MAY 7, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015, 4:22 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Some say the best educators shy away from individual accolades; they choose instead to spotlight the successes of their students.
Fortunately for the village, they couldn’t escape the attention Tuesday night.
Continuing the tradition that began in 1988, the 10 recipients of this year’s Ridgewood Teacher Recognition Awards were showered with bouquets of praise, seemingly endless lists of acknowledgements, compliments and tributes, during ceremonies inside the standing-room only Education Center.
“In reading through the nomination forms,” said Board of Education President Sheila Brogan, “I was struck by the adjectives that were used to describe them: approachable, kind-hearted, enthusiastic, motivated, knowledgeable, talented, energetic, change agent, professional.”
This year’s honorees are Paul Cronk, Hawes School; Ellen Wolff, Orchard; Nicole Blatt, Ridge; Samantha Stankiewicz, Somerville; Amanda Zampolino, Travell; Paul Wyka, Willard; Amber Nizza, Benjamin Franklin; Janelle King, George Washington; Nancy Reilly, Ridgewood High School; and Susan Fink, Educational Services.
Ridgewood NJ, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein has won a New Jersey Press Association award for his monthly columns in The Ridgewood News. Dr. Fishbein won Second Place in the category of column writing for a weekly newspaper in the organization’s annual Better Newspaper Contest 2014. The winning columns were Schools Cannot Do It Alone and Taking the Mask Off Addiction.The columns were submitted by Edward Virgin, Editor, The Ridgewood News, as part of its package of contest entries encompassing a variety of reporting categories. Ed accepted the award for Dr. Fishbein at the organization’s annual Press Night on April 23 .
MAY 8, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
There’s good reason to opt out
To the editor:
On April 2, all district parents received from our Superintendent of Schools a status update on the first round of Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career (PARCC) testing.
The letter tallies the students whose parents refused the PARCC tests (opting out is not technically an option): 1,135 out of a total of 4,111 students, or nearly 28 percent. The refusal rate for grades 3-8 was over 11 percent.
In line with NJ Education Commissioner David Hespe’s recent threats, the letter states that Ridgewood Public Schools may suffer ill effects as a result, including losing federal grant money and losing our status as a high-performing school district.
The letter does not mention that no district has ever lost federal grant money as a result of low participation, nor does it question why a brand-new assessment should carry such weight in terms of evaluating our district’s schools.
I, along with no doubt all Ridgewood residents who are shouldering 95 percent of the $101 million school budget via property taxes, wish to maintain Ridgewood’s status as a high-performing district. I do not think that the way to do this is to sit by as corporate-led reform, the stated goal of which was to create a “national uniform market” for standardized tests and prep materials, attempts to convert our public schools into profitable test factories without corresponding benefit to students.
We’ve always had standardized tests. However, the low-stakes, sporadic CAT and Terra Nova tests took up a fraction of instruction time as compared to the high stakes, annual standardized testing that began in 2001 with NJ ASK under NCLB.
PARCC and PARCC test prep take excessive standardized testing to a new level.
Further, like other standardized test results, PARCC scores will not tell teachers what they don’t already know. The delay in receiving them exacerbates this: Results from the March testing won’t be out until October 2015 at the earliest. Relying on such data for student placement or special needs or anything else seems more than a bit delayed.
The bottom line is, as Dr. Fishbein stated in an op-ed piece last summer, ever-increasing state mandates including PARCC are objectionable because they displace instruction time and shunt teachers into offices and behind desks to fill out reports and pore over data.
Many parents agree and are acting, in a lawful and respectful way, to try to roll back the intrusion of corporate “reformers” and politicians under their influence in the classroom.
I understand that Commissioner Hespe has directed administrators to encourage participation in PARCC. The Department will view such attempts as a “mitigating factor” in how districts with high non-participation rates are evaluated, as Commissioner Hespe stated at an April 29 hearing in Trenton.
At the same hearing, the Commissioner claimed not to understand why parents are refusing permission. Rather than merely carrying out the Commissioner’s directives, our administration would serve us well by helping to explain that to him and the Department publicly.
Ridgewood NJ, School taxes in the village are about to go up by more than 2 percent cap put in to effect , by Governor Christie in 2010. The cap limits increases in property taxes to 2 percent. There are several ways to get exceptions,which were pushed by Democratic lawmakers negotiating with Christie , who at the time pushed for a hard cap know on this blog as the 2 percent solution .
Towns, county governments and school boards in New Jersey can exceed the tax-hike limit for spending on debt payments, public employee benefits and response to disasters. The cap also doesn’t include many special fees that some towns levy for services such as trash removal .
Last week, the BOE adopted the district’s massive $101.2 million budget for the coming school year. According to the Bergen Record the new budget would will raise taxes over the next year by $194.65 on the average village home assessed at $690,662.That increase represents a more than 2-percent increase from last year’s tax.(https://www.northjersey.com/news/ridgewood-school-taxes-to-increase-more-than-2-percent-1.1326603 ) Click here to view the latest presentation on next year’s school budget, given at the April 27, 2015 Board of Education meeting.
