COMMUNITYNEWS.ORG
AUGUST 2020 FREE
Partial reopening for schools
Missing man found alive
Current plan would allow students to remain all-virtual
Authorities mount a successful search effort in Community Park
BY BILL SANSERVINO
The West Windsor-Plainsboro School District has released the details of its plan to reopen schools in September. WW-P must conduct some type of in-person instruction to comply with a mandate by Gov. Phil Murphy that all districts in the state hold classes in brick and mortar buildings. The current plan calls for inperson hybrid and all-virtual models, and the district has asked families to choose a preference for their children attending WWPSD schools. The hybrid model is an A-week/B-week schedule. For one week, students will attend in-person classes during the morning, then be dismissed and return home for afternoon virtual instruction. During the second week, students would stay at home for virtual synchronous instruction. The virtual model will be different from the virtual/remote learning that was used during the spring. Virtual learning will include scheduled synchronous learning, live interaction with teachers, and mandatory participation times. In June, the state Department of Education issued guidance on the reopening of schools in September in a See REOPEN, Page 6
Apollo Foundation founders discuss business on a video conference call. Pictured, clockwise from top left, are Aarush Sharma, Akshat Agarwal, Rian Sengupta, Yash Abhyankar, Ishan Vanjara BY NICOLE VIVIANO and Abhinav Mukherjee. A West Windsor man who had been missing since the evening of Wednesday, July 22 was found alive almost two days later after a “massive” search of Community Park and the surrounding areas, West Windsor Police said. Cameron Ward, 25, was diswas officially formed by the covered at about 2:27 p.m. on and East Africa. BY NICOLE VIVIANO The founders, sophomores students last September and Friday, July 24 in a secluded A group of six West Wind- Rian Sengupta, Yash Abhyan- has been putting thought to area of the park. He was in thick foliage near the banks sor-Plainsboro High School kar, Aarush Sharma, Abhinav action since the start of 2020. The first steps for the new of Grover’s Mill Pond, which North students thought up a Mukherjee, Akshat Agarwal charity initiative last summer and freshman Ishan Vanjara, nonprofit have been focused is in the remote northernmost that would bring educational have witnessed India’s edu- on specific goals: fundraising section of the park. West Windsor Police Lt. opportunities to underprivi- cation system and its failings event planning, solidifying inileged students through global individually through family tiatives to dedicate time and Mark Lee said that Ward was funds towards and organizing conscious and transported to connections and fundraising ties and travel to the country. “I always knew I wanted the internal structure of the a local hospital. opportunities—that idea has The police had not returned turned into a reality, as efforts to do something to give back foundation. The group officially a request for more information continue despite the ongoing to the community in the education field, because I origi- received its 501(c)3 nonprofit on Ward’s condition or the cirpandemic. The students all share a nally moved from India to the status July 13 after apply- cumstances surrounding his unique drive towards better- United States in like eighth ing a couple months prior. disappearance as The News ing education for children grade, so I had a lot of expo- They were already under tax- went to press. Go to communiabroad through partnerships sure to underprivileged chil- exempt status as of late May, tynews.org for updates. Ward was located with the with established organiza- dren and people who didn’t which helps with the fundraistions as well as chapters of have the same opportunity ing aspect of the organization. assistance of a drone that was their nonprofit—the Apollo with education,” said Aarush For instance, companies and piloted by Officer Frank Sabasponsors may be more willing tino. The officer and a K-9 unit Foundation— in areas includ- Sharma, executive director. The Apollo Foundation ing India, Yemen, Cameroon See APOLLO, Page 8 See RESCUE, Page 5
North students help educate kids through new nonprofit
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COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS ARE MANDATORY – RESIDENTS MUST:
Remain in vehicles * Keep windows closed * Wear a face covering
DO NOT ATTEND IF YOU ARE ILL OR HAVE RECENTLY BEEN EXPOSED TO SOMEONE ILL; OR IF YOU HAVE TRAVELED TO A COVID HOT SPOT IN THE PREVIOUS 14 DAYS.
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DOCUMENT SHREDDING TRUCK Beginning at 10am ‐ 2pm LOCATION: West Windsor Pool Complex 193 Princeton‐Hightstown Road (in Community Park) Items For Shredding Include:
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Who cares about my opinion? BILL SANSERVINO FROM THE EDITOR
this small community there are some with a heart and realize Black people in America face ridiculous cruel injustice.” I also received a message from the pastor of a church in Ewing: “Your ‘editorial’ note was superb and compelling. In short order, you challenged people of European descent, majorityculture to educate themselves. I simply close by saying Thank you, thank you, thank you!” This from Lawrence: “I am a Black woman, and I say thank you for your article. It stated many facts about what some Blacks have had to go through in the past. “To know the Black experience just might help some white people understand where the irrational rage that is displayed through destructive behavior. We just want to be seen and treated just like white people are. We get seen as Black before we are seen as just people.” These responses helped reinforce that I’m on the right path. Change comes from within. It was also gratifying to see that what I wrote touched some people and resonated with them. I guess I have been wrong in my thinking. In some instances, my opinion can make a difference.
Last month in this space I wrote about how I was learning about the history of Black people in this country, and how it helped me understand and empathize what it means to be a Black person in the United States. I continue to urge others to do the same, and not just about Black folks. I think people of all races should take the time to learn about each others’ histories and cultures. In my 30-plus-year career as a journalist I haven’t expressed my opinion in writing very often. I always saw my job as being an impartial observer limited to reporting the hard facts. Plus, I believed that no one wanted to hear my opinion. As they say, opinions are like armpits. Everyone has one and everyone else’s stinks. I prefered not to add to the noise. All that being said, I was happy to receive messages from Black people in all three of the towns where I am community editor in response to what I wrote. Here’s an email I got from a woman in Plainsboro: “I applaud your candor and I thank you for publishing this article. We often don’t realize others are concerned with the increased rac- Contact BILL SANSERVINO: bill@comism shown towards Black people. I munitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 104, was pleasantly surprised to see even in facebook.com/BillSanservino.
