April 5, 2023

Local Jewish Leaders Respond to Rise of Antisemitism in NJ

By Anne Levin

For the leaders of Jewish organizations, it is no secret that antisemitism is on the rise across New Jersey. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there were 408 incidents in the Garden State in 2022 — a 10 percent rise from the previous year, and the highest number ever recorded for New Jersey by the organization.

Nationally, reported antisemitic incidents involving harassment, vandalism, and assault hit an all-time high of 3,697 last year, up from 2,717 in 2021 and 2,107 in 2020, according to the ADL.

These sobering statistics have leaders of area congregations and support organizations taking action. For Rabbi Andrea Merow of The Jewish Center Princeton, that means building and maintaining close relationships with partners in the community — fellow clergy, the local police, and the schools.

“The Princeton Clergy Association is wonderful,” she said. “When there were incidents in New Jersey earlier this year, I got calls from my Christian clergy partners right away, with offers of concern, and, most importantly, questions about what would be most helpful. We maintain a strong and more than cordial, warm relationship with the Princeton Police. We couldn’t ask for better partners. When antisemitic events happen elsewhere in the country and in New Jersey, they quietly provide security in addition to the security that we have.” more

Concerned Evan Gershkovich Supporters React to Reporter’s Arrest in Russia

By Donald Gilpin

Evan Gershkovich

In Washington, D.C.; in diplomatic and journalistic circles throughout the world; and also at Princeton High School (PHS), particularly among soccer alumni, outrage and concern are running high over last week’s arrest in Russia of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, a 2010 PHS graduate.

On April 3, a Moscow court reported that Gershkovich’s lawyers had filed an appeal against his arrest, but no date for a hearing on the appeal has been set, according to the Associated Press. Gershkovich’s arrest was, according to published reports, the first arrest of a foreign journalist for spying in Russia since the end of the Cold War more than 30 years ago.

Gershkovich was accused, without evidence, by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory. The Wall Street Journal has strongly denied the FSB allegations and demanded Gershkovich’s immediate release.

At a hearing last Thursday in Moscow’s Lefortovsky District Court, Gershkovich was ordered to pretrial custody in Lefortovo Prison until May 29. He could face up to 20 years in jail. more

Local Events, Cleanups Celebrate Environment On and Around Earth Day

SPRING CLEANUP: Among the activities offered on Earth Day is the tidying up of the Mapleton Preserve sponsored by Kingston Greenways.

By Anne Levin

Back when Earth Day was born on April 22, 1970, the idea was to inspire support for environmental protection. More than five decades later, the message is clearer than ever — many would say it is dire.

But the annual event on April 22, which is held locally and globally, is meant more as a celebration of the environment and an opportunity to get to work sprucing it up than a day to ponder its demise. Earthday.org has coined “Invest in Our Planet” as the official theme for Earth Day 2023, which reportedly includes one billion people in more than 193 countries.

In the Princeton area, there are numerous activities to join in the days leading up to Earth Day, and on the day itself. Participants can get their hands dirty cleaning up a local preserve, park, or stream; listen to a talk; take a hike; and invest in native plantings.  more

Princeton University Graduate Students Step Up Their Push for Unionization

By Donald Gilpin

In the context of a national rise in unionization, including successful unionization initiatives at a number of university graduate schools, Princeton University’s graduate students continue to push for a graduate student union at Princeton.

A majority of Princeton University graduate students, more than 1,700 of 3,212, have signed union cards, according to Princeton Graduate Students United (PGSU), but the recruitment effort is running into some headwinds in the form of opposition from a number of graduate students and some concerns and resistance from the University administration.

“We know that across the board Princeton graduate students overwhelmingly want a union,” said Tim Alberdingk Thijm, a fifth-year graduate student in the Computer Science Department and a PGSU leader. “We’re going to keep having conversations as we sign up not just a majority, but a supermajority.”

