Waldwick September 1, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Study group to review random drug testing proposal The proposal to conduct random drug tests on Waldwick High School students is about to be reviewed by a new study group that will be formed this month. The discussion of the random drug testing program took place before Superintendent Dr. Patricia Raupers joined the district in July, and the educator said she would like to know more about the proposal. “We will put it to a larger study group that will contain parents in favor, and those opposed, to the testing,” Dr. Raupers said in a recent interview. “I walked into that, and haven’t had a chance to explore it. There are intended and unintended consequences of either decision (to implement the policy or vote against it),” she said. As a result, Dr. Raupers explained, “A study group will be formed in September.” The number of people who will be part of the group has yet to be determined. “I just wanted to make sure we’ve thought this though very carefully,” she said, adding that she wants the district’s ultimate action on this matter to be a carefully considered decision. This spring, Waldwick High School Principal Kevin Carroll and members of the high school staff proposed the testing program. Local educators had conducted research in other districts over the previous year. “We are doing this to protect the kids, not to hurt or punish them,” Principal Carroll said earlier this year. The principal explained that district officials have been researching the possibility of using random tests in Waldwick, and have spoken with various schools that conduct these tests, including Hasbrouck Heights and River Dell high schools, where Waldwick representatives made on-site visits. Waldwick also investigated drug testing programs in Pequannock and at Hunterdon Central. As proposed, any student who wants to be a member of a team, club, or band, and any senior who parks a car on campus and/or leaves the campus during lunch would be subject to random testing. Students could opt out of the testing pool if their club/activity is not in season, and parents would have the ability to have their students opted in even if they do not participate in extracurricular activities. Last week, Carroll said the testing was proposed to the board of education this spring, but action on the policy was put on hold as end of the school year, and the district’s new superintendent, arrived. “We are not looking to discipline the students or be the police,” Carroll asserted. He has called the proposed testing program a proactive move that has the potential to help students face peer pressure, since students who do not wish to use drugs would be able to tell peers they do not want to risk being excluded from their extracurricular activities. since 1978 LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION, INC. Waldwick United Methodist Church is offering Christian marriage counseling to couples who are seeking help with their marriages, and to those planning to enter into marriage. There is no charge for this service and meet- Marriage counseling available for couples ings are confidential. For more information, contact Rev. Michael Kim at (201) 658-4805. The Waldwick United Methodist Church is located at 25 Franklin Turnpike. Italian Herb Bistro Night Wednesday, September 8th at 7 pm at our Saddle River Landscape Gallery (Rain Date - Thursday, September 9th) We have partnered with Ridgewood Culinary Studios for a fun and informative evening. We will be hosting a hands-on demonstration of herb container planting and the ladies of the Ridgewood Culinary Studio will be preparing specialty appetizers. The cost is $10.00 (to be collected at the door) for supplies. Please call our office at (201) 891-1199 to register or email events@jacobsenlandscape.com. ����������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ���������������� ������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ������� ��������� ��� ������������ ��������� ���������������� Call about our Special Occasion Catering No job too big or too small! ������� ������������ 99 West Allendale Ave. Allendale, NJ Phone: 201-327-2423 Fax: 201-327-9550 �������������� ������������������������ Mike Canova-Owner, Graduate of Culinary Institute of America Monday thru Saturday 6am to 3pm • Sunday 7am to 2pm L ABarnstablePCourt, Saddle River •D201.825.4440 S N D S C A E G A L L E RY A N G A R D E N 11 www.jacobsenlandscape.com ESIGN CENTER 413 Godwin Avenue, Midland Park • 201.891.1199 D ������������������������������ ��������������������� BerniesBagelsGeneric2x2(2-17-10) For Mike from Janine 2 x 2” 9-1-10 pat/janine JacobsonLandsc2x5Color(9-1-10) 2 x 5” 31 W. (Next to Village Pizza) 31 W. Allendale Ave. Allendale Ave. (Next to Village Pizza) $ 99 haircut offer expires: 9/10/10 4 Not valid with any other offers. Limit one coupon per customer. At participating