Category Archives: Progress

I write about the Cubs. Thats what I left the lawyer life to do, its what I always wanted to do, and I routinely feel like the luckiest guy in the world that I get to do what I want to do.

Right now, like so many other people, I cant quite do what I want to do in precisely the way I want to. On the one hand, its like, give me a break, Brett. Theres a lot more at stake right now than you not quite doing precisely what you want to do. Mostly I do still feel that. Im not a psychopath. But on the other hand, it does sting a little when Ive settled in to do the Bullets over the past week, and its almost entirely been a medical/national news set of stories grafted onto baseball. Its not quite precisely what Im here for, and I know its not quite what youre here for either.

We will adjust and evolve, but I realize now that, realistically, this is our new world for a while so there probably arent going to be so many sets of Bullets that provide an entirely Coronavirus-free experience. Im just going to accept that in the short-term, and include it where appropriate or necessary. Fortunately, a lot of other posts are still going to be humming along that are just baseball. Well, and also some that are wholly baseball-connected Coronavirus items. Dang this is such a weird time

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The Challenge of Working Out, Weber's Fantastic Throw and Progress, Minor League Needs, and Other Cubs Bullets - bleachernation.com

We will try to keep an up-to-date list of current closings, cancellations and operations hour changes for Paulding County business and organizations.We will try to update the list as frequent as possible, but please keep in mind that we are human and open to errors. If you have something you would like to submit, please e-mail progress@progressnewspaper.org or call our office at 419-399-4015. Thank you.

EVENTS

Antwerp Local Schools: Newsies has been postponed until April 24, 25, and 26. The Good News Club, Hoops for Heart and Spring Book Fair have been cancelled. Kindergarten screening has been postponed; the date is to be determined.Ball Associations for Antwerp, Grover Hill, Oakwood and Payne have delayed all practices and all events until April 6.The Chocolate Extravaganza hosted by the Oakwood library scheduled for March 25 has been cancelled.Defiance and Paulding County Consolidated Job and Family Services cancelled that Foster Parent Pre-Service Training Sessions for March 27, 28 and 29.Haviland Village cancelled the Easter Egg Hunt.The Health, Business and Industry Fair scheduled for March 25 has been rescheduled for May 8.The Kenny Eagleson Benefit scheduled for March 21 has been postponed to July 11.Lifewise Academys Information Night at Wayne Trace High School on March 16 has been cancelled.Paulding Chamber of Commerces Success in the 60s series scheduled for March 24 is postponing the event; the date is to be determined.Paulding Church of the Nazarene has cancelled the Apron Show.Paulding Presbyterian Church has cancelled all Lenten Lunches.Paulding Exempted Village Schools have postponed the Second Annual Relay for Life Bingo Night. The date is to be determined. Paulding Village Easter Egg Hunt has been postponed until further notice.

Payne Village Easter Egg Hunt has been canceled.

FOOD SERVICEPAULDINGSusies Bakery - Carryout only. Call and place you order and they will have it ready. 6 a.m. - noon Past Time Cafe - Carryout only. Menu is available on Facebook.Five Span Inn - Closed until further notice.Pancake House - Delivery from 11-2, 4-6:30. Carryout available. Monday 7-3, Tuesday-Saturday 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday, 7 - 3K of C - All fish fries are cancelled for the rest of the year.Fiesta Habaneros - Take out and delivery only. Open at 11 a.m. but hours may vary.McDonalds - drive-thru only.Subway - Carryout only.Dairy Queen - drive-thru only.Red Angel Use drive-thru window to pick up all orders.

PAYNEGood Times Saloon - Carryout only. Orders will be brought to your car. Open only in the evenings.Blueberry Pancake House 2 - carryout available.Puckerbrush Limited menu, no hour changes.

ANTWERPPapa Oleys Pizzaria - Carryout only and some deliveries.Oasis Bar and Grill - Carryout from 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Delivery within five miles of Antwerp.Antwerp Alleys - Carryout still available from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Call to order.Genesis House- Open for take-out only.

OAKWOODOakleaf - Carryout available and some local delivery.

BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS

The Paulding County Courthouse will be closed to the general public. Court cases will still be conducted but with only plaintiff, defendant, counsel and witnesses will be permitted to enter. Sheriff's sales will continue as planned for right now. Please call or e-mail the department needed for more information.Paulding Putnam Electric: Office and drive-thru closed indefinitely. Disconnects are suspended.

Defiance/Paulding Consolidated Job and Family Services will be closing each of their agencys buildings to the public. All Dollar General Stores will close at 9 p.m. The first hour of business (8-9 a.m.) is reserved for elderly shoppers only.

WMEA has canceled the recycling pick up in Payne scheduled for 3/21/2020. The next pick up is scheduled for 04/18/2020.

Williamson Insurance will only be doing business via phone or electronically. The staff will be in the office, but the doors will remained locked.

The OSU Extension office in Paulding is closing the offices effective today. The staff is dedicated to serving the county and will continue to work remotely and will be available via email and phone. The decision is in accordance with the decision of The Ohio State University's decision to close all campuses. All Extension-planned activities from now through April 20 are now postponed, scheduled to be held virtually, or canceled. Please contact your local extension contact for information if you have not already been contacted. The Extension office staff appreciates your cooperation and collaboration related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). They sincerely appreciate your flexibility and support during these unprecedented times. For questions please call 419-399-8225 or please visit extension.su.edu/lao for office phone numbers and a direct link to each office's website and staff directory. If you reach a voicemail please leave a message with your name and contact information and you will be contacted as soon as possible.

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Current changes to local businesses and organizations - The Paulding County Progress

AMHERST Next week, Walt Bell was supposed to get back in front of his players again and continue his methodical plan to building UMass football.

Next Tuesday was going to be the first spring practice for the Minutemen, the first of 15 opportunities to grow and mature as a program after a tumultuous first year. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the school to cancel those practices among the hundreds of other sporting events affected by the outbreak. While the games will return and most of the UMass programs should be able to recover from the missed time, the football programs progression was stunted.

This was going to be the first spring practice where the coaches and players were familiar with each other. It was supposed to be the launching pad to a brighter future, but instead it has caused athletics director Ryan Bamford to be concerned about how this virus will impact the football program for years to come.

Its going to effect us profoundly, Im really worried about it, Bamford said last week. If I were to look at a five-year window of a head coach coming on board for their five-year contract, the second spring (is very important). Youve already been through a full season, so second spring is arguably one of the most important time periods because everything is starting to set in.

Bell was not made available to comment by the school, but Bamford hinted that there were changes coming to the Minutemen schematically. Some of that made sense with the reshuffling of the defensive staff after co-defensive coordinator Aaazaar Abdul-Rahim left this offseason to take a job at Boston College. Other shifts were likely dictated by an inefficient offense that didnt eclipse 24 points in the final month of the season and ranked 126th out of 130 teams in yards per game.

While those changes might have to be altered with a shorter time frame for implementation, the bigger concern is how the team will be able to maintain the progress made in the weight room with strength coach Matt Shadeed. Throughout the winter, Shadeed helped make the Minutemen bigger, faster and stronger while continuing to set the culture within the program. Now the younger players are faced with a month or more without supervision from Shadeed or the same resources that UMass is able to provide in terms of meals and facilities.

We were going to do a lot of from a strategic football standpoint we were going to change a lot of things, Bamford said. Now, not having the opportunity to do that and not having our guys potentially with Matt Shadeed for a month or two, weve been doing a great job of keeping body weights up and keeping our kids healthy and strong. Now, you go home and yeah, do I think kids will work out? Sure, but I dont know what gyms are going to be open and theyre not going to be fed like we feed them here. I worry about that. Walt worries about that.

UMass is not alone in having spring practice cut short by the pandemic. Bamford said he believes and hopes the NCAA will adjust the rules to allow coaches to work with the players over the summer to account for the lost practice time. If that ends up being the case, he said those sessions will be vital to helping the program continue to build toward the future and realizing the goals Bell has set out for the Minutemen.

