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Diana Costello

Diana CostelloDiana Costello is an education reporter who first joined The Journal News in November 2004. She graduated from New York University that same year with bachelor degrees in journalism and philosophy and a minor in Middle Eastern studies. Personal hobbies include running, reading, music and food. Reach her at dcostell@lohud.com or 914-694-3528.

E-mail Diana Costello at dcostell@LoHud.com

Entries written by Diana Costello

Renaissance Theatre Academy benefits from Wal Mart sponsorship

May
11

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is supporting the Renaissance Theatre Academy, an educational, professional youth theatre training program produced by the White Plains Performing Arts Center, with a sponsorship of $40,000.

The announcement came during a ceremonial check presentation on March 25 at the theatre, which was attended by Jack W. Batman, Executive Producer of the White Plains [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 11th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Connecting schools with assistive technologies

May
10

A severe brain injury left 3-year-old Alexis Wilhelm without the ability to speak, walk or even sit up on her own.

Yet by using assistive equipment such as a special chair and talking device, the White Plains youngster is learning how to do all these things in her own special way.

But it’s not always been easy, [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 10th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Ossining students qualify for National Merit Scholarship competition

May
9

Nine Ossining High School students were recently notified by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation that they have qualified for the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among 50,000 students in the U.S. who scored high enough on the 2007 PSAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test to compete for National Merit Scholarships next year. More [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 9th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Dr. Ruth to speak at Purchase College

May
8

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a psychosexual therapist whose radio program “Sexually Speaking,” debuted in 1980 and helped make frank talk about sex mainstream, will be the commencement speaker at graduation ceremony for the Hudson Valley Center of Empire State College, State University of New York, at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at Purchase College.

[...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 8th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

State Education Department announces response to Attorney General’s investigation into double-dipping lawyers

May
7

Just in from the New York State Education Department…

The Office of the Attorney General has been investigating law firms and lawyers who have improperly characterized themselves as school district and BOCES employees to receive state benefits to which they would not otherwise be entitled. The State Education Department has been working closely with the [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 7th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Columbus Magnet School’s “Math in Design” Project

May
7

This year, fourth grade students at Columbus Magnet School in New Rochelle are working on a math and design project funded by a $2500 grant from Cappelli Enterprises of New Rochelle.

Students, working under the guidance of architect-in-residence, Yves Roger, from the New York Institute for Architecture, will be transforming their school’s 100’ by 60’ gymnasium [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 7th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Lakeland students show art at JV Mall

May
7

The art show features student artwork from the district’s high schools – Lakeland High School, Walter Panas High School and the Lakeland Alternative High School. Work ranges from photography and oil painting to watercolor and drawing.

The Lakeland Week of the Arts at the Jefferson Valley Mall will be held May 12-18 2, 2008. The [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 7th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Protest planned tonight at Byram Hills

May
6

Julie Suchman, a Byram Hills parent, says she and other parents are “stunned” that school psychologist Dorrie Bernstein did not receive tenure. They plan to protest at the Board of Education meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight. The meeting will be held in the administrative building near the high school.

Download:

Posted by Diana Costello on May 6th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Hendrick Hudson lowers tax increase thanks to additional state aid

May
5

From the Hendrick Hudson school district… 

The Hendrick Hudson School District estimated tax increases in the proposed 2008-09 school budget will be lower than expected thanks to additional New York State aid, it was announced last week.

The Hen Hud Board of Education in its regular meeting on April 29 voted to use an expected additional $350,000 [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 5th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Harrison joins S&P’s “exclusive club” of school districts with AAA rating

May
5

From the Harrison school district…

The Harrison Central School District has earned the rare AAA rating from Standard & Poor’s, making it part of an “exclusive club” of strong financial managers.

Harrison, Pelham, and Cold Spring Harbor on Long Island are among only three in New York state and just 27 of the nation’s 15,000 public school [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on May 5th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Mahopac students consider careers

April
30

The following is from Barbara Livingston Nackman, a Journal News staff reporter who writes the blog Book by Book at books.lohudblogs.com about book events and people in the lower Hudson Valley.

Yesterday morning tenth graders at Mahopac High School spent the first three hours of their morning hearing about career choices and grilling various professions.   I [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on April 30th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Allegations of classroom rape handled improperly, report says

April
29

Allegations that a former Putnam Valley Middle School teacher drugged and raped a 12-year-old girl in his classroom were handled improperly by school officials, police and prosecutors, according to the New York State Commission of Investigation.

In a report made public today, the commission says the teacher, who is not named in the report but court [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on April 29th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

New Web site geared toward local schools

April
28

Feeling overwhelmed with all the school information and scheduling you constantly have to juggle, such as, “When is that PTA meeting?” “Where is that football game?” “What’s the cafeteria serving for lunch?”

Of course, the list goes on and on.

Well, I just got a pitch to write about a new site called SchoolPulse and I thought [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on April 28th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Bronxville schools get $5.4M for flood damage

April
28

From Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office:

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today announced that the Bronxville Union Free School District will receive more than $5.4 million in two grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair damage incurred during the April 2007 Nor’easter.

“When a natural disaster occurs, the federal government has a responsibility to help communities [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on April 28th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

Pleasantville art show at Jacob Burns

April
28

The Pleasantville High School’s Art Department cordially invites the public to the Sixth Annual High School Art Show at the Jacob Burns Film Center on Saturday, May 17, 2008 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. A special presentation will be held at 11 a.m.

This one day event will include drawings, paintings, ceramics, photography and graphic [...]

Posted by Diana Costello on April 28th, 2008 | Post a Comment »

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The education team at The Journal News writes about what's happening in our schools and beyond.






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