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.

Commentary

Will return of students help East Lansing’s labor shortage?

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When walking around downtown East Lansing, you will run into help wanted signs out front of many of the businesses and restaurants. Starting fall 2021, Michigan State University is set to resume in-person classes for the first time since March, 2020. Will students returning to campus coincide with an increase in the labor workforce? Peter Dewan, who served on the Downtown Development Authority board for 11 years until resigning this July, said that the DDA was particularly concerned in helping downtown businesses navigate the negative effects of lacking students on campus during the pandemic. “So many businesses rely on the students,” said Dewan.

applying

Still Hard For Students To Get Jobs In Pandemic

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Under normal circumstances, getting a job is challenging for college students. Between updating resumes and cover letters, applying for jobs and trying to stand out from other applicants, things can be overwhelming. Work opportunities became even scarcer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over six months after the start of the pandemic, there’s challenges for students still looking for work experience. MSU’S Career Services Network said that it will add more virtual events this spring.

News

Students react to MSU canceling in-person classes for fall

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Students respond to MSU canceling in-person classes less than two weeks before classes start and undergraduates move on-campus. Jay Gooden wants better communication from Michigan State University and its staff when informing students of changes due to COVID-19. Gooden, 22, Spartan Remix co-director at Michigan State University, said he is worried about his lack of drive, lack of being able to be social and most of all, not receiving the full experience of acting with in-person class. MSU planned on resuming in-person classes for undergraduates when the semester starts Sept. 2 but reversed their decision Tuesday and moved most classes entirely online.

Michigan Elections

Meridian Township children head to the polls too

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Okemos Public Schools was closed due to Tuesday’s midterm election, but many Meridian Township parents still found themselves on school grounds. A total of 18 children came along with their parents as they cast their votes around noon at Murphy Elementary School. Stacy Liddick brought her children Nicholas and Allison. “We have to make decisions as people who want change,” 9-year-old Alison said. “They need to know that in order to see change, voices need to be heard,” said Liddick.

News

Fall draws locals to Meridian Township market

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Purchasing locally grown produce can be done every year at the Meridian Township Farmers’ market. The market hosts over 20 vendors every Saturday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Some vendors have been partnering with Meridian selling products for years, and other vendors include new entrepreneurs like Bri Makaric, MSU student and founder of Brite Bites. “My company is not over a year old yet and so growing customer base is very important,” said Makaric. “Meridian Township Farmers’ Market has allowed me to sell my products and grow customers from the local area.”

The Meridian Township farmers’ market is not limited to vendors who live in Meridian, but is also open to vendors outside of Meridian Township as well. They come from towns as far as Grand Rapids and as close as Lansing.

Article

Restaurants feel loss when internationals students leave

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Every summer Ginny Cheung makes the decision to close her East Lansing Chinese restaurant for a few weeks to travel. With her largely Asian college student customer base on summer break, it didn’t make financial sense to keep the doors open. But this summer, East Café located at 1001 E. Grand River Ave. didn’t close its doors. “There are still a few students staying for the summer,” she said.

News
boy reading math book

Misconceptions of education, part two: homeschooling

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Our education system has a large variety of ideas and practices. Some parents choose to send their children to public schools, some choose private or charter schools, while some parents choose to home school. This is part two of the ‘Misconceptions’ series, chronicling differences in our education system. If you would like to read part one, click here “Misconceptions of Public Schools.” Misconceptions of homeschooling
Sandra Datema and Telly Ryan are two mothers who chose to home-school their children.