Tag: Education

New Online Mental Health Resources Available To Parents, Caregivers And Schools

ParentGuidance.org is a 24/7 online platform that assists those who care for children to address and elevate their own mental health wellness and self-care.

Schools and families in West Virginia have access to a new mental health resource. ParentGuidance.org is a 24/7 online platform that assists those who care for children to address and elevate their own mental health wellness and self-care.

Parents and families can access regular one-on-one parent coaching, on-demand parenting sessions taught by licensed therapists, as well as “Ask a Therapist,” a frequently updated question-and-answer forum.

The resources are made possible through a three-year contract between the West Virginia Department of Education and the national nonprofit The Cook Center for Human Connection. The Cook Center lists its current focus as eradicating suicide by offering youth mental health resources to support children, families and schools.

Counties may also customize professional development sessions with The Cook Center such as bullying mitigation, isolation and absenteeism at reduced costs for counties.

According to a press release from the Department of Education, West Virginia is the first state to offer these resources statewide amidst a shortage of traditional mental health services.

“Our educators are experiencing several mental health behaviors in our children that they have not seen previously,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “ParentGuidance.org will provide resources that have never been reasonably available to many West Virginia families and communities. This will be a great asset and will make a difference in the lives of our children, the stability of our families, the mental health of teachers and school employees, and the progress of our schools.”

Marshall University Breaks Ground On New Cybersecurity Center

Marshall University broke ground on a new home for its cybersecurity institute Friday. The new building on campus is backed by a $45 million investment from the state.

Backed by $45 million in state funding, Marshall University will soon be home to a new cybersecurity center. School administrators were joined by state officials and members of the public to break ground on the project Friday.

The new building on Marshall’s campus in Huntington will house its Institute for Cyber Security, as well as a new National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure.

Established in 2021, the Institute for Cyber Security conducts cybersecurity education and research, and aims to help students prepare for careers in the tech industry.

The National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure aims to train students to address emerging issues in the field including those that pertain to national security and infrastructure.

It was created in partnership with the United States Cyber Command, the Joint Force Headquarters Department of Defense Information Network and West Virginia University.

These programs “will bolster our cybersecurity workforce, both now and in the future, and will make West Virginia a hub for cybersecurity protection of our country’s most critical assets,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who delivered remarks during Friday’s ceremony.

Toney Stroud, vice president of strategic initiatives at Marshall, said the center serves an increasingly important function as cyber threats continue to emerge nationwide.

“Not only will this lay the ground to start protecting and assist protecting the national critical infrastructure of our country, but will help with the emerging threats that come our way,” he said.

Voters In Monongalia County Reject New School Bond 

More than 68 percent of voters in Tuesday’s primary election voted against construction of the Renaissance Academy.

More than 68 percent of voters in Tuesday’s primary election voted against construction of the Renaissance Academy. In total, 11,578 voted against the bond measure while 5,404 voted in favor, according to unofficial numbers released by the Monongalia County Clerk’s Office. Results will be certified after canvassing May 20.

The proposed public high school would be accessible to all county students and focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM. 

The Monongalia County Schools’ website says “Renaissance Academy’s innovative design and adaptable space will enable students to engage in project-based collaborations with industry partners, receive training in various skilled trades and pursue advanced coursework starting in ninth grade.” 

Monongalia County Schools sought approval to issue more than $140 million in bonds to help cover the close to $160 million cost of construction.

The amount was simply too much for voters like Adam Komisaruk, who expressed concern over the use of public education funds.

“If Morgantown is interested in investing in STEM education, which I think is a laudable goal, then I think it should eliminate the middleman and simply increase funding for public schools,” he said.

The bond could appear on the ballot again during November’s general election.

Pipeline Problems, Student Protests And A Voter’s Guide, This West Virginia Morning

On this West Virginia Morning, a pipeline safety watchdog said federal regulators “should be on notice” about a pressure test failure on the Mountain Valley Pipeline earlier this month.

On this West Virginia Morning, a pipeline safety watchdog said federal regulators “should be on notice” about a pressure test failure on the Mountain Valley Pipeline earlier this month.

Plus, students at West Virginia University’s Morgantown campus demonstrated in support of Palestine for the second time in as many weeks. Reporter Chris Schulz covered the protest from downtown Morgantown.

With the May 14 primary election fast approaching, nonprofit newsroom Mountain State Spotlight has created a statewide voter’s guide. West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Editor-in-Chief Ken Ward about the guide and how to access it.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content. 

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with support from Marshall Health.

West Virginia Morning is produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick, and Randy Yohe.

Eric Douglas is our news director. Teresa Wills is our host. Chris Schulz produced this episode.

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:43 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning

Continuing Education Emergencies And Special Session Priorities This West Virginia Week

This week the U.S. Department of Education is launching a multimillion-dollar program to help boost the completion of FAFSA nationwide. We’ll also learn more about the state’s largest methamphetamine seizure in history. And we’ll hear about a rupture in the Mountain Valley Pipeline during a pressure test. 

On this West Virginia Week, the U.S. Department of Education is launching a multimillion-dollar program to help boost the completion of FAFSA nationwide. We’ll also learn more about the state’s largest methamphetamine seizure in history. And we’ll hear about a rupture in the Mountain Valley Pipeline during a pressure test. 

We’ll talk about a state of emergency declared at an Eastern Panhandle middle school and what led to the declaration. We’ll dive into what Gov. Jim Justice says will be top priorities during the upcoming special session. And we’ll learn about a tornado that touched down in Hancock County Tuesday night.

Emily Rice is our host this week. Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert.

West Virginia Week is a web-only podcast that explores the week’s biggest news in the Mountain State. It’s produced with help from Bill Lynch, Briana Heaney, Chris Schulz, Curtis Tate, Emily Rice, Eric Douglas, Jack Walker, Liz McCormick and Randy Yohe.

Learn more about West Virginia Week.

Two W.Va. Students Named U.S. Presidential Scholars

Lauren Shen, from Morgantown High School in Monongalia County, and Grant Kenamond, from Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County, received the honor. They are part of a group of 161 students nationwide to receive this recognition.

Lauren Shen, from Morgantown High School in Monongalia County, and Grant Kenamond, from Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County, received the honor. They are part of a group of 161 students nationwide to receive this recognition.

“West Virginia students are world-class scholars, and Lauren and Grant are exceptional ambassadors for our state,” said State Superintendent of Schools Michele L. Blatt. “These students exemplify scholarly accomplishment, excellence and a commitment to civic responsibility that is inspiring. We wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”

The students are recognized based on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, performance in career technical education, and a demonstrated commitment to ethical standards. The students will be part of an online ceremony over the summer. 

The program was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson 60 years ago in 1964. One boy and one girl are picked from each state, plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and Americans living abroad. There is also a pool of 55 students who are picked for academic, artistic, and technical achievement. 

Out of 3.7 million high school students set to graduate this year, nearly 6,000 students qualify for the award, but only 161 students receive the recognition of being a presidential scholar. 

Exit mobile version