NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge'
NJ Student Hospitalized After 'Blackout Challenge' A student at an Essex County middle school was hospitalized on Tuesday, April 16, after he tried the "blackout challenge." Two students at South Orange Middle School took part in the dangerous stunt, popular on social media, which involves holding one's breath to the point of passing out, Lynn Irby Hill, the principal, said in a letter to parents. The first student passed out but was treated by the nursing staff, Irby Hill said. The second student had difficulty resuming breathing and was taken to a hospital by ambulance for further evaluation, Irby Hill said. Assistant Principal Jim Waldro…
Brake-Checking, Racist Parent Vowed To Have NJ Bus Driver Fired — And She Was: Lawsuit Brake-Checking, Racist Parent Vowed To Have NJ Bus Driver Fired — And She Was: Lawsuit
Brake-Checking, Racist Parent Vowed To Have NJ Bus Driver Fired — And She Was: Lawsuit A black school bus driver claims she was fired after an encounter with a racist parent who confronted her on the road in Cumberland County, court papers say. Genera Fisher filed a lawsuit against the Millville Public Charter School on March 7 in Superior Court, alleging she was let go "in retaliation for her protected activity of reporting a hate crime and/or racial harassment."  The alleged road rage incident occurred on March 3, 2023, according to the lawsuit which described the scene: A car driven by another student's parent brake-checking and turning without signaling in …
Dad Arrested Trying To Defend Daughter In NJ Classroom Confrontation: Police Dad Arrested Trying To Defend Daughter In NJ Classroom Confrontation: Police
Dad Arrested Trying To Defend Daughter In NJ Classroom Confrontation: Police A South Jersey dad has been charged with making "terroristic threats" and threatening to "knock out" her daughter's peer in an apparent attempt to defend her in a high school classroom in Gloucester County, police paperwork says. Aaron Thomas went into a Paulsboro High School classroom Monday, March 11 while signing his daughter out around 11:30 a.m., an affidavit of probable cause obtained by Daily Voice says. Thomas, 38, was reportedly upset over photos being air-dropped, and was shouting and threatening to "knock the f— out" a student, paperwork says. At one point, Thomas got …
NJ School Principal Arrested For Assault, Group Says Incident Involved Student NJ School Principal Arrested For Assault, Group Says Incident Involved Student
NJ School Principal Arrested For Assault, Group Says Incident Involved Student A New Jersey high school principal has been arrested for an alleged assault. Frank Sanchez, who was suspended from his job at Columbia High School in South Orange-Maplewood since January, has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault, according to Thomas Fennelley, Chief Assistant Prosecutor of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Sanchez surrendered to detectives Monday morning, March 11. Dr. Kevin F. Gilbert, Acting Superintendent of the South Orange-Maplewood School District, released the following statement to Daily Voice when aske…
Two Jersey Shore School Districts Could Merge After OK From State Officials Two Jersey Shore School Districts Could Merge After OK From State Officials
Two Jersey Shore School Districts Could Merge After OK From State Officials New Jersey's top education officials have signed-off on a referendum for a merger between two school districts. On Friday, March 8, Acting New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer approved Seaside Heights merging with the Toms River Regional school district. The Central Regional School District had petitioned against the merger, but Dehmer said that Seaside Heights is closer in proximity to Toms River, so transportation will be cheaper and more time-efficient. He also said the merger would be unlikely to "increase or exacerbate the segregation of students by racial, …
'Deeply Offensive:' 30 Dwight-Englewood 7th Graders Were On Racist Text Chain, Admin Says 'Deeply Offensive:' 30 Dwight-Englewood 7th Graders Were On Racist Text Chain, Admin Says
'Deeply Offensive:' 30 Dwight-Englewood 7th Graders Were On Racist Text Chain, Admin Says The Dwight-Englewood school, a private school in Bergen County, said more than 30 7th grade boys were involved in a text chain that featured racist language. In a letter sent to parents, Jeremy Gregersen, the head of school, said the texts contained highly-charged language and anti-Black, racist memes. "My stomach dropped even further as I found that my son was included in the text chain," Gregersen said. Gregersen said the boys on the text chain have various degrees of culpability. Some simply said nothing, others laughed and egged it on while others posted offensive comments and memes, G…
Solar Eclipse Will Close NJ School Early Solar Eclipse Will Close NJ School Early
