PARSIPPANY — If you were driving around the west side of Parsippany on Friday, September 3 and you witnessed the motorcade of police cars, school buses, and vehicles, then you stumbled upon the Parsippany Hills High School Football team motorcade.
The motorcade started on Rita Drive and went to seven different homes picking up the twenty-one seniors until it finished up in Lake Intervale and then back to the High School to enjoy a barbecue.
PARSIPPANY — Study Island™ is a web-based interactive program designed as an instruction, practice and assessment system. The Northvail Elementary School students accepted Principal Jeff Martens’ summer challenge to work on Study Island™ skill lessons this summer from July 1 to August 31.
Their goal was to collectively earn 2,500 Study Island™ blue ribbons and they did it! This is a huge increase from last year when the students earned 2,000 ribbons during the summer. What is a blue ribbon? If a student earns a blue ribbon it means that they have obtained a score considered proficient in a particular skill topic.
A special thanks goes to Principal Jeff Martens, for periodically reaching out and encouraging the students and parents during the summer. Of course, we are grateful to our Northvail parents who understand how important it is to have their child engage in academic activities during the summer.
Well done, students!
Pictured Left to Right: Anikait Sota, Sanjana Medapati, Anusha Jonnalagadda, Diya Patel Pictured here are the students who earned the greatest number of blue ribbons on Study Island™ this summer.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Superintendent Scott Rixford has taken a 30-day medical leave of absence, effective immediately.
In the interim, Assistant Superintendent/Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Nancy Gigante will serve as Acting Superintendent effective September 4, 2015.
Additional details were unable at time of publication.
5 Rutgers football players were arrested Thursday in conjunction on home invasion and assault charges. The football players arrested were Andre Boggs, 20, of Coatesville, Pa.; Ruhann Peele, 22, and Nadir Barnwell, 20, both of Piscataway; Razohnn Gross, 20, of Franklin Park and Delon Stephenson, 22, of Sayreville.
The Middlesex Prosecutor’s office issued the following statement:
Nine of the 10 defendants were arrested today. One remains at large. The arrests stem from an active and continuing investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Brunswick Police Department.
The investigation began last spring when police were called to a home invasion on Prosper Street in New Brunswick on April 26, 2015 at 11:29 p.m., after three masked men forced their way into the home and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and marijuana from five students at gunpoint.
During an intensive investigation, police arrested Tejay Johnson, 23, of Egg Harbor. The former student was charged with robbery, criminal restraint, theft, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
As the investigation continued, police linked Johnson to a home invasion on Hartwell Street in New Brunswick on April 27, 2015.
Police determined that Johnson and Andre Boggs, 20, of Coatesville, Pa., forced their way into the home and, armed with a bat and a knife, robbed a student of approximately $900 and an undisclosed amount of marijuana.
They were arrested today on charges of robbery, burglary while armed, and conspiracy to commit an armed robbery.
Another student, Dylan Mastriana, 19, of Rio Grande, also was charged with those counts after the investigation determined that he helped plan the robbery.
In a third home invasion, Johnson and Boggs were charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and attempted burglary while armed for trying to force their way into another student’s room in a dormitory complex at Livingston College in Piscataway on May 5, 2015.
The same charges also were filed against Mastriana, Jianan Chen, 19, of New Brunswick, and Kaylanna Ricks, 20, of Perth Amboy. The investigation showed that Mastriana and Chen planned the robbery, while Ricks drove Johnson and Boggs in a getaway vehicle.
Johnson and Boggs entered the dorm, but fled when the students targeted in the robbery resisted by closing and locking the door to their room as Johnson and Boggs attempted to force their way in. Nothing was stolen in that incident.
Police further determined that Johnson was one of six individuals who surrounded a group of at least four other individuals, including a Rutgers student, and assaulted them during an incident on Delafield Street on April 25, 2015.
The six were charged today with aggravated assault, riot, and conspiracy to commit a riot. A 19-year-old male student suffered a broken jaw during the unprovoked attack.
In addition to Johnson, defendants charged in the attack were identified as: Ruhann Peele, 22, and Nadir Barnwell, 20, both of Piscataway; Rahzonn Gross, 20, of Franklin Park, and Delon Stephenson, 22, and his brother, Daryl Stephenson, 23, both of Sayreville. Daryl Stephenson, also a former student at Rutgers, remains at large.
