Secaucus school district gets new supervisor of elementary schools and testing
With the opening of the new school year in September, a new face was present in the elementary schools: the district’s new Supervisor of Elementary Schools and Testing, Dr. Danielle Garzon.
Under an administrative reorganization that took place last spring, the supervisor positions in District were re-aligned, allowing for the new Elementary Supervisor position. The position was created for the purpose of having a supervisor dedicated entirely to the elementary schools, and the other three supervisors focused entirely on Grades six to 12.
Dr. Garzone was appointed to her new position this past spring. An accomplished educator, she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in education from Montclair State University, her Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Supervisor from New Jersey City University, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership K-12 from Seton Hall University. Prior to joining the Secaucus School District this September Garzon was employed by the Jersey City School District where she worked in the capacities of Elementary Teacher and District Curriculum Coach. In addition, she worked for the New Jersey Department of Education.
Physician and Medical Scientist award given to resident
Dipesh Patel received an award from the Secaucus High School Principal Dr. Robert Berckes recently. The award was presented to him by the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists. Patel was enrolled in Tsongas Centre in Boston this summer and studied medicine there his goal is to become a neurosurgeon.
Secaucus welcomes Mrs. India Earth finalist
Mrs. India Earth finalist Paris Keswani has been doing volunteer work in Secaucus including recently choosing the town to help her reach a goal of planting 10,000 trees worldwide. The Mrs. India Earth finalist’s mission has been a successful one, but now she is looking to do even more for the community.
Keswani runs the “Prince Foundation,” which feeds 200 homeless people each week and hosts annual toy, book and blanket drives in New York City. In addition to running the pageant, Directors Ritika Vinay and Vinay Kumar Yadawa run the Handicapped Children & Women’s Aid, an organization that provides education, medical attention and care for women and children. The organization aims to “promote optimal health and well-being of disempowered women and children” through workshops, programs, free meals and medical aid.
Although Keswani will be away training and participating in the 2016 Mrs. India Earth pageant for a while, she has big plans for when she returns. After attending her first Exceptional People of Secaucus event in town last week, Keswani was inspired. She plans on putting the volunteers from her Prince Foundation through training, and having them come out prepared and excited to help out the EPOS. Keswani looks forward to working with Mayor Gonnelli and the Town Council on new activities and events to incorporate into the program. In addition to working with EPOS, Paris and her team at Treasures of Prince are planning to launch a new line of jewelry, made from 100 percent recycled materials. The line is set to launch at the end of November and all proceeds will go towards environmental projects and her work for Prince Foundation.
Recent financial aid night at Secaucus High School Sept. 14
Secaucus High school guidance counselors held their annual Financial Aid night for students and their parents or guardians Wednesday, Sept. 14. The counselors participating were Helen Baciagalupo and Tara Tavares. The presenters were Dorothy Gilliaard, Christina Wiswesser, and Cate Suzanno. This gave all parents the opportunity to learn how to fill out the FAFSA application to colleges/universities.
Film festival at the library Oct. 6
On Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. the Black Maria Film Festival returns to the Secaucus Public Library as part of the festival’s Hudson County Movie Tour. The tour kicked off in May 2016 and will continue through 2017, features a cycle of film presentations throughout Hudson County. The tour has been made possible through the support of the Hudson County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs and Tourism. Every program is free and open to the general public.
For further information, contact Secaucus Library Community Outreach Coordinator Lee Penna at lee.penna@secaucus.bccls.org, 201-330-2083 ext. 4009, http://secaucus.bccls.org; or Jane Steuerwald, Black Maria Film Festival Executive Director, jane@blackmariafilmfestival.org, 201-200-2043, www.blackmariafilmfestival.org.
Free seminar on memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease at the library
Join HackensackUMC Palisades for a free seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 5 to learn about the symptoms and treatments of memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging. This seminar will explore the difference between normal age-related memory changes and abnormal changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, including some of the common warning signs. The presentation also reviews the importance of receiving a thorough diagnostic evaluation when symptoms first arise, current treatment options, and research regarding healthy aging.
