Monday, November 30, 2015

DISTRICT FINALLY POSTS EDUCATION SUMMIT INFO ONLINE WEEKS LATE

Just hours after Maplewood.com raised the issue of the district failing to post notes and links to information from the recent education summit two weeks after the event, Superintendent John Ramos issued a letter revealing that the information had been posted.

Although Ramos and the district did not respond to our requests today for why such information had not been released more than two weeks after the event, despite promises that it would be, this email was sent to residents within hours of our report Monday:

Dear SOMSD Community:


The discussions at the November 10th Education Summit were rich and insightful.  In the  29 different topic rooms, we heard creative ideas ranging from establishing “Maker Spaces” in every school, to moving from grade-level groupings based on age to multi-age classrooms based on interests and skills,  to providing MOOCS (online course) at CHS to provide opportunities for students to explore subjects or specialized courses not offered in our regular class schedules. 

We also saw some common themes thread their way through many diverse topics, including the need to refresh teaching approaches to be relevant to today's learners, to foster more partnerships with outside community members and organizations, and to communicate more thoroughly about the opportunities and pathways available to students.

We invite the community to continue participating in the discussion of these important topics through January 4th, so that we can incorporate all perspectives into the next phase of our Strategic Planning Process. 

Many thanks to the dozens of facilitators and scribes who captured the essence of the conversations at the Summit. The notes from each discussion group are available here.

If you would like to share your thoughts on one or more of these topics, please do so here.

We look forward to synthesizing all of the ideas, suggestions, and visions shared at the Summit and electronically in the next month as we create a blueprint for SOMSD’s future.  Thank you for being a part of this important process.

Sincerely,

Dr. John J. Ramos, Sr.

Superintendent

And, miraculously, the links to notes and info from the Nov. 10 summit were suddenly  online. But the link for residents to use to give their input still goes to an error message.

RADIO COMEDY MILKWOOD KEEPS SPOOFING TWO TOWNS

We told you last summer about the hilarious online radio program Milkwood that spoofs Maplewood and South Orange.

Well, since that first episode aired three more have been produced and posted.

Episode Two just happens to include discussion of a major downtown development, library funds and, of course, feral cats. There is also a Greg Lembrich cameo.

Hear Episode Two below:



And Three and Four HERE:

And if you missed Episode One, find it HERE. 

POST-EDUCATION SUMMIT "CONVERSATION" NOT FOUND ON DISTRICT WEBSITE

It's been more than two weeks since the much-hyped education summit was held at Columbia High School.

During the event that drew thousands of parents, students, and staff, Superintendent John Ramos vowed that the notes and highlights from each of the dozens of topic sessions would be available online for review for 30 days.

And that residents would be able to "continue the conversation" online with comment and questions.

The main district webpage offers this teaser inviting such access:

Education Summit Topics and Notes - The Conversation Continues 

The 1500 people who participated in the Education Summit on November 10th shared a host of insightful ideas, suggestions, and concerns. The conversation will continue through January 4, 2016! Please read more about how you can participate.

But if you go to the links set up on the district website for the access to session notes, none of them are connected to anything. And the link that invites residents to share their views and concerns goes to an error page.

Try it yourself HERE. We have reached out to the district for comment on this and will advise if they respond.

JOB HUNTING HELP AND FUTURE CAREER TALK AT LIBRARY TODAY

Northern NJ Professionals in Transition


10:00 am – 11:30 am

Main Library – Network with other professionals who are currently unemployed or looking for new career opportunities. Meetings alternate between guest speakers and career workshops. Programs are free and open to the public.
More information about Professionals in Transition

What Do I Want To Do When I Grow Up?


7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Learn more about yourself and get some ideas about what occupations, careers, or college majors will fit your interests and your career personality. A fun and revealing activity in which you can develop greater self-awareness and learn about jobs and work environments that may be a good fit for you.Adapted from an exercise created by author Richard Bolles, “What Color is Your Parachute”. This workshop will be led by Career & College Counselor Lisa Mark, M.A.

Sunday, November 29, 2015

MAPLEWOODIANS OF THE WEEK: MORROW CHURCH

We told you last week about Morrow Church opening its doors to a group of Syrian refugees.

This act of kindness, courage and generosity earn them our Maplewoodians of the Week.




'MOSTLY MUSIC' TODAY AT MORROW CHURCH


Morrow Memorial Methodist Church
600 Ridgewood Road
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

ANI KAVAFIAN, violin         CARTER BREY, cello
Jonathan Feldman, piano
Ida Kavafian, violin
Bach – Trio Sonata in G Major, BWV 1038
Martinu – Sonata for Two Violins and Piano
Najarian – “A Tale for Two Violins”
Brahms – Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8
Individual concert tickets are always available at the door:
Adult: $30, Senior: $25, Students: 10-21 Free

JUST THREE OPEN HOUSES TODAY

It may be Thanksgiving weekend, but there are still a few open houses today.

