The Express-Times reports that Colonial Regional Police are seeking tips in a string of burglaries that have occurred during the day since late December in Lower Nazareth (read the article here).
In each instance money and/or jewelry has been stolen.
olice ask anyone with information about the burglaries or suspicious activity to call 610-861-4820.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Friday, February 06, 2009
Young Authors Contest 2009!
Thanks to Catherine Stewart, Children's Librarian, Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity for forwarding to me the 2009 Young Author Contest. Outside of its core services, I really believe this is the single best program the library offers.
It provides an opportunity for the children to understand how to tell a story, illustrate it, and see it published. Winners get a copy of their book and second copy becomes a part of the library collection. Young Author's books are shelved alongside published authors and they are searchable in the catalog.
My daughters always take a moment to search the status of their books, and are always thrilled when someone tells them they read their book.
They also enjoy going to the library and receiving their certificate. At recent events an author has participated by talking about a new book they've published and taking questions from the children on being an author.
It provides an opportunity for the children to understand how to tell a story, illustrate it, and see it published. Winners get a copy of their book and second copy becomes a part of the library collection. Young Author's books are shelved alongside published authors and they are searchable in the catalog.
My daughters always take a moment to search the status of their books, and are always thrilled when someone tells them they read their book.
They also enjoy going to the library and receiving their certificate. At recent events an author has participated by talking about a new book they've published and taking questions from the children on being an author.
MEMORIAL LIBRARY OF NAZARETH AND VICINITY
PRESENTS
THE SIXTH ANNUAL WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE YOUR OWN BOOK CONTEST
Contest runs from February 2nd through March 14th, 2009.
The contest is open to children in grades K through 12 who reside in the Library service area (Borough of Nazareth, Bushkill Township, Lower Nazareth Township, and Upper Nazareth Township).
Categories are K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12th grades.
Entries must be original. The ideas, words and pictures must be your own, not copied from anywhere else.
Please leave at least 1 ½” margin on the sides of your entry.
Do not fasten your pages together (no glue or staples, paper clips are recommended).
Entries should be at least 12 pages of story.
Text can be handwritten or typed. In the K-2 category only, an adult may assist with the words but please do not change words or improve the text.
Please use non-smear markers, crayons or any permanent medium for illustrations. No photographs are allowed.
Paper should not exceed 8 ½ x 11 inches and should be durable and unlined. Cover page should be made of regular paper with at least a ½” margin all the way around. COVER PAGE MUST BE THE SAME SIZE AS THE INSIDE OF THE BOOK! PLEASE SUBMIT 2 COPIES OF THE FINISHED BOOK.
A title page is required.
Entries will be accepted in the Children’s Department of the library starting March 1st.
Entries should be submitted in a large, flat envelope or securely paperclipped and should not be folded. Make sure your name and phone number is on your entries.
Winners will be chosen in each of the four categories.
Winners will be announced April 14, 2009 during National Library Week.
State Budget on Education
Thanks to another reader who pointed out an article in the Morning Call on the State Budget proposed by Gov. Rendell in which there is a quote from Nazareth School Board member Tom Maher (read the article here).
To call the budget ambitious in regard to the schools would be an understatement. The goal is to reduce the number of PA school districts from 501 to 100.
The plan's steps are outlined in the article as follows:
Clearly, the devil is in the details, but the idea is to cut administration by consolidating it, and this will lead to more money for classroom education.
I think I'd be alright with this in concept if it meant the existing district's integrity would remain as it related to geography and level. And that the building principals would have more ability to administer.
By this, I mean Nazareth HS, should receive students from the MS, the MS from current elementaries. And that students in Bushkill continue to attend bushkill and are not split between Bushkill and Moore Twp Elementary.
As time goes on, there may be some reasons to move students, but to start I think it would be too much.
What do you think?
To call the budget ambitious in regard to the schools would be an understatement. The goal is to reduce the number of PA school districts from 501 to 100.
The plan's steps are outlined in the article as follows:
- General Assembly would have to approve creation of legislative commission
- Commission would have one year to produce two options to reorganize school districts, including optimal enrollment, new boundaries and implementation plan
- General Assembly would vote up or down on each plan
- If the General Assembly rejects both, law would give authority to the State Board of Education to proceed with consolidation
Clearly, the devil is in the details, but the idea is to cut administration by consolidating it, and this will lead to more money for classroom education.
