Latest news with #MarcusAllen
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
$1 billion in school mental health grants won't be renewed; PA organizations are worried
(WHTM) – The Strong Minds, Bright Futures is a statewide partnership of over 60 organizations dedicated to improving youth mental health across Pennsylvania. They are strongly urging the Department of Education to reconsider the decision to cut $1 billion in federal grants supporting school-based mental health services. 'I think many of our kids, our families and even our teachers and principals don't yet understand the negative impact that this is going to have,' said CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marcus Allen. Advocates say if this decision is not reversed, it will leave more than 250,000 students across the Commonwealth without mental health support. Families will lose access to school counselors, social workers, and programs designed to support students' well-being and prevent youth suicide. 'The Trump administration taking a wrecking ball to this funding that provides these critical services for students who are experiencing behave, role and emotional challenges. It's incredibly shortsighted,' said Chris Lilienthal with the Pennsylvania State Education Association. This funding stems from a law passed in 2022 following the tragic shooting in Uvalde, Texas. The law is called the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. 'It was designed to help schools hire mental health professionals including counselors and social workers,' said Allen. 36 schools across Pennsylvania received funding, including four in the Midstate. Senator John Fetterman shared a statement with abc27: 'We're facing a mental health crisis in this country, and I don't know any Pennsylvanian who thinks our kids have the mental health support system they need in our classrooms. As a senator, but more importantly, as a parent, I'm working to improve access and increase the number of counselors in our schools. Instead, the Trump administration is gutting the very program that would make these improvements possible. It's a cruel move that will only hurt our kids. I'm calling on the administration to immediately reverse course.' Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary, Madi Biedermann said in a statement: 'The Department decided not to continue funding these grants beyond the initial award terms. These grants are intended to improve American students' mental health by funding additional mental health professionals in schools and on campuses. Instead, under the deeply flawed priorities of the Biden Administration, grant recipients used the funding to implement race-based actions like recruiting quotas in ways that have nothing to do with mental health and could hurt the very students the grants are supposed to help. We owe it to American families to ensure that tax-payer dollars are supporting evidence-based practices that are truly focused on improving students' mental health.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Missouri basketball freshman wing, promising defensive prospect enters transfer portal
The first eye-opener of Mizzou's transfer portal window has arrived. Missouri basketball freshman wing Marcus Allen has entered the transfer portal, a Missouri team spokesperson confirmed to the Columbia Daily Tribune on Friday. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Advertisement Allen, a 6-foot-7 wing out of Florida, played the most minutes of the Tigers' five-player freshman class in his rookie season, averaging 9.2 minutes per game in 26 total appearances. He averaged 2.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. The rookie was viewed as a potentially elite defensive prospect coming out of Norland High in Miami, where he was the No. 67-ranked national prospect and a four-star signing. On numerous occasions throughout the year, Missouri head coach Dennis Gates praised the freshman's defensive IQ and ability to defend multiple positions. On March 7, Missouri head coach Dennis Gates called Allen, 'probably the most consistent of all the freshmen.' Allen played a season-high 21 minutes in Mizzou's loss at Auburn to open SEC play on Jan. 4, and then only saw more than 10 minutes on the court in three more games for the remainder of the season. He did not see the floor in Mizzou's season-ending loss to Drake in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament on March 20 in Wichita, Kansas. Advertisement The freshman is the Tigers' second scholarship player to enter the transfer portal in this window, following Aidan Shaw, who has committed to Boston College. Both of MU's current outgoing transfers played less than 10 minutes per game in the 2024-25 season. Feb 19, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide guard Mark Sears (1) shoots as Missouri Tigers guard Marcus Allen (4) defends during the second half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images With another player now expected to transfer, Missouri does have another spot to work with in the transfer portal. Rosters will soon be capped at 15 players. With Shaw and Allen transferring out, the Tigers now have 11 players either eligible to return, signed out of high school or arriving via the transfer portal. That means Mizzou can add four more players in this window, provided there are no more outgoing transfers. Advertisement The Tigers have reportedly signed Jevon Porter out of the transfer portal from Loyola Marymount, although there has been no official announcement from the team. To date, he is the Tigers' only addition via the portal in this window. More: As action seems slow, what does Missouri basketball's transfer portal past tell us about future? More: Missouri basketball transfer portal tracker: Here's who is in, out for Mizzou Mizzou is expected to target at least two players at either the shooting guard or wing spots, a center and a point guard in this portal window, which closes for new entries April 22. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Promising Missouri basketball freshman wing enters transfer portal
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Richmond County School System seeks input on academic calendars, school climate
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Richmond County School System (RCSS) is looking for feedback on proposed academic calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years, in addition to input on school climate. According to a press release from RCSS sent on Feb. 12, they would like input on the calendar options students, parents, guardians, and community members. The two calendar choices are as follows: Calendar Option A: The first day for elementary school is Aug. 5, while K-8, magnet, middle, and high schools begin on Aug. 6. This option includes one PowerUp Asynchronous Learning Day per semester, allowing students to complete assignments remotely. Calendar Option B: All schools begin on Aug. 5, with four early release days throughout the year to provide additional opportunities for parent-teacher conferences. The deadline to submit feedback on the calendars is March 4, 2025. RCSS is also looking to receive school climate survey results on instruction, school environments and student support services. Parents and guardians can access the school climate survey through their child's school website. According to RCSS, the survey results will be presented to the Board of Education in March before a final recommendation is made during that month's meeting. 'The academic calendar and school climate play a critical role in shaping the learning experience, and we want to ensure that every voice is heard,' said Marcus Allen, assistant superintendent of Support Services. 'We encourage parents, students and community members to share their perspectives so we can create a school environment that supports success for all.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
