COVID-19 Rapid Testing Now Available to All Residents of Hoboken + May 8 Update + Jefferson St Closure to Vehicle Traffic Pilot

As a reminder, COVID-19 testing via Riverside Medical is available for Hoboken residents & frontline workers. Symptoms not needed for testing.

If you need a COVID-19 test, all residents – both with and without symptoms – can receive one at Riverside’s testing site and receive a result in 15 minutes thanks to Dr. Brahmbhatt and his staff. Please be sure to call the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) hotline at 201-420-5621 through City Hall for this test (Monday through Saturday, 9 am until 5 pm). Please Do Not Call Riverside Medical Group directly. This is a common mistake that is causing some confusion.

Hoboken COVID-19 Update for May 8, 2020: CLICK HERE

STAY SAFE 

Jefferson Street in @CityofHoboken is now open to people! Love seeing all the dogs, bikes, scooters, and people young and old getting much needed fresh air. Thank you @RaviBhalla @KenFerrante @HobokenPD for creating safe outdoor space for #Hoboken residents! #Covid19Streets pic.twitter.com/Sb6XrH2cgE

— Give Us Space to Walk/Run/Bike Hoboken (@BikeHoboken) May 9, 2020

Amid Sheltering in Place- A Glimpse of the Hudson River as Nature Preserve Emerges Temporarily....

Birds over the Hudson River Sunday afternoon in New York City #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc @EmpireStateBldg #hoboken @_WTCOfficial @agreatbigcity pic.twitter.com/yxzCtFK7QD

— Gary Hershorn (@GaryHershorn) May 10, 2020

Gary Hershorn

@GaryHershorn

I have been saying for weeks hanging out by the Hudson River is like being in a nature preserve. So beautiful to see and hear the birds, ducks and geese rather than boats, helicopters and airplanes.

Hoboken Public Schools to Remain Closed for the Rest of the Academic Year

Breaking: Governor Murphy officially announces all NJ schools will remain in online/remote format for the rest of the academic year. Buildings will remain closed. 

Hoboken Board of Education Meeting April 7, 2020: Six Separate Subcommittee Meetings for Business Administration, Curriculum, Facilities, Finance, Governance, and Wellness Take a Total of 108 Seconds to Report to the Public

On April 7, the Hoboken Board of Education held its monthly meeting (see full agenda as well as video of meeting below). What is very noticeable about this meeting is the extreme brevity, lack of any detail, and almost lock step verbatim manner in which committee chairs reported about their subcommittee meetings on a wide-ranging series of district issues such as Business Administration, Curriculum, Facilities, Finance, Governance, and Wellness. In fact, the entire "reporting" of these 6 subcommittees took a total of less than 120 seconds (!) 

In a time of pandemic- nothing about wellness to report to the public? In a time of 100% home schooling, no update on curriculum to share with the public? In a time of COVID-19 no update on facilities? Subcommittees do much more than simply propose items for the Board to approve. Yet, it seems EACH subcommittee now seems to feel this is the ONLY thing that needs to be reported publicly. At a time when it is difficult for the public to attend subcommittee meetings, this in unfortunate. 

This post includes the actual transcription of the "reports" that were given at the April 7, 2020 Board of Education meeting. Read them for yourselves. Watch the video for yourself.  

The Board allowed the first 13-14 minutes of the meeting to be the typical "good news" and celebration of student achievement. That is wonderful. But then the Board elects to spend less than 120 seconds (108 seconds actually) updating the parents, students, taxpayers, and greater community on subcommittee issues for Business Administration, Curriculum, Facilities, Finance, Governance, and Wellness? 

It is disappointing and responsibility for this recent lock step legal but non communicative subcommittee reporting falls on the shoulders of Board President Angley, Board Vice President Kluepfel and compliant Board members. They can, and should, be doing better during this time. 



April 7, 2020- Link to Video 

Business Administrators Report (time stamp 13:25)

 No report (inaudible) 

Board Trustee McGuirk

Curriculum Committee (13:35)

Board Trustee McGuirk (amcquirk@hoboken.k12.nj.us): Good evening the curriculum committee met on Wednesday April 1st. In attendance was Superintendent Dr. Johnson, Assistant Superintendent Ms Rodriguez Gomez, Ms. Angley, Ms. Cademartori, Ms. Khanna and myself. There are no agenda items requiring approval this month and the committee discussed the remote learning plans. Thank you 

Board Trustee Cademartori

Facilities Committee (14:01)

Board Trustee Cademartori (mcademartori@hoboken.k12.nj.us): Thank you. The facilities Committee met on Wednesday April 1st in attendance were Dr. Johnson Mr. Callihy , Ms. McGuirk, Miss Simons and myself.  There was only discussed a few things in one agenda item which the committee recommends for approval. 

