Big end of game brawl yesterday btwn Hackensack and Teaneck.
Star Ledger had the story but Gannett / The Record did not.
And by the way, Chuck Johnson was right not to let his kids do the post-game handshake with Montclair after their supporters ran onto the field.
A very good point was made by Fishbein, he and his administration are responsible for monitoring a powerful device that is put in the students hands (smartphone) by the parents. When are we going to start holding parents accountable for their kids and what they do? Also, I have heard so many complaints of the BOE not doing their jobs in taking a stand (which I highly disagree with – my kids who are at 3 different schools in the district have been coming home talking about their bully – HIB presentations since I can remember), but I have yet to hear anyone come forward with what they think should or can be done in addition to what is already being done. Anyone? I bet if more parents were policing their kids and their phones, this would help the administration A LOT. They can’t’ do it alone, and they shouldn’t be held entirely accountable for 6,000 kids and their actions. This is a group effort people. Teaching our kids accountability for their OWN actions is an amazing life lesson. Placing blame has not benefit to anyone – not helpful.
November 17,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, looks like the Ridgewood blog was not the only one with unanswered questions about the fighting incident that took place at Stevens and Brookside fields. We recently observed that the ,
“Ridgewood High School “ANTI BULLYING POLICY” was adapted in 2016 , it has very clear rolls for students , parents and staff, While the kids involved in the incident have gotten all the attention , the little public information that is available about the incident and what led up to the incident would lead anyone to suspect the Ridgewood High School anti bullying policy , despite years of finger wagging was not followed and it appears that not only were students documented to be in violation of the policy but clearly so were some staff and parents .”
https://theridgewoodblog.net/so-the-question-remains-for-the-ridgewood-school-system-who-knew-when-did-they-know-and-why-did-they-not-act/
After an investigation of the incident the Ridgewood Police charged a 14-year-old with aggravated assault and simple assault. The 16-year-old was charged with simple assault.
Which all let us to ask , “who knew ,when did they know and why did they not act?”
Looks like we were not alone Fort Lee attorney Rosemarie Arnold delivered two notices of intent to Ridgewood High School on Thursday stating that the parents of a 16-year-old boy intend to sue the Board of Education, high school principal Thomas Gorman and superintendent Daniel Fishbein because they allegedly violated their own policies regarding bullying and social media, sounds just like our article .
According to their website the Law Offices Rosemarie Arnold is based in Fort Lee Law and represents clients In New Jersey And New York. On their website they claim , ” we are a strong voice for victims of negligence.”
Aronold seems to go after big cases an is not afraid of a little attention. On her home page it states, “Our law firm receives significant attention in professional publications and major media outlets due to our success in high-profile cases.”
In the notice Arnold claims that the Ridgewood High School “did not implement proper social media and bullying policies and procedures’ .The notice also accuses Ridgewood High School of “not enforcing the meager policies they had in existence — therefore, students knew there were no penalties for violation of the policies, creating a culture of unrelenting bullying and harassment.”
Arnold went even further by accusing the school and district officials of a cover up, “to protect the school’s reputation and the reputation of the child of a teacher in the district.”
Arnold has also filed suit against SNAP Inc., the Delaware-based parent of Snapchat, as well as 47 unidentified students who “instigated, incited, aided or abetted and filmed the beating of the victim.”
What does ‘severity of injury’ have to do with how one side went about riling up a lynch mob to take down half the high school? All because their precious kid voluntarily went into a fight and came off badly from it?
You realize what this kid is learning, right? I can get into a fight any time. If I win – great. If I lose, my extended family will use all their clout to take down any and everyone who did not protect me from my own decision.
There is a well-established term for that kind of situation.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/ethan-couchs-affluenza-explainer/story?id=36011293
Maker Space Workshops at RHS
MakerWhat?
