Math Wars : Singapore math is this model

Math Wars : Singapore math is this model

I know the "math wars" are a dead issue by now, but interestingly, this morning Wiliam Bennett, former US Sec. of Education, was on Morning Joe talking about the shocking fact that the Chinese Education system has surpassed that of Singaore, according to today's NYTimes.

Bennett is quoted below:


"I work with education textbook companies, Singapore math is this model, we want all our schools to have Singapore math, they get it right..."

Unfortunately, Ridgewood STILL doesn't get it right!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#40547023

Lightgate: Despite numerous requests by neighbors of Ridgewood High School (RHS), the Board of Education will not ask the Planning Board for another courtesy review of the lighting plan

Lightgate: Despite numerous requests by neighbors of Ridgewood High School (RHS), the Board of Education will not ask the Planning Board for another courtesy review of the lighting plan


Ridgewood BOE will not seek another review of field lights
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
BY KELLY EBBELS
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Staff Writer

Despite numerous requests by neighbors of Ridgewood High School (RHS), the Board of Education will not ask the Planning Board for another courtesy review of the lighting plan for the school's two athletic fields, first approved in July.

"We've been there, done that, thank you very much," said Bob Hutton, a Board of Education (BOE) trustee, who introduced the motion at Monday's BOE meeting to close the discussion. BOE members voted unanimously on the motion.

With nearly 20 residents in attendance, many detailed the indignities brought by the bright lights and increased field usage, particularly at Stevens Field, including unauthorized use by out-of-towners, urination by football players in the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook, parking issues, and garbage, among others.

Jim Morgan, a Beverly Road resident who has spearheaded discussions on the lights and helped launch the RHS Neighborhood Association, also underscored that Superintendent Daniel Fishbein misled the Planning Board at its Oct. 5 courtesy review of the field lights, when Mayor Keith Killion asked Fishbein if he had alerted the residents about the meeting.

more:http://www.northjersey.com/news/111474144_Ridgewood_BOE_will_not_seek_another_review_of_field_lights.html

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose introduced A3147, a bill to repeal the Global Warming Response Act of 2007.

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose introduced A3147, a bill to repeal the Global Warming Response Act of 2007

RGGI - New Jersey's Cap & Trade

Since 2008, New Jersey has been a part of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which has driven up electricity prices, transferred more than $66 million from the private to public sector and has contributed to the toxic business environment here in the Garden State.

Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll and Assemblywoman Alison Littell McHose introduced A3147, a bill to repeal the Global Warming Response Act of 2007. This is an important first step toward restoring New Jersey's prosperity. Contact your State Representatives and ask them to support A3147.

Find your Legislator: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp

Read the Bill: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2010/Bills/A3500/3147_I1.HTM

Teens in U.S. Rank 25th Globally on Math Test, Trail in Science, Reading

Teens in U.S. Rank 25th Globally on Math Test, Trail in Science, Reading

By John Hechinger - Dec 7, 2010

Fifteen-year-old students in the U.S. ranked 25th of 34 countries on an international math test and scored in the middle of the pack in science and reading, raising concerns the U.S. isn’t prepared to succeed in the global economy.

Teenagers from South Korea and Finland led in almost all academic categories on the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment, according to the Paris-based Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, which represents 34 countries. U.S. students ranked 17th in science and 14th in reading. The U.S. government considers the OECD test one of the most comprehensive measures of international achievement.

The results show that U.S. students must improve to compete in a global economy, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said yesterday in a telephone interview. The Obama administration is promoting national curriculum standards and a revamping of teacher pay that stresses performance, rather than credentials and seniority.

“The brutal fact here is there are many countries that are far ahead of us and improving more rapidly than we are,” Duncan said. “This should be a massive wakeup call to the entire country.”

The OECD’s international test, first administered in 2000 and given every three years, aims to measure skills achieved near the end of compulsory schooling. In the U.S., 165 public and private schools and 5,233 students participated in the two- hour paper-and-pencil assessment, given in September and November 2009. It consisted of multiple-choice and open-response questions.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-07/teens-in-u-s-rank-25th-on-math-test-trail-in-science-reading.html

Pearl Harbor attack remembered 69 years later

Pearl Harbor attack remembered 69 years later

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii – Pearl Harbor survivors are hearing reassurances their sacrifice would be remembered by future generations as they gather to mark the 69th anniversary of the attack.
National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis on Tuesday told about 120 survivors who traveled to Hawaii from around the country that the park service "will still be here telling their story" long after the last veteran of the war is gone.