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we are a newsroom of your neighbors. The News is for local people, by local people. As such, our staff sets out to make our towns a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood. As part of the community, the West Windsor and Plainsboro News does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. EDITOR Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)
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Bahree named president of West Windsor Arts Council The West Windsor Arts Council has named Jyotika Bahree as president of its board of trustees. A former member of West Windsor Council, she brings a background in marketing and financial
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Windsor Zoning Board. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management. She is currently a stay-at-home mother living in West Windsor with her husband and three children. The West Windsor Arts Council offers art and cultural events, workshops, and classes for all ages and in all disciplines at the West Windsor Arts Center and in the community. For more information, call (609) 716-1931 or visit westwindsorarts.org.
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Area residents can join the Mercer County Park Commission Naturalist Division this summer for a morning of paddling in Mercer County Park. The kayak nature tours on Mercer Lake are planned to give the public the opportunity to explore the shorelines and enjoy the outdoors every Friday through Aug. 21, weather permitting. Tours will take visitors to spots on the 365-acre lake that are only accessible on a kayak. Led by a park naturalist, participants will have the opportunity to paddle along the lake’s edge for views of native wildflowers in bloom, sun-bathing tur-
tles and local wildlife including some of New Jersey’s top predatory raptors. The program is open to all levels of kayakers, 16 years and older. Tours will run out of the Mercer County Park Marina in West Windsor from 9 a.m. to noon. Sanitized kayaks, paddles, binoculars and life jackets will be provided as well as instruction on the basics of kayaking prior to heading out on the lake. Participants should bring a mask, plenty of water and shoes that can get wet. Tours cost $25 per person for county residents and $30 per person for everyone else. Pre-registration is required online through Community Pass; walkups will not be accepted. Participation will be limited to 10 people per tour. Mercer Lake is home to many native plants and wildlife that are seldom seen in central New Jersey. Mercer County Park is in an area of transition between inland and coastal forests. To register, email natureprograms@mercercounty.org or go to register.communi-
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RESCUE continued from Page 1 were working together to conduct a systematic search near the banks of the pond. Ward had been missing for about 45 hours and suffered through heavy thunderstorms and extreme heat during that time, Lt. Lee said. After more than a day of fruitless searching, authorities had closed the park to the public on the morning of July 24 in order to conduct a “massive search” by a task force made up of search and rescue teams, police, fire, and emergency services workers, said Lt. Lee. Ward was last seen around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22 when he left to take the three family dogs for a walk. He frequently took the pets to the dog park in West Windsor Community Park. The victim’s mother contacted the WWPD at about 9 p.m. after a “good Samaritan” found the dogs wandering without a caretaker nearby and returned them to the mother’s residence, Lt. Lee said. An investigation and search of the area between the victim’s residence and Community Park ensued. In addition, Ward’s information was entered into the National Crime Information Center computer system as a missing/endangered person. Authorities found no trace of Ward in the initial search. Another search was conducted the following day by multiple officers and K-9s from WWPD, Robbinsville Township Police and the Mercer County
Sheriff’s Office. Again, the search came up empty. The decision was then made to conduct the task force search that ultimately wound up finding Ward. Personnel involved in the search and rescue task force included: WWPD patrol officers, detectives and superior officers; the West Windsor Division of Fire and Emergency Services Squad; Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company; West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company; and Fire Police. Also involved were the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company; the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office; Robbinsville Township Police; N.J. State Police; N.J. Search and Rescue; Mid Atlantic Search and Rescue; Community Search and Rescue; Lambertville New Hope Rescue; Ramapo Rescue Dogs; Central Jersey K-9; Mercer County Communications; and the Mercer County Emergency Services Communcation Center. Lt. Lee said that West Windsor Police Chief Garofalo thanked everyone involved in the successful outcome. “They never gave up in finding this person,” Lt. Lee said. “Without the teamwork, incredible efforts from numerous agencies, and the usage of the latest technologies (including K-9s and drones), this incident would have had a tragic ending.” Contact staff writer NICOLE VIVIANO: nviviano@communitynews.org, (609) 3961511, ext. 118, twitter.com/nicoleviviano, facebook.com/nicoleviviano609.
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These are not ordinary times, and Center For Orthodontic Excellence is not your typical practice. We’re known for our exceptional patient care, advanced technology, our wide range of treatment options, and yes - achieving excellent results. We believe in community service, so we’re showing our support for causes that are important to you. For a limited time, when you begin orthodontic treatment with us we’ll donate $100 to whatever cause you choose, or we will match any contribution you make up to $200! Any positive, love-based cause qualifies, whether it’s something big that makes the world a better place, or something small that brings a smile to someone’s face. Call us at 609.799.4628 for a complimentary consultation, or to get started on your new smile today. 61 Princeton-HigHtstown road Princeton Junction, nJ 08550 609.799.4628 t coesmiles.com
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REOPEN continued from Page 1 104-page document titled, The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education. “This guidance is deeply informed by the feedback from district superintendents, charter school leads, educators, and a variety of education and community-based stakeholder groups,” said state education commissioner Lamont Repollet in the document. “Each district will be expected to develop, in collaboration with community stakeholders, a plan to reopen schools in the Fall that best fits the district’s local needs,” Repollet said. “To ensure consistency with respect to the health and safety of our school communities across the state, you will find throughout this guidance that the areas that speak specifically to those health and safety measures are identified as Anticipated Minimum Standards.” Those minimum standards require school districts to adopt a policy for screening students and employees for symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily basis and to enforce social distancing within classrooms and on school buses. The plan states that in order to ensure physical distancing, additional modifications should be put in place, including physical barriers between desks and turning desks to face the same direction. Each school district must also adopt cleaning and disinfecting procedures. Superintendent David Aderhold, in a video message on July 9, updated the community on the reopening plan. He
