After Traumatic Flooding Amid a Pandemic, is Social Emotional Learning Right for Cedar Grove?

Cedar Grove, New Jersey - In March 2020, Cedar Grove students left school for a break that it was hoped would last two weeks, amid a pandemic the likes of which the world had not seen in 102 years. When they returned to the classroom full-time, over a year later, many of them had lost relatives, in some cases more than one, to Covid-19. Others saw their households upended by unemployment and a number were returning to school in dirty clothes because their homes had been flooded by Hurricane Ida. We expect them to show up, we expect them to wear masks, we expect them to get "back to normal" when for many of them it's really not clear what normal is supposed to be anymore. Amid all these other expectations can we expect them to learn, 6 feet apart and wearing masks, without addressing some of what we've all been through as a community?

Some studies suggest that Social Emotional Learning, techniques often employed in a classroom setting, may be the key helping all students and especially those who have experienced trauma.

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. - (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)

We reached out to the Cedar Grove BOE candidates to ask this somewhat inevitable question about the path forward in our schools after the past year and a half and how tools like Social Emotional Learning might play a part.

Question: What role do you see Social Emotional Learning playing in our district following many months of the pandemic and recent flooding in the region?

Dawn Daura & Lou Marzullo

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can play a critical role in helping our children meet the  demands of the classroom. It is next-to-impossible to expect teaching and learning to occur  without attending to our children’s emotions. This is particularly important in thinking about  how to help address the physical and mental set back students might have experienced from the  pandemic and the recent flooding that impacted our community. 

SEL can help build and repair  lost relationships with family and friends resulting from a lack of social meetings. In addition,  SEL can help students make better informed decisions instead of making impulsive choices and  can assist in problem solving, critical thinking and conflict resolutions. In the end, the goal  should be to support students in their development of strong social-emotional skills so that they  can succeed in their academic endeavors.

Nicole DiChiara & Haley Grieco

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum is a tool that districts have used for many years and has been utilized successfully in Cedar Grove. Now more than ever our children are more vulnerable than ever. With the uncertainty of the pandemic still looming over them as well as weather events occurring with more frequency and destruction, the emotional toll on our children cannot be overlooked. When implemented correctly, SEL is a crucial piece of our student’s wellbeing. The CG School District implements a SEL module that deals solely with the emotional well-being of our students. 

As our children ease back in the classroom full-time, SEL is critical now more than ever to help our children develop and grow their social interaction skills. Additionally, all students should have an outlet for discussion about their lives, their likes, their dislikes, their dreams, and their fears or insecurities. Furthermore, it is crucial that Cedar Grove’s professionally trained counselors are accessible to all of the children to support them in whatever they need.

These are initiatives that we fully support and want expanded as our student body requires. 

(Top image credit: Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash)

Cedar Grove's South End Fire Company 3 Hosts Open House

Cedar Grove, New Jersey - Cedar Grove's South End Fire Company 3 invites the community to an open house at 154 Pompton Ave on Saturday October 2nd. The event will begin at 11am and wrap up by 4. Come meet the firefighters and see how a fire station operates. Visitors will have the opportunity to dress up like a firefighter and to see the new Engine 73. Tours of the firehouse will be available.

The event will feature music, demonstrations, and a free lunch.

For more information, check out the Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/CGFDCO3

(Images credit Cedar Grove South End Fire Company 3)

Talking Inclusivity with Cedar Grove Board of Education Candidates

Cedar Grove, New Jersey - New Jersey's school age children have some of the highest rates of disability diagnosis in the nation. Each year, over 207,000 children with identified disabilities attend school in New Jersey. 

New Jersey's rate of autism diagnosis is 1 in 32, the highest in the nation.

New Jersey is also the most densely populated state in the union and one of the most diverse with nearly 45% of residents identifying as people of color. Historically, the state has seen a heavy Dutch influence and more recently, the trend of Irish and Italian immigration which had a transformative impact on the region in the early 20th century, has given way to new generations of immigrants who tend to be from India, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Ecuador. 

