To the Editor:

I am writing to support Dafna Kendal’s candidacy for re-election to the Board of Education. One of my children is a junior at Princeton High School and the other is a freshman in college; both were Princeton Public Schools students since kindergarten. I have known Dafna for more than 11 years, and throughout her Board terms I have been continually impressed by Dafna’s incredible work ethic (she is a lawyer in her day job), her profound appreciation for our hard-working teachers, and her deep commitment to providing a first-rate public education to all of Princeton’s children.

Dafna’s achievements during her six years on the Board have significantly and positively impacted our community, including measures to improve Board transparency, to a strong and consistent focus on student achievement across all groups, and to diversifying revenue streams for the district which has saved taxpayers millions of dollars in the process.

As a family physician, I would like to focus in particular on Dafna’s achievements with regard to students’ physical and mental health. I have been in touch with Dafna over the past three years, and I have seen firsthand the amazing amount of effort she has put into keeping our students safe and physically in the classroom as much as possible throughout the pandemic. Dafna connected with health experts, worked with local institutions of higher learning, spoke with colleagues throughout the state, and stayed in constant contact with our administration and our teachers. Dafna’s clear focus on the well-being of our school population, together with her tireless efforts on their behalf, was crucial in the district’s efforts to get our children and teachers back in the classroom as quickly and as safely as possible.  more

To the Editor:

The board of the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry would like to thank everyone who joined us on October 6 at our Oktoberfest fundraiser. Held in the beautiful Present Day Club and entertained by Musicworksnyc Arts and DJ James Myricks, our guests enjoyed German food, beer, and wine while supporting our Princeton neighbors. 

Princeton Mobile Food Pantry (PMFP) is a 501(c)3 organization that provides food and other support to the under-resourced members of the Princeton community. Our focus is to support families with children in the Princeton Public Schools. PMFP currently serves over 200 families by providing fresh food deliveries twice per month.

Many thanks to Baxter Construction and the Snack Family Giving Fund, our gold sponsors, along with all of our other sponsors and partners for their support of this event and our mission. This amazing group of volunteers, donors, and partners continue to help PMFP to grow our support network.

To learn more about the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry please visit pmfpantry.org.

The Board of the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry
Newlin Road

To the Editor:

We have known Susan Kanter for many years and can share what makes her a standout candidate for the Board of Education. Throughout her roles as a corporate leader, mother, school volunteer, community organizer, and current member of the School Board, she consistently comes up with practical, effective solutions to complex problems.

Balancing the interests of the Princeton K-12 students and the community at large, Susan is a consensus builder that balances the needs of diverse stakeholders. She is flexible and eager to hear other points of view even if they differ from her own. When addressing even the thorniest issues, she engages in an articulate, fact-based, thoughtful way that invites others to work towards a common understanding and equitable solutions.

In each endeavor, Susan engages hands-on and tackles challenges no matter how large or small. Susan’s first term started as COVID hit, and she demonstrated the ability to make fast, effective, and creative decisions in the absence of perfect information and precedent. She is excited to have the opportunity to focus on improving our student’s academic achievement as well as their social and emotional health, which has been tested over the last few years. Susan is also committed to ensuring that our facilities are properly maintained for the health of our students and the money it saves taxpayers in the long run. She is also a proponent of continued sustainability initiatives and getting solid plans in place to support Princeton’s future growth.

These are just some of the many traits that have allowed Susan to become a productive and valued member of the School Board. Please join us on November 8^th at the polls and vote for Susan Kanter for the Princeton Board of Education. She is the candidate who will continue to prioritize student and community interests while improving Princeton’s Public Schools.

Beth Hirschman
Ettl Circle

Karen Reid
Westcott Road

To the Editor:

Princeton Public Schools’ administrators reported last week that the actual numbers based on the NJSLA and ACT, SAT, and AP tests indicate that students were doing well despite the pandemic [“PPS Test Scores Remain Strong Despite U.S. Drops,” page 1, October 26], and noted, “We see numbers trending in a positive direction with a few exceptions.”

