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Education

These Are New Jersey's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released These Are New Jersey's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are New Jersey's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released Niche has released brand-new rankings running down the best public middle schools in America. The first New Jersey school to crack the list was Alpine Middle School at No. 65, while The Davidson Academy in Reno, NV was ranked No. 1. ALSO SEE: These NJ Public High Schools Were Named Among Best In America Daily Voice broke Niche's rankings down even further to find the top public middle schools in New Jersey. They are: 10. L.C. Johnson Summit Middle School, Summit 9. Briarcliff Middle School, Mountain Lakes 8. Thomas R Grover Middle School, West Windsor 7. Sea Girt Elementary School, …
NJ, Meet Your Sup't Of The Year, AKA 'The Man Who Cancels School When It Snows' NJ, Meet Your Sup't Of The Year, AKA 'The Man Who Cancels School When It Snows'
NJ, Meet Your Sup't Of The Year, AKA 'The Man Who Cancels School When It Snows' New Jersey, meet your superintendent of the year. Rutherford Public Schools Superintendent Jack Hurley, who has spent nearly 50 years in education, was named the state's top superintendent on Monday, Oct. 28 by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators. The American Association of School Administrators will choose the National Superintendent of the Year from among the statewide winners in March. Hurley never doubted that he chose the right field. “Education is the greatest profession,” Hurley said. “We create the foundation for every occupation and help shape the future o…
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire
Jersey Shore School District Offers Support After Student Hospitalized In Apartment Fire A Monmouth County school community was rallying to support a family whose child was severely injured in an apartment fire, officials said. A Wayside Elementary School student was in stable condition at a hospital, Township of Ocean School District superintendent Kelly Weldon said in a letter to families on Monday, Oct. 28. The child was injured in a two-alarm fire at the Middlebrook at Monmouth apartment complex. Weldon said the district has counselors in its schools to support students. "Please join me in keeping this family and all Ocean families impacted by this fire clos…
First Male President Of Georgian Court University Announces Retirement: 'I Am Deeply Grateful' First Male President Of Georgian Court University Announces Retirement: 'I Am Deeply Grateful'
First Male President Of Georgian Court University Announces Retirement: 'I Am Deeply Grateful' Georgian Court University's first male president will retire at the end of the academic year, officials said. Dr. Joseph Marbach announced he'll step down as head of the private Catholic college in Lakewood on Monday, June 30, 2025. He's also the first non-clergy member to be president of Georgian Court. Dr. Marbach said he'll establish a scholarship in his name for students in financial need, "helping future generations of GCU students achieve their academic goals." "Serving as President of Georgian Court University has been one of the greatest honors of my life," Dr. Marbach said in a st…
Teacher Pulls Off Epic Surprise, Introduces Students To Paul Rudd On Field Trip To NJ Mall Teacher Pulls Off Epic Surprise, Introduces Students To Paul Rudd On Field Trip To NJ Mall
Teacher Pulls Off Epic Surprise, Introduces Students To Paul Rudd On Field Trip To NJ Mall In 2014, "People" named Nicholas Ferroni "Sexiest Teacher Alive." Ten years later, he may just be the coolest teacher alive, too. The Union High School teacher surprised his students with Paul Rudd, the magazine's Sexiest Man Alive in 2021, during a field trip to the NJ Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Ferroni works closely with the NJ Hall of Fame, having interviewed inductees, such as Danny DeVito. While organizing the field trip, one of the officials mentioned that Rudd was going to be there that day. "We then kind of said it would be fun to surprise some students who were thinkin…
New Rankings Released: High School In Stafford Township Makes U.S. Top 50 New Rankings Released: High School In Stafford Township Makes U.S. Top 50
New Rankings Released: High School In Stafford Township Makes U.S. Top 50 Three Jersey Shore public high schools were recognized among the 100 best in the U.S., according to an education data website. Niche has released its 2025 Best Public High Schools in America list. The website said its rankings are based on "rigorous analysis of key statistics," U.S. Department of Education data, and millions of reviews from students and parents. Five of the top 50 high schools in the U.S. were from New Jersey, including two on the Jersey Shore. Bergen County Academies in Hackensack was the top school in the Garden State and 20th nationally…