Solar Eclipse Will Close NJ School Early Concern over kids looking at a solar eclipse has caused a school district in Essex County to close early next month. Livingston Public Schools Superintendent Matthew Block announced in a letter to parents on Wednesday, March 6, that on Monday, April 8, the elementary and high school will dismiss at noon while the middle schools will dismiss at 12:45 p.m. The solar eclipse will be occurring at 3 p.m. and Block said they are concerned unsupervised children might be drawn to look at the eclipse, damaging their eyes. Concerns over driving during the eclipse also factored into the early dismissa…
Fort Lee Schools Closed Due To Major Winter Storm Fort Lee Schools Closed Due To Major Winter Storm
Fort Lee Schools Closed Due To Major Winter Storm New Jersey school districts are announcing closures and delays ahead of a winter storm expected Monday night into Tuesday, Feb. 13. Between 6 and 18 inches are expected across North Jersey, but the National Weather Service "the Tuesday morning commute will be either snowy, slushy, or wet for our entire area." The following districts have announced closures Tuesday, Feb. 13: Belleville Bergenfield Bloomfield Butler Clifton Closter Cresskill Demarest Denville Dover Dumont Englewood  Englewood Cliffs Elizabeth Elmwood Park Fair Lawn Fort Lee Franklin Lakes Fredon Garfield Glen Rock Hack…
NJ High School Educator Nominated For National Teacher Of The Year NJ High School Educator Nominated For National Teacher Of The Year
NJ High School Educator Nominated For National Teacher Of The Year A Monmouth County educator who was named New Jersey's teacher of the year could also get the same recognition nationally. Joe Nappi, a history and social studies teacher at Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls, is one of four finalists for the 2024 National Teacher of the Year award, The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced. Nappi won the state's Teacher of the Year award in September 2023. The other finalists are Cat Walker from Alaska, Christy Todd from Georgia, and Missy Testerman from Tennessee. Nappi is the third Garden State educator to be a nati…
Superintendent Reprimanded For Recommending Son For Substitute Teaching Job In NJ Superintendent Reprimanded For Recommending Son For Substitute Teaching Job In NJ
Superintendent Reprimanded For Recommending Son For Substitute Teaching Job In NJ The superintendent of a Middlesex County school district broke a pair of school ethics rules by approving a list of substitute teachers that included her son, officials said. Monroe Township Superintendent Chari R. Chanley’s “failure to recuse herself on the recommendation of her child’s employment constitutes using her position as superintendent to secure an unwarranted privilege, advantage, or employment for her child,” prompted action from the the New Jersey School Ethics Commission, according to a Jan. 23 decision. Chanley was reprimanded for recommending approval of a list of more…
Traumatized By Break-In, NJ College Student Develops Emergency App Traumatized By Break-In, NJ College Student Develops Emergency App
Traumatized By Break-In, NJ College Student Develops Emergency App An MBA fellow at Rowan University has designed an app to enhance the security of students at the Glassboro campus. Siena Rampulla was a victim of an off-campus break-in in March 2022, as reported by Daily Voice.  Jorge L. Navaheredia, 29, of Sicklerville, had broken into several women's homes including Rampulla's, according to Glassboro police. He was caught hiding under a kitchen sink with panties, police said. A search of the suspect's vehicle turned up additional panties and mail from burglary victims, police said at the time. A pre-trial conference for Navaheredia is set for Feb. …
Fate Of $49.2 Bond — With $29M Option — For Becton Regional High School Determined By Taxpayers Fate Of $49.2 Bond — With $29M Option — For Becton Regional High School Determined By Taxpayers
Fate Of $49.2 Bond — With $29M Option — For Becton Regional High School Determined By Taxpayers One growing Bergen County high school is proposing a $49.2 million bond that would fund new construction and renovations, two years after a $55 million proposal was shot down by voters. Becton Regional High School serves students from East Rutherford, Carlstadt, and Maywood. Residents of East Rutherford and Carlstadt will vote on the proposed bond on March 12. Maywood, who in 2020 for the first time sent 340 of its students to BRHS, will not be voting but will contribute financially through its tuition contract if the bond is approved. The new BRHS proposal is comprised of three parts, and…
Early Dismissals For These Bergen County Schools Ahead Of Snow Storm Early Dismissals For These Bergen County Schools Ahead Of Snow Storm