This is great news, especially taking into account the unique student population in Princeton. Success means helping ALL students thrive. Approximately 13 percent of Princeton students receive free or reduced lunch, compared with 5 percent in West Windsor-Plainsboro and 4 percent in Montgomery. In Montgomery, the racial demographic distribution is 52.8 percent Asian, 34.7 percent White, and 6.3 percent Hispanic. In West Windsor-Plainsboro, the distribution is even greater, with 71.4 percent Asian, 16.4 percent White, 5 percent African American, and 4.8 percent Hispanic. For PPS, the numbers are dramatically different, with 48.6 percent White, 6 percent Black, 21.4 percent Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, and 15.8 percent Hispanic. 

The challenges for PPS are great and the test results indicate that the district is doing a fine job in dealing with such challenges. Our neighboring districts do not have comparable challenges and, as such, can report performance data which is very different. 

Judith Pollack Meyer
Mount Lucas Road

To the Editor:

I’m immunocompromised as a result of medicines I take daily to protect a kidney transplant I had 25 years ago (and which I give thanks for every day!). As a result, I can’t mount a vigorous immune response to COVID, and I need to be very cautious about my exposure. I’m one of millions that confront this reality every day.

Which is why I haven’t been to a live theater production for almost three years — and I love theater. That is, until recently, when McCarter Theatre did a wonderful thing for myself and many other immune-weakened people: they set aside a handful of shows that were “masked only.”

It was such a thrill to once again experience the excitement of live theater! I saw The Wolves and the emotion in the audience was palpable. And, surprising for a Tuesday night performance, it was well attended, but I felt very secure because everybody wore a mask — so I could thoroughly enjoy the excellent production.

I just want to acknowledge that in a day when most COVID precautions have been discarded, McCarter took the chance and included so many of us that have felt excluded from indoor events back into the wonder of live theater.

David Barry
Warwick Road, West Windsor

To the Editor:

We proudly endorse Susan Kanter for a second term on the PPS Board of Education. Susan brings over 20 years of business experience to her work as a PPS Board member which allows her to work as a valued and collaborative team member, synthesizing input from a wide variety of constituents to best represent the interests of public school students and the Princeton community.

As an engaged volunteer in our schools (including seven years as co-president of the PHS PTO and five years as treasurer of PMS PTO) during the 18 years her three children attended PPS schools K-12, Susan has developed a deep understanding of the district’s inner workings allowing her to successfully navigate the School Board infrastructure. If re-elected, Susan can hit the ground running without needing time to “come up to speed.”

Susan has deep philanthropic roots in the Princeton community, serving on the boards of several nonprofits including Princeton Children’s Fund, The Jewish Center, and Treasurer of the 101: Fund. She understands the importance of giving back to the community. She is co-chair of the PPS Boards Operations Committee, which focuses on both the short-term and long-term financial health of our schools and the maintenance and improvement of our facilities and grounds. Susan has supported the PPS professional staff as they have upgraded procedures around building maintenance, developed and implemented plans to make our district more sustainable, and supported passage of a fiscally responsible referendum to do needed maintenance to our buildings.  more

To the Editor:

In this year 2022, there is an enormous concern about where our dear nation is headed. A John Adams quote states, “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people.” Democracy can only endure when there is an educated citizenry.

Our schools and what is being taught are the keys to that success. We as citizens send our most precious possessions — our children and hard-earned money to provide that education. So I wonder why teacher unions and politicians are now telling us what they will teach.

There is an election about to occur and I urge you to find out what your School Board candidates will demand in the way of a curriculum; what history and literature children will be exposed to along with math and science. Recently I asked a School Board member what the study of literature was in K-12, the reply was “I’m not on that committee.”

So please, please elect responsible, caring, intelligent people to represent what you feel represents you and what you wish to pass on to your family. Remember, the schools belong to you.

Barbara B. Dollard
Elm Ridge Road

To the Editor:

Like many fellow Princeton residents, working from home through the pandemic has allowed me to get a closer understanding of my children’s education.  The curriculum, the teachers, the administrators, and those that plan for our future.