Thijm pointed out that a supermajority would give the PSGU more power in future bargaining sessions with the University. “We are aiming for a supermajority before we file for an election in order to demonstrate the strength of our campaign and place ourselves in a strong position at the bargaining table once we win our union,” he said. more

Discussion of Coffee Roaster Variance Is Carried to May Zoning Board Meeting

By Anne Levin 

An application for a zoning variance that would allow Sakrid Coffee to operate a coffee roasting facility at a branch they are approved to open at 300 Witherspoon Street has been the focus of two recent hearings of the Zoning Board of Adjustment. But the issue has yet to be decided upon, and discussion has been carried over to the hearing scheduled for May 24.

Neighbors have said that while they welcome the arrival of a coffee shop, they are concerned that the roaster would release volatile organic compounds into the air and create an unpleasant smell. The facility is located within 50 yards of Community Park Elementary School. But the owners of Sakrid, which has an existing location at 20 Nassau Street, say an afterburner they would install would address those possibilities.

At the February 22 meeting, Sakrid owners Jonathan Haley and Serge Picard said that relocating the roaster from its current location in Moonachie to
300 Witherspoon Street would centralize their operations in Princeton and eliminate the 110-mile round trips to and from the existing location. “Sustainability is the heart of everything we do,” said Haley, who is a Princeton resident and a volunteer firefighter. more

March 31, 2023

Wall Street Journal Reporter, a 2010 PHS Grad, is Arrested in Russia, Accused of Espionage

By Donald Gilpin

Evan Gershkovich, a 31-year-old reporter for the Wall Street Journal and a 2010 graduate of Princeton High School (PHS), was arrested in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on Wednesday and was accused, without evidence, by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) of spying for the U.S. government.

The Wall Street Journal strongly denied the FSB allegations and demanded Gershkovich’s immediate release. After his arrest in Yekaterinburg he was transferred to a Moscow court. He has been ordered to pretrial custody until May 29.

Gershkovich’s arrest, according to The Washington Post, was apparently the first arrest of a foreign journalist for spying in Russia since the end of the Cold War more than 30 years ago.

Princeton Public Schools, describing Gershkovich as “an active and engaged member of the community,” noted in a statement Thursday, “It has been a difficult morning for Princeton High School alumni, particularly the many PHS soccer players who were close to Mr. Gershkovich.”

PHS head soccer coach and physical education teacher Wayne Sutcliffe recalled, as quoted in the statement, “I knew Evan Gershkovich well. He was captain of the Princeton High School 2009 soccer team, which won the New Jersey State Championship. I have been fielding text messages all morning from our Princeton High School soccer alumni, all of whom are trying to find a way we can help to support Evan’s family.”

The statement goes on to say that Gershkovich “is remembered by his peers as being an outstanding student and an exceptional athlete during his time at Princeton High School.”

Gershkovich went on from PHS to Bowdoin College in Maine and graduated from there in 2014.  Fluent in Russian, having grown up speaking Russian at home with his bilingual parents, Gershkovich has been living in Russia and reporting on Russia since 2017, working for the Moscow Times and Agence France-Press before joining the Wall Street Journal in January 2022.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement on Thursday: “The detention of Evan Gershkovich is outrageous and completely unacceptable. He must be safely and immediately returned to his family. I’m working with my colleagues in the New Jersey delegation and the Administration to ensure his immediate release.”

March 29, 2023

Conflict Over PHS Principal Builds

By Donald Gilpin

As the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) prepared to approve the recommendation of Kathie Foster as Princeton High School interim principal, replacing Frank Chmiel, at Tuesday night’s BOE meeting, held after press time, a growing opposition movement had other ideas.

The meeting, held in person at the Princeton Middle School and also livestreamed on YouTube and recorded and posted on the district website, was expected to draw hundreds of students, parents, and other community members, most in support of the dismissed Chmiel and in opposition to PPS Superintendent Carol Kelley and the BOE.

There were two hours available for public comment, one early in the meeting and one at the end.

In a statement issued on Monday, March 27, Chmiel’s lawyers asserted that the BOE can choose to reinstate Chmiel as PHS principal over any opposition from the superintendent, provided they follow certain procedural requirements.  more

Protestors Demonstrate For Democracy, Freedom At PU Jewish Center

“DEMOCRACY,” “SHAME”: About 60 demonstrators gathered outside the Princeton University Center for Jewish Life (CJL) on Monday evening to denounce anti-democratic forces in the Israeli government and at Princeton, as a right-leaning visiting professor was preparing to deliver a speech at the CJL.

