Category: Ridgewood Schools

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Ways to Apply for a Student Loan

RHS 2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, You’ve just cleared high school and are looking into joining college. You’ve be told about taking a student loan, and since your parents credit is incredibly awful, your only option is to take it in your name.

So you did what lots of other students do when looking out for a loan – visit the government student loan site. But since the site doesn’t break the process into simple, easy-to-understand chunks, you end up getting confused. In which case, you found it hard understanding the terms used, the kind of loans being offered and how best you can access them or if there’s some other place you should visit to get the loan.

Well, don’t fret – this post covers all the possible ways you can access a student loan.

Look at the Possibility of Going to School without a Student Loan

A student loan is NOT free money, but a loan you’ll be required to pay after you graduate—and with an interest of course. So if there’s remotely a chance that you can still foot your school fees and your upkeep without relying on loans, then go for it.

For US based students, you have the option to access Pell Grant through FAFSA. Read this bearing in mind that grants don’t require you to pay back.

Also try looking at the possibility of securing a scholarship or securing a part time job to help you out.

Lastly, you might want to settle for a school with the lowest tuition fee. Do this and some time in future when your friends and family will be struggling with repaying their student loans, you’ll be looking back and thanking yourself for the decision you made.

But if you really must take a loan, here are a number of ways to apply for them:

Applying for a Private Student or Federal Loan

The application process to follow will vary depending on the type of student loan you wish to apply

Application Process for Federal Student Loan

To apply for a federal loan, you have to start by filling out the Free Application for Student Aid (FASFA) form. This form can be downloaded at FAFSA.gov. Once filled, the form should be sent back to FASFA for evaluation.

Here’s a number of things to keep in mind while filling out the form:

  • Filling the form is absolutely free. You’ll NOT be charged for downloading and submitting the form.
  • You’ll be required to complete a FASFA form every year you apply for a loan.
  • Make a point to get the form as early as possible (starting from October 1st) to increase the chances of getting the loan.

Application Process for a Private Student Loan

Private student loans are mostly offered by banks, financial institutions, or a Mammoth Investor. Which is to say, you’ll be applying for it directly to the lender.

Instructions on how to apply for the loan:

  • Start by visiting the bank’s site and learn more about the loan. Check out for their interest rates, their repayment options and the highlighted benefits associated with the loan.
  • If satisfied, go ahead and fill out the application form. The instruction to follow should be provided on site, so no need to worry on how to go about it.

You’ll also be required to choose a repayment option that best suits you and the type of interest you’re most comfortable with.

  • You may be asked to include a cosigner. Don’t hesitate to add one as this increases your chances of being awarded the loan.
  • Lastly, the lender will go ahead and check your credit score and later on getting back to you with the decision they’d have made.

Getting a loan shouldn’t be that much of a tough task. If anything, there exist several avenues to access one. So if one fails, just knuckle up and check out for the next available option.

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Ridgewood School Board Comes up with School Resource Officer Funding

Ridgewood Schools schools were cleared of the shelter in place Order

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,the Ridgewood School Board and the Village Council have come to terms funding a School Resource Officer .After beginning the 2018-2019 school year at odds over who should pay for the new school resource officer(SRO), the Ridgewood Board of Education has finally agreed to a co-funding agreement.

In September, Village Council members claimed school district officials had reneged on good faith negotiations to co-fund the salary 50-50 for the school resource officer. Municipal officials claimed the Board of Education was asked to contribute $100,000 for their fiscal year. Board members asserted they made it clear from the start that funding for the SRO was not in the 2018-2019 district budget and the village’s 2018 operating budget covered the expense.

In December after serious public pressure  and a disastrous election defeat by the sitting school board president the Ridgewood Board of Education unanimously voted to contribute up to $100,000 towards the SRO, prorated and effective Jan. 1, through a shared services agreement with the village.

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Ridgewood Board Of Education Swears In Christopher Kaufman

photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education swore in Christopher Kaufman as its newest member to a three year term and the board of education also elected their president and vice president today. Jennie Smith Wilson was elected president and James A Morgan was elected board vice president .

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Reader says,” NJEA owns Governor Murphy “

Ridgewood EA teachers protest

Let’s talk about the “abbot districts” as established by NJ Supreme Court.
The state mandate the same $$$ is spent per student in every district.
Nice thought, but it won’t work. Why?
The teachers union objects to school choice so underperforming lazy tenured teachers can slide while the students do not learn.
More important is that in Paterson , an abbot district, students only need to attend in order to progress from one grade to another, and get a diploma.
So let’s get the secret out… A diploma from one of these districts is as worthless as a piece of toilet paper.
If the motivate students could choose a school to attend, with a voucher, they would excell.
But thanks to the NJ teachers unions it will never happen. They own Gov Murphy

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The Revised 2019-2020 Ridgewood School Calender

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the Revised 2019-2020 school calendar adds snow days
The Ridgewood Board of Education has approved a revised 2019-20 calendar that includes two additional snow days.

https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17314207

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A recent social media challenge directed at children and young adults, called the “Momo Challenge”, is creating concern throughout the country….

