MORRIS COUNTY — Support the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany on Friday, May 15 at their Best of Broadway Fundraiser with Award-Winning Actress, Singer, and Model Grace Field. Come enjoy an evening of singing and dancing along to some of the best hits. The show starts at 6:00 p.m.

Admission is only $10.00 and 100% of the proceeds will support the activities of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. To purchase a ticket click here.

With these difficult times most of our fundraising events have either been canceled or postponed. This event will help support our service projects that help local communities especially the needs of children.

Award-winning Grace Field is a True Star.
Seen performing on NBC’s The Today Show with Hugh Jackman, and Tony Award-Winning member of  Broadway Inspirational Voices, Broadway performer Grace Field has had international acclaim and has performed across the globe. Ms. Field has sung at theatres including Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre, Broadway’s New Victory Theatre, the Barclay Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, and Off Broadway’s New World Stages to name a few.

Recently, Grace was featured on ABC’s Celebrating 25 Years of Disney on Broadway with Whoopi Goldberg filmed at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre. She has had the privilege to work with Broadway’s Alan Menken, Stephen Schwartz, Rebecca Luker, Seth Rudetsky, Anthony Rapp, and others. Ms. Field has also sung with Multi Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald, Cynthia Elviro, Shoshana Bean, and Hollywood walk of fame’s Billy Porter. She has an impressive resume of performances including Oklahoma, Les Miserables, South Pacific, Carousel, and more! She is also a solo artist at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

Also seen in Broadway Hamilton’s home The Public Theatre’s production of Disney’s Hercules! The event will feature some of Grace’s best performances from your Broadway favorites including Think of Me (Phantom of the Opera) Popular (Wicked) I Got the World on a String (Sinatra) Part of your World (The Little Mermaid) Someone to Watch over me and more!

Not only does Grace perform professionally on the stage, but she also is a professional pianist, artist, and model. Field has a huge heart for charity and helping the world through the arts, and has founded Dare to Dream Art Charity which encourages people to donate to local or global charities through the gift of art. She recently released a Christmas CD, “Christmas with Grace” where 100 percent of the sales go to Operation Christmas Child which aids third world country children. She is currently on tour as the lead female singer and keyboardist in Queen’s Freddie Mercury Band “Mercury World Tour”, and also is currently touring with platinum recording artist Geoff Sewell in his London based company Incognito artists and Bravo Amici.

You can support Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany by attending our first virtual concert with Grace Field. Admission is only a $10.00 donation.

To find out more about Grace visit www.gracefield.net www.facebook.com/thegracefield IG @thegracefield .

To purchase a ticket click here. For more information contact Frank Cahill at (862) 213-2200 or Nicolas Limanov at (917) 499-7299.

MORRIS COUNTY — It only took Liquid Church, one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing churches, two weeks to distribute 26,000 pounds of relief supplies to more than 900 local families in need this April. Now, to meet a surge in demand for aid, Liquid has expanded its commitment to serve the community, partnering with Feed The Children, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger. In May, Liquid will triple its distribution of emergency food supplies, toiletries, and cleaners, making 75,000 pounds in relief supplies available to meet the growing needs of families in crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re living in the epicenter of the pandemic here in New Jersey, and the demand for emergency supplies is even higher than we anticipated,” said Tim Lucas, lead pastor and founder of Liquid Church. “On top of those battling illness, there are thousands of people suffering financially because of lost jobs and closed businesses. Our church has the heart to help families who are hard-hit as well as people who are high-risk and can’t leave their homes. We anticipate the need will only increase in May, as families burn through emergency savings and supplies, and those who’ve hesitated to ask for help, won’t be able to hold out any longer.”

Any member of the community impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and in need of an Emergency Relief Kit is welcome to receive free emergency supplies as part of Liquid’s community outreach. The first step is to click here where individuals can submit an “Emergency Relief Request.” Each family will receive one box with 25 pounds of non-perishable food,  plus one box with 15 pounds of hygiene items and cleaning supplies, and one box of feminine care products.

“Our food boxes can feed a family of four with meals for up to a week, which is vital as food insecurity grows. Before this crisis, a 2019 USDA report estimated that 1 in 9 Americans were already food insecure. That was before this pandemic created a tidal wave of job losses and wage reductions which is pushing millions of Americans, who otherwise never experienced food insecurity, to search for help. We’re also concerned that children who depend on their schools for daily breakfast and lunch, no longer have that safety net. As people of faith, we believe God is calling us to step up in this crisis to love, feed, and serve our neighbors-in-need,” added Lucas.

