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Education

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…
Billionaire CEO, NJ High School Dropout Leading SpaceX Mission 'Polaris Dawn' Billionaire CEO, NJ High School Dropout Leading SpaceX Mission 'Polaris Dawn'
Billionaire CEO, NJ High School Dropout Leading SpaceX Mission 'Polaris Dawn' A high school dropout from New Jersey who owns a multi-billion-dollar Pennsylvania tech firm is making history, again. Jared Isaacman, 41, the CEO of Shift4 Payments in Allentown, PA is the mission commander of SpaceX's mission Polaris Dawn, which launched into space on Tuesday morning, Sept. 10. Alongside Isaacman are Retired US Air Force Lt. Col Scott "Kidd" Potee, and two SpaceX specialists, Anna Menon and Sarah Gillis. You can read more about the mission on the SpaceX website here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Po…
Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding
Memorial Set For Edgewater Teen Killed In Tragic Accident While In Iran For Family Wedding Jahnan Rahimpour was wise beyond his years. At just 14 years old, the Edgewater native was already an activist who was passionate about volunteering and did so often. His most recent volunteer work was at the Leonia Library and at the Bergen County Rowing Academy, developing skills of newcomers at Overpeck Park. Fluent in Farsi, Jahnan was proud of his Persian heritage and was thrilled to visit his parents' native country of Iran this summer for his aunt's wedding. It was during that trip, though, that joy turned to tragedy for Jahnan's family. Or as his mother, Asal, says: "The weddi…
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…
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, Former Paterson Mayor, Dies At 87 Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, Former Paterson Mayor, Dies At 87
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Bill Pascrell, Former Paterson Mayor, 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…
NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say NJ Performing Arts High School Teacher Molested Female Student, Prosecutors Say
NJ Performing Arts High School 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…
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…
NJ Town Ranked Among Top 10 Best Places To Live In America NJ Town Ranked Among Top 10 Best Places To Live In America
NJ Town Ranked Among Top 10 Best Places To Live In America A historic green smack-dab in the middle of town. Transportation to and from the city. Ample job opportunities. Who could ask for anything more? One North Jersey township has been named to Fortune's 2024 list of 50 Best Places to Live for Families. "A great place to live is not one that solely supports a family in the present," the outlet writes, "but one that will serve them for the long term." Fortune said it analyzed more than 2,000 cities across the U.S., and the ones that came out on top scored high for affordability, healthcare, resources for seniors, and more. Morristown, NJ came …
Bergen County Cheer Coach, Zumba Instructor Eliza Stolz Dies After Suffering Brain Injury Bergen County Cheer Coach, Zumba Instructor Eliza Stolz Dies After Suffering Brain Injury
Bergen County Cheer Coach, Zumba Instructor Eliza Stolz Dies After Suffering Brain Injury Support is on the rise for a Bergen County family mourning the unexpected loss of its matriarch.  Eliza Stolz, a cheer coach and Zumba instructor from Elmwood Park, died on Tuesday, July 23, just over a week after an accident that caused her to suffer a brain injury, according to a GoFundMe launched for the family. The campaign had raised more than $19,500 as of press time.  Eliza was born in Poland and was one of six girls before moving to the United States for a better life, where she raised her children for 12 years as a stay-at-home mother before returning to work, the GoFund…
Teacher Seen Assaulting Student In Disturbing Video Charged In Essex County: Cops Teacher Seen Assaulting Student In Disturbing Video Charged In Essex County: Cops
Teacher Seen Assaulting Student In Disturbing Video Charged In Essex County: Cops A West Orange teacher has been arrested for assaulting an 11-year-old student, authorities said. Jaron Spicer, 32, of Bayonne, has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and simple assault — a disorderly persons offense — following an incident on April 18, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott said. Disturbing footage shared by Pix11 shows Spicer, a teacher at Mt. Carmel Guild Academy on Valley Way, throwing the boy to the ground and holding him down with his own body weight. The outlet s…
'I Like The F— Out Of You:' NJ Teacher Has License Revoked After Lewd Comments, Officials Say 'I Like The F— Out Of You:' NJ Teacher Has License Revoked After Lewd Comments, Officials Say