Whenever we get the opportunity to get them back on campus and get them supported from a fueling standpoint and a strength and conditioning standpoint ... If were able to have practice opportunities some point in the summer and I dont know if we will or wont have those opportunities those are going to be really, really crucial to our development, Bamford said. Unfortunately within the life span of this program right now and Walt being here just over a year, this was such an important period of time. Well do the best with what weve got.

HOCKEY AWARD SEASON UMass junior forward John Leonard won the Hockey East Three Stars Award, given to the player who earned the most points over the course of the season by being named among a games three stars. The Amherst native is the first Minuteman to win the award since it was first presented after the 2000-01 season.

Leonard led the nation with 27 goals and tied for the lead with six game-winners, and he was one of three players nationally with multiple hat tricks this season. The winger was at his best in the third period as well, leading the country in goals (16), points (21) and game-winning goals (4) in the final 20 minutes.

Freshman defenseman Zac Jones was named to the Hockey East all-rookie team after leading freshman defensemen within the conference in scoring. He registered 23 points on three goals and 20 assists and was a plus-12 over 32 games played for the Minutemen.

Link:

Spring practice cancellation hinders progress of UMass football program - GazetteNET

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How The Daily Progress is working to keep you safe - The Daily Progress

BEIJING: China has completed the clinical research of Favipiravir, an antiviral drug that has shown good clinical efficacy against the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, according to an official on Tuesday (March 17).

Favipiravir, the influenza drug which was approved for clinical use in Japan in 2014, has shown no obvious adverse reactions in the clinical trial, said Zhang Xinmin, director of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development under the Ministry of Science and Technology, at a press conference.

More than 80 patients have participated in the clinical trial in The Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, including 35 patients taking Favipiravir and 45 patients on a control group.

Results showed that patients receiving Favipiravir treatment turned negative for the virus in a shorter time compared with patients in the control group.

A multi-centred randomised clinical study led by the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University also suggested that the therapeutic effect of Favipiravir is much better than that of the control group.

Favipiravir has been recommended to medical treatment teams and should be included in the diagnosis and treatment plan for Covid-19 as soon as possible, Zhang said.

A Chinese pharmaceutical company has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration to mass-produce the drug and ensure stable supply, Zhang added.

China is also pushing forward the utilization of some advanced technologies such as stem cell and artificial liver and blood purification in the treatment of severe cases.

Zhang said stem cell therapy proves effective in reducing severe inflammatory reactions caused by Covid-19, as well as reducing lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis in patients.

China has initiated several clinical research programs on stem cell therapy against Covid-19, including a stem cell drug that has been approved for clinical trial and a mesenchymal stem cell therapy.

Stem cell therapy has been used to treat 64 patients in severe and critical condition. Those patients' breathing difficulties were gradually relieved and they were generally cured in eight to 10 days.

The therapy also showed advantages in preventing pulmonary fibrosis and improving the long-term prognosis for patients.

The Chinese Society for Cell Biology and the Chinese Medical Association have jointly issued a guideline to standardize the clinical research and application of stem cell therapy against Covid-19.

Zhang said China is trying to use artificial liver and blood purification technology to treat critically ill patients. Patients receiving this treatment have seen reduced levels of inflammatory factors and improvement in chest imaging.

Their time on ventilator support has been decreased by an average of 7.7 days and the required ICU monitoring time has been shortened. - Xinhua/Asian News Network

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China reports new progress in drug, therapies against Covid-19 - The Star Online

Myanmar will still be far away from peace and progress as long as those who do not want reform exist in parliament, said Upper House MP Dr Myat Nyana Soe from the National League for Democracy.

The MP made the remark after the media questioned him about any comparison between the first and second parliamentary terms regarding the charter change move on March 18.

He said the current constitutional change move had carried details such as sections and sub-sections so as to elicit true wish but the result in the second term was not very different from that in the second term, he commented.

As there is no difference, I think its because they have no desire to change. In the first parliamentary term, there were those who didnt want to see change. In the second term also, there are such people. We will try our continued effort in the third and fourth terms. Our country will still be far away from peace and progress so long as the parliament still has those who do not want reform, said MP Dr Myat Nyana Soe.

