Ridgewood NJ, how will the new teacher’s contract affect the voting on November 8th for Full-day Kindergarten? The long negotiation process between the REA and the BOE still put growth in the Ridgewood School budget over the 2% cap forcing program cuts to get the budget back in line .
Full-Day Kindergarten: Public Vote is Election Day, November 8
Next Public Presentation is October 27 at 7 p.m.
Click here for a PDF of the public presentation. Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Click here to view all full-day Kindergarten documents.
The long-pending class action lawsuit by Glen Rock, Midland Park and Wyckoff against the Ridgewood Water utility is scheduled for trial beginning Nov. 1 in the New Jersey Superior Court in Hackensack.
According to Glen Rock Mayor Bruce Packer, a third and apparently final mediation attempt on Friday, Oct. 7 failed to produce a resolution, putting the case on the court docket following three postponements since April.
Ridgewood Nj, No the new Village Council is not calling in reinforcements just yet . On Wednesday night council meeting the Village Council Acknowledgement of 2016 National Achievements by athletes of Taekwondo All In.
Youngmin Kim Head Coach of Taekwondo All In, 33 Chestnut st Ridgewood. He has run this program to find athletes and introduce sport taekwondo. Taekwondo All In have two different programs one which is recreational taekwondo and one sports taekwondo. Our recreational taekwondo provides with learning respects, discipline, focus, and team work through training. As many people thought Taekwondo is only one of martial arts, but also taekwondo is one of core Olympic sports. I was one of sport taekwondo athletes in Korea. Our sports taekwondo programs provide detailed skills and dreams of becoming an USA Olympian.
Our team has participated from local championships to international championships. We have gradually dominated in local and National championships within 3years. Our athletes achieved more than 60 medals from National and International championships within 2 years. At the first our national championships was last year July 4 in CA San Jose. 6 athletes participated in the championships, earning 7 medals. In this year, 15 athletes more than double from last year participated in National Championships earning 26 medals. In this year National Championships, every athlete made at least one medal. In order to make this happen, athletes dedicated their time and efforts from State championships to National championships. They trained more than 10 hour in a week. That was why our athletes deserved their results in National championships medals.
National championships is to path for Olympic. In order for athletes to participate in national championships, they need to qualify from State championships. Once they qualified state championships, athletes can go to National championships. It is very hard to prepare for National Championships because National Championships is only once a year; therefore, so many athletes have intensive training to participate in this big event. All most over 6000 athletes participate in a year. Only 30% of athletes can receive a medal. Athletes who participate in World class level can allow to participate in Team Trial once they have a medal in National Championships.
Ridgewood Nj, Ridgewood has made some dramatic changes in how grass clippings are disposed of . The new rules sat that grass clippings must be segregated from other yard waste and cannot be placed in the street with leaves.
The Ridgewood blog has put together some suggestions on reducing the grass clippings and alternatives for disposing of them. Many municipalities have already begun to refuse to pick up grass clippings and leaves because of reduced landfill availability. In fact, some states have banned yard waste in landfills.
In the Village many homeowners are bagging clippings to be picked up and sent to a local composting facility , particularly with leaves this seems a bit impractical. Another option is using mulching lawn mowers. A mulching mower reduces the size of clippings and spreads them back on the grass, where they rapidly decompose and return to the soil.
Grass clippings are a valuable organic source of nutrients, especially nitrogen. Some mulching-mower users have found that yearly nitrogen applications may be reduced by one-fourth when grass is returned to the turf.
Although mulching mowers and mulching attachments for existing mowers can reduce clipping size, thus increasing the rate that grass clippings decompose, you can get the same effect with a normal rotary mower. Mowing on a regular basis with a sharp blade usually produces clippings that decompose fairly quickly.
In the city of Forth Worth, Texas, participants in the “Don’t Bag It” program said, on average, they felt that their lawns looked 30 percent better when they let the clippings remain than when they previously had collected the clippings. Cities with similar programs report reduced garbage loads and healthier lawns, trees and shrubs.
