Ridgewood School Board Advances ELA Curriculum, Embraces Climate Education Grant

The latest Ridgewood School Board meeting saw developments, particularly in the realm of education curriculum reform and the recognition of a substantial grant for climate change education. The board’s discussion centered around the enhancement of the English Language Arts (ELA) program to meet new 2023 New Jersey standards, emphasizing climate change and environmental justice topics. Feedback was reviewed from students, parents, and staff on the ELA program, with calls for improved grammar and writing instruction and the need for more collaboration time and smaller class sizes. Additionally, the meeting spotlighted the acceptance of a $75,500 grant aimed at climate change education and resilience.

The meeting delved into the changes proposed for the ELA curriculum, aligning it with the latest New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS) that incorporate climate change and environmental justice. The curriculum revisions are part of a broader effort to ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate and contribute to a rapidly evolving world. A presentation by supervisors of English language arts outlined a plan of action for improving the curriculum and instruction. This plan includes systematic foundational skills instruction, knowledge building, professional development, and topic enhancement. The curriculum review’s first year focused on evaluating best practices, analyzing state testing data, and scrutinizing the newly published 2023 NJSLS standards. These standards have undergone significant restructure, particularly in the reading and writing domains.

The board’s discussion on curriculum changes also featured the introduction of a Research Unit in each grade level, designed to teach students how to critically evaluate sources, a skill deemed essential in the digital age. The board emphasized the importance of empathy in teaching and the need to articulate standards clearly.

In response to feedback from the ELA program review, the board discussed the implementation of grammar instruction and writing evaluations. Concerns about consistent grading and the need for smaller class sizes to facilitate effective writing instruction were noted. To support students struggling with literacy, the board discussed the implementation of universal screening for dyslexia from kindergarten through fifth grade.

The meeting also touched on the logistics of transitioning teachers to new instructional practices and resources. There was a focus on the consistency of training and shared vocabulary among teachers, as well as the importance of embedding teaching strategies in content-rich materials. The board members highlighted the need for effective communication with the community to assure them of the district’s progress and plans.

Another topic of discussion was the shared services agreement with Glen Rock. A board member inquired about an updated Certificate of Insurance from Manelo Contracting before approving the agreement. Additionally, the board debated a proposed increase in student activity fees, which was ultimately approved, and discussed the tuition rate for staff members’ children attending district schools.

The board acknowledged the receipt of a $75,500 grant dedicated to climate change education and resilience, an indicator of the district’s forward-thinking approach to incorporating important global issues into the curriculum. Various donations for programs and scholarships were also recognized.

Concerns were raised about teacher absences and their potential impact on student learning. The policy committee was tasked with reviewing the field use policy and ensuring equitable implementation. Additionally, the meeting addressed concerns about the temperature of artificial turf fields and the safety guidelines for student play.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Superintendent:
Mark Schwarz
School Board Officials:
Sheila Brogan, Muhammad Mahmoud, Hyunju Kwak, Saurabh Dani, Mary Micale

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording