Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Historical Society Congratulates the winner and runners up of the Ridgewood Historical Society Letter Writing Contest! In partnership with the social studies department at Ridgewood High School, we invited students to submit fictionalized letters after viewing artifacts at the 2017 exhibit “From the Revolutionary War to the 1960s Revolution!”
The award presentation was last night at the Board of Education meeting. View the presentation with this link at time marker 11:35 https://youtu.be/tB80BUw3Z8g
The winning letters will be posted on our website very soon!
We look forward to this year’s contest which will reflect our upcoming exhibit “The Thread of Life”, opening on March 11th.
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Police reported no credible threat was made to either students or school employees of Ridgewood High School following an investigation that resulted in four (4) males being taken into police custody shortly after officers visited the school on Tuesday morning, 02/27. The individuals, two (2) juveniles and two (2) adults, were stopped by police and detained away from the high school’s property.
Teaneck NJ, RHS Class of 2018 Fashion Show is March 4 at 12 p.m., Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe. Tickets are on sale now for the RHS Senior Fashion Show!
Please spread the word! Invite a friend or two! The Fashion Show is PG18’s largest fundraiser and it promises to be a wonderful event you won’t want to miss!
Ticket prices remain the same as in prior years: from $55 (for students only) up to $150 (for front row seats).
Tickets are available for purchase online at: https://rhsfashionshow2018.brownpapertickets.com/
Questions? Please email [email protected].
Ridgewood NJ, RHS Alumni Association will host the second biannual Ridgewood High School Alumni Association’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni Event.
Details:
March 22nd at 7:00 pm
Park West Tavern Loft
Premium Open Bar, Dinner, Valet
Ticket Pricing:
$150 Per Person
Dress
Smart Casual
Honoring:
MichaelAaron Flicker ’01
Carole Jones ’81
Dr. John Poole ’74
Jim Stroker ’70
Ridgewood NJ, Super Science Saturday is celebrating its 30th year of challenging students and adult alike to think widely about how science is involved in all parts of our lives.
Join the fun and complete the challenge by submitting how you imagine any aspect of American home life in 2048! From an update to a common appliance, to imagining what robots might do at home, to rethinking how we all travel to and from home – submit to Super Science Saturday any aspect of how you imagine home life of the future!
Eligibility: The contest is open to anyone of all ages.
Judging Age Categories:
Elementary School
Middle School
High School + Adults
Announcing the Winners: One winner will be chosen from each age category and will be revealed at Super Science Saturday! If you can’t make the day, we will announce and share your winning entry and contact you based on the information you submit.
The Challenge Details:
We’re looking for science inspired submissions which shows how you imagine some aspect of the Home of 2048
Please be creative! All entries require a short, written description of what you imagine the future home to be like. Please submit at least a few sentences describing your idea and how it might change the home of the future.
Use the form below to submit any additional materials that show what the future will be like. While there are no requirements for additional materials beyond your written description – we encourage everyone to both upload and present at Super Science Saturday photos, drawings, diagrams, dioramas or other creative ways to bring your future vision to life!
Two Ways to Participate:
Present Your Home of the Future at Super Science Saturday 30!
Click on this option below to enter your submission for judging and reserve your presenting space. Deadline: Thursday, March 1st @ 5pm
Have Your Home of 2048 Displayed at Super Science Saturday 30!
Click on this option below to enter your submission for judging and have your idea displayed at Super Science Saturday without presenting. Deadline: Friday, February 23rd at 5pm https://supersciencesaturday.org/town-challenge.php
Security is going to cost money and will need to be built into the cost of running the schools. I agree with you that it’s money well spent. There is no source for that money that is not us. The state uses our money to run the state. If the state pays for something, then we’ve paid for that thing. The feds do the same. If they have money it’s come from us (or they printed it, which means, ironically, that the kids are paying for their own protection). If they get money through corporate taxes, we have paid the money to corporations in the price of what we buy from them. Are you suggesting that people in Camden or in Nebraska should pay to protect Ridgewood’s schools? Who then pays to protect theirs? Sadly the way our elected officials treat the residents of Ridgewood the way it will really work is that Ridgewood taxpayers will pay to protect schools in Camden and Nebraska in addition to our own…
Ridgewood NJ, here is a white paper prepared by the NJ School Security Task Force.
On December 14, 2012, a gunman blasted through a glass entryway at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, and within minutes murdered 20 children and six adults. Since the day of the tragedy, local boards of education throughout our nation have faced the question: What else must be done to ensure the safety and security of schoolchildren?
