To the Editor:
Animal Research Issue Explained
Honors biology classes were recently assigned a 10- week project that will “allow students to conduct their own animal behavior research from beginning to end.” Students were required to collect enumerated test animals and perform their experiments on them. The guidelines given were very pliable, allowing students to do virtually anything from electric shock therapy of mice, pollution of fish tank waters, and forms of cosmetic testing.##M:[more]##
The projects were not scrutinized minutely by the teachers, as projects such as the electric shock therapy of mice, pollution of fish tank waters with soap, and spraying perfumes on the mice were all approved. While the actual procedures (how the experiments were to be performed) were not approved yet, the testable questions, the “What?” phase of the project, involved such testing, which was permitted.
Growing up in West Windsor is definitely not easy academically. Students are constantly under unbelievable pressure to succeed over everyone else. That being said, this project, like any other, involved students trying to create the most original and most superfluous project, but then what’s more original than electric shock therapy of mice with dog collars? The pressure in this community to do well not only influenced the sadistic experiments, but also the price tag. On average the projects cost $100 to $250, for cages, water bottles, food, flooring, chew toys, and food bowls.
Seeing how out of control this project was getting, I decided to research New Jersey laws, and I found that the project was in violation of New Jersey Statute 18A;35-4.25 section 2. a. which says that an alternative project must be assigned to any student who does not wish to participate in any classroom activity involving animals.
No alternative assignment was permitted, therefore I knew something had to be done. I contacted the New Jersey chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the National Humane Society of Washington D.C., which rigorously investigated the project. Additionally, I presented the case, along with my partner, Lavanya Ganesh, to the Board of Education.
After much hard work and perseverance, the honors biology curriculum has changed and now the projects are scrutinized on a more scrupulous basis and an alternate project will be available to those who choose not to participate.
I would like to thank Rob Richards, head of the science department; Michael Zapicchi, principal at High School North; Steve Mayer, assistant superintendent; and Victoria Kniewel, the superintendent; and the Board of Education for heeding my concerns. I would also like to specifically apologize to any teacher who was offended by my stand; my goal was not to target anyone in particular, but to save the animals from any potential harm.
Christie Dougherty
Saratoga Drive, West Windsor
Freshman, High School North
Editor’s note: For more on the controversy, see page 12.
Nominees Sought
The West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District is trying to put the “memorial” back in Memorial Day. Community Middle School has an ambitious group of eighth graders who are planning a one-hour Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 19. People who selflessly gave their lives to protect our basic freedoms will be remembered through music, speeches, videos, and proclamations.
The ceremony is planned by a group called the Enhancing Lives Encouraging Veterans Establishing Needs (ELEVEN). Do you know someone who should be recognized during this ceremony? Please submit names of loyal Americans you wish to remember this Memorial Day to Karen Rosnick, teacher at Community Middle School. Call 609-716-5300, ext. 5347 before Friday, May 9.
Gerri Hutner
Director of Communications, WW-P Regional School District
Book Sale Civility
Plainsboro is blessed with generous residents. Each month the Library receives thousands of donated items: Best sellers. Classics. Autographed treasures. Encyclopedia sets. We promise every donor that the materials will be:
1.) added to the library collection,
2.) sold in our monthly sales, or
3.) given away on our Freebie Shelf.
Much as we would like, we can not house unlimited resources. We must pick and choose titles to fulfill specific needs. Thanks to the Middlesex County Automation Consortium we can interlibrary loan virtually any title we don’t own with a click of a computer key. We are also passionate supporters of New Jersey’s open borrowing system, putting millions of volumes within every card holder’s reach.
Every donation is carefully reviewed. Likely candidates for the collection are matched to existing holdings. Reviews are checked. Each year the library adds approximately 2,”000 titles — saving taxpayers $50,”000. In addition, funds derived from the book sales enable the library to stay open all day on Sunday. We are proud that until recently Plainsboro has been the only library in New Jersey to deliver all day service on Sunday. Now East Brunswick — perhaps the best library in the state — is experimenting with Sunday morning hours as well. They will discover what Plainsboro has already discovered — Sunday is the busiest day of the week, affording the best chance to serve the public.
