10 Middle School Students Successfully Auditioned for Regional Band and Orchestra
February 14,2014
Ridgewood NJ, Several Ridgewood middle school students successfully auditioned for regional band and orchestra on Saturday, February 7. The auditions featured seventh and eighth grade students from around the northern New Jersey counties.
A total of 10 students successfully auditioned for the prestigious Region I Intermediate Orchestra for 2015. Six are students of Carol Sharar at Benjamin Franklin Middle School (BFMS) and four study under Janelle King at George Washington Middle School (GWMS).
The BFMS students whose names may be released are: Caleb Shi (Grade 8, violin), who received the highest score of any student in Region I Orchestra; Jodie Suh (Grade 8, viola); Christy Chang (Grade 7, violin); Daniel Son (Grade 7, viola); and Eugene Park (Grade 7, cello).
The GWMS students whose names may be released are: Emily Choi (Grade 8, violin); Emelienne Columbus (Grade 7, bass); Kate Bamberg (Grade 7, bass); and Andrew Madonna (Grade 7, bass).
In addition, Brian Brown, Band Director at George Washington Middle School, reports that the following three students made the NJSMA Intermediate Region Band. Those whose names may be released are: Edward Li (Grade 8, clarinet) and Kieran Corcoran (Grade 7, tenor saxophone), who received the highest score.
How much does your state spend on welfare? New Jersey spends 22 percent
By Jason Russell | February 12, 2015 | 12:29 pm
Wyoming spends the smallest portion of its budget on welfare programs, according to fiscal year 2013 data released by the Census Bureau. About 13 percent of Wyoming’s budget goes to welfare, with education getting 30 percent of the budget, and the rest going to other various government functions.
On the other hand, Tennessee spends the highest portion of its budget on welfare, at 36 percent. Tennessee spends slightly less on education with 32 percent of its budget dedicated to schools, and the rest going to other functions, especially highways.
Nationwide, state governments collectively spend $2 trillion, with $520 billion of that going toward welfare programs, or just under 26 percent. Education is the highest category of state government spending, with 30 percent of state government spending nationwide.
Ridgewood refines policies as opt-out movement gains steam
February 14, 2015 Last updated: Saturday, February 14, 2015, 9:30 AM
By Darius Amos
Staff Writer |
The Ridgewood News
Elisabeth Rose’s daughter used to enjoy going to school. She loved to read and loved to learn.
But all that changed once her child’s third-grade class began preparations for the state-mandated PARCC exams.
“She couldn’t understand the text and the questions … she’s not liking school anymore,” Rose said, speaking candidly at Monday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting.
She further described her daughter’s transformation as one that “breaks my heart,” particularly after days when the student came home crying.
“It’s really sad because she can’t be the only one who’s having trouble in the elementary school setting. There was a time when [students] weren’t taught to test; they had the freedom to learn,” Rose added. “Please put something in place so the students have an option.”
Child-porn charges in Pines Instagram case hinge on youths’ age, actions
Felony charges as severe as child pornography could be in store for a 13-year-old girl and two boys, ages 12 and 15, accused of creating an Instagram account dedicated to nude and sexually explicit photos of Broward minors, a prosecutor said Friday.
“No decisions have been made. Things are still under investigation. We are not sure what, if any, charges are going to be filed,” Assistant State Attorney Maria Schneider, head of the Broward State Attorney’s Office juvenile unit, said. “But potentially, the charges could be felonies, from child porn on down. It all depends on the age of the child depicted and what they’re doing.”
Pembroke Pines police on Thursday filed charges with state prosecutors for review. No arrests have been made and none of the youngsters has been taken into custody. Because of their ages, their identities have not been disclosed, Pembroke Pines Sgt. Carlos Corretjer said.
Police also would not say how many minors were exploited on the Instagram photo-sharing account or what schools the subjects or the alleged perpetrators attended.