The New Jersey School Boards Association’s Safe and Secure Schools Project was an immediate response to that question and involved a major statewide forum on school security at The College of New Jersey in January 2013. As a continuation of that effort, NJSBA President John Bulina appointed a School Security Task Force in March 2013 to provide the Association’s membership with additional guidance and direction on school safety issues.
What Makes Schools Safe?, the final report of the NJSBA School Security Task Force, is the culmination of a year’s work to inform the discussion of school safety and security. The report and its 45 recommendations should be viewed as a resource to help determine further federal, state and local action to ensure the physical and emotional well-being of our students.
Trenton NJ, The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is currently reporting widespread influenza (flu) activity in all regions of the state. The flu can cause mild to severe illness. Young children, older people and people with certain health conditions are among the people who are at high risk of serious flu complications. Serious outcomes of flu infection can result in hospitalizations or sometimes death. NJDOH has been receiving numerous outbreak reports which have generated questions from school and local health departments on reporting requirements. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we are receiving as well as links to valuable resources schools can use. What should schools expect to see during widespread flu activity? With widespread influenza activity, schools should expect to experience increased absenteeism among students and staff with respiratory symptoms. NJDOH recommends that schools continue to monitor students and staff for sudden fever and respiratory illness symptoms. What should school do about increased absenteeism for influenza like illness (ILI)? NJDOH recommends that schools and childcare settings monitor attendees for sudden fever and respiratory illness symptoms. School or childcare attendees and staff with sudden fever and respiratory illness symptoms should be sent home with instructions to stay at home until fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Instructions should be given to seek medical care with worsening of symptoms.
How does a school know if a respiratory outbreak is occurring? Often in the school setting, it is difficult to determine if an outbreak exists. An outbreak may be occurring if you are experiencing clusters of ill students and/or staff that are in the same classroom, same grade or wing of the facility or have attended a common event. If you think an outbreak may be occurring, contact your local health department for guidance. During flu season we would expect a school to experience cases of flu or ILI. Unless you are experiencing clusters as described above and in the NJDOH General Guidelines for the Control of Outbreaks in School and Child Care Settings, it is not necessary to contact public health. What should a school do if they are experiencing an outbreak of ILI? If you suspect an outbreak is occurring, the school should report the outbreak to the local health department to ensure that public health recommendations are implemented. Some control measures that a school will be asked to implement include: Isolating ill students/staff from well students/staff until they can be sent home.
Increasing frequency of cleaning of common areas and frequently touched surfaces. Encouraging frequent hand hygiene. Reinforcing respiratory etiquette to students and staff.
What preventative measures should a school take? NJDOH recommends that schools and childcare setting increase education on respiratory hygiene. Staff and children (as developmentally appropriate) should all be taught and asked to follow these steps that prevent the transmission of infections such as influenza: Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or into your sleeve, not your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. Stay home if you’re sick, especially with a fever.
Additional preventative measures include: Routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu. Have an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs and disposable wipes. Adhere to exclusion recommendations from public health. For ILI; fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication. Doctors notes for return do not supersede public health recommendation.
When should a school close for outbreaks?
Although school dismissal and closure are not recommended for the control of seasonal flu, schools should work with state and local health officials to determine if and when you should dismiss students based on the severity of disease in your school community. Some schools may decide to close based on local considerations, such as high student and staff absenteeism. If this is the case, schools should consult public health and school district medical personnel before closing. Schools should update emergency plans, so they are in place before an outbreak occurs.
The New Jersey Department of Health asks that everyone take steps to prevent the flu: Get a flu shot – it’s not too late to be protected! Wash hands often. Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or a tissue. Avoid sick people. Stay home if sick. Keep students home if they are sick too.
School outbreak guidance and exclusion information can be found at https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/outbreaks.shtml#2. For information about flu, go to the New Jersey Department of Health flu website at https://nj.gov/health/cd/topics/flu.shtml.
Paramus NJ, Paramus Police remind all to please be mindful of school busses loading and unloading children. We have been receiving numerous complaints of improper passing at school bus stops. Distracted driving plays a major part in motor vehicle crashes. Please help us keep our community safe.
FBI Statement on the Shooting in Parkland, Florida
February 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Washington DC, On January 5, 2018, a person close to Nikolas Cruz contacted the FBI’s Public Access Line (PAL) tipline to report concerns about him. The caller provided information about Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting.
Under established protocols, the information provided by the caller should have been assessed as a potential threat to life. The information then should have been forwarded to the FBI Miami Field Office, where appropriate investigative steps would have been taken.
We have determined that these protocols were not followed for the information received by the PAL on January 5. The information was not provided to the Miami Field Office, and no further investigation was conducted at that time.
