Suffolk NY
Schools
West Islip Man Who Embezzled $8.4M From Private School To Buy Cars, Beach Houses Gets Prison West Islip Man Who Embezzled $8.4M From Private School To Buy Cars, Beach Houses Gets Prison
West Islip Man Who Embezzled $8.4M From Private School To Buy Cars, Beach Houses Gets Prison A former employee at a Long Island private school who lived the high life after embezzling millions of dollars will spend years in prison. David Ostrove, age 52, of West Islip, was sentenced to between 8 ⅓ and 25 years in prison in Suffolk County Court on Wednesday, April 17, following his conviction for grand larceny and money laundering. Prosecutors said Ostrove transferred over $8.4 million from Williston Park’s Schechter School of Long Island into his own personal accounts between March 2014 and April 2022. Earlier Report: West Islip Man Embezzled $8.4M From Private School, Boug…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Mercer
Schools
Robbinsville Daycare Worker Caused Child's Nose Bleed In Series Of Assaults, Police Papers Say Robbinsville Daycare Worker Caused Child's Nose Bleed In Series Of Assaults, Police Papers Say
Robbinsville Daycare Worker Caused Child's Nose Bleed In Series Of Assaults, Police Papers Say Three students at a preschool in Mercer County were hit and grabbed aggressively by a childcare teacher, authorities said. In one of the incidents at the Malvern School on Route 33 in Robbinsville, the teacher's slap caused a nosebleed, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice. Another incident caused a visible injury to an arm, the paperwork says. Ekta Dwarkesh, 45, of South Brunswick, is charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child by abuse or neglect, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office. Surveillance video from the school…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Chester
Schools
Pair Arrested for Violent Threats Toward Chester County Middle School, Police Say Pair Arrested for Violent Threats Toward Chester County Middle School, Police Say
Pair Arrested for Violent Threats Toward Chester County Middle School, Police Say Two 14-year-old boys were taken into custody after police said they lodged threats against Avong Grove Middle School.  Troopers were called to the school, 257 State Road in London Grove Township, on Tuesday, April 16.  The suspects were identified and arrested early Wednesday, April 17, according to authorities.  State police said they will "continue to support the Avon Grove School District." 

SHARE

by Mac Bullock
Prince George's
Schools
Driver Hurt After Crashing School Bus Into Prince George's County Home Driver Hurt After Crashing School Bus Into Prince George's County Home
Driver Hurt After Crashing School Bus Into Prince George's County Home One person was injured after a school bus smashed through the front of a home in Prince George's County on Thursday morning.  Shortly before 9 a.m. on April 18, first responders were called to the 10000 block of Riggs Road in Hyattsville, where there was a school bus that struck a house, leading to a collapse investigation. The scene of the crash in Prince George's County. Prince George's County Fire/EMS No students were on the bus at the time of the crash, though the driver was taken by paramedics to an area hospital for treatment and evaluation of non-life-threatening injuries. …

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Essex NJ
Schools
South Orange Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' South Orange Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge'
South Orange Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' A student at an Essex County middle school was hospitalized on Tuesday, April 16, after he tried the "blackout challenge." Two students at South Orange Middle School took part in the dangerous stunt, popular on social media, which involves holding one's breath to the point of passing out, Lynn Irby Hill, the principal, said in a letter to parents. The first student passed out but was treated by the nursing staff, Irby Hill said. The second student had difficulty resuming breathing and was taken to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation, Irby Hill said. Assistant Principal Jim Waldro…

SHARE

by Sam Barron
Camden
Schools
'White Student Union:' Officials Remain Tight-Lipped On Racial Probe At Collingswood HS 'White Student Union:' Officials Remain Tight-Lipped On Racial Probe At Collingswood HS
'White Student Union:' Officials Remain Tight-Lipped On Racial Probe At Collingswood HS An unofficial high school club accused of racial bias is under investigation by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and local police. Members of a non-sanctioned club at Collingswood High School called the "White Student Union" allegedly spew racist slurs against some students, according to a report by 6abc.com. Students told the news outlet that the behavior has been getting worse.  "This is an active and ongoing investigation by the Collingswood Police Department and the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office," said Donna Weaver, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor. "As such, we are n…

