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Schools
Two Connecticut School Districts Rank In Top 30 Nationally Two Connecticut School Districts Rank In Top 30 Nationally
Two Connecticut School Districts Rank In Top 30 Nationally A pair of school districts in Connecticut are among the top in the nation, according to a newly released ranking. Each year, Niche issues its rankings of the top districts across the US, factoring in reviews from parents, students, and data from the US Department of Education. According to Niche, ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and other data. This year, a pair of Fairfield County schools made the list of the top 30 districts. The New Canaan School District is the top-rated in …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
New Elementary, Middle School Rankings Launched By U.S. News & World Report New Elementary, Middle School Rankings Launched By U.S. News & World Report
New Elementary, Middle School Rankings Launched By U.S. News & World Report State-by-state high school rankings by U.S. News & World Report have become eagerly awaited by parents, students, educators, and even real estate agents. Now, the media company has launched rankings of elementary and middle schools. Unlike the high school rankings, there are no national rankings of elementary and middle schools.  There are overall state rankings and state rankings broken down by school district.  "We also published statewide rankings specific to charter schools and magnet schools," U.S. News & World Report said. "We hope these statistical assessmen…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
Police Investigate Racist, Anti-Semitic Graffiti At Yale University Police Investigate Racist, Anti-Semitic Graffiti At Yale University
Police Investigate Racist, Anti-Semitic Graffiti At Yale University An investigation has been launched at Yale University after two separate instances of anti-Semitic and racially charged graffiti that was discovered at a construction site on campus. The Yale Police Department launched an investigation into anti-Semitic and racist graffiti that were reportedly spray-painted inside the construction site for Kline Biology Tower in New Haven County, which has been closed since work began at the site, according to Yale Police Chief Ronnell Higgins. Higgins said that on Monday, Sept. 20, members of the construction crew working in the area found the graffiti spr…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Security Upped At Hamden HS After Student Brings Loaded Gun To Class Security Upped At Hamden HS After Student Brings Loaded Gun To Class
Security Upped At Hamden HS After Student Brings Loaded Gun To Class There was an increased police presence at a Connecticut high school after a student was arrested for bringing a loaded handgun into the building earlier this week. In New Haven County, officers from the Hamden Police Department responded to the high school at approximately 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5, where there was a report of a 17-year-old student who was in possession of a handgun. Police said that “for precautionary measures, the student was brought to the principal’s office by school administers and school security,” while a “stay in place” order was given by school officials while offi…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Harvard Business School Moves Courses Online After Surge In Breakthrough Cases COVID-19: Harvard Business School Moves Courses Online After Surge In Breakthrough Cases
Covid-19: Harvard Business School Moves Courses Online After Surge In Breakthrough Cases Some students at the Harvard Business School will temporarily be transitioning to remote learning this week as it contends with a surge in breakthrough COVID-19 cases on campus. The school in Boston will go remote for first-year MBA and some second-year students through Sunday, Oct. 3 due to a rise in newly confirmed cases, despite the majority of students and staff being vaccinated. According to the school, approximately 95 percent of students and more than 96 percent of staff are vaccinated against COVID-19. Students have been advised by school officials to avoid unmasked indoor events, …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
'Devious Licks' Social Media Challenge Leads To Criminal Charges For Kids Across US 'Devious Licks' Social Media Challenge Leads To Criminal Charges For Kids Across US
'Devious Licks' Social Media Challenge Leads To Criminal Charges For Kids Across US Some students are facing legal troubles after taking part in a controversial social media trend. The "Devious Licks" challenge on the TikTok app encourages people to steal or vandalize school property. Many students have targeted their school's bathrooms, stealing soap dispensers, clogging toilets, and more.  Some students are reportedly facing criminal charges. A 15-year-old was arrested in Arizona for stealing a school toilet paper dispenser, authorities reported. Some students are now being required to keep their phones on their desks so they can’t make recordings in school bathro…

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by Nicole Valinote
Schools
COVID-19: Hundreds Of CT School Bus Drivers Planning To Walk Off Job Ahead Of Vaccine Mandate COVID-19: Hundreds Of CT School Bus Drivers Planning To Walk Off Job Ahead Of Vaccine Mandate
Covid-19: Hundreds Of CT School Bus Drivers Planning To Walk Off Job Ahead Of Vaccine Mandate Hundreds of school bus drivers in the region are ready to walk away from their jobs as they face a mandate to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or else potentially lose their positions. Amid a national school bus driver shortage, nearly 300 drivers are ready to walk away with the state’s COVID-19 vaccinate mandate set to go into effect on Monday, Sept. 27. Related story - Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage As part of Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s vaccination mandate, drivers who are unvaccinated must undergo weekly testing. According to reports, …

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by Zak Failla
Schools
These New Haven County Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status These New Haven County Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status
These New Haven County Schools Awarded Blue Ribbon Status Several schools in Connecticut have earned top marks in 2021 by being recognized with National Blue Ribbon status. US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced 325 schools across the country were recognized for their overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among students. In Connecticut, these schools were designated as National Blue Ribbon recipients: Andrew Avenue Elementary School in Naugatuck (New Haven County); Frisbie Elementary School in Wolcott (New Haven County); Northwestern Regional High School in Winsted (Litchfield County); Thames River Magn…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage
Massachusetts Calls On National Guard To Assist In School Bus Driver Shortage Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is calling in the cavalry to help the state with transporting students to class at the beginning of the new school year. Baker announced that he is activating as many as 250 Guard members to assist with school transportation as the country contends with a massive bus driver shortage that left some districts scrambling to get students to class. 
“We asked a bunch of communities if they'd be interested in having Guard people drive vehicles for them, especially the smaller buses," Baker said in a briefing this week. "A bunch of communities said if y…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
New Haven School District Put On Lockdown After Social Media Threat New Haven School District Put On Lockdown After Social Media Threat
New Haven School District Put On Lockdown After Social Media Threat A teenage student in Connecticut is facing charges after allegedly making a threat on social media the forced a temporary lockdown of two schools this week. On Tuesday, Sept. 14, both the Derby middle and high schools in New Haven County were put into lockdown after police were made aware of a threatening social media post, authorities said. The nature of the post was initially unclear, but officials said it pertained to the high school, which shares the same complex as the middle school, prompting a lockdown of both buildings. According to reports, in the video, the teen can be seen wear…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Local University To Be Featured On Amazon Prime Series Local University To Be Featured On Amazon Prime Series
Local University To Be Featured On Amazon Prime Series A local university has hit the jackpot by being featured on an upcoming episode of the Amazon Prime TV series, "The College Tour." During the show, students and alumni at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield will discuss SHU’s innovative programs, hands-on learning, faculty, and other aspects of life on campus. The university's 30-minute episode takes viewers on a journey through the university, providing an inside look without having to step on campus.  Host Alex Boylan, a winner of The Amazing Race reality show, introduces students and provides facts and figures about SHU while vide…

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by Kathy Reakes
Schools
COVID-19: CT School Goes Remote Amid Surge Of New Infections COVID-19: CT School Goes Remote Amid Surge Of New Infections
Covid-19: CT School Goes Remote Amid Surge Of New Infections A surge in new COVID-19 cases is forcing a Connecticut elementary school to transition to its distance learning model to start the school year. The Hebron School District in Tolland County issued a notice to the community that due to the speed of the spread of the virus within the Gilead Hill School, it will have to go remote. According to district officials, the school will reopen for in-person learning on Tuesday, Sept. 14. Schools Superintendent Thomas Baird said that the number of COVID-19 cases in staff and students is at a similar level of infections during other periods of high tra…

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by Zak Failla