By Donald Gilpin

As unrest in Israel reached a peak on Monday before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a pause in his efforts to gain control over the country’s judiciary, a crowd of 60 demonstrators outside the Princeton University Center for Jewish Life (CJL) voiced their opposition to the Israeli prime minister and to a visiting professor from Israel who was speaking at the CJL.

“Democracy” and “Shame,” the protestors chanted in English and in Hebrew, as they sang, waved Israeli flags, and carried placards stating “Save Israel’s Democracy,” “Democracy for Israelis and Palestinians,” “Save the Supreme Court,” and “Bibi — You are messing with the wrong women.”

Demonstrators, led by Princeton History Professor Yair Mintzker, claimed that Ronen Shoval, a Princeton University lecturer in politics and associate research scholar in the James Madison Program, espouses right-wing views akin to fascism. Shoval spoke Monday evening, March 27, as the demonstration was winding down, to a CJL gathering of about 50 on the subject of the reform of the Israeli judiciary.

He is the dean of the Tikvah Fund, which, Mintzker states, is a major supporter of an organization called the Kohelet Policy Forum, which, Mintzker claims, is “one of the main instigators of the ongoing judicial coup in Israel.” Shoval is teaching a freshman seminar at Princeton this term on Virtues and the Meaning of Life in Different Cultures. more

Meetings Related to Open Space Focus on Two Separate Issues

By Anne Levin

Two upcoming public meetings at Witherspoon Hall have some residents confused about their purposes.

On Thursday, March 30 from 4 to 7 p.m., a community engagement open house will focus on future plans for Community Park South. On Monday, April 3 at 7 p.m., a scoping hearing is being held to gather public comment on a “diversion request,” which — contrary to what some believe — will create additional open space at a location in Princeton, rather than taking any away.

It seems that in 2002, the municipal building on Witherspoon Street was mistakenly constructed on land designated for open space. The diversion is an effort to correct the error. Confusion about the purposes of the meetings likely stems from signage for the scoping hearing, placed around Community Park South, leading some to assume that it is related to plans for the park, and might turn some of the existing open space into a parking lot.  more

Forest at Princeton’s Northern Gateway Has Been Preserved for Prosperity

STEWARDSHIP IN ACTION: Under the aegis of the Ridgeview Conservancy, a group of high school students has been spending Sundays removing invasive species and creating and managing public trails in Princeton’s forests. Recently, they helped out at the newly-preserved property on the corner of Great Road and Cherry Valley Road.

By Anne Levin 

A collaborative effort of local land preservation organizations has saved 14 acres of mature forest and historic farmland at the corner of Great Road and Cherry Valley Road from development.

Ridgeview Conservancy and D&R Greenway Land Trust announced last week that the two properties will stay green, with trails eventually open to the public. The acreage will be linked to a ring of conserved forests to help create Princeton’s Emerald Necklace, a concept based on the network of parks created by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in Boston, Mass., over 150 years ago.

The collaboration was driven not just ecologically, but historically. The two properties being preserved are a small part of what was originally 500 acres of farmland owned by Paul Tulane, founder of Tulane University. Silvia DuBois, a formerly enslaved Black woman who reportedly lived to be close to 120 years old, worked on the farm and is a key figure in the history of Black people in Princeton and the Hopewell Valley. Previous to that, “the Lenni Woodland Indians, ancestors to the Lenni Lenape who inhabited the area between 1,000 and 1,500 AD, fished and hunted along Cherry Run Stream as part of their seasonal migration,” reads a press release from the Ridgeview Conservancy. more

Students Learn Social-Emotional Skills By Acting Out Their Problem Solving

ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS: Littlebrook Elementary School students help McKayla, played by a McCarter Theatre Center actor educator, to resolve her conflict over the school spelling bee in an exchange during McCarter’s anti-bullying program in Gita Varadarajan’s fourth grade classroom last Friday.