What’s in a name? Don’t get hung up on the name, it’s what we all use to call a workshop. It still is a workshop, but now it’s a “community commuter workshop”, where all you have to do is bring your ideas. We have basic tools that you would find in a woodshop, craft shop, your garage and more. If you are still not sure how you can utilize the Ridgewood Makerspace, come on down and see what our members are doing. We have soldering stations, sewing machines, bandsaws, drill press, and if you want to expand your horizons learn how to use a 3D printer.
On Mondays from 4-9 pm in the Ridgewood High School Makerspace (in the Science wing) we hope people of ALL ages will come and work in our Makerspace together.
Questions? Please email [email protected] or [email protected] or visit ridgewoodmaker.wixsite.com/rhsmakerspace.
Please note: RHS Makerspace Open Nights will not happen when the Ridgewood Schools are closed.
Important Message from Dr. Gorman
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November 7, 2017
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Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and Students:
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Two weekends ago, a serious situation occurred involving Ridgewood High School students that is still being investigated by the high school administration and Ridgewood Police Department. The investigation will be resolved as quickly as possible and the consequences for those involved will be appropriate, educational, and, if need be, therapeutic. Because the situation involves minors, the details and consequences of the case cannot be shared and will remain confidential. To protect all RHS students, we ask the public to please refrain from comments, speculation, and judgment. Every day we are trusted by the community to educate the children of RHS, supervise them in their activities, and partner with the parents/guardians when they are in need. We ask you to continue to trust us in this situation to be diligent and thoughtful in our investigation and determination.
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The recent altercation that occurred after school hours but on school grounds, is greatly troubling and upsetting to us on many levels. It saddens me and the entire high school faculty that some RHS students did not use their best judgment regarding this situation. This event now gives us all a chance to pause and reflect upon what is truly important in life. We ask all parents/guardians to please engage in a meaningful conversation with their children and encourage them to be open and honest with you and/or the school about anything that may be on their minds.
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At RHS, we pride ourselves on being a family that shares many of the same values – friendship, trust, appreciation, caring, and open and honest communication. Whether as a member of a team, the band, a club, or an academic class, this is the students’ home away from home. We strive to make Ridgewood High School a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
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Unfortunately, some feel that they can say or do whatever they wish when there is no adult watching over their shoulder. Having this kind of attitude pays a disservice to their family, teachers, religious communities, and classmates here at school. Students know better and should expect better. Remember the Platinum Rule – treat others as they wish to be treated. We teach this to our students as soon as they enter our doors and I am sure it is taught in your homes.
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Parents, as adults we need to model responsible use of social media and to refrain from using disrespectful or threatening language online. We cannot expect our children to behave better than we do. What we are learning about this situation is that it centered around the misuse of social media on the part of some students. We ask parents to take an active role in monitoring their children’s use of social media and to partner with the schools to educate our students about this crucial issue.
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Students, when we adults cannot be with you and you are under your parents/guardians’ care, we expect you to uphold the same values that we, here at RHS, and your parents/guardians, have imparted to you. You are responsible for your actions in school and when you are under your parents/guardians’ care after school hours. In addition, we expect you to hold accountable others who are not living up to these same values. As John Wooden, a famous basketball coach, once said, “The truest test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”
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Social media posts that are malicious in nature can be psychologically damaging to all parties involved. Any such post should be reported immediately to an adult so that it can be addressed appropriately. We ask students not to participate in any negative chatter online through social media, to help monitor each other, and to stand up when someone fails to adhere to the value system we embrace when in the classrooms, halls, locker room, theater, or on the athletic fields. Finally, we ask you to keep an open and honest line of communication with the adults in this building. We are here to support you.
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Throughout a student’s experience at RHS, he or she will be exposed to many educational programs, academic lessons, and positive values and messages that reinforce what it means to be a RHS student. Such experiences include, but are not limited to, addressing all students at the beginning of each school year about HIB; participating in the #Day1 Tyler Clementi Foundation Upstander Pledge; exploring many student topics with peer counseling through Freshmen F.O.C.U.S.; educating all athletes about sportsmanship; teaching students about the dangers of texting and driving, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping; teaching students through classroom lessons about respect, tolerance, and conflict resolution; and having students listen to guest speakers presenting first-hand accounts of genocide and the Holocaust. These offerings help to foster positive relationships between students and faculty, allowing students to feel comfortable sharing their problems with staff members. We believe that these programs also have reduced instances of bullying at Ridgewood High School.
