“Hmm. I wonder. Once the lawsuit became public and social media users started hammering Board members, did they ask Fishbein to take the fall for them, or did Dan the Man actually pull the trigger himself. I wonder. My money is on Dan being told to take a bullet on their behalf.”
Ridgewood Board Of Education
Ridgewood NJ, In July 2018, the Ridgewood Village Council adopted a resolution moving the annual school board elections from November to April. On April 16, 2019 Ridgewood voters will have the opportunity to vote on the annual school budget. The Board of Education is seeking clarification on the effect this change has on board member terms.
Board members are elected for three-year terms. Currently, all sitting board members were elected in November elections, those terms expire on the 31st of December of the third year of their term. With the change to April elections it unclear when current board member terms expire.
The Superintendent of Ridgewood Public Schools, on behalf of the Ridgewood Board of Education has filed a Verified Complaint against the County of Bergen and the New Jersey Commissioner of Education seeking clarification of the terms of all sitting board members. The Superintendent has filed the complaint because there are two differing points of view on board member terms. The opinion by the courts is that the term of a member of the Board of Education cannot be shortened. A response from a Bergen County official opined that those terms can be shortened. Our goal in filing this complaint with the court is to have a response that will allow us to proceed according to law.
It is expected that a decision will be made well in advance of the February 25, 2019 filing deadline for the April 2019 elections.
Any questions regarding this action should be addressed to the Superintendent and Board of Education at 201-670-2700 x10530.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Since 1947 Jamboree has raised over $1 million in need based scholarship funds for graduating Ridgewood high school students. And we put on a show in order to do it! Save the dates! The show will run February 7th 8th and 9th. See times above. Bring a friend! Make a night of it! You’re in for an evening of good fun entertainment. There will be singing, dancing, and a little bit of humor now and then!
Can’t make it to the show? You can still donate to this great cause. Click on the “Donate to Jamboree” tab above, or click here: . Feel free to share this with friends and family.
However we know we’ll see you at the show!!
Questions? Email the producers at [email protected]
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, You’ve just cleared high school and are looking into joining college. You’ve be told about taking a student loan, and since your parents credit is incredibly awful, your only option is to take it in your name.
So you did what lots of other students do when looking out for a loan – visit the government student loan site. But since the site doesn’t break the process into simple, easy-to-understand chunks, you end up getting confused. In which case, you found it hard understanding the terms used, the kind of loans being offered and how best you can access them or if there’s some other place you should visit to get the loan.
Well, don’t fret – this post covers all the possible ways you can access a student loan.
A student loan is NOT free money, but a loan you’ll be required to pay after you graduate—and with an interest of course. So if there’s remotely a chance that you can still foot your school fees and your upkeep without relying on loans, then go for it.
For US based students, you have the option to access Pell Grant through FAFSA. Read this bearing in mind that grants don’t require you to pay back.
Also try looking at the possibility of securing a scholarship or securing a part time job to help you out.
Lastly, you might want to settle for a school with the lowest tuition fee. Do this and some time in future when your friends and family will be struggling with repaying their student loans, you’ll be looking back and thanking yourself for the decision you made.
But if you really must take a loan, here are a number of ways to apply for them:
The application process to follow will vary depending on the type of student loan you wish to apply
To apply for a federal loan, you have to start by filling out the Free Application for Student Aid (FASFA) form. This form can be downloaded at FAFSA.gov. Once filled, the form should be sent back to FASFA for evaluation.
Here’s a number of things to keep in mind while filling out the form:
Private student loans are mostly offered by banks, financial institutions, or a Mammoth Investor. Which is to say, you’ll be applying for it directly to the lender.
Instructions on how to apply for the loan:
You’ll also be required to choose a repayment option that best suits you and the type of interest you’re most comfortable with.
Getting a loan shouldn’t be that much of a tough task. If anything, there exist several avenues to access one. So if one fails, just knuckle up and check out for the next available option.
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
BOARD REORGANIZATION
OFFICIAL RESULTS OF SCHOOL ELECTION (November 2018)
Candidates for Board – Three Year Term
Cristopher Kaufman: 4,579
B. Vincent Loncto: 3,055
Personal Choice: 29
Total November Election Votes Cast: 11,400
SWEARING IN, NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS OF BOARD OFFICERS
Newly elected Board member Cristopher Kaufman was sworn in, followed by a roll call of the Board and nominations and election of a new Board president and vice president. Jennie Smith Wilson was elected President. James Morgan was elected Vice President.