Minutes ago Rutgers Athletic Director Rutgers Julie Hermann minutes issued the following statement:
“The students involved are currently suspended from our program,” Hermann said. “We continue to monitor the situation. We will have no further comment as this is a pending legal matter.”
PARSIPPANY — A Parsippany-based food manufacturer and distributor will pay General Mills $765 million to acquire its Green Giants brand. B&G Food, which will also take over General Mills’ Le Sueur brand, expects to close the deal in the fourth quarter of this year. Adding the new brands is likely to increase net sales by $550…
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany resident Nancy Snyder was sworn in by Zoning Board Attorney Peter King, Esq. on the Zoning Board of Adjustment. She will serve an unexpired term ending December 31, 2015. The vacancy was created when long time board member George Kimmey resigned in June.
Snyder married for 19 years, has two children, and has been a Parsippany resident since 1997. She is currently Senior Director of Public Information and Communication for NJ Transit. Prior to NJ Transit, she was a long time radio news and traffic reporter and broadcaster in the New York metropolitan area.
Nancy has been serving on Traffic Citizen Advisory Committee and Transparency Citizen Advisory Committee since 2014.
She has been a Soccer Coach in Parsippany for many years. She also advocates for children with special needs and parents.
She is the recipient of NJ TRANSIT Police Department’s Civilian Commendation Award (2013) for helping the department identify and arrest three suspects wanted in connection with an assault in Newark.
Snyder is also the Past President of Associated Press, New Jersey Chapter.
She joins other Zoning Board of Adjustment members Robert Iracane, Chairman, Bernard Berkowitz, Vice-Chairman, Loretta Gragnani; Brian Kelley; Jonathan Nelson, Sridath Reddy, David Kaplan, and Scot Joskowitz.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment reviews all applications for relief from provisions of the Zoning Ordinance. The Board’s principal duties are to hear appeals, grant variances and rule on “use” applications.
The Zoning Board is comprised of seven regular members and two alternates appointed by the Township Council. All Board Members are Township residents. The Board reviews subdivisions and site plans with variances.
Pictured above: Nancy Snyder, Peter King, Esq. and her two children, Caleigh and Jamison.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Troy-Hills School District opened for the first day of school on Thursday, September 3.
At least 12 of the 14 schools, students will have a normal day. Students at Central Middle School and Brooklawn started school with no schedules. No English, No Math, No Gym.
The students were advised in a letter dated September 1, signed by Superintendent Scott Rixford, “….providing on site activities that typically occur later in September for all students for the two half day sessions scheduled for this week,” referring to Thursday, September 3 and Friday, September 4.
Over the past 10 days, the School District’s computer system that creates the students schedules, Genesis, were not producing the students schedules properly.
According to the Genesis Education Services website, “Genesis is the leader in web-based student record data for New Jersey schools. Over 250 school districts rely on Genesis’ Student Information System to manage their student records. The comprehensive feature set caters to the needs of parents and students, teachers, administrators, staff and special education case managers.”
Rixford continued “While we initially attempted to make corrections and apply fixes in real-time, we could not and therefore needed to close that system. We have brought in Genesis experts for guidance and continue to rebuild student schedules for middle school students. However, with over 1600 students involved this requires significant time to remedy. It is a most intricate and detailed process.”
He continued “Both middle schools will be providing on site activities that typically occur later in September for all students for the two half day sessions scheduled for this week. A schedule of the two days will be sent out to all parents tomorrow.”
The first day of school for all students are one session days. Junior High School students begin school at 8:00 a.m. and are dismissed at 1:16 p.m.
Click here for the schedule students will follow at Central Middle School.
Click here for the schuled students will follow at Brooklawn Middle School.
A concerned parent wrote:
Dear Mr. Rixford:
As the parent of an incoming 6th grader at Brooklawn Middle School, I am deeply concerned with the ongoing scheduling issues. I have 2 high schoolers who had a great experience at BMS – with the previous scheduling system.