Nearly 1 in 4 New Jerseyans today is an immigrant and 50% of those are US citizens, meaning that the federal government and the state receive $13 billion and $6.5 billion in taxes each year respectively from this group.

All of this means that our children are blessed to grow up with some of the most diverse formative experiences of any children in the world. So when we speak of inclusivity in the classroom, it is not speculatively or in a theoretical manner. New Jersey's students come together each day at school, but they come from homes that are broadly diverse and they bring to the classroom unique skills, challenges, and cultural experiences. This is equally true in Cedar Grove as in other parts of state. We reached out to the Board of Education candidates to find out how they plan to address the diversity of backgrounds and of needs in Cedar Grove's classrooms.

Question: What opportunities for inclusivity do you believe our schools should embrace in the near  term? 

Dawn Daura and Lou Marzullo 

When we strive to address the needs of all students, provide learning experiences that allow  students from all backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities to be successful, we are striving  towards inclusive teaching. It is essential that classroom instruction is personalized and offers  students opportunities to share their experiences. 

Topics and content needs to be provided from  diverse perspectives and from individuals from differing backgrounds. Taking the time to really  get to know your students can lead to a more positive classroom for our children. Respecting  diversity in people, their talents, and various learning styles, continues to be critical in the  education of our children. This approach helps to create strong friendship skills, positive peer  models, positive self-image, and respect for others. It is only when all students feel that their  contributions are valued and respected, that we can say we are acting in an inclusive manner. 

---

Nicole DiChiara and Haley Grieco

Inclusivity starts with the teachers and in Cedar Grove we have some of the most amazing and dedicated professionals! They are the individuals that our students connect with on a day to day basis and the people that they look to as role models. If re-elected and elected to the CGBOE, we will prioritize the support that our teachers need to create more inclusive and inviting classrooms for all students. No person in our school buildings should ever feel like an outsider, not students, not teachers, not staff. 

Additionally, we must help our teachers empower our children to be active and responsible members of an ever growing digital culture. These goals can be achieved via focused professional development programs and supporting our teachers emotionally. We are in this together and must take care of one another in every aspect of mental health.

(Top photo by Hello I'm Nik on Unsplash)

Cedar Grove Board of Education Elections - Autumn 2021 Candidate Statements

Cedar Grove, New Jersey will soon vote to fill two positions on their Board of Education. Four
individuals are running on two slates with one incumbent in the mix. The candidates bring a variety of experiences and views to the campaign. Below, in no particular order, are the candidate statements that the two slates have provided. For reasons of length, responses to two optional questions posed to the candidates will be released as separate articles later this week. Cedar Grove News has neither vetted nor endorsed any of the statements below.

Nicole DiChiara and Haley Grieco

FORWARD

Nicole DiChiara and Haley Grieco are Cedar Grove residents and parents and are running for the Cedar Grove Board of Education (BOE) this November 2021.  Together we have a vision to continue to move Cedar Grove Forward!  As we transition out of an unprecedented time that has spanned the last three school years, we are committed to moving the district FORWARD to a bright future for all students.  

This forward motion is not a one-size fits all solution, but rather a comprehensive plan built to support everyone. Our students have faced challenges never before contemplated and have made their way through with grace and strength. We owe them a duty of support, and we will continue the work of the current BOE by bringing those desperately needed services to them. While we can hold on to beloved traditions, we must also create new and relevant traditions that will help our students achieve their dreams, whatever they may be.

This work has been started in examples as: AP class expansion, PADE dual enrollment with Montclair University, allowing our students to challenge themselves with the “level up” program for all honors and AP courses, and the implementation of DECA and STEAM Pathways. We will arm our students with the tools for success while providing a superior educational foundation.

