Author: sHq_LoGiNz

As public school enrollment declines, GreatSchools introduces a new tool to help districts meet families’ demand for accessible, comprehensive school information

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new nationwide survey from GreatSchools.org reveals that parents want clearer, more complete information about their schools — along with communication that is easy to access and understand. The survey of more than 1,000 K–12 parents showed a strong correlation between parents’ overall satisfaction with their school (and willingness to recommend it to others) and their experience finding important information.

Top findings include:

• Parent satisfaction with school communication is one of the strongest predictors of overall school satisfaction: 90% of parents who would recommend their school report being satisfied or very satisfied with communication.
• 74% of parents who are highly likely to recommend their school say it is easy to find relevant information, compared to just 20% of those less likely to recommend it.
• Communication quality shapes parents’ perceptions of their child’s access to opportunities. Only 26% of parents likely to recommend their school said they missed an important opportunity or deadline due to unclear communication, compared to 70% of parents unlikely to recommend their school.
• When evaluating schools, parents look beyond test scores, seeking a more complete view of academic programs, extracurriculars, social supports, and clear explanations of public data. Parents in lower-income households expressed especially high interest in information about supports such as free meals and after-school care.

These findings come at a time when families have more school options than ever and rely on information from multiple sources to make decisions. While the majority of parents (70%) still turn to official school or district websites and third-party sites like GreatSchools.org, many report inconsistent experiences finding what they need — a factor that closely mirrors their willingness to recommend their child’s school.

“Clear, consistent communication is the foundation of trust with our families,” said Dana Altemeyer, EdD, Director of Communications for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (IN). “Parents want to understand not only how their child is doing, but what their school offers and how we’re supporting every student. When districts can meet parents where they’re searching with the information we know they want and need, it ensures families can feel confident in the choices they make for their children.”

“When evaluating schools, families often rely on the experiences of other parents, making satisfied families some of a school’s strongest advocates,” said Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools. “This survey shows that clear communication plays a major role in that satisfaction. Parents want a fuller understanding of what schools offer, and districts want to provide it. Our goal is to help connect those dots by enabling schools and districts to share that information on GreatSchools.org — a place where families are already looking for it.”

To help districts share the information families are searching for, GreatSchools is launching Claim Your District, a new feature that allows district leaders to verify and manage their district’s GreatSchools profile. Once claimed, districts can highlight programs and student supports, add context to published data, and provide a more complete picture of what their schools offer. The tool builds on GreatSchools’ school-level claiming feature — already used by nearly one-third of schools nationwide — and creates an additional space where families can easily access the comprehensive information they value most.

To read the full survey report, click here.

About GreatSchools:
GreatSchools is the leading nonprofit providing high-quality information that supports parents pursuing a great education for their child, schools striving for excellence, and communities working to diminish inequities in education. We are the only national organization that collects and analyzes data from all 51 state departments of education and the federal government to provide analysis, insights, and school quality ratings for parents, partners, researchers, and policymakers. Nearly half of all K–12 families visit GreatSchools’ award-winning website annually to learn about schools in their area, explore research insights, and access thousands of free, evidence-based parenting resources to support their child’s learning and well-being. Learn more at GreatSchools.org and join us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-national-survey-finds-parents-want-clearer-school-information–and-are-more-satisfied-when-they-can-find-it-302636049.html

SOURCE GreatSchools.org

As public school enrollment declines, GreatSchools introduces a new tool to help districts meet families’ demand for accessible, comprehensive school information

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new nationwide survey from GreatSchools.org reveals that parents want clearer, more complete information about their schools — along with communication that is easy to access and understand. The survey of more than 1,000 K–12 parents showed a strong correlation between parents’ overall satisfaction with their school (and willingness to recommend it to others) and their experience finding important information.

