On Monday, January 15, the Ridgewood community will celebrate the annual observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday with a full schedule of activities beginning at 10 am at the Ridgewood Methodist Church, 100 Dayton Street.
The event will begin with a 10 a.m. interfaith service with the Rev. Dr. Calvin G. Sampson.
The service will be followed by an outdoor march through downtown Ridgewood and a community lunch. The program will also feature Ridgewood and Glen Rock student speakers and musical performances by the Indian Hills Chamber Choir, Men of Umoja Chorus and The Young Voices of Mr. Bethel.
Please communicate the value of this remembrance celebration to your children. I look forward to joining you on Monday, January 15.
Ridgewood NJ, Introducing this years RHS Jamboree producers ;Tony Cambria, Carrie Johnson, Meghan Bracken and James Sharo.
Since 1947, Jamboree has presented an original musical revue to raise need-based scholarship funds for college bound Ridgewood High School seniors.Over 125 individuals have volunteered their time and skills to put on a show that runs for 4 nights. This years show will be the 72nd edition “Jamboree Night Live” where you are invited to be part of our audience as we indulge you in all things TV ? at our in town studio.
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Police report that both the Ridgewood Police and Fire Department responded the G.W. Middle School on January 8, to investigate an activated alarm of fire. Upon arrival and it was determined the fire alarm was activated maliciously. The school staff and the Ridgewood Detective Bureau are investigating the false public alarm incident.
Ridgewood NJ, concerns mounts over S 3447, the (interscholastic) sports bill. The bill would allow massive consolidation in high school sports and create super all star school districts .
If you think this could put Ridgewood High school at a disadvantage , Please call Gov. Christie’s office today! Your courteous message can be as simple as this: “Please veto S 3447, the (interscholastic) sports bill.
Critics claim this bill will hurt small school districts, charter schools, and home schools. After it was mangled by hastily added last minute amendments, not even one Republican lawmaker supported it, not even Democratic Senator Paul Sarlo, and not even its GOP co-sponsor, Diane Allen. Not even the NJ high school sports association (NJSIAA) supports it as it creates big powerhouse teams at the expense of small schools. It was rushed through without thought to its unintended harmful consequences, and it should be VETOED by the Governor.”
If the staff member is hurried fielding calls about 100+ bills awaiting the Governor’s action before his tenure ends in 5 days, just say “Please VETO S3447 – the Sports Bill.” If a longer conversation develops, home schoolers may wish to check out the “Background” below from HSLDA and me. But, noting the diverse opposition, it very seriously affects far more than home schooler’s and should be VETOED!
If the phone is busy, keep calling. Husbands and wives count as separate voters; both should call! It is unnecessary to identify yourself other than as a concerned citizen/taxpayer.
Please pass this on quickly to others. Thank you for standing with us for freedom and liberty! And, similarly, when you end your phone call with the Governor’s Office, please offer your own loud and clear “Thank You.”
Ridgewood NJ, Parents & guardians, the next Tech Night is this Thursday. Here’s a note from Asst. Superintendent Ms. Stacie Poelstra:
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Happy New Year! We are delighted to be hosting the 4th Tech Night in our five-part series next Thursday, January 11th. This event will be held at 7:00 PM in the Campus Center at Ridgewood High School.
The goal of the next program is to make parents aware of parental controls that various mobile phone carriers provide, so parents/guardians can make informed decisions about their child’s tech use. Several providers including Verizon, Sprint, T Mobile and Apple will be at this event to assist you and answer questions.
Additionally, one of the breakout sessions will be a presentation by Finding Your Individuality on “Talking about Boundaries and Technology with Special Needs Youth.” In this session, Melissa Keyes DiGioia and Tracy Higgins will discuss ways apps, social media, and digital technology may be used for interpersonal communication. They will also explore the importance of boundary setting and decision making regarding content that may be shared with others.
We are pleased to bring you this unique opportunity on January 11 and look forward to seeing you!
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood School System has announced a school Calendar update: Due to the snow day used on January 4, Ridgewood Public Schools will be open on Friday, May 25. Please make a note!
Ridgewood NJ, in his latest letter Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools promotes the value of the Global Classroom . While the blog has always been opposed to the idea of “small town small mind “, Perhaps after the recent run of events at the schools the superintendent’s time would be better spent focus on the problems of the here and now and addressing those issues ie fighting ,bullying , name calling and worst favoritism .
The following column appeared in The Ridgewood News on December 29, 2017.
Over the past decade, I have had the pleasure of representing the United States on trips to different countries to learn about other educational systems and cultures. For example, I was fortunate to visit China the summer they hosted the Olympics and was surprised to see what looked like a semi-market economy. In Japan I visited the Hiroshima memorial site and witnessed firsthand how that country recovered post WWII. Finally, I was impressed on a trip to South Korea by how that country rose up from the ashes of the Korean War into a modern world economic power that is grateful to the USA for our intervention into that conflict.
