Latest news with #ACCESS
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Atlanta Jewish community mourns loss of embassy staffers in DC shooting
The Brief The Atlanta Jewish community is mourning the loss of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were killed in a shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., during an embassy event. Elias Rodriguez has been charged in connection with the attack, which is believed to have been motivated by political statements, and federal prosecutors are considering additional charges, including the death penalty. In response to the tragedy, community leaders are emphasizing resilience and solidarity, while advocating for increased security measures and encouraging support for Jewish residents in Atlanta. ATLANTA - Members of Atlanta's Jewish community are reeling following the deadly shooting of Sarah Milgrim, an Israeli Embassy staffer with close ties to the city, during an attack at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Milgrim and her colleague Yaron Lischinsky were shot and killed during an embassy event Tuesday evening. Authorities have charged Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago man, in connection with the killings, alleging he entered the museum shouting "Free, free Palestine!" before opening fire. Federal prosecutors say additional charges are possible and have not ruled out seeking the death penalty. SEE ALSO: Chicago man charged in D.C. embassy shooting — FBI raids apartment But in Atlanta, the focus has turned to grief, fear, and solidarity. What they're saying "This incident, this event is terrifying and just devastating to me and the entire Jewish community," said Dov Wilker, the Atlanta regional director of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), which had previously worked with Milgrim. Milgrim had been active in AJC's ACCESS program, which brings together young Jewish professionals across the country. Wilker said Milgrim was deeply engaged with the Atlanta community, helping lead trips abroad and organize interfaith outreach. "She traveled with them to Morocco. She did programming with them in D.C. This was really their friend — a beautiful friend of theirs who all she wanted to do was make a positive impact on the world," Wilker said. Since the shooting, Wilker has been in contact with young professionals who knew Milgrim. "They are absolutely devastated. They never thought that something like this could happen," he said. "As bad as antisemitism got, they never thought that a young Jewish professionals event would be a target of this type of attack." Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, said she had met both victims and believed the attack was intended to intimidate those working in diplomacy. "We were open this morning. We are resilient. We are strong. And we will not allow for terror to win," Sultan-Dadon said. "We will not be terrorized and we will not be afraid to stand up for who we are and for what is right. We will continue to represent Israel proudly." Wilker echoed calls for strength but acknowledged the deep anxiety now gripping many in the community. "One of the things that has to happen in the Jewish community — and continues to happen — is an increase of visible security presence," he said. The AJC is urging residents across metro Atlanta to reach out to their Jewish neighbors in the wake of the shooting. "Check in with them. Support them. Let them know they are not alone," Wilker said. The Source Dov Wilker, the Atlanta regional director of the American Jewish Committee, and Anat Sultan-Dadon, Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, both spoke with FOX 5's Eric Mock for this article. FOX News contributed to this article.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SPS Board approves English Language screener for next school year
The Stillwater Public Schools Board of Education approved a contract for another year of an online English Language screener for English Language students in the district. The Board voted to approve Flashlight360 – an online English Language screener and pathway it used last year in the district – for another at its May 13 meeting. For the 2024-25 academic school year, students' speaking and writing scores from the beginning to end-of-year benchmarks had increased an average of plus-0.8 points for each category. 'These increases moved our overall district performance level scores from emerging to expanding,' according to Board agenda documents. 'The students' pathway scores increased by an average +0.6 points from September to March in speaking, and by an average +1.4 points in writing.' The district will provide exact comprehension and English communication scores to the Board when they are released in June. The district has used Flashlight360 with its English Language student population 'to provide instructional support and data on students' reading, writing and speaking ability during their English acquisition,' according to Board documents. The program mirrors the state-required English proficiency assessment, allowing staff members 'to collect data and provide additional instructional support to students throughout the school year as they prepare for the ACCESS (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) assessment in the spring.' The screener, pathways and professional development for teachers will be funded by the district's Title III EL allocation, which will cost $13,875. The district provides newcomer programming, EL prevention programming and EL consultation support for students. Free classes are also held at Meridian Technology Center at 312 S. Sangre Road, which aim to strengthen students' listening, speaking, reading and writing skillls. The ESL classes are funded by state and federal funds through the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. The schedule for classes at Meridian are from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays (Beginner), 8:30-10:30 a.m. Fridays (Intermediate) and 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays (Advanced).
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Capitol View: UCA President Houston Davis, columnist John Brummett
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – It was a very busy legislative session, particularly on the education front. Capitol View host Roby Brock met with University of Central Arkansas president Houston Davis to discuss ACCESS, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' higher education reform bill, and collaboration with other schools. Roby then talks with Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist John Brummett to discuss the overview of the recent legislative session. Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Arkansas colleges united on workforce goals
Leaders from three of Arkansas' top higher education institutions agree: They serve the state, not just their respective turf. The big picture: University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis, NorthWest Arkansas Community College President Dennis Rittle and University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles Robinson gathered Wednesday to talk about their schools' role in workforce development. Combined, nearly 53,000 Arkansas students are enrolled at the institutions. The gathering was hosted by the Northwest Arkansas Council, as part of UCA's Northwest Arkansas Blitz, an awareness campaign running through Thursday. Catch up quick: Amid good-natured, semi-competitive ribbing, the three fielded questions from Roby Brock, editor-in-chief and host of Talk Business & Politics. They discussed the new Arkansas ACCESS law, tuition costs and meeting the future needs of the workforce. What they're saying: On tuition —"A student with an NWACC certificate or degree will get 20% return on their investment every year for the rest of their life," Rittle said. It's the job of NWACC administrators to show students the college values their scarce resources and delivers a value greater than their time and money spent, he said. Robinson said controlling tuition costs comes down to efficient use of resources by the school and raising tuition isn't an easy decision. On Arkansas ACCESS — A lot of the act is about the connections between K -12 and post secondary education, which will help UCA do more outreach with feeder schools, Davis said. The legislation also highlights the potential for non-degree studies like UCA's aviation academy and cyber security certificates, he said. On the law's forbidding indoctrination, and diversity, equity and inclusion:"I didn't see the challenge in ACCESS, because academic freedom was not injured … the act doesn't prevent us from teaching what we need to teach," Robinson said. The bottom line:"The idea is serving the state of Arkansas, and we serve the state of Arkansas better when we work together," he said.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
EDDC kickball league returning for summer 2025
(WJET/WFXP)– One of Erie's newest summer staples is returning for another year of fun in the sun with friends. The Erie Downtown Development Corporation is bringing back the summer kickball league as part of their Flagship City Sports & Sips series and registration is now open. New signage seen around Liberty Park, Highmark Amphitheater takes new name The league kicks off the week of June 2 and goes until the week of July 21 with teams made of 7-10 people playing each Monday or Wednesday night, whichever they choose, in Perry Square. Teams will also get special offers from Ippa Pizza with $10 to-go 6-packs of domestic beer and Hazards Mini Golf and Social Pub selling $5 specialty cocktails and happy hour specials Playhouse for All program returns, offering discounted prices for ACCESS card holders 'Kickball is an invitation to experience downtown in a whole new way—with friends, fun, and a little friendly competition,' said Ryan Hoover, Experience Director at the Erie Downtown Development Corporation. 'We're excited to see kickball players return to Perry Square for another great summer of Kickball.' Registration will cost $450 per team and is open until May 31. You can sign up for your spot Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
