10-14-2026

As technology becomes a bigger part of our students' daily lives—both in the classroom and at home—keeping them safe online is a team effort. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and while Hawthorne Public Schools works hard to protect our digital learning environments, a strong defense starts with open conversations at home.

Cyber safety isn't just about technical settings; it’s about helping our children develop smart, thoughtful digital habits that stay with them for life.

Key Tips for Families

1. Keep the Lines of Communication Open

   Talk regularly with your children about what they like to do online, what apps they use, and who they communicate with. Let them know they can always come to you if they see something confusing, uncomfortable, or suspicious online without fear of losing their device privileges.

2. Establish Smart Password Habits

   Encourage kids to create strong passwords or passphrases that use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Remind them that passwords should never be shared with friends—only parents or trusted adults.

3. Practice the "Think Before You Post" Rule

   Remind students that anything shared online—photos, comments, or personal details—can permanently remain in the digital world. Discuss the importance of respecting others and keeping private details (like full names, home addresses, or location check-ins) off public platforms.

4. Recognize "Phishy" Situations

   Scams and fake messages aren't just in adults' inboxes—they often appear in online games, messaging apps, and social media. Teach children to never click on unexpected links, pop-ups, or offers for free game currency or downloads.

5. Set Clear Boundaries & Screen-Free Zones

   Create ground rules for technology use at home, such as charging devices outside bedrooms overnight and setting aside screen-free time during meals or study hours.

Conversation Starters for Your Family

Looking for an easy way to start the discussion? Try asking your child these questions this week:

• "What’s your favorite app or game right now, and how does it keep your account secure?"

• "Have you ever gotten a strange message or link from someone online? What did you do?"

• "What would you do if a friend asked for your account password to play a game?"

By working together, we can ensure our students stay informed, responsible, and safe in the digital world.

Thank you for your continued partnership!

Some of our Roughriders had a spook-tastic visit with the students from the Bear Cave!

Together, they learned about The Brave Witch and worked side-by-side to create a fun Halloween craft. The lesson was filled with learning, sharing, creativity, collaboration, and lots of Hawthorne spirit!

• 11/3 - Election Day - Professional Day; Schools Closed for Students
• 11/5 & 6 - NJEA Convention; Schools Closed
• 11/11, 11/12, & 11/13 - K-12 Parent Conference; Early Dismissal for K-5 Students
• 11/25 - One Session Day; Thanksgiving Recess
• 11/26 & 11/27 - Thanksgiving Recess; Schools Closed

• 10/14 - 8th Grade Open House HHS
• 10/17 - October Extravaganza RES (rain date 10/24)
• 10/23 - Best Day Ever LMS
• 10/23 - Spirit Day WES
• 10/23 - Hispanic Heritage Celebration HHS
• 10/23 - Trunk or Treat WES
• 10/29 - STUCO Event HHS
• 10/30 - Halloween Dance LMS
• 10/30 - Halloween Parade RES
• 10/30 - Halloween Parade WES
• 10/30 - Halloween Dance JES
• 11/12 - Junior Parent Secondary Planning Night HHS
• 11/19 - HHS Class of 2029 Casino Night
• 11/20 - Turkey Trot JES
• 11/20 - Spirit Day RES
• 11/20 - Spirit Day WES
• 11/23 - Fall Sports Awards HHS
• 11/24 - Laps for Lincoln LMS
• 11/14 - HHS at LMS for Elective Expo

Under the leadership of our terrific school counselor, Ms. Strom, the Thomas Jefferson community celebrated the Week of Respect with a week filled with activities, lessons, and special themes designed to promote respect throughout our school and community. Students participated in fun themes such as Twin Day, Jersey Day, and Peace Day, while also learning about the importance of kindness, empathy, and treating others with respect.

The PTO also sponsored a wonderful assembly from Prismatic Magic entitled Kindness Quest, which encouraged students to think about how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Finally, our art teacher, Ms. Collova, helped students create kindness stones featuring words of respect, positive affirmations, and messages of encouragement. The stoneswill be proudly displayed in our main entrance as a lasting reminder of the importance of kindness and respect in our Jefferson community.

Congratulations to our ​Roughriders who are being recognized for showing responsibility and making great choices each day! We are so proud of the way ​they are stepping up and showing what it means to be responsible.

