a musical way to get non-scientists interested in complex scientific data

    •  It’s called the CRESCENDO Lab. CRESCENDO stands for “Communicating Research Expansively through Sonification and Community-Engaged Neuroaesthetic Data-literacy Opportunities”
    •  The latest research focuses on a declining oyster population. USF student musicians will perform “Oyster’s Ain’t Safe” on Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the IPAC Theater at Pasco-Hernando State College in Wesley Chapel

    • The concert will be part of a series called “Water Works” that begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free


    CRESCENDO stands for “Communicating Research Expansively through Sonification and Community-Engaged Neuroaesthetic Data-literacy Opportunities.”

    “If I were to invite you over here on a weekend night saying, ‘Let’s look at this data together,’ I’m probably going to get, ‘No way, I got other plans,’” said USF St. Petersburg anthropology professor Heather O’Leary. “But if we look at this — not like an economist and not like a social scientist — and like a musician, now we’re talking.”

    O’Leary said she got the idea for the CRESCENDO Lab after going to the orchestra with her toddler. She saw how engaged her child was with the music and thought it would be a great way to get more people interested in science. 

    Over the last couple of years, O’Leary has worked with student researchers on musical projects regarding Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease and Red Tide. Her latest project features jazz and oysters.

    “Florida used to be one of the biggest hotspots for the most delicious oysters on America’s coasts,” O’Leary said.

    She was fascinated by how polarizing the delicacies have become over the years. Some people like them. Others don’t. O’Leary wanted to know the financial impact.

    “People are suspicious of them because of their hard work, they are powerhouses that clean our waters. So they are afraid or grossed out about eating them. It seems like it ‘ain’t safe,’” O’Leary said.

    After conducting research, some students made a jazz song about what they discovered. The song is called, “Oysters Ain’t Safe.” The title was taken from a response on one of the surveys conducted during the research.

    “I think what’s really interesting is that it comes with two sides,” O’Leary said. “On one side, oysters aren’t safe. There are a lot of people suspicious about eating oysters, but on the other side, oysters have so many different shocks right now, that they themselves might be safe.”

    O’Leary said the issues oysters face include over harvesting, oyster acidification and the changing amount of freshwater available. The song focuses on some of the challenges.

    “It’s a really interesting way to interpret data,” said AJ Gross, a graduate student with the College of Marine Science.

    Currently, there is a five-year ban on wild oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay, Florida. The goal is to allow the oyster population time to recover. That ban ends at the end of 2025. Reopening is expected to be limited in the beginning of 2026, and O’Leary said it all has a financial impact.

    “I don’t think we think about how economics plays into marine science and marine biology,” said USF music student Emma Urbanski, one of the students singing the new scientific melody.

    Student musicians will perform “Oysters Ain’t Safe” in a concert at the IPAC Theater at Pasco-Hernando State College in Wesley Chapel on Tuesday, Nov. 4. It will be part of a series called “Water Works,” which begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.   

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    Dalia Dangerfield

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  • Lakeland High School, FSC partner to launch ‘Educator Academy’

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    LAKELAND, Fla. — Students at Lakeland High School are getting a head start in pursuing a career in education thanks to a partnership with Florida Southern College. It is creating a pathway for students to earn credits while in high school.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Southern College and Lakeland High School partner to launch “Educator Academy”

    • The academy is made up of 55 high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in education

    • The academy is four years long and will help students transfer to FSC with five college course credits.


    Students in this classroom are putting pen to paper learning about a career in education.

    Ashlynn Masciarelli is a sophomore at Lakeland High School who is interested in working in the classroom. “I have a lot of family members that are teachers, and I’ve always been a big helper, and I love kids,” she said.

    She is part of over 50 students at the high school taking part in the “Educator Academy.” It’s a new partnership with Florida Southern College geared toward high school students.

    Faith Himene said it is teaching her valuable skills as she considers becoming a special needs educator.

    “I’ve learned a lot of relationship ways to work with kids and how to communicate with parents and adults,” Himene said.

    The course is taught by college students currently enrolled in the education school at FSC.

    The dean of the school of education, Lori Rakes, said the academy will guide students over the course of four years. At the end, they will earn five class credits that can transfer to the college.

    “Currently there are three classes in the educator academy, different periods of the day,” Rakes said. “As the program grows, we hope that it will take all seven class periods.”