Food boxes will contain non-perishable items such as canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, pasta, and peanut butter. Hygiene boxes will contain items such as toilet paper, paper towels, shampoo, and toothpaste. Each feminine dignity box contains miscellaneous Avon products. Liquid will offer both free delivery and pick-up options for families in need of Emergency Relief Kits. The partnership with Feed The Children has supplies arriving throughout the month of May, enabling the church to serve more than 200 families per week.

“We consider it a privilege to serve our neighbors-in-need, and plan on being here for the long haul. This crisis can seem overwhelming, but we believe that even when the world feels uncertain, God is still in control,” said Lucas.

To learn more about Liquid’s Emergency Relief Kits click here. To view Liquid Church’s services online click here.

Liquid Church is one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Christian churches. Officially launched in 2007 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church’s vision is to “Saturate the State with the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” with seven campuses in Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Somerset, and Union Counties. Each week, over 8,000 people experience Liquid Church’s worship services in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As part of its global outreach, Liquid provides clean drinking water to those in need, with hundreds of completed wells in Africa and Central America. Liquid Church’s innovative approaches to outreach and ministry have been spotlighted by CNN, FOX News, and TIME magazine. For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed A1104, also known as the Hunger-Free Students’ Bill of Rights Act. The bill seeks to prevent school districts from taking adverse action, such as a denial of meals or public identification measures, known as “lunch shaming,” against students who have school meal bills that are in arrears.

The bill also requires districts to annually provide all parents and/or guardians with the information and forms necessary to maximize participation in programs. Additionally, the bill requires a district’s liaison for homeless students to ensure that homeless students receive free meals.

“We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe, nurturing environments for our students and maximize the reach of beneficial programs” said Governor Murphy. “No child deserves to be shamed over school lunch debt. I commend the Legislature for taking decisive action to protect New Jersey’s students from the stigma and punishment of lunch shaming.”

“This bill tackles two very important parts of our school meal issue here in New Jersey,” said Assemblywoman Carol Murphy. “First, by eliminating policies employed in schools to punish and effectively stigmatize students whose families cannot pay off school meal debt. And second, by establishing guidelines for schools to improve the identification and participation of eligible students in free and reduced-price meal programs.”

“I find it totally unacceptable that children, whose families may be struggling to pay for any number of reasons, are being singled out,” said Assemblywoman Angela McKnight. “Taking a meal away from a child, forcing them to sit at a particular table or stand at the back of the lunch line, withholding grades and barring them from school trips or even prom hinders productive learning. It’s bullying and in no way appropriate.”

“We need to be getting a better picture of why families can’t pay and then developing action around that, not making assumptions,” said Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle. “The solution could be as simple as connecting parents with school meal program applications and qualification requirements, but until we ensure school districts are doing that we won’t know.”

“For many children around the state, the meals they receive in school may be their only reliable source of food each day,” said Senator Teresa Ruiz. “Unfortunately, the cost can be financially straining for families struggling to make ends meet and we have seen one too many instances in our state of students being shamed for their school lunch debt. Last year, through legislation I sponsored, we were able to eliminate the cost associated with reduced price meals. As we continue to address food insecurity and school nutrition, the Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act will ensure no one is ostracized for their inability to pay for a meal.”

“In the wake of the current public health crisis, many families across the state will be struggling financially,” said Senator James Beach. “Once schools reopen, this law will ensure all districts are handling school lunch debt respectfully and in a manner that does not punish the students.”

MORRIS COUNTY — Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital has reported to New Jersey Department of Health that 107 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. In addition there were 45 patients testing positive; as well as five deaths.

Currently there are a total of 338 patients at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital.

Statewide Psychiatric Hospitals have a total of 1,247 patients, of that 167 patients tested positive as well as 428 staff members testing positive. There have been a total of ten patient deaths and five staff deaths related to COVID-19. The other hospitals include Ancora Psychiatric Center, Ann Klein Forensic Center, and Trenton Psychiatric Hospital.