Jarvis spoke before the dedication of a new $56 million visitors center for people paying their respects at the memorial for the USS Arizona, which was sunk during the attack and where the remains of nearly 1,000 sailors and Marines are entombed.

The event is being held across the harbor from the USS Arizona. Survivors are taking a boat out to the memorial that sits on top of the battleship.

MORE:http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101207/ap_on_re_us/us_pearl_harbor_anniversary_3

Ground Zero : St. Nicholas Church begins legal action against port authority

Ground Zero : St. Nicholas Church begins legal action against port authority

The leaders of St. Nicholas Church, the small whitewashed Greek Orthodox Church destroyed by falling debris on Sept. 11, 2001, have begun legal action against the Port Authority demanding that the church be rebuilt under the terms of a deal worked out several years ago. (Barbanel, The Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704156304576003673355689308.html?KEYWORDS=jersey

Civil service rules are one of the biggest impediments for New Jersey towns looking to share services

Civil service rules are one of the biggest impediments for New Jersey towns looking to share services

Mayors urge change to civil service

Civil service rules are one of the biggest impediments for New Jersey towns looking to share services to save money, Community Affairs Commissioner Lori Grifa told lawmakers Monday. (DeFalco, The Philadelphia Inquirer)

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20101207_Mayors_urge_change_to_civil_service.html#ixzz17QCuhqrG

Farewell to Irine Fokine

Irine Fokine

September 20, 1922–December 5, 2010

Visitation: Tuesday, Dec. 7, 6–8 PM
Funeral service: Wednesday, Dec. 8, 11 AM
Both at: C. C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home
306 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
(corner of Maple Ave.)
http://vanemburgh.com/obituary_view/77345

Ridgewood dance icon Irine Fokine, ballet school founder and owner, ballet teacher, choreographer, great-grandmother, and Graydon fan, died on Sunday.

The Irine Fokine School of Ballet was a Chestnut Street fixture for 60 years.

Swimming at Graydon twice a day was a cherished part of Irine’s summer routine. Her Graydon friends will remember her favored wardrobe not as a leotard or tutu but as a bathing suit, white bathing cap or large sun hat, and sweeping white robe.

Irine fervently supported the Coalition’s fight to preserve Graydon. In the summer of 2009, at the height of the Graydon uproar, she took a moment while introducing her ballet troupe’s annual performance at the Kasschau Shell (its last, as it happened) to repudiate the very idea of replacing Graydon’s sand with concrete.


Marcia Ringel and Alan Seiden
Co-Chairs, The Preserve Graydon Coalition
info@preservegraydon.org
www.preservegraydon.org
It's clear—we love Graydon

Lightgate: The fields are owned by either the Village or BOE.

Lightgate: The fields are owned by either the Village or BOE.

The fields are owned by either the Village or BOE. There is a Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board (VOR), a Parks and Recreation Department (VOR) and a VOR/BOE Fields Committee. I believe that the group you or others are mistakenly referencing is the VOR/BOE Fields Committee.

The Parks and Recreation Department is made up of VOR employees and headed by the Director of Parks and Recreation. My understanding is that this is the only person, who sits on the both Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Board AND the VOR/BOE Fields Committee.

The composition of the VOR/BOE Field Committee is as follows: "VOR/BOE Field Committee, co-chaired by the Director of Parks and Recreation and the Director of Health and Wellness or designees, will determine allocation according to this policy. The committee members will be a Village Council liaison, a BOE liaison, an at large appointed by the BOE, Ridgewood High School Athletic Director, a community member designee of the Council’s choosing, a PRC Board liaison, a Ridgewood Sports Council (RSC) liaison, a representative of youth football, lacrosse, baseball/softball and soccer organizations. The Business Administrator of the BOE will be Ex-officio member."

This is hardly a group of sports-crazed "jock-dads", as some have characterized the committee. In fact, there are women on this committee. For many years, this diverse group of people, which changes periodically, has done an admirable job with the arduous task of balancing the needs and recreation logistics of the village within the construct of the Fields Policy. The Fields Policy is periodically amended (most recently in May 2009) and is adopted by the VOR & BOE.

If you wish to have input into this process, there are numerous ways to do so. The most direct is to contact the VOR/BOE Field Committee through the Director of Parks and Recreation. You can speak in person at the Committee's meetings, if you wish. You may also have input through the VOR or the BOE.

