MILLBURN, NJ -- Millburn High School (MHS) is hosting its HackMHS, a 24-hour invention marathon on April 19-20. The event features industry professionals and university professors giving workshops on STEM-related topics like Machine Learning, Financial Technology and more.
According to Zayn Rekhi, “In 2022, Joey Sorkin, Saaz Mahadkar and I revitalized HackMHS after the COVID pandemic. After launching last year’s HackMHS from scratch, we and our team of organizers developed crucial experience and skills for organizing hackathons.” He continued, “We believe that with the massive success of HackMHS last year, as well as our gained experience, we will be able to make HackMHS IX the biggest yet. Last year, dozens of awe-inspiring projects were created through HackMHS, and this year, we hope to inspire others to create countless more.”
Rekhi reported that HackMHS is organized by a team of high school students and high school administrators. “Joey, Saaz and I are among the lead organizers of the event. We have been planning and organizing this event since January, and are very excited to see it all come together.” He also mentioned the other student organizers: David Man, Elise Samson, Aarav Dugar, Adi Mittal, Alex Wong, Cindy Chen, Emily Dong, Hendry Xu, Lexie Lee, Richard Dong, Ritvik Gupta, Sana Sinha and Terrance Yang. The HackMHS student organizers, who are in grades nine to 12, have been collaborating with their sponsors, the Millburn Education Foundation, Librehacks, Major League Hacking, and Codecrafters.
MHS' Robotics mentor Hilton Seibert is the advisor for the event. Rekhi mentioned that they have also received help from and are working with many other teachers and administrators at MHS.
Rekhi mentioned that the event activities will include workshops hosted by STEM experts, 3D printers and laser cutters, meals and swag. $3,000 worth of prizes will be given out to winners, including 3D printers, smart drones and smart earbuds.
“You do not need coding experience to participate in the event. There will be many workshops that will teach skills to make inventions and many experienced mentors throughout the 24 hours to help develop participants' projects. We hope to have every participant leave HackMHS with something they are proud of,” Rekhi said.
HackMHS will be an overnight event at Millburn High School from 6:00 p.m. on April 19 to 8:30 p.m. on April 20. Sign up at hackmhs.com.
The entire event is planned by students and free. Chaperones will be in attendance.
You can follow the event at instagram @hackmhs
]]>KENILWORTH, NJ - Harding Elementary School and David Brearley Middle High School will be closed for Spring Break from Friday, March 29th through Friday, April 5th.
Both schools will reopen on Monday, April 8th.
Enjoy the break!
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NEPTUNE/NEPTUNE CITY, NJ — Spring Break ‘24 begins this Friday in Neptune Township and Neptune City.
All buildings will be closed starting Friday, March 29, and will reopen on Monday, April 8.
Will the impact of snow days affect the last day of school?
In Neptune Township, the last day of school is on Thursday, June 20.
In Neptune City, students will make up a snow day on Friday, May 24, which will be an early dismissal.
The tentative last day of school is now on Friday, June 14.
You can view Neptune City’s school calendar here and Neptune Township’s here.
]]>BERNARDSVILLE, NJ - The Somerset Hills School District is examining the feasibility of installing permanent poles and upgraded LED lights at Olcott Field, to replace the current portable lights.
Below you will find a link to a stakeholder survey. This survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. It will assist in the continued examination of installing permanent poles and upgraded LED lights at Olcott Field. The District appreciates your time and participation in this endeavor.
https://somersethills.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3rqsUNzbXGlJGV8
]]>HACKENSACK, NJ - A member of the Hackensack Public Schools' custodial staff has been arrested, according to the school's website.
There is no mention of specific charges. TAPinto has reached out to the Hackensack Police and to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office for more information.
The individual has been placed on administrative leave and has not been back in the district since the arrest.
Posted on School website:
"As you may be aware, on March 26, 2024 the District was informed of the arrest of a member of our custodial staff at Hackensack Public Schools. Immediately upon being informed of the incident, this individual was placed on administrative leave from the District, pending the investigation and action by the Hackensack Police Department and/or the Bergen County Prosecutor's Offices. The employee has not returned to the District since their arrest on March 26, 2024. Should the charges against the employee be substantiated, the district will move forth swiftly with termination from all employment within the District.
"The District continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. At this time, we are unable to provide any additional information or comments. All further questions regarding this matter should be directed to the Hackensack Police Department and/or the Bergen County Prosecutor's Offices. Should any additional information or updates be provided that we are able to communicate, we will do so at that time."
KENILWORTH, NJ - Please see the following message regarding the upcoming solar eclipse from Kenilworth's Superintendent of Public Schools, Kyle C. Arlington.
Dear School Community,
Our teachers actively work to connect instruction to students’ daily lives with lessons in physical, biological, and earth & space science.
