A new state law requires New Jersey’s Department of Education to study the feasibility and potential benefits or consequences of starting school later at middle and high schools. (Adam Clark, NJ.com) https://www.nj.com/education/
Ridgewood athletes Sophie Montgomery, Saskia Keppler and Libby DeVita benefited this spring from the tutelage of jumps coach Steve Opremcak, who has been chosen to lead the girls cross-country team this upcoming season.
JULY 10, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The fate of the Ridgewood High School boys and girls cross-country programs is now in the hands of two men in vastly different stages of their coaching careers but who envision their teams following a similar upward path.
For new girls coach Steve Opremcak, the position is the continuation of an already distinguished cross-country head coaching career. In Patrick Ryan, the newly appointed boys coach, Ridgewood is confident it has found a promising up-and-comer in the coaching ranks.
The appointments, approved by the district Board of Education late last month, signal the start to a new era for the tradition-rich boys and girls cross-country teams that achieved tremendous success under long-time coaches Jacob Brown and Mike Glynn.
“It’s a little intimidating, but I feel very honored,” said Opremcak, who was one of Brown’s assistants for the past six seasons during the cross-country and spring track seasons and served as the head coach at Indian Hills from 1998 to 2007.
The intimidation to which Opremcak referred is due not only to Brown’s role as the founder of the girls cross-country and track programs at Ridgewood but also his teams’ unparalleled success in the sport.
Since their inaugural season in 1974, Brown’s cross-country squads amassed a 243-15 record in dual meets, which included a 22-year undefeated stretch from 1984 through 2005. RHS also claimed 35 league championships, 29 county group titles, 28 Bergen Meet of Champions (BMOC) crowns, 22 state-sectional triumphs and two State Meet of Champions (SMOC) victories under Brown’s leadership.
RHS Class of 1978 member Carrie McIndoe is running the program. Sounds like there is still time for some entrepreneurial RHS students. If not this summer, then keep the idea in mind for next summer.
Scholarships Available for High School Entrepreneurship Camp
Jun 24, 2015
Full Scholarships are available to the EntrePrep℠ Summer Institute, a one-week residential experiential entrepreneurship program for a diverse population of rising high school juniors and seniors. The program will be held July 12-18, 2015 at the University of Delaware, Newark and August 9-15, 2015 at Skidmore College, Saratoga, NY.
Program
In this intensive program, the participants experience being entrepreneurs. They work towards launching and operating their own Business-for-a-Day™, with over 20 hours of training and mentoring in support of this undertaking. They brainstorm, identify ideas and opportunities and develop them into their own Business-for-a-Day™.
They assemble the resources needed to launch their businesses and then run them. These young entrepreneurs deliver a ‘Concept versus Reality’ analysis in a final presentation before a live audience of their peers, mentors, local community and business advisors.
The students learn and implement economic/financial concepts and key life
skills, all required to create, run and evaluate their businesses. They experience the entrepreneurial mindset.
The program provides preparation for the future. The knowledge and skills students learn by this direct experience, helps prepare them for the world they are entering – one where understanding of economic concepts and financial literacy is a must and where most jobs are created by small businesses.
This is a unique opportunity to participate in a transformative experience.
For more information contact: Carrie McIndoe 917-650-3929 www.econventures.org
JUNE 25, 2015, 11:41 AM LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015, 11:42 AM
BY CHRIS HARRIS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
RIDGEWOOD — Village residents need not call authorities this fall if they happen to see a drone hovering above the high school.
During its meeting Monday evening, the Ridgewood Board of Education accepted a donated GoPro Phantom 2 Quadcopter.
School officials said the drone will be used to film various activities at the school. It will also be utilized by students for video productions.
By Tom Blumer | June 23, 2015 | 10:55 PM EDT
Two recent NewsBusters posts have demonstrated that the major broadcast networks other than Fox News have failed to cover new information reported Sunday evening at the Wall Street Journal. Newly available emails reveal that MIT’s Jonathan Gruber “worked more closely than previously known with the White House and top federal officials to shape” the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare. Monday afternoon, NB’s Scott Whitlock noted that “All three network morning shows on Monday ignored” the clearly newsworthy revelations. Very early Tuesday morning, NB’s Curtis Houck observed that “The top English and Spanish-language broadcast networks” did the same thing Monday evening.
