Author Topic: Education/Charter Schools/Testing  (Read 152660 times)

Offline Editor

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #75 on: April 06, 2011, 09:07:30 AM »
Charter school in Hackensack among 58 bids
Saturday, April 2, 2011
BY LESLIE BRODY
The Record
STAFF WRITER

Applicants hope to start one new charter school in Hackensack, one in the city of Passaic and two in Paterson, a state official said Friday.

They were among a record 58 applicants in the latest round of those seeking state approval. The Christie administration is pushing to expand quality charters, but faces opposition from critics who argue they drain resources and top students from regular public schools.

James Giokas of Washington Township is making his third bid to open Spartan Academy in Hackensack after two denials. He said the state wanted more detailed budget projections. He envisions a K-3 school that will teach Greek and extra math.

In Passaic County, applicants want to start the Passaic Dual Language Charter, Paterson Urban Music and Movement Charter and Great Falls Academy for Performing Arts.

Most applicants want to open in urban areas. Some plan to focus on business, science or even fashion. Four would immerse students in Chinese or Hebrew. Some critics have expressed concern about the growing group of "boutique" charters that cater to families' desires for specialized learning.

Supporters say charters are havens of energy, hope and innovation, especially in poor cities with failing schools. Lynne Strickland, who represents mostly suburbs as executive director of the Garden State Coalition of Schools, said she was hearing more of her members complain that charters placed in high-achieving districts amounted to an "extra tax." Charters are financed by local taxpayers but are independently operated.

She said families in troubled districts may need alternatives to traditional public schools, but successful districts could serve students better without the loss of funds to charters. Tension over their growth "has been exacerbated by cutbacks in state aid," she added. "I hear more and more from my members they would prefer not to have them."

James Crisfield, schools superintendent in Millburn, said he was frustrated that two charter applicants wanted to start Mandarin Chinese immersion elementary schools in Maplewood and Livingston that would draw from his district. His schools consistently rank among the best in the state, and he worries about losing resources.

"I don't understand why this sort of arrangement is being so vigorously pursued in Trenton because it adds more costs to the system and doesn't help us get more efficient," he said, adding that he understood the push for options in underperforming districts.

The last round of applications came in October, when 50 applicants sought approval, and almost half were accepted for future openings. Currently, 73 charters are operating statewide.

E-mail: brody@northjersey.com

Offline just watching

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #76 on: April 06, 2011, 11:58:00 AM »

What are the Charter Schools really about ?? Is it about education, or is it about immersing your child in a mono-ethnic cultural school.  Hebrew-immersion, Mandarin-immersion, now even Greek-immersion.  I can only wonder if this is part of the balkanization of America. 


 What happened to the idea that a student body hails from diversity of cultures and backgrounds, which is both a goal and a virtue..

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #77 on: May 28, 2011, 11:09:32 AM »
What court ruling does (or doesn't do) for school districts that aren't poor
Friday, May 27, 2011
BY MARK J. BONAMO
STAFF WRITER
Northern Valley Suburbanite

The New Jersey Supreme Court's May 24 decision to order Governor Christie's administration to find $500 million in additional state aid for schools in 31 relatively poorer cities led to a sigh of relief for those districts. For the rest of state's approximately 600 school districts, however, including those in Bergen County, the reaction was more a shrug of resignation as they still wonder when relief might come for them.

Governor Chris Christie holds a press conference in regards to the New Jersey Supreme Court school funding decision at the Statehouse in Trenton, N.J. on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.

The court's decision mandated that the state fully finance its 2008 school funding law, known as the School Funding Reform Act. However, the ruling stated only that funding be restored to the 31 lower-income districts known as the Abbott districts, which includes cities like Newark, Paterson and Passaic. The decision does not require the state to fully fund its aid formula for the rest of the state's districts.

Christie's decision to cut public school aid to all districts by a total of $1.7 billion last year was justified by the administration because of the effect of the recession, including lower tax revenues. The school funding reduction has led to tough decisions in all corners of the state. In Hackensack, Fairmount School Principal Joseph Cicchelli expressed his disappointment with the court decision.

"Over the last two years, I've lost my guidance counselor, I've lost teaching slots, and my classroom sizes have gone up," said Cicchelli. "We were hoping for any increase in funding, but unfortunately that kind of ruling didn't come through."

Cicchelli also expressed concern about districts like Hackensack, which sit somewhere between the upper and lower ends of the economic spectrum of New Jersey's school districts, regarding school funding decisions.

