MONTCLAIR, NJ - Montclair State University recently celebrated its tenth annual French Day, drawing a crowd of over 250 high school students from across New Jersey. According to University officials, the event, held on March 6, 2024, aimed to immerse students in the French language and its diverse cultural expressions, ranging from the arts to industry.
Participants engaged in various workshops exploring aspects of Francophone culture, such as the French fragrance industry, the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, musical traditions in Togo, the Moroccan tea ceremony, and hospitality practices in Senegal. The day was a vibrant testament to the global reach of the French language.
Highlighting the students' creative talents, the event featured a film festival competition. Cresskill High School earned accolades for its "Tableaux Vivants" entry, bringing a famous painting to life with an original backstory, while Wayne Valley High School followed closely in second place. In the "Poesie en Images" category, which tasked students with cinematically interpreting a French poem, Verona High School captured first place, with Bergen County Technical Schools - Teterboro Campus securing the runner-up position.
"It is a real joy to share in the enthusiasm and creativity of the participating high school students and their hard-working and dedicated teachers," said Dr. Elizabeth Emery, organizer of the event and Professor of French at Montclair State University.
"Events like this one foster cross-cultural understanding while encouraging students to practice their language skills in meaningful ways."
The relevance of French in New Jersey is underscored by its economic impact, with French enterprises being significant job creators in the state. Moreover, the global presence of French, spoken across five continents, highlights its importance as a world language.
For those interested in exploring the vast world of languages and cultures, more information on Montclair State University's World Languages and Cultures program can be found at montclair.edu/modern-languages-and-literatures.
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KENILWORTH, NJ - The sixth issue of David Brearley High School's newspaper, The Bear Print was recently published. DBMHS student Brianna Yadimarco wrote the following article regarding the annual Senior Trip.
Senior Trip
The decision has been made! Pocono Valley Resort is the destination for the senior trip!
This beat the runner-up choice, Hershey Park. Pocono Valley Resort is located in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, roughly 1 hour and 35 minutes away from David Brearley High School. The senior trip is on June 3rd, and the full excursion will last from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM that same day. It’s $100 to be able to go, and that payment is due May 1st.
At the Pocono Valley Resort, there are enough activities to choose from so all the seniors can keep themselves busy! There will likely be other
schools enjoying the resort at the same time as the seniors.
With all the activities available, there are water and non-water sports. For the water aspects of the Poconos, there is Lake Akiba where kayaks and pedal boats are available, as well as two Olympic-sized heated pools on the upper and lower levels. For land activities, there are a variety of courts and fields including a basketball court, a tennis court, a pickleball court, a mini-golf range, a soccer field, and more. Apart from those, there are air activities involving zip lines, a rope course, and a treetop course.
Restrooms are located inside and just outside of the dining halls. Food will be provided, specifically roasting marshmallows together at the end
of the night. Since they are heading to the mountains in June, they shouldprepare to dress lightly.
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]]>PATERSON, NJ - The Paterson Board of Education has given the green light for a $730 million preliminary budget for the upcoming 2024-2025 academic year. This is a $73 million increase over the previous year with a 5% tax increase. The District is also receiving $54 million in State Aid.
Expenditures prioritize investments in salaries, benefits, charter school contributions, and non-salary expenses, officials said.
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Newell highlighted her priorities and goals for the upcoming year, which include expansion of the Gifted and Talented program, as well as the Fine and Performing Arts program. Additionally, Newell hopes to implement the Restorative Middle School program which is aimed to promote positive behavior and foster a supportive learning environment. Professional development opportunities for district staff were also addressed, as well as the establishment of special education hubs and English as a Second Language hubs, ensuring that students with diverse learning needs receive the necessary resources and support to succeed academically.
Furthermore, plans for after-school programs were outlined, including academic support initiatives and enhancements to science labs at Eastside High School. Efforts to address vacancies in physical education teaching positions were also discussed, and additional allocations were proposed for a cosmetology dry room and a mobile crisis unit. A public safety program was also included in the budget.
The budget also includes a $4 million withdrawal to the capital reserve that will be allocated towards various capital projects and expenditures that are essential for maintaining and enhancing the district's facilities and infrastructure. These projects may include renovations, repairs, upgrades, or other investments aimed at improving the learning environment for students.
The final vote stood at five in favor and three votes against, with Commissioners Joel Ramirez, Mohammed Rashid and Eddie Gonzalez casting their vote in opposition.
]]>RAHWAY, NJ — Grover Cleveland Elementary School kicked off March Reading Madness in a big way this week, welcoming Rahway Public Schools Acting Superintendent Dr. Aleya Shoieb for a special guest reading session!
Dr. Shoieb visited Ms. Cindy Zatorski's 4th grade class and Ms. Adrienna Young's 3rd grade class, igniting a love for reading among the young students.
Dr. Shoieb captivated the students with a heartfelt reading of I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont. This delightful children's book celebrates self-acceptance and individuality, perfectly aligning with the spirit of March Reading Madness, a month-long initiative dedicated to fostering a love of reading in schools across the country.
The students were enthralled by Dr. Shoieb's engaging storytelling and vibrant delivery. Following the reading, Dr. Shoieb interacted with the students, answering questions about her own favorite books and the importance of reading in their lives.