Sudden Death Of Tuckerton Dad AJ Barchetto Spreads Shock, Sadness Sudden Death Of Tuckerton Dad AJ Barchetto Spreads Shock, Sadness
Sudden Death Of Tuckerton Dad AJ Barchetto Spreads Shock, Sadness A New Jersey community was mourning the sudden loss of a high school administrator and father of five. Andrew "AJ" Barchetto, 46, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Sept. 22, according to family members and his obituary on the Wood Funeral Home website. Barchetto was the assistant principal of Oakcrest High School, where he also served as the supervisor of special education and child study team, the school's website says. OHS Principal Michael Manning shared the following with Daily Voice: Oakcrest is coping as well as could be hoped. Mr. Barchetto was a trusted and loved administrator. He was …
Grieving Family Of Former Rutgers Dean Dead By Suicide Raises Staggering Amount Of Money Grieving Family Of Former Rutgers Dean Dead By Suicide Raises Staggering Amount Of Money
Grieving Family Of Former Rutgers Dean Dead By Suicide Raises Staggering Amount Of Money An accomplished lawyer who was "beacon of kindness and generosity" has passed away, but where his light once shone, his community has started a fire. More than $21,000 had been raised in less than 24 hours on a GoFundMe for the family of William "Bill" J. Zee, 50, who was born in New Jersey and had been living in Lititz. A UPenn PhD candidate and former assistant dean at Rutgers University, and a beloved father, Bill was found dead in the PA Game Land located near US 322 and Pumping Station Road in Elizabeth Township, according to Chief Deputy Coroner Eric Bieber as Daily Voi…
New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year' New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year'
New Jersey, Meet Your 'Top Educator Of The Year' Stefanie Lachenauer always puts her students first. Lachenauer, a civics and mindfulness teacher at Montgomery Upper Middle School in the Montgomery Township School District, earned the 2024-2025 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year. She remains in the runnings for the national award. ALSO SEE: Top Educator In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties (Nominees) Lachenauer has taught at Montgomery Township for 18 years and her work has fostered socially conscious learners and has positively affected the health and well-being of both students and staff in the school district, the state Depart…
Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure
Rutgers President To Resign At End Of School Year After Historic, Turbulent Tenure Jonathan Holloway will resign as president of Rutgers University at the end of the 2024-25 academic year, the school announced. The university's 21st president will step down after finishing his fifth year in office on Monday, June 30, 2025, Rutgers said in a news release on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The U.S. historian plans to take a sabbatical during the 2025-26 year for research projects before joining the Rutgers faculty full time. In a letter to the Rutgers community, Holloway said he made the decision to resign on his own and believes it's how he can best help the university. "Serving as th…
Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors
Atlantic City HS Principal Indicted In Mayor, Superintendent Child Abuse Cover-Up: Prosecutors Atlantic City High School's principal was indicted after she was accused of covering up parental abuse claims by the daughter of the mayor and school superintendent, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 39-year-old Constance Days-Chapman of Atlantic City on Wednesday, Sept. 11, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's Office said in a news release. She was previously charged on Thursday, Mar. 28. Investigators said a then-15-year-old told Days-Chapman in December 2023 that she suffered from "continuous headaches" because she was hit by her parents at home. According to prosecutors, Days-Chapman d…
Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (POLL) Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (POLL)
Officer Will Be In Every Atlantic City School: Should All NJ Districts Have This? (Poll) Atlantic City has a police officer assigned to each school in its district, officials said. The city's government, police department, and school district agreed to put an officer in each K-8 school and two officers in Atlantic City High School throughout the 2024-25 academic year, the city said in a news release. The new officers were funded through a $3.75 million grant in the COPS Hiring Program. The school resource officers were assigned to their new schools on Tuesday, Sept. 10. "This is something city leaders discussed in the past, but none were able to get the job done until now," sa…
Substitute Teacher Gave Fake ID At South Jersey Middle School, Police Say Substitute Teacher Gave Fake ID At South Jersey Middle School, Police Say
Substitute Teacher Gave Fake ID At South Jersey Middle School, Police Say An Egg Harbor Township woman was accused of giving false identification when she arrived at a school to be a substitute teacher, authorities said. Katherine MacPherson, 35, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 9, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department said in a news release. Officers received a call from school district security about a female substitute teacher at Alder Avenue Middle School with a seemingly fraudulent teacher identification. Police arrived at the school and found the ID was fraudulent. MacPherson was taken into custody and charged. Investigators said MacPherson…
Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15 Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15
Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15 London Sophia DeShields, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 15, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Born in Voorhees, New Jersey to David A. and Lauren A. (nee Chatzidakis), London was about to begin her sophomore year of Lenape High School. She was an excellent student who was a favorite with all of her teachers. An accomplished athlete in her own right, London started as a gymnast and finished second in the country during her last season competing. She shifted her athletic talents to the track, where she won “Newcomer of the Year” as a member of the Lenape winter and spring track t…
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
Camden Schools Superintendent Calls On Board President To Quit In Wake Of Sexual Abuse Lawsuit The state-appointed superintendent for the Camden City School District is calling for the resignation of the advisory school board president amid sexual abuse allegations. Camden Superintendent Katrina T. McCombs, in a letter to the community, wrote: "In order to allow our community to heal and refocus on what truly matters—the education and future of our students— it would be in the best interest of the state-operated district of Camden City for Advisory Board President Wasim Muhammad to voluntarily relinquish his seat." "We are at the beginning of a new school year—a time that s…
Moldy Classrooms Shut Down Elementary School In Central Jersey Temporarily Moldy Classrooms Shut Down Elementary School In Central Jersey Temporarily
Moldy Classrooms Shut Down Elementary School In Central Jersey Temporarily An elementary school in Freehold will have to start classes for the year in different buildings after mold was found in some classrooms, officials said. Students at Laura Donovan Elementary School will be relocated to other district schools when classes begin on Thursday, Sept. 5. Freehold Township superintendent Neal Dickstein sent a letter to families about the start-of-school plans on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Crews have been working "seven days per week" to remove the mold but the cleanup process has taken longer than expected. "Engineers are on-site to help determine the caus…
Teen Killed In Boating Accident Was Rising Rutgers Freshman Teen Killed In Boating Accident Was Rising Rutgers Freshman
Teen Killed In Boating Accident Was Rising Rutgers Freshman More information has come to light about the 18-year-old Wayne resident killed in a boating accident over the weekend in Harvey Cedars. Zeina Mahafzah was days away from beginning her freshman year at Rutgers University, as classes start on Tuesday, Sept. 2. According to university spokeswoman Dory Devlin, Zeina was enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences–Newark. "The Rutgers-Newark community is devastated by the news of Zeina’s passing, and we are sending our support to the Mahafzah family during this incredibly difficult time," Devlin said. In a post shared to Faceboo…
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87 Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell Dies At 87 Rep. Bill Pascrell, a Democrat who served in Congress for almost 30 years and was a former Mayor of Paterson, died on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at the age of 87, his family announced. "It is with deep sadness that we announce that Bill Pascrell Jr., our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, passed away this morning," his family wrote on social media.  "As our United States Representative, Bill fought to his last breath to return to the job he cherished and to the people he loved. Bill lived his entire life in Paterson and had an unwavering love for the city he grew up in and served. He i…
Ocean County Performing Arts HS Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say Ocean County Performing Arts HS Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say
Ocean County Performing Arts HS Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say A former teacher at an Ocean County performing arts high school was accused of molesting a female student, authorities said. Douglas Bollinger, 56, of Neptune City, was charged on Monday, Aug. 12 with two counts each of endangering the welfare of a child and criminal sexual contact, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. Bollinger was a teacher at the Grunin Performing Arts Academy at Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS). The academy had 240 students as of September 2023 and offers high schoolers opportunities to take dual-credit co…