Board Trustee Khanna

Finance Committee (14:25)

Board Trustee Khanna (ckhanna@hoboken.k12.nj.us): Yes, The Finance Committee met on Thursday April 2nd at 4 p.m. in attendance from Miss Good,  Dr. Johnson, Miss Angley, Miss. Kurien (?),  Ms. Delatoura and myself. The committee reviewed and discussed all agenda items and recommends for board approval. Thank you 

Board Trustee De La Torre

Governance Committee (14:51)

Board Trustee De La Torre (adelatorre@hoboken.k12.nj.us): Hi everyone, the committee met on Thursday April 2nd in attendance where Dr. Johnson, Ms. Dallara, Ms. Tekirian, and Mr. Kluepfel and myself. the committee recommends all agenda items for approval. 

Board Trustee Dallara 

Wellness Committee (15:12)

Board Trustee Dallara (sdallare@hoboken.k12.nj.us): The committee met on April 1st in attendance where Miss Kanna, Miss Angly, Miss Simons, Dr. Johnson and myself. There are no items on the agenda for approval and that concludes my report. 

Hoboken Board of Education ... by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

April 29th Update: 2nd Water Main Break, Parks Remain Closed and Testing of Senior Citizens

Thunderbirds and Blue Angels Fly Over NYC
April 28m 2020 Photo: @Casey2Cook
CLICK TO ENLARGE 

Today we would like to recognize the work of Hoboken resident and local business owner, Kim Gerlach. Kim and her team launched the Front Steps Project of Hoboken to both document this moment in time for families while raising money for the Hoboken Food Pantry. Please check out their beautiful pictures and consider donating to the worthy causes they are supporting:

The Front Steps Project: https://www.thefrontstepsprojecthoboken.com
Hoboken Food Pantry (part of the Hoboken Community Center) visit https://www.hobokencc.org/. 

Parks to Remain Closed: Joint Statement from Hudson County Mayors: 

As Mayors in the most densely populated county in the country with over 14,000 COVID-19 infections, we strongly believe that leaving all municipal parks closed in our respective cities is in the best interest of public health. While we are planning for the eventual re-opening of our parks and know how important they are to our residents, we remain concerned about the potential overcrowding and enforcement of social distancing. Out of an abundance of caution, we made the collective decision to keep our municipal parks closed until further notice. We thank Governor Murphy for working with us to allow each city to make these respective decisions and look forward to collaborating with County Executive Tom DeGise and our Freeholders to make final decisions on County parks by the end of the week.”

Hoboken had a second water main break in the area in the past 24 hours, this time at 11th and Madison Streets. Hoboken's Office of Emergency Management and crews from SUEZ are on scene conducting repairs that will likely last throughout the night. A boil water advisory remains in effect due to yesterday’s water main break in Jersey City.

Just in case you had a false sense that life was suddenly improving in some way, here's another water main break, this time in #Hoboken pic.twitter.com/QeBpCUmyqw

— John Heinis (@HeinisHardNews) April 29, 2020

Update: April 29, 2020

STAY SAFE 

Awesome work to HoLa Charter School parent/superhero Christine Herman and Dr. Islam and his staff for providing testing to Hoboken's senior citizens
CLICK TO ENLARGE

Looks like another significant water main break in Hoboken.
This time next to one of the few businesses still open, ShopRite.
11th and Madison. pic.twitter.com/fUQ6c79Zrt

— Scott Fallon (@NewsFallon) April 29, 2020

"I Got the Rhythm” read by Hoboken Policer Officer Fesken- April 27 Hoboken COVID-19 Update

The Hoboken Police Department has been regularly posting on social media segments of officers reading books for children. For those home schooling parents- here is a book that is ideal for children between the ages of 2 to 6 years old. Today's Storytime with the Hoboken Police Department episode # 6 Police Officer Anthony Fesken as he reads "I Got the Rhythm” By Connie Schofield-Morrison. 

Further in this post I include a review of the book for parents or curriculum developers as well as another video of the book.

Official Hoboken Update for April 27, 2020

STAY SAFE

I Got the Rhythm

Connie Schofield-Morrison, illus. by Frank Morrison. Bloomsbury, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-61963-178-6

Review: These husband-wife collaborators present a book that reflects the joy and delight of an African-American girl who’s energized by the sounds, sights, and smells around her. Accompanied by her mother and eventually joined by friends, she bops through a city park—puffy pigtails bouncing and a wide grin on her face—as she uses her whole body to respond to and interpret the rhythm she detects around her. The driving beat of debut author Schofield-Morrison’s narrative is likely to have readers bouncing and tapping right along with her: “I shook a rhythm with my hips. SHAKE SHAKE. I felt the rhythm with my knees. KNOCK KNOCK.” Morrison’s (Stars in the Shadows) full-bleed oil paintings make the most of the story’s more boisterous moments. His lithe caricatures showcase rubbery limbs, chipmunk cheeks, and arching bodies as the girl breakdances in front of an admiring crowd (“I popped and locked./ I hipped and hopped”) and a spontaneous line dance erupts amid a diverse group of children. An upbeat celebration of the senses, self-expression, and camaraderie. Ages 2–6. 

