NOVEMBER 4, 2015, 6:49 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015, 11:27 AM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
TRENTON – Aspiring teachers will face tougher standards to enter the profession under revised rules that the state Board of Education adopted on Wednesday.
In one of the biggest changes, the board voted to require students to do 175 hours of clinical work in a classroom setting before they start their full semester of student teaching.
Education Commissioner David Hespe said the state was answering a “clear call to action” to help students by helping their teachers.
“In particular, we know that hands-on experiences are invaluable in preparing teachers, and not all candidates have been getting enough of that time in the classroom,” he said. “Providing more of these experiences will lead to better prepared teachers, which in turn leads to increased student achievement.”
This letter comes on the heels of recent media reports that Ridgewood Police presence has increased at our schools as a result of a student incident.
First and foremost, I want to assure you that our students and staff are safe. I would also like to clarify that in a school district as large as ours of nearly 6,000 students and over 800 staff members in 11 buildings, isolated student incidents occur from time to time that require our highly trained professional staff to request additional interventional support.
We are fortunate to collaborate with community partners such as the police and outside mental health professionals for their dependable expert assistance at those times. In such situations, communication with district parents and guardians requires a delicate hand.
As you can imagine, these incidents are very private events for the individuals involved. It is our goal to make every attempt to communicate appropriately while maintaining confidentiality so as to protect the health and privacy rights of the individuals. Every school incident that occurs provides the opportunity to refine our Emergency Response Plan and prevention protocols.
You are aware that in the recent past our district has experienced two safety incidents that thankfully turned out to be false alarms, a hoax swatting incident last May and a mistaken trespasser event in October. These incidents, in combination with the nationwide upturn in violence on school campuses, have helped us to determine that an increased Ridgewood Police presence in our buildings is warranted at this time, as a preventative measure.
I hope you share my perspective that an increase in police presence at our schools is a positive precaution. The safety of our students and staff is always our top priority.
Thank you for your continued understanding, support and trust.
All trick, no treat: NJEA dumps $750k more into Super PAC (for the kids)
By Matt Rooney | The Save Jersey Blog
You and I both know that the NJEA doesn’t give a damn about the kids, Save Jerseyans.
It’s a business. A big money business. Keeping the money train rolling requires spending big money to keep the Democrats in power all while our state’s most vulnerable kids get left behind.
They’re setting records this election cycle. The General Majority PAC,smearing GOP candidates all over the state, is on track to spend close to $4 million this cycle, or roughly 20% of all spending, direct and independent expenditures, throughout the Garden State in key legislative districts. The NJEA is helping bankroll it.
Ridgewood NJ, This is exactly the sort of program I envision the RHS Alumni Association creating, sponsoring and providing volunteers for. Until today I had never heard about this program for students interested in health care professions. It is in its 10th year. Please read:
“Dr. Earl Wheaton, RHS ’46, returned to school to talk with Caroline Richards’ (RHS ’91) current 10th grade RAHP students about medical ethics. Dr. Wheaton, who helped initiate a medical ethics department at Valley Hospital spoke about the need for such a department and how doctors and staff use four basic principles to negotiate tough ethical decisions regarding patient care. Here he explains the possible scenarios one might consider as he or she fills out an advance directive. The issue of medical ethics connects to the 10th grade curriculum through four texts – Flowers for Algernon, Frankenstein, Better and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – as students try to answer the overarching questions, “Just because we can do something, should we?” and, “What responsibilities do we have to those to whom we commit ourselves?”
RAHP (Ridgewood Academy of Health Professionals) is a three year, interdisciplinary program for students who think they might be interested in the health care professions. Students enjoy group explorations to Valley Hospital and 1:1 mentorships with its professionals, as well as integrated English, science and health classes. The program is celebrating its tenth year.”
OCTOBER 30, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
A teachers’ rally took place Monday outside the Education Center.
The event occurred just before Michael Yannone, president of the Ridgewood Education Association (REA), entered the building to commence the second and potentially final negotiating session with a mediator present between the REA and the Ridgewood Board of Education.
“This is a sign of unity for the negotiating team that’s about to walk in there,” Yannone said at the event. “As a member of that team, I greatly appreciate this.”
