ReportWire

Tag: APP Education

  • Visible Men Academy starts school year in new building, hoping to grow

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    BRADENTON, Fla. — A charter school in Manatee County just moved its students into a brand-new building last week.

    Visible Men Academy in Bradenton is a tuition-free, public charter school for kindergarten through fifth-grade boys. They plan to increase enrollment by 50 percent this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Visible Men Academy in Manatee County moved its students into a brand-new building last week

    • Leaders of the school have big plans, including increasing enrollment from 40 to 60

    • There will be a fundraiser called the “Love Lunch” on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East

    Every day at Visible Men Academy starts with a warm welcome from principal Tami VanOverbeke.

    “Good morning everyone, how are you?” she said.

    But these past few mornings for the students at the charter school have been a little different.

    “How do you feel about our new school? Good? What do you like about it? Everything good?” she said.

    A new school year, a new building, and a new principal.

    “The students, they make my day every single day,” VanOverbeke said.

    Visible Men Academy’s former location was an older building, and some classes were held in portables. But last school year, a capital campaign raised $2.2 million to purchase a new building, which has bigger classrooms and more space to accommodate new students. (Spectrum News/Julia Hazel)

    VanOverbeke says one of their goals is to help underprivileged boys. All 40 of their students are low income, and some are homeless.

    “Education really is the way out of poverty,” she said.

    Leaders of the school have big plans, including increasing enrollment from 40 to 60. The new building will help that become a reality.

    Visible Men Academy’s former location was an older building, and some classes were held in portables. But last school year, a capital campaign raised $2.2 million to purchase a new building, which has bigger classrooms and more space to accommodate new students.

    “There’s been a lot of research on same-sex schools, and that they don’t have to worry about the opposite sex. They don’t have to put on a show for anybody. They don’t have to show out, or they can just focus on being who they are,” she said.

    Now VanOverbeke is making sure these boys are enjoying their new building.

    “This is our home now. This is somewhere that they call home, that we can have forever, that they’re proud of,” she said.

    It’s a place where both the students and the school will continue to grow.

    There will be a fundraiser called the “Love Lunch” on Thursday, Oct. 24 at 11:30 a.m. at Michael’s On East.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Cedarville University reports record student enrollment

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    DAYTON, Ohio — While many universities and colleges across the country, both public and private, are seeing a decline in enrollment; Cedarville University is seeing a record growth. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Cedarville welcomed its largest student body, 7,265 undergraduate, graduate and dual-enrolled program students this fall

    • Of the incoming students, 1,199 are first-year students along with 111 transfers

    • Cedarville also saw 700 new students enroll in its graduate school, an 18.6% increase from last year

    Kicking off the fall semester, Cedarville welcomed its largest student body, 7,265 undergraduate, graduate and dual-enrolled program students, including online undergraduate degrees. 

    “We are deeply grateful for each and every student God has called to Cedarville University to pursue a Christ-centered education,” said Dr. Thomas White, president. “While enrollment numbers are not our primary measure of success, we are committed to equipping these students for their vocations and ministries. We give all glory to God for what He is doing on our campus and will seek to be faithful stewards of every student He sends our way.” 

    Of the incoming students, 1,199 are first-year students along with 111 transfers. Cedarville saw 3,566 returning students, marking a 12.5% increase from last year. Dual-enrollment courses, which are offered online and through partner high schools, saw a 26% growth with 2,244 high schoolers taking courses for college credit. 

    There are 62 students enrolled in the five new online undergraduate programs, which include accounting, communication, finance, IT management and management, and starting in January, a bachelor of arts in biblical and theological studies will be available online. 

    Cedarville also saw 700 new students enroll in its graduate school, an 18.6% increase from last year. The university offers nearly 30 master;s and doctoral degree programs, including new paths in a Master of Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Communication and Organizational Leadership  

    “We offer 175 different academic programs, including accredited professional degrees that aren’t available at many Christian universities,” said Janice Supplee, vice president for marketing and communications and dean of graduate studies. 

    The university is continuing to focus on campus expansion and facilities, including the $35 million Bolthouse Academic Center and new apartment housing scheduled to open next academic year. Since 2018, Cedarville has added seven new residence halls. 

     “Our focus is not only on short-term growth but also on long-term sustainability,” he said. “We are dedicated to ensuring that Cedarville remains faithful to our mission of being ‘for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ’ in all we do.”

    Cedarville continues to focus on its 10-year campus master plan and its fundraising initiative, the One Thousand Days Transformed campaign. The campaign has so far raised over $195 million toward scholarships, facilities and long-term initiatives. The final campaign amount will be announced on Friday, Oct. 2.

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Gen Z takes lead in Columbus debate ahead of local elections

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Students in Columbus organized and led a debate ahead of the November election, giving young voters a chance to hear directly from candidates for one City Council seat and three Columbus City School Board seats.

    What You Need To Know

    • Students organized a debate ahead of the November election, featuring candidates for one City Council seat and three Columbus City School Board seats

    • Experts emphasize the importance of young voters forming civic habits early, noting that even small increases in youth turnout can sway close local races

    • Young participants say local issues like public transit, housing and school funding directly affect their daily lives and deserve more attention from their generation

    The event, called “Reset: Voices of a New Columbus,” centered youth voices and aimed to boost civic engagement among voters under 25, though it was open to all ages.

    For Ohio State University senior Gavin Levine, attending the debate was about seeing local leaders engage directly with issues that matter to him.

    “Local politics has a very direct impact on people’s daily lives. Like, for example, I would like to see more public transportation in the city. More bike infrastructure. More housing built just to address the housing crisis. And a lot of this stuff is decided locally,” Levine said.

    He added that many of his peers do not follow local politics, focusing instead on national or global headlines. He said this was often influenced by social media and other media outlets, which can pull attention away from local issues.

    Levine said a recent ballot measure to expand public transit in Columbus was the moment he realized how much local decisions affect daily life.

    Organizers echoed that sense of urgency, noting that Generation Z is increasingly seeking to hold leaders accountable.

    “We’re willing to take on hard things. We aren’t ones that are just pushovers. We want to see our world get better. We want to be somebody that’s in those roles, bringing about positive impacts on the world and holding our elected officials accountable,” said Karina Burck, political engagement intern and organizer with Columbus Stand Up.

    Tom Sutton, a retired political science professor from Baldwin Wallace University, said participation at the local level often sets the foundation for lifelong engagement.

    “The reason it’s so important for 18- to 29-year-olds to start voting is it establishes the habit of civic engagement,” Sutton said.

    Sutton noted that local races are typically decided by fewer votes than statewide or national contests, making youth participation particularly consequential.

