Sunday, December 27, 2020

Top 10 Stories of 2020 Posted on the Hoboken Curriculum Project Blog


You would also probably not know that the Hoboken Middle School has fallen to the lowest 5% of all public schools in New Jersey as decided by the NJ Department of Education. Finally, the Hoboken Board of Education never would present or discuss the fact that a study by Stanford University shows that Hoboken District students completing Grades 3 to 8 are far below grade level comparison to similar school districts with similar demographics. 

The following are the ten most popular posts from the Hoboken Curriculum Project blog for 2020. I have posted the title, an active link to the post, and the day the article was first made available. This blog remains the only blog in Hoboken where information about the Hoboken Public Schools is documented, sourced, referenced, and made publicly available. Posts are also made on state, regional, and national issues. This blog is also used by some colleges and universities for course work. To date, there have been over 450,000 visits to this site. Thank you for your support.

Be safe and all the best for a healthy and prosperous 2021. -Dr. Petrosino 

First, we have two honorable mentions. These posts did not make the Top Ten but they were popular and generated much interest: 



Now for the Top Ten in reverse order...

10) What Is Going on At Wallace School? Chronic Low Scores and Serious Parental Concerns with Special Services (May 12, 2020) 

The school unfortunately operates within a school system that is self referential and not student centric. That becomes evident when problems arise with a student’s performance because of a learning disability. The school is unable and unwilling to provide student-centered solutions as is evidenced by the inability to simply and seemlessly build on previous years’ successes if they occur. Competence issues are never addressed properly and accountability is non existent especially among special education case managers. This has been a bad experience that has lead us to the decision to move outside the school district.

9) Hoboken Board of Education February 2020 Meeting- Change of Principal at Hoboken Middle School (February 16, 2020) 

The district quietly changed principals at Hoboken Middle School where it was pointed out that the school is *now* among the lowest 5% of all public school in New Jersey and lowest New Jersey Department of Education rated school in Hoboken

8) WALLACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Drops - Now Among the Lowest Performing Public Schools in Hoboken, Hudson County, and New Jersey on NJDOE Educational Quality Metrics- "requiring targeted support" (October 26, 2019) 

Wallace scores were once again among the lowest scores in the State of New Jersey (last year the NJDOE ranked the school in the 37th percentile-- this year the NJDOE ranked the school below the 27th percentile). 73% of New Jersey Public Schools do better than Wallace Elementary School on the NJDOE 0-100 scale score.  

7) 2019 Hoboken Board of Education Results (November 9, 2019) 

There were five candidates competing for three seats on the Hoboken Board of Education in 2019. Each term last for three years.
With 98 percent of the districts reported, it appears that - pending official certification - Sheillah Dallara, Alex De La Torre and Joyce Simons have emerged victorious.

6) This is What 1.39 Inches of Rain Does in Hoboken, NJ (July 22, 2020)

What happens in Hoboken when an inch of rain falls? Here are a number of pictures and videos posted to social media. 

5) Frigid Classrooms, Inaccurate Body Temperature Checks, Sleepless Nights and Sick Kids Coming to School- Comments by the Hoboken Teachers Association on December 8, 2020 for Plea to Go Remote (December 18, 2020) 

The thoughtful and impassioned address that the leader of the Hoboken Teachers Association gave to the Board of Education. Video and Transcript. 

4) Hoboken Board of Education Approves a 10% Tax Increase for 2020-21 (May 31, 2020) 

In the middle of the pandemic and extensive financial problems for the City, the Hoboken Board of Education unanimously approved a tax levy of $53,114,030 for the 2020-21 school year. This represented a 9.95% increase over the 2019-20 local levy of $48,306,832. Three months later the Board would claim they were being defunded....

3) Hoboken Board of Education Letter to the HOBOKEN CITY Council - October 29, 2020 (November 4, 2020) 

 Letter from the Hoboken Board of Education to the Hoboken City Council discussing recent PILOT situation. 

