MORE PARCC PROBLEMS; FALSE CALLS HOME

For the second week in a row, problems arose with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) testing as  technical problems delayed the testing and re-testing of many Columbia High School students last Tuesday and Wednesday.

Then, when students were taking some of the make-up tests on Friday, automated calls were made to many homes advising parents that their students had missed "one or more classes." In most cases, those were because they were taking the tests instead.

Hear it below:

This prompted more than a few frustrated parents and calls and texts to make sure their kid were at school.

All of this comes about a month after several days of PARCC testing were cancelled because of glitches and computer problems statewide, according to Pearson, the national vendor that oversees PARCC.

It is unknown what caused the latest delays and cancellations because the district has yet to offer parents any official explanation.

DID YOU TALK TO THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE?

The Township Committee was out in force on Saturday morning outside Walgreen's on Springfield Avenue for their regular Talk to the Township Committee event.

Always a great way to be in touch.

16 OPEN HOUSES TODAY

Find your next home or just see what the market is offering.

Full list and map HERE.

LOCAL HISTORY CENTER TODAY

From the Historic Preservation Commission

Hilton Library, Local History Center Room

1 p.m. 1688 Springfield Ave

Members of the Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission will be at the Local History Center of Maplewood, 1688 Springfield Ave (adjacent to the Maplewood Hilton Branch Library). Maplewood residents are encouraged to stop by anytime between 1:00pm and 3:00pm to learn about the history and architecture of their homes. Come discover information and possibly early photographs of your Maplewood home, discuss repairs, replacement materials and resources on how to fix your home. This is a free monthly event offered by the Maplewood Historic Preservation Commission.

MAYOR DELUCA: "MORE PRECAUTIONS" NEEDED AT POST OFFICE SITE

Mayor Vic Deluca issued this statement about the recent accident at the Maplewood Village Post Office demolition site: 

The Township has spoken to the developer and the demolition crew. We made it clear that more precautions need to be taken to prevent further problems. At 7am Friday morning I personally spoke to the equipment operator to express the Township's concern and to discuss how the balance of the building will be demolished. 

Signs have been posted this morning making it clear that the sidewalk along the post office is closed and pedestrians should use the crosswalks to get to the sidewalk on the Kings side of the street. Additionally, when the outside walls of the post office building are being taken down there will be flag men on the outside of the fence to direct pedestrians to safe locations. This will require occasional closing a of the covered passage way to the train tracks but it will only be on a temporary basis. It may also result in cars being momentarily stopped to allow the outside walls to be demolished. 
When trucks start removing the debris from the site, two police officers will be hired by the developer to direct traffic. 

SUPREME DENTAL ASSOCIATES IS OUR NEWEST ADVERTISER; RIBBON-CUTTING TODAY

We'd like to welcome another new advertiser, the just-opened Supreme Dental Associates at 1781 Springfield Ave.

Find out more about their great work HERE.

And the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting today below:

TALK TO THE TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE TODAY

The Township Committee holds their regular Talk to the Township Committee event today.

You can meet and greet them at Walgreen's on Springfield Avenue and Burnett from 9 a.m. to Noon.

Show up, ask a question, give them a piece of your mind or just a pat on the back.

Remember, they work for you!

POST OFFICE SITE SEES STEPPED UP SAFETY EFFORTS AFTER ACCIDENT

A day after the video of a dangerous accident at the former Maplewood Village Post Office site drew concern and criticism, tighter safety measure appeared to be in place at the location.

Crews from Mazza Demolition, which is conducting the tear-down to make way for a new housing/retail complex, were blocking pedestrians from walking along the sidewalk next to the location and warning signs were posted.

But there still appeared to be no township officials or police monitoring the situation and vehicles were still able to pass by, within a few feet of the crane engaged in the demolition.

Mazza and JMF Properties, which is building the new three-story, 20-apartment, five retail shop project, did not respond to requests for comment.