Ridgewood Schools - Page 134 of 227

Posted on February 27, 2019February 26, 2019 by James — 4 Comments

LAN Associates Presents Capital Improvement Plan for Ridgewood Schools

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Mr. Steve Secora (LAN) presented information on recommended capital improvement projects for a possible future bond referendum. The review included prioritized projects at each of the district schools, with a focus on mechanical systems and classroom/corridor/bathroom upgrades. The RHS projects include fire alarm upgrades and drainage improvements as well as HVAC equipment replacement. The BFMS projects include an upgraded auditorium and media center.

The presentation slides may be viewed here.

Posted on February 25, 2019February 25, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting Tonight !

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold its next Regular Public Meeting on Monday, February 25, 2019. The Board meets at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting, or to watch from home on Fios channel 33 or Optimum channel 77. Meetings are also streamed via the “BOE Webcast” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

Meeting webcasts are immediately available on the district website.

Preliminary Budget

https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=18490411&fbclid=IwAR3VRSXT988a40fuPKFvj6pwlNjbwsLaiEARsAS0xgnR399LwFNncZSn8OY

agenda :

https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/UserFiles/Servers/Server_207516/File/Our%20District/Board%20of%20Education/Board%20Business/02-25-19.pdf

Posted on February 11, 2019February 12, 2019 by James — 3 Comments

Reader asks , ” Why hasn’t Ridgewood done enough to keep up and stay competitive?”

“The Ivy’s received almost 70,000 more applicants in 2017 than in 2012, and overall acceptance rates dropped to 9.3% from 12.6%.”
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EXACTLY.
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Why hasn’t Ridgewood done enough to keep up and stay competitive?
Answer: Because the school values all of the BS (sleep in days, pet therapist for exams, student walkouts against perceieved – but not real – trangressions, etc. etc. etc.) rather than innovative programs and solutions to make the students successful and competitive in an ever more competitive and changing world.
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The attitude that life (in this case getting into college) is getting harder so it is OK that we do not do as well is EXACTLY why we are failing the students and falling behind.
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Making excuses for failure is so much easier than finding solutions for success.

Posted on February 11, 2019February 10, 2019 by James — 3 Comments

Reader says , “Most parents in Ridgewood have high expectations for their kids”

“Most parents in Ridgewood have high expectations for their kids, it’s why they’re willing to pay the high property taxes with the expectation of one of the best schools in the tristate area. Our high school just ranked #26 in the Niche survey and we rank #23 in NJ for SAT scores according to NJ.com last fall. This is acceptable to you? Will it improve with the current administrators we have? If the answer is “no”, then we need to attract better administrators.”

Posted on February 10, 2019February 10, 2019 by James — 5 Comments

Reader says we need to ,”help prepare our students for the challenges of the world and workforce ahead”

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Does anyone believe that Fishbein and Gorman are the right leaders for our schools? Are they capable of driving the innovation and dynamic change needed to improve our schools, and help prepare our students for the challenges of the world and workforce ahead? If the answer is no, why are they still employed?

Posted on February 10, 2019February 10, 2019 by James — 4 Comments

Reader says ,”reality is we’re not producing competitive, top tier students anymore despite top tier taxes”

Yeah, reality is we’re not producing competitive, top tier students anymore despite top tier taxes and spending $110 mm a year. Better change the slogan from “Tradition of Excellence” if you don’t think rankings matter. Reality is the best universities aren’t competing for graduates of RHS. Twenty years ago we produced a lot more students matriculating to the best colleges in the country.

Posted on February 9, 2019February 9, 2019 by James — 3 Comments

Reader says , “Ridgewood schools were ranked nationally in the 1980s and 1990s”

file photo by Boyd Loving

Ridgewood schools were ranked nationally in the 1980s and 1990s. No more. As the “CEO” of a school board with a $110 mm annual budget, 10 “offices” and 500 employees, he has overseen the demise of our schools over the past decade. The “product” is in secular decline apart from very niche & expensive “special needs” education. Surely with a budget like that, we can attract world class & innovative leaders and educators that can improve our schools? Instead we get weather updates from Fishbein. If he’s so great, let him destroy another school system instead of ours.

Posted on February 8, 2019February 8, 2019 by James — 12 Comments

Ridgewood High School Places 26th in the NICHE 2019 Best Public High Schools in New Jersey

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, the website NICHE put together their annual list of New Jersey’s best public high schools . Ridgewood High School placed #26, Tenafly High School #20 , Northern Highlands #22Fair Lawn High School #34, Northern Valley Demarest #39 , Northern Valley Old Tappan #40, Mahwah High School #48, Ramapo High School #49 in the rankings.

