Ridgewood Board of Education recognizes three history contest winners
Three students honored at a Ridgewood Board of Education meeting won $1,500, $1,000 and $500 in a statewide digital history contest.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — princeton battlefield society digital history contest, approval of bills (with abstentions on, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
A blind review narrowed entries from 50 students statewide to 10 finalists before judges chose three winners from the same school.
Three student history projects earned statewide honors and cash prizes. A social studies teacher introduced the winners at a Ridgewood Board of Education meeting, where a representative of the Princeton Battlefield Society presented the awards. The students, all from American Studies classes, took first, second and third place in a digital history contest about the American Revolution in New Jersey. Their prizes were $1,500, $1,000 and $500, respectively.
The Princeton Battlefield Society asked juniors and seniors to make audio or video submissions lasting 5–10 minutes. Entrants had to analyze historical events, provide references and explain their ideas clearly. The contest drew initial responses from 50 students statewide and narrowed the field to 10 finalists. A nine-person panel reviewed the submissions without students’ names attached. The winning projects examined a woman’s connections to Continental Army leaders, divisions between patriots and loyalists, and the effects of bread prices and currency on daily life during the Revolution.
The society organized the contest ahead of the 250th anniversary of a Revolutionary War battle fought on January 3, 1777. Its representative said the students’ videos would be posted on the society’s website and that a link would be shared with the superintendent. The third-place winner could not attend the presentation in person.
Approval of Bills (with abstentions on specific NJSBA conference-related bills/checks)
The Ridgewood Board of Education approved bills for payment, with one member abstaining on three items related to a New Jersey School Boards Association conference. The member said they had reviewed the bills and moved to approve them, while withholding a vote on a conference-related bill. During discussion, the Board of Education clarified which items the abstention covered.
The identified bill or check numbers were 122943, 122782 and 122665. The Board of Education noted that the business administrator had recommended the bills for approval. A member then made a motion covering the bills with those exceptions, and another member seconded it before the vote.
The Board of Education approved the bills by roll call. The recorded action was not unanimous because of the abstentions on the three identified items. The account does not provide a vote count, and the exceptions concern the member’s votes on those items; it does not say that the conference-related bills were removed from payment.
Ridgewood Board of Education honors longtime staff member
At a Ridgewood Board of Education meeting, the superintendent presented the Ashby Award to a staff member who said he had worked for 28 years. Nomination remarks described his student check-in mailbox, support for colleagues and attention to mental wellness; he thanked the award committee and school community.
The award recognizes work with students and staff, including a way for children to request a check-in.
Ridgewood Board of Education recognizes support staff
At a Ridgewood Board of Education meeting, the superintendent presented the Tradition of Excellence Award to a support staff member praised for helping students, families and colleagues. Nomination remarks cited her work coordinating schedules, field trips and bus duty, as well as helping families new to the community understand school routines.
Her work touches daily school logistics and helps families navigate routines when they are new to the community.
Ridgewood Board of Education recognizes student leader
At a Ridgewood Board of Education meeting, a West Point Society of New Jersey representative presented the Dwight D. Eisenhower Leadership Award to a student. The presenter cited her student congress leadership, nine AP courses, nine honors courses, community involvement and varsity soccer; the award recognizes academics, athletics, service, citizenship and leadership.
The award highlights a student selected by school staff for achievement across academics, service, athletics and leadership.
Ridgewood Board of Education closes comment period
The Ridgewood Board of Education opened its second public comment period near the end of the meeting and received no comments, in person or remotely. No one came forward to speak, and no remote hands were raised. The Board of Education then closed the period without hearing any requests or positions.
The closing period added no public requests or concerns to the Ridgewood Board of Education meeting record.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Ridgewood had 9 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEDistrict/Board Announcements – Human Rights Speaker, Teal Pumpkin Project, NJHS Ceremony, Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame Recognitions. Announcements included a visit by human rights activist Sha Pond to BF and GW, the Teal Pumpkin Project flyer for inclusive trick-or-treating, congratulations to GW 8th graders inducted into NJHS, and recognition of Ridgewood alumni and athletics honorees at an induction dinner, including distinguished alumni and athletic hall of fame inductees.
- GOVERNANCERecognition of National Merit Scholars (including student representatives). The Superintendent recognized National Merit Scholars for the year and congratulated the honorees. The Superintendent noted that student representatives were among those recognized and apologized for a missing/misspelled name, stating it would be corrected in the minutes.
- GOVERNANCESuperintendent Introduction of Board/Administration and Student Representatives. The Superintendent welcomed student attendees and explained the structure of the Board of Education and the administrative team, identifying key district leaders and staff roles. The Superintendent noted student representatives were present and that a later presentation would be given by a staff member.
- GOVERNANCEAcceptance of Minutes (Aug 24 Executive Session; Sept 14 Special Public Meeting Executive Session; Sept 28 Regular Public Meeting Executive Session). The Board approved acceptance of minutes for three meetings: August 24 executive session, September 14 special public meeting executive session, and September 28 regular public meeting executive session.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Human Resources Items (including salary lane changes and staffing assistance item 7A). The Board approved a human resources block. Administration highlighted staff completing additional degrees and credits (including doctorates) and noted a staffing assistance item (7A) related to coverage on an emergent basis. The motion passed unanimously by roll call.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Field Trips. The Board approved a field trips item/block. The motion passed unanimously by roll call.
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