Early Dismissals For These Bergen County Schools Ahead Of Snow Storm School districts across New Jersey have begun announcing schedule changes for Friday, Jan. 19, ahead of the second snow storm of the week. Parts of the state could see up to six inches of snow, expected to begin falling between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service said. The following districts have early dismissals: Cranford Dumont Franklin Lakes Hackensack Hanover Park Regional HS Lyndhurst Marlboro Maywood Millburn Mountainside North Arlington Oradell Parsippany-Troy Hills Pompton Lakes Rockaway Roselle Park Scotch Plains-Fanwood Totowa Warren Watchung/Watchung Hills R…
More Than 60K NJ Families Now Eligible For Free School Meals More Than 60K NJ Families Now Eligible For Free School Meals
More Than 60K NJ Families Now Eligible For Free School Meals A new law will make thousands of New Jersey students newly eligible for free school lunches and breakfasts. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law on Tuesday, Jan. 16, expanding the eligibility for free meals to more than 60,000 additional families.  According to the Working Class Families Anti-Hunger Act, public and non-public schools in the National School Lunch Program or federal School Breakfast Program will provide meals to students in households with an income of up to 224 percent of the federal poverty level. The bill signing comes after Gov. Murphy renewed his push for f…
North Jersey Schools Set Delayed Openings Ahead Of Storm North Jersey Schools Set Delayed Openings Ahead Of Storm
North Jersey Schools Set Delayed Openings Ahead Of Storm Snow hasn't quite started falling in North Jersey but several districts are already set to open late. The National Weather Service is calling for between 4 and 6 inches of snow for much of North Jersey Monday, Jan. 15. The snow is expected to become a wintry mix Tuesday morning, Jan. 16, making for a slippery commute. The following districts have announced delayed openings: Bergenfield Boonton Cliffside Park Clifton Cresskill Dumont Elmwood Park Fair Lawn Florham Park Franklin Lakes Hamburg Hardyston Hopatcong Lafayette Lenape Valley Lyndhurst Mahwah Maywood Montville Morristown New Milfo…
School Closures Force Paterson To Shorten Winter Break School Closures Force Paterson To Shorten Winter Break
School Closures Force Paterson To Shorten Winter Break The extended holiday recess Paterson Public School students had due to flooding came with a cost. And on Tuesday, Jan. 9, the bill came due. After Paterson was closed for four days from Dec. 19 to Dec. 22, the district announced Tuesday it will be utilizing days from winter break, Feb. 20 to Feb. 23 to make up the difference. "We are still mandated by the New Jersey Department of Education to provide classroom instruction for 180 days, and we will need to make up at least four days, possibly more," Superintendent Laurie W. Newell, PhD said.  Students will have normal days on Feb.…
NJ Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Storm Impacts NJ Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Storm Impacts
NJ Schools Closed, Delayed Due To Storm Impacts Schools across New Jersey were delayed or closed Wednesday morning, Jan. 10 due to impacts from the storm that left much of the state under water. Thousands of residents were without power and several inches of rain fell overnight. The following districts were closed: Bedminster Township (Somerset) Denville (Morris) Long Beach Island (Surf City) Somerset Hills Roxbury The following district have a delayed opening: Clifton Clinton-Glen Gardner Deptford Dumont Franklin Township (Somerset) Garfield Hackensack Highland Park Jefferson Twp. Kinnelon Linden Madison Midland Park Montclair North…
Rutgers Pro-Palestinian Group Stages Protest Amid Suspension Rutgers Pro-Palestinian Group Stages Protest Amid Suspension
Rutgers Pro-Palestinian Group Stages Protest Amid Suspension A pro-Palestinian group at Rutgers University staged a protest after being suspended from the school earlier this week. Students for Justice in Palestine took to the steps of a building on campus, chanting "Free, free Palestine," and, "Israel is a racist state," on Thursday, Dec. 14. Officials cited complaints of violating university policy, including disruption of classes, meals, and studying students; improper behavior by campus guests, and inappropriate use of space, in announcing SJP's suspension. There were also allegations of vandalism to the Rutgers Business School, the le…
Rutgers Suspends Students For Justice In Palestine Rutgers Suspends Students For Justice In Palestine
Rutgers Suspends Students For Justice In Palestine Rutgers University officials have suspended its chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. The interim suspension of the group was based on multiple complaints of violating university policy, including disruption of classes, meals, and studying students; improper behavior by campus guests, and inappropriate use of space, according to a letter Monday, Dec. 10 from the Office of Student Affairs. There were also allegations of vandalism to the Rutgers Business School, the letter says. SJP is prohibited from participating in any university activity and promoting programs without permission …