"We are thrilled to have had our acting superintendent, Dr. Shoieb, visit Grover Cleveland Elementary School," said Principal Al Giambrone. "Her visit not only highlighted the importance of reading but also provided our students with a unique opportunity to connect with the district's leader in a fun and interactive way."
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]]>PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - Preparing students for life after high school is not a one-size-fits-all approach. There are students with different interests, talents, passions, and abilities. Schools must meet academic and social needs regardless of a student's long-term plan. Phillipsburg High School offers a variety of programs to prepare students for life after high school. One unique preparation program is the Work-Based Instruction (WBI), 18–21-year-old Program.
This program aims to assist eligible students in developing self-sufficient vocational and life skills so they can transition into adult life and employment settings after graduation.
Transition, as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), is a movement from school to post-school activities. The WBI Program teaches students to generalize skills learned in the school building to different life settings in the community. Always under the supervision of trained staff, students in the WBI Program are instructed in Community-Based Instruction (CBI), Work-Based Learning (WBL), functional vocational skills, transportation training, and more.
Skills in School and in the Community
Students gain transferable skills both in the school building and in the community. A good part of instruction takes place in the community. Fortunately, the Phillipsburg community generously supports WBI students by offering them opportunities to sample various jobs. Through job sampling, students gain hands-on skills in the community and make connections with resources.
When the students are not out in the community, they gain skills in the school building through hands-on instruction. Two popular preparations that fall under the WBI Program are Coffee Cart and Liner Café.
Coffee Cart and Liner Café’
Both Coffee Cart and Liner Café are student-operated simulated businesses. Coffee Cart is an especially effective program. The students operate a coffee cart in the central hub of the high school hallway. Students and staff can stop to purchase coffee, tea, hot chocolate, bagels, muffins, etc. The students fill Coffee Cart orders, operate a cash register, and take payments.
Coffee Cart has become a staple in the lives of Phillipsburg High School students. Students in the WBI program have opportunities to converse with the larger student body and connect with staff. Ali Stucker, a Phillipsburg High School senior involved with inclusion activities, noted, “I love seeing the students in the WBI Program operating the Coffee Cart in the hallways. It allows me to interact and talk with them more regularly.” Ali added that “providing different opportunities for the students to socialize is beneficial for everyone.”
Liner Café works in conjunction with Coffee Cart to provide additional opportunities for social, work-based experiences. Here, students fill staff lunch orders in the staff lunchroom. The staff can place their orders online or in person. Delivery service for both Coffee Cart and Liner Café is also available. Students are always under the direct supervision of trained professionals such as employment specialists, work-based instruction (WBI) teachers, and a transition coordinator.
In addition to dealing with the public, much preparation goes on behind the scenes to make Coffee Cart and Liner Caffee possible. While following proper sanitary procedures, students portion lunch items, shelf inventory, post lunch specials, operate a computer, fill orders, follow a schedule, and so much more.
Students Experience Work, Community and New Employment Opportunities
Danny Curry and Emily Smith are two students in the WBI program. Danny stated that he “enjoys working Coffee Cart and Liner Café and mixing in with the student body.” Emily added that she “loves working at Liner Café and at different sites in the community.” Emily is pictured working at Seth & Co, Easton Pa. Assisting students in developing a solid support system in the community is crucial to preparing them for life after high school.
Walk down the hallways of Phillipsburg High School, and you will see the smiles of the WBI students. They are a visible and beloved part of the school community. Assistant Principal John Stillo remarked, “Students in the WBI program are a visible part of the school community. It is uplifting seeing them working with staff and socializing with the student body. Our goal is to continue to build this program with new employment opportunities each year.” Mr. Stillo also noted, “It is an honor to work with all the staff who built this program from scratch. It is very rewarding to see students grow in this program year after year. “
Sitting in a classroom can only take students so far. Generalizing learned skills in a hands-on setting is essential for growth. Many transferable skills are developed in the WBI Program, with the goal of gainful employment in the community after graduation. After graduation, many students stay connected at the community locations where they have job sampled. When schools and communities work together, everyone wins.
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RAHWAY, NJ — There will be a Rahway Board of Education (BOE) caucus meeting on Tuesday, March 19, in the cafeteria of the 7th and 8th Grade Academy, located at 1139 Kline Place.
Among the items on the agenda include a presentation of the 2024-2025 preliminary budget.
The meeting opens in public at 6 p.m. before immediately recessing to private session. The BOE will then reconvene the meeting in public at 7 p.m.
For a copy of the March 19th agenda, click here.
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]]>CORAL SPRINGS, FL – A senior at Coral Glades High School in Coral Springs is preparing to travel and learn medicine – thanks to a $180,000 military scholarship.
Sebastian Ortiz, 17, is one of two students in Florida who received the scholarship.
He held the position of Cadet Command Major, one of the highest ranks among cadets.
He will use the NJROTC scholarship to pursue his education at San Diego State University, paving his path towards becoming a Marine officer.
The JROTC Program, designed to prepare high school students for the military, has been a big part of Ortiz's journey, he said in a recent interview.
As part of the scholarship requirements, Ortiz underwent a rigorous physical test, including a three-mile run, pull-ups, and an almost four-minute plank.