I think I'd be alright with this in concept if it meant the existing district's integrity would remain as it related to geography and level. And that the building principals would have more ability to administer.
By this, I mean Nazareth HS, should receive students from the MS, the MS from current elementaries. And that students in Bushkill continue to attend bushkill and are not split between Bushkill and Moore Twp Elementary.
As time goes on, there may be some reasons to move students, but to start I think it would be too much.
What do you think?
Steaming Cup on Kern House
Thanks to the reader who pointed out the reference given to NewsOverCoffee and one of its comments in Joe Owen's Steaming Cup of Joe Blog on the Express-Times web site (read it here).
Joe appears to see this as a keeping up with the Parkland's purchase, but I don't see it that way.
I see it more as the NASD's desire to "impose its will" on the community. (Thanks Coach Tomlin for providing the appropriate phraseology and congrats!).
The NASD should not be involved in historic preservation or in a bail-out of a religious based historic society.
Further, let's consider the initial sale of the two properties.
First, the district was going to reject the offer by Gary Asteak and accept a lower one because they wanted the property to be residential. Then they sold to the Society at a lower than assessed value, but riddled the sale with use restrictions.
I don't know, but I am guessing one of the terms was right of first refusal if the Society was going to sell. I say this because I don't recall the property being put up for public sale. Who is to say they couldn't have earned more money?
The Kern house is no mansion, not by modern standards at any rate. I'm guessing office space is most likely practical use, but maybe we should make it the President's House, like most universities have. Then, we can offer the Superintendent free-housing in exchange for a reduced salary.
Joe appears to see this as a keeping up with the Parkland's purchase, but I don't see it that way.
I see it more as the NASD's desire to "impose its will" on the community. (Thanks Coach Tomlin for providing the appropriate phraseology and congrats!).
The NASD should not be involved in historic preservation or in a bail-out of a religious based historic society.
Further, let's consider the initial sale of the two properties.
First, the district was going to reject the offer by Gary Asteak and accept a lower one because they wanted the property to be residential. Then they sold to the Society at a lower than assessed value, but riddled the sale with use restrictions.
I don't know, but I am guessing one of the terms was right of first refusal if the Society was going to sell. I say this because I don't recall the property being put up for public sale. Who is to say they couldn't have earned more money?
The Kern house is no mansion, not by modern standards at any rate. I'm guessing office space is most likely practical use, but maybe we should make it the President's House, like most universities have. Then, we can offer the Superintendent free-housing in exchange for a reduced salary.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Building Principal Position Open
The NASD has posted its end of year to be available principal position, in the Morning Call (read it here).
Not too much detail, doesn't identify Bushkill, but does note it is K-3. Current Bushkill Principal Yanek will be leaving to be principal at the 4-6 grade intermediate building.
Not too much detail, doesn't identify Bushkill, but does note it is K-3. Current Bushkill Principal Yanek will be leaving to be principal at the 4-6 grade intermediate building.
Payoff Park - The Gift that Keeps Costing
The Express-Times has an article from the Upper Nazareth Township Supervisor's Meeting (read it here) in which it notes that the Township's roads supervisor and crew, coupled with donations from residents and community businesses has "saved" the township roughly $6,000 on the purchase and installation of foul line poles at Payoff Park (see this post).
I commend these individuals and companies for stepping up and saving the township the expense, but I wonder shouldn't this work have been done by the company who 'donated' the park and ballfields? Not only did they 'donate' it, but the park was officially named after the company for its 'donation' in essence giving it perpetual advertising at no cost.
For an overview of the arrangement and potential impact on the Nazareth Area School District tax situation Click Here.
To see all posts on the subject Click Here.
I commend these individuals and companies for stepping up and saving the township the expense, but I wonder shouldn't this work have been done by the company who 'donated' the park and ballfields? Not only did they 'donate' it, but the park was officially named after the company for its 'donation' in essence giving it perpetual advertising at no cost.
