Volume 15, Issue 3 Fall 2012
NEWS FROM THE VALLEY OF “THE PONDS”
SPONSORED BY THE BOROUGH OF OAKLAND & THE OAKLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Fall Mayor's Message
For the past 9 months for many of us, it is pour- since taking office as ing outside so it is me to Mayor of Oakland, I am use that money now to happy to report that all avoid a tax increase. I around town the spirit of repeatedly stated at pub- Oakland is returning. lic mee ngs that our local SPECIAL There is a resurgence of government is not a bank. POINTS OF volunteerism. People are INTEREST: again excited about work- • Mayor’s Message ing together on new and Another posi ve change • crea ve projects. School Safety Tips for our town is our new • New Rec. Website recycling procedures. • Halloween Parade Isn’t it terrific to be able Oakland Mayor As promised, I am happy to recycle everything, • Linda H. Schwager SpotlightSpotlight—Boy to report that we realized every week? For the first Scouts Con nued on Page 7 a zero percent municipal me, Oakland residents • Voter Registration tax increase this year. I can mix comingled recy- improvements. The Bor- • Get Your Flu Shot ran for elec on as a fiscal clables (metal, plas c, ough signed a lease with conserva ve and I remain glass) with paper for the Ramapough Con- true to my word. The weekly pickup. servancy who will man- INSIDE THIS Borough of Oakland sat age the property and ISSUE: with several trust funds— make improvements money to be held for a Very soon you will be able without taxpayers dip- Oakland Public Library 3 rainy day. This year, as to pass by the Van Allen ping into their pocket- your Mayor, I argued that books. As a charitable Public Events Schedule 4 House and no ce physical
Oakland Public Schools 8 Updates
Valley Middle School 12 Voter Registration Deadline Manito 13 The last day to register to vote for the General Elec on will Heights 14 be Tuesday October 16, 2012. The Borough Clerk’s office will be open that day from 8:30 am to 9:00 pm. The Gen- eral Elec on will take place on Tuesday November 6, 2012. Dogwood 15 Polls will be open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. Page 2 Cross Roads
New Friends of The Oakland Public Library
Suppor ng special programs and services for the library, the Friends group offers exci ng ac vi es for Oakland.
Museum Passes – Take the family for a special ou ng courtesy of the Library’s Friends – from dinosaurs to the space shu le Enterprise at the American Museum of Natural History and the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
The Oakland Police Department
The Oakland Police Depart- Safety Tips for Parents, New Jersey Move Over New Jersey Cell Phone ment wants to remind driv- Motorists, and Children Law Law ers that it is very important New Jersey law makes to obey the posted speed • You should expect delays using a hand-held com- limit and pay close a en- near schools. Know your munica ons device a on to their surroundings route, start early, and drive “Motorists approaching primary offense. Authori- at all mes. the posted speed limit. • Motorists not involved in sta onary flashing lights, es will issue a $100 fine Within a school zone, it is dropping off or picking up whether an ambulance, to any driver caught vio- especially important to be students should consider police, fire or tow truck, la ng this law, although alert, drive carefully, and adjus ng their route or must heed the warning and no points will be issued follow the direc ons of the schedule in order to avoid safely move over to anoth- to the license. Although crossing guards. arrival and dismissal traffic er lane, or slow down be- it is discouraged, drivers low the posted speed lim- may use a hands-free When approaching an in- in front of schools. it,” “Remember, emergen- device if it does not in- tersec on where a crossing • Park only in lawful areas. cy responders are there to terfere with standard guard is in the crosswalk Parking within 25 feet of a help. Give them the space safety equipment. “Use” with a Stop Sign raised, crosswalk is against the law they need, so they can of a wireless phone and motorists may not cross or and can obstruct visibility work safely.” If you make any other hand-held turn into that crosswalk for both pedestrians and the move, others will fol- communica on device un l the crossing guard has motorists. low. includes, but is not lim- completely le the cross- • Unload school children ited to, talking or listen- walk. onto the sidewalk or right side of the vehicle. Unload- ing to another person, ing school children into a tex ng, or sending and traffic lane could put a receiving electronic child in harms way. messages. • Instruct children to re- main alert and look le , right, and then le again before crossing the street. All pedestrians should not use cell phones to talk or text, nor wear headphones when crossing.
Volume 15, Issue 3 Page 3
News From The Oakland Public Library Children: Fall story mes start in October. Programs include the Tots Library Club (infant to 2 years) and story mes for 2 & 3 year olds and 4& 5 year olds. Monthly music for preschoolers starts in October and Tail Wagging Stories gives older kids a chance to prac ce reading to a special audience – a therapy dog! Teens: The summer volunteer program that gives teens an opportunity to develop service experience while having fun con- nues through the school year. Sunday A ernoon Concerts start October 28th – Jazz Meets Broadway with Ray Marchica on drums, Don Rebic on piano, Jeff Ganz on guitar, and Nina Hennessey vocals. Thursday Programs for Adults
• Deer-Proof Your Trees & Shrubs – October 11 (7 pm) • College Admissions 101 – November TBD • Tech Gadget Seminar – December 6 (7 pm) • Business Intelligence, Compe ve Informa on for Small Businesses – November 8 (7 pm) • Networking for Job Seekers – every Thursday morning at 10:30 am with Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Computer Classes: Introductory computer classes start mid-October.
Please call the Library for details on me and loca ons at 201-337-3742 x200.
Recreation Commission Welcomes Autumn!
