Hoboken City Council President Jen Giattino Dies Suddenly - Leaves Community Stunned and Devastated

Hoboken Council President Jen Giattino, who was elected to her fourth term to the council representing the 6th Ward last year, passed away suddenly on November 5th leaving the community at large in utter disbelief.

“I am heartbroken to share that my beloved wife, Jen—the love of my life and mother of our three children—passed away suddenly. She was not only an incredible mother but also a dedicated public servant who cared deeply about this community,” her husband Joe Giattino said in a statement.

"Tammy and I are devastated by the sudden passing of Hoboken City Council President Jen Giattino. A loving wife, mother of three, and devoted council member who loved her community, Jen was in public service for all the right reasons." - Governor Phil Murphy

Hudson County Executive Craig Guy released a statement regarding the death of Hoboken City Council President Giattino:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Jen Giattino. Jen was a true public servant. She dedicated her life to helping the residents of Hoboken and was a leader in her community. She was also a devoted wife and mother. All of Hudson County sends sincere condolences to Jen’s family.”

Councilman Paul Presinzano described her as “bigger than life” with so many friends.“She got along with everyone,” he said. “Words can’t describe. It’s a shock.”

Councilman Ruben Ramos Jr. said Giattino fiercely cared about the city of 57,000 and went above and beyond for constituents. He called her the “godmother” of her neighborhood who was “always looking out for everyone.” “People really appreciated the wholesomeness that she brought to the role of the city council,” Ramos said.

Hoboken Residents Invited to Special Public Safety Meeting Nov. 6.

The City of Hoboken, the Hoboken Public Safety Department, and Hoboken Police Department invite residents to a public safety community meeting at City Hall (94 Washington Street, Council Chambers, entrance on Newark Street) on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5:30 p.m.

The Hoboken Public Safety Director, the Hoboken Police Chief, and the Mayor are scheduled to be available to discuss public safety issues, including a recent incident at Church Square Park. The public will be informed of what is being done to keep residents and visitors safe at the park, and throughout Hoboken.

A GOFUNDME account has been set up to help the woman assaulted in Hoboken's 4th Street Park (Church Square Park). 

Address/Location
City of Hoboken, NJ
94 Washington St
Hoboken, NJ 07030

Review of Petrosino, Walkington, and Ekberg (2024) Published in Teachers College Record

 The following is a review of our new book published recently in TEACHERS COLLEGE RECORD

REVIEW: Frameworks+for+Integrated+Project Based+Instruction+in+STEM+Disciplines by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

https://journals.sagepub.com/pb-assets/cmscontent/TCZ/Book%20Reviews/2024%20Book%20Reviews/October/Frameworks%20for%20Integrated%20Project-Based%20Instruction%20in%20STEM%20Disciplines-1727816378.pdf

Why the Early Period of the United States Emphasized Christopher Columbus

The early United States emphasized Christopher Columbus in its place names and cultural memory largely because he represented ideals that were useful to the new nation’s identity and symbolism. The following six reasons give some insight and perspective to this thinking and understanding of the role of Christopher Columbus to the American identity. 

Here are some of the main reasons:

1. Symbol of Exploration and New Beginnings

 Columbus was widely viewed as the first European to "discover" the Americas (despite others like the Vikings reaching the continent earlier), and his voyages symbolized exploration, courage, and new possibilities. For the United States—a young nation breaking from Britain and establishing its own identity—Columbus symbolized a fresh start in a new world.

 2. Unifying Figure for National Identity

 The United States was composed of diverse colonies with varying cultures, languages, and religious beliefs. By celebrating Columbus, the new nation could adopt a figure who predated the colonial rivalries and divisions, offering a shared symbol that could unify Americans under a common historical narrative.

 3. Anti-British Sentiment and Search for Non-British Heroes

 In the post-Revolutionary War era, Americans wanted to distance themselves from British heroes and symbols. Columbus, an Italian who sailed under the Spanish flag, provided a non-British figure for Americans to honor, aligning with the country’s desire for unique national symbols distinct from British history.

