St. Patrick's Day Mass at Mount Carmel parish

St. Patrick's Day Mass at Mount Carmel parish

Please join us for the 26th annual St. Patrick's Day Mass, scheduled at
8:30 am on Thursday, March 17 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in
Ridgewood. The mass, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council 1736,
will feature traditional Irish tunes and piper music.

A reception will be held immediately after the mass in the Parish Center, where complimentary
soda bread, coffee and tea will be served. We are always looking for those
willing to share their family recipe, and bake/bring soda bread for this
event. If you can help, please contact Patty Mullen at 201-444-1725.Come
start your St. Patrick's Day in true Irish fashion.

The biggest difference between Catholic schools and public schools in Newark are parents.

The biggest difference between Catholic schools and public schools in Newark are parents.

First, please do not blame this on special needs students. Many are fully mainstreamed and receive NO services whatsoever other than additional time on state mandated test. My son is one of these children who receives nothing extra during a normal school day it. Places like Newark have a tendency to "warehouse" these kids in contained classroom because this is easier for everyone. They don't interact much with the mainstream. A good friend of mine has been a 2nd grade catholic school teacher/Vice-Principal (try that in public school!) in Queens for 26 years and believes some of her brightest students have been special ed.

I think the biggest difference between Catholic schools and public schools in Newark are parents. If you have parents who are engaged in their childrens education you produce a better student with better outcomes. Inner city kids from two parent/two income homes will always generally do better. These are the parents going to the mat to put thier kids int the best parochial/charter schools and working with the teachers and administration.

I TA'd a special program for inner city college freshman. It was amazing how much these kids could acheive with a little bit of attention. A little bit of parental encouragement whether it is in the form a tutoring, volunteering at school, providing a healthy lunch, etc. goes a long way. It's all about the parents.

Drivers : SLOW DOWN ALREADY!

Drivers : SLOW DOWN ALREADY!

If the speed limit were raised to 35 mph on the streets you mentioned, drivers would regularly go 40-45. The Ridgewood PD would still be "understaffed" and unable to enforce the law.

Speed is a major factor in whether a pedestrian accident proves to be fatal. A ten-mile per hour increase in speed, from 20 mph to 30 mph, increases the risk of death for a pedestrian in a collision nine-fold. If a car going 20 mph hits a person, there is a 95 percent chance that the person will survive. If that same car is traveling 30 mph, the person has slightly better than a 50/50 chance of survival. At 40 mph, the picture is bleaker still – only fifteen percent of people struck at this speed can be expected to survive.

What percentage of your average car trip is spent driving on a road like East Glen? If you're commuting to NYC, Westchester, or anywhere outside of Bergen County, I bet its less than 5%. . Saving 1 minute of time on your commute by going 40 down East Glen instead of 25 is not only extremely selfish, it could very well be deadly and certainly not worth the added risk of killing a person. SLOW DOWN ALREADY!

New Jersey lawmakers start their budget review process this week.

Hearings on N.J. budget planned

New Jersey lawmakers start their budget review process this week.

Budget committees in the Senate and the Assembly will hold public hearings on Gov. Chris Christie's proposed $29.4 billion budget, which cuts spending by 2.6 percent over last year and calls for heftier contributions from state workers for pension and health care benefits. (Shipkowski, The Associated Press)

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20110307/NEWS02/103070327/Hearings-N-J-budget-planned?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|State

Cops issuing more tickets, red-light cameras all about more money

Cops issuing more tickets, red-light cameras all about more money

Last week we discussed how so many towns have so many cops and so little crime and pondered what they all do. The answer is they write a lot of tickets to make up for lost municipal aid from Trenton. (Ingle, The Daily Journal)

http://www.thedailyjournal.com/article/20110307/OPINION02/103070332

N.J. municipalities scramble to notify voters on property tax referendum

N.J. municipalities scramble to notify voters on property tax referendum

New Jersey enters a new era today as voters get to find out if they may be asked next month to raise their property taxes beyond the Christie administration’s new 2 percent limit. (DeMarco, The Star-Ledger)

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/nj_municipalities_schools_scra.html

Number of healthcare reform law waivers climbs above 1,000

Number of healthcare reform law waivers climbs above 1,000
By Jason Millman
The number of temporary healthcare reform waivers granted by the Obama administration to organizations climbed to more than 1,000, according to new numbers disclosed by the Department of Health and Human Services.