But he said he was prepared as a result of a lot of training and serving as captain of several soccer teams for the past 12 years.
Ortiz also had to explain why his leadership skills would make him a good candidate for the scholarship. He emphasized his role in motivating his soccer team, even during challenging times.
“When I was captain of those soccer teams, I had to inspire my players and show them that I never gave up, even when we were losing,” he said.
His dedication didn't go unnoticed by his senior Army instructor, Sgt. Maj. Diedre Nevels.
“I saw right away that Ortiz had potential and sets an example with his leadership skills,” she said. “Ortiz is very disciplined and polite. Out of his four years, he’s one of the cadets who took the tools we taught him to make himself a better person.”
Looking ahead, Ortiz said he envisions a future in the medical field within the military, aspiring to pursue Kinesiology Pre-Physical Therapy at San Diego State University.
Beyond academics, Ortiz said he plans to travel a lot more, adding that it plays a big role in personal development.
“I learn a lot about others through traveling, which helps me build upon my character, and grow as a person,” he said.
Ortiz graduates from Coral Glades in June and will attend San Diego State in the fall.
MORE CORAL SPRINGS NEWS:
FOOD & DRINK: Breakfast Restaurant in Coconut Creek Closes After Operational and Legal Challenges
CORAL SPRINGS INFLUENCER: “A Lot of Opportunity Here”: Former Chairman of Coral Springs Coconut Creek Chamber Reflects on Local Economy and ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’
FOOD & DRINK: KIMCHI MART Opens in Coral Springs, Adding to Grocery Scene with Asian Delicacies
BUSINESS & FINANCE: Berman Law Group in Coral Springs Hosting Business Networking Mixer at Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar
]]>SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ - The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools is proud to announce the outstanding success of its teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) certification program. This year, 329 high school students completed the program, marking a significant milestone as the initiative enters its second year. This remarkable achievement highlights the district's dedication to prioritizing the mental well-being of its students.
Recognizing the concerning increase in mental health challenges among adolescents across the nation, SPF initiated the program last year with funding from the Mental Health Association of New Jersey and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
The district offers the course to its 11th-grade students as an integral component of their health curriculum. This course is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to recognize, comprehend, and respond to indicators of mental health and substance-use issues among their peers. The tMHFA certification program, initially developed in Australia and adapted for the United States by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Born This Way Foundation, aligns with New Jersey's comprehensive health standards, incorporating mental and emotional health components into the district’s curriculum.
“Our commitment to promoting mental wellness extends beyond the classroom,” said Kristine Iarussi, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools’ Director of Counseling, Health and Wellness. “With over half of our high school students trained in tMHFA, we’ve empowered our student community to act proactively to recognize and address mental health concerns.”
Participation in the certification program is a school-wide effort with health teachers undergoing training sessions conducted by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. This comprehensive approach ensures that educators are well-prepared to effectively guide students through the curriculum.
As students navigate the complexities of modern life, including academic pressures, social dynamics, and familial expectations, initiatives like tMHFA can play a pivotal part in supplying them with the skills to promote resilience and well-being. Student testimonials underscore the program's impact on fostering a supportive environment where individuals feel encouraged to address mental health challenges. Ellie Szopinski, 16, emphasized the importance of approaching mental health discussions with empathy and understanding.
“The course allowed us to approach people from a neutral standpoint where we can help even if we're not close to them,” she shared.
“The most notable thing was learning to recognize the behaviors themselves and how to identify these crises and stop them before they become life-threatening,” Ant Butters, 16, added.
Saman Zeb, 17, highlighted the significance of destigmatizing mental health issues and promoting open dialogue.
“Mental health is often overlooked,” Zeb said. “It's nice to have a course that allows you to take a deep breath and realize that your mental health and the mental health of others is really important.”
Students also said the class encourages self-preservation.
“I feel like it's just as important for people to educate themselves not only to help others but also to help themselves,” Cooper Tamase, 16, said, adding that mental health has been a focus of his for years.
]]>PATERSON, NJ - The District-Wide PTO Leadership PPS has launched an online petition regarding the attire for eighth-grade graduation ceremonies.
The question whether eighth-grade students should have don caps and gowns during their graduation ceremonies was recently brought up again at a meeting of the Paterson Board of Education. Recognizing the importance of parental opinion in shaping this decision, the PTO Leadership is urging parents to sign the petition to voice their thoughts and preferences.
"The petition presents parents with the opportunity to weigh in on this issue," a representative from the PTO Leadership said. "With graduation ceremonies serving as a symbolic transition from one academic phase to the next, the attire worn by students holds significant sentimental value for many families."
The Board's next meeting is set for March 20.
]]>RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Tufts University recently announced the dean's list for the Fall 2023 semester, and it featured two Ridgewood natives. Dean's list honors at Tufts University require a semester grade point average of 3.4 or greater.
The students are:
Read more Education news from around Ridgewood here:
]]>DOYLESTOWN, PA—Tensions over the war in Gaza spilled over into the Central Bucks School District’s school board meeting last week as parents and students sparred over whether a district teacher was trying to “brainwash” his students into supporting a one-sided view of the conflict.
At last week’s school board meeting, a group of parents protested Spanish teacher Youssef Abdelwahab. The teacher serves as advisor for the Muslim Student Association, a student club at CB West.