The sounds of buses, school The football and cheerleading Winter sports sign-ups bells and laughter can only programs sport 5 full teams, will begin very soon. Please mean that Oakland’s children which run from 2nd grade visit our new and improved have returned to school; not through 8th grade. The foot- website at to be out done are the sounds ball program also fields a fun www.OaklandRec.org. All coming from the recrea on flag football program for our sign-up informa on, “three fields which get louder in Sep- younger players. There are a easy steps to become a tember with the return of Oak- couple of coach”, field closing and
land’s fall sports. Soccer, Foot- BIG football much, much more can be ball and Cheerleading all be- and cheer- found on the website. See gan their sports seasons on leading an- you at the field! the weekend of September 7th. nual events coming up. The soccer program is proud First, a fund- to announce they have 50 raiser raffle will begin in Sep- teams and 700 children in tember and second, will be the their program, which runs annual beefsteak which will be from kindergarten through held at the Knights of Colum- high school. Suppor ng the bus on November 3rd. program are over 100 volun- Through the support of these teers! Look for a symbol of fundraising efforts ALL football unity during the month of Oc- and cheerleading equipment tober while the travel teams has been upgraded over the will be wearing pink socks in past 2 years. Thank you for honor of breast cancer aware- your support! ness. Page 4 Cross Roads
WHAT TO DO AROUND OAKLAND News from the Oakland Public Events Committee
The Public Events date, Oct 13h); adjacent to the dle School and begin parading at Commi ee has Farmer’s market, from 10 AM – 1:00 10:30 AM. All children 9 and under some exci ng PM are welcome to par cipate. ac vi es and Art in Park is as much an art happen- events planned ing as it is an exhibit, open to painters, We will end this tradi onal celebra- for the fall and winter sea- illustrators, photographers and sculp- on with some cra ac vi es and sons. Mark your calendars and en- tors. Some of our Oakland ar sts who refreshments for the chil- joy the fes vi es this commi ee has will be exhibi ng their work in- dren. Costumes are preferred. in store for you. clude: Tracy DiTolla, Sco Scarpelli, Tom Shelton, Dennis Moster, Jim De- Annual Holiday Tree Lillo, Tim Geist and Ted Rich- and Menorah Oakland’s First Annual Art in the ards. Ar sts interested in showing or Park, Saturday, October 6th (rain Ligh ng, Sunday, De- selling their work s ll have me to cember 2nd, 5:00 PM contact Tracy DiTolla at di- – 7:00 PM [email protected] for infor- This year, the Public ma on. Art in the Park is sponsored Events Commi ee is by the Oakland Public Events Com- expanding the tradi- mi ee and the Oakland Farmers’ Mar- onal tree and Meno- ket. Come help us celebrate Na onal rah ligh ng to include an indoor holi- Arts and Humani es month in Oakland day show. Stay tuned for details as during one of the most colorful they are currently busy months of the year. making prepara ons.
Le - Tracy DiTolla, Right - Sco Scarpelli Annual Halloween Pa- rade, Saturday, October and Bo om - Tom Shelton 27th Gathering at 10:00 AM in front of Valley Mid-
Lots Of Fun At The Senior Citizens Club Ice Cream Social On August 9th, dozens enjoyed a sweet me during the ice cream social sponsored by the Senior Ci zens Club. This annual event was held a er the Senior Club's monthly mee ng. The event was FREE for members! Look for no ces posted at the Senior Center for the next ice cream social.
Pictured L-R: Leta Smolen, Peg Schad, Nancy Dugan, Councilman Pat Pignatelli, Liaison to the Oakland Senior Center, Eleanor Mc Williams, Josefine Berkowicz and Alice Smith. Volume 15, Issue 3 Page 5
Borough of Oakland Health department The Oakland Senior Flu Shot Program is being held Thurs- day, 11/1, from 1 PM to 3 PM, at the Oakland Senior Cen- ter, 20 Lawlor Drive. Flu season is just around the corner and senior ci zens are encouraged to get their flu shots to ensure they’re protected. Shots are free for residents with tradi onal Medicare Part B and no HMO coverage. Resi- dents with Medicare Part B and supplemental HMO cover- age will be charged $27.00 and are encouraged to see their “BE A private physician for their free flu shot. Pneumonia shots are available RESPONSIBLE to those eligible. Pre-registra on is required. Call The Valley Hospital PET OWNER!” Dept. of Community Health at 201-291-6090.
BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER. “My pet has never bi en anyone before.”, “My dog was a acked.”, “It was an accident.” and “My pet accidentally escaped.” are statements commonly heard by Oakland’s health inspector when inves ga ng an average of 45 animal bites/scratches that occur each year in town. Rabies is endemic in our area, and vaccina ng your pet for rabies protects not only your pet but also everyone else with whom your pet may come in contact, indoors and out- doors. State law requires all cats and dogs to have a current rabies vaccina on and Dog/Cat License. Licenses will expire on 12/31. To obtain a 2013 Cat/Dog License, your pet’s rabies vaccina on must be current through 11/1/2013. The Oakland Free Rabies Clinic is being held on Sat., 11/3, at the Oakland Recrea on Storage Building, 24 Lawlor Drive. Cats will be vaccinated from 1 PM to 2 PM and dogs from 2 PM to 3 PM. Bring wri en proof of pet’s previous vaccina on or a one-year vaccina on will be administered. Cats must be in carriers and dogs on leashes. (For addi onal free clinics, go to www.tycoanimalcontrol.com and click on “Upcoming Events”.) For more informa on, call the Oakland Health Dept. at 201-337-9254.
Oakland Building Department
The Building Department reminds residents that permits are required for home improvements. If you want to know if a permit is needed please contact us for addi onal informa on. The Building Department also reminds residents that home improvement contractors must be registered with the State. If your con- tractor does not have a registra on or does not include his registra on number on your contract, ask for one. This is for your own protec on.