Allow me to correct your last statement that there was "once was an open forum to hear the results of a fields study". Every resident in town had an opportunity to complete a detailed survey that made up a key input for the long-term Fields Study. There were numerous VOR meetings during the process and then a meeting to listen to the conclusions and recommendations. This final meeting was not a venue for input. In addition, there were countless BOE meetings and presentations around town to explain the referendum and answer questions, including details of the need and plans for BOE athletic facilities upgrades, after decades of neglect and virtually no investment.

If residents were caught off guard by anything the BOE had done, it was because they are unaware of or ignored the information that has been publicly available, and/or they choose not to participate in organizations or events around town, concerning the use of our recreational facilities.

Local residents will be participating in an upcoming performance of New Jersey Choral Society.

Local residents will be participating in an upcoming performance of New Jersey Choral Society.

Left to right: Jerry Tanis (Midland Park), Andrew Bacalakis (formerly of Ridgewood), Kevin Koh (Ridgewood), Carroll Highet (Ridgewood), Emily Hewetson (Ridgewood), Bill Schere (Ridgewood), Ryan Milkwick (Ridgewood), Virginia Lincoln (Glen Rock), Sarah Frost (Ridgewood), Gail Wuhl (Glen Rock), Rita Blacker (Ridgewood), and Edward Thomas (Ridgewood).

Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with tranquil and joyful music as the New Jersey Choral Society presents "Peace on Earth" on Sunday, December 12 at 5:00 pm in the West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 South Monroe St, Ridgewood.

Under the direction of dynamic conductor Eric Dale Knapp, the New Jersey Choral Society marks its 30th Anniversary with a festive program featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams’ contemplative Mass in G minor, Steven Sametz’s Peace on Earth, Mendelssohn’s How Lovely Are the Messengers, the Swedish carol Wonderful Peace by Gustaf Nordqvist and selections from Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Some seasonal favorites such as God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, First Nowell, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, and Peace, Peace (Silent Night) will also be included as well as Betelehemu (a Nigerian Carol) and Light the Legend (a song for Chanukah). Linda Sweetman-Waters will be featured on the organ and a brass consort will also accompany the chorus.

The Inside Line, a complimentary pre-concert lecture for the enrichment of the audience will be held one hour before each concert. John Robert Liepold will present insights into Ralph Vaughan Williams’ stunning Mass in G minor.

In support of the Center for Food Action, the New Jersey Choral Society will be collecting nonperishable food items at each concert. Donated food items can be deposited in one of the receptacles in the lobby. The Center for Food Action is a non-profit organization that provides emergency food, rental and utility assistance, counseling and advocacy for people in need.

Advance tickets are $20.00 for general admission, $17.00 for students, seniors, and patrons with disabilities, and $12 for children 12 and under (Add $5.00 at the door). Season subscriptions and group discounts are available. All venues are wheelchair accessible and large print and Braille programs are available with two weeks notice. For reservations or more information, call the New Jersey Choral Society at (201) 379-7719 or visit http://www.New Jersey Choral Society.org. Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs

Lightgate: Plans for the fields and being informed, the discussions and plans were available

Lightgate: Plans for the fields and being informed, the discussions and plans were available

This has nothing to do with the "Inside" or the "Outside" or being disinteresed, it has to do with being informed and being informed works both ways. You have to keep yourself informed as much as if not more than someone needs to inform you. In regards to the plans for the fields and being informed, the discussions and plans were available and relayed to the "outside" for a very long period of time.

During the planning of the Parks and Fields Master Plan in addition to numerous open forums and press coverage there was a mailing that went to every home in Ridgewood explaining what was being planned and looking for input on the plan as well as priorities from residents. That plan was/is the basis for the fields and gymnasium upgrades as well as upgrades/renovations for parks and other recreation facilities in Ridgewood. It didn't happen over night, there were years of planning and discussions and numerous notices and reports. The pro's and con's of artificial turf and lights were discussed extensively and the turf was even a topic at a Village Council meeting which was televised and reported on by both the Ridgewood News and the Record as the plan was reaching it's final stage.

