RHS Backwoods looks to answer the age old question ,where does a high school teen go on Friday and Saturday nights? To old to be a kid but too young to be an adult , creating a safe yet fun environment for teens .
The Ridgewood High School Home and School Association, the Administration and the Ridgewood Guild are collaborating to provide an opportunity for our high school students to have a place to go on Friday and Saturday nights after a game or activity.
We want to bring our students “Back to Ridgewood” (BACK WOODS) after 9:30pm instead of spending time in someone’s basement engaging in unsafe activities. Our goal is to have downtown Ridgewood restaurants staying open until 11:00pm or later each Friday and Saturday during the school year. When other communities have turned out their lights for the night, we want our students to enjoy coming “Back to Ridgewood” for a meal, a snack, a cup of coffee, ice cream or finding a new good book to read.
Our goal is to have restaurants develop a cost effective menu for students to enjoy. At BACK WOODS, we plan to have fabulous entertainment at restaurants and businesses for you to enjoy.
This is a collaborative effort aimed at providing healthy venues for our students on Friday and Saturday nights.
We plan to launch our BACK WOODS program on May 20, 2011 with a Band Slam at Van Nest Park. After the Slam, we hope to have some restaurants participate in a pilot for the program.
N.J. bill making evaluations key to teacher tenure may soon be introduced
More than a year after state Sen. Teresa Ruiz began gathering evidence on how to overhaul the state’s century-old teacher tenure law, a bill that would link the job protection to regular evaluations may soon be fast-tracked in Trenton.
Ruiz (D-Essex) said during an editorial board meeting late last week that she has meetings scheduled Monday to hammer out the bill’s contents and expects to introduce an updated draft of the legislation as early as this week.
“I’ve wanted to focus on tenure reform since I came into office,” she said. “This month, I intend to post a bill that will be passed and a bill that will be signed.” (Calefati, The Star-Ledger)
The Ridgewood blog Urges all residents to support Jim Morgan for Board of Education and vote ‘NO’ to the Ridgewood School budget PJ Blogger and the Staff of the Ridgewood blog April 16,2012
(RIDGEWOOD-NJ) So another Ridgewood School Board election is upon us and once again residents are asked to vote for the school budget and support the usual cast of community members who will speak with one voice for the Ridgewood school district .
The BOE has asked taxpayers once again to tighten their collective belts ,while it spends lavishly on copper roofs for the dilapidated Board of ed building on Cottage place that has long out lived its usefulness and should have been condemned and raised years ago .
The criticisms of the BOE are the same now as at anytime in the last 10 years, which can be boiled down to a few key issues ; 1) the BOE always puts its politics ahead of educations and the taxpayers ,this has been made abundantly clear over the years where not only has the BOE actively opposed all school reform but now even takes time out of their regular meetings to issue proclamations on opposing teacher tenure reform or immediately writing off Mike Doherty’s “Fair School Funding Act” which could potentially save the Village over $40 million. It still some what astonishes this poster that the BOE so often and so willing goes on record in opposition to both taxpayers ,parents and students. This leads to why most longtime resident remain skeptical as to the well scripted claims of “getting tough on the teachers union ” and assume the day after the election another huge give away will be announced.
2) The BOE has demonstrated a clear lack of transparency and will tolerate no dissension.We all saw how the so called “Math Moms” who were good enough to meet with the President of the United States yet were harassed and dare I say “bullied’ out of town for simply pointing out the folly of a math program that does not include simple addition and is primarily prescribed for inner city youth and not Ridgewood’s over indulged affluent children. The recent public spat with popular former RHS Principal Jack Lorenz added one more layer of disenchantment and reminded residents once again that taxpayers and the BOE are often working at cross purposes.
3) The rush to turf and the expansive use of field lighting all hours of the night has done nothing but make the BOE once again look beholden to sports groups and tone deaf to critics who questioned the wisdom of turfing in a flood zone .Yes I would agree that the turf has opened up field usage time but at what cost and who are these people playing sports all hours of the night? It is time for us all to recognize that flooding is not a one off event but a regular part of life in Ridgewood and we should expect the $30,000 plus bill after almost every rain event ,this seems to mitigate any cost savings promised with the turf and cut the tur’sf life expectancy significantly again erasing claimed cost advantage. The other issue that has rankled so many is lack of turf fields in the Willard school district . Many still find it odd that an overwhelmingly large amount of voters in that district embraced the “turf bond” yet remain deprived of virtues turf fields.