Leaving clippings on the lawns does not necessarily cause problems with thatch buildup. You may encounter problems with thatch whether you use a mulching mower or not. Thatch can be controlled with vertical mowing, core aerification, and proper watering and fertilization.
If you prefer not to leave clippings on the lawn,consider using collected clippings as mulch or as a component in a compost pile (which in turn will produce nutrient-rich soil conditioners).
If you have recently treated your lawn with herbicides, you will want to wait for three mowings before using grass clippings as mulch. It is possible for herbicide residues to damage garden crops if you use recently treated clippings as mulch. If you put clippings in a compost, on the other hand, pesticides rapidly degrade.
Ridgewood NJ, The Pro Arte Chorale will host a wine tasting featuring German wines on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from 4-7 PM at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood, NJ. The cost is $45 per person and includes the wine, soft drinks, German delicacies and one ticket to our upcoming concert. Each tasting will be presented by a local wine expert.
Join us for a truly enjoyable evening ~ ~ bring family and friends! Persons under the age of 21 will not be permitted alcohol. Attendees must furnish valid ID required upon request. State of NJ License number 41249.
On Sunday, November 20, we will present our first concert of the 2016-2017 season, featuring Brahms’ brilliant Ein Deutsches Requiem and Haydn’sInsanae et vanae curae. Concert will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ridgewood beginning at 4:00pm.
It’s clear Lots of catching up to do from the previous gang of neglect
Re-line the Dangerous Pedestrian Crossing in front of the Library before daylight savings dark afternoons and early winter Sunsets.
Could the Maple Ave. crosswalk between Kings and the library be painted in fluorescent or reflective paint? It’s very dangerous–anything that could be done to mitigate that would be a good idea.
Wait one minute! Why can’t you paint the crosswalks that need attention, which is basically all of them? Do pedestrian lives not matter?
Please paint more visible crosswalks at the corner of S. Irving and Ridgewood Ave. Also, the crosswalks across Ridgewood Ave in front of the High School – 2 of them. Also, the crosswalks at the corner of Ridgewood Ave and Maple. Pedestrian lives matter, too.
JimBoylan wrote:
Matt Johnson wrote:
Reversible seatbacks are even prohibited in new cars now, so that’s one reason you’ve got fixed seats in new commuter cars like the NJT multilevels.
I haven’t been able to find any Federal or New Jersey legal prohibition. A while ago, New Jersey Transit bragged that their recent at that time order of single level cars would have inertial locks like on automobile seat belts to prevent the seat backs from moving during a crash. In my opinion as a railroader, the “prohibition” probably comes from the same person who bans railfan photography from public places.
I did not find anything either. The feds primary interest with respect to seats appears to be that they (1) don’t break loose from their fastenings, (2) the backs don’t unduly obstruct the emergency egress windows, and (3) they remain in a fixed position in a crash to better cushion the momemtum of a passenger. Inertial locks should be able to satisfy No. 3. The multilevel car seats have padding on the top rear and are high backed to better satisfy No. 3. My suspicion is that NJT desired cost savings from less maintenance, no need for crews to reverse seats and elimination of the issue with passengers flipping seats making collecting fares/keeping track of paid passengers more difficult and limiting capacity on peak trains since 4 longer-legged passengers cannot comfortably sit in pairs of seats facing each other.
HERE COME THE LAWSUITS
Ridgewood NJ, Rules change; disposal of grass clippings – Grass clippings must be segregated from other yard waste and cannot be placed in the street with leaves.
Effective immediately per Ordinance #3550, approved by Village Council on 10/12/2016:
A. Grass clippings cannot be placed in the same container as brush, leaves and other vegetative debris.
B. Placement of yard waste in the street that is not containerized is only permitted during the placement dates designated by the annualLeaf Collection Schedule Notice, and at all times shall not be placed closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet, and may not contain any brush or grass clippings.
No details have been provided yet as to what impact, if any, these changes will bring to the Village’s current yard waste pick up schedule (i.e., once per week during curbside yard waste pick up season).