"When it comes down to decisions about money matters and politics, they have to draw a line in the sand somewhere," Cicchelli said. "Hackensack doesn't fit on either side of the line. Because we are not part of the Abbott districts, our needs aren't as great. On the other hand, we are a very diverse community, with extremely wealthy and extremely needy families. For the students that we have that come from needy families, we have to provide them with the same services as an Abbott district would."

Jan Furman, superintendent of schools for the Northern Valley Regional High School District, noted that her district has been able to maintain its staff and programs. But while the governor and lawmakers will have about a month to balance a new budget that must include the yet-to-be-found $500 million because of the state Supreme Court's decision, Furman does not expect any influx of funds into her district's coffers any time soon.

"The state is in a very difficult financial position," Furman said. "I'm just happy that we've been able to maintain our program and staff. I don't know how the state could afford to give us more aid."

Bernard Josefsberg, Leonia's school superintendent, does not begrudge the Abbott districts' good funding fortune but still feels the impact of recent funding reductions in his own district that the court ruling did not restore.

"We benefited significantly because of the School Funding Reform Act. We also received a significant reduction in state aid when he ignored that formula," said Josefsberg, commenting on a school aid cut of approximately $1 million within a year. "Because of that ruling, the governor can still ignore that formula. I'm worried that he will take advantage of this decision to further walk away from the formula as it relates to suburban districts."

No matter where municipalities sit on New Jersey's urban/suburban divide, Hackensack's Cicchelli expressed a wider concern of many educators statewide.

"When you hear politicians talk about the cost of education, they treat those costs as if we're going out and partying," said Cicchelli. "The reality is that we're in a period of conversation about reform, where we're talking about cutting back or at least limiting funding. Maybe if people finally come into the schools and see how we work with and for children, the respect for our profession will swing the funding pendulum back."

E-mail: bonamo@northjersey.com

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #78 on: June 09, 2011, 08:47:20 AM »
Hackensack school appointments unclear
Thursday, June 9, 2011
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
The Record

HACKENSACK — Several administrator and principal appointments in the school district are in limbo after the Board of Education failed to agree or act on hires and transfers this week.

The Board of Education will have to call an extra meeting this month to vote on the appointments, which include finding a replacement for outgoing Business Administrator Fred Martens and selecting principals for the Fanny Meyer Hillers School and the Jackson Avenue School.

"The district has to come back together and come back with appropriate coverage," said Assistant Superintendent Ray Gonzalez, who will become acting superintendent on July 1 when Superintendent of Schools Edward Kliszus retires.

The appointment of a new business administrator was among the items tabled or not approved during the board's contentious Tuesday night meeting, which lasted past midnight and was attended by residents who voiced their opinions about the staffing decisions. District officials had recommended that Mark Kramer, who works for the Paterson schools, be hired at an annual salary of $155,000, according to the agenda. But questions about why he was not rehired in Paterson led the action to be tabled.

"There are allegations out there that are in question that need to clarified, confirmed, or not," said board member Clarissa Gilliam Gardner.

In January, Paterson schools Superintendent Donnie Evans said he would not renew the contract of Kramer, the district's assistant superintendent for business services, as well as the business administrator, Frances Finkelstein. At the time, Evans would not comment why the two would not be rehired, beyond a prepared statement, which said they would be replaced. His decision came months after the state reviewed the district's fiscal operations.

Gonzalez, who worked with Kramer in Paterson, said the recommendation made to the Hackensack board was based on Kramer's credentials and experience in Paterson and for the state.

"To our belief he provided all of the explanations and evidence to demonstrate he was the candidate to recommend to the board," Gonzalez said.

However, Gonzalez acknowledged that although Kramer's listed references were checked, he never made a call to Evans. He said he will call Paterson before the next board meeting.

"The reason I didn't is because I had firsthand knowledge of his work," he said.


Sharing a principal

Also uncertain are the transfers of three principals at the elementary schools. Officials eliminated one principal, three assistant principals and an assistant superintendent position as a way to reduce costs in next year's budget, which led to layoffs and switches in administrative assignments. To reduce costs, the Middle School and the 5ive/6ix School will share a principal and three vice principals.

Among the transfers that the board voted down were the reassignment of Andrea Parchment from principal of Hackensack Middle School to the Jackson Avenue School; the move of Joy Dorsey-Whiting from 5ive/6ix School to Hillers; and the transfer of Judith Schuler from principal of Jackson Avenue School to assistant principal at Hillers School.

A transfer that calls for Hackensack High School Assistant Principal Gordon Whiting to teach students in Grades 5 through 8 was also voted down. The board also rejected the transfer of Mercedes Haines as assistant principal of Jackson Avenue School to an elementary school teacher.

Trustee Frank Albolino, a long-time board member who voted in favor of the transfers, criticized the other board members for not approving the changes.

