Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
Students at Stoneman Douglas High School Are Preparing to Return to School
On Sunday, thousands of students from Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 students were killed in a shooting on February 14, returned to school for the first time since the tragedy. In preparation for classes to resume on February 28, students were given the opportunity to attend an open house where they were able to retrieve belongings they left behind during the shooting, as well as meet with grief counselors and school administrators before Wednesday. Students received an outpouring of support from the Internet on the emotional day, and many even tweeted about seeing a rainbow over the school on Monday morning.
Teachers and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas reporting back to campus now for first official work day since Valentines Day shooting. They’re being greeted by this beautiful rainbow and signs of support @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/1gG0cYIU1D
— Erica Rakow (@EricaRakow) February 26, 2018
West Virginia Schools Are Shut Down Following Teacher Strikes
Schools throughout West Virginia have been closed for three days as teachers in the state are on their first strike in 28 years in response to low paychecks and a lack of funding for public employee health plans, the Huffington Post reports. The state is one of only a handful that have a declining population, and low teacher salaries (as in, the state ranks 48th in teacher pay) are reportedly causing younger educators to leave the state altogether. While public support for the teachers’ strike is reportedly high, strikes by public employees are technically illegal, and school districts could potentially issue court orders in the near future for teachers to return to work.
West Virginia teachers, among the lowest paid in the US, prepare to strike for fourth day over low wages, rising healthcare costs. https://t.co/YABZz5v99c
— The Associated Press (@AP) February 27, 2018
Michelle Obama Has Officially Announced Her Memoir’s Release Date
Mark your calendars, because Michelle Obama has officially announced that her memoir, titled Becoming, will be released November 13, 2018. On Instagram, where she announced the news, the former FLOTUS said of the upcoming book, “Writing BECOMING has been a deeply personal experience. It has allowed me, for the very first time, the space to honestly reflect on the unexpected trajectory of my life. In this book, I talk about my roots and how a little girl from the South Side of Chicago found her voice and developed the strength to use it to empower others. I hope my journey inspires readers to find the courage to become whoever they aspire to be. I can’t wait to share my story.”
Even better? Penguin, which is publishing the book, has already promised to donate one million books in the Obama family’s name to organizations that provide educational materials to children in need.
What to look out for…
IHOP’s free pancake day is back today! Come in to any IHOP location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, February 27 for a free short stack of pancakes. In return, consider making a donation toward local children’s hospitals and health organizations when you come in — IHOP has used the event to raise $30 million dollars since it began in 2006.