Hackensack, NJ Community Message Boards

The following comments appeared in the April 16, 2004 edition of The Record.

At the April 12 Hackensack school election debate, I was shocked by some words of hostility made against teachers and administrators. Poor test scores were being blamed on teachers and principals.

I know measurable test scores are part of the new initiative to evaluate how schools are performing. However, just focusing on test scores is not a barometer to measure a good school.

As a volunteer with a literacy program, I meet with two students once a week at the Fairmount School. I am impressed with the school's teachers and office administrators. There seems to be a genuine concern for the children. Secretaries put themselves out every morning handling various emergencies. Reading specialists and teachers are easy to talk to and concerned with children's progress.

Roselyn Altman

Hackensack, April 13

There will be a car show at the Hackensack High School on May 15th.

Does anyone have more info?  Please email me.

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Contact: Elissa Machlin-Lockwood


Irving Burton, celebrated performer/choreographer living in Bergenfield, will debut his newest piece, “It’s About Me and All My Friends", dealing with the idea of communication, inspired by sign language and other non-verbal forms of speaking, during CMDE'S exciting Annual Danceathon May 8, 1:30pm & 4:30pm at Bergen Community College, Paramus.

In addition to Mr. Burton's work, there will be Ballet, Hip-Hop, Afro/Modern and Middle Eastern pieces choreographed by Karen Silvano, Little Falls; Roger Turner & Connie Youngmann, Hackensack; Frances Herdman, Bergenfield; Elissa Machlin-Lockwood & Janelle Smith –Reed, Teaneck; and Jeffrey Bynum from New York.

CMDE's 21st Annual Danceathon is a day of dance celebration in which all students, children, teens and adults, including those with disabilities, have the opportunity to perform.

Tickets for the Danceathon may be purchased in advance for $12 by calling 201 342 2989. They will be available at the door for $15.  For further information visit www.cmde.org

I went to what was supposed to be a School Board Meeting Monday night at 7:30 at 355 State Street and find out it was postponed until tomorrow night at 7:30.

I find out through a posting on "Save Hackensack" that there was a debate scheduled for 4/12/04 (same night) at Nellie K. Parker.  I get there an hour late and  the debate is in progress.  Apparently, it was two hours long , moderated with questions, with a 2 minute summary for each candidate.  

I asked people how they knew about the meeting and they said someone simply told them. As far as I know, there was NO PUBLIC NOTIFICATION of the debate.  Someone please correct me if I am wrong.  Moreover, THERE WAS NO OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION THE CANDIDATES.  

Below is a summary of the questions and answers I had an opportunity to hear.  I did my best to "get the gist" of the question and answer.  

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CORRECT AND AMEND MY INTERPRETATIONS.


Topic:    Out of town children attending Hackensack Schools and what to do about it:

Walter H. Carroll:    Three pieces of proof are required for registration, currently.  Over 100 illegal students were discovered this year.  Parents were charged tuition, so the taxpayers get some of that back.

Francis W. Albolino:   Hackensack Youth Police currently try to discovery illegal students and wait outside the registered home to see if students come out for school.  This should continue.

Jorge E. Meneses:    All children should be registered.  (with better system of proof?)
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: Incumbents are not doing a good enough to combat illegal students from coming to Hackensack Schools.  An outside agency should be used to combat illegal students.

Junemarie Ramp:    Incumbents are not doing a good enough to combat illegal students from coming to Hackensack Schools.

Jenny Marin:      Incumbents are not doing a good enough to combat illegal students from coming to Hackensack Schools.  An outside agency should be used to combat illegal students.

Topic:    Student Achievement: How to improve it.

Walter H. Carroll:    Parents and teachers should communicate more with their children.

Francis W. Albolino:   Parents need to be more involved.

Jorge E. Meneses:    Listen to the experiences of the student.
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: Extra-curricular activities need to be increased.

Junemarie Ramp:    Students need to feel like they are part of the programs designed to help them.

Jenny Marin:      Students should be challenged and rewarded.