"They threw the district into chaos," he said.

"I don't know what the next step is going to be. We have to do something by July 1, which is the start of the new school year," he added. "You have to have people in place to get the curriculum ready and the buildings in shape."

Gardner defended her vote, saying that she would have preferred that a new schools superintendent be hired before the principal appointments are made and the consolidation of administrators at 5ive/6ix and the middle school be approved.

"I had questions about the process and the impact to the kids in Hackensack, and that's why I voted the way I did," Gardner said.

The board did approve Tuesday the appointment of David Petrella as the new principal of the 5ive/6ix and middle schools. Petrella, who is assistant principal at Hillers, will be paid $160,909 in the post.

The appointment of a supervisor of special education was tabled, and the hiring of John Zisa, the son of former Hackensack mayor Jack Zisa, as a high school music teacher was pulled from the agenda, board members said.

E-mail: alvarado@northjersey.com

Offline Whitey

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #79 on: June 13, 2011, 06:25:24 PM »
This racist flyer is being distributed in certain areas of Hackensack..  Those involved should be ashamed and the rest of us should be disgusted.




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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #80 on: June 16, 2011, 09:50:36 AM »
Hackensack school board OKs principal transfers
Wednesday, June 15, 2011    Last updated: Wednesday June 15, 2011, 9:08 PM
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
The Record
HACKENSACK — Principals have been reassigned and a district business administrator has been hired by the Board of Education despite pleas from parents and teachers that it reconsider.

Trustees also voted Tuesday night to send a Rice notice to Superintendent of Schools Edward Kliszus to discuss the date he will retire from the district. Kliszus’ last day is scheduled for June 30.

The vote capped a heated meeting, where Trustees Clarissa Gilliam Gardner and Rhonda Bembry tried unsuccessfully several times to table agenda items that included the principal transfers and the hiring of Mark Kramer, a Paterson schools official, as business administrator.

Bembry asked why some items were being revoted on, when they failed last week. And Gardner asked why school officials and other board members did not respond to a request to meet after last week’s meeting and discuss the items that were of concern.

 “When something is tabled you table it for discussion, and that didn’t even take place,” Gardner said, to applause.

 “I understand we have urgency, I understand we have a budget, I understand all of that, but a request was made the day after, not even 24 hours after the last meeting and we all got it,” she added. “However, we didn’t have that close session meeting, so I say let’s make a motion to go into close session or make a motion to table this until we can have that discussion.”

The motion to table all of the agenda items failed twice, and some of the items once by the end of the night.

Kliszus, as superintendent, decides what is placed on the agenda. After hearing from more than a dozen parents and teachers, the items were voted on and passed. Bembry, Gardner, and Trustee Carol Martinez voted against most of the transfers.

The reassignments are due to cuts in next school year’s budget, which led to the elimination of one principal, three assistant principals and an assistant superintendent position. The district’s remaining principals are being reassigned, and some assistant principals are returning to the classroom.

Around 100 people attended Tuesday night’s meeting, which was peppered with shouts and applause from the audience and warnings by Board President Mark Stein that he would close it if the outbursts didn’t stop. Several members from the Hackensack African-American Civic Association (HAACA) and the Bergen County chapter of the NAACP were in attendance. Most of the administrators that were transferred are minorities.

Fred Wallace, a member of HAACA, said his group wants the board to reconsider its principal choice for grades 5-8. Last week, the board chose David Petrella as the new principal of the 5ive/6ix and middle schools. Petrella is currently assistant principal at Hillers elementary school.

Andrea Parchment and Joy Dorsey-Whiting, who are the principals of those schools now, are being transferred to elementary schools.

Kliszus has said moves were based on seniority, and the shifting was due to some positions being eliminated. He said the transfers were not based on race.

“No decisions regarding transfers and assignments are based on race, ever,” he said.

Some residents pointed to some principals and assistant principals who haven’t been administrators very long and are not being touched.

“That’s their opinion, it’s not based on fact,” Kliszus said.

Tekeema Allen, the mother of a 7-year old at Nellie Parker School, said she was frustrated with the Board of Education’s actions, and was encouraged to attend the meeting because she objects to so many minority administrators being moved.

 “The community is seeking strong positive role models for their students, but they continually demote and move these administrators who have a proven track record,” she said.

Kramer will replace Fred Martens, who also will depart the district this summer. Kramer, who currently is assistant superintendent of business services for the Paterson schools, will get paid $155,000 in Hackensack. His hiring was among the items tabled last week after questions were raised on why he was not rehired in Paterson. His contract in that district was not renewed months after the state reviewed the school district's fiscal operations.

