Vol. 1…No. 30
Observer: Late School Start Time (LSST) Initiative
Macky’s New York: Loading And Unloading
Coco Hough: Steakhouse Side Dishes
Dr. Anne Robinson: Smart Balance Initiative: Save the Change Podcast with Dr. Karen Latimer
RHS 1977, Deborah Bryant Handwoven: Mother’s Day Sale Promo Code
RHS 1975, Jack Zerbe: Musical Theatre Masterclass Series
RHS 1977, Peter Branigan: A Man Of Many Talents
RHS 2021, Bryan Chan: Music In The Mornings
Ridgewood ARTBeat: The Harlem Renaissance Trilogy
Observer
Late School Start Time (LSST) Initiative
These days anyone can create a newsletter and a website. Though it takes a certain bit of luck to find something meaningful to write about and a group of people to engage with. I am fortunate to be both lucky and in touch with former classmates with a sense of urgency for change.
According to the group Later School Start RWD:
Stakeholders in our community, including administrators, teachers, crisis counselors, athletic directors, coaches, wellness directors, our district’s physician, Board of Ed members, students, parents, and Dr. Gorman himself, have “looked into” LSST for the past 7 years. There is tremendous support in our community to make this change for September. The groundwork is in place. Now what’s needed is the leadership of Dr. Gorman and our current Board of Ed members to prioritize student health and wellness.
Sounds like a sincere plea to give our current students the opportunity to sleep a little longer. It also has the backing of medical professionals like long time Ridgewood pediatrician and mother of three, Dr. Anne Robinson. She is a level-headed medical professional who only wants to see children thrive and be happy.
Given that the Covid pandemic seems to be sweeping through the younger cohort of our population, the same one which comprises our school teachers, it looks like we have the time to pilot the Later School Start Initiative in September 2021.
Ridgewood is the ideal proving ground as shown by its successful leap into the unknown of Remote Learning. The Village school system has the resources to commit to this effort as well as the personnel to evaluate the outcomes. Nobody is asking to expand a pilot if it offers failed results. They are only asking for the chance to put children’s health first in response to a resurgence of mental health challenges for kids.
The Covid pandemic is a time where all of us are being challenged to make health and well being a top priority. Let’s build upon our current efforts with an easy change. A pilot program in September 2021 would have a significant impact on our school children’s health. Not to mention all the teachers, administrators, and people who support operations in all the schools and the Board of Education.
Let’s just do it.
Macky’s New York
April 21, 2021 - Grand Central.
Loading And Unloading
Under the overpass and in the old driveway on the west side of the terminal...the morning bustle begins - many a drop-off have been made here - some legal and some well...
Shot looking north east.
Time 9am.
#mackysnewyork
Coco Hough
I like all of Coco’s videos and especially the ones with her Dad assisting with the cooking. There is genuineness that can’t be contrived when they are together. Besides cooking with her Dad, I like watching how she recovers when things go wrong! No malice is intended here by showing these outtakes. It just shows that Coco is a pro.
We ended up with THREE delicious dishes to go with our New York Strip steak and learned:
1. How to make CREAMED SPINACH
2. How to make garlic & horseradish MASHED POTATOES
3. How to make ROASTED ASPARAGUS with a lemon dressing
Coco Hough (Coco’s Long Version)
Coco’s Outtake from FaceBook. It’s show the definition of perseverance.
Dr. Anne Robinson
Smart Balance Initiative: Save the Change Podcast with Dr. Karen Latimer
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1746263/8243409
Did You Know?
The AAP, CDC, and AMA, among others, have issued policy statements recommending that adolescents get 8.5-10 hours of sleep each night and that the secondary school day begin at 8:30 a.m. or later.
In NJ, the vast majority of schools (86%) start their days before 8:30 a.m.
Adolescents experience a circadian rhythm or “sleep phase shift” that inhibits them from falling asleep before 11 pm, and keeps their brains in “sleep mode” until about 8 am.
Car crash rates decreased by 16.5% when school start time was moved one hour later.
Hundreds of school districts nationwide over the last two decades have shifted their school start times and seen results such as increased student sleep, improved educational outcomes, and improved mental health.
Source: The New Jersey Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics’
Deborah Bryant Handwoven
Mother’s Day Promo Code
Jack Zerbe
Musical Theatre Masterclass Series
If you, or someone you know, are interested in speaking with a professional about his field of work, then contact Jack Zerbe, RHS 1975. He has made a long career in the Arts. He has a fascinating story and is glad to share what he knows. He is currently
Director, School of the Arts at University of Nebraska at Omaha
ONE of my proudest accomplishments: conceiving of & funding The Broadway Musical Theatre Masterclass Series. Ends tonight with buddy Jake David Smith (of Broadway's FROZEN and soon to be in BETWEEN THE LINES). Join us in Zoom. https://unomaha.zoom.us/j/98638286821. DO NOT MISS IT! Hats off to previous master teachers Jimmy Smagula, Q Smith, and Doran Schmidt. Thanks to ALL!
Peter Branigan
A Man Of Many Talents
Another RHS 1977 graduate with multiple careers under his belt. Pete is a member of the Digerati as well as being more than capable of playing the big drum. Here he is in 2016 during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Manhattan.
Pete also jumps from airplanes:
Music In The Mornings
I had always thought that musical interludes during the morning announcements would be a good idea. Looks like RHS is doing it.
Have you ever wondered who plays music during the morning announcements and in between classes...it’s RHS Senior Bryan Chan! Thank you Bryan for what you do to bring joy to the RHS hallways each day!
The Ridgewood ARTBeat
A RHS Student Congress Committee that celebrates the talented young adult musicians and artists in Ridgewood High School and Ridgewood community at large.
Ridgewood ARTBeat has a good podcast, too. Here is episode one
The Harlem Renaissance Trilogy: Episode One
Peace