Home Care In Mendham, NJ

Patch is asking candidates for their views on issues in the West Morris Regional District. Here are candidate Christina Lee's answers:

Vianella Burns, Patch Staff

MENDHAM, NJ — Election Day is nearing, and Mendham voters will soon head to the polls to cast their votes for a seat on the regional high school board.

Patch sent questionnaires to all candidates, seeking their responses. Here is the response from candidate Christina Lee.

Editor's Note: Patch emailed all candidates at the email addresses listed for their campaigns in the clerk's office. The responses will be revealed between now and the general election on November 7. These comments will be published with just minor stylistic changes. Candidates who wish to participate but did not receive an invitation should email [email protected].

Name: Christina Lee

Age: 49

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Town of Residence: Mendham Township since 2008

Position Sought: Mendham Township representative for the West Morris Regional High School Board of Education

Family: My husband, Randy and I have been married for 16 years. We have a daughter who is attending WMRHS as a freshman and a son who is in 7th grade at MTMS.

Education: Worcester State University, BS/Health Education

Occupation: I work for a healthcare performance improvement company. I help hospitals identifysavings opportunities and recommend products & solutions to support their goals.

Why are you seeking a run for school board?

As a parent with children in the school system, I have a vested interest in the quality of their education and I am running for the school board to add a fresh perspective and voice to issues that concern Mendham Township residents.

What is a pressing issue in the school district?

After speaking with many parents, one of the most pressing issues is the lack of transparency. Specifically, the process of how books, also referred to as “resource texts” are chosen. The educational content being presented to students has changed dramatically over the years.

Earlier in 2023, there was community outrage regarding a resource text utilized in an English senior class called “FUN HOME.” This a graphic novel and contains pornographic images of people having sex. The images show oral sex, a picture of a topless 11-year-old girl, masturbation, explicit language and contains sexual metaphors meant to stimulate arousal. Despite over 470 people objecting to having this book in the classroom, my opponent ignored those voices and voted in favor of the book. He justified his vote by saying he created a “winning compromise” by allowing it to be a “student choice.”

Opposing parents call it an “OPT OUT” Either way, it is not a solution. Teachers have already expressed they don’t know how to teach two texts simultaneously and students could be potentially be ostracized for their decision or feel the social pressures to OPT IN.

Sadly, I have discovered that highly sexual content is now common to find at almost all grade levels within the classroom setting. A mother recently shared with me that her daughter, while in 11th-grade Spanish class, watched an R rated movie called “Like Water for Chocolate.” Her daughter was shocked to find this movie included people having sex & was shown full frontal nudity of both men and women. I was told permission slips weren’t required in this classroom of 16-year-old students. You may be asking yourself, why would a Spanish class select a movie that shows people having sex? I don’t know the answer to that, but what I can share with you is that under the leadership of my opponent, a policy was created that eliminated the board’s oversight responsibilities for the curriculum and book selection content.

The board is in place for this exact reason, to provide oversight. In addition, under his leadership, there was no documentation found supporting FUN HOME’s approval. “FUN HOME” and “Like Water for Chocolate” are distractions to learning. We need to focus on improving our academic performance. US News and World Report has shown West Morris High School has dropped 3 years in a row while competing districts have kept their ratings.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

In addition to what I outlined above, I have children in the school system which gives me a personal stake in the quality of their education. My opponent does not. I hear directly from other students, parents, and educators which provides me with many unique perspectives.

For the past 9 years, working for a healthcare performance improvement company has provided me with the experience of collaborating with people of varying backgrounds and has equipped me with the knowledge and experience to support effective strategies that will ensure the wise use of our tax dollars.

The information I have acquired over the years is transferrable to the education system. If permitted, I can provide guidance on how the school may be able to take advantage of savings opportunities, for example, in the area of nutrition, facilities management & purchased services.

What special qualifications do you bring to help meet the challenge?

In life, I try to take a common-sense approach to evaluating circumstances where there are mixed interpretations and beliefs. There is a significant difference between providing accurate, age-appropriate sexual education versus simply exposing minors to sexually explicit content just for the sake of it. It is known that exposing kids to graphic material that is not age-appropriate has negative consequences to their mental health.

I feel it is contradictory when a school shares a growing concern about the mental health issues students are facing while simultaneously exposing students to sexual content that they are unable to emotionally process.

