October 13, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Schools receive federal funds by Frank J. McMahon The Mahwah K-12 school system was recently informed that it will receive $116,125 in federal Education Jobs Act funds. Governor Chris Christie submitted an application for federal education funding under the Education Jobs Act, and the U.S. Department of Education recently announced that New Jersey’s application for $268 million in federal funds had been approved. The funding for Mahwah’s school district was allocated according to New Jersey’s school funding formula. “We must work together to make sure this money is used to improve the quality of education and that it helps put our districts on a path to financial sustainability,” Acting Commissioner of Education Rochelle R. Hendricks stated in a letter to Superintendent Charles Montesano. The U.S. Department of Education requires the education jobs funds to be spent by September 2012, and Hendricks urged the school district to be mindful of how and when the funds are spent. She explained that the next budget cycle promises to be challenging and, therefore, she asked the school district to consider reserving this one-time funding for the 2011-12 school year, if possible. Hendricks also encouraged the district to avoid spending decisions that would significantly grow future-year obligations that could prove to be unsustainable. “These one-time funds should not only preserve critical jobs, they should provide your district with the breathing room needed to plan for educationally sound, balanced budgets in the austere days to come,” Hendricks wrote. “It is unwise to assume that there will be additional streams of federal jobs money in planning for the future.” According to Hendricks, the U.S. Department of Education allows these funds to be used for non-classroom costs, such as cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and coaches, but she indicated it was her hope that this unexpected revenue would be directed to those areas most likely to help students excel academically, namely classroom activities. “I am confident that meeting the needs of your students is your number one priority,” Hendricks stated, adding (continued on page 19) “New Wave of Immigration in New Jersey: Diversity and Vitality, 1940-2009” will be presented by Dr. Henry Bischoff on Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. The discussion will be held at the Ramapo Reformed Church at 100 Island Road. Sponsored by the Mahwah Museum, this history lecture is open to the public. Dr. Bischoff, professor emeritus and a founding faculty member of Ramapo College, will discuss the new wave of immigration New Jersey has been experiencing since the 1940s. New Jersey has the most diverse population of all the states in the nation with newcomers from every country in the world. While at Ramapo, Dr. Bischoff taught United States, New Jersey, and immigration history. He was an Ellis Island Fellow at Rutgers University. He has written books and articles on immigration and local history, was the coordinator of the Garden State Immigration History Consortium, and recipient of the New Jersey Historical Commission Award of Recognition. Refreshments will be served following the lecture. For additional information, visit www.mahwahmuseum.org, or call (201) 512-0099. Immigration lecture set ��������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������� West Milford Animal Shelter Walk-A-Dog-Thon Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010 • 11am-3pm (Raindate: Oct. 24) Wawayanda State Park • Warwick Tpke • Hewitt, NJ ������������������������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� Take a walk in the park and help homeless animals, raise funds and you could win 1 of 4 prizes. • GRAND PRIZE - $400 • $300 - ShopRite Gift Certificate courtesy of ������������������������� Free Goodie Bag for every dog. • $230 iPOD Touch 8GB courtesy of • $100 Target Gift Card courtesy of Evergreen Farms Greenwood Lake Animal Hospital Inserra Supermarkets ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������� ������������ re ted u’ vi o n Y I to PL THE ANT THE PLANT is a new church in the Mahwah area! We’re a community of faith committed to living out the love, truth and compassion of Jesus Christ. Our worship gathering is at 10am, Sunday mornings at Ramapo Ridge Middle School in Mahwah, New Jersey. ��������������������������� ���������������������� 9-29-10 joan/janine Roots is our Kids Ministry for children Pre-K thru 5th grade. WestMilfordAnimalShelter3x2(9-29-10)place where kids get to grow in Roots is a fun, interactive 3 x 2” their faith and relationships with one another. Roots meets at 10am during our worship service. growing kids in God’s love Roots The Plant Church 150 Ridge Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 201- 425-3770 theplantchurch.org