SecEd Cardona Visits BSU, Touting Mental Health Efforts
Bowie State University, the first HBCU established in Maryland, hosted Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona during National School Counseling Week where he spotlighted efforts to improve mental health in education. He particularly touted two grants that will help the university continue their efforts to recruit Black teachers.
Last year, Bowie State University received a $5 million grant to expand the supply of mental health professionals in high-need schools across the nation and a $1.5 million August F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program Grant to recruit and prepare students at Minority Serving Institutions to help address teacher shortages in high-need schools.
New Baden Library Opens, County Hires First Black Chief Librarian
On Feb. 6, the Prince George’s library system celebrated the grand reopening of the newly-renovated Baden Library, fresh with new additions that will greatly enhance the library’s services. The Maryland State Library Agency’s Public Library Capital Grant Program contributed more than $2 million in funding for design, construction and furnishings for the project.
“The Baden community was a driving force in bringing this library space to fruition, “ said Megan Sutherland of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. “The old location had been in operation for nearly 50 years. We are serving double the size of our predecessor, we’ve added a community garden and a meeting room.”
The County also welcomed Dr. Mark Winston, the first Black CEO of the Prince George’s County Library in the organization’s 78 years of operation. He attended the Baden Library opening, meeting with community members and Council member Sydney Harrison (D- District 9).
“It is a pleasure and an honor to assume the role of CEO of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. I am very enthusiastic about working with such an impressive staff and dedicated Board in building on the library’s success in providing library services for the community,” Winston said. “It is humbling and motivating to think of my appointment as a milestone.”
Winston was the executive director of the J. Lewis Crozer Library in Chester, Pennsylvania prior to this position. He also served as the development officer and head of adult services while at Crozier Library.
He has also worked at the libraries for Valdosta State University, the University of Arizona and Widener University’s Wolfgram Memorial Library. He served as assistant chancellor and director at Rutgers University, and previously taught at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Rutgers University.
Congressman Ivey Secures $11 Million for Road Safety
Nearly three months ago, two children were hit and killed by a driver on their way to Riverdale Elementary School. The victims’ families said there was no organized process for pickup and dropoff, including no crossing guards.
To help prevent such a tragedy from occurring again, Congressman Glenn Ivey (D- District 4) secured $11 million to improve road safety, including nearly $10 million for Mount Rainier to implement their Vision Zero plan and $768,000 for Riverdale Park and Edmonston to develop transit that is more pedestrian and biker friendly.
He announced this funding at a press conference on Feb. 5 at Thomas Stone Elementary School alongside Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld and the Mayors of Mt. Rainier, Riverdale Park, and Brentwood.
“Too often, aging infrastructure contributes to accidents that cause serious injuries and even death for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians,” said Ivey. “These funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which we fought to pass, will upgrade our roads, make them safer for our communities, and shorten commute times for the millions of hardworking Marylanders who depend on public infrastructure every day. They will enable our local partners to improve safety and accessibility on roadways across our state.”
Crossing guards are under the purview of the Prince George’s Police Department. Police Chief Malik Aziz said the backlog is largely due to failed drug tests among applicants. Now, 18-year-olds and individuals without driver’s licenses can apply to help fill the countywide shortage of crossing guards.
You can apply to be a crossing guard in Prince George’s here.
New Apartments Coming to Hyattsville
A new mixed-use development called the Residences at the Six, is coming to Hyattsville’s 6400 America Boulevard, not far from The Mall at Prince George’s.
At least 75% of the 316 apartments will be reserved for families making less than $2,500 a month, or $30,000 annually.
Some of the advertised amenities include a fitness center, sun-filled courtyard with grills and exercise space and an outdoor pool on the top floor.
There is also a focus on environmentalism and sustainability. This will be Prince George’s first apartment complex certified Gold under the National Green Building Center, and electric vehicle chargers are included in the parking lot.
The Residences at the Six is less than half a mile from the Hyattsville Crossing Metro, giving residents easy-to-access public transportation options for their daily commute.
This development is expected to open this summer.