Family Promise Appoints Michael Kerkorian as Chief Development Officer

MORRIS COUNTY — Family Promise, a national leader addressing the crisis of family homelessness, announced that Michael Kerkorian has been named Chief Development Officer.

A native of Michigan, Kerkorian has 20 years of experience successfully driving revenue, creating innovative partnerships, and optimizing operations.

“I am thrilled to welcome Mike to the national office of Family Promise,” said Chery Schuch, CEO of Family Promise. “His extensive background in resource development and his strong relationship-building skills will help us develop partnerships and create strategic alliances that will be instrumental as we expand to meet the growing needs of families facing homelessness.”

As Chief Development Officer, Kerkorian will focus on deepening the culture of philanthropy at Family Promise, leading the development and marketing teams to diversify funding streams and drive brand awareness.

After launching his career in the financial services industry, Kerkorian moved into the nonprofit sector. Most recently, he served as Senior Director of Corporate Relations at United Way Worldwide, where he led the organization’s global account team and worked with some of the world’s most recognizable brands on fundraising, social impact, and volunteer strategies.

Kerkorian received a BA degree in International Studies from Middlebury College and an MBA from Boston University.

“Everyone has the right to safe and affordable housing.   I’m honored to join an organization dedicated to making sure all children and families have a home and a chance to thrive,” said Kerkorian.

Family Promise was founded in 1988, in Summit. Family Promise is the leading national nonprofit addressing the crisis of family homelessness. The organization, comprised of approximately 200 Affiliates, tackles the range of issues that can lead to homelessness. From prevention services to emergency shelters to post-program stabilization, Family Promise ensures families develop vital skills, have access to critical resources, and receive ongoing support to achieve lasting independence. The organization has served more than one million individuals since its founding. To learn more about Family Promise click here. familypromise.org

Parsippany High Ranks #94 in NJ, #2,092 Nationally

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School achieved a noteworthy ranking of #94 on the official “2023-2024 Best High School Rankings list” released by U.S. News & World Report. This positioning is specific to the state of New Jersey. Nationally, the school secured the #2,092 spot. Parsippany High School is affiliated with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District. It ranked overall score 88.17/100.

The rankings encompass an evaluation of approximately 18,000 public high schools at various levels: national, state, and local. This year’s rankings spotlight schools where students exhibit exceptional outcomes, exceeding expected standards, which includes achieving commendable graduation rates.

For the complete report, you can access it by clicking here.

Kathleen Astorga Joins Kiwanis Club; Pinned by Cassara Grasso

PARSIPPANY — New members joining community organizations like the Kiwanis Club is always nice. The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany does great work in the community, so I’m sure Kathleen Astorga will make valuable contributions as a new member. It’s always wonderful to see existing members like Cassara Grasso and Shaun Astorga sponsoring new members and helping to grow the organization.

President Nicolas Limanov said, “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and community than to welcome a new member? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Kathleen to our club. We welcome her to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child, and one community at a time.

For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.

Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills to Hold Food Drive

PARSIPPANY — In response to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs National Day of Service on September 30, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills will be joining Woman’s Clubs across the country to perform projects aimed at raising awareness about hunger, conducting local food drives, or promoting volunteerism at local food banks. Our club will be collecting items for the Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry. Club members will be at Parsippany Town Hall Parking Lot from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to collect all donations.

The Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry continues to service the needs of our most vulnerable residents, and additional food and supplies are always needed. Below are the most pressing needed items:
Pasta sauce (jars)
Small bags of white rice
Canned tomatoes
Canned fruit
Crackers
Apple sauce
Pop tarts
Broth (all types)
Granola Bars
Canned Chicken
Oatmeal
Flour, Sugar
Cereal
Spam
Vienna Sausage
Ramen noodles
Canned potatoes
Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise, Oil
Instant mashed potatoes
Knorr sides
Dinty Moore Stew
Chef Boyardee
Coffee, Tea
Baked beans
Canned hash
Desserts, Snacks
Shelf stable milk
Personal care items: Toothpaste, etc.
Progresso Soup, Campbell’s Chunky Soup

The Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry is located at 1130 Knoll Road. For more
information, please contact (973) 263-7160.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the General Federation of
Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs
(NJSFWC), which are the largest volunteer women's service organizations in the
country/state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community
service. General Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month September
through April at 7:00 pm at the Parsippany Fire & Rescue Building at 100 Centerton
Road, Parsippany. If you would like to attend our next General Meeting to find out more
about what we do, call Ginny at (973) 887-0336 or e-mail the club at
womansclubofpth@gmail.com.

Check us out on the web by clicking here or follow the club on FACEBOOK.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting to Hold Agenda Meeting

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2023 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Mayor James R. Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella

Parsippany Hills High Ranks #86 in NJ, #1,829 Nationally

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School achieved a noteworthy ranking of #86 on the official “2023-2024 Best High School Rankings list” released by U.S. News & World Report. This positioning is specific to the state of New Jersey. Nationally, the school secured the #1,829 spot. Parsippany Hills High School is affiliated with the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District. It ranked overall score 89.66/100.

The rankings encompass an evaluation of approximately 18,000 public high schools at various levels: national, state, and local. This year’s rankings spotlight schools where students exhibit exceptional outcomes, exceeding expected standards, which includes achieving commendable graduation rates.

For the complete report, you can access it by clicking here.

DeVitto, Berrios, and Choffo Formally Announce Candidacy for the Board of Education

PARSIPPANY — Matt DeVitto, Tim Berrios, and Andy Choffo have formally announced their candidacy for the Board of Education. Their decision to run symbolizes their enduring commitment to serve the students, teachers, parents, and residents of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

Together, they boast over 30 years of unwavering dedication and service on Parsippany’s Board of Education. They cherish the Parsippany community and are deeply appreciative of the chance to contribute on the Board of Education. They are staunch believers in the community phrase, “Pride in Parsippany,” and are eager to continually volunteer their time and expertise for the betterment of the Parsippany Township.

They applaud the diversity and multitude of cultures present in the Parsippany community, highlighting it as one of the reasons why Parsippany stands out as a wonderful place to live and nurture families. They recognize that with such a plethora of perspectives, differences in opinions are inevitable, especially regarding education, curriculum, taxes, and parental rights. Their promise to the community is that if elected, every opinion will be cherished, and their decisions will always be anchored on what best serves the students and parents.

Outlined below are their Core Tenets for consideration:

  1. Reimagining Education by conceptualizing and instituting forward-thinking strategies for learning that surpass traditional classroom norms and techniques.
  2. Ensuring a safe and protected environment for children to flourish academically.
  3. Crafting policies and delineating objectives aimed at amplifying student success.
  4. Formulating fiscally judicious budgets.
  5. Augmenting Social/Emotional, academic, and co-curricular initiatives.
  6. Prioritizing technology both as an educational aid and a medium of communication.
  7. Offering unwavering support for “at risk” students.
  8. Integrating the insights and rights of all involved stakeholders in the decision-making process.

Stay connected with them on social media by clicking here.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Commences $6.5 Million Expansion Project with Littleton Elementary School Groundbreaking Ceremony

PARSIPPANY – Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education, the Administration, and members of the community will gather on Wednesday, September 6, at 5:30 p.m. for the ceremonial groundbreaking to launch the construction of six new classrooms and a small group instruction room at the Littleton Elementary School.  The $6,500,000.00 expansion project is funded through the district’s Capital Reserve Fund.  Due to the diligent and prudent spending protocols of the Board of Education and the office of the Interim School Business Administrator, Robin Tedesco, the district is able to fund the project without additional taxpayer dollars.  The district has strategically set aside reserves over the past several years to fund projects like this to save the taxpayers from increased taxes.  