I am wondering why this district has felt the need to reinvent the wheel regarding the middle school curriculum. Test scores were great, kids and teachers were happy and the end result was well-prepared high school students.
Perhaps it is time to abandon this over-complicated schedule and revert back to what we all know worked and worked well.
Now my son will be losing the main reason for 6th grade orientation – which was to walk through his schedule and meet his team of teachers. And, on top of that, he will be missing out on at least two academic days because of this problem.
I certainly hope that I am not the only parent who has complained about this. Time to cut your losses and go back to what works.
Thank you
Donna Hilsinger
Rai Sant Ana wrote: “This has NOTHING to do with a computer glitch. Genesis has no issue with the high school schedules. There has never been an issue before the new schedule plan. This is all about the fact that the schedule won’t work. Go back to the 9 period day, give the students and teachers back their 40 minute lunch and make literacy mandatory at all 3 grade levels.”
Parsippany Focus asked a series of questions regarding the student schedules, but the Board of Education did not provide answers at the time this story was prepared.
The Parsippany Troy-Hills School District has 14 schools, with students in ten elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and an adult education center.
Will the approximate 1600 students at Brooklawn Middle School and Central Middle School receive quality classroom instruction starting Tuesday? Only Genesis will know.
MORRISTOWN — A former Parsippany Boy Scout leader, accused of sexually abusing three Scouts in the 1990s, is trying to throw out child pornography evidence from 2011 that is part of the case against him. The case against Stephen Corcoran, 47, of Morris Plains, broke open in 2011 after Corcoran allegedly invited a man into his…
MORRISTOWN — As a trial date nears in a sex case involving a former Parsippany Hills High School teacher and a student, discussions on a plea deal are “ongoing,” a Morris County assistant prosecutor said Wednesday. Jenna Leahey, 33, a former English teacher and field hockey coach at the school, is accused of having sexual conversations…
TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie has used the State Police helicopter seven times in the two months since he announced his presidential bid — and more than half those flights were for campaign travel, according to records obtained by NJ Advance Media. The State Police has sent the governor’s campaign invoices totaling nearly $13,000 for four…
TRENTON –What do you think about Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to track immigration visas like FedEx packages? Not to be outdone by Donald Trump on the topic of immigration, Christie last weekend derided the “knuckleheads” at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for not being able to keep track of foreign nationals who overstay their visas. RELATED:…
JLC Bayt Yeladim offers alternative education for ‘changing’ families Barrie Halpern insists that JLC Bayt Yeladim is not in competition with area synagogues’ supplementary schools and hopes families who come to her school will eventually join congregations. Photos by Johanna Ginsberg Deb Marcus with her daughters and their finished hallah loaves. Halpern and one of the…
PARSIPPANY – A fundraiser for Brian “Mouse” Bramley, 49 will be held at Mount Holleran Town Tavern to help pay for his recovery from open heart surgery.
Bramley had open heart surgery on July 31. He’s doing well and will continue to be out of work for several months as he recovers.
Friends and well-wishers are invited to stop by Mount Holleran Town Tavern at 450 North Beverwyck Road on Saturday, September 26 between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to support Bramley and have fun with his family.
The event asks a suggested donation of $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for children between 15 and eight years old. Children under seven years old are free.
The “Have a Heart for Mouse” event will feature free food and 50/50 and basket raffles.
Event organizers are accepting donations for basket raffles.
For any questions or to donate items, people can contact Jim Torsiello at (973) 941-5654, John Bramley at (862) 268-1326, or Cheryl Shuck at (973) 727-7626 or email by clicking here.
Mount Holleran Town Tavern is located at 450 North Beverwyck Road.
Additional monetary donations for Bramley can be sent through PayPal to xmas2567@verizon.net.
MT. OLIVE — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Mt. Olive Chief of Police Mark Spitzer announce an investigation into a death in Mt. Olive Township.
On Monday, August 31, at approximately 2:20 p.m., the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was contacted by officers of the Mt. Olive Township Police Department regarding a 911 call concerning an unresponsive person.
Officers arrived at the location on Bartley Road, in Mt. Olive Township and a joint investigation was commenced involving the Major Crimes Unit and the Special Enforcement Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Mt. Olive Township Police Department and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
The identity of the individual as well as the cause and manner of death is being withheld as this remains an active investigation. No further information will be released regarding this matter.