FDU Shelter In Place Lifted (UPDATE) FDU Shelter In Place Lifted (UPDATE)
FDU Shelter In Place Lifted (Update) FDU's Metro Campus briefly went into a shelter in place Monday morning following what turned out to be an unsubstantiated report of a man with a gun. Two people walking a dog claimed to have seen the gunman in the Teaneck campus's Northpointe parking lot near the pedestrian footbridge on Monday morning, Dec. 11, Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr said. They told this to another civilian, then continued walking their dog across the Spirit Bridge over the Hackensack River into Hackensack, the chief said. That person then stopped a passing campus security guard, he said. "FDU security immedi…
Man Dies In 'Tragic Incident' On Grounds Of NJ High School: Officials Man Dies In 'Tragic Incident' On Grounds Of NJ High School: Officials
Man Dies In 'Tragic Incident' On Grounds Of NJ High School: Officials A community member died in what officials are calling a "tragic incident" on the grounds of a New Jersey school district on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Police responding to Highland Park High School around 6:25 a.m. found an unresponsive male, local police said. He was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where he was pronounce dead. "The patient was not affiliated with Highland Park Schools nor was the patient ever inside of a school building," local police said. Highland Park Schools Superintendent Kristina Nicosia said that a community member died before the school d…
Sudden Death Of NJ District's Former Superintendent Spreads Shock, Sadness Sudden Death Of NJ District's Former Superintendent Spreads Shock, Sadness
Sudden Death Of NJ District's Former Superintendent Spreads Shock, Sadness A New Jersey school district is mourning the loss of its former superintendent. Miguel Hernandez, 58, was currently serving as interim assistant principal at Manchester Regional High School in Passaic County, after retiring as superintendent in 2021. He died on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 58. In response to Hernandez's passing, the school district held an early dismissal on Monday, Nov. 13. "Losing Dr. Hernandez leaves a profound absence in our school community," Superintendent Gary Lubisco, Jr. said in a letter. "He was a valued member of our school community and will be deeply missed by studen…
Career North Jersey Law Enforcer Patents Safety Device To Better Protect Kids In School Career North Jersey Law Enforcer Patents Safety Device To Better Protect Kids In School
Career North Jersey Law Enforcer Patents Safety Device To Better Protect Kids In School As challenges to school safety grow, so do the ideas to address them. Career law enforcer Robert Licamara has produced one that he hopes will make schools in North Jersey and beyond safer. The father of two from Wayne -- who became director of security for Fair Lawn's schools after more than two distinguished decades of police work -- has developed an electronically locked dropbox to replace open plastic bins that are often left in front of schools for parents and others to bring by students' items. Licamara, who spent much of his law enforcement career as an undercover detective, retired …
Judge Orders South Jersey School Janitor Detained In Food Contamination Case Judge Orders South Jersey School Janitor Detained In Food Contamination Case
Judge Orders South Jersey School Janitor Detained In Food Contamination Case A South Jersey judge has ordered that an elementary school janitor accused of contaminating food with his own bodily fluids at his place of employment be detained in the Cumberland County Jail. Judge Cristen P. D’Arrigo said that Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, remains a substantial risk to the public during a hearing on Thursday, Nov. 9. Impellizzeri, was charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct for the heinous incidents at the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District, where he has worked since 2019, as previously report…
South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor
South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor Returned lab results show an elementary school janitor accused of contaminating food and utensils with his own bodily fluids at his place of employment show no communicable diseases, authorities in South Jersey said. Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, was previously charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct for the heinous incidents at the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District, where he has worked since 2019, as previously reported by Daily Voice. "Based upon all available test results and clinical criteria, we have d…