Finally, if a volume has some visible defect, or has not found takers at our $3 bag sale, we place it on our friendly “freebie shelf” and give it away to a loving home. Occasionally, if the freebie might be useful to a school or scout troop or organization reaching out to the homeless, we might give it directly to them.
Recently, the behavior of a few people ruined the sales for others. We apologize. By implementing some additional rules, and launching the sale with a stern lecture, we were back to “civility” this past weekend. No complaints. No problems. While some have suggested tinkering with dealers, no dealers, numbers of purchases, time allotments, entry tickets — these would not likely resolve the problem. The fundamental problem is a few, ill behaved adults! We will make every effort to keep a bridle on them.
We want everyone to continue enjoying our popular sales and our very popular Sunday hours!
Jinny Baeckler
Plainsboro Public Library Director
Can WW Council
Manage Its Money?
Recently the Township Council of West Windsor granted itself a controversial pay increase. Council President Will Anklowitz initially suggested a 100 percent increase for all of Council and the Mayor.
With a little cajoling, a 50 percent increase was incorporated into the budget. Mr. Anklowitz and Councilman Charles Morgan justified the increase by stating they are not compensated for their expenses, and that submitting expenses for council/political business is a “gray area.”
It seems they are confused when it comes to which expenses should be submitted. Councilperson Heidi Kleinman (who joined in support of the increase) stated “everybody has their own opinion on what is a reimbursement, and it’s not clear.”
OPRA requests show that President Anklowitz and Councilman Morgan have submitted nothing to the Township for repayment. Mr. Morgan has stated that increasing salaries will lead to a more “open” government — “the community can know exactly what we’re getting paid, and not a penny more, or a penny less.”
Council President Anklowitz stated, “I’m just looking for salary to cover costs.” Those costs include “cell phone charges, car usage, donations to charities and postage.”
You can not neglect submitting items for repayment on one hand and then bemoan financial hardship on the other. Existing procedures ensure money spent on legitimate business would be repaid. “Open” government would have itemized records of expense, not salaries being increased with no record of where the taxpayer’s money is spent or donated.
It worries me that officials cannot responsibly navigate within a $5,”000 salary yet want to be trusted with oversight on millions of dollars on redevelopment. Therein lay taxpayers’ concerns.
Michael J. Ranallo
15 Cornwall Avenue, Trenton
The writer is a former West Windsor resident whose family owns property in the township.
For Fitness Month,
A Jazzercise Offer
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, sponsored every May by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is designed to make the public aware of the benefits of a lifelong program of regular moderate physical activity as prescribed by the Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health.
In honor of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month we are offering one free week of Jazzercise to all new customers from May 1 to 15. Engaging in a moderate amount of physical activity, such as taking a brisk, 30-minute walk on most days of the week, is recommended to prevent the onset of health problems.
Jazzercise offers a fun and effective workout including a warm-up and aerobic muscle-toning and cool-down segments that nurture a great mind-body connection. We are excited about celebrating fitness and health by offering the public a chance to exercise for free!
The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall “feel good” factor.
For more information call 609-890-3252 or visit www.jazzplainsboro-windsors.com.
Mary Jane Brady
Study Abroad
A study abroad experience is a valuable addition to a college application, and so much more. If you’re in high school or about to graduate, there’s still time to apply for a summer study abroad program or “gap year” experience.
AFS has been sending high school students abroad for 60 years. Can’t decide where to go? Let AFS provide advice or connect you with students who have just returned. Financial aid is still available, especially if you let AFS suggest destinations for you. Call 1-800-AFS-INFO today or visit www.afs.org/usa to learn more.
We are wrapping up our sending season, where we offer high school students the opportunity to apply to study abroad. There is still time to apply for several programs for this summer, which offer students the opportunity to learn about another country, become part of a local community, and see the world.
Grant Moser
AFS-USA