Cedar Grove has had an influx of students over the last several years. Several times in the history of Cedar Grove, past BOEs have reduced or expanded the school buildings based on the changing needs of the town.  We are here again.  The Middle School, North End School, and South End School have all reached their capacity.  There is a plan in place to renovate a legacy -LRP School- and open that to fourth and fifth grade.  A lot of planning has already gone into this proposal, but this is a big endeavour and more work is to be done. It is imperative that this be given priority as it affects every single elementary child presently enrolled, as well as every single child who will enroll in our elementary schools in the coming years.  We are committed to putting in the work necessary to provide the best learning environment for ALL students - and the time is NOW for action!

As parents, we understand the importance of communication. A major part of our vision is to make sure there is a seamless bridge between home and school. Every stakeholder must be involved in our students’ education. Our campaign is committed to expanding communication formats so that all residents and parents can have access to all of the information from the BOE. Be sure to review and comment on our  “What’s it Mean to You?” document and our “Did You Know?” slides on our social media pages. 

Visit our website and SM pages to learn more about the initiatives we have and give us feedback.  Sign up for our newsletter, volunteer,  and donate!

(ed. Note, links are not endorsements)

www.cedargroveforward.com

https://facebook.com/dichiaragrieco/

https://instagram.com/cgforward

(ed. the bio statements for Nicole DiChiara and Haley Grieco added 9/15/2021 at the request of the candidates and in compliance with our candidate statement policies)

Nicole DiChiara

Nicole has lived in Cedar Grove since 2005 with her husband Michael who grew up in North Caldwell.  They have two children who have attended the Cedar Grove public schools since kindergarten and are currently enrolled at Memorial Middle School and Cedar Grove High School. Nicole can be found cheering on both children on the football and lacrosse fields. 

Nicole has a long history of volunteerism within Cedar Grove Schools, chairing multiple North End and MMS FSA committees as well as sitting on each board as Treasurer and Recording Secretary, respectively.  In addition, she has been coaching the Cedar Grove girl’s youth lacrosse team since 2015 and will continue for many years to come.

Nicole brings over 25 years of Healthcare IT project management skills to the CG BOE and in September will be entering her fifth year as a paraprofessional in the Caldwell/West Caldwell School District. Nicole has been a member of the CG BOE since March 2017. As a result of her service, Nicole already has a full understanding of the complex workings and responsibilities of a NJ BOE member. She is looking forward to serving the community for another term.

Haley K. Grieco

Haley grew up in Cedar Grove and was educated in the schools from South End through Cedar Grove High School.  Following high school she received her undergraduate degree from New York University and then later her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law.

Her and her husband, also raised in CG and a long time former member of the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad, met in school and eventually married.  They decided to move back to Cedar Grove to raise and educate their daughter in the place they know and love.  Their daughter is now in second grade at South End.  This is her fifth year in South End because she was lucky enough to be able to attend the first two years of the new preschool program in CG.

Haley brings a passion for education and a love of Cedar Grove to the Board of Education.  Her decade long career as a trial attorney has developed and sharpened her ability to identify, analyze, and resolve potential issues and succinctly and concisely ask tough questions.  These skills will serve her well as she helps the CG BOE advance education for all CG students.  

---

Dawn Daura and Lou Marzullo

Team for Change

Dawn Daura

My name is Dawn Daura and I am pleased to announce that I am running for the Cedar Grove Board of
Education this November. I have been in education for 29 years as a Special Education classroom teacher, Child Study Team Learning Consultant, and currently the Director of Special Services. I hold two Masters degrees, one in Special Education and one in Educational Leadership, along with a Chief School Administrator (Superintendent) Certification. 

I have extensive knowledge and experience in school administration, special education, budget and policy development, curriculum writing, staff professional development, grant writing, and referendums. I also have successfully led a district through the unique challenges forced upon us by the pandemic through ongoing collaboration with fellow administrators, Board of Education members, staff, students, and community members. 

In 2010, my wife Gail and I moved into town with our 3 sons. We were instantly welcomed and accepted into the community. Fast forward, we now have 2 juniors in high school and a 6th grader at the middle school. As our children have grown, I have remained actively involved in the community and school district. Whether it has been through volunteering as a class mom, speaking at TREP$ workshops, sitting on principal roundtables, coaching youth sports or being a lacrosse booster club board member, I have been committed to supporting the growth and development of our community. 

