tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7689458135878882122024-02-02T18:54:52.789-05:00Laurie Goodman's BlogLaurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.comBlogger711125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-62286937846520604882012-08-15T13:03:00.002-04:002012-08-15T13:03:57.412-04:00TransitionsWow, is it possible that I haven't written a new blog post since January? That's surprising. I've meant to write many times, but somehow never got around to it. I blame Twitter. And Facebook. And LinkedIn. And... For me, personally, I've always said that I feel a need to communicate and share and write for others. Blogging was (and still is) great for that. And when I was on the Board of Education in Ridgewood, I felt compelled to do it on a regular basis. Once that obligation to communicate with the community and with voters was lifted (aka I was defeated in my re-election attempt), I found that microblogging via Twitter (I'm @lauriegood1) and posting on Facebook seemed to fulfill my need to reach out. (I'm pretty active in those forums, if you want to follow me!) Also, during this same time period, much of my freelance copywriting work switched to blogging and social media sharing on behalf of various clients. Truth is, at the end of a long day of writing for others, it can be hard to get energized to write some more, when there isn't a deadline or curious voter or marketing plan involved.<br />
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Lots of changes are in the air now, so I'm not sure where this blog will go. I'd like to think I'll find the energy and desire to write more often. There are certainly things to write about -- whether it be personal experiences, comments on the goings-on of Ridgewood, thoughts on education and public schools...I certainly have plenty of opinions and thoughts about all those things. I'm constantly reading about them, that's for sure. <br />
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Over the past few month, my lens has shifted slightly due to the following:<br />
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My son leaves for college next week at Penn State University. I am so excited for him and also terrified by all the scary things that can happen when a fearless 18-year-old boy is cut loose from daily parental controls (as loose as they are). He is an amazing kid, very smart, good head on his shoulders...I'm sure things will be fine, but I'm still going to find it very hard to sleep for awhile.<br />
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My daughter began her teaching career this week. She is teaching at an elementary charter school in New York City, in Harlem. It's exciting to realize that she has actually realized one of her childhood dreams, to be a teacher. I know this year is going to be hard, awesome, challenging, eye-opening and, ultimately, fulfilling. I am thrilled to get an inside look at the life of a new teacher as well as life inside an NYC charter.<br />
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My husband recently started a new job in Chicago. This is a huge, positive career move for him, a great position at an impressive & successful company, so when the offer came through, he had to take it. The plan is for me to join him in Chicago in the spring/early summer next year. Until then, he will commute home when he can, I'll fly out there when I can. It's going to be a challenge, but we'll figure it out.<br />
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All of this, of course, will end with us leaving Ridgewood in approx. May/June (by our best estimate). That's truly sad and unfortunate on many levels. I'll write more about that transition in the future (the near future, I promise!). And I'll have plenty to say in the meantime about Ridgewood politics, and Ridgewood schools, with my view from the "outside." <br />
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For now, maybe my next post will talk about teaching, based on my daughter's experience with her long job search and starting her new job.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-85080403928656641722012-01-26T10:11:00.002-05:002012-01-26T10:26:09.811-05:00We need to amend Ridgewood's underage drinking ordinanceI was not a supporter of Ridgewood's underage drinking ordinance when it
was adopted in 2007. I'm still not a fan. Not because I advocate
underage drinking, but because I felt the ordinance was not really going to have an effect on the ways kids do what they do and the way the police do what they do. I felt it would give the grown-ups in town a false sense of having "handled" the problem, while driving the teens to get more secretive and hurried (which is dangerous when it comes to drinking). But the point is moot now because the ordinance has been in place for 5 years.<br />
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What I'm advocating now is an amendment to the ordinance that makes teens and parents aware of a state law designed to save lives and prevent injury.<br />
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Here are the comments I made to the Ridgewood Village Council at their work session last night:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
In October 2009, the State of New Jersey signed into law 911: Lifeline legislation – also known as the “Amnesty Law” – which says that if a minor calls for medical assistance for an intoxicated person, they can not be prosecuted for underage drinking themselves, nor will the intoxicated person be prosecuted if they are underage.<br />
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This is an important law – its intention is to avoid a situation where a teen doesn’t call for help because he’s afraid he’s going to get in trouble.<br />
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It’s not a “get out of jail free” card, there are very specific rules to be followed, and it doesn’t protect teens from punishment from mom & dad, but it can keep kids safe when they find themselves in a dangerous situation and have to make a decision.<br />
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Amnesty is already the law in Ridgewood, because it’s the law in the entire state of New Jersey. And yet – <i>this potentially-lifesaving law is only effective if kids know about it</i>. In order for it to work, to potentially save a life or prevent injury, kids must know, in advance, that they can call 911 to get help, without fear.<br />
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I’ve talked to many Ridgewood teens since the state law was enacted, and I can say that <i>none</i> of them knew about this law.<br />
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One way to get the word out is to amend Ridgewood’s underage drinking ordinance to include the language of the state amnesty law, and I know you have such an amendment on the agenda tonight.<br />
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Several other towns and municipalities in New Jersey have revised their municipal codes in this way, and I urge our Council to take this step.<br />
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As you review the amendment tonight, I hope parents will be paying attention, and will take this opportunity to discuss the law and inform their children.<br />
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I hope teens will hear about this amendment, will talk about the law with each other, will know that it’s <i>for real</i>, and will <i>remember</i> it should they be faced with a dangerous situation – a friend that needs help – on any Friday or Saturday (or any other) night in Ridgewood.<br />
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All of us want Ridgewood teens to be safe. We all hope they make smart choices. But when they make a mistake, and it turns dangerous, this law can help ensure that mistake doesn’t turn into a tragedy.</blockquote>
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Following my comments and those of Municipal Alliance chair Sheila Brogan last night, a few Council members had questions. Some of the questions and comments focused on perceived problems with the proposed ordinance's wording. As Village Attorney Matt Rogers explained, the wording is taken verbatim from the state law. If anyone has a problem with wording of the state law, they should take that up with Trenton. All we are trying to do is highlight the state law for Ridgewood teens.<br />
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The Municipal Alliance (of which I'm a member) will be putting together some materials and hopefully distributing to our high school students soon.<br />
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I've heard too many stories of close calls -- kids who dropped off a drunk friend on their doorstep, or invited a friend to stay and "sleep it off," or left a friend passed out on the curb or the right-of-way -- that luckily turned out OK. Kids make mistakes. We know that. It's normal for their development. It's also normal for them to fear getting in trouble and, in their immature brains, this fear can trump good decisions. I'm proud that our state had the good sense to enact the Amnesty Law and I hope Ridgewood's ordinance amendment will help get the word out in our town.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-45935256818143914382011-12-14T20:07:00.001-05:002011-12-14T20:07:24.556-05:00Class of 2012 is "sick" (or looking good)!The early college acceptances are starting to come in and, to quote my son, "the class of 2012 is <i>sick</i>!" He meant that in a good way. As in, the Class of 2012 is going to be impressive in where its graduates get accepted for college. He may be right...<br />
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This week some Ridgewood High School students got their Early Action and Early Decision answers, plus some got answers from rolling admission schools to which they applied early. Just anecdotally, my son has told me about two of his friends accepted ED at Stanford, three accepted at Cornell, two at Amherst, two at Colgate, plus some Columbia, Boston University, Lehigh, Duke, UNC... Keep in mind, these are all Early Decision or Early Action, which tends to be more competitive. (My own son was accepted to Penn State...really proud of him!)<br />