Hoboken Pandemic: April 24, 2020 Update -Società Madonna Dei Martiri

A special thanks to Società Madonna Dei Martiri for donating $2,000 for the hardworking first responders at the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps. The EMS volunteers are working tirelessly to keep our city safe. If you would like to donate to the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps too, please click on THIS LINK

COVID-19 HOBOKEN UPDATE: Friday April 24th, 2020

STAY SAFE 

Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corps- April 2020 

Hoboken School District's Music Program Among 754 Awardees for Music Education

Hoboken Waterfront- Hoboken, NJ 

HOBOKEN, NJ (Hoboken Patch)— A national foundation has announced this month that the Hoboken School District was one of 754 school districts to be awarded a Best Communities for Music Education designation "for its outstanding commitment to music education."

The nonprofit foundation is supported by approximately 10,400 members of the NAMM around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. 

To qualify, the Hoboken Public School District answered questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for music programs*.

Responses were verified and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

A 2015 study supported by The NAMM Foundation, "Striking A Chord," outlines the overwhelming desire by teachers and parents for music education opportunities for all children as part of the school curriculum.

A Hoboken music teacher was quoted as saying  "Music education teaches life lessons and brings joy to everyone. We continue to expand our bands, choral and orchestra programs and are seeing great success."

You can view the Hoboken School District and the other 753 school district awardees below. 

*It is unclear how many school districts actually applied for this designation or what was the percentage of districts rejected after completing and submitting their questionnaire. 

The Complete List of the 75... by Tony Petrosino on Scribd

NJ School Board Considers Pass/Fail Grading System

Midwest Volunteers Travel to Hoboken to Help
During COVID-19- April, 2020 

The following is new guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education in coordination with the School Boards across New Jersey on grading in K-12 during the current pandemic. The information is both useful and timely and should be a shared resource among teachers, administrators, community members, parents, and of course students. 

Pass/Fail Grading System

As districts and schools adapt to new challenges associated with the current pandemic, some are following the lead of colleges and universities in New Jersey and around the nation in instituting a pass/fail grading system for the duration of this school year.  In response to board inquiries, NJSBA has developed sample discretionary policy content to address this issue.

In placing this optional content, policy staff have determined that the most appropriate location would be an amendment to current policy on the Evaluation of Individual Student Performance (File Code 6147.1).  The sample language is suggested to be added under a new subheading titled Emergency Situations.  The language states that:  In response to State directives when weather events and other circumstances render in-person meetings less than optimal, the chief school administrator in consultation with the director of curriculum may adopt a pass/fail grading system.

It continues by stating that the determination of the pass or fail grade shall at a minimum be based on the student’s comprehension of the material as demonstrated on assignments and examinations; and student effort and participation during the period of closure with assignments, online class participation, and participation with other structures implemented by the district or school to provide continuity of instruction during the school closure.  If the district or school moves to a pass/fail grading system, class rank shall be calculated based on each student’s last calculated grade point average prior to the school closure.

In keeping with general principals of policy drafting, the language is constructed in a somewhat broader sense, so that it is not just focused on the pandemic.  However, it must by stressed that this means of grading is purely optional, and adoption should obviously be proceeded by full board discussion and agreement that this policy content would be warranted according to the district’s/school’s individual philosophy and circumstances.  

Hoboken April 19, 2020 

Not for the Faint of Heart

The comments being made are by a lifelong Republican who worked on Republican political campaigns, including those of President George W. Bush, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Arizona Senator John McCain.

April 17 Update- Additional 23 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases; Honoring the Hoboken Police, Fire, and Volunteer Ambulance Workers

Today's post honors and recognizes the members of the Hoboken Police, Fire, and Ambulance Corps for their tireless efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Hoboken. 

On Thursday, April 16 Hoboken saw an additional 23 confirmed COVID-19 cases, for a total of 369 in Hoboken. Sadly, a male in his mid 70s passed away yesterday due to COVID-19. This blog extends condolences to his family, as well as to our neighbors in Union City for the loss of Officer Alex Ruperto from the Union City Police Department, who fell victim to COVID-19.

Official Hoboken Update on COVID-19 for Friday, April 17, 2020

STAY SAFE 

Members of the Hoboken Police Department- April, 2020
CLICK TO ENLARGE 

Members of the Hoboken Fire Department- April, 2020
CLICK TO ENLARGE 

Members of the Hoboken Volunteer Ambulance Corp- April, 2020
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April 13 2020- A Memorable Rainbow Display at the End of a Stormy Day

On the early evening of Monday, April 13, 2020 after an overcast, windy, and rainy day the sun came out and a beautiful rainbow stretched across the New York City skyline. Many photos were immediately posted on social media. Here are a few of the more memorable ones. 

Stay Safe 

Photo by: Nannie Chaneski

Photo: 

Gary Hershorn

@GaryHershorn

Photo: 

Gary Hershorn

@GaryHershorn