It’s been said before and should keep being said, we all want seniors to be able to stay in town if they would like. Apartments currently exist for that purpose and a few more can and maybe should be built within the current density levels.
But the worst thing that could happen to seniors who would like to stay in their homes would be for hundreds of new apartments to be built. Either families would occupy those apartments OR the homes vacated by seniors moving into apartments. Either way the result is MORE children in school AND HIGHER taxes for services to support those children (school budget is by far the largest % of our tax bills). We NEED to find ways for people without children in school to stay in their homes and increasing the school budget is not the way to do it.
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.
SEPTEMBER 7, 2015, 12:30 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2015, 12:49 PM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — The Board of Education is once again exploring the pros and cons of offering a full-day kindergarten program in the district, but officials are concerned that coming up with the money to do so could be problematic.
Officials claim a full-day kindergarten program would require 10 additional teachers with an estimated cost of $1 million-plus.
Providing daylong kindergarten has been a longtime goal for Ridgewood’s educators, said Sheila Brogan, president of the village’s school board.
“We are one of the few districts that don’t have full-day kindergarten, and we realize it would be an enhancement,” Brogan said. “The question for us is: Is it feasible?”
The school board discussed the prospect of expanding its offerings during a meeting held late last month.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2015, 4:52 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2015, 12:08 AM
BY HANNAN ADELY
THE RECORD
High school juniors in New Jersey will be allowed to forgo controversial state tests in English language arts — exams many had already been skipping — if they take other high-level exams in the subject, the state education commissioner announced Wednesday.
The change comes amid a backlash from parents and educators who argue that too much testing is creating stress and taking up valuable teaching time. Many parents refused to let their children take state tests last spring, even though the state required them for all students in Grades 3 to 11 in math and English.
“We are cognizant of testing time and demands,” Education Commissioner David Hespe said Wednesday. “After lots of conversations, we think this is a smart move and the right way to reflect that students in 11th grade are taking challenging course work.”
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Tomorrow, the Ridgewood High School boys and girls soccer programs will host their second annual “Dawn to Dusk” marathon soccer match to benefit two local charities, Gear Up for Owen and Support Rachel Grygiel-Loughlin, and to help raise money for the RHS soccer programs.
This year’s Soccer-A-Thon will be an eight-hour event, with kickoff planned for 8 a.m. at the Ridgewood High School Stadium field, and play will continue until 4 p.m.
The RHS boys soccer program is raising funds to support 6-year-old Owen Betrus, son of George Washington Middle School teacher Rob Betrus.
Owen was diagnosed at birth with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. He also was diagnosed with cortical visual impairment just before his first birthday, and with intractable epilepsy at age 3. More info on how to help support Owen is available online at gofundme.com/gearup4owen.
For the Ridgewood girls soccer program, the 2015 Dawn to Dusk fundraiser is very personal, as the program will be helping a Maroon alumna who is in need. A portion of the proceeds raised through the Soccer-A-Thon will be donated to RHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Rachel Grygiel-Loughlin.
This past May, Rachel was faced with the tragic and sudden loss of her husband, Matthew. The couple were married in July 2014, and Rachel is expecting their first child in November. Dawn to Dusk proceeds will go to an online fund that has been set up in Matthew’s memory to help relieve some of the stress and financial burden Rachel is currently enduring. For more info on how to help, visit youcaring.com/rachel-grygiel-loughlin-360921.
RHS soccer players will donate their time and energy, and they will solicit sponsorships based on eight hours of play. Parents will be contributing time as well, helping to organize the event and support the players. Numerous businesses have agreed to sponsor the event, including Tarleton & Family Landscaping Co. (TLC), The Ideal Supply Co., The Valley Hospital, Stifel Investment Banking, Thomas Flint Landscape Design & Development, Clemente Orthodontics, Keller Williams/The Nuber Team, Park West Tavern, Ridgewood Tips From Town, Fitness 1-2-1 Personal Training, Ridgewood Physical Therapy, C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home, Skinners Landscaping and Bedra Intelligent Wires.
According to parent organizer Jeanmarie Mulholland, “We are expecting this event to be a tremendous success, not only in the amount of funds we raise but also in creating a sense of caring and camaraderie within the soccer community.”
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The years-old question of full-day kindergarten for Ridgewood schools was once again raised at last week’s Board of Education meeting.
