Schools Close for Holidays, Year's Last School Board Meetings This Week

Believe it or not, by this Friday, students will have a half-day of school in the Warren Township school district, and will be dismissed early, too, at the Watchung Hills Regional School District to begin a nice, long winter holiday.

Adults might envy the students, who won't be returning to either school system until Jan. 2.

Before then, however, both have scheduled final meetings for 2013 at the beginning of this week.

The Warren Township School Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Warren schools administrative building.

During the meeting, schools superintendent Tami Crader is due to report on the strategic plan. Crader may also speak on issues that occurred this past week, during which the school district announced it had received $2 million in state funding towards more than a half-dozen construction projects in various schools.

Then, last Thursday, Crader attended the Warren Township Committee meeting, where Mayor Victor Sordillo announced plans to revitalize the Warren Township Education Foundation.

The Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education also is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. on Monday night, in the media center at the high school at 108 Stirling Road in Warren Township.

Meanwhile, if you haven't finished your Christmas or holiday shopping — or you've already received money for a gift and want to look around to splurge on something unique — Wagner Farm's Holiday Boutique continues through next Sunday, catering even to last-minute shoppers.

Whether you are looking for a special gift, small hostess gifts and tasty holiday treats, or jewelry to dress up your winter look, the holiday boutique will offer the work of local artisans and vendors set out on display, according to Suzanne Smith, president of the non-profit preserved arboretum at 197 Mountain Ave. in Warren.

Some of the items to be available for sale will include wood carvings, local honey products, pottery, paintings and sketches, home goods, chocolates, knitted and crocheted apparel, nuts, jam and more. 

A portion of the proceeds from dozens of participating vendor’s proceeds go to the arboretum. All sales are tax-exempt, according to the arboretum.