Anti-Bullying ‘Week of Respect’ Kicks Off in Teaneck [VIDEO]

State education chief launches statewide anti-bullying week at TJMS.

State Education Commissioner Chris Cerf joined Teaneck school leaders and New Jersey officials Monday at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for the kickoff of the state’s second annual “Week of Respect” to stand up against bullying. Teaneck resident Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality Chair, led a group of students and officials in a game show “quiz” to help educate young people about ways to spot, prevent and handle bullying incidents.   Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Englewood), the prime sponsor of New Jersey’s anti-bullying law, was also in attendance, along with officials representing State Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) and Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Englewood). The anti-bullying law, credited as …

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PHOTOS: TCC to Celebrate Fycke Lane Project

Earth Day event planned to highlight new public face of 'connect point' for the TCC's mission.

The Teaneck Creek Conservancy submitted the following news:  The Teaneck Creek Conservancy will celebrate the opening of The Fycke Lane Interpretive Project on Earth Day, April 22.  The project was conceived in 2003 with the major objective of ongoing participation by the neighboring schools and continuous engagement with the community. This major, 350 foot long northern public face of the Teaneck Creek Conservancy on Fycke Lane is a primary “connect point” for the Conservancy’s mission of education, community eco-art and rehabilitation of this 46-acre former dump site. With a 2011 grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Teaneck Creek was able to undertake the building of a low recycled stone wall by a local craftsperson/mason. The …

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Teaneck Science Teachers Are in Their Element When Making Movies

TJ and BF middle school educators create award-winning screenplays and short films in their spare time

Michael Valentino and Michael Miceli have many things in common. Both have the same first name, both are eighth-grade science teachers in the Teaneck Public Schools, and both men have a passion for movies. Valentino, who teaches at Thomas Jefferson, and Miceli, who teaches at Benjamin Franklin, have helped students in the district learn about biology, Earth science, chemistry and physics. And while many students may be shocked to learn that their instructors have a life outside of the classroom, others in the school system already are aware that there are two budding filmmakers walking the halls. YOUTHFUL INTERESTS Both teachers said their artistic interests came naturally to them while growing up. Valentino, who taught himself how to play…

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Teaneck Student Qualifies for National Geographic Bee

Thomas Jefferson Middle School student won the school-level bee.

The following report is by Thomas Jefferson Middle School Principal Angela R. Davis:  Stella Martin, a 7th grade student at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, won the school-level competition of the National Geographic Bee and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. The school-level Bee, at which students answered oral questions on geography, was the first round in the 24th annual National Geographic Bee. This year’s Bee is sponsored by Google (visit www.google.com/educators/geo). The school winners, including Stella, then took a written test. Stella was one of the top 100 scorers in New Jersey and will now compete in the New Jersey State Bee on March 30, 2012. The National Geographic Society will provide an all-expenses-paid trip to …

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PHOTOS: Thomas Jefferson Middle School Holds Welcome Party

Thomas Jefferson Middle School held a meet and great for 5th graders and their families last week. Families got to play a TJMS version of "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader." The event also collected food for the weekend's food drive. 

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