Kliszus said last week that Kramer was fully vetted and fully qualified for the job, but that Assistant Superintendent Ray Gonzalez planned to call Paterson schools about his work there before Tuesday night’s meeting. Trustees did not talk about Kramer before voting to hire him on Tuesday.

E-mail: alvarado@northjersey.com

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #81 on: August 05, 2011, 12:18:11 PM »
Hackensack residents suggest uses for extra school aid
Friday, August 5, 2011
BY MARK J. BONAMO
MANAGING EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle

The powers that be at the Hackensack public school district are now deciding what to do with more than $852,000 in its collective pocket, but it is still uncertain as to how to spend it.

For Fred Wallace and Andee Post, however, the decision is clear.

"I would spend the money on the kids," said Wallace, a Hackensack resident and businessman who is a regular attendee of school board meetings. "Putting it towards property tax relief doesn't make any sense because they are going to end up raising property taxes anyway."

"Most importantly, I want that money to go to new technology," said Post, a city resident and parent of a Hackensack schools student. "We had some great advances in the past few years, and then we came to a screeching halt. We have to keep up with what's going on at the other high schools."

On July 12, the Christie administration outlined new statewide funding that followed a pledge by the governor when he signed the budget for the new fiscal year on June 30. The governor's move restores some of the funding lost following the 2010 budget cuts.

After announcing the new funding, Governor Christie encouraged non-Abbott districts such as Hackensack to use the new money for property tax relief this fiscal year or next.

Neither spending nor saving the money was fully explored at the July 26 school board meeting, the first since the announcement regarding the additional funds was made.

School officials indicated that they needed to better understand the state's parameters regarding how the funds should be spent before they proceed to dispense the money. As a result, no immediate suggestions were made at the meeting.

In an earlier interview, interim Superintendent Raymond Gonzalez said that although $852,000 will not completely ease the impact of having approximately $4.8 million less this fiscal year as a result of the budget restrictions generated by Christie's recent policy decisions, the funds should still provide some relief to local schools. Gonzalez did not make any specific recommendations.

But Joseph Cicchelli, principal of Fairmount School, had some clear suggestions to make about how the money could help his school, particularly regarding staffing.

"I'd like it to go towards supporting staff," said Cicchelli. "I would appreciate bringing back my guidance counselor – that would help tremendously. It would also be helpful to have a reading coach again."

Cicchelli noted that he would also like to regain a reading intervention specialist lost due to recent budgetary constraints. However, in these tough fiscal times, the veteran administrator admitted that not all of the new funds are likely to address staffing concerns.

"You're going to have to set some of it aside for property tax relief," said Cicchelli. "I'm almost positive that's going to be a part of it."

But for Wallace, any property tax set-aside is not the answer. Wallace argues that spending money on schools will ultimately save local taxpayers money.

"In the long run, better schools bring in more ratables, which ends up eventually lowering taxes for everybody," said Wallace. "I'd rather have better schools than lower taxes in the immediate future."

For Post, a vision of a better future includes a revival of programs lost or curtailed.

"I would love to see an after-school program at the middle school," said Post. "We were also working towards an academies-type set up at the high school. We should do what we can to keep that moving along."

Tekeema Allen, a city resident and parent of a Hackensack schools student, reiterated the importance of boosting technology in the schools, but with an important addition.

"We need professional development," said Allen. "I'm not sure that some of the things that teachers are being asked to implement were directly taught to them. That type of development is important."

Allen also pointed to curriculum concerns as another important area where the new influx of funds could be helpful.

Offline Oratam_Weaping

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #82 on: August 06, 2011, 07:23:53 PM »
Education requires funding but all the funding in the world will not balance the formula needed for excellence and a balanced economy in any administrative theatre.  Tenure must be reviewed every two years and the number of teachers reduced by attrition. Creativity, initiative, and excellence must be rewarded, and teachers who only make the mark should be encouraged to seek employment elsewhere. It is possible to reduce the amount of spending and increase the quality of education.  The "experts" do not see it because we were all brought up to believe that money and materials are the key to better education. It would seem that way, because we have come to learn that when school districts become corrupt and/or lacking in resources, the scores fall below and the system falls apart, but that is indicative of mismanagement.  Teachers who are there because it is a job and not a passion should be encourage to work in the private sector as tutors for advanced education, and I wonder how many would be very effective. . Education administrators and teachers have to be a special type of human being who can work with each other, the students, and parents and exude a confidence that brings out the best in human attributes.  Students and teachers have to be excited about building a better school with less. It is more challenging that a video game, and I believe that students and parents are the best integral part of an advancing growing system. This is what America means, that when things get tough we pull together to build more with less. This is the challenge for the next 10 years.