For an overview of the arrangement and potential impact on the Nazareth Area School District tax situation Click Here.
To see all posts on the subject Click Here.
Stupid Groundhog!
Got back from taking the kids into school, twelve degrees, real feel of ZERO!
I don't know about anyone else, but this cold, ice, and sleet has gotten to be quite enough for one year, hardly need to extend it any longer!
I don't know about anyone else, but this cold, ice, and sleet has gotten to be quite enough for one year, hardly need to extend it any longer!
State of the Borough
Mayor Keller delivered his final State of the Borough address on Monday according to an article in the Express-Times (read it here).
The article summarizes the accomplishments of the borough since 2002 when Keller was first elected as follows:
Best wishes to Mayor Keller, and keep in mind local elections this year, so if you want to serve on Council, as a Supervisor, or on School Board, this is the year to step up and put your name on the ballot!
The article summarizes the accomplishments of the borough since 2002 when Keller was first elected as follows:
The mayor took council back to 2002.
"We were doing business out of an antiquated building on Belvidere Street," Keller said. "We had but one (police) officer on duty for most of each day. The park had great facilities but no summer programs no soccer fields on Sage Street no sparkling new ball field no skate park or dog park."
Keller talked about Green Street being so bumpy "that speed limit signs weren't needed."
He told council, "Even if you looked real hard, you couldn't find a tree lining any street in our downtown."
His speech identified the borough's Web site and additional equipment for the fire department.
While one could argue there was a tree in Brooklyn, or that the new ballpark is unavailable to residents, the over-all point is that we won't all agree on each decision made (ie the proposed government center expansion), but there have been a lot of good things done and there remains much work to do.
I'd also re-iterate a point I've made previously, the best government, in my opinion is the most local government. At Council meetings residents' concerns are not only heard, but discussed. Their budgets are reasonably frugal, but at the same time supportive of community events and activities, not to mention needs. This diminishes rapidly as you get less local, look at School Board, County, State and Federal levels, and look at the spending or extent to which your voice is heard and considered.Best wishes to Mayor Keller, and keep in mind local elections this year, so if you want to serve on Council, as a Supervisor, or on School Board, this is the year to step up and put your name on the ballot!
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
NASD Purchases former Property
The Express-Times reports (read it here) that the NASD bought back the Kern House from the Moravian Historical Society.
In short, the NASD sold a building for $75,000, then bought it back for $125,000, and did so without a plan of how we would use it.
The long story, ten years ago, Nazareth owned both the Kern House and its neighbor, now the law office building of Gary Asteak on the Circle. The two buildings housed the administration offices. The Kern House had the business offices, and the other building the Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent.
The decision was made to convert the main floor of the HS Annex (former middle school) to central administration offices, which meant the district could sell the two properties in the Borough.
The Kern House was sold to the Moravian Historical Society for $75,000. The sale price was low in order to allow the Society to invest in the building to create a museum and educational center that would benefit the district's students.
Since that time, there have been some open houses at the Kern House, but the resources to open another museum didn't materialize. The Society had considered sub-leasing the site to a bank for a set number of years and use the lease money received to seed the museum, but the NASD indicated doing so was against the terms of the sale.
According to the article, a recent crisis at the museum led the Society to make a decision on the Kern House and they offered sale back to the school district for $125,000.
The article notes
In short, the NASD sold a building for $75,000, then bought it back for $125,000, and did so without a plan of how we would use it.
The long story, ten years ago, Nazareth owned both the Kern House and its neighbor, now the law office building of Gary Asteak on the Circle. The two buildings housed the administration offices. The Kern House had the business offices, and the other building the Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent.
The decision was made to convert the main floor of the HS Annex (former middle school) to central administration offices, which meant the district could sell the two properties in the Borough.
The Kern House was sold to the Moravian Historical Society for $75,000. The sale price was low in order to allow the Society to invest in the building to create a museum and educational center that would benefit the district's students.
Since that time, there have been some open houses at the Kern House, but the resources to open another museum didn't materialize. The Society had considered sub-leasing the site to a bank for a set number of years and use the lease money received to seed the museum, but the NASD indicated doing so was against the terms of the sale.
