Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • September 19, 2012 Ramsey Ramsey’s Mary A. Hubbard School, which serves students from pre-K through grade three, has been named a Blue Ribbon School. This national honor was officially announced on Sept. 7. “We’re so excited,” Hubbard School Principal Molly Dinning said of the award. She explained that prospective Blue Ribbon Schools must first be nominated by the New Jersey Department of Education. “Last November (2011), we were asked by the state if we would work with a committee on the application,” Principal Dinning told Villadom TIMES. “The process took three months.” In addition to Dinning, the committee included PTO leaders Melissa Oliver and Shellie Francis, a media specialist, and representatives from each of the grade levels. While the main criterion for becoming a Blue Ribbon School is performance on NJASK (the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge exam), the application also allows district representatives to detail other outstanding school programs. Dinning said Hubbard’s application included the school’s strong character education program, which includes monthly school pride days. Each event highlights a positive character trait, such as respect, generosity, fairness, or honesty. Students participate in skits and sing songs that reinforce the messages and help them learn to interact with each other. The application also included information about how the Ramsey community helps the schools. Dinning pointed to the supportive families and excellent community resources that help Hubbard School. She noted that the school has well-established working relationships with the police department, fire department, Ramsey Rescue, the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Ramsey Reponds, an organization that helps local residents who are in need. The students also hold Food Drives for the Center for Food Action in Mahwah, Dinning said. “I really think this is award overall is a credit to Hubbard School, the students, and their parents,” the principal added. Dinning cited the support the school receives from the PTO, the residents, and the Ramsey Education Foundation. That support, she said, makes Hubbard School an exceptional place. In November, Dinning and a Hubbard School teacher will travel to Washington, D.C. for a recognition ceremony. Hubbard School earns Blue Ribbon recognition In addition, the school will receive a banner proclaiming Hubbard’s Blue Ribbon status. “It’s a tremendous honor and a lot of hard work for the principal and (the committee) to go through the application process,” Interim Superintendent Bruce De Young said. Noting that two other local districts also received this national honor, he added, “Kudos to Ramsey and to our neighboring districts in Mahwah and Ridgewood. This is a comment on the quality of education in Bergen County. “It’s a very lengthy and cumbersome process just to get the application through. I’m happy for Molly, her staff, and the community.” Ramsey Board of Education President Anthony Gasparovich added, “This is a fantastic accomplishment and speaks to the leadership and commitment of Ms. Dinning and her staff. “The award is made more special when you consider that only a small percentage of applicants were able to achieve this high honor. Once again, another shining example of why Ramsey is special.” “The Blue Ribbon Schools award sets a standard of excellence for all schools striving to attain the highest level of achievement,” said Dr. Howard Lerner, superintendent of Bergen County Schools. Good sports Several members of the Wyckoff YMCA Senior Table Tennis Club competed in the New Jersey State Senior Olympics, which was held in Woodbridge on Sept. 8. Players competed in different age groups. Betty Chan from HoHo-Kus (left) won the single women’s gold medal. Snow Chu of Ramsey (center) won the silver medal, and Annie DuHaine of Bloomingdale (right) won the silver medal in her group. The winners will qualify to compete in the National Senior Olympics in Cleveland, Ohio in 2013.