The Class of 1980 organizers would like to open up their 35th Reunion to anyone that would like to come to an awesome party…
When: Saturday, October 24th
Where: Mahwah Sheraton from 7p-11p
Cost: $99 + processing fee (link below) – No tickets at the door and ticket window closes Saturday, Oct 17th
I know this is a last minute invite, but unfortunately we don’t have enough people from our own class at this time attending, so if you didn’t go to your last reunion, or just want an excuse to take your honey out for a good time, then come and join us.
OCTOBER 9, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2015, 11:44 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) has a new member.
In order to fill the vacancy created when longtime trustee Michele Lenhard submitted her resignation this past summer, board members interviewed six candidates at a meeting last month.
The decision came down to two candidates – Nicole Richards and Jennie Smith Wilson – with Smith Wilson eventually being selected during a special BOE meeting on Thursday.
Smith Wilson is currently a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the Ridgewood Education Foundation.
During the public interview, Smith Wilson said she would be able to utilize her 25 years of advertising experience to improve the flow of communication between the board and the community.
“I often hear or see parents’ frustrations come out in BOE meetings and in social media over concerns that we could press for a better process of communication, and I think that’s very important because it can distract from the issues at hand,” she said.
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving Travell Elementary and Benjamin Franklin Middle School Locked down on Thursday Afternoon
October 08,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A male second grade student at the Travell Elementary School in Ridgewood reported seeing a man with a handgun at the school’s front door early Thursday afternoon (10/08 @ 12:51 PM), which prompted a full school lock down and response by heavily armed uniformed and plainclothes police officers from several neighboring communities.
A subsequent search of the building and grounds turned up no suspect nor firearm, but as a precaution police also locked down and searched the nearby Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Nothing was found there either, prompting police to signal an “all clear” shortly after 1:30 PM. Police officers from Glen Rock, HoHoKus, Midland Park, and Wyckoff assisted Ridgewood PD units.
Ridgewood Schools on Lock Down this afternoon
October 08.2015
the staff of the Rdiregwood blog
Ridgewood NJ ,Ridgewood Schools on lock down after student said he saw a person dressed in black with a gun just past noon near the school..
At least 6 Ridgewood squad cars and 2 un-marked cars encircled the areas.Police had their rifles out and bullet-proof vets. After approx. 45 minutes, they gave the all clear sign.
Police barred reporters from the sight , but news helicopters arrived just while the search was ending
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Schools 2015-2016 parent/peers series consists of eight engaging presentations throughout the school year. Co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital, with support from The Foundation, adults are invited to attend these programs on creating balance in children’s lives.
Click here for the series flyer..
First up is “Staying Safe in Cyberspace” by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Cybercrime Division. This program will take place on Wednesday, October 28 from 7-9 p.m. in the Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium.
Click here for the program flyer.
Click here for the press release from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Click here for the tip sheet handout, “Internet Safety for Our Children,” from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Parent ‘offended’ by REA president’s recent comments
To the Editor:
I take personal exception to Mr. Michael Yannone’s letter to the editor of The Ridgewood News dated Sept. 25. In its own letter, the Board of Education’s president, vice president and two trustees clearly outlined where Mr. Yannone went wrong in his belief that the Board of Education is disrespecting our teachers.
As a parent in this district and as just one of the countless parent volunteers who has worked tirelessly to improve our schools and help our excellent teachers in and out of the classroom, I am very offended by Mr. Yannone’s words and tone. Perhaps he should take the time to go on a field trip or enjoy a parent provided meal with his teachers. Maybe he should visit an elementary school and see behind the scenes as parents and teachers work hand in hand to create amazing moments. Maybe he should attend an HSA and Board of Education meeting to hear the support of parents for their teachers. I can provide countless suggestions.
Ridgewood is a charming New Jersey town whose residents often return to their roots to raise their own children. This village attracts families from the city, such as myself, not just because of its charm or the ease of transportation, but because of the schools.
Our schools are ranked as some of the best in the state and country, yes, because of our excellent teachers but also because of how well run they are by our school board both fiscally and academically. Parents in this community constantly are concerned not only with keeping the bar high academically but in also helping teachers in any way they can to insure our children are provided the best education. Parents work hard to guarantee teachers are given the resources to achieve that goal.
