In the Middle

Garfield Middle School buzzed with energy and excitement as families, students, and staff gathered for the school’s annual Back-to-School Night on Wednesday evening. The event, held on September 24th, brought together the school community for a night of connection, information, and shared commitment to student success.

Principal Rigoglioso welcomed parents and guardians with opening remarks in the school’s cafetorium, expressing gratitude for their continued support and emphasizing the importance of collaboration between home and school. “We believe that strong relationships between families and educators are the foundation of student achievement,” the principal said.

Parents followed a modified version of their child’s daily schedule, visiting classrooms and meeting teachers from each subject area. Educators shared course outlines, academic expectations, grading policies, and insights into their teaching philosophies. Many classrooms also showcased interactive presentations, and technology tools used throughout the curriculum.

Garfield Middle School’s Back-to-School Night not only provided important academic information but also strengthened the home-school partnership that is vital to student learning and well-being. As the new school year gets underway, the evening served as a powerful reminder that education is a shared journey—one best taken together.

For more information about upcoming school events, visit and join our social media pages using the links below.

Food insecurity is a serious issue—even here in Bergen County, where many might not expect it. Every day, families in our communities and neighboring towns struggle to put food on the table. But thanks to the compassion and dedication of a few remarkable individuals, that burden has become a little lighter for many.

Five local heroes were honored with official proclamations for their incredible work in battling hunger and providing support where it’s needed most.

According to our Principal , Mr. Rigoglioso, "Mr. Braitisch is someone that I am especially proud to call a coworker and a friend. He is the founder of the grassroots organization called Strangers Helping Strangers and truly deserves this honor. Chris and his amazing team of volunteers have made it their mission to serve others with empathy, energy, and heart. From organizing food drives to delivering meals, they’ve created a real impact—and not just for adults and families."

Mr. Braitsch was also recognized for his inspiring work at the middle school level, running a pantry right here at Garfield Middle School and showing students firsthand what it means to step up and support others.

His efforts have turned into a powerful lesson for all of us: that no act of kindness is too small, and that real change starts with people who care.

Congratulations to Mr. Braitsch and the entire Strangers Helping Strangers team! Your selfless work is making our world—and our school—a better place. Keep inspiring us all.

Every day, Mr. Williams works to ensure that students follow the school’s rules and procedures. When those expectations aren’t met, he steps in—not just to give consequences, but to guide students toward better choices.

He describes his role as more than just handing out discipline; it's about correcting behavior and building strong relationships with students. Some of the most common issues he sees are ID violations and horseplay, but he encourages students to think before they act and consider how their decisions affect others.

Inspired by a desire to give students more opportunities than he had growing up, Mr. Williams is passionate about helping others and finding happiness in doing so. He believes success means helping as many people as he can and living life in his own way.

Students might be surprised to learn he’s a huge Marvel fan! When you see him, ask him who his favorite Marvel character is.

One of the biggest lessons he’s learned is that behind every student’s behavior is a personal experience, and it’s important to approach each situation with respect.

When students face disciplinary action, Mr. Williams works closely with parents, teachers, and counselors to find the best path forward. Over the years, he’s seen real improvement in student behavior after they’ve faced consequences, showing that discipline can lead to growth.

Thank you to all of our students who participated in this year’s essay contest, “Why I Love Life.” We are so proud of the thought and effort put into each submission.
Congratulations to our winners, Madison D (1st place), Aspen D. (2nd place) and Juanita M. (3rd place)
Great job!

In a lighthearted show of school spirit and community camaraderie, Garfield Middle School’s beloved social studies teacher—and sitting councilman—Mr. Fasolo made good on a friendly wager. On September 29th, he made good on his promise and wore a Garfield High School football jersey after losing a homecoming football bet to Mr. Rigoglioso, a fellow councilman in Garfield.

The much-anticipated annual matchup between the Elmwood Park Crusaders and the Garfield Boilermakers took place last Friday under the stadium lights. While both sides brought energy and pride, it was Garfield who walked away with the win, edging out Elmwood Park 37-0.

Before the game, Mr. Fasolo—never one to back down from some spirited competition—challenged Principal Rigoglioso, who hails from Garfield and never misses a Boilermakers game. The terms were simple: if Elmwood Park won, the principal would sport a Crusaders jersey for a day. But if Garfield won, Mr. Fasolo would have to swap his usual red and black for the rival school’s colors.

True to his word, Mr. Fasolo showed up to school this morning decked out in the Boilermakers' purple and gold, a wide grin on his face and plenty of good humor in his step.

