The Ridgewood Blog Brings a Free Market Laissez-faire Point of View to Local, New Jersey State and National Issues.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Eighth grade students from Benjamin Franklin Middle school competed recently in the Bergen County Brain Busters Competition. There were 32 teams competing from 16 middles schools. Second place winners were the BFMS student team of Alex Khalitov, Ryan Cho, Ethan Holden and Tommy Clark. Also participating in the competition were Joonho Oh, Kevin Shen, Sarah Jeong and Zerlina Huang. The student advisor is BFMS Math Teacher Courtney Pfeiffer.
photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, on Sunday 11/18/2018: Ridgewood Fire fighter “B” Shift assisting with a Helicopter Landing at Benjamin Franklin Middle School along with Ridgewood Police and Ridgewood Emergency Services. It was a demonstration for Ridgewood Teens in Emergency Services student volunteers.
“My being conscientious about not placing leaves in street until placement day does not go unpunished.
On my block area A in front of Benjamin Franklin Middle School everyone has put their leaves out before the next placement date which is Nov. 23. Leaves blow in front of my driveway making a big mess.
Continue reading “No good deed goes unpunished in the Village of Ridgewood” Part 2
June 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever today 10am – 3pm at the Benjamin Franklin Middle School. Join the fun in support of important medical research for cures and better treatments of pediatric cancer and Type 1 Diabetes. Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever helps provide opportunities that enable families with ill children to enjoy a ‘Best Day Ever’.
Inspired by Michael’s amazing attitude and positive outlook, we established Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever, Inc. in Michael’s memory. Our mission is to provide opportunities that enable families with ill children to enjoy a “Best Day Ever”. With your assistance, we hope to achieve this goal by: Giving experiences that bring happiness to these children and their families, funding important medical research for cures and better treatments in the pediatric cancer and Type 1 Diabetes arenas, and by creating much needed childhood disease awareness.
Tara Sullivan , NorthJerseyPublished 10:57 a.m. ET May 11, 2017 | Updated 1 hour ago
At first, it was the confusion. Then it was the loneliness.
Lost in this new American world, Younghoe Koo did his best to navigate the halls of Ridgewood’s Benjamin Franklin Middle School. But the sixth-grader didn’t speak the language, didn’t know the customs and didn’t, perhaps worst of all, know a soul. The lack of connection to kids his own age had built an imposing barrier from his old life in South Korea to his new one in New Jersey, cacophonous confusion by day, quiet solitude by night.
Fri, March 10, 2017 – Sat, March 11, 2017
Time: 7:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Benjamin Franklin Middle School, E Glen Ave N. Van Dien Ave., Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Ridgewood NJ, Entering our 73rd year, Dads’ Night puts on an annual fundraising show for the Ridgewood Somerville/
Hawes Elementary Schools and general public. Our show is the result of a massive effort from over 280 dads
who donate their time and “talents”.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The solar panels were approved by the Board of Education in 2015, and were supposed to be erected last summer, but were pushed back for various reason to this summer.
According to the Ridgewood Board of Education ,Eight Ridgewood schools have been receiving a portion of their electricity from solar power since late 2012/early 2013 ; • Ridgewood High • BF Middle • Glen • Hawes • Orchard • Ridge • Somerville • Travell •
Total installed solar capacity of 841 kW • 2014 solar energy production of ~875,000 kWh • 2014 savings from using solar energy ~$70,000
BF Middle School will add • 329.4 kW Carport Mounted System • $0.125/kWh year 1 PPA Price with a 3% Escalator • Year 1 Savings ~$18,000 • 15-Year Savings Potential >$275,000
Information was pulled from March 25,2015 presentation from Verterra :https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/cms/923620/File/solar/Verterra%20Solar%20-%20Phase%20II%20Presentation.pdf?7fcb75&d7f070&d7f070
“Not My Kid” (video)
Every concerned Ridgewood parent should click this link (or cut and paste into their internet browser) and watch the associated video when they have the opportunity:
https://www.sptsusa.org/not-my-kid/
New Jersey parents, it turns out, were at the cutting edge of this issue about the year 2006 and have apparently since moved from a New Jersey-centric approach to a nationwide scope.
Some great parent questions are addressed in this video, including “Shouldn’t we just be quiet about what happened so as to avoid putting ideas in our children’s heads?” and “My child’s classmate just committed suicide. How much more is he/she now at risk of doing the same thing?”.
We tragically lost Alex Modlin but now is no time to put our heads in the sand about the perennial problem of depression and teen suicide.