Gone are the music programs for strings and reeds; gone are the select languages: Spanish, Italian (Mandarin Chinese would be helpful) yet these programs that are proven to work best during the formative years, in building brain power, were never in place (K-2). They did exist as voluntary (aside from a language in later grades). Music study (even if vocal only) not only builds brain power and confidence, and a spirited participation, building personal and school spirit.

The school systems have been sucked into the influence of every vendor and professional sector that have not done much at all for education but only make administration more and more difficult. The systematic medication of children to fill the void of diciplinary and dietary problems at home is a mainstay of the pharmaceutical industry which has most "experts" believing it necessary. The vaccination requirement by the more profitable use of harmful preservatives is a double-dipping drain on private and public funds. The fix is natural preservatives and fresh temperature-controlled batches that would men more jobs in the pharmaceutical industry, but less profits for the majority holder and market shares. They say it is to make it more affordable... for them.  We did better with bigger classes and less teachers. We didn't use taxpayer dollars to buy electron microscopes and a computer for every desk. We were not allowed to use calculators for everything.

Can we still recite the pledge of allegiance line "one nation under God?" - ok then there is still hope.

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #83 on: August 25, 2011, 08:58:52 AM »
State aid helps Hackensack school district hire more staff
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
BY MONSY ALVARADO
STAFF WRITER
The Record

HACKENSACK – The extra $852,017 in state aid the school district will receive in the upcoming school year will allow the district to return 21 part-time aides to full-time status, and will also pay for additional teaching staff, school officials said.

The Board of Education this week approved the appointments of the aides, and also approved the creation of a high school biology teacher and a technology technician post.

The aides are paraprofessionals who assist teachers, students, and special needs children.

The extra biology teacher will allow the high school to keep those science classes at around 24 students per class, said Ray Gonzalez, interim superintendent of schools.

The additional funds will also pay for computer upgrades, said Mark Kramer, the district’s business administrator.

Kramer said the district will have to submit an amended budget to the state that includes how the funds will be used.

Due to a reduction in state aid in the past two years, the school district has had to reduce teaching and administrative costs, including reducing the number of assistant and vice principals in the district for the 2011-12 school year.

Governor Christie announced the additional state aid figures in July, months after voters decided on their school district’s spending plan. In total, Hackensack received $11.6 million in state aid for the upcoming school year, up from last year’s $9.9 million.

E-mail: alvarado@northjersey.com
« Last Edit: September 05, 2011, 10:34:02 PM by Editor »

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School Sports/Standards
« Reply #84 on: September 05, 2011, 10:37:26 PM »
Some North Jersey schools imposing strict academic standards on student athletes
Sunday, September 4, 2011    Last updated: Sunday September 4, 2011, 10:00 AM
BY ANDREA ALEXANDER
STAFF WRITER
The Record

Teaneck students will soon be required to meet a higher bar in the classroom if they want to compete on the field.

Teaneck High School football team practicing. By school year 2014-15, students must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average to be on a sports team.

By the 2014-15 school year, they will be required to maintain a 2.5 grade-point average — typically somewhere between a C plus and B minus — to play sports under a new policy that gradually raises the eligibility standard.

When school starts this week, students will have to maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA to participate in sports. In the 2012-13 school year students will have to maintain a 2.3 GPA. Under the district's previous policy, students were required to have a 2.0 GPA during the previous marking period to play sports.

Fast facts
Teaneck’s Athletic Competition Policy:
•The school board requires that to be eligible to participate in any athletic competition activity, each student shall maintain a minimum cumulative grade average of 2.0.
•The minimum grade average will be increased to a cumulative 2.3 beginning with the 2012-13 school year and 2.5 beginning with the 2014-15 school year.


The new policy may set the strictest eligibility standard in North Jersey.

Most school districts, including Wayne, Ridgewood, Bergenfield and Paramus, follow the minimum requirement set by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. The NJSIAA requires that students stay on target to have the necessary number of credits to graduate set by state regulations. Under the NJSIAA standard, a student could be passing classes with a D average and be eligible to play sports.

But a few districts, including Teaneck and Englewood, have added a minimum GPA requirement to send a clear message to athletes about the importance of academics.

"The ultimate goal is to make sure students are eligible not just to play sports but to get into college," said Yvonne Sheard, athletic director for the Englewood schools, which requires students to achieve a 2.0 GPA in the previous period. "No school is going to come look at you with a 1 point whatever, so the goal is to make them students first and athletes second."