'I Like The F— Out Of You:' NJ Teacher Has License Revoked After Lewd Comments, Officials Say A New Jersey educator had his teaching license revoked on Thursday, June 27 after repeatedly making lewd comments to a student, officials announced. The State Board of Examiners revoked the license of East Orange English teacher Alim Hasan after he called a student "pretty", told her she smelled good, that she has a "grown woman scent" and that he "likes the f- out of her." The board said Hasan's comments "clearly demonstrate conduct that is unacceptable for a role model for a school children." "Such communications by a teacher to his student are completely inappropriate," the board w…
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…
Superintendent Of NJ School District Dies Superintendent Of NJ School District Dies
Superintendent Of NJ School District Dies The Montclair Public School District is mourning the loss of its superintendent. A message posted on the district website said only that the district is mourning the passing of Dr. Jonathan Ponds. Ponds was principal to students at the Parsons Elementary School in North Brunswick from 2012 to 2015 and also served as a superintendent and principal in Moonachie. Ponds also had experience working as a special education teacher, basketball coach, vice principal, and dean of students, his bio on the Montclair Schools website said. The district's director of secondary education Damen Coope…
$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 …
Westwood HS Brawl: Names Released In Police Documents Westwood HS Brawl: Names Released In Police Documents
Westwood HS Brawl: Names Released In Police Documents Daily Voice has obtained the names of the 10 of the 13 individuals charged in connection with the brawls that broke out following the Westwood High School graduation ceremony last month. As previously reported by Daily Voice, two graduating students and 11 of their family members were slapped with a total of 25 charges including assault, disorderly conduct, failure to disperse, and obstruction, following the fights on Thursday, June 20, Washington Township Police Chief John Calamari said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by …
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 …
Services Set For Bergenfield High School Principal James 'Jim' Fasano, 59 Services Set For Bergenfield High School Principal James 'Jim' Fasano, 59
Services Set For Bergenfield High School Principal James 'Jim' Fasano, 59 Funeral arrangements have been finalized for James "Jim" Fasano, the longtime principal of Bergenfield High School. Fasano died on Thursday, June 27. He was 59 years old. An official cause of death was not released, however, Bergenfield Superintendent Christopher Tully noted that his passing was sudden. According to the Riewerts Memorial Home, visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, at Conlon Hall in Bergenfield. A Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, July 3 at the St. John the Evangelist R.C. Church at 11 a.m. "Our high school will never be the same without him," Tul…
Contract Of Newly-Hired NJ Schools Super Rescinded Days Before Start Date Contract Of Newly-Hired NJ Schools Super Rescinded Days Before Start Date
Contract Of Newly-Hired NJ Schools Super Rescinded Days Before Start Date Ramapo-lndian Hills Regional High School has rescinded the contract of its brand-new superintendent just days before he was set to officially take office. In its Thursday, June 27 meeting, the district's Board of Education voted 5-0-3 to rescind the contract of Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi, which would have gone into effect on July 1. On May 28, the Board voted 9-0 in favor of approving Tarchichi's contract. ALSO SEE: Ramapo-Indian Hills' New Superintendent Comes With 2 Doctorates, Plans For Vocational Programs RIH BOE President Kim Ansh was not immediately available to comment…
Bergenfield High School Principal Dies Suddenly Bergenfield High School Principal Dies Suddenly
Bergenfield High School Principal Dies Suddenly The Bergenfield Public School District is mourning the loss of its high school principal, James "Jim" Fasano. "Our high school will never be the same without him," Superintendent Christopher Tully said in a letter dated Thursday, June 27, less than a week after the last day of the school year. Tully did not provide a cause of death but did say that it was sudden. ALSO SEE: Services Set For Bergenfield High School Principal James 'Jim' Fasano, 59 Fasano was a community member for 59 years, having spent 30 of them serving as principal. He was also a teacher, coach, and assistant pr…
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…
Jersey City Charter School Teacher Had Sexual Conduct With Student, Prosecutor Says Jersey City Charter School Teacher Had Sexual Conduct With Student, Prosecutor Says
Jersey City Charter School Teacher Had Sexual Conduct With Student, Prosecutor Says A 67-year-old Jersey City charter school teacher was charged with having sexual conduct with a student, authorities said. Steven Gordon was released after being processed following alleged "Inappropriate contact" at the University Academy Charter High School on West Side Avenue in Jersey City during school hours on May 29, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. Gordon was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, as well as child endangerment, Suarez said in announcing the arrest on Monday, June 17.  He immediately resigned from his job at the 9-12 public charter …