    “It can be a difference of 25 or 50 votes in some of these races where you just get that little bump up in turnout from younger voters and it’ll make the difference in who gets elected,” he said.

    For Levine, becoming involved in local politics has also shaped how he views the city he calls home.

    “Columbus is not just like a word on my address. It is almost like a living being that I interact with and that I have a relationship with and that I’ve, I guess Columbus is a place that I’m getting to know,” he said.

    Organizers said the debate was designed not only to prepare young people for the upcoming election but also to encourage long-term civic engagement. To draw in younger attendees, the event included a raffle for those under 25, offering a Nintendo Switch 2 as the prize.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Grants help UNCA students stay in school after Helene

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    ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Nearly a year after Helene disrupted life across western North Carolina, UNC Asheville students are still rebuilding with help of resilience grant funds.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The University of North Carolina Asheville has distributed $3.9 million in grants to help students affected by Helene

    •  Those grants are supporting students with tuition and emergency needs

    •  One student says those dollars went far for those rebounding from last year’s storm 


    The university has distributed $3.9 million in aid to cover tuition and emergency needs.

    The grants were made possible through support from the North Carolina General Assembly and are designed to help students from storm-affected areas stay enrolled.

    Melanie R. Fox is associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students. 

    The UNCA alumnus spoke with several students who credited the grants for making their education possible.

    “I talked to a number of students who would not be able to be in school without the benefit of receiving those grants,” Fox said.

    Lainie Sopa is a music technology graduate and now works as UNCA admission counselor and campus tour leader.

    From storm debris to full parking lots, Sopa recalls the days when the student parking lot hosted a water filtration site run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    “It’s kind of crazy now that it’s a full parking lot,” Sopa said.

    “We were without students for so long,” Fox said. “It is amazing to see student vehicles back.”

    Obi Osaro is an atmospheric science major at UNCA. He also serves as student body president.

    Osaro said grant assistance helped him cover the cost of textbooks and replace food he lost during the storm.

    “Last year was a pretty tough semester,” Osaro said. “I was able to fund food I lost from Helene.”

    The resilience grants are part of a broader wave of support from the university to keep students on their educational pathways.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • State awards school for inclusive education model

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    SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Clark Early Learning Center has been awarded the state’s Inclusive Child Care Program designation, recognizing its approach of teaching children of all abilities side by side.

    What You Need To Know

    • Clark Early Learning Center in Springfield received the state’s Inclusive Child Care Program designation

    • A meta-analysis published by the National Library of Medicine found that children with disabilities experience both academic and social benefits when educated alongside their peers

    • A veteran teacher at Clark said no method is more effective than children learning directly from their peers

    The Springfield preschool is the only program in Clark County to earn the designation. Principal Caitlin Smith said the recognition reflects years of work to ensure that every child is valued.

    “We believe that what makes a community strong is when every child’s strengths and abilities are valued. And so we make sure we do that in every room in our building,” Smith said.

    Teachers at Clark say the model is rooted in peer-to-peer learning. Nikki Adams, who has taught at the preschool for several years, explained that children often learn best from one another.

    “There is no better teacher than a peer learning from another peer,” Adams said. “So, there are things that adults can attempt to model and mimic. But it does not hit or impact children the same as when a peer is helping them or teaching them or they’re learning beside them.”

    Adams noted that children demonstrate similar developmental progress regardless of disability status, emphasizing that students with and without special needs benefit equally from learning alongside one another.

    Smith added that Clark teachers undergo more training than the state requires and that families play an active role in classrooms, which she called the best testament to the school’s work.

    A meta-analysis published by the National Library of Medicine, drawing on 80 years of research, found that children with disabilities experience both academic and social benefits when educated alongside their peers.

    Educators at Clark say the benefits extend beyond academics. Adams said children develop empathy and pride that carry into their lives outside school.

    “We see strengths and weaknesses, but it’s not as a positive or negative thing,” Adams said. “It’s just who each child is and who they are. And how we help them to become stronger and grow into greater citizens.”

    Smith said the message from Clark’s experience is clear.

    “Inclusion is possible. Inclusion is the best scenario,” Smith said. “When all students are included, everyone is more successful.”

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    Saima Khan

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  • Thousands of kids left without a bus ride as private school transport expands

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — A scramble is underway for some Ohio families over a staple of the back-to-school season: rides on the big, yellow school bus.

    What You Need To Know

    • A scramble is underway in Ohio over a staple of the back-to-school season: rides on the big yellow school bus

    • Public school districts canceled bus transportation for thousands of high schoolers again this year while in some cases still busing students to private and charter schools to avoid steep fines under state requirements

    • A nationwide bus driver shortage is being compounded by the effects of Ohio’s recent expansion to a universal voucher program to help more kids attend private schools
    • Districts have been required for years to transport voucher students, but disputes over how to do that are intensifying as the program grows

    Public school districts canceled bus transportation for thousands of high schoolers again this year, while in some cases still busing students to private and charter schools to avoid steep fines under state requirements. In Dayton, a stopgap effort that gives students public transit passes in lieu of school bus rides was temporarily restored by a judge last week. This came after the district sued, alleging the state illegally restricted the program.

    The crunch for rides emerged as a bus driver shortage was compounded by Ohio’s school transportation regulations and its expansion to a universal voucher program to help pay for students to attend private schools. Districts have been required for years to transport students with EdChoice vouchers, but disputes over how to do that intensified as the program added nearly 90,000 students over the past four years.

    Public dollars for busing private students

    Advocates for public education argue Ohio’s transportation mandates are inflexible, vague and expensive.

    It makes public school districts responsible for transporting K-8 students to their private or charter schools, even on district holidays or when buses break down. It also requires districts to extend whatever transportation service they offer to their own high schoolers to every high schooler at a private or charter school in the same area.

    Some large districts responded by canceling bus service to high schools altogether, providing city transit passes where available or leaving public school students to find their own rides. And those districts still might have to bus private students if those students weren’t notified within a certain timeframe.

    “To know that they are having to take those public dollars to funnel into other entities is not a fair situation, and I don’t think that it’s right,” said Ronnee Tingle, a Dayton mom whose 7th-grader rides the school bus and whose teens in public school have to take a city bus.

    Her daughter Suelonnee Tingle, a senior, begins her mornings checking an app for when a public bus will arrive at her stop. Riding it is “not bad,” but learning routes, catching connections and getting to school on time can be challenging as arrival times fluctuate, she said.

    Dayton Superintendent David Lawrence calls it “madness” that the Republican-led Legislature diverted roughly $2.5 billion in state education funding to the voucher program over the next two years — and is still is requiring public districts to foot transportation costs for those students. His district runs 54 bus routes for its students and 74 for non-public students, according to data compiled by the Ohio 8 Coalition, representing the eight largest districts.

