Category: Old Tappan

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A look at the methods used when it comes to new contracts for teachers in parts of Bergen County

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DECEMBER 31, 2015    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2015, 10:51 AM
BY CAITLYN BAHRENBURG AND ROBERT CHRISTIE
STAFF WRITER |
NORTHERN VALLEY SUBURBANITE

Teachers were tired of being insulted, Old Tappan Education Association President Matt Capilli said.

So, residents, students and faculty members gathered up their signs and congregated outside of the Charles De Wolf Middle School to picket in act of solidarity with the union.

The Old Tappan teachers’ union, like many others across the state, entered the new academic year without a contract.

According to statistics provided by the New Jersey School Boards Association, which “provides training, advocacy and support to advance public education and the achievement of all students through effective governance” according to its website, almost one-third of the 579 public school districts in New Jersey started the year in the same position as Old Tappan. In Bergen County, 12 district started the year without a contract.

“Negotiations are difficult everywhere right now, so I think it’s really important to show support for our brother and sister school districts,” said Jim McGuire, president of the Northern Valley Education Association, the union that represents the educators at the regional high schools in Demarest and Old Tappan.

McGuire was one of many supporters at an Old Tappan Rally Nov. 17 to show support for the teachers and urge the local board of education to reach a deal with its unionized staff.

But, McGuire’s comment was visible in several districts in the region that did not have contracts for its unionized teachers.

Before reaching an agreement in November, the Tenafly Education Association boycotted the district’s annual Back to School Nights in September.

The nights give parents a chance to meet wit their children’s teachers.

Tenafly Education Association president, Jackie Wellman, said the boycott was meant to send a message to the district.

“A program is rendered useless when quality staff is missing,” said Wellman, who is a teacher at the Stillman Elementary School in Tenafly, in a previous interview with the Northern Valley Suburbanite explaining the reasons behind the boycotts.

Unions took other steps to highlight its memberships’ displeasure with not having a contract.

These job action tactics, said Ridgewood Education Association President Michael Yannone, are the result of a change in options teachers or districts have to reach a new deal when working under an expired contract.

“Back in the day, the threat of a strike for both sides was a good thing,” Yannone said.

Strikes by public employees, including teachers, have been illegal in New Jersey since the 1960s, though, private employees can strike, with the understanding that their actions remain legal.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/taking-the-message-to-the-public-1.1483315

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Ridgewood H.S. Sports: Athletes, coach honored at All-County banquets

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DECEMBER 18, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY GREG TARTAGLIA
SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

The Bergen County Coaches Association (BCCA) and Bergen County Women Coaches Association (BCWCA) held their fall sports awards banquets at the Fiesta in Wood-Ridge earlier this week.

Numerous Ridgewood High School athletes and coaches were honored for being named to an All-County first team or with other special awards.

Here is a look at the Maroons who were recognized:

Tuesday: BCWCA dinner

Ridgewood was named as the Large Schools Team of the Year for girls cross-country after winning the Bergen County Group B and Bergen Meet of Champions (BMOC) titles, both at Darlington Park. The Maroons honored for being on the All-Bergen first team were junior Olympia Martin and senior Sam Halvorsen, who finished 2-3 at the BMOC and 1-2 at the North 1, Group 4 sectional.

In addition, the State Group 4 race winner Martin was tabbed as one of 10 finalists for The Record Fall Athlete of the Season award, which went to Northern Valley/Old Tappan volleyball player Natalie Alechko.

Three Ridgewood girls were recognized for being chosen to the All-County gymnastics first team: junior Mika Tamura and freshmen Katherine Muccio and Victoria Purritano, all of whom scored over 36 all-around this season.

https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/girls-tennis/ridgewood-athletes-coach-feted-1.1475938

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Ridgewood Ranked 10th Most Expensive Community by Caldwell Banker

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November 22,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, According to the Coldwell Banker Home Listing Report, the average listing price of a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home in is $415,305. Ridgewood came in ranked 10th most expensive at $682,495 Check out the rest of New Jersey listings and the full state ranking for 2015 https://www.coldwellbanker.com/hlr/2015/nj  .