Gov. Scott Walker College Dropout ,Next President of the United States , maybe its a good thing
Famous, Rich, and Successful People Who Were High School or College Dropouts
I’m a firm believer that most college students would be better off dropping out of school and investing the money they now spend on college. Then take the four years they would have spent on college and travel, work, play, and spend time with smart people talking about important things. It would be your choice on what’s important, not a professor, not a dean, not a faculty committee.
You don’t have to go to college to be a success. Even if you go for awhile, you don’t have to graduate to be a success. Here are just a few of the people who have become famous and/or successful without graduating from college and/or high school.
A survey conducted by Bloomberg in 2010 show that the school of hard knocks was the number one source (tied with the University of California) for CEOs of S&P 500 companies. Harvard was the #3 source (along with the universities of Texas, Missouri, and Wisconsin). The school of hard knocks features CEOs who never graduated from college.
Of the top 400 richest Americans in 2011, 27 graduated from high school but did not attend college. Another 36 were college dropouts.
S. Daniel Abraham, billionaire founder of Slim-Fast. Joined the Army at the age of 18 and fought in Europe during World War II. Did not attend college.
Roman Abramovich, richest man in Russia, billionaire. Dropped out of college. He studied at the Moscow State Auto Transport Institute before taking a leave of absence from academics to go into business. He later earned a correspondence degree from the Moscow State Law Academy.
Abigail Adams, U.S. first lady. Home schooled.
Ansel Adams, photographer. Dropped out of high school.
Bryan Adams, singer, songwriter. High school dropout.
Calpernia Adams, transsexual showgirl. Never attended college. As she noted, “My parents thought that college leads you away from God, so they hadn’t saved any money.”
Don Adams (born Donald James Yarmy), comedian, actor, game show host, voice talent. Most famous for his role in the Get Smart TV series, Adams dropped out of DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City to work as an usher before entering the Marine Corps during World War II. After a variety of jobs, he began working in television in 1954.
Sandy Adams, U.S. congressperson. Dropped out of high school at the age of 17 to join the Air Force. Later got her GED and attended the police academy before being hired as a deputy sheriff. She took night classes at a nearby college and finally received a college degree.
William Adams, aka Will.i.am, singer, songwriter, music producer, founder of the Black Eyed Peas, actor, entrepreneur. He formed his first group in high school. Never attended college.
Gautam Adani, commodities billionaire from India. Dropped out of college.
Adele, aka Adele Laurie Blue Adkins, singer and songwriter. Intended to go to college but got signed to a recording deal just after her high school graduation.
Sheldon Adelson, billionaire casino owner. Dropped out of City College of New York to become a court reporter. He made his first fortune doing trade shows.
Trace Adkins, country music singer and songwriter, actor. Studied at Louisiana Tech University but never officially graduated. Went to work on an oil rig instead.
Mortimer Adler, author, educator, editor. Left high school at the age of 15 to work. Later received his high school equivalency degree and attended Columbia University.
Ferran Adria, chef. Has been called the world’s greatest chef. Did not finish high school.
Miguel Adrover, fashion designer. High school dropout.
Ben Affleck, actor, screenwriter. Left the University of Vermont after one semester; then dropped out of Occidental College to pursue acting.
Andre Agassi, tennis player, winner of 8 Grand Slam titles. Quit school in the ninth grade and turned tennis pro at the age of 16. His father would drive the kids to school but, instead, actually took them to local tennis courts to practice.
Dianna Agron, singer, dancer, actress. “I didn’t take the typical path and go to college after high school. Instead, I saved up money from teaching dance classes and moved to L.A.”
Christina Aguilera, singer, songwriter. Never finished high school.
Danni Ahse, multimillionaire businesswoman, adult entertainment website operator, model, producer, dancer. High school dropout who later earned an equivalency degree.
Danny Aiello, actor. Dropped out of high school at the age of 16 to join the army. Later received a high school equivalency degree.
Troy Aikman, Superbowl-winning football quarterback, TV sports commentator. In 2009, he finally graduated from UCLA, 20 years after leaving college to play in the National Football League. Aikman had promised his mother, when he left school just two courses shy of a degree, that he would return and finish. In 2009, at the age of 42, he finally fulfilled that commitment, earning A’s in his last two courses, thus earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Malin Akerman, model, actress. Enrolled in York University (Toronto) but left after about a year to see what else was out there. She moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.
