Columbus Day- 2020

Columbus was celebrated in America long before the first Italian immigrants arrived. The US wanted to distance itself from its British colonialization past. Therefore the Columbus "discovery" story was aligning our history with Spain (Isabella). That's why we have the District of Columbia, 2 state capitals named after Columbus and the great Columbia River in the northwest. Columbus and his legacy was embraced by early America because of a conscious and deliberate decision to establish a non-colonial, non British historical founding identity. 

What was made up from an early period was the "Columbus Discovered America" myth- and for reasons I explained above. The fact that the narrative was also embraced by grade school teachers for generations is unfortunate. Columbus was also identified throughout western culture with what became known as the "Columbian exchange" (also known as the Columbian interchange) named after Christopher Columbus, was the widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases, and ideas between the Americas, West Africa, and the Old World in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Read more about Columbus statue in Jersey City's Journal Square. CLICK HERE 

Columbus Day Celebration 2020 
Columbus Park, Hoboken, NJ 

"Landing of Columbus"- J. Vanderlyn

American neoclassicist painter John Vanderlyn (1775–1852) was commissioned by Congress in June 1836 to paint the Landing of Columbus for the US Capitol Rotunda. He worked on this canvas at his studio in Paris with the help of assistants.

Breaking- Elysian Charter School to Suspend In-Person Learning Amid COVID Concerns

Elysian Charter School

HOBOKEN, NJ - According to TAPinto Hoboken The Elysian Charter School will be suspending in-person learning for an extended period of time after cases of COVID-19 have reportedly popped up in classes.

Elysian Charter School will be going all-virtual, for what might be as long as the next 14 calendar days, as they respond to an unconfirmed amount of cases impacting their greater school community.

According to TAPinto Hoboken -- they have "attempted to contact Elysian Charter School via email for further clarification, and will update this story if and when they provide any information on the cases and their tentative plan for the future." 

Going off Script: "Following Orders"

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Every now and then I go off script with this blog. For a number of reasons, today is one of those days. -Dr. Petrosino 

This picture always struck me, because unlike so many photos of the time, it's so relaxed and unposed - just a bunch of coworkers, having fun. But this is a resort called Solahütte. It was built for these people, and it was 18 miles from where they worked, a place called Auschwitz. It was built to give them a break from their very important work. 

These smiling, happy people were on their day off from putting Jews in ovens.
A lot of times people will say they look at the faces in photos like these and try to understand. But I don't need to try. I understand these people thoroughly. Those two on the left in the front? They were besties, party girls, just waiting for the war to be over so they could get down to the business of finding husbands and enjoying their twenties. Blonde boy behind them? A bit awkward but always up for a laugh. The guy with the accordion learned it from his grandpa, but never had any intentions of playing professionally - it was good for parties, though.

They had their fun out there in the woods - it's good sometimes to get away and just leave your worries behind, isn't it? - and then they got back in their cars and they rode back to the camp and they got on with the business of genocide. The party girls, they were in charge of noting down every possession they took from the incoming as they went through processing. Blondie? He told the children, sternly but not unkindly, how important hygiene was, as he led them to the showers. Herr Accordion? A laboratory assistant to Doktor Mengele, absolutely marvelous at keeping the equipment clean and organized - that was his real skill, not just laying down a rousing chorus of "Horst Wessel" when the beer was flowing, and he was much valued for it, and the fact that he always remembered your birthday and asked about your family. That's important when you're stationed far away from them, isn't it? To have someone who reminds you of normal life, just waiting on the other end of the Allied surrender.

Of course. That's exactly who they were. And absolutely none of it negates the fact that the nice people in this photo were fucking monsters, many of whom ended their war at the end of a rope or in front of a firing squad. And you know what? I bet they did it crying, begging, screaming that it wasn't fair, that they had a job to do, that's all, they were given a job and they were expected to do it, and what would you have done in their place?

