Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • January 19, 2011 FLOW Area Status of University Program remains unclear by Frank J. McMahon The status of the Information Technology, Theater Arts, and Communications University Programs in the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District will not be known until next month when the new applications for these programs will be reviewed to determine the number of applicants who will be accepted into each of them. Superintendent Lauren Schoen provided some insight to the fate of these programs, however, at a recent school board meeting. She advised that the number of applicants for these programs this year was consistent with the previous year’s applications, and these programs did not see an increase in applications to ensure there would be no changes next year. After that meeting, Schoen released a statement in which she reiterated her comments at the school board meeting. “The number of applications this year is fairly consistent with past years and the programs with lower enrollments did not see an overwhelming increase in applications as to assure no changes will take place,” she stated. “The University Program supervisors will review the applications and determine how many of the applicants meet the qualifications and will be accepted into each program. We anticipate this will be completed no later than early February and program status will be able to be updated by then.” Last September, the district school board’s Education Committee, consisting of trustee/Committee Chair Jane Castor, trustees Ira Belsky and Sadie Quinlan, and School Board President Wayne Peterson as an ex-officio member, recommended the board take no action at that time to modify the three University Programs from their current exclusionary/four-year commitment structure. The committee recommended that the modification take place beginning in 2011-12 unless the enrollment in those programs meets certain thresholds. The committee also issued an open letter to the school district’s community advising them of the decision to await the results of the application process to determine how to proceed in 2011-12 and beyond. It explained that these programs will continue on the current exclusionary/four-year commitment basis if the enrollments in those programs meet certain thresholds. Those thresholds are 18 or more freshmen enrolled in any of these programs, or alternatively, 60 students enrolled in a program, including incoming freshmen, by Aug. 15, 2011. If either of those thresholds is met by any of these programs, the program or programs would continue on a restricted basis as currently provided. If enrollment in any of these three programs falls below these thresholds, the course offerings in that program for this entering class would be made available to all students on a non-restricted basis as is done with most other electives. The committee recommended that even if one of these thresholds is satisfied, and any or all of these programs is continued on an exclusionary basis for the entering freshman class, each freshman enrollee should be informed that the district may not continue the program in its current exclusionary form during the full four years beginning in 2011-12 if the freshman members in the program decrease materially, or if follow-on classes do not also continue to meet the enrollment thresholds. The committee advised that each of the programs will be evaluated on its own basis, but emphasized that the last class to be guaranteed a four-year exclusionary program is this year’s freshman class regardless of class size. The possibility of modifying these three University Programs raised a concern with many of the students in those programs and their parents who attended a board of education meeting in large numbers to voice their support for the programs. They asked the board to keep the programs intact at least for another year, and to aggressively market the programs to eighth grade students entering the district next year. In response, the committee emphasized in its open letter that the voices raised in opposition to the committee’s original recommendation to phase out the exclusive nature of the programs have not fallen on deaf ears. The letter stated that the members of the committee believe that selective and exclusionary programs that have a meaningful number of students on a regular and continuing basis are worthy of continued support in their current form. However, it pointed out that they are mindful of the long history of limited and declining enrollments in the three programs, and think the district should not be committed to continuing these classes on an exclusionary basis even if an atypically large class applies, and is accepted, for the coming year. ������������������������ ���������������������� �������������� ��������������� � ������ ��������������������� �������������������� ������������������� ������������������� The Franklin Lakes Branch of The Valley Hospital Auxiliary has planned two programs that focus on a healthy lifestyle. On Monday, Feb. 28, a representative of The Valley Hospital Speaker’s Bureau will discuss “Strong Bones for a Lifetime.” This session will be held at the Franklin Lakes Public Library, DeKorte Drive, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Ellen Cramer, registered dietitian, will present “Reading Meetings focus on healthy lifestyles Food Labels & Healthy Snacking” on Monday, March 21. This meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps Building at Bender Court and Municipal Drive. Regular meetings of the Franklin Lakes Branch of The Valley Hospital Auxiliary are open to all auxiliary members and those interested in joining branch. For more information, contact Ann Swist at (201) 337-7262. ������������������������� ������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������� HARDING WINE & SPIRIT Wow! We knew it was good, but not in our wildest imagination did we think Coastal Vines would become such a success in our store. We have people coming from towns all over Bergen County buying cases of Coastal Vines. Thanks to Coastal Vines and this newspaper, at our last count we have sold 6,659 bottles. Unbelievable but true! Remember it tastes like a $10 bottle of wine but we are selling it for only $5.01! ������������������������� ���������������������� ���������� Keeping Families Warm Since 1929. Serving All Your Home Heating Needs Prompt, Reliable Service You Can Depend On, Plus The Personal Attention You Deserve. • Oil Heat Systems Serviced & Installed • Automatic Fuel Oil Deliveries • Tank Insurance Available WORTH THE TRIP! HUGE WINE SELECTION Beer • Super Premium Spirits Party Planning • Gift Baskets Free Parking • Ice • Soda 24 Hour Cash ts c n O DisHeougn il 201-891-1000 Emergency ati On Service ����������������������� Deliveries 305 E. Ridgewood Ave Ridgewood, NJ DEBIT CARDS ACCEPTED 201-445-7122 Coastal Vines $ Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir 5 .01 750 ml No rain checks issued. Not responsible for typographical errors.