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said that WWPSD officials had been “tearing through” the Road Back, and were looking at the district’s building and bus capacities. “At the end of the day,” he said, “we’re going to be upholding every safety standard possible to make sure that those individuals that come on site to the school district have the safest experience possible, and that everything we’re doing is grounded through health, wellness and safety.” Aderhold said the district is still in the early planning stages, but he wanted to update parents as much as possible about the situation. “First and foremost, staff and student safety is our number one priority when we think about re-entering in the fall... Obviously everything we’re doing is through the lens of health, safety and wellness,” Aderhold said. He said the district has been making a number of purchases to prepare for the school year. The district has ordered more than a quarter-million masks, face shields, some 800 gallons of hand sanitizer, temperature scanners and door entry temperature scanners. The district will be implementing wellness checks—including asking families to conduct temperature screenings every day before putting their kids on school buses. Masks will be required to be worn by all adults and students on buses and school buildings. “I know it’s a very difficult concept for some of us,” he said. “As the father of five, I completely get the concern
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with respect to masking, but what we know is that masking is one of the only things that we can do, besides social distancing, to really help prevent the spread of the virus. We owe it to each other to be wearing masks.” He said if a child has a medical condition that would preclude the child from wearing a mask, the district will require medical documentation and then make individual accommodations for the student. As for plans for the school day, Aderhold said, “it’s not going to be a normal school year. In fact, it’s going to be far from normal.” *** The governor’s requirement to hold in-person classes for students is counter to an earlier survey conducted by the district, in which a number parents expressed their preference for virtual learning to continue. “There are many families that, no matter what we do with respect to opening regarding safety measures, have made it very clear that they want a virtual model,” Aderhold said. Aderhold said that more than 60% of elementary families responded that they prefer a virtual-only model, 55% of middle school families want a virtualonly model and half of high school parents prefer virtual learning. “Please know that if you’re struggling with some discussions at home with your children,” he said, “you’re not alone in fears, you’re not alone in your desires to have a multitude of models, and just please know that we’re going
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to do our best to accommodate those as best we can.” He also pointed out that the district doesn’t have, “outright permission to run a virtual-only model. The (state) plan is silent on that but it is intimated that it’s that it’s allowable, based on unique circumstances in the needs of your local community.” That permission actually came about a week and a half later. Gov. Phil Murphy on July 23 announced that families would be allowed to choose the virtual-only option after facing pressure from teachers and parents who are concerned about the safety of reopening the buildings. He said that further details would be forthcoming. That information had not been released by the state as of The News’ deadline. At the beginning of July, the district asked parents to choose their preferred model for each child in their home that will be attending the WWPSD in 202021. Aderhold said the district needs the information as soon as possible to finalize its plans. He said that the district had locked in its high school schedule based on student choices made in June. “So to do this work, we’re going to have to redo a lot of work that we’ve already done,” he said. “We’re more than willing, and we have to do that, but just know that we’re under a time crunch, which is why we’re asking you for specific data to come back very fast.” Aderhold went into some details
about the way the hybrid model might work. He said that based on guidance from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and the state’s Road Back plan, the number of kids allowed on a school bus with a capacity of 54 children would be 11—about 20 percent. Since more than 95 percent of WWP’s students are bused, the district realistically can only have about 20% of students on-site. If 50% of the families choose to go all-virtual, that means WW-P can go to an every other day or every other week model for the remaining 50% who choose the hybrid model. School officials believe they can safely accommodate 12 to 14 students per classroom, which is about 50% capacity of what the district normally runs. Aderhold gave an example of how the hybrid model would work based on those numbers. During the A-week, in a class with 24 students, 12 students would attend in person, while the other 12 would be virtual. The process would be flipped during the B-week. Aderhold said that for families with multiple children, the district would work to make sure that the entire family is assigned to the same cohort weeks so that their kids will be all going the same week sequence, unless specifically requested for family reasons. Since schools will be following an early dismissal schedule, students will not be eating lunch on site. “The goal is that we bring students in to focus on core academic areas and then the students are going to go home,” Aderhold said.
*** The superintendent also addressed extracurricular activities. “There’s a really strong probability that we will not be running any after school clubs and activities on grounds,” he said. “For any club and activity that can continue in a virtual environment, we will work to provide those structures so that students have connections with each other.” Aderhold said that no decision has been made in terms of athletics. The NJSIAA announced on July 10 that the high school fall sports season will start a month later than normal. Aderhold was not optimistic about the possibility of sports happening. “The Ivy League canceled fall Sports, TCNJ just canceled fall sports and Rutgers is awaiting a decision on fall sports,” he said. Aderhold added that the NBA and Major League Baseball are both struggling with their reopening plans. It would be difficult, he said, for the school district to come up with the “perfect plan” for school sports when billion dollar organizations are struggling. “We would all be fooling ourselves,” he said. “I’m just going to be honest with you that it’s not looking promising, and I know how much that hurts our students and our families that rely on our co-curricular activities.” Contact BILL SANSERVINO: bill@communitynews.org, (609) 396-1511, ext. 104, facebook.com/BillSanservino.
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APOLLO continued from Page 1 to donate to an organization that went through the process of achieving both statuses. Their first major fundraising event will be held Aug. 14 through Aug. 16. The entrepreneurship hackathon hosted by the Apollo Foundation, EduSolve I, will have two competition categories separated by age. The subjunior category is for ages 10 to 13. The junior category is for ages 14 to 18. This hackathon has been in the making for months. First place will receive $500 along with a certificate from sponsors, a chance to get featured on the Apollo Foundation’s website and a video-call with CEO of Presien and former robotics professor at Stanford University Nathan Kirchner, Ph.D. Second place will receive $250 along with a certificate from sponsors and a feature on the EduSolve website. The third-place winner will receive $100 along with a feature on the EduSolve website. Entry is free and sign up for the hackathon is available on the foundation’s website. The goal of this event is meant to act as a way to form local partnerships and find sponsors to help with the foundation’s cause. The Apollo Foundation has a GoFundMe page as well as a bank account, set up by one of the founder’s parents for outside donations from some of the parents’ companies and personal checks from family and friends.
