Latest news with #YorkCollege
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Campus notes: June 22, 2025
Teagan Graham, Reading, graduated from the University at Buffalo, N.Y., with a bachelor's degree in health and human services/early childhood education. York College The following area students received degrees from York College of Pennsylvania: Master of education: Julianna Kusy, Kutztown; Isabelle Popoter, Spring Township. Master of science in nursing: Elyse Batson, Exeter Township. Bachelor of arts: Isabella Antos, South Heidelberg Township; Lauryn Johnson, Exeter Township; Isabella Hoeltzel, Leesport; Elizabeth Trumbore, Temple. Bachelor of business administration: Gabriel Trevena, South Heidelberg Township. Bachelor of science: Brett Reinert, Douglassville; Haley Akins, Markus Jeschonnek and Brianna Endy, Exeter Township; Alexander LaVerdure, Oley Township;. Bachelor of science in nursing: Morgan Sauers, Gilbertsville; Taryn Boyer, Temple. Items are supplied by the colleges involved.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Across the U.S., Unions Are Seeking Big Boosts to Paraprofessional Pay
During her first full-time job as a paraprofessional, Priscilla Castro would wake up at 6:00 a.m. to work at a high school in Brooklyn, where she helped educate teenage mothers. She would then head to her own night classes at York College, where she was pursuing her bachelor's degree, sometimes not returning home until past 11 p.m. At the time, Castro's salary was less than $20,000. Two decades later, after earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology and urban studies and working as a special education and a language paraprofessional, she is earning $55,000 – still far below what most people would need to earn to afford to live in New York. To help her make ends meet, Castro lived with her parents early on in her career. But the main reason she has stuck with it? The impact she has had on the kids. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter 'We are there with the students every period, so we see the challenges the students go through and their success,' Castro said. 'To me, it's amazing to see, especially when I'm [working with] an autistic child who, for the first time, is learning how to read and learning how to write their name.' Castro now advocates for other classroom support staff as the president of the paraprofessional chapter of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City. The city is currently struggling with a shortage of more than 1,550 paraprofessionals. Hoping to attract and retain more people to the profession, the union is stepping outside of its traditional collective bargaining practices to push for legislation that would mandate raises of at least $10,000 for the city's paraprofessionals. Paraprofessionals are usually hourly workers who assist students and teachers with classroom work, supervision and instructing small groups. Roughly 75% of paras don't have a bachelor's degree, according to a 2021 Brown University study. Average pay for paraprofessionals in 2024 was $35,240, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Related Across the U.S., unions are seeking to boost paraprofessional pay, which remains so low that workers are struggling to get by in many states, according to an April report from the National Education Association. A 2022 NEA survey found that more than half of paraprofessionals worked other jobs on weekdays after classes ended and 75% said they had a problem making a living wage. The NEA said in its most recent report that while paraprofessional pay has improved, 'there is still a lot of work to be done.' In April, paraprofessionals in Boston landed raises ranging from 23% to 31% over three years Most will see a pay increase of nearly $8,000 by the end of the contract, according to the Boston Teachers Union. Allentown School District in Pennsylvania accepted a contract last fall that will give its paraprofessionals 22% raises. Pittsburgh Public Schools awarded its paras raises of 14% in December. In addition, California lawmakers are considering a bill that would increase pay for both teachers and staffers, including paraprofessionals, by 50% over the next 10 years. 'I've received strong support from teachers and [other school] employees who are struggling to live in the communities that they work in,' said Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, who authored the bill. Related Dannel Montesano is one of them. She left her paraprofessional job earlier this year to become an office clerk at Liberty Ranch High School in Galt, California. The new job paid just $1 more per hour. It was the only way she could get a raise. 'Our starting paraprofessional pay is $18.63 an hour. This school year, we've had a hard time filling all of the positions because when you can go work at McDonald's for over $20 an hour — and not have as much responsibility working one-on-one with students —- the draw isn't there,' she said. In New York City, paraprofessionals earn between $31,787 to $52,847 a year, according to the UFT. The city's current system of collective bargaining ensures all job titles receive the same percentage wage increase. But those increases have a varying impact depending on an employee's base pay. The union said in a press release that a 3% pay raise could mean roughly a $900 increase for a paraprofessional but a $6,000 bump for a principal. More than 1,600 union members rallied in front of City Hall in April to advocate for the paraprofessional pay bill, which would create a separate 'para pay index' that would exist outside of collective bargaining. Each year, the city's general fund would provide full-time paraprofessionals with a check of at least $10,000. 'We have paraprofessionals who are struggling,' Castro said. 'I received an email from a paraprofessional who's living in a shelter with a child. It broke my heart to receive this email. We have to make a difference. We have to ensure that the bill is passed in City Hall, because it would change so many lives.'