2) Hoboken Middle School Falls to Lowest 5% of All Public Schools in New Jersey - Lowest NJ Department of Education Rated School in Hoboken (November 7, 2019)

Numerous administrative turnover, inept district leadership, and failed instructional strategies have led to the Hoboken Middle School not only scoring the lowest in Hoboken but scoring among the lowest NJDOE rated schools in the State of New Jersey

1) Stanford Study Indicates Hoboken District Students Completing Grades 3 to 8 Are FAR BELOW Grade Level Compared to All Hudson County Public School Districts from Similar Socio-Economic Background (November 6, 2019)

An 8th grader educated in the traditional Hoboken Pubic Schools has acquired the education of a student in roughly March of the 6th Grade, 1.27 grade levels below the 8th grade level of students from similar socioeconomic strata.

Monday, December 21, 2020

Unbelievable Claims at the Hoboken Board of Education: $33,056 per Student, a 10% School Tax Increase During a Pandemic, and the Hoboken Board of Education Claims the City Council is "Defunding" the Hoboken Public Schools

CLICK TO ENLARGE
In October of 2020, on the heels of a 10% tax increase in the Public School Budget, the Hoboken Board of Education claimed that the Hoboken City Council was threatening to "defund" the Hoboken Public Schools by considering dispersing roughly $250,000 of PILOT payments to charter as well as traditional pubic schools in Hoboken. 

It is difficult to fully comprehend the absurdity of such a statement. Here is a national chart produced by NPR about school funding. 

At $33,056 per student, the Hoboken Public Schools are clearly an extreme outlier on a state and national level. 

To be clear, it was the members of the Hoboken Board of Education--- trustees of the State of New Jersey--- who made a claim of "defunding"-- a word popularized over the summer of 2020 during the very contentious "Defund the Police" protests. 

"The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is." Winston Churchill.

CLICK TO ENLARGE
National Public Radio Web Site  




Friday, December 18, 2020

Frigid Classrooms, Inaccurate Body Temperature Checks, Sleepless Nights and Sick Kids Coming to School- Comments by the Hoboken Teachers Association on December 8, 2020 for Plea to Go Remote

Hoboken Board of Education Meeting Dec 8, 2020

On December 8, 2020 the Hoboken Board of Education met for their regular monthly meeting. At this meeting, a number of representatives of the Hoboken Teacher's Association spoke during the public portion of the meeting to address the Board and voice their concerns about the current situation of instruction delivery. The following is a transcript of the thoughtful and impassioned address that the leader of the Association gave to the Board. The address is also available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsMx8moiPBo

Notes on the transcript: Anything inside parentheses are additions to either convey the flow of the conversation or assist the reader in understanding the subtext. Italics are used to represent communications teachers or staff made to the President of the Association. Bold is used for emphasis and at the discretion of the transcriber. 

Current COVID-19 Activity Level for New Jersey for 12/12/20: CLICK HERE


President of the Hoboken Teachers Association: Good Evening, I am (name withheld) and I am a teacher and the Hoboken Education Association president.  Over the course of the past few months you've heard me speak on behalf of my membership. From the beginning we have advocated for remote learning for the safety of all students and all personnel in the district.  I have used my words to communicate the fears and concerns and feelings of the membership. Tonight, I want you to hear the words of our members in the letters, emails and texts that they have shared with me (in order) to give them a voice other than my (own).

 

(The Hoboken Education President reads the following):   

 

(Communication #1): Let me preface this by saying so much is out of our control.  By the time you read this letter schools may already be on a full remote schedule but with temperatures dropping and infection rates rising and many other districts on remote until mid-January we felt the need to speak up.  We strongly advocate for Hoboken to follow suit and go all remote for the second quarter.  Staff, students, and families would have a bit of certainty in highly uncertain times. We all could plan for our classes, child care, and better negotiate this highly stressful period. The unknowing is weighing heavily on the teachers and students with incredible levels of anxiety. So many of our students are apathetic and lethargic in class. Teachers are covering classes and others are going on and off quarantine and those who have been lucky enough to be healthy are wondering “will I be next”? We are always waiting for the next email or phone call as to what the next day will be like. This has had a huge psychological and physical toll on the staff and it doesn't need to be this way.  Finally students and staff are wearing winter jackets in classrooms. We also have teachers putting hand warmers in their pockets and scarves around their necks. It is now to the point that we question whether our administration even cares about us or our students. Why are they keeping us on in-person classes when so much is telling us not to.  