Now, they can teach students about a rare scientific phenomenon as it unfolds. New Jersey will experience a solar eclipse on the afternoon of Monday, April 8. It won’t be a total eclipse, but it will be close: The sun will be about 90% blocked by the moon.
As part of our instruction, we are reminding students not to look directly at the sun during the eclipse. We encourage you to reinforce these reminders at home. NASA is a great source for safety tips and general information about the solar eclipse.
Students across grade levels will already have been dismissed when the solar eclipse is at its peak. However, we are planning for a timely and swift dismissal in the elementary grades on April 8. Further, Harding School will dismiss 5 minutes early. Parents and guardians are asked to be prepared to pick up their children at 2:55 PM.
Please send a note if you plan to pick up your child early that day. Further, we ask that you pick up before 2:30 (at Harding School) to avoid interrupting the operations of our end-of-day dismissal.
Also, note that Brearley sports practices and schedules will begin at 4:30 that day, and a scheduled track meet has been moved from April 8 to April 10. More information may come from your child’s coach(es).
Thank you for supporting scientific learning at school and home.
Enjoy the upcoming Spring Break.
Sincerely,
Kyle C. Arlington
Superintendent of Schools
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]]>WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the district’s base budget and the inclusion of the additional spending proposal, which is a ballot question that will be voted on by residents at the board’s election on April 16, at its meeting Tuesday.
For the past several weeks, the board hosted a series of budget presentations to explain what’s covered under the base budget and what the additional spending proposal would include.
Before voting on the final base budget, board members Robert Benacchio and Sahar Aziz individually expressed their support of the budget.
“When I started on the board, our process was a cut-and-fit process. How do we cut things and how do we fit them under cap?” Benacchio said.
“We have changed that in a very short span of time due to a lot of dedication, a lot of leadership and a lot of changes in philosophy and establishment of goals, to a mold-and-shape budget,” he said. “Molding the budget to fit goals that, we are taking the time across all departments, to shape and to prepare.”
Aziz added that the school district still faces challenges and restrictions despite the town’s wealth.
“I think what often happens is one makes assumptions that if the town is wealthy, then the school district is well-funded … I just hope that people do dig into the budget and ask the right questions, and you will realize that, the way I characterize it, is we are in a wealthy town with a school district that is not matched in terms of the resources that it should have and people expect it to have,” Aziz said.
Aziz said the base budget and additional spending proposal served as an investment into the students of Westfield.
“It is not a lack of expertise, or a lack of ambition or a lack of competency within the school district, it’s a lack of resources,” Aziz said. “As a parent and as a resident, any increase in taxes I have to pay is an investment in all of our children’s education. I don’t see it as a burden, I see it more as an investment.”
Final Base Budget – $131,545,336
The final base budget, which is represented by the blue portion of the graph pictured above, is what the board approved on Tuesday.
What’s Covered?
Additional Spending Proposal – $1,675,397
The additional spending proposal, which is represented by the red and green portions of the graph pictured above, is what the public will vote for on April 16.
What’s Covered?
Under “Educational Continuity”
Under “Budget Enhancements”
If residents vote in favor of the additional spending proposal, it will be added to the final base budget for a total of $ $133,220,733.
If the additional spending proposal is voted down, then the retention of seven current teachers, the addition of new positions and the list of proposed program enhancements will not be covered in the budget.
Potential Tax Impact for 2024-2025
Under the Base Budget
The tax levy for the adjusted 2.62% cap (blue portion) will be $11,322, which is an increase of $182 from last year.
If approved, the additional spending proposal of 1.49% (red and green portion) will add an additional $165 to the total tax increase.
$347 would be the total tax increase for the average taxpayer in Westfield.
Important Budget Vote Information
April 16 – Residents will then have the opportunity to vote for board candidates and on the Additional Spending Proposal, but not the base budget.
For more information on the 2024-2025 school district operating budget, click here.
]]>HOBOKEN, NJ - A 23.35 percent increase to the tax levy has been proposed in the Hoboken Public School District’s (HPSD) preliminary budget for the 2024/2025 school year which was introduced at this month’s Board of Education meeting.
The proposed budget, which currently totals $88.3 million would see Hoboken property tax payers burdened with an annual tax increase of $632 each.
Dr. Christine Johnson, the superintendent of the HPSD, said the budget was in its tentative stage and that it included all potential expenditures prior to reductions or cuts. The proposed tax levy increase could therefore change before the formal presentation of the budget on April 16th.
Increases to the HPSD’s tax levy have been kept to just over five percent on average each year since the 2019/2020 school year, despite a loss of $2.9 million in school aid — cuts which have come to an end this year.
Presenting the budget for initial approval at the last BOE meeting, Johnson explained that it reflects the movement of items that were previously covered in federal COVID grants and are now being put back into the general budget. She also outlined how the budget includes contracts that “demonstrate the HPSD’s gratitude to teachers willing to put students at the forefront of their lives during the pandemic.”
