Hoboken's HoLa Dual Language School Exceeds at Brown University's Science Olympiad Invitational AND is Recognized by the New Jersey School Board Association with a School Leader Award for 2023; Hoboken District Schools Continue to Flounder Under Johnson

Congratulations to these middle schoolers from the Hola Dual Language School in Hoboken, NJ. These students brought home 13 medals including several top-three finishes at the Brown University Science Olympiad Invitational.

Earlier this week, Hola was recognized by the New Jersey School Board Association with a School Leader Award for 2023. The award is formal recognition for HoLa as a leader in dual-language programs in New Jersey. 

HoLa continues to enjoy diverse and independent recognition for school success. Unfortunately, it is too bad the rest of the Hoboken Public School district is rather disappointing. As an example, some might remember recent revelations that Superintendent Johnson professionally and personally misrepresented herself about having a doctorate for well over a decade. Others might recall a recent US News and World Report showing that over half of the high school students are reading below grade level; only 8% of all students were proficient in Algebra; and 1% of students were found to be proficient in Science.

 

The Mathematics of a Resiliency Park- Does Holding 400,000 Gallons of Water Impact the Flooding Impact of 17,400,000 Gallons of Water?

Real world application of mathematics and science are consistent with national STEM reform efforts. Such skills also are consistent with better informed citizens who are often asked to participate in critical infrastructure efforts. 

One current example involves the chronic flooding in Hoboken, NJ. Some will recall, Hoboken was severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy and still floods often and regularly. 

The city has implemented a number of efforts over the year (water gardens for example). One effort is the notion of a resiliency park where rainwater would be retained in large underground containers during heavy rain events. Will these efforts be effective? One way to look at this question is via mathematics and science rather than by public relation campaigns. 

Here is how a middle to high school problem may be posed centering around a problem which attempts to mitigate flooding. 

Question: A new park in a city will include underground infrastructure to withhold 400,000+ gallons of rain to reduce flooding. If the town is one square mile, how significant is this infrastructure in reducing the chance of flooding?

Note: The amount of rain considered to be capable of flooding is roughly in an hour can vary depending on the location and the type of precipitation. However, generally, rainfall rates of 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) or more per hour are considered heavy or intense, and may cause flash flooding and other hazards

Mathematical Calculation: A rainfall of 1 inch over square mile is equal to 17,400,000 gallons of water. A resiliency park capable of holding 400,000 gallons of water would represent 2.29% of the rainfall that falls during a 1 inch rainfall

Answer: Please assess the relative effectiveness of this resiliency park. 

Additional Information: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hoboken/sections/green/articles/have-your-say-hoboken-residents-invited-to-take-800-monroe-resiliency-park-survey

https://patch.com/new-jersey/hoboken/no-pool-you-can-still-choose-plan-800-monroe-st-hoboken

Presinzano wins Hoboken 1st Ward Council Seat

Paul Presinzano is now the councilman-elect in Hoboken’s 1st Ward, winning the first runoff in the Mile Square City since 2009 by an unofficial tally of 692 to 529.

John Hines of Hudson County View reports: (full article) 

This was the first runoff election since Peter Cammarano defeated Dawn Zimmer for the mayor’s seat in 2009. Thanks to Operation Bid Rig, Zimmer would become the acting mayor about a month later when Cammarano was arrested on corruption charges.

Presinzano lost decisively in the 2021 council-at-large races where he ran on a slate without a mayoral candidate, however, he remained involved on the political scene ever since and announced a 1st Ward council run in January.

He took the fight to Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the administration on countless occasions, eventually drawing an opponent in Rafi Cordova – the chair of the rent leveling and stabilization board.

Cordova announced on May 18th with the support of Bhalla and former 1st Ward Councilwoman Theresa Castellano, who lost to current local representative Mike DeFusco in 2015.

DeFusco announced he wasn’t seeking re-election on May 2nd, prompting Cordova to jump in the race shortly thereafter.

While Presinzano fell just short of 50 percent plus one on November 7th, a contest that also included former Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini – who came in a distant third – he managed to come out on top again this evening

Cordova received 10 less votes in the runoff than he received in November, 2023. 

Council Runoff Results

Here are the unofficial results as of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, as reported by the county of Hudson. 

• Paul Presinzano: 692
• Rafi Cordova: 529
• TOTAL: 1,221

6,264 people are listed on the registered voter rolls in the 1st Ward.

For comparison, these were the official results from the three-way race last month: