West Windsor — See Page of Education Unanimously Voted to 14
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FEBRUARY 1, 2013 WE ST WI N DSOR & P LAI N SBORO N E WS Headliners: North Fencer Katie Khaw, page 16; Gina, Frank, and Linda DeMilt of Jake’s Wayback Burgers, 13. Good N ew s For On the WW- P Horiz on: P olice & Fire More School Students? b y Sue Roy b y Sue Roy Board member Rachel Hurwitz re- minded the public, “that it is a vote olice and fire made the head- wo relatively new subjects lines at the January 22 West of conscience for every Board on the WW-P Board of Edu- member. We are mindful that we Windsor Council meeting, cation agenda — the date of Pbut there were no traffic accidents, T need to protect our education stan- school elections and school safety burglaries, or burning buildings to dards while keeping our costs concerns — were handled in quick down.” worry about. order on January 29. But an old and The police made news for pro- Larry Shanok, assistant superin- familiar concern — the possible tendent for finance, explained the moting several officers: Patrick growth in O’Brien was promoted to lieuten- ramifications of school enroll- the vote. “Really, ant, and officers MaryLouise ment — once An old issue cropped Dranchak, Brian Geraghty, Robert very little has again became up at the School Board: changed. The Fow, and Danny Mohr were all a hot topic. promoted to sergeant. Patrolman The possib ility of more proposed budget With no op- housing w ith more must remain un- Nicholas Barber was also sworn in. position or Family and friends of the honorees school students. der the mandated public com- cap of two per- were present for the ceremony. ment, the Both O’Brien and Geraghty also cent for the gen- WW-P Board eral fund tax levy. The Board must live in West Windsor — see page of Education unanimously voted to 14. still present a preliminary budget change the date of the school Board to the county on March 7. The The fire fighter were in the news election from third Tuesday in because Council voted unani- Board will still hold a public meet- April to the first Tuesday after the ing on the budget on March 27. The mously to purchase a new fire first Monday in November, to co- truck, one that carries foam instead only change is that the public will incide with the general election. In not vote on the budget in April.” of water, and a 1,50 0-gallon per doing so, the Board has eliminated minute pump. Fire Chief Richard District Superintendent Victoria H igh L ev el S ec ur ity : West Windsor Township’ s the community’s ability to vote on Kniewel advised that although the Glover explained that the new Sharon Y oung swears in new lieutenant Patrick the annual school budget, so long Continued on page 14 O ’ Brien as his wife, Jill, look s on and his son, as the budget remains within the Continued on page 1 1 Brody, k eeps a watchful eye. state-mandated two percent cap. ‘GOOD GRIEF’ MORE THAN JUST A SAYING b y Lynn Rob b ins activities at its Princeton-based office, actively express their emotions. They hen West Windsor Patty Ry- including peer support groups that be- learn healthy coping skills such as hit- an was invited to join Good gin Wednesday, February 20, and a ting a pillow instead of hitting one’s kid Grief as a program coordina- “meet and greet” open house Friday, sister when he is upset. W March 22, at the Nassau Club. Ryan said that activities like the talk- tor and parent advocate, she didn’t think about it, she just said, “Yes ” A Night of Support is one of the most ing stick ritual and creative projects “I was thrilled to become a part of important services Good Grief offers to make it possible for people, especially the organization,” said Ryan, pictured grieving families. On a typical evening, children and teens, to name their grief at right, who now works at Good participants arrive around 6 p.m. and out loud in a safe space. Good Grief has Grief’s new office in Princeton. “I’m are offered a light meal. found that children are often silenced excited to work with kids. I wish some- After refreshments, families and fa- by well meaning adults and told not to thing like this was available for my kids cilitators form a sharing circle. The first speak of their loss in public. when they lost their dad.” The family person to speak holds a “talking stick,” One mother wrote a post on Good lost John Ryan in the September 11, shares his or her name and his relation- Grief’s blog: “Teachers were telling me 2001, terrorist attack on the World ship to the person who died — Dad, they weren’t allowed to talk about their Trade Center. Within a few years, they Mom, Sister, Brother, Daughter, Son losses in school. One teacher handed also lost Ryan’s parents, who died from — and passes the talking stick to the me the counselor’s phone number high- illnesses. person beside him. ly suggesting I contact him because it Good Grief has been offering peer After the sharing circle, participants isn’t appropriate or normal for kids to group programs to families who have join individual groups according to talk about death with their friends’.” lost loved ones to illness, acts of vio- age. Children and teens share stories “I like coming to Good Grief be- lence, or accidents since 2007 in Sum- and take part in creative activities. cause there are other kids there I can mit and since 2011 in Morristown. Now Children can also choose to spend time Ryan is helping the organization launch in the “volcano room” where they can Continued on page 15 Gold Medal Impressions WW-P’S FREE COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER WWPINFO.COM Letters: Cantu Addresses Plainsboro Plaza 5 Purchase an Iconic Moment Will Former Cyanamid Site Include Housing? 14 from Super Bowl XLVII Comedy Night Will Benefit Post Prom at North 24 WW-P Community Celebrates Chinese New Year 28 43 Princeton-Hightstown Rd. West Windsor Police Reports 29 Classifieds 31 FOLLOW WWPINFO ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER FOR TIMELY UPDATES SEE AD PAGE 5 ISSUE DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2013 NEXT ISSUE: FEBRUARY 15 2 THE NEWS FEBRUARY 1, 2013 n iener ie e ere Views & Opinions ne Greater Princeton Owner/Sales presence of a GSA in school can Associate To The E ditor: P eer reduce incidents of harassment Wonderful Updated Center Hall Colonial Support Crucial and contribute to a more welcom- ing school environment. In a saf- For Gay Students er environment like this, school absence is decreased and aca- ou recently published a letter demic performance is increased Richard K . Rein from the Milazzos, who ob- NE ISTING Y for LGBT students. 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