Other factors such as inflationary pressures on insurance and utility bills, aging facilities, and increased enrollment were cited as some of the reasons for this year’s sudden sharp increase in the tax levy.
She added that the budget reflects school buildings that "are aging and in desperate need of maintenance and repairs," noting that the average age of three of five buildings is over 100 years old.
Johnson also said the school district had a banked cap of $164.8 million.
Included in the tax levy is $3.4 million for staff salaries and just over $1 million for staff health benefits, which equates to 5.8 percent and 1.81 percent respectively, of the total 24.35 percent increase. New staff salaries and benefits account for 3.26 percent and 0.92 percent of the tax levy respectively, said Johnson.
Facilities, which include costs such as utilities, maintenance, cleaning, plumbing, and masonry repairs, make up 3 percent of the tax levy.
“Utility costs are extremely high this year, and we are anticipating that they are going to be high again next year,” said Superintendent Dr. Johnson.
The special education part of the budget increased by $1.17 million, reflecting a 2 percent increase in the tax levy, which includes cuts that were already made.
Joyce Goode, the Business Administrator for the HPSD, said: “We will continue to look at this budget, and if there’s any way possible that we can reduce it we will reduce it.”
“The original tax levy was a lot higher than this," she added. "So painfully we did reduce it down to this level and if there’s any way possible by way of grant or state aid that may come towards us like it did last year after the budget was struck we will certainly bring that information to you."
While it was “quite a large tax increase”, Goode acknowledged, "when looked at each category, one could see that there was “basically no fluff” in the budget and that it was “very streamlined.”
President of the BOE, Ailene McGuirk, said: “We’ve had several years of very low tax increases. Anyone who pays bills at home has seen bills go up, whether it’s your homeowners' insurance, your car insurance, health insurance, utility bills have definitely gone up.”
McGuirk noted that school districts were not insulated from the inflationary pressures that have led to increases in utilities and insurance bills.
The budget reflects “the type of programs that are being delivered plus the intense increase in enrollment that has been had over the last seven to eight years with an obligation to instruct every single child that enrolls regardless of their needs," McGuirck concluded.
]]>CLARK, NJ — The Arthur L. Johnson (ALJ) High School Counseling Department is sponsoring a college panel discussion followed by a mini-college fair on April 16. The panel starts at 6 p.m. in Room 33.
Representatives from Savannah School of Art and Design, Moravian University, University of Massachusetts, and Rutgers University will address the application process, essays, SAT/ACT, current college trends, financial aid, and more.
Applying to college can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be if you get advice from the experts. The goal is to make the application process as clear as possible. Students and parents will have the opportunity to ask questions and bring up topics of interest.
From 6:30-8:30 p.m., a mini-college fair will be held in the lower gym. Mr. Andrew Amendola, Director of School Counseling Services, said, "It's exciting to be able to host professionals from colleges, universities, and the trades. We hope their expertise can help our students and their families as they explore life after high school."
A list of suggested questions for the representatives will be provided along with bags at entrance to the cafeteria. Parents and students from surrounding towns and schools are welcome to participate in the fair.
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]]>CRANFORD, NJ – At the March 25 Cranford Board of Education meeting, Dr. Scott Rubin announced that Anthony Good will be the new assistant principal of Cranford High School, effective July 1, 2024. He will be succeeding Gary Sorrentino, who recently retired.
“There's an old saying about how we wind up being exactly where we are supposed to be,” said Good, who currently serves as the supervisor of fine and performing arts. “I couldn't be more of a believer in this since coming to Cranford. Working with the administrative team, teachers, community members, and families in this community has been the highlight of my career. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to continue to build on these relationships already established in my new role as assistant principal.”
At the meeting, Rubin joked that it had been hard to call him “Mr. Good” because he'd been calling him “Tony Great” for a while. Good has served in his current role since August 2023. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Good was a music teacher for twelve years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Outside the education field, Mr. Good has held leadership positions with BD Entertainment, serving as the manager and now director for the New York Giants Drumline.
Good earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership at William Paterson University, a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education at Lebanon Valley College and was a quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award in 2014.
“I am grateful to have built relationships with stakeholders across the district and local community,” said Good about his time in Cranford. “I am proud of the work done with Cranford’s top-notch fine and performing arts team, and look forward to continuing those collaborations while assisting in providing a smooth transition in leadership and continued success for students and staff.”
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SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — For the second consecutive year, the Livingston High School (LHS) chess team returned from the 2024 New Jersey State Championships with the state title and is aiming for success in the National High School Chess Championship in April after placing second in the team’s inaugural season in 2023.
During Monday’s Livingston Township Council meeting, the mayor and council issued proclamations to varsity and junior varsity chess team members as well as head coach William Peklo in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments and the pride the LHS chess program has brought to the community in recent years. Assemblywoman Rosie Bagolie, a fellow Livingston resident and former township council member, also presented the team with a similar proclamation from the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly.
