Making an impression

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Wednesday January 07, 2009, 12:41 PM

Eighth-grader Nate Baldwin takes a shot at interpreting painter Vincent Van Gogh's famous work The Starry Night on a ceiling tile on Tuesday at Delaware Township School. Classmate Zach Trapanese will help complete it. At year's end the tile will join those of the rest of their classmates, this year's collaborative effort to leave a lasting gift that beautifies the school. Past graduating class projects have included painted tile murals and group paintings hung on walls.

Transportation head dismissed at Del Val

by John Monteith / Hunterdon County Democrat

Saturday January 03, 2009, 6:08 AM

Delaware Valley Regional High School has fired its transportation supervisor, Sue Schaible, allegedly for insubordination and use of a racial slur.

Continue reading "Transportation head dismissed at Del Val" »

Kids Page: January Topics

by Shirley Sasor

Friday January 02, 2009, 10:35 AM

The Hunterdon County Democrat is proud to feature student writing on its Kids Pages weekly. Below are the topics and deadlines for January. Have fun answering the questions!

Responses can be mailed to: Kids Pages, Hunterdon County Democrat, 8 Minneakoning Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 or e-mailed to kids@hcdemocrat.com.

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Franklin finally set to upgrade school

by Curtis Leeds / Hunterdon County Democrat

Friday December 26, 2008, 6:51 AM

FRANKLIN TWP. -- The township school board hopes to award construction contracts next month as part of its $10 million school improvement project. The action would be a turning point in a convoluted process that began more than seven years ago and contributed to the resignation of the school superintendent and business administrator and turnover among school board members.

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Fish teach kids about ecology

by Lillian Dorchak / Hunterdon County Democrat

Tuesday December 23, 2008, 4:35 PM

EAST AMWELL TWP. -- Fifth-graders at East Amwell Township School are learning all about brook trout this year. Science teacher Sharon Ernst initiated the idea and got a science grant that adds this project to the fifth-grade curriculum.

"It's important for students to learn about New Jersey's wildlife because that's where they live," she said. "In studying about trout habitats, students can broaden their knowledge of ecosystems and decide on ways that they can help the overall environment of New Jersey."

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Lawyer joins Lambertville Board of Ed

by Renee Kiriluk-Hill / Hunterdon County Democrat

Tuesday December 23, 2008, 4:10 PM

LAMBERTVILLE -- Craig Voorhees, an attorney and parent of two young children, will replace Beth Asaro on the Lambertville Board of Education. Members voted unanimously on Dec. 16 to have him serve until the April school elections, when voters will decide who will fill the remaining year of the term.

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Web site helps donors pick favorite projects

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Saturday December 20, 2008, 2:44 PM

LEBANON TWP. -- Through the use of its Web site, Lebanon Township Education Foundation, invites potential donors to read about school projects that need funding and donate to any that seem appealing.

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NH-V may eliminate its summer school

by Gene Robbins / Hunterdon County Democrat

Thursday December 18, 2008, 2:18 PM

North Hunterdon-Voorhees is thinking about eliminating its summer school.

The school could save about $21,000 to $30,000, depending on how much of the program is dropped.

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Case school creating war dog monument

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Tuesday December 16, 2008, 1:46 PM

RARITAN TWP. -- Students in the Gifted and Talented program and all seventh-graders at the J.P. Case Middle School have studied the role of war dogs and dog handlers in the Vietnam War. The culmination of this study will be the placing of a New Jersey War Dog Monument on school grounds.

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Sale of student art to help the hungry

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Friday December 12, 2008, 1:47 PM

WEST AMWELL TWP. -- What started as a few moms talking about how they'd like their families to give back more to the community is turning into an "art for the hungry" children's art show and sale.

About 100 pieces of art, either framed or attached to card stock, will be "sold" for whatever donation the buyer would like to place inside an envelope provided for each piece.
Refreshments will be served.

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'Christmas Carol' at NHHS

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Thursday December 11, 2008, 1:45 PM

CLINTON TWP. -- The Players Theater Company, a student club at North Hunterdon High School, will perform A Christmas Carol in the round (meaning the audience will sit on all sides of the stage) tomorrow at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. in Room 28 of the school off Route 31.