There’s no question Princeton’s existing BOE are caring, hardworking people. I’m concerned they don’t always care about the things that matter to me and some of what’s been taking place at Princeton Public Schools needs to change. That is why this year I am voting for Rita Rafalovsky to join our School Board.

Rita didn’t set out to get voted into office. She’s a local parent, an experienced consultant, and a smart, hardworking person who is not willing to just watch things happen. As the school district began the process of developing a strategic plan that will guide the future, Rita noticed that several things were out of alignment. She seeks to change that.

The status quo is no longer acceptable. Keeping the same people on the BOE simply because they are nice and work hard isn’t helping our children. There’s been a lot of talk in the past year recognizing that better supports and systems need to be put into place for certain groups of students. But it’s been a lot of talk. PPS still hasn’t hired enough Spanish-speaking aides, as has been repeatedly requested. PPS still makes it incredibly difficult (unless you have your own way to fund it) for students to get tested and get the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) they need to guide them to success despite their needs. In fact, at PHS this year, one co-taught class, intended to help students that have documented difficulty in math, has had many classes taught by YouTube, as a sub fills the days until the permanent teacher can start. more

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Dafna Kendal‘s re-election to the Board of Education. Like Dafna, I am a first-generation American, and like Dafna, the beneficiary of an outstanding public school education. As I have gotten to know her over the past several years, it is apparent that Dafna firmly believes in the importance of our school district maintaining a rigorous curriculum. She wants all students to have the opportunity to succeed, and she believes in an additive approach to equity that involves raising the floor for all students — not eliminating classes, rather enhancing each student’s experience. 

As our community continues to grow and emerge from the last years’ pandemic, her experience working on the Board of Education is vital. Not only is she always willing to listen to all sides of an issue, she brings a depth of knowledge of working with the schools, community, and students that is un-paralleled in this election season. I am confident that she will continue to strive to ensure that the Princeton Public Schools remains one of the best districts in the country.

Please join me in voting for Dafna this November.

Jessica Vieira
Stockton Street 

To the Editor: 

For the first nine years of my career as a pediatrician I worked in a Head Start Program in north central Philadelphia schools. As is happening here, providing exemplary preschool experiences for the resource deficient enabled the children, the poorest of the poor, to score at national average or above. My own work showed the neurodevelopmental effects of malnutrition and lead poisoning precluding affected children from succeeding. 

The responsibility of the Board of Education is to continue with the present program and maintain the support needed through to graduation. All will benefit with, worth noting for those concerned, an increase in SAT and ACT score-based rankings. 

Robert J. Karp, Md
Harrison Street

The writer is emeritus professor of pediatrics at SUNY-Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. 

To the Editor:

This letter represents our strong support for Debbie Bronfeld, who is running for re-election for a position on Princeton’s Board of Education.

We have known Debbie for over two decades (we met at the pediatrician’s office when my daughter and her second son were just a month old), and we think she continues to be a great choice for Princeton’s Board of Education. When Debbie first ran for the Board of Education six years ago, we weren’t surprised. She has always been civic minded (e.g., she was the executive director for Dress for Success Mercer County and she volunteered and then was employed by the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank), and she has long been a champion of Princeton schools. Both her sons were in the Princeton Public schools for their entire pre-college education. Thus, early on, Debbie was a member of the Littlebrook PTO. She volunteered as a room parent, as a worker in Littlebrook’s library, and at PUM’s book sales. To this day Debbie continues to show her support at the school district’s concerts, musicals, football games, and other events (she often joins us in cheering on our Princeton High School cheerleader! Go Tigers!). 