That, right there, is the most important question you have to ask yourself. It's one I've pondered my entire life. And I know my answer: I would never allow myself to be put in the position of finding out. I'd rather run or die. The lesson I learned from these people was to never put myself in a position where I was required to do evil in the name of following orders. And I have very little sympathy for those who choose otherwise.

There are not good people on both sides. There are party girls and weekend polka players everywhere, people who are kind to their children and bake extra cookies for their neighbors, but some people choose to be the instruments of horror and others do not, and history is rightfully merciless to the former.

So when you tell me that some of the people in America espousing the same madness that these people in this picture committed atrocities for are really not that bad if you get to know them, that there are good people on both sides, I don't believe you.
Because I do know them. And I do not care. -JZ Ellis 

Voting in Hoboken? Here is Information on Where, When, and How

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For residents who wish to vote in-person on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3 between 6 am and 8 pm), a total of 9 polling sites will now be open to vote on provisional (paper) ballots. To find your polling location, see the attached map.

Vote By Mail ballots can be submitted before Election Day at the designed Hoboken ballot box next to City Hall (Newark St btw Washington St and Bloomfield St) which is collected by the Board of Elections each day, or placed in the mail (no postage necessary).

All active, registered voters in Hoboken should have received their VBM in the mail. For residents who are registered but have not received their VBM please call the Hudson County Clerk’s office at 201-369-3470 x6 between 8:30am & 4:30pm Mon - Fri or email hrosario@hcnj.us.

Dr. Petrosino Takes Part in International Conference: STEM City Global Summit.

On Tuesday, September 29, SAMSAT will be the lead host for the STEM City Global Summit. The summit is based on the book STEM in the Technopolis: The Power of STEM Education in Regional Technology Policy. The books's development was led by SAMSAT Chief Learning Officer Dr. Cliff Zintgraff. The summit will cover principles of partnerships between K-12, academic, industry, government, and non-profits, and features cases from the U.S., México, Colombia, Brazil, Portugal and Qatar.

I contributed a chapter for the book and was asked to take part in this International conference-- it was a great honor.

Mission: Deliver a series of half-day online summits about STEM education in the context of city and regional priorities, from locations around the world.  The summits will feature cross-sector collaborations between K-12, academia, industry, governments, and non-profits, with strong inclusion of K-12 education.  We’ll focus on the principles and on cases that exhibit great STEMeducation experiences for students, families and communities, and on how the programs receive and give benefits to the cities and regions where they live.

• NOTE: The Summit Team is intentionally designed to encourage participation at whatever level makes sense for your situation.  Whether large or limited, your participation is encouraged and welcomed.

Hoboken School District Spending Nearly $30,000 per Student Increases Budget by 9.95% - Students in Grades 3 to 8 are 1.27 Years Behind Socioeconomic Peers

Niche.com reports the per pupil cost in the Hoboken School District to be nearly $30,000 per student ($29,672). Evidently, this is not enough money per student as the Hoboken Board of Education recently increased their budget for 2020-21 by 9.95% in the middle of a nationwide pandemic. 

Niche is the best place to research U.S. colleges, high schools, grammar schools, neighborhoods, and companies. Every month millions of people use their easy-to-read and comprehensive report cards, rankings, and reviews to choose the right schools or neighborhoods for them. 

Hopefully, this tax hike will be well spend as the Hoboken School District attempts to dig itself out from being among the lowest performing districts in the country. 

A recent study by researchers at Stanford University shows Hoboken students in Grade 3 to Grade 8 are now 1.27 grade levels below students from similar socioeconomic backgrounds. 

Niche does rigorous cleaning and analysis on large data sets, and combines them with feedback from our community for nuanced insight that can't be found anywhere else. Niche is an objective, third party source for unbiased data about schools around the country. 

Rest in Peace- Terry Cappiello La Bruno

Heartbroken over the loss of Terry LaBruno..she was a friend, neighbor, and educator. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband Joe, their three daughters, and all the people she touched during her life. Hoboken has lost a beautiful person. Please click here for more information about Terry.