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Ocean
Schools
Seaside Heights Voters Reject Merger With Toms River School District: Unofficial Results Seaside Heights Voters Reject Merger With Toms River School District: Unofficial Results
Seaside Heights Voters Reject Merger With Toms River School District: Unofficial Results Seaside Heights voters rejected a plan to merge the island borough's school district with the Toms River Regional School District. According to unofficial results, 232 voters in Seaside Heights voted "no" on the merger, while 167 voters said "yes" in the referendum on Tuesday, Apr. 16. The plan would have eventually closed the Seaside district's only school Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School. Mainland voters overwhelmingly approved the merger plan, which would have gone into effect in the 2024-25 school year. In Beachwood, Pine Beach, South Toms River, and Toms River, 7,186 voters sai…

SHARE

by Chris Spiker
Montgomery MD
Schools
Employee Caught With Gun On Campus Of Forest Oaks Middle School: Police Employee Caught With Gun On Campus Of Forest Oaks Middle School: Police
Employee Caught With Gun On Campus Of Forest Oaks Middle School: Police A District man working at a Maryland middle school is facing charges for bringing a gun on campus, officials say. William Broadus Coleman, 30, a building service manager at Forest Oak Middle School in Montgomery County was arrested on Tuesday for possession of a loaded privately manufactured handgun, according to the Gaithersburg Police Department. Shortly before 12:30 p.m. on April 16, officers were called to the school in the 600 block of Saybrooke Oaks Boulevard, where there were reports of a staff member who was in possession of a firearm. During the investigation, police say that offi…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Greenwich
Schools
New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored' New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored'
New Principal Named At Middle School In Greenwich: 'I Am So Honored' After a decade of serving as assistant principal, an experienced educator will now take the helm of a Fairfield County middle school. In an announcement on Friday, April 12, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Toni Jones revealed that Suzanne Coyne would serve as the next principal of Western Middle School effective on Monday, July 1.  Coyne's appointment comes only weeks after being named interim principal on Wednesday, March 13. Jones explained that she instantly rose to the challenge of the role.  "Ms. Suzanne Coyne received overwhelming positive feedback from th…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Rivertowns
Schools
Westchester School District Earns Best Community For Music Education Award Westchester School District Earns Best Community For Music Education Award
Westchester School District Earns Best Community For Music Education Award A school district in Westchester has been recognized as one of the best in the country for its dedication to music education, officials announced. The Irvington Union Free School District has been named a winner of the Best Communities for Music Education Award for 2024 by the NAMM Foundation, district officials announced on Tuesday, April 9.  The district is one of only 975 school districts nationwide to receive the award and one of six in Westchester, officials added.  The award recognizes "outstanding" efforts from teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community lea…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Greenwich
Schools
New Principal Named At School In Greenwich: 'I Am Humbled To Pick Up Baton' New Principal Named At School In Greenwich: 'I Am Humbled To Pick Up Baton'
New Principal Named At School In Greenwich: 'I Am Humbled To Pick Up Baton' A school in Fairfield County will soon be led by a new principal, officials announced. In an announcement on Thursday, April 11, Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent Toni Jones revealed that Eduardo Calderón will take the helm of the Julian Curtiss School as its new principal effective on Monday, July 1.  Calderón will replace Trish McGuire, who will be retiring at the end of the school year.  Currently the principal of Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School in the Bronx since 2020, Calderón also served as the principal of the Bronx's…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Fairfield
Schools
School In Fairfield Receives Threat Of Violence, Placed In Lockdown School In Fairfield Receives Threat Of Violence, Placed In Lockdown
School In Fairfield Receives Threat Of Violence, Placed In Lockdown A Fairfield County high school was placed on lockdown after receiving a threat of violence. The incident occurred at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield around 1 p.m., Thursday, April 11. According to Sgt. Michael Stahl of the Fairfield Police, the school received a telephone threat of violence and notified the police. The school was placed into lockdown while officers completed an assessment of the threat and determined that all students and staff were safe, Stahl said. "At this time, we believe this to be a swatting incident and that the call to the school was not made from the imm…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Capital District
Schools
Janitor Put Hidden Camera In Elementary School Bathroom In Voorheesville, Police Say Janitor Put Hidden Camera In Elementary School Bathroom In Voorheesville, Police Say
Janitor Put Hidden Camera In Elementary School Bathroom In Voorheesville, Police Say This story has been updated. A janitor at an elementary school in the region is accused of secretly recording colleagues in a staff bathroom. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said an employee at Voorheesville Elementary School discovered a cell phone that was recording people in a staff bathroom on Tuesday, April 9. Investigators determined that David Ague, a custodian at the school, had placed the phone there, Voorheesville Central School District Superintendent Frank Macri said in a letter to parents. "The district immediately contacted the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, which ha…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Putnam
Schools
School District In Putnam County Taps New Superintendent School District In Putnam County Taps New Superintendent
School District In Putnam County Taps New Superintendent After an intense vetting process, a Hudson Valley school district has selected a new superintendent with more than two decades of leadership experience.  In an announcement on Tuesday, April 9, the Garrison Union Free School District in Putnam County revealed that Gregory Stowell was offered the position of superintendent.  Stowell is expected to be officially appointed to the role at the next Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, April 10 at 7 p.m.  Once he takes the district's helm, Stowell will replace Carl Albano, who officially retired from the role in September…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Greenwich
Schools
School In Greenwich Reopens After Cracks Found Following Earthquake School In Greenwich Reopens After Cracks Found Following Earthquake
School In Greenwich Reopens After Cracks Found Following Earthquake A Fairfield County school evacuated following last week's earthquake has reopened. Related: Cracks Discovered At School In Greenwich After 4.8 Magnitude Earthquake: Report Greenwich's Central Middle School was deemed safe to open on Monday, April 8, after cracks were found after the 4.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred on Friday, April 5, in New Jersey that was felt throughout the region.  "We are happy to share some good news with all of you," said Greenwich Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones and Central Middle School Principal Thomas Healy.  School officials said th…

