By Nancy Morehouse

NORTHVALE – More and more communities are becoming library-less these days, and Northvale is presumed to be the next.

The mayor has confirmed that the borough does not have the money to keep the library running.  Because of Gov. Chris Christie’s two percent tax cap, the borough is struggling to find the funds to support many other services, as well, but the cuts for the library came as a huge shock.

“We were not informed,” said Virginia Beckman, the library’s director for over 12 years. “I found out from another town’s library director and then went to the borough hall to confirm it.”  The mayor then spoke with Ms. Beckman and the library last Tuesday to confirm the borough’s fiscal concerns.

The library was told to set up a meting with the mayor and council, but the library was then told the mayor couldn’t meet at this time.

The borough’s library is an association library, as opposed to a municipal library.  The town gives the library a quarterly check, so even though the library is independent of the borough government, it depends on its funds to operate.  Library employees are not municipal employees and do not receive the same benefits or pensions.

The library is also fearful that it will lose its place in the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS or “buckles”) if it closes its doors even temporarily. Ms. Beckman worries that the students will suffer greatly if this happens.

The BCCLS allows residents of Northvale with a library card to access any of the system’s 73 libraries.  However, if the library shuts down, Northvale residents will be required to purchase a pay card at another library, and would not be permitted to use other libraries.  Pay cards can range from around $100 to around $500.

There are three possible options: the borough will find the funds to support the library just as it has been, the library will be forced to lock its doors, or the borough will provide sufficient funds for the library to remain an independent library, not associated with the BCCLS.

The library will be holding a meeting on Thurs., March 24 at 7 p.m. to discuss the future of the library.  All Northvale residents and interested parties and press are encouraged to attend.  “We will be sending out a letter within the next couple of days to inform residents,” said Ms. Beckman.

To contact the Northvale Public Library for more information, call 201-768-4784.

By Nancy Morehouse

ENGLEWOOD – This year will be the last for the legendary St. Cecilia Interparochial School. The school was given official permission last week by the Archbishop of Newark, John J. Myers, to shut its door for the last time.

The K-8 school, located down the street from the St. Cecilia church, has been a landmark in the community. However, in recent years, enrollment has seen a severe decline.

“Things had been relatively stable until recent years,” said Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Newark, Jim Goodness. “This did not come as a complete surprise to families.  Enrollment had been decreasing [in previous years], and we cannot continue without increasing tuition exorbitant amounts.”

The school opened in 1867 as an elementary school, and later a high school was added, but was closed a number of years ago. The school has become a landmark in American football, as the renowned football coach Vince Lombardi started as an assistant coach there 1939.

The current building at 85 West Demarest Ave. was established in 1954 and then in 1990, the St. Anastasia Church of Teaneck joined to co-sponsor the school as a result of the changing demographics in the area.

“[St. Cecilia School] was one of the most visible ministries in the parish,” said Mr. Goodness. “Anytime a school with a long and solid history, such as St. Cecilia, closes, it is a loss the community in general, and it is a loss to the Catholic community.”

“The school’s main concern is to bring this year to a close in as easy a manner as they can,” said Mr. Goodness.

After speaking with the principal, Ann Walsh, Mr. Goodness said she is making it a priority to ensure this affects the students as little as possible, and that they are given the proper transitioning in the fall.

In the hopes for warmer weather, the Gallen Adult Day Health Care Center together with Norwood Grade 5 students Kristine Hawkins (left) and Elizabeth Mc Dermott (right) embarked on a bird feeder project, an eco-friendly community service project over their winter vacation break. Cathy O’Donnell (middle) of Tenafly, with the bird feeder they made out of recycled toilet paper holders.

Raul Garcia of Maintenance at the Englewood Public Library installs a new traffic pattern sign at the library’s entrance, located on the north side of 31 Engle St. The exit is now on the south side of the street. The new set-up is expected to improve the traffic flow in and out of the Library’s parking lot.