HHS posted 126 new waivers on Friday, bringing the total to 1,040 organizations that have been granted a one-year exemption from a new coverage requirement included in the healthcare reform law enacted almost a year ago. Waivers have become a hot-button issue for Republicans, eager to expose any vulnerabilities in the reform law.

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/147715-number-of-healthcare-reform-law-waivers-climbs-above-1000

Abbott Schools: Why do the Newark public schools get inferior results compared to the Newark Catholic schools while spending far more per pupil?

Abbott Schools: Why do the Newark public schools get inferior results compared to the Newark Catholic schools while spending far more per pupil?

The questions that the judge should ask are:

1. How much it costs to educate a Newark child in the Newark Catholic school system?

2. Why are the Newark public schools so much more costly on a per pupil basis?

3. Why do the Newark public schools get inferior results compared to the Newark Catholic schools while spending far more per pupil?

Should Paul Aronsohn recuse himself from contract negotiations?

Should Paul Aronsohn recuse himself from contract negotiations?

So let me get this straight - we now have a council with a lifelong union member (Killion) and a huge union supporter (Aronsohn) that is supposed to be cutting costs? Hopefully Walsh and Wellinghorst can focus on something other than Valley and counteract the pro-union faction on the council to deliver some cost savings and lower taxes. They already let the police union lock in 5 years of raises while no one was paying attention over the holidays. I hope that their future voting record is more taxpayer-friendly.The Council is working on the Firemans Contract right now.

Village of Ridgewood Meetings and Boards

Village of Ridgewood Meetings and Boards

03/08/11 7:30 PM Board of Adjustment Public Meeting
03/09/11 8:00 PM Village Council Public Meeting
03/15/11 7:30 PM Planning Board Public Meeting
03/22/11 7:30 PM Board of Adjustment Public Meeting
03/23/11 7:30 PM Village Council Work Session

Village of Ridgewood : Man about Town

RIDGEWOOD SCHOOLS MARCH IS YOUTH ART MONTH The District is honoring student artists this month with an exhibition of their work. The exhibit, on Floor 3 of the Education Center, is open to the public. An artists reception will be held on Thursday, March 10, from 6:30-8 p.m.

Silent Film - Organ Improvisation West Side Parton Series
West Side Presbyteiran Church, 6 South Monroe St., Ridgewood Thursday, March 11th at 7:30PM. Dr. John Schwandt, nationally acclaimed organist and performer, will provide organ improvisation to the charlie Chaplin film, The Gold Rush, using period tunes to underscore the characters and actions of the movie. This movie was Chaplin's personal favorite film which showcases the classic "Tramp" character as a romantic idealist and gold prospector. Admission is free

Dad's Night Friday, March 11 - 7pm & Saturday, March 12 - 4pm
DAD’S NIGHT is here again . .. 67 years strong, this timeless tradition boasts 230+ dads who will don costumes, build sets, and deliver lines to the endless delight of their children! Sponsors in the Dad’s Night Ad Journal and money collected during intermission will solely benefit Hawes & Somerville Elementary Schools – and the kids! Last year, approximately $40,000 was raised, and the funds paid for Smartboards, an interactive Science Day, Robotics Club, and new playground equipment additions. Show Dates: Friday, March 11 at 7 PM; Saturday, March 12 at 4 PM Location: Ben Franklin Middle School, 335 North Van Dien Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ Cost: $0 – Donation Bucket Passed at Intermission

West Side Concert Series Organ Concert
Sunday, March 13 at 4PM; West Side Presbyterian Church, 6 S. Monroe St., Ridgewood. Dr. John Schwandt, Associate Professor of Organ at University of Oklahoma will perform works by Bach, Widor, Dupre, and Ireland. Tickets: 201/652-1966 or www.westside.org

Fish and Chips Dinner All Are Welcome!
TASTEFULLY BRITISH CATERS FISH & CHIPS AT CHRIST CHURCH RIDGEWOOD Christ Episcopal Church, Ridgewood to hold Fish and Chips dinner on Wednesday, March 16. Tastefully British will cater this evening fabulous fish fry. We invite you to join us for dinner from 5pm – 7 pm in our Great Hall. There will be yummy, homemade desserts and beverages will be provided. Cost is $13 per person and two young children may share one dinner. Tickets must be purchased in advance. And take out is available, again with a pre-purchased ticket. Tickets may be obtained weekdays at the church office. Please call 201.652.2350. Christ Church is located on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Cottage Place. If you are using a GPS, you may enter 105 Cottage Place, Ridgewood as your destination. Go to our website: www.christchurchridgewood.org for more information.