Our neighbors in Bergen County , Glen Rock came in 6th at $725,162 in the state and Mahwah came in 11th at $677,434 also mentioned number 16 was Rivervale,Westwood,Old Tappan at $660,162 , Ramsey number 17 $654,992 and Paramus number 18 $644,054.
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Ridgewood Makes New Jersey’s Top 10 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family

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Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in New Jersey

Explore the best suburbs to raise a family. Niche ranks US suburbs based on age demographics, school ratings, crime rates, and access to affordable housing, child care, libraries, and grocery stores. A high ranking indicates that a suburb attracts young families with good schools and a safe community.

https://local.niche.com/rankings/suburbs/best-places-for-families/methodology/
1 Pennington Mercer County, New Jersey

2 Mountain LakesMorris County, New Jersey

3 Chatham Morris County, New Jersey

4 Tenafly Bergen County, New Jersey

5 New Providence Union County, New Jersey

6 Ridgewood Bergen County, New Jersey

7 Glen Rock Bergen County, New Jersey

8 Bernards Township Somerset County, New Jersey

9 Allendale Bergen County, New Jersey

10 West Windsor Township Mercer County, New Jersey

11 Old Tappan Bergen County, New Jersey

12 River Vale Township Bergen County, New Jersey

13 Montvale Bergen County, New Jersey

14 North Caldwell Essex County, New Jersey

15 Summit Union County, New Jersey

16 Haworth Bergen County, New Jersey

17 Ho-Ho-Kus Bergen County, New Jersey

18 Millburn Township Essex County, New Jersey

19 Park Ridge Bergen County, New Jersey

20 Fair Haven Monmouth County, New Jersey

21 River Edge Bergen County, New Jersey

22 Hillsdale Bergen County, New Jersey

23 Wyckoff Township Bergen County, New Jersey

24 Madison Morris County, New Jersey

25 Fanwood Union County, New Jersey

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Judge affirms Bergen schools’ right to withhold full security-drill reports from NBC-TV

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file photo by Boyd Loving

JUNE 19, 2015, 5:26 PM    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 19, 2015, 5:26 PM
BY STEVE JANOSKI
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A state Superior Court judge has ruled that a dozen Bergen County school districts were within their rights to redact details of their school security drills before turning drill records over to a TV station probing alleged irregularities.

Superior Court Judge Robert P. Contillo wrote in the decision that the safety and security concerns voiced by the districts outweighed plaintiff WNBC-TV’s interest in receiving un-redacted records. The redactions, he wrote, which varied district-to-district but generally blacked out the date, time, and length of the drills, were “necessary to protect defendants’ interest in maintaining the safety and integrity of the school community.”

“Any other result would risk this information falling into the wrong hands and being of use in an effort to cause harm,” he wrote.

Donald Doherty, attorney for plaintiff WNBC-TV, was disappointed by the June 4 ruling, which he said didn’t make sense given that other districts freely gave the network the information.

“If it was such a security risk, you’d have thought everybody would have thought [so],” he said. “But I’m not the judge.”

Doherty said he doesn’t plan to appeal the decision, but that that “doesn’t mean we think the judge is right.”

Named in the station’s Feb. 20 suit were the boards of education in Allendale, Bergenfield, Englewood Cliffs, Hillsdale, Oakland, Old Tappan, Ramapo-Indian Hills, Ramsey, River Vale, and Tenafly, as well as the Bergen County Technical and Special Services districts. Also named were those districts’ business administrators, who serve as public records custodians.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/judge-affirms-bergen-schools-right-to-withhold-full-security-drill-reports-from-nbc-tv-1.1359734

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Rep. Scott Garrett Announces 2015 Congressional Art Competition Winners

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May 29, 2015

NEWTON, NJ – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) announced the winners of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition.  This year’s top honor went to Norwood resident and Academy of the Holy Angels student Na Young Lee for her piece, “Crammed.”  This year’s competition featured 95 student entries and was hosted at Sussex County Community College in Newton. Meagan Khoury and Sherry Fitzgerald, both of Sussex County Community College, judged the competition.  The winners were announced at a ceremony on Saturday, May 16th.

“Congratulations to the winners and participants of the 2015 Congressional Art Competition,” said Garrett.  “I am amazed at the quality of work produced by these students.  Each student should be very proud of their efforts, and I want to thank their parents and teachers for encouraging and cultivating such exceptional talent.”