Parents and community members complained that Abdelwahab, who the students know as “Mr. A,” has used his position to promote a one-sided view of the war in Gaza and the treatment of Palestinians.
Chalfont resident Mara Witsen said that while she supported the free-speech rights of the Muslim Student Association, district rules say that school clubs must be led by students and “free from the influences of any staff.”
As evidence that Abdelwahab was trying to influence students in the club, Witsen said that a photo clearly shows the handle for Abdelwahab’s Instagram page displayed on a whiteboard in his classroom. The page promotes a business owned by Abdelwahab that sells traditional Arab head coverings viewed by many Palestinians as a civil-rights symbol.
Witsen said that Abdelwahab’s Instagram page contains a post that equates Zionism to Nazism. Another parent at the meeting said she had seen a post from Abdelwahab that read, “Resistance is justified when people are occupied.”
While Witsen said that teachers are entitled to their own beliefs, she argued that the district needs to make sure that teachers aren’t trying to “influence the beliefs of students on the taxpayer’s dime.”
“This goes beyond the scope of the role of a club teacher sponsor,” Witsen said. “If a Jewish teacher directed students to his pro-Israel Instagram page, I would have the same concerns.”
Inna Pyatetsky, a Central Bucks parent, said that Abdelwahab’s involvement with the club “pushes boundaries” because he’s “brainwashing” students. As proof that Abdelwahab was pushing his political agenda on members of the Muslim Student Association, Pyatetsky noted that messages from Abdelwahab’s social media pages have been reposted by students.
Central Bucks officials have said that Abdelwahab’s activities didn’t violate district policies. One report said that a student had written the URL on the whiteboard, not Abdelwahab. The URL was removed.
The district provided no further details on the investigation, saying it can’t comment on personnel matters.
The Central Bucks School District allows teachers to have social media pages. Teachers aren’t allowed to follow students, but students can follow teachers.
While several critics of Abdelwahab framed his speech as antisemitic, the teacher’s supporters accused them of Islamophobia.
Mary Ayata, a senior at CB West, said she helped found the Muslim Student Association after moving to the district and finding a lack of representation for Muslims. She denied that Abdelwahab has done anything to influence or manipulate the thoughts of her or her peers. “These accusations against Mr. A. are deeply rooted in Islamophobia and racism,” she said.
Ayata also said that criticism of Abdelwahab is affecting Muslim students in the district. “As a representative of MSA,” Ayata said, “I would like to make it clear that we feel targeted and persecuted in this community.”
Current and past students told how they’ve had to listen to insensitive jokes about 9/11, references to them being terrorists and other Islamophobic comments. Others talked about the pain of having relatives in Gaza die during the war.
Ayata noted that the club’s Instagram page has been the target of disturbing comments, many of them from adults and many of them from people outside of the district. Ayata noted that some of the comments have referred to students in the club as terrorists.
Ayata also said she’s heard that some of those adults are sharing screenshots of a 16-year-old member of the club, which she called “creepy.” She said it’s hypocritical for adults to criticize Abdelwahab, who makes his students feel safe, and then digitally “stalk” the club and its members.
Representatives of several advocacy organizations came to the meeting to support Abdelwahab. Sidharth Nair, an organizer with the Bucks County chapter of the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, a civil rights advocacy organization, called the complaints about Abdelwahab a “manufactured controversy” involving “false, politicized accusations.”
Abdelwahab’s supporters noted that the Muslim Student Association is working with the Jewish Student Union to organize a “positive interfaith event.”
“It's clear that Mr. A and his club create a safe and social space where all students feel comfortable just being themselves,” Nair said.
Later in Tuesday night’s meeting, school board Vice President Mariam Mahmud talked about “Islamophobic attacks and one of our minority teachers.” Mahmud said that while antisemitism has reached “an all-time high, so have “hateful tropes against the Muslim faith.”
“I'm horrified truly at the hateful attacks and misrepresentation of Mr. Abdul Wahab in classic hateful tropes against the Muslim faith and often unfortunately perpetuated by society, movies and media,” Mahmud said.
Board Member Heather Reynolds, who identified herself as a “proud Jewish woman,” praised the efforts of students from the Muslim Student Association and the Jewish Student Union for working together to plan a joint event. “They're going to celebrate their differences,” Reynolds said, “but more importantly, their similarities.”
“The students have come together to do what maybe some adults can't do or haven't been able to do,” Reynolds said. “And I think that is beautiful.”
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]]>BAYONNE, NJ - Mable the therapy dog and her handler Nadja Carneol paid a visit to Bayonne students on March 8.
Trained to provide affection, comfort and support to people, often in settings such as hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, libraries, hospices, or disaster areas, visits by therapy dogs have become more common in school settings, an effort to address the increasing mental health needs of students and improving their overall well-being.
Existing research has concluded that therapy dogs in schools have a positive impact on students’ social-emotional needs, showing that their presence helps reduce anxiety, promote feelings of happiness and belonging, assist with deregulation/de-escalation of a mental episode, reduce negative behavior, and improve students’ mental well-being.
RAHWAY, NJ — Madison Mondays continued to blend fun and learning through cross-curricular instruction. On Monday, February 26, the gymnasium was abuzz with activity as families came together for an art-filled evening under the guidance of Ms. Laura Gould.
