News-pourri

HIS FINAL ADDRESS – Outgoing Director of School Management, Orvyl Wilson, speaks to the RTS students at their annual; Thanksgiving celebration on November 26. More than 50 students enrolled in the school district’s Road to Success program were treated to a Thanksgiving buffet on November 26. The event was held at Franklin Middle School – Hamilton Street campus, where much …

EQUITY AND INCLUSION UPDATE – Daryn Plummer, the school district’s Supervisor of Equity and Inclusion, discusses the four-year District Equity Plan at the November 21 Board of Education meeting. A four-pronged, four-year plan to ensure equity in education for Franklin Township students was unveiled at the November 21 Board of Education meeting. The so-called District Equity Plan “signifies a dedication …

Stage 3 fire restrictions have been lifted by the state Department of Environmental Protection, but authorities urge caution. Drought conditions persist, so safety tips should be followed, according to a press release from Franklin Township. Here are some key fire safety tips to keep in mind: Safe Distance: Always place fire pits at least 10 feet away from any building, tree, …

ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS GIVEN – Schools Superintendent John Ravally told the Board of Education on November 21 that the District expects pre-Kindergarten enrollment to be near 800 students by the 2025-26 school year. The township school district plans to enroll nearly 800 pre-Kindergarten students in the 2025-26 school year, the Board of Education was told at its November 21 meeting. Schools …

A DUTCH TRADITION – The annual Sinterklaas celebration returns to the Meadows Foundation on December 8. (File photo.) The annual Sinterklaas celebration will once again be held this year, but at a new location. The Dutch holiday event is set for 1-3 p.m. December 8 at the Van Liew-Suydam House, 280 South Middlebush Road. Although the event is free, tickets …

AND THEY’RE OFF – Runners take off at the start of the 5th Annual Tom O’Reilly Memorial Turkey Trot in Colonial Park on November 23. More than 200 runners from around the region gathered at Colonial Park on a crisp Autumnal November 23 morning to take part in what has become an annual Fall ritual: The Tom O’Reilly Memorial Turkey …

Joe Danielsen. A bill that would require employers to advertise employment openings to employees in the relevant department before making a hiring decision was recently signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy. The bill’s primary General Assembly sponsor was Assemblyman Joe Danielsen (D-17.) The bill’s intent is to to foster greater fairness in the workplace, according to a press release …

The Colonial Park park ranger station on Mettlers Road is among the many locations where residents can drop off donations for the 2024 Toys for Tots campaign. This year, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the Somerset County Park Commission to collect donations. The deadline for donating at all Somerset County Park locations is December 7. “The Somerset …

NEW APPOINTEES – Nubeja Allen and Nicholas Solomon speak to the Board of Education November 21 after their new appointments were approved. The Board of Education on November 21 once again went internal to fill open positions, choosing two district veterans for top administrative positions. The Board officially named Nicholas Solomon as the district’s new Director of School Management, and …

TURNING IN TALLIES – Poll workers line up to turn in their tally sheets at the Township Municipal Building. From there, the sheets were catalogued and sent to the Somerset County Clerk’s office. Two incumbents and a newcomer were voted onto the Board of Education on November 5, and the two incumbents for Somerset County Board of Commissioners won re-election. …