The Congressional Art Competition is an annual event held in congressional districts across the country.  The first place winner from each congressional district will have his or her artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside winning artwork from other high school students across the country.  The second, third, and fourth place winners will have their submissions displayed in Congressman Garrett’s Glen Rock, Newton, and Washington, D.C. offices.  Click here for more information about the nation-wide contest.

Below is a complete list of this year’s winners and participants.  Names without a corresponding link were unable to attend the May 16th ceremony.

2015 Congressional Art Competition Winners

1st Place
Student:  Na Young Lee
Title:  “Crammed”
School:  Academy of the Holy Angels
Residence: Norwood

2nd Place
Student:  Cindy Lee
Title:  “Bakekujira the Ghost Whale”
School:  Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan
Residence: Norwood

3rd Place
Student:  Haley Fletcher
Title:  “Covetous”
School:  Lakeland Regional High School
Residence: Ringwood

4th Place
Student:  Yubin Lee
Title:  “Bounded”
School:  Bergen County Academies
Residence: Haworth

5th Place
Student:  Alessandra Ferrari-Wong
Title:  “Investigation”
School:  Bergen County Academies
Residence: Westwood

6th Place
Student:  Laura David
Title:  “Looking Ahead”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Hamburg

7th Place
Student:  Kara Kovach
Title:  “Hot and Beardy”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Franklin

8th Place
Student:  Anna Kristofick
Title:  “True Colors”
School:  Indian Hills High School
Residence: Wyckoff

Honorable Mentions

Student:  Hannah Kim
Title:  “Yin and Yang”
School:  Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student:  Melanie Rosenblatt
Title:  “Zoe”
School:  Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student: Julia Grace Shea
Title: “Indecisive”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Ho-Ho-Kus

Student:  Nico Tolinkski
Title:  “Mutilation”
School:  Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student:  Anna Allen
Title:  “Emotion in Full Color”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence:  Stockholm

Student:  Nicole Spangenburg
Title:  “Dead End”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Hamburg

All Participants

Student:  Na Young Lee*
Title:  “Crammed”
School:  Academy of the Holy Angels
Residence: Norwood

Student: Lydia Chen
Title: “The Road”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: New Milford

Student: Haine Cho
Title: “Parent”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Northvale

Student:  Alessandra Ferrari-Wong*
Title:  “Investigation”
School:  Bergen County Academies
Residence: Westwood

Student: Gabrielle Fink
Title: “Promenade”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Ridgewood

Student: Julia Fish
Title: “Fish Face”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Glen Rock

Student: Lillian Hong
Title: “Soaked”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Ramsey

Student: Ashley Lee
Title: “Best Memories”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: River Edge

Student:  Yubin Lee*
Title:  “Bounded” and “A Day in the Life of Edward Hopper”
School:  Bergen County Academies
Residence: Haworth

Student: Maansi Srivastava
Title: “Rolling Waves of Me”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Harrington Park

Student: Sarah Vargas
Title: “Winter Expressions”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Allendale

Student: Jessica Zhu
Title: “Cutting the Strings”
School: Bergen County Academies
Residence: Montvale

Student: Nicholas Banta
Title: “GWB”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Isabelle Barraca
Title: “Uptown Girls”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Adrian Dela Cerna
Title: “The Awakening”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Veronica Chavez
Title: “Prima Ballerina”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Darin Diaz
Title: “Shine Bright”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Arianna Guce
Title: “Harrods”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Melany Guerrero
Title: “Morning Dew”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Jake Goldstein
Title: “The 100”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Jarel Harris
Title: “Full Bloom”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Abigail Lorenzo
Title: “My Reflection”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Olympia Nikolopoulos
Title: “Coronation Day”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Brenda Quijada
Title: “Letter from My Love”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Giovanna Ramirez
Title: “Dark Horse”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Ayanna Reyes
Title: “Conquer the World”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Kristofer Rodriguez
Title: “Springtime in NJ”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Nikki Rodriguez
Title: “Fondness of You”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Maleah Rohan
Title: “Celestial”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Robbie Torres
Title: “Spirit Guide”
School: Bergenfield High School
Residence: Bergenfield

Student: Karina Barragan
Title: “Untitled”
School: Hackensack High School
Residence: Hackensack

Student: Kathleen Caparo
Title: “Florence”
School: Hackensack High School
Residence: Hackensack

Student: Abigail DiGregorio
Title: “Pause”
School: Hackensack High School
Residence: Maywood