Ms. Gould's presence, with her creativity and leadership, is a source of great fortune and pride for Madison School. Collaborating closely with Ms. Jessica Geter and Ms. Tiffany Varriello, Gould has played a pivotal role in planning the academic family nights for Madison families, ensuring engaging and enriching experiences for all.
Ms. Geter emphasized the importance of these events, stating that they allow students to socialize with classmates and teachers in a relaxed setting. Family and school events are crucial in creating a thriving learning environment for our students.
The program is important because it bridges home and school, creating opportunities for families to participate actively in their children's education. By incorporating elements of art into the curriculum, Madison School enriches students' learning experiences and fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills.
Ultimately, Madison Mondays, focusing on academic support and family involvement, are instrumental in nurturing well-rounded students and building a strong sense of community within the school.
The next Madison Monday event is Monday, March 25, where the tandem team of Ms. Geter and Ms. Varriello will lead a presentation on preparing for the NJSLA.
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]]>RANDOLPH, NJ — County College of Morris (CCM) is proud to announce that Melissa Albright, vice president of Marketing, Public Relations & Enrollment Management, has been named to ROI-NJ's Influencers: Women in Business 2024 list. ROI-NJ, a highly respected business publication in the state, released the list showcasing the depth of talent among female leaders in the Garden State.
“Melissa Albright is an exemplary leader who has done an exceptional job advancing the mission of the college. Over the past few years, she has earned a national reputation for her leadership and has set the bar for other colleges and universities to reach. CCM is proud to have her as a member of its senior leadership team. Her work at the college has had a profound impact on campus and across the communities we serve,” said Dr. Anthony Iacono, President of County College of Morris.
Albright was recognized on the list for her many accomplishments as a leader in higher education at CCM and is the only community college leader highlighted. ROI-NJ specifically credited her for helping the community college to be awarded almost $3 million in grants over the past two years. She has received recognition among other organizations as well, including being named the 2023 National Rising Star by the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR).
Among the recent grants CCM was awarded, with the help of Albright, was the Lumina Foundation’s Million Dollar Community College Challenge grant. CCM received $100,000, which is being used towards a website redesign. Albright co-wrote the college’s submission and developed strategies for the challenge. Additionally, the college was awarded another $150,000 from the Lumina Foundation, toward environmental branding on the campus. Most recently, her division was awarded a $2.25 million grant that is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Part A Programs – Strengthening Institutions and then received a $150,000 grant from the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education as an initiative to help students who started college but never completed their degree.
Albright had years of experience in the private sector and as a middle school teacher before joining CCM in 2020. In 2022, she became a change leader as the new Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations & Enrollment Management when the college merged the areas into one division. Under her leadership, CCM’s fall enrollment increased by 5 percent, exceeding the average 2.5 percent increase experienced amongst community colleges nationwide. Albright prioritizes culture, collaboration and creativity to ensure her departments are serving students with excellence. She is passionate about promoting the college to the students who need CCM the most and ensuring their success.
"It is an honor to be recognized alongside the many successful and outstanding women across New Jersey. When the work you do everyday benefits people in the community, it is not work, it is a privilege and I truly love what I do. I count it a blessing to lead and work with the most creative and dedicated individuals,” said Melissa Albright, vice president of Marketing, Public Relations & Enrollment Management at CCM.
CCM offers more than 100 programs, including associate degree programs and an extensive selection of industry-recognized certificate and workforce development programs. CCM’s Center for Workforce Development provides a highly educated and skilled workforce for regional employment and offers customized training for individuals and local businesses.
For more information about the college, visit https://www.ccm.edu/.
MADISON, NJ -- The preliminary school budget for the 2024-2025 school year is on the agenda for the regular meeting of the Madison Board of Education on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. at Madison High School or over Zoom.
Also on the agenda is a resolution determining the details of the school bonds.
The full agenda for the Tuesday March 19 meeting can be viewed HERE
On Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82638353575?pwd=emk4TWJqYWxmWmhCbEpsdExiUXI3QT09 Passcode: 259036
By Phone +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) Webinar ID: 826 3835 3575 Passcode: 259036
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Red Bank Public Library Newsletter for the Week of March 11
News
Did you know that you can get 24" x 36" posters printed at the library? Learn more by clicking HERE.
Monday, March 18
Tuesday, March 19
Wednesday, March 20
Power Play takes place every Wednesday at 5 PM in the Children's Room.
Borough of Red Bank Council Members Office Hours are 5:45-7:45 PM at the library, by appointment
Red Bank Community Engagement & Equity Committee meets at 6:30 PM in the West Room
Book Club meets in the Young Adult area at 6:45 PM.
Thursday, March 21
Jersey Inchkins Miniatures Club meet in Meeting Room from 1 - 4 PM.
RBPL Board of Trustees meet in the Meeting Room at 6:30 PM.
Friday, March 22
Dance Fitness takes place in our Meeting Room at 11 AM!
Saturday, March 23
Poetry - 100 Years Young takes place in the West Room at 11:30 AM.
Coming Soon
Karen Minutella Reading Initiative takes place here next week. RBPL is closed for Easter holiday on Friday 3/29 & Saturday 3/30/24.
