Tag: Ridgewood NJ

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>The Fly nominates Janice Dime as Ridgewood’s next Superintendent

>Hey Ridgewood; here’s a novel idea. Janice Dime, Paramus’ embattled superintendent, will soon be in need of a new job. Why don’t BOE members consider hiring her? She’d fit right in with their “we’re tired of hearing from loudmouthed parents” and “we know what’s best for your children so don’t butt in” philosophy.

No one on the BOE but Joe Vallerini blinked an eye when Dr. Porter gave his famous “so long as I’m the Superintendent, I’ll call the shots around here” speech, and from what I’ve read about Dr. Dime, she’s just as heavy handed and autocratic. We could probably get her cheap too.

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>BOE Blames Parents for Brooks Fiasco and readers respond

>The Board of Education’s statement on the reason for Brooks’ withdrawal is an outrage. In typical fashion they now blame the parents who spoke in the best interests of their children, and not themselves.This is a time for us to unify, and not divide, and make sure they get it right next time around. The Board, however, has elected to use the language of division in their announcement.The public discussion of Brooks’ appointment is “reflective of Ridgewood’s supportive community and its values.”When we speak on behalf of our children we are not “undermin[ing] the process.”Call the Board of Ed now. Demand that they retract their public statement and that they publicly apologize for their unfortunate choice of words

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Brooks Declines Ridgewood Superintendency

>brooks

From the Village Website!!!

Brooks Declines Ridgewood Superintendency

Dr. Martin Brooks has informed the Ridgewood Board of Education that because of personal reasons he will not accept the Superintendency in Ridgewood. It is the position of the Board that before Dr. Brooks’ arrival he was made to feel unwelcome. Anonymous phone calls, emails, blogs, and web postings by some community members questioned his integrity, ethics and educational philosophy. The Board considers this to be a most unfortunate situation for the Village and schools. It is not reflective of Ridgewood’s supportive community and its values.After an extensive nine-month process, using criteria and specifications developed in collaboration with the community, the Board selected Dr. Brooks to be the next superintendent. Some in the community took exception to the Board’s decision and have undermined the process.At its June 18, 2007, meeting, the Board will discuss the hiring of an interim superintendent and the initiation of a second superintendent search. As always, the Board will continue to focus on the education of more than 5,600 students in the Ridgewood Public School system.

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>Public Hearing For "Underage Drinking On Private Property" Ordinance

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The Public Hearing for Ordinance 3065, “Consumption and/or possession of Alcoholic Beverages by Underage Persons,” will be held beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 13th in the Sydney V. Stoldt, Jr. Court Room at Village Hall, 131 North Maple Avenue, Level Four.
Text of the proposed ordinance is available here:

https://www.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/clerk/ORDnum3065.pdf

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>Bergen Record Article Captures Parents Anxiety Over Dumb, Dumb Math

>When our very own regional newspaper admits that Reformed Math was, “… intended to have a low intimidation factor and may be more accessible to students — particularly girls and African-American students — who are less likely to enroll in higher-level math courses,” it has identified perhaps the greatest fear parents have with these programs: they will NOT adequately prepare students for higher math learning.

On that, everyone from Stanford to Harvard to New York University agrees. The BOE and its Superintendent of Curriculum have still not justified why this program has been forced upon the unwitting students of two of our elementary schools. Have these schools been targeted for being considered more “diverse” economically than the other elementary schools, with the expectation that their students will likely go to lesser ranked colleges? Could it be that Ridgewood itself is overflowing with African-Americans, who are under-performing? Is the fly missing something here? What does the great BOE know about our demographics that we, the good citizens of this Village, cannot see?

I get it…it must be the “stupid” girls. Girls are everywhere. And where there are girls, then it stands to reason that a dumb math program must follow. Ladies, you’ve earned it. That Barbie Doll who “hated math” has tagged you for life. Forget about equality in the classroom or in the workplace. In Ridgewood, the BOE has decided that you are DUMB…dumber than the dumb math program. If you go to Travell or Orchard, then there will be no Harvard, Princeton or Yale for you based on your “high” math scores.

The Record visited Travell third grade teacher Matthew Connelly’s classroom. Connelly told the Record that what he likes is that his class is, “using our multiplication skills to think about this math.” That’s nice Mr. Connelly, since the College Board is considering qualifying students of TERC as special education performers, thereby giving them extra time to “think” about math on the SAT’s.

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the fly hears the N.Y. Times checks out the districts fuzzy math…

>The fly heard Dr. Arilotta and Bob Muller got their hair blown out yesterday.
It must have been that the New York Times was coming to visit Travell and Orchard school and interview the district about their fuzzy Math. Hmmmh, the NY Times, why didn’t Marty Brooks want to come and speak with the Times about how he implemented TERC in his last district?

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Welcome Reception for Marty Brooks Postponed

>Because of scheduling conflicts, the Board of Education is postponing the public welcome reception for Dr. Martin Brooks, the incoming Superintendent of Schools at the Ed Center, originally scheduled for Monday, June 11, 2007.

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>the Fly asks has the BOE put our Math program on the Short Bus?

>Parents explain ,that the Math issue is complex and requires reading and research. They have done that, and they now hope that BOE is reading what they have read.

The article linked below is from the New York Times, from years back when TERC and CMP were implemented in the NY city schools.

The parents at VORMATH think that “reformed” math is an incongruous fit for the demographic of Ridgewood.

