by Richard Greco | For NJ Advance Media
on June 05, 2015 10:31 AM, updated June 05, 2015 1:59 PM
Julia Persche of Summit scored the game-winning goal with 3.4 seconds remaining in the Hilltoppers 6-5 win over Ridgewood in the NJSIAA/Investors Bank/The Lacrosse Ball Store Tournament of Champions’ first round.
The goal came just over a minute after a Jordan Ford goal was disallowed because she was using an illegal stick. Ridgewood challenged the legality of Persche’s stick and it was deemed legal allowing Summit to earn a trip to the TOC final three seconds later.
On Thursday a video was released on youtube, which has sense been taken down by the user, that showed a Summit player appearing to adjust Persche’s stick prior to the stick check being called.
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 4, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, JUNE 4, 2015, 1:20 AM
BY JJ CONRAD
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
WEST LONG BRANCH — Standing on the sideline just beside the Ridgewood bench, Hannah Cermack and Katie Bourque stood together in an emotional, tear-filled embrace.
No words at the time, however, could ease the pain they felt following the Maroons’ 6-5 loss to Summit on Wednesday in the girls lacrosse Tournament of Champions semifinals at Monmouth University.
There have been tough, season-ending losses deep in state tournaments before. What made matters worse this time around was not the loss itself, but the fashion in which it came.
The potentially perfect season for top-seeded Ridgewood (23-1) ended in an all-too imperfect way. That end included losing a second-half lead, a star player for the final 10:54, watching a late goal taken off the scoreboard in a tie game and witnessing Summit score the game-winner with 3.4 seconds remaining.
“It is a little harder to take the way this went,” coach Karla Mixon said after her team’s first appearance in the TOC since 2012. “It is what it is, though. We can’t change anything now.”
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.
TRENTON – The state’s top education official said Wednesday that he will unveil plans next month for a sweeping review of academic standards to answer Governor Christie’s call for an overhaul. (Adely/The Record)
1,000 signatures on a petition is clearly enough given the number of votes in our town elections.
We need to vote out of office those who are pushing this through. Unfortunately, next spring’s election may be too far away to stop this insanity.
The Board was hoodwinked by the developers, Gail Price and Blais Brancheau. Blais’ only concern was what he could do for the developers. Gail literally spent an hour telling the board why they should not listen to any of the comments from the Villagers who spoke out.
Its an outrageously sad day for the Village.
Time to recall, starting with the mayor…or maybe Hauck?? Let’s start with the weakest…
According to NJ law (https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/recall-of-local-officials.aspx)
“Recall may not commence during first year in office.
No specific grounds are required
Time for gathering signatures is 160 days.
Signature requirement is number equal to 25% of the registered voters of the district”
After getting the required number of signatures the question to recall would be put on the November Ballot.
Based on 2014, Ridgewood has 17,056 registered voters so we need a little more than 4,200 signatures or less than the number of children in the schools. Completely doable and will be done if they think they can shove this down our throats and we will go away quietly.
Ridgewood Police report that on May 28, 2015 a School Administrator at Benjamin Franklin Middle School reported a custodian at the school had inappropriate contact with a student during a after school program. The custodian Anthony E Griffiths 52 of Paterson was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. The accused was remanded to the Bergen County Jail unable to post $30,000.00 Bail.
All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.”
I will not sign the petition only because I have no idea what kind of backlash I might face by doing so. But I wholeheartedly object to their 35 unit/acre proposal. The developers knew the rules when they bought the properties. The rules allow 12 but let’s be generous and go with the 18-24 existing standard – they asked for double that and by their own admission were surprised by the resistance they’ve faced. So they are either stupid or were told by those involved in the process (council, planning board?) that it would be approved. They say the economics don’t work under the current rules – so who in their right mind would take that kind of risk? These developers do not have the best interest of the village in mind, they want more traffic (foot or otherwise) downtown. Who does this help? In some ways the businesses generally but much more so and longer term it helps the landlords. For years they have been jacking up the rents on businesses (driving many away) in a time where retail spending as a whole has moved online making brick and mortar stores less valuable. The landlords see this and are happy to support this over-expansion because there is no other way to fill that revenue hole than to extract it from current residents of Ridgewood.
There were 3 primary considerations for moving to Ridgewood (many years before our first child was even born btw so the “empty nester” argument is invalid here – we are 2nd generation Ridgewood).
1) Great schools
2) Safety – outstanding police and fire response
3) Charming, Beautiful place to raise a family and hopefully retire
Allowing this over-expansion enhances exactly none of those considerations. Ridgewood’s restaurants thrive, retailers do not and likely will not when even the high-traffic areas of 17 have been forced to close. Stop arguing that we need to draw bigger retailers into this town – I can drive to 17 if I can’t find what i’m looking for online. Enough with the nonsense arguments, and enough with Blaise trying to figure out how to stuff the maximum density into our limited space (all this based on his “expert” opinion even though he has zero ability to think about a broader common sense plan for development).
in short – just say No to the developers. It is not our responsibility to tell them what’s allowed – they knew that when they bought the property. Cutting your request from 4X what is allowed to only 3X is not a compromise, it’s still a snow job.
MAY 29, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY GREG TARTAGLIA
SPORTS EDITOR |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
RIDGEWOOD — Mia Barbera has fond memories of the last time Ridgewood High School won a state-sectional softball title. Even fresher in her mind is the way the Maroons’ most recent playoff runs have ended.
The junior shortstop singled and scored in the first inning of Tuesday’s North 1, Group 4 semifinal at Veterans Field. That, plus the hitting of Emilie Morse, the two-hit pitching of Lisa Higgins and some airtight defense, propelled No. 1 seed RHS past No. 4 Livingston, 1-0, and into its first sectional final since 2009.
