Midland Park June 23, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Midland Park High School students finishing up their fourth year of advanced French asked the board of education last week to reinstate the fifth year class in September. The board discontinued the class as a cost-savings measure as part of its 2010-11 budget following a loss of 93 percent of its state aid. Jessica Abraham of Van Blarcom Avenue, who will be a senior at Midland Park High School next school year, pleaded with the board at its meeting last week to continue offering the live class for herself and two classmates instead of an on-line alternative. “We are disappointed and confused. We understand and are willing to do it under extreme circumstances, but it is not the same as being in class,” said Abraham. She pointed out that one of the students in her class had won a national contest in French and two students had tested in the top two percent in the nation. Abraham said that the atmosphere in the class was a contributing factor to the students’ success. “It’s a miniature family within the classroom. You can confer with those around you and the teacher. She is the leader and guide in the language. She lets us experience it; you don’t have that in an on-line program,” she said. “We’d be losing French students want to keep fifth year class so much.” Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Heebink, who is retiring at month’s end, said that in the past the board has had to cancel courses every year when enrollments were not adequate to sustain them, such as the AP programming course in some years. He said he had met with the students and had devised three possibilities, ranging from full restoration to no change in current plans, which he would be passing on to the new superintendent for her to follow through. Dr. Marie Cirasella will start her position in the district on July 1. “We admire the desire of students to achieve to their maximum. We also face a budget reality greater than any (continued on page 12) The Midland Park School District will be offering an expanded pre-school program in September through Midland Park Continuing Education. It will be held at Godwin School and will follow the Midland Park Public School calendar.The program is open to all area children. . The five-day state-approved program will offer a preschool morning session for three year olds and a pre-kindergarten session in the afternoons for four year olds. Enrollment is limited. The enhanced program is aligned with The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, one of the five New Jersey stateapproved preschool programs that was recommended for the Preschool Expansion Project. Emphasis is placed on State-approved pre-school program for fall setting up the proper learning environment and building meaningful, positive relationships with children and their families. It promotes the cognitive, language, social/emotional, and physical development of .children ages 3-5. The Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers is nationally known for its forward-thinking, comprehensive, and rigorously researched model. It incorporates a unique approach utilizing technology which helps plan and implement a content-rich, developmentally appropriate program that supports active learning while promoting children’s progress in all developmental areas. .For information call the Midland Park Continuing Education office at 201-444-2030 or go to www.mpcedu.com. The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing…. And your paint is peeling. Don’t let peeling paint ruin the season. Call GSG Painting today and receive your next paint project! YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PAINTING AND WALL COVERING PROS NEED MULCH? Hardwood • Hemlock Cedar • Oak Colored: Black, Brown, Red Top Soil • Compost Decorative Stone Installation • Free Estimates Wholesale and Retail 10% off 201-389-6404 • Interior and Exterior • Plaster Repair Painting • Power Washing • Wallpaper Installation • Wood Staining and and Removal Refinishing • Sheetrock Installation • Restoration and Repair www.GSGPainting.com RVH MULCH SUPPLY WYCKOFF, NJ 201-304-5055 5-19-10 Pat/Janine RHVMulchColor3x3(5-19-10) 3 x 3” Rev1