The Fire Preven on Bureau wants everyone to have a safe and fire free holiday season. Remember that when we change the clocks, its me to change the smoke detector ba eries. If you are pu ng your grille away for the winter, please do not store your propane tank near flammables or furnaces. Keep propane tanks cov- ered and outdoors if possible. Keep you house numbers on your house and visible from the roadway, emergency personnel need these numbers for emergency iden fica on.
Oakland Building Department 201-337-1644 (Mon-Fri 8:00am to 4:00pm) Oakland Fire Preven on 201-337-9616 Page 6 Cross Roads
Spotlight of the Month The Boy Scouts of America In Oakland
For over a learn about science, art, and sports historic trails of century, the along with many other topics. Out- Ge ysburg, Boy Scouts of door ac vi es such as day hikes and Valley Forge, America has overnight camping trips are also a and Boston helped build the future leaders of part of the Cub Scout program. builds a deep understanding of this country by combining educa- American history. Scouts also onal ac vi es and lifelong values Boy Scouts offers the unique oppor- give back to the community per- with fun. The BSA believes that tunity for Scouts to lead Scouts in forming Eagle Scout service pro- helping youth is a key to building a challenging outdoor experiences. jects around town maintaining more conscien ous, responsible, They have learned how to be pre- trails and park space, repairing and produc ve society. pared for life and to work as a church rooms, or work at the Van team. Going on 50 mile Adirondack Allen house. The Scouts and their Oakland has three Cub Scout packs canoe treks for five days each sum- families appreciate the support of for boys from the 1st grade to 11 mer is something that scares par- the chartered organiza ons and years of age; Pack 49 chartered by ents yet builds self-esteem and con- the community. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, fidence in the Scouts. Hiking the Pack 307 chartered by the Oakland Elks and Pack 369 chartered by Messiah Lutheran Church. The two Boy Scout troops in Oakland are for boys ages 11 to 18; Troop 49 char- tered by OLPH and Troop 369 char- tered by Messiah Lutheran Church.
The Cub Scouts learn about their community by visi ng businesses and municipal buildings. They serve their community in a number of ways including the annual Scou ng for Food where they collect food for the Center for Food Ac on. Cubs
Remember to Recycle your Material together with Single Stream Recycling
Due to a recent change in the Borough’s garbage and recycling contract, recycling is easier than ever. You can now put all curbside recyclable materials unsorted in the same recycling barrel for pickup. Cans, bo les and plas c are recycled together with all paper and cardboard. Materials will con nue to be picked up every Wednesday.
Recycling properly greatly reduces your volume of trash. It helps the environment and helps save money as well. For every ton of material that is recycled, instead of being sent to the land- fill, the Borough receives $35.00 and avoids paying $69.45 per ton in garbage disposal fees – a difference of $104.45. Every barrel counts.
If you are in need of a new recycling barrel, the D.P.W. sells a 32 gallon barrel with lid for $15.00. If you have any ques ons regarding the recycling program please call 201-405-7732 or send an e -mail to [email protected]. Volume 15, Issue 3 Page 7
Mayor’s Message—Continued From Page 1 non-profit organiza on, Rama- legal procedures which must be fol- more impressed now that I see lowed. I pledge to the affected resi- pough Conservancy will be able to on the website that this market apply for grants and raise funds as dents that you are not forgo en. is a brand new venture and needed. Congratula ons to Rama- clearly a labor of love for the pough Conservancy and Judith Sul- organizers. Whether or not we livan as the recipient of the Broth- ul mately end up in Oakland How can I write a mayor’s message erton Founda on Grant for exterior (there are so many moving parts without wri ng about my baby—the repairs. What a great beginning! in a decision like this), I just felt “Oakland Farmer’s Market.” Kudos moved to reach out to say con- to Jane Graham and the Oakland gratula ons on crea ng this fab- Farmer’s Market Commi ee for cre- ulous asset for the Oakland com- Another exci ng project is the a ng and maintaining a successful munity. All my best, Erica S.” property formerly known as Pleas- inaugural year. The commi ee was ureland. Thank you to Mike able to find a variety of vendors, Guadagnino, recrea on commis- schedule events and star a rac- sion chairman, for ini a ng this ons. For example, one week there project with the help of the envi- was a young woman who is a recog- “The river bank ronmental commission and shade nized children’s book author and tree commission. Volunteerism is illustrator who grew up here and is a erosion repair at its best with everyone working product of the Oakland schools. together for a common cause. Produce Pete from NBC television and preven on appeared and par cipated in a book It is a go! Under my leadership, the signing. On October 6, 2012, in con- project is now Borough signed the contract to junc on with the Public Events purchase 277 Ramapo Valley Road Commi ee we have Oakland’s 1st underway.” for senior housing. The loca on is Annual Art in the Park on the lawns ideal. A er many years of plan- adjacent to the Farmer’s Market. ning, senior housing is set to be- come a reality.
