Dashing Towards State: The Lady Lynxes Set Out to Make Noble History

By The Noble Schools

“With one hand dribbling the ball and both eyes flicking between her teammates and the basket, Xamiya Walton coordinates her plan of attack. She steps up to the opposing team’s defense. You can see the calculations behind her eyes, the silent communication to her teammates, just before she passes or sinks in yet another three-pointer. As one of the team captains of the varsity Lady Lynx basketball team at Butler College Prep, Xamiya is committed to the game. Two weeks ago, she and her team sunk in ball after ball to snatch the regional championship plaque for the second year in a row. Last week, they sailed through sectionals, beating out both their opponents. Now, Xamiya and her team are dashing towards the state championship, only one game away.”

 

Chicago 2023 mayoral election: Former schools chief, teachers union organizer headed to runoff

By Becky Vevea and Mauricio Peña for Chalkbeat

“Chicago’s next mayor will either be former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas or Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson. In a stunning upset, the two defeated incumbent Lori Lightfoot and are headed for a runoff on April 4 because neither secured more than 50% of the vote.  Lightfoot called both Vallas and Johnson to congratulate them, she said in a concession speech just before 9 p.m.”

 

Gov. J.B. Pritzker releases roadmap for Illinois agencies to better address youth mental health

By Samantha Smylie for Chalkbeat

“Illinois should respond more quickly and broadly to its youth mental health crisis, according to a report that Gov. J.B. Pritzker, mental health care advocates, and researchers released Friday highlighting how the state can better assist young children and teens.  Pritzker pledged to follow its recommendations. “I refuse to let our youth fall through the cracks,” he said at a press conference on Friday.   Mental health crises among youth spiked during the coronavirus pandemic. Nearly 40% of all young people in Illinois who experienced major depressive episodes were not able to receive mental health services last year, the report said.”