November 20, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 Franklin Lakes Scribe Menorah Lighting planned The community is invited to the Franklin Lakes Bor- ough Hall’s Menorah Lighting on Wednesday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. Mayor Frank Bivona and local officials will be par- ticipating in this free program. Following the ceremony there will be entertainment, hot Chanukah refreshments, glow-giveaways, and Chanukah crafts for children in the ambulance corps building on Bender Court. For more information, or to help sponsor the event, con- tact Chabad Jewish Center at (201) 848-0449 or visit www. chabadplace.org. Christmas Tree Lighting announced The annual Franklin Lakes Christmas Tree Light- ing hosted by Franklin Lakes Public Library and Public Events Committee, will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. The event will be held on DeKorte Drive between borough hall and the police department. Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona and council members will be on hand to assist, along with the students from the Franklin Avenue Middle School Chorus, and a special visitor from the North Pole. Following the tree lighting, the festivities and refresh- ments will be available at the library. This event will be held rain or shine. Christmas Boutique and Luncheon set The Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor will spon- sor a Christmas Boutique and Luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The event will be held at 11 a.m. at the Indian Trail Club, 830 Franklin Lake Road in Franklin Lakes. In addition to the boutique and luncheon, the event will include prizes and contests. Proceeds will benefit Saint Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Totowa. Tickets for the event are $50 per person. Checks and the names of those attending may be sent to Carol Lewis, 271 East 19 th Street, Paterson, NJ 07524 by Nov. 29. For more information, call Ethel Raap at (201) 666-9764, Elaine Abbate at (973) 345-6200, or e-mail elaine.abbate@hotmail. com. PBA holds Coat Drive The Franklin Lakes Police Department PBA Local 150 will hold its Annual Coat Drive on Nov. 23 and 24. Members of the community are asked to donate gently-used coats for the needy. Donated items may be dropped off at the Frank- lin Lakes Police Department at 490 DeKorte Drive. Last year, the coats were distributed by Saint John’s Letters to the Editor (continued from page 26) dinner events, fishing events, trips to Atlantic City, etc. The Veterans Administration has this issue on its radar and will be replacing the existing buses over time (we all know how long this could be), but even the three buses that are up and running are insufficient to handle the number of veterans who would like to attend events. The Legion Posts of Bergen County have now started a fundraising effort and the goal is to raise $80,000 in order to buy a fourth bus. This bus would be new, and therefore more reliable, and would supplement the existing buses until they are replaced, which will be over a period of time -- not overnight. We are asking that you help by making a donation to this project. We are a registered 501(C)(19) organization. Please send donations payable to Bergen County Ameri- can Legion, c/o Bob Salvini, 54 Thiem Avenue, Rochelle Park, NJ 07662 and include in the memo line of the check that it is for the Paramus Vets Home Bus. Your generos- ity is truly appreciated. Please remember that this will help improve the social life and spirits of our less fortunate com- rades who reside at the home. All organizations donating $1,000 or more and any individual donating more than $500 will be included on a plaque (that will be donated by BCAL and not come from funds raised for the bus) recognizing their donation, so the residents using the bus will know who helped provide it. I thank you in advance. Should you have any questions, please feel to reach out to me at bobsalvini@att.net. Bob Salvini, Commander Bergen County American Legion Baptist Church in Paterson. Board of education to meet The Franklin Lakes Board of Education will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The 8 p.m. meeting will be held in the music room at Franklin Lakes Middle School, 755 Franklin Avenue. The public is welcome. Teen programs available The Advisory Council for the Community by Teens and for Teens will meet at the Franklin Lakes Library on Nov. 20 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Franklin Lakes students in grades six through 12 who want to promote teen services at the library and organize local or global community service pro- grams are invited. No registration required. Refreshments are served. The library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive. Teens are invited to drop in the Teen Room every Friday from 1 to 6 p.m. for a drop-in craft. Franklin Lakes high school students are invited to become homework helpers. This program is held on Tues- days and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. in the children’s department. Volunteers assist children in kindergarten through grade five with their homework assignments. Helpers receive community service hours. To volunteer, contact Donna Kurdock or Sara Tobias at (201) 891-2224. The library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive. ‘Thanksgiving Magic’ announced Domino the Great will present a magic show at the Franklin Lakes Library on Thursday, Nov. 21. The show will begin at 4 p.m. Domino the Great has performed his magic all over the world, including at the White House. “Thanksgiving Magic” is a family friendly program. To register, call (201) 891-2224 or visit the library at 470 DeKorte Drive during regular hours. To register online, visit www.franklinlakeslibrary.org and select “calendar of events.” Press releases for this column may be sent to editorial@villadom.com. Deadline is Wednesday at noon. High school’s assets highlighted (continued from page 6) where we are going,” said Capuano. He said the school’s focus is three-fold: to expand course offerings; to recog- nize the importance of co-curricular activities in the life of a well-rounded student; and to keep up with the latest technology advances. He said an important component at Midland Park is that the school’s hearing impaired program adds diversity while being integrated into the regular class- room. Capuano said that in the past three years, five new elec- tives had been added to the curriculum, many offered on alternate years based on student interest. Other efforts to expand the academic program include a pilot program to share courses with Waldwick High School, and internship program that can lead to college credits, and even offering online classes for credit. “All is driven by student interest. We find what the stu- dents like, and then they achieve,” the principal said. “It gives the kids the opportunity to find their own niche,” said Director of Curriculum June Chang. He added that every challenge has a solution and presents the oppor- tunity for success. “We work academics to the highest point level,” he said. Capuano said the co-curricular program includes 36 clubs, has a no-cut policy at the high school level, and thrives on flexibility. It also allows for middle school stu- dents to avail themselves of some high school clubs, and provides tutoring for struggling students through the honor society. “What we do, we’re good at,” said Capuano referring to the competitive edge often held by the band and some sports. “Education is not quantity; it’s the quality that counts,” he concluded. The principal said any parent with questions may check the district’s website, mpsnj.org or contact him directly at 201-444-7400 to set up an appointment.