Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Academics

SCOTUS reconfigures the religious liberty playing field

The Supreme Court decided another religious liberty case and opened the door for legal challenges to what schools can and can't do.

Schools can’t display 10 Commandments: 5th Circuit

Laws that would require schools to display the 10 Commandments are, once again, found unconstitutional.

SCOTUS will hear Okla. religious charter school case

The case concerns conflicts in the 1st Amendment: Can public funds be given to a sectarian "charter school"?

Trump seeks to end birthright citizenship for some

The executive order that would deny citizenship to children born in the US of migrants who entered the country illegally has been temporarily blocked.

Athletics

Our logistic regression model for high school football

Using the dataset from the IHSA 2024 football season, we build a logistic regression model to predict the winner in football games.

Illinois IHSA football state title, Class 8A

With our machine learning model, we look at the teams competing for the state title in Illinois high school football in Class 8A.

Illinois IHSA football state title, Class 7A

With our machine learning model, we look at the teams competing for the state title in Illinois high school football in Class 7A.

Arts

Glenbard W. pit takes a bow in The Addams Family

Students in the pit orchestra at Glenbard West's production rise to the challenge of mastering musical books fit for Broadway.

Movie review: Deadpool & Wolverine

Based on reviews in several student newspapers, the movie was a hit. Strong nods to the music and opening dance scene.

Baltimore’s Artscape festival celebrates its 40th edition

One of America's largest outdoor arts festivals is underway in Baltimore this weekend. Parts are family-friendly as well.

Trump can fire US Ed. Dept. staff

SCOTUS agreed Trump can proceed with dismantling the U.S. Ed. Dept. by firing more than a thousand workers.

Voxitatis congratulates the ‘Diverse’ Class of 2025

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year's high school graduates. Despite politics to the contrary, they are strong.

SCOTUS reconfigures the religious liberty playing field

The Supreme Court decided another religious liberty case and opened the door for legal challenges to what schools can and can't do.

Schools can’t display 10 Commandments: 5th Circuit

Laws that would require schools to display the 10 Commandments are, once again, found unconstitutional.

Recent Stories

Student favored in school disability discrimination case

A unanimous SCOTUS has ruled to make it easier for students with disabilities to sue schools that don't respond to their educational needs.

A Budget That Puts Civil Rights on the Chopping Block

The administration's proposed 2026 budget would "streamline" special education funding and other streams, but what consequences would result?

Some IL superintendents report absenteeism increase

Some schools are reporting a momentary uptick in absenteeism, reportedly due to the president's recent executive order tied to immigration enforcement.

W. Sub. schools prepare for immigration enforcement

School officials across the nation are offering guidance regarding what school officials need to do if an ICE agent shows up.

Student Reports

Calif. wildfires cause loss, school closures

Wildfires in Calif. have caused loss and grief, including that which comes when a school building burns down or is in an evacuation zone.

Lunchables are out. What about influencer foods?

The maker of the Lunchables packaged meals has decided not to serve the meal kits it created for US schools.

Glenbard W. pit takes a bow in The Addams Family

Students in the pit orchestra at Glenbard West's production rise to the challenge of mastering musical books fit for Broadway.

Healthcare costs set to increase in Ann Arbor

Sime Michigan teachers are bracing for a hike in their out-of-pocket healthcare benefits cost; some are looking elsewhere for employment.

A banned author addresses the book-ban agenda

3rd in a series at City High in Iowa City, the student newspaper talks with an award-winning author whose books were once banned in several schools.

Green Ribbon includes Lutherville Lab Elementary

Sustainability and a commitment to environmental education are hallmarks of the Green Ribbon School designation from the US Dept of Education.

Court OKs prayer ban at state championship in 2015

It was OK for the Florida HS Assn not to allow a Christian school to say a prayer over the PA system at a state title game. But rules change.

Movie review: Deadpool & Wolverine

Based on reviews in several student newspapers, the movie was a hit. Strong nods to the music and opening dance scene.

Maryland & Illinois

Some IL superintendents report absenteeism increase

Some schools are reporting a momentary uptick in absenteeism, reportedly due to the president's recent executive order tied to immigration enforcement.

W. Sub. schools prepare for immigration enforcement

School officials across the nation are offering guidance regarding what school officials need to do if an ICE agent shows up.

Digital Harbor HS closed after vandalism

School closed for a day the week before Thanksgiving, as vandals broke windows and destroyed other school property.

PFAS in Baltimore-area school drinking water

PFAS, a.k.a. "forever chemicals," have been detected in the water in 17 Baltimore-area schools. Remediation is needed.