He, however, urged the people not to be discouraged stressing the need for unity and burning desire to overcome the deadlock.

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With those unwilling to change, peace and progress will be a long way away: NLD MP - Eleven Myanmar

COVID-19 is changing the way we live our lives, but for people like basketball coach Chris Daleo, it's costing more than a few seconds at the sink.

"My hope is that the phone rings," said Daleo.

Unfortunately, like many others Daleo is without a job and just waiting for the coronavirus pandemic to pass.

The former Rockford Lightning head coach was unaware of the true gravity of the situation until a recent post-game press conference in South Korea.

"The first question that was posed to me was "What's your travel arrangements? Because we're shutting down our borders and shutting down flights." I'm like 'Wait a second. I've got to get the heck out of here.'"

Daleo's season was canceled and he escaped just before being trapped by any travel restrictions. He says life changed dramatically before his departure.

"A lot of face-masks, a lot of hand washing and a lot of temperature checking and then a lot of disappointment and a lot of broken dreams."

The dream has definitely been real over the last few years where Daleo has pushed Thailand hoops forward.

He won five straight league titles with Hi-Tech Bangkok City and reached 99th in the FIBA world rankings with the men's national team.

"I have a good body of work, productive, championships so you're always looking for opportunities and that's kind of where I'm at."

Daleo was well on his way to a sixth championship in a row, but that season is done and his status with the national team is up in the air.

He says the pandemic puts an end to all of that progress.

"I was hoping to keep that momentum going and keep that train going onto other things or bigger things, but this kind of derails it a little bit."

See the original post:

Daleo's progress in Thailand 'derailed' by COVID-19 - WIFR

There are more women on the boards of the largest listed companies here now than in 2018. But there is still plenty of room for improvement, as some companies still have few or no female directors, the Council for Board Diversity said yesterday.

It found that the 100 largest primary-listed companies on the Singapore Exchange had achieved 16.2 per cent of female board participation as at Dec 31 last year - a slight improvement on the 15.2 per cent recorded at the end of 2018.

There were also fewer all-male boards, with only 19 companies last year that had no female directors, down from 50 in 2013.

Last year, 39 companies each had one woman on their boards, and 42 companies had two or more.

Most sectors also saw improvements in female participation. Companies in telecommunications services had the highest percentage of women on their boards, at 31 per cent, followed by basic materials and technology businesses.

Statutory boards have also shown improvement, from 23.3 per cent participation of women on their boards in 2018 to 25.1 per cent last year.

But more needs to be done, said the council, which was set up by the Ministry of Social and Family Development last year.

It said in a statement: "Board gender diversity in Singapore needs to improve in order for Singapore to continue as a leading business and financial centre with exemplary governance levels.

"If all top 100 listed company boards without women and those with one woman on board move towards having at least two woman directors, the top 100 listed companies as a whole would reach 25 per cent women on boards, based on an average board size of 8.5.

"This would bring Singapore closer to the levels seen in international markets and unequivocally show active diversity and a progressive mindset for these companies."

The council said companies should have the goal of at least two to three women on their boards as a start. Businesses and organisations could also ensure that their nominating committees include female directors.

Those in search of female board candidates could reach out to executive headhunting firms, which can conduct international searches, the council added.

Mrs Mildred Tan, co-chairman of the council and chairman of the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, said that the council "remains committed to working with organisations to improve diversity on their boards, especially in relation to gender".

Ms Euleen Goh, chairman of caterer Sats, said that all forms of board diversity, including gender diversity, are an important business imperative.

"For Sats, we saw that the variety and range of experiences, skill sets and insightful understanding of markets and customer segments have been critical components to board contributions to our business operations and strategy," she said.

Mr Lim Jit Poh, chairman of ComfortDelGro, SBS Transit and Vicom, said: "Increased diversity, be it in the form of gender, age, skills, experience or vocation, all serves to add dimension to the board.

