Tag: Ridgewood Moms and dads

>… for several weeks the accusations the too many of the new hires at the Village Hall, Police and Fire are relatives of employees, often stretching standards to satisfy the demands of some long time employee. While the fly is not opposed to this on general principles, there have been some very uncomfortable accusations made bringing to question a threat to public safety, by hiring people seeming “unfit” for their perspective job. The fly wonders WHO will be responsible to take the fall if one of these hires turns into another costly fiasco for the Village. Or should the tax payers begin to sharpen the Guillotine for these public officials?

>January 11, 2007
Ridgewood Board of Education
Board of Education
49 Cottage Place
Ridgewood NJ 07451

Mark Bombace; Bob Hutton; Sheila Brogan; Linda Gilman; Joseph Vallerini

Dear Board Members;

Does the Paperless Policy for Ridgewood Elementary Schools discriminate against lower income and single parents?

In September of this year Orchard amongst other Ridgewood elementary schools established school websites and announced that paper school notices will no longer be available to parents. This policy sought to (1) reduce paper distribution costs, (2) allow easy access of information to both parents in divorced families, and (3) to reduce teacher workload.

However, this policy has emplaced a communication barrier for lower income families who simply cannot afford the high speed internet access required. These families must travel out of their homes to have access to such information thus adding an additional burden upon single parents or dual working families already short on time. Orchard School has offered to print notices for those in need however, the resultant embarrassment to both the parent who must petition for such paper copies and for the child who is singled out by receiving them has a predictable chilling effect upon such requests. Existing programs to provide donated machines are beneficial to close the technology gap, but do not provide and pay for the requisite internet connections. Low income parents are thus compelled to go to the library for any access to Orchard information. As noted above, these trips reduce the already sparse family time available to dual working parent households. Junior High and High School students can keep their parents apprised of school happenings, but elementary school children are simply not ready to do so.

While many Ridgewood residents, in fact the majority, may endorse the paperless policy as progressive, such a view ignores the public and inclusive role of our elementary schools. Orchard is not a corporate entity; it is a PUBLIC school and it is incumbent upon us to make sure that all parents have easy and clear access to information regarding school events. To do otherwise not only risks children will be left behind, it guarantees it.

Not surprisingly since the individual principal of each elementary has sole discretion over his or her school’s communication policy the application of the “paperless” policy has been disparate. Orchard’s Principal, Dr. Mueller has implemented a strict paperless policy with the lone exception of safety notices. This exception, of course, is recognition that the paperless policy cannot be expected to and in fact does not reach all parents.
Orchard HSA, while supporting Dr. Muller, recognizes the inherent communication gap brought on by the paperless policy. They have thought of creative ideas such as to “buddy” parents up in an attempt to ensure information is disseminated. The HSAs benevolence is no surrogate for the school’s responsibility to take every step to ensure parental knowledge and involvement. In short, the charitable acts of the HSA should not be looked upon to cure whatever communication shortfalls are brought about by the paperless policy. This is the duty of the schools.

This Board is thus met with a choice wherein it can elect “progress” that while advancing the laudable aims set forth in (1) – (3) above, introduces greater marginalization to our lower income families. There is, however, a middle ground which can facilitate (1) – (3) above yet maintain our schools’ traditional inclusiveness. I put forth the recommendation that the district considers creating a clear communication policy for all elementary schools. This would alleviate confusion, provide consistency regarding the implementation of a new communication tool such as the internet, and avoid alienating an already disadvantaged segment of our school’s community.

The continued use of the Websites as the primary, but not only, method of communication is warranted. However, all elementary schools should be required to regularly provide either by backpack or regular mail a paper summary of major school events, such as the Orchard AppleJuice Newsletter. This can be distributed monthly or a few weeks prior to an Event. Maybe when the district has the technology in place, the schools should also opt to use a third method of communication such as Connect Ed that dials broadcast phone messages in English and Spanish.

In closing, I found these quotes relevant. They are from the Federal Guidelines concerning parent\school involvement.
Three decades of research provide convincing evidence that parents are an important influence in helping their children achieve high academic standards. When schools collaborate with parents to help their children learn and when parents participate in school activities and decision-making about their children’s education, children achieve at higher levels. In short, when parents are involved in education, children do better in school and schools improve. (Parental Involvement: Title I, Part A, Non-Regulatory Guidance, Department of Education, April 23, 2004)
We fail our children when we leave their parents behind. This we cannot do.
I respectfully request that the issue of the internet being used as the sole communication method for notices of school events in the Ridgewood Elementary schools be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the school board
Sincerely,

Joan O’Keefe

CC: Art Cody, Esq., Jasmine Cohn

>Dr. Chris Taylor, Chair of Dept of Religious Studies, Drew University, Madison, NJ will lead a discussion on Islam, Thursday, February 15th at 7:30pm, Anderson Hall, Unitarian Society, 113 Cottage Pl., Ridgewood. Free and Open to the Public. Co-sponsored by the Community Relations Advisory Board of Glen Rock and Ridgewood.

