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New Jersey Schools Clash Over Student Cell Phone Bans as Statewide Policy Stalls

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With the new school year just weeks away, New Jersey school districts are taking matters into their own hands over student cell phone use—while the state stalls on creating uniform rules

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, Governor Phil Murphy called for a statewide ban on student cell phones during his State of the State address in January, citing classroom distractions and social media’s negative impact on mental health. The resulting bills, S3695/A4882, however, would only require the Commissioner of Education to draft guidelines within 90 days—if passed.

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Stolen Motorcycle Recovered, Suspect Apprehended by Ridgewood Police Behind Somerville School

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photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — A routine motor vehicle stop conducted by members of the Ridgewood Police Department Detective Bureau on the afternoon of Thursday, July 10, 2025, led to the recovery of a stolen motorcycle and the arrest of its driver, authorities confirmed.

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Former Substitute Teacher Arrested for Sex Crimes at Fair Lawn Middle School Also Worked in Ridgewood

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A former Fair Lawn School District employee arrested for alleged lewd acts inside a middle school building has been confirmed as a former substitute teacher in Ridgewood, authorities and school officials said.

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Former Fair Lawn School Employee from Midland Park Charged in Lewd Acts at Middle School

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A former employee of the Fair Lawn School District has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses following disturbing lewdness incidents at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

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Former Lodi Teacher Has Teaching License Revoked After Child Endangerment Conviction

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Lodi NJ, a former Lodi public school teacher, Stephanie Carafa, officially had her teaching license revoked in April after pleading guilty in October 2024 to endangering the welfare of a child — a second-degree crime stemming from an inappropriate incident with a student in 2018.

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Accidental Weapon Discharge by Security Guard at Paramus Elementary School Sparks Investigation

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Paramus NJ, a school security guard at Midland Elementary School in Paramus accidentally discharged his firearm inside a staff-only bathroom on Monday, according to a letter from Superintendent Sean Adams sent to the community. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

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Belleville Teen Charged with Arson After Chromebook Fire Sparks TikTok Challenge Warning

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the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Belleville NJ , a 15-year-old student from Belleville High School is facing third-degree arson and criminal mischief charges after allegedly participating in a dangerous TikTok challenge that caused a Chromebook to smolder and triggered a school evacuation, police said.

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Fort Lee Parents and Students Demand Action After High School Stabbing Incident

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Community Outcry Grows Over School Safety After Stabbing at Fort Lee High School

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Fort Lee NJ, Two weeks after a violent stabbing incident on April 8 left a Fort Lee High School student critically injured, parents and students packed the Board of Education meeting to demand accountability and immediate action. The tragedy has sparked an ongoing debate about student safety, school culture, and the district’s responsibility to restore order and trust.

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