Police Papers Detail Heinous Accusations Against NJ School Janitor, Parents Livid Police Papers Detail Heinous Accusations Against NJ School Janitor, Parents Livid
Police Papers Detail Heinous Accusations Against NJ School Janitor, Parents Livid Police papers details the foul accusations being made against a New Jersey school janitor. Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, is facing a slew of charges for contaminating elementary school food and utensils with his own bodily fluids, and bleach, previously reported by Daily Voice. The highly disturbing acts appear to have been leaked in Reddit sub /SouthJersey early in the week. ** WARNING: Information contained in the Reddit sub and below in this Daily Voice news report is extremely graphic and disturbing ** The details shared on Reddit appear to have been lifted form police p…
South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor
South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor An elementary school janitor in South Jersey faces multiple charges, including child endangerment, for allegedly contaminating food and utensils with bleach and bodily fluids. UPDATE: Police Papers Detail Heinous Accusations Against NJ School Janitor, Parents Livid Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, also is charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct. Impellizzeri was employed by the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District. According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey State Police were contacted by scho…
4th Grader Shut In Closet By Teacher, Ridiculed By Peers During Music Class In NJ: Lawsuit 4th Grader Shut In Closet By Teacher, Ridiculed By Peers During Music Class In NJ: Lawsuit
4th Grader Shut In Closet By Teacher, Ridiculed By Peers During Music Class In NJ: Lawsuit Two parents have filed a lawsuit alleging that an elementary school teacher in Wall Township locked their 11-year-old child in a closet for laughing during class, and another teacher ordered another student to delete a recording of the alleged incident. The suit (see attachment) filed Friday, Oct. 13 in Monmouth County Superior Court alleges that Central Elementary School music teacher Jessica Berube shut their fourth grader in a storage closet on April 8. 2022, for laughing. Daily Voice reached out to the Wall Township Board of Education, the district's superintendent, and Central Elementa…
Gov. Murphy Mocks NJ School District That Canceled Halloween Celebrations Gov. Murphy Mocks NJ School District That Canceled Halloween Celebrations
Gov. Murphy Mocks NJ School District That Canceled Halloween Celebrations Gov. Phil Murphy has taken a political stance that would help him with voters, if only kids who love Halloween could vote. The governor tweeted his displeasure after the South Orange-Maplewood School District in Essex County announced it was canceling all Halloween activities and that no one will be wearing costumes. Seriously? We can't let kids celebrate Halloween? Give me a break https://t.co/BQiezE5OoZ — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 24, 2023 Murphy's tweet has been viewed more than 1 million times. Superintendent Ronald Taylor said the district weighed whether school-sp…
NJ District Cancels Halloween Activities During School Hours NJ District Cancels Halloween Activities During School Hours
NJ District Cancels Halloween Activities During School Hours The Halloween Grinch has descended on the South Orange-Maplewood School District. In a letter sent to families, Superintendent Dr. Ronald Taylor said SOMSD will not have any Halloween events during school hours, and no costumes will be worn during school hours.  Elementary schools will be hosting fall/harvest festivals instead, Taylor said. Taylor said the district weighed whether school-sponsored Halloween activities create financial hardships on students and families, whether they violate the dignity of some students, either culturally or religiously and if Halloween activities caus…
Rochelle Park School Board Member Running For Municipal Office Busted For DWI Rochelle Park School Board Member Running For Municipal Office Busted For DWI
Rochelle Park School Board Member Running For Municipal Office Busted For DWI A Rochelle Park Board of Education member who's running for a seat on the Township Committee was busted for DWI earlier this month, police records show. Officers responding to a call found a Toyota SUV with a green light idling in a left-turn lane on Railroad Avenue shortly before 4 a.m. Oct. 7, according to a report filed by one of them. Jorge A. Martinez Jr. was alone in the vehicle and had his head down as they pulled, the officers said. Once they did, Martinez suddenly turned onto Rochelle Avenue headed north, they said. They pulled him over near the Rochelle Park firehouse. Mart…