Author: Web Site Administrator

Every holiday season for 14 years, Union County Sheriff’s Officers have set up their “Tree of Hope” in the courthouse seeking donations of toys and clothing for needy children throughout the county. Each year the response has been overwhelming.

The “Tree of Hope” was first planted in 1997 when officers approached Sheriff Ralph Froehlich and related troubling stories of children who were going to experience a less than happy holiday season. The children the officers encountered were homeless or living in shelters, were victims of domestic violence or medically fragile.  Their parents or guardians did not have the financial ability to provide holiday gifts.

Every year since the Sheriff and the “Tree of Hope” committee have erected a tree in the Union County Courthouse featuring paper ornaments. Volunteers make the ornaments and write a particular gift on each one.

“These caring officers do a tremendous job in helping these children,” Sheriff Froehlich said. “Even during tough economic and personal times, it is important not to forget those kids who are less fortunate.”

Monetary donations to help provide additional gifts are also being sought.

Contributions of money (tax-deductible), toys and clothing can be sent to: Union County Sheriff’s Officers Tree of Hope, Union County Courthouse, 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N.J., 07207. For more information, call the “Tree of Hope” hotline at 908-629-2158.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook On Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to offer a teacher-training workshop about schoolyard habitat enhancement entitled “WILD School Sites” for adults, ages 18 and older, at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Thursday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“This program is one of a series of teacher-training workshops that qualify participants for NJDOE credits,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “The convenient location in the 2,065-acre Watchung Reservation provides the perfect classroom to have fun while learning about the environment.”

Teachers, students and wildlife benefit with schoolyard habitat improvements. These projects can sensitize students to the needs of wildlife and enable them to make a small difference right where they live, to benefit local species. Having an outdoor classroom enables teachers to take field trips without leaving school grounds. The stewardship skills that students develop for their outdoor classroom carry over into greater ownership and care for the entire school.

Participants in the WILD School Sites teacher-training workshop will receive six NJDOE professional development credits as well as a copy of the book, “ Homes for Wildlife: A Planning Guide for Habitat Enhancement on School Grounds.” In addition, participants will receive The WILD School Sites booklet, grant information, landscaping information and ideas for curriculum integration.

 

Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Light morning refreshments will be provided, but please bring a lunch. The fee for this teacher-training workshop is $30 per person. Doors open 15 minutes before the program starts. Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather in the event that part of the class is held outside.

 

For additional information on this workshop or for a brochure of Trailside’s adult workshops and teacher-training programs please call 908-789-3670 or visit our website: www.ucnj.org/trailside.  Trailside Nature and Science Center is located at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside and is a service of the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

 

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County Freeholder Angel G. Estrada (4th L) and Union County Manager Alfred Faella (3rd R) welcome municipal government officials from Wenzhou, China to Union County. The delegation is making several stops in the U.S., including Kean University, which is close to final approval for development of a campus in Wenzhou.  (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org On Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook
On Twitter at http://twitter.com/countyofunionnj

l. to r. Robert E. Jeans, Sr., Commander of VFW Post 2230,
Union County Freeholder Bette Jane Kowalski, and MC Cheryl Vesselli
at the dedication of the Robert E. Jeans, Sr., Veterans Memorial Park,
next to the Kenilworth Veterans Center, on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2011. 
The park was dedicated in honor of Cmdr. Jeans’ outstanding service to veterans and his community.

The Academy for Information Technology, recognized nationally for academic excellence,
is one of five schools at the Union County Vo-Tech Schools campus in Scotch Plains.
(Photo credit: Union County Vo-Tech Schools).

Union County, NJ – The Union County Vo-Tech Schools are in the news again, with one Vo-Tech senior planning to attend Yale University next year and another recent Vo-Tech graduate honored with an international prize for excellence in academic achievement at Columbia University.

Earlier this year, Vo-Tech was named in academic surveys by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, and 26 students were recently recognized by the National Merit Scholars Program.

“These two students, Justin Sears of Plainfield and Richard Sun of Summit, are outstanding representatives for the hundreds of Vo-Tech students who work hard and thrive in a rigorous academic environment,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “We are very proud of Justin, Richard, and the entire student body at Vo-Tech.”

Justin Sears attends the Academy for Information Technology, one of five schools on the Vo-Tech campus in Scotch Plains. In addition to his academic achievements he is a talented basketball player and was offered athletic scholarships at top universities around the country.

Sears committed to Yale, even though the school does not offer athletic scholarships, in order to focus on academics and a career after basketball according to a recent profile in the Star-Ledger.

Richard Sun graduated from Magnet High School two years ago and is attending Columbia University. He was recently awarded the Oscar Wilde Gold Medal for Academic Excellence, an honor that until now was only conferred on students from Ireland.

Richard’s essay on urban sustainability was one of only 23 Gold Medal winners selected from almost 2,400 submissions, and he was one of only two students from America to achieve the honor.