Annual St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance
Saturday, March 19th, 7:00 p.m. Mount Carmel gymnasium,52 Passaic Street.The Village Caterer will be providing traditional Irish fare of corned beef and cabbage. Renowned New York City musicians Bob and Norm will be playing Irish classics and great dance music. There will also be a special appearance by the Irish Step Dancers. “This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, and it is a great opportunity for friends and neighbors to get together for a night of fun”, said Doug Findlay, organizer of the event. Tickets are $45 each.Payment can be mailed to:Doug Findlay 211 Circle Ave.Ridgewood, NJ 07450,(201) 670-9514

REPORT SUMMARIZES JANUARY COMMUNITY PLANNING PROCESS

REPORT SUMMARIZES JANUARY COMMUNITY PLANNING PROCESS

At the Board meeting on Monday, February 28, Ms. Nancy Stern, of Sousa & Stern Educational Consultants LLC, provided an update on the Community Planning process that was conducted in January. A packet that includes suggested goal statements and strategies was presented to the Board. The packet is considered to be a living document that can be revised as goals and strategies evolve. The next step in the Community Planning process is for the administration to create Action Plans, based on the suggestions and ideas that resulted from the January workshop. Pertinent summaries of the goal statements and strategies from the January workshop can be found on the Board page of the District website, under Board Goals. Click here to go directly to the report.

http://board-of-education.ridgewood.schoolfusion.us/modules/groups/homepagefiles/gwp/923620/944840/File/Board%20of%20Education%20Pages/Community%20Planning%20Report%203.11/community%20%20planning%20presentation%203.11.pdf?sessionid=47ffecc35e244b90b9af76f0

Walker notifies unions of layoffs, but gives Democrats 15 days to reverse move

Walker notifies unions of layoffs, but gives Democrats 15 days to reverse move
By Patrick Marley and Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel

Madison — Gov. Scott Walker notified unions Friday of impending layoffs if a budget-repair bill isn't passed in the next 15 days, even as both Republicans and Democrats showed signs of moving from their entrenched positions as they try to break a stalemate that has lasted nearly three weeks.

Walker warned Thursday that he would issue the notices on Friday that would affect up to 1,500 state employees. The actual notices, however, did not spell out how many people could be laid off, and a spokesman for the governor said the layoffs could be reduced by employee retirements.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/117405123.html

Village Council looks at Preliminary Budget Numbers

Village Council looks at Preliminary Budget Numbers
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ - With the Village budget set to increase 7.81% the Village Council has started the process of working down the budget increase to get it within a 2% state-mandated cap. The council is expected to pass a resolution allowing it to raise the budget by 3.5 % ,however passing this measure would not necessarily mean the budget will come in over the 2% cap.

The Village needs to cut at least $377,000 from the current preliminary budget numbers. Village Manager Ken Gabbert told the Ridgewood News that at the same time that at this time last year,the Village was looking at a 13.4% budget increase . Measures were taken including employee layoffs that brought the increase down to a still sizable increase of 4.79% . No layoffs have been discussed so far this year.

Governor Christie’s Budget Adds $4.7 Million for Local Schools

March 04, 2011

Governor Christie’s Budget Adds $4.7 Million for Local Schools
Kevin O’Toole

Dear Friend:

I am pleased to announce that the proposed state budget for the next fiscal year projects that the towns in District 40 will receive at least an additional $4,703,383 in education aid, almost doubling the total for the thirteen towns in Legislative District 40 and netting $10,693,293.

This additional aid will be applied as badly needed additional property tax relief.

The supplementary aid for our schools is included in a budget that spends less for the second year in a row and cuts business taxes to create jobs and help spur economic recovery. The Governor’s plan is more equitable because it provides increased school aid for every single school district in the state, rural, suburban and urban, not just the select few urban districts.