    The Dayton district could easily provide bus rides for all of its public school students if the state ended some of the requirements about transporting voucher students, Lawrence said.

    “If we didn’t have to transport charter school and parochial students, we could transfer all of our students almost door to door from K through 12,” he said. That would also help eliminate ancillary issues that arose with public high schoolers making their own ways to school, including disruptions on city buses and threats to their physical safety, he said.

    Footing the bill

    Republican state Sen. Andrew Brenner, a school choice advocate who chairs the Senate Education Committee, said he doesn’t believe that financial hardship, logistical nightmares and driver recruitment challenges are creating a school transportation crisis in Ohio, as public education advocates contend.

    “That’s a completely inaccurate description,” he said. “What they have done is they’re excluding all the kids with school choice in many districts, and they’re doing everything they can to avoid transporting them.”

    Brenner said lawmakers provided districts with $1,500 per student to cover the costs of transporting voucher students, and he accused districts of abusing a provision that lets them deem busing the voucher students “impractical” and make “payment in lieu” of transportation to those families. The amount ranges from roughly $600 to $1,200 per student this year to offset the families’ costs.

    Public school districts argue that transporting both public and private students costs way more than the state provides for it, contributing to budget woes. For Ohio’s largest districts, the gap can total millions of dollars.

    Transportation burdens for parents

    Cleveland paid families for 2,739 students it deemed impractical to transport to private schools this fiscal year, according to state data. Columbus was second on the list, paying for about 2,500. The state has sued Columbus schools, accusing the district of shirking mandates about transporting voucher students.

    “Parents are being forced to quit their jobs, rearrange their lives and scramble for transportation, while the school board fails to meet its legal duties,” Republican Attorney General Dave Yost said last year. The case is still pending.

    Columbus defended the decision, arguing that folding those non-public school students into its operation — a sophisticated, software-driven enterprise whose buses transport more than 16,000 public and 3,400 non-public students along some 450 routes — was unworkable. Spokesperson Mike Brown said the district has $75 million budgeted this school year for transportation, and another $15 million budgeted for transportation-related fines.

    Lawrence said Ohio’s setup requires public districts to cover overhead for transportation systems. In Dayton, that includes buses that can cost more than $150,000 each, a stable of $66,000-a-year mechanics, a $1.1 million maintenance division, and drivers who make about $22 an hour with benefits on average. Those wages aim to offset the “Amazon effect” of drivers choosing package delivery over ferrying children for reasons including comfort, schedule flexibility and pay.

    Brenner said he’d like to see more public schools explore the benefits of combining operations within counties to share resources.

    The state’s largest urban and suburban districts — the Ohio 8 — argue lawmakers could help solve the issue by updating “antiquated” laws and regulations to align with current realities.

    A study group was created in the last budget but tasked with studying just one issue: how to get non-public students to school on days when public districts are closed. Its recommendations are due in June 2026.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Nash County school receives praise from state superintendent

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Nash Early College High School is one of the many schools achieving academic success.

    The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released data for Accountability and Testing for North Carolina schools on Wednesday.

    Superintendent Mo Green praised the school, saying the graduation rate is very impressive, and he’s excited to see this school continue to lead the way, even saying it can be one of the best schools in the country.

    What You Need To Know

    • Data for Accountability and Testing for North Carolina schools was released Wednesday

    • Nash Early College High School has a 100% graduation rate

    • The school earned an “A” rating while exceeding growth expectations on the 2025 accountability report


    Principal Thomas McGeachy said he was drawn to the high school’s sense of community, and that is what kept him there.

    “One of the aspects of our school is to make this a welcoming learning environment for all of our school,” McGeachy said. “So, you’re going to see student work displayed in the hallways.

    “This gives them a chance to have a voice,” McGeachy added.

    Nash Early College High School prides itself on being collaborative, safe, inclusive and on allowing students to be self-advocates.

    McGeachy said his son had attended the high school before he was employed there.

    His son was a quiet student, he said, and to see the impact these teachers had on him and now other students, that shows McGeachy that his staff cares.

    He said his staff is top-tier and he wouldn’t expect anything less

    “The district recognizes those EOC teachers who exceed expected growth with the star,” McGeachy said.

    The principal said his students are just as amazing, and the stats don’t lie. He said the high school has a 100% graduation rate.

    Nash Early College High School earned an “A” rating while exceeding growth expectations on the 2025 accountability report.

    Some students even extend their high school career, as the high school offers a 13th grade. Students can even earn an associate’s degree.

    The principal said these are some of the main reasons his high school differs from others in the state.

    “Scholars are going to want to come to school. They want to, they’re going to want to do well when they feel like teachers and staff have their best interests at heart. Again, that ties into not only, graduation rate, but in reducing absenteeism, because if a student feels comfortable in the academic setting, they’re going to want to come to school,” McGeachy said.

    It’s the school’s data-driven approach that is fueling these successes.

    This year marks the sixth year in a row of the high school exceeding growth, and McGeachy said it’s because he and the staff are constantly collecting, analyzing and using various types of data to make decisions about instruction, resource allocation and overall school improvement.

    He said all instructors are involved in this method for the betterment of every student.

    “For those scholars who don’t meet the objective, we then have discussions around this table about what is it that we need to do in order to get them there,” he explained.

    Another interesting fact the principal mentioned is that every Friday students are dismissed early, allowing faculty to use the rest of the day for professional development where they discuss student proficiency data and how they and students can improve. This is again, going back to that data-driven model.  

    Following Wednesday’s meeting, Green shared he is eager to see this data continue to improve as the state continues to work to implement its strategic plan for state schools.

    Green said he is striving to have the best public schools in the nation, and with schools like Nash Early College High School, the goal is achievable.

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Education leaders discuss 2024-25 accountability, testing report

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina schools are seeing a three-year high for most standardized tests.

    That’s just one of the highlights the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction shared Wednesday when it released its accountability data.

    North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green and other school officials shared the findings expressing how schools in the state are doing better, but they also said there is more work to do, saying state schools can be the “best in the nation.”

    What You Need To Know

    • The 2024-25 Accountability and Testing Report for North Carolina schools is on the table

    • According to the report, collectively students scored higher in 12 of 15 math and reading assessments

    • Reading, English II and N.C. math results fell when comparing them with the past school year


    On Wednesday local education leaders spoke to the hard work to promote excellence within each district.

    The release of the 2024-25 Accountability and Testing Report for North Carolina schools is on the table.

    According to the report, collectively students scored higher in 12 of 15 math and reading assessments.

    Chief Academic Officer Stacey Wilson-Norman said only third grade reading, English II and N.C. math results fell when compared with the past school year.