Is Mr. Yannone suggesting updated books, modern technology, refurbished classrooms are not necessary for our teachers? What about our children? I understand Mr. Yannone is the advocate for our teachers, but what is education ultimately about if it is not about the education of our students?
It seems to me that our Board of Education (all volunteers by the way) does an amazing job by balancing the different interests that create our top notch school system. I know their priority is and has always been about educating our children and thereby insuring more people will be returning to Ridgewood or discovering the district’s commitment to educational excellence.
I also know that parents will be there every step of the way with our teachers and administrators to lend a hand.
The time of the Ridgewood Board of Education’s Regular Public Meeting on Monday, October 5, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Link in Live” tab.
Click here to view the agenda for the October 5, 2015 Regular Public Meeting.
Results of the National Merit Scholarship Competition are Announced
September 30, 2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , The Ridgewood School district has received the results of the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Two Ridgewood High School students have been designated semifinalists and 39 students have been named Commended Students.
Maximilian Jerdee and Kristen Schretter have been designated semifinalists, based on their performance on the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) taken last October.
The semifinalists will have the opportunity to be considered for Merit Scholarship awards at the finalist level of the competition by fulfilling additional requirements that include an outstanding academic record throughout high school, endorsement and recommendation by the high school principal and SAT I scores that confirm the earlier PSAT/NMSQT performance.
Commended Students with permission for media release are: Minha An, Poyani Bavishi, Brendan Caltavuturo, Albert Chiu, Helen Cho, Seo Yeon Choi, Nicolas Cobb, Madeleine Gaidimas, Sophia Gao, Sara Golnabi, Jack Hadfield, Jeongmin (Grace) Hyun, Jordan Iannone, Charlotte Kahan, Callista Kim, Lindsay Kim, Caroline Kotch, Simon Lee, Sueryun Lee, Abigail McKenna, Elizabeth O’Keefe, James Psathas, Peter Psathas, Sophie Simpson, Ashley Sohn, Olivia Sullivan, Olivia Szymanski, Anthony Tokarz and Vlad Vandalovsky. Although the Commended Students will not continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship Awards to be awarded in 2016, they placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the competition by taking the PSAT qualifying test.
Residents are invited to stop by for coffee and casual conversation with Board of Education members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Fishbein on three evenings this school year.
The Board has set aside Wednesday, October 14 as its first date for Coffee and Conversation with the public. This event will take place at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, floor 3, from 7-8:30 p.m.
Future dates for Coffee and Conversation will follow on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 and Tuesday, May 24, 2016.
All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns.
The first candidate to interview, Nicole Richards, stressed that her background as a businesswoman would be integral to her work if she were appointed to the board.
Michael Zuckerman
The second candidate, Michael Zuckerman, explained that his experiences as the son of a board of education member give him insight into what the job requires.
Theresa C. Anzano
The third candidate, Theresa C. Anzano, pointed to things she disapproves of about the board, and gave an impassioned defense of local autonomy in regards to education.
Alexandra Harwin
The fourth candidate, Alexandra Harwin, explained that her experience as a civil rights attorney would help her to work out a solution with the teachers if appointed to the board.
Dana Costache
The fifth candidate, Dana Costache, a native of Romania, explained that she has become disillusioned with the college process that the United States offers, since some people with college degrees are being denied jobs for which they are qualified.
Jennie Smith Wilson
The sixth and final candidate, Jennie Smith Wilson, explained that she would rely on her numerous years of public service for help were she appointed to the board position. She is currently on the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a board member of the Ridgewood Education Foundation.
RIDGEWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Office of the Superintendent September 21, 2015
Board Meeting Report to Board: Opening of School
Opening of School
Cheryl Best, Alfredo Aguilar and I visited all the schools during the first day. In addition, K-12 administrators, Kim Turner, Robert Bell and Chris McCullough also visited each building. From all reports the opening of school went very smoothly. Buses actually ran pretty smoothly.