The tough choices made last year by Governor Christie and the Legislature to bring about fiscal discipline has created the opportunity for the increase in school aid this year. In my role as a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee I will search for any further amounts that can enhance education aid for our schools.

The additional school aid plan would provide local schools with the following additional amounts:

School District School Aid Increase ($)
CEDAR GROVE TWP $244,259
FRANKLIN LAKES BORO $251,625
LITTLE FALLS TWP $123,778
MAHWAH TWP $554,386
MIDLAND PARK BORO $191,303
OAKLAND BORO $251,532
RIDGEWOOD VILLAGE $849,425
RINGWOOD BORO $201,584
VERONA BORO $275,172
WANAQUE BORO $145,530
WAYNE TWP $1,290,732
WYCKOFF TWP $324,057

Projected 8.9 percent increase in N.J. pension bills underscores need for reform, treasurer says

Projected 8.9 percent increase in N.J. pension bills underscores need for reform, treasurer says
Jarrett Renshaw/Statehouse Bureau

TRENTON — Local governments and school districts will see their pension bills climb by 8.9 percent next year, according to figures released Friday by the state Department of Treasury.
The steep rise follows an even bigger 22 percent increase in the local pension bill for 2011. State Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said the increases underscore the need for lawmakers to pass the pension reforms proposed by Gov. Chris Christie.

"Without passage of the governor’s reform package, local taxpayers will put almost $1 billion more into public employee pension funds over the next five years," Treasurer Andrew Sidamon-Eristoff said. "The cost of local pension contributions in 2011 and 2012 illustrates again the high cost of doing nothing about pension and benefit cost inflation."

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/03/nj_pension_bills_to_rise_by_89.html

Welcome Home, Democrats

Welcome Home, Democrats
BY PAUL ARONSOHN

It warmed my heart. It gave me hope.

When thousands of police officers and firefighters converged on the state capitol yesterday, they were greeted by scores of Democratic legislators. From Barbara Buono to Paul Sarlo … from Bonnie Watson Coleman to Joe Cryan -- the Democrats were out in full force to welcome NJ’s finest with words of support and gratitude.

In many respects, it was a flashback to an earlier time – when Democrats would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with union workers, particularly those who put their lives on the line every day. The banners and signs. The adrenaline-filled speeches. The solidarity between Democrats and the hardworking people they represent. It was all there, and it was all good.

Sadly, however, it was all too unfamiliar as well.

For the past year, my Party has largely stood on the sidelines as union workers were vilified and scapegoated. Silent and passive, many Democrats did nothing as others attacked the very people at the center of our Party. No defense. No counteroffensive. No nothing. During the past year’s great debate over worker’s rights and responsibilities, the Democrats – by and large – refused to show up.

This is not to suggest that all Democrats have abandoned the cause. Some of our legislators not only get it; they have also demonstrated their willingness to passionately fight for it.

And this is not to suggest that Democrats and union members should agree with each other on each and every issue and negotiating position. Quite the contrary. The Democratic Party is as diverse as union membership, and thus, disagreements over the particulars are not uncommon.

http://www.politickernj.com/45532/welcome-home-democrats

Hydrant pressure near Ridgewood High School causes concern

Hydrant pressure near Ridgewood High School causes concern
the Staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ - Former Fire Chief Jim Bombace said that low pressure at village fire hydrants could be potentially dangerous for some buildings in Ridgewood especially the high school and could in the long run increase the village’s insurance rates.According to the Ridgewood News Bombace claimed during Wednesday Village Council meeting, "regardless of the number of firefighters, if you don’t have the gallons per minute, you’re not going to put out the fire."

Bombase also claimed that during the 2008 ISO (Insurance Services Offices) review ," the water department was found to be deficient, and in going through this report I was able to determine that the reason they were deficient from the previous review, which occurred in 1988, was that there was a water supply in gallons per minute difference between 1988 and 2008," the former chief went on "Almost every hydrant they tested flowed at a lower gallon per minute than it did in 1988. The most dramatic one is at Heermance Place, in front of the high school."

