Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • August 22, 2012 Franklin Lakes Principal of Woodside Avenue School resigns by Frank J. McMahon In a letter to the Woodside Avenue School community, Franklin Lakes Superintendent of Schools Frank Romano announced last week that Woodside Avenue School Principal Dominick Rotante has taken a leave of absence and has resigned his position. Woodside Avenue School has a professional staff of 65 and serves a school community of approximately 300 students in kindergarten through grade five, including two special education classes. According to Romano, the board of education granted Rotante’s request for a 10-month personal leave to tend to family matters, and the trustees accepted his resignation, which will become effective at the conclusion of his leave on June 30, 2013. Romano emphasized that Rotante and the board of education came to this decision after giving deep consideration to what would be in the best interest of the principal, his family, and the entire Woodside Avenue School On Aug. 13, a Sterling Drive resident reported that on Aug. 10, unknown persons had used his bank debit account to conduct fraudulent transactions. Detective Anthony Pacelli investigated. On Aug. 12, a Colonial Road resident reported that during the overnight, unknown persons entered her unlocked car, which was parked in the driveway, and stole her purse, which contained passports, cash, keys, a credit card, a driver’s license and a bank debit card. Also taken was a Garmin Nuvi GPS Unit. Officer Jon Rynander investigated. Borough Police Department Report On Aug. 9, a Vance Avenue resident reported that her 2007 Toyota had been stolen from her driveway during the overnight. The matter has been forwarded to the detective bureau. Sergeant James Schnaidt and Officers Gerard Gansel and Robert Smith investigated. As a result of an Aug. 8 motor vehicle stop conducted on Route 287 at 2:27 a.m., a 48-year-old Mahwah woman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, breath test refusal, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and failure to possess a driver’s license. Officers Donald Wilson and William Zangara investigated. The Franklin Lakes Public Library, located at 470 DeKorte Drive, will host a variety of programs for children in August. Registration is under way. The Lego Club will meet at 11 a.m. on Aug. 23. Children in grades one through five are invited to bring their Legos to the library and create an original structure. Children in grades five and up are welcome to help create frightful figures for the library’s Halloween Fright Night set for Oct. 16. On Aug. 23, participants will paint, color, cut set designs, and audition for acting roles for the annual event. The backstage program will meet from 2:30 Children’s programs available at library to 4 p.m. The Reading Club will wrap up with two programs. For club members in pre-school through second grade, Mr. Twister will delight and amaze as he transforms ordinary balloons into realistic sculptures on Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. Every child will go home with one of his extraordinary balloon creatures. Lasermania Spectacular! by Prismatic Magic will close this summer’s program for members in grade three and up. Set for Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., Lasermania is a collection of current rock/pop music with dramatic laser animation. community. “During his tenure in Franklin Lakes, Mr. Rotante showed a passion and genuine concern for children,” Romano stated. “On behalf of the board, the administration, and myself, I extend sincerest wishes for personal and professional well-being to Mr. Rotante and his family.” Romano acknowledged that Rotante’s departure would evoke a variety of emotions and responses from the community, but he promised to keep the community informed and to partner with the community where appropriate in an effort to ensure a successful transition, and to maintain a stable and familiar environment for the children and families of Woodside Avenue School. “Regarding the Woodside Avenue School transition,” Romano stated, “we are fortunate to have a trusted and seasoned principal in Helen Attenello to graciously agree to stay with us past her Sept. 1 retirement until Dec. 31, 2012 to assume the role of acting principal.” Attenello has been principal of the district’s High Mountain Road School since 1997. Jaclyn Bajzath took over as that school’s new principal on July 1. “Together with administrators, faculty, staff, and the extended community, Mrs. Attenello will continue to provide the children with a nurturing and exciting learning environment. She will have my full support as well as the full support of the board,” the superintendent said. “Having Mrs. Attenello continue on our administrative team during these next four months leaves me confident that we will find the best solution,” Romano assured the Woodside Avenue School parents. He advised that the school district will begin a search later in the fall for a permanent principal who will take office on July 1, 2013 while, in the interim, the school district will explore its options in an effort to find the best bridge from January through June. Referring to the search for a permanent replacement, Romano stated, “Rest assured that it will be comprehensive and that it will include parents, administrators, teachers, support staff, and board of education members.”