A special congratulations to Mrs. Maxwell for being a wonderful positive role model for our students and for always demonstrating responsibility in all that she does!

Our Roughriders are busy learning, growing, and exploring! From hands-on activities and classroom collaborations to inspiring rock painting and discovering the culture of Spain, exciting learning is happening across all grade levels. We are proud of our students’ creativity, curiosity, and Roughrider spirit!

Our Roughriders showed up and showed out for the Week of Respect! From stomping out bullying, being a friend and not a bully, teaming up against bullying​, to keeping the peace​, our halls were filled with kindness​ and respect! ​​We wrapped up our amazing Week of Respect together, showing off our Roosevelt Spirit and reminding everyone that kindness makes a difference!

A HUGE Thank you to the Hawthorne Fire Department for coming to Washington School during Fire Prevention Week to teach us all about fire safety! Our students had a great time and really enjoyed getting to learn more about the fire trucks! We appreciate all that you do to keep us safe!

Kindness and school spirit were on full display during Washington Elementary’s Week of Respect! Our students and staff dressed up throughout the week to demonstrate respect, anti-bullying, and school pride—participating in Blue Day for World Day of Bullying Prevention, Twin Day, Team Day, Tie Dye Day, and School Spirit Day.

In Mrs. Reynoso's 61A current science unit, students are exploring how body systems rely on smaller parts working together. To see this firsthand, the class dissected both a 'healthy' and an 'injured' chicken wing. By examining the skin, muscle, and bone, students observed how these structures collaborate when healthy—and how an injury disrupts that connection and stops movement. This propels us to ask, "How does healing happen?"

Lincoln Middle School celebrated the Week of Respect from October 4–9, reaffirming its commitment to kindness, inclusion, and the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB). LMS proudly took the NJ Goes Gold and Blue Pledge, demonstrating the school community’s dedication to creating a safe, welcoming environment for all.

Each morning began with announcements highlighting the daily themes of respect. Community members were also invited to recognize students and staff who exemplify respect by submitting a “Hats Off To…” nominations. Students embraced the spirit week and participated in engaging lessons and activities across classrooms and clubs.

In Mr. Dykstra’s sixth-grade class, students explored what it means to be a good digital citizen, focusing on kindness, empathy, and respect in online spaces. In Ms. Sabatino’s eighth-grade science class, students extended the meaning of respect to the environment. They discussed ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle, explored landfill locations throughout New Jersey, and researched the Hawthorne Recycling Center’s accepted materials and collection times.

Members of the Kindness Club took the message a step further by exploring how one respectful action can create a “domino effect” of positivity. Students discussed how their actions influence others and designed paper dominoes to illustrate how kindness can spread throughout a community.

Through these meaningful activities, Lincoln Middle School students were reminded that respect is more than a word—it is a daily choice that strengthens our school and our community. At LMS, we continue to encourage everyone to Be a Bear: Be Kind, Engaged, Accepting, and Responsible!

The HHS Marching Bears had an OUTSTANDING weekend! The band competed at Pequannock on Saturday and at Midland Park's 29th annual Music in the Parks festival on Sunday. Hawthorne, for the first time in years, took home first place at both competitions! Additionally, the band claimed all caption awards in Pequannock and ran away with the Best Music award in Midland Park, scoring well ahead of the other two competitors. The band competes two more times: next week in Wayne Valley, and the week after at Northern Highlands, before completing their remarkable season at the North Jersey Band Festival in Clifton on October 25. Speak to Ms. Graber or a marching band member for tickets to their season-ending performance.

- Physics with Mr. Lin: Students applied kinematics equations and free-fall principles in a hands-on marble-drop challenge, using measurements and calculations to predict motion and explore real-world applications of projectile motion.

-Senior English with Mrs. Clark: Students analyzed Wilfred Owen’s World War I poem “Dulce et Decorum Est,” collaborating to paraphrase stanzas, identify poetic devices, and examine how the author conveyed his experiences through writing.

- Rock Band with Mr. Franklin: Students formed two bands and put their musical skills into practice, performing The Beatles’ “Do You Want to Know a Secret” and Led Zeppelin’s “Heartbreaker” while building musicianship, collaboration, and teamwork.

