Congress

Maryland tackles getting students back into classrooms 

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The TPP program was designed to help students avoid becoming truant in Montgomery county, Maryland. Rebecca Marcolini who serves as the director of the TPP (Truancy Prevention Program) with Montgomery County wants to end truancy

TPP is a volunteer program created in 2010 through the state’s attorney’s office to help kids and teens identify what is keeping them from attending school and setting a goal in place for them to reach their full potential. 

Truancy Prevention Program

Students begin the program with an orientation and are in the program for 10 weeks. Those who are 10 to 20 % truant are invited to voluntarily participate in the program that lasts 2 1/2 hours per session and is during school hours. 

The program serves mostly middle school students. Resource officers act as mentors to the students within the program depending on the schools preference if they would like them to help out with the program. 

“This is not like a punitive thing, it’s not like the police are involved to get the kids,” said Lauren DeMarco, the director of public affairs for the state’s attorney’s office. 

Both Marcolini and DeMarco emphasized how in the program students are not in trouble but are here to help those who sign up to help them with attending class and raise their grades. “The essence of this program is to determine what is holding back this child,” said Marcolini. 

To figure out what is holding the child back from coming to school, TPP will bring in a mentor so that the child can discuss what’s going on whether that is bullying, helping out a younger sibling, or staying up playing video games. 

Those who successfully finish TPP get to participate in a graduation ceremony acknowledging the work that students have done in completing the program.

Arts & Entertainment

Montgomery County Libraries host Summer Reading Challenge 

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The Montgomery County Libraries in Maryland kicked off its Summer Reading Challenge with lots of festivities on June 17. The event included music from Ghanaian drummer and storyteller Kofi Dennis, storytime led by Maranda Schoppert of Germantown Library and a meet-and-greet with Read to a Dog service dogs. 

The challenge is offered to provide local kids and teens the opportunity to read books and participate in activities. This year, the theme is “All Together Now,” which was created to promote kindness, friendship and unity within the Montgomery County community. 

The Montgomery County Summer Reading Challenge kicked off June 17. Photo by Liz Thomas. To participate in the challenge kids and teens can login onto the READsquare app or sign up at their local library. 

“Friends of the Library make a donation to the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center and Friends of Montgomery County Animals,” said Tyler Chadwell-English, who serves as the teen services manager for MCPL. 

The animal services and adoption center is one of the six local organizations partnering with MCPL. Partnering with the animal services and adoption center is to help animals find their forever homes. 

Other Organizations partnering with MCPL include the Washington Nationals, Manna Food Services and Montgomery County Parks. 

The Washington Nationals provided vouchers that MCPL will give out to participants who make it to the midway portion of the challenge.

News

Fenton celebrates 3rd annual Pride Night

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The colors of the rainbow lined the streets of Fenton and near Millpond park as the city celebrated its third annual Pride Night. City residents and those from Genesee County and surrounding areas came out to enjoy the event on June 15.  

Domonique Clemons, the Genesee County clerk and register of deeds, said it was great to see the support. “Whether they’re a member of the LGBTQ community or if they’re an ally affirming that love is love and that Genesee County is a welcoming and accepting place for everybody,” Clemons said. 

Clemons was attending the event for the first time. Clemons said: “It’s really cool to be out here in Fenton doing something for our community that some folks might historically have seen some of the discrimination in and if you just look around, there’s hundreds of folks here that are saying that’s not the case here. We’re celebrating equity, we’re celebrating love and it’s just overwhelming positive vibes here.” 

Tami Strzelecki, a nurse and owner of Sugs’ Shoppe and Sterk Style, also attended the event for the first time.

Diversity Issues
Children take turns falling off the edge of the pool with Mia Dodd’s support, teaching them how to safely enter the pool

Free swim lessons part of larger effort to reduce drownings

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FREE SWIM LESSONS: Free swimming lessons for children in Southeast Michigan are part of a larger effort to reduce drownings in the Great Lakes. There have been 15 so far this year and 1,170 since 2010. Inconsistent red flag warnings such as those at state and local beaches on Lake Michigan also confuse swimmers about whether water conditions are unsafe. We talk with the founders of the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, a swim instructor, a DNR expert and a woman whose grandchildren are taking lessons in Howell. By Ashley Zhou. FOR DETROIT, FOWLERVILLE, HOLLAND, PLANET DETROIT, WKTV, MANISTEE, OCEANA COUNTY, BENZIE COUNTY, LEELANAU, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, HARBOR SPRINGS, CHEBOYGAN, LUDINGTON AND ALL POINTS.

East Lansing

East Lansing Public Library offers counseling in response to MSU violence

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Since February, counselors from the Community Mental Health Authority (CMH) of Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties have been offering crisis support at the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL). Community members who need support following the Feb. 13 violence at Michigan State University can stop by the library Monday–Friday from 12:30–5 p.m. for free counseling, with no appointment required.

Business & Economy

Food banks see increased demand

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FOOD BANK SURGE: Additional federal food assistance for low-income people ended at the end of February, driving more people to turn to food banks and pantries. The assistance had been provided as part of federal relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local food banks are feeling the pinch as an increasing number of low-income residents turn to them by Samuel Blatchford. We interview food bank administrators for Detroit, Lansing and Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Jackson, Lenawee, Hillsdale, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph counties. By Samuel Blatchford. FOR ALL POINTS

Education

Vision to Learn expands, helps Lansing students see success

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At a recent  Lansing school board meeting the nationwide nonprofit organization called, Vision to Learn was introduced. Dr. Sue Wheeler presented a health and wellness update and gave a presentation on how Vision to Learn will be participating in the Lansing school district. “This year we are expanding our partnership with Vision to Learn… a nonprofit organization that provides onsite vision screening, vision exams and glasses for students who need them,” Wheeler said. “All are at no cost to our families.

Arts & Entertainment
Isle Royale is known for its isolation and primitive wilderness.

Supporters plan climate-friendly environment for Lake Superior’s five national parks  

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DECARBONIZATION: Lake Superior’s five national parks are getting an environmental boost from organizations aiming to bring solar power and electric vehicles to them. Carbon neutrality is the goal. By Genevieve Fox. FOR MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, CHEBOYGAN, SAULT STE. MARIE, ST. IGNACE, HARBOR SPRINGS, TRAVERSE CITY, BENZIE, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON, OCEANA, ALCONA, CHEBOYGAN and ALL POINTS.