SCHOOLS

On November 14, the Highland Park Board of Education focused on four achievement reports presented by the district's principals for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The reports indicated mixed results for the various grades tested, Assistant Superintendent Karen Lewis said. Only the high school scores classify as reaching Adequate Yearly Progress levels, Lewis said, “but it’s only one grade tested there,” possibly distorting the value of the raw statistics.

The proposed Hebrew Language Charter High School makes no sense in Highland Park, because (1) our High School has responded to suggestions made by the charter “founders”; (2) our town is small and adding another District with its own administration is a waste of taxpayer dollars; and (3) the “founder” of this school, Shoshana Akman, has not tried our schools for her family.

The application to open Tikun Olam Hebrew Language Academy was denied in New Jersey's latest round of charter submissions, released by the state Department of Education on September 30th.

Unlike the spring 2011 approvals of 23 new schools, department officials gave the nod to only four applicants in the latest cycle.

In a unanimous vote, the Highland Park Board of Education has accepted the bid of Temco Facility Services to provide facilities management to the borough's public schools. The decision at Monday's board meeting was cheered by more than a dozen custodial and maintenance employees and their supporters.

The vote in favor of a new contract with the East Rutherford firm marks the formal end to the district’s contentious relationship with Sodexo, the nation’s largest provider of facility services.

Despite a hint of drizzles and lingering gray skies, students of Irving Primary School and their families were nonetheless cleared for take-off.

On March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd, Highland Park High School presented the hit Seussical: The Musical, to sold-out audiences. The atmosphere on all three nights was colored by the laughter of children and adults, beaming faces of performers and directors, and a somewhat foreign difficulty in locating empty seats.

Highland Park voters approved a $21.5 million schools levy on Wednesday, May 27, and selected four of the nine Board of Education members for the coming year. The levy overwhelmingly passed with 1,092 yes votes, versus 525 no votes.

The student arrived late to the honor roll ceremony at my son's middle school last week. Even though it was almost over, the teaching staff graciously presented him with his certificate for high honors. The tall, shy African-American walked across the gym floor to polite applause and a visible lack of camera flash. No parent was there to congratulate him.