According to the article, a recent crisis at the museum led the Society to make a decision on the Kern House and they offered sale back to the school district for $125,000.
The article notes
"Lesky said the district isn't sure how the Kern House will be used. "We're looking at the options," he said.
All Day K
At the Board meeting the decision was made to post-pone a decision on full day K until September (read it here). Probably not an all-together bad decision considering they will probably be pretty busy dealing with the opening of the Middle School and conversion of the Intermediate School.
Nazareth vs. Wilson Turkey Day Game?
The Morning Call has an article on the continuing discussion regarding the return of a Nazareth-Wilson Thanksgiving Day Turkey Game (read it here).
Nazareth's board has already approved the game, so the decision now lies with Wilson.
Why Nazareth - Wilson? Good question. The two teams previously played a Thanksgiving game from 1926 to 1975. The two communities are nearby, though they don't border one another. Wilson is surrounded by the Easton School District. Easton, of course has Phillipsburg. To the north, Pen Argyl and Bangor are the rivalry. On our west is Northampton. This is a huge rivalry in wrestling and there was an attempt to expand it to other sports, but for football and Thanksgiving, they have Catasauqua. To the south is Bethlehem, and Freedom and Liberty have one another. Beca is available, but they tend to get orphaned as a non-public school. So in this regard, the pairing makes sense.
Why play?
Money. The schools probably won't lose money if they don't go to a neutral site in the early years. Renting a stadium such as Lehigh or Moravian could be costly when attendance isn't a known quantity.
Spotlight/Tradition/Extra Game. Many argue the rivalry game is good because no matter how your season was this one came can determine a successful season or not and build for the next year. It also extends the season which the coaches like because they can get a few extra weeks of legal practice with the kids to prepare for next season.
Why not play?
Extended season. For those who participate in winter sports it poses a challenge. This is probably more true for basketball than wrestling, but it impacts both. Northampton has traditionally not started its wrestling season on the first weekend of competition because many of their wrestlers play football and they know they have the Thanksgiving game.
Playoffs. Easton takes a week off during the year and plays one less regular season game to ensure they remain in compliance with PIAA regulations. Northampton does not. The trick is that the PIAA only allows so many games in so many weeks, and if one plays a full schedule, then competes on Thanksgiving,
and makes it through state tournament they play one too many. You also can have a situation like Easton has where you play Thanksgiving Thursday and that Saturday in the state tournament. You don't often see football teams on any level playing two regulation games in three days.
Match-Up. Many believe Nazareth should have remained in the Colonial League and that we are too small to be with the big schools. According to the above referenced article, if the PIAA moves to a six classification system, Nazareth will remain in the highest class, Whitehall will be 5A, Central 4A, and Beca 3A. We are a big school now. Northampton and Catty do it, so theoretically Nazareth and Wilson could, but with a 30+ year gap between games I think school size does become an issue and gives a decided edge to the large school.
Verdict?
Not my call. If I were AD and the idea was raised by my coach or the other school, I'd investigate it, but I don't think I'd be the one to initiate the discussion. I'm not opposed, but I'm also not enamored with the idea.
I think the biggest question, and I don't know if you can answer it without having the game, is not if people want to have the game, but if people would attend if you did have it.
Nazareth's board has already approved the game, so the decision now lies with Wilson.
Why Nazareth - Wilson? Good question. The two teams previously played a Thanksgiving game from 1926 to 1975. The two communities are nearby, though they don't border one another. Wilson is surrounded by the Easton School District. Easton, of course has Phillipsburg. To the north, Pen Argyl and Bangor are the rivalry. On our west is Northampton. This is a huge rivalry in wrestling and there was an attempt to expand it to other sports, but for football and Thanksgiving, they have Catasauqua. To the south is Bethlehem, and Freedom and Liberty have one another. Beca is available, but they tend to get orphaned as a non-public school. So in this regard, the pairing makes sense.
Why play?
Money. The schools probably won't lose money if they don't go to a neutral site in the early years. Renting a stadium such as Lehigh or Moravian could be costly when attendance isn't a known quantity.
Spotlight/Tradition/Extra Game. Many argue the rivalry game is good because no matter how your season was this one came can determine a successful season or not and build for the next year. It also extends the season which the coaches like because they can get a few extra weeks of legal practice with the kids to prepare for next season.