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The college process is a crazy whirlwind in Ridgewood. We've tried to keep things sane for our family. My philosophy is that there is not one single "best" school for every child. There are a lot of good schools and each student's success depends a lot on what he/she puts into it. Colleges are different than back in my day (not so long ago...30 years). They compete, with services and marketing. Students have become more savvy and more demanding. I get frustrated when people outside the school system complain that Ridgewood "isn't sending enough kids to the Ivy League." I've got news for you: not very many students <i>want</i> to go to the Ivy League. And why should they? Should they incur those high costs and high pressure environments for the name on the diploma? Today's students have learned to shop hard for their schools, and demand the education, the facilities and the services that feel right for them, personally. Maybe it's an Ivy...probably it's not. But if they work hard and make the most of it, they'll get an excellent education.<br />
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I can't wait to watch these young people embark on the next stage of their lives...the rest of their lives. The application and acceptance process will be rolling on through May, so let's remember this is a marathon and not a sprint. When the final list is complete, I'll update you here.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-71430246123215190372011-11-06T02:41:00.002-05:002011-11-06T02:41:34.018-05:00Love letter to New York City.I love this video love letter to New York City, created by the talented Andrew Clancy who shot the video and edited it together. The music is beautiful, too.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31159101?portrait=0&color=ff9933" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/31159101">A Year in New York</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/andrewclancy">Andrew Clancy</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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Read more about the video by <a href="http://mashable.com/2011/11/05/year-in-new-york-video/">clicking here</a>.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-70438612354150718622011-11-01T01:38:00.002-04:002011-11-06T01:40:38.608-04:00Innovative special ed is the Ridgewood way.Innovative special education? It's just how we do things in Ridgewood, at least as long as I've been here and clearly since before then. The mission statement of our school district is the real thing, especially the part about "enabling students to maximize their unique potentials." In some school districts, special education is seen as somehow <i>other</i>...separate...different...well, <i>special</i>. But in Ridgewood, special ed is just part of how we educate and care for every student and his or her unique potential, whatever that may be, from overachievers to underachievers, from superstars to kids who struggle with basic everyday survival. Most Ridgewood residents have no idea the range of needs and challenges faced by Ridgewood youth, and are unaware of the lengths our educators go to educate students of all aptitudes and developmental levels. The very fact that our special ed programs operate somewhat "under the radar" is a testament to how these programs are part of the very fabric of our school system. The recent referendum and construction projects to add/change spaces at our schools and better accommodate special programs is further confirmation. Financially smart, yes, but also simply the right thing to do.<br />
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That's why it's truly great when a Ridgewood program is recognized outside on the larger stage. You may have read recently that RHS principal Jack Lorenz was recognized by Bergen County for his leadership in developing the S.A.I.L. (Strategic Actions & Innovations for Learning) program at the high school, and kudos to Mr. Lorenz. According to the <a href="http://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/principal-jack-lorenz-is-a-champion#photo-8269892">story on Ridgewood Patch</a>, the S.A.I.L. program "houses special needs students in-house, focusing on providing lessons of independence." The program consists of a curriculum that combines academic lessons with internships, job training, counseling and technology. S.A.I.L. also saves the district money, since the students remain in RHS instead of being sent out of district where we would have to pay tuition for their education. It's a win-win for the students, their families and the district (not to mention the other RHS students who have the benefit of working with and getting to know these students, too).<br />
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I think it's important to mention that <i>many people</i> created, and currently give life everyday to, the S.A.I.L. program at RHS. In particular, Kerry Huntington, Director of Special Services, and Pat Staab, Supervisor of Special Education, were architects of the program along with Mr. Lorenz. And, seriously, I save my strongest praise and respect for the teachers with, as they say, the "boots on the ground," who work with the S.A.I.L. students day in and day out. Yes, it certainly takes leadership to get a program such as S.A.I.L. off the ground (thank you Board of Ed, too, for funding it). But it takes a District with an overall commitment at all levels to create an environment where such a program could be theorized, designed and implemented pretty much in the background, business as usual. Thank you Ridgewood, and thank you to <i>all</i> the educators involved, for making it a reality.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-63755137860678262382011-10-26T15:02:00.000-04:002011-10-26T15:04:28.172-04:00The higher education bubble is coming. Watch out.I heard someone recently say if you thought the "housing bubble" was tough, wait for the "higher education bubble." It's gonna be worse. This graphic helps explain the situation. (Note: Even though I'd like to see a graphic like this include sources for the data, I do believe that the general message (or messages) in it are true and accurate.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.savingsaccount.org/frugal-saver/higher-education-bubble-in-america/">Go to this link</a> (sorry, I can't paste the full graphic here without it getting chopped off).Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-25680167121289210642011-10-16T01:45:00.000-04:002011-10-16T01:46:26.912-04:00Technology and innovation in education.Had a good time at the <a href="http://www.edscapeconference.com/">Edscape</a> conference today in New
Milford. Last year it was called the Tri State Technology Conference and this
time the format was basically the same – sessions all about different ways to
use technology to create teaching, schools and classrooms that are
collaborative, innovative, engaging and high-performing. There was a little too
much SmartBoard focus for my taste, but it makes sense – SmartBoards are
everywhere and they do offer a lot of opportunity to engage students in
lessons.<br />
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There was also a lot of focus on MLDs – Mobile Learning
Devices. AKA cell phones, iPads, tablets, etc. It’s becoming more and more
clear that as our students carry smart phones and other devices, schools cam
efficiently take advantage of this and incorporate them into teaching. Why
wouldn’t we allow students to use the small, handheld devices that can connect
them to just about all of the information in the world and which they are
already carrying in their pockets – at no cost to districts! We should be
allowing, enabling and encouraging this use throughout our schools, especially
the high school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I attended sessions on:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Professional Development: What is it and what <i>should</i> it be?</li>
<li>Mobile Learning</li>
<li>"What If" – what kind of technology do teachers want?</li>
<li>Building a Culture of Literacy – how do we ensure books and literature are not lost in the push for technology</li>
</ul>
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I enjoyed learning about <a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">Edmodo</a>, which is basically "Facebook for schools." It's a platform that allows a teacher and students to collaborate, share work, give feedback, plan, get assignments, take quizes, participate in polls, etc., using an interface that looks <i>a lot</i> like Facebook and works the same way, so it's intuitive and kids are engaged right away. It's a completely closed and secure system so everything is private and...it's <i>free</i>!</div>
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Probably the best part of the day was the keynote address by
Diana Laufenberg of <a href="http://www.scienceleadership.org/">Science Leadership Academy</a> in Philadelphia. Diana focused
on innovation in schools and described how everything her school does – every
single lesson, every single project – incorporates the school’s core values:
<b>inquiry</b>, <b>research</b>, <b>collaboration</b>, <b>presentation</b> and <b>reflection</b>. As Diana said,
and as is stated <a href="http://www.scienceleadership.org/pages/Mission_and_Vision">on their website</a>, “AT SLA, leaning is not just something that
happens from 8:30am to 3:00pm, but a continuous process that expans beyond the
four walls of the classroom into every facet of our lives.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As you may have predicted by now, that kind of talk is
getting me energized again to focus on technology and innovation in our
Ridgewood schools. I tried, unsuccessfully, to get traction on this subject
during the three years I was on the Board of Ed. I’m not giving up. As a “regular”
parent now, I am pursuing the subject again, and will be bringing some ideas to
the Board in the next few weeks. I’ll keep you posted!<o:p></o:p></div>Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-90375590038656616722011-09-26T09:44:00.000-04:002011-09-26T09:44:50.349-04:00Losing some school safety.