On behalf of the entire team, co-captain Eric Guo expressed gratitude toward Coach Peklo, who is a special education teacher in the LHS Math Department and was named LHS Teacher of the Year in 2020.
“Without him, this season would not have been so successful,” said Guo. “Mr. Peklo has not only mentored us, coached us, and inspired us, he has also fed us very delicious pizza, and he epitomizes dedication. In fact, the week of the state tournament, Mr. Peklo was expecting a baby, and he still came with us for both days of the tournament, and he managed to watch us win the state championship for the second year in a row.”
Although LHS has had a chess club since 2015, a competitive chess team did not exist until the 2022-2023 season. Thanks to a handful of current team members who petitioned the Livingston Board of Education (LBOE) as incoming freshmen to support the establishment of an official team, the LHS chess team now has players in the double digits and continues to grow each year.
Peklo, who welcomed his second child shortly after the chess team’s state championship win, jumped at the opportunity to lead the newly formed team and has since been instrumental in the growth of the LHS chess program.
In the 2023-2024 winter season alone, LHS chess team co-captain Roger Zhang explained that the team went undefeated in regular season play and earned high marks in several prestigious tournaments.
“I have with me a plaque of a major team tournament in the U.S.—actually one of the biggest in the nation—called the World Amateur Team Championship,” Zhang said of one of the team’s greatest accomplishments this season. “We out-competed many other stronger teams to win the Best High School Team award for the club, which we are extremely proud of.”
In addition to accepting the township’s team proclamation, Peklo also received a special gift from the team.
The LHS chess team will compete in the national competition in Batlimore over spring break in April.
Student members of the varsity and junior varsity teams who were honored on Monday are listed below:
Varsity: Eric Guo (captain), Haari Muthukumar (captain), Aston Roberts (captain), Roger Zhang (captain), Quan Tran, Lev Koganov, Claire Cheng, Tom Kunisky, Matt Ge, George Cui and Lucas Xiong
Junior Varsity: Benjamin Murkis, Sam Israel, Aayush Saxena, Elias Chen, Jerry Ji, Xander Luo, Aviral Bhardwaj and Abhimaan Chandan
]]>SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ - With South Plainfield facing a nearly 22-percent decrease in state aid for the upcoming school year, district officials last week announced changes to the student transportation policy.
Effective the start of the 2024-2025 school year, busing will only be provided for pre-K through fourth grade students who reside over 2 miles from their zoned school.
“Over the years, the student population has grown and the demand for transportation, along with the cost for in-district operations of transportation and out-of-district transportation contracts, has increased,” said Superintendent Dr. Noreen Tansey during the March 20 South Plainfield Board of Education (SPBOE) meeting. “Although we had hoped to hold off on enacting the change until the 2025-2026 school year, this funding loss has fast-tracked the change and will become effective for September 2024..."
According to Tansey, the change, which is in accordance with the New Jersey’s Student Transportation Act, will affect ‘a small portion’ of the district’s 3,681 students with just under 200 pre-K through fourth graders no longer eligible for busing. It will neither affect 5th through 8th graders (as the distance was already set at 2 miles) nor 9th through 12th graders (as the distance will remain at 2.5 miles). Additionally, it will also not affect those who receive transportation for program-driven needs.
“I realize this will be a hardship for some of our South Plainfield families. However, the district can no longer continue the courtesy busing mileage totals and will be utilizing the state-regulated total for the grades mentioned," said the superintendent.
For 2024-2025, the South Plainfield School District anticipates a state aid reimbursement of just under $12.8 million - a nearly $3.6 million reduction from the current year’s allotment of approximately $16.4 million. As a result, the district, in an effort to offset the deficit, will also be reallocating funding as well as scaling down or postpone projects. Class sizes, however, will not be affected.
“The task was not easy," said Tansey. "The costs of running the district and for us to provide our students with the best possible education and facilities conducive to a productive learning environment continue to rise."
SPBOE member Doug Chapman commended district leaders and fellow board members for their efforts to ‘minimize the negative impact’ but expressed his disapproval of the governor’s decision to cut South Plainfield’s funding while increasing that of other districts 'by astronomical amounts.'
“Tonight, we had to take the first step in taking away the courtesy busing that we have been fortunate to offer for as long as I can remember. Because of the decision [the governor] made, we also have to backburner projects we were doing to make our school district better,” Chapman said during the meeting.
“I think it is extremely irresponsible of the governor to cut out funding the way that he did... He went out and grandstanded about this tremendous increase in public funding, something like $90 million...and to turn around and cut our district $3.5 million...is irresponsible, and in my opinion, pathetic...” he added.
]]>SPARTA, NJ - Ashley Crane is the class of 2024 valedictorian. Throughout her career at Sparta High School she has achieved so much from captaining three varsity teams to finding her passion for biology. Crane will be moving on to Colgate University where she will be majoring in biology. In addition she will also be running division one cross country and track.