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The policies and code of conduct that govern the high school are strong and have served us well. However, in light of recent events, we are revisiting them to determine if changes are necessary. Throughout many of the students’ classes at RHS, they are taught the proper protocols of technology and internet safety and responsibility. We will be revisiting these lessons and protocols to determine their effectiveness. We are also working with law enforcement officials to find appropriate future programs that can help further educate our students on the perils of bullying and harassment and how to stop volatile situations before they go too far.
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One of the school’s responsibilities is to ensure the safety and well-being of all the students and staff. When students experience problems, they are encouraged to seek out a teacher, counselor, or grade advisor. In addition to a student’s parents/guardians, these staff members are excellent resources from whom to get assistance on any issue. To ensure student success of all kinds, the school and community must work cooperatively to inspire and implement this shared vision.
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Sincerely,
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Thomas A. Gorman, Ed.D.
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Principal
Question: What do you call a person who rushes to the scene of an unfolding fight, starts recording video and still images of same without otherwise getting involved or trying to de-escalate the situation or protect the person who lost the fight?
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Answer: A reporter!
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The district wants to restrict the spread of facts. It does not want the truth of the matter to be revealed. It is now scrambling to literally bully and thresten all students from telling their parents or the news media what they know, or from showing the fight video to anyone the district doesn’t want to see it.
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Law enforcement in Las Vegas was busy confiscating concert-goers’ cell phones in the immediate aftermath of the Mandalay Bay shooting. Why did they do this? To delete any and video of the “incident” from those cell phoned so they could take control of the “narrative”, and start spreading disinformation and propaganda. This cap has got to stop.
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October 27,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Coach Jeff Yearing reports that the RHS Girls Soccer team has received the United Soccer Coaches High School Girls Team Academic Award (formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America — NSCAA). One of only six high schools out of 1,112 schools to have received the award since its inception in 1996, RHS has earned this recognition 18 times.
Friday, October 13 at 10am.
RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
Join Dr. Gorman, Principal of RHS, as he takes us on a Walktoberfest tour around the exterior of the school and its grounds. Learn interesting facts about the building’s history, the cupola, the fields, notable alumni and more!
Sign up here: RidgewoodWalks.com
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood High School is one of the most iconic buildings in the village. Have you ever wondered what secrets lie behind the facade? Have you ever wondered what’s inside the cupola? How about notable alumni who spent their formative years in this building? Join Principal Dr. Tom Gorman tomorrow, Friday, October 13 at 10am and find out everything there is to know about this stunning structure.
Check out lots of other tours too. Walktoberfest is a great way to learn about Ridgewood, the place we all call home
photo Jack Tatum
September 9,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, it is back to school and the start of High School Football season .The latest media rage is the continued focus on player safety and concussions . While many parents continue to voice concern about football safety . Other sports like soccer and lacrosse have proven to be equally as dangerous .
On September 5th Dr. Bennet Omalu told the Today show : “Knowing what we know today, there is no reason whatsoever that any child under the age of 18 should play the high-impact, high-contact sports. The big six are: American football, ice hockey, mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling and rugby. Blows to the head are intrinsic to the game. That truth could be inconvenient, painful and difficult, but we should not deny it. “https://www.today.com/health/concussion-doctor-warns-against-contact-sports-kids-t115938
So is no sports really the answer ? After all On August 18, 1967, the Red Sox were playing the California Angels at Fenway Park. Tony Conigliaro, batting against Jack Hamilton, was hit by a pitch on his left cheekbone and was carried off the field on a stretcher. He sustained a linear fracture of the left cheekbone and a dislocated jaw with severe damage to his left retina. The batting helmet he was wearing did not have the protective ear-flap that has since become standard. So even baseball can be dangerous .
