November 13, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 19 Park Windmill Chamber sponsors Tree Lighting The Midland Park Chamber of Com- merce will again be a Platinum Sponsor for the Community Tree Lighting. This year’s event will be held Friday, Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the town hall parking lot, 280 Godwin Avenue in Midland Park. Club presents two one-act plays Tickets are now on sale for the Midland Park High School Drama Club’s two one- act plays. The club will present a comedic murder mystery, “Murder at the Banquet,” and a modernized classic, “Alice @ Won- derland.” Performances, under the direc- tion of Drama Director Andrew Anderson, will be Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Prior to the 7:30 p.m. performance on Nov. 16, the club will host a dinner the- ater experience. Students will serve a full-course dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets for the dinner theater event are $15. The doors will open approximately 30 minutes before performance times, and at 6 p.m. for those attending the dinner theater. For tickets or more information, contact Andrew Anderson at AAnderson@mpsnj. org. In the spring, the club will present the epic Mel Brooks musical comedy, “Young Frankenstein.” Performance dates are planned for March 21, 22, and 23, 2014. Performing Arts Parents announces Theater Arts Fundraiser Midland Park High School Performing Arts Parents will hold a fundraiser to ben- efit the high school’s theater arts programs. Three prizes will be awarded. The first place winner will receive an iPad mini valued at $350, the second place winner will receive a 19-inch LCD HD TV valued at $150, and the third place winner will receive a $100 Visa gift card. Tickets are $5 and are being sold by cast, crew, and family members of the drama and musical programs to help offset production costs. To obtain tickets for the fundraiser, con- tact Donna Halliwell at Dhalliwell@mpsnj. org. Auxiliary welcomes new members On Wednesday, Nov. 13 the American Legion Auxiliary will meet at Veterans Hall on Faner Road in Midland Park. The group will gather at 7:30 p.m. New mem- bers are welcome. Anyone interested in joining the orga- nization may contact President Donna Hoffman at (201) 445-3140 for more infor- mation. Flu vaccines available The Midland Park Board of Health will offer an additional Flu Vaccine Clinic at 11 a.m. on Nov 18. The clinic will be held at the Midland Park Christian Reformed Church at 183 Godwin Avenue. In addition to the Nov. 18 clinic, flu vac- cine is available at the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission at 20 West Prospect Street in Waldwick. Participants should note: Family mem- bers age 18 and older and those with Medi- care HMO (Medicare Advantage) may be vaccinated for a fee of $25. Women who are pregnant must bring a note from their obstetrician; and regular Medicare partici- pants must bring their Medicare Part B card for NWBRHC to bill Medicare. To register to receive the vaccine, call (201) 445-7217. Feasibility study (continued from page 15) in a large district,” Thomas said. Adding that people had moved to Midland Park because it is a small town with a small school district. He told a parent: “We’re comfortable with what we have.” Dr. Maryalice Thomas, another trustee, said that comparing statistics between MPHS and Highlands based on the pub- lished profile on each district’s website, MPHS students “come up ahead…. If we are looking to compete, look at the academ- ics; no one is going pro with interscholastic sports,” she said. Comparing average SAT scores in math and critical reading, Dr. Thomas said that while Midland Park’s average score is1027 out of 1600 versus NHRHS’ aver- age score of 1181, research is indicating that family income and SAT scores are corre- lated. Average income in Midland Park is $77,230. In Allendale average income is $120,466, $171,410 in Upper Saddle River, $107,471 in Saddle River and $153,675 in Ho-Ho-Kus. The regional district includes Allendale and Upper Saddle River and receives tuition students from the other two communities. Dr. Thomas said Midland Park students are taking AP exams at a comparable rate as Highlands when comparing the 10 AP subjects MPHS offers. She also pointed out that while the stu- dent to guidance counselor ratio at High- lands is 226, Midland Park’s ratio is 167 students per counselor. “We are serving better,” she said passionately. “The academic achievements at our high school are excellent,” agreed Superinten- dent of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella. “We are serving our children beautifully.” “Our kids are well prepared for college. We don’t want to send them to a bigger dis- trict,” said Board Vice President Sandra Cricenzo. “Lots of things going on are intangible; they won’t show in a feasibility study,” said trustee James Canellas. “We can do a lot with 25 grand as opposed to allocate money to quiet a vocal group of community resi- dents who need the independent study.” ‘Without the study, people won’t support our efforts for a referendum,” countered Sullivan. The majority of residents speaking from the audience which packed the DePreker Library did not share the board members’ enthusiasm. “You have a moral obligation to reflect the views of the community, not present a biased view,” said John Pappas of Hamp- shire Road in asking the board to reconsider its opposition to the study. “Dr. Thomas pointed to selected pieces to demonstrate a point. We need unbiased information: what’s available, what can be offered. Our kids need to be exposed to more; this is the turning point on what to do with our edu- cation,” he said, noting that given the indi- vidual attention students receive, the school should be one of the top ten in the state. Class size at MPHS ranges from a low of two students per class in French to a high of 30 in physical education. Band has 54 stu- dents and chorus has 43. “The board can’t miss this opportunity to get our students into a better high school,” said Charles Tsocanos of Estes Court. “Your position is to be objective, not to throw out our comments because you disagree,” Francine Caleca of Westbrook Avenue told the board. “Our facilities are not where we need to be. We don’t have the things we need. We can’t support the infrastructure,” said Diane Allen of Rubble Street. “Do the study, then let the parents make the decision, if not close, then improve,” she said. Joanne Webb of Hill Street commented on the attrition rate of students attending the local elementary schools but then going to a private high school. This year alone, the drop from eighth grade to ninth was 15 students. “Parents are not willing to pass a refer- endum for schools they are not using and taxes going up. A large portion of the popu- lation is interested to see what sending can do,” Webb said Cristin Aldershof of Faner Road asked if any districts had reached out wanting to attend MPHS. Sullivan said that one dis- trict had inquired a while back but nothing had come of it. “This still can be a good little town while opening opportunities for our students to go to other schools and make friends,” Alder- shof said. Sullivan said no further overtures would be made to Highlands or other districts given the board members’ position at this time.