April 30,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, BF has a history of squarely addressing the issue of teen suicide. Six years ago in the wake of the Clementi suicide BF hosted the following presentation (as mentioned on this blog on 10/4/2010). The Ridgewood district should probably host another such event at some point soon:
THIS Wednesday, October 6, [2010] 7:30 p.m., Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335 North Van Dien Avenue.
Parents, staff and adult community members are invited to this important presentation, given by Scott Fritz and Maureen Underwood of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. Scott Fritz is a father who lost a child to suicide, and a founder of the society. Maureen Underwood is a clinical social worker and nationally recognized expert in youth suicide prevention.This presentation is for adults only and will include an opportunity for questions.
For more information contact Dr. Fishbein’s office at (201) 670-2700, ext. 10530. Information about the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide can be found at https://www.sptsnj.org .
Subject: Service for Alex Modlin
Comments:
Benjamin Franklin Middle School
Ridgewood Public Schools
335 N. Van Dien Ave.
Ridgewood, New Jersey 07450
“In the light of knowledge shines the key to the future.”
Anthony Orsini
(201) 670-2780
Principal aorsini@ridgewood.k12.nj.us
April 26, 2016
Dear BF Community,
I know there have been many questions regarding the services for Alex Modlin tomorrow. In conversation with the family and Rabbi William Kraus they have decided to hold a service specifically for students, staff, and families who were planning on attending the funeral.
The service is as follows:
Wednesday, April 27th at 10 A.M.
Louis Suburban Chapel, 13-01 Broadway (Route 4 West)
Fair Lawn, NJ, 07410
The service will last approximately 40 minutes, and Rabbi Kraus will be addressing the issue of suicide directly during the service. The family has indicated that it would be appropriate to leave a note for Alex or a remembrance such as a toy, but your presence is appreciation enough.
At the middle school age it is essential that a parent is able to accompany students to the services in order to help them process after the funeral. Several faculty members will be present at the services for the students as well.
Staff will be back at school following the service. The internment will be exclusively for family.
Our hearts are with your families.
Sincerely,
Tony Orsini
Principal, BFMS
2016-2017 School Budget Presentation is Set for April 19
April 18,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Residents are invited to hear from Board of Education members, the superintendent and the district business administrator about the proposed 2016-17 school budget. They will be at Benjamin Franklin Middle School auditorium on Tuesday, April 19, from 7:30 – 9 p.m. to review the proposed budget and answer questions.
Budget includes district staff, academic offerings, extra curricular activities, and transportation; as well as continuing to maintain and improve district facilities
2.00% Local Tax Levy Increase – Within the current state cap
1.91% Overall Levy Increase – Local Tax Levy + Debt Service Levy
Gen Fund State Aid – $2,196,000 Extraordinary State Aid – $1,376,345 $3,572,345 Debt Service State Aid – $440,918
$300,000 Revenue Budgeted – from Emergency Reserve to help offset Health Benefit Costs
Click here to view the latest information on the budget, updated on April 6, 2016.
April 11,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, During spring break the Ridgewood Police will be conducting scenario based tactical training at Benjamin Franklin Middle School from Monday April 11th through Thursday April 14th between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm. Residents can expect to see officers from various agencies in the area of the school during the week.
Ridgewood NJ, Ms. Carol Sharar, Director of Orchestras, reports that the following Benjamin Franklin Middle School string players were accepted into the 2016 Region I Orchestra: Christy Chang (Violin), Daniel Son (Violin), Ryan Rhew (Violin), Eugene Park (Cello) and William Stewart (Bass).
photo credit (c) Paul Donohoe Photography
MUSIC and DANCE
RIDGEWOOD, NJ, The Pro Arte Chorale under the direction of NYC based music director, Steven Fox, presents “The Golden Age of Broadway”. The distinguished Newark Arts High School Chorus will join Pro Arte in songs from South Pacific, Porgy and Bess, Carousel and West Side Story. Sunday, March 13 at 3:00 pm at Benjamin Franklin Middle School, 335 N. Van Dien Ave.. $25/$20 and $10 for students. 201-497-8400. proartechorale.org.
NEW DATE: Next up in the Well-being series is “Raising Resilient Girls” by Ms. Simone Marean, Girls Leadership Founder and Executive Director. This program will take place on Wednesday, February 10 (new date) from 7-9 p.m. at Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium, 335. N. Van Dien Avenue.
The 2015-2016 parent/peers series consists of eight engaging presentations throughout the school year. Co-sponsored by The Valley Hospital, with support from The Foundation, adults are invited to attend these programs on creating balance in children’s lives.
Click here to download the flyer.
Click here for the series flyer.
Click here for details on the series.