Crane found her love for biology through AP biology offered at Sparta High School. Before taking this class Crane said, “science was always my least favorite subject…AP biology completely changed my opinion.”
“Taking AP biology piqued her interest and loved how it could be applied to various different aspects of life,” Crane said.
Crane said it was this course made her decision to major in biology at college. Asside from biology Crane looked forward to Brian Brennan’s class. Crane said she has always had a love for history and Brennan embraced this.
She said, “I love his teaching style in the way that he tells everything like a story…I never feel like I’m just sitting in a boring lecture. He tells us many interesting tidbits to help us understand what we are discussing, and I have learned so much from him. Mr. Brennan’s class is the one class that I always know will make me smile and laugh.”
She has enjoyed many of Brennan’s courses over her years at Sparta High School.
Outside the classroom, Crane is the captain of cross country, winter track and spring track. She joined the cross country team in her sophomore year and quickly fell in love. She demonstrates leadership and has positively influence many of the underclassmen.
Sharing her passion for running, Crane frequently volunteers at the Sparta Middle School cross country and track meets where she leads them through the different courses and events.
Over the summer, Crane also volunteers at Robert Gilmartin’s week-long track camp held at Sparta high school for grades two through nine.
Crane enjoys downtime by baking delicious treats and spending her spare time reading, she said.
As Crane says goodbye to Sparta High School, she would like to leave some advice to younger students. She would advise them to always take classes that interest them or get involved in activities that they like because it will make everything easier if you enjoy what you are learning. She would tell younger students to get involved in sports and clubs because she has made so many special connections through things like sports.
“Some of my best friends I have met throughout high school and have been through sports, and a lot of them aren’t in my grade. If it wasn’t for my participation in these sports, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to make these connections,” Crane said.
In addition to this she would tell them “not to worry or sweat every little thing that happens” in high school.
“It’s so important to remember that this is okay. You can’t be the best at everything, and it’s perfectly fine to not always do your best. One bad grade won’t make or break your high school career,” Crane said.
Overall, Ashley would like to tell younger students “just to have fun.”
Crane said, “High school goes by so fast, and it is going to be over before you know it… Make the most out of your time here at Sparta, because time flies.”
The Class of 2024 Top 10 students will each be featured in their own article. They are, in alphabetical order provided by the guidance department:
Princeton, NJ – A team of Princeton High School students, working on a project to help preserve an endangered indigenous language, has been named one of 10 finalists in the national Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. The Princeton team, led by high school science teacher Mark Eastburn includes three students who speak the Mam language, a Mayan language spoken in Guatemala.
Videos submitted by all 10 finalists, including Princeton, can be found at the Samsung website.
For more information on the Princeton project, click here.
The 10 national finalist schools will be invited to Washington, D.C., to pitch their solutions. The national winner will earn a $100,000 prize package of Samsung products and classroom materials of the school's choice. The “pitch and reveal” events will be live-streamed on Monday and Tuesday, April 29 and 30.
Visitors to the site can vote for the winner of the Community Choice award, who will earn an additional $10,000 in Samsung technology products. Visitors are allowed one vote per day through April 23.
To receive once-a-day updates on stories of community interest, click here to subscribe to TAPinto Princeton’s free e-mail newsletter.
]]>BLOOMINGDALE, NJ - Bloomingdale PTA announces the Teacher's Grant Program for trimester 3.
Grant can provide: recreational programs, STEM activities, physical development, social-emotional learning, language development.
Applications will be open from March 29th until May 3rd.
For more information visit: http://bloomingdalepta.org/grants-scholarships
]]>SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – During the March 21 Board of Education (BOE) meeting, half a dozen residents each read a portion of a legal report written by an attorney explaining why Principal Frank Sanchez should be reinstated because their findings indicate that the “evidence” against him was distorted and some was fabricated. The portion of the report read at the meeting is available in the photo carousel above.
The report states, “The complainant specifically requested Principal Sanchez to be involved in a meeting regarding her school placement after this alleged incident occurred. Indeed, upon receipt of an audio record of that interaction and on October 19, 2023, Principal Sanchez had made during their meeting, it is very clear the complainant did not feel that she was in danger.” See report attached.
Other residents also spoke in favor of Sanchez, and a group of parents have created a Friends of Frank organization.
Kathy Greenstone commented, “The unethical actions of just a few adults have done grave harm to Frank Sanchez, a good person and dedicated educator. The fact that this injustice is coming from within our own school district is a true crisis that must be addressed.” She continued, “A former board member who presented herself as a loud advocate for justice has instead created chaos by ignoring the direction of our school district's attorneys, engaging in improper behavior and leaking privileged and misleading documents.”