“Along with preparing our students academically, we also strive to help them develop the sensibilities to envision a future for themselves and their communities, said Vo-Tech Superintendent of Schools Thomas J. Bistocchi. “Each in their own way, Justin and Richard have demonstrated the full range of the Vo-Tech experience.”

The Union County Vo-Tech Schools are dedicated to providing Union County youth with career development in high-demand, emerging and traditional fields. The Vo-Tech campus on Raritan Road in Scotch Plains houses five distinct schools: Magnet High School, Academy for Information Technology, Academy for Allied Health Sciences, Academy for Performing Arts, and Vocational-Technical High School.

For more information about the Union County Vo-Tech schools visit ucvts.tec.nj.us/ucvts. Information on all Union County programs and services is available at ucnj.org.

 

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

ELIZABETH, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the 2011 Teen Arts Traveling Exhibit is on display at The Freeholders Gallery located in the Union County Administration Building, 10 Elizabethtown Plaza, Elizabeth. The art work is on display through December 30th during regular office hours.

The exhibit consists of 53 pieces of art selected from more than 700 visual art works shown at the 2011 Union County Teen Arts Festival held in March at Union County College in Cranford. The annual event is administered by the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs in the Union County Department of Parks & Community Renewal.

“Each year I am amazed by the wonderful artwork submitted by local students,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon. “I encourage everyone to get out and see this fun, lively exhibit as it goes on tour throughout Union County.”

For information about the Teen Arts program, contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 633 Pearl St., Elizabeth 07202; telephone 908-558-2550. NJ Relay service users should call 711 or emailculturalinfo@ucnj.org.

The exhibiting students are:

Berkeley Heights

Columbia Middle School
Julia Young

Clark

Mother Seton Regional HS
Victoria Marples

Cranford

Cranford HS
Shannon Daly
Gina DeCagna
Hillside Avenue School
Allison Curley
Orange Avenue School
Louis Capucci
St. Michael School
Kyle Borokowski

Elizabeth

Abraham Lincoln School
Dianeth Hernandez
Benedictine Academy
Keyona Wright
Benjamin Franklin School
Juan Martinez
Charles Hudson School
Damaris Quezada
Dr. Orlando Edreira School
Jessica Arguera
Elizabeth HS – Dwyer House
Jorge Soto Soriano
Elizabeth HS – Edison House
Gustavo Perez
Elizabeth HS – Jefferson House
Andres Camargo
Christie Ramirez
Elizabeth HS – Lower Academy
Wislet Dazime
Elizabeth HS – Upper Academy
Danny Luca
Madison-Monroe School
Arianna Honore
Nicholas M. Butler School
Eunice Edmond
Nicholas S. LaCorte School
Jonathan Lopez
St. Mary of the Assumption School
Carla Gomes
T.C. Reilly School
Sindy Chavarria
William F. Halloran School
Walter Casanas
Woodrow Wilson School
Joel Romero

 

Hillside

Hillside HS
Ambyr Szablowski
Walter O. Krumbiegel MS
Pinto & Campbell

 

Kenilworth

David Brearley HS
Samantha Hoag
Anthony Madonia

 

Linden

Linden HS
Jose Ferero
McManus MS
Clint Malakuskie
Soehl MS
Eduardo Plaza

Mountainside

Deerfield MS
Bea Collins

New Providence

New Providence HS
Lylah Dugan
New Providence MS
Lillian Cahill

 

 

 

 

Plainfield

Central Jersey Arts School
Silvia Alpapucho
Cook School
Carin Hardy
Hubbard MS
Jose Peña de Leon
Maxon MS
Caleah Atkinson
Plainfield Academy of Arts
Anthony Cancel
Union County TEAMS HS
Crystal Attidore
Union County TEAMS MS
Shaun Counts

Scotch Plains

Union County Vo-Tech
Camillo Castillo
LaJuan Miller

Springfield

FM Gaudineer MS
N. Adbullahu, M. Pisauro & 
N. Stanislawczyk
Jonathan Dayton HS
Farharah Mohamad

 

Summit

Oratory Preparatory School
Tyler Otterbein

Union

Union HS
Pamela Chuang
Andrea Garcia

 

Westfield

Edison Intermediate School
Catlin Collins
Roosevelt Intermediate School
Kevin Miller
Alyson Palia

Winfield

Winfield School
Joel Walters

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

ROSELLE, NJ – Bring the family and join in the excitement at the Warinanco Ice Skating Center on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 3:15 p.m. as the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders presents the “Thanksgiving Score-O Challenge.” No hockey or skating skills are required.

“Come to the skating center for some family fun and let your children try their luck at shooting the puck through a hole in the goal,” said Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “After the Score-O Challenge, sit by the fire and warm up with a snack and a cup of hot chocolate from the snack bar.”

Registration for the Thanksgiving Score-O Challenge begins at 3:15 p.m. on Nov. 26. There is a $2 registration fee per participant. Regular admission and skate rental fees do not apply; this is not a skating event.

