Hudson County Law Day Honoree recognized at recent school board meeting
Huber Street School sixth grade student Alexandria Feil was honored at the Secaucus Board of Education Meeting’s Showcase of Success this past week. Alexandria was the recipient of a Sixth Grade Honorable Mention award through the Hudson County Law Day Contest for a poem she had written on the topic of “Justice.”
Secaucus High School Junior State of America Chapter receives top award for 2016
The Secaucus High School Chapter of the Junior State of America and its advisor Michael Gehm have received the prestigious JSA National Civic Impact Award as the nation’s top chapter for 2016.
The top JSA chapters from around the country compete annually for the National Civic Impact Award. The award recognizes the JSA chapter that makes the biggest impact on increasing the level of civic awareness and engagement at their school. The JSA, the largest student-run organization in the nation, is divided up into 10 regions around the country. This year the Secaucus High School JSA Chapter, consisting of nearly 120 “tax-paid” chapter members, was named the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Year. By being named the Mid-Atlantic region’s top chapter, the Secaucus High School chapter was entered into the running for the National Civic Impact Award.
On May 19, Iqra Ahmed, the chapter president, and her chief of staff, Narali Patel, participated in a webinar to be questioned by the Junior State of America’s National Board of Directors on their accomplishments for this year. Ten schools across the United States, included Secaucus High School, showcased their chapter’s various civic activities to the board of directors – each given seven minutes for presentation and seven minutes of question and answers.
Secaucus Street Fair is June 3-5
Enjoy live music, dancing, games, rides, shopping, and more at this year’s street fair from Friday June 3 to Sunday June 5. The fair will take place at the Plaza Center by the gazebo on the corner of Humboldt Street and Paterson Plank Road.
On Friday it begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 11 p.m. On Saturday it runs from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. And on Sunday it runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
First baby born with Zika-related microcephaly in the Tri-State Area
The Hackensack University Medical Center confirmed on June 1 that a baby was born at the Donna A. Sanzari Women’s Hospital on May 31 with microcephaly, as a result of the mother contracting the Zika virus internationally. The mother, who is visiting the United States, and her baby are receiving exceptional care during this difficult time.
Microcephaly is a condition in which a baby’s head size is smaller than expected due to abnormal brain development. There is no cure, but a treatment may help. HackensackUMC noted last week that they are planning seminars in the future to discuss the zika virus and its potential impact in the area. Watch for future dates.
New Jersey’s Board of Education adds 19 Hindu festivals to religious holiday list
New Jersey State Board of Education recently included 19 Hindu festivals to “The List of Religious Holidays Permitting Student Absence from School.”
It included four festivals in October itself, including Navaratri, which alone is listed for ten days. This “list of religious holidays on which it shall be mandatory to excuse a student” includes the Hindu festivals of Guru Purnima, Naga Panchami, Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesha Chaturthi, Onam, Navaratri, Duserra, Diwali, Goverdhan Puja, Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Vasant Panchami, Maha Shivaratri, Holi, Chandramana Yugadi, Souramana Yugadi, Ramnavami and Hanuman Jayanti.
Universal Society of Hinduism urged the Board in the past to include five festivals on the list, which are included in this list.
According to the NJSBE resolution, “Any student absent from school because of a religious holiday may not be deprived of any award or of eligibility or opportunity to compete for any award because of such absence.” The resolution also states, “Students who miss a test or examination because of absence on a religious holiday must be given the right to take an alternate test or examination.” Also according to the resolution, “Any absence because of a religious holiday must be recorded…as an excused absence.”
Seminar on ‘Special needs children and divorce’ held June 16
Several issues arise in divorce when there is a special needs child. How will the custody arrangement affect the child’s education? Should child support be paid into a special needs trust? Will the child ever be emancipated? Will the child need a guardian upon reaching the age of majority? Learn how to address these issues, and to draft them in your settlement agreements. This is offered by The Hudson County Bar Association & Foundation’s Family Law Committee. The guest speakers will be attorneys Beth Manes and Lori Cieckiewicz.