Todd Sinclair, Teaneck's athletic director, believes that setting the bar too low is a disservice to students. "When you have something that is more rigorous than 2.0 you are really sending a message to these kids that the student athlete is synonymous," Sinclair said. "With a 2.0 you really can't make that argument because, let's be honest, it's not that great."

So far, almost all students have risen to the required level. Out of about 250 students who signed up to play fall sports in Teaneck, only seven didn't make the grade point cut off, Sinclair said.

With Teaneck's new policy, "kids are now getting the message that 2.0 doesn't cut it in the real world anymore," Sinclair said. "You try to go to any college with just a 2.0. … We are not doing kids a favor when we have this implicit or explicit message that we are saying to them a 2.0 is OK."

Other North Jersey school districts that don't have a minimum grade requirement to participate in sports say their coaches still closely monitor the grades of athletes.

• Hackensack adheres to the NJSIAA standard. But any student who falls below a 2.0 grade is required to participate in a tutorial program, said Ralph Dass, the district's athletic director.

• In Paramus, coaches keep an eye on students' grades and teachers will let the coaches know if an athlete's grades are slipping, said interim schools Superintendent Joseph Lupo. "Often a little push from the coach goes a long way."

• Clifton schools also follow the NJSIAA standard. But the district is one of a few that sets its minimum passing grade for students at 70.

"We are letting students know that your education starts in the classroom and to be rewarded to play sports you have to do the work in the classroom," said Athletic Director Rick Handchen.

Setting a high standard encourages students to buckle down and work harder to maintain their eligibility, he said.

"If every kid could just go out and play [sports], school would be chaos," Handchen said. "If they knew they didn't have to do anything in the classroom to play sports there would be problems in the classroom."

Not all administrators favor a minimum grade-point average. "There are certain things that turn on certain kids," said Wayne Hills High School Athletic Director Chris Olsen. "It may be he loves going to music, it may be he loves going to art every day. … Some kids say, 'I come to school because I love sports.'

"Sometimes it keeps the kids interested in school," Olsen said. "If the kid is not involved in athletics, where is he at 3 o'clock in the afternoon? I can promise you he is not at home studying."

Administrators in Ridgewood and Bergenfield see sports as the hook that keeps students interested in school. Both districts follow the NJSIAA on grade-point requirements.

"We promote academic rigor, but we don't want to put up any barrier to the students who are not strong academically and their only one hook into coming and staying in school is sports and extra curricular activities," Bergenfield Superintendent Michael Kuchar said. "The minute you take that away they have no reason to come."

"While we have them we get them to drink the Kool-Aid and ignite their inner flame to do well," he said. "But sports is what gets them captive and gives us the opportunity to give them the Bergenfield Kool-Aid."

But in Teaneck the district wanted to ensure that students are focused on what goes on in the classroom as well as on the field.

"We believe that there are other aspects of school that are important to the kids, but certainly our core mission is their education," said Superintendent Barbara Pinsak. "We are not interested in having at the very worst end of it kids who might do very well athletically and who might get picked up by a college but who might not be able to finish because they don't have the start academically and the study skills and the study habits to do well."

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #85 on: October 01, 2011, 10:05:27 PM »
Charter school proposals declined
Last updated: Saturday October 1, 2011, 10:30 AM
BY LESLIE BRODY
STAFF WRITER
The Record

New Jersey education officials approved four new charter schools out of 58 applicants Friday, but rejected all proposals from Bergen and Passaic counties.

The news sorely disappointed 63-year-old James Giokas of Washington Township, who had tried three times over the past four years to get permission to start Spartan Academy in Hackensack. He wanted to teach Greek as a second language to 150 children in kindergarten through third grade.

Eight in region

No new charters gained approval in Bergen or Passaic counties Friday, but eight currently operate here. They are:
 
* Bergen Arts and Science Charter in Garfield
 
* Englewood on the Palisades Charter
 
* Teaneck Community Charter
 
* Classical Academy Charter in Clifton
 
* Community Charter School of Paterson
 
* John P. Holland Charter School in Paterson
 
* Passaic Arts & Sciences Charter
 
* Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology
 
"I thought we really dotted all our i's and crossed our t's this time," said Giokas, a retired federal court clerk and business administration professor. He said Education Department officials seemed skeptical of his plan to get two Greek language teachers from a Greek government grant program, considering the country's financial turmoil.

In Passaic County, the department denied applications for the Passaic Dual Language Charter, Paterson Urban Music and Movement Charter and Great Falls Academy for the Performing Arts.

Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf said in a release that the department was careful to approve only applicants that demonstrated a "very high likelihood of providing an excellent education."

Charters, which are publicly financed but independently operated, have long provoked opposition from critics who say they skim talented students and resources from traditional public schools that desperately need the money. Supporters say they foster innovation and provide alternatives to failing schools.