    “We will continue to build on the work that we’re doing with the science of reading. It is a strong foundation but with the adoption of our new standards that you’ll hear more about in the coming months for ELA,” Wilson-Norman said.

    Wilson-Norman said they are also working hard to build a math framework for pre-K through 12th grade.

    “To really begin to think about how high-quality math looks in every single classroom across our state,” Wilson-Norman said.

    The graduation rate improved from the previous year with leaders saying the four-year rate went up to 87.7% That’s up 0.7% and is the highest it’s been in 10 years, and school performance grades continue to show an increase of schools earning an A, B or C.

    School officials said some schools are still struggling, earning a D or F grade, but the number of schools falling behind is decreasing.

    Green said these results stemmed from strategic planning.

    “One was implementing Marzano high relative reliability model. They developed a unified instructional framework based on research and data. They added math and literacy facilitators. They built a safe and supportive and collaborative cultures,” Green said.

    Senior Director of the Office of Accountability and Testing Tammy Howard said the state emphasizes reading comprehension for all students and said it goes beyond the skill of reading

    “They ask students to do things like make inferences from text, to draw conclusions, to determine a main idea, and that is an extension of that,” Howard said.

    According to Howard, nearly 50 fewer schools were marked low-performing in the 2024-25 school year compared with the previous year.

    Green said these scores are a baseline for what’s to come.

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • New resiliency pilot program from a nonprofit expands to USF students

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — A Sarasota mental health nonprofit, Sunshine from Darkness, is expanding its services to local college students in the Manatee-Sarasota area.

    The organization started a pilot Youth Resiliency Program last year for middle schoolers, and has now partnered with the University of South Florida (USF) Sarasota-Manatee to offer mental health services in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • Sarasota nonprofit Sunshine from Darkness started a pilot Youth Resiliency Program last year for middle schoolers
    • The organization partnered with USF Sarasota-Manatee to offer mental health services in the aftermath of last year’s hurricanes

    • Sunshine from Darkness is starting another pilot program this fall, which plans to implement virtual reality technology at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus

    “So instead of, like, thinking about what’s bothering me, I’m thinking about, like, squeezing the Play-Doh,” Kathy Porcelly said.

    Porcelly is a junior at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus, majoring in elementary education. While college can often be stressful, Porcelly also has generalized anxiety disorder.

    “So it’s like just minor things that might not bother other people, tend to bother me. Or, I just overthink little conversations throughout the day or things I possibly did wrong,” she explained.

    But she didn’t learn these new exercises on her own. She had some help from a licensed psychologist during a pilot program that worked with 17 USF students. It was started by the nonprofit Sunshine from Darkness, which partnered with USF to help improve students’ mental health.

    Moving Play-Doh around is one way Porcelly reduces stress.

    Marlene Hauck, the executive director for Sunshine from Darkness, said, “Each of the college students will learn their own way to cope, their own way to develop resilience. What we’re looking for also is to be able to help them move forward.”

    The pilot program began in April and included four one-hour sessions that focused on breathing exercises and tactile activities. Already, Porcelly says it helps her every day.

    “It gave me different strategies on how to deal with my stress and then my anxiety — activities that I wouldn’t think of myself,” she said.

    Now, as Porcelly continues her college education, she hopes she can incorporate what she’s learned and pass it on to her own students when she becomes a teacher.

    Sunshine from Darkness is starting another pilot program this fall. They plan to implement virtual reality technology at USF’s Sarasota-Manatee campus in that program.

    “USF College of Education at Sarasota-Manatee’s partnership with Sunshine from Darkness and Herrera Psychology is timely and innovative as we work together to support the resiliency of our university students. This is important, timely work and we are thrilled to have this partnership available for our students,” the school said in a statement.

    “USF College of Education at Sarasota-Manatee’s Collaboratory is a transformative and innovative space that focuses on human-centered design. Supporting education, the community, and innovative thinking, the tech space is a hub for dynamic change,” it continued.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Warren Wilson farm experiencing comeback after Helene

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    SWANNANOA, N.C. — Nearly a year after Helene swept across western North Carolina, Warren Wilson College has made progress in recovery on its student-run farm and garden that were devastated by floodwaters.

    What You Need To Know

    •  It’s been nearly a year since Helene damaged a student-run farm at a western North Carolina school

    •  The college has since made progress with restoring the river and farm areas since the storm hit 

    •  Staff said their method for cleanup and restoration may serve as a model for other communities rebuilding from a storm 


    The mixed-crop and livestock operation farm sits in the floodplain of the Swannanoa River, which runs 2.5 miles through campus.

    When Helene hit, the farm bore the brunt of the flooding, leaving fields and crops damaged.

    Although there’s some infrastructure left to fix, many of the farm operations strained by the storm are back in motion.

    “It’s really exciting to see the transformation,” said student Wren Tisnado-Blake.

    Tisnado-Blake is a senior, serving as cattle crew boss on the farm where she’s gaining hands-on experience for farming careers.

    She been participating in cleanup efforts on the farm.

    Many of the crew duties included hauling debris and helping replant fields.

    “We all had to band together to get through this horrible event that happened to us,” Tisnado-Blake said. “We’ve had to work really hard to get it back to even ground floor where it was. Being able to rethink things, it’s like a fresh start for us.”

    The campus garden that helped feed community members facing food insecurity was also damaged by Helene.

    “Now they are finally able to grow vegetables, and I know all of them are so excited about it,” Tisnado-Blake said.

    Students are celebrating the growth of a summer corn crop, ahead of the harvest season.

    “There’s no way I could have seen this happening,” Tisnado-Blake said.

    The college is involved in not only restoration work, but ways to build resilience against future storms.

    Dave Ellum is the dean and director of The Center for Working Lands at Warren Wilson College.

    On Thursday evening, Ellum led an on-campus discussion, updating the community on cleanup and restoration work.

    “The students, staff, faculty have all really come together,” Ellum said. “[Since Helene hit] we’ve completed our Army Corps of Engineering work. I think Warren Wilson is going to serve as a model for how to do this type of river cleanup properly and correctly, thinking about the ecological resilience of the system.”

    “There’s been a lot of I would say not best practices used around the county. We were able to facilitate the management of our river cleanup in a way that protected the ecological resilience of the land,” Ellum said.

    Ellum is stressing the importance of focusing on lessons learned from Helene and strategies to strengthen ecological resilience ahead of future weather events.

    “Does it mean going back to how things were before, does it mean we need to get together and bring lots of stakeholders to think about how we rebuild those ecosystems for better resiliency down the line,” Ellum said.

    “I think we need to move away from ‘if this happens again’ and with climate think — this is probably going to happen again,” Ellum said.

