GR schools to see many upgrades this fall

Glen Ridge High School has new procedures for visitors entering the building.

GLEN RIDGE, NJ — Glen Ridge High School will have a number of new staff members this coming school year.
In the science department will be biology instructor Lindsey Downey. Following the retirement in June of Vincent Timpanaro after 51 years at GRHS, Kate Pritchard will take over photography instruction and yearbook production. Principal John Lawlor said Lauren Schmitt will join the mathematics department and Michael Salvatelli will teach health and physical education. The previous health and physical education instructor, Steve Reitberger, retired in June after 23 years at the high school and 38 years in the district. Reitberger was also the head soccer coach. The new head coach is Austin Alvarado.

Another change: Lawlor said the main entrance has moved to the set of doors on the left side of the existing entrance area.
“Visitors will have to use the visitor management system to enter the building and then report to the attendance desk,” he said in an email. “The new entrance eliminates the ability for visitors to enter the building and immediately head up the stairs.”
There will also be less casual, incidental admittance to the school due to students opening the front door for waiting visitors who have not been observed, buzzed in and questioned by the visitor’s desk attendant.

The Large Group Instruction was also renovated with funding from a grant from the GRHS Home and School Association. The renovations included the painting of walls, new audio/visual equipment and audio panels to improve sound quality.

“The space is used for drama performances, guest speakers, class meetings, instruction and administering standardized tests,” Lawlor said.

According to Lawlor, new courses added to the curriculum are advanced placement economics and advanced placement which is the follow-up course to advanced placement seminar.

“Both are part of the advanced placement Capstone program, which provides students with opportunities to pursue topics of interest by collaborating with peers and faculty while developing critical thinking, writing and presentation skills,” Lawlor said. “The addition of advanced placement economics is in response to increasing student demand to expand our program of studies to include this new offering.”

Lawlor said the district is also renewing its focus on mental health and wellness.
“We’ll be planning a number of programs to address these topics throughout the school year,” he said.

Superintendent of Schools Dirk Phillips, in a telephone interview, said the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at all three elementary schools have been replaced. He said it was difficult to complete the work during the summer break.
“You have such a small window of time,” he said.

Central School is ready to open, but initially only for ground floor occupancy, Phillips said. Sixty-five pre-K and disabled children are anticipated to use this level. However, by the end of September, the second and third floors will be open to 40 more students up to the second grade.

The drop-off area for parents will be the parking lot. School employees will be there to assist or parents may bring their child to the playground area, which will be the pickup area. Phillips said, districtwide, about a dozen new teachers have been hired for 2019-2020.
GRHS parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Oct. 17 and 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.