DAREing to be better      PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Fifth-graders Casey Friedberg (from left), Kahlil Goulborne and Ann Heidenthal show their excitement after receiving their DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) certificates Dec. 18 at Memorial Elementary School in Old Bridge. More ... Specifics of new school funding formula unfurled All districts would receive at least 2% increase in state aid; some up to 20% BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer       TRENTON- The state aid figures from Gov. JonCorzine's proposed newschool funding planwould give area school districts a significant cash increase from Trenton if the new formula passes the Legislature. The proposed newfunding formula,which the governor formally unveiled on Dec. 13, changes the wa... More ... In tune      PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Students at the Grissom Elementary School in Old Bridge sing holiday songs Friday during the "Decorations Around the World" event, a celebration of cultural diversity. Denzel Buenafe leads the chorus in a Chinese holiday song. More ... Teacher named finalist for presidential award Old Bridge resident Margaret Dever teaches at Marlboro High School BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer       An Old Bridge woman has been honored for her dedication and excellence in teaching, becoming a finalist for a presidential award. Margaret "Peggy" Dever, 59, a math teacher at Marlboro High School, has been selected as one of four finalists in New Jersey for the 2007 Presidential Award for Excell... More ... Preschoolers give to animal shelter each holiday season       SAYREVILLE - For five years now, when Denise Cutrona puts up decorations for her nursery school class the day after Thanksgiving, the children know what's next. Time to help cats and dogs in need. The annual collection for Sayrebrook Animal Shelter in Parlin ran through Dec. 21, the last day of... More ...