$4.5M Grant To Fund Climate Change Education

From The Desk Of The Governor Phil

Murphy

TRENTON – The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) announced the availability of $4.5 million in state grants to fund locally focused climate change education in New Jersey schools.

The “Climate Awareness Education: Implementing the NJSLS for Climate Change” grants will help schools meet New Jersey’s first-in-the-nation climate-change standards. In 2020, climate change was incorporated across the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), which provide what students are expected to learn in nine content areas such as science, social studies, health, and visual/performing arts.

“As New Jersey continues to transition to a green economy, it will be imperative to prepare our students to take on the jobs of the future,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Our civic leaders, policy makers, journalists, teachers, and many others will need climate literacy to successfully achieve our environmental goals. These grants will provide schools with the tools they need to ensure that New Jersey continues to be a leader in the fight against climate change.”

“Incorporating climate change education across our learning standards was just the first step in our effort to fully prepare New Jersey’s students for the jobs of tomorrow and the challenges they will face as a result of the climate crisis. Now, this grant funding will support educators as they develop local initiatives, ideas, and classroom-specific lessons,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, who has championed the effort to incorporate climate change instruction across New Jersey’s learning standards.

“These learning standards are more than just a new requirement, they are a symbol of the partnership between generations, and I am excited to see them come to life through our best-inthe-nation educators.”

“Educators are rising to the challenge of implementing thoughtful, student-centered approaches to build climate-change instruction into the classroom,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “I believe our groundbreaking statewide learning standards, coupled with the dynamic instruction taking place in the classroom, will be a model of climate change education for the entire country.”

While the state sets overarching learning standards, local school districts design the day-to-day classroom curriculum that helps students meet the standards.

The Climate Awareness Education grants are designed to help schools implement hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for students; create “Green Teams” of students and educators to provide leadership and support local initiatives; establish professional development for teachers; and offer curriculum development and instructional materials aligned with the State’s learning standards.

All public school districts, of our community with responsive action that will help save the lives of those who find themselves in serious danger,” said Smith, a member of the House Fire Services Caucus. Administered by DHS, the SAFER grant provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, front-line firefighters in their communities. charter schools, and renaissance school projects in New Jersey are eligible to apply for a share of the funding, which was part of Governor Murphy’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

School districts and charter/renaissance schools will have until mid-March to apply for the funding. Districts that apply will get an equal share of the funding, with the 31 Schools Development Authority districts receiving an additional 15 percent. The application process will be streamlined to allow grant funding to be distributed for use in the current school year for schools that have programs ready to be implemented. Funds are to be used by June 30, 2023.

Local Doctor Admits To Harboring Undocumented Workers

By Alyssa Riccardi

TINTON FALLS – A Monmouth County doctor has admitted to harboring two undocumented women from India as well as failing to pay taxes on their wages, officials said.

Harsha Sahni, 66, of Tinton Falls, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to conceal and harbor aliens and one count of filing a false tax return.

Officials said Sahni conspired with others to conceal and harbor two foreign nationals from India from 2013 through August 2021 who she recruited to work for herself and her family in their homes.

“Sahni harbored the victims for her and her conspirators’ financial gain and paid the victims’ families in India in exchange for their labor,” officials said. Sahni convinced the victims to believe they would be arrested and deported if they interacted with law enforcement. In order to hide their identity, Sahni instructed the victims to tell other people that they were related to Sahni, and Sahni used fake names and addresses in furtherance of the conspiracy.

Additionally, Sahni also failed to pay certain taxes from 2013 to 2019, notwithstanding that the victims were

Sahni’s household employees.

As a part of the plea agreement, Sahni has agreed to pay the victims a combined $642,212 and has agreed to pay up to $200,000 towards the treatment of one of the victim’s brain aneurysm. Sahni has also agreed to pay restitution to the IRS.

Sahni is facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross profits or other proceeds, whichever is greatest. She also faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20.

U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel; special agents of IRS - Criminal Investigation, New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Thomas Fattorusso; and special agents of the U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service, New York Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Keith J. Byrne, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

Spring 2023 Brush Collection Schedule

HOWELL – The Howell Department of Public Works has announced the spring 2023 Brush Collection Schedule.

Brush collection will begin April 10, weather permitting. Place all brush curbside no later than May 15. After this date, one fi nal collection will be made per zone, until all sections of the Township have been completed.

Only brush/tree trimmings will be collected. No leaves. Leaves can be brought to the Township Recycling Center located at 278 Old Tavern Road. The Recycling Center is open 7 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(except holidays)

Please adhere to the following guidelines: Stacked against curb with all butt ends facing the same direction.

Maximum size: 6” in diameter and 8’ in length. No stumps.

Maximum volume: equal to one pickup truck load. Additional brush can be dropped off at the Recycling Center. No leaves.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Works, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 732-938-4500 ext. 2450 or visit twp.howell.nj.us.

Full Day Preschool Application Now Open

HOWELL – Preschool applications are now open. Register at tinyurl.com/ PreK2023 by February 28 for families of children turning 3- or 4-years old by October 1, 2023. Limited seats will be available for the 2023-2024 school year.

Highlights of the program are as follows: All preschool programs will be full day and follow regular school hours. All general education preschool students will be placed in their home school to the extent possible.

Once students are enrolled in the district’s preschool program they will retain their spot through Kindergarten.

The program is tuition free for all students.

All currently enrolled students may be reassigned to classrooms based upon available space within their home schools for 2023-2024 school year. Students within the Preschool Disabled Program will be placed based upon the program identified within their IEPs.

They anticipate providing notification to families of acceptance in early March. The district looks forward to this exciting opportunity for our Howell families!

Breakfast Bonanza Networking

HOWELL – Join the Howell Chamber of Commerce on February 28 from 8 to 9 a.m. at Big City Bagels, Route 9 Aldrich Road, for their Breakfast Bonanza Networking. Meet other chamber members, network with local businesses, share what’s happening with your business and any upcoming events/promotions.

Cost to attend is $7 for members, $14 for not yet members, whether you eat or not (cash only). Includes coffee/tea and a bagel with butter or cream cheese. If you wish to order a different item, you will have a $6 credit (the additional $1 is gratuity for staff ) and you pay the restaurant the difference over $6. Not yet members are welcome to attend up to two Chamber meetings/events.

Senior Center To Change Hours

HOWELL – Starting March 1, the Senior Center will be changing their hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Although this time change will not affect any of our amazing programs and events, it will allow the drivers to leave earlier to pick up members. With more seniors requiring transportation to the center and our events, we will be able to accommodate everyone.

For seniors that need a little extra time getting to the bus in the mornings, it will afford them the ability to do this without feeling rushed. Please note that registrations for events will continue to be at 8:30 a.m.

Special Needs Program: Amazing Athletes

HOWELL – Special Needs Program for ages 14 and older. Program will be on March 3 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per class. Register online at howellrec.org.

For more information contact Steven Fecher, Director of Community Relations at 732-938-4500 ext. 2106 or sfecher@twp. howell.nj.us.

Free Hot Meals To-Go

HOWELL – The Southard Grange is participating in a program offering free hot meals to go every Friday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. prepared by local restaurants. Limited sup- ply, fi rst come, fi rst serve. This will run all year, so if you need it, please take advantage of it. Southard Grange #218 located at 4860 US-9S Howell.