NJ's Dominic Sessa Cast In New Anthony Bourdain Biopic: Report NJ's Dominic Sessa Cast In New Anthony Bourdain Biopic: Report
NJ's Dominic Sessa Cast In New Anthony Bourdain Biopic: Report Dominic Sessa is going from boarding school to the kitchen. The 21-year-old actor, who grew up in Egg Harbor Township and Ocean City, has been cast as Anthony Bourdain in a new biopic about the legendary chef, Deadline reports.  Bourdain is also a Garden State native, growing up in Leonia and having graduated from the Dwight-Englewood School. Sessa became a breakout star after appearing in "The Holdovers," a critically acclaimed dramedy about a boy stuck at boarding school over Christmas break with his misanthropic teacher.  Sessa attended Alder Avenue Middle School in Egg Harbo…
South Jersey HS Athlete Killed By Train Remembered For Playing, Living 'Bigger Than Himself' South Jersey HS Athlete Killed By Train Remembered For Playing, Living 'Bigger Than Himself'
South Jersey HS Athlete Killed By Train Remembered For Playing, Living 'Bigger Than Himself' Friends and loved ones were rallying to support the family of a Palmyra teen killed by a New Jersey Transit train. Matthew Dickinson died on Thursday, Aug. 8, according to the Palmyra School District. He was 15 years old. Dickinson was hit by a River Line train at the Chestnut Street crossing just before 8:20 a.m., a NJ Transit spokesperson said. He was walking to a soccer scrimmage, FOX 29 News reported. A candlelight vigil was held for Dickinson at Palmyra High School on Sunday, Aug. 11. "Matthew was a great brother, a great teammate, and a great class…
Victorious Treats: Toms River Wrestler Celebrates Olympic Bronze At Hometown Donut Shop Victorious Treats: Toms River Wrestler Celebrates Olympic Bronze At Hometown Donut Shop
Victorious Treats: Toms River Wrestler Celebrates Olympic Bronze At Hometown Donut Shop For Sebastian Rivera of Toms River, the only thing that tastes as sweet as an Olympic medal might be donuts from a hometown shop. The former Rutgers University wrestler won a bronze medal representing Puerto Rico at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He was back in Toms River less than two days after his final match in Paris to pick up some treats at Ob-Co's Donuts. The Fischer Boulevard shop posted a Facebook picture on Tuesday, Aug. 13 of Rivera posing with his bronze medal and a box of donuts. "Congratulations, NJ local, Sebastian Rivera, for winning the bronze in wrestling for Puerto Rico!…
Top Educators In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties Named Top Educators In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties Named
Top Educators In Each Of NJ's 21 Counties Named The New Jersey Department of Education has named the top 21 educators in the state. The department released the list of the 2024-25 New Jersey County Teachers of the Year on Tuesday, Aug. 6.  They are: Atlantic County: Carly Broomhead, Visual Arts Teacher at Emma C. Attales Middle School in the Absecon School District Bergen County: Margarita Diakos, Special Education Teacher at Ramsey High School in the Ramsey School District Burlington County: Margaret Fanourgakis, Health & Physical Education Teacher at Shawnee High School in the Lenape Regional Hi…
Cheetah Dies At Jersey Shore Zoo, Remembered For 'Sass' And Boldness Cheetah Dies At Jersey Shore Zoo, Remembered For 'Sass' And Boldness
Cheetah Dies At Jersey Shore Zoo, Remembered For 'Sass' And Boldness A cheetah has died after living at the Cape May County Park and Zoo for more than a decade, officials said. Buju, a 12-year-old cheetah, died from kidney disease, the zoo said in a Facebook post on Monday, July 29. He and his brother Beenie arrived at the Cape May Court House park in November 2013. The zoo said staff members will miss Buju's "sass." "Buju’s favorite activity was lying in the shade in the middle of the yard with his brother, Beenie," the zoo posted. "They often mirrored each other, looking like bookends. As the bolder cheetah brother, he would often be first to investigate …
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors
Former NJ Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Another Student Years Ago: Prosecutors A former Wall Township High School teacher was facing more charges after she was accused of sexually assaulting a second student, authorities said. Julie Rizzitello, 36, of Brick Township, was charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of third-degree witness tampering, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Wednesday, July 17.  She was previously charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault, third-degree witness tampering, and three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact. Investigators said they found e…