June 22,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, An item on the Ridgewood BOE’s meeting agenda for June 22, 2015 reads as follows:
“Acceptance of a gift in kind from the RHS HSA of a Go Pro [DJI] Phantom 2 Quadcopter to be used to film activities at Ridgewood High School.”
Say what?Who is going to be flying this drone and will students be present while it is in use?
This is a very big lawsuit waiting to happen. Even experienced pilots frequently crash these devices.
Remember what happened to Enrique Igleslias!
But what happens when a UAV filming a sporting event or wedding loses control and hits bystanders? Who is at fault, legally speaking? Fast Company reached out to experts in order to find out—and the consensus is, at the very least, the pilot will have a lot of explaining to do. https://www.fastcompany.com/3028781/what-happens-when-a-drone-crashes
Gerald C. Sterns, a California-based aviation and personal injury lawyer, says that common law offered the best precedents. “My analogy and best estimate would be a common law and a judge would find if you bang someone in the head, [such as with] a non-domesticated animal who caused damage to another,” Sterns said. “The owner claimed he wasn’t negligent, the animal got out. The judge said it didn’t matter. If you keep a wild animal you do so at your peril. A judge might view drones causing damage as no different than the non-domesticated animal causing damage.” https://www.fastcompany.com/3028781/what-happens-when-a-drone-crashes
Negligence was also broached with Florida aviation attorney Timothy Ravich. He said the operator of a small UAV that loses control and accidentally injures an individual could be named as a defendant in a trial. Though the question of liability is up to a judge and jury, the vehicle’s loss of control could lead to charges of negligence—charges that, depending on the specifics of the situation, could also lead to the UAV’s manufacturer and event organizers being named as defendants as well. In addition, intentionally injuring bystanders with a UAV brings up separate issues of criminal law. https://www.fastcompany.com/3028781/what-happens-when-a-drone-crashes
JUNE 6, 2015 LAST UPDATED: SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY JJ CONRAD
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Hundreds of views turned to thousands in just a few short hours Thursday, as a controversial YouTube video made its way around the state.
Sportsmanship, gamesmanship and ethics were at the forefront of it all. And girls lacrosse bylaws and rulebooks were brought into question.
The video features unusual activity from one Summit player following Julia Persche’s game-winning goal with 3.4 seconds remaining in the Hilltoppers’ 6-5, Tournament of Champions semifinal victory Wednesday against undefeated Ridgewood.
“[Thursday] night one of the coaches sends me this video and says, ‘You have to watch this,’ ” Northern Highlands coach Mike Menzella said of the video, which was deleted Friday. “I watch it and I’m like, ‘No way. Are you kidding? That’s how the game ended?’ We all can’t believe it.”
Following a Ridgewood go-ahead goal that was taken off the scoreboard because of an illegal stick with 1:12 remaining, Persche scored the game-winner 1:09 later.
As Persche was mobbed by teammates in a celebration near the net, one teammate –who was highlighted in the video – grabs the stick in question and appears to tamper with it before handing it back to Persche
JUNE 5, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW BIRCHENOUGH
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD — In the biggest game of the season last Friday, Ridgewood High School pitcher Lisa Higgins needed a few pitches to get her bearings straight.
The Maroons’ star right-hander fell behind Morris Knolls leadoff hitter Marina Castalluzzo, 3-0, before coming back to strike her out to start the North 1, Group 4 final. Higgins struck out the next two batters, and another pitching masterpiece was underway.
Rachel Pizzuti’s fourth-inning RBI double with two outs broke up a scoreless tie, and Higgins pitched her fourth shutout in as many state playoff starts, allowing just three hits and a walk in a complete-game 2-0 victory to clinch the school’s first sectional title since 2009 at Veterans Field.
“We’ve been a team that goes about our business all year round, so for them to really enjoy this moment was so fun to watch,” head coach Patti Auger said.
The celebration had to be quick for five Maroons who would be heading to that evening’s prom, but senior first baseman Kali Wolfer decided to take her time relishing the moment anyway.
“Winning this, my senior year, I don’t even care if I’m late for prom,” said Wolfer, one of the squad’s co-captains. “I’m not going to remember prom in 20 years; I’m going to remember this game. This is the biggest feeling right now.”
Ridgewood’s chase for a State Group 4 title ended Wednesday in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Bridgewater-Raritan at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field at Ivy Hill Park in Newark. Higgins was outstanding again, allowing just two runs on five hits in taking the hard-luck loss.
