Let's Talk TPS

At Tenafly Public Schools, we believe technology is most valuable when it enhances learning, rather than simply replacing traditional instructional practices. This year, we have taken several meaningful steps to create a more balanced, intentional, and developmentally appropriate approach to technology use across our schools.

Guiding this work is our new District Guiding Philosophy for the Instructional Use of Technology, which emphasizes that technology should support—not replace—the essential elements of high-quality teaching and learning, including meaningful teacher-student interactions, collaboration, discussion, reading, writing, and hands-on experiences. Our goal is not simply to increase or decrease screen time, but to ensure that technology is used purposefully, when it adds meaningful value to instruction.

Balancing Technology and Hands-On Learning

This philosophy is reflected in several changes to how students access and use technology. We have removed student devices from Kindergarten and Grade 1 classrooms, prioritizing hands-on exploration, play-based learning, and face-to-face interaction for our youngest learners. At the same time, we have replaced Chromebooks in Grades 2–12 with newer, updated models to ensure students have reliable technology when it supports their learning.

Homework in Grades K–5 will not require the use of a device, reinforcing the importance of balancing digital learning with offline experiences. At Tenafly Middle School, students are participating in monthly Tech Free Tuesdays, during which they leave their Chromebooks at home and engage in all student work and collaboration without devices. Teachers may still use technology to deliver instruction, but student learning activities remain offline.

Creating a Safer, More Focused Digital Environment

Changes to student access help ensure that digital resources are safe, appropriate, and educationally meaningful. Student access is limited to district-approved websites and instructional tools, and direct access to YouTube has been blocked on student Chromebooks in Grades K–8. Teachers can still share specific instructional videos through Google Classroom, allowing them to incorporate valuable video content without providing students unrestricted access to the platform.

The district’s approach to artificial intelligence similarly emphasizes developmental appropriateness and alignment with instructional goals. Elementary students in Grades K–5 do not have access to Google Gemini on district devices, while students in Grades 6–8 have Gemini blocked within Google Classroom.

Teaching Responsible Technology and AI Use

Alongside these changes, we recognize the importance of explicitly teaching students how to navigate the digital world. Our elementary library program has developed Digital Citizenship lessons for Grades K–5, helping students build foundational skills in online safety, digital responsibility, privacy, and thoughtful technology use.

We have also introduced District AI Guidelines to establish clear expectations for the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence. Central to these guidelines is a Stoplight Model, which identifies when AI use is prohibited (Red Light), permitted with specific limitations (Yellow Light), or integrated into an assignment (Green Light). Curriculum supervisors are collaborating with teachers to determine how this model can best support learning within their individual content areas and assignments, ensuring that AI use remains purposeful and appropriate.

An Ongoing Commitment to Intentional Technology Use

This work extends beyond the initiatives already underway. The district continues to review and evaluate the digital tools, resources, and instructional technology practices used in our classrooms to ensure they align with our guiding philosophy and meaningfully support student learning. During the October 12th staff professional development day, grade-level groups spent time reviewing homework guidelines and instructional technology use. These conversations will continue throughout the school year, with attention to the educational value and developmental appropriateness of digital tools, as well as when a non-digital approach may be more effective.

Together, these initiatives reflect our district’s commitment to using the right tools, at the right time, for the right learning purpose. Technology can open exciting opportunities for creativity, collaboration, and exploration, and knowing when to put devices aside is equally important. By continually reflecting on and refining our practices, we are working to prepare students for an increasingly digital world while preserving the meaningful, human-centered learning experiences that matter most.

Yours in Education,

Michael Ben-David

Superintendent of Schools

Regular Board Meeting at Central Office-Monday, November 16th, 2026 @ 7 PM

Regular Board Meeting at Central Office-Monday, December 14th, 2026 @ 7 PM

Reorganization of Board/Regular Meeting at Central Office-Monday, January 4, 2027 @ 6 PM

Visit the Tenafly homepage for board agendas, minutes, meeting dates and presentations.

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, Tenafly Public Schools will implement a residency verification checkpoint for students entering Grades 6 and 9 to ensure that residency information remains current and enrolled students meet applicable residency requirements.

From November 4 through December 1, 2026, all families of students in Grades 6 and 9 must upload two current proofs of residency to the Genesis Parent Portal for review by the Office of the Registrar. Please submit one document from each category:

• Primary proof: Lease, deed, mortgage statement, or tax bill
• Secondary proof: Recent utility bill, bank statement, insurance statement, or other official correspondence confirming the student’s residence

All documents must be submitted through the Genesis Parent Portal. Additional upload instructions will be provided before the submission period begins.

This checkpoint supplements the District’s existing residency verification procedures, including those conducted at initial registration, following a change of address or lease expiration, and when updated documentation is otherwise required.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our student records accurate and up to date.

It has been an exciting and successful start to the school year in Special Services, with so many positive happenings to celebrate, and this is just the first two months!

We are thrilled to celebrate the successful addition of our Pre-K program, a program made possible by the dedication and expertise of our fantastic Preschool Teachers, Dr. Benz, Ms. Stadter, and Ms. Lieberman and all our wonderful related service professionals and paraprofessional support staff. We are also proud of our 9th grade students from our special class programs, who have successfully begun participating in electives at the high school. This is an exciting step toward inclusion, independence, and new opportunities.

Our Extended School Year (ESY) program was another great success, providing students with meaningful, sensory-appropriate summer activities while creating opportunities for learning, exploration, and fun. We are equally excited about the strong turnout at the SEPAC meeting, reflecting the continued collaboration, communication, and partnership between our families and district members.

These accomplishments represent the incredible work of our students, staff, families, and community working together to create meaningful opportunities for every learner. This is just the beginning - there is so much more to come!

History came to life in September when Tim Yuskaitis, Fair Lawn’s award-winning Town Crier, visited our elementary students for a special celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Students learned how news and important announcements were shared long ago, enjoying a memorable connection to our nation’s history.

On Monday, October 19, Tenafly High School students gathered in the library to learn about the “Hello Girls,” the women who served as telephone operators for the U.S. Army during World War I. These women played a vital role in military communications overseas, with Grace Banker serving as chief operator of the group stationed in France.

Guest speaker Carolyn Timbie, Banker’s granddaughter, brought this history to life by sharing her grandmother’s experiences and highlighting the Hello Girls’ contributions to the war effort. A big thank you to K-12 Supervisor of Social Studies Cristina Cutrone for organizing this opportunity!

Recess got a spooky twist as sixth and seventh graders at TMS showed off their creativity in a Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest. What a fang-tastic way to spend recess!

Elementary schools welcomed a guest speaker to introduce students to Rachel’s Challenge, a program inspired by Rachel Joy Scott’s belief that small acts of compassion can make a lasting difference. Through its focus on kindness, empathy, and respect, the program encourages students to help build a welcoming school community. Our students accepted the challenge to be kind, accept others, choose positive influences, dream big, and start their own chain reaction of kindness!

The district newsletter provides a window into our schools by highlighting district initiatives, celebrating student achievements connected to district curriculum and school activities, and sharing news from across the district. Its purpose is to keep families and the community informed and connected to the teaching, learning, and opportunities that support our students.

If you have a story idea for this bimonthly newsletter, please contact Ms. Jenn Halliwell. Please provide at least two weeks advance notice.

If you have have a question or concern related to your student, please first contact their teacher. For additional support, you may contact your building principal:

• Mackay School - Principal Chizzik
• Maugham School - Principal Loor
• Smith School - Principal Coven
• Stillman School - Principal Lander
• Tenafly Middle School - Principal Comey
• Tenafly High School - Principal Morrison