Happy Anniversary!!! 48 Years Together and Met at Hoboken HS

Taken from Social Media....Great Memories...This is Where we Met..HHS..1968....I Graduated in 1970..My Wife in 1972....We’ve been Married For 48 yrs... Happy Anniversary!!!

Petrosino Named as National Reviewer for Prestigious PAEMST Award 2021

I am happy and Honored to be selected as one of the national reviewers for this prestigious award. 

The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors bestowed by the United States government specifically for K-12 science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teaching. The Awards were established by Congress in 1983. The President may recognize up to 108 exemplary teachers each year.

Awards are given to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).

The award recognizes those teachers have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program's inception, more than 5,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Awards are given to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science teachers from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. territories as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands).

The award recognizes those teachers have both deep content knowledge of the subjects they teach and the ability to motivate and enable students to be successful in those areas. Since the program's inception, more than 5,000 teachers have been recognized for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession.

Awardees reflect the expertise and dedication of the Nation's teaching corps, and they demonstrate the positive impact of excellent teachers on student achievement. The National Science Foundation administers PAEMST on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Hoboken Schools Make Final Announcements Before Monday Reopening- By Caren Lissner, Patch Staff

1946-1947

May Pole Celebration at Columbus Park

HOBKEN,NJ

HOBOKEN, NJ — While some school districts in the tri-state area planned to open this week — and then made last-minute decisions to go fully remote or had to notify parents and teachers that a student was exposed to coronavirus on the first day of school — Hoboken's public schools took extra time to reopen this fall. Class will start virtually this Monday, and the following week will begin on-site education for those who chose it, five days per week.

The first week has been reserved for students to get to know their teachers and new technology.

Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson said in a newsletter Thursday, "At last night's Board of Education Meeting, members approved my request to purchase 250 HEPA filter units for our classrooms. I anticipate the arrival of these units during the week of September 21st. In the meantime, our Heating and Cooling service providers have already been to each of our schools to ensure that all vents, fresh air systems, unit ventilators and air handlers are working and have new filters."

The local Hoboken Education Foundation raised money to order Chromebooks for all students in third grade and up.

More than 200 districts that went all-remote because they couldn't meet coronavirus health precautions in time, including keeping students six feet apart. Hoboken has been able to offer full-day on-site education, with the superintendent saying the district is trying to keep classrooms to ten students. About half of the families who responded to a survey said they wanted on-site education, and half remotely.

In New Jersey, 388 districts are opening with hybrid plans where students can attend part of the day, 238 are all remote, and only 60 are offering full-time in person.

While most children who test positive for coronavirus will recover from it, they can spread it to others. Some have lost a parent, both parents, teachers, or siblings.

Coronavirus and Hoboken kids
Hoboken has suffered 31 fatalities from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic. The last fatality was in May. Hoboken's total of Covid-19 cases as of the end of August was 718 known, confirmed cases. On Thursday, Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in an update that the current case count was 729.

See a recent update here.

Here are statistics on Hoboken residents under 16 testing positive for the virus.

Hoboken Public Schools Board and Leadership Promise 296 Additional Students for 2020-21- Justifying 10% Tax Increase During Pandemic and Economic Crisis

Observer Highway, Hoboken, NJ (circa 1940's)

As most regular readers of this blog know, the Hoboken Board and Education and Superintendent's Office recently increased the local municipal tax for the Hoboken Public Schools by 9.95% in the middle of a pandemic and economic crisis. This hike in local taxes was explained by "skyrocketing" enrollment in the Hoboken Public Schools. A fair amount of data disagrees with this statement. For instance, using the official "October 15th" report or the ASSA Report which officially documents district enrollment, we see not much different in the Hoboken School District enrollment over the last decade (2010-11 and 2020-21). In fact, when we look at the data we see drops in enrollment between 2010-11 and 2020-21 in Grades 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. 

The 9.95% increase appears to be primarily justified by an anticipated increase in enrollment of 296 students. “We are talking about adding an additional school on the basis of enrollment numbers,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson, noting that as a result the district has to add additional sections of classes in a May, 2020 Hoboken Reporter article. 