Student: Breanna Goins
Title: “Monochromatic Dream”
School: Hackensack High School
Residence: Hackensack

Student: Angie Melissa Tabares
Title: “Portrait” and “The Importance of Oral Hygiene”
School: Hackensack High School
Residence: Hackensack

Student: Emma Vuolo
Title: “Home”
School: Homeschooled
Residence: Mahwah

Student: Larissa Le Von-Zayas
Title: “Reflection”
School: Indian Hills High School
Residence: Oakland

Student:  Anna Kristofick*
Title:  “True Colors”
School:  Indian Hills High School
Residence: Wyckoff

Student: Mark Sabino
Title: “Anxiety” and “Refraction”
School: Indian Hills High School
Residence: Wyckoff

Student: Rachel Wikfors
Title: “The Gift”
School: Indian Hills High School
Residence: Oakland

Student: Ashley Amador
Title: “Acceptance”
School: Lakeland Regional High School
Residence: Ringwood

Student: Christieana Farrell
Title: “Self Portrait”
School: Lakeland Regional High School
Residence: Ringwood

Student:  Haley Fletcher*
Title:  “Covetous”
School:  Lakeland Regional High School
Residence: Ringwood

Student: Jordan Rockwell
Title: “Bad Moon on the Rise”
School: Lakeland Regional High School
Residence: Ringwood

Student: Jonathan Rojas
Title: “The Stigmas of Technology”
School: Lakeland Regional High School
Residence: Ringwood

Student: Carter Boyd
Title: “False Security”
School: Newton High School
Residence: Newton

Student: Aidan Healy
Title: “High Point”
School: Newton High School
Residence: Newton

Student: Tamara Recalde
Title: “Remove the Chicken”
School: Newton High School
Residence: Newton

Student: Aurora Abzug
Title: “Europe”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student: Jennifer Asnis
Title: “London”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Ho-Ho-Kus

Student: Grace Basralian
Title: “Cubism”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Ho-Ho-Kus

Student: Alexandra Berndt
Title: “Greece”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student: Juliette Boyajian
Title: “Innocence”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Saddle River

Student: Sara Dec
Title: “Depiction”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student:  Hannah Kim*
Title:  “Yin and Yang”
School:  Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student: Nathan Kim
Title: “Monkey”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student: Sofia Mirante
Title: “Skull”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student: Michelle Morin
Title: “Sun Goddess”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student: Satsuki Okamoto
Title: “Fall Still Life”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student: Rachael Reinke
Title: “Broken Clock”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student:  Melanie Rosenblatt*
Title:  “Zoe”
School:  Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student: Julia Grace Shea*
Title: “Indecisive”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Ho-Ho-Kus

Student:  Nico Tolinkski*
Title:  “Mutilation”
School:  Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Allendale

Student: Mary Wang
Title: “Summer Cravings”
School: Northern Highlands Regional High School
Residence: Upper Saddle River

Student: Jenna Jeeyoon Kim
Title: “Provence, France”
School: Northern Valley Regional High School – Demarest
Residence: Closter

Student: Celine Kim
Title: “Hidden”
School: Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan
Residence: Old Tappan

Student:  Cindy Lee*
Title:  “Bakekujira the Ghost Whale”
School:  Northern Valley Regional High School – Old Tappan
Residence: Norwood

Student: Bhumi Patel
Title: “$unset in the Hamptons”
School: Pope John XIII High School
Residence: Franklin

Student: Brianna Struble
Title: “Flower”
School: Pope John XXIII High School
Residence: Lafayette

Student: Malavika Menon
Title: “Portrait of a Kenyan Woman” and “Drake”
School: Ramapo High School
Residence: Wyckoff

Student: Julie McNamara
Title: “Home”
School: Ramsey High School
Residence: Ramsey

Student: Nick Metz
Title: “Selfie [to the Fifth Power]”
School: Pascack Valley High School
Residence: Hillsdale

Student:  Anna Allen*
Title:  “Emotion in Full Color”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence:  Stockholm

Student:  Laura David*
Title:  “Looking Ahead”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Hamburg

Student: Merinda Gruszecki
Title: “American Addictions” and “Society of Malcontent”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Franklin

Student:  Kara Kovach*
Title:  “Hot and Beardy” and “Her Eyes Speak Volumes”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Franklin

Student: Rebecca Kowalenko
Title: “Winding Path”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Hamburg