There is no public skating during this event. The Score-O Challenge will begin at 3:30 p.m. Children ages 4 through 17 years who are competing in the challenge will be divided into four age groups. Prizes will be awarded.

The Warinanco Ice Skating Center is located off Thompson Avenue in Warinanco Park, located near the border of Roselle and Elizabeth. For more information call the Skating Center at 908-298-7850 or the Union County Department of Parks and Community Renewal at 908-527-4900, or visit www.ucnj.org

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release. Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj .

Union County, NJ – Union County 4-H is holding its annual Holiday Gift-Making Night on Friday, December 2, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Westfield Community Center, 425 East Broad Street in Westfield. A fee of $7.00 includes all materials and guidance for making holiday-themed gifts including a candy-filled snow ball, a decorated flower pot with an aloe plant, and a snow man door stopper. The 4-H Teen Council will host a refreshment table as a fund-raiser. Advance registration is required by calling 4-H Secretary Ellen DiIorio at 908-654-9854, or email to ediiorio@ucnj.org.

The Union County 4-H Clubs and its Youth Development programs are made possible through Rutgers University and the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

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Clubs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on a grade appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. All possible efforts will be made to include rather than exclude youth in events conducted by 4-H.

For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.

New dvd, entitled “Internet Safety, Cyber Bullying and Social Networking” produced through partnership with Union County Prosecutor’s Office

 

Elizabeth, NJ– The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, in partnership with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, announced the creation of a new DVD on cyber safety for parents.

The DVD, entitled “Internet Safety, Cyber Bullying and Social Networking,” takes a proactive approach to keeping children safe from the dangers of the web and social networking.  It is designed to teach parents the potential threats to their children and offers tips on how to address the cyber safety issue without embarrassing their children or betraying their trust.

The “Internet Safety, Cyber Bullying and Social Networking” DVD is an initiative of Freeholder Chairman Deborah P. Scanlon, and is now available for free from the Union County Office of Public Information. The video from the DVD has also been posted to the Union County website and can be viewed in the video channel section, at www.ucnj.org/videochannel/

“It is our hope the information provided on this presentation will help parents take a proactive approach to keeping their children cyber safe,” said Freeholder Scanlon.   “The internet and modern technology have changed the landscaping of parenting. Children are cyber savvy, many parents are not. We encourage parents to use the material from the presentation to have a discussion with their children about this matter.”

Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said he hopes the video will empower parents and guardians to get more involved with their children’s Internet activities and to take the time to educate themselves with the particular programs and devices children use to communicate.

“The internet can be very useful and informative, but it can also be a very dangerous vehicle,” Prosecutor Romankow said. “We are trying to help parents learn about what they can do to protect their children from trouble.”

The Union County Prosecutor’s office has been extremely proactive in response to the issue of cyber-bullying and internet safety, Scanlon noted.  The DVD, which is over an hour and twenty minutes, contains a presentation by Sergeant Michael Hoose of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Task Force.  Hoose is recognized as an authority on cyber incidents, and conducts outreach each year; visiting schools and making presentations to parents’ organizations and students.  During his presentation he discusses the most prevalent threats to children and young adults including sexting, cyber-bullying, secret videotaping and high-tech pranks.

Copies of the DVD will be made available at the Public Information Van during various Union County events.  Residents may also obtain a copy of the Cyber Bullying DVD by contacting either Mary Lynn Williams 908-527-4106 of the Union County Office of Public Information or by sending an email to info@ucnj.org.

Union County, NJ – Choose My Plate is a simple but effective chart that puts the focus on good-tasting, low-cost foods that lead to better health. You can learn how to use it at a class offered by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County taught by Karen M. Ensle, EdD, RD, FADA, CFCS. Ensle is an award winning educator at Rutgers University and head of the Union County Extension.

The Choose My Plate class is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Extension offices in the Union County services building in Westfield at 300 North Avenue East. A $5.00 fee includes tastings and all materials. Pre-registration is required by contacting Digna Torres at the Extension, dtorres@ucnj.org or 908-654-9854.

“Everyone knows that a good diet helps to prevent serious diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes, and it can also help lower your grocery bills, too,” said Union County Freeholder Chairman Deborah Scanlon. “Choose My Plate helps you save money while improving your health.”

Choose My Plate is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “Get Moving” program supported by First Lady Michelle Obama.  The Union County Extension is one of 3,000 county-based Extension offices nationwide that work with the Department of Agriculture to ensure that the public has access to reliable information on nutrition and health.

To learn about Choose My Plate online visit choosemyplate.gov. More information about all Union County programs and services is available at www.ucnj.org.

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For more information on any Union County press release, please contact Sebastian D’Elia, Communications Director for the County of Union, or a designee listed at the top of this press release.   Please join the County of Union online at www.ucnj.org, on Facebook at www.ucnj.org/facebook, and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/countyofunionnj.