Greenstone also remarked that the former board member who leaked confidential BOE documents needs to be investigated, and Sanchez should be exonerated and reinstated.
Mary Ellen Dawkins then read a statement on behalf of Stephanie Nasteff-Pilato, “I am deeply disturbed by the clear dysfunction that has contributed to destabilizing our district fiscally and administratively, a breakdown in trust between the BOE and the former super has added up to chaos on every front and the duplicity of the former board member who acted unethically and unchecked.” She added, “An effort to malign the career of an excellent educator and critical member of our school community is beyond troubling, and the complicity of the former board president and allowing this circus to proceed is unconscionable.”
Nasteff-Pilato’s statement spoke of Sanchez being a wonderful leader during the pandemic. She noted, “Before Frank began at CHS in 2020, the kids had been disappearing into their beanbag chairs and going cross-eyed on their screens. During hours upon hours of online classes.” She described how Sanchez sent encouraging emails during the pandemic, and once the students returned to school, Sanchez greeted students by name as they arrived at school and improved morale with his energy and enthusiasm.
Jocelyn Ryan then read comments from “black female Columbia High School students” who graduated recently. The alumnae all praised Sanchez and reported that he was always willing to help.
People in the audience held up signs reading “Justice for Mr. Sanchez,” another testament to his popularity. Students and parents have attended multiple BOE meetings to support the beloved former principal.
“Our teachers are working in conditions of uncertainty and fear right now. We might not always agree on everything, but at the end of the day, seen and unseen teachers do so much, including regularly stepping in to prevent fights or break up fights, sometimes right outside their classroom doors.” Sarah Iozzio pointed out.
She added, “Imagine if the staff feels worried about their employment or if they feel afraid of being judged without fairness and transparency as they watched this episode unfold around Frank and exploited students being used to create chaos.”
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BARNEGAT - Barnegat High School senior Julia Brown, was honored recently.
Brown was the first place Optimist Essay winner in the Atlantic Central District Essay Contest.
Julia also received a $2,500 scholarship for her winning composition.
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BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Gifted and Talented Honors Dance Department at Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS), will be celebrating National Dance Week April 19th-28th with a dance concert choreographed by seniors in the program.
In 1981, a group of dance-related organizations realized there was a need to increase awareness of the cultural importance, impact, and benefits of dance. They founded National Dance Week as a way to bring attention to the art form and professional fields related to dance. Since then, the celebration has grown and there are currently over a thousand events held nationwide each year to commemorate the week.
One of those events is the Dance Concert at SCVTHS. The performance will feature multiple genres and styles of dance which have been choreographed by students who will be graduating from the program this year. The student choreographers are: Chayse Ankrah-Hardy of Basking Ridge; Jenna-Lee Butler of Hillsborough; Madison Corbett of Flemington; Emma Fisher of Lambertville; Marissa Lazovick of Branchburg; and Caroline Morrow of Bridgewater.
The choreographers are eager to share the performances they have created.
“Getting to share our passion for dance within all the different styles is really cool” said Lazovick, adding “I think dance is such an expressive art form.” Fisher is excited to “share the passion with others” and hopes that “people feel something when we dance.” Butler agreed, adding “I feel that my choreography lets me share the joy that I get from dance with everyone else.”
In addition to the creative aspects, the students also gained insight into the process of developing a dance, in particular, how much work goes into each performance. “I never knew exactly the process my dance teachers went through before I had to choreograph a piece by myself,” Morrow said.
Sheila Sullivan, SCVTHS Dance Department coordinator is proud to support National Dance Week, and is equally proud of the students in the program. “Dance is a challenging career, but I can think of no other career that brings the demands, the rewards and the joy that this field brings. Our dancers are some of the best in the area, and that takes commitment, perseverance, and a love for the art form.” Sullivan said, noting that the rigor of the Gifted and Talented Honors Dance curriculum has guided many students towards a career in dance during the 40 years that the SCVTHS program has been in existence.
The Dance Concert will have two performances at 7:30 p.m. on April 26th and April 27th in the SCVTHS school auditorium, located at 14 Vogt Drive. Admission is $15.
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MAHOPAC, N.Y. -- Mahopac Central School District's new Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program lottery is now open after the school board voted to approve the program on Tuesday (March 26). The district says it's able to provide free UPK "through State Aid that can only be used for this purpose, which results in no cost to taxpayers."
Information can be found at https://www.mahopac.org/page/universal-pre-k-upk.
Mahopac will provide UPK — free full-day pre-kindergarten — to 148 children selected through a random lottery system; the lottery is necessary because the number of Universal Pre-Kindergarten seats is limited.
Children are eligible for UPK if their parent/guardian resides in the Mahopac school district and if the child will turn 4 years of age on or before December 1, 2024 (i.e., eligible for kindergarten in 2025-26).
Parents interested in entering the UPK lottery must complete the form linked here (and available on the page above). The application process started today and runs through April 12. The district will accept only one form per child and will delete duplicates.