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Queens High School for the Sciences at York College is a school without a home
This article is one of the winning submissions from the New York Post Scholars Contest, presented by Command Education. It's an interesting feeling. The feeling when one's school—a specialized high school—is nothing but the second floor and basement of a building that doesn't even belong to it. When one's school has barely enough money to support its community. And yet that is what 500 students feel when they walk into the Queens High School for the Sciences at York College (QHSS). 500, because that is the most amount of students that could fit. We've endured for 23 years, ever since 2002. And in those 23 years, we've made a name for ourselves. According to US News, in 2024, we were ranked 1st in New York High Schools. We were 25th in National Rankings. There is a 100% graduation rate, well above the state's average. We have done so much, worked so hard, and yet when people come, fascinated, to visit our school, they will find only a tiny school building that belongs not to us, but to the college across from us—York College. They will find that we have to rent this building for hundreds of thousands of dollars each year—a huge percentage of our funding. And even though the school pays so much, we are only given the second floor and a lunchroom with a maximum occupancy of 75 students. 5 Queens High School for the Sciences at York College sophomore Angela Li yearns for a lab to call home at the top public school currently educating students out of two rented floors of a building in Jamaica. Matthew McDermott 5 'We have to rent this building for hundreds of thousands of dollars each year—a huge percentage of our funding,' Li writes. Matthew McDermott They will see, and then they will think that this is not even the bare minimum of what one would expect for a specialized high school of our reputation. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Middle schools, elementary schools, and plenty of high schools have gyms in their buildings. At QHSS, located in a building that was meant for a small medical program for the college, there is obviously no gym present. Instead, the school's students venture into the roads, rain or shine, and cross two two-way streets of cars and trucks and buses to borrow the college's gym. Not only is this inconvenient and unnecessary for something as basic as physical education, but this can also be dangerous for students because strangers share these sidewalks too and arguably, Jamaica is not exactly considered one of the safest places in New York. And the lack of a gym is not the only area where the school's resources fall short. 5 'They will see, and then they will think that this is not even the bare minimum of what one would expect for a specialized high school of our reputation,' Li says. Matthew McDermott With the rent taking up so much of the school's funding, of course there is not much left to support the students and staff. Chemistry classes, mandatory for ninth graders, take place in classrooms that never have sufficient lab materials for its classes. Half of our labs are conducted by the teacher because there are not enough materials to go around for every pair of students. There was not much use in learning about safety protocols in the lab room because most of the labs dealt with the most basic things—never any advanced chemicals. Most of us have never even seen a bunsen burner before, which would have been a common sight in schools like Bronx Science or Stuyvensant. A gym two blocks away, no supplies for science classes, flickering lights, huge classes due to lack of teachers, an absence of lockers, no auditorium, no school buses, no kitchen—the list could go on and on. There is so much in this school that needs attention, that needs to be fixed, that can't be fixed because no one outside the school knows what is going on. Two classrooms don't even have windows, leaving ventilation at the mercy of doors that are constantly missing door stoppers and fans that blow only so far. Maybe one of the most alarming effects that the funding and physical quality of the school has is the disappointment that its freshmen harbor once they are pulled into the flow of QHSS life. And because they're disappointed, they start to leave. In a school that already has so few students, we can not afford to lose any more. But what can QHSS do? Everything the freshmen feel is justified. We don't have sufficient funding. We don't have as many opportunities for students. We can't afford to give them the high school life they wanted, so they do what they can do: leave. I myself have heard of three people switching schools during the transition from my freshman to sophomore year, but there is no doubt that there were more and will be more as this year comes to a close. But we've survived for 23 years. We've adapted. When we need a place to perform, we rent out the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. When we need indicators for labs, teachers themselves take the time to squeeze purple cabbage juice for their classes. When we go on the streets littered with strangers, we walk in large groups. We use public transportation to get to school. We have school food delivered to us. We've grown used to these ways, but we shouldn't have to. QHSS students shouldn't have to be forced to cram into two floors of a building, walk two blocks for a class, and be deprived of a high school experience while being grateful for the bare minimum. We shouldn't. 5 According to Li, she has 'heard of three people switching schools' over the lack of resources. Matthew McDermott 5 'QHSS students shouldn't have to be forced to cram into two floors of a building, walk two blocks for a class, and be deprived of a high school experience while being grateful for the bare minimum,' Li says. Matthew McDermott And so when the staff heard of a school building being constructed in Hillside, of course they alerted the whole school. Thousands of emails have been sent out by the parent coordinator, '[asking] students to please send [a] letter to [high-ranking officials] in order to gain their attention and advocate for [the] school.' This new building, with its own gym and kitchen and auditorium and lights that don't flicker and a first floor accessible to students, has been the first sliver of hope in a while to leave the terrible conditions behind. It has been the first chance to truly become what we are: a specialized high school with a beautiful, real building to match. The parent coordinator has been sending information about meetings with Queens Borough Presidents, legislative breakfasts, and a lot more opportunities to meet with high-ranking officials and persuade them to let us use this new building, because if we miss this opportunity, there is no telling how many more years we will have to tolerate this for. For all our academic success and achievements, our school has been held back by a lack of funding and proper facilities, leaving us to make do with subpar conditions that prevent us from experiencing the high school life we deserve. We have survived 23 years in these conditions, but we cannot wait another 23 more. If we don't act now, this opportunity for change will slip away. The building is more than just brick and mortar—it is a chance to give future students the school they deserve and were promised. Hope and resilience has gotten us so far, and this building might just be the chance to finally leave our struggles behind. A 10th-grader at Queens High School for the Sciences at York College in Queens, Li hopes to be a physician's assistant.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Get a job interview on the spot at NYC hiring hall