Letter sent out from Brick township School system on the “Momo Challenge” .

December 11, 2018

Parents and Guardians:
A recent social media challenge directed at children and young adults, called the “Momo Challenge”, is creating concern throughout the country. Brick Township Public Schools is urging parents to become aware of this challenge and monitor their children’s use of social media and the internet. The “Momo Challenge” can be found on Facebook and/or through the “WhatsApp” and is disturbing in nature. The communications through the “Momo Challenge” begin with a chat that asks the receiver to perform small tasks and then escalates to more serious violent acts and request photographs for proof.

The “Momo Challenge” is just one example of dangerous “games” through social media that has a negative impact on students and their social interactions. Here in the schools and for you at home, it continues to be challenging to monitor and address the ever developing and changing topics related to social media. We must consider common sense guidelines, age appropriateness and exposure from older siblings or neighbors.

The Brick Township Public Schools counselors and administrative teams will continue to provide students and parents with information to address this most recent social media and internet concern. Please contact the counselors or administrative team of your student’s school, or go to WeTip.com on the district website with any concerns regarding this topic or any other social media/internet concerns. You can learn more about the “Momo Challenge” by visiting some of the links below. Please be warned that some of the images and stories may be disturbing.

https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/disturbing-momo-challenge-suicide-gameconcerning-schools-parents
https://www.wkbw.com/news/the-deadly-momo-challenge-are-your-children-playing-it

As the holiday season rapidly approaches and children may have more screen time on electronic devices or receive them as gifts, it is an appropriate time to consider family guidelines for appropriate use. We ask that you consider age appropriateness for children’s use of technology, time spent on social media and overall reminders of family expectations for making good choices using their conscience. Below are some links that offer advice.

https://www.parenting.com/gallery/social-media-monitoring-kids?page=2
https://www.safesearchkids.com/
https://childmind.org/article/media-guidelines-for-kids-of-all-ages/


The Brick Township Public Schools, in cooperation with the Brick Township Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will be offering a program in the New Year to further educate our community regarding these social media and internet concerns. The location, date, and time will be published on the District website at: www.brickschools.org.

Gerard Dalton Superintendent of Schools

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Anti-Semitic graffiti Discovered at Emerson Public Schools

the staff of the Ridgewood blog 

Emerson NJ, Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi comments on the anti-Semitic graffiti found in Emerson Public Schools.” Hate in any form is never acceptable. Hateful graffiti and markings have now appeared in many of our area schools and towns. Children learn from those around them. Parents, please sit with your children and explain why these messages of hate are always wrong.” 

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Reader says , “Time to Clean House at the BOE”

Watched the public comments on TV. It was a love fest for Loncto. Ok. So the guy served 7 years. He deserves some praise. But oh man, the level of drama about his being VOTED OUT OF OFFICE was sickening. And when you consider the people who were waxing nostalgic about him, well, enough said. SO glad Cris Kaufmann is in office as of January 1. And in the next go round we will have two more new faces. Time to CLEAN HOUSE folks.

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RHS Alumni Association Commemorative Holiday Brick Sale

Ridgewood_High_School1_theridgewoodblog
the staff of the Ridgewood blog 

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood High School Alumni Association (RHSAA) is officially accepting orders for this year’s Spring 2019 installation.  We have already received many orders memorializing family members, declaring gratitude towards RHS teachers and coaches, and commemorating significant milestones and reunions.
These commemorative bricks make the perfect holiday gift for an RHS alum or soon-to-be graduate.  All orders placed before March 5, 2019 will be installed prior to Graduation 2019.  

Orders can be placed at   www.rhsalumniassociation.org/bricks   If you would like to learn more about this project, we invite you to enjoy our video:   www.rhsalumniassociation.org  

Ridgewood High School Alumni Association wishes you and your family all the best during this holiday season. Thank you for your continued support of the Ridgewood High School Alumni Association!
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A State Commission Investigating the Shooting Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Recommends Arming Teachers

Guns

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Parkland Florida , Armed teachers, stronger security and better law enforcement are needed to head off another school shooting like the one in Parkland, according to a panel reviewing the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The state commission investigating the shooting that killed 17 people on Feb. 14 released a draft report Wednesday listing a series of failures by Broward County agencies and recommendations for avoiding a similar tragedy in the future. 

The state 407-page report, found that deputies didn’t rush into the school to stop the carnage, and school staff committed numerous security breaches, including leaving doors unlocked and not calling a “Code Red” alarm quickly enough.The panel also voted to include a controversial proposal allowing classroom teachers to carry guns in schools if they go through a selection process that would include background checks and training. Such a change would require the state Legislature’s approval.

Previously President Trump  suggested he will consider a proposal to arm school teachers in an attempt to prevent mass shootings. The president said allowing airline pilots to carry and conceal guns had demonstrated the measure could be a success.