During these past 11 years, my family and I have established strong community roots. We have developed friendships throughout the community and have created a life for our family. Over recent years, I have become increasingly concerned about our declining school rankings and our success with producing college and career ready students upon graduation. For these reasons, I have set out in search of a solution, which ultimately has led to my decision to run for the board of education. 

Lou Marzullo

My name is Lou Marzullo and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Cedar Grove Board of Education. I hold a MA degree in Health and Physical Education and will be entering my 22nd year in Education at a secondary high school. Besides my extensive teaching duties, I have sat on numerous school committees and served as a department liaison, whose responsibilities included a principal search, QSAC (i.e., NJ DOE’s monitoring and evaluating system), the national honor society, curriculum revision, and graduation. 

Additionally, I am the owner of Cedar Grove based Primo Driving School for the past 18 years. In that time, I have had the opportunity to serve countless numbers of outstanding Cedar Grove students and their families as well as form new and lasting relationships with residents throughout the district. 

When I was a young child, my parents decided to move to Cedar Grove from Montclair largely because they valued the small close-knit community and its good school systems. It was for those same reasons that my wife Michele and I chose to raise our two sons, Leo and Marco, in this small yet growing suburban town. I have devoted myself to serving the community by coaching various youth sports, serving as a member of the recreation board advisory committee, and supporting multiple clubs, activities, and organizations dedicated to the students of Cedar Grove. 

As a lifelong resident, I can’t recall a time where so many residents have been unsettled by the direction of their children’s education and divided in conversations with each other and the district. My first goal as a member on the board of education would be to help repair any divide and work to bridge the relationship between the school system and the community. 

Marzullo & Daura - "Our Promise..."

We realize that current times continue to be filled with uncertainty and confusion, anger and frustration, and at times fear and conflict. If elected to the Cedar Grove Board of Education this November, we will focus our efforts on supporting the needs of all our community members. Our role and responsibility as Board of Education members will be to represent the entire community, not just the area in which we live or the interests of any special group or our particular supporters. Board members have a responsibility to listen to all citizens and to explain to those with a particular point of view the needs of the school system as a whole. 

Above all, board members are responsible for and to all the students in the school district. We promise to be visionary board members and goal-setters who will set high standards for quality instruction. We will work to ensure that the school budget supports the achievement of those standards while at the same time holding administrators accountable for the achievement of those goals. 

We will continue to facilitate honest conversations and provide transparent two-way communication between the community and the school district by informing the public about the schools, promoting parents’ presence in schools and working to secure public support for the

schools and district goals, among other things. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that the best possible education is provided for all students. 

If voted upon, we promise to be respectful, to listen, be fair and open minded to all the stakeholders of our community and ultimately do what is best for the children. We would ensure that our schools are a safe physical and social environment for students. In addition, we will encourage staff, teachers, and administrators to work collaboratively in creating a successful learning environment for all level learners by providing essential tools, professional development, and support. 

We feel that our combined 50+ years of educational, administrative, and leadership experience is what Cedar Grove needs at this moment to bring about positive change. That’s why we believe we are the Team For Change. 

We encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or just want to introduce yourself. We are excited to meet many of you as our campaign continues. Please follow us on Facebook at Marzullo & Daura for CEDAR GROVE BOE or email us at marzulloanddaura4boe@gmail.com. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we hope that we have the opportunity to serve you as your newly elected Cedar Grove School Board of Education members. 

Stay well... 

Dawn & Lou 

TEAM for CHANGE

Remembering 9/11 in 2021

Twenty years on it's hard to know what to say. It's a fact that grief is a measure of love, for we do not grieve for those things that we care not for. So it is that, through the passage of time, though the memories may fade and the pain may dull, the absence of those we lost on that fateful day remains just as fresh, just as raw and ever present, as it was so long ago. Mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers, where would they be today? Grief is like this. Now, the site has been cleared, the memorials erected, and the history codified and recorded for posterity. 