    On Oct. 4, Warren Wilson College is hosting a Fall Fest and Working Lands Showcase. It will include discussions about ecological resilience and tours of the river.

    The free event will include music and activities for children.

     

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    Jennifer Roberts

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  • Investment into N.C. community colleges continues across the state

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — There are 58 community colleges across North Carolina, and recently, all of them have seen a boost in enrollment, according to the North Carolina Community College System.

    The increase in students has also led to an increase in investments being made in these institutions.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wake Tech is the largest community college in North Carolina, teaching almost 75,000 students a year across seven campuses

    • Wake Tech also offers apprenticeship programs in more than 20 fields, with five offering professions certifications

    • The east campus in Wendell serves as the STEM hub for Wake Tech students



    “We’ve developed half of the campus here, so the other half was a 100-acre campus. So, it’s got room to grow,” Scott Ralls, president of Wake Technical Community College, said.

    As more spaces are created at the Wake Technical Community College east campus in Wendell, school leaders can offer more educational programs spanning different areas of study.

    “Next August, we’ll open our Advanced Technology Center. It’s really the hub for our engineering, our engineering technology programs and our new fire rescue training center yet to come,” Ralls said. 

    Wake Tech is the largest community college in North Carolina, teaching almost 75,000 students a year across seven campuses.

    “Most of those students are in non-degree programs. They’re coming here for skill training of some type. All the police, who are law enforcement agents from different police forces around the region, are over at our public safety simulation. And right now, they’re students and they’re taking courses that are gonna improve their skill set,” Ralls said.

    Wake Tech also offers apprenticeship programs in over 20 fields, with five offering professions certifications.

    “What has happened over time, particularly because of our apprenticeship programs that we have, is it’s not so much that students are not getting hired when they graduate. Typically, students are getting hired when they come in the door. And in many cases, they’re in particular programs where they may be going to work for four days a week as apprentices and here two days a week with us,” Ralls said.

    A multimillion-dollar investment for community colleges across the state is helping Wake Tech stay on the cutting edge so students can have a smoother transition to the workforce.

    “A lot of the skills that in the past people may have shunned off is blue collar or something else. You know, these are the technology skills of today, and they are the skills that lead to high-paying jobs and great opportunities,” Ralls said.

    The east campus in Wendell serves as the STEM hub for Wake Tech students.

    “One of the things that’s unique for community colleges, and particularly at Wake Tech, is a pathway into the engineering universities — N.C. State, North Carolina A&T, UNC Charlotte, others,” Ralls said.

    It’s something students and alumni say is a big plus.

    “I definitely found it surprising and like how many opportunities they offer. Like I didn’t expect it. But I really enjoyed it. Like, how much they gave,” said Milena Papayan, a recent graduate of Wake Tech.

    Papayan studied engineering for two years on Wake Tech’s north campus, before switching over to biochemistry in her final year. She now attends UNC Chapel Hill, majoring in biochemistry and working toward a career in the medical field.

    “Having the opportunity to get that hands-on experience and all the research experience made me think, ‘Oh, this is what I really want to do,’” Papayan said. “Wake Tech was, kind of, the stepping stones needed to figure out, who I was in life going into each semester I took. I learned what I like, what I don’t like.”

    Ralls says the unique thing about community colleges is that they truly are for everyone, regardless of age or career aspirations.

    “What’s important is that we set up our programs so that you’re hitting the targets that allow you to accomplish what you want to do as a result of going to a community college,” Ralls said.

    The North Carolina Community College System is also set up in a way that any credits earned will transfer seamlessly to any University of North Carolina system school. Some of the state’s private colleges also have agreements that allow students to transfer all courses and credits so they can continue learning with no issues.

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    Zyneria Byrd

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  • Diocese of St. Petersburg examines protocols in wake of Minnesota mass shooting

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — One week ago Wednesday, a gunman opened fire on a group of students attending mass at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese, Chris Pastura, said they are working closely with local law enforcement after last week’s shootings in Minneapolis

    • With 46 Catholic schools spanning five counties, and nearly 14,000 students, he said school security is a top priority

    • Pastura said the Diocese of St. Petersburg already took steps other Diocese have shied away from, like putting armed security guards in every school


    Now, the Diocese of St. Petersburg is taking a look at its own safety protocols in local Catholic schools to see if there is anything they can improve on.

    The Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese, Chris Pastura, said they are working closely with local law enforcement, and while he’s not able to go into too much detail, for obvious reasons, he said they are reviewing current policies, like the way mass is handled.

    “All of our hearts are broken for our colleagues at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, and we just want to assure them we are praying for them,” he said.

    The tragic shooting last week in Minneapolis hit close to home for many Catholic families in Tampa Bay, including Pastura, and with 46 Catholic schools spanning five counties, and nearly 14,000 students, he said school security is a top priority.

    “In working with all of our police departments and working with all of our principals, I think it’s safe to say we feel very good about where we’re at. Obviously, we can always be better and we continue to work on that,” he said.

    Pastura said the Diocese of St. Petersburg already took steps other Diocese have shied away from, like putting armed security guards in every school. Pastura said they’re also taking a look at the way mass is handled in schools.

    “A lot of that depends on the physical building, so sometimes the church is actually attached to the school which makes things easier,” he said. “So the geography is important, but what we’ve done is every single school, they’re talking to their local police department, doing evaluations, but we’re evaluating that entire reality.”

    Pastura said it is important to their faith to maintain a strong sense of community, bringing families together, and that’s something they don’t want to lose. But ultimately, it comes down to student safety.

    “We have faith in our people, we have faith in our God and I think with we need to transform our society to make it more loving and kind,” he said.

    Pastura said he will be meeting with law enforcement officials in Tampa next week, which he regularly does. The Diocese also sent a letter to all families last week outlining all current safety and security protocols.

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    Fallon Silcox

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  • Dr. Phillips senior earns international JROTC accolade

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando student set herself apart from the pack, earning top honors and a global distinction of a top cadet in the world.

    What You Need To Know

    • Student Mayra Feliciano is in charge of more than 300 cadets at Dr. Phillips High School

    • She found focus and discipline in the school’s JROTC program, bolstering her dream of one day flying fighter planes

    • JROTC Senior Instructor Lt. Col. Rick Proctor nominated Feliciano for the accolade

    • The senior beat out 95,000 cadets across the world to be recognized as Cadet of the Year

    “I found a lot more about myself, things I could do, the things I struggle on and what I’m good at,” said Mayra Feliciano, who is now a senior at Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando. “You don’t have to go to the military after it, but it teaches a lot of discipline and a lot of other things: time management, skills for the real world.”

    Feliciano stumbled upon the JROTC program while attending a high school choice fair, curious about a “kid in a flight suit.”