 4. Italian and Catholic Representation

 As Italian and Catholic communities grew in the U.S., Columbus became an important cultural figure for Italian Americans, symbolizing their place in American history and culture. For many Catholics in a predominantly Protestant country, Columbus was celebrated as a Catholic hero whose achievements contributed to the broader American story, which was particularly meaningful to those who faced religious discrimination.

 5. Nineteenth-Century Nationalism and “Columbian” Celebrations

 The 19th century saw a revival of interest in Columbus as nationalism grew in the U.S. This led to numerous tributes to Columbus, such as the naming of the capital city (Washington, D.C. was originally known as the "City of Washington in the Territory of Columbia") and celebrations like the Columbian Exposition in 1893, commemorating the 400th anniversary of his first voyage.

 6. The Myth of Manifest Destiny

 Columbus’s image became associated with the idea of "Manifest Destiny," or the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent. Celebrating Columbus reinforced this narrative, portraying European settlement as part of a grand, inevitable, and even noble project that aligned with the country’s growing expansionist ambitions.

Overall, Columbus became a convenient symbol for a young nation looking to define itself, promote unity, and create a heroic narrative around exploration and new beginnings, despite the controversies surrounding his legacy today.

Dedication Ceremony for Shirael Vaknin Pollack - 5PM Maxwell Place Park Tues Sept 24, 2024

The dedication ceremony in honor of Hoboken resident Shirael Vaknin Pollack at Maxwell Place Park on Tuesday, Sept. 24, has been rescheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Ms. Pollack, who passed away in 2019 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer, was the co-founder of the Hoboken Public Education Foundation and a tireless advocate for public education. She often spent time in the park with her two daughters. The dedication will serve as a lasting tribute to her impact on the community and the many lives she touched.

About Shirael Pollack
On September 20th, 2019, Hoboken resident Shirael Pollack sadly passed away after a two-year battle with stomach cancer. During her life, Shirael was an inspiration to many people through her tenacious spirit and dedication to giving back to her community. A Hoboken resident since 2007, Shirael co-founded the Hoboken Public Education Foundation, a non-profit organization benefiting Hoboken public schools. Pollack was a tireless advocate for the non-profit’s mission of elevating and enhancing public education through private funding and led the HPEF’s fundraising efforts. At the 2019 HPEF Gala, Shirael and her team raised over $250,000 for the public schools.

Ms. Pollack was also a pediatric therapist, and served on the board of the National Autism Association NY Metro Chapter, helping children with physical and developmental challenges. Even in her battle with stomach cancer, Shirael became an advocate and raised funds for gastric cancer research. 

Hola Dual Language School Becomes an Official Member of the International Spanish Academy

 

The Hola Dual Language School in Hoboken NJ was formally named by the Spanish Consulate as an official member of the International Spanish Academy in recognition of HOLA’s commitment to excellence in bilingual education.

HoLa is annually classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as a top 5% performing school and is designated as a Dual Language Model Program for the state. 

The HOLA Middle School is the first in the state to have its curriculum approved for the College Board’s AP exam program, enabling students to take the Spanish AP exam in 8th grade to qualify for college credits.

I had the honor of introducing the idea of HOLA to the Hoboken Board of Education where it was voted down. I then had the honor of serving on HOLA's Board for almost a decade beginning with its initial founding in 2015. 

Lost But Not Stolen- A Conservative Perspective on the 2020 Presidential Election

A segment from "60 Minutes" shown on September 15, 2024: Retired federal judge Thomas Griffith, a conservative, co-authored a report looking into the 2020 election. He says Jan. 6 protestors were duped. “All the evidence points in one direction,” he says. “And that is that President Biden won, and President Trump lost.”