We deliver bright and engaged children to the schools who don’t need Math to be “fun” and “creative” for them to get it.

Perhaps the crux of our dislike of TERC Investigations and CMP Math is that was created for lower achievers.

https://www.nytimes.com/library/national/regional/042700ny-math-edu.html

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>Will perimeter fencing soon enclose all of Graydon Park/Pool?

>On April 11th, the Village Council authorized $115K for the purchase and installation of perimeter fencing at Graydon Park/Pool.

However, in spite of assurances from Council members that Graydon would not be completely fenced, a legal bid notice for 2000 linear feet of full perimeter fencing, including several gates, was advertised in the May 25th Ridgewood News. Submitted bids will be opened on June 15th.

All fence sections would be 4 feet in height. 1250 linear feet of fencing is proposed to be constructed of black, decorative steel. The decorative fencing would be installed along Linwood Avenue and North Maple Avenue. The remaining 750 linear feet of fencing, specified to bidders as “non-climbable, chain link mesh,” would be installed along the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, near the roller hockey rink, and the north beach.

The Fly wonders; if full perimeter fencing and gates are installed, will the Graydon Park/Pool complex be “locked down” during off season

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>Lease of Pease Library Back on Village Council’s Discussion Agenda

>On Wednesday, June 6, Village Council members will again discuss a proposal to lease a portion of The Pease Memorial Library to a commercial tenant. Council members will meet behind closed doors immediately following their scheduled Work Session.

Most recently, Ridgewood Land and Development LLC proposed leasing a portion of the historic library building on Garber Square as headquarters for their firm’s operations. Lease terms were zero rent for a multi-year period in lieu of the tenant making substantial building improvements.

The proposed zero rent arrangement irked many taxpayers, most notably several League of Women Voters members. Councilman Patrick A. Mancuso was successful in demanding unspecified financial guarantees from the proposed tenant in return for Council members continuing to give the draft lease their due consideration.

No information has been released by Village officials as to whether Ridgewood Land and Development LLC has met Mr. Mancuso’s demands. However, rumors are that several key players severed their relationships with Ridgewood Land and Development LLC following receipt of information relative to Councilman Mancuso’s demands.

Jeff Wells, the principal of Oradell based architectural firm Wells Associates, is reported to be a key player in Ridgewood Land and Development LLC. Mr. Wells is also rumored to be a stakeholder in Ridgewood 120 LLC, owners of 120 Franklin Avenue, the former Town Garage property upon which Village officials hope to someday erect a 50 foot high parking garage.

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>Around the Village in June

>uncle+sam
Kasschau Shell Performance Starts at 8pm in the Kasschau Shell at Vet’s Field. Program – Tunes in June – RHS Bands. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy the music!

The Board of Education is inviting the public to a welcome reception for Dr. Martin Brooks, the incoming Superintendent of Schools at the Ed Center, third floor, 49 Cottage Place, on Monday, June 11, 2007, from 7:30-8:30 PM. The informal occasion is the first opportunity for residents to meet Dr. Brooks who was appointed to the position at the May 14, 2007, Board meeting. He takes over the Ridgewood post on July 1, 2007

Ridgewood 4th of July Celebration Fireworks Tickets Available 6/4 “Parade of Heroes”, Ridgewood’s 97th Annual Celebration, will start with a Flag Raising at 9am at Wilsey Square. Parade begins at 10am. Fireworks Tickets fund this All-Volunteer Committee’s work. Tickets are $5 in advance or $10 at the gate (children 5 and under are free). Tickets are avialable at Alice, Alice, Alice; Town & Country Appothecary; Backyard Living; Artventure Gallery; Citizens Community Bank; Daily Treat Restaurant; Goffle Brook Farm; Hillmann Electric; Hoskins Propane; Irish Eyes Imports; Ridgewood Cycle Shop; Wine Seller.

GigaGolf Father's Day Specialsshow?id=mjvuF8ceKoQ&bids=14707

photo by ArtChick “Just more shameless patriotic pandering”

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Meet Dr. Marty Brooks – June 11, 2007 @ 7:30pm Ed. Center

>The Board of Education is inviting the public to a welcome reception for Dr. Martin Brooks, the incoming Superintendent of Schools at the Ed Center, third floor, 49 Cottage Place, on Monday, June 11, 2007, from 7:30-8:30 PM. The informal occasion is the first opportunity for residents to meet Dr. Brooks who was appointed to the position at the May 14, 2007, Board meeting. He takes over the Ridgewood post on July 1, 2007.

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>The Ridgewood Blog endorses the Team of Caliguire, Schweighardt and Ginty in the Republican Primary

>The Ridgewood Blog endorses the Team of Caliguire, Schweighardt and Ginty in the Republican Primary on June 5th ,there are two primary reasons; 1) no elected official in the state of new jersey has demonstrated the ability to focus on any kind of responsible government what so ever ,so this Blog is encouraging everyone democrats or republican to vote against all local incumbents, its time to take this state back folks and 2) I find it extremely offensive for bunch of big government ,do nothing except raise your taxes guys to claim the Regan mantel ,sorry guys you must be joking and I am not laughing one bit!

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.
Ronald Reagan

Man is not free unless government is limited.
Ronald Reagan

Concentrated power has always been the enemy of liberty.
Ronald Reagan

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
Ronald Reagan

Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.
Ronald Reagan

Government always finds a need for whatever money it gets.
Ronald Reagan

Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.
Ronald Reagan

Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves.
Ronald Reagan