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$300k field house proposed for DVR

by John Monteith / Hunterdon County Democrat

Sunday December 07, 2008, 9:02 AM

ALEXANDRIA TWP. -- A field house for Delaware Valley High School, a facility rejected in a 2001 referendum, could become a reality in time for the start of next fall's sports season. A volunteer organization, Remember Scott Oldenburg, is kicking off a campaign to build the field house through donations.

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Accord overdue; RVCC professors want 5% raises

by Warren Cooper / Hunterdon County Democrat

Sunday December 07, 2008, 6:32 AM

NORTH BRANCH -- About 50 Raritan Valley Community College full-time faculty protested stalled contract negotiations at the Nov. 25 Board of Trustees meeting, wearing T-shirts that read "Ask why I don't have a contract." An increase in tuition could result from the talks.

The two sides will meet to discuss salary and benefit issues with a mediator tomorrow on the North Branch campus. The last three-year agreement with its 117 full-time professors expired June 30.

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Flem-Rar school chief Farr to retire in June

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Friday December 05, 2008, 6:14 AM

Flemington-Raritan school Superintendent Jack Farr has announced his retirement, effective June 30, after 11 years heading district schools. He's worked in public education for 41 years.
In a letter to the school board dated Dec. 1, Dr. Farr noted "mixed emotions" about moving onto a "new phase in life."

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Kingwood teen has a mind for business

by John Monteith / Hunterdon County Democrat

Thursday December 04, 2008, 11:54 AM

The Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce recently honored six high school students for their entrepreneurial achievements or contributions to the community. We'll be profiling the winners over the next few weeks, starting here with Kaitlynn Zolnay of Kingwood Township.

Kaitlynn, 18, a senior at Delaware Valley High School and this year's drum major with the marching band, received honorable mention in the Amazing Kids in Business category.
"I have a passion for entrepreneurship," she said.

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'Overpaid' teachers file lawsuit in High Bridge

by Curtis Leeds / Hunterdon County Democrat

Thursday November 27, 2008, 6:52 AM

HIGH BRIDGE -- It looks like the school board won't easily recover more than $196,000 it says it overpaid to 23 district teachers beginning in the 2002-03 school year. Of the 23, 16 are still employed by the district and board president Janice Stemple said they are suing the school board. The board met in closed session Monday to discuss the lawsuit. Of the seven teachers who have left the district, Ms. Stemple said she didn't yet know what action they might take.

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Kids Page: Dec 08 topics

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Tuesday November 25, 2008, 3:18 PM

The Hunterdon County Democrat is proud to feature student writing on its Kids Pages weekly. Below are the topics and deadlines for December. Have fun answering the questions!

Responses can be mailed to: Kids Pages, Hunterdon County Democrat, 8 Minneakoning Road, Flemington, NJ 08822 or e-mailed to kids@hcdemocrat.com.

Continue reading "Kids Page: Dec 08 topics" »

HCHS hall of fame picks 1st inductees

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Saturday November 22, 2008, 6:02 AM

RARITAN TWP. -- A founding member of Bruce Springsteeen's E Street Band, a distinguished Navy veteran who served three tours of duty and an outstanding athlete and coach who's also a drug and alcohol counselor will be the first inductees into the Hunterdon Central Hall of Fame.

The Hunterdon Central Education Foundation announced its selections: Tom Bill (Class of 1986), Mike Vecchio ('64) and the late Danny Federici ('68).

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Califon school revises cyber-bullies policy

by Mary Heffner / Hunterdon County Democrat

Thursday November 20, 2008, 12:46 PM

CALIFON -- You no longer have to be big to be a bully.

Harassment by e-mail, text messaging and picture messaging is becoming a problem in schools. In response, the State Department of Education has asked schools to update their policies.

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NH-V asks voters to OK $15.7M

by Gene Robbins / Hunterdon County Democrat

Wednesday November 19, 2008, 6:29 AM

Voters in 12 north county municipalities will be asked next Sept. 29 to approve the borrowing of $15.7 million to repair and renovate North Hunterdon and Voorhees high schools.

The Board of Education voted Tuesday night to go ahead with what it called a bare-bones referendum even in the difficult economic environment that's likely to be around in 2009.