    But she spent the past three years intensely focused on the program, while sprinkling in other activities — from after-school clubs to leadership development.

    She’s now a cadet colonel of the Air Force JROTC program, in charge of about 300 cadets at the school, and serves as point person for training her fellow cadets.

    JROTC senior instructor Lt. Col. Rick Proctor steadily watched Feliciano grow in her knowledge and self assurance. He decided to nominate her for the Cadet of the Year award.

    “It makes me come to tears thinking about it because I’m so happy for her and what she’s accomplished,” he said. “And that’s what this program is about. This is about Mayra Feliciano being herself. I could just see the dedication and the focus in her, and it helps knowing somebody’s like that, anybody’s like that.”

    As if edging out the competition of 95,000 cadets from the United States to Japan was not enough, Feliciano spent the summer on a $30,000 scholarship at a local flight academy, earning her private pilot’s certificate at the age of 17.

    “It was pretty cool to say I was flying over the summer, while other kids were playing video games,” she said, breaking out in a grin.

    The high schooler said she’s relishing her last year at Dr. Phillips High, but she’s focused more on the future than the present. She’s dreaming of attending a school like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, flying fighter jets in the military and helping her single mother get on better financial footing.

    “I want to help them have an easy life. I don’t want them to work until old age,” Feliciano said of her mother and grandmother. “I’m going to be 18, out in the real world, paying taxes in a year or two. I gotta find a way to sustain myself and help my family out. We have a connection. It makes it easier because we are there for each other.”

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    Julie Gargotta

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  • Silent alert help schools support students after trauma

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    GAHANNA, Ohio — A new partnership between Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools and the Gahanna Division of Police and Fire aims to give teachers a quiet alert when a student may be experiencing the effects of trauma, allowing schools to respond with added compassion and flexibility.

    What You Need To Know

    • Gahanna schools now receive same-day alerts from first responders when a student experiences trauma
    • The “Handle With Care” notice gives no incident details — just a child’s name and a signal for teachers to provide extra support
    • The goal is to help students feel safe and supported at school without adding pressure or probing questions

    The initiative, known as Handle With Care, is part of a growing effort across Ohio to support children who have been involved in potentially traumatic incidents, such as domestic violence, car accidents, fires or medical emergencies.

    Under the program, first responders who encounter a child at the scene of a distressing event can submit a confidential notice to the school district. The message includes only the child’s name and the phrase,“Handle With Care.”

    “There are no details about the incident,” said Crystal Jones, a school resource officer with the Gahanna Division of Police. “It’s confidentially just the student’s name and ‘handle with care.’”

    Jones, who serves at Jefferson Elementary, said that even a routine medical call involving emergency vehicles can feel overwhelming for a child.

    Once the alert is received, a designated team in the district — including principals, counselors and administrators — notifies teachers and other staff who work directly with the student.

    Teachers are not given details about what happened, but the notification is designed to help them adjust expectations and approach the day with added care.

    “If a student comes in without a book bag, and we know that we’ve gotten a Handle With Care notice, we’re not necessarily going to question, ‘Why did you forget your book bag?’” said Scott Schmidt, principal of Jefferson Elementary. “Instead, we make sure that student has what they need for the day.”

    Schmidt said the system helps prevent classroom disruptions and allows staff to proactively support students who may be struggling emotionally.

    “We’re here to care for the students and kind of avoid that unintended escalation,” he said.

    Assistant Superintendent for Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools, Jill Elliott, said the broader goal is to offer ongoing support for children who may be navigating difficult home situations or adverse childhood experiences.

    “We want to make sure that we are responding in an appropriate way to our students that are experiencing adverse childhood experiences,” she said.

    The Handle With Care initiative is supported by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and is currently in use in dozens of school districts across the state.

    Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools is among the latest to implement the program.

    For more information, click here.

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    Saima Khan

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  • Ashtabula City Schools opens school-based health clinic

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    ASHTABULA, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio, recently joined school officials to celebrate the grand opening of a new school-based health clinic at Ashtabula City School District. 

    The clinic was funded through a $330,000 grant from DeWine’s Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative and is supported through a partnership with Ashtabula Regional Medical Center. Students can receive well care, acute care, behavioral health care and immunizations.

    “This new clinic proves that when we invest in our schools, we’re investing in the strength and health of our communities as a whole,” said DeWine in a news release. “Together, we are proving what’s possible when we put our children and families first.”

    DeWine’s health initiative has invested more than $64 million to support the expansion or creation of community- and school-based health clinics. Funding was divided among 28 projects which are expected to affect 61,000 students and 375,000 area residents in 20 Appalachian counties. 

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    Madison MacArthur

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  • Colleges struggle as Trump policies send international enrollment plummeting

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    One international student after another told the University of Central Missouri this summer that they couldn’t get a visa, and many struggled to even land an interview for one.

    What You Need To Know

    • Signs of a decline in international students have unsettled colleges around the U.S., but some schools are especially vulnerable

    • Colleges with large numbers of foreign students and small endowments have little financial cushion to protect them from steep losses in tuition money

    • International students represent at least 20% of enrollment at more than 100 colleges with endowments of less than $250,000 per student, according to an Associated Press analysis

    • Many are small Christian colleges, but the group also includes large universities such as Northeastern and Carnegie Mellon

    Even though demand was just as high as ever, half as many new international graduate students showed up for fall classes compared to last year.

    The decline represents a hit to the bottom line for Central Missouri, a small public university that operates close to its margins with an endowment of only $65 million. International students typically account for nearly a quarter of its tuition revenue.

    “We aren’t able to subsidize domestic students as much when we have fewer international students who are bringing revenue to us,” said Roger Best, the university’s president.

    Signs of a decline in international students have unsettled colleges around the U.S. Colleges with large numbers of foreign students and small endowments have little financial cushion to protect them from steep losses in tuition money.

    International students represent at least 20% of enrollment at more than 100 colleges with endowments of less than $250,000 per student, according to an Associated Press analysis. Many are small Christian colleges, but the group also includes large universities such as Northeastern and Carnegie Mellon.

    The extent of the change in enrollment will not be clear until the fall, Some groups have forecast a decline of as much as 40%, with a huge impact on college budgets and the wider U.S. economy.

    International students face new scrutiny on several fronts

    As part of a broader effort to reshape higher education, President Donald Trump has pressed colleges to limit their numbers of international students and heightened scrutiny of student visas. His administration has moved to deport foreign students involved in pro-Palestinian activism, and new student visa appointments were put on hold for weeks as it ramped up vetting of applicants’ social media.

    On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security said it will propose a rule that would put new limits on the time foreign students can stay in the U.S.

