DHS November Newsletter

Principal's Message

As we move into November, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our parents, guardians, and community members for your continued partnership and support. Your collaboration plays an essential role in the success of our students and the positive culture we continue to build at DHS.

I’m also proud to share some exciting news about our school attendance! Since the start of the year, our average weekly attendance rate has remained strong—never falling below 95% and reaching as high as 97.6%. This speaks volumes about the commitment of our students and families to showing up, staying engaged, and making the most of each day. However, we closed out the month of October slightly lower compared to September.

As the colder months approach, we often see a slight decline in attendance due to seasonal illnesses. While we understand this, I encourage families to continue promoting consistent, on-time attendance whenever possible. Regular attendance builds strong habits, supports academic success, and prepares students for the expectations of college, career, and life beyond high school. Let’s keep the momentum going. Every day counts, and your continued efforts to prioritize attendance make a real difference.

Thank you for all that you do to support our school community and help our Huskies thrive!

With Husky Pride,

Mr. Garcia

Congratulations to Michaela and Sora, our September Students of the Month! Both of these outstanding Huskies exemplify what it means to be well-rounded, dedicated, and community-minded students.

Michaela shines both in and out of the classroom—earning stellar grades while challenging herself with a rigorous course load. Beyond academics, she contributes her time and talents to the Debate Team, Girls’ Soccer, PACC, and PALS - just to name a few.

Sora is equally impressive, balancing academic excellence and a challenging course load with a deep involvement in our school community. As an integral member of the DHS Band, PALS, Theater, and Newspaper—among other activities—Sora’s enthusiasm and leadership enrich the fabric of DHS life.

We are incredibly proud of both Michaela and Sora for setting such a positive example for their peers and embodying the true spirit of what it means to be a Husky!

On October 29th, 347 of the most talented vocalists in Bergen County auditioned for the prestigious Bergen County High School Chorus. Dumont High School was proudly represented by several outstanding students, and we are thrilled to announce that Penelope Landicho-Michael and Benjamin Chen were selected to join this elite ensemble.

During the rigorous audition process, students performed three scales, a prepared solo, and a challenging sight-reading piece—demonstrating both skill and musicianship before a panel of the county’s finest choral directors. In the end, only 185 students earned a coveted spot in the choir.

We are incredibly proud of Penelope and Benjamin for this remarkable achievement and extend our congratulations to their Chorus teacher, Mr. Bennet, for his guidance and support.

We look forward to their performance at the Bergen County Choir Concert on Sunday, January 18, at Paramus High School.

🏃 Varsity Cross Country 🏃

Congratulations to the 2025 Varsity Cross Country Team on winning the Big North American Division League Championship—their first league title since 1989! This incredible accomplishment reflects the team’s dedication, perseverance, and commitment throughout the season.

We also extend a special congratulations to Coach Jon Bennett, who was named American Division Coach of the Year for his outstanding leadership and guidance.

We are so proud of our runners and coaches for making Dumont history!

⚽ Varsity Girls Soccer ⚽

Congratulations to the 2025 Varsity Girls Soccer Team on capturing the Big North American Division League Championship—their first league title since 2014! This remarkable achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and determination throughout the season.

A special congratulations also goes to Coach Dylan Van Riper, who was named American Division Coach of the Year for his outstanding leadership and dedication to our student-athletes.

We are incredibly proud of our players and coaches for bringing this championship home to Dumont!

Socktober

This October, DHS—led by Senior Cailyn W.—joined forces with The County of Bergen to launch Socktober, a community initiative aimed at supporting those in need. Thanks to the generosity of our students and staff, we collected and donated socks to help individuals and families throughout Bergen County stay warm as the colder months approach. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to making this effort a success!

Open House

We were thrilled to welcome our future Huskies at the 8th Grade Open House this month! Families had the opportunity to learn about our academic programs, athletic offerings, student activities, and clubs that make DHS such a vibrant and engaging community. The evening was filled with excitement and school spirit—especially for the first 50 future Huskies who received exclusive Husky gear just for signing in! We can’t wait to see the Class of 2030 join our Husky family next fall! Click here for the flyer.

Week of Respect

DHS proudly celebrated the Week of Respect with a series of activities organized by our student clubs and their advisors. Highlights included a morning welcome squad greeting students with positivity as they arrived for school in the morning, a “Chalk It Up for Respect” event featuring uplifting messages along Husky Drive, and a beautiful Unity Tree display in our main hallway. We are so proud of the kindness, inclusivity, and school spirit shown by our students, faculty, and staff throughout the week!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest

DHS clubs and activities got into the fall spirit with a Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Creative and colorful designs filled the Media Center Lab, where students and staff could admire the festive display. Each group showcased their unique talents and teamwork, making it a fun and spirited way to celebrate the season. Congratulations to all who participated for bringing so much creativity and Husky pride to this year’s contest!

Food Drive

Our National Honor Society led a successful Food Drive this month, collecting non-perishable items at the student entrance to support our local food pantry. Thanks to the generosity of our DHS community, we were able to help provide essentials to those in need. A big thank you to our NHS members, advisors, and all who donated for demonstrating true Husky compassion and community spirit!

Halloween

Halloween spirit was alive and well at Dumont High School this week! Students and staff celebrated with creativity, laughter, and plenty of school pride. From clever costumes to festive classroom decorations, our hallways were filled with energy and smiles. Events like these remind us how important it is to balance hard work with moments of joy and community. Way to go, Huskies, for making Halloween 2025 one to remember!