Topic:    Why is a "D" a passing grade.  Should children with straight D’s be passed.

Walter H. Carroll:    Something about "no child left behind".  This was not clear to me.

Francis W. Albolino:   This should be explored and can always be changed (I think).

Jorge E. Meneses:    Response was  not clear to me
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry:  When children reach a certain point in failing to turn in homework, teachers need to call parents sooner, rather than later.

Junemarie Ramp:    Something about social promotion being wrong. ??

Jenny Marin:      Passing D’s should be changed.

Topic:    Failing Test Scores and how to correct the problem

Walter H. Carroll:    Before and after school programs should be employed.  One hour extra can do a lot to improve test scores.

Francis W. Albolino:   Test scores are increasing city-wide.  Middle school remains a problem, but "we’re working on it".    We need to start at the bottom (elementary and middle) before we try to improve high school test scores.

Jorge E. Meneses:    A better curriculum may be needed.  
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: Incumbents are not doing a good enough job to improve test scores.  No adequate progress, according to prior reports (from State?).

Junemarie Ramp:    Teachers need to work on improving test scores in September, not 7 weeks before the state/fed tests are administered.

Jenny Marin:      A better curriculum may be needed.

Topic:    Laptops, computers, books and supplies in school.

Walter H. Carroll:    We have them in schools already.  We have a complex budget.  Special Education is great in Hackensack and accounts for 25% of budget.  

Francis W. Albolino:   We don’t have laptops yet, but plenty of computers.  Each lasts 3-5 years. Mr. Albolino asked people to see the computers for themselves.  Teachers are getting the books and supplies they need.

Jorge E. Meneses:    I missed the response (Sorry).  
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: She reviewed budget and was angered for having to pay for a copy of it ($27).  She was unable to reconcile certain expenditures and promised to "find our money".  

Junemarie Ramp:     I missed the response (Sorry).

Jenny Marin:      More computers are needed.

Topic:    Goals of School Board: What should they be?

Walter H. Carroll:    School board devises and implements policy.    

Francis W. Albolino:   School board devises and implements policy and should not "micro-manage" teachers and classrooms.

Jorge E. Meneses:    The School Board should provide a better education for the children.    
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: The School Board should provide a better education, more efficiently.

Junemarie Ramp:    The School Board should stabilize taxes and hire teachers based on qualifications, not political connections. The School Board should provide the best possible education.

Jenny Marin:      The School Board should stabilize taxes and hire teaches based on qualifications, not political connections. The School Board should provide the best possible education.

Topic:    Students opportunity for college.

Walter H. Carroll:    We should not pressure students to go to college, but the opportunity should be there.      

Francis W. Albolino:   Many students should be commended for military services, trade schools, etc.  But, the opportunity for college should be available.  

Jorge E. Meneses:    85% of students go on to college.  This is good.  
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: 100% of students should be going to college (or at least have opportunity).

Junemarie Ramp:    100% of students should be going to college (or at least have opportunity).  

Jenny Marin:      100% of students should be going to college (or at least have opportunity).

Summaries

Walter H. Carroll:    As far as hiring practices go, some students eventually want to be teachers.  Board hires people it knows because it understands the background of the applicant (I think).  

Francis W. Albolino:   As far as test scores go, tests should not dictate all policy.  We must "do right by the student".  When we do, we do right for the taxpayer as well.  

Jorge E. Meneses:    We should provide students with the necessary programs and technology to do well in school.    
 
Rhonda Williams-Bembry: When you consider the economic costs and the children, the "Better Education Team" is the better choice.

Junemarie Ramp:    It is unacceptable that education has become so political and that politics dictates the job market in Hackensack Schools. High taxes for property owners are not fair

Jenny Marin:   Tired of negative comments.  Wants to focus on what can be done.  

The School Board meets at 355 State Street at 7:30.  

Meetings are open to the public.

I will supplement this message from time to time.  Please let me know if you recognize these buildings or can tell me where they stood.


Elks Club House:



Bergen County Children's Home:



You can find other images like this here: Historic Images of Hackensack