Always a THS cheerleader. . . It appears that only those who do not have kids in the school are those who complain about it. This is a wonderful opportunity to really see it and find out what makes it a very special place.

Why a special invitation to a certain religious group I ask? Why not make it inclusive for all and call it that........ Open house for all....... I hope the tax payers are not paying for it....... I would like to know how this is financed? There probably was no money allocated for such an event...... I would like to take out the money used for this event in the next budget cycle....... A complete waste of money......

People don't send their kids to public schools for various reasons....... I don't think by having a Jewish open day... anyone will be convinced to send their kids to the public schools.....

This may also be seen as reverse discrimination by some......

Good grief! Can't anything be done without creating a tempest in a Teaneck pot? I certainly wasn't targeting any group with my comment that those whose kids aren't at the high school are those who complain. I've heard negative remarks from people of all ages and all backgrounds. And - there are open houses all the time - what's wrong with a little outreach? How many tax dollars do you think are allocated to an open house?! Go - don't go - whatever - but why attack what was regarded as a positive step?

Mordechai Luchins- So just because jewish day school tuition is skyrocketing and because we have a large number of jewish families in town warrants this segment of the population getting their own specially catered open house? Why not just invite these families to one of the other open houses scheduled throughout the year?

Karin - I was just supposing, mind you. No inside knowledge.

You raise a very good point that they could go to any other open house. It looks to me like the person who thought this up was thinking "but what if we did a special night" because he thought the demand was there and wanted to single them out. Maybe it was because of the failed Charter School or some junk.

I don't think it's a terrible thing. Especially since these programs (kosher food, holiday stuff) already exist and are already costing the county money. Let them spotlight it.

I would like to see more nights like this, not less. Let's focus on other groups too. The Kosher program means that Halal rules are met - what about Teaneck's Muslim community? Or something for the Hispanic community?

I wish this darn system would let me respond to a response.

I didn't think you were implying it - I was worried it might sound like I was claiming to it. No worries.

I guess I'm thinking of it along marketing lines.They know that there's a niche with a problem searching for a solution. They're targeting said group as a possible solution. Seems logical.

As for Halal/Kosher, there are multiple schools of thought. A prominent Rabbi I know who teaches Kosher Slaughter actually takes his students to a Halal poultry butcher for practice and that community is fine with it. Still, you are right that it is not cut and dry.

I guess I don't see anything sinister about trying to get a segment of the community to send their kids to the school. Now if they ONLY marketed to one segment, sure.

I graduated Teaneck High School in 1962 and I find this situation to be pathetic and embarrassing to me as a Jew. When I grew up in Teaneck there was never an issue about Jewish families sending their kids to the Teaneck schools. We as Jews may have been 40 to 50% of the school population. Obviously these Orthodox Jewish zealots don't see much value in the public school system but prefer not to assimilate. They can be proud that they have helped to weaken and essentially ruin was one once of the finest school systems in the entire United States.

During the 50's and 60's more Phd's came out of THS than any other high school in the country. Teaneck High at that time was one of the finest high schools in the entire country. At that time Teaneck was designated as a model community. The Teaneck I see now is unfortunately not the town in which grew up. The lack of support on the part of the newer residents (late 60's until present day) has been destructive to what was once an incredible town.

Mr. Friedman --
I don;t know you. I'm sure you have every reason to be proud of your education and your heritage and you feel comfortable expressing that pride in some way. But you don't know me, and your blanket statement about Jewish zealots is ridiculous. You don't know my educational background or my reasoning for eschewing the public school system. By lumping all sorts of people together in order to lambaste a large group you make a huge error because you don't allow anyone else an individual voice or opinion. We all must not value something because that's the motive you impute.

If it makes you feel better to malign others and say that those who choose private school have ruined a school system, then that is your right. I learned about your right to hold unpopular and incorrect opinions in my private school classroom.

Dee Are...please spare me the bs. If you cannot see has become of what was once a model school system and a model community it is not my job to enlighten you. My statement about zealots is far from ridiculous.You know exactly what I am talking about. Don't play dumb.

PS. You might also wish to use your real name.

Dee Are
You are naive and clueless. You apparently know nothing of what Teaneck once was.
A lot of us are cringing with what we read and see. Have the guts to at least identify yourself and not hide behind an alias.

Oh of course I am hate filled. You are typical of the mindset which thinks that others know nothing and that you have all the answers which you of course find in your antiquated and outmoded beliefs. Live and be well your self delusion. I am far from alone in my sentiments. מעל הפרשנות של התלמוד יכול לבלבל גלויות

Thank you for clarifying your position on religion so as to explain the hate you have for anyone who has moved in over the last 40 years, anyone who has a belief system which you don't value or who makes decisions that you can't understand. I am far from alone in my sentiments and that's what irks you. You are more and more alone in yours and that makes you feel marginalized and devalued.

Without knowing me, my gender, my age, my knowledge base or my thought process you have created a vision which you can then assign all sorts of motives and behaviors so that you can feel warm when you take shots at it. Hope you have fun with that. And, yes, I could quote something in Hebrew if I wanted, but what would that prove. What about Spanish? I could do that as well. Or Latin. Would that make my case any stronger? You want Russian? German? What do you think you gained by posting Hebrew?

You just want the last word....Nothing I say will change you and you are not going to change me. Events in the future will show which one of us has it right. Get some balls and use your real name. Don't be a coward.

Karin,
It means too much study of the Talmud can befuddle one's mind...