Ridgewood Board of Education President Sheila Brogan said while a settlement wasn’t reached at the meeting, “The board understands the teachers’ wish for a settlement. We too want to settle the contract.
“We had a positive dialogue, but were unable to settle the contract,” she said. “The fact finder spent the evening talking with both sides and decided to move the process to a formal fact-finding hearing.”
According to Brogan, the fact finder is scheduled to return to Ridgewood on Feb. 3.
“At the hearing, he will listen to both sides and issue a non-binding opinion in an attempt to settle the contract, she said.
“Moving forward, the board’s negotiating team is willing to meet with the REA’s team to resolve issues and settle the contract.”
RHS Boys’ and Girls Soccer Teams are 2014-15 NSCAA High School Team Academic Award Recipients
October 28,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The RHS Boys’ and Girls’ varsity soccer teams were recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) with the 2014-15 High School Team Academic Award.
To qualify for this award, the team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the entire academic year. The team GPA is determined by adding every player’s GPA, then dividing by the number of players.
The Maroons soccer teams were among 398 teams nationwide to be recognized for exemplary performance in the classroom as a team during the 2014-15 academic year. RHS is among 51 schools receiving honors for both their boys’ and girls’ teams. The RHS girl’s soccer team has been recognized 16 times for this achievement.
Ridgewood NJ, The RHS Marching Band has placed 1st at a competition for the 3rd straight weekend. At Ridge High School the band was awarded best music, best percussion, best color guard, best visual performance, and best overall effect. The band will compete at NJ State Championships on Saturday, October 31 at Rutgers University.
The band also won first place and captured awards for Best Music, Best Percussion, Best Visual Performance, and Best Overall Effect at the USBands competition at Pequannock High School on October 10.
2015 Ridgewood District-wide Science Testing Report
Click here to read the District-wide State Testing Report for Science 2014-2015, presented to the Board of Education on October 19, 2015 by the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Cheryl Best.
BY JENNIFER C. KERR
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Results from national math and reading tests show slipping or stagnant scores for the nation’s schoolkids.
Math scores were down for fourth and eighth graders over the last two years. And reading grades were not much better: flat for fourth graders and lower for eighth graders, according to 2015 results released Wednesday for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam.
The falling mathematics scores for fourth and eighth graders mark the first declines in math since 1990.
The results suggest students have a ways to go to demonstrate a solid grasp or mastery in reading and math.
Only about a third of the nation’s eighth-graders were at proficient or above in math and reading. Among fourth graders, the results were slightly better in reading and in math, about two in five scored proficient or above.
The report also found a continuing achievement gap between white and black students.
There were a few bright spots: the District of Columbia and Mississippi both saw substantial reading and math gains.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan urged parents, teachers, and others not to panic about the scores as states embrace higher academic standards, such as Common Core.
“We should expect scores in this period to bounce around some, and I think that ‘implementation dip’ is part of what we’re seeing here,” Duncan said in a phone call with reporters. “I would caution everyone to be careful about drawing conclusions.”
Chris Minnich, executive director of the Council of Chief State School Officers, echoed Duncan.
“One year does not make a trend,” Minnich said at a panel discussion Wednesday. “We set this new goal for the country of college and career readiness for all kids. Clearly, these results today show we’re not quite there yet and we have some work to do.”
The Common Core standards were developed by the states with the support of the administration. They spell out what students should know in English and math at each grade level, with a focus on critical thinking and less of an emphasis on memorization. But they have become a rallying point for critics who want a smaller federal role in education and some parents confounded by some of the new concepts being taught.
The NAEP tests, also known as the “nation’s report card,” don’t align completely with Common Core, but NAEP officials said there was “quite a bit” of overlap between the tests and the college-ready standards.
Indoctrinated: Some can recall a time when our campuses of higher education were zones where free speech thrived. That was another era, though. Today’s students want speech restricted. How did it come to this?
The results of a poll that should be shocking, but sadly aren’t, show that 51% of students favor their “college or university having speech codes to regulate speech for students and faculty.”