These enriching trips were wonderful experiences that provided me with close-up and personal opportunities to observe a variety of educational practices in operation and learn about amazing countries and their beliefs, arts and traditions. They have also provided the district the opportunity to reciprocate and host representative educators around the globe back home in Ridgewood, for just as we have much to learn from our fellow educators abroad, our international colleagues wish to visit the USA because they want their school systems to emulate ours, too.
We are also fortunate to be able to offer several opportunities for our Ridgewood students and educators to travel abroad and engage with their fellow learners and educational professionals around the globe.
Here is a representative list of destinations, with brief program descriptions, that are made available to our Ridgewood students:
Ecuador, Iceland and Nicaragua RHS students travel on expeditions to Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Iceland with World Challenge School Expeditions. By managing important aspects of the entire experience, students gain life skills such as leadership, decision-making and teamwork – skills that are not easily taught in the classroom. EDUCATION CENTER 49 COTTAGE PLACE RIDGEWOOD NJ 07450 www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us
Australia and Sweden RHS Global Classroom Club is part of an international organization. The students spend the year doing research on a particular educational topic supplied by one of the member countries. Selected club members then travel to that country’s host school and present their findings at the Global Classroom Conference. The countries involved in this organization are Australia, New Zealand, The Czech Republic, Germany, The Shetland Islands, Sweden, South Africa, and the United States.
France, Germany, Japan, Spain, China and Italy RHS students have the opportunity to experience other cultural traditions and languages by participating in homestay visits with host families in international countries. RHS families have also hosted families from Germany, France, and Japan.
Switzerland RHS physics students visit the international European Organization for Nuclear Research, also known as CERN, as part of a trip to Switzerland. CERN is a research organization that operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world.
In sum, travel opportunities for our students and staff provide us all a chance to experience and better understand the world in which we live. They also help us expand our mission of excellence beyond our Ridgewood borders. I find that as we broaden our perspective of the world, we are better able to reflect on home and what makes us great as a country, state and community. These reflections then lead to being better role models.
Although we have very little control over the rhetoric on the national and global level, we do have influence on what happens in our community, our homes, our school district and classrooms. Travel, and exposure to other cultures and practices, helps us build respect for others that are so critical for our children to learn. If they are surrounded by good behavior, they will behave in a manner in which they are immersed.
During the holiday season, when we tend to reflect on the year that is coming to a close, I hope you are able to say that many good things came your way in 2017. I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D., is Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools
Ridgewood NJ, this is the Ridgewood school District Emergency Information . Next time there is a weather or other emergency the Ridgewood School District will respond to weather or other emergencies in one of four ways: cancellation of the school day; delayed opening; emergency early dismissal; or emergency minimum day. In these instances, district parents/guardians will be notified via the district website (www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us); an e-mail announcement; and the automatic telephone notification system. In addition, a message will be placed on the central office line at 201-670-2700; callers should press * for announcements.
1. NO SCHOOL.
2. DELAYED OPENING: Under the delayed opening plan, the school day will begin two hours later than usual. School bus schedules will operate two hours later. Children in grades K-5 who have not ordered lunches must bring a bag lunch to school. There will not be sufficient time for children to go home for lunch when there is a delayed opening.
3. EMERGENCY EARLY DISMISSAL: If it is necessary to dismiss early, every effort will be made to notify parents by way of announcements on the RPS district website, email, and the automatic telephone notification system. Middle and elementary school students will be released to responsible adults identified by parents on their child’s Emergency Card.
4. EMERGENCY MINIMUM DAY: If an early dismissal is anticipated before the start of school, for example, if weather conditions are expected to deteriorate after school begins but before the school day ends, all children will be dismissed at the closing times posted below. Every effort will be made to call an Emergency Minimum Day the night before or very early the morning of the anticipated emergency conditions via the customary notification channels. Cafeterias will not operate and lunches will not be provided. Students will attend school as follows:
RED Program: 9-11 a.m.
Kindergarten – Grade 5: 8:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Grades 6-8: 8:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Grades 9-12: 7:47 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Emergency closing information can also be obtained from: television news (Fox 5 WNYW-Channel 5, WNBC TV-Channel 4, WABC TV-Channel 7, WCBS TV – Channel 2, Cablevision Channel 12); the Fox News website, www.myfoxny.com; or the ABC website, www.7online.com. Please DO NOT CALL the police or fire departments or the individual schools for information on the closing of schools. These departments are not prepared to handle inquiries.
Ridgewood NJ, Delayed Ridgewood School Opening – Friday – January 5, 2018❄️: Due to the hazardous road conditions expected in the morning, all Ridgewood Schools will operate under the delayed opening schedule. Under the delayed opening schedule, the school day will begin two hours later than usual.
School bus schedules will operate two hours later. Please keep in mind that snow drifts, icy roads and walkways may cause additional delays. For students who are walking to school or to bus stops, please allow extra time and use caution.
Elementary school children who have not ordered lunch must bring a bag lunch to school. There will not be sufficient time for children to go home for lunch when there is a delayed opening.