However, such a change isn’t likely to come to Ridgewood for a while, according to school district officials.
While some, like board trustee James Morgan, say they understand the value and importance of full-day kindergarten, they realize that it isn’t a feasible option at this point in time.
“Full-day kindergarten is one of the most effective methods for teaching young children,” Morgan said. “It’s a great idea, but the major question is how do we fund it?”
The issue lies in the board’s budget limitations, Morgan said.
Were full-day kindergarten to be instituted, about 10 new teachers would need to be hired, each making around $75,000 per year, according to Morgan. Once these amounts are factored in with the cost of resources, the price jumps to over $1 million per year, which is an amount that the board just doesn’t have at this point, officials said.
Morgan said there are major hurdles to surpass if full-day kindergarten were ever to be truly discussed.
Ridgewood NJ , Just got word that teachers are not willing to chaperone due to contact not being signed.
Ridgewood Parents are outraged! The Camp will be daycamp instead of overnight.
The Ridgewood BOE had previously issued this statement on the contract talks with the REA , “The Board and the REA will continue to negotiate with each other in good faith in a respectful manner.” . We guess the teachers didn’t get the memo.
SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2015, 11:40 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
With the 2015-16 school year right around the corner, students and district staff members are gearing up for another year of learning.
Improvements and new options will be awaiting students when school begins on Sept. 2.
A number of donations to the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) have made many building upgrades possible, such as a $30,000 contribution for new science classrooms at George Washington Middle School and a $4,222 gift to pay for new auditorium chairs for Hawes Elementary School. The donations were made by the Home and School associations for the respective schools.
Other buildings have been revamped utilizing funds already in the Board of Education’s budget.
“We have many different facility improvements at our schools,” said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. “They vary from painting and re-flooring classrooms district wide, to the new cutout at BF to some paving at Travell.”
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin middle schools will be included this year in the district’s 1:1 Chromebook initiative. The district will be providing all students at the middle schools and Ridgewood High School (RHS) with Chromebook laptops for use during lessons to familiarize them with technology while streamlining their work.
RIDGEWOOD SCHOOL BOARD MEETS ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2015
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, September 21, 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 and addendum for the August 24, 2015 Regular Public Meeting.
The Ridgewood Police Department is accepting applications for School Crossing Guard Positions. Applications are Available at the Police Desk located at 131 North Maple Avenue Ridgewood NJ. P/T position, 10 hours per week (2 hours per day) starting at $17.49/hr. Send application to Police Chief John Ward, Ridgewood Police Dept, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or return the application to the Police Records Room. The Village of Ridgewood is an EOE and civil service community.
Ridgewood NJ, the 2015 winner of the coveted Ashby Award is Ann Brown, George Washington Middle School Library Media Specialist. Ann, who has been the Library Media Specialist since 2001,holds a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from the Palmer School of Library and Information Science at Long Island University.
The Ashby Award was established in 1966 to honor former Superintendent Lloyd Ashby and his wife, Lois, for their distinguished service to the community. The recipient is selected from nominees submitted by staff members and is someone who, in the opinion of his or her peers, has upheld the Ashby tradition of service and contribution. This is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a Ridgewood staff member.
The 2015 Tradition of Excellence Award for Support Staff was presented to Pat Kowalczyk, Administrative Assistant in the Office of Special Programs.
The Ridgewood Board of Education established the Tradition of Excellence Award in 2014 to honor a member of the support staff, who in the opinion of their peers has made an outstanding contribution to the excellence of the Ridgewood Public Schools
Ridgewood NJ, Yes. Believe it or not, the crybabies on Clinton Avenue got their way again.
The street was recently repaved, but without the concrete curbs and concrete driveway cuts that were promised.
Village Engineer Christopher Rutishauser had told Village Council members concrete curbs and driveway cuts would be including in the repaving project so that the street would be “sidewalk ready.”
Reportedly, residents on the street did not want the concrete and told the Village Manager so.
AUGUST 30, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2015, 6:55 AM
BY JOAN VERDON
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
At Ped-Agree Shoes in Wyckoff, owners Catherine Mattei and Luanne Rush were busy last week helping parents outfit their children with new shoes for school.
In Westwood, at the Ginger Kids clothing store, owner Sue Bahng said she loves back-to-school season. “This is when the kids come in with renewed eagerness for the fresh new year.”