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<a href="http://www.northjersey.com/news/130518788_Safety_comes_at_a_price.html">Yesterday’s
Bergen Record</a> had a story about budget cuts forcing school districts to
lose their School Resource Officers. Ridgewood lost its SRO and it’s definitely
a loss for our students. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It may surprise some people that I am a fan of police
officers in schools for any reason, but the SRO is not simply an armed-guard.
Rather than intimidating students, frisking kids, searching lockers or chasing
down youthful offenders, the SRO’s benefits are more subtle and long term. In
Ridgewood, our SRO formed relationships with students in the high school and
middle schools. Actually, elementary school students became acquainted with him
as he would occasionally talk to their classes, then when they got to middle
school they’d see him more often and perhaps get to know him one on one. And
then by high school they were comfortable enough to share information about
activities and interests of kids in Ridgewood – things that might happen in school
or outside of school. The SRO got to know many students by name, he had his ear
to the ground, and heard stories about parties or incidents. He knew who had
bad home situations. He helped get assistance for kids with substance problems.
And the kids felt he genuinely cared about them. Students could come to him for
advice. If he heard about an issue that was in the principal’s purview, he’s
share that info. And vice versa. Without a doubt, the SRO prevented some crimes
from happening and when there were incidents, he was able to follow-up with
more precision and success. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s nice to read that some towns, such as New Milford,
stepped in with funding from the town budget, to keep SROs in place. Our BOE
was unsuccessful in getting the Village of Ridgewood to fund our SRO when grant
funding ran out. So the Ridgewood SRO was reassigned to “regular” police work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Does my opinion of the SRO program conflict with my opinion
of extracurricular codes that punish kids for activities that take place
outside of school? Absolutely not. I still am not comfortable with a school
imposing sanctions – such as barring a student from sports or clubs – because
of something they <i>may</i> have done on a
Saturday night. But the SRO program was different. It was about communication
and rapport and the “it takes a village” mentality, not simply a shortcut to
official police reports.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s too bad we lost it.</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-73435567597070156482011-09-12T17:30:00.002-04:002011-09-12T17:30:51.021-04:00Hawes School ribbon-cutting Wednesday nightResidents, neighbors, parents and kids are invited to the official ribbon cutting ceremony at Hawes School Wednesday night 9/14. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. I haven't seen the new addition at Hawes since back in March or so...can't wait to see how it all turned out.<br />
<br />
This is the addition that was funded as part of the 2009 bond referendum. Other projects include the addition at Ridge School (not going as quickly, different contractor, different challenges), additions at Willard and GW (in progress), the RHS fields (need to be repaired) and lots of important but not-so-obvious work at RHS, BF and other schools.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-43960543041711043312011-09-07T20:02:00.001-04:002011-09-07T20:03:28.317-04:00Lunch point-of-sale system confusion.<br />
<div class="p1">
Received this email from the Ridgewood Public Schools tonight:</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<blockquote>
Hello Parents of Ridgewood Middle Schools and High School,</blockquote>
</div>
<blockquote>
As you may know, we have implemented a Point-of-Sales system in the cafeterias at the Middle Schools and High School. In order to make the lunch period run quickly and efficiently, we ask that you remind your students that they will require a Key Pad number for purchasing items from the cafeterias, either on account or in cash. Your students key pad number can be found in Skyward Family or Student Access under Food Service. If you need assistance, please email <a href="mailto:skywardhelp@ridgewood.k12.nj.us%3cmailto:skywardhelp@ridgewood.k12.nj.us"><span class="s1">skywardhelp@ridgewood.k12.nj.us.</span></a>Thank you for your patience during this transition period.</blockquote>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I do encourage everyone to be patient (and nice) during the transition, but I have to agree with some of my friends who find it utterly baffling that students must enter a PIN number in order to purchase something with cash. Makes no sense to me. (Not to mention -- if you don't use Skyward to pay for lunch in advance, then you don't have a PIN...or you don't know you have a PIN.) I'm hoping this is something that can be tweaked and corrected. I don't understand why a Point of Sale system needs to track cash purchases. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I'll let you know if I hear about anything changing.</div>
Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-32631869056003877382011-09-07T18:00:00.000-04:002011-09-07T19:54:57.080-04:00The high cost of low salaries.<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that my daughter (RHS Class of 07) has begun working on her Master’s and started student teaching at an elementary school in New Hampshire, I’m getting a fascinating look at the process of becoming a teacher. The view from the very first days of one’s career is so interesting – especially when that career is constantly in the news and the topic of blog posts, speeches, political posturing, national debate and local ridicule. More than a few young or aspiring teachers are asking themselves, “What am I doing? Is this really the smartest thing for me to do with my life?” For most young adults who enter the teaching profession right out of college, teaching is a calling. They’ve always wanted to be a teacher, or they’ve always know they wanted to work with children. Teaching is certainly not the career one lands on when scanning the list of Top 10 Starting Salaries or Top 10 Growth Careers, where it seems the primary focus is on how fast can you get out and how much money can you leave with. Teaching is no way to get rich – there are much higher starting salaries and much more lucrative fields. This fact, I believe, is directly related to the current worries about the quality of our schools. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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I read a great piece in the NY Times about teacher compensation and the high cost of turnover -- as 46% of teachers quit before their fifth year. (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/opinion/01eggers.html?_r=1">The High Cost of Low Salaries, 4/30/11</a>) According to the piece:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</div>
<blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
WHEN we don’t get the results we want in our military endeavors, we don’t blame the soldiers. We don’t say, “It’s these lazy soldiers and their bloated benefits plans! That’s why we haven’t done better in Afghanistan!” No, if the results aren’t there, we blame the planners. We blame the generals, the secretary of defense, the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/j/joint_chiefs_of_staff/index.html?inline=nyt-org"><span style="color: #032747;">Joint Chiefs of Staff</span></a>. No one contemplates blaming the men and women fighting every day in the trenches for little pay and scant recognition.</div>
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And yet in education we do just that. When we don’t like the way our students score on international standardized tests, we blame the teachers. When we don’t like the way particular schools perform, we blame the teachers and restrict their resources.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Compare this with our approach to our military: when results on the ground are not what we hoped, we think of ways to better support soldiers. We try to give them better tools, better weapons, better protection, better training. And when recruiting is down, we offer incentives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We have a rare chance now, with many teachers near retirement, to prove we’re serious about education. The first step is to make the teaching profession more attractive to college graduates.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</blockquote>
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I find it difficult to argue with this premise. What do you say?<br />
<br />
The article discusses a McKinsey study that looked at countries with successful education systems – you know, the countries frequently cited as shining examples of school systems that are “better” than ours, namely Singapore, Finland and South Korea. The study found:</div>
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<blockquote>
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Turns out these countries have an entirely different approach to the profession. First, the governments in these countries recruit top graduates to the profession. (We don’t.) In Finland and Singapore they pay for training. (We don’t.) In terms of purchasing power, South Korea pays teachers on average 250 percent of what we do.</div>