 

(The Hoboken Education President continues): So I’m reading basically reading snippets of all the communications I have received.

 

(Communication #2): I'm sure you're receiving many emails right now about the issue of how cold it is in the classrooms but I feel teaching like this is not sustainable. I brought in a room thermometer my classroom has been 67 degrees for the past few days. I wore long underwear when I had a shawl over my sweater. I just hope that these issues are taken into consideration as the weather gets colder.  

 

(Communication #3): Hey-- do you know if we are expected to go back now that we are officially in the red zone

 

(The Hoboken Education President continues): 

 

So there was a miscommunication that we were in the red zone That Hudson County was so this kind of was disseminated around.

 

(Communication #4): To be honest I wasn't comfortable coming back into the building in September really and we were in much better shape (then). As a state of things are (now they are) way worse and this is scary.  

 

(Communication #5): Good morning (name withheld). I'm a little concerned about the (body) temperature checking. When I arrived this morning with another (teacher) I tested at 92 degrees. We were told that the thermometer only goes up to 98 degrees. I don't know how that works but we're clearly not getting an accurate reading. Additionally, a student was found to have a fever this morning and was still admitted into the building. She vomited all over the place. Thus proving that sick kids are still coming to school. What kind of checks and balances are in place for these procedures?

 

(Communication #6): I hope you're doing well. After another sleepless night, I feelcompelled to email you. Many staff members were bombarded with emails about roster changes and last-minute schedule changes. I was emailed a brand-new schedule where I am now teaching remotely half the day. On top of that, in order to accommodate all the families that have now chosen to go remote, our class sizes have increased. At this point the faculty of Hoboken Public Schools have given up enough of their time, sanity, and overall well-being for this job. We have earned the right to quarantine before the holidays if we so choose. At the very least, we should be remote during the short week (so that) we have time to get tested and not risk re-exposure between the test and the winter break.

 

(The Hoboken Education President continues in addressing the Board of Education):  

 

And those are just some snippets. And so the I guess you may question why am I reading them? Each time I have come up here (to the podium) I have spoken about what I knew to be the situation and how I felt based on what people were telling meThis is a real situation for these teachers.

 

I think risk might be outweighing the reward.  When the decision was made to return to school full-time and be only one of two school districts (with in person instruction) we pledged our support to do what was best for the children and to work with all of you (Hoboken Board of Education) to make that happen.  We have worked tirelessly to create a safe and welcoming and caring environment for our studentsYou know this (is so) not just because I'm saying so (but) because many parents have reached out to communicate this to you. We have worked hard to make sure the periods of remote (instruction) offered the same rigor and fidelity to the curriculum that our in-person instruction has.  

 

We are now at a crossroads. When the number of positive cases in Hoboken, HudsonCounty (and) in New Jersey continue to soar, we are at a dark orange level or Highaccording to Dr. Anthony Fauci - who I know many of you respect and follow. We haven't even hit the peak of Thanksgiving numbers and it is only going to get worse with the Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year holidays (approaching).  He (Fauci) said the entire impact of the holiday season won’t be fully felt until mid-January… and I quote (Dr. Fauci) “the middle of January could be a really dark time for us.”

 

It is time for us to make the decision to return to remote learning for a period until we know it is safe for everyone to return.  On behalf of the staff and on behalf of everybody-- I'm not just talking about the teachers… I'm certainly talking about the students. I'm talking aboutall the personnel. I really truly believe that the right decision would be for us to be on remote and well into January until we know that we have gone past the critical point. We love our students. We love being in class with them. I was happy to see them on Monday after remote but it is a difficult situation and there is something to be said about being at home and being safe and there is a very different dynamic when you're dealing with the children and you're interacting with them and they don't have their masks on and you don't have your mask on and you can have this sort of connection remote as it is and not have this fear. 