Continue reading "NH-V asks voters to OK $15.7M" »

Projects at NHHS are a priority

by Gene Robbins / Hunterdon County Democrat

Saturday November 15, 2008, 12:32 PM

Officials have pared down their list of "essential" improvements to North Hunterdon and Voorhees high schools and are prepared to ask voters to approve up to $15.9 million for the work. The school board may vote Tuesday to ask voters next September to approve borrowing for the renovations.

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'Dolly' Romps At JP Case

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Tuesday November 11, 2008, 12:10 PM

RARITAN TWP. -- The Flemington Raritan Community Theatre directed by Kathleen Weaver and sponsored by the Flemington Raritan Recreation Committee will present Hello Dolly on Thursday, Nov. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22-23 at 2 p.m.

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Polytech achieves full school board

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Thursday November 06, 2008, 11:21 AM

Rhonda Paradis of Lebanon was elected president of the county vocational high school board at its annual reorganization meeting on Monday. Clinton Township resident Judith Formalarie was voted Polytech board's vice president.

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Too young to vote; teens help at polls

by Warren Cooper / Hunterdon County Democrat

Tuesday November 04, 2008, 4:19 PM

Unable to cast a vote herself, 17-year-old Hunterdon Central High School senior Jenna Ingram spent seven hours Tuesday helping registered voters do just that at Case Middle School.

The Raritan Township resident is among about 85 county high school students, some as young as 16, who served as youth poll workers in a statewide program intended to boost young peoples' interest in the electoral process. They helped the county's 500 regular poll workers at polling stations throughout the county.

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Kids Page: Nov 08 topics

by Shirley Sasor

Tuesday November 04, 2008, 4:08 PM

The Hunterdon County Democrat is proud to feature student writing on its Kids Pages weekly. Below are the topics and deadlines for November. Have fun answering the questions!

Responses can be mailed to: Kids Pages, Hunterdon County Democrat, P.O. Box 32, Flemington, NJ 08822 or e-mailed to kids@hcdemocrat.com.

Continue reading "Kids Page: Nov 08 topics" »

Vice principals say, HCHS 'pretty safe'

by Matt DeBlass / Hunterdon County Democrat

Sunday November 02, 2008, 6:00 AM

RARITAN TWP. -- Hunterdon Central is a pretty safe place to go to school, and the staff is working to make it even safer, said two of the school's vice principals at a presentation they gave at the Oct. 20 Board of Education meeting.

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State says Milford can upgrade school

by John Monteith / Hunterdon County Democrat

Thursday October 30, 2008, 2:38 PM

MILFORD -- The borough school has won its appeal to the state education commissioner to bond for $800,000 in construction upgrades. The school board launched the appeal after voters rejected the project in various forms three times. Commissioner Lucille Davy accepted an initial decision by Administrative Law Judge Douglas Hurd, who concluded that the school is "in desperate need of repair to address core health, safety and security issues."

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Halloween all Fall at Del Val

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Thursday October 30, 2008, 1:29 PM

The Delaware Valley High School's marching band is playing the compositions of Danny Elfman, including music from the 1988 movie Beetlejuice. So the color guard dresses accordingly. Approximating the attire of Michael Keaton in the title role are (top row from left) Ellen Gallos, Katie Attinello, Emily Prentice, Annie Knapp, Bethany Wright, (bottow row) Alyssa Lacey and Miranda Dworak. The next chance to see them on their home field will be at half-time on Nov. 7 at the Del Val-Belvidere football game.

Schools are embracing civility with 'Acknowledge U'

by Renee Kiriluk-Hill / Hunterdon County Democrat

Saturday October 25, 2008, 12:22 PM

The marathon that Jack Palis wants people to run on Saturday has nothing to do with physical fitness. He's hoping that everyone will take part in the national "Make a Difference Day" by participating in an "acknowledgement marathon" that's as simple as a smile and a greeting and doesn't get more complicated than a compliment.

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Alexandria school board fills vacancy

by Hunterdon County Democrat staff

Sunday October 19, 2008, 6:40 AM

ALEXANDRIA TWP. -- Shawn Shapiro, father of three children, the oldest attending Lester D. Wilson School, was appointed to succeed Diane Kelly on the township school board. The term expires in April, when school elections are next held. Ms. Kelly recently moved to Texas with her family.

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