Saturday, May 19, 2012
Link Elementary School students go inside justice system.
The jurors in Clarkstown Town Judge Howard Gerber's courtroom in New City on Friday weren't from the typical jury pool. They were kids. Second-graders to be precise. Students from Clarkstown school district's Link Elementary School visited Gerber's courtroom at the town police and courts building at 20 Maple Ave. for a close-up look at the justice system. During the visit, Gerber discussed the different courts — ranging from local justice courts to the U.S. Supreme Court — with the students and then gave them a chance to experience the system. The students took part in a mock trial in which they experienced the roles of defendant, prosecutor, defense counsel and jury. While on Maple Avenue, Link students also visited the New City Fire …
Jane Brown is nominee from 38th State Senate District.
Jane Brown, M.Ed, Executive Director of Child Care Resources of Rockland (CCRR), received the New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award for 2012. As the official nominee from the 38th State Senate District, she received the award at an Albany reception with other honorees from across the state. Brown has a long record of educational excellence throughout her 36 years of service for children. She has worked extensively in classrooms with infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. She has also provided professional development for numerous early childhood center and home-based staff members over the years, including assisting teachers find ways to relieve the stress associated with the early childhood industry. State …
The week of May 13, 2012
A video recap of the week's major happenings.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Residents vote in $72.6 million fiscal plan
Nyack Schools' verified vote results are in, and residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of this year's $72.6 million budget. 1,252 voted to pass the fiscal plan, and 374 cast ballots against. The two newcomers running for two school board seats—Dan Kaplan and Karen Hughes—secured seats with 1,102 and 1,044 votes, respectively. Four-term veteran Claudette Clarke, who has put in 12 years on the all-volunteer board, received 664 votes. -- Original story (4:42 p.m.) With next year’s school budget and two open seats on the school board up for grabs, locals headed to the polls in Nyack and Valley Cottage on Tuesday. (Read an election primer here.) Residents are currently voting on the district’s $72.6 million budget and for two of the three …
Veteran member Claudette Clarke answers Patch's questions
This is an interview with Valley Cottage's Claudette Clarke, who is running for Nyack School Board. Three hopefuls—four-term veteran Clarke, and newcomers Dan Kaplan and Karen Hughes—are vying for two seats. Current member Michael Lagana will not be seeking another term. The vote will be held May 15. Read about this year's school budget here, and last year's school board elections here. -- Patch: Why are you seeking a seat on the board, and why should people vote for you? Clarke: I had a dream that the Nyack School district would accomplish all the districts goals, one of which is that each child would reach his/her fullest potential. We have made a lot of progress over the twelve years that I have been a board member. However, The school …
Where to vote; candidate, budget details
Tuesday is election day for Nyack Schools, and residents will have a say in the district's $72.6 million budget and two open seats on the school board. The budget, which comes in about $270,000 under the state's two-percent tax cap, includes no teacher layoffs, although a handful of administrative posts would be slashed. Read the budget details here. On the ballot for Nyack School Board are three candidates vying for two seats. Newcomers Dan Kaplan and Karen Hughes are joined by sitting member and four-term veteran Claudette Clarke. (Click the hyperlinked names for details on the candidates.) School Board members serve three-year terms and are not paid. -- When and where to vote
Monday, May 14, 2012
Newcomer Karen Hughes sounds off on issues, experience
This is an interview with Upper Nyacker Karen Hughes, who is running for Nyack School Board. Three hopefuls—first-timer Hughes, sitting member Claudette Clarke and newcomer Dan Kaplan—are vying for two seats. Read a statement from Dan Kaplan here. Current member Michael Lagana will not be seeking another term. The vote will be held May 15. Read about this year's school budget here, and last year's school board elections here. -- Patch: Why are you seeking a seat on the board, and why should people vote for you? Hughes: I have spent over 20 years in investment banking technology, as a software engineer and program manager. In my role as a technology manager, my job is to engage, listen, evaluate and make sensible decisions that are driven …
Glen Johnson slaps a long single to help Rockland take 7-6 win in exhibition game.
The Rockland Boulders helped the moms in attendance celebrate Mother's Day Sunday with a walk-off win, as Glen Johnson's long single capped a 7-6 exhibition win over the New Jersey Jackals. The Boulders trailed by as much as 6-2 before rallying late, as Todd Gossage's second homer in as many games tied the score in the eighth, and Johnson's shot off the right field wall brought in Norm Hutchins with the winning run, lifting Rockland to its fourth win in five pre-season contests. Training camp ends on May 16, after which the Boulders open the regular season by traveling to Canada to face the defending champ Quebec Captiales on May 17 to start a four game set. They return to Provident Bank Park for the 2012 Home Opener on May 22 against the …
Thursday, May 10, 2012
A child's report card makes me evaluate my own existence.
My oldest son’s report card came in the mail the other day. He is 13 (going on 10) and in his final months of Middle School. His grades were good for the most part, with his traditional spattering of A’s and B’s, but way down at the bottom of his progress report was a brand new letter of the alphabet to add to his transcript–a “D." When pressed about the mark he did a familiar song and dance, and ended up telling me that he just didn’t take the subject too seriously and even worse, didn’t feel like making much of an effort during the semester. Granted it would have been nice to have received a “heads up” from the teacher before his grades were etched in stone, but my wife and I chose to use this experience as an opportunity to convey the …
40.99427
-73.77573
Scarsdale Middle School
134 Mamaroneck Rd, Scarsdale, NY
/articles/stay-at-home-dad-everything-counts
54026
/locations/6977723
Local parents don't want their children taking field tests in June
An increase in state-mandated testing coming next school year could lead Nyack and Valley Cottage parents to organize a boycott of field tests that students in various grades are slated to take this June. Possibilities of the boycott were discussed Wednesday night at an event hosted by Restore Education Funding (REF), a coalition of parents that started in Nyack but has started reaching out to other school districts in and out of Rockland. The event was held at Living Christ Church in Nyack and featured Nyack superintendent of Schools Dr. James Montesano talking to the roughly 40 parents in attendance about the increased mandated testing and teacher assessments coming. “We’re at a crossroads for public education in this country,” said …
41.08538
-73.919649
Living Christ Church
151 S Broadway, Nyack, NY
/articles/parents-discuss-boycott-of-upcoming-school-tests
170848
/locations/6981519
Harold Peterson
11:36 am on Saturday, May 19, 2012
Congratulations to my good friend Jane. Well deserved!! Harold more ›