In addition to that the BOE had (and still has) the plans for each of the projects both at the BOE office and on their website. Each plan was described in detail with the scope of the plan and projected costs outlined. There were mailings sent out with information on the plans as the BOE was trying to generate interest in the bond referendum. The BOE and Administration spent numerous hours at coffees, meetings with residents, open forums at schools as well as being available at Starbuck's to discuss the plans leading up to the voting on the referendum. The vast majority of the negative feedback on the referendum dealt with the upgrade to the athletic facilities. The Ridgewood News ran a cover story seemingly every week for a year on the topic and the different facets of the referendum.

A couple of the immediate neighbors of RHS were incessant in their criticism of putting turf on Stevens and the RHS Field. The detail they went into at numerous meetings including the hearing with the DEP left no stone unturned, yet now they are claiming they didn't know that lights were going to be installed? C'mon, do you really think anyone believes that they could dissect the plans to the point of knowing the physical characteristics of the pellets that fill the turf and not know that there were light stantions in the plans? That is hard to believe.

You can put all the "Outside" people you want on a committee and what will you accomplish? Are you going to put one person from every elementary school, one from each middle school and one from the HS on each and every committee in town? How unweildy would that be? What would you accomplish? Nine new committee members who would only bring their personal view to a problem with no concept or concern for the greater good. The Ridge representative fighting with the Somerville rep getting interupted by the GW rep arguing with the BF rep, I doubt that would be a positive for anyone. And the idea of requiring someone from each elementary district to sit on the BOE isn't going to work either as we can't get quality people to run for the few seats we have now. Who in their right mind would want to sit on the BOE and spend the time involved dealing with the Federal Gov't, the State Gov't, Bergen County, and listen to the non stop complaining from residents every time they make a decision?

As many people have said before; if you think you have better ideas and can make some changes; run, but don't claim there was some conspiracy or you were uninformed or the information wasn't available. The information was available and it was dessiminated. There was no conspiracy. Maybe some missed what was going to happen but they've got to accept some responsiblity for that.

PSE&G to Lower Residential Natural Gas Bills by Additional 5 Percent Reduction is on top of 5 percent decrease in July and 6.8 percent decrease in September

PSE&G to Lower Residential Natural Gas Bills by Additional 5 Percent
Reduction is on top of 5 percent decrease in July and 6.8 percent decrease in September

Gas bills down 31 percent - or about $500 annually - since Jan. 2009

(December 6, 2010 – Newark, NJ) - PSE&G announced today that it has lowered residential gas bills by an additional 5 percent, or nearly $10 per month for the typical residential customer. This latest reduction for supply costs follows a 5 percent reduction in July and a 6.8 percent reduction in September for residential gas customers.

Including this most recent reduction, PSE&G has lowered gas bills a total of approximately 31 percent – or about $500 annually -- since January 2009, when wholesale prices started to drop. PSE&G customers today are paying the same supply rate per therm of gas as they did in January 2003.

Under the new gas supply rates, a residential gas heating customer who uses 160 therms in a winter month, or 1,050 therms per year, will see a bill decrease of $64.68 on an annual basis, for a total bill of $1,221.08. This customer’s monthly winter bill will be $184.91, or $9.86 less.

PSE&G makes no profit on the sale of natural gas and passes along what it pays to customers. If the price of natural gas increases, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities allows the state’s natural gas utilities, including PSE&G, to recover those costs. Conversely, reductions in the gas supply price may be implemented at any time if market conditions warrant

Christie goes after super pay at town hall

Christie goes after super pay at town hall

PARSIPPANY – This afternoon, Gov. Chris Christie headed to the center of the storm and in his unique style, he took on all comers.

The confrontation-comfortable Sicilian-Irish governor is trending higher than Tom Brady’s hair right now, and he had several interchanges today that could turn the upward curve vertical.

His school superintendent pay cap is a hot issue in town – a few speakers spoke passionately about the issue – but it the last man in a long line of questioners that riled the governor up to the point that he called the man on stage to give him a what-for over municipal aid

more : http://www.politickernj.com/43279/christie-goes-after-super-pay-town-hall

Municipal jobs, raises at risk in New Jersey when tax cap takes effect Jan. 1

Municipal jobs, raises at risk in New Jersey when tax cap takes effect Jan. 1

The demand for resignations stands at one each for Cumberland County Republican and Democratic officials. (Spahr, Press of Atlantic City)

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/top_three/article_5eccbb90-0024-11e0-85b6-001cc4c03286.html

NJ school boards overflowing with conflicts of interest

NJ school boards overflowing with conflicts of interest

New Jersey is a state where routine business would be viewed as serious conflicts of interests elsewhere, and nowhere is it more apparent than in local government, especially the school boards -- of which there are about 600, and which have a big say in how much property taxes are paid. (Ingle, Daily Record)

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20101205/OPINION03/101203119/1005/NEWS01/NJ+school+boards+overflowing+with+conflicts+of+interest

Marlboro to take affordable housing issue to N.J. Supreme Court

Marlboro to take affordable housing issue to N.J. Supreme Court

The township is taking the fight over its affordable housing obligation to the state Supreme Court.