$1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Unclaimed More Than Three Months After NJ's Record Jackpot $1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Unclaimed More Than Three Months After NJ's Record Jackpot
$1.13B Mega Millions Ticket Unclaimed More Than Three Months After NJ's Record Jackpot The winner of a Mega Millions ticket purchased in New Jersey hasn't claimed the $1.13 billion prize more than three months after the record-setting jackpot, officials said. The winning ticket was sold at the ShopRite Wine & Spirits on Route 66 in Neptune for the drawing on Tuesday, Mar. 26. The New Jersey Lottery said the prize remained unclaimed in a news release on Monday, July 8.  The jackpot was the largest lottery prize ever in the Garden State. It's also the fifth-largest in Mega Millions history and the ninth-largest ever in the U.S. The winning numbers were …
Dump Truck Driver Cited For Disregarding A Stop Sign In Fatal South Jersey Crash: Prosecutor Dump Truck Driver Cited For Disregarding A Stop Sign In Fatal South Jersey Crash: Prosecutor
Dump Truck Driver Cited For Disregarding A Stop Sign In Fatal South Jersey Crash: Prosecutor The dump truck driver accused of passing through a stop sign in a fatal crash in Cumberland County has been formally cited, authorities said on Tuesday, July 2. Lamaas Arthur, 55, of Port Norris, received citations for disregarding a stop sign and careless driving, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office. The crash was on Thursday, June 20 in Commercial Township. No criminal charges had been filed as of Tuesday.  New Jersey State Police said that Arthur had "numerous motor vehicle violations." Brandy Woolson, 43, of Port Elizabeth, a mother of four, was killed in the …
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says
Special Education Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Student, Monmouth Prosecutor Says A special education teacher in Monmouth County was accused of sexually assaulting a student, authorities said. Allison Havemann-Niedrach, 43, of Jackson Township, was charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced her arrest in a news release on Saturday, June 29.  Prosecutors said Havemann-Niedrach is a teacher at Freehold Intermediate School and according to her LinkedIn profile, she teaches special education in the borough's district. He…
'Floating Classroom': New Jersey's Official Tall Ship To Sail From Cape May Twice This Summer 'Floating Classroom': New Jersey's Official Tall Ship To Sail From Cape May Twice This Summer
'Floating Classroom': New Jersey's Official Tall Ship To Sail From Cape May Twice This Summer If you're going to Cape May this summer, you could be able to ride on New Jersey’s official tall ship. The A.J. Meerwald will sail from the Cape May Ferry Terminal between Wednesday, June 26, and Sunday, July 7, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) said in a news release. The ship will return on Friday, Aug. 2 to offer public sailing and programming through Thursday, Sept. 12. The 1928 oyster schooner is used by the Bayshore Center at Bivalve as a "floating classroom" to teach about nautical history and the environment. "Aboard you will likely see osprey, bald eagles,…
South Jersey Teacher Who Molested Student, Had Victim's Nude Pics Indicted: Prosecutors South Jersey Teacher Who Molested Student, Had Victim's Nude Pics Indicted: Prosecutors
South Jersey Teacher Who Molested Student, Had Victim's Nude Pics Indicted: Prosecutors A Jackson Township teacher was indicted after being accused of molesting a student and having nude pictures of the victim, authorities said. A grand jury indicted 27-year-old Andrew Fantasia of Beachwood on Thursday, June 20, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He was charged with possession of child pornography, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, two counts of criminal sexual contact, and official misconduct. Investigators said Fantasia had "inappropriate sexual contact" with a student while on Jackson Memorial High School property bet…
Temps Could Feel 105 Degrees This Week, Excessive Heat Watch Issued Across NJ, PA (TIMING) Temps Could Feel 105 Degrees This Week, Excessive Heat Watch Issued Across NJ, PA (TIMING)
Temps Could Feel 105 Degrees This Week, Excessive Heat Watch Issued Across NJ, PA (Timing) A heat advisory and excessive heat watch are both in effect across New Jersey and Pennsylvania ahead of scorching temps expected later this week. Temps are expected to rise into the low 90s Tuesday, June 18 (see heat index maps below) and get increasingly hotter as the week progresses.  National Weather Service By Friday, temps are expected to be at 96, but could feel more like 100 or even 105, the National Weather Service says. Some New Jersey school districts have early dismissals planned. Those are: Bridgewater-Raritan (Tuesday, with 4-hour days already planned for Wednesd…