Former Mayor Matthew Feldman would turn over in his grave if he knew what was going in his beloved Teaneck.

I wonder if Mr. Heck in setting up this Jewish Open House for tonight realized that tonight is a Council Meeting on the municipal budget.

Was at the THS open house. What a great group of faculty and students there tonight presenting I thought a few people would show - many did. The quality and variety of their programs discussed were very impressive.

THS is a very solid program, with more to offer than most / all options in the area. People that knock this school are ignorant and do not have a true understanding of the school.

The diversity that exists in our community and our TPS is just an asset.

Jason: Please stop and think before you type. I see THS as a school that spends more dollars per student than any school in the area and gets the worst results........ That is a fact........ If you call me ignorant than I can tell you that I have nothing but sympathy towards you and the people who think like you......... Go live in the fantasy world you live in...... supported by our tax money spending money like there is no tomorrow. The sorry part is that the very people who should be concerned about this school are the ones who show least concern....... The parents and kids that go to this school should ask..... why THS results are so bad compared to other schools in the area when we spend more money per student than most....... food for thought for those who have a working brain.

Good points ZIZI: There were 7 or 8 current students and many of their parents who were on hand to present about their expereinces at THS. The student panel was not ALL JEWISH - but from various ethnic and racial groups. Each had very glowing reports.

The resources and programs available at the school were clearly presented last night to the many in attendance both with the oral presentation followed by the tours of the building. Are there some students who attend THS and do NOT take advantage of their programs, take their academics seriously or struggle, despite trying their hardest - absolutely...but to make a general claim that the THS is a poor program is not fair or accurate.

Thank you Mr. Flynn for making that important distinction. The obligation of the school system, especially the high school, is to provide educational opportunities in the classroom, plus instructional support and extracurricular programs (athletic, academic clubs, community service requirements, tutoring support) for our teenagers as they prepare for college and adult life. By showing what is possible to interested and engaged parents through open houses and opportunities for prospective students to visit classes during the school day, we can only improve the home-school connection which will help build student achievement at THS. I applaud those who went to the open house to hear and see for themselves that rumor and innuendo are not the ways to judge a school system. Of course test scores can be improved, but the good news is that the instructional staff is constantly looking for different ways to do that, and always encourage families to stay actively involved in their children's educational efforts. Test scores, of course, are not the only way to judge the successes of our socio-economically diverse students. I applaud all those who choose to continue their education beyond THS no matter where they go -- a 4-year college is not for everyone. Our world needs all kinds of people with all kinds of skills. At least those who came to the open house had their minds open to considering these public opportunities for their children's education.

Ms. Ostroth:

Thanks for your great comment. Some things to note for those that were not there:
1. Jews and Non-Jews were in attendance.
2. I met Jews that identified with or are members of the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox community within Teaneck.
3. The faculty presented many different tracks from:
a. IEP
b. Joint program with tech / trade institutions
c. Regular
d. Honors
e. Advance with college credits, etc.

There is something for everyone, if you are engaged and open to the idea of a diverse, rich culture and strong faculty institution.

If your child is good at ping pong - that club exists. How about: Improv. Israel Culture Club. Christian Club. Music. Theater. Website design. AP courses. Fencing. Joint classes / programs with BCC / FDU. Want to be a journalist? Engineer? You name it - there is a program available for you at THS for academics and extras...if you want it.

Perhaps the most interesting point of the presentation was a description of a shadow program Your child or you [as a parent] can come and see a student in motion throughout the day at THS. This is available for current TPS MS student OR those not even registered within the school district. Please shadow for a day or two before you post negative comments.

DEE: My understanding was that a parent or two inquired about THS as an option for their children. Others started to have similar inquiries, so the school put together a presentation for those interested. I am not sure what your point is at this point- are you saying TPS should not have any marketing of their strenghts and programs? Should state universities not market - only private ones? Parents have a choice where to send their child - it may include a charter, traditional public, homeschool, parochial or private...can't a parent check them all out and make the best decision that is suitable for their family or that particular child?

The power point was one that Mr. Heck stated he has already used at several open houses. The students volunteered on their own to attend and speak about THS - they were not paid and there were perhaps $10 bucks of DD munchkins on a table with some bottles of water. The building was open with 4-5 other activites going on simultaneously, including a THS Ladies BB game, adult education classes, a film crew producing a movie, the dance troop practicing, etc. So, it is not like the building was "opened up" just due to the crowd coming for the open house.

I think if people are not interested in looking into THS as an option, regardless of race, religion, etc. - don't come. If you are, and want to make an informed decision, go and have your child shadow for a day or two.

"I think if people are not interested in looking into THS as an option, regardless of race, religion, etc. - don't come. If you are, and want to make an informed decision, go and have your child shadow for a day or two."

I just think that tax payers should not pay for such adventure of Mr. Heck. This is not a mandated activity and should not be paid for by the tax payers. Let Mr. Heck rent the school building and pay for all the costs from his pocket or get some financial help from all those nice people who think it is a good idea

Mr.Flynn... it's obvious that this argument has gone on long enough, these two (especially "zizi") are "glass half empty kind of folks who just refuse to look at the positives. He didn't even read your message about the actual costs of running this open house, which were just a few refreshments -- no extra costs were involved in opening up the building or paying any salaries. Those staff members who were there volunteered their own time. And yes, other open houses are held through out the year, including a highly publicized one each year in late October for both public and private school 7th and 8th grade families. Enough said.