By Donald Gilpin

The volume rose rapidly in what sounded like a heated exchange among angry students in Room 40 at Riverside Elementary School last Friday.

Conflict, anger, peer pressure, and decision-making were all in the lesson plan, as three actor educators from McCarter Theatre Center’s anti-bullying program enlisted 20 fourth graders as a “student leadership team” to help resolve a raging dispute between two finalists in the school spelling bee.

The interactive drama exploring an incident at a fictional elementary school led the eager students to discuss the potential dangers of impulsive decision-making, as the actor educators moved in and out of character to talk with the children and reflect on the story. Managing emotions in a safe and responsible manner was the goal, and the Riverside students enthusiastically took on their roles as student leaders, giving advice to the characters to help them make better decisions to arrive at a positive outcome. more

Authorization of Lease for Hinkson’s Is Among Resolutions Passed by Council

By Anne Levin

At its meeting Monday night, Princeton Council passed a resolution related to the sale of Hinkson’s, the longtime office supply store on Spring Street. The governing body voted to authorize consent to the assignment of a lease, as the family that owns the shop sells to a new owner.

The original Hinkson’s was located at 74 Nassau Street, and later moved to 82 Nassau Street, current home of Nassau Diner, before relocating to its current spot.

“This is probably the longest-running retail establishment in town,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros, who worked at the store as a teenager. “It was bought in 1919 by Harold M. Hinkson, and then by Bert Roberto in the 1960s. So, it’s bittersweet to see the family sell the business. On the other hand, I’m glad to hear it’s going to continue as a stationary store. I urge residents to continue to patronize this very important store for us.” more

March 25, 2023

Chmiel’s Lawyers Issue Statement Supporting His Fight for Renewal as PHS Principal; BOE Responds

By Donald Gilpin

In a statement issued the evening of Friday, March 24 in response to reports that Princeton High School (PHS) Principal Frank Chmiel has been put on administrative leave and recommended for nonrenewal, attorneys David P. Shroth and Ben Montenegro have written that Chmiel, who is their client, “has not done anything illegal regarding the management of Princeton High School or anything wrongful toward students, faculty, or staff.”

The statement sent by Shroth, a lawyer in the Hamilton-based firm of Destribats Campbell Staub and Schroth, LLC, points out Chmiel’s success — including many positive evaluations and references — in his previous school district in Franklin before coming to PHS in 2021.

The statement goes on to note that state law gives the Board of Education (BOE) the right to renew Chmiel’s contract, with or without the recommendation of the superintendent, after he is granted the right to address the Board.

The statement also noted that, “Principal Chmiel is humbled by the outpouring of support he has received from students, staff members, families, and community members, anyone upon whom he has had a positive impact. This is a testament to the wonderful work and accomplishments he has achieved in his time at Princeton High School. It has been brought to my attention that some involved are pulling students aside to cast doubt, discourage, and even instill fear regarding their right to speak and assemble in response to how the district has treated their Principal. I want to put them on notice that abuse of power and position by scaring students regarding their constitutional rights guaranteed by the First Amendment of freedom of speech and assembly, is not only legally actionable but contrary to the core principles of empowerment espoused within the halls of Princeton High School.”

The Princeton Board of Education released the following statement in response on Sunday afternoon:

“Mr. Frank Chmiel’s attorneys released a statement on Friday regarding his current employment status. Because Mr. Chmiel has not waived his rights to privacy, the Board will continue to refrain from releasing information related to Mr. Chmiel’s personnel file. The Board also wants to emphasize that at no time has it or its members. representatives, or district staff or administrators suggested that students, staff, or community members cannot or should not exercise their First Amendment rights regarding Mr. Chmiel  or any other topic. On the contrary, the Board dedicated over two hours at its last meeting for the community to speak about matters concerning the schools, including Mr. Chmiel, and even prioritized comments from students.

“While the Board understands that community members will, at times, disagree about personnel decisions, it sincerely hopes that the community will continue to express their opinions in a respectful manner, without denigrating or interfering with the rights of others to express their own views.”