PRESENTATIONS
BOARD GOALS UPDATE
Dr. Fishbein provided an update on the status of the Board goals at this mid-point in the school year, as follows:
1) Negotiations with the REA have been completed with an approved REA contract; RAA negotiations will be starting;
2) Identification of capital projects for a bond referendum will be starting with meeting with LAN Associates;
3) Full-Day Kindergarten update will be presented to the Board at the April 29 meeting;
4) Special Education Department study to be reported on this spring;
5) Community Strategic Planning consultants are being interviewed at this time.
file photo by Boyd Loving
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ,the Ridgewood School Board and the Village Council have come to terms funding a School Resource Officer .After beginning the 2018-2019 school year at odds over who should pay for the new school resource officer(SRO), the Ridgewood Board of Education has finally agreed to a co-funding agreement.
In September, Village Council members claimed school district officials had reneged on good faith negotiations to co-fund the salary 50-50 for the school resource officer. Municipal officials claimed the Board of Education was asked to contribute $100,000 for their fiscal year. Board members asserted they made it clear from the start that funding for the SRO was not in the 2018-2019 district budget and the village’s 2018 operating budget covered the expense.
In December after serious public pressure and a disastrous election defeat by the sitting school board president the Ridgewood Board of Education unanimously voted to contribute up to $100,000 towards the SRO, prorated and effective Jan. 1, through a shared services agreement with the village.
Legislation and Advocacy
Contact information for legislators; Board testimony on pending legislation, resolutions approved by the Board in support/opposition of pending bills, and letters sent from Dr. Fishbein to legislators.
Board Resolutions in Support/Opposition to Legislation
Resolution Advocating Gun Control
Resolution for Improvement of PERS Pension Budgeting Information
Resolution for Regulatory Relief for America’s Schools
Resolution in Opposition to Moving the Annual School Election to November
Resolution in Opposition to Senate Bill 1872 and Assembly Bill 2810 “Opportunity Scholarship Act”
Resolution in Support of A1695
Resolution in Support of A3399/S2330 – The Option to Waive a Pupil’s Right to Transportation
Resolution in Support of National Principal’s Month
Resolution in support of Pension and Health Benefits Reform
Resolution in Support of the Allamuchy School District
Resolution in Support of the Restoration of 2009-2010 State School Aid Cuts
Resolution Opposing S1191/A3627 (Undermining a School Board’s Ability to Subcontract Services)
Resolution Opposing Senate Bill S1459, Establishment of a County-Wide Purchasing System
Resolution Opposing the Proposed FY 2014 SDA Assessments
Resolution Opposing the Superintendent Salary Cap
Resolution Requesting Full Compensation for New State Staff and Administrator Evaluation Mandates
Resolution Supporting Paramus Public Schools
Resolution to Delay Use of the NJASK and PARCC Testing Data to Evaluate Teachers
Resolution to Support New Jersey Schools on the Enrollment of Resident Children
Superintendent’s Correspondence to/from Legislators
Correspondence from Assemblyman Rumana Regarding S1882
Correspondence from Assemblywoman Huttle Regarding the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights”
Correspondence to Senator Buono Regarding S3129-Evaluation Standards for Teacher Performance
Correspondence to Senator Ruiz Regarding TEACHNJ
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the 2017 National Assessment of Educational Progress, aka the nation’s “report card,” was released last April and its was filled with some very sobering facts on public education. As we head into 2019 the Ridgewood thought it was time to restate some of the findings.
According to the report only 37 percent of 12th-graders tested proficient or better in reading, and only 25 percent did so in math. Among black students, only 17 percent tested proficient or better in reading, and just 7 percent reached at least a proficient level in math.
The atrocious National Assessment of Educational Progress performance is only a fraction of the bad news. Nationally, our high school graduation rate is over 80 percent. That means high school diplomas, which attest that these students can read and compute at a 12th-grade level, are conferred when 63 percent are not proficient in reading and 75 percent are not proficient in math.
