Category: Ridgewood Schools

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Ridgewood High School Marching Band Director Wins Coaching Award

Marching band
March 17, 2016
The staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,  The district has been notified that Ridgewood High School Marching Band Director John Luckenbill has won Positive Coaching Alliance’s Double-Goal Coach Award.
Mr. Luckenbill is one of 50 national recipients of the national non-profit organization’s coveted award, presented to coaches who strive to win while also pursuing the more important goal of teaching life lessons through sports. “John helps his team win in competitions and in life,” said Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) founder and CEO Jim Thompson. ““By creating a positive, character-building youth sports experience and serving as a Double-Goal Coach, John helps youth develop into better athletes and better people.”
Mr. Luckenbill leads Ridgewood High School’s (RHS) Marching Band program using five principles or “stars,” as reflected on the long-standing adornments of the band’s uniforms: Trust, Pride, Leadership, Respect and Unity. The stars now serve as the basis for Luckenbill’s approach to teaching life lessons. “We have weekly discussions,” he explained. “We pick a star and talk about what it means to us in marching band and elsewhere in life.”
Another key to the band’s success is Mr. Luckenbill’s mantra: Control what you can control. “The longer I’m here, the more they embrace that motto,” he said. “With judges and everything else, there is only so much you can control, but our marching band members know that they control the amount of effort they put in, and when they put in the right effort, good things happen.” Mr. Luckenbill has taught at RHS and directed the Marching Band for five years.
A graduate of Michigan State University, Mr. Luckenbill is now finishing his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Kent State University. He was nominated for the PCA award by a band parent who spearheaded the effort, gathering letters of recommendation and other required documentation. The Double-Goal award includes a $200 prize, certificate and national mention.
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What Socrates Can Teach You To Teach Your Kids

Socrates

March 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Moms and dads determined to raise children who love to learn and who respect others might do well to skip the latest parenting guides and turn instead to Socrates and Confucius.

They and other great thinkers who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago still offer surprisingly relevant advice that one generation can pass on to the next.

“The search for knowledge and how to lead a meaningful life is nothing new,” says Dean Chavooshian, author of The Pursuit of Wisdom(www.thepursuitofwisdom.net), which explores more than 80 great thinkers in philosophy, religion and science.

“If parents introduce children to these ideas from the past, they will have a better understanding of how to live, think and make decisions in the world today.”

Of course, skeptical young people might doubt that anyone who predates the Internet has much to offer in the 21st century.

They are wrong, Chavooshian says.

“These ideas are relevant whether people are wearing togas or jeans,” he says, “and they have practical applications that can help all of us.”

Examples of everyday advice these extraordinary minds left us include:

• Ask questions to understand other viewpoints. When people hear an opinion that differs from their own – whether it’s about politics, religion or the merits of a favorite entertainer – their immediate reaction is to argue for their side. But Socrates’ favorite method for weighing the validity of someone’s argument was not to counter with his own arguments. Instead, he posed questions. Lots and lots of questions – hoping to lead to a broader understanding of issues.
• Treat others well. Good manners aren’t just empty gestures you reluctantly agree to because your grandmother expects it. Roughly 2,500 years ago, Confucius stressed the importance of paying attention to rules about politeness and decorum. How you treat others really does make a difference in how they treat you. Confucius’ disciples marveled that he made his point “by being cordial, frank, courteous, temperate, (and) deferential.”
• Nurture your curiosity. The world is filled with endless topics to study. You should never stop learning. Chavooshian suggests young people look to Leonardo da Vinci for inspiration. “He was fascinated by just about everything,” Chavooshian says. Da Vinci’s journal pages were practically an encyclopedia of conceptual inventions and observations in the fields of architecture, engineering, astronomy, zoology, biology, geology and hydraulics. Somehow, he also found time to paint “The Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper.”

“We all have a hunger to unravel the mysteries of life,” Chavooshian says. “But it’s important to remember that you don’t have to start from square one. A lot of wonderful thinkers have already laid an excellent foundation for us.”

About Dean Chavooshian

Dean Chavooshian is author of The Pursuit of Wisdom(www.thepursuitofwisdom.net). After earning a degree in Theology/Philosophy, Chavooshian received a Master’s Degree in Architecture and over 30 years worked with prominent New York architectural firms and international real estate developers.

