PARSIPPANY — Trick-or-treating is less than a month away and that means it’s time for Parsippany Focus’ Halloween story contest for young writers.

PARSIPPANY — Students at Northvail Elementary School recently had the opportunity to participate in a Junior Achievement Day. The program included kindergarten through fifth grade classes. According to Junior Achievement, the program is a partnership between business and educators to bring the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential and preparing them for the world of work.

At Northvail, approximately 34 volunteers from New Jersey Manufacturer’s Insurance Company spent the day teaching JA lessons and engaging students. The lessons included: Ourselves, Our Families, Our Community, Our City, Our Region and Our Nation.  Each grade level received different age-specific curriculum lessons that were fun and interactive and allowed volunteers to share their experiences with students giving them a first-hand perspective of today’s business world. The dynamic class discussion promoted stronger critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills in students.

Principal Jeff Martens at Northvail, helped organize the event along with Alicia Fusco, Senior Director of the Junior Achievement program, and Cindy Berger and Pat Hartpence, Lead Coordinators from NJM.

PARSIPPANY — Do you have children’s costumes you no longer need? Are you looking for a costume for your child? Participate in the Costume Swap at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road.

If you have costumes for children that are in good condition, drop them off at the Library’s Children’s Department during regular library hours. Costumes must be brought in by Thursday, October 15.

If you need costumes for children, register to pick them up on Tuesday, October 20 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. or Wednesday, October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Fore more information call (973) 887-5150 ext. 233 or click here.

PARSIPPANY — The Lake Hiawatha School PTA organized their first 3K Rainbow Run on Friday, September 25 at Veteran’s Memorial Park on Route 46, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 350 including students, family and friends, along with teachers and administrators.

Lake Hiawatha School PTA’s elected President, Paola Rodriguez, was one of the principal organizers. She said, “We are thrilled with the turnout. It was such a fun event! I really think this exemplifies the role of the PTA—building community connections and promoting wholesome, family friendly activities.” She went on to note her appreciation for the parent volunteers who assisted in planning and executing the event, extending special thanks to the event organizers, Bernadette Kopec and Tara Voto.

The event began with a ribbon-cutting performed by Mayor James Barberio. Volunteers staffed stations along the perimeter of the paved path, liberally dousing runners and walkers with colors that showed vividly against the white t-shirts provided to participants. Each walker also received a string bag that included coupons and a bottle of water.

The event was not timed, but winners emerged in the form of kids’ smiling faces and their multicolored hair and clothes, which they showed off like trophies. Refreshments were available onsite and the Kona Ice Truck was very popular among the students. A DJ was on hand, who helped pump up the crowd with upbeat music throughout the evening.

Funds raised go directly to support student programs. The Lake Hiawatha PTA finances all of the school’s assembly programs and the K-5 field trips. Beyond individual donations, the following local companies supported the school: Applebee’s, Bow Tie Cinemas, Caggiano Orthodontics, Cifaldi Construction, Councilman Michael dePierro, D&B Chinese Restaurant, DDV Mechanical, Houlihan’s, IHOP, Jeremiah’s, John Christian Entertainment, Lavorgna Electric, Rauchberg Dental, Sushi Kuu Restaurant, Stop & Shop, Towne Tavern and Valentino’s Pizza.

PARSIPPANY — The recent resignation of Parsippany Schools Superintendent Scott Rixford has created a vacancy for the school system’s top position.  Rixford, embroiled in a Middle School scheduling controversy will be on medical leave through December with his resignation becoming final in January.

At Thursday’s Board of Education meeting, several sources told Parsippany Focus that former Superintendent Leroy Seitz was seen leaving the building shortly before the evening’s meeting began. Seitz, no stranger to controversy himself, became the target of Chris Christie in 2010 when the board approved a new contract for Seitz which was rescinded more than a year later under pressure from the state Department of Education.

As Parsippany Patch reported at the time, “the brouhaha that grew to a fever pitch over the disputed pact, which violated a superintendents’ salary cap imposed by Gov. Chris Christie in Feb. 2011, media were awash in stories of BOE squabbles, lawsuits and Christie’s labeling of Seitz as a “poster boy of greed.”

A source not authorized to speak on the record told Parsippany Focus that Seitz interviewed to become the next interim Superintendent.