But Ped-Agree Shoes, Ginger Kids and other retailers in North Jersey and around the country are seeing a shift in the rhythms of this annual ritual. A Labor Day that falls late this year, on Sept. 7, compared to Sept. 1 last year, and changing shopping habits are pushing a lot of back-to-school shopping into September, after kids are already back at school.
Retail research firm The NPD Group this summer admonished retailers that they need to rethink their marketing to respond to a changing back-to-school season. A survey by the firm showed that a majority of shoppers don’t get serious about back-to-school shopping until August, with much of the spending occurring in September and even October.
A look at where the money goes
$68 billion: Total Americans will spend on back-to-school and back-to-college purchases this year
$630: average amount parents will spend for children in Grades K-12
$217.82: Average amount for clothes, K-12
$197.24: Average amount for electronics, K-12
$117.56: Average amount for shoes, K-12
$97.74: Average amount for school supplies, K-12
$899: Average amount parents will spend on college students
$126: Average amount for dorm or college apartment furnishings
29%: Portion of parents who plan to spend more for back to school this year.
30%: Parents who waited to start shopping until one to two weeks before school starts
42%: Amount that average back-to-school spending has risen over the past 10 years
Source: National Retail Federation
“When so many consumers are planning to do their back-to-school shopping in the months not traditionally considered part of the season by retailers, it’s time to break with tradition and change the way we market and measure this shopping season,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for NPD, in reporting the findings.
AUGUST 29, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY LINH TAT
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
FORT LEE – A school trustee in the midst of his third term resigned this week, creating a vacancy on the board that, by law, must be filled before the end of October.
Yusang “Jimmy” Park, the only Asian-American ever to serve as school board president in Fort Lee, said he and his family are moving to a house they purchased in Ridgewood, leaving him no choice but to resign. Trustees are required to live in the town in which they hold office.
Park was the top vote-getter when he was elected in 2007, outperforming the three incumbents in that race. Fellow board members nominated him as president in 2012 after former trustee Arthur Levine resigned.
“Looking back, I ask myself, ‘Are we in a better place than we were seven years ago when I started?’ I would say yes,” Park said, reflecting on the state of the district.
When he was first elected, Park noted, the district was reeling from the fallout of a superintendent who plagiarized a speech delivered to honors students. That was followed in 2009 by a grade-altering scandal when officials found that a high school counselor had tampered with college transcripts, and widespread frustration in the community over an absentee superintendent during the 2012-13 school year. That superintendent eventually parted ways with the district.
Now, Park said, the district has voter-approved funding to build and expand classroom space, has adopted new campus security measures and has hired a new permanent superintendent
Board of Education Announces Vacancy, Seeks Applicants
The Ridgewood Board of Education is seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Michele Lenhard on August 1. The application deadline is Tuesday, September 15 at 4 p.m
Mandatory Re-registration is Open for Parents and Guardians
Skyward Family Access is the district’s primary mode of communication with parents, so the district must have up-to-date email and phone numbers in the system at all times, especially for emergency situations. Beginning August 10 through midnight September 7, parents and guardians must logon to Family Access to complete the Mandatory Online Re-registration process.
Click here for details on Mandatory Re-registration
Lunch service is scheduled to begin on Thursday, September 3, the first full day of school. For information on children’s food service accounts and lunch ordering, please visit the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us and select the Fee Management and Lunch Info tab under the Parents label. Click here to go directly to that page.
Substitutes are Needed
The district has put out a call for additional substitute teachers, nurses and secretaries for the 2015-2016 school year. Substitutes enjoy the freedom of selecting their dates of work according to their personal schedules through a self-scheduling online system. Pay rates for the 2015-2016 school year are as follows: teachers $92 to $125 per diem; nurses $130 per diem; secretaries $12.50 to $17 per hour.
Click here for full information on the requirements and process. For further information, please contact Eileen Rix at 201-670-2700, ext. 10542 or [email protected].
SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS
The Ridgewood Police Department is accepting applications for School Crossing Guard Positions. Applications are Available at the Police Desk located at 131 North Maple Avenue Ridgewood NJ. P/T position, 10 hours per week (2 hours per day) starting at $17.49/hr. Send application to Police Chief John Ward, Ridgewood Police Dept, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450 or return the application to the Police Records Room. The Village of Ridgewood is an EOE and civil service community.