Only the GoFundMe donations are visible to the public at this time. Collectively between the GoFundMe and bank account, the foundation had raised around $1,100 as of July 14. The fundraising goal for the year is set at $10,000. All funds are intended to go towards the nonprofit’s initiatives. No money has been disbursed yet, as the foundation continues to fine-tune how it will divide the donations among its many initiatives. “Mostly we want to make sure that all our initiatives are impacted as much as we can and make sure that we make a mark on the world that education for all is very important,” executive director and freshman Ishan Vanjara said. Monetary donations are not the only method of help that the foundation aims to give to its partnered organizations. Partnerships with the Roshni Learning Center, Asante Africa Foundation, Area9 Lyceum and the Taleem Doo Foundation all aim to fund and educate impoverished students around the world. “My primary goal is to create an organization that has the ability to fund and give certain materials to kids all over the world,” treasurer Abhinav
Mukherjee said. “We are not only just getting money and books, but we’re also creating like curriculums and teaching them more modern new skills like STEM technology stuff, which is really helpful because the world is changing in a much more rapid pace,” he said. “And by teaching them stuff like robotics, and coding, and giving them curriculums, we can focus our education on what really matters.” The foundation chose to focus on initiatives in India, Cameroon, the Middle East and East Africa through their partnerships and chapters. In India, the foundation aims to help fund the Bagiya School in Gurgaon, a city in northern India. The foundation also looks to support schools in Mumbai, India, that are battling COVID-19. The Cameroon initiative looks to incorporate education and essential materials in the French regions and rural settlements of Cameroon. The initiative in the Middle East, specifically Yemen, is working off of the “Inspired Education Initiative” strategy, which includes improving access to quality education and strengthening the protective environment for impoverished students. The East Africa initiative, in collaboration with the Asante Africa Foundation and Area9 Lyceum, incorporates STEM, robotics and coding in schools in Kenya. Six outreach directors have been recently named on the foundation’s website, all specializing in a location in need and an academic area of interest. By opening chapters of the organization around the country and internationally, the group has been successful in securing trusting relationships with
The foundation chose to focus on initiatives in India, Cameroon, the Middle East and East Africa chapters.
those interested in the foundation’s mission. The foundation is headed out of the High School North main chapter. There are about 15 chapters of the Apollo Foundation in locations ranging from Cameroon and India to Hawaii, Detroit and California. Several chapters are local to the New Jersey area as well. One of the biggest chapters, with close to 35 members, is out of Gurgaon, India. Another highlighted chapter is in Philadelphia. Many of the connections were possible through family and friends of the founders. Other first-time communications were held over social media. The foundation’s founders regularly communicate with the chapters through video-call or phone. The six founders have been meeting remotely since the onset of the pandemic, utilizing Google platforms and Discord to discuss next moves and current initiatives for the foundation. Since the foundation hasn’t been named an official school club yet, the students are used to improvising where to hold their meetings. Before the pandemic, they would meet up at their local library. Although each founder holds a specific title, all major decisions are made collectively and unanimously. All six have decided to put their passion for community service and education into this project, in hopes that it will carry on. “The plan is, I guess, throughout our high school careers to try to find people who are willing to take it on after we leave,” Akshat Agarwal said. “And so over time, we’re just planning on working on specializing on the schools that we’re working on now… And then ultimately, the goal is to start to work just as a board and have the next generation of high school students take this on and work on their own projects that they’re interested in.” Contact staff writer NICOLE VIVIANO: nviviano@communitynews.org, (609) 3961511, ext. 118, twitter.com/nicoleviviano, facebook.com/nicoleviviano609.
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B I - M O N T H LY N E W S F R O M C A P I TA L H E A LT H
KEEPING YOU SAFE to Get the Care You Need
Wondering if the time is right to reschedule that doctor’s appointment, lab or imaging test or hospital procedure? Capital Health is ready to see you again. All of our hospital and outpatient care locations are open and ready to accept appointments or reschedule any visits you may have canceled or postponed over the past few months. If you suspect you are having a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE DURING THESE UNCERTAIN TIMES: Everyone must wear a mask when inside our locations. Everyone must maintain appropriate social distancing. Signage has been placed at all locations to help guide this. Public seating areas have been rearranged. Only four people are permitted per elevator, spaced out to the corners. Staff regularly clean common areas and high-touch surfaces with hospital-approved disinfectant cleansers. Patient care areas are cleaned between patients using disinfectant cleansers and portable ultraviolet lights. All COVID-19 positive inpatients are cared for in one area. Non-positive inpatients are cared for in completely separate areas and are never in the same units as COVID-19 positive inpatients.
Everyone entering our locations is required to have their temperature taken. Some locations use zero contact thermal monitors that take your temperature from a greater distance than the standard temporal thermometer. Anyone with a temperature equal to or greater than 100° F is not allowed to enter. Visitors are currently restricted. Only one visitor at a time is allowed for each patient in the facility. Multiple visitors may not enter and gather in lobby or waiting areas. The visitor must wear a mask and clean hands when entering and exiting the patient room. Visitors are strongly encouraged to remain in the room and not travel throughout the facility. Visitors are not permitted in the designated COVID-19 units at Capital Health Regional Medical Center (video visits with these patients can be arranged through our patient advocates).
FOR A FULL LIST OF WAYS WE ARE KEEPING PATIENTS SAFE, VISIT CAPITALHEALTH.ORG. When you’re ready to get back to health, rest assured that Capital Health is ready for you. Health Headlines by Capital Health | THE NEWS9
NEW LOCATION FOR CAPITAL HEALTH PRIMARY CARE – BORDENTOWN Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown, part of Capital Health Medical Group and a trusted provider of pediatric, adult, and geriatric care in Burlington County, New Jersey, has moved to a new location at 100 K Johnson Boulevard N., Suite 101, Bordentown, New Jersey 08505 (on the northbound side of Route 130, across from the Team 85 Fitness & Wellness Center). Although the office is new, patients receive care from the same board certified physicians they know and trust, including Drs. Jamie Flynn, Janey Hughes, Maria Lugo, Joshua Mleczko, and Natalie Redziniak, as well as nurse practitioner Stephanie Shapiro. They are all available for appointments to provide check-ups, sick visits and preventive care for children and adults (including care that’s specific for women and older adults). “Now more than ever, finding a health care provider that inspires confidence and trust is important for anyone who needs care,” said DR. MARIA LUGO, lead physician at Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown. “We take our role in the community very seriously, and while it’s exciting to be in a brand new building, it’s important for our patients
and anyone looking for a primary care provider to know that the move reaffirms our commitment to safe, convenient care.” Capital Health Primary Care offices have put into place safety measures to make in-person office visits safer. All individuals are required to wear face masks at our facilities and must have their temperatures taken prior to entering the facility. If they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days or have a temperature equal or greater to 100° F, they will not be permitted in the office and will instead be asked to schedule a video visit. Our offices are cleaned with hospital-approved disinfectant on a regular basis, and seating areas have been rearranged to support social distancing. Patients are also encouraged to enter the facilities by themselves whenever feasible or schedule video visit appointments over secure connections on their computers or mobile devices from home. Office hours at the new Capital Health Primary Care – Bordentown location are Monday and Tuesday ( 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). To make an appointment, call 609.298.2005 or learn more by visiting capitalhealth.org/bordentown.
Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell Receives THIRD CONSECUTIVE CHEST PAIN CENTER ACCREDITATION When you or someone you know is having a heart attack, getting the appropriate treatment in a timely manner greatly increases the likelihood of a better outcome. Through its commitment to an evidence-based, protocoldriven approach to care that can reduce the time to treatment during the critical early stages of a heart attack, Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell has earned accreditation as a Chest Pain Center with PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for the third consecutive time.
care and improve heart health by ensuring that participating health care organizations like Capital Health meet systemic quality-of-care measures and implement necessary protocols, processes, and systems in order to earn accreditation.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important for the community we serve to know that when they need us most, we are here and ready to provide care safely and efficiently,” said Al Maghazehe, president and CEO of Capital Health. “In addition to reaffirming our role as a leader in providing state-of-the-art care for cardiac emergencies, this shows our community that we remain up to date with the latest best practices for managing heart attacks with increased speed and efficiency, as well as providing education about the early signs of heart attack, all of which leads to better outcomes for our patients.” The goal of the ACC and its Chest Pain Center Accreditation program is to transform cardiovascular
If you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack, calling 9-1-1 should be your first step to talk with a trained dispatcher and have an ambulance sent to your location as quickly as possible. Treatment can begin on site when the ambulance arrives, which saves valuable time when every second counts toward a better outcome.
10 Health Headlines by Capital Health | The News
“Earning a third consecutive accreditation from the ACC is a great accomplishment and a testament to the unwavering dedication of our entire team,” said Dr. Lara Samson, medical director of Capital Health’s Chest Pain Center. “Implementing rigorous ACC guidelines to provide our patients with the highest quality emergency cardiac care requires a concerted effort and is only possible thanks to the hard work of our experienced doctors, nurses, and other dedicated professionals.”
To learn more about Capital Health’s Chest Pain Center, visit capitalchestpain.org. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you or someone you know is experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
CAPITAL HEALTH OPENS NEW PRIMARY CARE OFFICE IN HAMILTON Capital Health Medical Group, Capital Health’s network of more than 400 physicians and other providers who offer primary and specialty care, has opened Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham, a new primary care office conveniently located at 1700 Nottingham Way, Hamilton, New Jersey 08619. The new office features three board certified doctors who are available for appointments to provide check-ups, sick visits and preventive care for children and adults (including care that’s specific for women and older adults). This office accepts most insurances and was previously located at 1235 WhitehorseMercerville Road in Hamilton. “If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, our office offers daytime and evening appointment hours for routine check-ups and follow-up visits, as well as sick visits for when you’re not feeling well,” said DR. NAILA WASTI, a board certified internist and lead physician at Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham. Dr. Wasti is
joined by Dr. Rubina Raza, a board certified internist, and Dr. Catherine Cicco, a board certified family medicine physician with experience in providing care for adolescents and adults, including women’s health, men’s health, and geriatric health. In July, Nurse Practitioners Kathleen Bornhoeft and Neida Hernandez-Lewis joined the practice. Like all Capital Health Medical Group primary care offices, Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham offers video visits, in addition to office visits, to safely and conveniently provide patients with the most appropriate care. Office hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Wednesday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). To make an appointment at Capital Health Primary Care – Nottingham, call 609.303.4870 or learn more by visiting capitalhealth.org/nottingham.
INTRODUCING CAPITAL HEALTHY LIVING A New Idea in Senior Living If home is where the heart is, then home is where independent seniors would rather be. Capital Healthy Living is a new program starting August 10 designed to provide the services that empower seniors to stay independent and in their own homes, for longer. From transportation to scheduling assistance with Capital Health primary and specialty care providers including video visits, engagement and coaching, Capital Healthy Living is available every step of the way. “Certainly with the COVID-19 crisis, one thing it has taught us is how important it is to have a highly qualified health care team around you, whether for routine care or more acute needs,” said David Dafilou, vice president and chief administrative officer of Clinically Integrated Network at Capital Health. “With two, top-rated health care facilities in our community, more than 40 outpatient locations and more than 400 primary and specialty care physicians, Capital Health has all of the resources to provide seniors with the health care support they need, right here where they live.” CAPITAL HEALTHY LIVING OFFERS: … EASIER ACCESS TO CARE Including a dedicated life care manager (LCM) who assists in scheduling all Capital Health Medical Group physician appointments and helps develop a customized healthy living plan tailored to meet individual needs and goals. … TELEHEALTH SUPPORT AND SCHEDULING Guidance and assistance in scheduling secure telehealth video visits to safely and conveniently provide you with the care you need from home. … TRANSPORTATION Scheduled via UBER Health or Capital Livery through your LCM, the program includes costs for transportation to all Capital Health Medical Group appointments and Capital Health hospital services, as well as two non-medical roundtrips per month (within 15 miles of your residence) and up to four roundtrips per month to a Capital Health hosted social event or wellness class.
