Meet East’s new principal | Inquirer Cherry Hill
Plus, the father of a former Eagles player pleads guilty to millions of dollars in fraud.
Hello, Cherry Hill! 👋
East will welcome a new principal this summer. We caught up with him to chat about some of his goals. Also this week, a former Eagles player’s father, who previously lived in the township, has pleaded guilty to COVID relief fraud, South Jersey Progressive Democrats have begun naming representatives after a court victory, plus, The Kibitz Room is reopening.
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As John Cafagna readies to take the helm as principal of East this July, he wants to bring “visibility and stability” to the 2,100-student high school after a year of administrative turnover.
As public schools grapple with increasing misinformation, particularly online, and decreasing public satisfaction, Cafagna said he wants to help residents understand the school’s offerings, from drama performances to academics.
He also wants to be a steadying force after a former assistant principal’s contract wasn’t renewed, leading to a lawsuit, and after former Principal Daniel Finkle resigned, among other shakeups.
The Inquirer’s Denali Sagner caught up with Cafagna to discuss the next chapter in his decades-long tenure with the district.
💡 Community News
After scoring an appeal victory in court earlier this month, South Jersey Progressive Democrats have begun filling the 71 vacant seats representing residents in the 522-member Camden County party committee. So far, the group has named 14 people. (70 and 73)
A Cherry Hill lawyer has been cited for a second time after using artificial intelligence in his work. Raja Rajan, who’s licensed to practice in Pennsylvania, was fined $5,000 for filing a brief earlier this year that contained five citation errors, and one case that didn’t exist at all. Rajan’s case underscores how solo practitioners are being tempted to use the technology, The Inquirer’s Abraham Gutman reports.
Raymond Matthews, the father of former Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick, has pleaded guilty to bank and wire fraud conspiracy for fraudulently obtaining several million dollars in COVID relief funds from the federal government, during which time he was a Cherry Hill resident, The Inquirer’s Robert Moran reports.
Good news for fans of Bed Bath & Beyond: The retail chain is partnering with The Container Store to carry some of its home goods products in select Container Store locations, including the one on Route 38 adjacent to the mall. The combined store concept is expected to start rolling out in May.
A mural created by West students and faculty was unveiled last week at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital. The group transformed a windowless waiting area and staff lunch spot with colorful depictions of iconic spots from around the region. (South Jersey Local News)
The Courier-Post’s former 166,489-square-foot printing plant at 301 Cuthbert Blvd. has sold for $8.4 million to consumer goods wholesale distributor JC World Bell Wholesale Co. It had been on the market for over a year. (NJ.com)
Cherry Hill native and lauded chef Greg Vernick shared what his perfect day looks like with The Inquirer’s Beatrice Forman, including stops at his restaurants, a Phillies game, and a night cap.
Work continues on Kresson Road this week, which will be closed between Springdale Road and Browning Lane weeknights from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Registration is now open for the township’s summer youth and adult programs, which include art, ballet, baseball, basketball, and forensics camps, as well as yoga, guitar, and karate classes.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Superintendent Kwame Morton shared an update on district goals, highlighting third-quarter achievements like pre-Advanced Placement training for middle school English/language arts and social studies teachers and revamping the high school course of study booklet to highlight 12 career paths.
There are policy and legislation, business and facilities, and curriculum and instruction school board committee meetings Monday evening. See the district’s full calendar here.
Cherry Hill athletes fared well in last week’s Camden County High School Golf Tournament, with the East boys’ and girls’ teams taking first place in their respective team competitions. Two East players, Tyler Whitney and Anita Oberoi, took first place in the boys’ and girls’ individual competition, respectively.
🍽️ On our Plate
After a monthslong closure, a bankruptcy filing, and a change in operator, The Kibitz Room is set to return on Friday.
Bakery chain Paris Baguette is opening tomorrow at 951 Haddonfield Rd. inside Garden State Park, where it will be located next to the Nordstrom Rack. The new location comes on the heels of another Paris Baguette location debuting next to the recently reopened H Mart on Route 70. Paris Baguette is known for its selection of pastries, cakes, sandwiches, salads, and coffees.
Kung Fu Tea is closing one at its Cherry Hill locations at 826 Haddonfield Rd. on May 15. The bubble tea shop has another location at 1469 Brace Rd.
Chick’s Deli has one of the best cheesesteaks in the state, according to a recent ranking from NJ.com. The outlet noted the Township Line Road mainstay serves up “simple, classic steaks, with the right balance of tasty meat and cheese.”
🎳 Things to Do
🏺 Mini Pot May-hem: Those with previous ceramics experience can make mini clay pots during this workshop. ⏰ Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 💵 $100 📍 Hugs Ceramics
💗 Mother’s Day Craft and Vendor Market: Shop for gifts from local vendors. ⏰ Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Cherry Hill Mall
🏇 Kentucky Derby Gala: This themed event includes a best-dressed contest and race watching. ⏰ Saturday, May 2, 4-9 p.m. 💵 $87.30 📍 Vera
🇺🇸 A Star-Spangled Celebration: The South Jersey Pops Quartet will perform patriotic tunes as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations. ⏰ Sunday, May 3, 3 p.m. 💵 $15 for gold card members and students, $20 for adults 📍 Croft Farm Arts Center
🏡 On the Market
Located in Springdale near Cherry Hill’s so-called Magic Forest, this five-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home has two water features: a koi pond with a footbridge in the front yard and a heated saltwater pool with a built-in spa out back. The inside of the home has also been updated and includes an eat-in kitchen with an oversized island, high-end appliances, and a built-in beverage bar. There’s a bedroom suite on the first floor and four bedrooms upstairs, including a primary suite with a large walk-in shower, a soaking tub, and a Bluetooth speaker and lighting system. There are open houses Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $999,000 | Size: 4,100 SF | Acreage: 0.46
🗞️ What other Cherry Hill residents are reading this week:
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