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Standardized Tests like PARCC rob valuable instructional time from Ridgewood Students

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Tests rob valuable instructional time

To The editor,

The PARCC tests are scheduled to be administered in Ridgewood starting in April. Given that Governor Christie has clearly stated that the Common Core State Standards have been eliminated in New Jersey, and given the fact that the PARCC exams test close adherence to the Common Core State Standards, it is hard to understand how the New Jersey Department of Education could possibly expect any thinking person to permit his child to sit for these exams.

https://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-letters-to-the-editor/ridgewood-news-letter-tests-rob-valuable-instructional-time-1.1526408

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N.J. panel likely to recommend that high school seniors graduate with some community college credits

Graduation 13

BY PATRICIA ALEX
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD

A state commission looking at the issue of college affordability is likely to recommend that high school seniors graduate with at least a semester of community college credits, the panel’s chairman said Wednesday.

The students could continue on at community college before heading off to a four-year school – a strategy that could reduce the cost of a baccalaureate degree from a state college by more than half to around $20,000, said Fred Keating, the chairman of the commission and president of Rowan College at Gloucester.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/n-j-panel-likely-to-recommend-that-high-school-seniors-graduate-with-some-community-college-credits-1.1528539

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High Density Housing in Ridgewood and it Impact of Special Needs Students

BOE_theridgewoodblog
March 17,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewodoo Nj, Aaccoring to readers ,Ridgewood is absolutely a magnet for parents with special needs children. We have great services.

I know a family that planned to move to a mega house in Saddle River. Their elementary school daughter was diagnosed, they looked around, and decided to stay.

Please read the key studies here on costs of students, special needs children have a different set of costs to support an excellent education. It is a fact and it is great we excel at it in our schools. As these reports show, one special needs student can tip the funding scales for an entire school. You have to plan for that as a village in all your housing studies. You can’t fail that child and family by not planning for it, and to plan for it you have to talk about it.

https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/project-full/441-proposed-master-plan-amendment-to-permit-high-density-multifamily-housing-around-the-cbd

What makes Ridgewood different with respect to educating special need children is that we cover so much more, financially, than other districts. Fairlawn school district, as well as others, do not cover all the costs of ot, physical therapy, speech, etc. in a lot of cases, those costs are passed onto the families. To ignore the financial impact to the taxpayer when contemplating growing our population could potentially diminish these wonderful benefits to special need children currently living here. Cuts will be made in our schools when the school population grows. With a 2% cap, cuts will be necessary. It is a fact that families rent their homes in their towns, and find a rental here to take advantage of our school benefits. Our family is grateful for the wonderful services our children receive, including our special need child.

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Is Full day Kindergarten Right for Ridgewood ?

kindergarten-cop-comedy
March 17,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Fishbein presented a recommendation to the Board on bringing full-day Kindergarten to Ridgewood. His proposal is to fund a full-day program through a tax increase approved by voters this November in a second question.

While is seems an obvious great deal for parents , shifting costs away from baby sitters , the NJEA more teachers , the Ridgewood blog has yet to hear a definitive answer on how this is going to help the kids?

A study from Chloe R. Gibbs at the University of Virginia holds some preliminary good news for proponents of full-day kindergarten.

“Though many of the most important implications of the study won’t be clear until the students studied are much older, the first-of-its-kind randomized trial of full-day kindergarten shows sizable learning advantages for full-day students at the end of the kindergarten year.” https://www.edcentral.org/fullday-k-research/

While in the past the longer day seems to have far greater impact in districts in lower social economic standing than Ridgewood .

Same study ,”As a result, any difference in the groups’ outcomes may be due to full-day kindergarten or may be caused by other differences in their lives outside the classroom — such as disparities in access to learning opportunities and academic support at home — typically associated with living in poverty.” https://www.edcentral.org/fullday-k-research/

Residents have till now expressed concerns over costs , and what some parents have characterized as the “loss of childhood” . While others have felt it necessary given this era of overuse of standardized tests , but many are just not sold on the notion that longer hours equal better education .

