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Torrential rain in the Houston area has caused widespread flooding, leading to mandatory evacuation orders for some residents. Heavy rains in Texas have stranded motorists, flooded streets, and closed schools. The National Weather Service reports that southeast Texas and parts of Louisiana have received over 2 feet of rain in some areas. The San Jacinto River is a major concern as it is expected to continue rising with more rain and the release of extra water from a full reservoir. Videos on social media show flooded roadways and partially submerged tractor-trailers. While no injuries or deaths have been reported, at least nine people have been rescued from rising water. Evacuation orders have been issued for areas along the river, and residents have been urged to leave or prepare for being stranded for several days. More than a dozen school districts north of Houston have canceled for today because of the weather and shelters opened in some communities.

 

Bryan-College Station Eagle

Jill Biden hosted the 2024 National and State Teachers of the Year at a White House dinner to honor teachers' commitment to their students and excellence in the classroom. President Joe Biden also made a surprise appearance, expressing his appreciation for teachers. The event was a twist on the traditional White House ceremony, with Jill Biden hosting a "state dinner" instead. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona highlighted the significance of this honor, stating that there is no American dream without American teachers. The event aimed to recognize the challenges faced by U.S. public schools and the dedication of teachers. The State Teachers of the Year were treated to a slimmed-down version of a White House state dinner, with personalized thank-you notes from their students. The guest list included Vice President Kamala Harris's husband, Cabinet members, members of Congress, and the heads of major teachers' unions. This year's State Teachers of the Year represented 49 states and various U.S. territories.

 

Wacotrib

The El Paso ISD is holding a series of community meetings to discuss plans for restructuring in response to declining enrollment. The district's superintendent, Diana Sayavedra, emphasized the need for these changes to avoid a crisis. EPISD's enrollment has declined by 20% since 2013, and birth rates in the county are also decreasing. The district expects enrollment to settle between 36,000 and 42,000 students, similar to levels in the 1950s. As enrollment declines, the district may have to tighten its budget and forego raises for teachers and staff. The district also plans to bring a bond election to voters in 2025 to upgrade facilities and potentially consolidate schools. Public meetings will be held to gather input from the community, and recommendations for school closures or consolidations will be presented to the school board in late fall. The district aims to implement these changes in the 2025-26 school year.

 

El Paso Times

Sherman ISD has approved a voluntary separation deal with its superintendent, who was suspended for eliminating a transgender student from a role in the musical "Oklahoma!" The school board voted to accept the agreement, stating that the school district will continue to operate as normal. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. In November, the school board apologized and reinstated the student and the rest of the original cast after facing public backlash. The reason for removing the student and some girls from the production was a new school policy that only males play males and females play females.

 

Victoria Advocate

Wichita Falls ISD's hardworking and excellent educators have been named teachers of the year. Jennifer Briscoe, an algebra teacher at McNiel Middle School, was named the 2024 Secondary Teacher of the year, and Angela Christian, a fourth grade math and science teacher at Crockett Elementary School, was honored as the 2024 Elementary Teacher of the Year on April 23. Briscoe and Christian have a combined 42 years of teaching experience and are held in high esteem by their peers.

 

Wichita Falls Times Record News

The once vibrant Sanger Heights Elementary in North Waco, which fell into disrepair and was further damaged by a fire, is set to be transformed into a thriving residential community. The new development, named Renaissance at Sanger, is spearheaded by Grassroots Waco and will feature a "pocket neighborhood" of 25 homes. This initiative aims to address the need for affordable housing while providing ample green spaces for families.

 

Wacotrib

Fort Worth nonprofit Lena Pope is preparing to close its public charter school, Chapel Hill Academy. The closure is due to competing charter schools opening in the area and declining student enrollment. Lena Pope officials are currently focused on the closure process overseen by the Texas Education Agency. It is yet to be determined whether the school facility will be used for other services provided by Lena Pope or if it will be sold or rented. Despite the closure, Lena Pope's other child and family services, such as counseling and substance use services, will continue. The closure will impact the community and families who relied on Chapel Hill Academy for their children's education.

 

Star-Telegram

Two students at a far north Fort Worth middle school were arrested for their involvement in creating and editing an online document that detailed a planned attack against students and staff. The document listed 25 students and seven teachers and other staff members at Wilson Middle School as targets. Northwest Independent ISD is partnering with the Fort Worth Police Department in the ongoing investigation. Felony charges are pending against the two students who were arrested. All students who were involved with the document but not arrested will face disciplinary action. Counselors and additional security personnel will be stationed at the school for the rest of the week.

 

Star-Telegram

Savvas Learning Company has introduced the newest edition of its myPerspectives English Language Arts (ELA) program, which offers interactive resources for teachers and students. The program provides real-time insights into student learning and includes multimedia content to engage students. The myPerspectives program aims to improve student outcomes and offers personalized learning experiences. The program has been shown to have a significantly positive effect on learning outcomes, according to a study conducted by independent researchers. The new edition includes features such as Media Studio, which guides students in analyzing media sources and creating their own projects. It also offers support for background knowledge, vocabulary, and language structures. The program is delivered on the Savvas Realize learning management system and includes flexible resources for teachers.

 

Orange Leader

A new review suggests that implementing school mandates for the HPV vaccination could significantly boost immunization rates among American adolescents. Currently, only about half of American children are up-to-date with their HPV shots, which are crucial in preventing cervical and other cancers linked to the human papillomavirus. The study, led by Brigid Grabert, found that not only do such mandates increase HPV vaccination rates, but mandating other vaccines also has a "spillover" effect, encouraging more comprehensive vaccination coverage, including for HPV. Presently, only a few regions—Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.—require the HPV vaccine for school entry. Grabert emphasizes the importance of these findings for policymakers, highlighting that effective strategies are essential to increase HPV vaccination and reduce related cancers and diseases.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

Moore County News Press

As heatwaves become more frequent and intense due to climate change, millions of students around the world are being affected by school closures. The decision to either keep students in hot classrooms or encourage them to stay home and keep cool has consequences for their education. High temperatures can impair cognitive functions and lower students' ability to retain and process information. This is particularly concerning in developing countries, where a large proportion of children are already out of school and test scores lag. The impact of heat on education is expected to widen the learning gaps between hot and cool countries. The closure of schools due to heatwaves also exposes children to risks such as child labor and child marriage. As heatwaves continue to disrupt education, governments and authorities face the challenge of finding solutions to protect students' learning and well-being in a warming world.

 

Reuters