Alison Cogan, Board President, said “With all the residential building going on in Parsippany and our elementary schools already at capacity, we worked with our architects to identify the best school to start a much-needed expansion project.  Littleton was the ideal site due to the large field area adjacent to the school.”  The additional classrooms will include Preschool and Kindergarten classrooms with self-contained bathrooms, small classrooms for Resource Room instruction, and a small office for Child Study Team staff.  

The new classrooms are expected to be completed by the end of the school year.

Click here to see the original story on ParsippanyFocus.com.

Morris County School of Technology Gears Up for the Upcoming Academic Year

MORRIS COUNTY — As the sun sets in summer, Morris County School of Technology is buzzing with activity, preparing for a fresh academic year.

In gearing up for the new term, teachers and guidance counselors recently attended the district’s acclaimed Summer Institute, an annual, teacher-led initiative now in its fifth year. This workshop is designed to spotlight innovative teaching techniques and lay the groundwork for the upcoming year, with this year’s theme centered on cultivating joy in the educational environment.

Spearheaded by Samantha Shane and the Department Chairs, this enriching three-day session delved into pertinent topics such as establishing a productive learning culture, championing equity and inclusion, crafting authentic learning experiences, integrating gaming into education, and much more. The outcome? A set of contemporary lesson plans, strengthened staff connections, and a renewed emphasis on genuine learning techniques, are all aimed at propelling students to greater heights.

Jeffrey Wierzbicki, the teacher behind the ‘Fundamentals of Food Service course, reflected, “The Summer Institute stands as an invaluable platform for collaboration and brainstorming, highlighting the incredible initiatives undertaken across MCST. This gathering unites both Career Technical Education and general subject educators, sharpening our skills collectively. Participating in the Institute enriches our ability to offer MCST students an enhanced educational journey.”

But it wasn’t all work and no play. Each day began with refreshing beverages and treats, a gracious gesture by the Parent Teacher Organization. Moreover, local businesses generously sponsored daily raffles, adding a sprinkle of excitement. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to Thatcher McGee’s, Playa Bowls, Kraves Breakfast & Lunch, Pure Barre (Denville), Blue Moon Express, Mountain Lakes Bagel, and Fully Promoted for their delightful contributions, especially the t-shirts.

As the school bell prepares to ring on September 5, the dedicated team at Morris County School of Technology eagerly awaits its students. The institution boasts a rich tapestry of full-time and shared-time academy programs. For a deeper dive into what’s on offer, click here.

Maurice Tobias of Lake Hiawatha Shines in CCM Fine Arts Exhibition

PARSIPPANY — Lake Hiawatha’s very own Maurice Tobias, alongside other gifted Fine Arts students from the County College of Morris (CCM), is currently gracing Assemblywoman Aura Dunn’s Chester office with a captivating portrayal of Morris County’s scenic beauty.

For the fifth time, Dunn’s office has transformed into a vibrant gallery, showcasing pastel landscapes meticulously crafted by students from CCM’s Drawing 2 class, under the adept guidance of Fine Arts Professor Todd Doney.

Speaking on the initiative, Professor Doney remarked, “This partnership is a testament to the exceptional talent of our Fine Arts students. It not only provides them with an invaluable opportunity to exhibit their work but also allows the community to immerse in the beauty of Morris County through their art. For many, like Maurice, this becomes a cherished first exhibition experience.”

Among the featured pieces is Maurice Tobias’s evocative artwork titled “Lonely Tree”, which stands as a testament to his artistic prowess and dedication.

Other notable works in the exhibit include:

  • “Civil Twilight” by Sandra Rojas of Livingston
  • “Golden Court” by Jazmin Gamboa of Boonton
  • “Autumn Drive” by Bridget Perez of Mount Olive
  • “Night Steam” by Emma Ramos of Blairstown
  • “Branch” by Stevie Cukor of Morristown

The exhibition, situated at 191 Main Street, Suite D, Chester, welcomes visitors throughout October, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Don’t miss the chance to experience the splendor of Morris County through the eyes of its emerging artists.