For black students, the news is even worse. Roughly 75 percent of black students received high school diplomas attesting that they could read and compute at the 12th-grade level. However, 83 percent could not read at that level, and 93 percent could not do math at that level.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Super Science Saturday, hailed as the “Greatest Science Extravaganza in Northern New Jersey,” brings fun and excitement to science through professional presenters and student projects. As a joint project of the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Super Science Saturday Volunteer Committee, we aim to bring all science lovers together for a day of fun and learning for all ages.
In an effort to make Super Science Saturday an even better experience, we have changed venues to Ridgewood High School, giving more space for student presenters in our “Hall of Science.” Our adult presenters will also have generous space throughout hallways, the Cafeteria, and the Campus Center.
Super Science Saturday will appeal to everyone from the casual observer to the aspiring scientists. Most of all, we hope to spark an interest in science among children, showing them the wonders of science. Through interactive exhibits such as a wheelchair maze, live animals, and demonstrations of chocolate making to more complex brain wiring demonstrations, Super Science Saturday will satisfy the scientific appetite of everyone.
We encourage everyone to join the fun! Check out our volunteer page to learn about getting involved. This day cannot happen without the support of dedicated volunteers. Sign up now and make this Super Science Saturday one to remember.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Ridgewood Board of Education Public Meeting will be tonight January 7, 2019 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Education Center, 49 Cottage Place .
At all regular meetings, two opportunities are provided for citizens to make comments. The public comment periods will be scheduled after presentations. or just prior to the end of the meeting, whichever occurs first. The first opportunity may be limited by the presiding officer . in order for the Board to continue with its scheduled agenda. The second opportunity will occur at the discretion of the presiding officer taking into consideration a break point in the agenda.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The 2019-2020 Ridgewood Public Schools budget will be voted on by registered voters in the Annual School Election on Tuesday, April 16.
The following links go directly to pages on the Bergen County website.
How to:
Register to vote
The registration deadline is 21 days before an election. The deadline for registering to vote in the Annual School Election (April 16) is Tuesday, March 26.
Vote by mail
A registered voter may apply for a Mail-in Ballot by mail up to seven days prior to the election, or apply in person until 3 p.m. on the day before the election. Mail-in Ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received no later than 48 hours after polls close, or returned in person before the close of polls on Election Day. The deadline to apply by mail for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot for the Annual School Election (April 16) is Tuesday, April 9. The deadline to apply in person at the County Clerk’s Office for a Vote-by-Mail Ballot for the Annual School Election is Monday, April 15 at 3 p.m.
FAQs on voting
Answers to general questions on registering to vote and voting
Please note: The office of the Bergen County Superintendent of Elections is the primary source for full information on voting and elections. Please consult the Bergen County website for more information at https://www.co.bergen.nj.us/about-superintendent-of-elections.
Save the date for the next Wellness Series speaker
Wednesday, January 16
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Ana Homayoun will present “Social Media Wellness: Understanding the Intersection of School, Stress, and Social Media” at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. Earlier that day, Ana will speak to all ninth grade students on this important topic. Following her evening parent program, Bookends Bookstore will be on-site to host a book sale and signing. Books can be pre-ordered at Bookends for this event or purchased that evening at George Washington Middle School.
To register for An Evening with Ana Homayoun, please click here.
Ana Homayoun is a noted teen and millennial expert, author, speaker, and educator. Her latest book, Social Media Wellness: Helping Tweens and Teens Thrive in an Unbalanced Digital World, discusses modern social media dilemmas and offers prescriptive solutions. Her first book, That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week: Helping Disorganized and Distracted Boys Succeed in School and Life, quickly became a classic among parents and educators for the pragmatic approach to executive functioning issues. Her next book, The Myth of the Perfect Girl: Helping Our Daughters Find Authentic Success and Happiness in School and Life, explores the real-life dilemmas of young women today and provides strategies for finding authentic success and happiness.
Ana’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, USA Today, Psychology Today, ABC News, CNN, and more. She is also a frequent guest on NPR. Ana is the founder of Green Ivy Educational Consulting, a Silicon Valley-based educational consulting firm and has spent the past seventeen years working with students, parents, and educators around the world.
We look forward to seeing you on January 16, 2019.
Sincerely,
Stacie Poelstra
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, the Revised 2019-2020 school calendar adds snow days
The Ridgewood Board of Education has approved a revised 2019-20 calendar that includes two additional snow days.
https://www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=17314207
