Our Montville

Gov. Christie offers wage-freeze incentive to schools

After months of criticizing the teachers' union for refusing to sacrifice benefits as the state grapples with the biggest per-person deficit in the country, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is now offering school districts an incentive to push for wage freezes.

Christie told The Associated Press in an interview that he will offer more state aid to all school districts whose teachers agree to forgo a planned pay raise in the 2011 fiscal year; most teachers were expected to get increases of at least 4 percent. 

"I don't think it's wrong to say in these difficult times that they step up and make some sacrifice," Christie said. "We're not talking about forgoing raises forever. We're talking about forgoing raises for one year."

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Rebate Alert from New Jersey's Clean Energy Program

New Jersey's Clean Energy Program™
Rebates and Promotions 
Starting April 1, New Jersey residents will be eligible to receive rebates ranging from $25 to $100 on the purchase of ENERGY STAR® qualified clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators. These rebates are a result of the federal stimulus funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Many retailers will provide an instant rebate at the time of purchase, while others will require a mail-in rebate form. 

Montville teachers union asked to switch health plan

To fight the budget crunch, the school board has asked the teachers union to switch from its current private health care plan to a state plan provided by the same insurance company, school officials said Friday.

By moving the health benefits — currently provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield — the district could save more than $1 million of the proposed $68.8 million budget for 2010-11, school board President Jon Alin said.The Montville Township Education Association — representing approximately 400 teachers — has yet to give the school board an answer, he said.

Tony Varuolo, president of the MTEA and a seventh-grade teacher at Lazar Middle School, told the school board Thursday night there are legal complications to consider and the union is waiting to hear back from its attorney, Alin said.

Continue reading Daily Record.   See What does NJEA do with all that money?

The Pied Piper meets the Wild West at St. Pius X School

On Friday evening March 26th, St. Pius X School students presented “The Pied Piper’s Wild West Show,” a story about a dusty small town in Texas with a very big rat problem. 

Under the enthusiastic direction of Mara Fleming, Taubenslag Productions of North Brunswick worked with St. Pius X students in first through sixth grades for just one week to put together a toe-tapping performance complete with musical numbers, silliness, and a moral lesson about honesty. 

Director Fleming said, “The St. Pius students were some of the best I’ve ever worked with!  They were quick learners, well-disciplined, and respectful.”

Taubenslag Productions has been presenting family entertainment since 1964.  Their Theater Week program comes into schools with the main objective of building students’ self-esteem.  Roles are provided for every child who wishes to participate, and no scripts are ever used.  The children rehearse after school every day for a week, for two hours each day, and then perform a fully-staged musical production on Friday night.

“We were thrilled to bring this group to our school, and provide our students with this fun extra-curricular activity,” said Sister June Morrissey, Principal at St. Pius X.  “The performance exceeded my expectations, and you could see just how proud the children were.  We hope to have Taubenslag Productions come back again next year.” 

Award-winning St. Pius X School offers accredited, co-educational classes for Pre-K3 through eighth grade.  Social development and moral integrity are emphasized, and teachers strive to recognize each student’s unique abilities and build self-esteem.  All faiths welcome.  For more information, or to schedule a personal tour, please call the school office at (973) 335-1253.

Condurso's offers extensive selection and free weekly seminars

The Condurso family has lived and worked at 96 River Road, Montville since 1929.  In the 28 years they have been in business as a garden center, Condurso’s has grown into a 30-acre facility catering to landscapers and homeowners from the northern New Jersey area and beyond. 

Open year-round, they feature an extensive selection of trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.  During the fall and winter months they carry seasonal items such as pumpkins, hardy chrysanthemums, Halloween decorations, live and cut Christmas trees and Christmas décor.  In the shop, you will find a full line of hardgoods:  tools, hoses, wheelbarrows, spreaders, fertilizers, insecticides, and so much more. Condurso’s supplies mulch and decorative stone, both in bulk and in bags, as well as topsoil and sand.  They are also a major supplier of Techo-Bloc and LibertyStone pavers and wallstone.  Their greenhouse carries beautiful indoor plants, as well as pottery, statuary, birdbaths, and fountains.

In Our Schools: Montville teacher publishes children's books to get kids moving

Montville physical education teacher Len Saunders has encouraged children around the world to exercise at least once a year for more than 20 years.  His 21-year-old Project ACES, All Children Exercise Simultaneously, program is an annual event that gets more than a million children around the globe running, jumping and dancing every May.

Saunders, 49, of Old Bridge, has now published two children's books that he hopes will keep children ages 2 to 7 moving all year long. Children today spend so much time doing sedentary activities, such as watching television and playing video games, that Saunders wanted to combine reading and exercise.

"I just want to motivate kids to exercise and I'm trying to find creative ways to do that," said Saunders, who has taught physical education at Montville's Valley View School for 25 years.

Continue Reading Daily Record.

Friday Inspiration

Hat tip: Jim V.  (Click on image; page takes time to load)
  

The Cartel - Corruption in Public Schools

www.TheCartelMovie.com ‘The Cartel’ keeps winning and rightly so

Attention Longview Residents......Longview Election Process is upon us!

Once again, the Annual Longview Election Process is upon us!  All Residents now have a chance to be heard and more importantly to lead!  This Spring we will be filling four (4) two-year Townhouse seats, and two (2) two-year Revere Court seats, creating a total of six (6) Trustee opportunities.

Although several of these seats have been filled for the past two years with some of our most dedicated, energetic and effective board members ever, Longview now has the opportunity for even more residents to become involved. We are particularly looking for increased participation from Revere Court residents!  For several years, we have had multiple vacant Revere Court Trustee Seats.  Please consider participating with the Board in representing Revere Court.

For More information or to volunteer click here.

News Alert from Senator Joe Pennacchio - The 2010 Census: Help Your Community in Less than 10 Mins.

Do you believe that your State taxes and property taxes are set fairly? Do you wonder if your vote carries enough weight when you choose your State and Congressional representatives?

This month, your household will receive a Census form. The Census is required once every 10 years by the U.S. Constitution to count every person living in the United States. So why should you participate?
Your taxes may be affected. Census responses help determine how more than $400 billion per year in federal funds are distributed. If Census responses are low in our area, we may not get our fair share of federal aid and you may have to pay higher State taxes and property taxes to make up the difference.
Your community needs your help. Census responses help determine local needs for the next 10 years, including locations for child-care and senior centers, transportation facilities, hospitals and schools.
Our democracy depends on it. The Census affects your representation in Congress, in the New Jersey Legislature, and in many local areas. Failing to be counted will reduce the clout of your vote and your voice in federal, state and local issues.

The Census form is short, easy and confidential. The 2010 Census form has only 10 questions and takes only about 10 minutes to fill out. And it’s completely confidential.
Please be sure to help yourself, your community and your country by completing your Census form! More information on the census is available on the web at http://www.senatenj.com/census.