It takes place on June 16 at 5 p.m. for check-in, and the program scheduled to start promptly at 5:30 p.m. It is at the Brennan Courthouse Courtroom of the Hon. Lisa Rose, J.S.C.,
583 Newark Ave., 4th floor in Jersey City.
If you are a 2016 HCBA member you can attend in-house CLE seminars and receive up to 12 free CLE credits. After you have received your 12 credits, cost for members will be $50.00 per CLE Seminar. Price for all NON HCBA Members is $100.00 per CLE Seminar. All checks are to be made payable to the Hudson County Bar Foundation. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are acceptable. You may also fax your credit card information to (201) 798-1740 or email at events@hcbalaw.com. The registration deadline is Thursday June 9.
Cumbia River Band to play season finale of UBS Atrium Series
The UBS Atrium Series will close its 13th season of free midday music with a concert by the Cumbia River Band on June 15 at 12:30 p.m. The concert will take place in the Atrium at 1000 Harbor Boulevard in the Lincoln Harbor section of Weehawken.
This project is the latest by bandleader and multi-instrumentalist Martin Vejarano. Its music draws from a festive repertoire of Colombian Cumbia standards. The concert will feature favorite Cumbia hits from the golden years of this extremely popular Latin American music.
The concert will be free and open to the public and the venue is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available in the adjacent outdoor lot and public transportation options include NJ Transit Bus 158 as well as the Hudson Bergen Light Rail to Lincoln Harbor. For directions and more info, please check the Hudson River Performing Arts Center (HRPAC) website at www.hrpac.org, or call the concert hotline at (201) 716-4540.
Nonfiction book group meets the first Thursday of every month
The nonfiction book group meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Secaucus Public Library on 1379 Paterson Plank Road. At each meeting the group votes on selections for upcoming meetings. Copies of books are available at the library as well as a limited number of e-book copies. Registration for the discussion group is strongly encouraged and can be done through the library’s website or by calling library director Jenifer May at (201) 330-2083 extension 4011.
Friends of the Library to offer scholarships to qualifying residents pursuing Masters in Library Science
The Friends of the Secaucus Public Library will offer a limited number of scholarships to qualifying Secaucus residents who are pursuing a Masters in Library Science (MLS).
Library director Jenifer May noted that the goal of the Friends’ Scholarship is to encourage and aid local residents in their pursuit of an MLS, which is increasingly becoming a requirement for advancement within the library community.
Friends of the Library President Karyn Lusskin said that awarding scholarships to those interested in pursuing advanced library degrees was an appropriate and wise use of money raised through various fundraising events that began when the organization was formed in 1997.
Lusskin added that there are a number of criteria that must be met by those choosing to apply for the scholarships. “Applicants must be a Secaucus resident for at least one year, must present an undergraduate transcript and already be accepted into a Masters Program for Library Science at an ALA accredited college. There are also other criteria listed on the application forms that are available at the library or online at secaucuslibrary.org.”
The deadline for submitting completed applications and required attachments is 9 p.m. on Friday July 29. For additional information, contact the director at (201) 330-2083 or email may@secaucus.bccls.org.
Free native plant walk will be June 5
Learn about the native plants, the pollinators, the birds and the wildlife they attract in a walk led by the Bergen County Audubon Society. Meet at the Meadowlands Environment Center on 2 DeKorte Park Plaza in Lyndhurst on Sunday June 5 from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information call (201) 230-4983 or email greatauk4@gmail.com.
Pontoon boat tours on June 7 and 11
Experience the wildlife of the Meadowlands up close on a guided pontoon boat ride of the Hackensack River and its marshes. For those who have glimpsed the Meadowlands only from surrounding highways or the window of a commuter train, the two-hour boat tour includes acres of preserved wetlands and a thriving ecosystem. Narrated history of the Meadowlands and the river in included. This is for ages 10 and up with a suggested donation of $15. The tours launch from River Barge Park on 260 Outwater Lane in Carlstadt. Meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 7, or 8:30 a.m. on Saturday June 11. Pre-registration and payment are required. Download the registration form at www.njsea.com. For more information email cathy.vonk@njmeadowlands.gov or call (201) 460-4677.