"Women are able to bring to the table a different perspective as compared to their male counterparts.

"In Singapore, where the spirit of tripartism has worked successfully to shape the country's success, having a diversified board with people from the labour movement and (with) governmental experience ensures that we are never really distanced from key country and business issues."

Mr Ooi Sang Kuang, chairman of OCBC Bank, said: "We have recently added a director to our board who contributes both information technology insights as well as a woman's perspective.

"This adds to the breadth of expertise contributed by our current female director in the area of legal and corporate governance, which has been greatly beneficial."

Link:

More women on boards but further progress needed, says council - The Straits Times

Jake Fraley has a pair of home runs in Cactus League play this spring. (Getty)

A lot has changed in the six days since we last checked in on the Mariners prospects. Obviously baseball, like the rest of the country, has taken a backseat to the COVID-19 pandemic, and theres no telling when MLB or any of the other major sports leagues will be back.

Part 1: What the Mariners top 4 prospects are doing in spring training

Before everything came to a standstill, we looked at what the Mariners top four prospects (as ranked by MLB.com) had done in 2020 Cactus League play and promised to do the same at a later date with the other prospects that are in Seattles top 10 and have seen time in major league spring training action. So thats what were going to do.

At the end of the post, well also identify a few other young standouts for the Mariners who either arent in the top 10 or no longer fit the definition of prospect.

Cactus League stats: Three appearances, 6.2 innings, 10 strikeouts, two earned runs, three walks, four hits, 2.70 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, .160 average against.

Notable highlight: Dunn struck out three over 1.2 innings against the Angels on March 4, including a punchout of Albert Pujols where he fooled the three-time MVP with a breaking ball that broke out of the zone.

A quick word: He had a couple of mechanical adjustments to make, Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Dunn before his first Cactus League start. When I saw him in January I thought it looked a little bit better; it looks way better now. Just trying to be more consistent on-line, hes kind of always fighting mechanically to get the ball to the glove side consistently. So far its looked pretty good this spring. I like where hes at right now, the balls coming out really good, hes got a lot of confidence, hes carrying himself really well around here.

2020 outlook: For a while during the offseason, the fifth spot in the Mariners initial five-man starting rotation appeared to be Dunns to lose. Then the Ms added Taijuan Walker as spring training began, which seemed to nudge the 24-year-old Dunn back to Triple-A, a level he skipped on his way to making four starts as a September call-up from Double-A in 2019. As Mariners insider Shannon Drayer put it, Dunn would have the chance to force the issue with his appearances in the spring, and you have to think what he did in his three Cactus League games were at least a step in the right direction. Considering command was an issue in his MLB outings last year, almost assuredly due to jitters in his first promotion to the big leagues, his 1.05 WHIP this spring is a welcome sight. The 10 strikeouts in just under seven innings are also quite impressive. It doesnt look like the 2016 Mets first-round pick is planning to spend much of his 2020 season in the minors, and hell be the first man up should an opportunity arise in Seattles rotation.

Cactus League stats: Eight games, 16 plate appearances, .188 average, .625 OPS, one home run, one double, three RBIs, no walks, five strikeouts.

Notable highlight: This is why hes the metaphorical lead singer of the Beef Boys group from the 2019 Double-A Arkansas Travelers team.

A quick word: If 2020 is his chance to play in the big leagues whether that is midseason or late season, we are going to let that happen because we think the development of our young core of players is the single most important thing we are doing, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said of Raleigh in December.

2020 outlook: Raleigh, a 23-year-old backstop who Seattle selected in the third round in 2018, is believed to be the Mariners catcher of the future. If that comes to fruition, hell have some time to settle into that role as the Ms have a pair of catchers in their prime years currently on their MLB roster in Tom Murphy (turns 29 next month) and Austin Nola (30). The switch-hitting Raleigh has the makeup of a baseball lifer, and his combination of skills behind the plate and power in the batters box could take him a long way. The Cactus League homer was a nice appetizer, but the rest of his spring numbers signal that hell need some extra seasoning in the minors before assuming his place on the MLB roster.

