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How Loudoun Co. is changing the way it teaches young learners to read

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

In the summer of 2021, some teachers in Loudoun County, Virginia, reported major gaps in students’ skills after pandemic-induced school closures.At the same time, a significant amount of research detailing the benefits of the Science of Reading, a literacy approach that emphasizes phonics, was released.Before the 2021-22 school year started, first grade teachers at Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg spent hours collaborating to determine how to best meet students’ needs, according to Jennifer Hartmann, the school-based instructional facilitator, and created a plan for how to approach teaching reading.Kindergarten, first and second grade teachers were “astounded” by the progress students had made after the switch to a phonics program, Hartmann said. Last spring, the school reported a 15% decrease in students flagged by the county’s diagnostic literacy assessment, compared to fall 2021.Now, all Loudoun County elementary schools are using University of...

ANÁLISIS | La contraofensiva de Ucrania puede ser dolorosa. Pero su éxito es vital para la seguridad europea

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

(CNN) —  En los sótanos de Orikhiv, las tropas ucranianas no se mueven de los muros. Aunque están bajo tierra, las potentes bombas rusas que caen a diario podrían derrumbar todo lo que hay sobre ellos, por lo que los bordes de su mundo subterráneo son más seguros.Piensa en este riesgo, y en los hombres y mujeres que lo soportan cada noche, cuando oigas hablar de los avances de la contraofensiva ucraniana. Es lenta, peligrosa, sangrienta y más dura de lo que nadie esperaba. Pero no nos equivoquemos: quizá sea el momento más importante para la seguridad europea desde la caída del Muro de Berlín, o incluso desde 1945.Las fuerzas ucranianas no están ni de lejos donde esperaban estar a medida que se acerca el otoño boreal. Los meses de verano en torno a Robotyne, al sur de Orikhiv, y al norte de Mariúpol, han estado marcados por un espantoso arrastrarse sobre hectáreas de campos minados, con las tropas luchando durante semanas por minúsculos asentamientos que pueden contarse en cal...

Trial begins for Aurora officers in Elijah McClain's death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP) — The trial of two Aurora police officers opened Wednesday in the killing of Elijah McClain, a Black man put in a neck hold and injected with a powerful sedative whose 2019 death later became a rallying cry for nationwide protests and spurred police reform in Colorado.It's the first of several trials stemming from the death of McClain, and lawyers for the two sides are expected to paint contrasting pictures of the deadly struggle between the officers and the 23-year-old massage therapist. McClain was stopped by police in the city of Aurora while walking home from a convenience store carrying only a plastic bag and his phone. Man arrested in deadly double shooting on Welton Street One question jurors could be asked to decide is whether it was lawful for officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt to detain and use force against McClain, who a 911 caller reported as suspicious. If prosecutors can convince jurors the stop was unjustified, that would undermine any...

Denver weather: A dry and warm stretch ahead

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Temperatures reached the 80s again in Denver weather, which is slightly above our average high in the upper 70s. The trend for more warm afternoon readings will continue for a few more days before more seasonal temperatures arrive over the weekend according to Pinpoint Weather, Colorado’s Most Accurate Forecast.Forecast highs across metro Denver from Pinpoint WeatherWeather tonight: A few showers then clearingA shower or two may slip off the foothills and move across the eastern plains early this evening. There could be some lightning and wind as those storms pass. Otherwise, skies will clear overnight as the wind turns light. Temperatures will be chilly in the Colorado high country and cool across metro Denver and the Front Range. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team Overnight lows across Colorado by Thursday morningWeather tomorrow: Another dry and warm dayYour Thursday will start off with plenty of sunshine followed by some passin...

Homestead Senior High football player left paralyzed after game injury receives outpouring of support from family, friends

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

A South Florida high school student athlete with dreams of playing professional football is receiving an outpouring of support from the community one week after an accident on the field left him paralyzed.The saying “God, family, football” is exactly how Homestead Bronco player Frederick Climpson lives his life. Although the 10th grader is an incomplete quadriplegic and is not able to breathe on his own, no one is giving up hope.The teen’s love for football runs deep. He’s been suiting up and stepping on the field since he was just 6 years old.His sister, Asia Climpson, spoke with 7News on Wednesday.“He’s a laid-back, chill person. He loves football, he loves to talk about it and play it,” she said.Affectionately nicknamed “Cheeks,” the Homestead Senior High School student is seen most days with a bright smile on his face and football in hand.Climpson’s passion for the game landed him a spot on the junior varsity football t...