The Woman’s Club of Old Tappan is offering a $1,000 scholastic award to a graduating high school senior who plans to continue a course of higher education.

To be eligible, a student must have been a resident of the borough for at least two consecutive years immediately prior to graduation.  The scholarship is awarded on the basis of scholastic achievement, leadership, activities in and out of school, community involvement, and a personal letter.

Applications may be obtained online at the Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan guidance website at www.nvnet.org or by contacting the Woman’s Club of Old Tappan Scholarship Committee Chairperson Elaine Duncan at 201-768-6775. Completed applications must be received by Wednesday, May 4.

Teaneck resident Solange Griffith-Ruff (left) honored for her 15 years with the Mentoring Youth Program of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, with Program Director Faith Samples-Smart.

By Robyn Nadel

HACKENSACK – The Volunteer Center of Bergen County thanked the volunteers in its Mentoring Youth Program at a breakfast held in celebration of January’s National Mentoring month.

The Mentoring Youth Program trains and supervises adult volunteers to serve as mentors to children confronting adverse challenges, social, emotional or behavioral problems, at home and in life.

The 85 mentors in the program are positive role models, providing guidance, friendship and support, as well as advocacy on behalf of the children when necessary.

Teaneck resident Solange Griffith-Ruff was honored for having been a mentor for 15 years and, during that time, has been a friend to three different children.  Faith Samples-Smart, program director for Mentoring Youth, said, “Solange brings tremendous patience and understanding to her role as mentor.  She has maintained active mentoring relationships with youth ranging from several months to several years, working with both boys and girls during her tenure with Mentoring Youth.  The results of her positive influence have been clear in each instance.”

There continues to be a great need for mentors throughout the county, both in the Mentoring Youth program and in the Mentoring Moms program, also sponsored by the Volunteer Center.

For information about becoming a mentor and to find out when the next training sessions will be held, call the Volunteer Center of Bergen County at 201-489-9454, or visit their website at www.bergenvolunteers.org and click on Bergen Mentors.

High school students and preschoolers join together at Northern Valley Reghionasl High School/Demarest in the unique Teens ‘n’ Tots program.

By Douglas E. Hall

DEMAREST – The Northern Valley Regional High School located here and its twin school in Old Tappan have long enjoyed an outstanding reputation.

No doubt the unique Teens ‘n’ Tots program offered to advanced honors child development students that includes the opportunity to interact with preschoolers of three, four and five years old

is one area of study that make Northern Valley Regional special.

Lisa Corbisiero, a teacher who is in charge of this program under the family and consumer science curriculum, says the program has been in place for 20 years here.  It seem amazing that this program has not been replicated in other high schools, but she says she know of no other school offering this unique learning experience of teens interacting with the pre-school children.

Recently the program developed an activity based on the 2004 animated film “The Polar Express, which is based on the children’s book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg.

Under direction of 14 teen teachers, the preschool children lined up to get their golden ticket to board an imaginary train.  The tickets were punched with a hole and then the children got “on board the train” settled down to listen to the story of “The Polar Express” read to them by Samantha Kirsch.

When the story was completed all the children received a bell necklace so each child could believe as the boy in the story.  They also colored sketches of scenes from the story.  Hot chocolate and cookies were served as a special snack.  Then mats were placed on the floor so the children could relax and watch the film

The popular child development program includes a variety of thematic lessons throughout the school year.

The program also offers field trips ranging from picking apples to attendance at shows that include visits to BergenPAC in Englewood.

There are 50 high school students in the program, 18 of them honor students..  Those who have an interest, are encouraged to write original children’s stories and/or create art works suitable for children’s books.

.While some students may be on the road to a career in writing and illustrating such books, others are inspired to become teachers, pediatricians, child psychologists, or just better parents.

Those interested in registration information for a preschool child, age 3-5 years, should call the Teens ’n’ Tots Early Learning Center for registration and open house dates at 201-768-8156 and speak to Kathy Riedel.   .