DHS November Newsletter
2026 - 2027 School Year
Principal's Message
Time is flying by! It is hard to believe, but we are already rapidly approaching the end of the first quarter here at DHS.
Thanks to our wonderful school community, we are well on track to achieve our goal of keeping chronic absenteeism below 10%. As of the end of October, our rate stands at 8.2%. This is a 1% improvement compared to this time last school year. This small improvement is a testament to our collective commitment to regular school attendance and a fantastic demonstration of our Husky H.E.A.R.T.
While this is a great start, our work isn't done yet. Letβs keep this momentum going by continuing to promote consistent, on-time attendance as we build strong habits for student success in the months and years to come.
With Husky Pride,
Mr. Garcia
π Husky H.E.A.R.T. Students of the Month π
Hannah N. and Aqsa S.
Hannah is a dedicated and enthusiastic student who consistently demonstrates a positive attitude, respect for others, and a strong commitment to learning. She actively participates in class, embraces new challenges, and shows a genuine interest in learning about Spanish-speaking cultures. Her effort and positive attitude make her a wonderful role model for her classmates. Β‘Felicidades!
Aqsa is a Spanish 3 Honors student and is recognized for her genuine passion and love for the Spanish language. Their impressive work ethic, consistent dedication, and enthusiasm make her an outstanding role model in our classroom.
π October Recap π
AP Scholars
A huge congratulations to our AP Scholars listed above! Your hard work and dedication have truly paid off. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments! For reference, here is a quick overview of the criteria for each award level:
AP Scholar: Awarded to students who earn scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
AP Scholar with Honor: Awarded to students who earn an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction: Awarded to students who earn an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
Meet the Counselors
On Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Counseling Department hosted a well-attended "Meet the Counselors & College Readiness" event. Mrs. Kluz, Ms. Delia, and Ms. Gentile guided families through the college application process alongside guest admissions representatives from Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), St. Thomas Aquinas College, and Montclair State University, who shared valuable insights on applications and financial aid. Thank you to the Counseling Department for hosting and to our parents/guardians for attending.
Financial Aid Info Session
The Counseling Department facilitated a virtual Financial Aid Night on October 19th with guest speaker, Ed Zamora from Princia Prep, as an additional resource for families.There were over 100 participants in attendance! Thank you to all who joined us for what was a very informative session.
Sophomore Special HR Meeting
Dumont High School partnered with the New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S) to present "The Pressure Cooker: How to Navigate Stress and Substance Use in High School" for the sophomore class.
Rather than sitting through a traditional lecture, students actively engaged in interactive discussions and practical exercises. Through this presentation, sophomores gained critical insight into the relationship between stress and substance use, walking away with concrete, healthy coping strategies to navigate academic and personal pressures.
Boys Cross Country Back to Back Champs
Huge congratulations to our Boys Cross Country team for winning the Big North American Division League Championship for the second consecutive year! Winning back-to-back league titles is a remarkable achievement that speaks volumes about our runners' relentless work ethic, grit, and team spirit. We are so proud of these student-athletes for continuing a tradition of excellence. Go Huskies!
Coach Bennet - Coach of the Year
We are thrilled to share that Coach Jon Bennet has been named the Big North American Division Cross Country Coach of the Year! This award is a testament to Coach Bennettβs unwavering dedication, expert guidance, and the tremendous culture of teamwork and sportsmanship he fosters within our cross country program.
Girls Soccer Qualifies for State Playoffs
Congratulations to our girls soccer team on an incredible season! With a stellar 9-5 overall record and a 7-1 mark in Big North - American division play, the team qualified for the state playoffs. We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship
Myles D. - Young Man of the Year
Congratulations to Myles D. for earning the prestigious Steve DiGregorio Young Man of the Year Award! This award is presented to one individual from each member school who demonstrates a selfless commitment to his community, his school, his teammates, and his peers. Myles has set the bar high at DHS!
He was honored at the New York Jets game this past Sunday. He will also be recognized alongside the other candidates this December at MetLife Stadium, where the SFC will announce the SFC Divisional and Overall Young Man of the Year. We are incredibly proud of Myles for representing our school with such honor and leadership!
Bergen Meet of Champs
A huge shout-out to Benjamin S. and Rylan D. for qualifying for the prestigious Bergen Meet of Champions! We also want to congratulate our talented freshman athletes, Patrick H. and Emma-Rose Z., who qualified for the Freshman Meet of Champions. Making it to this level takes incredible hard work and dedication. We are proud of you!
Hunter C. - BCBSCA Unsung Hero
We are thrilled to share that Hunter was nominated for the Bergen County Boys Soccer Coaches Association (BCBSCA) Unsung Hero Award! This honor recognizes student-athletes who make an invaluable impact through their work ethic, sportsmanship, and selfless dedication to the team, often behind the scenes. Way to go, Hunter! Thank you for your leadership and commitment on and off the field!
Esports Qualified for Playoffs
We are thrilled to announce that the Dumont High School Esports team has officially locked in a spot in the Garden State Esports playoffs for the first time in program history! Competing in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, our team finished in the Top 16 among all schools in our Group 2 size classification this season. Congratulations to our talented gamers! Letβs keep the momentum going into the postseason!
North Jersey Band Festival
On Sunday, October 25th, the DHS Band and Color Guard had the incredible honor of both hosting and performing at the 79th North Jersey Band Festival. Huge shoutout to all the musicians and performers who brought non-stop energy, precision, and passion to the field!
π Upcoming Events & Important Dates π
November 3
- School Closed - Election Day
November 5 & 6
- School Closed - NJEA Convention
November 11
- Veterans Day Flag Raising Ceremony
November 14
- Robotics Competition 11am - 4pm in the DHS Gymnasium
November 19 - 21
- DHS Theater Program presents Alice in Wonderland at 7pm in the DHS Auditorium
November 25
- One Session Day (1/2 Day Schedule)
November 26 & 27
- School Closed - Thanksgiving Recess