The controversy over Chmiel’s March 17 replacement continues in Princeton and on social media. Nearly 1,000 attended the March 21 Zoom meeting of the BOE Long Range Planning Committee, with almost all who spoke in the two hours devoted to public comment supporting Chmiel. A large turnout is anticipated for the next meeting of the full Board, which will be on March 28 at Princeton Middle School, with the public session beginning at 7:30 p.m. The BOE is expected to take up the recommendation of a new interim PHS principal, Kathie Foster, at that meeting.

Meanwhile a petition initiated by parents, calling for Princeton Public Schools Superintendent Carol Kelley’s resignation and the reinstatement of Chmiel, had 1,912 signatures as of Saturday noon and a student-initiated petition demanding Chmiel’s return had 2,939 signatures.

This story was updated on March 27.

March 22, 2023

BOE Tries to Move On, But Resistance Continues

“WE WANT CHMIEL!”: About 170 demonstrators — students and parents — at Princeton High School (PHS) on Monday afternoon called on the Princeton Public Schools Board and superintendent to rescind their decision to replace Frank Chmiel as PHS principal. (Photo by Charles R. Plohn)

By Donald Gilpin

“They’re presenting this as a done deal. This is anything but a done deal. It’s up to us to keep the pressure on,” said the father of a Princeton High School (PHS) student speaking at Monday’s rally at PHS to a spirited crowd of about 170 parents and students supporting Frank Chmiel, who last Friday, March 17 was replaced as PHS principal.   

Meanwhile Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Superintendent Carol Kelley and the Board of Education (BOE), obviously seeing the ouster of Chmiel as a done deal, were moving on, with a Monday afternoon announcement that Kathie Foster would be recommended at last night’s BOE meeting for appointment as the PHS interim principal through the remainder of the school year.

Last night’s regularly scheduled meeting of the BOE, taking place on Zoom after press time, promised to bring the conflicting camps into direct confrontation, though little movement in their conflicting positions was anticipated. 

The first hour of the meeting, from 6 to 7 p.m., was to be devoted to public commentary. Then, after the Board conducted its regularly scheduled business, there would be the opportunity for further public commentary.  more

Community Forum Held On Redevelopment of Seminary Property

By Anne Levin

At a meeting held last Saturday by the municipality to discuss the future of the Tennent/Roberts/Whiteley campus of Princeton Theological Seminary, residents of the neighborhood surrounding the Seminary gathered at the municipal building to hear about the redevelopment process and air some of their concerns.

The Seminary had originally considered building new student apartments at the site, which  was designated an area in need of redevelopment in October 2018. But the plans for student apartments were withdrawn by the Seminary in the fall of 2019. Last year, three early 20th century buildings considered beyond restoring were torn down. The Seminary still owns the property. Developer Jamie Herring of Herring Properties is the contract purchaser. Herring has said he envisions multi-family housing, including affordable units, on the site.

After being introduced by Princeton’s Planning Director Justin Lesko, Steven G. Mlenak of the law firm Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis, and planner James T. Kyle of Kyle + McManus Associates stressed that the meeting was to hear concerns, not to make any decisions. more

Young STEM Aficionados Make Their Mark in Two Popular PPPL Events

SCIENCE BOWL CHAMPIONS: Princeton Charter School (PCS) won its fifth state championship in six years in the middle school division of last month’s New Jersey Regional Science Bowl at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. From left are coach Laura Celik and PCS team members Audrey Huang, Gavin Macatangay, Aaron Wang, Amelie Huang, and Rohan Srivastava. (Photo courtesy of Princeton Charter School)

By Donald Gilpin

Area students have displayed their passion and prowess in the world of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering in two recent high-profile events sponsored by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL).

On March 16, more than 700 young women from seventh to 10th grade participated in the PPPL Young Women’s Conference in STEM at Princeton University, and on February 25 two Princeton schools — Princeton International School of Mathematics and Science (PRISMS) in the high school division and Princeton Charter School (PCS) in the middle school division — took home top honors in the New Jersey Regional Science Bowl at PPPL.

The PRISMS and PCS teams will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to compete in the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl April 27 to May 1.