 

The situation in the classroom is not as you would think it is. Yes, we do the best we can and they (the students) do the best they can but separating the kids constantly and making sure that they are socially distanced and keeping the masks on…it's (just) not regular school. It really isn't and I know that that people think that that it's a better way of teaching but you have to recognize when the teachers are saying things we are not just saying it because we want to be home.  That's not the case. We're saying it because we know what is right for our students. You as parents know what is right for your children but we also know as educators (what is right for our students) and I really wish that you would takewhat I'm saying to heart and really listen.

 

(What I have shared tonight) is just a part of what I hear (regularly and) on a daily basis. So please really think very hard about what is happening with the coronavirus crisis over the next few weeks and really consider what is going to be best for all of us. Thank you





Wednesday, December 16, 2020

There's Too Much Risk...We are at Dangerous Levels...We Have Saved You from a Lot of Public Scrutiny and Criticism...Comments by the Hoboken Teachers Association Vice President on December 8, 2020 for a Plea to Go Remote

Hoboken Board of Education Meeting Dec 8, 2020

On December 8, 2020 the Hoboken Board of Education met for their regular monthly meeting. At this meeting, a number of representatives of the Hoboken Teacher's Association spoke during the public portion of the meeting to address the Board and voice their concerns about the current situation of instruction delivery. The following is a transcript of the thoughtful and impassioned address that the First Vice President of Association gave to the Board. The address is also available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsMx8moiPBo.


Notes on the transcript: Anything inside parentheses are additions to either convey the flow of the conversation or assist the reader in understanding the subtext. Bold is used for emphasis and at the discretion of the transcriber. 

Current COVID-19 Activity Level for New Jersey: CLICK HERE

Good evening, my name is (name withheld). I'm the first vice president of the Hoboken Education Association. I always love coming to speak in front of this board and usually I’m here for a more positive reason and a happy reason.

I came here tonight because as a duly elected officer of the HEA, I wanted to bring the concerns of our members to you. I could have come up here with letters and emails and texts like my colleaguesdid but I just thought I would share with you a couple of things. Anything this (Hoboken) Board ofEducation has asked this association to do since the summer (2020) we have done. We have shown up. We have done our jobs with enthusiasm and vigor and (with) masks and sometimes a lot of handsanitizer….and we have done it smiling. We've done our job vigorously and happily.

But I want to point out we are one of the only two districts in the county that are doing this and it's not because they (districts that have gone fully remote) failed where you guys have succeeded. It is because they (other Boards that have gone fully remote in Hudson County) understand that there's too much to risk. Something that this Board of Education has obviously not grasped.

There's too much at stake with the kid’s safety with the staff safety. We are at dangerous levels and levels are only getting higher. I came here tonight to tell you we do not have to wait until a code red situation (develops) to shut down the district and to go on remote. We had remote during the Thanksgiving break and it was very successful. It was VERY successful. I got to see a lot of kids that I hadn't seen because they were on remote and I got to see them on remote because we were there so it was great.  I actually had my whole class and a contingent in a remote setting. 

What I'm suggesting is you do not have to wait to go into a red situation to go on full remote. Other districts have done it. We should be applauded. We already have more in-person instruction than any district in the county and that's great but now with the holiday season approaching, I think the prudent thing to do would be go on full remote until we get through this second wave because it's only going to get worse.

This association has saved you guys from a lot of emails, a lot of phone calls, and a lot of angry teachers showing up to meetings. This (person), our president (name withheld) has saved you guys from a lot of public scrutiny and criticism. (Our HEA president) gets it every night from our members. I get it every night from our members…. but we didn't want to come here and make a spectacle. We didn't want to do that because that's not what this association does. We want to teach but we want to do it safely so we are asking this (Hoboken) Board of Education to please do the right thing

On that note…Happy holidays to you and your families and I hope you consider what we're saying because right now we're waiting for a holiday miracle. Thank you.

Sunday, December 13, 2020

Documenting Micro-Aggressions at the Hoboken Board of Education Public Meeting (Comments welcomed)

Full Video Below 
It is relatively easy saying you are in support of "Black Lives Matter." It is relatively easy being a proponent of a popular movement and a march in the middle of the summer when half the country is marching along with you. But how do people act and behave when they think not many people are watching....or when supporting "Black Lives Matter" is not necessarily the cause of the season. This post offers some insight. 

This video shows there is still a long way to go in terms of educating children of color and valuing the informed comments of an educated and articulate parent who challenges the status quo of a Board of Education. In this case, the meeting occurred in Hoboken, NJ at the monthly Hoboken Board of Education meeting. It is also interesting that a few members of the City Council were at the meeting but decided not to get involved. Such is the nature of systemic and institutional aspects of racism. It is not only perpetuated by those in power, it is also unthreatened by the silence of others. 

Some things have to be seen to be believed. Other things need to be read to fully understood. This post is a little of both. The following is a Board of Education Meeting held in Hoboken, NJ but first--- some things you may want to observe.

What to look for: 
    1) You will see the Board President Tom Klupfel call the next public speaker to the podium. 

    2) You will see Board President Tom Klupfel ask the African American woman for her address. 

    3) You will notice Board President Tom Klupfel did not ask the speaker before or a speaker afterwards of their address. 

    4) You will see the African American mother attempt to speak her truth in a public forum. Specifically how children of color are being neglected in the school district. 

    5) You will see her be told by Board President Tom Klupfel she has run out of time. 

    6) You will hear the treat that the police will be called

    7) You will NOT see a number of police officers come to take the woman away.

    8) The meeting will continue...Then you will see the Hoboken Teachers Union President get up to the podium and call the previous speaker(s) "clowns" who are seeking attention. I include a transcription of the President of the Hoboken Teacher's Union blog with the video. 

    9)  You will see various people called racists. The meeting will close with other racial accusations and defenses.

Remember the definition for a micro aggression. Specifically a micro aggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. A micro aggression is also an indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group.


Please watch for yourself and in the comments section, post how many micro aggressions you spot in this video clip.

                                   The Principle Participants 
Tom Klupfel- Hoboken Board of Education President 
Cortney Wicks- Hoboken Public School Mother 
Gary Enrico- Hoboken Teachers Association President 
Irene Sobalov- Hoboken Board of Education Member 




Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership. A microaggression is the casual degradation of any marginalized group. The term was coined by psychiatrist and Harvard University professor Chester M. Pierce in 1970 to describe insults and dismissals he regularly witnessed non-black Americans inflict on African Americans. Eventually, the term came to encompass the casual degradation of any socially marginalized group, such as the poor or the disabled. Psychologist Derald Wing Sue defines microaggressions as "brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to certain individuals because of their group membership".




8) Cortney Wicks- 2:07:37 (interrupts for municipality—) 2:08:01- 2:12:37 (Thank you-stops her)- 2:13:14
10 minute recess — cops called 

