This question really is for any parent — or student, or even older residents — who consider the school system of primary importance for their families, and the community at large. Many of us moved to Bernards Township largely because we wanted our children to be able to take advantage of the local school system. Of course we all had other reasons. But even some of those attractions (in our case, we wanted a natural and relatively pesticide-free environment for an allergic kid) were in some cases tied to school facilities or programs. And last year, the school board heard the community say …

This week's Moms Talk really is aimed at mothers of younger children, since by now my own offspring tower a head above me, and probably could more easily carry me. However, even grandmothers may come up against that long-running debate about whether you can spend too much time carrying your baby — or whether they can develop more independence and self-reliance if more often left alone. By alone, I mean of course in a crib, in some sort of play structure or even just crawling and exploring with adult supervision. Can you spoil a baby? In earlier decades, conventional wisdom was that even young…

The idea may fall under the category of, "If you can't beat them, join them." It wasn't that long ago that turning on your cell phone in Bernards schools could earn you a detention. Or at least temporary confiscation. But that was before school officials in multiple towns and states — from Kansas to Hunterdon Central Regional High School — apparently hit upon the idea of having those Smart phones and other cool technology devices used for educational purposes. That lets parents pay for providing their kids' technology rather than having local school budgets absorb the cost of equipping …

Talk about a win-win situation. Students at Ridge High School are required during their sophomore years to arrange for 25 hours of "community service," and file their completed assignment through their history class. The projects can vary — contributing hours to a cause such as Habitat for Humanity, or donating time to an organization in the township or a nearby community. This is definitely an arrangment that benefits all. The students learn to give something of themselves to a larger cause — and to realize they are part of a community with many needs. The groups or causes they serve also …

Ah, spring fever. The only fever that so many of us actually enjoy catching when the weather warms up. This week, the Bernards Township schools returned from a 10-day break to what has been for the most part glorious spring weather. It's a great time of the year to get back on the playground, the basketball court, or just to hang outdoors rather than inside. But it's called spring fever for a reason. My son is old enough to head out the door and disappear, while "homework" time gets pushed back. The rationale: How can I make him miss one of the nicest days of the year? Thankfully, today is …

It's spring, and time to head outdoors again (if we ever really needed to come inside this winter), and find a place to hang out with the kids. Or maybe they're old enough to head out the door and get some exercise with friends. So where do they go? Despite controversy on Tuesday night over the right surface, the Township Committee appropriate another $50,000 for a total of up to $175,000, to repair a closed hockey rink at Harry Dunham Park off Somerville Road. One point of agreement for all of the Township Committee members, and those who said the township should instead install a tile …

This week, there have been multiple activities going on that recognize April as Autism Awareness Month. Specifically, Monday was World Austism Awareness Day and a number of local people and organizations, including the Cedar Hill Elementary School, marked the occasion. The Cedar Hill school was decorated in blue, and both students and staff came in wearing blue to celebrate the worldwide Light It Up Blue campaign. Third-grade students tied blue ribbons on a tree in a school courtyard that was planted a few years ago in honor of Autism Awareness month. I learned something about autism even …

Even if you didn't grow up with a sister, becoming a mom makes you part of a sisterhood. Sure, your women friends (sometimes other moms, but not always) may be there for good company, brightening your day or making an excursion with the kids more enjoyable — but having children also makes you appreciate them as someone to count on. Who else will show up in the hospital as one of your first visitors when you've just had a baby, bringing a cute outfit and a willing ear to share your war story? Or when your spouse is away on a business trip, and you're in the house with a sick child, who makes …

Starting next year, the decision has been made to end midterms and final exams at Ridge High School, and to instead conduct "assessment tests" for students during each marking period. The issue became one of the most commented upon stories in the past week's Basking Ridge Patch, with parents expressing opinions about the advantages of midterms, and whether the twice-a-year tests benefit students with a certain learning style. A poll which we posted in January on the topic of midterms showed that out of 107 readers who logged a vote, 54 percent would prefer to keep midterms; 39 percent thought…

Apparently, even "sleeping like a baby" can mean you're sleep-deprived these days. Dr. Thomas Porter, a pediatrician with Basking Ridge Pediatrics, told a group of parents at a William Annin PTO-sponsored meeting on Wednesday morning that all ages of children and adults lack enough sleep these days, for one reason or another. "Everyone is sleep-deprived," Porter said in a conversation following the meeting. That even can include babies, who may be awake at times when adults or older siblings who lead such busy lives during the day want to see the family's youngest member in the evening, the …