Student: Kylee Nicolai
Title: “Sitting in What Remains”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Hamburg

Student: Nicole Rotunda
Title: “Beach Escape”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Franklin

Student:  Nicole Spangenburg*
Title:  “Dead End”
School:  Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Hamburg

Student: Alexandria Stampone
Title: “Bleeding Heart”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Franklin

Student: Sarah Stapel
Title: “Vulnerability”
School: Wallkill Valley Regional High School
Residence: Franklin

Student: Ariana Blaeuer
Title: “Jesus of Suburbia”
School: West Milford High School
Residence: Hewitt

Student: Katherine McNaught
Title: “Hydranga”
School: West Milford High School
Residence: West Milford

Student: Allyssa Milne
Title: “Razzmatazz”
School: West Milford High School
Residence: West Milford

Student: Julia Norman
Title: “Mountainous Daze”
School: West Milford High School
Residence: West Milford

Student: Daniela Kaim
Title: “Winter Leaves”
School: Westwood Regional High School
Residence: Township of Washington

Student: Danielle Russo
Title: “Daily Dose”
School: Westwood Regional High School
Residence: Township of Washington

Student: Hana Tucker
Title: “Passage to New York”
School: Westwood Regional High School
Residence: Westwood

*signifies that the student received a medal or an honorable mention.

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Electric Daisy Carnival music festival lights up Meadowlands Sports Complex

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MAY 23, 2015, 9:38 PM    LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, MAY 23, 2015, 9:52 PM
BY NICHOLAS PUGLIESE
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

EAST RUTHERFORD — The atmosphere surrounding MetLife Stadium was certainly carnivalesque: Men in neon suits walked past tutu-clad women whirling hula hoops. A giant grasshopper mounted on pogo sticks flitted through crowds. And enough skin was on display to make the Shore jealous.

To add to the sensory overload, Saturday’s event shook with pulsating, bass-heavy music blaring from enormous columns of speakers.

It was the soundtrack of America’s nightclubs and raves — electronic dance music, or EDM.

The Meadowlands Sports Complex is playing host this weekend to the “New York” incarnation of the Electric Daisy Carnival, the biggest electronic music festival on the East Coast that runs for two days and boasts a line-up of nearly 100 popular DJs such as Armin van Buuren, Calvin Harris and Bassnectar.

As many as 100,000 were expected to attend over the two days.

“It’s literally the craziest weekend of the year every year,” said Christian Runza, a 19-year-old aspiring DJ from Old Tappan. “Every set you’re going to see someone you love.”

The outlandish outfits are part and parcel of an EDM culture that prizes self-expression above all else.

“You come out here to be anyone you want to be or anything you want to be,” said Jake Berto, 23, who had traveled all the way from San Francisco for the event. “Nobody judges you.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/electric-daisy-carnival-music-festival-lights-up-meadowlands-sports-complex-1.1341659

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Scott Garrett Announces 2015 United States Service Academy Nominees from NJ-05 at Bergen County Community College

Group Shot

Rep. Scott Garrett with the 2015 United States Service Academy nominees from New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District , including Christopher Lee , Ridgewood High School

(Please see list below for individual photos of nominees)

Apr 28, 2015

PARAMUS, NJ – Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) is proud to announce the nomination of 36 Fifth District students to United States service academies, including the Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs.  This year’s nominees were honored by the Congressman at a reception at Bergen County Community College in Paramus on Wednesday, April 8, 2015.

“It’s an honor to nominate this group of talented, intelligent, and dedicated young men and women from New Jersey’s Fifth District to our country’s prestigious service academies,” said Garrett.  “One of the United States’ oldest and proudest traditions, our service academies have been training future leaders for a life of service since the late 1700’s.  I wish everyone all the best as they move through the final steps of the application process, and I’m proud of their achievements.”

Applications to the Military Academy, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy require a nomination by a Congressman or a Senator, however, the Congressional nomination does not guarantee acceptance.  To assist with the nomination process, Congressman Garrett established an esteemed committee of military and civic leaders that interviewed potential nominees, reviewed their applications and made recommendations to the Congressman.  Click here for more information about Congressman Garrett’s nomination process.

Below is a complete list of the nominees by academy and links to individual photos of the nominees with Rep. Garrett. Names without a corresponding link were unable to attend the April 8th reception.