Perhaps it is my age or just a different point of reference but growing up we never wore helmets on bicycles , we drank water from a hose , swam in Saddle River ,ate trout we caught and some how all lived to tell about it .
I can still remember August 12, 1978, “Oakland Raiders free safety Jack Tatum levels New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingley with a helmet-to-helmet hit in a preseason game, leaving Stingley paralyzed for life. Despite the sport’s hard hits and reputation for roughness, this was the first and only time a player was permanently paralyzed as a result of an injury sustained in a National Football League game.” -history.com.
So is it really true as Dr. Bennet Omalu said that “Blows to the head are intrinsic to the game” ? We placed a call to councilmen Ramon Hache who is very involved in Village sports programs especially football to get his take . Ramon reminded us that things have changed , that do to the size ,speed and weight of the players its not the football we grew up with . That players got bigger and faster and equipment didn’t seemed to up grade as quickly. Ramon stressed that awareness and training is the key to safety and reminded me the new game is often played more like Rugby or the old leather helmet football when tackling was or is much less dependent on equipment then technique .
photo Raised a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, Jim Thorpe was America’s original crossover athlete. As an Olympic champion, football player and baseball star, he excelled in nearly every sport he tried.
Even RJFA PeeWee Football coaches now have to have a Youth Tackle Coach Certification even before they take the field. It is also It is mandatory for all RJFA coaches to be certified for HUF (Heads Up Football) .
Shoulder Tackling and Blocking
Health and Safety
Fundamentals of Coaching
Coaches also must be Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y certified . As we figured Ridgewood parents would do everything possible to assure the safety of their children , so mothers can feel confident everything is being done and then some to keep your child safe .
Let face the value of team sports for children has been well documented and it would be a shame to lose these benefits
Children who take part in organized sports receive many social, mental and psychological benefits over and above those that come from general physical activity.
Healthy habits
Starting a child in an organized sport gives them a healthy habit of physical activity to see them right through to adulthood and help them ward off many age- and weight-related ailments. Even before adulthood, teens who take part in sports are less likely to smoke, do drugs or abuse alcohol.https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/HealthandWellness/PhysicalActivitySportsandFitness/Pages/participating-in-organized-sports.aspx
Self-discipline
Learning the rules and techniques of a new sport and training for a particular purpose can give a child self-discipline that they can employ both on and off the field. Sports often help children learn that working hard helps them to achieve a goal.https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/HealthandWellness/PhysicalActivitySportsandFitness/Pages/participating-in-organized-sports.aspx
Social skills and teamwork
When many people think of organized sports, team sports often spring to mind. Sports such as baseball, hockey or basketball can teach children to trust and rely on others to achieve common goals, value everyone’s individual strengths and put collective needs before individual wants.https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/HealthandWellness/PhysicalActivitySportsandFitness/Pages/participating-in-organized-sports.aspx
Improved mental health
Taking part in a sport can greatly improve a child’s sense of self-worth. Whether it is the satisfaction of mastering a dribble or beating a personal best, sports-related exercise enables children to gain confidence in their skills. In an era of excessive focus on appearance, sports also provide an outlet for children, especially girls, to focus not on what their bodies look like but on what they can do. This has the knock-on benefit of improved body image.https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/HealthandWellness/PhysicalActivitySportsandFitness/Pages/participating-in-organized-sports.aspx
Sportsmanship
Taking part in anything competitive requires an ability to handle disappointments and accept personal responsibility for any mistakes. It can take a while for children – and some adults – to learn not to blame others when things go wrong. However, organized sports can teach important lessons about the value of taking part rather than winning and about using setbacks as learning opportunities.
https://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/HealthandWellness/PhysicalActivitySportsandFitness/Pages/participating-in-organized-sports.aspx
September 3,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Los Angles CA, The Los Angeles Chargers are making a change at kicker this season.The Chargers released third-year kicker Josh Lambo on Saturday, ceding the starting kicker job to rookie Younghoe Koo.