Posted on February 7, 2019February 8, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

RHS Jamboree 2019 “Long Way Home”

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Photo credit Zigi Putnins

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The stars are out this week! Ridgewood’s very own J. Mark McVey, Ciarán Sheenan and Eugene Thomas will be performing with over 140 cast members in this year’s Jamboree 2019 “Long Way Home.” J. Marc McVey made his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables.” Ciaran Sheenan, Irish born and acclaimed actor and singer has performed in Phantom of the Opera as The Phantom and as Raoul and currently performs with The Four Phantoms. Eugene Thomas was the lead singer of the musical groups “Megatones” and “Epitome of Sound” in the 1960’s and recently released a 45 LP which is widely celebrated here and internationally. RHS Jamboree’s “Long Way Home” welcomes these amazing performers to their cast! Jamboree has given out over $1 million dollars in college scholarships to graduating seniors since its inception over 70 years ago! Come on out and support this great cause!

Performances will be held at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ. Thursday and Friday February 7th and 8th at 7:30pm. Saturday February 9th at 7:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online through Brown Paper Tickets: https://bpt.me/3922247 Or go to www.rhsjamboree.org for more information

Posted on February 4, 2019February 6, 2019 by James — Leave a comment

RHS Commemorative Brick

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Please help support the RHS Alumni Association by honoring your favorite alum, teacher, local business, coach, team or academic club.

Ridgewood High School is built on a tradition of excellence. You can continue to support and inspire students by purchasing your own brick paver today. Commemorate an event, reunion or significant milestone by purchasing a brick. You can memorialize a treasured individual or simply declare your love of RHS through this program. These bricks will line the walkways of our campus and honor the past and the future of RHS.

Posted on January 31, 2019January 31, 2019 by James — 5 Comments

Delayed Ridgewood School Opening – Thursday, January 31, 2019

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Due to the extreme cold temperatures and potentially icy roads and walkways expected tomorrow morning, all Ridgewood Schools will operate under the delayed opening schedule Thursday, January 31, 2019. Under the delayed opening schedule, the school day will begin two hours later than usual.

School bus schedules will operate two hours later. Elementary school children who have not ordered lunch must bring a bag lunch to school as there will not be sufficient time for children to go home for lunch when there is a delayed opening.

For students who walk to school, please dress warmly and allow extra time and caution while walking

Posted on January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 by James — 25 Comments

Kaufman Drops the Ball at Ridgewood BOE Meeting

file photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Mr. Kaufman appeared to drop the ball at Monday nights Ridgewood Board of Education meeting when failed to ask for a motion to drop the trustee term lawsuit.

Board observers say that a motion to dismiss the lawsuit would have put
BOE members on record supporting or opposing term extensions.

Posted on January 30, 2019January 29, 2019 by James — 1 Comment

Ridgewood Schools in Compliance with Children’s Internet Protection Act and Neighborhood Protection Act

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, despite previous allegations from a parent of a 9-year old who revealed that her son and one of his classmates were, and still are, able to surf porn and other “age inappropriate” videos using their school issued Chrome Books, via the school’s WiFi network, and during school hours.

Dr. Fishbein reported at last nights BOE meeting that there were no changes to the policy since last year. Following the opportunity for public comment, the Board approved the certification that the Ridgewood Public Schools, including media centers/libraries in the district, are in compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act and Neighborhood Protection Act and that the school district enforces the requirements of these Acts and the Policy.

Posted on January 26, 2019January 26, 2019 by James — 2 Comments

NJSBA’s 2019 April Election Candidate Kit Now Available Online

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) has posted the 2019 April Election Candidate Kit online.

This year’s annual school election will be held on April 16, 2019. The deadline for candidates to submit their nominating petitions is at 4 p.m. on Feb. 25.

School board secretaries and residents interested in board member candidacy can download the free kit, which includes information on:

Posted on January 26, 2019January 25, 2019 by James — 15 Comments

Reader says , “student walkout ” sealed Ridgewood’s Fate

“How and why was Gorman allowed to nurture and later celebrate a mass student walkout and protest with utter impunity? This kind of crap caused the University of Missouri to tank. Why should anyone believe that RHS is immune to that kind of fate? “

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