SHARE

by Kathy Reakes
Rivertowns
Schools
Westchester HS Student Leads Art Exhibition To Help Support Hudson River Westchester HS Student Leads Art Exhibition To Help Support Hudson River
Westchester HS Student Leads Art Exhibition To Help Support Hudson River A high school student from Westchester is looking to drum up support for the preservation of the Hudson River through the power of art.  To raise funds for environmental conservation efforts, Irvington High School Junior Minori Furtado has organized an art exhibition that will include works from students and seasoned artists, the Irvington Union Free School District announced on Thursday, April 4. The exhibition, titled "Ebb & Flow," will be held at the Studio 8 art gallery in Irvington at 8 North Dutcher St. from Thursday, April 11 to Wednesday, April 17.  The effort wi…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Nassau
Schools
Hicksville Among Dozens Of Nassau County Schools Recognized At NAMM Foundation Awards Hicksville Among Dozens Of Nassau County Schools Recognized At NAMM Foundation Awards
Hicksville Among Dozens Of Nassau County Schools Recognized At Namm Foundation Awards Out of the 975 districts across the nation honored for having outstanding music education programs, approximately 60 Long Island were selected and bestowed with the award. Dozens of school districts on Long Island were awarded by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for having the Best Community For Music Education (BCME). Now in its 25th year, the foundation’s BCME award “celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.” Nine hundred and seventy-five school…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Lancaster
Schools
Fire At Central PA High School Woodshop Forces Classes Online For Days Fire At Central PA High School Woodshop Forces Classes Online For Days
Fire At Central PA High School Woodshop Forces Classes Online For Days A fire at a high school wood shop forced the district to switch to online or remote learning for a minimum of two days, officials announced on Tuesday morning.  Intially fire crews were called to Maheim Tonwship High School for a report of smoke showing at 5:18 p.m. on Monday, April 1, officials explained.  The fire was found fire in a dust collector on the exterior of the high school off the wood shop.  Even though the "fire was contained to the exterior, however the interior required extensive ventilation. Manheim Township High School will be holding on-line only learning …