Dennis Albaugh, billionaire founder of pesticide company Albaugh Inc. Earned a 2-year agriculture business degree from Des Moines Community College. Did not continue on to a 4-year degree.
Edward Albee, playwright. Dropped out of Trinity College after three semesters.
Jack Albertson, Oscar-winning actor. High school dropout.
Chuck Allen, banker, co-founder of the National Scholastic Surfing Association, and founder of the U.S. Amateur Snowboard Association. At the age of 19, he moved from Oklahoma to California and began working odd jobs until he was established enough to move on to a banking career.
Paul Allen, billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, founder of Xiant software, owner of Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trailblazers. Dropped out of the University of Washington to work for Honeywell. A year later he convinced Bill Gates to drop out of Harvard and move to Albuquerque, New Mexico to start up Microsoft.
Peter Allen, singer, songwriter, composer. High school dropout.
Rick Allen, rock star member of Def Leppard. High school dropout.
Woody Allen, screenwriter, actor, director, and producer. Was thrown out of New York University after one semester for poor grades. Also dropped out of City College of New York. As he admitted, “I was thrown out of college for cheating on the metaphysics final. I looked within the soul of the boy sitting next to me.”
Glen Allsopp, Internet marketer, founder of ViperChill. Dropped out of college at the age of 18 to move to Cape Town, South Africa to work as a social media manager.
Steven-Elliot Altman, author. Left school at the beginning of the 10th grade and ran away from home. Entered college at the age of 16 and earned a degree at 19.
Joy Alukkas, billionaire jeweler. Never attended college. Immediately after high school, he moved to the Gulf to open a jewelry store.
Dhirubhai Ambani, billionaire Indian businessman. High school dropout.
Wally “Famous” Amos, multimillionaire cookie entrepreneur, author, talent agent. Dropped out of high school at the age of 17 to join the U.S. Air Force.
Hans Christian Andersen, short story author, fairy tales. Left home at the age of 14 to find work. Later attended Copenhagen Univesity.
George “Sparky” Anderson, baseball player and manager. Did not attend college.
Paul Thomas Anderson, director of such movies as “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia.” He attended film school at New York University but quit after two days because one professor dissed “Terminator 2” and another gave him a C for a writing assignment.
Tom Anderson, co-founder of MySpace. A high school dropout.
Walter Anderson, publisher, editor. High school dropout who later earned an equivalency degree.
André 3000, see André Benjamin.
Mario Andretti, race-car driver, author. High school dropout who later earned an equivalency degree.
Anthony Andrews, actor. High school dropout.
Julie Andrews, Oscar-winning actress, singer, author. The dropped out of high school.
Jennifer Aniston, actress. She never attended college. Instead she moved to Los Angeles to become an actress.
“Jennifer Aniston says getting a nose job was the best thing she ever did. But keep in mind, she didn’t go to college, her marriage failed, her mom hates her, and she was in that Kevin Costner movie.” — Danielle Fishel, The Dish
Carmelo Anthony, basketball player. Left college after his freshman year to play in the NBA.
Shiri Appleby, actress. Went to the University of Southern California for a year and a half before acting in Roswell TV show. In 2010, she is working on her associate degree via the University of Phoenix and then intends to transfer to UCLA.
Christina Applegate, actress. High school dropout.
Edwin Apps, British artist. High school dropout.
Micky Arison, billionaire chairman of Carnival Cruise Line. Dropped out of the University of Miami.
Joan Armatrading, singer, songwriter. High school dropout.
Billie Joe Armstrong, front man for Green Day punk rock band. High school dropout. As he noted, “I finally realized that high school didn’t make any sense for me then. So I quit.”
Louis Armstrong, jazz musician, singer. Dropped out of high school.
Peter Arnell, advertising executive. Never attended college. Talked his way into the advertising business after graduating from high school.
Eddy Arnold, country music singer and member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was 11 when his father died, so he turned to singing at church picnics and other venues to support his family. By the age of 17, he was singing in nearby honky-tonks and made his first radio appearance. He debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in 1943. Between 1945 and 1983, 145 of his songs made the country charts, with 28 of them at #1. He sold more than 85 million records.
Cliff Arquette, aka Charlie Weaver. Comedian, entertainer. High school dropout.
Mathangi Arulpragasam, aka M.I.A., rapper. Did not attend college.
Julian Assange, Wikileaks founder, software programmer. Studied mathematics at the University of Melbourne but dropped out because other students were doing research for the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Brooke Astor, wealthy socialite, author, philanthropist. Dropped out of high school.
John Jacob Astor, multimillionaire businessman. America’s first multimillionaire. He dropped out of high school.
Chet Atkins, country singer, author. He was a high school dropout.
Efva Attling, musician, jewelry designer. She dropped out of silversmith school to become a model. She later joined a band called X Models. She finally returned to designing her own jewelry.
Jane Austen, novelist. She and her sister attended schools in Oxford, Southampton, and Reading until the age of 11. After that time, their father taught them at home. She did not attend college.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin, WWE champion wrestler, actor. He dropped out of the University of North Texas a few credits shy of a physical education degree. The then took a job as a freight dockworker. And then enrolled in the Dallas Sportatorium wrestling school.
Gene Autry, singing cowboy, actor, songwriter, producer, businessman, author, baseball team owner. He was a high school dropout.
Richard Avedon, photographer. High school dropout.
Willy Aybar, baseball player. High school dropout.
Dan Aykroyd, actor, comedian. He dropped out of Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
Ridgewood school board trustees discuss changes to district calendar
FEBRUARY 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Ridgewood school officials are expected to approve the 2015-16 district calendar later this month after a period of gathering and weighing the opinions of parents and teachers alike.
During their Feb. 9 meeting, Board of Education trustees whittled Superintendent Daniel Fishbein’s original list of five calendar options to one. The majority of board members opted for an academic year beginning with the annual Teachers’ Convocation on Thursday, Sept. 3 and followed by a professional development day on Sept. 4.
Under the proposed calendar, which will be open to public comment and up for board vote at the Feb. 23 meeting, students will report for the first day of class on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The last day of instruction and Ridgewood High School graduation are slated for June 22, 2016.
One of the most significant differences between the anticipated calendar and the second alternative is the length of the February recess. Like this year, the 2016 February break will only be two days.
PARCC Refuseniks :Issue of refusal to take tests draws a crowd
FEBRUARY 13, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015, 1:21 AM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
The state Assembly Education Committee drew a crowd to Trenton on Thursday with a bill that would give parents the right to refuse new state tests for their children.
The tests are about two weeks away, and the bill was up for discussion only and not for a vote, but it landed at a time of heightened anxiety and debate about the exams called PARCC.
The controversial tests, which will be given in math and language arts in Grades 3-11, won’t count for graduation, grade promotion or class placement, but a growing number of parents say they are refusing to allow their kids to take the tests.
Parents and teachers argued at the hearing that the tests are too hard and draw resources from the classroom and that they shouldn’t be used to measure teacher performance. But supporters said the tests better prepare students for college and build critical thinking skills.
“Parents should not have to worry that their children will face negative consequences … if they refuse the test,” said Marie Blistan, vice president of the New Jersey Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union. “The NJEA believes that parents have the right to act in the best interests of their children.”
Ridgewood NJ, The two snow days built into the 2014-2015 school calendar have now been used. Should another snow day be necessary, students will attend school on Monday, April 6, which is currently slated as a Professional Day for teachers. Further days will be taken from Spring Recess, starting with Monday, March 30 and working forward.
Ridgewood BOE Updates Procedure in the event a parent refuses to have their child participate in a Statewide assessment
February 12,2015
the staff of the Ridgewood blogUpdate on BOE Policy 2622 – Student Assessment
Ridgewood Nj, The New Jersey Department of Education, pursuant to State law and regulations, requires all students to take State assessments as scheduled. There is no provision for a student to opt-out of Statewide assessments. Therefore, the Board requires all students to take Statewide assessments and the Board cannot grant permission to a parent for their child to opt-out of required Statewide assessments.
