photo by ArtChick
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Ridgewood NJ, National School Choice Week 2021 will take place January 24 – 30, 2021 and New Jersey has many school options. https://schoolchoiceweek.com/guide-school-choice-new-jersey/
Continue reading New Jersey School Choice Roadmap and Options
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Ridgewood NJ, a new bill requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion. Assemblywoman Holly Schepisi, “While I have sponsored and voted in favor of many pieces of legislation over the years to ensure equality for all, including all races, religions, genders and members of the LGBTQ+ community, today I will be voting no on a bill A-4454. This bill requires school districts to include instruction on diversity and inclusion commencing this year as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. While on its face the bill appears to be one that we should all support, as with all things the devil is in the details.”
Governor Murphy Signs Executive Order to Implement New Policies for the 2020-2021 School Year
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Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 214 to affect the following changes for the 2020-2021 school year: 1) waiver of the graduation assessment test requirement for any 12th grade student who has satisfied all other statutory graduation requirements; 2) removal of Student Growth Objectives (SGOs) as a component of formal educator evaluations; and 3) extension of the time in which certificated teachers or those in the process of becoming certificated teachers can serve as substitute teachers.
Continue reading Governor Murphy Waives Graduation Assessment Tests for the 2020-2021 School Year
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Ridgewood NJ, Due to health concerns related to COVID-19, there will be no in-person public attendance for this meeting.
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Ridgewood NJ, in December, 180 RHS DECA members participated in the district competition, and 62 students qualified for the state competition in February.
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Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood High School FTC Robotics team participated in their first competition in December. Our team (The WoodChips) competes in the FIRST Tech Challenge, a national robotics league.
FIRST Tech Challenge teams design, build, program, and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. Students develop STEM skills and practice engineering principles while realizing the value of hard work, innovation, and collaboration.
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Ridgewood NJ, a new research letter in the New England Journal of Medicine presents comprehensive data from Sweden, where schoolchildren up to age 16 never stopped going to school and never adopted masks or distancing measures.
Among the 1.9 million children in Sweden, just 15 required intensive care and zero died. Less than 10 preschool teachers and 20 schoolteachers required intensive care, the latter substantially lower than the average across all professions.
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Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood schools reported the following Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases for the week ending January 8, 2021.
Four individuals at Ridgewood High School; these cases are of known origin.
Three individuals at Benjamin Franklin Middle School; one case is of known origin and two cases are of unknown origin.
One individual at George Washington Middle School; this case is of known origin.
One individual at Ridge Elementary School; this case is of known origin.
The Village Health Department has determined no close contacts in school were found for all of the cases; therefore, only the individuals and family members are quarantined.
Please remember, during this time of remote learning, if a family member becomes symptomatic or tests positive, please communicate with your school nurse.
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Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood School District reported winter break Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases during the December Recess.
Continue reading No Break from COVID during the December Ridgewood School Recess
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Ridgewood NJ, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put together some information to help parents along their child’s remote learning process. According to the CDC , there are many ways you can help children learn at home. Whether your child is attending in-person classes, online classes at home, or a combination of both, adjusting to a new learning routine can be challenging and stressful for everyone involved. The following strategies are meant to help you get the support you need to facilitate at-home learning while staying connected and engaged with your school community. Remember – there is no “right” way for your child to learn at home. Do what works for you and your family, and make sure to prioritize your own well-being so that you stay healthy and feel ready to address your child’s needs in education and beyond.
Continue reading Keep Children Engaged During Virtual or Remote Learning
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Ridgewood NJ, COVID-19 and remote learning has changed the K-12 education landscape, perhaps permanently. More parents are focusing on their children’s education than at any time in recent memory. In addition to immediate challenges, like ensuring that their children learn during the pandemic, parents are getting an even closer look at the curriculum and textbooks their children are provided.
Continue reading COVID-19 and remote learning has changed the K-12 education landscape
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Ridgewood NJ, since September New Jersey’s teachers union has been warning of teacher shortages being exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Faced with a teacher shortage , NJ lawmakers are considering having the state recognize out-of-state teaching certificates to make recruiting easier for school districts.
Continue reading Will NJ Teacher Shortages Spur Adaption of Remote Learning?
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Ridgewood NJ, the League of Women Voters is attempting to weigh into the current legal fight over the legality of the ,“One Village One Vote” petition to consolidate election and forever raise your taxes with with less taxpayer oversight .In a massive blow to taxpayers ,the November “yes” vote effectively eliminated the Ridgewood School budget vote . The school budget make up 2/3 of the Village property tax bill and stands at a whopping $115 million dollars .
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Ridgewood NJ, according to the Superintendent Search Committee, the superintendent search survey closed on Friday, December 18, and over 2,000 responses from teachers, staff, parents, students, and community members were received. The survey was designed by R-PAT Solutions, LLC, and the wording is part of their process. The next step is to begin formally interviewing applicants next month. A large number of candidates from all backgrounds have submitted applications.
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Police Department
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Ridgewood NJ, at Mondays Ridgewood Board of Education meeting Dr. Gorman thanked the Board for the tremendous opportunity to serve as Acting Superintendent and shared that he looks forward to working cooperatively on the district and Board of Education goals as we navigate through this unprecedented time. He also thanked Dr. Fishbein for his guidance and wisdom over the years and wished him a happy and well-deserved retirement.
Continue reading Acting Superintendent Dr. Gorman Suggests “Snow Days” Are Here to Stay
