HIGHLAND LOCAL SCHOOLS DISTRICT BOARD

May 09 2026EDUCATION

A New Look at Highlands School Culture

Highlands High School’s assistant principal, Kaitlyn Selfridge, stepped down in April after a year of growing frustration. She wrote that the district’s leadership had turned her job into a hostile environment, citing repeated principal changes and what she described as demeaning remarks about appea

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May 08 2026EDUCATION

Finding time for free play in school

Schools often focus on structured lessons, but a new study suggests something simple might help kids more: free play. Researchers looked at 125 elementary students in a high-poverty area. The kids were split into groups that got 12 weeks of 45-minute free play sessions either in fall or spring. The

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May 07 2026OPINION

Phones in schools: why a total ban misses the bigger picture

Schools today aren’t just teaching algebra or history—they’re preparing students for a world where phones are everywhere. A complete ban on these devices might seem like an easy fix for distractions, but it ignores a bigger issue: teaching responsible use instead of avoiding technology altogether. T

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May 03 2026OPINION

Teachers and nurses deserve real respect, not just online words

Schools used to be places where adults actually worked with kids, not battlegrounds. Teachers once had room to teach without constant fear of insults, threats, or budget cuts. Now many quit because the job has become harder than it needs to be. Some parents and politicians seem to think teaching is

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Apr 28 2026CRIME

New summer activities aim to keep Highland Park youth busy and safe

Highland Park is rolling out a new summer plan to give kids better options than trouble. Police report youth crime has jumped nearly one-fifth in the past year, with theft and fights involving teens on the rise. Some worry adults might be taking advantage of lighter juvenile penalties by pushing you

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Apr 27 2026BUSINESS

Getting Connected: Local Events for Businesses and Community Building

Local events are popping up all the time in Berks County, offering chances to network, learn, and support each other. Some focus on small business growth, like the breakfast club where owners swap referrals over coffee. Others bring people together to celebrate achievements, like an annual dinner ho

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Apr 03 2026EDUCATION

How Can Schools Help Students Work Well With AI Tools?

Schools today face a new challenge: teaching students how to handle AI without losing important human skills. AI tools are everywhere now, from chatbots that explain homework to apps that grade essays. But just teaching students how to use these tools isn’t enough. The real goal should be helping th

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Mar 25 2026EDUCATION

Inclusive Schools Make Everyone Feel Better

Schools that welcome all kinds of students can help every teen feel happier and more confident. A new study shows that when high schools promote respect for LGBTQ teens, even those who are not part of the group feel more connected to their classmates and society. The researchers asked 287 straigh

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Mar 22 2026POLITICS

State‑Level Push for More Education Over Compost Fines

Local leaders in Staten Island are urging city officials to shift focus from fines to teaching residents how to compost properly. After Mayor Zohran Mamdani restarted penalties for missed food‑scrap separation, a group of council members from across the borough called on the Department of Transporta

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Mar 07 2026POLITICS

Science and Democracy Rally in Kane County

Local groups plan a protest on Saturday to defend science and democratic values. The event will start at 10 a. m. outside the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s Office and run until 11:30 a. m. The organizers include Indivisible Fox Valley Rising, Fox Valley Activists, Batavia Democrats, Geneva Democrats,

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