Wednesday, May 22, 2013
There will still be a number of summer programs, such as theater and math.
In the wake of losing about $600,000 due to federal budget cuts, Dr. Mark Toback said the district will not be running a full day program this year. "We'll do the best we can," Toback said at a recent school board meeting, but he added that some programs would have to be canceled. Last year, the district ran a full day program. This year students can enroll in the academic program at the Connors School as well as music and theater camp at Hoboken High School. The theater camp will conclude with a showcase at the end of the summer. For exact times of the programs, check out the district's schedule.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The Hoboken Board of Education met on Tuesday night.
The food services program in the Hoboken Schools could break even this year after a 50 percent rise in the amount of lunches consumed, said School Board Member Tom Kluepfel on Tuesday night. If an increase in students who are eating the school lunches persists, he continued, the program could even be profitable next year. In September 2012, Kluepfel said, 14,000 students ate the school lunches. In April that number had risen to 21,000. The food services program has seen some trouble in the past, most significantly a $783,000 debt that was found in an audit in 2011. Since then, the school system has changed its food providers. "If it stays at this level," Kluepfel said, "the program could be profitable next year."
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
In total, the state awarded $1.25 million to school districts that were impacted by the hurricane.
Hoboken is among 26 school districts that will be sharing $1.25 million in Sandy recovery funds, announced the Christie Administration on Tuesday. Hoboken will receive $48,142. The money, which comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Project School Emergency Response to Violence program, is meant to fund short- and long-term education services designed to restore safe learning environments for their students. "Our communities have exhibited tremendous resilience in the face of the after-effects of Super Storm Sandy and they should be commended for all they have done to support our students and their education," said State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf. “These funds from the U.S. Department of Education will help support the …
Monday, April 29, 2013
A city-wide production of Seussical is in the works. The performances are scheduled for the first weekend of May.
Students of all ages — from sixth graders to high school seniors — are scattered around the Hoboken High School Auditorium on a recent Friday afternoon. Some are in the back, chatting. Others are eating lunch in the front row, while another group is rehearsing on stage under the direction of Danielle Miller, the theater director. It's the last week before the district is performing Seussical. "I think we need more time," said Tim Sykes, the 10th grader who has the role of the Cat in the Hat. "I have a lot of stuff I have to work on. I am in every single number." While this is the third show Sykes, 16, is in, this is his first lead role. While he admitted to being a little nervous, he said he was ready. Unlike the most recent production at…
Thursday, April 18, 2013
After months of discussion, the district is switching to a junior-senior high school model. As of next school year, the seventh grade will be taught at Hoboken High School.
As of the 2013-2014 school year, the seventh graders will move into Hoboken High School. Rather than adopting a middle school model in the district — which was discussed last year — the district will adopt a junior-senior high school model. The Hoboken Board of Education approved the measure on Tuesday night, during their monthly meeting. The School Board asked parents to fill out a survey and hosted an informational evening about the change. While not all parents seemed on board with the idea of moving the seventh graders into the high school, Toback has argued that the high school will offer the students more resources. The seventh graders will not share the classroom with high schoolers. In an earlier interview, Toback described it as "…
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Hoboken School board voted on a new policy on Tuesday night. The measure requires one more vote before it's law.
If the school board approves the measure for a second reading next month, Hoboken High students will be wearing uniforms, starting next school year. The new dress code policy is being instituted, after HHS Principal told the board that dress code is a big issue at the high school. A lot of time, is spent on managing that problem, said Robin Piccapietra, the principal, on Tuesday night. While change is always difficult, Piccapietra said that her staff at the high school is on board with the new policy, and that they will "hit the groud running." The uniform policy will also make it easier to identify all the students at the school. Without a proper uniform, people won't be let into the school, she said. The measure was approved on first …
Friday, April 12, 2013
School report cards were released earlier this week, reflecting an uptick in SAT scores.
SAT scores at Hoboken's public schools — while "a long way to go," according to Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback — have seen an uptick in recent years. Still, the test results are far below state average and the report card reflects that Hoboken lags in comparison to its peer districts. The total average SAT scores at Hoboken High, in the 2011-2012 school year, was 1159. The state's target is an average of 1550. "We're very aware of what the SAT scores are," said Toback. He added that the elementary school students will get new text books for the first time in a decade. Similar improvements, he said, should lead to higher future test scores The SAT scores were part of the report cards that were released earlier this week. Released Wednesday…
Monday, April 8, 2013
Elysian Charter School students sent "a message to the president."
A video made by students from the Elysian Charter School stood out among almost 2,000 applications in this year's C-SPAN 2013 StudentCam Competition. For the fourth time, students from the charter school have won a top award in the competition. Sixth Grade students Nathan Blumenfeld and Ireland Tavarez won Honorary Mention for their short film “The Unemployment Rate." Theirs was one of 1,893 submissions. C-SPAN's Pam McGorry presented the award to Blumenfeld and Tavarez last week. Mayor Dawn Zimmer was present to to congratulate the winners. In their video, Blumenfeld and Tavarez asked three questions: Why is the unemployment rate so high?; How can we create more jobs? and Do you think the unemployment rate will grow or shrink in the …
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Five district schools are participating in Hoboken's next musical.
The Hoboken School district has announced the dates for its next musical. The students will put on the show on May 3, May 4 and May 5. Currently there are 120 students involved in the production, said Danielle Miller, the theater program director. Students from all K-12 schools are participating. Most recently, Hoboken High put on Rent. Ticket price for the show is $7 for general admission, $5 for students and $3 for seniors. The district is also introducing a $15 family pack: parents and siblings of performers only may pay $15 to attend all three shows. These must be purchased in advance.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Ron Smith, who was hired on an hourly contract, will not continue working for the district.
The Hoboken Board of Education is continuing its search for a permanent Business Administrator, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Toback. Ron Smith, who worked for the district during the most recent budget process, will not be working for the district anymore. Smith was hired on an hourly contract, Toback said. Carole Fredricks, who was hired late in 2012, left in January after working in Hoboken for three months. Fredericks became superintendent in Franklin Township. Former business administrator William Takacs was terminated from the district in August 2012. Takacs had followed interim BA Robert Davis, who officially left the district at the end of 2011.
franksinatra
11:29 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Toback has no credibility on this issue. Claire--you must make him provide evidence that Hoboken has lost any federal money. There is no hint of that from what I can see. He'll use sequestration as an excuse for tax hikes and cutbacks forever unless he's called out. Hoboken gets so little federal money that even if there is a cut, there's no way it could be $450,000. And even if it is, how about … more ›