Melanie Burney
Philly Inquirer
South Jersey, NJ, United States
Contact Melanie
Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
| Recent: |
|
| Past: |
|
Past articles by Melanie:
President of South Jersey school board that removed ‘The Bluest Eye’ from curriculum resigns
The former president of a South Jersey school board that removed Toni Morrison's 'The Bluest Eye' from the freshman curriculum believes older students should be allowed to read the book. → Read More
New Jersey’s School Counselor of the Year: ‘A child will always remember how you made them feel’
Candidates must submit an extensive application and are judged by a panel on leadership skills, effective counseling programs and counseling innovations. → Read More
A South Jersey teacher has resigned after a student recorded her profanity-laced tirade to the class
At a Winslow school board meeting Feb. 8, the board approved Lewellen’s resignation, effective immediately. No reason was given. Most school districts typically require 60 days’ notice. → Read More
South Jersey referee in dreadlocks controversy loses another legal decision
South Jersey high school referee Alan Maloney claimed that he has been subjected to death threats and public humiliation after a 2018 hair-cutting incident went viral. → Read More
A South Jersey school district has pulled Toni Morrison’s ‘Bluest Eye’ from its curriculum
When the board removed the novel last month, the Washington Township School District become the latest in a growing book-banning movement. → Read More
A South Jersey school district has pulled Toni Morrison’s ‘Bluest Eye’ from its curriculum
When the board removed the novel last month, the Washington Township School District become the latest in a growing book-banning movement. → Read More
Collingswood High students walk out for a second day of protest over allegations of racism
The students held "Black Lives Matter" signs at the rally held in Knight Park across from the public school. → Read More
South Jersey fourth graders pick up charge to make cranberry juice a state symbol
Their efforts started during a lesson on state symbols at Eleanor Rushing Intermediate School in Cinnaminson. → Read More
N.J. is discussing a proposal to separate students based on gender identity in sex education class
The amended version of a state regulation would change language from "male and female students" to include gender identity. → Read More
Gov. Phil Murphy signs a law to make N.J. first state to require media literacy for K-12
Advocates say the measure will help students who are bombarded with information from social media and news outlets learn how to discern whether the sources are credible. → Read More
How a South Jersey woman turned cooking into a ministry with ‘My Wife Can’t Cook’
The group My Wife Can't Cook grew out of necessity during the pandemic for Carleen Roberts. She found encouragement from others lacking in culinary skills. → Read More
This South Jersey father hit his goal to reach 300K students with organ donor awareness message
After six presentations to sophomore classes at Cherry Hill High School West, Tom Gano reached 300,240 students, surpassing the 300,000 goal he set after his son Curtis, 16, died in 1987. → Read More
Should New Jersey drop its high school graduation exam for good?
After the test requirement was waived for two years, a decision hasn't been made on what happens this year. Critics say it's a poor measurement. Advocates say some assessment is needed. → Read More
Camden schools will require masks for two weeks after holiday break
A growing number of school systems, including Philadelphia, are reinstating mask mandates amid a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. → Read More
Police ID two suspects in shooting death of city sanitation worker
Philadelphia identified two suspects in the shooting death last month of city worker Ikeem Johnson. → Read More
Motorist killed after stepping on highway from disabled vehicle in Delco, state police say
A motorist who stepped out of his disabled vehicle was struck and killed on Route 202 in Concord Township, state police say. → Read More
How a N.J. school district landed in controversy over Respect Week posters
A mother at Upper Elementary School in North Hanover Township complained on Facebook about posters with pride flags, and then the police urged that her post come down. → Read More
First N.J. standardized test scores since the pandemic show students still struggling
N.J. students are continuing to perform worse on standardized tests than before the pandemic, according to data released Wednesday, giving another window into the toll the impact has had on learning → Read More
N.J. could become first state to enact media literacy curriculum for K-12 students
Advocates say the measure seeks to help students who are bombarded with information from social media and news outlets learn how to discern whether the sources are credible. → Read More
This father wants to encourage other Black men to take their children to the Philadelphia Ballet
Lloyd Freeman organized a "Daddy and me" day at The Nutcracker for Black fathers and father figures. → Read More