Retired federal judge Thomas Griffith, a conservative, co-authored a report looking into the 2020 election. He says Jan. 6 protestors were duped. “All the evidence points in one direction,” he says. “And that is that President Biden won, and President Trump lost.” pic.twitter.com/7OZmGYcPgb

— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) September 15, 2024

Link to the Report: https://lostnotstolen.org 

ESTABLISHING PILOT EDUCATION TRUST ACCOUNTS FOR HOBOKEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (B-700)

On September 4, 2024, the Hoboken City Council approved an ordinance that allows a proportional allocation of payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) revenue (currently around $500,000) to the four public school entities: Hoboken Public Schools, HOLA Dual Language School, Elysian School, and Hoboken Charter School.

The amount allocated will be based on the proportion of total public school enrollment as of the October 14th enrollment date. October 14th is also the enrollment date used for the Application for State School Aid (ASSA).

Based on the ordinance, $250,000 will be allocated by each of two different PILOTS- specifically, the Monroe Center Hoboken Urban Renewal, LLC and the LCOR Hoboken Rail Station Development LLC. The amount will be increased by 2% each year (see details below).

This agreement took approximately 4 years to negotiate and finalize, indicating the difficulty and contention in eventually reaching this fairly straightforward proportional enrollment allocation. This centered on the Hoboken Board of Education's position that ALL PILOT money should be appropriated to their control.

This was a hot button issue in late 2020, with an effort by the city to disburse the 770 Jackson St. PILOT funds to the board of education, Hoboken Charter School, Elysian Charter School, and Hoboken Dual Language Charter School unsuccessful.

 

Based on the most recent ASSA report* (Chart 1), a rough estimate based on the framework in the ordinance shows that the Hoboken Public Schools will receive approximately $187,862 from each LLC for a total of $375,726 while the three charter schools will proportionally share the remaining $62,137 from each LLC for a total of $124,274. 

Chart 1: 2024-24 ASSA Report- NJDOE
CLICK TO ENLARGE

* 2588 students in the Hoboken Public School district and 856 students in Hoboken's three charter districts. 

REGULAR MEETING OF September 4, 2024

 B-700

6. ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HOBOKEN, IN THE COUNTY OF HUDSON, NEW JERSEY ESTABLISHING PILOT EDUCATION TRUST ACCOUNTS AND APPROVING THE CONTRIBUTION OF A PORTION OF THE ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGE PROVIDED TO THE CITY OF HOBOKEN PURSUANT TO THE FINANCIAL AGREEMENTS BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOBOKEN AND MONROE CENTER HOBOKEN URBAN RENEWAL, LLC AND BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOBOKEN AND OBSERVER HIGHWAY URBAN RENEWAL, LLC INTO THE CITY'S PILOT EDUCATION TRUST ACCOUNTS (COUNCIL MEMBER RAMOS, COUNCIL MEMBER JABBOUR)

Hoboken Pilot Agreement - 2024-09-04 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

Perth Amboy Succeeds Where the Hoboken Board of Education Failed- Bringing a State of the Art High School to Town at Minimal Economic Cost to Residents

Visitors got a sneak peek recently at a massive new high school in Middlesex County, one week before students will return to classes. The sprawling new Perth Amboy High School is the largest high school construction project ever funded by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, state officials said.

The school will enroll approximately 3,300 students, making it one of the largest high schools in New Jersey and larger than some of the state’s colleges.

It cost $283.8 million to build the three-story, 590,000-square-foot high school, state officials said. The state’s Schools Development Authority picked up 98.8% of the cost or $280.5 million with the district picking up the remaining 1.2% or $3.3 million of the construction.

Regular readers of this blog will remember the secretive and ultimately failed proposal for a new high school in Hoboken, NJ where the Board of Education wanted to build a high school completely at the city's own expense by floating a bond that ultimately would have cost the citizens somewhere in the neighborhood of $350,000,000. The public vote on the issue in Hoboken failed overwhelmingly. 

