School Lunch Standards to Take Effect This Year

Whole grain-rich foods, more fruits and vegetables mandated.

School districts across the country will bring new meaning to the "apple a day" saying this school year as nationally-mandated school lunch standards take effect. Beginning in September, the new lunch standards, introduced in January by First Lady Michelle Obama under the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, will be implemented. The standards were created to help fight childhood obesity throughout the nation. According to a press release from the United States Department of Agriculture, the new meal standards are designed to "make the same kinds of practical changes that many parents are already encouraging at home." This involves the inclusion of fruits, vegetables, whole grain-rich foods, low-calorie foods and foods with reduced amounts of …

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Lost hope

10:28 pm on Friday, November 23, 2012

Mrs Obama is NOT the driving force behind all this dietary change as many of you have given her credit for... The ADA, more formerly known as the AND has been putting a great deal of pressure on dietary changes across the board. Quite honestly I am NOT an Obama fan; however, I do feel that change is grossly necessary in order to avert more of an obesity epidemic...   more ›

High School Football Classifications Released

NJSIAA incorporates the new Group V this season.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association released its classifications this week for the upcoming high school football season, following the executive committee's approval to create a Group V designation in the four public school sections in May. Mahwah, which kicks off its season Sept. 7 at Pascack Hills, moves to North 1 Group 3. "This creates a greater opportunity for schools and for student-athletes," Jack DuBois, NJSIAA assistant director who is in charge of football, said following the approval. "It increases the number of teams playing in the playoffs from 128 to 160. At the same time, it eliminates 16 consolation games that schools didn't want to play anyway." The proposal also allows teams with records under .500 …

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Interim Says Anti-Bullying, Superintendent Search Top District’s Priorities

New policy on district website

As students head back to school Wednesday, the Mahwah school district’s new interim Superintendent, Dr. Karen Lake, said the district has two immediate goals: implementing the state’s new bullying policy, and finding a permanent superintendent to replace Dr. Charles Montesano, who retired in July. The Board of Education officially adopted the policy at last Wednesday’s meeting. The policy in its entirety can now be read on the district’s newly revamped website. The anti-bullying policy, which has been regarded as one of the strictest in the nation, requires that school administrators “implement procedures that ensure both the appropriate consequences and remedial responses for pupils who commit one or more acts of harassment.” Consequences…

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Ramapo College Will "Push Boundaries" This Year

College's first day of classes Thursday

As students begin classes at Ramapo Thursday, what is exactly new and different at the college this year? Patch sat down with College President Peter Mercer to talk about new programs, facilities and activities this year. This is what he had to say: Adult Learners Program Combining online and classroom study, you can learn on your own terms in Ramapo’s recently launched Adult Learner’s Program designed for working adults. At Ramapo College, our stellar faculty and professional staff want to help you push your personal and professional boundaries and can help you complete a bachelor’s degree in as few as two years. For more information call 201-684-7137 or visit www.ramapo.edu/alp/ Students win National Award The Ramapo College Students in …

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Patch Picks

Who Says Back To School Is Just For Kids?

Adults can take these classes this fall

When the school bell rings it signals the start of the new school year.   Who said the classroom is just for kids? Adults can learn new skills and continue to be lifelong learners when they enroll in any of the bountiful classes in the area. Here's a sample of some upcoming classes adults in Mahwah can enjoy: IR (Institute for Learning in Retirement) – Held at Bergen Community College in cooperation with Elderhostel. Adults 55 and older can attend educational and informative classes. A one-academic-year membership fee of $160 entitles you to enroll in four ILR courses each semester. Classes offered this fall include Beginners Conversational Hebrew, Human Biology, Survey of American Poetry and Laws Affecting Seniors.  For more information …

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Police Say Ridge, MHS Parents Should Have Different Back-To-School Concerns

What DARE Officers think are some concerns for Mahwah parents come September

It makes sense for parents to get a bit nervous as September inches closer, according to D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) police officers in Mahwah. “Especially as children move from one building to another, there is a level of anxiousness experienced by both the parent and the child about new social experiences,” said Officer Joe Horn, a D.A.R.E. teacher and Mahwah Municipal Alliance member. But exactly what choices and social pressures will exist vary depending upon the age of the child, he says. Patch sat down with D.A.R.E. officers to find out what some of the issues students will likely face this year are. As part of a D.A.R.E. class for fifth graders, Mahwah police officers ask kids what percentage of eighth graders they …

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Ramapo Students Recommend Back-To-College Must Haves

Commuter and dormer recommendations

Classes at Ramapo College begin only a few weeks away. Whether your kids will be heading to Route 202 or an institution further away, there are certain must-have items on the back school checklist. For Dormers: The college’s website makes several recommendations - all residents should bring necessities like bed linens as all residence halls on campus have long twin beds except for the Tamarack and Sycamore residences. Students are also advised to bring other items such as ATM cards, irons, and towels. For Ramapo student Danielle Sangillo, electronics are a big plus for back to school. “If I were to pick two college must-haves, they would be a surge protector so you can plug in more than two things into an outlet like printer, laptop, light…

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School One-On-One

BR Principal Gearing Up For the New School Year

What she will miss about Lenape Meadows

Each week Patch sits down with individuals who contribute to the high standards of education in Mahwah, and asks them a few questions to get to know them better. This week Patch talks to new Betsy Ross Principal, Christine Zimmermann about her accomplishments at Lenape Meadows and her philosophy and work ethic she is bringing to Betsy Ross. How long have you been in education as a teacher/principal? CZ: “I graduated from Rutgers in 1983, and except for the five years I spent at home after having my three children, I’ve been working in schools ever since. I’ve taught every grade from Pre-K through eighth grade and also worked for a time as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University. I’ve been a principal for eight years, the last …

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