The changes were made because:
1. An NJDEP advisory that grass clippings can no longer be deposited in the Village’s Lakeview Compost Facility.
2. Compost that is free of grass clippings can be sold at a higher price.
Honored for providing exceptional patient care and clinical excellence
October 13,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, For the third consecutive year, The Valley Hospital has earned the Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s Best Breast Centers, acknowledging its dedication to providing exceptional patient care and treatment. This evidence-based designation is the only award that identifies the country’s best breast centers based on robust criteria that considers female patient satisfaction and clinical excellence.
To earn this recognition, The Valley Hospital Breast Center, along with 450 other award winners throughout the nation, had to meet the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) standards from the American College of Surgeons and carry the Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) seal from the American College of Radiology. The Valley Hospital Breast Center also had to receive a rating in the top 75% for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) patient recommendation measures.
“We are proud to be recognized as one of the nation’s best hospitals for breast care,” said Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System. “It’s a testament to the priority our Breast Center physicians, nurses and staff place on making sure every patient’s needs are met when it comes to breast care.”
Breast cancer is the second most common form of cancer among American women according to the American Cancer Society, and one in eight women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.
“Whether it’s an annual mammogram or addressing a more serious concern, every woman deserves the best breast care and an opportunity to live a healthy life. By letting women know which breast centers in their area are among America’s best, we are able to reduce their risk by helping them make smarter healthcare choices,” says Delia Passi, CEO and Founder of the Women’s Choice Award.
Ridgewood NJ, more identity fraud incidents have been reported in Ridgewood . The Ridgewood Police have recently reported ;
A Cambridge Road resident responded to the Police department on October 5, 2016 to report a Theft of Identity. The victim reported she received two Chase credit cards in the mail without her authorization. The victim contacted Chase Bank and was informed someone used her personal identity and applied for the credit cards. Chase Bank cancelled the credit cards and is investigating the incident.
On October 7, 2016 a Glenwood Road resident responded to the Police Department to report Identity Theft in the past. The victim reported discovering an unauthorized credit card purchase on his Chase credit card in the amount of $1527 from Bob’s Furniture. The victim reported he was satisfied that Chase reversed the unauthorized charge and he only requested documentation of the incident.
10 Ways To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Shielding your private information with no risk of a breakdown may be impossible these days. But there are some simple ways to protect you from becoming a victim of Identity Theft.
Simple but very important, tips to protect you and your name.
1. Destroy private records and statements. Tear up – or, if you prefer, shred – credit cards statements, solicitations, and other documents that contain private financial information.
2. Secure your mail. Empty you mailbox quickly, lock it or get a P.O. box so criminals don’t have a chance to snatch credit card pitches. Never mail outgoing bill payments and checks from home. They can be stolen from your mailbox and the payee’s name erased with solvents. Mail them from the post office or another secure location.
3. Safeguard your Social Security number. Never carry your card with you, or any other card that may have your number, like a health insurance card. Don’t put your number on your checks. It’s the primary target for identity thieves because it gives them access to your credit report and bank accounts.
4. Don’t leave a paper trail. Never leave ATM, credit card or gas station receipts behind.
5. Never let your credit card out of your sight. Worried about credit card skimming? Always keep an eye on your card or, when that’s not possible, pay with cash.
6. Know who you’re dealing with. Whenever anyone contacts you asking for private identity or financial information, make no response other than to find out who they are, what company they represent and the reason for the call. If you think the request is legitimate, contact the company yourself and confirm what you were told before revealing any of your personal data.
7. Take your name off marketers’ hit lists. In addition to the national Do-Not-Call registry (1-888-382-1222), you can also cut down on junk mail and opt out of credit card solicitations.
8. Be more defensive with personal information. Ask salespeople and other if information such as Social Security or driver’s license number is absolutely necessary. Ask anyone who does require your Social Security number about their privacy policy and that you do not want your information given to anyone else.
