Fundraising for Haiti: Jr.-Sr. High School

(This posting is a bit dated -- but I thought that you would want to see how our two assistant principals looked "up on the wall!")

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A series of events held during one week at the Jr.-Sr. High School resulted in students raising more than $800 for the citizens of Haiti. The week included a soft pretzel sale and a hat day…but the real cash came in when the students were offered the opportunity to purchase a strip of duct tape for $1 apiece to tape Assistant Principals’ Jason Vivadelli and Thomas Braddock to the wall!

A big thank you to Mr. Vivadelli and Mr. Braddock for being such good sports to benefit a worthy cause!

FEMA Disaster Recovery

The Gloucester County Board of Chosen Freeholders announced that a Disaster Recovery Center location has been established in the Atrium of the Gloucester County Government Services Building. The Center is for the for those residents applying for federal disaster aid as a result of the severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2010, and continuing.

The services provided at the Disaster Recovery Center will include telephone registration of individuals into FEMA disaster recovery process, status of application claims, opportunity to apply for loans through Small Business Administration, meet with FEMA Mitigation Specialists to identify opportunities to limit future disaster impacts, receive information and advice on other available services.

The role of this operation is to provide citizens the opportunity to meet with FEMA and Small Business Administration reps face-to-face. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

The Gloucester County Government Services Building is located at 1200 N. Delsea Drive, Clayton. The Disaster Recovery Center will operate Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm for the next several weeks. Walk-ins welcome, no appointments needed.

Residents can apply for assistance on line at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/, by calling (800) 621-3362 (FEMA), by going to http://www.nj211.org/flood.cfm, or by going in person to the Disaster Recovery Center.

Glassboro-Camden Line: UPDATE

I thought that you would be interested in reading this update that I received recently. There will be meetings coming up in May -- see the link at the end of this announcement regarding the dates and locations.

Southern New Jersey to Philadelphia Mass Transit Expansion Alternatives Analysis Project Update

Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) and Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) have completed an extensive Alternatives Analysis (AA) study that focused on identifying transportation needs and solutions for Southern New Jersey. This study concluded in 2009 with a recommendation for light rail transit along the Conrail rail right-of-way from Glassboro to Camden.

The Project is proceeding and DRPA/PATCO is pleased to announce the new official name, the Glassboro-Camden Line (GCL).

The GCL is now entering the next phase of project development. DRPA/PATCO is collaborating with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to complete an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). An EIS is a formal document that records the potential social, economic and environmental benefits and impacts of a proposed project or action and proposes measures to mitigate any adverse impacts. This environmental study is expected to be completed in 18-24 months.

What Happens Next?
The “scoping” process is the formal public comment phase conducted at the start of an EIS study. The primary purpose of scoping is to provide comment on the purpose and need, the alternatives to be analyzed, and the potential social, economic and environmental impacts and benefits of the project. Throughout the scoping process, active participation by the public, local community organizations and government agencies is encouraged and valued.

DRPA/PATCO invites you to attend and participate in a Public Scoping Meeting and requests your comments on the GCL project. Each scoping meeting is comprised of an Information Session, Formal Presentation and Formal Comment Period. Interested participants will be able to provide formal verbal testimony at a meeting. Those who wish to speak can register at the start of the meeting.

Individuals who require special assistance at a public meeting should contact Ms. Malaszecki at 856.223.0800 at least 3 days in advance.


The scoping comment period for the GCL will close on Thursday June 10, 2010.
Comments may be submitted to:
Ms. Victoria Malaszecki, Public Involvement Liaison
Envision Consultants, Ltd. PO Box 536 • Mullica Hill, NJ • 08062
Phone: 856.968.2252
Fax: 856.223.8886
E-mail: publicinvolvement@GlassboroCamdenLine.com
Web: http://www.glassborocamdenline.com/
Project Information Line: (856) 968-2252 (voice or via relay)


About the Project

The Glassboro-Camden Line (GCL) is a proposed 18-mile passenger rail line between Glassboro and Camden along and primarily within the existing Conrail rail right-of-way. The GCL corridor traverses Gloucester and Camden counties including the communities of Glassboro, Pitman, Sewell, Mantua Twp., Deptford Twp. Wenonah, Woodbury Heights, Woodbury, Westville, Brooklawn, Gloucester City and Camden. The proposed line would restore passenger rail service along the existing rail line using light rail technology similar to the NJ TRANSIT River LINE. Light rail along this corridor was selected as the Recommended Alternative based on the two-year Alternatives Analysis study completed by DRPA/PATCO in 2009.


Looking For More Information?
Visit the project website at http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103325835911&s=2981&e=001r5AxSKdWyTDkUKDDyVTNwZLNsd2lqbRJvpIQH49Hm7f-6rf9GwbqWm2cGO5KFZyXV17AyOMyrmGXfrhIRb6PSEd_xthQnNMphBQUW0iv-IrwTl7JG7oxJaFgb0s23Dti, call the project information line at (856) 968-2252 (voice or via relay), or use these quick links to download key GCL project documents.

For the Public Scoping Meeting Flyer, Click Here
For the Scoping Information Booklet & Comment Form, Click Here
For the Project Fact Sheet, Click Here

MAIN STREET VOLUNTEERS TO “BEAUTIFY” BUSINESS DISTRICT

Main Street Woodbury volunteers will be helping to add spring colors, refresh benches and clean-up of the business district (Broad Street) in the downtown on Saturday, May 1, and they will welcome your help.