    The policies have introduced severe financial instability for colleges, said Justin Gest, a professor at George Mason University who studies the politics of immigration.

    Foreign students are not eligible for federal financial aid and often pay full price for tuition — double or even triple the in-state rate paid by domestic students at public universities.

    “To put it more dollars and cents-wise, if an international student comes in and pays $80,000 a year in tuition, that gives universities the flexibility to offer lower fees and more scholarship money to American students,” Gest said.

    A Sudanese student barely made it to the U.S. for the start of classes

    Ahmed Ahmed, a Sudanese student, nearly didn’t make it to the U.S. for his freshman year at the University of Rochester.

    The Trump administration in June announced a travel ban on 12 countries, including Sudan. Diplomatic officials assured Ahmed he could still enter the U.S. because his visa was issued before the ban. But when he tried to board a flight to leave for the U.S. from Uganda, where he stayed with family during the summer, he was turned away and advised to contact an embassy about his visa.

    With the help of the University of Rochester’s international office, Ahmed was able to book another flight.

    At Rochester, where he received a scholarship to study electrical engineering, Ahmed, 19, said he feels supported by the staff. But he also finds himself on edge and understands why other students might not want to subject themselves to the scrutiny in the U.S., particularly those who are entirely paying their own way.

    “I feel like I made it through, but I’m one of the last people to make it through,” he said.

    Colleges are taking steps to blunt the impact

    In recent years, international students have made up about 30% of enrollment at Central Missouri, which has a total of around 12,800 students. In anticipation of the hit to international enrollment, Central Missouri cut a cost-of-living raise for employees. It has pushed off infrastructure improvements planned for its campus and has been looking for other ways to cut costs.

    Small schools — typically classified as those with no more than 5,000 students — tend to have less financial flexibility and will be especially vulnerable, said Dick Startz, an economics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

    Lee University, a Christian institution with 3,500 students in Tennessee, is expecting 50 to 60 international students enrolled this fall, down from 82 the previous school year, representing a significant drop in revenue for the school, said Roy Y. Chan, the university’s director of graduate studies.

    The school already has increased tuition by 20% over the past five years to account for a decrease in overall enrollment, he said.

    “Since we’re a smaller liberal arts campus, tuition cost is our main, primary revenue,” Chan said, as opposed to government funding or donations.

    The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink.

    Colleges around the country have been closing as they cope with declines in domestic enrollment, a consequence of changing demographics and the effects of the pandemic. Nationwide, private colleges have been closing at a rate of about two per month, according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.

    The number of high school graduates in the U.S. is expected to decline through 2041, when there will be 13% fewer compared to 2024, according to projections from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.

    “That means that if you lost participation from international students, it’s even worse,” Startz said.

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    Associated Press

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  • Space 4 All STEM Day: Where the mind’s eye and science come together

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Lighthouse of Pinellas, a nonprofit that offers services to children and adults with blindness and low vision, hosted “Space 4 All STEM Day,” an event that highlights accessible science for blind and visually impaired youth.

    What You Need To Know

    • Students with blindness and visual impairment enter the world of science and engineering

    • Lighthouse of Pinellas County chosen by NASA to host “Space 4 All STEM Day”

    • Blind since birth, a NASA project manager shares the highlights of her 30-year career

    The event is the result of a partnership between a coalition of organizations that includes NASA, the Tampa Bay Times Newspapers in Education and the Tampa Bay STEM Network.

    On Saturday, students at Lighthouse of Pinellas became engineers.

    They learned how to design airplanes using a sound-source target and took part in a lunar lander engineering challenge to see how spacecraft touch down on the moon’s surface.

    And for a little excitement, they launched rockets capable of blasting up to 200 ft into the sky.

    Lighthouse of Pinellas Marketing and Outreach Director Kayla Terrel said it’s important that children know that being blind or visually impaired doesn’t mean they can’t thrive in the world of science and technology.

    And the cool thing is, many of the kids have already had a test run.

    “Space 4 All STEM Day” takes place in Pinellas County. (Spectrum News)

    “These are all done by a 3D printer,” said Terrel, picking up three animal-shaped figurines — just one of many skills learned through the Lighthouse’s Work Experience Program. 

    “They got to learn the 3D printer programs through the computers, and some of them are totally blind, so they had screen readers read to them and tell them what to do to create these designs,” she explained.

    Then, using 3D printers, they transformed those creations into tangible products.

    “It’s an opportunity for them to explore different job opportunities and experiences and that they aren’t limited,” she said.

    Which is perfect for 10-year-old Samuel Volpy

    “I really do like space and science because it’s one of those things where I like to learn,” he said with a huge smile on his face. “You get to understand the world around you.”

    And considering he wants to be a pilot, getting a head start can’t hurt.

    “I really do like airplanes, and I like to fly to different places, and my favorite part about it is the landing,” he said.

    Through physical touch, form and aided by sound, these students are beginning their journeys into the world of science, engineering and technology, and proving to themselves that the sky really isn’t the limit.

    And you never know — Samuel might just be the next “Top Gun.”

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    Amber Gerard

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  • Student clubs aim to prevent violence

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    HARRISBURG, N.C. — In the aftermath of the church shooting at a Catholic school in Minnesota that claimed the lives of two children and hurt 18 other people, organizations are taking a deeper look at initiatives in our state aiming to stop future violence. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Student groups called SAVE Promise Clubs are in North Carolina and nationwide aiming to prevent violence

    • These clubs came from a partnership between Sandy Hook Promise and Students Against Violence Everywhere

    • The clubs create activities to increase connectedness among students and spread safety messages 

    • Sandy Hook Promise recognized clubs across North Carolina, including some in Catawba County and Cabarrus County 


    Nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise and Students Against Violence Everywhere joined forces in 2017 to create student clubs preventing violence in their communities. Nearly 10 years later, there are more than 5,000 SAVE Promise Clubs in elementary, middle and high schools nationwide. 

    Hickory Ridge High School, which is part of Cabarrus County Schools, has one of those chapters. 

    They work to prevent violence through videos about safety, game nights and other initiatives to bring students together. 

    “They may not know each other, but it allows for that environment for people to feel like there’s connections being made, and they feel like they belong there,” Hickory Ridge High School SAVE Promise Club Co-President Morgan Powell said. 

    According to social studies teacher and co-adviser of the SAVE Promise Club, Christina Sell, the number of members has increased over the years with last school year having 25 members. The growth prompted her to ask teacher Elliott Young to join her as an adviser for the club. 

    Sell said she knows the club is making a difference because their school resource officer has mentioned to the club that students are using the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System to share concerns about school safety.

    In addition, she said they have learned some of their initiatives are working. 

    “Our sense of belonging initiative has improved sense of belonging substantially in our school building. And our goal is to take that improvement and make it even more significant this year,” Sell said. 