What remains to be done is arguably the hard part, to live for those we lost each day, to remember them to a new generation who have none of their own memories of the tragedy, and to work tirelessly to create a world of peace and brotherhood where families no longer have to grieve in the shadow of events such as these. It won't be easy and it probably won't happen in our lifetimes, but the torch must be lit and passed to future generations nonetheless. Let there be peace.

~The Staff of Cedar Grove News

Photo by Redd on Unsplash

Cedar Grove Ambulance Squad, at 83 Years, Seeks Return to Primary Status

Kenneth Clark, President of the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad, is a 50 year resident of Cedar Grove and a 35 year veteran of the Cedar Grove Police Department having retired as a Lieutenant. After a hiatus to work and raise children,  Kenneth returned to the squad in March 2019 just a year before the historic Coronavirus pandemic and was elected president of the organization this year. The Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad, a volunteer organization responding to emergency calls in our community, had to make the difficult decision to shut down during part of the pandemic due to an inability to safely meet the demands of that tumultuous time. Now, the squad has resumed operations and is actively recruiting and expanding. We spoke with Kenneth to get the inside story of this challenging transition and the group's hope-filled return.

(Editor's Note: The Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad has served the community as a free, volunteer service for 83 years. After returning from hiatus due to the pandemic, the squad has taken on a secondary status as the town pays Atlantic Healthcare for ambulance services. In addition to the taxpayer expense, this has contributed to training and recruiting issues for the squad. Some citizens, along with members of the squad, would prefer if the town chose to the return the squad to primary status in place of the contract with Atlantic Healthcare. The comments below provide more information.)

What is the Cedar Grove ambulance squad and how did it start?

Kenneth: Prior to 1983, we were two separate organizations, the CG Rescue Squad and the CG Ambulance Unit. The Rescue Squad was started in 1938 by members of the CG Fire Department because of the long wait for an ambulance from Mountainside Hospital. Originally, a fire engine was used but in February of 1939, a rescue truck was purchased. The truck was housed at Fire Co. #1 at the Municipal Building. In the early 1950’s (I think 1951 but I am not sure) the CG Police started the Ambulance Unit. The Rescue Squad performed first aid and the Ambulance Unit transported the patient to the hospital. In the late 1970’s both organizations realized what they were doing was inefficient. Also, call volume was increasing and membership was lagging. In 1983 both units merged to become the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad. The Ambulance building on Ridge Road was sold and all vehicles and equipment was housed at our Pompton Avenue building.

It must have been incredibly challenging trying to meet the demand and stay safe during a historic pandemic. What was that experience like? What can you share?

Kenneth: The Covid-19 Pandemic was challenging. At a CGA&RS function in March of 2020, two of the members exposed, unknowingly, the entire membership to Covid-19. We were forced to quarantine and unable to perform first aid and ambulance transportations for our community.

Given how strained resources are for local ambulance squads in regular times, it's not surprising that the squad had to take a hiatus during the pandemic. It must have been hard to make that decision. What was the breaking point and how was the decision made?

Kenneth: The president at the time made the decision to shut down temporarily (Ed.: Mr. Clark became President in 2021). As soon as we were able, we requested to resume serving the community, even in a limited basis. We met opposition from the CG Police. We met with the Town Manager, the Police Chief and the Fire Chief and after seven months of meetings, we were allowed to open on January 11, 2021. However, this was on a limited basis. We would be a backup to the Atlantic Ambulance, Monday to Friday from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. What this means is when Atlantic was unavailable the CG Police would page us out. 

Now that the squad is back, what are you looking forward to for the organization? What goals are you trying to achieve?

Kenneth: During our hiatus, we made a massive push for new members, eventually having 36 residents and non-residents joining the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad. We need them as we had many older members and some had underlying medical conditions.

We are now looking to return to being the primary responder, Monday to Friday from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am. We need this so that our new members can gain valuable experience. Once our new members can gain this experience, we can expand operations to weekends and eventually days. Right now, we are not going on enough calls, about 25 this year. Some of our members have not been on any calls this year. This is not the way to gain experience.