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02/07/07
7:30pm
Village Council Work Session

02/14/07
8:00pm
Village Council Public Meeting

02/27/07
8 PM
Board of Adjustment

02/28/07
7:30pm
Village Council Work Session

03/07/07
7:30pm
Village Council Work Session

>Saturday, February 3rd – 6 to 9:30pm
SUPERBOWL EVE CHILI COOKOFF AND TAILGATE PARTY Join Ridgewood Parks and Recreation on Saturday, February 3rd, 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., in the Community Center Youth Lounge for a Superbowl Eve Pre Game Party. Chili, Hot Dog Cart and other refreshments courtesy of Best of Everything, Broad Street Smokehouse Grill, The Daily Treat, The Office, The Silver Spoon, and Wilkes Delicatessen. NFL Highlights of the most amazing Super Bowl happenings will run on the big screen. A fun filled evening for friends and families of ALL AGES. $ 5.00 per individual or $ 10.00 per family. Questions:201/670-5560

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>A petroleum giant has agreed to pay a $1.2 million fine for ignoring state orders to clean up pollution from leaking underground fuel tanks at a Ridgewood service station, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson announced today.

“Of the total penalty, $500,000 recoups the economic benefit that Shell/Motiva reaped by evading DEP cleanup orders. Even though the station eventually came into compliance, this settlement sends a clear message to other polluters – if you delay, you will still pay,” Commissioner Jackson said.

The settlement stems from three distinct gasoline leaks from underground storage tanks at the Shell service station at Route 17 and Franklin Turnpike in the village of Ridgewood, Bergen County.

Shell Oil Co. owned the station from 1985 until 1998, when Houston-based Motiva Enterprises LLC, a joint venture of Shell and Saudi Refining Inc., assumed ownership.

Ridgewood first detected gasoline in its water in June 1987, and shut down two municipal wells adjacent to the Shell station. DEP traced the contamination to the station.

Shell installed pump-and-treat and vapor extraction systems to deal with on-site contamination. Ridgewood installed an off-site treatment system and placed the wells back into service.

In February 1995, Shell notified DEP of another discharge of 1,700 gallons of gasoline. Shell upgraded its on-site treatment systems.

The following year, DEP issued a Spill Act directive, ordering the company to remove the discharge and provide enhanced treatment for the municipal water supply.

The company failed to comply; DEP issued a Notice of Violation against Shell on May 30, 1997.
In June 1998, Shell informed DEP of a third discharge of approximately 1,000 gallons. This time, the company shut down the pump-and-treat system, arguing it was not designed to handle the contamination.

Between May 1997 and August 2000, DEP attempted to guide Shell and Motiva into compliance but department directives were not followed. On Aug. 30, 2000, DEP issued fine notices totaling $1.6 million.

After this, the company upgraded the on-site treatment systems to meet DEP requirements. It also delineated the vertical and horizontal extent of the contamination plume as the department required.

As an additional condition of the recent settlement, Shell and Motiva have agreed to complete the remediation.

>The Ridgewood Police Department is seeking individuals who are interested in serving as crossing guards at various locations in the Village. For further information and applications please contact the Police Department at 201/670-5500 x404. The hourly rate is $15.65.

>Special Meeting – Planning Bd – Valley Hospital Renewal Monday, January 29 at 7:30pm in the Court Room at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Ave, there will be a Hearing at the Special Meeting of the Planning Board on the “Valley Hospital Renewal”. This meeting is open to the public. Space available is determined by the occupancy limits established by the Fire Dept. Audio CD’s of the Hearing will be available from the Secretary to the Planning Board for $10.

ORDER FINE ART/ STOCK PRINTS ON-LINE

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>I live on a corner. I do not have any obstruction that blocks the view of the corner. Nor have I received a summons. However, I would strongly oppose the legal right of ANYONE to make changes to MY property, without my consent. If it is a matter of trimming an overgrown bush, that is one thing. But, more permanent structures, such as walls or fences, that have existed for years is another. Can anyone provide the wording of ordinance that exists covering this issue? Also, I would like to know names of the the members of the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee (whatever that is). Where can they be found? It is probably the same people who stand up at EVERY Village Council meeting and turn the municipal government process into something akin to a 4-hour root canal procedure (sit through one and see what I mean). How many of these summonses have been issued, anyway? There can’t be more than 4 or 5 properties in town, where this is a valid concern. Yet, we have the Police Dept and Village Engineering Division surveying the entire town about this. How many man-hours (read tax-payer dollars) have been spent on this? Give me a freakin’ break!!! If the traffic aound my property is any indication, I suggest that any accidents contributing to the “sudden alarm” over this issue have more to do with careless drivers that obstructed intersections.

The Citizens Safety Advisory Committee propably has good intentions. But, they seem to taking an Orwellian approach that I oppose in principle. Young children from around the neigborhood play in our yard. Why doesn’t the Citizens Safety Advisory Committee spend their time focusing on the biggest safety hazard in Ridgewood…bad, careless and reckless drivers. Countless teenagers, soccer moms and POLICEMEN talk on their cell phones as they drive obvliviously through town every day. Stop signs are non-existent as they roll right through them. Is there any street in town with a speed limit over 25MPH? Drivers routinely fly down some streets at speeds in excess of 40MPH. How about enforcing our existing traffic laws?? Why don’t we all start focusing on the REAL issues in this town and stop meddling, based on the interests of a few? Get a grip Ridgewood!!!