January 2023 - Rochester BeaconRochester Beacon

PreAct Technologies raises $14 million

By SMRITI JACOB | January 31, 2023

Luminate NY’s fourth cohort winner, based in Portland, Ore., has committed to setting up its pilot high-tech manufacturing here.

Rochester K-12 education: What do I need this ‘stuff’ for anyway?

By LETTERS TO THE BEACON | January 30, 2023

Most often the response by a student as to why he/she dropped out of school is, “What do I need this s— for anyway?” It seems to me that if we address that question, respond to that question with a well thought out solution and implementation, we will have a lot fewer kids throwing in the towel. That begs the question, why don’t we show kids professions and/or careers early on and throughout their K-12 journey? Why don’t we show them how those boring academics are connected with, or related to, the many opportunities that exist and are available to them? If we could find a way to do that, we would increase the odds of keeping kids in school and graduating with a purpose and a clear pathway to a successful post-high school education. Whether a certificate program, a college/university, or a job opportunity with additional business-sponsored training/education, it would lead to a living wage future.

Letters

Rochester K-12 education: Our school children need ‘urgent care’ just like a fallen football player

By LETTERS TO THE BEACON | January 30, 2023

We vividly remember, January 2, at 9 PM, when Damar Hamlin went into shock! The football game clock suddenly stopped. For days, afterward, people all over the country worried about Damar. Fortunately, Damar rebounded, but what about our struggling students? Can they be revived?

Economy & Business

For Rochester, the jobs recovery is unfinished

By PAUL ERICSON | January 30, 2023

Three years after COVID-19 was declared a global health emergency, the Rochester has yet to return to its pre-pandemic employment level.

Government & Politics

Report calls for increased AIM funding for Rochester

By SMRITI JACOB | January 30, 2023

State Sen. Samra Brouk says Rochester is underfunded compared to other large upstate cities and needs additional state money to address the challenges of crime and poverty.

Community

Lessons from ending apartheid

By JACOB SCHERMERHORN | January 27, 2023

At a local event, two former political opponents from South Africa spoke about their peacebuilding experiences and how it could help ease polarization in the U.S.

Education

Learning from early childhood assessments

By JUSTIN O'CONNOR | January 26, 2023

Results presented last week show that more than 68 percent of RCSD kindergartners assessed scored below a level that indicates a student is functioning in a “normal range.” But the data can be tricky.