Top findings include:

• Parent satisfaction with school communication is one of the strongest predictors of overall school satisfaction: 90% of parents who would recommend their school report being satisfied or very satisfied with communication.
• 74% of parents who are highly likely to recommend their school say it is easy to find relevant information, compared to just 20% of those less likely to recommend it.
• Communication quality shapes parents’ perceptions of their child’s access to opportunities. Only 26% of parents likely to recommend their school said they missed an important opportunity or deadline due to unclear communication, compared to 70% of parents unlikely to recommend their school.
• When evaluating schools, parents look beyond test scores, seeking a more complete view of academic programs, extracurriculars, social supports, and clear explanations of public data. Parents in lower-income households expressed especially high interest in information about supports such as free meals and after-school care.

These findings come at a time when families have more school options than ever and rely on information from multiple sources to make decisions. While the majority of parents (70%) still turn to official school or district websites and third-party sites like GreatSchools.org, many report inconsistent experiences finding what they need — a factor that closely mirrors their willingness to recommend their child’s school.

“Clear, consistent communication is the foundation of trust with our families,” said Dana Altemeyer, EdD, Director of Communications for the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township (IN). “Parents want to understand not only how their child is doing, but what their school offers and how we’re supporting every student. When districts can meet parents where they’re searching with the information we know they want and need, it ensures families can feel confident in the choices they make for their children.”

“When evaluating schools, families often rely on the experiences of other parents, making satisfied families some of a school’s strongest advocates,” said Jon Deane, CEO of GreatSchools. “This survey shows that clear communication plays a major role in that satisfaction. Parents want a fuller understanding of what schools offer, and districts want to provide it. Our goal is to help connect those dots by enabling schools and districts to share that information on GreatSchools.org — a place where families are already looking for it.”

To help districts share the information families are searching for, GreatSchools is launching Claim Your District, a new feature that allows district leaders to verify and manage their district’s GreatSchools profile. Once claimed, districts can highlight programs and student supports, add context to published data, and provide a more complete picture of what their schools offer. The tool builds on GreatSchools’ school-level claiming feature — already used by nearly one-third of schools nationwide — and creates an additional space where families can easily access the comprehensive information they value most.

To read the full survey report, click here.

About GreatSchools:
GreatSchools is the leading nonprofit providing high-quality information that supports parents pursuing a great education for their child, schools striving for excellence, and communities working to diminish inequities in education. We are the only national organization that collects and analyzes data from all 51 state departments of education and the federal government to provide analysis, insights, and school quality ratings for parents, partners, researchers, and policymakers. Nearly half of all K–12 families visit GreatSchools’ award-winning website annually to learn about schools in their area, explore research insights, and access thousands of free, evidence-based parenting resources to support their child’s learning and well-being. Learn more at GreatSchools.org and join us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-national-survey-finds-parents-want-clearer-school-information–and-are-more-satisfied-when-they-can-find-it-302636049.html

SOURCE GreatSchools.org

MORRIS, Ill., Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ECA Solar is pleased to announce that the lawsuit filed by the city of Morris seeking to halt the company’s planned solar development outside city boundaries has been dismissed with prejudice by the Grundy County Circuit Court. Earlier this year, the city of Morris filed suit against Grundy County, a private landowner, and an ECA Solar subsidiary, Gore Road Community Energy Initiative. This decisive ruling affirms the project’s legality and clears the way for continued progress in delivering clean, reliable energy to the region.

“We thank the courts for making the right decision,” said Todd Fryatt, CEO of ECA Solar. “This ruling allows us to move forward with confidence as we continue developing a project that will deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits to the community. We look forward to working constructively with the municipality and the broader community to ensure this project reflects shared values, enhances local opportunities, and supports a sustainable energy future for the region.”

ECA Solar looks forward to continued engagement with stakeholders throughout the development process and remains committed to transparent communication as the project progresses.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eca-solar-welcomes-courts-decision-allowing-advancement-of-solar-development-project-302636017.html

SOURCE ECA Solar

BEIJING, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CGTN published an article on the post-disaster rescue and reconstruction efforts following a devastating fire in Tai Po in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), highlighting the collective efforts by the central government and the HKSAR government, Hong Kong residents, volunteers from the mainland, and different sectors of society.

At Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, residents have quietly returned to homes they’ll never be able to live in again – some for the first time since the devastating fire on November 26. Many came only to retrieve what little they could carry. But they were not alone.

Clusters of volunteers stood ready to help them pack up belongings and guide families to the waiting vans. Nearby, an unattended truck sat with its back doors open, stocked with bottled drinks, cardboard boxes and plastic bags – free for anyone who needed them.

Among those offering help was Wong Chi-chuen, 58-year-old taxi driver. For five straight days, Wong and several fellow drivers had been shuttling residents for free. “We start at eight and don’t stop until late,” he said. “Yes, it hurts our incomes, but helping people matters more.”

From long lines of volunteers to steady donations from across society, Hong Kong has mobilized on a remarkable scale, coming together to support families hit by the tragedy.

Government steps up support

In the wake of the fire, Chinese President Xi Jinping immediately urged all-out efforts to extinguish the blaze and minimize casualties and losses. He also extended his deep condolences, as well as his sympathies to the victims’ families and all those affected by the fire.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, within hours of the disaster, launched a citywide rescue and resettlement operation. Temporary shelters opened across Tai Po the same night, and emergency payments were issued immediately.

As of December 5, 1,369 residents had been placed in youth hostels, camps and hotel rooms. Another 2,499 people had moved into transitional housing. Chief Executive John Lee pledged that “no affected family will be left behind” and said the accommodation will be free throughout the reconstruction period.

One day after the fire, each affected household was given an emergency payment of HK$10,000. The government later announced HK$200,000 in condolence payments to the families of victims. It also provided HK$50,000 in living allowances for affected households – an amount later increased to HK$100,000.

The Social Welfare Department has reached out to over 4,900 residents from over 1,900 households as part of its “one social worker per household” support scheme, providing counseling, coordinating supplies and offering day-to-day help. Each household is also paired with two civil servants to assist with medical visits, packing, transport and other practical needs.

Lion Rock spirit

The tragedy has prompted a strong wave of compassion from across Hong Kong and beyond.

On the day of the fire, residents brought clothing, food and water to shelters, while long queues formed at blood donation centers. A shipment of urgently needed blankets was transported overnight from the mainland’s Dongguan to Tai Po.

Volunteers have been working around the clock at shelters and transitional housing sites to ensure residents can get help whenever they need. Once a request is made, volunteers coordinate and deliver supplies quickly.

“Hong Kong people have the Lion Rock spirit. When one suffers, everyone supports,” said Mei Siu-fung, head of the Tai Po District Care Team, adding about 400 local volunteers responded within hours after the fire. The Lion Rock spirit, often described as the spirit of Hong Kong, reflects the city’s collective resilience and determination to overcome hardship and strive for a better life.

Support has also flowed in from the mainland and Macao. Shenzhen residents organized supply trucks. Children and elder villagers from Guizhou donated what they could. Mainland organizations–large and small –mobilized medical gear, relief materials and millions in funding. The Macao Foundation sent HK$30 million.

Public donations to the support fund for Wang Fuk Court have now reached around HK$3 billion. Together with HK$300 million in seed funding from the HKSAR government, the fund totals roughly HK$3.3 billion and will support rebuilding and long-term assistance.

“Disasters are merciless, but people have love,” Lee said. “The care and donations from Guangdong, Macao and many others reflect compassion, solidarity and hope. The government will ensure every dollar goes toward helping residents rebuild their lives.”

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-08/In-the-wake-of-tragedy-Hong-Kong-comes-together-to-rebuild-1IWyRq86a6k/p.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-in-the-wake-of-tragedy-hong-kong-comes-together-to-rebuild-302635933.html

SOURCE CGTN

BEIJING, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CGTN published an article on the post-disaster rescue and reconstruction efforts following a devastating fire in Tai Po in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), highlighting the collective efforts by the central government and the HKSAR government, Hong Kong residents, volunteers from the mainland, and different sectors of society.

At Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, residents have quietly returned to homes they’ll never be able to live in again – some for the first time since the devastating fire on November 26. Many came only to retrieve what little they could carry. But they were not alone.

Clusters of volunteers stood ready to help them pack up belongings and guide families to the waiting vans. Nearby, an unattended truck sat with its back doors open, stocked with bottled drinks, cardboard boxes and plastic bags – free for anyone who needed them.

Among those offering help was Wong Chi-chuen, 58-year-old taxi driver. For five straight days, Wong and several fellow drivers had been shuttling residents for free. “We start at eight and don’t stop until late,” he said. “Yes, it hurts our incomes, but helping people matters more.”

From long lines of volunteers to steady donations from across society, Hong Kong has mobilized on a remarkable scale, coming together to support families hit by the tragedy.

Government steps up support

In the wake of the fire, Chinese President Xi Jinping immediately urged all-out efforts to extinguish the blaze and minimize casualties and losses. He also extended his deep condolences, as well as his sympathies to the victims’ families and all those affected by the fire.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government, within hours of the disaster, launched a citywide rescue and resettlement operation. Temporary shelters opened across Tai Po the same night, and emergency payments were issued immediately.

As of December 5, 1,369 residents had been placed in youth hostels, camps and hotel rooms. Another 2,499 people had moved into transitional housing. Chief Executive John Lee pledged that “no affected family will be left behind” and said the accommodation will be free throughout the reconstruction period.

One day after the fire, each affected household was given an emergency payment of HK$10,000. The government later announced HK$200,000 in condolence payments to the families of victims. It also provided HK$50,000 in living allowances for affected households – an amount later increased to HK$100,000.

The Social Welfare Department has reached out to over 4,900 residents from over 1,900 households as part of its “one social worker per household” support scheme, providing counseling, coordinating supplies and offering day-to-day help. Each household is also paired with two civil servants to assist with medical visits, packing, transport and other practical needs.

Lion Rock spirit

The tragedy has prompted a strong wave of compassion from across Hong Kong and beyond.

On the day of the fire, residents brought clothing, food and water to shelters, while long queues formed at blood donation centers. A shipment of urgently needed blankets was transported overnight from the mainland’s Dongguan to Tai Po.

Volunteers have been working around the clock at shelters and transitional housing sites to ensure residents can get help whenever they need. Once a request is made, volunteers coordinate and deliver supplies quickly.

“Hong Kong people have the Lion Rock spirit. When one suffers, everyone supports,” said Mei Siu-fung, head of the Tai Po District Care Team, adding about 400 local volunteers responded within hours after the fire. The Lion Rock spirit, often described as the spirit of Hong Kong, reflects the city’s collective resilience and determination to overcome hardship and strive for a better life.

Support has also flowed in from the mainland and Macao. Shenzhen residents organized supply trucks. Children and elder villagers from Guizhou donated what they could. Mainland organizations–large and small –mobilized medical gear, relief materials and millions in funding. The Macao Foundation sent HK$30 million.

Public donations to the support fund for Wang Fuk Court have now reached around HK$3 billion. Together with HK$300 million in seed funding from the HKSAR government, the fund totals roughly HK$3.3 billion and will support rebuilding and long-term assistance.

“Disasters are merciless, but people have love,” Lee said. “The care and donations from Guangdong, Macao and many others reflect compassion, solidarity and hope. The government will ensure every dollar goes toward helping residents rebuild their lives.”

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-12-08/In-the-wake-of-tragedy-Hong-Kong-comes-together-to-rebuild-1IWyRq86a6k/p.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-in-the-wake-of-tragedy-hong-kong-comes-together-to-rebuild-302635933.html

SOURCE CGTN