However we do commend the renewed emphasis on math and science at the schools but given the ridiculousness math program many remain skeptical as to its value .It is also of note that the BOE has since the Jack Lorenz debacle made a effort to better communicate or at lest give the appearance that it is interested in comunication . It appears to be only one way but it is nice to see the BOE be more forthcoming with their intentions.
Lets face it there is little danger in voting NO on the school budget .While BOE has so often extolled dangers and disastrous consequences of voting down the School Budget ,it would seem little risk given the propensity of the Village Council to make only a token cuts and send the budget back to the board. The Village council has a very full plate cleaning up the mess created since the late 1990’s by irresponsible fiscal policies and has neither the time nor the expertise to tackle the school budget especially one as formidable as Ridgewoods.
Unlike the BOE we prefer vigorous debate and are very skeptical of the “speaking with one voice” concept . While many of you have experienced the total distaste the BOE has for public participation at their meetings we suggest a more vigorous debate could have spared the schools the “dumb dumb” math program as well as some of the other “folly’s ” that have befallen our once great school system .This is not to diminish the effort by many residents, tutors and teachers who still hold the high standards that once made Ridgewood Schools the envy of the nation and yes they were that good.
It is time to make the “Tradition of Excellence ” something more than a bumper sticker slogan and it is no longer responsible just to sit back and claim the “state mandates’ are lowing standards or cling to the “happy beat Newark mentality that has taken over the school system in recent years. In a field of same old ,same old, yes men or women only one candidate has shown any fortitude in this years contest and that is Jim Morgan .Morgan is the one candidate that can make his presence known on the board and will bring a fresh voice to school issues. Morgan considered the outsider by many has clashed with the BOE from time to time in the past on field issues and some even call him the anti-sports group candidate. While he is clearly not beholden to sports groups the label of anti-sports is a bit of a stretch. Morgan has given a voice to all those who question flood zone turf and policies that promote field lights on till 10 pm giving voters a sensible alternative to the “turf town” crowd . Morgan, who served on the Ridgewood Education Foundation’s board for 15 years has a keen grasp of issues relating to schools and the simply fact that his candidacy has been met with such hostility from the likes of BOE regular Charles Reilly shows how effective one voice of descent can be. The Ridgewood blog fully endorses Jim Morgan for BOE.
THURSDAY MARCH 8, 2012, 2:22 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The controlled chaos that rumbled inside Somerville School last Thursday was rather soothing, as if everyone was comfortable within the confines where 200 or so men clamored around chomping on sandwiches and downing soft drinks from plastic cups. It was, after all, a Dads’ Night rehearsal – what were the chances that an event arranged solely by men would start with anything but a little ruckus?
The tradition-filled, 68-year history of Dads’ Night, the all-male variety-show fundraiser benefitting students at Hawes and Somerville schools, permits those brief moments of madness. But with this year’s team, everyone has been on the same page since day one; last week’s commotion was more a call to get the motor running, a plea to get the show on the road.
>Ridgewood News editorial: Keep voting in April
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Ridgewood News
Governor Christie recently gave local school boards the option to decide whether to move elections to November in a cost-saving effort. The Ridgewood Board of Education made the right decision this week when members voted to keep elections in April.
THURSDAY JANUARY 19, 2012, 1:37 PM
BY BRYAN WASSEL
NORTH JERSEY MEDIA GROUP
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
In order to give the community a more casual venue to meet with school officials, the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) has started a series of quarterly get-togethers with a focus on personal interaction.
>Ridgewood News editorial: Teachers should attend charity basketball game
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Education Association’s decision to pull teachers from a charity basketball game was a disappointing turn in contract negotiations with the school district.
Vincent Loncto is sworn in as Ridgewood schools trustee
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2011
BY EVONNE COUTROS
STAFF WRITER
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD – A former chief financial officer for major corporations was sworn in Monday night as the school district’s newest trustee.
Vincent Loncto took his seat as a trustee at Monday’s school board meeting at the district’s Education Center on Cottage Place.
The certified public accountant was one of six candidates interviewed for the trustee post after Charles Reilly resigned earlier this year.