… ENGAGEMENT AND COACHING One-on-one discussions with your LCM on your medical care, including: • Help with chronic disease management • LCM-shared updates with your primary care physician for more coordinated care • Post-discharge and Emergency Room follow up with your LCM to better understand your plan of care and next steps • Availability of LCM to family members or caregivers (upon your approval) … SOCIAL AND WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES • Capital Health hosted social event or wellness/exercise class (four per month) • Free training session with a Capital Health trainer at the Capital Health Wellness Center to develop a customized exercise regimen (one per year) • Linkage to community events • Social media and newsletter • Emotional and cognitive support Capital Healthy Living is a new program, with plans to provide non-medical offerings and additional services specifically selected to help make living at home easier and more convenient. All customized, individualized and coordinated by a dedicated Capital Health Life Care Manager. Capital Healthy Living is currently being offered as a pilot program for just $50 a month. For a limited time, a free two-month trial period is being offered to allow seniors to try this program risk-free. To learn more, call 609.537.7087, email healthyliving@capitalhealth.org or visit www.capitalhealth.org/capitalhealthyliving.
Health Headlines by Capital Health | THE NEWS11
HAMILTON STUDENT EDUCATES TEACHERS ABOUT CONCUSSIONS
that I had recovered nicely and could return to school and sports without restrictions.” Helping children return to play as athletes is important, but their success in school is Dr. Matarese’s top priority. He provides workshops for teachers and other school staff so they can gain a better understanding of concussions and make accommodations that allow students to return to learn. Dr. Matarese was so impressed by Joseph’s commitment to recovery that he invited his young patient to help with a program for faculty and staff at a Mercer County school. “This was the first time that I had a middle school student assist me with a presentation for teachers, and Joseph was very motivated to teach others about the need to prevent repeat injuries and permanent brain damage,” said Dr. Matarese. “Learning about concussion from a student’s perspective was particularly powerful, and we were fortunate to have Joseph share his experience.” To learn more about Capital Health’s Concussion Program, part of the Capital Institute for Neurosciences, visit capitalneuro.org. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Matarese, call 609.537.7300.
Joseph DiClaudio assists Dr. Emil Matarese at a concussion presentation for teachers prior to COVID-19 school closures.
Like many children his age, 12-year-old Joseph DiClaudio of Hamilton, New Jersey enjoys the competition that comes with sports, especially when he’s representing his school on the basketball court. Joseph thrives when he’s part of a team, but after being injured during a game on January 27, 2019, he feared that his season would be cut short. “The first symptoms that I had were all over head pain and some vision problems,” said Joseph. “I was taken to the ER at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell, where they diagnosed me with having a concussion and referred me to Dr. Matarese for follow up.” Bruises and scrapes are easy to spot, but concussions are unseen injuries that require special care and management to avoid potential long-term consequences. Getting an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible is a crucial first step on the road to recovery. Fortunately for Joseph, Dr. Emil Matarese would be guiding him the rest of the way. Dr. Matarese is director of the Concussion Program at Capital Health’s Capital Institute for Neurosciences and a regional leader in treating concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. According to Joseph, Dr. Matarese helped everyone understand what they were dealing with the day after his injury. “Dr. Matarese is very knowledgeable and caring,” said Joseph. “He did a great job explaining my symptoms, like the change in my eye movement and my headaches. My grandfather, who went to the office with me and my mother, was very impressed!” Impaired eye movement is common after concussions and makes reading or focusing on a computer screen for extended periods of time difficult for the patient. Rest for the body and the brain is the best course of action for recovery. To many adults, keeping all activity to a minimum may sound like a nice break, but brain rest (which includes no texting, no computers or video games, and minimal TV) can be a real challenge for today’s constantly connected young people. “Not resting can make matters worse and extend the time it takes to recover from the concussion,” Dr. Matarese warns. “Dr. Matarese gave me a note for school excusing me from class work, tests, homework, and gym class,” said Joseph. “Along with resting my eyes as much as possible to allow my brain to heal, he gave my mother massage exercises to do on my neck to help relieve my headaches. At my appointment the next week, he said
12 Health Headlines by Capital Health | The News
CONCUSSION FACTS What is a CONCUSSION? A concussion is an injury to the brain. A concussion can be from a direct hit to the head or from getting checked or tackled. Symptoms of a concussion may appear immediately or may not appear for several hours or even days. It’s important not to hide the fact that you are experiencing symptoms of a concussion, and to tell your coach immediately.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS of a Concussion SIGNS ARE THINGS OTHERS SEE:
… Appears confused or dazed … Can’t recall things prior to being injured … Can’t recall things after being injured … Loss of balance or coordination … Loss of consciousness — no matter how long … Seems irritable or other personality changes … Forgets routine plays or position on the field
SYMPTOMS ARE THINGS YOU FEEL: … Headache … Dizziness … Sick to your stomach and/or vomiting … Feeling foggy or confused
… Sensitivity to light or noise … Feeling sluggish or tired … Problems concentrating … Feeling “off” or “don’t feel right”
HAVING ONLY ONE SYMPTOM MAY INDICATE YOU HAVE A CONCUSSION FOR EMERGENCY CARE, Capital Health offers a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department at Capital Health Medical Center – Hopewell. Neurology and neuropsychology experts from the Capital Institute for Neurosciences can provide thorough evaluation, follow-up, and treatment for teens and adults at our Hopewell and Langhorne locations.
