Millburn kindergarten class registers Jan. 21 & 22

by Independent Press

Saturday December 06, 2008, 4:16 PM

MILLBURN -- Kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010 school year will be held at each of the township's five elementary schools from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and Thursday, Jan. 22., with a snow date of Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Children must be five years old on or before Oct. 1, 2009, to enter kindergarten in the fall, and there are no exceptions to this policy. Kindergarten is a full day of school.
Parents must register in person at the school their child will attend. An official, original birth certificate must be shown during registration. Two proofs of residency are also required, such as a copy of the lease, deed or contract for the home and/or a current utility bill.

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Letter to the Editor - Public's generosity is all heart

by Guy Haselman, on behalf of Elks Lodge #1246 and the Summit PBA, Summit

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 4:23 PM

To the editor:

The Elks Lodge No.1246 and the Summit PBA would like to thank all who made our fundraiser for Bill MacAdams a success. On Oct. 26, more than 400 people visited the lodge to support Mr. MacAdam, an Elks member who underwent a heart transplant and will have lifelong medical expenses. Although his surgery was only five weeks earlier, Bill attended the event looking well and graciously interacting with the guests.

Mr. MacAdam, a member of the Summit High School Class of 1982, has been a tremendous contributor to our community. As well as being an Elk brother, he has served for many years as a member of the Summit Auxiliary Police force, and is an Honorary Silver Life Member of the PBA. The Elks Lodge will continue to accept donations on his behalf on an on-going basis.

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Letter to the Editor - Keep the drinking age at 21

by Laura Gregory, New Providence

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 3:32 PM

To the editor:

Whether the government should lower the drinking age back to 18 instead of keeping it at 21 has been a very debatable topic.

According to an article recently published on DontServeTeens.gov, "More than 10% of eighth graders, 22% of sophomores, and 36% of seniors report recent binge drinking." Would you want your high school child to be one of these percentages that have the highest risk of drug addictions, alcoholism and serious health problems?

Alcohol can also lead to poor academic performance. Research shows that the human brain develops well in to a person's early 20s and exposure to alcohol consumption may increase the likelihood for them to become alcoholics and have learning disabilities. For teens, alcohol is doubly crippling because it also interferes with motivation.

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Letter to the Editor - Junk food -- Student's choice

by Matt Skrinski, New Providence

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 3:29 PM

To the editor:

About 20% of Americans are overweight and some lay the blame on school cafeterias and the unhealthy foods they supply students.

Since the schools are still providing healthy choices, it is not their fault. Cafeterias should not stop selling unhealthy food because it provides a great learning experience.

Whatever the child chooses is their sole decision, even if swayed by peers. If the student chooses unhealthy foods and becomes obese, it is not the school's fault. The school is not forcing the students to buy the food. They should not interfere or decide for the child how to live their life.

If the child chooses to avoid the food, let them do so, if they choose to eat it, let them do so and live with the consequences, good or bad.

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Chatham Borough's renamed Open Space Committee is coming back

by MARIANNE IVERS/Independent Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:28 PM

CHATHAM - After an absence of one year the Open Space Committee is coming back - this time as a Conservancy Advisory Committee. Mayor Nelson Vaughan announced the formation of the new committee at the council meeting on Monday, Nov. 24.

The mandate of the new committee will follow that of the former Open Space Committee. The committee's charge is to protect and preserve the existing open land as well as to recommend policies and projects for the borough's open space areas. The committee will have at least seven members, but it is likely that the number of members will grow.
According to Mr. Vaughan the committee will include a Council Liaison as well as a representative from the Environmental and the Historic Preservation Commissions, possibly also from the Planning Board. Additionally, the council is looking for resident volunteers to the new committee.

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Berkeley Heights Education Foundation lines up talent for Friday fundraiser

by Independent Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 12:16 PM

BERKELEY HEIGHTS -- The Heights of Talent community talent show is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Governor Livingston High School auditorium. The event is hosted by Berkeley Heights Education Foundation and sponsored by Elefante Music. Tickets are $10 at the door.

"We had a tremendous turnout for auditions and have a terrific line-up for the show," says Carol Cunningham, Education Foundation president.

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Governor Livingston HS lists Honor Roll

by Independent Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 11:42 AM

BERKELEY HEIGHTS -- Governor Livingston High School recently announced Honor Roll recipients for the first marking period which ended Nov. 5. The list includes:

Grade 12, High Honor Roll: Jeffrey Alfano, Nathaniel Benzimra, David Boyce, Wendy Lin, Robert Marrese, Daniel Nessenson, Matthew Tansey, Jeffrey Trivella and Michael Yang.

Grade 12, Honor Roll: Michael Balboni, Kimberly Baldwin, Jeremy Bunyaner, Leticia Caballero, Deborah Chu, Lilian Chung, Lauren Dearman, Lauren DiFiglia, Arlene Douglas, Alexandra Dryer, Marie Fang, Adrienne Fuller, Asher Gabara, Douglas Grum, Jackson Hollowell, Taylor Hoy, Matthew Lander, Lorand Laskai, Alexandra Light, Hoddy Mahon, Allison McCague, Cassandra Niemela, Brianna Pardo, Leah Savadel, Rachel Schranck, Jocelyn Sperlazza, Michael Tsai, Rachael Vautin, Amy Vitale, Robert Werchas and Siwei Yang.

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Protecting 'Gen TXT,' a Junior League initiative

by Junior League of Summit/Independent Forum

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 11:16 AM

The Junior League of Summit is spearheading a new technology initiative in the Berkeley Heights, Chatham, New Providence and Summit areas. Over the next few years, the Junior League will focus on educating the community, parents, kids and educators about safe and inventive uses of technology.

The league first discovered this void in the community during a Community Roundtable jointly sponsored by the Junior League and the United Way. The Junior League's annual community advisors meeting underscored one recurring theme: How do teachers and parents motivate their children and keep them safe in this age of instant everything? Specific problems include unlimited access to sometimes inappropriate Internet content; cyber bullying; identity theft; increased inactivity as a result of too much TV, video games and internet use; and excessive and inappropriate use of text messaging and cell phones.

In researching the topic further, the league found that today the number one media concern for parents has officially shifted from the television to the Internet.

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