“It’s all in good fun,” he said, posing for photos with students in our computer lab. “I may be wearing Garfield colors today, but my heart will always beat red and black for Elmwood Park.”

Principal Rigoglioso was all smiles as well, joking, “I think purple suits him! But don’t worry—we’re already planning the rematch for next year.”

As both a teacher and an elected official, Mr. Fasolo has long been known for his commitment to the community and his ability to connect with students. Today’s jersey swap just added to his reputation as someone who can lead, teach, and laugh—all while being a good sport.

With the rivalry settled (for now), Elmwood Park High looks ahead to the rest of the school year—already buzzing about next year’s game and, possibly, the next bet.

Let’s be honest: making your bed in the morning can feel like a pointless chore. You’re just going to mess it up again at night, right? But what if something as simple as pulling up your blankets and fluffing your pillows could actually make your day better?

It turns out, making your bed every day has some surprising benefits—especially for students like us at Garfield Middle School. Here’s why you might want to start straightening those sheets.

It Starts Your Day with a Win

When you make your bed first thing in the morning, you’ve already accomplished something before you even leave your room. That small success can set a positive tone for the rest of your day. It’s like saying, “I’ve got this,” even before brushing your teeth!

It Helps You Stay Organized

A messy room can make it harder to focus—especially when you're trying to study or finish homework. Making your bed instantly makes your room look cleaner and more put-together. When your space is tidy, your mind feels less cluttered too.

It Encourages Good Habits

Doing one small task every day builds self-discipline. That might not sound exciting, but habits like this can help you stay on top of schoolwork, keep your backpack organized, and even manage your time better. Making your bed is a small act that can lead to bigger wins.

It Can Improve Your Mood

Believe it or not, studies show that people who make their beds tend to feel happier and more relaxed. There’s something comforting about coming home to a room that looks neat and calm. After a long day of classes and homework, it’s nice to return to a space that feels peaceful.

It Sets a Good Example

When you take care of your space, others notice. Whether it’s your parents, siblings, or friends, making your bed shows responsibility and respect for your environment. You might even inspire someone else to start doing it too.

Making your bed won’t magically give you straight A’s or superpowers (although that would be awesome), but it can help you feel more in control of your day. It's a small habit that brings big benefits—and it only takes about a minute.

So tomorrow morning, before you rush out the door, take a second to make your bed. Your future self will thank you!

Poll results: 295 say that YES they make their bed every day, while 253 say NO they do not.

Looking for a laugh-out-loud graphic novel that also teaches a thing or two about hard work? Look no further than Dog’s Best Friend by James Patterson, a fun and relatable story that follows middle schooler Rafe Khatchadorian on one of his wildest adventures yet.

Rafe is your average 13-year-old with one big dream: owning the newest WormHole Premium Multi-Platform Gamebox. Sounds like a reasonable holiday wish, right? Unfortunately, his Christmas turns out to be a major letdown—no gamebox, no luck. But instead of giving up, Rafe decides to take matters into his own hands… with dog walking.

Let’s just say, the dog walking business is not as easy as it sounds. Between unruly pups, crazy mishaps, and everything going completely wrong, Rafe’s side hustle quickly turns into total chaos. Still, he keeps going—determined to earn every last penny for his precious gamebox.

What makes this book awesome isn’t just the humor or the action-packed illustrations (though those are great too). It’s that Rafe shows us how teens, not just adults, can work hard and reach their goals. This book is all about persistence, saving up, and doing things the right way—even when things get messy. It’s super relatable for anyone who's ever wanted something so bad they’d do anything (within reason!) to get it.

Rafe is the star here—funny, determined, and totally real. He reminds me of a lot of kids our age, especially when he talks about wanting the newest game just like everyone else. Watching him go from frustrated kid to responsible worker is part of what makes the book so inspiring (and hilarious).

At its core, Dog’s Best Friend is about responsibility, working for what you want, and staying determined—even when things go wrong. It’s a great reminder that with a little hustle and a lot of heart, you can achieve your goals (even if you’re only in junior high!).

If you’re into graphic novels that are both funny and motivating, Dog’s Best Friend should be next on your reading list. Rafe’s journey might be filled with barking dogs, disasters, and setbacks—but it’s also filled with lessons we can all learn.

Email: abugge@gboe.org
Location: GMS, 175 Lanza Ave, Garfield NJ 07026
Phone: 973-272-7020