To summarize where we are, with permission I am proud to reprint an The river bank erosion repair and email recently received: preven on project is now under- way. We are wai ng for all the resi- dents involved to sign releases so we can enter their property as nec- “Hi there, I just wanted to drop a essary. note to say that my husband and I are seriously considering moving to Oakland from the Hudson Valley and that your Farmer’s Market is a ma- We are diligently trying to help the jor selling point as we look at the vic ms of flooding. I hear the frus- northern NJ area. To us, a thriving tra on of the residents affected by farmer’s market (not to men on all flood waters and I do understand the art and yoga affiliated with it) is A great Place to your frustra on. However, as a a sign of the kind of community we government en ty we have certain would be excited to join. I am even Page 8 Cross Roads
From The Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard G. Heflich Dear Members of the Oakland Community: Summer was an extremely busy season in the Oakland School District with sum- mer school courses for students, curriculum commi ees, recruitment for vacant posi- ons, and various buildings and grounds projects. The 2011/2012 school year had barely concluded, when our numerous oppor- tuni es for our students to con nue learning began. Many students who had just com- pleted Kindergarten or Grade 1 had the opportunity to con nue their learning of read- ing, wri ng, and math in our Summer Threshold Program. Our entering Kindergartners par cipated in the various safety educa on ac vi es in the District’s annual Safetytown Program. Elementary school students in need of language arts reinforcement a ended a supplemental Reading Program that u lized the Orton Gillingham mul sensory method- ology. Our preschoolers con nued their learning in Preschool Summer School; and, stu- dents in Grades 3 through 8 availed themselves to courses that further developed their interests and skills in the District’s Summer Enrichment Program. As students con nued to learn, administrators diligently conducted interviews for available cer ficated posi ons. As a result of the recruitment process, the Board appointed new teachers to vacant posi ons and selected Mr. Desiderio as Prin- cipal and Ms. Chris ano as Vice Principal of Valley Middle School. As August came to a close, the hiring process concluded and our schools opened completely staffed. Simultaneously, District teachers worked hard to revise curriculum to meet the State’s requirements of the new Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and in Mathema cs. Addi onally, New Jersey’s Core Curriculum Con- tent Standards were recently revised for other content areas, and teachers addressed these changes with revised curricula. With the implementa on of the Common Core requirement this year, students in Grades 3 – 5 will study Mathe- ma cs u lizing new instruc onal materials from the Math-In-Focus program that emphasizes a Singapore Math methodology. District teachers in these grades par cipated in two days of training this summer to learn how to best use this teaching ap- proach with students. This program introduc on in Grades 3-5 will build upon its highly successful implementa on in Grades K-2 last year. Teachers began the complex process of incorpora ng the English Language Arts Common Core requirements in our curriculum. Not only will the changes affect how we teach Reading and English in the Oakland Schools, but it will also inte- grate the new standards into Social Studies, Science and other technical subjects. This revision process will con nue well into the 2012/2013 school year. This summer, our District revised our Technology curriculum and integrated new content requirements in this rapidly changing content area. With technological advances occurring with incredible rapidity, it is important that schools con nue to prepare students for a work world that is so dependent upon technology tools. As part of the changes in this area, the District prepared for a new iPad ini a ve in our schools. With the funding awards of the schools’ PTOs and the Board of Educa on, iPads will be a learning tool this year. Project leaders have been selected for this new ini a ve. These teacher volunteers have commi ed to deepening their knowledge base of how the iPad can be used effec vely to enhance student learning. They, in turn, will serve their colleagues as “turnkey trainers” and will share their knowledge by demonstra ng best prac ces. In the new school year, our school libraries will enter the modern era as our schools more fully u lize the new Des - ny library management system. This technological tool will now permit students “to browse” library collec ons from remote loca ons. Hence, a student will soon be able to review library books at home, using a computer, and reserve a book that they choose to read. Addi onally, students will be able to write reviews of their reading selec ons and post them on Des ny for others to consider. This crea ve approach to book selec on promises to engage students more fully in reading and further develop their skills. An addi onal benefit of this library management system will be for our teachers to be able to track the reading histories of students and iden fy those students who need to read more. As all of these program changes were being planned, our buildings and grounds teams were preparing our schools for the Opening and addressing important facili es’ needs, which are detailed in one of our Crossroads ar cles. Of par cular note, however, was the renova on of Business Office space and its conversion to a classroom. Because of the ever-expanding enrollment at Valley Middle School, a serious classroom shortage exists. As school opened, 662 middle schoolers were in a endance, and addi onal classrooms are sorely needed to properly educate these students. Even with this one addi onal classroom that was recaptured for instruc onal purposes, we have needed to schedule classes in the school’s Library and in the Band Room. The Board con nues to research op ons to address this school overcrowding issue.