Six years ago and then again three years ago, Debbie ran for a spot on Princeton’s Board of Education because she wanted to work to ensure that all children in Princeton get the quality education that they deserve. She won a spot on the Board both times. Since then, she has worked hard to fulfill those promises to our children even as COVID presented new challenges. Debbie recognized that educational needs must be balanced with needs regarding health and safety, and thus she has been pushing for more guidance and support services (including bilingual services). She also pushed for a later start time for PHS. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2014), later start times are linked to academic and health benefits.  more

To the Editor:

What matters to everyone in Princeton? Growing up with families who span the generations and understand Princeton’s history – matters. Serving on Princeton Council by representing and promoting the interests and needs of Princeton citizens — matters.  Continuing to successfully serve on Princeton Council for a sustainable Princeton, fair and affordable housing, the infrastructure, education, and all aspects of our existence to bring our town into the future — matters.

It matters that we re-elect Councilwomen Mia Sacks and Michelle Pirone Lambros, who together will continue to be a positive force for the welfare of all Princeton citizens. Remember, a mark by their names matters!

Shirley A. Satterfield
Quarry Street

To the Editor:

I met Debbie Bronfeld in 2009, when my family moved to Princeton and our younger sons were in class together at Littlebrook Elementary School. At that time, Debbie worked at Dress for Success and then later at Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. Her career at nonprofit agencies dovetailed with her volunteer activities at Littlebrook PTO, where we worked on many events together.   

Debbie then focused on volunteering full-time. She continued being an active PTO member at PMS and PHS, but she wanted to make more of an impact in Princeton. Her dual concerns for food insecurity and equity for all students led her to be a founder and board member of Princeton Children’s Fund. Additionally, she was an early volunteer and is a current board member of Princeton Mobile Food Pantry, and also is a volunteer at Housing Initiatives of Princeton.  

Importantly, Debbie won her first of consecutive terms on the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education in 2016. She currently chairs the Personnel and Equity committees, and is a member of the Operations and Student Achievement committees. more

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Princeton Dog Park Alliance, I want to thank the Princeton Council for their support of a dog park in Community Park and off-leash hours at Quarry Park. Both ordinances will create much needed recreational opportunities for Princeton residents and their dogs. These spaces provide socialization and exercise opportunities for our dogs, which leads to better behaved pets. They also allow us opportunities to join together in community. Princeton has waited so many years for this to be developed, and we are grateful that the time has finally arrived.  

A number of us have been gathering in Quarry Park every weekday morning with our dogs. For the past three years, we have met and allowed our dogs to run free and play without leashes in the park. We are very mindful about recalling our dogs when anyone walks by, so they are not disturbed. Over the past three years, we have gathered almost daily, and there have been no incidents or complaints. Our dogs are well-behaved, respectful of each other and of other people, and are obedient. Dog owners know if they can trust their dog to be let off leash, and therefore self-regulate their participation in our gatherings.

We have also been careful to be respectful and conscientious neighbors. We always clean up after our dogs and have even picked up trash left by others to keep the area clean and pleasant for all users of the park.

We are grateful that Princeton is sanctioning our unofficial use of Quarry and look forward to partnering with the Council to ensure the success of this initiative.

Calvin Chin
President, Princeton Dog Park Alliance
Spruce Street

To the Editor:

The Board of the Friends and Foundation of the Princeton Public Library would like to thank everyone who joined us on October 15 for our 2022 Beyond Words evening to celebrate and support the library. Under a majestic tent at the Brick Farm Tavern, our guest speaker, David Wondrich, a James Beard Award-winning author, regaled us with entertaining stories about the evolution of the cocktail through modern American times. We extend our gratitude to the library’s leadership and staff for making the Princeton Public Library a Five-Star Library for six consecutive years, the highest national ranking by the Library Journal Magazine. 

The success of Beyond Words 2022 event is a reminder of the central role the library plays in our Princeton community. How fortunate we are to have the library as a centerpiece of our town, serving as our gathering place, offering a safe space for our children to learn, and welcoming neighbors and newcomers with a warm sense of belonging. 

Many thanks to Princeton Property Partners, our Lead Sponsor, and Reed Smith, LLP, our Silver Sponsor, along with all of our other sponsors and corporate partners, for their support and belief in the mission of the Friends and Foundation. Only with the loyalty and generosity of all of our donors are we able to continue to support the library in expanding its collections and enhancing its programming. 

