Category: Ridgewood Schools

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 9 ,Due to COVID 19

books

March 26, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

We are starting to receive calls and emails concerning RPS families and employees with positive COVID-19 results. From what I hear, these individuals started having symptoms after school was closed. When someone tests positive for the virus, the appropriate public health department is notified and follows up with the individual. These investigations are private, and only the public health department determines who must be contacted. How individuals release personal health information is their decision. COVID-19 is an illness, and there is no shame in being diagnosed. If you are diagnosed and need help, we are here for you and so are your neighbors. People can shop for you and your family and leave packages at your door.

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New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is cancelling all statewide student assessments for the spring

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the NJ Department Of Education due to continued school closures, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is cancelling all statewide student assessments for the spring 2020 testing window. This includes the springtime administration of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA), ACCESS for ELLs, and the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) assessment. The NJDOE has been granted a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to forego federally mandated statewide testing, accountability, and reporting requirements for this school year. The NJDOE is working to address the impact of canceling assessments on other aspects of education, including educator evaluations and school and district accountability. The cancellation of statewide assessments will not prevent students from meeting their graduation assessment requirements.

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 8 ,Due to COVID 19

home alone

March 25, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

This is a very dynamic and ever-changing situation, and as expected, the number of reported cases of COVID-19 continues to rise. While I have not received any “official notice,” I am comfortable saying that we will be closed the week of March 30-April 3. Spring break is the following week, and, as in the past, it will be homework free. This will allow families time to regroup, organize home schedules, and get recharged for the resumption of probable home instruction on April 13th. Based on the trajectory of reported cases, and most unfortunately, deaths, I presume our closure will continue for a while.

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Ridgewood Board of Education Home Instruction Update

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, at Mondays Ridgewood Board of Education meeting, Ms. Poelstra provided an update on the Home Instruction Plan. Information about the plans for K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 are posted on the homepage of the district website for easy access. These Google sites contain valuable resources for students and parents to help them through the process. For K-5, the Google site has sections by grade level where parents can access the daily lessons. Initially, daily lessons were posted in the morning, but after receiving feedback from parents, the district began to post them the evening before, which gives working parents time to review and prepare for the next day of home instruction. Teachers are online every day from 8:00-12:30 to answer questions. The middle school and high school websites are designed specifically for the students to give them easy access to information about the schedule, attendance, resources, technology issues, and more. Additionally, our Technology Innovation Specialists are evaluating tools that be used for face-to-face instruction, particularly with the elementary students.

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Ridgewood’s NJSLA-Science scores far surpass statewide results

Edison

photo of Thomas Edison

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, at Monday night Ridgewood school board meeting Ms. Poelstra gave a presentation on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment-Science (NJSLA-Science) that was taken last spring by students in grades 5, 8, and 11. She explained changes to the New Jersey science standards and assessment, noting that the first scored test was taken in 2018-19. Ms. Poelstra then reviewed a comparison of Ridgewood’s Spring 2019 NJSLA administrations to state percentages. It is notable that Ridgewood’s scores far surpass the statewide results, and in comparison across similar districts, Ridgewood’s results are strong.To view the presentation, click here. To watch the presentation on the website, click here and scroll to 1:11:45.

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Ridgewood Schools Public Hearing on the 2020-2021 $115 Million Budget

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, at Mondays Ridgewood Board of Education meeting Ms. Kelly presented the 2020-2021 school budget, first reminding everyone of the mission of the district, followed by a summary of the state of Ridgewood Public Schools. Dr. Fishbein reviewed the slide, which shows per pupil spending in comparison to other districts. The SAT data shows how well the Ridgewood students perform. Ms. Kelly reviewed the proposed appropriations, which shows a comparison between the 2019-2020 projected actual figures and the 2020-2021 proposed budgeted figures in the major budget areas. She also explained the anticipated revenues.

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 7 ,Due to COVID 19

fast times at ridgemont high ss2

March 24, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

The number of reported confirmed COVID-19 cases is rising in the state, the county, and Ridgewood. This escalation is the direct result of increased testing, and it speaks to the need to continue social distancing. We are starting to receive reports from Ridgewood families, alumni, and school employees about confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19. There are many rumors circulating about who has COVID-19, and I hope that as a community we do not add undue work to the Health Department.

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 6 ,Due to COVID 19

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March 23, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

We all made it through our first weekend of this period of home instruction. I am sure you needed rest. Please remember the Governor’s closure of schools is open-ended.  I wish I could give you a definitive timeframe, but that is unknown. When I have new information, I will let you know as soon as possible.

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Ridgewood Board of Education to hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, March 23, 2020. The Board meets at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 6:00 p.m.

Due to the health concerns related to COVID-19, the public cannot attend this meeting. Comments or questions concerning the 2020-21 budget can be submitted prior to and during the public hearing through the link in the section below.

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How to Maximize Time on Educational Trips

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Educational school trips are beneficial for the progression of a student’s development to build the necessary social skills and an opportunity to see what they learn in the classroom out there in the real world. Taking educational trips also improves student confidence and engagement in the classroom. 

A US-based study found that regardless of ethnicity, economic status, or gender, students that take educational trips have a 59% higher chance of getting better grades. These rates increase drastically for high school students to 95% and college to 63%. It is important for educators, parents, and students themselves to do the utmost to plan, organize, and attend educational trips when the right opportunity arises.   

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CDC: Tips to keep children healthy while school’s out

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , the CDC has offered some times to keeping children healthy while schools out .  They don’t need to wear face-masks ,but they do need to wash their hands often .

CDC: Tips to keep children healthy while school’s out

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 5 ,Due to COVID 19

the breakfast club

March 20, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

Right out of the gate–dinner plans for tonight! If you typically shave, this is the day to do it. Get out of the sweats and into regular clothes. Comb your hair…no bun or Alfalfa hair (aging myself). For those who feel comfortable, order out. For those who don’t, cook a family favorite. Nothing like a fancy dinner (and I mean clothes and no sweats) to make people feel a little normal.

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 4 ,Due to COVID 19

wargames

March 19, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

The stress associated with COVID-19, school closure, and the many disruptions happening in our daily lives may understandably increase frustration, confusion, and anxiety in our students, staff, and families. Please know we are increasingly aware of the toll this crisis is taking on our collective mental health and want to be sensitive to the growing needs of our parent community, especially those who must balance the competing demands of work, child care, virtual learning, and self-care. To that end, as noted in the mental health section of our home instruction pages, we aim to provide a growing list of resources, suggestions, tips, and information that will help our community maximize resilience and emotional well-being at this important time, and we will continue to update these resources as we learn more. Please reach out to your child’s guidance counselor if you have specific fears or concerns.

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Ridgewood League of Women Voters Cancels Board of Education Candidates Night

cottage_place BOE_theridgewioodblog

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, according to the Ridgewood League of Women Voters because of the seriousness of the coronavirus, the  New Jersey State League of Women Voters has strongly urged local Leagues to cancel any League face to face interactions including Candidates Forums. In addition, the Bergen County Executive, Jim Tedesco, has declared a Bergen County shutdown of all schools and public places.

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Ridgewood School Home School Day 3 ,Due to COVID 19

"Our Gang" aka The Little Rascals"

March 18, 2020

Dear Ridgewood School Community,

I want to thank parents and caregivers for partnering with us to continue educating our students. We fully recognize the heavy lift we are asking of you and appreciate your assistance and input on how we can do things better. In the days and weeks to come, news about the spread of COVID-19 will likely intensify due to increased testing. However, by practicing social distancing and following preventive measures, we can flatten the curve of coronavirus. Our actions now will contribute to our recovery later.

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