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The authors also remark that “turnover in these countries is startlingly low: In South Korea, it’s 1 percent per year. In Finland, it’s 2 percent. In Singapore, 3 percent.”<br />
<br /></div>
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Is this a coincidence? I don’t think so. Great teachers are going to be the key to improving our education system, and great teachers – who possess the best and brightest minds and who can afford to teach and contribute for the long haul – will cost money.<br />
<br /></div>
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The NY Times column concludes:</div>
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</div>
<blockquote>
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For those who say, “How do we pay for this?” — well, how are we paying for three concurrent wars? How did we pay for the interstate highway system? Or the bailout of the <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/s/savings_and_loan_associations/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier"><span style="color: #032747;">savings and loans</span></a> in 1989 and that of the investment banks in 2008? How did we pay for the equally ambitious project of sending Americans to the moon? We had the vision and we had the will and we found a way.</div>
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</blockquote>
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To which I add, it’s time to rustle up our collective will, leave the politics out, and make it happen. This is not to say it must happen by being fully funded by local property taxes. It's a federal issue. Right? Isn't our nation's overall approach to education a <i>national issue</i>? Hello? Is this thing on?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And to the young teachers just starting their careers now, perhaps in your first classrooms this week: Hang in there. Don’t be discouraged. Think for yourself and not your union’s political agenda. Be part of the conversation. And thank you. </div>
Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-34345009947884935072011-09-07T13:56:00.002-04:002011-09-07T14:02:54.270-04:00You'd be surprised how easy it is to save someone's life.<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o73udN_Y3Z0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />As we sit here in our cozy Village, chilly rain falling, going about our daily lives, it's easy to forget some of the challenges experienced by people in other places around the globe. We're here getting riled up about fields and lunch-buying programs and teacher contracts. Those are all worthy topics of some concern. But sometimes our local issues make it easy to forget we're part of a bigger world. It's easy to remain uninformed, as we constantly filter the news that comes at us via the Internet, Twitter, Facebook, TV, radio, etc. But please don't filter this one out. It's about a problem that is literally killing millions of people -- and which each and every one of us could help fight with just pocket change and a few minutes of our time. Really.<div><br /></div><div>Check out <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/09/that-buzzing-in-my-ear-didnt-mean-i-was-about-to-die.html">Seth Godin's blog</a> today, which is <b>End Malaria Day</b>. <i>Malaria? Isn't that some disease you get if you're on a safari and get bitten by too many mosquitos? </i> It's far, far worse than that. <b>Worldwide, a child dies of malaria every 45 seconds. </b>But this disease could be virtually wiped out by something as simple as mosquito netting. Godin's blog post, and the <a href="http://endmalariaday.com/">End Malaria Day</a> event, are designed to give people like you and me an easy way to learn more and save lives by contributing to the purchase of mosquito netting for families on the other side of the globe. Here's how simple it is:As suggested by Seth's blog:<br /><blockquote>Right this minute, right now, please do three things:</blockquote><blockquote>1. Buy two copies of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/End-Malaria-Michael-Bungay-Stanier/dp/1936719282/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1315232407&sr=8-1">End Malaria</a>, an astonishing new book by more than sixty of your favorite authors. In a minute, I will explain why this might be the most important book you buy this year (not the best book, of course, just the most important one). You should buy one in paperback too so you can evangelize a copy to a colleague.</blockquote><blockquote>2. Tweet or like this post, or email it to ten friends (It only takes a second.)</blockquote><blockquote>3. Visit the <a href="http://endmalariaday.com/">End Malaria Day </a>website and share it as well.</blockquote><blockquote>What would happen if you did that? What would happen if you stepped up and spent a few dollars?</blockquote><blockquote>Here's what would happen: someone wouldn't die.</blockquote><blockquote>A child wouldn't die from malaria, a disease that causes more childhood death than HIV/AIDS.</blockquote><blockquote>It's that direct. Malaria bednets are simple nets that hang over a window or a bed. They're treated with a chemical that mosquitos hate. The mosquitos fly away, they don't bite, people don't get malaria.</blockquote>I hope you will do this. I'm going to do it right now.</div>Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-54837537218077556872011-09-05T14:49:00.001-04:002011-09-05T14:52:52.842-04:00First day of school 2011!So here we are again, back to school. This time it’s strange for me for a couple of reasons. My son, who is my youngest child, is starting his senior year at Ridgewood High School. It’s hard to believe we’re already here. Hard to believe his college applications will be done in a couple of months. And hardest to believe he’ll be going off to college in one year. He is such a different person than my daughter, that the college app and senior process will be much different this time around. Let’s just say things aren’t quite so buttoned up. At the same time, things don't feel so stressful, either.
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<br />We did manage to get a few things done this summer. We researched and visited several schools. At the beginning of the summer, his list of potential colleges was around 40. It is now a manageable 11 schools – and that’s how many he will apply to. I think he’s got 2 reach, 3 target/reach, 4 target and 2 safety. Part of the challenge is that he is completely undecided in terms of what he wants to study or what he wants to do with his life. And that’s OK with me – in fact I think it’s great because I don’t think 16 or 17 year olds have the experience or knowledge of themselves or the world to be “deciding” on their careers. So while I’m glad he’s open to a lot of possibilities, it changes the college search process from one focused on finding the school with the perfect program to finding a school with a wide variety of options, where the important thing is he feels comfortable enough to explore.
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<br />I appreciate the fact that college is a priority among Ridgewood students – as my daughter used to say, it’s actually cool to be smart at RHS – but I don’t like the constant comparison and “where are you applying” and “what are your SAT scores” that can reach a fever pitch among some/many of the students (and parents). My number one goal with my son (and my daughter in 2007) was to get them to keep their heads down, focus on themselves and what’s right for them, and don’t listen to what everyone else is doing.
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<br />As a parent, it can be helpful to hear what others are doing as a way to get ideas, hear advice from those who’ve lived it before and to relieve stress (whew, glad to know all the boys are procrastinators!). But for the students, I think the constant talk and comparison is not helpful. So I try to be a counterbalance to that.
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<br />Anyway, the beginning of senior year is an exciting time. Even though I know that at the very end of the process there will be a letting go, I’m looking forward to the experience – the one I’ll be sharing with my son and husband and the one I’ll be sharing with my fellow RHS Class of 2012 parents.
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<br />Have a great year, everyone. Here we go!
<br />Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-38588059870333100392011-08-28T23:27:00.002-04:002011-08-28T23:34:44.737-04:00That Einstein was a pretty smart guy.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIUrd-O4wNQFg3J4TrypJXCZywZ48bmHBf9Debz8FpgiN3BMPx5vJueyA5sN-pVq7glIXHxkdytpLBHk0Uw34MYZpxIaUyJohQlgn7t1jM7BPqqfN2Xryb0z4XjvcXYLWqaFvy5mUHicW/s1600/tumblr_lpkr9xxbDf1qa2txho1_400.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIUrd-O4wNQFg3J4TrypJXCZywZ48bmHBf9Debz8FpgiN3BMPx5vJueyA5sN-pVq7glIXHxkdytpLBHk0Uw34MYZpxIaUyJohQlgn7t1jM7BPqqfN2Xryb0z4XjvcXYLWqaFvy5mUHicW/s400/tumblr_lpkr9xxbDf1qa2txho1_400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646114852000504482" /></a>
<br />Don't have time for more at this moment (this is an awesome solution for days when I don't have time to write a thoughtful post). Any thoughts?Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-90034603555816795382011-08-28T03:58:00.005-04:002011-08-28T13:44:13.914-04:00The search for relevance.A friend alerted me to a post on another blog that referenced something I tweeted. The person commented, apparently about my blogging or tweeting, that I am “desperately trying to stay relevant.” And then they said it was “sad.”