Volume 15, Issue 3 Page 9 FromSeptic The Superintendent Tank Maintenance of Schools—Continued
At a me of change and challenge in educa on, our District is well-prepared for our mission of edu- st Mostca ng peoplestudents wouldn’tfor the 21 consider century, and,uids in Oakland, (effluent) we and con nue solids areto be sepa- commi edredd to dollars being a every learning three years to ignoringcommunity rou ne commi ed maintenance to excellence. on a Asrated we begin by naturally a new school occurring year, bacte- we thankpump you – your our residents sep c tank – s ll seem for your support of our schools and for your help in encouraging our students to become the best fireplace or a car. A build-up of ash ria. The bacteria in the tank break like a waste of money? that they can be. will eventually leave no room for down the solids, and the remaining Protect your home’sSincerely, most valuable wood in the firebox, and creosote residue se les to the bo om form- assetDr. Richard and make G. Heflich arrangements to- in the chimney can ignite, causing ing a layer of sludge. The accumu- Superintendent of Schools day to have your tank(s) pumped. costly fire damage to the home. A la ng sludge must be periodically build-up of dirt in the engine’s oil pumped along with the effluent “Guidelines on How to Save Money will eventually cause it to become contained in the tank. If the sludge on Sep c Maintenance” and a cur- so thick that the engine will seize, is allowed to build up, the solids will rent list of Licensed Sep c Pumpers requiring replacement of the car’s remain suspended in the effluent and Licensed Sep c Contractors most costly component. which will flow to and clog the pit/ may be obtained from the Oakland field, causing raw sewage to back Health Department and are posted A sep c tank is no different. Raw up into your house. Replacing your on the Board of Health webpage at sewage is discharged from your “An ounce of preven on is worth a pound of cure.” failed system will cost an average of Benjamin Franklin house to your tank, where the liq- $20,000. Does spending a few hun- www.oakland-nj.org. contractors. Do not be pres- sured by pumpers to have Paper copies can also be repairs done on the spot. found in the Borough Hall’s Though you may be told it rear ves bule. For a will save you money, it may “Homeowner’s Guide to ul mately cost you more Sep c Systems”, go to (Le to Right): Mr. Steven Cohen,than Ms. Bri anynecessary! Tamaro, Ms. Eileen Aquino, Ms. Bri any Zielinski, Mr. Stephen Bontempo, Ms. Chris e www.state.nj.us/dep/wq/Choman, Ms. Mallory Griffith, Ms. Alexandra Parlamas, Ms. Casey Eichler, Ms Melissa Ballaera, Ms. Ashley Holten, Ms. CarolynCaption George, Ms. describing pdf/sep cmn.pdf. Lauren Russo, Mr. Ma hew Martyniuk, and Ms. Stacy Kasper (Not Pictured: Mr. Gregory Hansen) picture or graphic. Be aware that repairs may OAKLAND only be doneA by High a Licensed Performing School District Sep c Contractor, and not Every three years, the State’s Department of Educa on evaluates public school districts. The Oakland School District’s all pumpers are licensed performance review occurred in June, and this summer the State issued its findings. Our District has been designated as “high performing.” Oakland Police Department
The Quality Single Accountability Con nuum, or more simply known as QSAC, assesses five areas of district performance; instruc on and program, fiscal management, opera ons, personnel, and governance. County office personnel verify a district’s self assessment through a review of documents and an on site visit. District placement scores in these areas were rated as follows with 100% being the highest ra ng: • Instruc on and Program - 96% • Fiscal Management - 100% • Governance - 100% • Opera ons - 100% • Personnel - 100% As a result, on September 5, 2012, the State Board of Educa on cer fied the Oakland School District “for a period of three years as providing a thorough and efficient educa on, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-14.”
The Oakland Board of Educa on, administra on and staff are very proud of these results, and we are very grateful for the support for excellent educa on that is provided by the Oakland community. Page 10 Cross Roads
Keeping Our Schools Safe & Healthy
Addi onally, at Dogwood instruc onal space for students was Hill School, years of earth se le- created. ment caused the front sidewalks to Another Valley Middle sink, crea ng a safety hazard for School project that is s ll underway pedestrians. This summer, the side- is the renova on of the gymnasium walks were replaced and expanded, locker rooms, together with the thus providing more space for stu- replacement of the 1970 lockers. dents to wait during parent “pick- New ceiling and floor les, as well as up.” addi onal ligh ng, have further up- The classrooms and com-dated the locker areas. mon spaces of Dogwood Hill now In addi on to these pro- have window blinds that are safe jects, the custodial staff conscien-
During the summer, Build-and much lighter than the deterio- ously prepared the schools for the ings and Grounds staff, together ra ng, heavy metal blinds that were opening with a “deep cleaning,” with the skills and assistance of pri- installed in 1965 and were a safety necessary pain ng, and general vate contractors, undertook several hazard. maintenance. As usual, their work projects that will enhance safety in At Valley Middle School, made our schools “sparkle” for the our schools. new ligh ng was installed in the students’ entry. At Dogwood Hill School, front parking lot, thus illumina ng In the waning days of sum- addi onal drainage capacity has areas of the parking lot furthest mer, annual boiler inspec ons re- been created in order to alleviate from the school. Addi onally, vealed the necessity of replacing a flooding issues within the school ligh ng was installed on the access Dogwood Hill School boiler that is when excess rainwater entered the road leading into the school. Both original to the school. This me sen- school and saturated classrooms on enhancements protect both pedes- si ve project will be undertaken this the first floor. A er the heavy Sep- trians and drivers. fall, and the Board is currently seek- tember rains, the project was Also, at Valley Middle ing contractors to complete this deemed a success when there was School, a classroom was recaptured work. no seepage into the school. from office space, and much-needed
“As usual, their work (The Custodial Staff) made our schools “sparkle” for the students’ entry.”
School Nutrition
School children tend to mirror the health status of the American public. Our School Nurses are dedicated to ensuring that each child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged. Our Nurses aim to serve as role models in order to im- prove the state of our health and the quality of life. If this can be achieved, students will benefit and as a na on, all will benefit.
The Oakland Board of Educa on is commi ed to:
Providing students with healthy and nutri ous foods; Encouraging the consump on of fresh fruits and vegetables, low fat milk and whole grains; Suppor ng healthy ea ng through nutri on educa on; Encouraging students to select and consume all components of the school meal; Providing students with the opportunity to engage in daily physical ac vity.