Greystone has 450 beds in its state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital, plus another 60 beds in cottages on the grounds. Located in North Central New Jersey straddling the two townships of Morris Plains and Parsippany.

MORRIS COUNTY —  Morris County has risen to 5,547 presumptively tested positive cases an increase of 177 cases since last reported on Friday, May 1. A total of 449 deaths have been reported in Morris County. In New Jersey a total of 128,269 presumptively tested positive cases with a total of 7,910 deaths.

The County of Morris, in partnership with Atlantic Health, is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the County College of Morris, Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869, in parking lot 1. Testing is scheduled beginning at 9:00 a.m. and is for Morris County residents only. There is no fee for the test.

The figures reflect COVID-19 positive cases as of the date and time indicated, some cases which may be pending, or have yet to be entered into the system.

Please note the following limitations and provisos related to the data above:

• COVID-19-related deaths are not included in this data. Visit the State of NJ COVID-19 Dashboard for a summary of death totals.
• Pursuant to HIPAA, specific identifying health information of persons testing positive or who have passed due to the virus will not be released.
• Data reflects COVID-19 positive cases on dates and times indicated; some cases may be pending and are not yet entered.
• Data may not include cases with incomplete or incorrect street addresses or PO boxes. Such cases require additional investigation by local health officials.
• Figures do not include persons under quarantine/isolation due to exposure and who have not tested positive.
• The numbers, especially higher numbers, do not necessarily reflect community spread in a specific town. Various factors may be related to high numbers, such as increased testing and facilities with high-risk populations.
• This data should not be used to gauge if heightened precautions are needed in specific towns. Social distancing, hand hygiene, and preventive steps must be followed at all times regardless of the number of cases in a municipality.

MORRIS COUNTY — All New Jersey public schools will remain closed to in-person instruction for the rest of the school year, Governor Phil Murphy announced.

Private schools with longer school years will remain closed until at least June 30, the governor said. The announcements effectively extend an existing instruction by the governor to keep schools closed indefinitely — one he’d previously said would be revisited by May 15.

Scholastic sports are called off for the rest of the year as well.

Citing the need to protect the health of New Jersey’s 1.6 million public and private school students as well as thousands of educators and support staff, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that statewide school closures will be extended through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Private schools with longer academic years will remain closed until at least June 30.

While the prohibition of in-person instruction will be maintained through the end of the school year, public schools will continue to provide remote learning for students to allow districts to meet the state-required minimum of 180 instruction days.

“This is a difficult decision and I know that many students, parents, and staff would like to be able to return to school,” said Governor Murphy. “However, I have been unwavering on the message that we need to make decisions based on science, not emotion. And while New Jersey is making great strides in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, science tells us that at this point, we can’t safely re-open our schools.”

“I commend Governor Murphy’s thoughtful, deliberative approach that takes into account the concerns of school administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders in the education community,” said Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet. “However, the most compelling factor guiding today’s decision is the health of New Jersey’s students and educators and their families.”

The Administration will create a steering committee consisting of a diverse group of stakeholders in the education community to explore summer learning opportunities for all students, including school-sponsored summer programming and Extended School Year for students with disabilities. The committee will provide recommendations to the Administration as to which services need to continue to be provided remotely should the public health emergency extend past the conclusion of the 2019-2020 school year.

The committee will also explore approaches for the safest and most efficient re-opening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

In addition, the Department of Education will work with school officials to share ideas on safe and innovative ways to recognize 2020 high school graduates and other end-of-year milestones for students.

Federal Stimulus Funding
The Administration plans to tap federal funds that will help schools improve continuity of learning, assist with sanitizing and deep cleaning of school buildings, and address the emotional needs of students.

New Jersey recently applied for $310 million in federal funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Districts will have substantial local discretion in the use of these funds; the CARES Act lists a number of allowable uses, including:

• Purchase of educational technology, including hardware, software, and connectivity
• Purchase of sanitization and cleaning supplies
• Mental health supports
• Plan and implement activities related to summer learning and supplemental after-school programs, including providing online learning during the summer months to address the needs of student subgroups
• Planning and coordinating the distribution of meals to eligible students
• Provide principals and other school leaders with the resources necessary to address the needs of their individual schools
• Activities to address the unique needs of student subgroups
  Federal officials have signaled that states can anticipate a rapid approval of applications for this stimulus funding.