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Special Education

Police & Fire
Popular Track Coach Killed In NJ Crash 'Never Gave Up On His Students' Popular Track Coach Killed In NJ Crash 'Never Gave Up On His Students'
Popular Track Coach Killed In NJ Crash 'Never Gave Up On His Students' "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G" is how Timber Creek Regional High School described Shawn McHugh. The popular special education teacher and track coach died on Thursday, Jan. 18 of injuries suffered in a two-car crash in Deptford weeks prior. "Mr. McHugh was a Teacher, a Coach, a Friend and an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G part of our Timber Creek Community," the high school said on Facebook. The 51-year-old Sicklerville resident fondly nicknamed "Q" was employed by the Black Horse Pike Regional School District for 18 years.  "He was dedicated, revered and a bright friendly face," the post said. "He left an indelibl…

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Former Trenton Teacher Dies, 47 Former Trenton Teacher Dies, 47
Former Trenton Teacher Dies, 47 Nicole Larue Walsh, a longtime teacher in Philadelphia schools and a Levittown mother of three, passed unexpectedly on Tuesday, Jan. 16, loved ones said in her obituary. She was 47.  A lifelong Levittown resident, Walsh graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1994 before continuing her studies at Temple University, her obit says. She earned her master's in reading development from Holy Family College, family members wrote.  Walsh was a middle school special education teacher and began working in Philadelphia schools in 2009, according to her LinkedIn. Before that, she taught …

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by Mac Bullock
Schools
Special Education Teacher Fired After Complaining About Understaffing In South Jersey: Lawsuit Special Education Teacher Fired After Complaining About Understaffing In South Jersey: Lawsuit
Special Education Teacher Fired After Complaining About Understaffing In South Jersey: Lawsuit A special education teacher has sued a South Jersey school district for firing her after she complained about understaffing. Bryanna Mostak, 30, of Hamilton, was fired after taking a medical leave due to stress and anxiety. Mostak claims her supervisors failed to respond to her complaints as an elementary school teacher in the Bordentown Regional School District. Mostak began the 2021 school year with seven special education students  "who often had very aggressive or violent tendencies and suffered from numerous physical, emotional, behavioral, and psychological challenges," the laws…

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by Jon Craig
News
NJ District Pays $50,000 To Settle Special Ed Teacher's Sex Harassment Suit NJ District Pays $50,000 To Settle Special Ed Teacher's Sex Harassment Suit
NJ District Pays $50,000 To Settle Special Ed Teacher's Sex Harassment Suit The Teaneck school district confidentially paid $50,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a former special education teacher who said she was fired after refusing the then-principal’s sexual advances, records show. Whittier Elementary School Principal Pedro H. Valdes III – now the principal of Teaneck High School -- engaged in “overly flirtatious” behavior that was “disturbing and intimidating at best," Grace Kenny charged in a sexual discrimination lawsuit. Rather than go to trial, district officials settled the case and agreed, along with Kenny, to keep the terms of the deal confidential. Set…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
North Jersey Mom, Beloved Special Education Worker Lauren Marek Dies, 35 North Jersey Mom, Beloved Special Education Worker Lauren Marek Dies, 35
North Jersey Mom, Beloved Special Education Worker Lauren Marek Dies, 35 A North Jersey family is mourning the loss of the "center of their universe." Lauren Marek of West Caldwell died on Dec. 19 at Mountainside Medical Center in Glen Ridge, her obituary says. She was 35 years old. Marek was married to John Marek and was the mother of Audrey, 7, and John, 4. A GoFundMe page launched for Marek's family had raised $35,000 as of Tuesday evening. "Lauren was a kind and compassionate person who was always first in line to help anyone in need," the page reads. "She was always volunteering, asking what else she could do and never asked for anything in return." …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
North Jersey HS Grad Leaves Touching Message In Journal Shared After Death From Cancer At 20 North Jersey HS Grad Leaves Touching Message In Journal Shared After Death From Cancer At 20
North Jersey HS Grad Leaves Touching Message In Journal Shared After Death From Cancer At 20 North Hunterdon High School graduate, college student and beloved friend Kathryn Rose Berger left a heartbreakingly touching message in her journal that was shared after her death from brain cancer on June 1 at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia at the age of 20. Born in New Brunswick, Kathryn grew up in Bethlehem Township and participated in theater and choir groups at school, her obituary says. Kathryn was known for her “impeccable” comedic wit and timing — particularly when she portrayed the principal in her school’s production of Grease. Kathryn was passionate about helping indivi…

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by Valerie Musson
Schools
PA High Schools Go Remote After Students Launch Petition PA High Schools Go Remote After Students Launch Petition
PA High Schools Go Remote After Students Launch Petition High schools in Montgomery County will be going all remote following a petition launched by students asking for just that. A Change.org petition was launched earlier this week by high school students after the district announced on Dec. 7 that in-person instruction in the hybrid model would continue through Dec. 22. Days later, an announcement posted to the Lower Merion High School website said students at both Harriton and Lower Merion high schools would be virtual from Dec. 14 through Jan. 8. Special education students who have been identified by their IEP teams may stay in the scho…

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by Cecilia Levine
Business
LAWSUIT: Asbury Park, State Clash Over COVID-19 Indoor Dining Ban LAWSUIT: Asbury Park, State Clash Over COVID-19 Indoor Dining Ban
Lawsuit: Asbury Park, State Clash Over Covid-19 Indoor Dining Ban New Jersey is suing Asbury Park over its local decision defying Gov. Phil Murphy's orders and allowing restaurants to reopen indoor dining areas, state officials said. "We have put the health and safety protocols in place so that you can have confidence," Gov. Phil Murphy said at a Friday afternoon news briefing. State officials have tried to amicably resolve its dispute with Asbury Park government officials and "unfortunately they have not done so," Murphy said. "We believe indoor restaurants can run in a safe manner provided they are subject to all the requirements outlined in Executive …

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by Jon Craig
Obituaries
Cliffside Park Baseball Coach Ben Luderer, 30, Dies Of Coronavirus Cliffside Park Baseball Coach Ben Luderer, 30, Dies Of Coronavirus
Cliffside Park Baseball Coach Ben Luderer, 30, Dies Of Coronavirus A 30-year-old Cliffside Park baseball coach and special education teacher died from complications related to coronavirus. Ben Luderer, of River Vale, was starting catcher for Don Bosco Prep's team in 2008 -- which won the national championship with a 33-0 finish -- and later played for Marist College. Cliffside Park Superintendent Michael Romagnino announced Luderer's passing Monday. Luderer went to the hospital but was sent home because his symptoms presented as minor, his former Bosco coach Greg Butler told NorthJersey.com. Luderer's former Bosco teammate Michael Apreda rememb…

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by Cecilia Levine