With 32 high school teams from across the state competing in last month’s competition, the PRISMS team of Justin Feder, Josh Shi, Yichen Xiao, Heyung Ni, and Yiji Wang prevailed over High Technology High School of Lincroft in the final round. Princeton High School (PHS) came in third. more

Witherspoon-Jackson April 1 Meeting: Exchanging Ideas, Building Community

By Donald Gilpin

Three high-interest agenda items will be the focus of a meeting of the Witherspoon-Jackson Neighborhood Association (WJNA) on April 1 at 9:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Arts Council of Princeton’s Paul Robeson Center.

Featured speakers will include Darell Wayne Fields, designer and Princeton University visiting research scholar, who will speak on “Black Architecture: An Introduction,” and a trio of local engineers — consultant project manager Tejal Patel, of T&M Associates; Assistant Municipal Engineer Jim Purcell; and Deputy Administrator and Municipal Engineer Deanna Stockton, who will be presenting a concept review on Phase III of the Witherspoon Street Corridor Project.

Also on the agenda is the introduction of Onome Olotu, the Paul Robeson Center’s Artist in Residence.

“This WJNA meeting will showcase building community through collaboration and an exchange of ideas and information on historic preservation as it relates to the neighborhood streetscape, art, culture, and infrastructure — all elements that inform and impact quality of life,” said WJNA Co-Chair and Princeton Councilman Leighton Newlin. more

Princeton University Concerts’ Do-Re-Meet Strikes a Chord with Classical Music Lovers

GETTING ACQUAINTED: Participants are shown at the initial Do-Re-Meet speed-dating event, which was followed by a Princeton University Concerts program at Richardson Auditorium. Another round of Do-Re-Meet “Social Events for Music Lovers” is this Sunday. (Photo by Felicity Audet)

By Anne Levin

When Princeton University Concerts (PUC) launched its Do-Re-Meet series mixing social events with classical music performances last December, creators of the program were confident that it would be a success. So they weren’t exactly surprised when it sold out and a long waiting list formed. This enthusiasm inspired the addition of a second speed-dating event, to be paired with two concerts by the Chiaroscuro String Quartet this Sunday, March 26.

“We really believed in the concept from the beginning,” said Marna Seltzer, PUC director. “We were pretty sure that if we got people together over a shared love of music that they would respond.”

PUC partnered with The Singles Group to come up with the concept in the aftermath of the pandemic shutdowns. Several pre-concert events are offered, including speed-dating, Find Your Friends speed-friending, and LGBTQ+ Single Mingle (presented in partnership with the Princeton University Gender + Sexuality Resource Center). Participants meet for socializing and hors d’oeuvres at the Maclean House on the campus, and then walk together to nearby Richardson Hall to attend a concert of PUC’s Performances Up Closer series. more

Penn & Teller Booked For State Theatre NJ

Comic magicians Penn & Teller will appear at State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on Saturday, September 23 at 8 p.m. In 2022, Penn & Teller celebrated 47 years of professional partnership.

From humble beginnings busking on the streets of Philadelphia to sold-out runs on Broadway to the longest-running resident headline acts in Las Vegas history, the duo continues to refine the genre of magic and invent their own distinct niche in comedy.

Their current series Penn & Teller: Fool Us! for the CW Network, on which up-and-comers and magic veterans try to fool Penn & Teller for a chance to star in the pair’s Las Vegas stage show, was nominated for a Critic’s Choice Award and returned for a ninth season in late 2022. Penn & Teller have appeared on everything from Fallon to Friends, The Simpsons to Colbert, Modern Family to Big Bang Theory, plus their own specials for NBC, ABC, PBS, and Comedy Central. more

March 20, 2023

Controversy Over Dismissed PHS Principal Heats Up; Parents, Students to Rally Today

By Donald Gilpin

Last Friday afternoon’s replacement of the Princeton High School (PHS) principal Frank Chmiel has prompted a strong reaction from students, parents, and other members of the community, with a demonstration planned for 12:30 p.m. today, March 20 at PHS, as well as  the creation of various petitions and online groups in support of Chmiel.

