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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”

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“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…”

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Gyms and Indoor Amusement and Water Parks to Reopen Effective Tuesday, September 1

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Trenton NJ,  Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 181, which permits gyms and health clubs, as well as amusement and water parks, to reopen their indoor premises to the public on Tuesday, September 1 at 6:00 a.m., provided these facilities comply with the health and safety standards issued by the Department of Health.
“Gyms are among the most-challenging indoor environments to prevent the transmission of COVID-19,” said Governor Murphy. “Given where we are in this fight and the overwhelming personal responsibility demonstrated by gym owners and gym members over the past several months, we can confidently take this important step on our road back.”

Continue reading Gyms and Indoor Amusement and Water Parks to Reopen Effective Tuesday, September 1

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

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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

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

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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

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

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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

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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.”

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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…”

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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

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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

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

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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

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State Senator Kristin Corrado: Murphy’s Budget Ignores Reality

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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

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

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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.

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

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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

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CDC UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS

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photo by Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

The CDC has published updated guidance regarding school openings. The updated guidance provides additional recommendations for a myriad of topics, including ventilation, food service, and mask use as schools continue to prepare and implement their plans to start the 2020-21 school year. The guidance also expands on previous iterations regarding students with “special healthcare needs and disabilities” with a new section dedicated to these challenges. Schools may need to develop individualized plans for some students and staff, including those with limited mobility, those with visual or hearing impairments, those with underlying health conditions, or those who may have difficulties understanding or adapting to new routines. The information notes that some individuals may struggle with social distancing or isolation or mask use, or they may need additional visual or verbal reminders or assistance implementing the school’s social distancing protocols. The information also links to guidance regarding protections related to service animals.

Continue reading CDC UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOLS

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Reader asks , if Trump is Suppressing the Mail ,Why aren’t Democrats going all out to insist on In Person Voting?

mailman_theridgewoodblog

Ok riddle me this….
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Democrats are up in arms because “Trump is suppressing votes by handicapping the US Mail system”
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SO…..
Why aren’t Democrats going all out to insist on In Person Voting and to ban Vote By Mail so they can bypass Trump’s “evil Postal plans” and ensure that there is no voter suppression?

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Oh right… because its easier for Democrats to cheat with Vote By Mail.

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Reader says , “Should Corona last for the long run, the intelligentsia and NJEA unions will be toast”

rhs 2020

“residents here in Ridgewood know more about what happens than the eggheads at the BOE & REA who theorize on how to control thoughts as they trade bon mots at their cocktail parties. Should corona last for the long run, the intelligentsia and NJEA unions will be toast as they cling to their days gone by like the Luddites they are. I pity the truly great teachers in the district who have been lumped into the mix with the Marxists.”