A heartfelt thank you from us to all of you. We look forward to joining again this spring for our 2023 Book Lovers Luncheon with author Lynne Olsen. Stay tuned for more details.

Andrea Bradley
Governors Lane

Rosalind Muir
Littlebrook Road North

Co-chairs, 2022 Beyond Words
Co-chairs, Friends and Foundation Board

To the Editor:

The Board of Education (BoE) elections are coming up this November, and the campaign signs around the town make it quite evident. While three incumbent BoE members are running for another term, it is time for Princeton residents to take stock of how our school district has been trending in its performance. But first let’s take a look into why all residents should pay attention to this BoE election, regardless of whether we have kids going to Princeton Public Schools.

The ranking of a school district is an important measure as it is a good indicator of the learning and development among its student population. Every student matters, and a school district that takes that approach of no child left behind is the one we all should strive for — a great school district. Such a district acts as a magnet attracting the best school staff (teachers, musicians, coaches, administrators, etc.), and newer residents. It is a key factor in real estate values, which in turn funds (via taxes) the costs of public services to keep this town safe, resourceful, and beautiful. Hence it is of vital importance to Princeton residents to pay attention to the BoE elections, and more importantly to go out and vote to elect the right candidates. 

Let us take a look at how our school district has been performing. For some years now, PHS has had a gradual downward trend in key measurable indicators. Some examples: Niche Ranking — from 16th place nationally in 2019 to 43rd this year; U.S. News — from a Top 100 (94th place) nationally in 2009, to 490th this year; Math Proficiency — PHS 51 percent vs. Montgomery 70 percent and West Windsor 67 percent. more

To the Editor:

On November 8, Princeton residents will vote for three candidates for School Board, and we urge you to vote for Susan Kanter. We enthusiastically endorsed Susan for her first term, and we just as enthusiastically support her for re-election.

Susan brings a breadth and depth of experience professionally, in our community, and most importantly in our schools, having served on and co-led the middle school and high school PTOs for 18 years and having served on our Board of Education for the past three years.  Susan is passionate about education and the social-emotional well-being of our students, she worked with the district as it made hundreds of decisions to support our students and teachers through the pandemic, and she continues to work tirelessly to promote positive changes in the district. 

Some of Susan’s top priorities include ensuring that the district meets the academic needs of all its students, that students feel supported and represented in their learning, and that its facilities are maintained and operate sustainably. As co-chair of the Operations Committee, Susan helped the district make important maintenance and improvement decisions and is making major strides in terms of sustainability and the district’s ability to meet the changing needs of a growing student body. more

To the Editor:

In 2022, Princeton High School (PHS) is ranked 490th nationally (U.S. News). In 2009, it was 94th. Yes, my dear neighbors and fellow parents, PHS is declining in pretty much every category in every national ranking. Some may say ranking is not everything. Some may also say I don’t have kids in public schools. Why bother? Well, 49 percent of our property tax goes to Princeton Public Schools (PPS) and people who plan to buy house in Princeton do look at these rankings. It does matter.

I moved here in 2016 and have witnessed a few relatively big events related to PPS. From the controversial renewal of Cranbury SRA, to the failed $100M infrastructure referendum, and to the very recent so-called math curriculum reform, which, if it took place, was essentially a dumbing-down effort to our children. Even though it has been called by current PPS administration a “rumor” after many parent groups raised their strong oppositions, it is fair to say that there have been serious trust issues among the PPS, the Board of Education (BOE), and taxpayers.

In pretty much every single such event, the BOE’s performance has been somewhat mediocre. There has been no fiasco. Yet it has never tried to change or create anything better and new either. Until very recently, I can’t say I strongly disagree on how the BOE is representing us in managing the $90M-plus budget. It really is mediocre. I am just trained to not expect too much over the years: The schools are good after all. That changed when I recently noticed the declining of ranking and started to dig.  more

To the Editor:

I am endorsing Debbie Bronfeld for re-election to the Princeton Board of Education (BOE). I have known Debbie for close to a decade, and in that time she has proven herself to be a smart, warm, compassionate, and dedicated member of the Princeton community. Before joining the BOE in 2017, Debbie worked for nonprofits that serve vital needs in the community, such as Mercer Street Friends Food Bank and Dress for Success. She started the Princeton Children’s Fund, volunteers for Housing Initiative of Princeton (HIP), and is also on the board and volunteers for the Princeton Mobile Food Pantry, strengthening this worthy organization.