The ISO standard for fire hydrant pressure is 4,500 gallons per minute, Bombace explained. In 1988, hydrant pressure was at 4,090 gallons per minute, but in 2008, when the agency tested the village’s fire hydrants again, the pressure was found to be below 1,000 gallons per hour, according to the Clancy report. ( http://realestate.northjersey.com/sales/nj-usa/list-view/commercial-type )

Frank Moritz, director of Ridgewood Water shot back , "We went out and flow tested and re-flow tested those hydrants, and part of the reason was to say that the tests that were done were wrong … We cannot go back to 1988 and find out that they were wrong." Mortiz stated that the Water Company was doing what it could to resolve this issue ,including the purchase of valve tightening equipment and the search for closed valves which could obviously impact water pressure. Moritz then insisted that additional water mains to reinforce the system may also be an additional solution.

Christie wants to grade teachers

Christie wants to grade teachers

A Christie administration task force has proposed that a combination of test scores, personal observation and school-wide performance be used in New Jersey to figure out which public school teachers are the most successful. (Fleisher, The Wall Street Journal)

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703300904576178891699058806.html?KEYWORDS=jersey

Christie: Political motivations behind delay in approving N.J. acting education chief

Christie: Political motivations behind delay in approving N.J. acting education chief

Governor Christie accused state Sen. Ronald Rice Thursday of delaying the nomination of acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf for political reasons, not because he has concerns about the appointment’s background. (Renshaw, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/politics/030311_Christie_Political_motivations_behind_delay_in_approving_NJ_acting_education_chief__.html

CantaLyrica Cabaret/Auction, Sunday March 6, Unitarian Society of Ridgewood

CantaLyrica chamber chorus will showcase the talents of its members and their guests at its annual Cabaret/Auction on Sunday, March 6. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Society, 113 Cottage Place, Ridgewood. Performances will include Broadway show tunes, folk songs, opera arias and art songs, and there will be both a silent and a service auction. Refreshments will be served. For tickets, $25 per person or $40 per pair, call 201-837-1734. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Photo Caption: Guests enjoy themselves during intermission at a past CantaLyrica Cabaret/Auction.

Abbott Schools :A patronage mill for adults and a campaign fund for Democrats to stay in power via NJEA's contributions

Abbott Schools :A patronage mill for adults and a campaign fund for Democrats to stay in power via NJEA's contributions

This is a joke. Doyne is clearly in favor of spending $22,000.00 - $25,000.00 per pupil in Abbott districts while the people who pay this bill educate their children for less than $14,000.00 per pupil.

We all know that a lack of more money is not the problem of our failing public schools but rather a monopolistic system that has become a patronage mill for adults and a campaign fund for Democrats to stay in power via NJEA's contributions to their campaigns.

Truly a travesty all around. But hey, it's for the kids.

Math Wars : Readers rate the current math program used at Somerville the worst math instruction program

Math Wars : Readers rate the current math program used at Somerville the worst math instruction program

The current math program used at Somerville is the worst math instruction program I have ever seen. I excelled at math in school. However, when I review my childrens' math homework, I often am confused by the poor wording of the problems. Worse, there are really no "lessons" or sample problems to help students understand concepts. Too often, my children and I need to use Google to understand what is being asked. What ever happened to "teaching" math? Is this what we have to look forward to at BF?

It only gets worse from where you are. The middle schools use Connected Math which just terrible.Check out the threads that started these discussions. "This just in....The middle school math program is a failing our children." and "Math Wars : Grass Roots? How about a quick review."Short of hiring your own math teacher (e.g. tutor) use the internet; the websites recommended previously are very useful; purplemath.com, etc.

Understand the grades your child gets middle school are not material. Great grades are given without actual mastery. It keeps the parents happy. Connected Math doesn't enforce depth and mastery, but only scratches the surface while jumping from subject to subject (spiraling). Unfortunately, when the kids get to high school they are not prepared which limits their chances of taking higher tracked courses; Honors & AP.

FDA pulls 500 cough, cold and allergy medications from the market

FDA pulls 500 medications from the market

Phoenix (WSYR-TV) - The federal government has pulled 500 cough, cold and allergy medications off the market. The Food and Drug Administration says the products are unapproved drugs that doctors were unknowingly prescribing.

"Back in the 30's not only did you have to show that the medication was safe but you also had to show it had some sort of efficacy and it did what it was intended to do," explained pharmacist David Dingman. "If it was medication before that time it was grandfathered in and unfortunately with the grandfathering in, there's a loophole there and the FDA is trying to close up that loophole."