The spread of "boutique" charters in the suburbs, including charters that immerse students in Hebrew or Chinese language programs, have sparked particular protests in recent years. Critics have said they are unnecessary drains in areas with schools that perform well. The department denied applicants seeking to launch two Chinese language charters near Millburn, a top district where many residents had rallied to fight them. It also rejected a bid for the state's first Hebrew immersion high school, in Highland Park.

The four newly approved charters are Beloved Community Charter School in Jersey City, Knowledge A to Z Charter School in Camden, Trenton Scholars Charter School and Regis Academy Charter School, which will serve students from districts that represent a wide range of socioeconomic groups, including affluent Cherry Hill and low-income neighbors.

Those charters will open in fall 2012, if the department deems them ready. That brings the total scheduled to start next fall to 25, on top of 80 now operating. There are eight open in Bergen and Passaic.

Carlos Perez, president of the New Jersey Charter Schools Association, noted that thousands of children are on waiting lists for charters, and "New Jersey must continue to grow the charter school sector, but not at the expense of quality." The association has pushed for legislation to expand the number of agencies empowered to open and oversee charters. Now, only the Education Department has that authority.

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #86 on: October 19, 2011, 09:44:07 AM »
State receives 42 new charter school applications, including 4 in Passaic and 2 in Bergen
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
BY LESLIE BRODY
STAFF WRITER
The Record

The state received 42 applications for new charter schools by Monday’s deadline for a new round of reviews, including six in Bergen and Passaic counties, officials said Tuesday.

Two of the proposals come from the same educators who run the Bergen Arts & Sciences Charter, based in Garfield and Hackensack, and the Passaic Arts and Sciences Charter. They want to expand by launching a Northeastern Arts & Sciences Charter for K-5 students in Hackensack and Ridgefield Park, as well as a proposed Clifton Arts & Sciences Charter for K-5 students.

Another proposal aims to start a K-12 online learning program based in Teaneck, dubbed the Garden State Virtual Charter School.

Proposals for Passaic County include the Passaic International Languages and Arts Charter, for K-2 children in Passaic City, the Great Falls Charter for K-5 students in Paterson, and the Paterson Preparatory Charter for grades 9 and 10.

Education Department officials said they would announce approvals in January. Charters, which are publicly funded but independently operated, have drawn fire from opponents who charge that they siphon taxpayer dollars from traditional public schools. Supporters argue that they give families choices, especially in failing districts.

The Christie administration has made expansion of quality charters are key part of its agenda. Now 80 are open statewide.

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #87 on: October 21, 2011, 11:12:24 AM »
Hackensack teacher outlines fight against bullying
Last updated: Friday October 21, 2011, 1:32 AM
BY MARK J. BONAMO
MANAGING EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle

New Jersey's new law against harassment, intimidation and bullying in the schools hit the books earlier this year. But for Fairmount School Assistant Principal Rhonda Ashton-Loeb, the battle against bullying must also hit close to home.

"Our kids sign a pledge saying that they won't bully other kids on multi-colored paper," Ashton-Loeb said. "These pieces of paper make up a rainbow in the hallway. That rainbow goes into a pot of gold. Respect is gold."

The new law, known as the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, was adopted by the Hackensack Board of Education on Aug. 23 and went into effect statewide Sept. 1. Fueled in part by public outcry over the suicide of a Rutgers University freshman, Tyler Clementi, last year, it mandates that all public schools adopt comprehensive anti-bullying policies (which includes 18 pages of "required components"), that they increase staff training and that they stick to tight deadlines for reporting episodes.

Ashton-Loeb explained how Fairmount School is attempting to meet the requirements of what is seen by many as one of the toughest anti-bullying laws in the country.

"There is a clear set of procedures. We're promoting safety, respect and responsibility all year round so we won't have bullying in the schools," Ashton-Loeb said.

Teachers have received training about the new anti-bullying law, and were provided with stickers and pencils for their students.

"They can give them to children when they see them exhibiting these good character traits," Ashton-Loeb said. "We're trying to show children new ways that they can interact with other children that are responsible and respectful."

While Fairmount and other Hackensack schools conducted a "week of respect" program earlier this month, Ashton-Loeb noted that her school planned to keep teaching the theme of respect all year long.

"Our first graders made a PowerPoint presentation showing kids doing the right thing and appropriate ways of behavior," Ashton-Loeb said. "Each of our grade levels is going to put together one of these presentations. We're going to have anti-bullying assemblies during the year. We're having teachers take pictures of children in their classrooms being respectful with each other, trying to show what it looks like to do things the right way."