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<br />My first thought was, <span style="font-style:italic;">Isn’t that what we all want?</span> To be relevant? To matter? Whether it’s feeling like we are valued by the people in our lives, or by vast numbers of strangers in our community, our state, our nation or the planet, I’d say the quest to feel like one matters is one of the primary pursuits of mankind. My excellent high school English teacher, Louis Hill, would have said it was part of the “hooman condition.” (For some reason that’s always how he pronounced it…<span style="font-style:italic;">hoooooman</span> condition.)
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<br />People all over the world are participating regularly in online communities, from Facebook and Twitter to blogs, message boards, and various other social media. What’s driving this explosion of communication and creativity? A big part is the search for relevance…the quest to belong…the need to matter. People who, prior to this digital revolution, felt disenfranchised and disconnected from each other, from their government, and from their future, now have a chance to join in the conversation. To participate in the debate. To share their unique perspective and opinions, even if it’s as simple as clicking “Like.”
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<br />In Ridgewood, the reach for relevance can be seen in some of our local blogs as well as online news sources like the Ridgewood Patch or NorthJersey.com. Patch and North Jersey are legitimate news sources, with the addition of a comment capability, which is where local residents can find their connection, their relevance. Local blogs, like my own, are pet projects (NOT news sources), with posts reflecting our personal opinions, our individual interests. In the comments section of our blogs is where you can see certain residents grab for their share of relevance. But is there a catch?
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<br />I wonder…How much are we participating, how much do we matter, if we only participate <span style="font-style:italic;">anonymously</span>? If we don’t use our name or any other recognizable identifier, are our comments relevant? Are <span style="font-style:italic;">we</span> relevant? Is there a difference? Does anonymous posting only allow us to <span style="font-style:italic;">feel</span> relevant?
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<br />I certainly understand that some people are naturally comfortable speaking up publicly and others may be shy. I also know that the “cloak of invisibility” gives some people license to A) say things they don’t actually believe, for the fun of “stirring the pot;” B) say things that are socially or politically “incorrect;” C) use hate speech, bully others and just generally be mean in ways they never would to someone’s face; D) lie. Basically, all these behaviors stem from the <span style="font-style:italic;">lack of accountability</span> that comes with anonymous posting.
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<br />And herein lies the monkey wrench. Can we be relevant <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> avoid accountability? Or when we communicate anonymously, are we simply being relevant-ish? What do you think?
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<br />(And, really, I’m not calling you out and demanding only named comments (not yet haha). I’m just thinking out loud and exploring a concept. If you have a thought on this topic, please feel free to comment, by name or by <span style="font-style:italic;">nom de plume</span> or by anonymous…I know that old habits die hard!)Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-72051741028987297682011-08-23T13:10:00.004-04:002011-08-23T15:18:30.775-04:00Thumbs up & down: online payment system.Talking with some friends (also Ridgewood parents) about the announcement that the <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/news/128227788_Schools_offer_new_way_to_pay_online.html">school district has moved to a new system for online payments </a>for things like activity fees, lunches, etc. One friend complained that the district is now "nickel and diming" us with the $3.50 transaction fee for online payments. She said something like, "the system was working fine before, and it was free!" Another parent commented that the District had successfully found a new revenue stream.
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<br />I give a mixed thumbs up and thumbs down on this. On the one hand, a better online payment system, that lets parents "load" their account with cash and then use it as necessary, seems good. I never did the online lunch ordering with my kids, so I'm not sure how it works if you order a lunch and then don't end up using it. Do you get your money back? It seems like with this system, you could order lunches but then if your child doesn't actually receive a lunch, then your account won't be charged? That's what it sounds like to me. I also like that now high school students will be able to draw on the account to buy lunch. Previously there was never a cashless way to get lunch at RHS. I don't know how it works, though. (Swipe your ID card? Do they even have magnetic stripes?)
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<br />I guess I can see an advantage to being able to check my account online in Skyward, then make payments, etc., in one place. (Although I notice that the instructions say you have to do activity fee payments and lunch payments separately, so that's not such a time saver.) I read that the system will allow me to "monitor" my child's food selections...I'm not sure what that means exactly. If kids are in elementary school, there isn't a "selection" is there? Don't they just get whatever is served that day? Maybe it means middle school and high school. Eh. Maybe that's important for some people to know if your kid had a sandwich or a cookie. I guess I'm neutral on that feature.
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<br />On the other hand, it does irk me that the District says they are charging the $3.50 as a "convenience fee." It's not really more <span style="font-style:italic;">convenient</span> for me to use Skyward vs. Community Pass. Whether I click on this URL or that URL, neither one is more <span style="font-style:italic;">convenient</span> than the other.
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<br />It might have been better if the District had explained that the previous processing of online payments with Community Pass also cost $$ per transaction -- only in the past, the cost was absorbed by the District. It was never "free." It was just free for parents. There is a difference. (From what I understand, the District was spending around $30,000 per year between the user fee and the transaction fees.)
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<br />The reality is, <span style="font-weight:bold;">now the cost of processing online transactions will be paid for by only those parents using the service, instead of being paid for by <span style="font-style:italic;">all</span> taxpayers. </span>This seems fair to me. I just think it wasn't explained well.
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<br />So I give the new online payment system a thumbs up, but the communications about it a thumbs down.
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<br />Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-50865446312949204102011-08-22T14:19:00.003-04:002011-08-22T14:30:43.633-04:00When incentives are incentives to cheat.Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that the NYC principal who was removed from her job for changing students’ grades and giving course credit to failing students was retained by the NYC public schools as an “Achievement Coach?” (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/20/nyregion/lehman-high-school-principal-to-resign-over-changing-student-grades.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y">See New York Times article</a>.) That seems like a stretch. Apparently she will still be paid a principal’s salary “but will no longer be eligible for a $25,000 performance bonus like the one she earned in 2009.” Well, <span style="font-style:italic;">that’s</span> a relief.
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<br />I’m not even going to bother being outraged (or even surprised) that this principal wasn’t fired, that the NY schools chancellor seemed to think this wasn’t a very big deal. Let the NYC parents get upset about that. I’m more concerned about the lesson to be learned by those who push financial incentives for higher test scores. This type of thing – tweaking scores or massaging grades or “misapplying grading policies” or, let’s be real, cheating – is going to become tempting as the stakes get higher and higher. Perhaps you’ve heard about the cheating scandal recently coming to light in some <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43970932/ns/us_news-education/t/pennsylvania-latest-face-school-cheating-scandal/">Pennsylvania</a> public schools? Or what about <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/06/education/06atlanta.html">Atlanta</a>? Desperate people, in desperate times, will do desperate things to keep their jobs.