**Please note: some candidates were nominated to more than one academy.

United States Military Academy at West Point

Olivia Beattie – River Vale, Pascack Valley High School

Shayne Harrell – Hamburg, Bergen Catholic High School

Christopher Lee – Ridgewood, Ridgewood High School

John Lorenz – Glen Rock, Glen Rock High School

Michael McPherson – Dumont, Bergen Catholic High School

Brady Miller – Glen Rock, Glen Rock High School

Danielle Peck – West Milford, West Milford High School

Haley Ann Steele – West Milford, West Milford High School

Edward Yoon – River Edge, River Dell Regional High School

Gregory Zabrodskiy – Ramsey, Green Meadow Waldorf School

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis

Cody Clinebell – Belvidere, Dunkin Educational Services

Gavin Gross – Blairstown, North Warren Regional High School

Thomas Hart – Allendale, Northern Highlands Regional High School

Ian Heinz – Mahwah, Mahwah High School

Catherine Livi – Fair Lawn, Mary Help of Christians Academy

Elizabeth Livi – Fair Lawn, Mary Help of Christians Academy

Patrick Ryan – Old Tappan, Bergen Catholic High School

Nicole Sarao – Sandyston, Pope John XXIII Regional High School

Michael Sobelman – Paramus, Paramus High School

Thilan Waharaka – Allendale, Northern Highlands Regional High School

United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs

Raina Cerniglia – Great Meadows, Hackettstown High School

Marshal Fabian – Ringwood, Lakeland Regional High School

Justin Metz – Vernon, Vernon Township High School

Christine Moulton – Harrington Park, Northern Valley Regional High School

Anthony Peri – Mahwah, Mahwah High School

Jordan Rainaldi – Ramsey, Ramsey High School

Matthew Roberts – Mahwah, Mahwah High School

Justin Tsai – Paramus, Paramus High School

Peter Washer – Belvidere, Belvidere High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point

Hunter Curreri – Montague, Port Jervis High School

Luke Gleba – Washington, Warren Hills Regional High School

Garrett Irizary – Blairstown, Pius X High School

John Kerrison – Stockholm, Pope John XXIII Regional High School

Catherine Livi – Fair Lawn, Mary Help of Christians Academy

Elizabeth Livi – Fair Lawn, Mary Help of Christians Academy

Brendan Miccio – Franklin Lakes, Indian Hills High School

Nicholas Van Ness – Waldwick, Waldwick High School

Brian Vogel – Upper Saddle River, Northern Highlands Regional High School

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Bergen County burglary task force caps 6-month investigation with five arrests

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Bergen County burglary task force caps 6-month investigation with five arrests

MARCH 18, 2015, 5:25 PM    LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015, 8:48 AM
BY STEFANIE DAZIO
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A Bergen County task force has solved more than 40 burglaries in Bergen and Monmouth counties after a six-month investigation, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Authorities said three different groups of suspects are responsible for the crimes. Five men were arrested in February and officials recovered hundreds of suspected stolen proceeds, including guns, jewelry, electronics, collectables, antique coins, cellphones and a safe.

“This is one of the largest recoveries of stolen proceeds in recent years,” Prosecutor John L. Molinelli said in a news release.

So far, the men have been linked to 42 residential burglaries, including ones in Allendale, Englewood, Franklin Lakes, Fairfield, Fair Lawn, Hillsdale, Mahwah, Nutley, Oakland, Oceanport, Old Tappan, Parsippany, Pearl River, N.Y., Ridgewood, River Edge, Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Tinton Falls, Totowa, Verona, Waldwick, Washington Township and Woodcliff Lake.

More charges are anticipated as detectives try to find the owners of the recovered items, the release said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/bergen-county-burglary-task-force-caps-6-month-investigation-with-five-arrests-1.1291388

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Rep. Scott Garrett announces the 2015 Congressional Art Competition

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Rep. Garrett congratulates Old Tappan Resident Soyoung Park for taking first place in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition

Rep. Scott Garrett announces the 2015 Congressional Art Competition has begun, and I am currently accepting submissions in my New Jersey district offices.