Ridgewood NJ, Concert Tickets on sale now.A note about purchasing tickets for Concert. Tickets go on sale at 7 p.m. on Tuesday January 2nd and will sell out quickly. You can buy tickets online through the link below or you can call brown paper tickets and purchase from them. They are available 24/7 at (800) 838-3006.
This year we are limiting ticket purchases to four per performance per order. We have set up the tickets so that Block A and Block B are sold as separate shows. Please double check that you have the correct Block before ordering. Note, senior solos are performed three times and correspond to the senior’s show performance.
In order to choose your own seat, when you are first directed to the page with the seating chart, the system default is to assign you the number of seats you are requesting. If you want those seats, press “next.” However, if you want different seats, click on “Let me choose my seats.” First unclick the default choice and then click on the ones you wish to purchase and hit save these seats. NOTE: it is VERY important that you unclick the default seats before hitting save because if you do not, the default seats will remain in your cart and you will not be able to switch later.
Also, at the end of your transaction, if you hit submit more than once you may be charged twice. If this happens, contact Deirdre Power.
Ridgewood NJ, according to Forbes magazine the No. 1 College 2017 is Harvard University, followed by Stanford and Yale. The highest-ranking public school (nonmilitary) is the University of California, Berkeley; the U.S. Naval Academy is the top military academy. The University of Chicago is the premier institution in the Midwest and Duke University is the best school in the South.
The goal of the Forbes List is to showcase the colleges and universities that deliver the best return on your education investment dollars.Forbes pointed out that College may be the best years of your life but they may also be among the most expensive as costs continue to escalate. According to the College Board, tuition, fees, room and board for the 2016-17 school year was $20,090 annually for public schools for in-state students, a rise of 2.7% over 2015-16. It was $35,370 for out-state students and $45,370 for private schools for 2016-17, both up 3.4%. Americans now owe $1.4 trillion in student loan debt, according to The Federal Reserve. It’s been estimated that student loan borrowers from the Class of 2016 hold just north of $37,000 per student on average.
Forbes also pointed out that STEM or specialized-focus schools fare considerably better this year. The California Institute of Technology makes the top 10 for the first time (No. 6), jumping up 33 spots, and Harvey Mudd College climbs 41 spots (see profile of Harvey Mudd College here). Babson College, which only offers degrees in entrepreneurship, lands at No. 74 (up from No. 104), and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is No. 116 (up from No. 183).
Here are the top ranked schools I New jersey
#4 Princeton University NJ
#156 College of New Jersey NJ
#158 Rutgers University NJ
#180 Stevens Institute of Technology NJ
#281 Seton Hall University NJ
#299 New Jersey Institute of Technology NJ
#301 Drew University NJ
#365 Rowan University NJ
#399 Montclair State University NJ
#429 Stockton University NJ
#444 Rider University NJ
#494 Fairleigh Dickinson University NJ
when did you last look at Ridgewood’s ranking in the county, much less the state or nationally? If you graphed it, the downward curve would signal a severe recession if it was a financial curve. The question could be reversed–Why would a good school want to merge with us? I’m sure we would be overwhelmed by the number of applicants to merge, but none would be in the upper rankings for sure. Too many people are carrying in their minds what their realtors told them when they moved in. We might see some changes if these same people would open their eyes and see what is really going on!
I watched last night’s meeting. They were trying to figure out how to budget with the coming property tax situation in NJ. They were real concerned about health care premiums going up too.
The answer is staring them in the face: What other states do CONSOLIDATION. New Jersey will be forced into it. One school supt. per several towns, and so on for police, fire, and so on.
And you know what that is a good thing. It’s about time. Rutgers has been recommending for years. In fact all universities with town planning programs say that. Many states do. So pig greedy NJ. Let’s be good and nice not naughty and consolidate. You will be forced into it.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will be holding its regular public meeting December 18 2017 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM in the Board Room, 3rd Floor, Education Center.
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.
Ridgewood NJ, In a letter to Hopewell Valley Central High School parents this week, district Superintendent Thomas Smith spelled out his intention to propose a random drug-testing program for students next school year.
Given the events of the last few months some observers think it would be prudent for the Ridgewood School district to follow suit.
According to NJ.COM , The proposed plan comes after officials at the Hopewell Valley Central High School saw an increase in students under the influence of marijuana, prescription drugs and alcohol, he said. Smith also said the district has discovered middle school students under the influence.
During the 2015-16 school year, seven students violated the substance abuse policy, and in the 2016-17 year, the number rose to 24.
Under the proposed policy, a student who tests positive under the random test would not receive the current academic suspension, “but rather alternatives that focus on prevention such as meeting with the Student Assistance Counselor (SAC) and attending and completing an Early Intervention Program,” Smith wrote.
Superintendent Thomas Smith claimed that no test results would initiate criminal charges or an investigation. The district will not share test results with any law enforcement agency.
The policy would apply to all students in grades 9-12 who are in any extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, or any student who holds a permit to park on school property.It will also apply to any student who voluntarily elects to the program with parental consent.