Hours
Support Red Bank Small Businesses!
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]]>CLARK, NJ — Beginning on Monday, March 25, several events and activities will be taking place in Clark's two elementary schools, Frank K. Hehnly and Carl H. Kumpf Elementary Schools, prior to the commencement of Spring Break on Friday, March 29.
On Monday, March 25, Valley Road School will hold its annual Colonial Job Fair. On Wednesday, March 27, Valley Road will hold its school play at 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 26, Hehnly School will present its spring musical at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
For more on the activities and events taking place at Hehnly and Kumpf, visit their websites here and here.
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]]>KENILWORTH, NJ - The fifth issue of Harding Elementary School's newspaper, Let's HAWK About It! was recently published. Harding pupil Danna Vasquez wrote the following article about Vice Principal Mrs. Carrara.
Mrs. Carrara’s Interview
This month I had the opportunity to interview Mrs. Carrara, our vice principal, and here is what I learned. Mrs. Carrara spent the holidays traveling to Tennessee and visiting the college her daughter will attend in the fall, Milligan University. She stated, “Tennessee is beautiful in the winter, with lots of snowy mountains and holiday lights.” Mrs. Carrara looks forward to all the great things to celebrate at Harding during February. She added, “There is so much to celebrate in February; Ground Hog’s Day, Black History Month, Valentine's Day, and the 100th Day of School! It’s hard to pick a favorite. I also love to watch the Super Bowl!”
Mrs. Carrara added that she spent her Valentine’s Day visiting a lot of classrooms to join in the Valentine’s celebrations! She thinks the most exciting part about being the vice principal this time of year is beginning to plan for the next year! “This is the time of year when we start to think about schedules, new classes, and programs, as well as welcoming new students in the fall.”
A final note, on President's Day Weekend, Mrs. Carrara spent time at home working on some spring cleaning. “Now if spring would just arrive,” Mrs. Carrara added.
Thank you, Mrs. Carrara, for answering my questions!
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]]>FLEMINGTON, NJ - Francis A. Desmares Elementary School is working to build students' reading and writing skills through new programs and initiatives.
Vice Principal Mary Jane Custy said that when teachers and administrators looked at assessments and academic data in the fall, they noticed that writing was an area they needed to work on.
According to a 2023 presentation on building goals, Desmares plans to have 52% of third and fourth-grade students meet or exceed their growth projection by June as measured by their NWEA Spring Reading assessment.
Instead of focusing on high or low achievement, Desmares — along with Barley Sheaf, Robert Hunter and Reading Fleming Intermediate School — is focusing on student growth through the NWEA MAP Growth assessments, specifically the growth goals and progress of Hispanic/Latinx students who are struggling the most.
The 2023 assessment results showed that third and fourth-grade students at Desmares scored below the state average in English language arts (ELA). In math, third-grade Desmares students scored only 2% higher than the state and fourth graders scored the lowest compared to other schools in the district.
To improve their literacy skills, students assess their writing against a rubric with their peers and give each other feedback. They attend book clubs in classrooms under the supervision of their teachers, and write to a pen pal through the Dolphin Pony Express, an initiative where students from different classrooms write each other letters, giving students authentic opportunities to write.
Students also practice fluency and public speaking skills by reading books and their stories to one of the school's three therapy dogs.
"The dogs are incredible," said Custy, calling them patient listeners as students practice volume, expression and fluency.
A fourth-grade class hosted a Starbucks-themed writing event called “Starbooks café,” where they served beverages and refreshments while reading and sharing their writing with family members. This was one of many events the Desmares PTO helped facilitate.
Between January and June in 2023, the PTO orchestrated around 50 events and fundraisers, and about 15 annual recognition events.
Desmares third graders developed informational texts in their literacy lessons for all the students in the school to read.
“Those books are posted in the library for students to be able to go in, read, they can check them out, they can bring them back,” said principal Mark Masessa, adding that Desmares students are readers and writers.
A third-grade Desmares student won the Hunterdon County Library Enthusiastic Reader Award for exhibiting an enthusiasm for reading and sharing books.
Desmares is one of the most diverse schools in the district, with 42.3% of students economically disadvantaged, 24.9% multilingual learners and 12.7% special education.
“I feel like our students emulate the Flemington community as a whole,” said Masessa. “When your children come to school at Desmares school, they are learning another language right next to them, they're learning about another culture, they're learning to interact and play with students from all different backgrounds, we feel like that's helping us set them up for success when they leave our school and enter into society as a whole.”
Custy said many students can speak another language.
"We tell them all the time, 'Wow, that's a superpower, it's so cool that you can do that,'" she said. "And one of the things that's unique about our Desmares dolphins is that we have two bilingual classrooms."
There's a bilingual kindergarten and a bilingual first grade. Although all instruction is in English, and a bilingual certified teacher can speak a student's native language when the student needs assistance in language acquisition or learning content.
Custy said there’s even a program for incoming kindergarteners called VAMOS Kindergarten, where they identify students who might benefit from a kindergarten readiness program because they didn’t attend preschool.
“They have about seven days in the summer where they come in for the mornings, so we ride the bus together,” Custy said. “And they come in and have the experience to get them set up for success as kindergarteners.”
