Tag: coronavirus

Posted on by — 13 Comments

Ridgewood Education Association Questions School Ventilation System and MERV filters

rhs 2020
the sttaff of the Ridgewood blog
Statement from the Ridgewood Education Association August 29, 2020:
The Board of Education is responsible for the health and safety of the staff and students of the Ridgewood Public School System. Teachers and secretaries have told the Board they do not believe their buildings are safe and yesterday many staff members submitted specific questions – not comments – to the Ridgewood Board of Education. These were specific health and safety questions that we have already asked our principals. Our principals don’t know the answers. We had hoped that the Board would have asked those questions on our behalf yesterday. Instead they chose to ignore them and not have them even read aloud. This public disregard for our concerns regarding the health and safety of staff and students gives us less confidence in our District’s reopen plan and has left us now with new questions for the Board. It is our hope that these questions will be addressed at their next meeting on Monday.

Continue reading Ridgewood Education Association Questions School Ventilation System and MERV filters

Posted on by — 15 Comments

Ridgewood Education Association Wants Postponement of In Person Learning for Ridgewood Schools

rhs 2020 schools out
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, on August 20, 2020 the REA  posted a letter on Facebook asking for the postponement of in  person learning for Ridgewood Schools due to various health related concerns:
Dear Members of the Ridgewood Board of Education,
On behalf of the 569 members of the Ridgewood Education Association (REA) I am writing to ask you to postpone in-person reopening of the Ridgewood Public Schools. The REA believes that it is unsafe at this time to open our school buildings and we ask that the school year begin in an all virtual format. In doing so we add our voice to that of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, the New Jersey State School Nurses Association, the New Jersey Education Association, and the Bergen County Education Association who have all called for a remote start to the school year. We wish this was not the case as no one wants to be back teaching in person more than the District’s teachers. We are also well aware of the hardship this may pose to parents, we are parents too. But the health and safety of staff, students, and the community at large must take precedence and right now the risk is simply too great.
Covid-19 is an airborne virus placing a greater importance on our aging buildings’ HVAC systems. We do not believe all of our buildings have adequate ventilation and the District’s 49 page plan submitted to the State contains only two paragraphs on the subject (RPS, Reopening & Operations Plan 2020-21, p.31). According to Executive Order 175 districts that cannot provide a plan for adequate ventilation may opt to begin the year remotely.

Continue reading Ridgewood Education Association Wants Postponement of In Person Learning for Ridgewood Schools

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Europe debates whether to reopen schools and how to best protect students and teachers

breakfest club
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, like most of the rest of the world, European countries have been debating whether to reopen schools and how to best protect students and teachers. Public Health England conducted enhanced surveillance among schools that reopened between June 1-July 31 in order to provide better information regarding SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk in school settings. While approximately 80% of schools remained open in some capacity during the UK lockdown to support certain priority groups (eg, children of healthcare workers), the vast majority of children did not attend in-person classes. In June, the number of students attending schools increased from 475,000 to more than 1.6 million.

Continue reading Europe debates whether to reopen schools and how to best protect students and teachers

Posted on by — 7 Comments

Reader says, “Fact is there are some awesome teachers and great educators who can pivot under any circumstance, but unfortunately the fact is there is no shortage of those that can’t”

Tradition_of_excellence_theridgewoodblog

“Fact is the Ridgewood’s school rankings have been on a downward slide for a while now, before COVID. Fact is when the schools closed last year, many kids slipped in their performance relative to benchmark because teachers weren’t able to get the kids to thrive in those circumstances (not the teachers fault per se, but some were notably disengaged). Fact is there are some awesome teachers and great educators who can pivot under any circumstance, but unfortunately the fact is there is no shortage of those that can’t. Fact is the rate of transmission in NJ, Bergen County, and specifically Ridgewood are all materially down since the peak, with only a miniscule number or new cases in the last month. Fact is parents aren’t paying taxes for full time teachers to teach part time. Fact is if all-remote implemented, there is a plethora of excess teachers/administrators that can be furloughed until school resumes normal operations, yet the fact is no such plan was ever contemplated.
Fact is the truth sometimes hurts when pointed…”

Posted on by — 1 Comment

NJ Democrats Continue to Stonewall Investigation of 7,000+ Deaths at Veterans Homes, Nursing Homes & LTC Facilities

paramus sign

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, The Senate Republican caucus will continue its efforts to form a Senate select committee with subpoena power to investigate the massive loss of life and ensure the safety of vulnerable residents at New Jersey’s veterans homes, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities (LTCs).

Continue reading NJ Democrats Continue to Stonewall Investigation of 7,000+ Deaths at Veterans Homes, Nursing Homes & LTC Facilities

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Governor Murphy Extends Public Health Emergency in New Jersey

crown Denmark helmet form enamel gold stones 1670

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 180. The Order extends the Public Health Emergency that was declared on March 9, 2020 through Executive Order No. 103, which was previously extended on April 7, May 6, June 4, July 2, and August 1. Under the Emergency Health Powers Act, a declared public health emergency expires after 30 days unless renewed.

Continue reading Governor Murphy Extends Public Health Emergency in New Jersey

Posted on by — 1 Comment

UK Public Health Report : Re-opening of schools was associated with very few outbreaks COVID-19 infection

Schoolboy 1 L

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ,a new report released yesterday from the United Kingdom is the most comprehensive look yet at students returning to class.  The reported concluded :

“In conclusion, re-opening of schools was associated with very few outbreaks after easing of national lockdown in England. SARS-CoV-2 infection and outbreaks were more likely to
involve staff members, highlighting a need to improve education and infection control measures for this group. The strong correlation between COVID-19 outbreaks and regional
SARS-CoV-2 incidence highlights the importance of controlling the disease in the community to protect the staff and students in educational settings.”

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/911267/School_Outbreaks_Analysis.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2w-j5Hc9KYdfmPJQxkbAp_BVNntlmN-MgUXq3SN36pM6-OiuGPMmqX3Pc

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Ridgewood BOE Special Public Meeting on Friday August 28th at 3pm

92dc992abda414c3d2fcb83104e14657
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood BOE Special Public Meeting on Friday August 28th at 3pm and  the Ridgewood BOE will also meets on Monday August 31st.

Continue reading Ridgewood BOE Special Public Meeting on Friday August 28th at 3pm

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Reader says ,”Some of my kids’ teachers were … obviously putting in a great deal of time and effort to make remote learning as good as possible. Others – crickets”

Tradition_of_excellence_theridgewoodblog

“In my opinion CoVid has only exacerbated a dynamic that exists in any place of employment: Some people going above and beyond (whatever the motivation may be for their extra efforts), a lot of people meeting expectations and doing the job they are paid to do … and then the people I would describe as the Takers. No place of employment, public or private, is immune to this. Some of my kids’ teachers were very much present and obviously putting in a great deal of time and effort to make remote learning as good as possible. Others – crickets. Posting assignments, assigning kids to watch YouTube videos in lieu of teaching and just not interacting w/kids even remotely during the spring. In my (private company) – no different. Some decided to take advantage of WFH to not do all too much. I’m not speaking about people who had to care for sick family or step in to school their own kids. I hate to break it to people, but there are always Takers in society. The issue is if there is a tipping point, and productive people start to feel that they’ve been ‘had’ and decide why bother. In the private sector, it probably isn’t the right decision (in the long run) to so obviously show that you’re not really needed for the success of your enterprise.”

Posted on by — 5 Comments

Reader says ,”what an overwhelming majority of parents want for their kids, which is more in-person learning”

rhs 2020 schools out

“If the BOE wants to be taken seriously (including those at the top with very obvious and unethical conflicts of interest, who shall not be named), they should remain keenly focused on what an overwhelming majority of parents want for their kids, which is more in-person learning…5 days a week. The taxpayers already pay way to much for the school budget, and while we may tolerate some non-sense and waste in the spirit of town civility, the one thing that will most certainly cause residents to “storm the castle” is if we are forced to spend our hard earned dollars to incentivize lazy and ineffective teachers, who are using COVID as a tool for their personal agenda. Every profession is exposed to the risks of COVID, so why should they be preferentially treated at our expense? Either opt out if you are truly scared, or just follow the damn protocols…”

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Department of Justice Seeks Data From Governors of NY, NJ, PA and MI that Issued COVID-19 Orders that May Have Resulted in Deaths of Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, the Justice Department requested COVID-19 data from the governors of states that issued orders which may have resulted in the deaths of thousands of elderly nursing home residents. New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan required nursing homes to admit COVID-19 patients to their vulnerable populations, often without adequate testing.

For example, on March 25, 2020, New York ordered: “No resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to [a nursing home] solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19. [Nursing homes] are prohibited from requiring a hospitalized resident who is determined medically stable to be tested for COVID-19 prior to admission or readmission.”

Continue reading Department of Justice Seeks Data From Governors of NY, NJ, PA and MI that Issued COVID-19 Orders that May Have Resulted in Deaths of Elderly Nursing Home Residents

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Murphy’s Budget Balloon is Full of Hot Air & Ready to Pop

hindenburg

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Middletown NJ,  Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-Monmouth) criticizes Governor Phil Murphy’s latest budget proposal as the state’s economy continues to sink further in the wake of unrelenting lockdown measures, colossal borrowing plans, and lack of effective cost saving applications pushing New Jersey ever so closer to Depression era fallout:

Continue reading Murphy’s Budget Balloon is Full of Hot Air & Ready to Pop

Posted on by — Leave a comment

State Senator Kristin Corrado: Murphy’s Budget Ignores Reality

titanic_theridgewoodblog

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Totowa NJ, Senator Kristin Corrado released the following statement in response to the revised Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposed today by Governor Murphy:

Senator Corrado said New Jersey’s governor needs to tighten his belt like residents and business have done, but Murphy’s budget proposal is increasing spending, taxing, and borrowing.

Continue reading State Senator Kristin Corrado: Murphy’s Budget Ignores Reality

Posted on by — 1 Comment

Governor Misses Mark On Addressing New Jersey’s Long-Term Structural Deficit

murphy 1

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

ROSELAND NJ, Statement by Ralph Albert Thomas, CPA (DC), CGMA, CEO and Executive Director of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants

This morning, Governor Phil Murphy delivered his budget proposal for New Jersey’s new, nine-month fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) is deeply concerned that the proposal looks very much like the unworkable budget introduced six months ago — plus $4 billion in new borrowing — before the coronavirus pandemic decimated New Jersey’s economy.

Continue reading Governor Misses Mark On Addressing New Jersey’s Long-Term Structural Deficit

Posted on by — 6 Comments

Governor Murphy’s Insane Budget Address , Borrow and Spend Like Crazy , Raise Taxes and Blame the Feds

unnamed

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy today released his revised budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY 2021), including targeted cuts across State government, fair and equitable revenue raisers, an emergency borrowing proposal, and additional plans to invest federal funding received to date to help close what would have been a nearly $6 billion budget hole as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan calls for a millionaire’s tax, an extension of the corporate business tax, a proposed boat tax, and other small taxes, including a cigarette tax. The proposal also included a massive scheme to  add $4B in borrowing,

Continue reading Governor Murphy’s Insane Budget Address , Borrow and Spend Like Crazy , Raise Taxes and Blame the Feds