Why not play?
Extended season. For those who participate in winter sports it poses a challenge. This is probably more true for basketball than wrestling, but it impacts both. Northampton has traditionally not started its wrestling season on the first weekend of competition because many of their wrestlers play football and they know they have the Thanksgiving game.
Playoffs. Easton takes a week off during the year and plays one less regular season game to ensure they remain in compliance with PIAA regulations. Northampton does not. The trick is that the PIAA only allows so many games in so many weeks, and if one plays a full schedule, then competes on Thanksgiving,
and makes it through state tournament they play one too many. You also can have a situation like Easton has where you play Thanksgiving Thursday and that Saturday in the state tournament. You don't often see football teams on any level playing two regulation games in three days.
Match-Up. Many believe Nazareth should have remained in the Colonial League and that we are too small to be with the big schools. According to the above referenced article, if the PIAA moves to a six classification system, Nazareth will remain in the highest class, Whitehall will be 5A, Central 4A, and Beca 3A. We are a big school now. Northampton and Catty do it, so theoretically Nazareth and Wilson could, but with a 30+ year gap between games I think school size does become an issue and gives a decided edge to the large school.
Verdict?
Not my call. If I were AD and the idea was raised by my coach or the other school, I'd investigate it, but I don't think I'd be the one to initiate the discussion. I'm not opposed, but I'm also not enamored with the idea.
I think the biggest question, and I don't know if you can answer it without having the game, is not if people want to have the game, but if people would attend if you did have it.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Make-up Days During "Spring Break" and Vacation Affidavits
Ross has already pointed out that snow make-up days are to be held the Monday and Tuesday of Spring Break which means that Spring Break (at least this year) will not be a full week long. I would think that because of the change to the schedule this year, there will be more than a few families travel plans affected.
Families who had made plans to be away during that week will now have to fill out an Absence for Educational Field Trip Affidavit. I have no problem filling out a form in advance (10 days minimum) to let the school/teachers know if/when my children are going to absent. We have family on the West Coast so we usually make a trip back once a year. My problem with the form is that the district requires it to be notarized.
There is no good reason that this form needs to be notarized. A parent's signature is not "good enough"? What is the notary "notarizing"? That your children are your children? To explain this in legal terms, this requirement is "arbitrary and capricious".
No other district (that I know of) requires notarization of an absence form. I have several friends who are teachers in other districts and they actually laughed when I told them of this requirement. I remember a few years back, we travelled during the week of Thanksgiving so I actually went through the motions to get the form properly filled out. The notary was happy to take my money but thought the whole thing silly - she had never even heard of anything like it.
The absence(s) are still considered "excused" so why should people use their time and money to get this form notarized? Parents should save their time and money by calling in their kids sick for days that they are going to miss because the absences are treated just the same. The district is actually penalizing parents who try their best to inform the school in advance if/when their children are going to be absent.
Does anybody else think this requirement is just plain silly?
Families who had made plans to be away during that week will now have to fill out an Absence for Educational Field Trip Affidavit. I have no problem filling out a form in advance (10 days minimum) to let the school/teachers know if/when my children are going to absent. We have family on the West Coast so we usually make a trip back once a year. My problem with the form is that the district requires it to be notarized.
There is no good reason that this form needs to be notarized. A parent's signature is not "good enough"? What is the notary "notarizing"? That your children are your children? To explain this in legal terms, this requirement is "arbitrary and capricious".
No other district (that I know of) requires notarization of an absence form. I have several friends who are teachers in other districts and they actually laughed when I told them of this requirement. I remember a few years back, we travelled during the week of Thanksgiving so I actually went through the motions to get the form properly filled out. The notary was happy to take my money but thought the whole thing silly - she had never even heard of anything like it.
The absence(s) are still considered "excused" so why should people use their time and money to get this form notarized? Parents should save their time and money by calling in their kids sick for days that they are going to miss because the absences are treated just the same. The district is actually penalizing parents who try their best to inform the school in advance if/when their children are going to be absent.
Does anybody else think this requirement is just plain silly?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)