In addition, I find it hard to believe that implementing a policy that says our school does not condone the use of sexually explicit material in the classroom would somehow narrow our pool of talented teachers. Furthermore, the argument that the content is somehow okay because minors are already likely exposed to it is negligent in my eyes.

What else would you like to share about yourself or your campaign?

As I have been walking door to door, it appears I am being labeled as a “book banner”. I am sure the title “movie banner” is coming soon. I am not advocating book or movie banning. I find this description very narrow-minded. I am simply against the use of any pornography/sexually explicit material as part of the school’s curriculum. We could never show this type of material in the corporate world. Why are we encouraging it in the school system? If a family wants expose their kids to this type of material, it can still be purchased online, checked out of the library or be streamed. Lastly, I am really excited about the opportunity to serve my community that I have grown to love so much.

If you are interested in learning more about my candidacy, please visit my website, www.votelee4boe.com.

MENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — October is almost over, which can only mean one thing: Halloween is coming.

In Mendham and Chester, there are a variety of ways to celebrate and prepare for the impending holiday.

In Chester, partake in some spooky fun during Saturday's Flashlight Nights in the Maze at Stony Hill Farms. Located at 15 North Road, Stony Hill Farms is home to a giant 10-acre corn maze.

Every Saturday, from 6 to 8 p.m., guests are invited to try to navigate their way out of the giant corn maze in the dark. Attendees can bring their own flashlight or purchase one at the farm and enjoy the unique maze experience.

"Enjoy hot cider and fresh donuts after you find the exit path at our concession stand," officials said.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Also planned for Saturday is Chester's Halloween Parade, which is set to start at 10 a.m. and will circle around the pond at Chubb Park.

Children aged 10 and under are invited to join the Chester Lions for this year's not-so-scary Halloween Parade, according to officials. Following the parade, all children, including ghosts and goblins, will be given treats and goody bags beneath the new park pavilion.

Click here to register.

Starting on Sunday, beginning at 4 p.m., Mendham Township Recreation will be hosting an afternoon and evening of all kinds of spooky fun, perfect for the whole family.

At 4 p.m., the township Halloween costume contest will take place at Ralston Playground. The playground, located at 320 Mendham Road, will be the gathering spot for children, teens, adults and seniors to don their best costume attire.

Prizes will be awarded for the best group costume, best pair, funniest, scariest, most unique and best overall costumes, officials said.

After being postponed last weekend due to rain, it's now time to lace up those hiking boots for some scary good fun on the trails as Mendham's Halloween Haunted Hike returns to the township.

The Halloween adventure also begins at the Ralston Playground, near the soccer and baseball fields, and by Wysong Park at 326 Mendham Road West. There will be two separate “Haunted Hikes” that night, with check-in at Ralston Park and a suggested $5.00 donation per hiker to enter.

From 6 to 7 p.m., there will be the “less scary” version of the hike, which is perfect for kids. Those in the fourth grade or younger are required to have an adult walk with them.

From 7 to 8 p.m., there will be the “super scary” hike, which is suitable for all ages, with characters popping out to create a heart-jumping time along the trail.

See what information and documentation is needed to register.

MENDHAM, NJ — If your child will be old enough to start kindergarten or preschool this fall, now is the time to register them for school in the Mendham Township School District.

Registration is now officially available and all registration packets are available on the school district's website.

Parents with young children ages three or four may register for Mendham Township Elementary School’s full-day preschool program.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

All registration forms can be dropped off in the labeled box out front of the elementary school starting Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024.

No in-person registrations will be accepted, the district said.

All children turning five years old by Oct. 1, 2024, are eligible to register for kindergarten at Mendham Township Elementary.

All kindergarten registration forms can be dropped off in the labeled box out front of the elementary school starting Feb. 8, 2024.

If you have difficulty accessing the Pre-Kindergarten Registration weblink, use Pre-Kindergarten (Age 3 & 4) - Mendham Township School District (mendhamtwp.org).

The Kindergarten Registration weblink can be accessed at Full Day Kindergarten, Mendham Township School District (mendhamtwp.org).

For any questions, parents are encouraged to contact the registration secretary, Barbara Wallack, at 973-542-7107, ext. 1320.