FBI Director Christopher Wray said:
“We are still investigating the facts. I am committed to getting to the bottom of what happened in this particular matter, as well as reviewing our processes for responding to information that we receive from the public. It’s up to all Americans to be vigilant, and when members of the public contact us with concerns, we must act properly and quickly.
“We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy. All of the men and women of the FBI are dedicated to keeping the American people safe, and are relentlessly committed to improving all that we do and how we do it.”
Dear Parents/Guardians, On February 28th, Dr. Caren Baruch-Feldman will be presenting “Developing Grit, Self-Control, and a Positive Mindset: The Keys to Success.” This program will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the George Washington Middle School auditorium. Dr. Baruch-Feldman is the author of The Grit Guide for Teens: A Workbook to Help You Build Perseverance, Self-Control, and a Growth Mindset. She is a clinical and school psychologist who believes in inspiring a growth mindset. Dr. Baruch-Feldman uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children and adults with depression, anxiety, stress, ADHD, and weight loss. She is an expert in coducting psycho-educational evaluations for children experiencing school-related difficulties and has trained hundreds of teachers, parents, children and health care professionals by giving workshops and lectures through the country.
February 15, 2018 Dear Nutley Parents, Staff and Community, Tonight, the district administration became aware of a security threat. The police are actively investigating. As it gets later in the evening, we have decided to err on the side of safety and close schools tomorrow, February 16, 2018. We will use one of our two remaining emergency days and close the Nutley Public School district, for all students, staff and personnel. All evening events at our schools for Friday, February 16 will be canceled, as well. Schools will reopen, after winter break, on Monday, February 26 for students and teachers and the district offices will reopen on Tuesday, February 20. As both the Superintendent of the Nutley Public Schools and as a parent, and because of the nature of the world in which we live, there was no other decision to be made. Please rest assured that the safety and security of all our students and staff in the Nutley Public Schools remains our first priority. Sincerely, Dr. Julie Glazer
Sadly, once again I must write to address another tragic school shooting, this time in Parkland, FL. Although far from Ridgewood, this senseless act hits close to home because it has taken the lives of innocent children and adults and torn the very fiber of a vibrant community.
While every event of this nature is unique and we always hope that it would never happen in our Village, we are realistic in our approach to safety in the Ridgewood Public Schools. Our top priority is to assure the safety of our students and staff. For this reason, we have security protocols in place at each of our buildings that are regularly reviewed for their effectiveness, including locked entries, ID swipe cards and the recent hire of a school safety officer. Our safety plan also includes a strong partnership with the Ridgewood Police Department and other first responders up to the county level and beyond. The importance of these relationships cannot be overemphasized, nor the value of the safety drills that we regularly practice with our students and staff; as seen in the Parkland shooting, these drills are a critical component to maintaining calm order and minimizing harm.
Events like yesterday’s shooting are frightening for everyone, most especially for children. Please do not shy away from discussing this incident with your children while reassuring them that they are safe. Professionals advise the following:
• Don’t project your fears onto your children. • Limit access to the repetitious news cycle. • Be honest. I know that you join me in thoughts and prayers for the Parkland community. I do believe that at this difficult time the victims, their families, the first responders and the entire school district of students and staff would very much appreciate our sincere condolences as they try to cope with this tragedy and find a way to move forward. Sincerely, Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
Ridgewood NJ, The annual NJ School Performance Reports are out. Each year, the New Jersey Department of Education releases school performance reports on every public school in New Jersey. The Ridgewood district’s 2016-17 performance reports can now be found on the individual school web pages. Please contact your school with any questions. Click here to access the links to the Ridgewood Public Schools’ individual school reports : https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/cms/one.aspx?portalid=207600&pageid=4184469
Ridgewood NJ, The next Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education will be held on Monday, February 5, 2018 at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be aired live on television, FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77, and streamed via the “Link in Live” tab on the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Meeting webcasts are generally posted to the district website within 48 hours.
At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations and approximately 9:00 p.m. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer to conclude at about 8:00 p.m. in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity will occur at about 9:00 p.m. at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.
At every opportunity for public comment, citizens are invited to comment on subjects on the agenda or general topics.
At the discretion of the presiding officer, public comments may be permitted at other times.
Persons wishing to speak must, upon being recognized, rise, sign in, and state their names and addresses. Each speaker shall be limited to four minutes. The Board Recorder will note the time. A speaker who has not finished in the allotted time will be directed by the presiding officer to summarize quickly and relinquish the floor within 30 seconds.
Comments shall be limited to issues. If personal remarks or discourteous statements are made, the presiding officer shall require the speaker to stop. No person will be recognized for a second time until all others asking to speak have been heard.