"We also have a Fairmount School pledge that the kids recite every Monday morning in which they say that they will follow all the rules," Ashton-Loeb added. "That pledge includes all of the anti-bullying rules, which means keep your hands and feet to yourself among other things."

Overall, Ashton-Loeb emphasized that law or no law, any effort against bullying begins with personal responsibility.

"We're trying to put in good practices to replace bad practices. Kids aren't usually naturally mean to other children," Ashton-Loeb said. "We want to take the high road and teach children these good character traits. These are lessons that they can learn at a young age that they can use their whole lives. We want them to be positive role models and respectful, responsible citizens. It all starts when they are children."

E-mail: bonamo@northjersey.com

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #88 on: November 24, 2011, 05:34:21 PM »
Former Lyndhurst superintendent to head Hackensack schools
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
BY STEPHANIE AKIN
NorthJersey.com
STAFF WRITER
   
HACKENSACK — Former Lyndhurst Superintendent Joseph Abate Jr. will take over leadership of the Hackensack school district in December, the Board of Education announced Wednesday.

Abate, 62, will replace Interim Superintendent Raymond Gonzalez, who is leaving to take a position in Wayne.

“I’m honored to have been chosen, and I’m looking forward to working with all the constituents of the community,” he said.

Abate will serve as an interim superintendent until the Board of Education finds a candidate to fill the post permanently, Gonzalez said.

He was appointed by a 7-3 vote at a special meeting Tuesday. Board members Rhonda Bembry, Clarissa B. Gilliam Gardner and Carol Martinez cast the opposing votes.

Abate will earn a per diem salary of $644 in Hackensack, with the stipulation that his annual pay cannot exceed the state limit of $167,500 for a district the size of Hackensack, Gonzalez said.

He will also continue to pull his state pension, Gonzalez said. His monthly pension payment was $8,545 in 2011, according to state records.

Abate will join the district at the beginning of its budget process and will likely have to steer contract negotiations with its unions, Gonzalez said.

“Mr. Abate will definitely have a full plate of expectations and work ahead of him, but in the short time I’ve come to know him, I’m confident in his experience, and that he will be able to pick up the ball and run with it,” Gonzalez said.

Abate started his public education career in Lyndhurst in 1972 and has served as an elementary school teacher and principal, a coach, an assistant superintendent, and a school business administrator. He served as the Lyndhurst superintendent from 1993 until he retired in 2010.

At the time, Abate said he was concerned that new state budgeting guidelines would hurt the district. He also said he wanted to leave before state limits for superintendent salaries and mandatory health insurance contributions went into effect in August 2010.

The school board is planning to review applications for permanent superintendents in December and determine, based on the applicant pool, whether to interview those applicants, suspend or continue the search, Gonzalez said.

E-mail: akin@northjersey.com


« Last Edit: November 25, 2011, 09:33:55 AM by Editor »

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Re: Education/Charter Schools/Testing
« Reply #89 on: January 20, 2012, 09:08:37 AM »
Hackensack PTA chapter helps to reverse program cutbacks
Last updated: Friday January 20, 2012, 1:24 AM
MANAGING EDITOR
Hackensack Chronicle

What the Hackensack school system has had to contend with in recent years is no secret: cuts in state funding since 2010 when Governor Christie called for budgetary sacrifices in the face of grave fiscal woes.

One city school has found a way to partially recoup the resulting losses — a concerted plan directed by its Parent Teacher Association (PTA) to revive lost programs.

"What we’re trying to do is bring back some clubs," said Hackensack Middle School PTA President Stephanie Hellpap. "Due to the budget cuts, we haven’t had some of these activities for a few years."

Although Hackensack schools did receive an unexpected $852,000 funding surge from the state last year, programs for students are still recovering. Among those that were eliminated at the middle school in recent years were the baseball and softball teams. Using $4,000 generated from fundraising drives that included magazine subscription and candy sales, the PTA hopes to have these and other programs back in place by next month, according to Hellpap. Students will have input into which club activities will be revived or created. Among those activities under consideration besides baseball and softball are volleyball, yoga, badminton, basketball, baking, creative writing and a book club.

"We can teach kids how to become more physically fit, or to be exposed to different things," Hellpap said. "We’re hoping to recruit some teachers to help us with the clubs."

It is uncertain when the school system will be able to fund a wider range of clubs once again. But Hellpap points to the PTA’s efforts as a way to advance learning and promote student involvement in life outside of school despite fiscal challenges.

"We need to make sure that kids have something to do," Hellpap said. "They need to feel part of a team and be involved in something outside of themselves. If we have the money, I don’t see a better way to spend it."

Email: bonamo@northjersey.com

 

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