The FDA's effort to close the loophole began in 2006 and the latest round targeted drugs like Pediahist, Cardec DM and Rondec. All were once popular cold medications filled at pharmacies.

http://www.9wsyr.com/mostpopular/story/FDA-pulls-500-medications-from-the-market/8i5aEO6Dj0u3Vcari4ZkNA.cspx

Parents who didn't support the "dumb dumb" math were talked down to and ignored to promote Math program sold by the text book publishe

Parents who didn't support the "dumb dumb" math were talked down to and ignored to promote Math program sold by the text book publisher

"I was one of the parents who examined all four of the proposed elementary school math programs when they had an open house at cottage place. I voted for Singapore Math, along with many others. I have an engineering degree and know a little bit about math. Unfortunately, my vote was overruled."

"I was one of the parents from my childs elementary school selected to participate in the very first focus group. I also reviewed all of the proposed elementary at Cottage Place and presented my input at that time. I, too, felt Singapore was the best and most appropriate program for our Ridgewood students. On both occasions, my iput was ignored. Why, you ask? Because I am a highly educated, working scientist and not a math educator! I was told that I did not understand the way children learn (despite the fact that I was heavily afterschooling all of my kids in math)."

"How about the math teachers that tell a class full of parents on back to school night NOT to help their children with homework because you (the parents) won't understand it. Talk about the arrogance! The majority of parents probably have Master's degrees and NOT from Montclair."

"I do remember being talked down to by the math teacher. Sort of joking about parents not understanding new math. I may have missed something, but math is not new. The programs sold by the text book publishers are new and there is a sucker born every minute (Botsford)."

"How patronizing to pretend that parents don't understand how to teach math. I have a middle schooler and I teach him math every night. He gets NOTHING from school.I teach him and he understands."

Abbot v. Burke fact-finding hearings: It’s all over – but the final report

Abbot v. Burke fact-finding hearings: It’s all over – but the final report

The deputy attorney general was the last to speak after three weeks of hearings in the Abbott v. Burke school equity case, and she was barely into her closing statement when the judge chimed in with a question. (Mooney, NJ Spotlight)

http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0302/2248/

Poll: Support for cutting funding for N.J. state programs growing

Poll: Support for cutting funding for N.J. state programs growing

New Jersey voters are more likely to support cutting funding for state programs than they were a year ago, according to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll released Thursday morning. (Friedman, The Record)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/politics/030311_Poll_Support_for_cutting_funding_for_NJ_state_programs_growing.html

N.J. Senate Dem leader: Benefits costs breaking budgets

N.J. Senate Dem leader: Benefits costs breaking budgets

The leader of the New Jersey Senate says pension and health care benefits for the average public safety worker cost local governments $47,000 a year. He says those costs will cause the systems to collapse unless workers start paying more. (The Associated Press)

http://www.northjersey.com/news/state/politics/030211_NJ_Senate_Dem_leader_Benefits_costs_breaking_budgets.html

Christie says NJ ready to invest in rail tunnel

Christie says NJ ready to invest in rail tunnel

Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday that he's ready to invest in a rail tunnel between New Jersey and New York, but only if the project is a good deal for New Jersey taxpayers. (The Associated Press)


http://online.wsj.com/article/APb614d81b7f5f4579b9ed24ef649f61b7.html

Connected and enVision Math a boom for the math tutoring business

Connected and enVision Math a boom for the math tutoring business

Wow, it sure is a "I told you so" moment. Sad how educators are ruining education from Ridgewood to NYC all in the name of, "it's for the children."

Regina has to go and Daniel has to fix this pronto. Not another year should go by with our children being subjugated to either Connected or enVision Math.

Write the cost of both programs off, admit our mistake and implement Singapore Math ASAP. Then parents, teachers and even older siblings will be able to help our kids learn math.

A friend of mine sarcastically quipped that he loves these new crappy math programs. That's because he owns a math tutoring business.

The marketplace never lies. Create a demand and it will be filled. My friends business is booming. Way to go Regina I had know idea your goal was to create more jobs in the private sector. And all this time I had you pegged as a lefty liberal. My bad. Sorry.