The Maroon Vol. 2… No. 22 Friday, March 18, 2022
“Bringing us all to a place we don't want to lose."
Observer: Bon Voyage, Tom Gorman
Macky’s New York: Midnight Blue
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame: Save The Date: Nov. 5th 2022
Tom Gorman: Celebrating Differences
M + A NYC: Mighty Are We As One
Did You Know… Daylight Savings
James Stroker: Hope Coach
Jim Schoneman: Rock Hound
Siobhan Crann Winograd: Around The Village
Jeff Meyers: Stuttering
Observer
Bon Voyage, Tom Gorman
It’s with a heavy heart that we say farewell to Ridgewood Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Gorman, RHS 1987. Tom has accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools in Montville Township, New Jersey beginning in July 2022.
He is a long time friend and contributor to The Maroon. As a former history teacher he appreciates and supports the work of all the RHS alumni who make the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall Of Fame happen.
Tom Gorman’s accomplishments are many. The Village and especially its students have been fortunate to have one of their own leading them. We wish him all the best in this next stage of his life.
Macky’s New York
Matthew Cortellesi Photography
March 16, 2022 - Lincoln Center
Midnight Blue
Sandy and I are working on a fresco for the cheeseshop - he came by today and met with some of the financiers - we think the meeting went well and the Nautica Magica theme is only being worked out - we walked all the way back to his studio on Madison talking about life and colors and our favorite fried chicken places - art came up too - and so I headed back to the shop and after making my way back to the West side...I walked through Lincoln Center and when I saw that the fountain wasn't on...I laid on the ground under the benches and just when I was about to take this...a security guard came up and said...sir...you can't lay there...I turned around and said why not...he had nothing to say and so I rolled back to my left and shot this just before they dragged me off the plaza...my blue blazer is now grayish thanks to all the salt on the stone from the snowstorm on Saturday - next time I'll wear the Zelensky green t-shirt.
Shot looking north under the benches of the fountain with Ukrainian flag covering the Metropolitan Opera House.
Time 2pm.
#ny1pic
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
This image in a collection of photographic plates archived at The Brooklyn Museum a couple of years ago. The view looks north on the Ho-Ho-Kus Brook at Glen Avenue in Ridgewood and was taken around 1880 by George Bradford Brainerd. To the left is Andrew Zabriskie's sawmill and mill pond. JR Terhune's property was likely among the buildings in the distance at center right... among them perhaps his home, wood turning mill, and outbuildings. His mill pond would have been located just out of sight over the embankment and fence line. By the way, the wonderful Gothic house at center left through the trees should be familiar... it still exists today at 472 North Maple Avenue.
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Save The Date: November 5, 2022
RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame Nomination Form
Visit The RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame
Tom Gorman
Celebrating Differences
Since 1976, February has been designated by every American president as Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans throughout the history of the United States. Each of our schools recognizes this month in unique, age-appropriate ways – through art, music, literature, social studies, assemblies, and other activities. But celebrating the lives and achievements of these influential leaders in industry, politics, science, culture, and more is not reserved for one month out of the year. The curriculum of the Ridgewood Public Schools has evolved and continues to be adapted to accurately reflect history and to help students develop an appreciation for all of our differences.
Black History Month celebrations and curricular components are one piece of the district’s comprehensive commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a cornerstone of the RPS Strategic Plan. Developed collaboratively with a broad team of stakeholders including parents, students, community members, teachers, and administrators, the “culture” goal of this plan is built on the premise that, by capitalizing on our diversity and supporting open collaboration and communication, we foster a spirit of empathy that develops socially and emotionally resilient learners.
How do we accomplish this goal as a district?
We approach it methodically from all angles - curriculum, social interactions, policies, hiring, and school climate, to name a few. Also, we recognize that this is a long-term commitment that involves all of us - school, home, and community. This process of growing as individuals and as a society will take time. But we will continue to have difficult conversations and make the important decisions that will bring us toward a common understanding and appreciation of our differences, one small step at a time.
“Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” - Jacqueline Woodson
Jacqueline Woodson is one of many authors whose books were added to classroom collections last year as part of our K-5 mentor texts. Along with The Other Side and The Day You Begin, many of Woodson’s beloved books for children and adolescents can be found in classroom and school libraries. Her powerful stories weave together themes of friendship, open-mindedness, and tolerance. The K-5 mentor texts expose our youngest readers to stories that celebrate our differences and teach kindness, understanding, and compassion.
In September 2021, the English Language Arts Department introduced the 6-12 “Tell Me Your Story Initiative” designed to explore topics of race, culture, and identity. At the middle school level, students engaged in shared reading to examine essential questions. What is diversity? How do our differences make us special? What does it mean to be part of a community? What does it mean to be human? What is a human right? High school students selected one of three memoirs to facilitate understanding of multiple perspectives. This successful initiative is being expanded to the elementary level.