Working with the ambulance squad is tough work. Who's a good candidate for a volunteer? What do you look for? Are there both physical and mental traits that help?

Kenneth: We need volunteers who are willing to sacrifice their time to help the community. Volunteers would have to be willing to spend their crew time at our headquarters. Crew shifts are usually 12 hours but we have split shifts so more members can ride. Members should be mentally able to handle most first aid situations and not panic. Physically they need to be able to lift patients and carry equipment, some of which is heavy.

How can the community help to support the Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad? What are your needs and what can the public do?

Kenneth: We need the community to attend the September 27, 2021 Town Meeting and express their support for the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad to return to primary status. Our material needs are few as we have ample first aid supplies and personal protective equipment. We need support.

Remember, we are a free service and have been for over 83 years. Atlantic Healthcare bills for their services. Why should our community have to pay for emergency medical care when there is a free service available, the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad? Residents should contact the Mayor and Council Members requesting the Cedar Grove Ambulance & Rescue Squad return to primary service.

Residents interested in learning more about service or about other ways they can support the squad can visit the website here:

https://cedargroverescue.org/

Call for Candidate Statements - 2021 Autumn Board of Education Election

Candidates for the upcoming Cedar Grove New Jersey Board of Education election are hereby invited to submit candidate statements of no more than 500 words, accompanied with a photo, via email to cedargrovenewsnj@gmail.com

Please reference the following policy in submitting your candidate statements:

https://www.cedargrovenews.com/p/policy-on-candidate-statements.html

The goal is to publish the candidate statements late on the week of Sunday September 12th, so submissions by 5pm Monday September 13th would be ideal.

As per policy, there are 2 optional questions that candidates may choose to respond to.

• The first question is:
  What opportunities for inclusivity do you believe our schools should embrace in the near term?
  
  
• The second question is:
  What role do you see Social Emotional Learning playing in our district following many months of the pandemic and recent flooding in the region?

Answers to these questions will not count towards the 500 word ballpark max for candidate statements. Additionally, candidates running on a ticket may answer the optional questions as a ticket if they choose.

Shock, Horror as FEMA Bars Essex County from Federal Flood Aid

Cedar Grove, NJ - The evening of Wednesday September 1st, Hurricane Ida delivered a crushing
onslaught of rain to the northeast, resulting in historic levels of flooding throughout the region. Among the communities effected were many in Essex County, including Cedar Grove, where the Peckman River overflowed its banks while basements around town filled up with groundwater.  Yet now, residents in some of the highest taxed zip codes in the nation are finding out that after decades of sending money to Washington DC, no help is coming this time around. 

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, excluded Essex County from the list of counties receiving federal aid Monday, despite widespread destruction from the flooding in that area. Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset counties will all receive recovery funding. The decision is especially frustrating for some residents who have noted that their neighbors less than a quarter mile away on Cedar Grove Road in Little Falls are all eligible for those funds as residents of Passaic County. This decision by FEMA has created a situation where taxpayers in Essex County are funding repairs in neighboring communities, despite being flood victims themselves.

In 2020, a report by the New York State Comptroller's Office revealed that New Jersey, a largely coastal region and home to nearly 9-million people, receives the least federal funds out of all 50 states. For every dollar that New Jerseyans send to Washington in taxes, a mere 79 cents is received back, a loss of $2,792 per person.

In hard hit Essex County towns like Cedar Grove, where many residents along the Peckman River are still cleaning up from the flood, the news that residents are on their own is a bitter pill to swallow. To some, it's just one more hit in a Summer where suburban families have already been squeezed by Covid restrictions, employment issues, out of control gas prices, and natural disasters.

For now, local leaders have told residents to remain optimistic and to fill out FEMA claims regardless in the hopes that Essex County's left-behind communities can get the organization to show some mercy and provide relief funds. Meanwhile, in Cedar Grove, the flood-affected clean-out, do their best to clean-up, and keep an eye on the river as even more flooding is already forecast for September 8th and 9th.