“Those who protest that children need more unscheduled time are using a half-baked argument.”
Not according to, The Creative Spirit, written by Goleman, Kaufman and Ray, companion book to PBS series by the same name.
According to these experts and Gardner, children develop their ability to be creative by the age of eight years of age. Unscheduled free time to explore and play as the child chooses,especially time to focus on one activity as long as he wants to, determines a child’s ability to solve all kinds of problems for the rest of his life.
Not only must a half-day kindergarten schedule remain, but learning to read in kindergarten, forcing a developing brain that wants to be free to explore all day is destructive. At least coming home after a half day gives the child time to explore without being exhausted after a full day.
If I were a parent with a young child nowadays, I would home school for kindergarten or send to, only a half-day Montessori type education. I would enter the child in the first grade. And believe me, folks , he would learn to read and understand what he read.
Even if their attorney told them it’s okay, as was reported on Facebook, I still think it’s a bad idea. It serves to alienate a significant number of taxpayers for no reason. The sign isn’t going to result in a significant number of yes votes. They seemed to have learned nothing from what happened with the parking garage fiasco. Take the sign down now Dan.
Either someone should go take the damn sign Down, or then its ok to put up a Vote NO to full day kindergarten sign also in the same spot – taxpayer funded public property. Equal voice on public funded property. My voice should count too!
BOE members seem to be clueless/out of touch (i.e., parking garage issue). This will cost them more votes than they’ll gain by the stupid little sign. Arrogance continues to reign at 49 Cottage Place
Ridgewood is in the process of taxing itself to death. Look at houses at the high end of the market that are already not selling. This will creep down to the middle market as we continue to make avoidable expenditures like this that increase our taxes. Remember that we already have unsustainable union contracts and expenditures legislated by Trenton to swallow every year. We need to be looking for ways to reduce spending – not increase it for the benefit of the few.
Ridgewood NJ, The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, October 10, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place. The public is invited to attend the meeting or view it live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Live BOE Meeting” tab on the district website, or on Fios tv channel 33 or Optimum 77.
Click here to view the agenda for the October 10, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the minutes of the September 12, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
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Click here to view the 2016-2017 Budget presented at the May 2, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
Click here to view the Full Day Kindergarten Recommendation presented to the Board at their March 7, 2016 Regular Public Meeting.
LSHSA events : MeetingMonday, October 10 9:30 a.m. Education Center, 49 Cottage Place
Hear Dr. Fishbein talk about full-day Kindergarten, learn about new initiatives, review enrichment grant proposals
CoffeeThursday, October 20 9:30 a.m. Learn about LSHSA, local resources and support; meet other parents; become a member.
Ridgewood NJ, RIDGEWOOD ANNUAL FLU CLINIC THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2016
VILLAGE OF RIDGEWOOD ANNE ZUSY YOUTH CENTER 131 N. MAPLE AVE. 9:00AM UNTIL 11:00AM
MUST CALL FOR APPOINTMENT: Valley Community Health 201-291-6090
65 years and over FREE with Medicare Part B –NO HMO MEDICARE ACCEPTED
6 MONTHS – 64 years Flu vaccine – $27.00 (cash or check only
Ridgewood NJ, it going to be a big week for Bookends in Ridgewood ;
Tuesday, October 11th @ 6:00pm,STEVE YOUNG will sign his new book: QB: My Life Behind the Spirals ($30.00).
Wednesday October 12th at 7 PM – 8 PM , New York Times Bestselling Authors, NEWT & CALLISTA GINGRICH, will sign their new books: Treason ($26.00) & Hail to the Chief ($16.99). Books available: October 11th.
Thursday, October 13 at 5 PM – 6 PM , Social media sensation, JAKE PAUL, will sign his new book: You Gotta Want It ($24.99). Books available: October 11th.
Thursday, October 13 at 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM Co-founder of The Cure, LOL TOLHURST, will sign his new book: Cured: The Tale of Two Imaginary Boys ($27.50). Books available: October 11th.
Appearing authors will only autograph books purchased at Bookends and must have valid Bookends Receipt.
Availability & pricing for all autographed books subject to change.
First In Line Certificate use is the the discretion of Bookends. Blackout dates may apply.
Bookends cannot guarantee that the books that are Autographed will always be First Printings.
Autographed books purchased at Bookends are non-returnable.
While we try to ensure that all customers coming to Bookends’ signings will meet authors and get their books signed, we cannot guarantee that all attendees will meet the author or that all books will be signed. We cannot control inclement weather, author travel schedules or authors who leave prematurely.
Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 201-445-0726
HAUNTED HARVEST – RIDGEWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – OCTOBER 29
October 9,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Join the Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce’ s Haunted Harvest, Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, Saturday, October 29 from 1 – 4pm, weather permitting. No raindate.