The procedures outlined below shall be followed in the event a parent refuses to have their child participate in a Statewide assessment.
At its February 9, 2015 meeting, the Board of Education approved, with revisions, Policy 2622 – Student Assessment as a First Draft. Click here to read the draft policy with revisions.The Board also made to revisions to new Procedure 2622. Click here to read the draft procedure with revisions
PARCC Proficiency Test Is Good For Students, N.J. Education Chief Says
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — Some New Jersey parents have come out so strongly against a new computer-based math and language arts test that they have refused to allow their children to take the exam – but state education officials have rushed to its defense.
As CBS2’s Christine Sloan reported Tuesday, the state’s largest teachers’ union is also against the exam — called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers – PARCC for short.
But New Jersey state Education Commissioner David Hespe said the students will benefit from being challenged by the exams. (CBS News)
FEBRUARY 9, 2015, 9:59 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2015, 10:02 PM
BY HANNAN ADELY
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
A movement to get parents to keep their children from taking new state exams next month — fueled by protests on social media and encouragement from the teachers union — is gaining steam.
New Jersey requires all students to take the tests, but they do not need to sit for the exams to go on to the next grade or graduate.
State Education Commissioner David Hespe has urged school leaders to respond to the growing opt-out movement by explaining to parents the merits of the tests. In meetings, letters and online communications, school leaders say the tests will provide detailed information about what each student knows, better prepare teens for college entrance exams and build critical thinking skills.
But they are also trying to address parents’ complaints that the tests cut into instruction time, hamper creativity and fail to adequately measure learning. Some parents have delivered heartfelt pleas to school officials about the stress their children feel.
“We try to provide a balanced approach and let parents know there are benefits to taking the test. All they hear about is negative,” said Mark Toback, superintendent of Wayne schools.
Shore House Raffle: Buy a $100 chance for a seven-bedroom shore house vacation. Only 500 tickets will be sold; the drawing will be held at the final Jamboree performance on February 7.Click here for details and the order form.
The Fashion Show is April 19. The Committee is now securing donations for the auction. Click here for more information and the donation form. Items may be dropped off at Gail Mandell’s office, Life Opportunities Unlimited, 75 North Maple Ave. Suite 104 Monday – Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fashion Show chairpersons are ShariHellman (201-310-6286 [email protected] and Gail Mandeli (201- 248-2575 or [email protected]).
PG-15 upcoming monthly meetings: March 12, April 9 and May 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the RHS Library.
Dues are due. Make $165 check payable to “RHS Class of 2015” and mail to Sharon Walker, 94 Sherwood Road, Ridgewood, NJ 07450.
Class of 2015 Project Graduation Representatives
Chairpersons Tara Callaghan 201-803-7778 and Rosie McCooe 201-602-8097
Chairpersons email: [email protected]
Treasurer Sharon Walker [email protected]
Communications Jeff Coster [email protected]
Democrats in Trenton look to remove superintendent salary caps
FEBRUARY 8, 2015, 11:32 PM LAST UPDATED: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2015, 11:35 PM
BY ALLISON PRIES
STAFF WRITER |
THE RECORD
Saddle River is on the hunt for its third superintendent in three years.
Alpine wants permission to keep its interim leader beyond the two-year state limit.
And Ho-Ho-Kus is hoping its high-achieving, parent-involved district appears attractive to superintendent candidates — even though it can offer them only $135,000.
Leaders in some small, wealthy North Jersey school districts say the superintendent pay cap — instituted by Governor Christie in 2011 — has dealt them a particularly hard blow. Once seen as appealing places to work, these districts now are having trouble drawing and retaining top candidates because they’re competing with larger districts that are allowed to pay more and New York State, which has no salary limits. What’s more, they are willing to pay top dollar, but can’t.