Editor's Note: Stop by and meet us today, Wed., at 12:30 p.m. in the cafe at the Somerset Hills YMCA. I will be there with our advertising representative, Phil Meade, who has an elementary school-age son who attends child care. Sometimes, with older children, I forget how pressing certain issues were at the time. Good daycare — good in every sense of the word, since this is a place where your child may be either spending a lot of time and/or learning for the first time how to adjust to other people outside your home — can be a very important decision. So, what's your priority? Obviously, …

This is somewhat of a repeat of a Moms (and dads, etc.) column from two weeks ago, but the subject just won't go away. The diverting of Ridge High School buses along the streets Homestead Village on their way to the Cedar Hill Elementary School has created much more of an uproar than many might have expected. The Cedar Hill School has a walkway leading to the rear of the adjoining high school, and for years has been an alternate way into the building for kids walking from the nearby neighborhood, as well as some car traffic. But since the new "trial" bus route was started on Feb. 1, the …

It's a problem as old as the Bible's Cain and Abel. Siblings may love each other, but they also compete for parental attention and in other areas, such as comparing friends, appearance and achievements. Today's Mom's Talk (also for dads, grandparents and anyone who has ever had a sibling) asks how you deal with sibling rivalry. We also are including some insights and tips from Dr. Alicia Camlibel, a therapist specializing in child and adolescent issues as well as depression and anxiety. Her office is in Liberty Corner Village. So how do you handle sibling rivalry in your family? Or is it even…

Maybe it's been awhile, but I'd love to see you if you could drop by at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) at Starbucks Coffee at the Riverwalk Center in Basking Ridge. You can just say hello, and let me know about something that's going on. Or join in our weekly Moms Talk Q&A that takes place at that time, when we talk to moms, dads, grandparents or anyone else who wants to make a comment about issues regarding parenting, kids and often, local schools. This week's topic will be, "How Do Deal with Sibling Rivalry?" Let us know what works/worked for you. What didn't. What you remember from being …

It's no surprise that a majority of Bernards school board members voted this week, on Monday, to move annual school elections from April to November's general election. So, will you be more likely to vote in a school election that's included as part of  the regular November election, rather than being held on a special date in April? Did you even vote in April school elections? With the move to a November school election, the public will vote only on school board candidates, or any additional questions placed on the ballot — but not necessarily spending for the annual school budget. According…

This week, Mom's Talk (also for dads, kids, grandparents and other observers) returns to a timely topic — the school administration's decision to reroute Ridge High School morning buses through the Cedar Hill Elementary School traffic loop in an effort to relieve weekday traffic backups at the entrance to the high school. The change was implemented on a trial basis. The decision is supposed to come up for reconsideration at next Monday night's Board of Education meeting, at 7 p.m. at the William Annin Middle School. School officials have asked for the public's input at that meeting. RHS …

Although I'm not personally a fan of a big breakfast, when it comes to my children, I've always paid attention to that old adage that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. After all, breakfast might be the meal where we have the most control over what they eat. Do we REALLY know what they'll finish/swap or purchase with that school lunch we pack or that lunch money we give them each day? As for dinner, it's sometimes on the run, and some kids are very persnickity anyway about what they will, or won't, eat. Vegetables can do a quick disappearing act, but they don't always end up in …

Each year, a new crop of fifth graders from all four schools around Bernards Township (each with its own personality) prepares to make a rite of passage into a brave new world — sixth grade, at the William Annin Middle School. Inevitably, students do make the transition — but usually with more than a little trepidation. Suddenly, there are changing classes, much more responsibility, more rules, a loss of that cozy elementary school atmosphere, and — as this year's homework survey of parents and students indicates — much more homework. Of course, there are many doors opened for elementary …

During the public conversations regarding student stressors before the Board of Education in recent months, the issue came up several times about how the pressure to succeed supposedly pushes students to cheat. One of the examples given is the student who purchases an old, graded test to get the right answers ahead of time. This is a problem that far exceeds the borders of Bernards Township! But then the definition of cheating got a little muddy. From what I gathered, it's okay to look at tests and notes that your older brother or sister saved from a few years earlier. Maybe even encouraged. …

What's in a name? In Bernards Township, with our increasingly diverse population, names that might have seemed unusual are standard — and, if you're a word person, a fascinating array of sounds and stories.  Of course, we still have plenty of Michaels and Samanthas, and Johns and Kathys. What names do you see assigned to the new babies in your neighborhood, or group of friends? Or what have you named your son or daughter? What's your new grandchild called? Did you seek something original? Or traditional? The first baby of the year for 2012 to be born at Somerset Medical Center on Jan. 1 was …