Category: Ridgewood Schools

Posted on by — 13 Comments

Ridgewood School Budget Tops $105 Million

Ridgewood Teachers

2017-2018 PROPOSED PRELIMINARY BUDGET Dr. Fishbein i.

Resolution for Adoption of the 2017-2018 Preliminary Proposed Budget for Submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools It is recommended that the Board approve the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Ridgewood Board of Education, to approve the 2017-2018 school district preliminary proposed budget, as follows, for submission to the Executive County Superintendent of Schools:

Dr. Fishbein Budget Tax Levy General Fund $ 100,503,229 $ 91,519,173 Special Revenue Fund $ 1,378,767 $ 0 Debt Service Fund $ 3,683,597 $ 3,265,784 Total Budget $ 105,565,593 $ 94,784,957 The district has proposed programs and services in addition to the Core Curriculum Content Standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Information on this budget and the programs and services it provides is available from the school district. There should be raised for the General Fund Tax Levy $91,519,173 for the ensuing School Year: (2017-2018).

Posted on by — Leave a comment

What will Trump’s push for ‘school choice’ mean for N.J. students?

School Choice by ArtChick

file photo by ArtChick

Updated March 06, 2017
Posted March 06, 2017

By Kelly Heyboer | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Calling education the “civil rights issue of our time,” President Donald Trump used his address before Congress last week to highlight one of his top issues – school choice.

Echoing a campaign promise, Trump vowed to push for students in poor school districts to be able to use public funds to attend a charter, private or religious school.

“I am calling upon members of both parties to pass an education bill that funds school choice for disadvantaged youth, including millions of African-American and Latino children,” Trump said. “These families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school that is right for them.”

Trump did not say what form his school choice program would take. But he did give a few hints of what a federal push for school choice might look like in New Jersey and around the country.

https://www.nj.com/education/2017/03/what_does_trumps_push_for_school_choice_mean_for_n.html#incart_river_index

 

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting Tonight at 7:30pm

BOE_theridgewoodblog

March 6 2017 7:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Location Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ
DescriptionThe public is invited to attend the meeting, or watch it live on Fios channel 33, Optimum channel 77, or on the “Link in Live” tab of the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us.

BOE agenda here

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Annual Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Awards

Tradition_of_excellence_theridgewoodblog
Nominations for Annual Teacher Recognition Awards
Teacher and Education Services Professional Recognition
March 6,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The Teacher Recognition Committee is accepting nominations for the 2016-2017 school year. Please click here for more information and nomination forms.  Completed nominations can be mailed to Human Resources at the Education Center or emailed to [email protected].
The nominations deadline is Wednesday, March 15.
Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Schools Update for Full-day Kindergarten

Kindergarten

“Kindergarten is the place for young children to learn. It must be ready for them so that their learning is unhampered and they can try out new skills without fear of mistakes. Kindergarten is a time of growth, experimentation, and a budding understanding of the world and their place in it.” New Jersey Department of Education

Full-day Kindergarten update from the Ridgewood BOE 2.27.17 meeting

March 5,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Elementary school principals are getting ready for full-day Kindergarten this fall. The goal is to expand the day so that the children can have better time to apply what they are learning rather add more to the curriculum. There will be continuing professional development on May 12 for all teachers, including the newly hired, and six teachers will go to the Paramus Parkway School to observe the program there. Furnishings and libraries are also being carefully researched. Click here for the presentation.

Ongoing registration for fall entrance to Kindergarten and First Grade continues at the Ridgewood Public Schools. Early registration helps ensure that principals and staff have quality time for planning for September.

To schedule an appointment to register, or for more information, parents and guardians should contact their designated district elementary school. More registration information and printable forms may be found under the Parents tab of the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us. Click hereto go directly to that page.

Children who will be five years of age on or before October 1 are eligible to enter Kindergarten in September.

 

 

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Ridgewood’s 73rd Year Dads Night

BF_middle-school_theridgewoodblog

Fri, March 10, 2017 – Sat, March 11, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Benjamin Franklin Middle School, E Glen Ave N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450

Ridgewood NJ, Entering our 73rd year, Dads’ Night puts on an annual fundraising show for the Ridgewood Somerville/
Hawes Elementary Schools and general public. Our show is the result of a massive effort from over 280 dads
who donate their time and “talents”.