As a result of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, many changes will be taking place in our cafeterias. It will be the first me in 30 years that real reforms to the school lunch program will take place. Improving good nutri on will be our goal. The School Nurses look forward to sharing these changes with your family throughout this year. Volume 15, Issue 3 Page 11
A Powerful Tool As everyone knows, one of the most powerful communica on tools that society possesses is that of language. Language gives human beings a sense of belonging to a specific culture, community or group. It allows for social inter- ac on and provides for one of the most important ways in which to communicate with others. Within a special needs popula on, language is the one tool that has o en suffered delays. These delays may be due to the physical ability to produce speech that involves coordina ng movements of the teeth, tongue, lips and palate to form sounds and words. They may also be due to hearing impairments. Some mes damage to the language areas of the brain can cause problems in developing language thus preven ng the ability to plan and process speech. Finally, the ability to interact with others socially aids in speech development. When a child interacts with others he/she is able to learn new words, phrases and meanings. However, without social interac on, some children are unable to learn social cues and then experience language deficits. Over the past two years, the Oakland Public Schools have been fortunate to acquire iPads that are u lized in our Language and/or Learning Disabili es classes. Those who experience language delays are being assisted by applica- ons that can reinforce, review and mo vate the most reluctant child. Through a variety of applica ons, students are now able to make their voices heard. As some students follow Daisy the Dinosaur who dances across the screen while they iden fy and repeat the vocabulary necessary to read a short story other students are able to listen to a pop-up text about alligators while manipula ng language to form sentences. In addi on, students are able to create their own sentences with the touch of a finger using the Sentence Maker applica on. The introduc on of iPads has and will con- nue to open many doors to our language delayed students. Another recent acquisi on by the District is the Des ny Library Manager. This innova ve so ware can provide not only a means of loca ng books across our school libraries, but it will also allow students to reserve a book, post a review, and build their knowledge of language. Research has shown that children who read not only gain in knowledge but build their vocabulary and increase their chances for future success. Thus, Des ny can give students another means in which to prac ce their skills. With the existence of iPads and Des ny, the power of language for all students will not only be improved, but will provide the posi ve self-esteem that accompanies the knowledge gained from language. To that end, if students are enabled to become competent, independent thinkers and communicators then the ul mate goal of our District has been accomplished. “the power of language for all students ….will provide posi ve self-esteem !”
Head Injury and Concussions
The Oakland School District has adopted a new policy concerning the Preven on and Treatment of Sports-Related Concussions and other Head Injuries. Parents of all students in the Oakland Public Schools have received a copy of the Board Policy that contains very specific guidelines that our Nurses will be following. A concussion is a trauma c brain injury (TBI) caused by a direct or indirect blow to the head or body. In order to ensure the safety of student-athletes, it is impera ve that athletes, coaches, and parents/guardians are educated about the nature and treat- ment of sports- related concussions and head injuries. Allowing a student-athlete to return to play before recovering from a concussion increases the chance of a more seri- ous brain injury that can result in severe disability and/or death. Educa ng, parents, teachers, coaches and students is very important; therefore, the State is requiring coaches and nurses to par cipate in concussion training. Page 12 Cross Roads
Our new VMS Leadership Team: Principal Desiderio & Vice Principal Christiano
In August, the Oakland Board of Educa on appointed Mr. Gregg J. Desiderio as Valley Middle School’s new Principal. Mr. Desiderio has been Vice Principal at Valley Middle School since February, 2008, at which me he returned to the Oakland School District a er having served as Assistant Principal at Indian Hills High School. Mr. Desiderio began his career as a teacher at Valley Middle School in 1994. In 1999, he was appointed to the posi on of School Counselor, in which he served Oakland’s middle school students un l he went to Indian Hills in 2005. In total, Mr. Desiderio has served the students of Oakland for 18 years, and, currently is a resident of the Borough.
Mr. Desiderio earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Susquehanna Univer- sity. He also has earned two graduate degrees: a Master of Arts degree from Montclair State University in School Counseling, Human Services, and Guid- ance, and a Master of Arts degree, also from Montclair, in School Administra- on and Supervision. He holds New Jersey Department of Educa on cer fica- ons as Principal, Supervisor, Student Personnel Services, and Elementary School Teacher.
Mr. Desiderio has a deep understanding of the nature and needs of the middle school child, as well as a commitment to help each child be successful. Addi- onally, he has a deep understanding of how a middle school should be struc- tured to meet the needs of its students. Further, with his knowledge of and experience at Indian Hills High School, Mr. Desiderio and the staff will be able to ease the transi on of our students into the regional high schools.
Also, in August, the Oakland Board of Educa on appointed Ms. Jacqueline Mi- cari-Chris ano to the posi on of Vice Principal at Valley Middle School. Ms. Chris ano joins the Oakland School District a er having served as a seventh grade science teacher and as a Literacy Coach in the Paterson School District. Previous experiences, also, include Assistant Principalships at Long Valley Mid- dle School and Haskell Elementary School.
Ms. Chris ano earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Johnson & Wales University, her teaching cer fica on from Ramapo College, and a Master of (Le to Right) Valley Middle Arts degree in Administra on and Supervision from Montclair State University. Ms. Chris ano shares Mr. Desiderio’s child-centered philosophy and under- School Vice Principal Ms. Jacquel- stands well the importance of middle school educa on. She is eager to work ine Micari-Chris ano and Valley with our middle school youngsters and become acquainted with the Valley Middle School Principal Mr. Gregg Middle School community. J. Desiderio outside of school. The Board of Educa on is proud of its new leadership team at Valley Middle School, and knows that both Mr. Desiderio and Ms. Chris ano will inspire our students to even greater achievement in their studies.