Gary Enrico 2:13:39 - no declaration of name or address 

I’ve known Irene Sobalov…for a long long time…alright…and…I would say state publicly that you are not a racist. I know it…I know it from working with you and as far as from the teachers point of view we are with the Board of Education. This is a show that they point on (slight hand wave). Its a big show because of the cameras (waves hand again pointing behind him) and they want to get on tv these people. So they’ll do anything possible to get on..alright..I’ve said it in the past, I’ve been a board member and I know how hard it is to sit up there and people telling lies…but…thats part of what these people do. And as far as the superintendent - I want you to know that the teachers are fully fully behind you and everything that you are offering the district. I know nights like this its tough cause we’ve talked numerous times when no one’s around…and we just…you know talk about things…so, I’m asking you to ride this out..alright…cause you got a lot…to offer this district Christine alight— and I don’t want you to be swayed by these people- they are all just looking for publicity—ahhh—because in some ways….(pause)…they’re racists. But I— I had a big thing planned for tonight but I didn’t didn’t I don’t want to get into it now because its late first of all and I want to stay positive on what we’re doing here as a district. I’m here forty..starting my forty-third year (pause) and the guy…(turns to face the audience) who—is he still here that guy? He had the sweater on…basically hit it — we had many superintendents but we (fiddles with the microphone) finally got one I think that believes in the district…and is committed to the district …and they’re trying to derail it. Alright— and I want you to know Christina you have a lot— our have our support and I know the Board is behind you 100%— this is a show…believe me its just a show (adjusts microphone). Alright…its the same circus different clowns and they’re going to go off one day and we’re going to forget about them . So—hopefully—you can understand what we’re are saying as teachers (waves arm) I know I speak on behalf of my Vice President here and its (shakes head) just a show. Alright…so..Irene (gives thumbs up signal)….(pause)…all I can say is you’re not a racist . No matter what they say up here…its..its just a joke really and they’re a joke—but…enjoy the rest of the evening and…see you next time. 
2:16:17 

Next Speaker— 

2:16:44 Linda Pizarro— gives address but not municipality 

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A THOUGHTFUL COMMENT 

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Hoboken City Council and Hoboken Board of Education Exchange Letters on PILOT Funding

The following is an exchange between the Hoboken Board of Education and the City of Hoboken in regards to PILOT funding allocation for the public education of the children in Hoboken. This has been a highly debated discussion in Hoboken for the past number of weeks raising many issues of school funding, taxes, and allocation of resources. These official documents capture many of the issues and the tensions involved. 

Additional reporting on this issue can be found by John Heinis at Hudson County ViewMarilyn Baer at the Hudson Reporter and Chris Halleron at TAPintoHoboken


Aloia Reply to the HBOE Dec 2020 by Tony Petrosino on Scribd



Hoboken Board of Education Letter to City About PILOT Payments by Tony Petrosino on Scribd



Monday, December 7, 2020

Remembering Pearl Harbor - December 7, 2020

For over sixty years, the Veterans of Hoboken have placed a wreath in the Hudson River in memory of the attack at Pearl Harbor, which occurred on December 7, 1941.

On Monday, December 7, 2020 at 07:45 the tradition continued at the WWII Memorial in Hoboken (Sinatra Drive & 4th Street). 









Picture: 
@jerrylore

Picture: 
@jerrylore

Picture: 
@jerrylore

Picture: 
@jerrylore










Thursday, December 3, 2020

Hoboken Public Schools Require Students to be Tested Before Returning Monday

Photo 
@GaryHershorn

















HOBOKEN, NJ - As reported by Hoboken Tap In.... Any students seeking to resume onsite learning at Hoboken Public Schools will need to be tested for COVID-19 this weekend.

According to a letter sent to district parents Monday night, students seeking to be enrolled for the period between December 7-23 must be tested no earlier than this coming weekend to ensure they are not carrying the virus.

Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson stated, "all families that select onsite learning from Monday, December 7th through Wednesday, December 23rd must produce a negative COVID-19 test result for their child from a test taken between Friday, December 4th and Sunday, December 6th."

The Hoboken Public Schools have gone as far as to establish a partnership with Riverside Medical Group to provide Rapid Testing, "at no out-of-pocket cost to all K-12 students of the Hoboken Public School District," at their testing center located at 351 16th Street—provided those students submit to testing at prescribed times:

Friday, December 4th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Hoboken Middle and High School students (Gr. 6-12)

Saturday, December 5th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wallace School students (Preschool Disabilities & Gr. K - 5)

Sunday, December 6th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Brandt School students (Gr. K - 5)

Sunday, December 6th from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for Connors School students (Gr. K - 5)

Parents are asked to make their decision on onsite learning for the remainder of 2020 known to the Hoboken Public School District no later than Thursday, December 3.