It does not appear at this time that there is any risk to the general public.
Any inquiries can be directed to Morris County Deputy Chief of Investigations Denise Arseneault at (973) 285-6262 or darseneault@co.morris.nj.us.
PARSIPPANY — Jared Salgado and Nick Verducci, were among the MSG Varsity “Top 125 Players Football to Watch in North Jersey.”
Salgardo a senior at 5’11’, 220 pounds. He plays running back and linebacker for the Vikings.
Verducci, a quarterback and defensive back, is a sophomore, 5’11’, 175 pounds.
The Parsippany Hills Vikings football team has their first game of the season away at West Morris Central on Friday, September 11.
PHHS Vikings are Division 2, Group 3, State Final Champions in 2014, having crushed Cranford into cranberries, final score Vikings, (20) vs Cranford, (13) at MetLife Stadium on December 7.
Their 2015 schedule is:
| 09-11 | at West Morris | West Morris HS | ||
| 09-18 | Vernon | Parsippany Hills HS | ||
| 09-24 | Pope John | Parsippany Hills HS | ||
| 10-03 | at Morris Hills | Morris Hills HS | ||
| 10-09 | High Point | Parsippany Hills HS | ||
| 10-17 | at Montville | Montville HS | ||
| 10-24 | at Sparta | Sparta HS | ||
| 10-31 | Chatham | Parsippany Hills HS | ||
| 11-06 | Roxbury | Parsippany Hills HS |
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a bill into law that amended New Jersey’s child restraint law, on May 7, 2015. This new law takes effect today, September 1, 2015.
We know that legal jargon is very confusing so here is the updated carseat and booster seat law in plain English:
Children under the age of 8 (through age 7) are legally required to ride in the back seat* as follows:
Exceptions: If there are no rear seats (e.g., standard cab pickup truck), the child shall be secured in a carseat or booster in the front passenger seat except that no child shall be secured in a rear-facing carseat in the front seat of any motor vehicle which is equipped with a passenger-side airbag that is not disabled or turned off.
Full text of the new law can be found by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Angela Debrot, Community Director of the New Jersey Chapter of the March of Dimes, is shown with President Mimi Letts at a recent meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany presenting a plaque to thank the Club for its active participation in the March for Babies.
The New Jersey Chapter held its annual March for Babies fundraiser this past April in Florham Park. The Kiwanis Club has been an active supporter of the March, not only with financial contributions, but with volunteer staffing service since the Kiwanis Club was founded nearly 25 years ago.
The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The foundation, headquartered in White Plains, NY, has 51 chapters across the U.S., including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The March of Dimes provides mothers, pregnant women and women of childbearing age with educational resources on baby health, pregnancy, preconception and new motherhood, as well as supplying information and support to families affected by prematurity, birth defects, or other infant health problems.
The March of Dimes, founded in 1938 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, had fighting polio as its original mission.
For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, click here.
BALTIMORE — Antibiotics have been so effective in wiping out all traces of Lyme disease infections that doctors haven’t always believed people who said they still suffered for months or even years. Many chafed at the idea of “chronic” Lyme disease because they believed patients no longer had it. But the scientific community has been coalescing…
The 90 plus degree weather that began Sunday is expected to continue on Monday. Highs reached 91 at Newark Liberty International in mid-afternoon and are expected to reach 93 there today, according to the National Weather Service. The final day of August will be sunny, as will Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The mercury each day will…
PARSIPPANY — If you were driving around the east side of Parsippany on Saturday, August 29 and you saw a motorcade of Firetrucks, ambulances, police cars, school buses, rescue and recovery and a dozen convertibles, then you witnessed the Parsippany High School Football team motorcade.
The motorcade started at the High School on Baldwin Road and went to fourteen different homes picking up the seniors until it finished on Roosevelt Avenue and then the motorcade continued back to the High School to celebrate with a picnic near the football field.
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4, Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 5, Rockaway Neck Ambulance Squad, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Parsippany Police Department all participated in the motorcade.
Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 30 years.
Contact us: news@parsippanyfocus.com
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