NOTE: This is subject to change as we determine new students and withdrawals.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Tense contract negotiations between the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) and Ridgewood Education Association (REA) ramped up this week.
“The negotiations are not going well,” said REA President Michael Yannone in a conversation with The Ridgewood News earlier this week.
While a number of issues remain to be settled, the main two are salary requirements and healthcare benefits, which are always paired in discussions, Yannone said.
“This board doesn’t believe they should have to negotiate health benefits,” Yannone said.
Without some leeway from the BOE, no progress will be made, he added.
Yannone also spoke at this week’s BOE meeting, flanked by Ridgewood teachers in a sign of solidarity.
“The teachers of this community feel disrespected,” Yannone said at the meeting. “Ridgewood was always a school district that prided itself as being at the forefront of education. Teachers felt respected here and believed their voice had value. Those days are gone.
“Teachers now feel as if they are merely nickels and dimes — a revenue stream for this board — with money going out, and more and more employee money coming back to this board,” he said.
This drew a standing ovation from the assembled crowd of teachers, who so packed the Education Center meeting room that many had to stand.
In July, the Ridgewood Board of Education (RBOE) announced that contract negotiations with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA), which began in February 2015, were moving from official mediation through the NJ Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) to the fact-finding stage, also through PERC.
Our first fact-finding session will be held on September 16, 2015. During this time, the teachers and secretaries continue to receive their full salaries and benefits and work under the terms, conditions and protections of the expired contract that began on July 1, 2012, and ended on June 30, 2015. It is important to remember that our teachers and secretaries are working within the contractually specified hours listed below and that drop-off and pick-up times at our schools must be followed:
Elementary schools: 8 a.m.-3:35 p.m. PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF PRIOR TO 8:35 A.M. AND PICK UP AT 3 P.M.
Middle schools: 7:45 a.m.-3:20 p.m. PLEASE DO NOT DROP YOUR CHILD OFF PRIOR TO 7:45 A.M. AND PICK UP AT 2:55 P.M.
Ridgewood High School: 7:40 a.m.-3:15 p.m. DROP OFF AND PICK UP WILL BE THE SAME
In addition, please understand that during this stage in the negotiations, teachers may decline to do some activities that fall outside of the contract. For example, they may decline to chaperone overnight/after school field trips, decline to participate or volunteer in activities that they had in the past, or may adhere to the 7.5 hour daily contract hours by arriving and leaving on time each school day. If any such actions occur that result in changes or cancellation of certain activities, school principals and other administrators will explain the reason why.
Many parents have offered to volunteer and take over these responsibilities. Some activities can be sponsored or supervised by parents, while others can’t for various insurance and personal liability reasons. Please see your principal for guidance. While changes to activities may be an unfortunate reality during this period, it is important to stress that the RBOE and REA are working towards an agreement that satisfies both parties. Throughout the State of New Jersey, negotiations are taking place between teacher associations and Boards of Education.
The vast majority of contract negotiations, almost 80 percent, are not completed prior to the expiration of the preceding contract. Finally, if the fact-finder is unsuccessful in mediating an agreement, both parties will present their “case,” and a written report will be prepared that will be made public 10 days after they receive his non-binding findings. Thank you in advance for your understanding as the RBOE and REA work through this process and complete the negotiations in the shortest time possible.
On Saturday the high school chorus group was holding a car wash to raise a few dollars for their program. The kids were about an hour into it, 2 hoses with nozzles when the police came by and had them shut down due to a complaint. The officers were apologetic but had to act due to a compliant. I don’t have anyone in the schools, but what an awful example for the village. We ask the kids to work a task to help their program and then send the police to shut it down.
We should all be very concerned that their are people so miserable and angry in town that they complain about a organized event at the school to raise money.
Why is there no pressure on the water company to build a system that can meets the needs? Why is there no consideration of water use in the proposed increased in area housing? Why are we using village police resources to enforce water rules, seems if they had the time to do this perhaps we should review staffing levels when the water “crisis” is over ?
The “Stage 4 In Effect” notice posted on the Village’s website says NOTHING about a ban on washing vehicles. It addresses IRRIGATION ONLY.
When were we told in writing that washing cars is prohibited?