Photos: Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

  

Recently Approved Contract for Jersey City Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez

The following is the recent contract for the Superintendent of Schools for Jersey City, NJ, Dr. Norma Fernandez. Here is a link to the story on Hudson County View which is worth a read: https://hudsoncountyview.com/jersey-city-boe-approves-3-year-superintendents-contract-that-tops-out-at-341k/#google_vignette

Fernandez BOE Contract 8-26-24 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

Possible Deception and Certain Confusion: Emblem for Lighthouse blue ribbon Award Strikenly Similar to US Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award

The similarity between the emblem for the blue ribbon"Lighthouse" Award (left) and the US Department of Education emblem for being a "blue ribbon" school (right) is both deceptive and obvious. This speaks VERY poorly for the organization that is behind this award and of course the Hoboken School District using the bogus emblem with its HIGH similarity to the US Dept. of Education's emblem for the award. 

A district does not need to provide any funds to the US Department of Education when they are recognized as being a Blue Ribbon school whereas schools and districts do pay to be assessed by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence which is a non-profit 501c organization.  

This public relations effort by the Hoboken School District has been in the making since January of 2024 as reported by PATCH. 

Hoboken School District Awarded Recognition by the BRSE Organization- Parsing Blue Ribbon Recognition

There has been a fair amount of information recently about the Hoboken public school district being the only district in New Jersey to have received a special distinction, determined that all five of the schools have "met the criteria to receive the 2024 National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse Award,” which is recognition awarded by the BRSE organization. This achievement makes the Hoboken Public School District the first in New Jersey to have each school recognized as National Blue Ribbon Lighthouse Schools and to be named a 2024 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse District.

Just to clarify-this is not the same thing as the US Deptment of Education’s Blue Ribbon designation of the top 10% of schools. It’s an independent organization. This is an assessment schools pay for through a survey of who the school designates to include and an accompanying conference administrators can pay to go to ( you get to go for free depending on your assessment results) and then can be included in the company’s recognition. The name definitely causes some confusion-the founders captured the name during the brief time the Dept of Education took a hiatus from their invitation only program.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Basically, this is a paid assessment done through a survey of self-selected respondents and the administrator gets to go to Disney https://blueribbonschools.com/ vs. https://nationalblueribbonschools.ed.gov which is the United States Department of Education’s invitation only award program honoring high-performing schools. It could be misleading, given BRSE took that name. A close observation shows that BRSE's  own website states “*Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc., claims no affiliation, nor endorsement, by the United States Department of Education – Blue Ribbon Schools Program”.

Bart Teal, the 80-something founder of BRSE, used to run a training camp via Nova Southeastern University for school districts that wanted to up their chances of getting the original US Dept of Education Blue Ribbon designation. When the DoE dropped the BR program for a short while in the early 2000s, Teal picked it up and began using a version of the Blue Ribbon name. On its website, the DoE currently gives this warning: "Please be aware that the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon Schools program is not associated with the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Program, which is sponsored by a non-profit organization in South Carolina. Schools may be contacted by the South Carolina organization to participate in conferences and may be confused by the similar name."

On the DoE site, there are lists of current and previous holders of the Blue Ribbon title. The lists include all sorts of information about the winning schools. The BRSE, on the other hand, merely lists names of schools, like John F. Kennedy Elementary and West Elementary, not even the towns where they are located. Their "about us" is just a list of names, nothing clickable.

The similarity between the emblem for the "Lighthouse" Award (left) and the
US Department of Education emblem for being a "blue ribbon" school (right)
 is both deceptive and obvious

For $7900 you can participate in their school improvement and recognition program, where they will you survey your students (over 3rd grade reading), parents (they usually get 30%), admin and teachers & staff (the ones you CHOOSE!) via an online assessment. 

What possessed the Hoboken Board of Education and the superintendent to send tax money to this group???