NJ TRANSIT to introduce addition to JC bus route June 29
N J TRANSIT announced on Monday that it will introduce a new branch of the existing No. 6 Ocean Avenue bus route starting Monday, June 29.
In February 2008, NJ TRANSIT introduced the No. 6 Ocean Avenue-Journal Square bus route to replace the discontinued Coach USA Bus No. 99, which operated between Greenville and Journal Square. The new No. 6 branch, called the “Lafayette Loop,” will supplement existing No. 6 service to provide four trips per hour during peak periods and two trips per hour during off-peak periods between Journal Square and “The Junction” area of Jersey City via Hudson County Plaza. It will also connect Hudson County Plaza and Journal Square with two Hudson-Bergen Light Rail stations: Garfield Avenue and Liberty State Park.
The Lafayette Loop will operate in a continuous loop within the Lafayette neighborhood, originating and ending trips at Journal Square between approximately 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.
State Sen. Sandra Bolden Cunningham, who represents the area of Jersey City where the bus route will originate, lauded the decision.
“Ensuring that my constituents’ public transportation needs are heard and addressed is a top priority, and I appreciate NJ TRANSIT’s responsiveness in helping to meet those needs,” Cunningham said.
For schedules and fares, customers can visit njtransit.com. – Ricardo Kaulessar
Two schools chosen for state wide pilot program
North Bergen High School and Horace Mann Elementary School were chosen for a New Jersey Department of Education pilot program.
The program, the Personalized Student Learning Plan (PSLP), will begin during the 2009-2010 school year.
Sixteen schools throughout New Jersey were chosen out of 90 applicants from 66 districts. The selected schools will participate in a two-year trial in the sixth and ninth grades. Those same students will continue the plans in the seventh and tenth grades, while new students will join the program in the grades below.
After reviewing the program’s outcomes, the DOE will decide where learning plans should be changed and if all students from the sixth grade and above should be incorporated into the program.
PLSPs are part of Gov. Jon Corzine’s and the DOE’s efforts to put more of an emphasis on preparing students for the workforce and college.
The PLSP will use adult mentors, including parents, teachers and counselors, in helping students recognize and achieve their goals.
“It is imperative that we increase the rigor of our high schools to better prepare children for work and college, but it is equally important to help students get a better grasp on where they are headed,” said Commissioner Lucille Davy. “The interest we received from schools wanting to take part in this pilot shows that this initiative has the potential to have a tremendous effect on the quality of each and every child’s education and future.”
The program will focus on personal, academic and career development and will utilize internships.
Districts participating in the PLSP will receive up to $7,500 for each year of the program. – Tricia Tirella
State confirms fourth swine flu death
The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services announced last week that a fourth person had died of swine flu.
A 36-year-old Union County male died June 3 in Trinitas Regional Medical Center. He was hospitalized on June 1 with cough and fever. He had underlying medical conditions.
The second and third death were confirmed the week before.
A 15-year-old Somerset County boy died at home on Monday, June 8, after having a fever, cough, and congestion as well as vomiting. Other possible contributing medical factors continue to be investigated.
The third case pertained to a 10-year-old boy. According to a release, “The individual was a 10-year old Sussex County boy who died in Morristown Memorial Hospital. He became ill on June 12, was hospitalized two days later with cough and fever. He had underlying medical conditions. The child was last in school on June 11 and had no symptoms.”
To date, New Jersey has 465 confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza in 19 counties. There are also 248 probable cases pending confirmatory testing in the state lab.
Nationally, there are 21,449 confirmed and probable cases in 50 states. There have been 180 deaths worldwide, including 87 deaths in the United States.