R House in Wynwood reaches settlement with state in drag brunch controversy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

A popular restaurant in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood has reached a settlement with the state in a drag show controversy.R House has agreed to pay a $10,000 fine, but there is no admission of guilt.State officials accused the business, located along the 2700 block of Northwest Second Avenue, of putting on drag brunch shows while children were present.However, an investigation found no unlawful sexually explicit content in the performances, which are now open only to guests 18 and older.

Penne alla Vodka / Osteria del Teatro, North Bay Village

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

You won’t have to spend much time in the kitchen when you cook up this Italian-style dish. That’s what’s cooking, as we grab a Bite with Belkys.The Chef: Gilbert GonzalezThe Restaurant: Osteria del Teatro, North Bay VillageThe Dish: Penne alla VodkaIngredients:1 Tbsp of chopped shallots1 Tbsp of butterSalt & pepper2 Tbsp of chopped fresh tomato1oz of vodka¼ cup of marinara¼ cup of heavy cream1 tbsp of parmesan cheese6oz-8oz of cooked penne (al dente)1 teaspoon of chopped basil1 tbsp of olive oilMethod of Preparation:Warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan on medium-high heat. Then add shallots with butter and sautee’. Add chopped fresh tomato and sautee’ more. Add salt and pepper to taste. Take the pan off the heat before adding the vodka. Add marinara and reduce. Stir in heavy cream, and cook to a rolling boil. Add penne and cook for two more minutes. Finish with parmesan and chopped basil. Stir and plate.Osteria del Teatro1666 79th St. Causeway #1...

3 takeaways from the Chicago White Sox-Washington Nationals series, including Michael Kopech as an opener

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

The Chicago White Sox were aiming for their first series win since early August.Instead, they made two errors and gave up a grand slam in the first three innings Wednesday against the Washington Nationals.The Sox dropped the series finale 13-3 in front of 23,275 at Nationals Park. Lane Thomas hit the grand slam in the third inning against Jesse Scholtens, giving the Nationals an 8-1 lead.“We made a couple errors that were costly,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “Other than that, we didn’t pitch very well and we didn’t hit.”The Sox surrendered three home runs, walked seven and hit two batters on Wednesday. They lost two of three in the series and are a season-worst 37 games under .500 at 58-95. Their last series victory was Aug. 7-9, when they won two of three against the New York Yankees at Guaranteed Rate Field.Here are three takeaways from Nationals Park.1. Michael Kopech worked on his slider as an opener.Michael Kopech got the groundball he needed....

Orioles spoil another Kyle Bradish gem vs. Astros in 2-1 walk-off loss, ending 4-game winning streak

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

Brandon Hyde has shown his sarcastic side this week.The Orioles manager’s bullpen entered Wednesday’s game having covered 14 1/3 innings over the previous three nights. He joked after Monday’s hectic win that his bullpen was in “excellent shape, fresh as all could be.” On Wednesday morning, he once again quipped his taxed bullpen, which needed two innings from starting pitcher Jack Flaherty the night before, was “fresh.”The dire state of the Orioles’ bullpen was never more evident than in the late innings of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Houston Astros. An exhausted relief corps blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning and allowed a walk-off single in the ninth to spoil another gem from ace Kyle Bradish.Shintaro Fujinami was erratic in the eighth, walking two batters, and Mike Baumann followed to allow one of Fujinami’s runners to score. With the game tied in the ninth, left-hander Danny Coulombe allowed a leadoff double to Yaine...

Biden brings back $600M COVID test program

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:32 GMT

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household — aiming to prevent possible shortages during a rise in coronavirus cases that has typically come during colder months.The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the United States Postal Service.Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states from California to Maryland have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said.The new effort is meant to guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made over...