JUNE 2, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015, 9:59 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Like clockwork, placards marking the homes of new Ridgewood High School graduates are popping up on front lawns throughout the village. It’s a spring tradition embraced by the community, one signifying proud parents and reasons to celebrate.
The end-of-school rituals, namely proms and graduations, are always joyous events. In recent years, however, it’s become custom that those occasions are preceded with sobering advice and warnings about the dangers of over-celebrating, particularly if alcohol and drugs enter the equation.
Members of the Ridgewood Municipal Alliance Committee have taken the lead locally in spreading the word of those dangers, and they’ve initiated a campaign this season that delivers a message supplementing the drunken driving cautions that typically come at this time of year.
The “Parents Who Host, Lose the Most” program is directed primarily to adults who are hoping celebrate a child’s prom and graduation. Its tagline, “Don’t be a party to teenage drinking,” speaks directly to parents and guardians.
“Over the years, we know there have been parents who have hosted parties for their kids. This is a particularly good time to do it – it’s spring and you have graduations and proms,” explained committee chairwoman Sheila Brogan. “What we want to do through this campaign is enlighten parents about the liability and risks that are involved in serving alcohol to underage drinkers, kids in high school and college.”
https://www.northjersey.com/community-news/parents-reminded-of-underage-drinking-laws-1.1347045
Texas’ Flower Mound HS opens news fronts on the war on students and on photography.
Nick Gillespie|May. 26, 2015 9:28 am
Here’s a good example of why so many of us disliked school even if we dig edumication.
Via the Twitter feed of Lizbuddie comes the story of Anthony Mazur, a 16-year-old student at Texas’ Flower Mound High School. A photographer for the yearbook, Mazur took pictures of athletes and other students and then posted them on a Flickr account where he sold some of them to parents. As it happens, according to his school district’s policy, there’s no issue with that and Mazur apparently owns the the copyright to work he produces.
https://reason.com/blog/2015/05/26/this-is-why-high-school-sucks-for-so-man
May 21st 2015
Ridgewood NJ, The event will open to the public on Thursday, May 21 at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center at RHS with music and dance performances. Sharing the Arts will perform A Whole New World from Aladdin, and the advanced dance class will perform to a piece played by the Symphonic Band. Guests will have an opportunity to explore the artwork and displays throughout the first floor before moving to the Little Theatre for a concert of small ensembles.
On Friday, the festivities will continue as high school staff, faculty, and students are immersed in over 1000 pieces of artwork. They may also attend various performances and demonstrations throughout the day. This two-day extravaganza is truly one of the feature events of the Fine and Applied Arts Department.
Thursday evening’s gala is open to the public and free of charge.
May 13,2015
May 13,2015
Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood High School is ranked 15th within New Jersey. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement® course work and exams. The AP® participation rate at Ridgewood High School is 68 percent. The student body makeup is 51 percent male and 49 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 30 percent. Ridgewood High School is the only high school in the Ridgewood Public Schools.
Rankings / Awards
This details how this school compares with others based on U.S. News ranking criteria.
Medal Awarded Gold
National Rank
#307
State Rank
#15
STEM Rank
#222
Students / Teachers
These counts and percentages of students and teachers are from data reported by schools to the government.
Total Enrollment 1,694
Total Minority Enrollment (% of total) 30%
Total Economically Disadvantaged (% of total) 1%
Full-Time Teachers 132
More About Student Body
Test Scores
U.S. News calculates these values based on student performance on state exit exams and internationally available exams on college-level course work (AP®/IB exams).
Proficient in Language 98%
Proficient in Mathematics 96%
College Readiness Index 60.4
Michael Thurston of Ridgewood High School Male Athlete of the Week
APRIL 21, 2015 LAST UPDATED: TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 2015, 7:00 AM
BY CHUCK O’DONNELL
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
You couldn’t blame Michael Thurston for being tired after running in three races during the Jack Yockers Bergen County Relays in Oradell.
Michael Thurston
Sport: Track Class: Junior Age: 17
Accomplishment: Thurston helped Ridgewood win two events and take second and third in two others during the Jack Yockers Bergen County Relays.
But two things managed to put a little spring back in the Ridgewood junior’s stride Saturday as he got ready to run his fourth and final event, the 4-x-400.
First, he wanted to do his best. He knew his teammates were counting on him to help them hold on to second place in the Division A standings.
