Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools

As the Delta variant rages on, so does the debate over students wearing masks in schools come fall. Children across the country, especially those ineligible for the vaccine, are ending up in the intensive care unit for COVID-19. This is a concern for Tameka Arroy-Santiago, a Hopewell Junction parent of two school-aged children under theContinue reading “Hudson Valley Parents Debate Masks in Schools”

New Jersey Chiropractor Discusses Son’s AD/HD

When New Jersey chiropractor Daniel Cardellichio discovered that his 13-year-old son James had attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (or AD/HD), he started to reflect on his own childhood. “I think that I had AD/HD growing up,” he said. “It was a situation where I remember sitting in class, looking at that clock every 10 seconds. I wasContinue reading “New Jersey Chiropractor Discusses Son’s AD/HD”

Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools

Critical Race Theory has sparked a nationwide debate over how to talk about race in schools. In Connecticut, the debate arose within schools, and made its way to the state legislature. Connecticut State Senator Rob Sampson introduced an amendment last month to ban critical race theory in K-12 education. The amendment ultimately failed to pass.Continue reading “Critical Race Theory Debate Rocks Connecticut Schools”

Grief Stories: Theodore “Tree” Arrington

Theodore “Tree” Arrington was a leader. A giver. A friend. A mentor. A husband and father. As the founder of Poughkeepsie’s R.E.A.L. Skills Network, Arrington made a real difference in the time he lived. He died shockingly in April of last year at age 66. Yesterday, people gathered to watch the unveiling of a muralContinue reading “Grief Stories: Theodore “Tree” Arrington”

Graduates Reflect on their Pandemic Senior Year

Ashley Sanchez, Isabella Crow and Anastasia Zhurova had a senior year of school like no other. Each of the Hudson Valley residents did not know what to expect from their milestone year. Cornwall Central High School graduate Crow is currently working at Camp Lookout in Frankfurt, Michigan. She will attend the University of Michigan thisContinue reading “Graduates Reflect on their Pandemic Senior Year”

Reflecting on HIV/AIDS 40 Years Later

Forty years ago, the Center for Disease Control released the first report of a disease that would later become known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or AIDS. In light of this historical moment, the community relations director of the world’s first HIV/AIDS service organization reflects. Krishna Stone, 62, volunteered for GMHC, or Gay Men’s HealthContinue reading “Reflecting on HIV/AIDS 40 Years Later”

Left Behind: Laura and Sammy Colnes

This article is part of a series called “Left Behind,” where we highlight how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted a generation of students. After more than a year of living in isolation, Laura Colnes sees the impact on her son Sammy. The Marlton, New Jersey resident saw how remote learning took its toll on her 21-year-oldContinue reading “Left Behind: Laura and Sammy Colnes”

Ex-Cop turned Teacher Promotes Media Literacy

Queens-based high school teacher Jeff Kaufman went from patrolling the streets of New York City to being a bridge builder in the war against online misinformation. As a computer science instructor at Queens High School for Information, Research, and Technology, Kaufman has been teaching a media literacy course for seven years. Having started out asContinue reading “Ex-Cop turned Teacher Promotes Media Literacy”

Teaching During a Pandemic

In a year that has been unlike any other, teachers in the Hudson Valley discuss the turbulence that came with being an educator during a once-in-a-century pandemic. For Teacher Appreciation Week, they are sharing their stories. Emily Krieger, a health teacher in Dover High School, and Lisa Strieter, a second grade teacher at Stony PointContinue reading “Teaching During a Pandemic”