Thursday, May 17, 2012
Without mom's blessing, it's unclear whether the 18-year-old EMT Sean Massaro is still running for one of three open seats in November.
It's unclear if 18-year-old EMT Sean Massaro plans to continue his burgeoning school board election campaign after his mother came out and said the position's demands could jeopardize his education. Known for his heroism in helping evacuate two homeowners from a burning house in December, Massaro announced to Patch on May 2 he had filed the paperwork for one of three seats on the Glen Rock Board of Education in November. "I really think the board would benefit from a young voice," Massaro, a senior at Bergen Tech in Paramus, said previously. But a week later his mother Jeanne said the teen should focus on schoolwork when he begins his freshman year as a nursing student at Caldwell College. "Sorry, he is not running[,] everyone," Jeanne …
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
An airsoft gun was removed from a George Washington Middle School's student's locker Wednesday morning; students and staff were never in danger, principal says.
A student is facing discplinary action after bringing in a replica firearm to Ridgewood's George Washington Middle School Wednesday morning. According to a letter written to parents Wednesday afternoon, Principal Katie Kashmanian says an undisclosed student brought an airsoft gun that shoots plastic pellets to school. "The replicas are designed to be non-lethal but they can look realistic and are understandably frightening when people see them," Kashmanian wrote. After learning of the gun's presence in the student's locker, administrators handed over the replica to police, Kashmanian's letter states. Administrators and police have met with the student's parents to "discuss further disciplinary action as well as other appropriate …
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Charlie Reilly, who resigned in November, says BOE newcomer Jim Morgan can't be objective regarding his view on Ridgewood Superintendent Daniel Fishbein's performance and should 'remove himself' from contract discussions.
In a letter to the editor of The Ridgewood News, former Ridgewood school board trustee Charlie Reilly continued his criticism of new member Jim Morgan, this time calling for Morgan to avoid any contract negotiations with Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. In the letter, published Friday, Reilly says Morgan is unable to be "objective" regarding any possible contract extension to Fishbein, whose stay is up at the end of the 2012-2013 school year. "Mr. Morgan’s participation would be a violation of the Code of Ethics for school board members," Reilly wrote. He later added that before taking office in April, Morgan has said Fishbein is not "trustworthy," citing the RHS footbridge disputes. Morgan did not respond to several requests for comment. …
Monday, May 14, 2012
AP Environmental Science class gathered data on stream velocity.
[Editor's note: The following was sent by the Glen Rock Environmental Commission] On the clear, cool morning of Friday, May 12, students from the the Glen Rock High School Environmenal Science AP class gathered in the Thielke Arboretum to learn how to conduct a stream quality assessment in the Diamond Brook. The class is taught by Heather McDermott. The hands-on learning session was led by Watershed Ambassador Patricia Michelotti (yellow t-shirt). Three students stood in the stream to gather data from which they could calculate the stream velocity -- one of several metrics they learned to conduct. The students gathered velocity data by tossing a small yellow rubber ducky upstream and timing how long it took to float a specified distance. …
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Plans include turf and drainage corrections; there will be changes to parking on Kirkwood Place and Cornwall Road.
Construction to revitalize the Glen Rock High School's athletic facilities while attending to long-standing drainage issues began this week. It's also brought with it some changes to parking at the campus. According to a message posted on the Glen Rock Public Schools website, parking on Kirkwood Place from Radburn Road to the bend is prohibited. Construction vehicles need room to maneuver by the tennis courts, the message stated. Further, while drop-offs and pickups along Kirkwood will continue unabated, delieveries between 7 and 8 a.m. as well as 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. will be "halted" as much as possible. Additionally, the message stated, there will be no parking on Cornwell Road towards the back entrance of the campus. There will also be no …
Friday, May 11, 2012
Community was treated to visual, musical and theatrical arts at the Ridgewood elementary school on Thursday night.
One evening per year, Orchard Elementary rolls out the red carpet (literally) for parents and students who come to partake in what is best described as a multimedia feast for the senses. Arts Night Chair Leslie Deiss and a group of dedicated parents worked enthusiastically to bring what students have done in the studio out into the halls of the school in creatively-curated exhibitions. The aim of the event is to celebrate the work of Orchard's young artists whilst encouraging the exploration of all artistic genres, including visual, musical and theatrical arts. Guests enjoyed making group sculptures and painting on "treasles" (tree-shaped easles) in the recently-added Orchard Garden. Others gathered to hear independent classical …
Contractor selected had bid in under budget, according to The Glen Rock Gazette.
Room S236 is soon to be receiving a serious makeover – the Glen Rock school board approved a bid for $236,000 to change the high school classoom into a science lab, reports The Glen Rock Gazette. According to paper, the space is paid for out of the capital budget and will be used for collaborative science classes. Read the full report here.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Glen Rock High School not among the top 50 public schools in New Jersey, the magazine says.
Ridgewood High School is ranked as the #15 public high school in New Jersey in U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings. "It is always nice to be recognized for our excellent education program," said Superintendent Daniel Fishbein. "I believe what is truly important is what happens in our classrooms every day. Our excellent and professional faculty, our motivated and focused students and a supportive community is the foundation to our success and why we have a tradition of excellence." The school is also ranked #282 nationally among high schools, the second-highest among Bergen County schools, only behind public vocational institution Bergen Academies. Both received "gold" medals. The magazine's state rankings featured Tenafly at #17, …
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Ridgewood BOE President Sheila Brogan also talks state HSPA changes, forced school consolidation, state budgets and more.
[Editor's note: Ridgewood school board president Sheila Brogan keeps the public up to date with all that goes on in the education world in Trenton. This week, there's news on state testing changes, sick day payouts, consolidations, the state budget and other legislative happenings. The following appears unedited.] Court Decision on Sick Day Payouts On May 3, the NJ Supreme Court overturned an appellate court decision and released its decision finding the state imposed cap on payouts at retirement for unused sick time for school administrators is legal when applied to new contracts. The $15,000 cap on payouts for school administrators was enacted by the legislature in 2007. The governor hopes to eliminate this benefit for all public…
Lacrosse star, class valedictorian will attend UPenn next year and hopes to develop safer sports equipment
Just one opinion
2:09 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
If mom is footing the tuition bill, then okay. But if not, then he's an adult and can make his own decision. more ›