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The Ridgewood High School Advanced Latin Academic Team won the Northern Regional championship

quo vadis poster

March 16.2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, The RHS Advanced Latin Academic Team won the Northern Regional championship competition at Princeton on March 15 and will advance to State finals against the Central and Southern regions in April. RHS racked up 935 out of a possible 1200 points, the highest score seen by the club advisor Catherine Venturini in her 16 years of coaching in New Jersey.  The superb players and their areas of expertise were: Peter Psathas, Team Captain: Latin grammar, syntax and vocabulary; James Psathas, Greco-Roman history; Charlotte Kahan, Greco-Roman civilization; Anthony Tokarz, Greco-Roman literature; and Sophie Simpson, Greco-Roman mythology. Team support was provided by Poyani Bavishi and Desiree Bottigliero.

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American Millennials Are Some Of The World’s Least Skilled People, Study Finds

voting-selfie-millennial-votef

03/12/2015 02:08 am ET | Updated May 08, 2015

We American Millennials are really, really good at using today’s technology.

That’s probably because we’ve forced companies to make technology that’s extremely easy to use, and that’s better at doing our day-to-day tasks than we are. But with easy power comes no responsibility, it seems. According to a new study, we’re some of the least skilled people in the world.

Fortune reports that Generation Y Americans (those born after 1980) lag behind their overseas peers in literacy, numeracy and problem-solving in technology-rich environments. Researchers at the Princeton-based Educational Testing Service (ETS), who conducted the study, administered a test called the Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies, to measure the job skills of adults in 23 countries.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/12/american-millennials-least-skilled-study_n_6852650.html

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Ridgewood Middle Schoolers Are Finalists For Statewide Immunization Contest

Susannah-Taylor Ridgewood Middle Schoolers Are Finalists For Statewide Immunization Contest

march 16,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood Nj, Two George Washington Middle School students, Marin Kim and Susannah Taylor, were selected as finalists for the Protect Me With 3+ contest.

The Protect Me With 3+ poster and video contest is aimed at broadening awareness for the importance of adolescent immunization among pre-teens, teenagers, and their parents. It is a collaboration between The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey and the New Jersey Department of Health.

Marin Kim

In its fourth year, the Protect Me With 3+ contest aims to raise awareness about the importance of adolescent immunizations among pre-teens, teenagers and their parents. The contest focuses on increasing vaccination rates for four adolescent vaccines: tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal conjugate and influenza (flu).

Entries this year represented middle schools and high schools from all over New Jersey. “We are delighted with the volume and diversity of entries this year,” stated Ilise Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Partnership. “We’ve received over 200 entries, a new record for Protect Me With 3+.”

Many teachers used the contest as an opportunity to teach their students about the importance of adolescent vaccines. “It is excellent to see teachers getting their students involved and to see New Jersey’s youth excited about raising awareness of vaccination,” said Dr. Tina Tan, State Epidemiologist and Assistant Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Health.

The contest offers prizes to the top three entries in the poster and video categories and the chance for winning entries to be used in statewide immunization awareness activities.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony Sunday and placed online Monday.

Learn more: https://protectmewith3.com/

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Ridgewood Board Of Education Meets March 21st at 7:30pm

BOE_the ridgwoodblog
BOARD UPDATES

BOE-REA Negotiations
Click here to view an analysis of “Unused Funds’ identified by the REA during Fact Finding Proceedings, presented at the March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.

Click here to read a Letter to the Editor of The Ridgewood News, which appeared in the paper on March 4, 2016.

Click here to read the Ridgewood Board of Education’s Fact-Finding Presentation with The Ridgewood Education Association.

Click here to view the backup for the Ridgewood Board of Education’s Fact-Finding Presentation with The Ridgewood Education Association.

BOE Meets on March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, March 21, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting may also be viewed on FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.FiOS channel 33, Optimum channel 77 or from computers via the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website.

Click here to view the agenda for the March 7, 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.

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Ridgewood’s superintendent recommends full-day kindergarten

Dan-Fishbein-10

BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

RIDGEWOOD – While Ridgewood teachers continued their quest for a new contract at Monday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Superintendent Daniel Fishbein switched gears to kindergarten, recommending a full-day program starting in 2017.