See the short list HERE.

Head out, find your next home or just see what the market is offering.


Friday, November 27, 2015

ROTARY CLUB CHRISTMAS TREE SALE STARTS SATURDAY

DURAND-HEDDEN GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONTEST IS ON!

From Durand-Hedden House:





The Durand-Hedden house invites bakers and confectioners of all ages – individuals, families, food professionals – to take part in its 2015 Gingerbread House Competition. Any structure – real or imaginary – is eligible. Interested in being a contestant? Enter by December 3. 

Winners will be revealed at the December 6 open house.  Entries will be exhibited at Durand-Hedden from December 6 to 13 and then at the Hilton library branch from December 14 to January 16.
Enter the Competition!
Read more about:

DO YOU KNOW THE LIBRARY IN A TREE?

If you pass by this unusual tree at the corner of Richmond Avenue and Baldwin Road then you are aware of the Little Free Library.

This book sharing spot is part of a national effort to have small reading material outlets as close as the next corner.

Read more about them HERE.

Check the Maplewood spot soon. 


Thursday, November 26, 2015

MAPLEWOOD CHURCH WELCOMES SYRIAN REFUGEES

While some politicians, including our governor, want to keep Syrian refugees out of the United States, Morrow Church in Maplewood is welcoming a family in.

See below:


HAPPY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving from the Township Committee


PRE- AND POST-THANKSGIVING BIKE RIDE BURN-OFF

From Maplewood Recreation:

Hey Riders,

Back by popular demand, even though we said we'd be closed on Thursday - and mostly, because a bunch of you asked, "Will you help us burn off our turkey? How about a pre-dinner ride? Help!" our "holidaze" second-annual Thanksgiving rides are here!

These rides require advance sign-up, and space is limited to 14 per class. 
 

·    PRE-THANKSGIVING DINNER RIDE - 9:30 AM THURSDAY, 60 MINUTES! SIGN UP NOW!
·    THE TURKEY-BURNOFF RIDE, 9:30 AM FRIDAY, 60 MINUTES. SIGN UP NOW!! SPACE IS LIMITED.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

TC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETS THIS MORNING

The Township Committee's Economic Development Committee meets today from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Town Hall, 574 Valley St.

See who is on that group HERE.

Open to the public as always, but no agenda posted.


BABY LIT AND EARLY CLOSING AT LIBRARY TODAY

Hilton Baby Lit

11:00 am – 11:30 am

Hilton Branch * Ages Birth – 2 1/2 * Drop in

Libraries close at 1:00 p.m.

Libraries close at 1:00 p.m. for Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

CHANNEL 2 ON OUR TIRE THEFTS: OVERDONE?

We've been telling you about the recent police warnings related to theft of tires and rims from cars.

As recently as Monday another was reported.

The increase drew the attention of WCBS TV, which aired a story on the situation Monday that seemed to unfairly make Maplewood look like some kind of tire theft hotbed.

Watch below and read their online story here, which had some sloppy misspellings of our streets as well.


SCHOOLS SPENDING MILLIONS ON MAINTENANCE: WHERE'S IT GOING?

The school district's recent baseline budget report that indicated a need to deal with rising enrollment in lower grades also included a detailed listing of maintenance projects for last year, this year, and next school year, to the tune of nearly $7.5 million.

The maintenance list indicates the district spent $3.5 million on maintenance in 2014-2015 and plans to spend $1.9 million each for 2015-2016 and 2016-2017.  

Last year's projects ranged from upgrades to Underhill Sports Complex to gym floor repairs at Seth Boyden School to door repairs at Jefferson School. Maplewood Middle School had the most expensive work down, with a total of $1.1 million for a long list of needs that included painting, science lab repairs and damaged walls.

See what was done at your school and will be done in the future HERE.

BIG LIBRARY DAY: FROM STORYTIME TO PAJAMATIME

Hilton Preschool Storytime


4:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Hilton Branch * Ages 2 1/2 – 5 * Drop in


  Hilton 3D CAD Workshop

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Hilton Branch – Tuesdays Oct. 6 – Nov. 24, 5:00-6:00 pm. Computer generated animation, gaming landscapes and consumer products all start as 3D computer models. This 8 WEEK WORKSHOP will give new and returning participants the opportunity to learn the basics or increase their proficiency in Rhino 3D, a user-friendly industrial-strength 3D CAD program.

