Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Geocaching as a way to get the kids out and moving
The countdown started at around 300 feet and grew louder as we walked closer. My eldest child, holding a GPS device, shouted ever-lowering numbers as we walked closer to our destination a mile deep into the woods at Shark River Park. “Two hundred,’’ she said. “One hundred feet! We’re almost there!” My other two kids wondered aloud what the treasure was gong to be at the end of this muddy hike. Their excitement was palpable, and gleefully unexpected. It was, after all, a hike through the woods, with nary a game system or television in sight. Yet these young digital natives, inundated with more media than any generation of humans preceding it, were actually enjoying walking through the mud on a sunny day in search of hidden treasure…
State issues guidelines that are far less stringent than new rules for evaluation of district school educators.
Following a parallel but very different path from their district school brethren, New Jersey’s charter schools are finalizing plans for how they will evaluate their teachers and principals. Unlike district schools, charter schools do not fall under the state’s new tenure reform bill, known as TEACHNJ, which specifies much of how evaluations must be conducted and teachers rated. And very unlike district schools, New Jersey’s charter schools are not required at all to use student achievement measures, including in state testing, to measure their individual teachers – avoiding an issue that has roiled school districts and their educators. But the charter schools are still required to submit evaluation plans for state approval. Facing a June …
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Donating money to organizations that help victims is quick and easy.
Americans across the country are reacting with shock to the devastation caused by a 2-mile wide Tornado in Oklahoma. Dozens have died, and President Obama has declared the path of the tornado a major disaster area. If you would like to help, you can do so from your computer or mobile device right now. Patch will be posting stories of locals who are working to help victims from afar. If you know of someone local was affected by the tornado or who is working to help the victims, please contact your local editor.
Mall officials announced the news via Facebook on Monday afternoon.
Late Monday afternoon, officials at Quaker Bridge Mall confirmed what many have suspected for months- an Apple store is slated to open at the newly renovated mall on Route 1 in Lawrenceville. It was shortly after 4 p.m. when someone managing the Mall's Facebook account posted a photo of the new store location inside the mall along with the message, "Guess who is coming to Quaker Bridge Mall!?" The online post quickly garnered nearly 300 Facebook 'Likes' and more than 120 'Shares.' It's unclear when the new store will open, but it will certainly be a welcome addition to Central New Jersey, because the nearest Apple retailers are currently in Freehold or Bridgewater, each at least a 30 minute drive away. The company is currently hiring …
Rider graduates 404 in the first of several ceremonies.
Rider University proudly bestowed the honorary Doctor of Laws upon John H. Martinson, founder of the philanthropic Martinson Family Foundation (MFF), which supports educational initiatives encouraging K-12 math and science teachers to broaden their knowledge and skills through collaborative programs at nearby colleges and universities, at the University’s 148thUndergraduate Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17. Rider President Mordechai Rozanski also conferred 917 baccalaureate degrees to students who had successfully completed their studies the previous week. They join 404 who received their diplomas on Thursday night at the Graduate and College of Continuing Studies Commencement, and 135 who received theirs at the 84th Westminster …
A guide to finding local summer camps in and near Lawrenceville.
With the end of the school year in sight, thousands of township parents may be searching for something, anything, to get the kids out of the house. With that in mind, here are just some of the offerings throughout the township for a few months of fun or learning during the summer break. Lawrence Township Summer Art/Theater Camp Lawrence Township Park Summer Camp Lawrence Township Sports Camp Lawrence Township Travel Camp Lawrence Township Safety Town For even more programs, visit the Lawrence Township Department of Recreation webpage. Lawrence Township Public Schools Summer Program Lawrence Township Public Schools is offering summer classes for students who will begin grades 6 through 9 in the 2013-2014 school year. Click here to check …
Outdoor College Track and Field Rider’s Hightower and Coleman Heading to NCAA Regional.
Senior David Hightower (Easton, Pa./Easton) and freshman La’tazah Coleman (Middletown, Del./Appoquinimink) of the Rider University men’s and women’s track and field teams officially qualified for the NCAA East Championship Regional, hosted by North Carolina A&T in Greensboro, North Carolina, May 23-25, it was announced on Thursday. The meet will take place on Irwin Belk Track inside of Aggie Stadium. Coleman has the 47th fastest time (of 48 declared) in the 200 meter, running a Rider record time of 23.87 at the Larry Ellis Invitational on April 19. “La’tazah has had a great rookie season,” said head coach Bob Hamer, who was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s and women’s Coach of the Year at the beginning of May when Rider …
Here are some steps you can follow to prepare for the season.
Mercer County Executive Brian M. Hughes advises residents to plan and prepare for possible tropical storms this summer and fall. The hurricane season usually runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, but the peak time for hurricane and tropical storm activity in New Jersey is mid-August through the end of October. When they approach land, tropical storms and hurricanes can be extremely deadly and destructive—even as far inland as Mercer County. “Our residents and businesses have felt the effects of a major storm two years in a row – with Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012 -- so no one should take the prospect of such an event lightly,” Hughes said. “It’s important that people be prepared for a storm of that magnitude and…
Committee is one path for public employees to get around in-state-residency requirement of New Jersey First Act.
For the past two years, the meeting held monthly in a bare Trenton conference room determined the fates of hundreds of New Jersey public employees, including scores of teachers and school administrators. But the process has nothing to do with disciplinary actions or tenure or anything like that. The meetings of the five-member Employee Residency Review Committee are all about where people can live if they want to hold onto their jobs. Under the New Jersey First Act enacted in 2011, all New Jersey public employees must reside in New Jersey. There are a couple of exceptions, and the law grandfathered those who already lived out of state -- as long as they don't move. But it’s pretty unforgiving otherwise, and it takes some fairly …
Monday, May 20, 2013
Zoning board grants conditional use variance for redevelopment of the Mrs. G TV and Appliances property at Route 1 at Bakers Basin Road.
After nearly a year of hearings before the zoning board, the township voted 6-1 last week to grant a conditional use variance for the redevelopment of the Mrs. G TV and Appliances property and adjacent vacant lots along Route 1 at Bakers Basin Road, according to centraljersey.com. The zoning board granted preliminary and final site plan approval for four proposed buildings on the site at the meeting, with final site plan approval for the fifth building to occur a future date once a tenant is found, according to the report. As part of the proposal, existing buildings on the properties – the current Mrs. G showroom, a vacant business, an abandoned diner, and three unoccupied homes – would be demolished. Constructed in their place would be …
Snowyowlsnest
4:02 pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Nice article and photos :) We DO need our children and adults to GET OUTSIDE! Check out GEOCACHING in Lawrenceville! Drexel Woods has a geocache, and there are other secret hiding places in Mercer County. For ideas and more information, go to www.geocache.com and www.linkedin.com/pub/lawrence-nature-center-nj/38/331/3a8 . more ›