the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education meets on July 26, 2021 at 5:00 PM for a Regular Public Meeting at the Education Center.
Continue reading Ridgewood Board of Education Regular Public Meeting Tonight
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a year and a half into the COVID pandemic many parents recognized, perhaps for the first time, that they have so many options available to them in every other area of their lives and of their parenting; yet, when it comes to educating their kids, they are left with a one-size-fits-all government school assignment. This is no longer tolerable to families who desire much more choice and customization in their children’s learning.
Continue reading School Choice Options Go Mainstream after Disruptive 2020/2021 Pandemic Year
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed legislation (S854) requiring civics instruction at the middle school level. Currently, New Jersey is one of a minority of states which does not require civics instruction for middle school students. Under the legislation, the New Jersey Center for Civic Education at Rutgers University will be directed to prepare civics curriculum guidelines for local school boards, ensuring that middle and high school students study the values and principles underlying the American system of constitutional democracy, the function of government, and the role of a citizen in a democratic society.
Continue reading Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Expand Civics Instruction in Schools
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Ridgewood NJ, a new CDC MMWR report explores safety precautions that can be taken indoors to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2. In particular, the combination of portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners with universal masking policies appears to be very effective in preventing transmission between people in close-contact indoor environments. Previous studies have shown that HEPA air cleaners, portable or built-in, can greatly reduce aerosol transmission in indoor environments.
By Charles Stampul
Ridgewood NJ, You are paying an extreme amount in taxes to live in a town with “good schools.” You clearly care about your child’s future, but given how the world is changing, is school really the best place for her? Have you ever even asked the question?
Continue reading Don’t Make a Sunk Cost Error When it Comes to Your Child’s Education
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Congratulations! You have taken the first step toward filling a vital role for your community – that of a school board member.
NJSBA’s Candidate Kit provides vital resources (downloadable PDFs listed below), as well as links to important websites for anyone considering running for their local school board.
Continue reading Consider a Ridgewood School Board Candidacy!
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the CDC now says people who are vaccinated do not have to wear masks in school settings. The government health agency updated its guidance Friday morning.
Continue reading CDC now says people who are vaccinated do not have to wear masks in school settings
photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, at a time when many schools are embroiled in controversy over the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT), voters still think it is important that kids learn traditional values in school.
Continue reading An Overwhelming Majority of Voters Want Schools To Teach Traditional Values
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Multiple vehicles were damaged on Thursday afternoon, 07/08, when a large tree toppled into a parking lot of the Ridge Elementary School on West Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood. Typically, the parking lot would be empty at this time of year. However, the school building was being used to house a summer enrichment program, and the lot was relatively full of vehicles belonging to the parents of participants who were about to be dismissed from the program for the day. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as there was no one was in the lot when the tree toppled. A Ridgewood Police patrol officer was dispatched to process property damage reports, and to assist the owners of lightly damaged vehicles in removing them from the parking lot.
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Ridgewood NJ, the Co-Founder calls out Wikipedia as “Hopelessly Biased”, Larry Sanger, a philosopher who co-founded Wikipedia in 2001, has sadly concluded that the free online encyclopedia is “more one-sided than ever” and so dominated by liberal sources that it is now “an opponent of vigorous democracy.” And freedom for that matter.
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a new report by the ABC Science Collaborative demonstrates that in-person schooling with proper masking protocols can safely be pursued at all educational levels in the US. The report analyzed 864,515 students and 160,549 staff members across 100 school districts and 14 charter schools in North Carolina. Under the state’s “Plan A” protocol, masks were required for all students and staff in all educational areas, including bus rides to and from school. Over the 4-month study period, 1 in 127 students and 1 in 138 staff were diagnosed with COVID-19, although researchers stated that around 95% of those infections occurred within the community and not in school. The report ultimately recommended that full capacity, in-person learning can be safely achieved at all grade levels with strong adherence to mask mandates. With adherence to masking protocols, students could be less physically distanced and even reach full capacity on school busses. The report provides strong data-driven evidence for in-person learning, as school district administrators nationwide create their plans for the upcoming school year. Still, vaccinations among eligible students and staff will be key to relaxing masking measures in the future.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, finally a lab study in a prestige medical journal confirming the obvious – that it’s hard for kids to breathe with masks strapped to their faces.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, a few hours before the Board meeting, Governor Murphy announced that masks will be optional in the fall; however, the District has not yet received any specific guidance. As a result, some of the information in the presentation regarding school operations and scenarios for the 2021-2022 school year is already outdated. Schools will be open for full-time, in-person instruction with lunch, and the goal is to operate at pre-pandemic norms. Modifications have been made to health and safety protocols and will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. Should districts be authorized to make decisions on a local level, RPS will collaborate with the VOR Health Department, School Physician, and District Mental Health Coordinator to determine local guidelines.