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<br />Of course, another irony is the fact that incentives like bonus pay have been shown to have ZERO effect on student performance. (Click <a href="http://gothamschools.org/2011/03/07/study-75m-teacher-pay-initiative-did-not-improve-achievement/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.danpink.com/archives/2011/03/does-giving-teachers-bonuses-improve-student-performance">here</a>.) But lawmakers don’t want to hear that. The public doesn’t want to hear it. It’s easier for them if the answer is simply to reward educators for higher test scores.
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<br />Seems pretty clear to me that this is not going to end well…
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<br />Update: There's a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/23/nyregion/city-reports-increase-in-allegations-of-cheating-by-educators.html?_r=1&hp">new story today on the NY Times website</a>, reporting that allegations of cheating and grade tampering in the NYC public schools have tripled since 2002. <span style="font-style:italic;">Yep, expect to see more and more stories like this...
<br /></span>Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-59926662636804757802011-08-21T03:37:00.006-04:002011-08-23T17:04:40.188-04:00Share the road.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ9NJMuMgMxAWATXLa5v-ojgNwHDm627all_a7Gg5XSn9Rto8qAy00kZq4ya7ZD-M56hneiJ-7xUMrR0c7oVP6y62aaSh2cfRQBNqN71tmBgHe_wgfUSiYSZwvP6ka-Hx4b9ALE0vl_V4/s1600/Bike.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJ9NJMuMgMxAWATXLa5v-ojgNwHDm627all_a7Gg5XSn9Rto8qAy00kZq4ya7ZD-M56hneiJ-7xUMrR0c7oVP6y62aaSh2cfRQBNqN71tmBgHe_wgfUSiYSZwvP6ka-Hx4b9ALE0vl_V4/s200/Bike.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643722300858592482" /></a>
<br />Alright so this is my first “real” blog post in a month or so and I decided to start with…<span style="font-weight:bold;">bike riding</span>. Early in the summer, I bought a new bike (the photo at left is my sweet new ride!). What I really wanted was a new car. I haven’t had a new car in years. We’ve had plans for new cars now and then, and my husband got a new car so he could commute to his new job, but it’s hard for me to make the case for a new car when I work out of my home office! So…I placated myself with a shiny new bike, and it’s been great. I made a commitment to try and ride the bike for any errands within two miles of home, inspired by the <a href="http://2milechallenge.com/">Clif 2 Mile Challenge</a>. I was intrigued to learn that (according to the 2 Mile Challenge website) “40% of all urban travel in the US happens within 2 miles of where people live. And 90% of that travel is by car.” The premise of the Challenge is to get people to ride a bike for those under-2-mile trips, in order to reduce the effect of carbon emissions on climate change.
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<br />While I like the idea of reducing carbon emissions, I was motivated by some other benefits of bike riding in Ridgewood. For starters, no more parking hassle! There aren’t exactly bike racks everywhere, but there are lampposts, signposts and fences to which I can lock my bike. I love pulling up to whatever store or restaurant I want and parking my bike – FOR FREE – within a few feet. Next benefit – exercise. I had not ridden a bike in years, perhaps decades, and I forgot that you can get some pretty good exercise peddling around town. (There are hills and grades where I never noticed before.) The final benefit is saving a little on gas money. Hey, every little bit helps!
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<br />So this summer, I’ve been riding the bike for my typical errands, most of which are: bank, post office, Stop & Shop, nail salon, haircut, friends’ house. That’s pretty much my life outside the house. (Exciting, I know.) We’ll see how long I can keep riding when the weather starts cooling off. I can tell you I don’t ride in the rain and I won’t ride in the snow. I’m not that crazy.
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<br />But I did want to make one point after all this explanation: the streets of Ridgewood are <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> a welcome place for bike riders! I had no idea. The hazards are many: potholes, uneven pavement and deep sewer drains. People who open their doors without looking over their shoulder. People who follow too close in their cars, or who don’t pay attention when they make a right hand turn and you’re right there. <span style="font-style:italic;">Hello, I’m riding here!</span> It’s frustrating…and more than a little scary sometimes. Now, I will never advocate bike riders who ride two- or three- (or more) across. That’s rude. But I think we all need to make it easier – and safer – for bike riders in our town. Fewer cars on the street benefits all of us. You don’t have to ride a bike if you don’t want, but please watch out for those who choose to get some exercise, reduce pollution, and leave a parking space open for you. <span style="font-style:italic;">You're welcome. </span>
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<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Update 8/23 @ 4:56 p.m.: </span><a href="http://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/teenage-bicyclist-struck-vehicle-flees#photo-7464864">A girl on a bike was hit by a car today</a> at E. Ridgewood Ave. and Hope Street. It was about 10 minutes after I did my errands by bike. As I rode today on Ridgewood Ave downtown, squishing as far to the right as possible to avoid passing cars, hoping no one pulled out into traffic without looking over their shoulder, I realized how I should probably avoid Ridgewood Ave. Of course, it's impossible to avoid it completely when running errands downtown, but I gotta say, it is a little scary on a bike! I already make a habit of getting off the bike and walking across Ridgewood Ave or its cross streets downtown. It's just too risky to ride across. And forget about the offset intersection of Franklin and Maple...I have not figured out the best way to get across Maple there by bike. <span style="font-style:italic;">People...there are too many pedestrians and bicyclists being hit in our town! Pay attention, everyone!</span>Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-37152731865097309042011-08-21T02:47:00.002-04:002011-08-21T03:02:51.007-04:00Hey, welcome back!I haven’t been blogging much (at all) over the past couple of months. It’s been a busy summer on the work front. I’ve been writing a lot for several clients, including writing a frequent blog (on home décor) for one client, so maybe that has something to do with my lack of energy for this blog of my own. It’s true that at the end of the day (or in the wee hours of the morning), after writing for hours, it can be a little difficult to get revved up to write some more. Especially when there's no deadline and no paycheck attached. I guess I just got a little tired...
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<br />Also playing into the situation is my status, as of April, as a “regular” Ridgewood resident. That is, not a member of the Board of Education. When I was on the BOE, I felt a very real obligation to write about various topics in a timely manner. If there was a topic that we discussed at a BOE meeting, I might write about it the next day to explain or to add my own opinions. I often tried to fill holes in District or Board communications. Since April, there’s no real rush or obligation for me to write. Not to mention, it’s definitely different to be commenting completely from the outside. I don’t want to be the armchair quarterback who simply lobs commentary or complaints on BOE decisions or actions, especially since I don't have all the information anymore. I may not really have a handle on my role these days, but I can say that I’m not interested in being a gadfly.
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<br />That being said, I am absolutely and completely just as concerned and interested in our schools in particular and in education in general today, as I was before the April election. My silence these past couple of months should not be interpreted to mean that I don’t know what’s going on, or, worse, that I don’t care what’s going on. Nothing could be further from the truth. I've been reading, corresponding, paying attention and researching, especially in education areas that particularly interest me, such as technology in schools, curriculum, communications and funding. Honestly, I'm just trying to figure out my role.
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<br />I'm not gonna lie...I have enjoyed the quiet a little bit. I enjoy waking up and reading my email and <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> finding half a dozen messages from people who are angry. I have enjoyed <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> receiving 200+ pages to read on Friday night. And I've enjoyed <span style="font-style:italic;">not</span> running back and forth to the Ed Center for various Board meetings, reviewing bills, committee meetings, etc.