Township officials say the state is saddling the already overdeveloped municipality with a housing burden it cannot handle. (Williams Boyd, Asbury Park Press)

http://www.app.com/article/20101205/NEWS/12050361/Marlboro-to-take-affordable-housing-issue-to-N-J-Supreme-Court

Mounting debts by states stroke fears of crisis

Mounting debts by states stroke fears of crisis

The State of Illinois is still paying off billions in bills that it got from schools and social service providers last year. Arizona recently stopped paying for certain organ transplants for people in its Medicaid program. (Cooper and Walsh, The New York Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/us/politics/05states.html?_r=1

Mother Goose to Perform Mrs. Snows Winterfest-Pre School Program

Mother Goose to Perform Mrs. Snows Winterfest-Pre School Program

On Wednesday, December 29th, 2010, Ridgewood Parks & Recreation will present a pre-school program entitled, “Mrs. Snow’s Winterfest.” This special event will take place at the Ridgewood Community Center’s Anne Zusy Youth Center at Village Hall. Participants will take part in an interactive story play with artist, Ann Coppola, aka Mother Goose. The audience will enjoy the imaginative program filled with movement, sound and props. . This 45 minute performance will begin at 11:00 a.m. The cost is $5. Seats are limited. Tickets may be purchased in advance for ages 2 and up at the Stable, 259 N. Maple Ave., Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please call (201) 670-5560.

Explore Science – All About Electricity

Explore Science – All About Electricity

On Monday, December 27th, 2010, Ridgewood Parks & Recreation will present a science program by Explore Science – All About Electricity. This special enrichment class is for children in Grades K- 3 and will take place at The Stable, 259 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ. This 3 hour event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and will offer participants a fun and exciting opportunity to discover the world of electricity. Children will create their own flashlight by making their own electrical circuit so that they can help keep their home lit on these cold winter nights. There will be a static electricity race where everyone will see how particles interact to create movement. Also, see how a potato can conduct electricity!! The cost for this enrichment program is $55. Registration can be made online- www.ridgewoodnj.net/communitypass or in person/by mail to The Stable, 259 N. Maple Avenue. Locate the registration form on the Recreation homepage at www.ridgewoodnj.net. For more information or assistance, please contact the Recreation Office at 201-670-5560.

RIDGEWOOD BOOKENDS : UPCOMING AUTHOR SIGNINGS

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino
Sunday, December 12th @ 1:00pm
Star of Jersey Shore, Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino will sign his new book: Here's The Situation

Books on Sale now All book must be purchased from Bookends. Taking phone orders for those who cannot attend.

Ron Reagan
Sunday, January 23rd @ 1:00pm
Son of President Ronald Reagan will sign his new book, My Father at 100
Books available : January 18th

BOOKENDS 211 East Ridgewood Ave.  Ridgewood, NJ  07450      Tel: (201)445-0726        www.book-ends.com 

Climate Change Hoax : America used spying, threats and promises of aid to get support for Copenhagen accord.

Climate Change Hoax : America used spying, threats and promises of aid to get support for Copenhagen accord.

America used spying, threats and promises of aid to get support for Copenhagen accord.
 
WikiLeaks cables reveal how US manipulated climate accord

Embassy dispatches show America used spying, threats and promises of aid to get support for Copenhagen accord.

Damian Carrington guardian.co.uk, Friday 3 December 2010 21.30 GMT

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/dec/03/wikileaks-us-manipulated-climate-accord

Hidden behind the save-the-world rhetoric of the global climate change negotiations lies the mucky realpolitik: money and threats buy political support; spying and cyberwarfare are used to seek out leverage.

The US diplomatic cables reveal how the US seeks dirt on nations opposed to its approach to tackling global warming; how financial and other aid is used by countries to gain political backing; how distrust, broken promises and creative accounting dog negotiations; and how the US mounted a secret global diplomatic offensive to overwhelm opposition to the controversial "Copenhagen accord", the unofficial document that emerged from the ruins of the Copenhagen climate change summit in 2009.