Our dads are responsible for all aspects of the production of the show, from script writing and making costumes to playing all the parts, providing all the music and of course the hilarious acting! Obviously, it has had some success because it’s been here for 73 years. But the show is just the beginning, Dads’ Night is a year-round organization that is very involved with our community from coat, turkey and blood drives to parent educational speakers and outreach programs just to mention a few.
The funds we raise are divided out between the two elementary schools funding various projects that the schools’ budget may not accommodate. We have recently installed chrome books in classrooms, outdoor community classrooms, eco-friendly water fountains and eco-center. Additionally, monies from the funds raised allow us to help support local and national charitable efforts too.
Our purpose is to give back something a little extra to our children’s learning and educational experiences by following our slogan “Family. Friends. Community.” Our children are our future and ultimately our legacy.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Reader says Ridgewood taxpayers got screwed when they defeated the $84.9 million school budget

Ridgewood Teachers

“Unfortunately in a Democracy, some suffer because of the decisions of the majority.” Not always true, in 2010 many of my neighbors and the majority voted No, and Ridgewood taxpayers got screwed when they defeated the $84.9 million school budget.
Votes: 2,639 NO,,, 2,537 Yes…It was rejected by the voters, but the council ONLY CUT a measly $100,000 from the $84.9 Million budget. You wonder why bother to vote on BOE budgets when your vote don’t count anyway. ?

See attached link,
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/nyregion/28schools.html
Oh, let’s build a massive parking garage, build 4 or 5 oversized apartment buildings in town, build a water park for Graydon, build a performing arts theater, renovate the library, did I miss anything else?

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ridgewood Crew is having their annual row-a-thon in Van Neste Square from 10am -3pm

ridgewood _crew_rowathon_theridgewoodblog

March 4,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, It is literally freezing outside today and Ridgewood Crew is having their annual row-a-thon in Van Neste Square from 10-3. Brrrrr….If you happen to be in town, please stop by to give these kids a boost and maybe buy a few things from the bake sale. This will keep their spirits up and it will help them raise desperately needed cash for their team.
Thanks SO much and spread the word

Posted on by — 1 Comment

The 20 N.J. school districts most dependent on state funding

money-down-the-toilet-zaw2

By Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 28, 2017 at 7:15 AM, updated February 28, 2017 at 7:53 AM

TRENTON — When Gov. Chris Christie delivers his 2018 budget address on Tuesday, New Jersey school officials will be listening especially closely.

How Christie will address education funding is the biggest question about his final budget, leaving administrators bracing for the possibility of funding cuts.

There’s some concern Christie could follow through with the “Fairness Formula,” a plan he unveiled last summer to give every district $6,599 per student regardless of income or other needs. Though many education groups are convinced Christie won’t do that, they still don’t have high hopes for increases in school funding.

“I’m not expecting any good news in the budget,” said Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators.

https://www.nj.com/education/2017/02/the_20_nj_school_districts_most_reliant_on_state_f.html#incart_river_home_pop

Posted on by — Leave a comment

NJ STUDENTS DINE ON CRICKETS, LEARN ABOUT BIODIVERSITY

CRICKETS

Tuesday, February 28, 2017 05:51PM
EWING, N.J. (WPVI) —
A New Jersey college gave students a new way to learn about the world around them, but it was not for those with a weak appetite.

Aleena Andrews was among hundreds of students and staff at the College of New Jersey who tasted crickets for the first time Tuesday.

“Kind of crunchy and I think that one was sour cream flavored, so, yeah, like potato chips,” Andrews said.

Students’ opinions were mixed.

“You could like feel the legs and the head as you crunch it so it wasn’t very pleasant for me,” student Eric Beyer said.

“The flavor is not off-putting, I must admit. It’s actually pretty good. It’s like eating popcorn,” student Claudio Bizaro said.

The crickets were part of the college’s “Tasting the Tree of Life” event, a fun and filling way to understand biodiversity and how it relates to food.

“We eat everything from animals to plants to fungi,” Plant Evolutionary Biologist Wendy Clement said.

And each of the 149 different items on the menu reflected that.

https://6abc.com/food/nj-students-dine-on-crickets-learn-about-biodiversity-/1777875/

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Seven Benjamin Franklin Middle School student musicians have been selected for Region I Choir

christmas-music-notes-border-singing_8355-1
March 1,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Ms. Justine Kawash, BFMS Choral Director, reports that seven Benjamin Franklin Middle School student musicians have been selected for Region I Choir, including: Francesca Alvidrez (Soprano 1, top score); Sydney Strauss (Soprano 2); Maeve Marron (Soprano 2); Sophie Hartstein(Alto); Nikki Bernabe (Alto); and Georgia Young (Alto).