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<br />HOWEVER, now that we’re approaching the beginning of the 2011-12 school year, and having just enjoyed a couple months of quiet, behind-the-scenes observation of our Ridgewood schools, Village politics and life in our town, I’m feeling like I need to start blogging again. I don't really like being quiet. Vacation’s (almost) over! It’s true that Ridgewood can be a bit of a ghost town in the summer, but since I’m not one of those lucky enough to have a vacation home to escape to, I can tell you this: there’s been <span style="font-style:italic;">plenty</span> of stuff going on in Ridgewood – both in our schools and out.
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<br />So I'm just starting to think about some of the topics I’d like to explore with my blog. Here are a few random things on my radar:
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<br />-U.S. schools/ education reform/comparisons to Finland and others
<br />-Teacher pay
<br />-Fast food retailers coming to Ridgewood?
<br />-Bike riding in Ridgewood
<br />-Results of the latest parent surve re: schools
<br />-The latest on fields and lights
<br />-School construction / additions at Ridge & Hawes / Status of Glen school (again)
<br />-Technology in schools
<br />-Overbooked children / Overdoing it with the extracurriculars
<br />-Adventures of a first-time teacher
<br />-Graydon
<br />-Village Council effectiveness
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<br />These are just a few things I'm thinking about. What about you? What would you like to talk about?
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<br />Enjoy the last few weeks of summer. Please come back. My blog's re-start may be a little rocky at first, but I'll try to get ramped back up as quickly as possible.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-7465738726534005542011-07-18T15:42:00.003-04:002011-07-18T15:50:35.053-04:00Ridgewood BOE to discuss what to do with $$ returned by state.Sorry for the lack of activity on my blog recently. Work has alternated between super-busy and very slow, and in the latter times, I try to catch up on family stuff, my son’s college search, baking, sleep…things like that.<br /><br />The Ridgewood Board of Ed meets tonight at 7:30, and I’ll be watching on FiOS Channel 33. One of the primary topics of interest is the Board’s decision about what to do with the aid that will be coming back to the District from the state. Governor Christie’s people are making a big deal about how this aid represents the governor’s “commitment to education,” but I can’t help but wonder why, if he was so committed, he took it away in the first place. But that’s neither here nor there anymore. Now districts like Ridgewood need to figure out what to do with the money – within all the budgetary restrictions and rules imposed by the state. The biggest issue, that most people don’t understand, is that the money really should not be used for anything that will be an ongoing cost. For example, teachers or staff. Why? Because if you add staff now (like, to reduce class sizes in a grade or two replace a program that was cut), then when next year’s budget rolls around, we won’t be able to fund those salaries. The budget cap (which is really a tax levy cap) will prevent those positions from being funded, because they were not funded by this year’s tax levy. The state’s tax levy cap makes it impossible for districts to most effectively incorporate a windfall-type infusion of funding. Just another unforeseen drawback that taxpayers don’t always see.<br /><br />(I hope Governor Christie and his minions don't think this return of part of our funding makes up for the delay in reimbursing us for the referendum construction grant monies. Boy, the shell games they play...maybe we'll have to use the state aid money to pay for the construction, while we wait again for the state to fulfill its legal obligation...again.)<br /><br />I’m not sure what the other options and restrictions are for these funds coming back from the state. Presumably, the funds could be placed in the district’s surplus account for now, and then applied according to the rules that guide that line item’s use. I presume that Dr. Fishbein will make a recommendation, or a couple of recommendations, to the Board as to how he thinks the funds should best be used. I’ll be interested in that conversation tonight.<br /><br />I see from the agenda that there’s opportunity for public comment regarding the district’s alternatives, so if you have an opinion, please go to the Ed Center and share it.<br /><br />Also on the agenda: a proposal by Dr. Fishbein to have the District reimburse BOE members for the cost of their state-mandated criminal history checks. I don’t know what these background checks are going to cost, yet, but I think it’s reasonable for the District to pick up the tab. (Frankly, I think Trenton should pick-up the tab.)<br /><br />I also see that the Board will have the second reading of new and revised policies, one of which is the Extracurricular Code of Conduct policy which I think is confusing and problematic with regard to enforcement. Will be interested to see if there is any discussion.<br /><br />I’m going to try and start posting more regularly again…I have been reading all the education news and info blogs I’ve always followed, just haven’t felt the need to talk much these days. I’ll be visiting colleges the rest of this week with my son, but feel free to send your comments, especially after tonight’s discussion/decision re: additional funding. Let me know what you think!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">P.S. Sorry there are no links to the agenda, etc. For some reason Blogger is no allowing me to post links. Just one more reason I'm considering moving to another blog platform...</span>Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-62638641407527316832011-07-01T10:02:00.002-04:002011-07-01T10:14:43.118-04:00Project Graduation 2011 -- another winner!Project Graduation 2011 was another successful event in this 50+ year Ridgewood tradition. As I think I've mentioned in the past, Iam a huge huge fan of Project Graduation. I co-chaired it in 2007 with Tracy Autera (whose mother, Barbara Dittrick, chaired it in the 80s). Next year, Tracy's sister Lindsey Barclay will co-chair with Kelly Coakley for 2012. As my son is a member of that class, I'm excited to be involved again.<br /><br />The theme of PG11 was Ice Hotel. The BF gym, hallway and cafeteria were transformed into an icy winter wonderland. The gym was cooled with temporary air conditioning, adding to the effect. As usual, the kids all had a great time, as mentioned in a <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/news/opinions/124835659_Letter__Graduate_applauds_commencement_events.html">letter in today's Ridgewood News (click here</a>).<br /><br />Project Graduation 2012 parents are brainstorming ideas for a theme. If you have a good idea, send it to ProjectGrad2012@gmail.com. <br /><br />Here are the past few Project Graduation themes:<br /><br />1997 - Honey I Shrunk the Kids<br />1998 - Western<br />1999 - Wizard of Oz<br />2000 - Cruise<br />2001 - NYC<br />2002 - Rock and Roll<br />2003 - Down at the Shore<br />2004 - Pirates of the Caribbean<br />2005 - Survivor<br />2006 - Harry Potter<br />2007 - Midnight at the Oasis<br />2008 - Beijing Olympics<br />2009 - Batman<br />2010 - Alice in Wonderland<br />2011 - Ice HotelLaurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-66097505839357941402011-07-01T09:52:00.003-04:002011-07-01T09:59:41.387-04:00RHS students gain new perspectives at global classroom conference in Sweden.There's a <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/124834894_Sweden_stretches_students__minds_.html?page=all">story in today's Ridgewood News</a> about a group of eight Ridgewood High School students who traveled to Sweden recently to participate in the annual Global Classroom Conference. They spent 10 days working with students from around the world on issues of sustainability, meeting in small groups, making presentations on research tasks and sharing ideas from different perspectives. <br /><br />It's great to see the opportunities that RHS students have to expand their high school experience. As the story in the <span style="font-style:italic;">Ridgewood News</span> mentions, this type of trip is more like the things you do in college. Great program for Ridgewood. Previously our students traveled to the Shetland Islands for the conference and one year students from around the world came to Ridgewood as the conference was held here. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.northjersey.com/topstories/ridgewood/124834894_Sweden_stretches_students__minds_.html?page=all">Click here for the full story</a>.