February 19,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives, and it is open to all 9th-12th graders. The first-place winner from each congressional district is invited to attend a reception in Washington, D.C., and the winning artwork is displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

Attached, you will find the 2015 guidelines and the Student Release form. All applicants must live in New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District to participate. Students who wish to submit artwork in the competition must do so by Friday, April 24, 2015.  All artwork must be labeled clearly on the back with the artist’s name, address, phone number, title of piece, and medium. A typed copy of the Student Release form, signed by both the teacher and the student, must be attached to the back of the artwork to certify the originality of the piece.

Although the competition does not require artists to frame the artwork unless they win, we strongly encourage all participants to frame the artwork according to the guidelines and to attach a wire to the back for hanging. If the student is unable to frame the artwork, it should still be covered and a wire should be attached on the back, so it can be displayed with the rest of the artwork.

This year, the reception will be held at Sussex County Community College. My staff will forward details about the reception as soon as they are available. All students, parents, and teachers will be invited to the reception.

Artwork may be dropped off at my Eastern District Office, 266 Harristown Road, Suite 104, Glen Rock (201-444-5454) or my Western District Office, 83 Spring Street, Suite 302A, Newton (973-300-2000) between now and April 24. Please call in advance to let my staff know you will be dropping off the artwork.

I sincerely hope you will consider participating in this wonderful opportunity. Please do not hesitate to contact Christina Garfinkle at my Eastern District Office at (201) 444-5454 if you have additional questions.

  • 2015 Student Release Form
  • 2015 Rules and Regulations for Students and Teachers

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RHS wrestling: Wins keep coming as tough tests loom for Ridgewood

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RHS wrestling: Wins keep coming as tough tests loom for Ridgewood

January 23, 2015    Last updated: Friday, January 23, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood New

RIDGEWOOD — On the cusp of embarking upon an unforgiving schedule against some of the area’s top teams, the Ridgewood High School wrestling team delivered a message that it’s ready to take on all comers.

The Maroons put together a dominant effort Wednesday night, defeating Ramapo, 54-13, in a Big North Freedom showdown to maintain their perfect record within the division.

The win extended Ridgewood’s win streak to four and helped to further remove the disappointment of a 39-24 defeat at Old Tappan last Friday.

“We applied all our mistakes [from the Old Tappan match] to this match,” said junior Julian Bangash, whose 3-2 decision over Sean O’Connor at 138 pounds extended his personal winning streak to nine matches. “No one messed up today. Every person that wrestled today wrestled the best that they could have wrestled. That didn’t happen against Old Tappan, and that’s not going to happen again.”

Nick Saglimbeni (152), Kyle Inlander (182), Kiel Pechko (195) and Aaron Delvecchio (220) all pinned their opponents to help the Maroons run away in the match and improve their record to 10-2 overall (3-0 in the Freedom Division).

The win also gave Ridgewood positive momentum heading into a stretch in which they will face three teams in the top six of The Record Top 25 rankings.

https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/wrestling/rhs-healing-in-time-for-tough-slate-1.1234851

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Six Bergen County towns named among state’s 10 safest small municipalities

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Six Bergen County towns named among state’s 10 safest small municipalities

January 15, 2015, 11:23 AM    Last updated: Thursday, January 15, 2015, 1:27 PM
By STEFANIE DAZIO
Staff Writer |
The Record

Six Bergen County towns were named among the state’s 10 safest small municipalities by a consumer finance website.

Old Tappan was ranked No. 2, Park Ridge at No. 5 and Emerson, Wyckoff, Waldwick and Norwood taking the seventh through 10th spots in ValuePenguin’s list of towns with fewer than 20,000 residents. In the midsize municipality category — which ranked towns with populations between 20,000 and 45,000 — Bergenfield came in seventh.

No North Jersey towns were named in the big city category, which looked at municipalities with populations above 45,000.

On ValuePenguin’s top five safest cities — which did not take population into account — Old Tappan ranked No. 2 and Park Ridge came in at No. 5.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/six-bergen-county-towns-named-among-state-s-10-safest-small-municipalities-1.1195933

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Ridgewood Wrestling riding momentum from solid finish in counties

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Ridgewood Wrestling riding momentum from solid finish in counties

January 9, 2015    Last updated: Friday, January 9, 2015, 12:31 AM
By Matthew Birchenough
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
The Ridgewood News

The Ridgewood High School wrestling team passed an early-season test with a strong performance at last week’s George Jockish Bergen County Coaches Association (BCCA) Holiday Tournament, giving the squad some early-season momentum heading into its dual-match schedule.