Desmares also offers a Project Enrich after-school program for first and second-grade learners and Academic Parent-Teacher Team nights.
Three nights throughout the year, the school brings teachers, parents and students together – providing dinner and resources – to review each student's data and set student goals. Parents are taught strategies collaboratively with students to strengthen their child's skills.
"And we're thankful to [Prinicipal Anthony] DeMarco for letting us go over to Reading Fleming Intermediate School to hold this because it's centrally located, and a lot of our families could walk," said Masessa. "And I think that the collaboration of the parents understanding that data by having it explained to them in a small group, kids come in with their Chromebooks and they are going through what they need to do, it's truly a great way to have parents know and understand how to help their children at home."
For math, Masessa said they love the Bridges in Mathematics Program, the number-corners and math workplaces. The Bridges in Mathematics curriculum features relevant, open-ended tasks and visual models to help students develop conceptual understanding, procedural fluency and problem-solving abilities.
“It truly develops deeper thinking and comprehension of different math concepts," he said. "It's very rich in vocabulary. And it is applicable to everything that the students do in their life. Math is everywhere."
]]>FLEMINGTON, NJ - After receiving Preschool Expansion Funding from the state, the Flemington-Raritan School District (FRSD) plans to expand its new preschool program for the 2024–2025 school year, allowing more families selected through the district’s lottery system to enroll their 3- and 4-year-old children for free, and giving preference to 4-year-olds and at-risk preschool students.
Superintendent Dr. Kari McGann introduced a presentation on Preschool Expansion Funding at the Raritan Township Committee meeting Mar. 5.
“This is not only helping our young students, our teachers and school district, but also helping our community,” said McGann. “This is affording parents in our area to have free, high-quality preschool, at no cost to the parents.”
The district requested funds from the New Jersey Department of Education to serve 86 full-day general education students for the current 2023–2024 school year. This will provide education for both general education students, as well as those with disabilities, at 3- and 4-years-old, as long as their birthdays make the Oct. 1 deadline.
Preschool services are being provided in what is referred to as a “mix delivery.” This means students with Individual Education Plans (IEP) will be combined with general education students in the same classroom.
“As a parent, think about how much money you probably spent on your own child in daycare,” McGann said to the committee.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been funding high-quality preschools throughout New Jersey. Statistics from the 2019 New Jersey State Survey show that, in Hunterdon County, the average median price for infant care came to between $1,420 and $1,443 a month, and toddler care ranged from $1,443 to $1,482 a month.
McGann said she was pleased to announce that with the funding now passed, parents received a tuition kickback of nearly $2,000 from the months of September to December 2023.
“This is great for families,” said McGann. “This check back from the school district can now be spent here on the local economy.”
For 2023–2024, the district is partnering with First Friends, a private preschool provider, and Norwescap, a Head Start preschool provider program. The district is also adding two preschool classrooms at Robert Hunter, one for preschool expansion and the other for preschoolers with disabilities, which is not part of the preschool expansion program.
Each classroom will serve 15 students with one preschool teacher, and either one to two classroom aides required by state code.
Tuition acceptance is currently based on a randomized lottery system since at this moment in time, the district is incapable of providing high-quality care to every single applicant. If a student is accepted at age 3, they will automatically be enrolled the following year.
“What are the numbers of those looking to get in?” asked Mayor Scott Sipos.
“We are aggressively trying to reach our hardest to reach areas,” added McGann, who explained that those families are often low-income, teen parents and immigrant families new to the community.
“I had over 250 parents who wanted to get in for this year,” McGann noted, adding that only 45 seats were available.
By 2028, the district plans to enroll 90% of eligible preschoolers by broadening outreach to families, increasing awareness of the program and educating the community on the values of the preschool program, which will help build children's foundational skills and lend to the district's strategic goal on academic excellence.
McGann explained that Flemington-Raritan seeks to provide high-quality preschool to approximately 592 students.
The number of students is based on a formula. By looking at the current number of first grade students, the formula breaks it down to 296 preschoolers aged 3-years-old, and 296 aged 4-years-old.
While FRSD is new to the scene, school districts around New Jersey have received preschool expansion funding since 2018. During the 2022–2023 school year, before the district joined the list, the state distributed over $26 million across 27 districts, including two Hunterdon County districts.
This year, the state allocated $25 million, with $1.2 million going to FRSD. This money goes to teacher salary, teacher assistance, support services, clerical employees, additional education resource specialists, nurses, health benefits, curriculums and supplies.
This state-funded program will receive money every year going forward.
]]>CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ - North Hunterdon Music Association, in conjunction with the NHHS Music Department, will be presenting the 20th Annual Prism Concert on Thursday, March 21st at 8 PM in the North Hunterdon High School gym. The Prism Concert is a unique concert that adds visual effects and professional lighting to enhance the performance of the music students. Enjoy performances by the concert band, wind ensemble, first-year student choir, jazz ensemble, madrigal singers, show choir, chamber choir, orchestra, concert choir and more!
Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased at the following website:
https://nhma.thundertix.com
CRANFORD, NJ – While the majority of Cranford High School graduates head off to college, a number also go to trade/vocational schools. For those students, Daniel Ghanime’s Brighton Air Corp., a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning company, teamed up in 2022 with the Cranford Jaycees to sponsor a Trade School Scholarship.