Valley Middle School Staff Par cipate in the 1st Annual Challenger 5K Run on September 16, 2012
Page 13 Volume 15, Issue 3 Kathleen’s Garden Manito Welcomes Students Back to School
Manito School began its 51st year on Wednesday,This spring, September Manito School 5 by welcoming will be overto see 300 how students beau ful and and staff wonderful members back from summer break. With severalholding new programs a special and ceremony ini a ves to being for- introduced,our world this could is certain really tobe. b eIn a lovingbusy and exci ng year for teachers and students alike. mally dedicate Kathleen’s Garden. remembrance of Kathleen Pinck- Programma cally, during the summer months,The project, teachers which par c- has been loving- ney, our friend forever…” ipated in seminars to prepare for the implementa only supported by of the the Pinckney family Math In Focus program in Grades 3-5. A er experiencing a The garden, which incorporates and their friends, is a fi ng tribute very successful year implemen ng the new Singapore math exis ng shrubs by the flagpole, will to Kathleen Pinckney who a ended program in Grades K-2, our upper-elementary teachers are also include a variety of bulbs, new Manito un l losing a very brave an cipa ng an equally successful and exci ng transi on to the shrubs, a lovely tree, and natural new program. Commi ees of teachers ba leand administrato with cancerrs also last year. The stepping-stones. It is designed as a worked on the rigorous process of revisingcenterpiece our lang ofuage the arts garden is a stone Caption describing picture or graphic. beau ful place that the community curriculum to reflect the new mandatedbench Common that Core is inscribedState with the Standards. These rigorous new standards are designed to en- can visit to celebrate all of the following words: “She touched our sure that all children are prepared for college and career. things Kathleen loved about life— lives in ways that always helped us While both may seem like a long way off, the founda on of her family, friends, school, animals, such prepara on begins at the elementary level. An essen al “Mom, I love school, sportselement and of art. the Whennew standards considering is the a site emphasis for Kathle on crien’s cal Garden, think- everyone agreed that Manito and I love Oakland!” Schooling and would interdisciplinary be the perfect connec ons. place. A er As all, such, Kathle bothen’s reading mother, and Therese, wri ng willrecalls be emphasizedKathleen skip- in content areas such as science, social studies, and technology. ping happily out of school one day in the second grade exclaiming, “Mom, I love school, and I loveTo assistOakland!” students Details with about the la er, the ceremony Manito students and photo ands teachers of the event will now will havebe published i-Pads available in the to them so that they nextcan issueexperience of the everythingCross Roads. the educa onal app universe has to offer. Teacher training will take place throughout the year, and sign-up for classroom use of the i-Pads will be coordinated to ensure that our students have an equitable opportunity to use them. Many thanks to the Manito PTO and the Oakland Board of Educa on for funding this ini a- ve. Several new teachers will be joining the Manito family this year. Ms. Casey Eichler, Ms. Chris e Choman, and Ms. Bri any Tamaro will be joining our special educa on team. While Ms. Eichler and Ms. Choman will join Ms. Brogan in the resource center, Ms. Tamaro will be instruc ng students in a combined Grade 1 and 2 classroom. In addi on, the Manito family is pleased to welcome Ms. Cynthia Parr to the Grade 1 team, Ms. Bri any Zielinski to the Grade 3 team and Ms. Jean Marie Schindler to the Physical Educa on staff. Mr. Stephen Bontempo also joins the Manito family as a long term subs tute, teaching mathema cs in Grades 1-5. He will be replaced by Manito’s new Math Specialist, Ms. Kim Salacki, when she returns from Family Leave in early February. Prior to her appointment as the new Math Special- ist, Ms. Salacki taught mathema cs at Valley Middle School for several years. The summer was also a busy and produc ve one for our custodial staff. In addi on to their rou ne maintenance, the Manito custodial staff worked diligently to update one of our primary classrooms with a variety of instruc onal amen- i es so that the students in a new special educa on class would feel at home on the first day of school.
Page 14 Cross Roads
Manito School Awarded BCUA Environmental Awareness Challenge Grant
Manito School just got a li le greener. Last spring, the faculty advisors to the Manito Student Council, Ms. Jen- nifer Grella and Ms. Heather Meyers, applied for a $1000 Environmental Awareness Challenge Grant from the Ber- gen County U li es Authority (BCUA). This past June, Mr. Robert Laux, Execu ve Director of the BCUA, informed Manito School that its efforts were successful!
In his le er, Mr. Laux states that this important program is, “designed to benefit the environment of Bergen Coun- ty while educa ng children of the importance of environ- mental stewardship. This program is funded en rely by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protec on grant funds specifically allocated for recycling and envi- ronmental educa on.”
The Manito Student Council will use the funds to purchase new, child-friendly recycling con- tainers for the cafeteria, in addi on to a scale that will be used to help track the progress of our students’ recycling efforts during the course of the year. By raising awareness about re- cycling and the importance of conserva on, we hope that the weight of our daily trash will decrease, while the amount of our recycling increases. Members of the student body will serve as recycling helpers throughout the year, thereby helping to make this a truly student- centered ini a ve.
HEIGHTS—Such an Exciting Time....
It’s hard to believe that the September equinox is just around the corner and with it, the end of the long summer days. Our Oakland Schools opened beau fully beginning with a professional development day to welcome back our teachers on September 4.
Returning to Heights a er child care leaves are Kelly Chapman, Re- source Center teacher, Jean Marie Schindler, Physical Educa on teach- er, and Emily Thompson, Grade 3 teacher. We were fortunate to have Marianne Fredericks con nue in her posi on of Grade 2 teacher for the 2012 - 2013 school year. Thank you to our Board of Educa on who reinstated our Class Size Policy in our elementary schools.
New to Heights School is Ms. Mallory Griffith, a graduate of Penn State University. Ms. Griffith comes to Heights with a Masters Degree in Special Educa on and will be teaching in our Grade 4 Resource Center.