Lambo was 2-for-2 in the preseason with a long of 53, while Koo was 1-for-1.
Koo ,a graduate of Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Ridgewood High School ,is a rookie out of Georgia Southern, was born in South Korea before moving to the United States in 2006. The first-year pro was Georgia Southern’s first All-American and ranked second in the country in field goal percentage (95 percent).
Koo is probably best known on the for this insane trick kick.
June 28,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Professional Golfer and Ridgewood High School Alum Debbie O’Connell kicked off her new book Golf Positive! Live Positive! at in Ridgewood on Monday night .
Her book launch started Monday night featuring a book signing at Bookends in Ridgewood. Today my launch on Amazon offers Golf Positive! Live Positive! FREE on Kindle. Click here to get your copy https://amzn.to/2thONSy Enjoy!!
“The Mission is to enhance the lives of individuals through positive learning experiences while enhancing golf skills and knowledge. Golf-Positive will use the game of golf as a tool to influence positive results in many facets of life. Experience and enjoy the positive spirit and energy Golf-Positive will illuminate. Join Debbie in her journey as she strives to reach her full potential by helping you to reach yours!”
According to Debbie, it’s nearly impossible to be a negative pessimistic person and have a happy positive life.
You will get what you focus on in life. Pay attention to your thoughts and words and make sure they are positive.
If you want to live a happy positive life be sure your thoughts and words are positive.
It’s important to watch your language! Below find a list of disempowering words and the empowering word you can say and think in its place. If you change your language and your thoughts, your life will be even better!
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Mayor Susan Knudsen
June 25,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood High School graduation Kicked off at 5pm on June 21st . This year the event was live streamed . Rain early in the day cleared up .
photo courtesy of Ridgewood Emergency Services
Behind the scenes Ridgewood Emergency Services kept a watchful eye on the proceedings just in case .
Photos courtesy of Ridgewood Emergency Services
RHS Project Graduation 2017 pulled out all the stops at the after party !
photos courtesy of Gail McLaughlin McCarthy
Updated June 22, 2017
Posted June 22, 2017
By Kelly Heyboer | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The SAT remains the top college entrance exam in New Jersey, where the majority of high school students take the multiple choice test to get into college.
But a growing number of New Jersey teens are trying their luck with the ACT exam. Last year, almost a third of graduating students took the ACT in New Jersey, according to the company that oversee the test.
For the first time this year, the state Department of Education’s School Performance Reports included the mean ACT scores reported by hundreds of the state’s high schools. ACT exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 36.
Here are the 42 New Jersey high schools where students averaged a composite score of 26 or higher, according to state data for the 2015-2016 school year.
42. (tie) Voorhees High School (Hunterdon County)
ACT composite score: 26
Percentage of students taking the ACT: 25%
42. (tie) Ridgewood High School (Ridgewood Village, Bergen County)
ACT composite score: 26
Percentage of students taking the ACT: 58%
42. (tie) Northern Highlands Regional High School (Bergen County)
ACT composite score: 26
Percentage of students taking the ACT: 60%
42. (tie) Mountain Lakes High School (Morris County)
ACT composite score: 26
Percentage of students taking the ACT: 68%
42. (tie) Moorestown High School (Burlington County)
ACT composite score: 26
Percentage of students taking the ACT: 49%
Ridgewood NJ,Ridgewood High School Students Excelled in Language Arts including a record number (148) of RHS French students took the National French Exam, with 52 receiving Honorable Mention certificates, 28 ranking among the top percentiles in their respective levels, and one — in a first for RHS — earning the platinum award.
RHS students in Spanish levels III, IV, and V participated in the National Spanish Exam, with 33 achieving either Gold, Silver, or Bronze national status. Brianna Patek received first place in the state for Classroom Experience, and Maria Esteve received first place in the state for Out- side Experience, for the Level V exam. Anika Tsapatsaris and another student (name withheld) achieved second and third respectively for Level IV Class- room Experience.
