Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-September 23, 2009 Issue

Ho-Ho-Kus September 23, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 District announces results of QSAC review by Jennifer Crusco Deborah Ferrara, Ho-Ho-Kus’ school superintendent, reported last week that, according to the results of the 2009 Quality Single Accountability Continuum performance review, or QSAC, Ho-Ho-Kus has been designated a high performing district. That determination was announced by New Jersey Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy in a letter to Superintendent Ferrara. QSAC reviews cover ﬁve areas and, according to Davy’s communiqué, Ho-HoKus received scores of 100 percent in three of those areas, including instruction and program, personnel, and governance (board of education). The district further received scores of 98 percent in the areas of ﬁscal management and operations. “As noted…your district satisﬁed at least 80 percent of the weighted indicators in each of the ﬁve areas of the QSAC review process,” Commissioner Davy wrote. “Therefore, I am pleased to designate your district as a ‘high performing district.’ These placement results will be provided to the State Board of Education at an upcoming meeting. Please be advised that the QSAC regulations require your district board of education to report the district’s placement on the performance continuum at the next regularly scheduled meeting. “Since the district has completed the QSAC process, it is hereby certiﬁed, pursuant to NJAC 6A:30-4.1 (c), to continue operation as a public school district in the State of New Jersey for a period of three years or until the district’s next QSAC review.” Davy noted that the county would send veriﬁcation of the district’s performance review, including high scores for each indicator, and further congratulated the district on its achievement. Ferrara gave credit to her predecessor, Dr. Joyce Snyder, who was interim superintendent when the district’s self-rating process began, and to the many other individuals who worked on the internal preparation that led up to the February 2009 review. The superintendent noted that a team from Bergen County visited the school to perform the exhaustive examination, and requested documentation and, in some cases, visits to speciﬁc areas of the building to verify the information that had been provided. “It was an incredible team effort,” Ferrara told Villadom TIMES last week. She said the excellent scores represent a great coup and speak to the type of district HoHo-Kus is. “It’s not easy to get 100 percent in three areas,” she continued, saying this is a reminder of the district’s commitment to excellence. “I thank those who make it work every day,” she added. Holiday boutique scheduled The Classic Creations Holiday Boutique, the longest continually running craft show of its kind, will returns to the Hermitage Museum on Oct. 24. The elegant selection of holiday decorations, handmade crafts and unique gifts, created by over 175 artisans, will be on sale through Nov. 29 in the Hermitage Education & Conference Center, 335 North Franklin Turnpike in Ho-HoKus. The show will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout its run, except Thanksgiving Day. On Thursday evenings, the boutique will remain open until 9 p.m. The general admission price of $7 per person includes two repeat visits to the craft show for the original ticket purchaser. Proceeds support the educational programs at the Hermitage Museum, a National Historic Landmark. Children age 12 and under are admitted to the show free of charge. “For nearly 30 years, this popular holiday boutique has brought artful and interesting (continued on page 8) �� Fall specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000 ��