NJ High School Senior Dies Week Before Graduation: 'Promising Future Cut Short' NJ High School Senior Dies Week Before Graduation: 'Promising Future Cut Short'
NJ High School Senior Dies Week Before Graduation: 'Promising Future Cut Short' Support is on the rise for the mother of a 19-year-old Elizabeth man who recently died. Anthony Cruz passed away on June 11, according to his obituary. A GoFundMe launched for his mother, Sandra Santos, said he was on the brink of graduating from high school and embarking on a new chapter in life. "His achievements and plans for further education had made his mother incredibly proud, but his promising future was tragically cut short," reads the campaign launched by Melanie Martinez. A cause of death was not provided. I still can’t believe that your gone it feels like a bad dream you …
UPDATE: 'Inappropriate Comment' Temporarily Halts Distribution Of NJ School Yearbook UPDATE: 'Inappropriate Comment' Temporarily Halts Distribution Of NJ School Yearbook
Update: 'Inappropriate Comment' Temporarily Halts Distribution Of NJ School Yearbook A graduating Ramapo Indian Hills High School student intended "no harm or offense" with an "inappropriate comment" in the senior yearbook, the district's acting chief said Thursday night. According to parents, a graduating senior included an untoward reference to a Jewish Holocaust victim under his portrait photo. In response, Ramapo Indian Hills High School District Acting Supt. Dr. Melissa Quackenbush said officials were halting the distribution of the remaining yearbooks and were talking with the distributor about reprints. "Additionally, we are consulting with the Jewish Federatio…
Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop
Storied Disappearing Dumont Donkey Is Hero Mascot At Builder's New Ice Cream Shop It was 2017 and Matt Dagistanli was in the process of building the structure that stands today at 65 W. Madison Avenue in Dumont, when his donkey went missing. He wasn't a real donkey, of course, but a statue that Dagistanli and his former business partner had affectionately called Dumbo. Dagistanli grew quite fond of Dumbo, and wasn't ready to get rid of him at the turn of his career change. "I didn’t want to sell it or throw it away, so I took it home," said Dagistanli, 63, of Rutherford. "My wife said, 'You need to take this away.'" Dagistanli had nowhere to keep Dumbo except for …
'Best Spot In America For Small-Town Carnival:' Night Of Family Fun Returns To Paramus 'Best Spot In America For Small-Town Carnival:' Night Of Family Fun Returns To Paramus
'Best Spot In America For Small-Town Carnival:' Night Of Family Fun Returns To Paramus You've likely seen the colorful ferris wheel looming over the crossroads of Route 4 and Route 17, right outside of the one of the highest performing malls in the United States. Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D.) founder Nick DeMauro knew what he was doing when he put the carnival there.  "It's the best location in the nation for a small-town carnival," he said. And it's back. The annual L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival is running every Wednesday to Sunday through June 9, at the Westfield Garden State Plaza. Admission is $5, while tickets for rides and games, and food purchas…
Bergen County District Suddenly Terminates Super, Hires New One With Double Doctorates Bergen County District Suddenly Terminates Super, Hires New One With Double Doctorates
Bergen County District Suddenly Terminates Super, Hires New One With Double Doctorates Ramapo-lndian Hills Regional High School has hired a new superintendent. In a unanimous vote on Tuesday, May 28, the RIH Board of Education voted 9-0 in favor of approving Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi's contract, which goes into effect July 1. The board also voted 7-0 with two abstentions to terminate the contract of interim superintendent Dr. James Baker. When asked about the sudden termination of Baker's contract, the BOE declined to comment on personnel matters. The board also voted 5-4 in favor of appointing Dr. Melissa Quackenbush, the district's director of curriculum, to acting su…
Parents Fighting To Save North Jersey Catholic School Slated For Closure After 65 Years Parents Fighting To Save North Jersey Catholic School Slated For Closure After 65 Years
Immaculate Heart of Mary School In Wayne Is Closing After nearly 65 years, the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Wayne is closing its doors. But many of its families refuse to accept its fate, and are fighting to keep the school that has provided love and nurture to their children alive. "The school didn't need to close, and it didn't need to close in the manner that it did," said Judy Simon, who has three children at IHM, who opined that more could be done from a business and marketing perspective. "I feel that the Diocese of Paterson didn't do anything to stop it." Father Mateusz Jasniewicz shared details about the school's closing …