 

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/superintendent-recommends-full-day-kindergarten-1.1526375

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Contract negotiations continue in Ridgewood

BOE_theridgewoodblog

BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

RIDGEWOOD – Strong words were spoken at Monday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting, as members of the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) continued to request a contract agreement they deem fair.

A number of parents spoke on behalf of the teachers, some of them noting the effect that the educators have had on their children.

Resident Jennifer Rupprecht extolled the virtues of the educators, saying that her classified son “has flourished under the guidance of these teachers” while also noting that he made honor roll as a result of their help.

She explained at the March 7 meeting that she moved to Ridgewood in order to get the best education for her children, regardless of the taxes, and said the teachers should get paid according to their value.

“They’re worth it,” Rupprecht told the BOE. “I can’t thank these people enough.

“I trust you to take care of the people who are taking care of our children and the whole future of our town.”

Resident Marlene Burton said she “fully” supports the teachers in their quest for a settlement.

“The anguish they are experiencing, being without a contract for 12 months, is in full display,” she said. “It is imperative that an agreement be reached soon.”

Not all the speakers were upset with the BOE, however.

Resident and former BOE member Bob Hutton spoke up in defense of the group, reminding the members that they took an oath to uphold the laws of New Jersey when they were sworn into their positions.

“Within litigation and so forth, those laws are the guidelines you have to live by,” he said.

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/contract-negotiations-continue-1.1526321

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Ridgewood BOE and Ridgewood Police Continue Strategic School Security Efforts

Ridgewood Police Continue Strategic School Security Efforts
March 9,2016

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,Representatives for the Ridgewood school District, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Fisbein, participated in a security assessment training meeting along with representatives from the Ridgewood Police and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Agent William J. Stallone of BCPO along with Detective Captain Lyons and Chief Ward discussed security assessments and risk mitigation process updates as part of our ongoing partnership towards enhanced school safety. Agent Stallone is the county Risk Mitigation Planner in conjunction with the NJ Department of Homeland Security. He has been working closely with our department as part of the community wide critical infrastructure threat and vulnerability assessments initiated by our department.
The Ridgewood Police would like to thank Dr. Fishbein, his team and the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for their continued commitment and assistance in our efforts to secure our schools and community.
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Dr Fishbein Recommends Full Day Kindergarten for Ridgewood

Dan Fishbein 10
March 7th 2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ , Dr Fishbein made his recommendation to the Ridgewood Board of Education to go to a 2nd question on the November ballot to fund Traditional Full Day kindergarten for 2017. The Board unanimously agreed. The process will now begin to get ready for that vote.

Full day kindergarten will most likely require more classrooms. Meaning the Ridgewood School District will we be bonding more school construction for all 6 elementary schools in a couple of years.  The usual move will be that the BOE will suggest more classrooms to accommodate full day kindergarten after the full day kindergarten is agreed to . Unless parents will be satisfied having kindergarten held in trailers in the parking lots of the schools.

So the reality is that like the Hudson Street Parking garage , this measure ,Full Day Kindergarten will result in further tax increases .
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Reader Insists Ridgewood Teachers are a good Deal for Baby Sitting our Kids

RHS_BEST_theridgewoodblog

Teachers’ hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year! It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do — babysit!

We can get that for less than minimum wage.

That’s right. Let’s give them $3.00 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan– that equals 6 1/2 hours).Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day…maybe 30? So that’s $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.

However, remember they only work 180 days a year!!! I am not going to pay them for any vacations.

That’s $585 X 180= $105,300 per year. (Hold on! My calculator needs new batteries).

What about those special education teachers and the ones with Master’s degrees? Well, we could pay them minimum wage ($7.75), and just to be fair, round it off to $8.00 an hour. That would be $8 X 6 1/2 hours X 30 children X 180 days = $280,800 per year.

Wait a minute — there’s something wrong here! There sure is!

The average teacher’s salary is $75,000. $75,000/180 days = $416./per day/30 students=$13.80/6.5 hours = $2.13 per hour per student — a very inexpensive baby-sitter and they even EDUCATE your kids!) WHAT A DEAL!!!!