    Cabarrus County Schools focuses on the sense of belonging.

    “Research heavily supports the fact that when students feel connected to school and they have strong, trusted relationships with adults, that makes a world of difference in the world of safety,” Director of Student Safety and Well-Being Amy Lowder said. 

    School safety is always top of mind, especially after the shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis, Minnesota Wednesday.

    “I think two feelings and emotions that come to mind for me, honestly, are anger and frustration because school shootings continue to happen. Children continue to be killed. Even the children who weren’t killed, they’re now victims of the tragedy and of gun violence and will have to carry that for the rest of their lives,” Sell said. “It gets frustrating because there are a lot of things in terms of preventing gun violence that are out of my control, especially when it comes to the government and governmental policies. But it does make me feel hopeful, because I know that I can make a small difference in the small, small space that I’m in.”

    Anna Powell, a member of the club who is part of the SAVE Promise Club’s National Youth Advisory Board, also had strong emotions about the recent school shooting.

    “People shouldn’t have to hear about more school shootings because they shouldn’t exist. But we live in this world where they do, and what we can do now is be sympathetic and try and do our best to prevent as much as possible,” Anna Powell said.

    Hickory Ridge High School SAVE Promise Club Co-President Sarah Kirschner had a similar sentiment.

    “I think it’s horrible that parents have to mourn their kids, especially in that way and I think, again, as a community, it’s our duty to make sure that that doesn’t happen again,” Kirschner said. 

    Morgan Powell said amid the heartbreak, this should also empower students and staff to create a difference, allowing students to feel safe, seen and supported at schools.

    “I think that kind of motivates people to act more upon this sort of issue. And it kind of brings our realization to students that this is something that can happen at any time, and we should put in the best effort to prevent something like this,” Morgan Powell said.

    Anna Powell has created posters to raise awareness about gun violence and also talked to lawmakers in Washington D.C. about school safety. However, she said there are many things that can be done at the local level, including educating people about the signs and using Sandy Hook Promise’s Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. 

    “We can make people feel seen, feel heard. We can utilize safe clubs and things like it. We can make community engagement,” Anna Powell said. 

    The SAVE Promise Club at Hickory Ridge High School had its first meeting Friday. 

    This summer several clubs in other North Carolina school districts received recognition from Sandy Hook Promise from their efforts, including one at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Catawba County Schools. 

    At St. Stephens High School in Catawba County, theater teacher Molly Rice is the adult adviser of the club. She said kindness is part of the educational activities of the club, helping them build a more empathetic school culture. 

    “By breaking down social groups and encouraging empathy, these programs directly combat the social isolation that can lead to violence. When students feel more connected and understood, they’re more likely to support each other, creating a safer, more positive environment for everyone,” Rice said. 

    The SAVE Promise Club at St. Stephen’s High School also promotes the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System. 

    According to Sandy Hook Promise, reports on the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System have helped prevent 18 credible planned school shootings.

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • multiple job fairs planned for former WS/FCS employees

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    FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is working to help staff impacted by its reduction in force plan find new jobs.

    What You Need To Know

    • According to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, Aug. 29 will mark the end of notifying more than 300 employees of their termination

    • Now the district is planning to help former employees find work in other districts by holding a reverse job fair

    • The event will be held at the WS/FCS Education building located at the Central office on Sept. 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p .m. 



    “We are inviting other districts and community folks who have positions available to come to a fair that we will invite our staff to,” said interim Superintendent Catty Moore at the WS/FCS school board meeting Tuesday. 

    The event will be held at the WS/FCS Education building located at the central office on Sept. 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

    Forsyth Tech Community College is one of the many employers that plans to attend and hire former district workers. 

    “We have a mix of instructor and staff support positions. Lots of those would make great roles for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools employees. It’s a mix of part-time and full-time depending on what someone is looking for,” said Rachel Schroeder, the college’s chief human experience officer. 

    Schroeder said the move will allow students in their dual enrollment programs to reconnect with their teachers. 

    It also guarantees that those laid-off workers can keep their benefits.

    “We understand that what’s at stake for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools employees — benefits and retirement and things that they are used to. And so as community college system employees, we also have access to state benefits, and so that might make a transition a bit easier,” Schroeder said.

    Local groups are also helping out. 

    Galilee Missionary Baptist Church has already started helping former employees find jobs in the area. 

    “We had Dr. Roseboro from the Montgomery school system here, and some folks were able to get some help and get placed. So we’re excited about that,” Pastor Dr. Nathan Scovens said. 

    Scovens said the church will also host a job fair after he learned many members of his church were directly affected by the layoffs. 

    “I know this is a hard thing, but we see it as an opportunity to come together as a community and to help one another. So I’m appreciative of all of the surrounding communities. And I understand that people are angry, and they have a right to be angry, but after we finish expressing our anger, what are we going to do? And this is an opportunity for us to spread some cheer,” he said. 

    The last day for former employees is Sept. 12. 

    The job fair at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will be held on Sept. 15.

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    Sasha Strong

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  • Florida phases out certificates for students with disabilities

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    WIMAUMA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education recently voted to eliminate certificates of completion for students with disabilities. The certificates were an alternative to diplomas for those students who could not meet graduation requirements.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida Department of Education voted to eliminate certificates of completion for students with disabilities

    • These certificates were previously alternatives for students unable to meet graduation requirements

    • Educators are concerned about the impact on employment opportunities

    • Education leaders are now tasked with creating new guidance about adult education and post-secondary options for students with disabilities


    The vote was to move forward with the implementation of House Bill 1105, which instructs education leaders to create new guidance about adult education and post-secondary options for those students by the next calendar year.

    Luz Gaona, the speech-language pathologist at Southshore Bilingual Therapy, says this change is a setback for the children they serve.

    “If any of them were to seek some type of employment, this is going to be hindering that opportunity for them,” she said.

    Employees at the center help students with disabilities learn skills they can use both at school and beyond.

    “All different kids, all different goals and all different things that they’re working on,” Selena Cadwallader, a certified occupational therapy assistant, said. “There’s something beautiful about kids learning to do things on their own and being able to be a part of this society that they maybe could not have been prior.”

    Many families look forward to their children earning a certificate of completion. They will now have to work around the change to eliminate them as education leaders work to establish a new program.

    The center says they’re now focused on how they can support parents who may be unaware of the changes.

    “(We are) educating our parents on the importance of attending (Individualized Education Program) meetings and asking questions,” Gaona said.

    In the meantime, Gaona and her team will continue to advocate for education opportunities for all.

    The high school graduation requirements for students with disabilities will also be revised to update definitions and permissible course substitutions.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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