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, in 2007 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Detected at Orchard School which would require remediation . At the time the often quoted Ridgewood Board of Education Supporter made the comment, “tell your kids don’t eat the dirt” .
photo courtesy of the Ridgewood school District
Dear Ridgewood School Community,
I hope this letter finds you healthy and relaxed from what may be the most unusual summer of our lives. Many of you have walked by the Orchard School property to view the progress of the soil remediation project, and I would like to provide an update, as we are quickly approaching the start of the school year.
Continue reading Superintendent of Schools Updates on Orchard School Soil Remediation Project Update
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood School System
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported by the Ridgewood blog, the Ridgewood School district has undertaken 3 major Summer Facilities Projects ; Orchard School Soil Remediation, RHS Gym 3 Floor Remediation and Replacement and Stevens Field Turf Replacement . All three appear to be making good progress .
Continue reading Ridgewood School District Facilities Projects Continue to Move Forward
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, We have now received all the state, county, and local permits required to move forward with the soil remediation project at the Orchard School. The only reason for not moving forward earlier was the failed budget. The project was included in the 2020-2021 budget, but we were not permitted to send the purchase order for the project to the contractor until the budget was approved. We now have a budget and can move forward. I anticipate seeing progress on the project no later than July 1, 2020. The Orchard Remediation website has been updated to include all permits and pertinent documentation.
THE RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE COUNCIL
PUBLIC WORKSHOP AGENDA
APRIL 1, 2020
7:30 P.M.
1. 7:30 pm – Call to Order – Mayor
2. Statement of Compliance with Open Public Meeting Act
Mayor: “Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the bulletin board in Village Hall, by mail to the Ridgewood News, The Record, and by submission to all persons entitled to same as provided by law of a schedule including the date and time of this meeting.”
3. Roll Call – Village Clerk
4. Flag Salute/Moment of Silence
Continue reading Village of Ridgewood Public Workshop and Special Public Meeting
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Fishbein presented an update on the Orchard Elementary School soil remediation project. A letter was emailed to the district community on February 14, 2020, prior to the February recess. The Remedial Action Workplan (RAW) was submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and we received the NJDEP Alternative Remedy Approval. All of the documents associated with this project can be found on the Public Information page of the district website. To access this section of the website, please click here.
Dr. Fishbein shared that he has continued to make a weekly request to the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) for a date and time for the public meeting, but he was unable to secure a date yesterday. Dr. Fishbein hopes to schedule this meeting as soon as possible. This week, soil permits will be submitted to the Village of Ridgewood, Bergen County, and the NJDEP. Finally, the district is preparing to begin public bidding during March. Click here to view the presentation.
the staff of the Ridgewood bog
Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Fishbein provided an update on the soil remediation project. A letter was sent on February 7, 2020 to update the community on steps that have been taken since the last communication. Dr. Fishbein shared that NJDEP signage has been installed in three locations on the Orchard property. As a precautionary measure and to alleviate some concerns, additional mulch was installed on the playground.
Historic soil testing reports and other documentation was added to the dedicated page on the website. Dr. Fishbein has requested an earlier meeting date from the New Jersey Department of Health; however, at this time, he doesn’t have confirmation of the exact date and time of that public meeting. The district has consulted with an LSRP from LAN Associates, as well as a third recommended LSRP. The NJDEP deadline for completion of the remediation project is February 2021; however, the work must be done during the summer months. Click here to view the presentation.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education sent out and email addressing the latest updates concerning the status of Orchard School fields soil contamination .
Continue reading Orchard Elementary School Soil Remediation Plan Update
“not surprising that the BOE swept this issue (Orchard Field) under the carpet in 2007. It’s sad that instead of making sure today that every school and school property are safe, they would rather spend the money on an auditorium, parking garage and many other capital projects. Seems like their priorities are not in the best interest of our children…”
the staff of the Ridgewood
Ridgewood NJ, in September of 2007 the Ridgewood Blog broke the story that , “a letter from the BOE President and Interim Superintendent that discusses what they found in the Orchard School soil. It’s not good. They have scheduled a mtg tomorrow night at BF middle school for the public. Also, this morning they fenced off the entire Orchard School field. No one is allowed on it. They may be finally owning up to what I always thought was a tainted situation that no one wanted to deal with.”
file photo by Boyd Loving
August 19,2016
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood police report that on 08/09/16 ,Sgt. Finch arrested John A. Dougherty the 4th, age 18 of Ridgewood, N.J., Colin H. Parr, age 19 of Ridgewood, N.J., Kihyun Lee, age 18 of Ridgewood, N.J., and a male juvenile .