Residents are reminded of the invitation to stop by for coffee and casual conversation with Board of Education members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Daniel Fishbein on Wednesday, May 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns .
Also district parents and guardians have the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback to the Board of Education through the 2014-2015 satisfaction survey. The survey period runs from Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 15. All district parents and guardians with email addresses on file will receive an email link to the survey.
You would think he would be all over this discussion with his crying and complaints about Teachers pay, benefits and pensions.
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Where is his vitriolic claim that the “Union Thugs” in the NJEA are destroying the state? Why have we not seen his post on this discussion that because of the NJEA Union Thugs businesses are leaving the N.J. and so are residents!
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And how many times did we hear “N.J. Has the highest Property Taxes in the Country” because of the Public Safety wages and benefits, and lets not forget pensions? Shouldn’t he be here making the same claim about the BOE budget?
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I will tell you why we hear crickets and nothing from him on this discussion, he doesn’t care about the BOE budget. That isn’t important to him. What is important to him is vilifying Public Safety employees, specifically Police and Firefighters. That’s what he is all about, nothing less and nothing more.
The Ridgewood Board of Education adopted its $101.2 million budget, a plan that calls for an average school tax increase of $194.65.
MAY 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015, 10:13 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Board of Education unanimously approved the district’s $101.2 million budget last week, adopting a financial proposal that supports a new administrator hire, technology updates and curriculum enhancements.
The district’s spending plan will increase school taxes by $194.65 for the average Ridgewood home assessed at $690,662. The rise in taxes represents a total increase of 2.04 percent over last year’s bills, according to Alfredo Aguilar, the schools’ business administrator.
During a brief review of the budget on April 27, Aguilar highlighted the 13 new courses planned for the middle and high schools, completion of the 1:1 Chromebook initiative at the middle school level, and maintenance projects such as window replacements at George Washington Middle School and roadway repairs at Benjamin Franklin Middle School.
He also noted various ways in which the district will attempt to curb spending, such as auditing school phone lines in an effort to convert to digital lines and cancel those that are not in use; installing additional solar panels to decrease energy expenses; and participating in a statewide consortium to purchase faster Internet access at a reduced cost.
Though some trustees said that the budget is not perfect, they agreed that it is a responsible plan that reflects the entire district and achieves the BOE’s goals.
“We have a sound budget, but we’re reminded of the challenges in front of us,” said BOE Vice President Vince Loncto, adding that the board’s responsibility is an “imperative to maintain the quality and reputation of the public schools” while “minimizing the impact on the taxpayers.”
MAY 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, MAY 4, 2015, 9:59 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood school board trustees approved the 2015-16 budget without objection, but their vote last Monday night didn’t go unnoticed.
Nearly 80 parents and teachers crammed inside the Education Center, where two dozen of the attendees appealed to the board for reconsideration of several staffing decisions proposed for the upcoming academic year. Each of them claimed that rising student enrollment numbers without an accompanying increase in class sections would hinder the educational experience for their students.
In a brief budget presentation to the board and public, Alfredo Aguilar, the schools’ business administrator, pointed to various budget highlights, including $1.5 million in technology upgrades and a new generator for the Education Center. He also noted the budget was adjusted for “enrollment shifts between grade levels.”
One of those adjustments was the recent addition of kindergarten sections at two schools.
“There have been some concerns voiced in some of our sections in the elementary schools,” said BOE President Sheila Brogan. “Willard kindergarten [enrollment] is creeping up. That is an area of concern.”
A troubling picture of clueless teenagers and frazzled parents
If I knew then what I know now
By RON LIEBER
The problem with a lot of the advice that teenagers and their families get about higher education debt is that it’s totally, utterly bloodless.The federal Department of Education takes its shot in its role as the de facto provider of advice to people borrowing their first federal student loans and repaying them. That counseling is mandatory for borrowers, but because the topic is dense and the department’s content is devoid of anecdotes, it’s tough to make the lessons stick.
So in my column last week, I asked readers to share their own stories and offer the most important thing they wish they had known before they borrowed money and began to repay it. The comments painted a troubling picture of clueless teenagers, frazzled parents and college administrators who may not always take students by the shoulders and question their debt levels.
Not one person suggested that college was a mistake (though a few regret going to law school). Borrowing too little is dangerous if it leads to dropping out or never attending in the first place, and undergraduates who borrow from the federal government without taking on additional private loans are unlikely to get in trouble if they manage the repayment process well.
MAY 1, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MARK KRULISH
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Planning Board performed a courtesy review of a proposal that was subsequently approved by the Board of Education to add solar energy units at George Washington (GW) and Benjamin Franklin (BF) middle schools, Each school will be getting its own unique project.
A presentation before the BOE in March focused on the general overview of the plan, as well as the potential financial savings. The courtesy review performed last week by the Planning Board took a deeper look at the structural aspects and impact on the surrounding area.