Important upcoming dates include:
March 27: Lottery Entry Form becomes available and the entry process begins,
April 12, 2024, by 4 p.m.: Deadline for completing the Lottery Entry Form.
April 15, 2024: At 9 a.m. a drawing will be conducted at Mahopac Falls School in the auditorium and will be live-streamed on the district website. Parents are welcome to attend the drawing on this date. All applicants will be notified of whether their child is selected through the lottery or placed on a waitlist.
May 3, 2024: Deadline for UPK Registration for those selected in the lottery.
UPK will be housed at Mahopac Falls School (100 Myrtle Avenue) and provided by Country Knolls, Healthy Kids Extended Day Program, and the YMCA for the 2024-25 school year. The program runs Monday - Friday from September to June.
For more information, visit https://www.mahopac.org/page/universal-pre-k-upk.
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RAHWAY, NJ — Balloons bobbed in the air between bouquets of flowers, amidst a decidedly celebratory spirit, on Tuesday evening, in the Rahway High School Performing Arts Center, as the Rahway Board of Education (BOE) formally appointed Dr. Aleya Shoieb the new superintendent of the Rahway Public Schools. Her contract runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2028.
Shoieb had previously served in an assistant and acting superintendent role for the district. Prior to that, she served as the principal of Franklin Elementary School, coming to Rahway just six years ago.
But the story that culminates with her appointment as superintendent on March 26 arguably begins back on February 7, 2023, at the Rahway BOE caucus meeting that informed the community that the district's current superintendent, Dr. Patricia Camp, had commenced a leave of absence and that Shoieb, employed by the Rahway Public Schools since 2018, had been appointed to step in as the acting superintendent.
One month later, at its next caucus meeting on April 4, the BOE formally appointed Shoieb as assistant superintendent for the Rahway Public Schools.
To date, no explanation has been offered for Dr. Camp's leave of absence. She has continued to be paid by the district since her leave began. Her five-year contract expires on June 30, 2024. In January, the BOE read a resolution announcing its intention not to renew her contract.
This past Tuesday, all nine members of the Rahway BOE were in attendance. When the vote for Shoieb's appointment came up, all members voted in the affirmative, some with notably vocal enthusiasm, with two exceptions. Both Carlos Garay and Bernard Robson abstained, citing conflicts of interest.
President Joseph Toma, speaking on behalf of the Rahway BOE, said, "It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of honor that the Board officially appoints our outstanding new superintendent to the Rahway School District. In the journey of education, leadership plays a pivotal role, and we are truly fortunate to have found such an exceptional leader to guide us forward."
He went on, "As we embark on this new chapter together, let us embrace Dr. Shoieb’s leadership with open hearts and open minds. Let us work together, hand in hand, to fulfill our shared vision of providing every student with the opportunities, resources, and support they need to succeed."
In addition to the BOE, several members of the community and those representing the school district also came forward during the public comments (Non-Agenda Items) portion of the meeting to register their support of Dr. Shoieb and the decision by the BOE.
These included Mayor Raymond Giacobbe, Rahway Education Association President Michael Keat, Franklin Elementary School teacher Jenna Asokan, Franklin School Principal Patrick Holness, and District Testing and Data Specialist Dr. Linda Lampert.
Shoieb also offered brief remarks, thanking the BOE and the community, the teachers and administrators she's worked with, and her family, some of whom were in attendance that evening.
Dr. Shoieb's new salary was not included in the meeting minutes. TAPinto Rahway reached out to Joseph Toma to inquire about this. He stated that appointment motions do not include salaries but that the contract should have been attached to the agenda. The finished meeting minutes will include the contract attachment, he said.
According to Toma, Dr. Shoieb's annual salary for the four-year contract will be $200,000.
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]]>BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The Arc of Somerset County announces the inaugural Rockin' Breakfast Run on June 1st at Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ. This is a new twist on the Step Up for The Arc 5K Run & Walk which has provided funding for The Arc for many years. The new theme for the event will have the whole community Rockin’.
Join The Arc for a beautiful morning at scenic Duke Island Park. The 5K course is amazing and flat! It gives you the best views of Duke Island and the Raritan River and Canal. With half of the course adjacent to water, participants will surely have a peaceful morning run or walk. Participants will end the race with a one-of-a-kind finisher medal and a delicious BREAKFAST SANDWICH courtesy of Rock Deli of Bridgewater! Participants will also receive a race tee shirt or tank top. Event details and registration are here: https://runsignup.com/rockinbreakfastrun.