The featured speakers are medical professionals from HackensackUMC Palisades and Alzheimer’s New Jersey. The North Bergen Public Library is located on 8411 Bergenline Ave. The seminar is Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 6 p.m for check-in, and it begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission, food, parking, and refreshments are free and will be provided.
To register contact Nikki Mederos at 201-854-5702.
Free breastfeeding discussion Sept. 28
In recognition of World Breastfeeding Month, the free monthly health discussions at the library will center around tips about breastfeeding. HackensackUMC Palisades will celebrate the mothers who chose to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. The seminar and dinner are free, and welcome expecting mothers, new mothers returning to work after birth and new mothers who have returned to the workplace and continued to breastfeed.
Featured speakers will be medical professionals from the Lactation Department at HackensackUMC Palisades, and professionals from Palisades Child Care Center will be on hand for a Panel Discussion and Q&A Session.
HackensackUMC Palisades is located on 7600 River Road. The panel takes place on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 6:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free, and light dinner will be provided. Free transportation is available from 60th Street and Bergenline Avenue starting at 5:30 p.m.
To register contact Robin or Debbie at 201-520-4785.
Upcoming show at Meadowlands Comedy Club Sept. 24
There will be a comedy show at the Empire Hotel that’s scheduled for Saturday Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. The host for the night is Mario Lucena, and the featuring comics are Andrew Lee, Bryan Villone, Gregory K. from Orange is the New Black, and Kevin Gootee from Comics Watching Comics.
The hotel is located on 2 Harmon Plaza. Visit the online box office at www.MeadowlandsComedyClub.com to purchase tickets. For more information and table reservations call 201-893-9777.
Free talk on birding with David Sibley
The birding talk is presented by Bergen County Audubon Society as part of its 75th Anniversary Celebration. Renowned birding field guide author David Sibley is coming to the Meadowlands Environment Center Thursday, Oct. 6 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to give a birding presentation.
His books will be available for purchase and signing. The second editions of Sibley’s Field Guides to the Birds of Eastern and Western North American were published in March. Sibley has also authored guides to Bird Life & Behavior, an overall guide to birds, and birding basics. Space is limited, registration is required. Register at www.njsea.com
Jersey City native sets record at Paralympic Olympics
A Hudson County Schools of Technology (HCST) County Prep High School Class of 2012 alum and Jersey City native, Raymond Martin, won a gold medal and set a new record during the 1500m T52 race in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
“It’s such a pleasure to see this young man represent Hudson County and the Hudson County Schools of Technology in such a positive manner on the world stage,” said Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise. “We are all very proud of him.”
Martin set the Paralympic Record in the 1500m race with a time of 3:40:63. He also competed in the 400m race taking the top medal of gold, and winning the silver medal in the 100m race.
“Raymond is a really special person,” said HCST Superintendent of Schools Frank J. Gargiulo. “He serves as an inspiration to our current students and alumni at the Hudson County Schools of Technology, demonstrating that hard work and dedication truly do pay off.”
He previously competed in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, winning Gold in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m races. Raymond holds the World Record in the T52 classification in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m races. He is also the first man to win five individual word titles at a single International Paralympics Committee (IPC) competition.
“There was no doubt in our minds that Raymond was going to succeed and make a difference,” said County Prep High School Principal Barbara Mendolla. “We at County Prep are all very proud of him, he has always been disciplined and ambitious, even as a student.”
The HCST Foundation originally awarded Martin a scholarship so he could attend the trials for the 2012 London Paralympics.
“The records and accomplishments that Raymond has achieved is no surprise to the HCST family,” said HCST Foundation Executive Director Linda J. Quentzel. “We always believed in his abilities and determination, and knew we were making a wise investment in our student in helping him get to the 2012 Paralympics.”
Martin is entering his senior year at the University of Illinois, majoring in Kinesiology and pursuing a career as a Physicians Assistant.
“I have been working with the Special Olympics for over 30 years, and am elated over Raymond’s accomplishments,” said HCST Board President Craig Guy. “He is one of our many students and alumni that are change makers in the world, and we are proud to have played a small part in preparing them for their careers.”