ERMA — Lower Cape May Regional School District is no longer on the state Department of Education’s (DOE) list as a district “in need of improvement.”

Director of Curriculum Christopher Kobik made that announcement at an Aug. 28 board of education meeting. He said an analysis of HSPA (High School Proficiency Assessment) scores, given to eleventh graders, and other information from DOE places Lower Cape May Regional High School and the Richard M. Teitelman School on the “hold status instead of continuing down a negative decline, in fact reversing the trend.”

COURT HOUSE — What is the cost to Cape May County residents to educate their 13,000-plus public school pupils?

To judge education costs as this 2008-09 school year begins, the Herald looked at two indicators — per pupil costs and tax rates.

One local school district, the tiny elementary school in Sea Isle City, was notorious last year for having the highest per-pupil cost of education in the entire state — $35,209, or nearly three times the state average.

Home page: The class of 2024 arrived eager to learn today Sept. 3 at the Woodbine Elementary School. Woodbine is the first school district to hold a full day preschool for 3 year olds, that was made possible by a state preschool expansion grant. Photo by Harry B. Scheeler Jr. Left: Stone Harbor Elemenetary School teachers prepare for new year. Photo by Leslie Truluck

STONE HARBOR –– As aromas of Labor Day barbeques dissipate, they are replaced by the familiar smell of new textbooks, crayons and pencils. Relaxed beach days become sparse as fall schedules dawn and the big yellow school buses circulate through borough streets today.

For the 86 students enrolled at Stone Harbor Elementary School, it is their first day back to school. However, teachers have long been preparing for the young faces seated before them.

CAPE MAY — Following the resignation of Business Administrator Terri Nowotony effective Sept. 15, Cape May Elementary School Board of Education is seeking to share a new business administrator with Sea Isle City Elementary School.

Executive County Superintendent Terrence Crowley attended a special training session of the Cape May school board Aug. 27.

TRENTON — According to the state, the 13,000-plus public school students in Cape May County are in good hands with 99 percent of the 873 teachers in area schools considered “highly qualified” by federal standards.

The state wants all teachers to be highly qualified.

Adults play prearranged hands to reinforce the lesson. Photos by Leslie Truluck.

COURT HOUSE –– Eleven retired adults are taking a noncredit Bridge class at Atlantic Cape Community College meeting every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. to noon for eight weeks.

In order to make three complete tables, instructor Norma Jakominich has enlisted her friend Jim Eberhart to fill in as the twelfth player.

The class focuses on “duplicate” Bridge, a variation of the contract game in which the same hands are drawn or “duplicated” at most of the tables playing, in order reduce "luck of the cards.”

SEA ISLE CITY — When money is involved, the state’s top court says the removal of a school board member for suing the board is appropriate.

After arguing the case on May 5, the New Jersey Supreme Court July 21 handed down a unanimous ruling that stated former board president William Kennedy was appropriately removed from office due to litigation he initiated against the board regarding his autistic son Matthew’s education.

The court found that because Kennedy’s lawsuit requested reimbursement of costs and attorney fees of nearly $100,000, he was justly relieved of his post.

COURT HOUSE -- Middle Township Middle School announces the honor roll and Principal's List for the fourth marking period:

6th Grade Principal’s List

TRENTON — With the soaring cost of higher education, the state wants to ensure the security and growth of its popular scholarship program for star students.

With that aim, Gov. Jon S. Corzine announced July 15 the formation of a task force to examine the NJ STARS program.

The scholarship, available exclusively to state residents, provides high-achieving students (in the top 20 percent of their graduating high school class) with the cost of tuition and fees to one of the state’s 19 community colleges, including this area’s Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC).

COURT HOUSE — Cape Christian Academy announced its honor roll for the fourth marking period. Students achieving honors were:

Third Grade, distinguished honors: Hailey Becica, Herbie Chambers, Brandon Graf
Fourth Grade, honors: Taylor McDermott, Madison Watson

Distinguished Honors: Taylor Cox

Fifth Grade, honors: Dori Chambers, Maddison Franco, Amanda Murray, Joslyn Nelson, Jade Och, Taylor Sherno.

Distinguished Honors: Micah Conley

Sixth Grade, honors: Jordan Watson, Jonathan Clark, Tim Kanengiser, Charlotte Krayer.

Distinguished Honors: Paul Patterson.