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-76764608543035164432011-06-29T23:06:00.004-04:002011-06-30T17:34:24.640-04:00Disciplining the conduct of students outside of school.I went to the Board of Ed meeting on Monday night to ask some questions and raise some concerns about one of the sections of revised policy that was having its first reading. Specifically my comments were about Policy #5600, which is the Extracurricular Code of Conduct. This is the policy that says actions of a student outside of school – for example, drinking or smoking – can be punished by the school, by restricting the student’s participation in extracurricular activities such as sports or clubs.<br /><br />I’ve always had a problem with this policy, mainly because it seems to stretch the school’s business a little further than necessary. On top of that, I feel that if the school is going to have this type of policy, then it needs to be extremely clear and detailed, and should clearly spell out exactly how infractions that occur on a Friday night when no adults (let alone school staff) are around are going to be confirmed. It bothers me that a kid might be present at a home, it might even be a party, he might choose not to engage in any illegal behavior, but could be reported to the principal as drinking. How is he going to prove otherwise? Where is the due process? The presumption of innocence? <br /><br />The policy contains very specific information about consequences, but what the behaviors are, and how that info will be verified, is not specific at all – in fact it’s not even mentioned. I think this opens up some confusion on the part of students and parents.<br /><br />The policy mentions that the principal may act if there is a <span style="font-style:italic;">reasonable basis</span> that a violation <span style="font-style:italic;">may</span> have occurred. I think that language is vague and a little bit concerning… Whether it’s done within the policy or whether it’s communicated in another way, as a parent I would like to understand what guidelines or rubric the principal will use in deciding what to pursue and what not to pursue, how will he separate rumors from facts…and how will students’ due process rights be maintained?<br /><br />Dr. Fishbein’s answer to this question Monday night was that the principal will rely on the reports of witnesses. I don’t think that really answered my concern.<br /><br />The final issue I raised on Monday was to ask how Ridgewood’s extracurricular code of conduct differs from that of Ramapo-Indian Hills, which was overturned by the Commissioner of Education, who found it to be unlawful. As I understand it, that precedent applies to all districts in New Jersey. Dr. Fishbein pointed to a sentence in the policy that was added by our district’s lawyer, which purports to address the Commissioner’s objection. It states that the school may only impose discipline for activity that occurs outside of school, if that behavior “materially and substantially interferes with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school or its programs…” I trust that the lawyer believes this addresses the concern…I can’t say I’m sold on the idea that a kid having a beer on Friday night automatically materially or substantially interferes with school on Monday. I guess it will take someone challenging the policy legally to put it to a constitutional test.<br /><br />As I said Monday night, of course I support the <span style="font-style:italic;">intent</span> of this policy, insofar as it deals with safety of students, but I think it’s confusing and vague and, for that reason, I don’t think it actually improves the safety of students enough to warrant the conflict with their rights. Truthfully, sometimes when I think about it, I admit I'm torn: if the policy results in some kids changing their behavior because they're afraid of the consequences, and if that means a kid avoids injury or worse, does that make it all worth while? Does the end justify the means? Does it ever? Are the rules different when kids' safety is involved?<br /><br />It was a little odd to attend the meeting and make comments from the podium, but I thought it was important to ask those questions in public so there’s a record of the dialogue and so that other parents who might have questions can participate. <br /><br />You can <a href="http://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/goodman-asks-for-more-accessibility-on-student-conduct-section-in-boe-policy-manual">click here</a> to read the Patch.com report on my comments from Monday night.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-50017799454140149582011-06-22T20:05:00.004-04:002011-06-22T20:11:25.827-04:00White dresses and red roses.The Ridgewood High School Class of 2011 graduates tomorrow and once again I got choked up seeing the Stadium Field set-up for the occasion. I truly have never seen a graduation ceremony anywhere that's as beautiful as Ridgewood's. The white dresses, the white dinner jackets, the red roses...such a great tradition!<br /><br />Graduation starts at 5:00 tomorrow. I'm sad that I won't have the honor and privilege of walking with the graduates as part of the Board of Education. I did love that part of the job -- the view of the ceremony is great from the dais. Instead, tomorrow at 5:00 I'll be at BF Middle School heading up the Project Graduation "watch dogs" -- parents of the RHS class of 2012 who are keeping an eye on the BF party decorations while the parents who created the scene are watching their children receive their diplomas. I also have the important job of sending the buses to RHS to pick up the kids and take them to the first stage of Project Graduation, the Dinner Dance at the "secret, undisclosed location," (where the Dinner Dance has been held for at least the last 30 years...ssshhhh!).<br /><br />Graduation is a great day in Ridgewood. Congratulations, Class of 2011!Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-768945813587888212.post-71245369931093744692011-06-16T10:43:00.004-04:002011-06-16T13:06:57.822-04:00Improving the ability to survey students.Today the NJ Senate Education Committee is holding a hearing on a bill, S-1696/A-3242, which will change (slightly) the way that schools secure parent permission to survey students. Sort of surprising that word of this bill is just now reaching Ridgewood, since the current law was inspired by the infamous Ridgewood survey of 1999. And surprising, too, (encouraging!) that some lawmakers have the good sense to bring this issue forward. The current law seriously undermines the ability of a community to collect data on issues that affect our students and to appropriately and locally develop solutions to keep our children safe and healthy. <br /><br />The bill would allow students to participate in a voluntary survey if the district sends prior written notification to the student's parents, and the parent does not object. This is known as “passive consent” and the important word to note is <span style="font-style:italic;">consent</span>. This bill does not “ignore” or “take away” parents’ rights. Parents absolutely have the right to prohibit their child from participating in a survey. In fact, some argue that passive consent maintains that option with increased anonymity. <br /><br />Why is this bill important? Information about youth use of alcohol and drugs is used by a community, and the state, to develop effective prevention programs. In comparing the participation rate and cost of conducting a survey as proposed in this bill versus the current law, the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services found the cost of implementing a survey would be $1.80 per student versus $16.97 per student - nearly 10 times the cost. The overall average response rate was 91% versus 42%. As anybody who understands statistics knows, the higher the participation rate, the more meaningful and useful the data. Under the current law, the DHSS has concluded that participation rates of 42% are not adequate to provide meaningful information about youth populations – not to mention that state agencies cannot afford to conduct statewide surveys if they cost 10 times more.<br /><br />More and more, school districts are being charged with caring for more than simply the “book learning” of students. Schools – as a constant and consistent point of contact with youth – are expected, and in many ways legally required, to care for the whole child: education, social development, physical wellness, mental/emotional health, etc. Beyond schools, agencies such as the DHSS are certainly and directly responsible for physical and mental health of our youth. Making it more difficult to gather real information in order to do their jobs makes no sense. One of the tools both school districts and state agencies need is the ability to compile information related to youth trends regarding attitudes and use of alcohol and drugs. The best way to do this is via a voluntary and anonymous system that respects parental concerns about the material children are exposed to in surveys administered at New Jersey schools. <br /><br />I’ll be following the progress of these bills and I’ll keep you posted. As you know, the New Jersey legislative process is unpredictable (at best), so who knows what will happen next, or when.Laurie Goodmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333070518293834658noreply@blogger.com8