The funds are available for recently graduated students or current seniors who intend to continue their education through a vocational school program, such as plumbing, electrical, cosmetology, culinary arts, masonry, and others.
The Cranford Jaycees have a long history of aiding Cranford students who follow the traditional path. “They have a fantastic college scholarship infrastructure and I wanted to pair up with them to expand that,” Ghanime told TAPinto Cranford when the Trade Scholarship launched in 2022. Together they awarded a record $49,500 last year.
“I think there’s a perception that you can’t make a good living from a trade,” said Ghanime, “but I want kids to know that you can make a good life from it. You can find success in it.” He added that trade schools often cost less than traditional schools, and jobs with good pay and benefits often follow. “These careers are just as needed as any of the ones that come from college.” One of the scholarship’s first recipients, Joel Beltran, has already finished trade school and is working as an electrician.
Information about the Trade School Scholarship can be found here. The application deadline is March 28, 2024.
]]>Princeton, NJ – Superintendents of public school districts don’t grow on trees and the Princeton Public Schools is going to buy some more time in its search for a replacement for Carol Kelley, who took a leave from her duties as superintendent in October of last year.
The Board of Education announced Friday, March 15, that “Kathie Foster has agreed to extend her tenure as the leader of the Princeton Public Schools. She will serve as acting superintendent until August 31, 2024, and then interim superintendent beginning September 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.”
In a letter to the school community, the Board noted that because Foster is retired, “she can only be employed in Princeton for a limited amount of time. The district must first receive permission from the New Jersey Department of Education to allow [her] to remain in Princeton through June of 2025.”
The Board of Education will vote at its meeting on Monday, March 18, on a resolution to authorize the Board attorney to request an extension from the Department of Education. “Our attorney has spoken with the Mercer County Superintendent, who has indicated that he is supportive of this extension,” the Board said in its statement. Once the extension is approved, the Board will vote on Foster’s extended contract at a later Board meeting.
At its March 18 meeting the Board of Education will also seek an extension for Rebecca Gold to serve as the interim assistant superintendent of human resources through December 31, 2024.
Foster was appointed to the acting superintendent role in November, 2023, shortly after Kelley’s leave was announced -- about two years and three months after she began work in Princeton. The Board made no promises then that a permanent replacement would be found by any particular date. In fact, School Board president Dafna Kendal said the board would not begin the active search for a permanent superintendent until after it reorganized in January with its two new members in place.
The search for Kelley took a full year after Steve Cochrane announced his resignation in February, 2020, effective at the end of that school year. Kelley's hiring was announced in February, 2021, after a search process that reportedly led to a field of 13 semifinalists and finalists for the position. Barry Galasso served as interim superintendent from July 2020, through July 2021.
Foster previously served as an interim assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction after the retirement of Robert Ginsberg. Both the Board of Education and district personnel are said to be comfortable with Foster and her leadership skills and are believed to have no reason to rush the search process.
“We firmly believe that our school district is best served by Dr. Foster’s continued leadership at this time,” the Board said in its March 15 statement. “We are beyond grateful to Dr. Foster for her kind and effective leadership, her commitment to excellence and her dedication to moving the district forward during this time of transition.”
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]]>TRENTON, NJ -The Sparta Middle School robotics teams performed well in the VEX IQ State Championships on March 10 at NJIT. All three qualified for the finals with the 153D “The Chosen Ones” finishing second for the tournament. The D team also earned a ticket to the VEX IQ World Championship in Dallas, Texas in May.
“Competing at states was awesome. I think it’s an experience that the team and I will always remember,” Team 153D’s Captain and Driver Srishanth Jakka said. “We had to work through many issues with our robot, but in the end we did well and received an award that qualified us for worlds. I think what we learned as a team is to never lose hope and work together to the best of our abilities regardless of the obstacles that we come across.”
“I think that going to Worlds for robotics will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. This was only able to happen because of all our team participation and hard work,” 153D Lead Programmer Eli Amiel said.
“All three teams proudly represented Sparta Middle School and strongly competed against the best teams in New Jersey, remaining focused on their goals as their positions changed among the top ranks throughout the day,” coach David Gorecki said.
Team 153C “Robotic Monkeys” finished in third place and 153E “Cyber Monkeys” took fifth out of 32 teams from around New Jersey.
"It was a roller coaster of emotions," Team 153C’s Engineer and Technical Writer Abhinav Mederametla said.
Team 153D won the Design Award at the NJIT competition, earning their slot at Worlds. According to VEX this award “recognizes a team's ability to document and explain their Engineering Design Process via an Engineering Notebook and Team Interview."
This is the second time in as many years Sparta Middle School robotics will be represented in Dallas, according to Gorecki.
“Our robotics students are so impressive. They each bring something uniquely valuable to their groups. We are very proud of them, and quite simply, we’re happy for them. They deserve this success, and we are grateful to have this fine group represent us in Dallas this May,” Gorecki said.
The Sparta Middle School team has a GoFundMe page "Support Sparta Middle School Robotics" to help offset the families' costs of competing at worlds, Gorecki said.
The 2024 Sparta Middle School Robotics Teams:
153C Robotic Monkeys
153D The Chosen Ones
153E Cyber Monkeys