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – New Yorkers looking for a chance to work with the city can put their best foot forward at a hiring hall in Queens on Thursday. The event is being held at York College from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees can meet with private employers, participate in workforce development training and programs and more, according to Eventbrite. More Local News Some could even get interviewed on the spot, the Office of the Mayor of the City of New York said. Anyone who plans on attending should bring multiple copies of their resume and a photo ID. Wearing professional or business attire is encouraged. To sign up for the hiring hall, click here. The doors to the event will close at 1:30 p.m. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
York College students play key role in international success for England
A pair of York College students played key roles as members of the latest England football teams to reach an international final. With the men's senior team having contested last summer's Euro 2024 final – a year on from the women's side competing in the 2023 World Cup final – Calum Hudson and Grace Sykes were part of squads that proved the country's national Colleges' teams are packed with talent, too, during a tournament in Italy this month. The gifted duo helped the men's and women's English Colleges FA squads negotiate three tricky group games apiece before suffering narrow defeats to the hosts in their respective finals. Defender Calum, who also plays for National League North club Scarborough Athletic, even captained his country and was named man-of-the-match against the USA, while York City Ladies attacker Grace impressed once again for the Lionesses team, having scored twice against Wales earlier in the season. The men's team beat San Marino 2-0 and Canada 4-0 before losing 3-2 to the USA. They then went ahead in the final before succumbing 2-1 to a physical Italy side. The women's team enjoyed victories over Montenegro (2-1), Canada (6-3) and Wales (4-2) before being beaten 3-1 by another strong Italian outfit. In between a busy game schedule of four fixtures in five days, Calum and Grace joined their team-mates on sightseeing tours where they visited famous historic landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum. Both also received international caps for representing their country and will be presented with their England shirts, complete with their names on the back, following final matches at the training ground of former Champions League winners Chelsea in May. On the thrill of playing overseas for the Lionesses, PE and Art A Level student Grace said: 'It was quite surreal, as I never really expected to be in that situation because, coming into College, I didn't think I'd have an opportunity like that. "It was always going to be a challenge getting game time because I was competing against such talented players but, for my first international tournament, I was really proud of myself and we played really well as a team. 'The group games were all challenging, but we found a way to win and it was just disappointing that we couldn't win the final, but we came up against a strong Italian side with bigger and older girls. "I think technically we were one of the best teams in the tournament, though. 'The whole experience was amazing and one that I'll never forget, including when we went into Rome for the day to relax and saw all the sights. "Just being there with the team felt great.' Calum, who is studying a Level 3 Sports Coaching and Development diploma, spoke of his pride in wearing his country's armband, adding: 'Not many people get that opportunity to wear the Three Lions, so it was a real pleasure and I was really pleased to captain the team against the USA. "It felt great to lead the team out and swap pennants with the opposition captain. 'As a team, I thought we did well and got stronger and improved by the game, as we understood how each other played a bit more. "We just came up against a good side in the final. 'They were more of a physical side than the other teams we played and knew how to use their bodies.' The international trip followed on from other fixtures that Calum and Grace have played in for their country throughout the second year of their studies. A highlight for Grace, who turns 18 on Saturday, was her two-goal display during a 5-1 triumph over the Welsh Colleges FA. 'I didn't know how I'd feel scoring, but it just gives you a real sense of pride,' she admitted. Calum, 17, found himself pitted against a Premier League academy team when the English Colleges team pushed Leicester City all the way during a 2-1 defeat. 'You couldn't tell the difference in quality and we did really well,' he declared. 'It was quite a big confidence boost that I could play against the academy side of a Premier League club and keep up with their standards.' The pair also enjoyed residential training camps at St George's Park – the FA's state-of-the-art national football centre in Burton Upon Trent used by the likes of Harry, Kane, Jude Bellingham, Mary Earps and Lucy Bronze during England meet-ups, with Grace enthusing: 'The facilities were amazing with the spa and swimming pool and the food that they gave us was incredible. "The pitches were immaculate and we also did some team-building exercises, which was a good way to get to know the girls.' Away from College football, Calum made his senior debut for Scarborough earlier this year and has played for the club, managed by Manchester United's former Champions League winner Jonathan Greening, in the North Riding Cup and National League North – English football's sixth tier. Grace, who lives in Wetherby, has gained game time this season for York City Ladies in the FA Women's National League Division One North, where opponents include the likes of Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Huddersfield Town. She is now hoping to secure a four-year football scholarship in the USA. 'Going to America and doing a degree alongside my football is what I've always wanted to do,' she explained. 'I'm looking at going to South Carolina at the moment and it would be a big opportunity for me.' Both Garce and Calum are part of the college's Football Development Centre, where they benefited from UEFA-qualified coaching from staff affiliated to York City Football Club alongside their studies.