MENDHAM, NJ — After several years of waiting, multiple trips before the borough's planning board, and the cancellation of plans for a drive-thru, the new Dunkin' on Main Street could open as soon as next week.

According to Mendham Borough Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner, the owner of the new coffee and donut shop stated that they are awaiting final approval from the town engineer before opening.

"Once that sign-off has been completed, he said he can be open in a matter of days. He's hoping for a soft opening next week," Serrano Glassner said.

The coffee shop, which has been described as a "next-generation Dunkin restaurant," was approved for 25 East Main Street in December 2018, following initial public objections to the proposed drive-thru.

At the time, the borough stated that although the use of a fast food restaurant is permitted in the HB Zone, a drive-thru is not. As a result, the applicant petitioned the Board of Adjustment for "d" variance relief to allow the drive-thru.

This application, however, did not proceed to hearings and was withdrawn in the face of significant apparent opposition, particularly from residents near the site. Following that, the applicant revised its plan by removing the drive-thru.

Since the approval, some residents have expressed concerns on social media about preserving the borough's historic nature, claiming that the modern signage did not fit the community's character. "I am a DD fan, but I think the huge Dunkin sign could have been made to look a little more colonial since we live in such a historic town," one resident wrote on Facebook.

Mayor Serrano Glassner, on the other hand, claims that Dunkin fulfilled all of the State, County, and Municipal requirements for opening a business while also designing a building that is historically consistent with the borough.

"As Mayor, I am honored to welcome new businesses like Dunkin's. Dunkin's has so much they will be contributing to our community, including the beautiful design of the building, which is historically consistent with our Main Street area. I've had countless residents ask me when they are opening, so I know Dunkin's will be getting a warm reception when they open their doors and serve up those first Munchkins," Serrano Glassner said.

The new location is Dunkin's only one in the Medhams; the closest other location is at 112 US-206 in Chester.

A health teacher at West Morris Mendham earned a prestigious nod as one of New Jersey's 2023-2024 "Teachers of the Year."

MENDHAM, NJ — A high-achieving educator from Mendham has earned a prestigious nod as the New Jersey 2023–2024 "Teacher of the Year" in Morris County.

Robin Meyh, a Health and Physical Education Teacher at West Morris Mendham High School, was among the honorees announced by the state Department of Education as part of the Governor's Educator of the Year program.

Meyh has taught all levels of physical education and health education at Mendham High School for the past 35 years. In addition to teaching, she has seventy seasons of coaching experience as the head coach of both the field hockey and girls' lacrosse teams.

"Robin was integral in the development, implementation, and growth of the Adventure Challenge course, which has been an exemplary model for local schools to replicate. To further enhance the adventure experience, she helped create the Peer Adventure Lead Student (PALS) program, which allows upperclassmen leadership opportunities to facilitate and guide underclassmen," the New Jersey Department of Education said.

Meyh has led her department through numerous curriculum, supervision, and development transitions, and she employs her years of experience, strong leadership skills, and calm voice of reason in even the most difficult situations.

Find out what's happening in Mendham-Chesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier this year, Meyh announced that she would be retiring from teaching and coaching at the end of the spring season.

Colleagues describe her as an extraordinary educator with a natural ability to motivate her students, set a good example, and work collaboratively.

"I teach because I had so many incredible role models growing up throughout my educational experiences. I love to share my knowledge and enthusiasm with my students. I encourage them to step outside their comfort zone every day so that they can find self-worth and reach their full potential," Meyh said.

Individual schools nominate educators for County Teacher of the Year through the Governor's Educator of the Year Program, which promotes a positive school culture by recognizing outstanding teachers and educational services professionals' hard work and dedication.

During the upcoming school year, the County Teachers of the Year will network with educators across the state and serve as ambassadors for New Jersey's public schools.

Based on written applications, video submissions, and interviews with the top finalists, a panel of educators selects the New Jersey State Teacher of the Year from among the 21 county teachers of the year. The New Jersey State Teacher of the Year will represent New Jersey in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

"I applaud the commitment and professionalism of each of the 21 county Teachers of the Year," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

"If you want to know why New Jersey’s public schools are rated as among the best in the nation, look no further than these 21 exemplars of the kind of quality teaching that takes place in every school throughout our state," Murphy added.