Glen Rock September 4, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 9 Okey Chenoweth named district’s first poet laureate by John Koster There was no dilemma or dithering when it came to naming the Glen Rock School District’s first poet laureate: The only real option was retired teacher Okey Chenoweth. Warmly remember by two generations of Glen Rock High School students, Chenoweth is credited with start- ing several graduates, including Eric Morris and Michael Torpey, on careers that took them to Broadway leads and helping hundreds of others to appreciate poetry and litera- ture. Many students who never took up acting as a career also said that his instruction increased their self-confidence and poise in ways that were useful both on and off the stage. Chenoweth was a legendary presence in the schools before his retirement in 2007, and came back to receive accolades for a job well done at last week’s Glen Rock Board of Edu- cation meeting. First educated in a one-room schoolhouse, Chenoweth received a bachelor’s degree from Davis & Elkins Col- lege in West Virginia and a master’s degree from the Uni- versity of West Virginia. He taught in California for five years, then in East Orange, and came to Glen Rock in 1961, where 10 years later he was honored with the Robert H. Ax Award. Chenoweth is credited with inspiring Glen Rock stu- dents, boys especially, with taking a serious interest in drama even when they came to his classes more focused on sports. His personal contacts in the world of New York the- ater, including drama teacher Stella Adler and playwright Edward Albee, led those youngsters who were attracted to drama to see Broadway and off-Broadway performance as a possible dream, and to appreciate dramatic writing in general. Chenoweth was also credited with inspiring other districts to see what Glen Rock was doing with such great success. He appeared in person to receive his official status as the Glen Rock School District Poet Laureate, the first time such an honor has been authorized, to the acclaim of board members and students who had studied with him. “Everybody loved Mr. Chenoweth’s classes,” said former student Emily Koster Walling. “He’s one of the best teachers I’ve ever seen, and what he gets out of people in terms of performances is amazing.” Public school district announces new visitor protocol As part of the Glen Rock Public School District’s ongo- ing efforts to improve security in all district buildings, sev- eral additional procedures are being put into place for the opening of schools this month. These new procedures will be in effect as of the first day of school: Monday, Sept. 9. Visitors to Glen Rock High School, Glen Rock Middle School, and Glen Rock Community School will enter and exit the buildings using the Hamilton entrance, located at the high school traffic circle. Upon entering the lobby, visi- tors will need to register with the greeters at the reception desk. All visitors will be asked for proof of identification and will receive a date- and time-stamped badge to be worn while on the premises for each visit. A table has been placed next to the desk to collect any forgotten items being dropped off for either middle or high school students. The reception desk will be staffed weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visitors to all four elementary schools will continue to Charges against borough man dismissed The case against a 56-year-old Glen Rock man who was charged with four counts of child molestation in February has been dismissed. The man had been arrested after a grand jury indicted him, but two polygraph tests and other evidence apparently convinced Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli there was no credible evidence of wrongdoing. Bergen County Superior Court accepted the motion to dismiss the charges early in August. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office had no official comment. The Glen Rock man, who has no criminal record and is the founder of an environmental business, said that the charges now dismissed had “a serious negative effect” on his business and that he had been treated as “guilty until proven innocent,” except by family and friends. J. KOSTER use the front doorbell system for entry into the buildings during school hours. The schools are also now equipped with an electronic card swipe system, providing building access for staff. Byrd School has placed a series of cub- bies in the front vestibule where parents can place forgotten items during the school day, replacing the table outside the main office. Parents are encouraged to refer to individual school websites for any updates made to security procedures during the school year.