Glen Ridge Schools Report Spike in Violence Incidents as Students Readjust to Full-Time Return

The district's twice-yearly Student Safety Data System report, presented by Mr. DeWitt at the February 7, 2022 meeting, flagged six reported violence incidents during the July-to-December reporting period -- a noticeably higher count than usual. DeWitt said that when he asked administrators, including Dr. Donovan, why the numbers had jumped, they pointed to students being back in school full-time for the first time in two years and still relearning basic routines like recess and lunchroom behavior, leading to more impulsivity and difficulty with emotional regulation. The district said it is responding with "zones of regulation" instruction and expanded social-emotional learning programming. The same report noted two confirmed Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying incidents, both determined to be unintentional, with appropriate action taken; Central School reported zero incidents for the period, while Forest Avenue and Linden Avenue schools had only a small number of alleged incidents.

The board accepted, with regret, the resignations of four staff members: GRHS teacher Robert Booth, effective February 17; GRHS social-emotional-learning counselor Jordan Roche, effective April 7; Central School custodian Vincent Botazzi, effective February 1; and Ridgewood Avenue School substitute custodian Jahaad Abnathya, effective January 4.

Superintendent Dirk Phillips told the board that COVID-19 cases in the schools have been falling sharply, from 18 three weeks ago to 12 two weeks ago to just three last week, and that the district's regional risk metrics are trending toward a lower risk level. He said the state's travel-related quarantine period has been shortened from 10 to five days, and announced a new option, developed with the local health department, allowing unvaccinated students returning from out-of-state travel to take a rapid test on return and another on day three, rather than quarantine, as long as both come back negative. Board President Elisabeth Ginsburg reported that Governor Murphy announced the statewide school mask mandate will end March 7, though the state has not yet issued updated health guidance, and that the district received written communications from residents Jacob Schwam and Pamela Kahl opposing masking, both of which were answered by pointing to the state's current public-health emergency mandate. Ginsburg also reported that the state board of education has set a cut score of 750 out of 850 points for the new Graduation Proficiency Assessment, to be taken by current juniors in March, and that state lawmakers are beginning to examine chronic teacher shortages -- especially in math, science, world language and special education -- as teacher-preparation program enrollment has dropped by as much as 40% in some areas.

High school administrator John Lawlor previewed a slate of new courses for next year, including a video-game-design course taught by Kevin George, a redesigned "Art in Today's World" course from Pam Baker, a new printmaking class, and a reworked statistics course under new teacher Mr. Fitzpatrick; the cover of the newly published program of studies was designed by senior Tyler Ann Citrino. He also highlighted Black History Month programming, including daily student profiles of African American historical figures on morning announcements (an initiative led by student council advisor Mr. Majewski), English classes pairing novels by Black authors with historical documents, a seventh-grade document-based essay assignment on Harriet Tubman, and an upcoming NFL Hall of Fame program on Black athletes' contributions to the sport. Three students in the district's "Option Two" program, which lets roughly 20 students earn credit through internships, teaching-assistant roles or college coursework, described their experiences: Avery works as a percussion teaching assistant in the middle school band under Ms. Shereen and got to conduct two pieces at the winter concert; Theodora Walmsley spends her afternoons shadowing dermatologist Dr. Nosa, observing everything from Botox and filler treatments to studies on vitiligo and alopecia; and Alp Oyker interns in the high school's IT department, fixing Chromebooks and handling staff work orders.

The board approved bills and claims of $616,481.91 and payroll and related disbursements of $1,770,523.69, and accepted a $2,175 donation from the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation, thanks to Fran Wong and the foundation board, to fund Virtual High School access for the 2021-22 school year. The board also approved the second reading of Policy 5111 on eligibility of resident and nonresident students, with Gottlieb abstaining, and renewed the district's annual Uniform Memorandum of Agreement governing its relationship with the police department.

In liaison reports, Gottlieb said Ridgewood Avenue's "Legally Blonde Jr." production has more than 140 students involved and will run May 6 and 7, alongside a March 4 Casino Night fundraiser, and that the Glen Ridge Association for Special Education has scheduled a February 10 meeting to discuss the special education audit. Yaros-Ramos reported Linden Avenue's Home & School Association is planning a May 14 Spring Fling and a cookbook fundraiser benefiting the Montclair Food Bank. O'Neil said the Gas Lamp Players are opening registration for a "Frozen Jr." summer camp and will stage "A Chorus Line" February 24-27 at the Studio Playhouse in Montclair. Bonnett reported on a high school baseball fundraiser and a push to make volleyball a sanctioned high school sport. During public comment, resident Tricia Akinwande asked DeWitt to clarify the difference between the "trainings" and "programs" cited in the safety report; he explained trainings are for staff and programs are for students.

Action items

• Accepted, with regret, the resignations of GRHS teacher Robert Booth (eff. 2/17/22), GRHS SEL counselor Jordan Roche (eff. 4/7/22), Central School custodian Vincent Botazzi (eff. 2/1/22), and Ridgewood Avenue substitute custodian Jahaad Abnathya (eff. 1/4/22).
• Approved bills and claims of $616,481.91 and payroll/related disbursements of $1,770,523.69.
• Accepted a $2,175 donation from the Glen Ridge Educational Foundation to fund Virtual High School access.
• Approved the second reading of Policy 5111, Eligibility of Resident/Nonresident Students (Gottlieb abstaining).
• Renewed the district's annual Uniform Memorandum of Agreement with the police department.

Watch key moments

• 24:10 — Student Theodora Walmsley describes shadowing a dermatologist through the district's Option Two program, from Botox treatments to vitiligo studies.
• 30:27 — District officials link a spike to six reported violence incidents to students still readjusting to a full-time return to school after two pandemic years.
• 46:02 — High school administrator John Lawlor reveals he was the mystery voice behind the district's snow-day announcement.