A tradi on at Heights is to have our en re student body and staff come together around our flagpole, as a school community, to begin the school year. We raise our country’s flag, sa- lute it, and then have our Student Council representa ves from the previous year read the School Creed and an ex- cerpt from Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.” Following that, Ms. Ciambra, Principal, gives a welcoming speech and the school year is officially open. Page 15 Volume 15, Issue 3 Kathleen’s Garden Building and Grounds Work Has Dogwood Hill School Ready for September This spring, Manito School will be to see how beau ful and wonderful The summer weeks were busy in the Oakland School District. Nowhere was this more evident than at Dogwood Hill School our world could really be. In loving where a variety of projects were undertaken.holding a special ceremony to for- mally dedicate Kathleen’s Garden. remembrance of Kathleen Pinck- The sidewalk that wraps itself around theThe front project, of Dogwood which Hillhas Schoolbeen loving- and aroundney, the our side friend of the forever…” mul -purpose room was replaced. The original sidewalk, from 1964,ly supportedse led so thatby the over Pinckney me there family was a lip along the curb that was a poten al trip- ping hazard. The new sidewalk was completed in the last week of August. Not onlyThe does garden, it remove which the incorporates tripping possibility and their friends, is a fi ng tribute along the curb, it is also wider in the front of the school. This, also, is a safety factorexis ng for shrubs the children, by the crea ngflagpole, more will space to Kathleen Pinckney who a ended for children to u lize as they are dismissed from school. also include a variety of bulbs, new Manito un l losing a very brave shrubs, a lovely tree, and natural ba le with cancer last year. The A second major project completed wasstepping-stones. a new drainage It lineis designed outside ofas the a class- centerpieceroom wing of andthe gardendown theis a backstone past the kitchen. During the past year, there Caption describing picture or graphic. beau ful place that the community benchhave thatbeen is a inscribednumber of with torren al the downpours that were too heavy for the ex- is ng drains to handle. On a numbercan of visitoccasions, to celebrate rainwater all would of the leak into following words: “She touched our three classrooms along the ground floor.things This Kathleen new line loved eliminates about that life— possibil- lives in ways that always helped us ity, keeping the classrooms, and theher childrenfamily, friends, who u seschool, them, animals, safe and dry through the rainiest days. “Mom, I love school, sports and art. When considering a site for Kathleen’s Garden, everyone agreed that Manito and I love Oakland!” School would be the perfect place. A er all,Another Kathleen’s welcomed mother, project Therese, was recalls the Kathleen replacement skip- of blinds through Dogwood ping happily out of school one day in the secondHill School. grade Likeexclaiming, the front “Mom, sidewalk, I love theschool, blinds and we I re original to the school. Weighing close to eighty pounds per set, they were challenging for some teach- love Oakland!” Details about the ceremony and photos of the event will be published in the ers to raise. Coupled with that were a number of sets whose mechanisms next issue of the Cross Roads. would not keep them raised. S ll others had dented and damaged blinds. Now the New sidewalk being installed at classrooms have new, safe units. Instead of two sets of blinds, each classroom has Dogwood Hill School in August. six small sets, giving the teachers greater choice of which to rise and much greater ease of use.
Along with the wonderful custodial work that went on through the summer, Dogwood Hill School was certainly ready, both inside and out, to greet the children on the first day of school.
HEIGHTS—Such an Exciting Time....Continued
We would like to thank our amazing custodial staff - Mr. Kesenheimer, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Alvarado, and Mr. Hans - for all of the hard work to make our school clean and invi ng for our children and staff.
Thanks also to the teachers who spent countless hours preparing their classrooms so that they would look beau ful as the children entered the school on the very first day of the 2012 - 2013 school year. We are grateful to our secretaries, Ms. Medaska and Ms. Milich, for taking care of all those forms and orders that have to be put into place to ensure a smooth school opening.
Our PTO, under the leadership of our new PTO President, Ms. Trish Gannon, is busily preparing for our annual Tricky Tray, which will be held on November 14, at The Tides. This special event is always well a ended and raises funds for the pur- pose of enriching the academic and cultural programs at Heights School. We appreciate the strong home/school partner- ship that exists at Heights and look forward to con nuing this rela onship.
We welcome the new challenges and opportuni es for growth that each school year brings as we watch our children learn, have fun and grow. It’s such an exci ng me! “It’s such an exci ng me!” OAKLAND BOROUGH COUNCIL
Mayor Linda H. Schwager
Council Members
Council President— Chris Viscon
Sandra Coira, Timothy Jensen, Karen Marcalus Oakland Communications Commission Pat Pignatelli, Elizabeth Stagg One Municipal Plaza OAKLAND BOARD OF EDUCATION Oakland, NJ 07436 Superintendent—Dr. Richard G. Heflich Business Administrator—Joan Dunn Board of Educa on Members ************ECRWSS************* President—John A. Scerbo POSTAL PATRON Vice President—Russell Talamini OAKLAND, NEW JERSEY 07436 Robert Akovity, James Gaffney, Jennifer L. Ma s OAKLAND, NEW JERSEY 07436
OAKLAND COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
Chairman—Peter Foley
Vice Chair—Fred Birks
Don Burns, Peter J. Kikot, Brian Zeller
THE CROSSROADS NEWSLETTER EDITOR
Peter J. Kikot—[email protected]
BOROUGH OF OAKLAND George Washington and his officers stayed at the Van Allen ONE MUNICIPAL PLAZA House on July 14, 1777, on their way north to join more of OAKLAND, NJ 07436 their forces near West Point, when the troops and supply wagons got bogged down on the muddy trail that was the Ramapo Valley Road of those days. The troops camped (201) 337-8111 down along the Valley Road. Washington wrote two le ers
addressed from the Van Allen House, of which we have WWW.OAKLAND-NJ-ORG copies at the House. History has recorded that General Washington led his troops up and down the 'Valley Road' on other occasions also, and stayed at other Old Dutch Houses in Mahwah, Wayne and Ho-Ho-Kus as well as Morristown. In honor of General Washington's visit in Oakland (The Ponds), we make a point of celebra ng his birthday here each year.
EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE OAKLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
www.oaklandhistoricalsociety.org OAKLAND COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION