AT&T Opens Connected Learning Center at Boys & Girls Clubs of NEPA in Scranton to Help Bridge the Digital Divide New dedicated learning center in Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania will provide access to internet, technology, and digital learning resources for club members Key Takeaways: Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania and AT&T open new Connected Learning Center to provide digital resources for club members AT&T contributed $100,000 to support the creation and operation of the center AT&T opened a new Connected Learning Center (CLC) inside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania in Scranton to provide internet access and high-quality educational tools to club members. AT&T made a $100,000 contribution to the club to help launch the center and for programming support. This Connected Learning Center is the first one in Pennsylvania. It offers free access to digital resources. In Scranton, the BGC used the funds to purchase 10 Chromebooks for use by students when visiting the club, with more to be added in the future. The club also procured desktops to help manage students’ participation in the many programs at the club. It also provides educational resources such as The Achievery, a free digital learning platform by AT&T, and free digital literacy courses in partnership with the Public Library Association. Homework help and mentoring are also provided by AT&T employees and community volunteers. “Our investment in the AT&T Connected Learning Center at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Scranton reflects our commitment to get more Americans connected and make an impact in the communities we serve,” said David Kerr, president, AT&T Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “The center will give club members access to internet connectivity, educational and mentoring resources to help them succeed in digital school and job environments.” AT&T also plans to bring its award-winning, high-speed fiber internet service to Northeastern Pennsylvania in the future. AT&T launched this center as part of the AT&T Connected Learning® initiative to help address the digital divide through internet accessibility, affordability, and safe adoption. AT&T is committing $5 billion to help 25 million people get and stay connected to the internet by 2030. “We are so appreciative of our relationship with AT&T and their investment in the children we serve at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Tricia Thomas, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania. AT&T opens these centers within local nonprofit organizations that are already adept at supporting underserved populations within their community, including some of our nation’s most vulnerable students and families. The company plans to open at least 100 Connected Learning Centers across the country by the end of 2027. Learn more at att.com/connectedlearning.
Misericordia University Launches Course on Emergency Preparedness for Healthcare Organizations Misericordia University is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking course designed to equip future healthcare leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate emergencies effectively. This innovative program, Emergency Management for Healthcare Institutions, addresses the growing need for specialized training in disaster readiness and crisis management within the healthcare sector. This course also provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to help their future employers comply with federal emergency preparedness requirements. “The healthcare industry faces unique challenges when preparing for and responding to emergencies,” said John R. Ash MHA, Ph.D., FACHE, Assistant Professor and Program Director for Healthcare Administration. “This course provides essential tools and strategies to ensure that healthcare organizations can deliver safe, effective care under the most challenging circumstances. Students earned multiple, national, certifications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.” The course offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates practical applications with the latest research in emergency management. Key topics include: Risk assessment and mitigation strategies specific to healthcare settings Developing and testing emergency response plans Crisis communication and coordination with public health agencies Managing resources during pandemics, natural disasters, and other emergencies Building resilience in healthcare teams and systems Fire Suppression Designed for healthcare administrators, clinicians, and emergency response professionals, the course combines expert-led lectures, hands-on simulations, and case studies from real-world events. Participants will gain actionable insights and practical skills to enhance their organization’s preparedness and response capabilities. The program aligns with Misericordia University’s commitment to fostering excellence in healthcare education and addressing critical industry needs. “Our goal is to empower healthcare professionals with the expertise to protect patients, staff, and communities during crises,” said Ash, a nationally certified Firefighter-Paramedic. Dr. Ash designed this course from the ground up by leveraging his 45 years of experience in public safety and using resources readily available from the federal government.
PennDOT: Voting Open for Paint the Plow ProgramPennDOT: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 4 invites the public to vote on 12 plows decorated by high school students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties as part of the annual Paint the Plow program. Paint the Plow is a statewide outreach aimed at promoting winter driving safety and fostering appreciation for high school art programs and student creativity. Earlier this year, PennDOT invited students/teens from District 4 to paint plow blades based on the statewide theme “Use Your Reason When It’s Freezin,” The theme was chosen to remind motorists that seat belts save lives and should be worn year-round. Students from Carbondale Area High School, Delaware Valley High School, Dunmore High School, Hanover Area High School, Hazleton Area High School, Honesdale High School, North Pocono High School, Northwest High School, Old Forge High School. Riverside High School, Tunkhannock High School, and West Scranton High School participated. This year, the public is invited to vote through an online survey posted on the PennDOT website District 4 Paint the Plow Voting 2024. The voting form can be found by clicking on the county names within the table. Additional Paint the Plow art programs were held throughout the state and the public may vote on their favorite from each participating district. Participation is limited to one vote per person per district. The plow photo in each district that receives the most votes between December 10 and December 15, 2024, will be deemed the “Fan Favorite” for that area. Along with the “Fan Favorite” award, the blades are also eligible for the“Judges’ Pick” honor that will be determined by PennDOT personnel. The winner in each category will be announced at the end of December. Schools and participants are encouraged to share the link to the contest to promote voting. PennDOT may post thepictures on statewide and regional Facebook accounts, however responses on social media will not count toward the voting totals. For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department’s winter website.
New Date! UNC Multicultural Carol Sing Now December 18 DATE CHANGE DUE TO WEATER: United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is excited to invite the community to the return of our beloved holiday tradition, the Multicultural Carol Sing! This festive event will take place on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Capouse Corner Green Space at 1371 Capouse Avenue in Scranton. UNC will provide lyrics for all attendees so everyone can join in. In addition to music, guests will enjoy piping hot cocoa courtesy of Retro Café and have the chance to create festive crafts. For more information or any questions, please contact Audrey Golosky at agolosky@uncnepa.org or 570-346-6203 ext. 105.
Misericordia University 2024 Winter Commencement Misericordia University’s Winter Commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024. The day will begin with Baccalaureate Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Mercy Center Chapel. There is no formal procession for the Mass, and all are welcome to attend. Commencement will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the Anderson Sports and Health Center. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Dr. Mary McAleese, former President of Ireland and a renowned advocate for peace and social justice, will be the commencement honoree and guest speaker.
Johnson College: Hazleton Campus Enrolls for New Pharmacy Technician Program Johnson College is now enrolling for its new Pharmacy Technician program at its satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township. The program will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9:30 p.m. beginning January 7, 2025. This comprehensive 50-hour program will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in retail or other pharmacy setting. Course content includes pharmacy medical terminology, the history of pharmacy, the pharmacy practice in multiple environments, pharmacy calculations and measurements, reading and interpreting prescriptions, and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Through classroom lectures and hands-on labs, students will review dosage calculations, drug classifications, the “top 200 drugs”, I.V. flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement. This program meets the requirements needed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) exam as well as the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician (PTAC) exam. Participants of the Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible to participate in an optional, 80-hour clinical externship. Requirements for the externship include a resume; waiver; release form; statement of health; vaccines for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B series, Tdap (within the last 10 years); a TB test (within the last 12 months); background check; drug screen; and state registration if applicable. The total cost of the course is $1,650 which includes textbooks, a PTCB exam voucher, and a PTCB prep course. To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/pharmacytech/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.
Jeannine Luby Warms Up Scranton Residents with Laughter The temperature hung around 29 degrees but the sunshine and laughter made it feel much warmer when the Connell Park Walking Club gathered on the last Saturday in November. Jannine Luby’s businesses, Laugh to Live, a Scranton-based business, collaborated with Valley in Motion’s Connell Park Walking Club to provide stress-lowering laughter yoga before the Club’s weekly walk around the park. With a lot of breathing in and out, clapping and chants of ho ho ho, ha ha ha and hee hee hee, it didn’t take long for the group to connect, smile and experience the many researched benefits of laughter. Some of the benefits are: healthier blood flow, lower cortisol (stress hormone), boosted endorphins (hormone that helps to manage pain and improve mood), lower blood glucose and more. Gus Fahey, president of Valley in Motion that supports the walking club project said, “The laughter yoga on Saturday was great. It was awesome the way Jeannine kept up the enthusiasm on a cold morning!” Luby was happy to see share laughter yoga with the small group who gathered so they could understand how valuable laughter can be as a resource for self-care and overall well-being, especially at this time of year when we tend to set high expectations and busy schedules. “It’s important that we hit the pause button on our running around and on all of the noise that is out there on social media. It can feel overwhelming. Sometimes we can help ourselves by simply taking a few deep breaths. Add belly laughs and you’re helping yourself recharge to face those long to-do lists.” If you’re interested in healthy activities to lower your stress and anxiety and to boost overall wellness, follow the Connell Park Walking Club on Facebook for their walk schedule and follow Laugh to Live on Facebook for live daily morning laughter yoga throughout the month of December.
Scranton Cultural Center – Tickets Now Available for “Whose Live Anyway?” The current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” are proud to present their new improv tour: WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY?, appearing live in concert at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 PM. WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? is 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Cast members Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, Ryan Stiles, and Joel Murray will leave you gasping with the very witty scenes they invent before your eyes. Audience participation is key to the show, so bring your suggestions and you might be asked to join the cast onstage! This particular style of improvisational comedy is rife with countless gags, one-liners, hilarious games and even songs so good you will hardly believe they were made up on the spot. The teamwork and trust that it takes to perform a show with no script is apparent, but when the best of the best do it, they do it effortlessly. Watch them build entire scenes, characters, and storylines right before your eyes as they take you on a white-knuckle ride through endless chuckles. Ryan Stiles’ television credits include roles on “The Drew Carey Show” and “Two and a Half Men,” while Greg Proops has lent his vocal talents to animated characters in Star Wars: Episode 1, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Brother Bear. However, both got their start as comedians and are excited to return to their funny-bone-tickling roots. Jeff B. Davis is also a highly experienced improv comedian and starred in the cult classic cartoon series, “Harmonquest.” He has also starred in “Drew Carey’s Green Screen Show” and “Improv-a-Ganza,” while gaining fame for his spot-on impressions of Christoper Walken, Keanu Reeves, and Jeff Goldblum. Joel Murray is the youngest of the nine Murray brothers, including Bill Murray, but has become a star in his own right. Though he has over 250 sitcom appearances, he is best known for his recurring roles like Freddy Rumsen on “Mad Men” and Eddie Jackson on “Shameless.” He has also appeared in One Crazy Summer, The Artist, Scrooged, and Bobcat Goldthwait’s God Bless America.. WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? showcases some of the improv games made famous on the long-running TV show as well as some exciting new ones, featuring musical direction by Bob Derkach. All ages welcome. WHOSE LIVE ANYWAY? will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 6:30 PM. Tickets start at $59.00 (includes fees), and will be available for purchase beginning December 5 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of
