Chad Livengood , Jonathan Oosting and Michael Gerstein , The Detroit News11:39 a.m. EST November 25, 2016
President-elect Donald Trump’s planned nomination of west Michigan philanthropist Betsy DeVos for education secretary has ignited a debate about how the country delivers a high-quality education for every child.
DeVos, 58, supports increasing school choices, which she has called an attempt to “empower” parents to find good schools for their children, whether they be traditional public schools, alternative public academies known as charters, virtual schools or private and religious institutions.
“Betsy DeVos is a brilliant and passionate education advocate,” Trump said Wednesday in a statement. “Under her leadership, we will reform the U.S. education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families.”
By Kelly Heyboer | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
on November 29, 2016 at 1:14 PM, updated November 29, 2016 at 5:07 PM
PRINCETON — When Peter Singer heard a conservative group put out a new watchlist singling out college professors with “leftist” and “radical agendas,” the veteran Princeton University professor was not surprised to hear he was on it.
Singer, a professor of bioethics, has come under fire in the past for his controversial views on animal rights, euthanasia and the morals of killing disabled babies.
He is one of five professors from New Jersey universities listed on the Professor Watchlist released last week by Turning Point USA, a non-profit conservative group. The list of nearly 200 professors is designed to “expose and document college professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom,” according to the website.
Ridgewood NJ, Lighting in use on Thanksgiving evening, 11/24/2016, at 1900 hours, Ridgewood High School Athletic Fields, 627 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood NJ.
Ridgewood NJ, President-elect Donald J. Trump today announced his intent to nominate Betsy DeVos as Secretary of the United States Department of Education. A leader in the national school reform movement for more than two decades, Betsy DeVos is a highly successful education advocate, businesswoman, and philanthropist.
“Betsy DeVos is a brilliant and passionate education advocate,” said President-elect Donald J. Trump. “Under her leadership we will reform the U.S. education system and break the bureaucracy that is holding our children back so that we can deliver world-class education and school choice to all families. I am pleased to nominate Betsy as Secretary of the Department of Education.”
“I am honored to accept this responsibility to work with the President-elect on his vision to make American education great again,” said Ms. DeVos. “The status quo in education is not acceptable. Together, we can work to make transformational change that ensures every student in America has the opportunity to fulfill his or her highest potential.”
A native of Michigan, Betsy DeVos has spent decades advocating for school choice reforms and helping underserved children gain access to quality education. Ms. DeVos is chairman of the American Federation for Children whose mission is to “improve our nation’s K-12 education by advancing systemic and sustainable public policy that empowers parents, particularly those in low-income families, to choose the education they determine is best for their children.”
Ms. DeVos is chair of the Windquest Group and has also served on national and local charitable and civic boards, including the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, American Enterprise Institute, The Philanthropy Roundtable, Kids Hope USA, and Mars Hill Bible Church.
Q: There’s been a lot of talk about Common Core. Can you provide some straight talk on this topic?
Certainly. I am not a supporter—period.
I do support high standards, strong accountability, and local control. When Governors such as John Engler, Mike Huckabee, and Mike Pence were driving the conversation on voluntary high standards driven by local voices, it all made sense.
Have organizations that I have been a part of supported Common Core? Of course. But that’s not my position. Sometimes it’s not just students who need to do their homework.
However, along the way, it got turned into a federalized boondoggle.
Above all, I believe every child, no matter their zip code or their parents’ jobs, deserves access to a quality education.
Q: What are your thoughts about specific education policies?
I am very excited to get to work and to talk about my thoughts and ideas on making American education great again. The status quo is not acceptable. I am committed to transforming our education system into the best in the world. However, out of respect for the United States Senate, it is most appropriate for me to defer expounding on specifics until they begin their confirmation process.
Ridgewood NJ,The Staate New Jersey released the latest PARCC standardized test results for every public school across the state on Wednesday, giving Ridgekwood parents a chance to see how their schools performed in math and English in grades 3-11.
Ridgewood NJ, RHS New Players present You Can’t Take It With You: December 8, 9, 10. Tickets on sale November 21 at www.rhsnewplayers.com
You Can’t Take It with You is a comedic play in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The original production of the play premiered on Broadway in 1936, and played for 838 performances.
The play won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and was adapted for the screen as You Can’t Take It with You, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director.
the staff of the Rmidgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, This Sunday, 11/20, from 11-1 in the Somerville parking lot, Dads’ Night will be collecting Turkeys and donating them to those less fortunate for their Thanksgiving meal. Please drop off one (or more) FROZEN turkeys to help in our efforts!
Bring along the kids and explain why we do the things we do and that some people are more concerned with their next meal, not how strong the WiFi is in their bedroom. 🙂 There are certainly things to give thanks for.
Hannan Adely , Staff Writer6:09 p.m. EST November 16, 2016
New Jersey officials are considering a plan to raise salaries for school superintendents, in a move local leaders hope will keep the school chiefs from fleeing their jobs for more lucrative work.