Ridgewood NJ, The Village of Ridgewood became one of many Bergen County NJ communities to honor law enforcement personnel by striping a main thoroughfare with a blue colored traffic line. Ridgewood’s “blue line” is located on North Maple Avenue, between Franklin Avenue and Linwood Avenue, right in front of Village Hall and Ridgewood Police Headquarters. Village officials gathered in front of Village Hall on Tuesday, 10/11 to commemorate the event.
Ridgewood NJ, New Jersey Governor Christopher Christie attended a political fundraiser in Ridgewood on Tuesday October 11th and flew into the Village on a NJ State Police helicopter. Members of Ridgewood’s police, fire, and Emergency Services departments were on standby at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School for the early evening helicopter landing. The helicopter landed without incident; a two (2) vehicle motorcade (NJ State Police provided) subsequently transported the Governor and his party from the school to the $5,000 per attendee fundraising event, which was held at the Park West Tavern on Oak Street.
Ridgewood NJ, The Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein will host residents for coffee and casual conversation on three separate occasions this school year. The first date for Coffee and Conversation is Wednesday, October 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. Future dates will follow on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 and Wednesday, May 17, 2017. All residents are invited to drop in to share their thoughts, questions, suggestions and concerns.
Tonight the Board of Education (Board) formally approved the three- year contract with the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) that was ratified by the REA on September 28th.
Highlights of the contract include the following:
•Term:3 Years: July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2018.
•Salaries: A 1% increase for the first year of the contract (2015-16). For 2016-17 and 2017-18, salary increases of 2.7% per year, inclusive of the cost of the incremental movement (vertical step movement) on the salary guides. That is equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 2.13% over the life of the contract. Importantly, the approved contract assures that our salaries will continue to be competitive, allowing our district to attract and retain highly qualified teachers.
•Health Benefits: Current REA members may continue to enroll in NJ Direct 10 or in any of the 20 plans offered by the state under the School Employee Health Benefit Plans (SEHBP). Employees hired on or after September 12, 2016 may not enroll in NJ Direct 10 before reaching tenure, but instead shall enroll in the NJ Direct 15 or any other state-offered school employee medical plan.
•Chapter 78 Health Benefit Employee Contributions : The rates by which Ridgewood teachers contribute to their individual healthcare premiums is determined by a graduated structure, with employees at higher end of salary grades paying a greater percentage of their individual premiums than those at the lower end.
Effective January 1, 2017, full-time teachers will pay between 14% and 26% of the premium cost for their medical, prescription and dental benefits; full-time secretaries will pay between 10% and 14% of the total premium cost.As an
example, using an 8.6% increase for the 2017 NJ Direct 10 premiums, teachers enrolling in single coverage would contribute between $1,635(14%) and $3,036 (26%) for the year. Teachers choosing family coverage would contribute between $4,676 (14%) and $8,684 (26%). According to the latest Kaiser Family 2016 survey, the average U.S. worker pays $1,129 peryear for single (employee-only) medical coverage and $5,277 for dependent/family medical coverage.
Last May, the state -appointed fact finder recommended a settlement that would have cost the District $4.4 million over the 2% cap during the life of the three- year contract. The Board rejected this recommendation, believing that the fact finder ignored the district’s ability to fund his suggested settlement.
The contract approved today reduced this excess by almost half to $2.5 million over the 2% cap.The Board and administration are now tasked with the challenge of funding the contract, which will require budgetary reductions next year that will result in changes to staffing and programming. While it would be unrealistic to expect that a spending reduction of this magnitude will be without consequences to the district, when preparing the 2017- 18 budget the Board will work closely with Dr.Fishbein to identify reductions that will have the least impact on the instructional programs and extra-curricular offerings. Notwithstanding the upcoming challenges, we are pleased to be moving forward and are confident that the 2016- 17 school year will be successful as we all focus on what unites us as a community, the education of our children and our excellent schools.
Ridgewood Board of Education
Sheila Brogan, President
Vince Loncto, Vice President
Christina Krauss
Jim Morgan
Jennie Smith Wilson