Cactus League stats: 10 games, 30 plate appearances, .231 average, .838 OPS, two home runs, two doubles, four RBIs, three walks, eight strikeouts, one stolen base.

Notable highlight: Dude pulled a 101-mph fastball for a home run.

A quick word: I know hes got some very high goals set for himself, Servais said. Jake is very, very serious. Theres no question how seriously he takes his game. The biggest thing for him and these guys who are so driven like that is to relax a little bit and smile once and awhile.

2020 outlook: Fraley will likely be in the starting outfield whenever the MLB season begins. The ongoing injury problems for Mitch Haniger have opened the door, and the 24 year old will get the chance to show if he can hit consistently against major league pitching. He was a star in 2019 Mariners spring training after coming to the team from the Rays in the trade that sent Mike Zunino to Tampa Bay, and his numbers have been strong this spring as well. Theres no question that Fraley is a great athlete who can cover ground in the outfield, has some pop in his bat (19 homers combined between Double-A and Triple-A in 2019) and can make things happen on the base paths (22 stolen bases in 2019). When the Mariners brass talk about giving the kids a chance to play in 2020 to get reps against MLB competition, Fraley is the exact kind of player theyre talking about.

Cactus League stats: 11 games, 32 plate appearances, .172 average, .733 OPS, three home runs, seven RBIs, three walks, seven strikeouts.

Notable highlight: How does an oppo-taco grand salami sound? (Honestly a salami taco might be worth trying. I mean, taco pizza is available all over the place and personally Im a big fan of a dish know as Mexican lasagna, so I have to believe a salami taco could be yet another success in Mexican-Italian fusion. Theres something for you adventurous cooks to try out while were all shut in at home.)

A quick word: He has power. He controls the strike zone in a different way than people look at. Kyle makes very good decisions on what to swing at, Dipoto said in January. There are empty swings, hes gonna come up empty, and thats part of the trade-off for getting the kind of power he has particularly his power to the opposite field. When you hit the ball as far Kyle Lewis hits it to right-center field, you have to allow the ball to travel deeper in the zone. As a result, you are gonna run a higher strikeout rate more often than not.

2020 outlook: The Mariners are going to take a good, long look at Lewis, who was Seattles initial first-round pick under Dipoto in 2016 and who will turn 25 around midseason. He took the big leagues by storm in 2019, becoming the second player in history to homer in each of his first three MLB games and finishing with six home runs in 18 games after joining the team as a September call-up. He had 75 plate appearances in his time with the Ms, which means every 12.5 times he stepped to the plate, the ball left the yard. Hes kept it up this spring as his three homers lead the team. But as the quote from Dipoto states and .172 average from spring training bears out, Lewis prodigious power does come with a drawback. Hell get all the chances he needs to figure out how to put that power to use in MLB action this year, likely figuring in as Seattles regular left fielder.

J.P. Crawford, shortstop: The key return in the Mariners trade that sent Jean Segura to Philadelphia prior to the 2019 season, Crawford had a few spurts of strong play in 93 games with Seattle last year. He had one of the shiniest web gems of the entire MLB season and at times looked like a prototypical No. 2 hitter. His glove and arm have continued to dazzle this spring, and the bat has been one of the best in camp for Seattle, as he is hitting .400 with a .989 OPS and five RBIs. And watching him run the bases for a triple, something hes done twice in Cactus League play, is about as fun as it gets.

Justus Sheffield, starting pitcher: Sheffield is still considered a prospect, ranking 13th on the Mariners list from MLB.com, but hes appeared in each of the last two MLB seasons and comes into 2020 as one of Seattles expected starting pitchers. Hes been a big bright spot this spring, holding opponents to two runs scored while maintaining a 0.63 WHIP in eight innings over three appearances. Hes also struck out a staggering 12 batters and walked none, and he turned heads by suddenly switching to a two-seam fastball and ditching his four-seamer to great success.