Sgt. Finch located the above persons on Orchard School property during the evening hours. The three adults and one juvenile were found to be in possession of C.D.S. and Drug Paraphernalia. All were transported to police headquarters for processing. The juvenile was released to the custody of parent with a pending juvenile complaint. The three adults were processed, served with complaint summonses, advised of the pending court date and released.
APRIL 17, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The Ridgewood Board of Education unanimously approved the appointment of Mary K. Ferreri as the new principal of Orchard Elementary School, effective July 15.
Ferreri has spent her entire career in the Westwood Regional School District. She is currently principal at the Jessie F. George Elementary School, a position that she has held since 2010.
From January 2009 to June 2010, she worked as acting assistant principal at George and Ketler schools while also serving as supervisor of elementary programs and the district’s head teacher for kindergarten to grade 6. Prior to that, she taught first and third grades in Westwood from 2002 to 2009.
Ferreri, who will be paid $150,000 in Ridgewood, has a master’s degree in educational administration from Montclair State.
Superintendent of Schools Daniel Fishbein announced Ferreri’s appointment in a letter distributed to Ridgewood parents.
https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/new-principal-named-at-orchard-education-1.1311296
There was not a single employee of the Ridgewood Public School System who could have been promoted to fill the principal’s position at Orchard?
What does that say about top District management and the BOE itself if we have no viable succession program?
From last night’s meeting agenda:
iv. Appointments
Administrator
FERRERI, Mary, K. – Principal of Orchard School, effective
July 15, 2015 through June 30, 2016.
Mrs. Ferreri credentials are as follows:
Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, New Jersey
Master of Arts in Educational Administration – 2005
The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education/History – 2002
Experience:
Westwood Regional School District; Principal, George
Elementary School – July 2010 to present
Westwood Regional School District; Acting Assistant
Principal, George & Ketler Schools/Supervisor of
Elementary Programs/District Head Teacher K-6 – January
2009 to June 2010
Westwood Regional School District; Third Grade Teacher –
2002 to 2009
Westwood Regional School District; First Grade Teacher –
2002 to 2009
$150,000
pro-rated
MARCH 24, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015, 11:28 AM
BY LINDSAY IRELAND
CORRESPONDENT |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Margaret “Peg” Loonam thought long and hard about how to break the news to her students.After more than two decades with Ridgewood Public Schools, Loonam, principal of Orchard School, will retire this August to spend more time with family.
“I am not sure what notions children ages 5 to 10 have about retirement, but I want them to know that I am not leaving because I am in any way unhappy,” Loonam said. “I am retiring because I want to spend more time with my four grandchildren and fulfill some of my own personal ‘bucket list’ items.”
Loonam said she also looks forward to having more time to enjoy the simple things in life after retirement.
“I am looking forward to cooking, visiting friends and family, exercising and watching an entire movie with my husband without falling asleep,” she said.
>
from the New Dean of Chess Blog
Orchard School, Ridgewood, NJ has become our 2007-2008 Grand Prix champions…again! Though Mt. Horeb School, Warren, NJ gave them a run for their money, with the home field advantage for the final tournament, Orchard outscored Mt. Horeb by only 10 points to take 1st place.
In the individual race, Simon Thomas, George Washington Middle School, Ridgewood, NJ gave another stellar performance to finish first.
Our final spots for the Tournament of Champions has also been decided. Michael Bender, St. Joseph’s High School, Metuchen, NJ has become the 7th qualifier while Richard Davisson, Shongum Elementary, Randolph, NJ is the wildcard.
Please visit our Grand Prix page for all standings and our Tournament of Champions page for more information.
Congratulations to all and good luck to our champions!