This month, all K-12 students participated in the National African American Read-In, which was established in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English. The goal of this effort is to make literacy an integral part of Black History Month. The district’s “read-in” featured author and illustrator Jerry Pinkney at the elementary level, and authors Jerry Craft and Jason Reynolds at the middle school level. Our sixth through eighth-graders will get a special treat in March when Jerry Craft visits their schools!
The curriculum is only one place in the learning environment where this important work is being done. Through co-curricular clubs and service projects, students are making a difference in their school and community. Recently, legislation was passed in New Jersey mandating that Asian American and Pacific Islander history be taught in the K-12 curriculum. Ridgewood High School student Christina Huang helped make this happen by working with Make Us Visible NJ to lobby for this bill. In an interview with WABC, Christina said she had supportive teachers who not only introduced her to Asian American history but encouraged her to get involved. Her advocacy and action are to be commended.
Jacqueline Woodson said it plainly and clearly: “Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” We have a responsibility to listen to the stories of others, to find a way to walk through this world together, and to celebrate our differences.
M + A NYC
Mighty Are We As One
Inspired by art, designed in New York, and made by hand with love by artisans all over the world. Shop home décor and wearable accessories at www.mplusanyc.com
Toby Smith
Did You Know…
Daylight Savings
Look at how late sunrise would be from November to February if we add an hour to the sunrise data below.
James Stroker
Sometimes when you present it’s not about what you say
But how you say it.
Jim Schoneman
Rock Hound
Indian Creek, Huntsville, Alabama. The creek bed is mostly limestone, sandstone, shale and crinoid fossils. The crinoid fossils, commonly called indian beads, are fun to find.
Siobhan Crann Winograd
Around The Village
Not sure if anyone in our local government wants to hear this but we, Winograds, have absolutely loved the dining corrals. Sigh.
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. - As New York City embraces al fresco dining created because of the pandemic, extra outdoor street seating is set to be removed in one Bergen County town.
CBS2's Meg Baker found the topic to be controversial between restaurants and retailers.
Large cement barriers carve out street side dining spots along East Ridgewood Avenue and on some side streets. The corrals were supposed to be a short-term boost for restaurants suffering in the pandemic. The Ridgewood Village Council just voted to remove the corrals at the end of the month.
Store owners are thankful, saying they want those parking spaces back for customers.
"At this point, it's hurting us. You know, it hurts us," said Gregg Rodeheffer, owner of The Table at Latonas. "And a lot of them weren't kept up, so kind of trashy looking, and brought down the quality of Ridgewood."
The owners of The Table at Latonas say a recently built parking garage doesn't replace close-by street parking. People won't stop in if they have to park far.
"Our clients spend a lot of money, and have valuable items that they take that are rather heavy. So rather than take them to a garage that's beautifully accessible, they prefer to be a little closer to the shop," said owner Joe Latona.
The mayor says dining will still be allowed on sidewalks, just not in the street.
"We appreciate we have a garage, but that was actually always intended. That was more long-term parking for employees and commuters, while the [spots] on street are most valuable for our businesses in town. So we really need to restore them," said Mayor Susan Knudsen.
On weekends, the downtown transforms into a pedestrian plaza. The streets are shut down, and people come out to hear live music, shop and dine. That ends too, to the disappointment of many.
"I actually love it. The fact that you can eat outside, enjoy with your children, and have nice weather," said Nirali Bhatia. "We get to hear different bands, high school students come out and perform. It's a way to be a part of the community."
"Being able to put people outside has actually created a whole new feeling and a positive one," said Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce board member Scott Lief.
Restaurant owners want to keep the extra outdoor seats.
The owner of the steel wheel tavern says he pays $1,500 a month to rent the parking spaces for the tables.
"It's a lot of money we are spending on it and frankly I would pay more. I'm not just saying that for my sake. I'm saying it because people who come out to eat in Ridgewood love being outside," said Glenn Carlough, owner of the Steel Wheel Tavern.
Carlough also rents a space for grab-and-go meals. He suggests retailers look into this option in front of their store, instead of pushing to remove the corrals and pedestrian plazas.
Meg Baker contributed to this report.
Jeff Meyers
Stuttering
I realized they were making fun
Of Joe Biden,
How he can't pronounce
Certain words, or
How he makes mistakes in sentences
When speaking in public.
No acknowledgement of his
Thirty-five year in the US Senate,
Which most people only get elected into
Having graduated High School.
No recognition of his work
To overcome the stuttering.
These are the same students
Who most days come late to class
Are anxious to leave early,
Who can't pry their gaze away
From their phones,
Who scoff at the other students
Relying on persistent effort
To learn. The laughers sit in the back of the room,
And, when you ask them
An elementary question,
They reply "What?"
As if this was their first day
In the classroom,
As if they were
Under attack
From your brutally
Unreasonable
Entrance
Into their
Obliviously protected,
Minimalist
World.