Oddly, 95% say that “the issue of free speech” is important at their college or university, while 73% believe that the First Amendment is “an important amendment that still needs to be followed and respected in today’s society.” Only 21% told the Buckley Free Speech Survey that it is “outdated” and “can no longer be applied in today’s society and should be changed.”
Maybe these findings are not so odd, after all. In today’s America, “free speech” and “First Amendment rights” tend not to include any expression that doesn’t conform to left-wing ideology.
Seven years ago, almost two entire college generations in the past, the Acton Institute observed, “Students at colleges and universities who articulate conservative and traditional views are at particular risk of bullying and indoctrination by campus administrators and faculty who are zealous ideologues.”
Read More At Investor’s Business Daily: https://news.investors.com/ibd-editorials/102715-777695-politically-correct-conditioning-starts-when-kids-are-young.htm#ixzz3psV4RWsp
RHS Bands Hold Annual Poinsettia and Amaryllis Sale November 1-18
Ridgewood NJ, RHS Students will be selling door to door Sunday, November 1 from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Sizes and prices as follows:
6″ Red or white – $10
10″ Red or white – $25
Amaryllis – $15
Orders accepted until 11/18/15.
Orders/ checks should be made out to RHS Band Assoc. and mailed c/o Lorissa Lightman, 659 Spring Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Delivery dates are December 5 and 6.
Please contact Lorissa Lightman: [email protected] for more information.
For more information on the band program and a list of events, visitwww.rhsbands.org.
Ridgewood Police conduct a “security walk through” at Ridgewood Schools
October 27,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Selected Ridgewood Police Department uniformed patrol officers visited all public schools within the Village beginning at approximately 12:45 PM on Tuesday in response to a “disturbing” comment made by an unidentified student.
Each officer assigned to the special detail was responsible for conducting a “security walk through” of his/her assigned school building(s). No further information has yet been made public about what precipitated this unusual police department response. In the attached photos, Ridgewood Police Department Patrol Officer Salvatore D’Amico arrives at and enters the Somerville Elementary School on South Pleasant Avenue.
Jamboree 2016 Auditions are Here
All auditions are held at Ridgewood High School Campus Center.
Dates/Times (just need to attend one) are:
October 21, 7 p.m.
October 27, 7 p.m.
Fill out the registration form here to save some time on audition night, and get the latest news and updates: https://rhsjamboree.org/wp/
A NOTE FROM THE JAMBOREE COMMITTEE: All RHS parents and guardians invited to participate in the 70th Annual Jamboree . Since 1947, Jamboree has presented an original musical revue raising funds for need-based college scholarships for graduating RHS seniors” and how, over $1.2million raised and distributed to hundreds of worthy applicants. (All students , not just with Parents/Guardians on or back stage, with a FAFSA, may apply)
LAST NIGHT TO Show up is October 27, 7 p.m. at Ridgewood High School Campus Center to learn more and show your enthusiasm for higher education for all.
Producers for this Feb 2016 run are the amazing duo of Rachel and Paul Ainasworth , Leigh Warren and Fred Jubitz , and RHS grad. The stellar Director is Rosie Gunther McCooe. We are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and Trustees include Dotti Fucito, President.
“Rewind” the years in song , dance on stage as we honor our Village in a show to delight the 2500 who fill our Village Theatre at BFMS every year.
Created and sustained the “Super Science Saturday” extravaganza to expose children to the marvels of science.
OCTOBER 22, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY RICARDO KAULESSAR
STAFF WRITER |
THE MONTCLAIR TIMES
Jim Wallace is not an inventor, but he will be getting a prestigious award given by a New Jersey organization that recognizes people who have impacted the world with their inventions.
Today, Thursday, Oct. 22, Wallace, a Montclair resident since 1998, will be accepting an award from the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame for the science show-and-tell that he created as a teacher in 1988 in the Ridgewood School District. It’s now known as Super Science Saturday, an annual all-day science and technology exhibition held in Ridgewood High School.
Wallace, now retired from teaching, and his former student, MichaelAaron Flicker, who now oversees Super Science Saturday, will both be on hand to receive the honor on behalf of the Super Science Saturday all-volunteer Executive Committee at a gala awards dinner at the W Hotel in Hoboken.