Dubbed – “Beatification Day”, by Main Street Woodbury’s Design Committee, the event will take place, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the business district, located on Broad Street, and flowers will be planted in the various patches around the trees in the district, as well as bench staining as a way of sprucing up the current benches.

“Broad Street is the focal point for people traveling through our downtown and, it’s important that we reflect positive energy and beatification when we show off our Business District ,” said Main Street Woodbury Design Committee Chairperson Dave Magyar.

“To see our volunteers joined by those from other organizations come out and work together to contribute beauty to our downtown is a true source of pride and satisfaction,” said Main Street Woodbury Executive Director Ronda Abbruzzese.

Volunteers will meet in the city’s parking lot, behind the White House at 8 a.m. that day and, though most tools and equipment will be available, those volunteering should bring gardener’s gloves, if they have them.

For more information, call the Main Street Woodbury office at (856) 845-8655.

Rob Guarino Visits West End

Meteorologist, Rob Guarino, made a special visit to West End on April 19th. The students in grades 3, 4, & 5 participated in the School Weather Challenge which included questions on weather symbols, various weather types, and thunderstorm safety.

With a total of 245 points out of 250, the girls beat the boys in the challenge. Our hope is that we gained a high enough score to win against other competing schools and camps.

Goals To Success

Angel Rivello and Socceroo of

the Philadelphia Kixx stopped by West End to present their “Goals to Success” program. As you can tell by the pictures, students, teachers and Mr. Myers participated in the program as the students learned to be successful while setting goals for themselves.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle . . . .

This news comes from Miss Jones' 6th grade Science class.  

Today, April 22, is Earth Day.  Her science classes are doing a “Go Green” unit this week and discovered that Woodbury, NJ was the first U.S. city to mandate recycling (1980).  

 

Election/Budget Vote Update

Congratulations to the Woodbury residents elected to three year terms on the Board of Education:

STEVEN R. ABBOTT with 602 votes
WILLIAM TOOLE with 588 votes
ALVIN R. GARLIC, JR with 570 votes

Unfortunately, the school budget was defeated by a vote of  359 YES to 451 NO.  Therefore, we will now work with the Woodbury City Council in the next step of the budget process to see if we can reach an agreement with regard to the spending plan for the 2010-11 school year.

Thanks to all who took the time to vote yesterday!

Traveling Science Show

Congratulations, Girls Track

Congratulations to the Woodbury Girls Track team for winning the Group I division of the Woodbury Relays this past Saturday.  We had another wonderful day at our refurbished stadium as schools from across South Jersey participated during the 38th annual event.  

Good work to all who helped support the effort.  Woodbury is fortunate to have so many volunteers ready to assist -- especially with this large event.  

38th Annual Woodbury Relays

http://www.woodburysch.com/athletics/relays.php

Our Day at Wendy's!

Dinner at Wendy’s will bring us closer …

closer to having a Boys and Girls Club in Woodbury, NJ!

Come to the Wendy’s Restaurant
at 704 Mantua Pike in Woodbury Heights
on Friday, April 16th, between 4 - 8 pm
-- have a great meal --
and 20% of the proceeds will go to
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Gloucester County
in support of their effort to open a Club in Woodbury next September.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have any questions regarding this fundraising event or the establishment of a Boys and Girls Club in Woodbury, NJ, please contact Councilwoman Gwendolyn J. Brown at (856) 853-0253.

West End 2010 Talent Show

The students at West End Memorial would like to invite you to our 2010 talent show this Friday evening.
We hope to see you there!

Presenting the 2010
West End Talent Show
Hosted by the West End PTA

Friday, April 16, 2010
7:00 p.m.
Woodbury High School Auditorium


Musicians, comedians, poets, dancers, & singers,
…this show has something for everyone!

Tickets sold at the door
$5/adults ~~ $1/students
Refreshments will be sold during Intermission

Woodbury 4th Grade Students Go To College!

On Friday, April 9th, 4th grade students from across the Woodbury City school district visited Rowan University. The trip included a Planetarium show, a tour of the campus and lunch in the student cafeteria. The 4th graders saw college classrooms, talked to present college students and got to sample college cuisine.

Prior to the trip, our twelfth grade AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students presented a lesson to each 4th grade class on college and their experiences in selecting a school to attend next year. The fourth graders learned about different occupations that require a college degree and the different salaries associated with professions.

The trip provided the 4th graders with a firsthand look into the world of college.

Absentee Ballot for Board Budget Vote/Elections

You can go to the district's website and find out information regarding the district's 2010-11 budget proposal.

Also -- it is very easy to mail in an absentee ballot request. That will save you the need to get to the polls the afternoon of April 20th.

ABSENTEE BALLOT requests need to be mailed by tomorrow -- April 13th. The form can be found using this link.

West End Wax Museum

West End fifth grade students pose during their annual Wax Museum. Student conducted in-depth research about a famous celebrity, developed a formal report (written and technology based), and dressed the part for the program.

OPRAH WINFREY

AMELIA EARHART

JACKIE ROBINSON