Following up on its March 17 announcement that the assistant principals would be taking over at PHS, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) Board of Education (BOE) issued another statement on Sunday, March 19 in responding to “numerous inquiries” regarding Chmiel’s status. The email stated that, in accordance with state law and public employee privacy rights, the BOE could not discuss the replacement of Chmiel, but noted, “The Board unanimously supported, and unanimously supports, the superintendent and the difficult decisions that needed to be made.”

The BOE missive continued, “We know that changes in leadership during the school year are difficult, but please know that whenever these occur, the Board and the administration always engage in a lengthy deliberative process, consider the impact of those changes, and discuss those with all affected employees (as well as their legal representatives).”

The Tuesday evening March 21 previously-scheduled BOE meeting, at 6 p.m. via Zoom, will devote the first hour to public comment, with further opportunity for public comment following discussion of other items on the agenda.

The BOE email concluded with a brief appreciation of Chmiel’s contributions to PHS. “We are thankful to Frank Chmiel for his service at Princeton High School and his strong connection with students, which was especially important as the students returned from the isolation of COVID,” it stated. “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Another email, sent out Sunday afternoon to PHS families from PHS Assistant Principals Rashone Johnson and Cecilia Birge, who are temporarily taking on the principal’s responsibilities, promised a smooth transition, with ongoing support for the students.

Opposition groups were not assuaged. A contingent of parents moved ahead with plans for a peaceful demonstration at the flag pole at the main entrance of PHS to demand “transparency and accountability from the superintendent and the BOE.”

One of the online petitions, which calls for the Board to rescind Chmiel’s termination, had collected more than 2,300 signatures by early Monday morning, and a parent-organized GoFundMe site had collected over $8,000 for Chmiel’s possible legal defense. Parents have also created a private Facebook site in support of Chmiel.

PU Women’s Hoops Falls to Utah in Second Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

A late rally fell short for the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team as it lost 63-56 to second-seeded Utah in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday night in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Tigers trailed 40-30 midway through the third quarter and narrowed the gap to 50-48 with 7:00 left in regulation but could get no closer than that as they ended the season with a 24-6 record. Junior guard Kaitlyn Chen tallied 19 points to lead the Tigers, with senior Grace Stone chipping in 16 points in her final appearance for Princeton.

While the defeat stung, Princeton head coach Carla Berube had no qualms with the effort she got from her scrappy squad.

“We feel like we came up short of our goal, but you know I think we battled from minute one to minute 40, and I couldn’t be prouder of my team and how hard we played,” said Berube, whose team is the first Ivy League women’s program to post NCAA tourney wins in consecutive seasons.

“Some shots just didn’t fall for us,” said Berube. “They fouled a little bit too much. Utah is a very, very good team — very talented, hard to guard. Really great at every position. We had our work cut out for us. But I think we were right there. I’m just so happy that I get to coach them every single day and when I put on my Princeton shirt every day and represent them, it’s such a great gift.”

March 19, 2023

PU Men’s Basketball Team Advances to Sweet 16

By Bill Alden

Advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1967, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team whipped seventh-seeded Missouri 79-63 in a second-round contest Saturday night in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior guard Ryan Langborg scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Tigers, who jumped out to a 33-26 halftime lead and then reeled off a 13-2 run midway through the second half and cruised to victory. Princeton, now 23-8, will head to the South Regional in Louisville, Ken., where they will face the winner of the second-round game between third-seeded Baylor and sixth-seeded Creighton in the Round of 16 on March 24.

For Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson, a former Tiger standout who helped the program win NCAA first round games in 1996 and 1998, making the Sweet 16 is a literally a dream come true.

“I’ve always dreamed of playing deep into the tournament,” said Henderson, who got 17 points off the bench from sophomore Blake Peters with senior star Tosan Evbuomwan contributing nine points, nine rebounds, and five assists. “As a player, I got to the second round a couple times. Never got beyond it. I feel like for these guys, it’s unbelievable.”

Evbuomwan, for his part, shared Henderson’s sentiments.

“I can’t really put the feeling into words right now, to be honest,” said Evbuomwan. “It’s just an unreal feeling to do this with my guys and my teammates, coaching staff. Like coach said, it’s been a few years in the making, I think. We just have such a close group. We love to work with each other. We love to push each other. It’s showing. Just a group of really tough guys. It’s all coming together at the right time I think.”