“The school budget is in the process of being developed, so I’m coming in at the right time,” said Loncto, who retired earlier this year from a 40-year career in financial management.
“It has to be done collaboratively,” he said. “What we are talking about here is enhancing the quality of the school system under budgetary constraints. It is detail-intensive work.”
>Ridgewood school board interviews six candidates for open seat
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2011
BY JOSEPH CRAMER
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Board of Education (BOE) interviewed six candidates this week for the seat left vacant by trustee Charles Reilly’s departure last month.
Six candidates applied and were each questioned by board members on Monday night regarding their professional backgrounds, reasons for applying for the position, and goals as a potential BOE trustee. The decision on Reilly’s replacement will be announced at a public meeting on Nov. 7.
Among the candidates – James Morgan, Gwen Sullivan, B. Vincent Loncto, Janice Willet, Rei Shinozuka and Eric Gross – several themes were consistent across the six interviews. All expressed a desire to contribute to the reputation of the Ridgewood school district, which was a primary reason behind moving to the village for many of the candidates.
Issues of communication, whether relating to complex technical matters such as yearly budgets or simple instances of parent feedback, were also paramount in candidates’ responses.
>Interviews will be held on Monday, October 24, 2011 for Vacant Board Seat
APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR VACANT BOARD MEMBER POSITION
As of Friday, October 21, 2011, 4:00 p.m., the district has received applications for the vacant Board Member position from the following people:
Eric Gross
B. Vincent Loncto
James Morgan
Rei Shinozuka
Gwen Sullivan
Janice Willett
Interviews will be held starting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, 2011, at the Regular Public Meeting, in the Board Room on the third floor of the Education Center.
>READER: Ridgewood BOE and Fishbein misrepresented the delivery of state grants in order to push through their pet projects
What a shocker. Ridgewood BOE and Fishbein misrepresented the delivery of state grants in order to push through their pet projects and get the town to vote on the yes on the bond.
I even seem to remember Fishbein and Lenhard guaranteeing that the grants would not be held up in spite of the economic uncertainty of the state.
IT IS TIME TO FIRE FISHBEIN and vote no-confidence in Lenhard & Brogan and get them out of there. I would rather have the state takeover the school system that let these useless fools continue to run our school system into the poor house and put a drain on the taxpayers in the community.
Just to be note, I am not against spending money to ensure the future success of our children. However, money needs to be spent wisely and have a strong and provable return on investment. Turf fields that need replacement and continuous maintenance (b/c they were idiotically built in a flood zone) does not represent wise spending. The return on investment does come close to breaking even as not nearly enough of the student population benefits.
Ridgewood school board seeking input from ‘no’ voters
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
BY KELLY EBBELS
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Staff Writer
The Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE) Finance Committee is reaching out to residents to get a sense of why they cast their ballots in favor of or against the most recent school budget.
The committee will host two open meetings with residents about the budget ballot question; the first will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 16 at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. A second meeting date will be determined at a later date, officials said.
Committee members said they would especially like to speak with those who voted against the $83 million budget for the 2011-2012 school year. The budget vote and election was held on April 27; 1,817 residents voted for the budget, with 1,448 voting against it.
if you can’t handle Ridgewood’s tax burden, then i suggest you MOVE. nobody is holding a gun to your head to live here. if you don’t want to pay state income taxes or don’t want to deal with high property taxes go to Texas!
if you can’t pay our taxes then you’re clearly too poor to be living in ridgewood.
Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ has become our 2007-2008 Grand Prix champions…again! Though Mt. Horeb School, Warren, NJ gave them a run for their money, with the home field advantage for the final tournament, Orchard outscored Mt. Horeb by only 10 points to take 1st place.
In the individual race, Simon Thomas, George Washington Middle School, Ridgewood, NJ gave another stellar performance to finish first.
Our final spots for the Tournament of Champions has also been decided. Michael Bender, St. Joseph’s High School, Metuchen, NJ has become the 7th qualifier while Richard Davisson, Shongum Elementary, Randolph, NJ is the wildcard.
Please visit our Grand Prix page for all standings and our Tournament of Champions page for more information.
Congratulations to all and good luck to our champions!
Beef Recall Update The RPS district is in regular communication with Pomptonian, our food services provider, about the NJ Department of Agriculture beef recall.
Until the recall has been fully satisfied, the district has elected to remove beef from all K-12 menus.