The larger of the two projects, slated for BF, features a carport structure somewhat similar to the one constructed at William Paterson University in Wayne. Doug Bagwill, an engineer, noted that there were a few differences between the two projects, notably the dual-incline inverted canopy that prevents snow from shedding off the side of the panels, pushing it toward the center.
“The whole concept of that is instead of a situation here when it’s melting and sliding, it’s going to go to the center port instead of the edges,” said Jim Wavle, president of Verterra Renewable Energy, who oversaw solar panel projects at the district’s other schools. “It keeps the weight distributed over the support.”
Ridgewood NJ. The RHS Advanced Latin Academic Team competed at Harvard University’s Invitational Certamen Tournament in March, testing their skills against the nation’s top teams. In their best showing yet at the national level, RHS outscored all but five teams, finishing in sixth place and besting major contenders who had defeated them in past meets. They moved onto to take second place at the New Jersey Junior Classical League 2015 Convention state championships on April 25. In individual academic, artistic and athletic contests RHS excelled, taking first place ribbons in five academic categories as well as several second and third place ribbons, as follows:
Academic Awards: Audrey Gao, Second Place, Roman Life, Intermediate Charlotte Kahan, First Place, Roman Life, Advanced Peter Psathas, First Place, Mythology, Advanced; Second Place, Latin Grammar, Advanced; Second Place, Latin Vocabulary, Advanced Anthony Tokarz, First Place , Roman History, Advanced; First Place, Latin Vocabulary, Advanced; First, Place, Latin Oratory, Advanced; Third Place, Roman Life, Advanced Jeff Zachem, Second Place, Latin Oratory, Advanced Art and Design: Poyani Bavishi, Second Place, Impromptu Art; Second Place, Hand-drawn Classical Bookmark Athletic Events: James Psathas, Second Place, 100-Meter, Advanced Boys The Latin Club advisor is Catherine Venturini. Photo 1: Team Captain Peter Psathas, Poyani Bavishi, Sophie Simpson and James Psathas pose in Harvard Yard. Photo 2: The team at the state championships.
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Pubic Hearing on the 2015-2016 Budget and Regular Public Meeting on Monday, April 27, 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 April 27, 2015 Public Hearing on the Budget and Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the 2015-2016 preliminary proposed budget presented at the April 13, 2015 Joint Meeting with the Village Council and Regular Public Meeting.
2015-2016 Preliminary Budget Information Click here to view the latest presentation on next year’s school budget, given at the April 15, 2015 Board of Education meeting.
2015-2016 School Calendar is Approved
The 2015-2016 proposed school calendar was approved at the February 23, 2015 Regular Public Meeting of the Ridgewood Board of Education.Click here to view the calendar.
Board to Survey Parents and Guardians
District parents and guardians will have the opportunity to provide anonymous feedback to the Board of Education in May, when they will be asked to fill out the 2014-2015 satisfaction survey. The survey period will run from Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 15. All district parents and guardians with email addresses on file will receive an email link to the survey. Click here for more information
APRIL 23, 2015, 7:27 PM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015, 7:31 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
State Department of Education officials said they would consider cutting state money to schools where too many students refused to take new state standardized tests.
Education officials said it’s one of the possible sanctions they can place on schools where less than 95 percent of students take the tests.
“The New Jersey Department of Education has always had the authority to consider withholding funds to districts that do not comply with any state or federal laws,” said Michael Yaple, director of communications for the department. “This is not exclusive to PARCC testing or any other requirement.”
The state has not decided if it will use that power or how those cuts would be determined, Yaple said. Conclusions won’t be drawn until the tests are complete.
Shocking toll of social media on girls’ mental health: How sexualised images are fuelling rise in anxiety among pupils aged 11 to 13
Sexualised adverts and social media leading to emotional problems in girls Girls aged between 11 and 13 more affected than they were five years ago Rise may be linked to seeing women portrayed as sex objects, study finds
By SARA SMYTH FOR THE DAILY MAIL
PUBLISHED: 18:00 EST, 19 April 2015 | UPDATED: 03:37 EST, 20 April 2015
Sexualised images of women in advertising and social media are leading to an increase in emotional problems among young girls, new figures suggest.
Girls aged between 11 and 13 are now more likely to worry, lack confidence or feel nervous than they were five years ago because they feel under pressure.
The rise in girls suffering from emotional problems may be linked to stress brought on by seeing images of women portrayed as sex objects on Facebook, Twitter and other websites, researchers from University College London believe.
Ridgewood NJ, On Tuesday, April 21, “Raising Financially Literate Children” will be presented by financial planner Kerry Fitzgerald. Strategies will be shared to help children learn the make prudent financial decisions starting early in life through independence. The program will take place at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, floor 3. Please click here for the flyer.
New: Curriculum Series Continues with Google Program
The district has added a program, “All About Google Apps for Education,” a series of three stand-alone workshops designed to introduce parents and guardians to the world of technology in the classroom. The April 15 (elementary school level) is full. A few spots remain for April 20 (middle school level) and April 22 (high school level). Each workshop is limited to 25 participants and pre-registration is required.
Click here to go to the pre-registration page.
Click here for the flyer and more information.