On top of it, many of these chief executives often work double duty as principals, so offering them less than what they could earn in subordinate roles elsewhere isn’t always an easy sell.
Christie targeted superintendent salaries five years ago with his Reform Agenda to help school districts keep costs low and better finance priority services.
Superintendent salaries had risen, on average, 46 percent or $100 million between 2001 and 2010, according to the governor’s office.
The cap resulted in the reduction of salaries for about 360 school superintendents, or 70 percent, for a potential savings of nearly $9.8 million statewide, $2.2 million in Bergen County and $650,000 in Passaic County, according to the state data.
When the cap was imposed, Christie’s move was panned by educators and praised by fiscal conservatives, who complained about the state’s high property taxes — and even higher per-pupil costs for suburban districts.
Today, the New Jersey Senate Budget Committee will vote on a bill sponsored by Sens. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood-Ridge, and M. Teresa Ruiz, D-Newark, that would roll back the caps, prohibiting the state Department of Education from regulating the maximum salary a school district can pay its superintendent. The bill was already considered by the education committee, Sarlo said.
Click here to access the links to the 2013-2014 reports for all Ridgewood schools.
letter from Dr. Daniel Fishbein regarding the reports
February 4, 2015
Dear Parent/Guardian:
The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has just released the annual performance accountability reports for schools across the state. These reports, called the New Jersey School Performance Reports (SPR), reflect achievement on assessments administered in the spring of 2014. Test results are reported in terms of student achievement (based on testing scores), college readiness (based on attendance records and MS/HS enrollment in advanced math courses) and student growth percentiles (based on an algorithm, which calculates increases in test scores compared to students with a similar history of performance). The state has explained the student growth percentile (SGP) calculation in a fifteen-minute video, which can be found at the following website: https://survey.pcgus.com/njgrowth/player.html
The School Performance Report is in its third year of use throughout the state and is significantly different from the prior New Jersey Report Card, which compared districts by their district factor group (DFG). District Factor Groups linked school districts by various socioeconomic indicators, as well as the education and employment levels of their residents. As you will note on the current reports, the first paragraph on Page One compares the school to its “peers” rather than to schools in its DFG. Schools are now evaluated based on a comparison of what the state determines is a peer group. The state has developed a peer group for each school, which you can find on the last page of the report, by combining 30 schools across the state that have similar percentages of Limited English Proficient, Special Education and free and reduced lunch students. Due to the fact that most schools in Ridgewood are not in the same peer group, comparisons between our schools are not made in these reports. Peer groups appear to change year to year.
Moreover, each school has different targets to meet, which are based on school test results in the baseline year (2010-2011). These proficiency targets can be found beginning on Page Three of the reports. Therefore, when reviewing the percentage of targets met on the chart on Page One, it should be noted that these targets are different for each of our schools.
The SPR data is now available for viewing. You can access the Ridgewood Public Schools’ performance reports through our district website: www.ridgewood.k12.nj.us where you will find links to the reports on our home page, on your school webpage and on the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment webpage. You may also access the reports for all schools in New Jersey on the NJDOE website at https://education.state.nj.us/pr. To aid you in fully understanding the performance reports, it is important to read the Peer School Methodology White Paper and the NJ School Performance Reports – Interpretive Guide, found on the NJDOE website. I am proud of the district’s accomplishments, as well as all the accomplishments of our students in each and every school. Our educators work toward constant improvements as part of our ongoing mission of excellence for each and every student in the Ridgewood Public Schools.
STORM MESSAGE: RIDGEWOOD SCHOOLS DELAYED OPENING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Ridgewood NJ, MONDAY AT 5:30 A.M.: Due to winter conditions, the Ridgewood Public Schools will have a DELAYED OPENING on Monday, February 9. Under the delayed opening plan, the school day will begin two hours later than usual. School bus schedules will operate two hours later. The morning kindergarten will be canceled; the afternoon kindergarten will follow the regular hours (12:20-3 p.m.). Children in grades 1-5 who have not ordered lunches must bring a bag lunch to school. There will not be sufficient time for children to go home for lunch when there is a delayed opening.