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Essex NJ
Schools
Solar Eclipse Means Early Dismissal For These NJ Schools Solar Eclipse Means Early Dismissal For These NJ Schools
Solar Eclipse Means Early Dismissal For These NJ Schools A solar eclipse on Monday, April 8 is closing schools across New Jersey. Last month, Livingston Public Schools in Essex County announced an early dismissal in anticipation of children looking at the sun. Since then, others have announced they too will close early. Pennsauken officials announced a half-day as the eclipse is expected to coincide with dismissal, posing a safety concern. Students in the Shore Regional High School District will be dismissed at 1:30 p.m., ahead of the eclipse, according to a letter form the superintendent. Cherry Hill students will also be dismissed early…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Greenburgh
Schools
Ardsley Union Free School District Taps New Superintendent Ardsley Union Free School District Taps New Superintendent
Ardsley Union Free School District Taps New Superintendent A school district in Westchester has announced who will succeed its outgoing superintendent after his upcoming retirement.  In an announcement on Monday, April 1, the Ardsley Union Free School District revealed that Matthew Block would take over as superintendent effective on Monday, July 1. Block will succeed Ryan Schoenfeld, who will retire at the end of the 2023-2024 school year after serving in the position for six years.  In their announcement, the Ardsley Board of Education, which will formalize Block's appointment during a meeting on Tuesday, April 2,  said …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Mt. Kisco
Schools
HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Northern Westchester Non-Profit HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Northern Westchester Non-Profit
HS Students Honored As Outstanding Teens By Northern Westchester Non-Profit A Northern Westchester non-profit organization has honored several accomplished high school students as outstanding teens.  The students were announced as winners during the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester's Annual Youth of the Year Award Ceremony on Tuesday, March 26 at Crabtree’s Kittle House in Chappaqua, the organization announced on Friday, March 29.  The three winners chosen by the ceremony's judges were:  Pleasantville High School junior Grace Gerosa, who won the Youth of the Year Award. Gerosa, who has been a club member for a decade, manages…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
St. Mary's
Schools
Teen Charged As Adult For Violent Assault In St. Mary's County High School: Sheriff Teen Charged As Adult For Violent Assault In St. Mary's County High School: Sheriff
Teen Charged As Adult For Violent Assault In St. Mary's County High School: Sheriff A teen student at a Southern Maryland high school will be charged as an adult for a group assault that left a classmate with potentially life-threatening injuries, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office announced. An investigation has been launched after five students attacked another in the hallway of Chopticon High School earlier this month, resulting in the arrest of at least one juvenile, who is facing criminal charges. The assault was reported on Monday, March 4.  According to investigators, the five suspects attacked the student, and "specifically, during the assault, this suspe…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Lewisboro
Schools
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By John Jay High School 'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By John Jay High School
'Sopranos' Star Edie Falco Stops By John Jay High School Edie Falco, one of the stars of "The Sopranos," took some time to give some advice about acting and life to students during a visit to a Northern Westchester high school. In a 90-minute visit to John Jay High School in Cross River on Tuesday, March 19, Edie Falco, known for playing Carmela Soprano in "The Sopranos," spoke to over 100 students as part of the school's Social and Theoretical Criticism in the Serial Narrative elective.  During the visit, which took place in the school's auditorium, Falco answered students' questions about her life and career and told the story of how …

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Dauphin
Schools
Central PA School Bus Driver Caught With Child Porn, Police Say Central PA School Bus Driver Caught With Child Porn, Police Say
Central PA School Bus Driver Caught With Child Porn, Police Say A 56-year-old school bus driver has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to child pornography, police announced late Thursday night. Philip Fry of the 1100 block of Oberlin Road, Middletown, Lower Swatara Township was arrested following a warranted search of his home. The search was conducted by the Derry Township Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children Investigators, along with Detectives from the Dauphin County Criminal Investigation Division. The search was part of a larger investigation after receiving tips about Child Sexual Abuse Material.  During the …

SHARE

by Jillian Pikora
Charles
Schools
Fight Clubs At Charles County High School Probed Following Bathroom Assault: Sheriff Fight Clubs At Charles County High School Probed Following Bathroom Assault: Sheriff
Fight Clubs At Charles County High School Probed Following Bathroom Assault: Sheriff Fight clubs among students are under investigation at a Maryland high school following a bathroom assault. A student was in a school bathroom when two of their peers entered the bathroom, went through the student’s pockets, looking for money but instead stole a cell phone on Tuesday, March 19 at Maurice McDonough High School, the Charles County Sheriff's Office said in a news release. An investigation found the two students purposely targeted the student believing the student was in possession of cash as a result of winning previous, pre-arranged fights that occurred at the school…

