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…
Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life
Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life Stephanie Weymouth, a Wilmington, Mass. native, is being remembered for her passion for teaching and performing after being killed in a car crash earlier this month in Jersey City. The 31-year-old Bayonne resident was killed Saturday, Feb. 3, in a car crash after the vehicle she was riding in struck the back of a tractor trailer, authorities said.  A 2010 graduate of Wilmington High School in Massachusetts, Weymouth moved to New Jersey to attend Drew University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in theater arts, and later receiving a master's degree in education, according to her obitua…
Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency' Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency'
Keith Olkewicz, Jersey City Paraprofessional, Dies At 37: 'Blessing Of Decency' Keith Olkewicz, a Jersey City native who returned to work at the district he graduated from, recently died at the age of 37, the district announced is a statement. "The early death of Keith Olkewicz, an employee and colleague, is a shocking loss," Superintendent Dr. Norman Fernandez said.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this immensely difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones." My heart is broken……. Keith I can’t believe you’re gone. We were just talking about going back to Medieval Times. How’s... Posted by…
Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle
Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle Christine Grogan, a 60-year-old Wyckoff resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, three years after being diagnosed with ALS. A special education teacher, Grogan worked as director of the Epic School in Paramus and for the Learners' Compass in Tenafly, according to her obituary. Grogan was devoted to helping people diagnosed with autism. Grogan was married to Christopher Grogan, a Glen Ridge police officer. The Glen Ridge Police Benevolent Association has established a fundraiser to assist with funeral costs. As of Friday, Jan. 5, more than $10,000 has been raised. On Sunday, December 31, 202…
18-Year-Old Wins Seat On NJ Town's School Board 18-Year-Old Wins Seat On NJ Town's School Board
18-Year-Old Wins Seat On NJ Town's School Board Lifelong Sparta resident Chad Wood has been elected to the town’s Board of Education just five months after graduating from high school. The 18-year-old is one of the state’s youngest to hold a BOE position. Wood ran alongside Jennifer "Lonsky" Grana and Kaitlin Gagnon. The trio incumbents Christina "Longo" Keiling and LeeAnne M. Pitzer. Wood might be young, but he comes with plenty of experience, having served as Student Council President for three years at Sparta High School, and was elected Executive President his senior year. Wood was also elected as the BOE’s Student Representative 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…
Newark Boys Chorus School Announces Closure Newark Boys Chorus School Announces Closure
Newark Boys Chorus School Announces Closure It's curtains up for the Newark Boys Chorus School. In a letter sent to donors and supporters on Tuesday, Nov. 7, the school announced it is temporarily ceasing operations due to lack of funds. The tuition free school was founded in 1969 and educates boys in grades 3 to 8. The chorus has performed on six continents and at venues like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the White House. A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched over the summer and raised at least $21,000, with the Horizon Foundation promising to match donations.  The school had set a …
Westfield Students Made AI-Generated Nude Images Of Female Classmates: Officials Westfield Students Made AI-Generated Nude Images Of Female Classmates: Officials
Westfield Students Made Ai-generated Nude Images Of Female Classmates: Officials The Westfield School District said it is investigating after male students made AI-generated nude images of their female classmates. Mary Ann McGann, a spokeswoman for the district, said the incident took place over the summer and was brought to the attention of administrators on Friday, Oct. 20. The Wall Street Journal first reported the story on Thursday, Nov. 2.  The administration began an immediate investigation and police were notified, McGann said. All the images have been deleted and are not being circulated, Principal Mary Asfendis said in an e-mail to parents. Citing confide…
VSU Grad, Former Cheerleader Kayla Clayton Dies, 31 VSU Grad, Former Cheerleader Kayla Clayton Dies, 31
VSU Grad, Former Cheerleader Kayla Clayton Dies, 31 Kayla Clayton, a New Jersey native who relocated to the Washington DC area, died on Oct. 10 at 31 years old. A cause of death was not listed, however, her obituary on the Lawson Funeral Home website notes that Kayla "fought a good fight." Kayla Felice Clayton, who was raised in Long Branch where she was a high school cheerleader, went on to attend Virginia State University, where she graduated with her bachelor's in psychology, according to her LinkedIn profile.  Kayla's obituary says she received a full scholarship to a study abroad program in Boswana, Africa, where she performed res…
UPDATE: Judge Imposes Requirements On Tenafly Council Prez, Son Released On Child Porn Charges UPDATE: Judge Imposes Requirements On Tenafly Council Prez, Son Released On Child Porn Charges
Update: Judge Imposes Requirements On Tenafly Council Prez, Son Released On Child Porn Charges UPDATE: A judge in Hackensack released Tenafly Council President Jeffrey D. Grossman and his son from jail on Wednesday, but both must remain under house arrest at the family's home while they await trial on charges of child porn possession. Superior Court Judge David Labib didn't require electronic monitoring on Grossman and his son, Steven, during separate first appearances for both on Oct. 18. Labib (above photo, right) did impose several requirements after a prosecutor said investigators found more than 1,000 images of sexually abused boys between 10 and 13 collected by Steven Grossman …
Could Baltimore's Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?' Could Baltimore's Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
Could Baltimore's Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?' Could Maggie Sajak replace Vanna White on "Wheel Of Fortune?" White herself certainly thinks so, she told E! News. She's filled in before, anyway. We’re keeping it in the family – meet our special guest letter-turner, Maggie Sajak! @patsajak #Family #FamilyTime #WheelOfFortune pic.twitter.com/QJCEqzuXtz — Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) January 7, 2020 Maggie, 28, grew up in Severna Park, MD, and earned her undergrad degree from Princeton University, before completing law school at Columbia University. She currently handles social correspondence for "Wheel Of Fortune," and as her d…
Former Summit Mayor Ellen Dickson Dies: 'Beacon Of Community Advancement' Former Summit Mayor Ellen Dickson Dies: 'Beacon Of Community Advancement'
Former Summit Mayor Ellen Dickson Dies: 'Beacon Of Community Advancement' Former Summit Mayor and Common Council President Ellen Dickson died Sunday, Sept. 24. She was 71 years old. "While the departure of Ellen Dickson has created an irreplaceable void, her unparalleled generosity, compassion, and profound love for Summit serve to guide us all," the city said in a release. "Ellen's commitment to Summit was deep and firmly rooted. She, along with her husband, Chip, made Summit their home for over two decades, watching their three children flourish and graduate from Summit Public Schools. Ellen was a beacon of community enhancement, deeply understanding that the e…