Weather permitting, Ridgewood (24-4) will host No. 2 Morris Knolls (24-6) in the title game today at 2 p.m. The Golden Eagles have eliminated the Maroons from three of the past four postseasons, including last year in the sectional semis, 4-3.
“We’re definitely ready to beat [Morris Knolls] this year,” said Barbera. “We don’t want to lose to them again.”
RHS Athletics Holds Night for Parents of Incoming Freshmen Athletes
Parents and guardians of incoming freshmen athletes are invited to a meeting on Thursday, June 4. RHS Director of Athletics Keith Cook will give a brief overview of high school athletics and all fall coaches will be on hand to answer any questions. The meeting will take place from 7-8 p.m. in Gym I at RHS. For more information, please contact Keith Cook (201-670-2800, ext. 20510 or [email protected]).
Concussion Awareness Program is June 1
Parents and guardians are invited to a special program on the topic of concussions in youth sports. RHS Head Athletic Trainer Nick Nicholaides and Gerard Gioia, Division Chief of Neuropsychology and Director of the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education Program at Children’s National Health System, will be presenting information at Benjamin Franklin Middle School Auditorium on Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.Click here for more information.
RIDGEWOOD BOE MEETS ON JUNE 1, 2015
The Ridgewood Board of Education will hold a Regular Public Meeting on Monday, June 1, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.
The public is invited to attend the meeting at the Ed Center, 49 Cottage Place, Floor 3. The meeting will be aired live on FiOS channel 33 and Optimum channel 77. Or it may be viewed live via the district website at www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us using the “Link in Live” tab.
Click here to view the agenda for the June 1, 2015 Regular Public Meeting.
Not so fast…Trenton’s Fred Flintstone is still enamored with PARCC testing. Does this have to do with the fact that the owner/operator of PARCC, Pearson Publishing, is headquartered in New Jersey?
“The Governor did, however, [direct] DOE Commissioner Hespe to assemble a group of parents, teachers and educators to reevaluate the situation to come up with new state-centric standards, and he renewed his support for the controversial Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) exams. “We must continue to review and improve that test based on results, not fear or speculation,” Christie declared. “I will not permit New Jersey to risk losing vital federal education funds because some would prefer to let the perfect get in the way of the good.””
PARCC is neither perfect nor nor good. It is perfectly worthless and needs to be jettisoned along with Common Core. The two stem from the same rotten ideology.
MAY 29, 2015, 7:05 PM LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2015, 11:40 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Governor Christie’s declaration that he will drop Common Core education standards to create ones that are more suited to New Jersey left open the possibility of change. But if other states are a predictor, that change may not be so sweeping.
Several states have moved to replace Common Core and have ended up with standards that look mostly the same, according to education groups. And educators and administrators in New Jersey say the state has made such a huge investment to roll out standards that a total reversal is unlikely.
“It’s in the materials. It’s in the tests. It’s in the teacher training. It’s taught in professional development,” said Michael Cohen, president of Achieve, an education non-profit that helped develop Common Core. “If standards change dramatically, you’d have to make those investments all over again.”
In 2010, New Jersey adopted Common Core along with more than 40 other states. The states repealing Common Core have done so largely in response to political backlash in the conservative GOP, which believes it infringes on states’ rights. Common Core was developed by state officials, with input from private education groups, but the federal government gives financial incentives for states to use the standards.
District wants to prevent situations that could affect students
Author: Daniel Dahm, Managing Editor of ClickOrlando.com, [email protected]
Published On: May 28 2015 09:26:53 AM EDT Updated On: May 29 2015 08:39:16 AM EDT
ORLANDO, Fla. -The Orange County school district is now monitoring students’ social media messages in an effort to curb cyberbullying, crime on campus and suicide.
Orange County Public Schools announced Thursday that it has acquired software to monitor social media “to proactively prevent, intervene and (watch) situations that may impact students and staff.” The district has obtained an annual license with SnapTrends, software that monitors Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
The district said it plans to use the software to conduct routine monitoring for the purposes of prevention or early intervention of potential issues in which students or staff could be at risk to themselves or to others.
OCPS said the company will assist district law enforcement and security personnel in monitoring publicly available social media communications that are relevant to school operations and personnel.
MAY 28, 2015 LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2015, 3:11 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
It might sound like a scene straight out of a science fiction film, but this weekend’s rise of the machines won’t be the result of a Hollywood blockbuster. The anticipated sights and sounds, instead, are the products of middle school creativity and ingenuity.
George Washington Middle School (GW) will be crowded Saturday afternoon with young scientists and engineers, most of them showing off their robotic creations at the second annual FIRST Robotics Showcase. Those not exhibiting and competing will simply be there for the show.
And based on last year’s inaugural event, there will be plenty in attendance.
“Last year was a tremendous success; we had almost 500 people come,” student Ashton Rollins said during a presentation to the Ridgewood Board of Education earlier this spring. A member of the GW STEM Club, Rollins noted that roughly eight new teams formed as a result of the 2014 showcase.
“In other words,” he said, “they were so influenced at our event that they wanted to have a team themselves.”
The showcase, which takes place from 1 to 3:30 p.m. inside the new gymnasium at GW, will boast New Jersey’s best robotics teams in all age groups. Teams will compete in several categories: Junior FIRST LEGO League, FIRST LEGO League, FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition.
A handful of teams from both Ridgewood middle schools are expected to compete, as are notable squads from Glen Rock and the Pascack Valley area. Last year’s event, which also took place at GW, attracted teams from as far as Livingston.
Enthusiasm for learning STEM topics – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – is the main draw to the Robotics Showcase, and many believe the excitement is contagious.