The annual 5K run and walk fundraiser helps support vital programs for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Somerset County. According to Christopher Corvino, Executive Director of The Arc of Somerset County, “The Arc provides a lifetime of comprehensive services, advocacy, and supports to over 1400 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities - and their families to promote growth, achievement and ongoing involvement in the community. Our services include group home and apartment locations, two day-habilitation centers, The Jerry Davis Center for Children and Families, Supported Employment and Family Support Programs, The Achievement Center at Raritan Valley Community College, and Camp Jotoni in Warren, NJ. This event serves as a major fundraiser and an opportunity to advocate side by side with those we serve, as a large group of our consumers participate in the walk.”
Event sponsors are Race Sponsors Cerminara Architect and Church & Dwight Employee Giving Fund; Breakfast Sponsor Rock Deli; Step Up Sponsors PSEG and WTW; Swag Sponsors Access Commercial Door, Deluccia Commercial Group, Nisivoccia, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset; and Community Sponsor Risk Strategies. There are still opportunities to join these outstanding organizations by contacting Lisa Fielding Clymer at LisaC@TheArcOfSomerset.org.
]]>RANDOLPH, NJ: County College of Morris (CCM) will be hosting a Spring Open House on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will offer a wealth of informative and interactive sessions and activities aimed at providing insight into the college's on-campus, hybrid and online programs.
The Open House will feature three sessions starting at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. on CCM’s campus, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph. Registration is required to attend and is now open at www.ccm.edu/admissions/visiting-us/.
Community members including high school students, their families, adult learners and Veterans are all invited to attend CCM’s Open House to learn about the highly ranked education the college provides to help individuals achieve their educational and career aspirations. During the event, attendees will have the chance to speak with faculty members and CCM’s Workforce Development team to learn about the over 100 associate degree, certificate and professional development programs offered, as well as the over 50 co-curricular clubs and Div. II/III athletic programs CCM provides for a complete college experience.
Attendees can also learn about the many resources offered to support student success, as well as the admissions, registration and financial aid process. With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form being redesigned for 2024-25, attendees can have their questions related to the new form answered. Visitors can explore the campus through tours of the college’s outstanding facilities, state-of-the-art labs and studios. Veterans and their families can also learn about CCM’s free advanced manufacturing bootcamp, degree options and support services available specifically to them.
For those interested in degree programs, application waivers will be provided at the Open House allowing attendees to apply for free. Advisors will also be available to help students register for courses as early as this summer.
For those interested in workforce development programs, CCM’s Center for Workforce Development will be available to advise and enroll students at the Open House. To enroll, there is no application necessary.
For additional details about the Open House, visit https://www.ccm.edu/open-house/. Attendees can also enter to win a $200 gift card to the CCM Campus Store.
CCM has received numerous accolades including being ranked as Best Community College in New Jersey by Best Accredited Colleges. Intelligent included the college in its list of the Top 5 Best Community Colleges in the state, as well as Best for Transfer Students in the state. Other distinctions include CCM being ranked #1 in New Jersey for Best Associate Degrees and in the Top 1.8 percent of the Best Community Colleges nationwide by Intelligent.
]]>RANDOLPH, NJ: County College of Morris (CCM) will be hosting a Spring Open House on Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will offer a wealth of informative and interactive sessions and activities aimed at providing insight into the college's on-campus, hybrid and online programs.
The Open House will feature three sessions starting at 9, 10 and 11 a.m. on CCM’s campus, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph. Registration is required to attend and is now open at www.ccm.edu/admissions/visiting-us/.
Community members including high school students, their families, adult learners and Veterans are all invited to attend CCM’s Open House to learn about the highly ranked education the college provides to help individuals achieve their educational and career aspirations. During the event, attendees will have the chance to speak with faculty members and CCM’s Workforce Development team to learn about the over 100 associate degree, certificate and professional development programs offered, as well as the over 50 co-curricular clubs and Div. II/III athletic programs CCM provides for a complete college experience.
Attendees can also learn about the many resources offered to support student success, as well as the admissions, registration and financial aid process. With the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form being redesigned for 2024-25, attendees can have their questions related to the new form answered. Visitors can explore the campus through tours of the college’s outstanding facilities, state-of-the-art labs and studios. Veterans and their families can also learn about CCM’s free advanced manufacturing bootcamp, degree options and support services available specifically to them.
For those interested in degree programs, application waivers will be provided at the Open House allowing attendees to apply for free. Advisors will also be available to help students register for courses as early as this summer.
For those interested in workforce development programs, CCM’s Center for Workforce Development will be available to advise and enroll students at the Open House. To enroll, there is no application necessary.
For additional details about the Open House, visit https://www.ccm.edu/open-house/. Attendees can also enter to win a $200 gift card to the CCM Campus Store.
CCM has received numerous accolades including being ranked as Best Community College in New Jersey by Best Accredited Colleges. Intelligent included the college in its list of the Top 5 Best Community Colleges in the state, as well as Best for Transfer Students in the state. Other distinctions include CCM being ranked #1 in New Jersey for Best Associate Degrees and in the Top 1.8 percent of the Best Community Colleges nationwide by Intelligent.
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