WBFO Education Desk

A new online training program in the state is now available to help educators better prepare for supporting student mental health. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS) provides the service for educators.

A McKinley High School teacher, injured in a student assault last month, is being transferred to Leonardo da Vinci High School in Buffalo. But as WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the leader of Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF) is crying foul.

African-American high-school and collegiate students competed Wednesday night in Buffalo’s second annual Black History Month Oratorical competition. This year’s topic was, “Are we still feeling the effects of slavery, or do we live in a time when black men and women have equal opportunity to succeed?”

WBFO's Nick Lippa produced an audio postcard of the students’ speeches to the backing of former UB professor and legendary jazz bassist Charles Mingus’ Freedom.

Two teenagers, who are not vaccinated because of religious beliefs, were kicked out of school. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says now the mother of the teens is suing the Orchard Park School District.

High school students from several area schools gathered for a Healthy Relationships summit at the Buffalo History Museum Tuesday. WBFO's senior reporter says the event was designed to raise awareness of teen relationship violence.

The Center for Disease Control reports individual cases of measles have been confirmed in ten states and that includes New York. Four cases were confirmed earlier this week in the Rochester area. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley spoke with the Erie County Health Commissioner about the importance of getting children vaccinated.  

SUNY Buffalo State has been selected to play lead a new initiative to increase faculty diversity.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the college was selected for a pilot program called PRODI-G by SUNY. 

Three Mount St. Mary Academy High School students created a special activity book for those living with Alzheimer’s disease. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says as part of the school’s entrepreneurs program, the students published a book called Forget Me Not.  

Graduation rates in the Buffalo Public School District are holding steady.  WBFO’s senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the State Education Department issued the new numbers this week.

The Buffalo Public School District is working to provide winter coats for families in need. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley visited one of the district's four Parent Centers to learn more about the giveaway.   

School superintendents across the region will be keeping a close watch on the weather changes Tuesday and early Wednesday. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says extremely cold conditions are a major concern.

A SUNY Fredonia student started an initiative to provide free sanitary products to students on campus.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the program is called FREDFlo. 

An all-girls Catholic high school in Kenmore is the latest school to announce it is dropping New York State Regents. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says Mount St. Mary Academy will begin a two-year phase out of the exams starting next school year.  

Teens from across Western New York and Southeast Michigan are being asked to offer their opinions. The Ralph Wilson, Jr. Foundation is working to gather 20,000 teen responses. WBFO’s senior reporter Eileen Buckley had a chance to talk with a couple of Niagara Falls City High School students who are participating in the "Teen Opinions Count".  

For 20 years the group known as F.A.T.H.E.R.S. has been working with inner city youth in Buffalo. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley caught up with co-founder and president Leonard Lane to talk about his commitment to children.  

As an effort to promote positive mental health for students, another Buffalo Public school has added a Calming Room.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says it opened Friday at the Arthur O. Eve School of Distinction School #61 on the city's east side.  

The Buffalo Public School District is declaring victory in turning around past failing and struggling city schools. Buffalo Schools Superintendent Kriner Cash said city schools have been turned around.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley attended a celebration with the school community Thursday at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.

The Orchard Park Central School District is providing parents with suicide prevention information. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the district wants to make sure parents understand their child's mental and emotional health.  

The New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) has issued five proposed changes for teacher performance reviews.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the Association is making these recommendations as state lawmakers look at legislation to change teacher evaluations.  

Some young east side children are now part of a new early childhood center thanks to Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says they celebrated the opening of a second new Children's Academy at Gerard Place on Bailey Avenue, giving kids an early jump-start to education.  

Area high school students are encouraged to participate in an essay contest.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the Canisius College Physics Department is calling on students to ponder a big question about time.

Young students gathered Friday inside the gymnasium at Buffalo's Charles Drew Magnet School #59 Annex were told they'd be visited by a "super special visitor." It wasn't Santa Claus. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and several local elected officials joined local military members to play Santa and provide toys to students, many of whom the governor suggested might otherwise not have much beneath the Christmas tree.

A country singer named 'Billboard Artist to Watch' is visiting some schools in Lockport and Tonawanda this week delivering an anti-bullying message.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says national country music singer Jessie Chris made Western New York one of her tour-stops.

A Buffalo Public School will once again see a student science project head into orbit next year. Western New York STEM Hub announced the winner of its Space Contest. WBFO’s senior reporter Eileen Buckley met with winning student-research team from The International Preparatory School.