Residents asked to join ride for autism awareness
To the editor:
My wife and I are proud parents of an 8-year-old boy who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. Although we were first stunned, we were quick to learn that autism is a disorder that affects approximately one in 166 individuals, and occurs in families of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Autism occurs more often in males than females, at a 4 to 1 ratio. The underlying cause is still unknown.
Autism primarily affects three areas of development: social interaction, communication, and behavior. Although there is no known cure for autism, early educational intervention of an individual is critical.
April is Autism Awareness Month, and I would like to invite you to participate in the fifth annual Ride for Autism bike tour, which takes place on June 10. Proceeds from this event go directly to the Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community (COSAC), a nonprofit agency providing education, services, and advocacy for the autism community. COSAC helps people with autism to obtain appropriate, effective services to maximize their individual growth.
For more information go to www.ride4autism.org, or call (732) 521-2722.
Tim Hitzel
Glenn Avenue
LMS Science2Go Society thanks dinner donors
To the editor:
On March 31, Lawrence Middle School Science2Go Society held a pasta dinner. The dinner was very enjoyable as well as successful.
The Science2GoSociety would like to thank all those attended and give a special thanks to those that made it possible. We thank the LMS administration and staff for all their help and support. They have guided us every step of the way and without them, our many activities would never succeed.
Science2Go students and their parents did a wonderful job and many contributed wonderful items to the auction.
The Lawrence Middle School Jazz Band and other student groups provided great entertainment. We want to thank them and the sponsors that made this fundraiser possible: all local ShopRites; Alphabet Books; Arbonne International; Capitol Car Wash; Carl Fischer’s; Creative Memories; Fantastic Sam’s; Halo Farms; Italian People’s Bakery; LIDS; McCaffrey’s Supermarkets; Pennington Quality Market; Photo Haven; Regis Hair Salons; Sportstyles; Suncoast; TaunaBlankies; Trade Secret; Villeroy & Boch.
We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that attended the dinner and all those that made it a fantastic event.
Natalie Falk
Natalie is an eighth-grade student at LMS and a member of Science2Go Society.
Township Community/Culture Day was a big success
To the editor:
I want to send out a "muchas gracias" note to a number of people and groups who helped make our Community/Culture day a big hit on Saturday.
First, to Don Brown and Rider University for hosting the event. Second, to all the groups who performed: Kulei’s Hawaiian dancers, Jorge Gomez, Mike Canavan’s Irish bagpipe band, Ryan School Of Irish Dancing, Qing Yang’s Chinese Dancing Troupe, Bob Immordino for his historical perspective and Rakesh Patel for arranging for some Indian dance performances. Third, to Tonia Moore and the Lawrence High Diversity group for all their help.
Also thanks to the following groups and vendors for their support: Slackwood Elementary School, Eggerts Crossing Community Center, Lawrence Township Health Department, Lamberti’s Cucina, Fedelo’s, Palace of Asia, Indian Buffet, Passage to India and my fellow members of the township Human Relations Committee Grazie!
Rich McLaughlin
Merritt Drive
Abortion does not offer a choice
To the editor:
In her letter (The Ledger, March 30), Amy Kelly states "Those of us who favor keeping abortion safe and legal would never force that option on anyone who does not want to take it." She unfortunately forgets that there is another human person involved a pre-born infant with different DNA, fingerprints, blood type and perhaps of a different sex than the mother. In a so-called "safe" abortion this infant is not given any option to the choice forced upon him or her.
Anyone can view the new 3-D ultrasounds and see that this is an infant and not a "choice."
Dr. Francis deBlois
Garden Road
Leading schools is a worthy job
To the editor:
A school district is a tightly organized, well-planned, spectacular organization that showcases the diverse talents of its many constituents students, parents and teachers. The district requires an experienced educational leader to control a myriad of complex challenges that would test any executive operating a multi-million dollar organization.
First and foremost, nothing is more important than the education and safety of the children entrusted to the superintendent on a daily basis.
The superintendent, at the helm of the district, is the CEO who must keep the district moving on several levels. The management of day-to-day operations requires superior decision making, excellent interpersonal skills and attention to detail.
While business as usual is often the tenor, sometimes the superintendent is called on to respond to crises and exercise sound judgment in addressing complex issues of great magnitude, such as handling a Columbine-like situation, designing a new school or terminating an ineffective teachers.
Planning for the future requires a superintendent to be both visionary and collaborative. Dreams are conceived, nurtured and realized, Superintendents and curriculum leaders imagine and create schools of the future, Magic is done through technology. New lessons are encouraged and expected on a regular basis. Planning is never boring, repetitive or predictable.
Success in responding to the needs of the community requires the constant watchful eye of the superintendent. The make up of a community includes many representatives and resources that are essential to the progress of the school district. Here, we find disparate interests arid talents, including board members, parents, politicians, public officials, community members, taxpayer associations, senior citizen groups and business owners. It also contains individuals whose concerns require extra attention from the superintendent.
Leading a school system demands the ability to handle many complex tasks simultaneously and produce world-class results time after time.
From my vantage point of serving as a school superintendent for over 10 years, it its the most rewarding profession in the world.
Judith Ferguson
Past president
NJASA
Superintendent
Hopewell Valley
Regional School District

