Midland Park Public Schools

Excellence in Education

APPEALING YOUR PROPERTY TAXES     FEE: $45

Millions of homeowners have no idea they can actually lower their property taxes.  They casually glance– or grimace—at their mortgage escrow notice every year and pony up without doing a thing. Despite possible savings of thousands of dollars, only 2% of homeowners appeal their assessments.  And here’s an even bigger disconnect:  Some 60%of properties are overvalued!  Our expert speaker will show you how to exercise your options to reduce your property assessment and reduce your annual taxes. Instructor:  RICHARD MARRA, CTA SCRREA

 

BIRD WATCHING FOR BEGINNERS                           FEE: $95

Thursday, 8-11:30 a.m. (6 sess. beg.  March 5)

Please note: All participants will be sent instructions and a class schedule the week before the class begins.

Those without an email address must send a stamped, self-address business-size envelope along with their registration to receive a class schedule.

A series of five morning field trips and one all-day trip designed to introduce beginners to the skills and fun of bird watching. Selection and use of binoculars and bird guides, note taking, bird biology, behavior, habitats, migration, and maintaining a feeding station will be covered. Classes are limited to 12 students (minimum is 5) to allow individual instruction in field identification and bird song. Please note: Although most field trips will begin at 8:00 a.m., some may begin earlier, depending on the season and destination. All five half-day trips will end at 11:30 a.m. The one all-day trip will end at 2:30 or 3:00 p.m. Instructor: JUDITH CINQUINA

 

COURT REPORTING AND BROADCAST CAPTIONING CAREERS
FEE: $35

​ Wednesday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. (6 sess. beg. Feb.26)N  E! Midland Park H.S.

Are you interested in criminal justice and the law?  Do you love keeping up on the news, sports, entertainment and current events?  Outstanding job opportunities await you in courtrooms, deposition suites, university classrooms, convention centers and more.  If you are a student in high school, college or seeking a new career, don’t miss this chance to learn about this unique skill.  You will learn the basic alphabet in steno, write on a real steno machine, and can decide if pursuing an education in court reporting and captioning is the right choice for you.  This six-week program will be led by a Certified Court Reporter who will share their experience working in legal and captioning venues.  Equipment and materials will be provided.  Learn more at www.discoversteno.org Instructor:  COLLEEN ANNE PLATT,  CCR-R, RPR

 

CREATING A MALA NECKLACE              FEE: $59
Tuesday, 7:15-8:30 p.m. (1 sess. April 14)                Midland Park H.S.

The Mala Necklace has 108 beads. These beautiful beads are used to set intentions, meditate or simply wear for beauty and positive energy!  They each represent an affirmation or a mantra that can be repeated during a yoga practice or meditation class to help with centering and meditation. The necklace can be used as a symbol or just worn as a fashionable accessory. They encourage us to pause and breathe while motivating us to invest moments in self -care and compassion. All materials are included. Instructor: MAUREEN WANDELL

 

ELDER LAW                                                                         FEE: $35 per family Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. (1 sess. March 19)                                                        Glen Rock H.S. Offered in cooperation with Glen Rock Community School. Register through M.P.C.E.

Seniors are often without basic legal documents that they need to control their personal and financial lives as well as their medical care. They are also often unaware of various government programs that are available to pay for their home care, prescription drugs and nursing home care.  The course is designed to acquaint individuals with the value of a professionally drawn will, the necessity of a financial power of attorney and the key provisions of a living will /medical power of attorney.  Medicare and Medicaid programs will be explored in detail. The change to Medicaid rules (particularly Qualified Income Trusts, penalties for making gifts, the five year look back rule which was brought about by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) will be discussed in detail.  Instructor: MICHAEL MANNA, Esq. or MARIZE HELMY, Esq.

 

ESTATE AND TAX PLANNING                       FEE: $35 per Family

Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. (1 sess. April 2)          
​Glen Rock H.S. Offered in cooperation with Glen Rock Community School. Register through M.P.C.E.