Wallace told The Montclair Times that he was happy that everyone who has had a role in Super Science Saturday will be receiving the award for “Advancement of Invention & Process,” but he was also surprised.
“So while it’s terrific that we’re being recognized by this award, I would have never expected this in a million years,” Wallace said. “You think of an invention when you think of why someone is being honored by the New Jersey Inventors Hall of Fame. But in fact, we did invent a process that has sustained itself successfully for 28 years.”
OCTOBER 23, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Print
Is technology helping or hurting in the classroom?
To the Editor:
As a district, we have enthusiastically embraced technology in our schools. And it is certainly understandable why. With technology came the promise of improved educational outcomes for our children, and a greater chance for success competing in the 21st century global economy.
But parents are beginning to question the validity of this promise: Are children really learning more? Is their reading comprehension improving? What about their math ability?
Now, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has published a 200-page study, concluding that investing heavily in classroom technology does not improve student performance, and, in fact, frequent use of computers is more likely to be associated with lower results. For math, the study found that almost any time spent on the computer leads to poorer performance.
Internationally, the best-performing education systems, such as those in East Asia, have been very cautious about using technology in the classroom. Countries with the highest level of Internet use in schools either experienced significant declines in reading performance or stagnated.
Because of my earlier career developing software for IBM, I am acutely aware of the limitations of technology and certainly not bedazzled by it. Now I tutor math for the SAT, so I get to hear unfiltered reports of students’ experiences with technology.
Some teachers, apparently, require students take notes on their Chromebooks, even though some prefer to take notes by hand, because they believe they learn better that way. Research supports these students’ preferences; taking notes by hand results in deeper learning.
Chromebooks in the classroom frequently cause distractions because some students play games during class.
Textbooks are increasingly online, even though many students would prefer to have good paper textbooks, because they are easier to read.
There also appears to be a tendency on the part of some teachers to delegate to the computer the task of teaching, so there’s less interaction between student and teacher. Students do best in close human-to-human contact. The research supports this.
It’s interesting: the students who complain most about technology in the schools are strong students, those most interested in learning.
I think we might want to consider why the executives and employees of the top Silicon Valley firms send their kids to schools that have no technology in the early grades, absolutely none, and when it is introduced in eighth grade, it is used sparingly. It should give us pause to hear that the innovators developing these products refuse to expose their own children’s minds to them. Their thinking is that technology interferes with creativity, and young minds learn best through movement, hands-on tasks and human-to-human interaction.
The OECD report now gives us solid data linking frequent computer use in school to declining academic performance. In September, we learned that – nationally – students in the high school class of 2015 turned in the lowest critical reading score on the SAT in more than 40 years. The average score on the math portion of the SAT was the lowest since 1999.
I am troubled by the exchange between Ridgewood teachers and the Board of Education in recent letters to the editor of this newspaper.
As I understand it, Chapter 78, a state law that phased in greater employee contributions to healthcare, is now fully implemented. The law says, “After full implementation, those contribution levels will become part of the parties’ collective negotiations and will then be subject to collective negotiations in a manner similar to other negotiable items between the parties.” I believe this means that, under current law, our board is expected to look at both salaries and healthcare in order to reach a satisfying agreement with the Ridgewood Education Association.
Yet, it seems as if teachers are appealing to the board to negotiate healthcare as well as salaries. In a letter to the editor, Pat Rosenfeld asks the board to “step up and negotiate alternate cost sharing arrangements.” Donna Pedersen echoes this request in her letter and says, “All that I am requesting of our Board of Education is to have respect for us as educators, professionals, and community members and to sit down with the REA to talk about the cost of our healthcare benefits.” In both letters, teachers seem to be pleading for a negotiation process that I believe is currently expected under state law. So I ask, If negotiation is stipulated in Chapter 78, why is this appeal necessary?
My last point is an observation. Based on the board’s information, 413 of the 520 teachers earn less than $100,000 per year. Most teachers do not enter the field of education in order to get rich. From my experience, most Ridgewood teachers work hard and care deeply about their students and education. In return, they expect a reasonable standard of living in an outrageously expensive area. Equally important, they want a Board of Education that negotiates both healthcare arrangements and salaries, which, as I understand it, is stipulated in Chapter 78, a state law.