MORE: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/dec/03/wikileaks-us-manipulated-climate-accord

Gingrich: Leaks show Obama administration 'shallow,' 'amateurish'

Gingrich: Leaks show Obama administration 'shallow,' 'amateurish'
By Shane D'Aprile - 12/05/10 10:59 AM ET

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Sunday that President Obama and the White House deserve a large share of the blame for the massive amounts of classified information revealed through WikiLeaks.

Gingrich said the leaks are "a scandal of the first order" and that they demonstrate the Obama administration is "shallow" and "amateurish" when it comes to national security.

"You have a private first class who downloads a quarter million documents, and the system doesn't say, 'Oh, you may be over extended?' I mean, this is a system so stupid that it ought to be a scandal of the first order," Gingrich said. "This administration is so shallow and so amateurish about national security that it is painful and dangerous."

MORE : http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/132037-gingrich-blames-obama-on-wikileaks-labels-assange-a-terrorist

Lightgate: The problem is not in Trenton, it's in Cottage Place. The BOE is acting as a front for FARC

Lightgate: The problem is not in Trenton, it's in Cottage Place. The BOE is acting as a front for FARC
 The problem is not in Trenton -- it's in Cottage Place. The BOE is acting as a front for FARC -- the school doesn't need the lights anywhere near as much as the sports groups -- which the BOE has admitted in public statements. The BOE is taking advantage of its special position to help FARC make an end run around the zoning laws.

This will come out as the controversy continues and this is eventually investigated. If we want to change things, we shouldn't look to Trenton -- we should look to the ballot box. This crew only represents one faction and is dead set on crushing all others. The voters have to see this sham and refusal to work with the neighborhood for what it is.

RACE to NOWHERE: High school shouldn't be THIS hard

RACE to NOWHERE: High school shouldn't be THIS hard

The problem isn't that they are pushed to excel, it is that they are pushed so much that they have no time left to be themselves. They have to do everything, and do it to an extreme level. This means they end up dreading everything.

Do you think the drive to have kids take all honors and AP courses comes from the school? Of course it doesn't. Do you think 4 hour practices are really necessary for any high school sport? of course they aren't. Do you think that kids need to join and attempt to lead half a dozen clubs? Of course they don't.

The competition is tough, but high school shouldn't be THIS hard. Watch the movie, and then pass judgement on it. At least listen to what is being said in the movie and by kids right here in Ridgewood.

It's not a conspiracy, it's a documentary

Robert Aloia, the former superintendent of the Bergen County Technical and Special Services school districts, will receive a deferred compensation package of about $300,000

Robert Aloia, the former superintendent of the Bergen County Technical and Special Services school districts, will receive a deferred compensation package of about $300,000

Payout for ex-schools chief
Sunday, December 5, 2010
BY MICHAEL GARTLAND
The Record
STAFF WRITER

http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/superintendent/111339749_Payout_for_ex-schools_chief.html

Robert Aloia, the former superintendent of the Bergen County Technical and Special Services school districts, will receive a deferred compensation package of about $300,000, officials from the districts said Friday.

Lazaro Carvajal, president of the technical district's board, said the district had no choice but to give Aloia what it contractually was obligated to provide.

"We explored every possible way to not pay this money," Carvajal said. "In light of legal fees and with no chance of actually prevailing, this was the best decision."

The technical school board voted to release the money to Aloia on Wednesday.

Aloia, who was removed as superintendent of the Bergen County Special Services District in November 2009 and was suspended as head of the technical district before retiring in January, also took home $241,000 in annual salary during his tenure as superintendent of both districts.

During the past two years, he weathered criticism from teachers and elected officials who blasted him for excessive spending on foreign travel, meals and the purchase of two electron microscopes.

The criticism culminated in a state Education Department report that was referred to the state Attorney General's Office in February.

The Attorney General's Office would not confirm or deny an investigation was under way until Friday, when a spokeswoman said the investigation had been concluded.

"After careful review by the Division of Criminal Justice, the matter was closed without criminal charges being filed," said Rachel Goemaat, a spokeswoman for the attorney general.

more: http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/superintendent/111339749_Payout_for_ex-schools_chief.html

Village of Ridgewood : Visit Santa

Village of Ridgewood : Visit Santa