Acting Education Commissioner Kimberley Harrington proposed changes Wednesday that would raise the maximum salary from $175,000 to $191,584 and allow for 2 percent raises in subsequent years.
Ridgewood NJ, 2016-2017 Community Outreach Program Series Continues on November 16.The Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment Department is again offering free presentations for parents and guardians throughout the 2016-2017 school year on the topic of children’s well-being.
Next up is There and Back with motivational speaker Ken Bartolo. This program will be held at the GWMS auditorium Wednesday, November 16, 2016 7:00 – 9:00 PM George Washington Middle School Auditorium 155 Washington Place.
“There and Back” is the chilling story of two-time, all-county and collegiate football and lacrosse star, Ken Bartolo. While shining in both sports at Jamesville-Dewitt High School, Ken’s addiction began, costing him scholarship offers from colleges and universities across the east coast. Ken shares the story of his 27 years of substance abuse, leading to the incredible story of his recovery. This presentation is a brutally honest look at the violence and insanity of the world of addiction and how it can destroy the lives of the most promising of our youth. Ultimately, it is a story of hope. With strength, dedication and undying faith in himself, Ken conquered decades of addiction to alcohol, prescription and illicit drugs. His message is meant to encourage today’s youth to believe that, with faith in themselves, anything is possible.
file photo by Boyd Loving
November 10,2016
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.
To purchase your commemorative brick, first select your brick size from the dropdown option above. Then, you must enter the text you would like to appear on the brick in the Custom Message field to have your message engraved on the brick.
4X8 bricks allow for 3 lines of text, 18 characters per line.
8X8 bricks allow for 6 lines of text, 21 character per line.
This is a wonderful opportunity for alumni and the community to be a part of RHS history and to leave their lasting mark. Also, don’t forget to purchase your commemorative certificate here.
Ridgewood NJ, The RHS Marching Band performed at their fifth competition of the season in Basking Ridge on October 29 as part of the US Bands competition circuit. The RHS Marching Band placed first in Group VA, with a score of 94.500, their highest score all season.
RHS Marching Band for a solid 3rd place finish in a stacked ten band highly competitive field. Further, RHS Marching Band earned the Cadets Award of Excellence.
Full-Day Kindergarten: Public Vote is Election Day, November 8
Ridgewood residents will see this full-day K question at the bottom of the ballot:
RESOLVED, That there shall be raised an additional $929,800 for General Funds in the 2016-17 School Year. These taxes will be used to employ additional personnel and to acquire additional equipment and supplies in order to implement the District’s full-day Kindergarten program. Approval of these taxes will result in a permanent increase in the District’s tax levy. The additional taxes authorized herein will be used exclusively for purposes described herein and to finance expenditures that are in addition to those necessary to achieve the Core Curriculum Content Standards.
Click here for a PDF of the public presentation.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions. Click here to view all full-day Kindergarten documents
BOE Approves REA Contract
At the October 10 meeting, the Board of Education approved the three-year contract with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) that was ratified by the REA on September 28. Click here to read a letter to the Ridgewood community from the Board.
BOE Meets on November 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. The public is invited to attend the meeting or view it live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website, or on Fios tv channel 33 or Optimum 77.
Click here to view the agenda for the November 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the minutes of the October 10, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
.
Click here to view the 2016-2017 Budget presented at the May 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the Full Day Kindergarten Recommendation presented to the Board at their March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
They are definitely Aronsohn cronies. You should have seen them at those civility meetings Aronshon held. Some of those education people, some of the well-known ones were there, who are now pushing for full-day kindergarten, and they really catered to Aronsohm treating him like he was a favored king. I never saw anything like that before, such sycophants; such ingratiation; remember he was the mayor at the time. Yup, they want you to vote “yes” to full-day kindergarten. Well, do you really think that is best for our little kids?
Am I seeing things? Or did I just receive an email from my school essentially TELLING me to vote in favor of full day kindergarten?
My tax dollars PAID for an email influencing a vote? That I was already told at back to school night that if it does not pass, mandatory tuition based full day K would be implemented. Which is false last I checked.
Last I checked sending emails like this is actually a violation. It is unethical at LEAST. Our school administration should not have any influence, sway, or opinion on election matters and I will be bringing this to the attention of the state board of elections and any ethics board that could possibly be interested. And NOW I’ll be using my voice to make sure that anyone and everyone I can reach knows I will be voting NO to full day K, and I have a list of reasons why they should as well.
I unequivocally demand an follow-up email be sent to the parents informing them that this is a CHOICE and a tax increase is attached. And that we have already got one of the most expensive school budgets in the state. Find room in THAT budget, or take it off the table. Enough is enough.
This has gone far enough. When my high schooler can attend a full day of classes with all of his teachers in attendance and not one single “free period” because there is not a sub to be found, ask me for more money a school budget.
You all are educated, intelligent, well-paid individuals. I suspect you are qualified to implement and work within a budget. With all the free time you have now that the teacher contracts have been “settled”, go back to the drawing board, take a serious look at your astronomical budget, and find the solution you want.
Sincerely,
Melanie McWilliams
