School Principal Ejects Journalists from Meeting

Parents have been wondering why, after fund raising for months, new school playground equipment hasn't been installed. During a Tuesday PTA meeting, the School 3 principal, Ruth Hernandez-Vega, shut out the Jersey Journal's photographer and reporter, leaving us wondering what the school is trying to hide.

It's Monday, Meaning More Jersey City Schools Have High Levels Of Lead

The Journal reports more Jersey City schools have high levels of lead.

Lead Keeps Turning Up in School Water

Lead keeps appearing in water from tests in Jersey City schools, reports the Journal

Hungry Residents Will Be Edumacated

Two schools are to be built on a Summit Avenue lot in Jersey City Heights after getting a boost in funding reports the Journal.

The Central Avenue Stop&Shop had long hoped to turn the plot of land into a state of the art, urban style grocery store before the land was seized for school construction by the state, six years ago. While schools are sorely needed, so are quality grocery stores. A new Stop&Shop in the heights likely would have attracted not only local Heights residents but also downtown shoppers dissatisfied with the paltry offerings in downtown stores.

In total, the state will spend close to $70 million on an elementary school and an early childhood center.

More Lead Found in Schools

The journal reports on more lead found in 7 schools.

Lead Found in Schools

A handful of water sources in Jersey City's public schools turned out to contain lead. JC Register posts the letter sent by the board of education.

Hudson Catholic Gets New President

The Journal reports that Reverend Warren Hall will beginning in September become the new principle and president of Hudson Catholic in Jersey City. Hudson Catholic recently was the focus of a major fund raising drive that generated more than $500,000 to keep the doors of the school open. The school then announced it will be going co-ed in September of 2009.

McNair at top of Newsweek List

McNair Academy in downtown Jersey City was named one of America's top high school's by Newsweek. Ranked 30th in the country, McNair is number one in the state. The school slipped from 29th in 2007, but is still more than 100 places higher than its nearest New Jersey rival in Basking Ridge (132), and Princeton (138).

Hudson Catholic to go Co-Ed

Hudson Catholic, the all boys preparatory school will be co-ed in September of 2009. The school was to close at the conclusion of the 2008 year until students, alumni and private donors raise more than half a million dollars to keep the school solvent.

Press Release

Jersey City University Graduation Today

Hudson Now notes that New Jersey City University's graduation is today. The school is graduating 1,521 students at the Izod Center.

New Bookmobile Unveiled

Hudson Now notes Jersey City's new Bookmobile will begin making rounds on Monday. The air conditioned, disabled accessible vehicle can hold 2,000 books, and the route schedule is available online.

Hudson Catholic Saved

Hudson Catholic Regional High School announced two weeks this would be its last year in operation due to a shortage of funds. Last night however, school officials announced that fund raising efforts brought in more than $500,000, a quarter more than was needed reports the Journal.

Hudson Catholic Could Be Saved

Hudson Catholic, which last month announced it would close due to a accumulating expanses, had until today to raise $400,000 needed to keep the school operating. The Journal reports that its seems likely the fundraising goal was reached, but students won't know for sure until a meeting this evening.

William DeRosa New School Board President

The Jersey City Board of education has elected former history teacher William DeRosa president, notes Hudson Now.

Online Petition Launched to Save School

Hudson Catholic suddenly announced last week the school would not reopen next year catching many students and area residents by surprise. JC Register notes that an online petition was launched in order to try and save the school.

City to Take Control of Schools

After 19 years of state control, the city school board will take control of Jersey City's schools, reports Hudson Now.

Tight Board of Ed Race May Not Conclude Until Friday

10 votes separate two candidates for the school board Hudson Now reports. Tuesday's election returned Mayor Healy supported incumbents Sue Mack and Peter Donnelly to the board, but the third seat between Rev. John McReynolds and Frances Thompson is still too close to call. McReynolds was also backed by Healy.

School Superintendent Salary Above Average

School superintendent Charles Epps is set to get a raise from $242,000 up to $275,000 over the next three years. Blue Jersey points out that the average pay for superintendents is a mere $74,733. Coincidentally, school board elections are today between the hours of 2pm and 9pm.

Catholic School Finished

Jersey City's Hudson Catholic High School is officially finished, reports ABC News. The school had been operating with a deficit of $650,000.

Board of Education Elections Tomorrow

Tomorrow Jersey City is holding a board of Education Election between the hours of 2pm and 9pm. All previously registered voters are eligible.

School Budget Bumps Taxes

As Jersey City's schools are about to return to local control, a new school budget will raise taxes $38 on $100,000, but will continue to receive $477 million in state aid, reports the Journal.

Kids Protect River Water

"Dump No Waste, Drains to Waterway" warns a number of new stencils painted next to catch basins throughout the city. Large amounts of contamination in urban estuaries comes directly from street collection systems that empty into rivers without processing. Recently, sixth grade students at a Jersey City middle school participated in the Clean Cities Make Clean Oceans project, painting the stencils on sidewalks next to catch basins.

Clean Ocean Action From JC Register