SHARE

by Cecilia Levine
Pelham
Schools
Elementary School Educator In Pelham Named NYS Principal Of Year Elementary School Educator In Pelham Named NYS Principal Of Year
Elementary School Educator In Pelham Named NYS Principal Of Year The principal of an elementary school in Westchester has earned one of New York State's top honors for educators.  Farid Johnson, the principal at Siwanoy Elementary School in Pelham, has been named the 2024 New York State Elementary Principal of the Year by the School Administrators Association of New York State, the organization announced on Thursday, March 21.  The award is doled out to a member of the organization who is committed to excellence, has helped develop programs that meet the academic and social needs of all students, and has strong ties to parents and com…

SHARE

by Ben Crnic
Chester
Schools
Coatesville School Dismisses Early For 'Unscheduled Water Shutoff' Coatesville School Dismisses Early For 'Unscheduled Water Shutoff'
Coatesville School Dismisses Early For 'Unscheduled Water Shutoff' Students at Scott Middle School in Coatesville were sent home early on Thursday, March 21 following an "unscheduled water shut off by American Water Company," district administrators said.  "We apologize for the inconvenience and short notice; however, we have to prioritize the health and safety of our students and staff," Coatesville Area School District said on Facebook.  "The school cannot adequately operate without water." Students were dismissed from campus at 10:30 a.m. and will spend the rest of the day on a remote learning schedule, administrators said.  The amended…

SHARE

by Mac Bullock
Charles
Schools
Student Caught With Replica Gun Inside Milton Somers MS Assaulted Classmate, Sheriff Says Student Caught With Replica Gun Inside Milton Somers MS Assaulted Classmate, Sheriff Says
Student Caught With Replica Gun Inside Milton Somers MS Assaulted Classmate, Sheriff Says Some staff members at a Charles County middle school got a brief scare when they spotted what appeared to be a handgun in a locker inside the building, officials say. Several students at Milton Somers Middle School were walking in the hallway with a staffer, when they began pulling on locker doors, causing some to open along the way. According to a spokesperson from the Charles County Sheriff's Office, as the students were instructed to stop with the shenanigans, the staff member spotted what appeared to be a gun protruding from a backpack in one of the lockers. The School Resource Officer…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Cumberland Salem
Schools
Brake-Checking, Racist Parent Vowed To Have NJ Bus Driver Fired — And She Was: Lawsuit Brake-Checking, Racist Parent Vowed To Have NJ Bus Driver Fired — And She Was: Lawsuit
Brake-Checking, Racist Parent Vowed To Have NJ Bus Driver Fired — And She Was: Lawsuit A black school bus driver claims she was fired after an encounter with a racist parent who confronted her on the road in Cumberland County, court papers say. Genera Fisher filed a lawsuit against the Millville Public Charter School on March 7 in Superior Court, alleging she was let go "in retaliation for her protected activity of reporting a hate crime and/or racial harassment."  The alleged road rage incident occurred on March 3, 2023, according to the lawsuit which described the scene: A car driven by another student's parent brake-checking and turning without signaling in …

SHARE

by Jon Craig
Charles
Schools
School Staffer Allowed Students To Fight Inside Charles County MS Classroom, Sheriff Says School Staffer Allowed Students To Fight Inside Charles County MS Classroom, Sheriff Says
School Staffer Allowed Students To Fight Inside Charles County MS Classroom, Sheriff Says A disturbing video is reportedly making the rounds after a school staffer at a Charles County middle school allowed two students to fight inside a classroom at Davis Middle School. The sheriff's office said that over the weekend, school administrators were made aware of a recording of a fight that appears to show the staffer allowing two students to fight in front of their classmates, who moved desks to create a ring for the two to brawl. They were eventually broken up by other students, not the staffer. According to the Charles County Sheriff's Office, over the weekend, officers beca…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Prince George's
Schools
UMD Suspends Greek Life Over Misconduct Allegations; Frats, Students File Restraining Order UMD Suspends Greek Life Over Misconduct Allegations; Frats, Students File Restraining Order
UMD Suspends Greek Life Over Misconduct Allegations; Frats, Students File Restraining Order A group of students at the University of Maryland filed a restraining order petition in the US District Court for the District of Maryland against the school’s recent decision to put a stop to all Greek Life activities. Misconduct allegations were cited in a letter dated March 1 sent by the university to "Interfraternity and Panhellenic Association Member Organizations,” prompting significant backlash. A petition filed by fraternity members and other students on Wednesday, March 13, seeks a temporary restraining order against the school’s administrators, court documents say. A hearing …

SHARE

by Valerie Musson