The Maroons scored a team total of 78.5 points, which was good enough for 12th place overall in the tournament held Dec. 29-30 at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y., and second among Group 4 schools, finishing only behind Old Tappan (seventh, 87 points).

“We were fortunate enough to come out with five medal-winners, which is the second-highest total we’ve ever had,” RHS coach Torre Watson said earlier this week. “We were really very happy about how we did.”

Senior Nick Saglimbeni (152 pounds) and junior 182-pounder Kyle Inlander — Ridgewood’s captains — both earned third in their respective weight classes after falling in the semifinals to the eventual champion.

https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/wrestling/rhs-captains-coming-up-big-on-the-mat-1.1189261

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Rep Scott Garrett Statement on Obama’s Unconstitutional Amnesty

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Scott with Old Tappan resident Soyoung Park, the winner of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition

Rep Scott Garrett Statement on Obama’s Unconstitutional Amnesty
Nov 20, 2014

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), founder and Chairman of the Congressional Constitution Caucus, issued the following statement after President Obama announced that he would violate his oath to uphold the Constitution and grant approximately 5 million illegal immigrants work permits:

“After repeated admissions that the Constitution precludes him from granting amnesty, President Obama has chosen to cast aside his oath to uphold the supreme law of the land and is going to grant amnesty anyway.  The president’s frustration with Congress, as the Washington Post’s editorial board noted, ‘doesn’t grant the president license to tear up the Constitution.’  No provision of the Constitution grants the president the power to change the law simply because the president disagrees with Congress.  This sets a fatal precedent – is there no longer any limit to a president’s power?

“Today, President Obama has also turned his back on American workers and law-abiding immigrants.  At a time when American workers are desperate for jobs, the president has decided to unfairly reward those who have blatantly broken the law with blanket amnesty and work permits, allowing them to directly compete with American workers for jobs that are hard to find already.  I am committed to undoing the damage this unconstitutional action will have on our republic.”

BACKGROUND:  As the New York Times’ Michael Shear pointed out, President Obama has already explained why he cannot do this:

In a Telemundo interview in September 2013, Mr. Obama said he was proud of having protected the “Dreamers” — people who came to the United States illegally as young children — from deportation. But he also said that he could not apply that same action to other groups of people.

“If we start broadening that, then essentially I’ll be ignoring the law in a way that I think would be very difficult to defend legally,” Mr. Obama told Jose Diaz-Balart in the interview. “So that’s not an option.”

During a news conference in Australia, he said that his earlier answers about the limits of his executive authority were prompted by people who asked him whether he could enact, by fiat, a bipartisan immigration bill that had passed the Senate, which would have provided a path to legalization for more of the 11 million unauthorized immigrants here.

“Getting a comprehensive deal of the sort that is in the Senate legislation, for example, does extend beyond my legal authorities,” Mr. Obama said Sunday. “There are certain things I cannot do.”

The president was pressed on that very issue during a Google Hangout in February 2013. An activist asked whether he could do more to keep families from being “broken apart” while Congress remained gridlocked on immigration legislation.

“This is something that I have struggled with throughout my presidency,” Mr. Obama said. “The problem is, is that I’m the president of the United States, I’m not the emperor of the United States. My job is to execute laws that are passed.”

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Ridgewood Girls Tennis has confidence heading into Bergen tournament

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Ridgewood Girls Tennis has confidence heading into Bergen tournament

SEPTEMBER 26, 2014    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Just nine matches into the season, the Ridgewood High School girls tennis team has made it clear that even with several new coming underclassmen playing prominent roles, it is still one of the top teams in the area.

The Maroons have a sophomore and freshman holding down their top two singles spots and all the players that returned from last season’s North 1, Group 4 title team are in different positions, but nothing has seemed to faze this RHS team.

“I think they’re beginning to actualize their potential and see what they’re capable of,” head coach Medha Kirtane said in a phone interview Wednesday.

And hopes are high for the team heading into this weekend’s Bergen County tournament at Old Tappan.

“We’re just excited to be in a competitive environment with a number of wonderful dreams that are going to push us in every single draw,” Kirtane said. “It’s a great intense environment to be in that only makes you better.”

– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/sports/high-school-sports/girls-tennis/rhs-hopes-high-seeds-will-grow-at-counties-1.1096698#sthash.L5OMxYiQ.dpuf