A recent Gallup poll indicated traditional public school enrollment plummeting across the United States as parents seek alternatives such as charter schools, private schools, parochial schools, and home schooling as alternatives. It will be interesting to see how Hoboken transcends that national trend. 

Results of 2020-11 and 2020-21 Hoboken ASSA Reports

Joseph "Joe Pet" Petrosino '70 - Red Wing Hall of Fame Member

Joseph Petrosino '70
Demarest/Hoboken High School Hall of Fame

Joseph Petrosino '70 also known as "Joe Pet" wore #66 for the Hoboken Red Wings from his freshman season of 1966 to his 1969 County Championship campaign. Petrosino was 5'9" and played at 180lbs. As was common during this period, he played both ways and distinguished himself as both an exceptional pulling guard on offense and a fierce, competitive, middle linebacker and leader on defense. 

As former Hoboken High coach Joe Stinson has observed, "Often in football and especially on the High school level, there is no way to quantify the contributions of lineman. Their worth to any successful football team is golden. Their reward often only buried in their soul." Commenting about Joe, Coach Stinson observed, "Joe Petrosino...it's been so long and the game was vastly different at that time. But Joe's Intensity, toughness, ability and sacrifice are legendary. He along with Michael "egor" Peluso are names that immediately come up in the discussion about great Hoboken linemen. I would proudly nominate both for immediate induction." Coach Al Straten echoes much of Coach Stinson's observations about Petrosino, " I did see Joe Petrosino play for 3 years and he played both ways at a very high level of play. In his three years Hoboken probably won 20 -23 games. Linemen are unsung heroes. He was one of Hoboken's best." 

Middle linebackers are often considered leaders of their defensive units and the unit that Petrosino helped lead during his senior year is legendary. That year, Hoboken High, led by a potent offense, went 8-1 and won the 1969 Hudson County Championship. The offense was lead of course by Ricky Addeo, Jimmy Foster and other great Hoboken players. What is often forgotten about that team however is the incredible defense, which complemented the offense. The '69 Red Wing defense gave up only 52 points all season (5.8 pts per game) and recorded 4 shutouts- giving up only 6 points in the last 12 quarters of play that season and ending in a 30-0 route of then rival Memorial High School. 

Joe Pet was also a very accomplished offensive lineman. Known especially for his strength and agility, he was a key component of a strong Red Wing running game, which complemented its potent passing attack. Joe Pet was an exceptional pulling guard as the team ran some classic Lombardi era offensive sweeps with Joe leading the way around the corner. 

Statistics were not kept for linemen during Petrosino's era. But some observations by his teammates and colleagues may be worth mentioning. Guy Federico '68 says of Joe, "I played with and against Joe Petrosino from childhood thru high school and beyond and if you ask me to name a more multi talented and tougher two way lineman, linebacker, and blocking back, I could not provide you with a name. In my opinion, Joe Pet beings in the Hall of Fame." Finally, one of Joe's best friends and teammates and a Hall of Fame member of Hoboken High; Hudson County; and New England College Hall of Fame Jimmy Foster has said this about Joe- "Joe Petrosino as a High School football teammate was a hell of a ball player and there was no one better at his position. As a matter of fact during our senior year I went in to punt on 4th down and I decided to run without the approval from coach Ascolese. Well I didn't make and it was North Bergen's ball on the 20-yard line and my ass was grass. The very next play North Bergen hands off the ball off to their running back (which happen to be JOE PET'S Cousin Robert Petrosino) and Joe pounds him and forces a fumble. We received the ball and went on to win the game (20-13). Joe has my vote for the Hoboken Hall Fame for sure.

Joseph Petrosino's selection to the Demarest/Hoboken High Hall of Fame will hopefully accomplish two important things as the hall goes forward. First, it will bring to light the accomplishments of this individual who was a quiet leader during the great Red Wing teams of the late 1960's and bring him the recognition he deserves. But perhaps more importantly, Joe's nomination will also open up for consideration other unsung and unrecognized linemen who’s worth and value and importance to a team has previously been inadvertently overlooked.