Walk through the Haunted Grave Yard, Hide in the Hay Maze, Jump through the Pumpkin Patch. Join in the Halloween Parade and Contest – wear your greatest costume for adults, children and pets.
In the park everyone will be given a map to the stores that will be providing fun activities and sweet treats.
Don’t go holier than thou about residents’ trees. What about artificial turf, especially in a flood plane; artificial turf means DEATH to all life. Talk about destruction of our already destroyed ecosystem, NATURE. Plant trees in Maple Field like there used to be. No more artificial turf.
What about the still open possibility of clear cutting trees in Schedler. Even dead trees provide food for birds, where insects inhabit. No dead trees shall be removed in public fields. There are not enough of them.
Kids will have to learn to live with nature be a part of nature not apart from nature and wait for grass to grow before playing their games.
Some residents cut down trees because they are afraid branches or the whole tree could fall on them and kill them in a storm. We have worse storms now because of man made climate change. And now people on the council want residents to risk having their families killed from trees that can fall on them and fall through their house.
Residents should go to court and fight over the idea of having to pay a fine to cut down a tree on their property.
I am completely in support of Ridgewood finally moving to All-Day Kindergarten. It is an embarrassment that we do not have it yet. Are we the only town left with half-day K? If you look online, the internet explodes with studies supporting the extended day. Let’s face it, if a child gets to kindergarten at 8:30, then coats are hung up and everyone settles in for morning circle time on the rug….by the time they get down to any actual learning it might be 9:00. Add to that art, recess, snack, all wholly worthwhile activities but time-consuming nonetheless, and all of a sudden it is time for pick-up from school. Meanwhile in every town surrounding us, in fact probably most towns in the entire country, the 5 and 6 year olds are getting three more hours a day. This means that they get the socialization, the art, music, snack, recess and so on…..but they also get significant time to learn some basics of reading, writing, and “rithmetic.”
Parents who want their children home for the afternoon (or morning) instead of having them at school for 3 extra hours protest that the time with family (mom?, nanny? younger siblings?) is of more value than the time in school. Really? I am going out on a limb here, but not much of a limb, in wagering that many of those kids are spending some of that time on an ipad, or watching mommy (or nanny) texting to God-knows-who. Or maybe they are being rushed right from kindergarten to karate or ballet. Staying at school would not be a bad alternative; far from it, staying at school would be infinitely preferable.
Non-parents who argue that those in favor just want free day care are living in another universe. For parents who work, full-day K does not include sufficient hours to occupy their children while they are on the job. Not even close.
Those who protest that children need more unscheduled time are using a half-baked argument. I am a big fan of down-time, but most kids of that age are up and awake for 13 or 14 hours a day. Surely adding a half-day more of school for the 180 days a year that they go to school would not preclude plenty of down-time.
The cost? Well, I for one would rather have my tax money going to the children, the future, than having it go to some of the ridiculous projects that have come up in recent years in Ridgewood. This would be money well spent.
Come on Ridgewood, let’s vote YES for all-day-K, and catch up with the rest of the country. Do it for the kids!
Ridgewood NJ, Registration for the next session of YWCA Bergen County programs starts Monday, October 17 at 8:30 a.m. Classes run from October 30 through December 23 at the YWCA’s 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood location, and members can register at www.ywcabergencounty.org, by phone, or in person.
For Kids & Teens: Children’s Dance for ages 3 to 13 introduces and fosters love of movement through Ballet, Jazz, Tap and Hip Hop classes. Tiger Sharks Swim Team for ages 5 to 18 combines team sport and individual challenge with an emphasis on skill development, positive values, and competitive experiences. American Red Cross Certified Swim Classes for every age and level teaches lifelong fitness and safety skills in a fun and therapeutic environment. Water Polo for ages 10 to 18 years teaches game strategy, swim techniques, and water polo skills like throwing and shooting goals with one hand while treading water.
For Adults: POP Pilates Express is an incredible fusion of ab-chiseling and total body defining moves, choreographed to your favorite Top 40 hits. This intense, mat based workout challenges students to rhythmically flow from one exercise to the next, developing a rock solid core, while leaving no muscle untouched. 360 Movement Fitness Classes cross-train the body with a wide variety of challenging and motivating group fitness classes.
For Seniors: Fitness and Friendship Fridays is a free fun, social and informative monthly speaker series. Guest speakers from Hackensack UMC will be discussing a range of topics. Active Older Adult Fitness Classes provide a friendly and supportive environment to help improve member’s health and well-being.
Plus: WEN is Now: A Women’s Empowerment Network, dozens of other fitness, wellness, and enrichment programs. Drop-in child care is also available at the 112 Oak Street, Ridgewood facility. Visit www.ywcabergencounty.org or call 201-444-5600 for more information.
