From left to right: BOE President Michael Lembo, Ashby Award recipients Dana Higgins and Linda Diorio, Tradition of Excellence Award winner Nadine Macolino, and Superintendent Mark Schwarz.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Nj, the Ridgewood school board presented the Tradition of Excellence Award which recognizes an exceptional support staff member, which includes secretaries, paraprofessionals, custodians, maintenance and food service personnel. The award has been part of the Ridgewood community since 2014. This year’s Tradition of Excellence Award recipient is Nadine Macolino, Secretary at Glen School.
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Board of Education
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, each year at convocation, two awards are presented: the Ashby Award and the Tradition of Excellence Award. Staff, parents, and students are invited to submit nominations, which are then reviewed by a committee of stakeholders. Dr. Fitts read remarks about the award recipients.
Ridgewood NJ, The Tradition of Excellence Award recognizes a support staff member for extraordinary service to the district in five categories. Each year, the honoree is selected by a committee after careful review of all nominations.
This year’s Tradition of Excellence recipient is Annette Tucker, Classroom Aide at George Washington Middle School. Congratulations, Ms. Tucker!
Ridgewood NJ, Daniel Fishbein, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools presented recipient GWMS Guidance Counselor Mike Mullin with the 2018 coveted Ashby Award, and also presented Somerville School custodian Paul Buscher, with this year’s Tradition of Excellence award. The winners were announced at today’s all-staff Convocation.
( had some difficulties adding the second pic of Paul Buscher , will post a bit later )
Ridgewood NJ, Colleen Gieniec, Kathy Kiedaisch are honored at Convocation with the Ashby Award (Colleen) and Tradition of Excellence Award (Kathy).
The Ashby Award was established in 1966 to honor former Superintendent Lloyd Ashby and his wife, Lois, for their distinguished service to the community. The recipient is selected from nominees submitted by staff members and is someone who, in the opinion of his or her peers, has upheld the Ashby tradition of service and contribution. This is the highest award that can be bestowed upon a Ridgewood staff member.
The Ridgewood Board of Education established the Tradition of Excellence Award in 2014 to honor a member of the support staff, who in the opinion of their peers has made an outstanding contribution to the excellence of the Ridgewood Public Schools.
2014 ASHBY AWARDS, TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AWARD ANNOUNCED
Ridgewood Schools
September 5th 2014
Two recently retired veterans of the Ridgewood Public Schools are recipients of the 2014 Ashby Award. Former Hawes School Art Teacher Judy Malholtra and former Willard School Principal Marianne Williams were announced the winners at All-staff Convocation on September 2. A new honor, the Tradition of Excellence Award for Support Staff, was also given to longtime staffer Maryjane Moynihan for her contributions to the district as Benefits Coordinator.
Ms. Malhotra started with the district in 1981 as a substitute teacher, then taught art at Orchard School since 1996. Known as an accomplished artist and master teacher, she is responsible for the conception, inspiration and development of the Orchard School’s Community Art Garden, as well as the collaboration with Music Teacher Drew Kreismer on the garden’s newest addition, a musical sculpture inspired by a piece at Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ.
Ms. Williams retired in July after serving with the Ridgewood district since 1981, starting as a Supplemental Instructor and Gifted and Talented Teacher, then teaching for 14 years at Somerville School before serving as Willard’s Acting Principal in 1997 and then Principal. Her legacy at Willard includes the implementation of several innovative educational programs, the day-to-day management of Willard during its first major expansion since it was built, and the year-long observance of the school’s centennial celebration. During her tenure, Willard School was also named a National Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence by the United States Department of Education, a distinction that is earned by very few schools.
The Ashby award was established in 1966 to honor former Superintendent Lloyd W. Ashby and his wife, Lois, for their distinguished service to the community. The recipient is selected annually from nominees submitted by staff members and is someone who, in the opinion of his or her peers, has carried on the fine tradition of service and contribution. The Ashby Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a staff member. In recognition of this honor the names engraved on brass plates are placed on a plaque and is mounted in the lobby of the Education Center.
Photos: Superintendent Dr. Daniel Fishbein congratulates 2014 Tradtion of Excellence Award winner Maryjane Moynihan (L) and Ashby Award winner Judy Malholtra (R). Ashby Award winner Marianne Williams was not present for the photo. Below, the former Willard School Principal was photographed when the school’s media center was named in her honor in 2014.