effort and beyond to serve the community well. When making policy decisions like modifications to the school curriculum, implementing additional sensitivity training programs, and removing well-trained and very capable security professionals from our schools, we need solid reasons for doing so. Our local government has responsibility for example to use resources wisely and control costs. The cost of these programs plus the aggregated cost of all township employees participating in them can be significant and come at the expense of other critical township priorities that affect us all, so there needs to be clear justification. Instructional time and budgets in the schools also are not unlimited, and must be approached in a similar context and in terms of what will be displaced. Furthermore, arbitrarily removing security professionals from our schools, who provide a vital service and an effective deterrent in these uncertain times seems to me grounded more in politics than in practicality, and should not be taken lightly. Lastly, it was hard to avoid noticing that the writer’s first priority was boosting membership in her partisan group. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, as we all have the right to be politically active, but a political recruitment effort just didn’t seem well-placed here. This should be more of a non-partisan issue, and there is a time and place for everything. Bill Varnavas West Windsor
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In the July issue of the WWP News, the chair of the West Windsor Democratic Committee submitted a letter expressing the group’s concern regarding police brutality and racism, while at the same time praising our community for its diversity and tolerance. The letter however goes on to stipulate that “we need to do better,” and proposes the following recommendations: 1) expanding the Democratic Committee’s membership of African Americans; 2) removing armed officers from the school system; 3) further expanding African American studies in the school curriculum; 4) requiring enhanced sensitivity training for our police, township employees, and elected officials; 5) committing that her group will not patronize local businesses that engage in discriminatory practices; and 6) that her group will be actively “anti-racist.” While I’m sure we can all agree that no one should have to experience police brutality and/or racial discrimination, perhaps a better approach to the situation would be to take a closer look at a township level and identify any potential problems and the true extent of them before we make recommendations on how to respond. That would entail an effort to gather some information over a reasonable time period, such as: 1) reports of anyone being denied access within the township to housing, employment, education or services of any kind due to racial discrimination; 2) reports of residents who felt their rights, safety or quality of life in the township were directly impacted as a result of racial discrimination; and 3) reports of serious misconduct by police, township employees or township elected officials that was racially motivated. I realize that this is a sensitive subject and may be somewhat of a challenge, but without data that can be quantified in some way it is much more difficult to determine what if anything needs to be done. Furthermore we need to exercise care because misunderstandings can also be a factor and greatly complicate things. From my own personal experience living here for over a decade, I’ve found it to be welcoming, and although I suppose it’s possible I’ve overlooked something, I never got a sense that intolerance was an issue. If it was, I would doubt it would be so attractive to the number of people of diverse backgrounds who continue to move here. I’ve also never heard any significant complaints about our police, school resource officers, elected officials or township staff, and my overall impression is that they have made every
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Address COVID-19 misinformation “The sky is blue.” That’s a pretty obvious statement, right? Nobody has ever doubted the color of the sky. But every day, people continue to doubt statements that seem just as obvious. Only, unfortunately, they’re less easy to prove than a quick glance upwards. In anything even a smidgen more abstract than the color of the sky, proof is surprisingly twistable, and that is where the art of misinformation makes its home. It is this issue of misinformation that needs desperate attention. “Why?” You might ask. Misinformation has always existed, and it’s an issue that has been acknowledged before. More often than not, we just take a deep breath and look away. But the pandemic has brought misinformation to new heights—heights that we cannot ignore. Where claims like “George WashSee FORUM, Page 14
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FORUM continued from Page 13 ington was Black” are harmless, beliefs like “masks kill people” can persuade people to abandon critical equipment. The recent hydroxychloroquine hype even caused Gary Lenius to die from drinking cleaner just because an ingredient looked like hydroxychloroquine and “Trump kept saying it was pretty much a cure.” The virus has given misinformation the ability to harm human lives, and that is the significant issue. Hence now, more than ever before, misinformation needs to be addressed. But more importantly, it needs to be addressed differently than before. Over the course of history, our reaction to misinformation has
always involved educating the other party, leading to useless arguments where nothing is changed and no one is convinced. Those arguments run something like this: The doubters express their ideas passionately, but their vitriol destroys their credibility. Then, defenders sneer at such attempts and ridicule the doubters, like this youtube comment saying, “Let’s burn the 5G towers… you can trust me. I have a Cancerology PhD from google.com,” mocking the misinformation about 5G and health concerns. Frequently referenced is Einstein’s quote that, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
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Neither side is considering the other’s argument, and even if they tried neither side could be convinced either. The issue with this system is that both sides are blinded by their bias, and bias is not something that other people can “educate” out of you. It never has been. Sure, someone else can help you discover bias, but bias can only be truly removed by yourself. This personal approach to bias is especially important because of quarantine. Whereas the pandemic has given misinformation more weight, quarantine has created the perfect breeding ground for it. The amount of time we spend on the internet, where legitimate scientific proof and twisted scientific proof look surprisingly similar, increases our chance of accepting misinformation. Our friends, classmates and coworkers—the judges and juries as to whether that Twitter post we read was a fresh new perspective or complete baloney—are now muted from our lives. Our muddled brains, isolated at home, are unrestrictedly distilling our hatreds, prejudice, and political beliefs into confirmation bias. In fact, the idea of quarantine itself, this surreal world we never imagined we would find ourselves in, is helping to make us feel like anything is possible. The key to all these points is that we’re alone in making these decisions: alone in exploring the internet, in being apart from friends, in brewing our bigotry, and in handling our surreal world. After all, this is quarantine
— we’re bound to be alone. Therefore, our bias is our personal responsibility more than ever before. And no one is exempt from this responsibility. Sherlock Holmes said, “when you have excluded the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” Now, there are many more facets to misinformation than a whodunnit, and there’s often more than one “truth.” But if we look beyond our bias and exclude all that is unreasonable, whatever remains, however improbable, is the most reasonable truth. We’ll discover what we’ve had wrong, what we’ve had right, and everything in between. The goal isn’t for everyone in the world to suddenly shed their bias, see some holy truth, hold hands and sing kumbaya. Nor is it doubting and questioning everything you know. Understanding the misinformation pervading us, and using that to truly consider what you want to believe, is a personal step. It’s like combating coronavirus itself: We don’t don masks for COVID19 because they magically eradicate viruses. We do it because it’s our small step towards protecting ourselves, and that protects those around us. If we are to confront this “massive infodemic,” we must examine our personal biases, and review our beliefs, for the same reason. Chern Yang Yang is a rising sophomore at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North.