Create Space – Maplewood Library’s Makerspace is Open!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Hilton Branch – Every Tuesday  6:00-8:00 pm, Thursday 5:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday 10-1 pm.   Patrons can use Rhino 3D software to build a model, print an object on our 3D printer or use our new color printer or laminator.  There are also Snap Circuits, Squishy Circuits, littleBits and SparkFun kits for the kids. Raspberry Pi single board computers are also available to learn more about computer science.  NEW– digital device clinic from 6 to 8 pm on Tuesdays! Just drop in! Please note: Open Create Space will end at 7:00 pm on Tuesday Dec. 8, 2015 due to a program. More information about the Create Space…

Digital Device Clinics

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Get free one-on-one support for using your e-reader, tablet, smartphone, or other electronic device.  The clinics will take place during the Create Space drop-in hours. Open to adults, teens and children.  Tuesdays, November 3, 10, 17, 24. 6-8 p.m. at Hilton Branch.

Hilton Pajama Storytime


7:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Hilton Branch * Ages 2-10 * Drop in
All children must be accompanied by an adult

Monday, November 23, 2015

AUTO-RELATED THEFTS AND BURGLARY LEAD POLICE WEEK

From Maplewood Police today:

November 16, 2015; Burglary; At approximately 6:30 AM a resident of Van Ness Ter observed a male in her basement. The male immediately fled the home through a basement window. Nothing was reported missing at the time of the report.  Patrols responded and searched for the individual, but were unsuccessful in locating him.

November 16, 2015; Package Theft; A resident of Essex Ave responded to Maplewood Police Headquarters and reported that during the day two packages were stolen from their property.

November 19, 2015; Theft of Tires/Rims; At approximately 2:30 AM, a resident of Woodland Rd heard noises outside their home.  When they looked out the window, they observed an SUV driving off of their lawn and fleeing the area.  The resident came outside and observed that all four tires and rims had been removed from their Range Rover in the driveway.


November 20, 2015; Theft from Auto; During the overnight hours change was taken from an unsecured vehicle parked on Boyden Parkway South.

November 20, 2015; Stolen Trailer; During the previous day a trailer with a snow blower chained to the back of it, was stolen from a parking lot on Oregon St

WHO SHOULD BE MAYOR IN 2016? TAKE OUR SURVEY

As 2015 draws to a close, the Township Committee will soon choose the mayor for 2016.

Mayor Vic Deluca, recently inducted into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Hall of Fame, has served for the past seven years.

Should he again? 

There will be a bit of a change in who decides as TC members Kathy Leventhal and Jerry Ryan leave the governing body, replaced by the newly elected Greg Lembrich and Nancy Adams.

Take our survey HERE. Results to be posted on Friday, Dec. 4.

MAPLEWOOD POLICE TOY DRIVE STARTS TODAY

From Maplewood Police today:

Maplewood Police Department - PBA Local Toy Drive


The Maplewood Police Department PBA Local # 44 and SOA # 44 will be conducting a Toy drive for Maplewood kids and we need your help!! Please join our efforts to collect New Toys which will be distributed to needy families in Maplewood Township.

Dates: Monday 11/23/2015 to 12/20/2015

Collection Sites: Maplewood Police Department 1618 Springfield Avenue Maplewood
                            Maplewood Town Hall 574 Valley Street Maplewood
                            Rent Party, Located at 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood

Questions/Contact Info: PBA Local # 44 Det. Carlos Baez (973) 761-7924 or Cbaez@twp.maplewood.nj.us

SO WHAT'S THE OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND? AND IS IT USING YOUR TAX DOLLARS WISELY?

It's been 10 years since Maplewood residents voted to approve the creation of the Open Space Trust Fund, which created a 1 percent tax on all properties to fund projects associated with "recreation and conservation purposes."

The fund raises about $300,000 annually to be spent on such projects, with the appointed Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee responsible for deciding where the money goes. The Township Committee must approve all such projects as well.

The tax raised $204,000 the first year and $308,000 this year, according to Township CFO Juan Uribe.

 

See who is on that committee HERE and read the responsibilities of the committee HERE.

But are they spending the money as they should?

We have all noticed the spanking new park benches in front of the Maplewood Library.

A review of Township documents finds they were funded through the trust fund and cost $6,841.

See below:

 

The Trust Fund has been in heavy use this year, previously paying for the new $174,000 skate park at Maplecrest Park and most recently the replacement of the Memorial Park tennis courts at more than $200,000. 

Some wonder why the Maplecrest Park tennis courts were not upgraded as well.

See the entire list of its projects dating back to 2006 HERE.

Is this proper use of the funds? Let us know what you think below.