Maroons Online Vol. 1…No. 34
Acta non verba
Observer: History Of Our Schools
Macky’s New York: The Cloud In The Silver Ball
Ridgewood School Superintendent’s Column: Cherish Mother Earth
William Peay: Tales From The Wood…
History of Ridge School: Opened September 1959
On The Lighter Side: Vinnie Vaxine Featuring Sam Clement
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 3-7 2021
Observer:
History Of Our Schools
I probable ought to have made History my major at Dickinson College. Instead, I received a B.A. in Economics. It was a very cautious choice. Years later I can see that what we find in higher education is that most times it is the teachers who matter more than the subject. I only warmed up to one faculty member in the History department but several in Economics so the dye was cast.
Today we begin a new series of articles. It will shine some light on the buildings and grounds where we all spent a lot of time: Our Schools.
I went looking on the Ridgewood Schools web site and found very little besides an excellent history of RHS. This is a shame. It’s an omission we’ll try to address and then chronicle in our burgeoning cultural repository: Maroons Online.
I only wish Laura Fleming, RHS 1977, was around to lend a hand. She adored history and taught it at RHS for 35 years. It is with her enthusiasm in mind that I humbly ask alumni for their contributions of stories, pictures, and artifacts. An online museum would have pleased Laura very much and might well be a boon for the rest of us.
Macky’s New York
April 30, 2021 - NY Botanical Gardens
The Cloud In The Silver Ball
Spent the afternoon with @logold1...my 9th grade social studies teacher - we had a blast talking about old days and new - the gardens were particularly bright today with the Spring rebirth in full bloom but what caught my eye most were a collection of silver balls floating in the reflecting pond - it is part of a multifaceted installation by Japanese artist @yayoi_kasuma - I shot this as the wind blew the volley ball sized mirrored orbs against the east side of the pond and as the gentle dings and dongs of the balls hitting each other sang in the afternoon light with a lone cloud sitting effortlessly on each one...Lois and I couldn't help but smile at each other like we did so often back 40 years ago at George Washington Junior High School - another great day with my friend and teacher.
Time 445pm.
#mackysnewyork
Ridgewood Superintendent’s Column:
Cherish Mother Earth
Thomas Gorman, Ed.D. RHS 1987
Superintendent of the Ridgewood Public Schools
Earth Day is an opportunity for world climate leaders, grassroots activists, innovators, and citizens to challenge our thinking about our responsibility to the planet. Restore Our Earth, the theme of Earth Day 2021, is a reminder that together we can rehabilitate and preserve our most precious resources through innovation and creative solutions.
“Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
The words and actions of the environmental conservation movement led by the Roosevelt administration and American naturalists still resonate today. Considered to be the nation’s first conservation president, Theodore Roosevelt took significant steps to protect natural resources including establishing the United States Forest Service, creating national parks, and placing bird reserves, game reserves, and forests under national protection. Today, young people around the world are speaking up about the climate crisis and taking action, and our Ridgewood students have enthusiastically joined this movement.
From elementary school through high school, students learn about nature and our impact on the environment. Through the science curriculum, students gain an understanding of their relationship to the natural world. Recycling is one practical way that students take an active role in caring for the earth. Aside from recycling paper, plastic, and aluminum, the Ridgewood Public Schools are proud to participate in the Trex program to recycle plastic bags and films.
The RHS Green Club planted seeds to be sprouted in the greenhouse.
Several schools have created unique outdoor spaces to extend the classroom experience. The community gardens and the Carole G. Jones outdoor classroom at Ridgewood High School are favorite spots where students interact and connect with nature during the school day. The Jones outdoor classroom includes a greenhouse, built by one of our own teachers, Michael Hoogerhyde. Conservation is an essential element of the greenhouse, where rain barrels and hydroponic methods are utilized.
Outside the classroom, students are taking action in a variety of ways. The Ridgewood High School InvenTeam has diligently worked on creating their “Solar Aqua Tech” water bottle. This group of high school students is one of only thirteen teams in the nation to receive a Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam grant. The RHS Green Club has spent time cleaning up local parks and green spaces. They have also been busy planting seedlings in the RHS garden with the plan to produce enough food for a faculty meal in the spring.
The Benjamin Franklin Middle School parking lot is an excellent representation of ways to incorporate solar panels.
Along with Eco-friendly student learning experiences, sustainability efforts have been a high priority within the district for nearly a decade. The installation of solar panels was the first major step toward reducing our carbon footprint. Through the New Jersey Energy Savings Improvement Program, RPS increased energy efficiency through lighting upgrades to LED technology, infiltration reduction, building automation system upgrades, boiler and burner replacements, installation of a Combined Heat and Power system at RHS, pipe insulation, and more. Four buildings currently score 75 or higher according to Energy STAR standards, which is an outstanding rating.
Building upon these facility improvements, the District has engaged in efforts to achieve an even higher standard of energy efficiency and conservation initiatives by working toward Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification. Somerville School was one of 147 schools in the state to achieve bronze level certification for 2020. Five schools are currently under review for certification this year, and all schools are working towards sustainability actions through their Green Teams.
The Somerville Green Team planted a young tree as part of the yearlong emphasis on the critical role of trees.
Two schools have also been awarded grants from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. Through this program, Somerville Elementary School was able to support a year-long focus on the critically important role of trees. Benjamin Franklin Middle School was awarded $2,000 to purchase hydroponic towers for year-round planting. This is an exciting addition to our growing list of ecological practices.
The work being done in the areas of emerging green technologies, climate and environmental literacy, reforestation efforts, and regenerative agriculture, along with the passionate calls for change demonstrated by our young people, has the power to “Restore Our Earth” and heal the planet. We must ask ourselves how we envision our planet in a decade or even a century from now. Every small action - recycling, up-cycling, reducing waste, planting - contributes to our success as we continue to cherish our natural resources and the wonders of our planet.
William Peay
Tales From The Wood…
William Peay is a scholar, Ridge School Raccoon, and a lifetime resident of Ridgewood. His family has lived in Ridgewood since the 1930s. His beloved uncle is Eddy Peay.
His pictures and videos always strike a chord with people who don’t get back to Ridgewood very often.
Old Country Club Neighborhood—AKA: Kathawood Park
(To refresh your memory look up Highland Avenue or Mountain Avenue.)
History Of Ridge School
Opened September 1959
Many thanks to Dr. Anne Robinson, RHS 1977. She asked a very resourceful teacher, Michele Eng, at Ridge School for help with compiling the history of Ridge. What follows are the pleasant responses she received.
We hope to one day to document the history of all the Ridgewood schools. Whether it’s official like we have for RHS or remembrances which we have to piece together ourselves. It’s all welcome.
Still looking for Hawes, Somerville, Travel, Willard, Orchard, BF, and GW. All recollections are kindly appreciated and will soon become a part of the Maroons Online website.
The grand house and driveway of the Gardener home. The wall pictured still exists, as you enter the Ridge School grounds from Ridgewood Avenue.
On The Lighter Side:
Vinnie Vaxine Featuring Sam Clement
Greg Van Houten, RHS 1979
Teacher Appreciation Week:
May 3-7 2021
Check out the Teachers we have remembered. More to come.
Peace