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Travel Talk with Caryn and Aron Virtual travels
We have something special planned in August. We are starting a “Where to Next” series of webinars and the first one kicks off on August 12th at 5pm. Invitations will be mailed out this week, so if you would like to get on the list please send me an email or give me a call. The first episode will showcase the Galapagos Islands. There will be prizes and special offers, but most importantly a chance to learn about this amazing destination and experience the wonders of the Blue Foot Boobies, Giant Tortoises and other flora and fauna indigenous to this destination. Without leaving the comfort of your couch, you will be able to “travel” and escape cabin fever and the worries and concerns about the current pandemic (even if only for an hour.) In addition, this Thursday, July 23 at 7pm we will be hosting a River Cruise night with Amawaterways to learn more about one of my favorite river cruise lines. To register visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/ register/8601866900040988173 Next year is my 10 year Cruise Planners anniversary and my husband and I will be celebrating in May by taking a 7 night River Cruise in France on Amawaterways. We would love to have friends join us. Contact us for more information. Contact us at cberla@ cruiseplanners.com or 609.750.0807 when you are ready
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AAProven ProvenTrack TrackRecord RecordofofMore Morethan than30 30Years Years SolidReputation ReputationofofService Serviceand andDedication Dedication Solid AAProfessional ProfessionalWho WhoCares Caresand andListens Listens Home HomeStager Stager
Results Resultsyou youcan cancount counton! on!
253 253Nassau NassauStreet Street••Princeton, Princeton,NJ NJ 609-924-1600 609-924-1600••(Dir) (Dir)609-683-8549 609-683-8549 (Eve) (Eve)609-799-5556 609-799-5556 (Cell) (Cell)609-865-3696 609-865-3696
to set up time to discuss your next memory making vacation or for information on Virtual Travel Thursdays. And for the latest information on which countries are open, what the rules are for entering different countries, what is happening with Cruise Lines and Tour operators, rebooking future travel credits and for FAQ, please visit my website and click on the link for Covid-19 Travel Information. At Cruise Planners we specialize in all types of travel (not just cruises). We do not charge any additional fees for our vacation planning, and whether you are looking for a Cruise, an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation, or a European Land Tour, we will provide you with the exceptional service you should expect from a travel agent. Visit us at www.makingvacationmemories. net to register for hot deals delivered directly to your inbox and follow us at www.facebook. com/familycruising. Unlike big online travel sites, Cruise Planners with Caryn and Aron, delivers the personal touch.
EvaPGetsResults@gmail.com EvaPGetsResults@gmail.com••www.GreatHomesbyEva.com www.GreatHomesbyEva.com
13 Evans Dr., West Windsor: Desirable Princeton Oaks 4 bedrm colonial withCt.,library/offi ce. Spacious kitchen with granite 14 Caraway South Brunswick, NJ: eat-in Premium location in desirable counters and steel appliances open appliances, onto familycounters, room Princeton Walk.Stainless 2-story foyer, updated kitchen, w/wood burning Hardwood oors feature throughout cabinetry, & flooring.fireplace. Living room & diningflroom hdwd fland oors a& suiteonwith room, bedrooms dressing room area and amaster gas FP.bedroom 2 bedrooms 2nd flsitting r. 2 updated & a new powder 2 walk-in closets. The Finished septic tank was replaced in 2017 thehouse, roof room on the 1st level. basement & storage room.and Club and AC replaced in tennis 2008-2009. Custom deck & water sprinkler.... indoor/outdoor pool, courts & much more. Near Major highways, so much more! $665,000Offered at $360,000 shopping & restaurants.
My Priorities Priorities Are Are Simple. Simple. They're They're Yours! Yours! My
Wen Bash Cell: 609-658-5036 Office: 609-987-8889 X1168 NJ REALTORS Circle of Excellence Award 2002 - 2019 NJ REALTORS Distinguished Sales Club
www.WenBash.com
at your service Advertise for $69 a month. For more information call 609-396-1511
Cranbury
Fabulous Colonial style home in desirable Shadow Oaks with 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, finished basement, and more…
Plainsboro
Conveniently located on a premium lot in The Gentry with 4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, huge backyard deck with gazebo...
S. Giordano’S ConStruCtion Fully Insured
Free Estimates
Custom Homes remodeling additions Bathrooms
Kitchens roofing Windows doors
Siding • Sun Rooms • Custom Decks Sam Giordano
Lic#13VH02075700
609-893-3724
www.giordanosconstruction.com
of Princeton, Robbinsville and Newtown
Experienced • Professional • Guaranteed Carpentry • Home Improvements • Lists
Office: (609) 779-1212 mrhandyman.com
Hopewell Twp.
Townhome with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, beautiful hardwood floors, 2 car garage, and much more...
Princeton Greens
Wonderful townhome rental in Princeton Greens with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, finished basement and more...
Service More Than You Expect...GUARANTEED!
NJHIC #13V09854100/PA138189
August 2020 | The News15
THE WEST WINDSOR EXPERT. DO YOU WANT FULL PRICE FOR YOUR HOME? FOR SALE
FOR SALE
397K
595K
920K
221 Washington Rd. Princeton 121 Rabbit Hill Rd. West Windsor 79 Danville Dr. West Windsor
UNDER CONTRACT 42 Orleans St. West Windsor
592K
SOLD OVER
SOLD OVER
SOLD OVER
SOLD
LIST 709K SOLD 715K
LIST 225K SOLD 240K
LIST 725K SOLD 730K
LIST 687K SOLD 685K
6 Blackhawk Dr. West Windsor
556 Village Rd. West Windsor I LISTED & SOLD THIS HOUSE
3 Orly Ct. West Windsor
80 Norcross Cir. Hamilton
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
SOLD
LIST 250K SOLD 245K
LIST 710K SOLD 700K
LIST 675K SOLD 675K
LIST 810K SOLD 795K
1312 Sierra Dr. Hamilton
86 Saratoga Dr. West Windsor 29 Highmont Dr. West Windsor 25 Hawthorne Dr. West Windsor
Statistics taken from Bright MLS 2019-6/1/2020
DURING THIS PANDEMIC FROM 1/1/2020-YTD. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET MY SELLERS AN AVERAGE OF 106.7% LIST PRICE TO SALE PRICE. CALL DONNA FOR THESE RESULTS. 609-903-9098
DONNALUCARELLI25@GMAIL.COM • WWW.DONNALUCARELLI.COM CALL DONNA FOR DETAILS. OFFICE: 609-987-8889. DIRECT/CELL: 609-903-9098. 16The News | August 2020
Superior Marketing, Superior Negotiating, Superior Results
FOR SALE
Donna Lucarelli Direct: 609-903-9098