Location: Woman’s Club of Ridgewood, 215 W. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ
Carson Kressley Emmy-Award Winning TV personality, Style Expert,
Fashion Designer & New York Times Best Selling Author
Television Personality, CARSON KRESSLEY, will meet/greet and take photos for his new book: Does This Book Make My Butt Look Big?. Tickets are $35 and include a signed copy of the book. *This Event will be held at The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood*
Wednesday, October 12th !
Talk, Signed Book, Meet/Greet!
& Photo with Carson Kressley!
$35.00 Per Person!
6:00pm Doors Open!
7:00pm TALK followed by!
Meet & Greet /PHOTO with Carson Kressley !
Books will be distributed at the event.!
REGISTER now online: !
www.mkt.com/bookends!
or by calling Bookends!
signed copies are also available!
201-445-0726! !
Event Location:
The Woman’s Club of Ridgewood!
215 W. Ridgewood Avenue!
Ridgewood, NJ 07450!
This event is non-refundable.! !
Dear Friends at the Ridgewood blog,
As autumn leaves fall and residents begin the process of clearing their properties, the Village begins their new season entitled “Turning Over A New Leaf” which signifies the start of the leaf collection program. Leaf removal will begin the week of October 24th. A flyer is currently in the process of being mailed to your homes, outlining the new schedule for 2016.
A notable change in the schedule is that the dates which are indicated in the flyer reflect the time period in which leaves are to be placed in the street. Village crews will be collecting leaves after the dates posted.
Just to highlight some of the rules and regulations for pick up:
All leaves are to be placed in the curb line fronting your property during the dates indicated in the schedule.
Leaves may NOT be placed in plastic bags or cans for collection.
No branches or brush will be collected during leaf season.You may bring leaves as well as brush to the Recycling Center.The hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
If you employ the services of a landscaper, please communicate your schedule with them.
As weather is a key component to leaf collection, if changes become necessary it will be posted on the Village website –www.ridgewoodnj.net
Use caution when our leaf removal crews are on your block.When possible, please take an alternate route to ensure the safety of all.
Should you have any questions, please call the Street Division at (201) 670-5585.
Main/Bergen County, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Lines to return to Hoboken on weekday schedule with adjustments
October 6, 2016
Ridgewood NJ, NJ TRANSIT will reopen a portion of Hoboken Terminal to commuter rail service for the start of service on Monday, October 10, 2016.
Cross-honoring will continue on Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, NJ TRANSIT bus and private carriers ONLY.
A section of the terminal suffered extensive damage following a train accident September 29. Due to the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, debris removal and safety concerns, the entire Hoboken Terminal was placed out of service.
Beginning with the first train Monday morning, NJ TRANSIT will reopen Tracks 10-17 for rail service. Tracks 1-9 will remain out of service until further notice as repair work in that section of the terminal continues.
When the partial reopening occurs, Main/Bergen County, Pascack Valley and Port Jervis Line trains will return to a weekday schedule, with some adjustments, to and from Hoboken. Select express trains will be eliminated and certain other trains will be combined. Customers are urged to go to njtransit.com for more specific information after 10 p.m. tonight.
On the Montclair-Boonton Line, trains originating west of Montclair State University (MSU), including from Denville will operate into Hoboken, with additional stops east of MSU.
Most Gladstone Branch trains to Hoboken will be restored.
North Jersey Coast Line and Raritan Valley Line trains scheduled to terminate in Hoboken will continue to terminate at Newark Penn Station.
Because rail service will be modified in and out of the terminal, other NJ TRANSIT bus, rail and light rail services may experience crowding conditions and delays.
As repair work continues at the terminal, customers are advised to stay clear of all work areas.
The Hoboken Terminal waiting room, Customer Service office and restrooms will be open. In addition, there will be limited Ticket Vending Machines located in the waiting room. Customers are urged to download the NJ TRANSIT App and sign up for MyTix to purchase their tickets.
NJ TRANSIT bus, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail, PATH and NY Waterway also continue to operate in and out of Hoboken on their regular routes and schedules.
NJ TRANSIT would like to thank its customers for their continued patience and support.
WHAT??? I was at that meeting and that is not what Councilman Hache said. He was supporting a reduction in the parking fee at Cottage Pl for 60 spots to be set aside for employee parking. It was just for those spots only. He suggested reducing the rate to 25 cents. It was a suggestion in order to get employees to use that lot instead of parking on the street, which will open up spots for customers. And yes, it could also help some of the employees who are minimum wage earners. The free parking was suggested by somebody else.
Editors Note: From what we have heard ,there are over 700(?) employees in the Central Business District so employee parking represents a major issue .Frankly we think employees should be parking at some kind of discounted rate , or free if they park in some distant out of the way spots. We also think meter rates should be lowered but meter times should be extended later into the evening say 9pm ,to give dinners a chance to participate and take some of burden off CBD shoppers .