March 18, 2023

PPS Replaces PHS Principal Frank Chmiel; Asst. Principals Taking Over Temporarily

By Donald Gilpin

Frank Chmiel, Princeton High School (PHS) principal since July 2021, is out, according to a March 17 afternoon announcement from the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) superintendent and the 10 members of the PPS Board of Education.

Chmiel’s employment has apparently been terminated by the BOE, though the announcement sent out to PPS families, students, and staff, did not mention reasons for Chmiel’s departure, and, in accord with New Jersey Public Meeting Laws, school officials did not provide further details on this personnel issue.

The announcement from superintendent and BOE did not mention Chmiel’s name but noted that “Princeton High School assistant principals Rashone Johnson and Cecilia Birge have jointly assumed the responsibilities of the principal of PHS on a temporary basis as Princeton High School undergoes a transition in the school leadership.”

The short email continued, “We anticipate appointing an interim principal who is a veteran educator with many years of experience to take the helm and serve as principal for the remainder of the school year.  We know that change is never easy, but we have a dedicated staff who is committed to the students’ well-being, security, and educational needs. These will remain the top priority for our educators at PHS.”

Chmiel, who was not available for comment, has received widespread support from many members of the school community. A petition “In Support of Principal Chmiel” garnered about 1,200 signers in May of last year when rumors circulated that his contract might not be renewed for the 2022-23 school year.  At that time his contract was renewed through June 30, 2023. He does not have tenure in the PPS.

As rumors emerged on social media earlier this week, Chmiel proponents rallied again. Another petition, initiated by PHS students and titled “Chmiel Has Been Fired. We Demand Transparency and that the Board Rescind His Termination” had more than 1,700 signatures by late Saturday morning.

“We want to highlight how Principal Chmiel has positively impacted our school and how significant of a person he has become in our community,” the petition states.

PU Women’s Hoops Tops NC State 64-63 in First Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

Winning a NCAA tournament game for the second straight year, the 10th-seeded Princeton University women’s basketball team rallied to a 64-63 victory over seventh-seeded N.C. State Friday night in Salt Lake City, Utah in a first-round contest.

Senior star Grace Stone drained a three-pointer from the corner with 4.7 seconds left in regulation to provide the margin of victory as the Tigers came back from a 63-55 deficit with 5:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. Princeton, now 24-5, will host face host and second seeded Utah (26-4) in a second-round contest on Sunday night.

The Tigers, who had upset Kentucky in the first round of the 2022 NCAA tourney, made it a historic weekend for Princeton and Ivy League basketball. With the 15th-seeded Tiger men having rallied to shock second-seeded Arizona 59-55 a day earlier in an NCAA opening round game, it marked the first time ever that two Ivy teams have advanced to the second round of the tournament in the same year.

 “I am just so thrilled with that win; I mean, that is what it is about at this time — getting wins,” said Princeton head coach Carla Berube, who got 22 points from both Stone and junior guard Kaitlyn Chen in the win. “We certainly didn’t play a great 40 minutes of basketball, but we made the plays we needed to down the stretch. The defense came up big. We made really big shots when we needed to. We had to grind it out and get gritty and just make the plays and make the shots.”

March 17, 2023

PU Men’s Hoops Stuns Arizona in First Round of NCAA Tournament

By Bill Alden

Rallying from a 10-point deficit with 7:43 left in regulation, the 15th-seeded Princeton University men’s basketball team stunned second-seeded Arizona 59-55 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Thursday in Sacramento, Calif.

Senior forward Tosan Evbuomwan sparked the comeback, tallying 15 points with seven rebounds and four assists as the Tigers improved to 22-8. Princeton, which held the Wildcats scoreless for the last 4:43 of the contest, will now face seventh-seeded Missouri in a second-round contest on Saturday.

The triumph marked the first win for the program in the NCAA tournament since 1998 and came 27 years to the day of Princeton’s historic 43-41 upset of defending NCAA champ UCLA with current Tiger coach Mitch Henderson as the point guard of that squad. more