Whenever Debbie tackles an issue, problem, or project, she puts her heart and soul into it. While on the School Board, she helped support a committee to discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues. With Debbie’s input, the district hired Dr. Kelley as superintendent because of her work in the field of equity. Since Debbie has been on the Board, the Princeton school system has joined the BELE group and other equity groups, and she was instrumental in the Board approving an equity and racism acknowledgement, of which she is especially proud.

Mental health and well-being of all students and staff in Princeton schools are a top priority for Debbie. She has pushed for more guidance counselors and social workers, along with advocating for increased bilingual guidance and support services. She successfully advocated to start and end the school day later so stressed and exhausted students can get a fuller night’s sleep. She obtained state grants, along with partnering with the Y and local housing areas, to help our Pre-K program support early learners from low income families.  more

To the Editor:

During this election season, some have made inaccurate claims that the Princeton School District’s external rankings have dramatically declined. While school ranking systems are highly problematic in many ways, if we are going to use them to make policy, it is important to understand what informs the rankings and to be accurate about Princeton’s performance.

School rankings use different methodologies. Those based primarily on standardized test scores advantage magnet schools that have selective admission and school districts that have fewer lower-income students because of the substantial relationship between poverty and standardized test scores. If the objective is to have the highest standardized test scores in the state, the only effective strategy is economic segregation.

Unlike the majority of highly-rated school districts, Princeton is economically diverse. That diversity is valued by my family and many others when choosing where to live.  more

To the Editor:

I’m a parent of two children, ages 8 and 11, and my family has lived in Princeton since 2010. My passion for maintaining top-notch education at PPS and my concerns about where our district is headed are the reasons I chose to run for the School Board. As a former economically disadvantaged public school student, I can say that excellent public education has the potential to be the greatest equalizer. Unfortunately, over the years, the quality of our public school education has fallen. The BOE and PPS leadership must understand why, nationally, Princeton High School dropped from 94th place in 2009 to 490 in 2022 (U.S. News), and why our high school’s math proficiency score is just 51 percent, while Montgomery is 70 and West Windsor is 67. This has been the case since 2015. 

The Board claims that state scores are a poor indicator because of the low student participation rate and also because less academically motivated kids supposedly take the state test. I checked. Last year, the refusal rate was approximately 24 percent. If the Board were right, then both reading and math scores should theoretically be low, but our reading scores are 82 percent, which is within 1 point of neighboring schools.  more

To the Editor:

Whatever would Princeton University do if it weren’t able to virtue signal its commitment to all things progressive. Unfortunately, sometimes virtue signaling translates into actions and actions have consequences. In this case I specifically refer to the front page story in last week’s [October 5] Town Topics about PU’s decision to “divest and dissociate” from fossil fuel companies.

Let me play this out a bit — for a variety of reasons our U.S. energy costs are increasing rapidly (which also drives overall inflation), with those less able to afford it being hurt the most. Our president in trying to lower energy costs (you think there might be a political angle here, with an election four weeks away?), instead of increasing U.S. drilling and energy production, goes hat in hand to Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Venezuela and of course, the benefits of these high prices benefit Russia. Saudi Arabia’s answer was a less-than-polite, thanks but no thanks. We are also seeing our European friends and allies about to endure a winter of high energy prices and potential supply shortfall as they have “outsourced” their energy supply to Russia — we all can see how that is working. Perhaps they will start burning wood or maybe even coal. What would Princeton recommend?

So now PU, oblivious to the economic, political, and strategic factors which the West faces, decides now is the right time to divest and dissociate. I wonder if the Princeton dons will be warm enough in their solar heated living rooms. All I can say is, timing is everything.

Michael Eckstut
Valencia Court, Skillman