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Wow, are you saying Dr Epps did better?

Dr. Lyles is an established professional, and it's amazing that we have a Superintendent that is so effective working in the JC district.
As a public school parent the positive changes the last two years are apparent. Here are a few examples:
1) 3 x more children are receiving free breakfast in school last year than than the previous
2) 10% more students receiving college level classes
3) A new high school in one of the city's poorest district
4) Enrollment of students into JC public schools has increased this passed year for the first time in years.

All energy should be focused on getting families aware of the program and apply, if that is the concern, suing the district on this is such a waste of energy and tax payer dollars!

Under the previous Superintendent, Dr Epps, there was no lottery to enter into the dual language program and no sibling preference policy. Subjective interviews were the way to enter the program. Those with resources and knowhow were more likely to get in this way.
The current superintendent, Dr Lyles, implemented a lottery should more applicants apply than spaces available. She also implemented a sibling policy across the board, not just for Dual Language students. The process is far more equitable now than it has ever been. I agree with the comment made earlier though, more families, especially low income ones have to be made aware of how to apply to all programs and also be motivated to apply, it's not an easy sell but the district has to keep trying.

I found their platform on the Parents for Excellence website:
-As independent candidates, we are only beholden to the 28,000 students who depend on our schools for an exceptional education.
-We believe Jersey City Public Schools can provide an excellent education for every child, preparing them for college or a career.
-We believe the best way to raise student achievement is by focusing our efforts, and the efforts of the community, on better public schools.
-We must engage students and teachers and continue to focus resources on schools facing the greatest challenges.
-We will work hard to return Jersey City schools to local control.
-We believe in improving existing schools, opening new ones, and continuing to oppose the practice of closing schools.
-We support the district?s efforts to create more district-run high school choices for students and families.
-We believe in encouraging families to feel welcome and engaged in their children's education. As parents become involved in school, children achieve more. Therefore, we must proactively solicit the opinions of parents and teachers in making Board decisions in order to make the Board more receptive to community needs.
-We support the goal, laid out in the Mayor Fulop's transition report, to build a playground at every elementary and grade school, so every child has a safe place to play.

Yes! We had am amazing experience, I took my two kids for check ups and they have a great set up to make the experience enjoyable for them! Highly recommend them!

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Robin: It's like there are two elections, three of these candidates ( Daye, Amy & Simon) are running for the three year term and there is also a special election to finish off Marvin Adames' term after he resigned, Carol Lester's term is up now as she has served three years and she decided to run for the one year slot.

JC Moms has been amazing. I have met a group of people who have now become like family here in JC and I can't imagine living here without this fantastic group. I have been an active member for almost two years now and my son has a great group of friends.
The message board is an incredible resource and it is very civil with people asking for advice and lots of support and feedback given / posting useful info / recommendations / tips, etc...

The fee of $25 per year seems pretty low considering all the organizers are volunteer moms and work really hard to make this a successful group and organizing family events. There are over 400 members (moms) mostly from downtown JC and group keeps growing.

From my understanding, there are rules that come up as problems come up, and the group has always stressed it is a "meet up" so yes you are supposed to meet up / attend events at least once every 60 days which anyone can host so if hours and locations on the calendar are not good you can post / host a meet up that suits your schedule. And if you happen to have a specific reason why you are not around for 60 days you can contact the organizers...

Anyway, if you are a new parent to the JC area I would definitely recommend joining!

It is totally ridiculous that Dr Epps contract has been extended. The schools have not seen any improvement under him, in fact they seem to get worse. This vote didn't even happen in an a public meeting! Thanks to Sterling for voting "no" on this. This is a good reminder to make sure we get some good candidates elected in next year, and who knows, in a couple of years we may have a real Board of Education in Jersey City.

Waver, you are so right, it is a tease to see it there but not be able to go in. My poor kid cries every time we pass, I have to drag him away. When this park opens its gonna feel like Christmas!

As far as I am aware the fema flooding insurance is a scam. Basically you are obliged by the mortgage company to get it (almost $2,000 per year) and in case of a flood it will only cover structural damage up to $200,000.

We are flooding too, water is coming in from both sides / ends on our bottom floor. We have spent the last 8 hours trying to get it out but still there, we have 5 pumps working in the front and two in the back...... hoping for the rain to stop

Thanks for the info. I also called the company to complain about sending out these guys without a card, a brochure or even a uniform. As you say they are indeed clueless and now I feel bad for these guys and I hope they find better work 'cause they can't of had much success doing this.

Earlier today (around 4pm) two guys (in their twenties) knocked on my door and asked me to show them a pseg bill as they have been asked to go door to door to ask residents for a bill as they are paying too much and want to help lower bills? They had some random id around their neck that they could have easily made themselves with some acronym - "tmax" or something like that. I said I didn't have a bill and I asked them for a number or a business card and they didn't have either as they were told to go door to door. I live on 5th st - did anyone else have this experience / is this a familiar scam here in JC? I can't imagine it is a legit request.
I would have been able to get better info but I left my kid inside and was crying for me so I was trying to get back in the house as quick as possible, I wish I had taken a photo of them or asked to call pseg right then.