This seminar is designed to acquaint individuals with the value of a professionally drawn will, the abso- lute necessity of a financial power of attorney and the key provisions of an advanced medical directive/ medical proxy. Upon your death, your estate could be subject to death taxes. New Jersey recently passed legislation to phase out its estate tax. However, New Jersey will still have an inheritance tax, the highest in the country. Most people are under the impression both taxes are going away. How to take advantage of this change in New Jersey tax law will be explored. Poorly planned estates can also be subject to pro- longed and expensive legal proceedings. This class will address these issues and how death, inheritance, capital gains and gift taxes are interrelated.  Instructors: MICHAEL MANNA, Esq. or MARIZE HELMY, Esq.

 

MAH JONGG

Tuesday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (8 sess. March 3)(no class 4/7) FEE: $95

 - or -

 Midland Park H.S.

Wednesday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. (8 sess. beg. March 4)(no class 4/8)      FEE: $ 95 Midland Park H.S.

Learn the modern American version of the Ancient Chinese game of Mah Jongg. Four people play the game at one time, but each play for themselves. The game is similar in concept to Gin Rummy, but it employs more skill than luck. The game is not as difficult to learn as Bridge. Betting will not be discussed. Men and teenagers are welcomed. Material fee of $3 is  payable to instructor first night of class. Class limit 8 students. Instructor: ARLENE CASTLEMAN

 

MEDICARE AND YOU - HAVE QUESTIONS? GET ANSWERS  FEE:  $35

Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. (1 sess. March 31)                 Glen Rock H.S.

Offered in cooperation with Glen Rock Community School. Register through M.P.C.E.

This course is designed to give you an understanding of Medicare as well as the updates and changes for 2019. You will receive a broad overview of the fundamental components of Medicare – The A, B, C & D’s Are you turning 65? Retiring? Wondering about your choices for the Annual Enrollment Period? This is your opportunity to get the information you need to make an educated decision for your Medicare Health Insurance needs. Instructor: STUART SCHWARTZ

 

SAVVY SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING                    FEE: $35

Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m. (1 sess. March 24)                           Glen Rock H.S.

Offered in cooperation with Glen Rock Community School. Register through M.P.C.E.

The Social Security system is overwhelming and there are plenty of new rules.  Learn about the various Social Security benefits and how to create collection strategies that will help you to maximize your lifetime income. Learn how to coordinate benefits with your spouse and about the lessor known benefits for widows. Learn when it makes sense to delay benefits – and when it does not. Finally, understand the taxation of benefits and how much you can expect to receive if you collect early. Instructor: ELEANOR GALTLIN

 

INTRODUCTION TO TAROT         

FEE: $59

Thursday, 7-9 p.m. (2 sess. Mar. 19 & 26)                        Midland Park H.S.

Be your own fortune-teller!  Am I going to meet Mr./Ms. Right? Will I get that raise? Is there a move in my future? Answer these questions and more with skill and insight, with a deck of Tarot cards. In this two-night introduction to the Tarot, you’ll learn brief keyword meanings for the cards and two simple spreads. By the end of the second night, you will be able to do uncannily accurate readings for yourself, your family and friends.  Please bring a Rider-Waite Tarot deck (available on Amazon.com and at many bookstores) to class so you can begin working with the cards right away. Instructor: STEPHANIE SAIBLE

 

VOICE-OVERS... NOW IS YOUR TIME!                       FEE: $50
Tuesday,  7-9 p.m. (1 sess. April 21)                                 Midland Park H.S.

In what could be one of the most enlightening 2 hours you’ve ever spent, this class will show you how YOU could actually begin using your speaking voice for commercials, films, videos and more!  Most people go about it the wrong way.  In this class, you will learn about a unique, outside the box way to cash in on one of the most lucrative full or part-time careers out there!  This is a business that you can handle on your own terms, on your own turf, in your own time, and with practically no overhead!  And NOW is the best time to make this happen as new companies are looking for new voices like never before. This exciting and fun class could be the game changer you’ve been looking for! Instructor: JAMES SEAWOOD, a New York based voice talent and teacher. He has brought his signature sound to commercials for a myriad of brands and organizations including Nike, Army West Point, The City of Charlotte, Cholula Hot Sauce and MGM

Click here to register  https://register.communitypass.net/midlandpark