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The 29th annual Super Science Saturday is March 4th at Ridgewood High School

Super_Science_ Saturday_theridgewoodblog

February 28,2017

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Super Science Saturday, is coming this Saturday March 4th, 9am to 1:30pm at Ridgewood High School 627 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07451.This is the 29th annual Super Science Saturday!

Super Science Saturday hailed as the “Greatest Science Extravaganza in Northern New Jersey,” brings fun and excitement to science through professional presenters and student projects. As a joint project of the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Super Science Saturday Volunteer Committee, we aim to bring all science lovers together for a day of fun and learning for all ages.

In an effort to make Super Science Saturday an even better experience, we have changed venues to Ridgewood High School, giving more space for student presenters in our “Hall of Science.” Our adult presenters will also have generous space throughout hallways, the Cafeteria, and the Campus Center.

Super Science Saturday will appeal to everyone from the casual observer to the aspiring scientists. Most of all, we hope to spark an interest in science among children, showing them the wonders of science. Through interactive exhibits such as a wheelchair maze, live animals, and demonstrations of chocolate making to more complex brain wiring demonstrations, Super Science Saturday will satisfy the scientific appetite of everyone.

We encourage everyone to join the fun! Check out our volunteer page to learn about getting involved. This day cannot happen without the support of dedicated volunteers. Sign up now and make this Super Science Saturday one to remember.

For information please contact :Super Science Saturday
201-300-2900
[email protected]

Posted on by — 1 Comment

When it comes to my grandchildren, I don’t play. That’s why I’ll be in Trenton today

School Choice by ArtChick

file photo by ArtChick

Posted on February 27, 2017 at 7:11 AM

By Star-Ledger Guest Columnist

By Barbara Harris

I’m headed to Trenton this morning because I need legislators to know what my grandsons’ public charter school means to them.

I’m raising two African American boys in Newark and we all know in this country what can happen to African American men, especially if they drop out of school.

Uncommon Schools’ North Star Academy is providing my grandchildren with an education like nothing that I experienced for myself or for my own children.

When I hear my elected representatives speaking negatively about charter schools, I want to ask them if they have ever visited North Star Academy. If they did, they would quickly see how well it is serving my grandchildren and the other kids who attend.

There are too many lawmakers who have never stepped foot in North Star Academy, or a school like it. They have never come for morning circle. They have not met with our wonderful teachers. They have not seen how well our children are doing in class.

https://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/02/when_it_comes_to_my_grandchildren_i_dont_play_that.html#incart_river_home

Posted on by — Leave a comment

With N.J. charter schools under attack, supporters plan counteroffensive

School Choice by ArtChick

photo by ArtChick

By Adam Clark | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on February 24, 2017 at 12:33 PM

TRENTON — Supporters of New Jersey’s charter schools are planning a major lobbying effort in the state capital next week as controversy and criticism surrounding the schools continues to mount.

A group of nearly 200 charter school supporters, mostly parents, will gather at the state house to deliver the message that charter schools are changing lives, adding value to children’s education and creating opportunities for students, according to the New Jersey Charter Schools Association.

“I wanted something better for my children and couldn’t afford to move or pay for private school,” said Haneef Auguste, whose four children attend KIPP New Jersey Schools in Newark. “No one should stand in the way of any child’s chance at a better life, especially when the circumstances in some of our communities are so dire.”

https://www.nj.com/education/2017/02/nj_charter_schools_parents_fight_back_in_education.html#incart_river_home

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Jersey City Takes Center Stage at School Funding Hearing

Mayor Steven Fulop

file photo Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop

Mayor Fulop addressed the Senate Select Committee on School Funding Fairness

By Alyana Alfaro • 02/22/17 4:01pm

NEWARK – Advocates of changing New Jersey’s school funding formula often cite the booming Hudson County municipality of Jersey City as a school district they feel receives outsized state funding due to old school funding policies that do not take into account the economic growth of the past few years.

Fulop said he does not feel Jersey City should be penalized for funding schools according to current regulations. Alyana Alfaro for Observer

However, according to Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, such arguments only take into account the affluent waterfront section of the city and ignore primarily minority portions of the Jersey City that are significantly less well off. On Wednesday, Fulop addressed the Senate Select Committee on School Funding Fairness with concerns about the dangers of reducing school funding.

https://observer.com/2017/02/jersey-city-takes-center-stage-at-school-funding-hearing/