Tim Lopes, utility player: Theres been a lot of talk about the Mariners opting to use a utility player as their fourth outfielder after Braden Bishop was optioned to Triple-A, and Lopes seems like the top candidate if that ends up being the case. He is primarily a second baseman and only played the outfield once in eight seasons in the minors, but he was sent to the outfield 35 times and appeared at second only three times in his 41 games with the Mariners in 2019. The important thing, however, is that he has been hitting the cover off the ball this spring, almost assuredly playing himself into an opening day roster spot. He leads the team with a .440 average, 11 hits and five doubles in 11 games, and hes driven in seven runs, scored five and even has a pair of stolen bases and hasnt been caught stealing, either.

Follow 710Sports.coms Brent Stecker on Twitter.

Drayer: Ms choosing to stick together despite seasons delay Top Ms pitching prospect Logan Gilbert shines again in 2nd spring start Who have been the Mariners most impressive young hitters this spring?

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Checking In: Progress of Mariners top prospects in spring training, part 2 - MyNorthwest.com

Calling Veronas student mental health initiative one of the most important things that Verona has done, Director of Special Services Frank Mauriello told the Board of Educations Tuesday meeting that the district has made significant progress in addressing mental health issues since the mental health ballot question passed. The initiative, Mauriello said, has gotten students and their families the support they need, raised grades and lowered absenteeism, while reducing Child Study Team caseloads to more manageable levels. He also said that the students who have met with mental health professionals through the program have learned coping skills that are enabling them to address some new situations without additional intervention.

To get Veronas initiative off the ground, Mauriello said, the district had to overcome four barriers: limited financial resources, culture issues, a lack of acceptance of mental health issues, and a lack of specialized staffing. He thanked the community for approving the dedicated funding for mental health services in 2018, and thanked the volunteers on two action committees whose work in 2017 made the mental health ballot question possible. Superintendent Dr. Rui Dionisio created the committees in the wake of a student death by suicide. (This reporter served on one of the action committees and is the mother of the child who died.)

Verona has drawn on four main programs for its mental health initiative: Effective School Solutions, which is providing the district with licensed social workers; Peekapak, social emotional learning curriculum for K-4 students; and Positive Behavior Support in Schools (PBSIS) a collaboration between the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Special Education and The Boggs Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School that supports a range of school intervention needs. The collaboration has expanded mental health counseling to the elementary schools, and has added to the resources at H.B. Whitehorne Middle School and Verona High School.

Mauriello said there is a growing mental health epidemic among K-12 students, which he called the invisible disability, with some 17% of students nationwide now showing mental health issues. He noted that it can take an average of 11 years for a person who has been diagnosed with a mental health issue to get appropriate treatment, and said that one of Veronas goals is to make that shorter for Veronas students. Mauriello noted that Verona has developed a relationship with St. Clares Hospital in Denville that is making it possible for Verona students to get a mental health evaluation in 24 to 48 hours and not the two weeks that it often takes.

Veronas mental health initiative has earned the district local, state and national recognition, said Mauriello, who noted that he and Dr. Dionisio had presented to a national conference of superintendents in San Diego earlier in February. We are not the only people struggling with this epidemic, he said.

You can watch Mauriellos presentation in the video below, view his slide deck here and learn more about Veronas mental health and wellness programs through the districts website.

In other business at the BOE meeting, Dr. Dionisio noted that Verona had achieved an exceptionally low 2.12% rate on the bonds that will be issued to finance this years referendum work, which will translate into a $2.2 million savings for taxpayers.

Dionisio said that New Jersey will release its school aid numbers on Thursday, and that this years outlook seems promising since Gov. Phil Murphy has promised to invest an additional $336 million in K-12 education statewide, as well as $1.1 billion to close the shortfall in the states teacher pension fund. Dionisio said that he expects to have a preliminary Verona school budget on March 20, which will be voted on at the BOEs second April meeting after public presentations.

Dionisio also noted that Verona will have three retirements this year: Diane Newman, the assistant in the VHS guidance department, VHS art teacher Terry Sherman and middle school science teacher Carol Thomas, who was also Dionisios seventh grade science teacher.

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BOE Hears Progress On Mental Health Initiative - My veronanj