    The academy includes partnership days where FSC students come in to teach the high schoolers. They also shadow college students at FSC and even get hands-on training at the Roberts Academy.

    Tracey Tedder, the provost and VP of Academic Affairs with the college, hopes this will create a pipeline for more teachers in the county.

    “There’s a need for teachers right here in our own community, and it gave us a great opportunity to not only work with our local community but to prepare students who are interested in education,” Tedder said.

    And inspire students like Masciarelli and Himene to one day be in their own classrooms.

    The academy is made up of students of all grade levels. Students interested in taking part can sign up at Lakeland High School.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Polk State College launches new agriculture industry initiative

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk State College is launching a new initiative aimed at getting more students into the agriculture industry. It starts next spring, but students are already signing up.

    What You Need To Know

    • Agripolk is an initiative aimed at creating a pathway for students interested in the agricultural industry
    • The initiative offers gen-ed courses that will easily transfer to the University of Florida
    • The courses begin in spring 2026, and sign-ups are already happening


    Penny Watson has been fishing since she was a little girl, and while it brings her peace, it also gives her a strong desire to protect the waters.

    “It is a beautiful place there, but it’s also kind of sad because the seagrass is goop and it shouldn’t be like that,” she said.

    Watson hopes to help change that thanks to a new initiative from Polk State College, where she’ll be able to merge her love for computer science and agriculture.

    “I feel like there needs to be data science and research so that we can bring the seagrass back and restore our fisheries,” she said.

    The initiative combines an Associate of Arts degree with specialized coursework and certification opportunities. 

    It’s a new pathway for the college that will help create a pipeline for students to start their careers in agriculture in Polk County.

    Belkis Torres-Capeles is the dean of workforce education with the college. She says the initiative comes with its perks.

    “An expedited admissions decision process, ability to participate in several events and have the weight of UF behind them, and the brand that is Polk State to uplift them as they begin their agricultural career,” she said.

    According to Polk State College, more than 3,000 students in Polk County schools are already enrolled in agricultural programs, therefore this initiative is meeting the high demand for careers in agriculture.

    It’s a pathway that gives high school students like Kayleigh Douge the opportunity to kickstart their career early.

    “I think weather students have grown up in production, agriculture, or they are new to the industry. It’s really a great opportunity because they don’t have to leave their home county to pursue the agriculture industry,” said Douge.

    Watson believes it’ll help her grow and learn more about the agriculture industry while making a difference.

    “We produce a lot of food here, and we need to do it safely,” she said. “We need to do to sustainably, and I want to be able to help with that with the next generation.”

    To maintain the waters in which she fishes for years to come.

    Polk State College will be hosting a series of open houses for students to learn more about the new initiative.

    The first open house is taking place on Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Lake Wales campus.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • School club aimed at helping immigrant students adjust to school system

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Starting a new school can be challenging, especially if that new school is in a new country.

    One student in Tampa Bay is hoping to make that transition a little easier with a club aimed at supporting first-generation students in Hillsborough County.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Tampa Bay student is working to make education transition easier for immigrant students
    • The club known, First Generation, First Dream, is aimed at providing support for students
    • Flavia Mandado says this club was formed from her personal experience


    Flavia Mandado said it feels like yesterday she took several pictures with her family back in Cuba: “I’m happy that we took this picture and we could treasure it forever.”

    Memories like this continue to connect her to her Cuban roots even though she left her home country four years ago.

    She says the move came with a lot of challenges, especially navigating the school system. “I didn’t have anyone that could guide me through the United States educational system, so I didn’t take full advantage of my knowledge and how I could use my dedication to school.”

    After her first two years, she got the hang of things and began to take more advanced courses like honors and advanced placement.

    Now as a senior at Alonso High School, she’s got a lot of awards to show for her hard work, and she wants to pay it forward through a new club, First Generation, First Dream.

    “It’s dedicated to first-generation students, no matter where they come from, no matter their cultural background,“ she said.

    The club, which has about 30 members so far, teaches first-generation students about the educational system in America. They’re learning about honors, AP and dual enrollment courses and how to apply to college.

    It’s building community while strengthening students’ love for education.

    “I would like to pass that advice that I missed to that generation, so they do not miss is,“ Mandado said.

    She is serving as a role model to help students like herself succeed in a new environment.

    Mandado hopes to expand the club outside of schools, too, and that she can eventually turn the group into a nonprofit organization.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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