- Geometry with Ms. Tanis: Students used everyday materials, including cardboard, index cards, spaghetti, and Skittles, to explore collinear and non-collinear points, lines, and intersecting planes through hands-on, three-dimensional models.

- ELA for MLs with Mr. McKinley: Inspired by Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, students crafted original words of wisdom, expressing their perspectives on life through concise, meaningful statements.

- Sports Medicine with Mr. Warner: Students completed hands-on training in CPR, First Aid, and AED use, developing practical skills and confidence to respond to medical emergencies in school, on the athletic field, and in everyday life.

Hazel Austin

Grade 5

Hazel Austin is a cheerful, caring, and hardworking student whose enthusiasm for school is truly contagious. She approaches her learning with a positive attitude and a determination to do her best, even when faced with challenging tasks. Her perseverance and “stick-to-it” spirit help her tackle problems that may have seemed difficult at first, and her strong math skills are just one example of her many academic strengths.

What makes Hazel especially stand out, however, is the kindness and thoughtfulness she shows toward others. Whether she is helping classmates, supporting younger students at lunch, or serving as a kindergarten helper, Hazel is always ready to lend a hand. She greets the kindergarten students with a huge smile and eagerly helps them with everything from zipping backpacks and tying shoes to finding appropriate activities while they wait for their siblings. Her kindness and genuine care have made her a favorite among the younger students.

Hazel also brings her positive energy and creativity to music and art, where she is an enthusiastic and active participant. She is a wonderful example of the kind of student who makes our school community a better place simply by being herself. Jefferson School is lucky to have Hazel for another year!

Tess Gnade

Kindergarten

A kindergarten student at Roosevelt School, Tess was selected for this month's Bear Bulletin because she is a kind and caring friend and is always willing to help others. Her teacher, Ms. Verrone reports that Tess brings a positive attitude to her classroom each day and is 100% sure that Tess is going to shine bright this school year!

Lenny Lopez Rodas

Grade 4

Washington School is proud to recognize Lenny Lopez Rodas, a fourth-grade student in Mrs. Waldron’s class, as our Spotlight Student!

Lenny has demonstrated exceptional kindness, compassion, and courage by consistently standing up for a fellow classmate when he feels that student is not being treated fairly. On multiple occasions, Lenny has shown that being a good friend means more than simply being kind, it means having the courage to speak up for others and ensure that everyone feels respected and included.

Thank you, Lenny, for being such a thoughtful and supportive friend. Washington School is incredibly proud of you!

Noah Bruno

Grade 6

Noah Bruno, a sixth grader at Lincoln Middle School, is enjoying his transition to middle school! While adjusting to the middle school grading system has been his biggest challenge, he has found plenty to enjoy along the way. His favorite part of LMS is Mr. Kenny’s class, where learning is fun and engaging. Noah was also recognized as one of eight September Students of the Month for demonstrating kindness. Outside the classroom, he is staying involved through the ESports Club and intramurals. He especially enjoys spending time with friends during lunch and recess and is already looking forward to trying out for the LMS team as a seventh grader next year. We are proud to recognize Noah for showing what it means to BE A BEAR!

Ella Alberta

Grade 12

Senior Ella Alberta demonstrated outstanding leadership and compassion by organizing Hawthorne High School’s 3rd annual Go Gold campaign to raise funds for Tackle Kids Cancer. Thanks to Ella’s incredible efforts and the support of the HHS community, this year’s campaign raised more than $16,000 to support children and families affected by cancer. An active member of the Performing Arts Club and Dance Team, Ella exemplifies the spirit of involvement, leadership, and service that makes HHS special. In recognition of her dedication and positive impact, she was also named HHS Senior Student of the Month for October. Congratulations to Ella for making a meaningful difference in our community!

Boys in grades K - 5, join Cub Scout Pack 85!

Scan the QR Code to learn more or register.

Friday, October 30, 2026

Open to all Hawthorn resident children - infant to 8th grade

Sponsored by the Board of Recreation

📍Roosevelt Elementary School Gym

⏱️7:00pm

Children must be accompanied by an adult

email jtenkate@hawthornenj.org with questions

🎃Halloween Dance

Get ready for a spooktacular night at our K–5 Halloween Dance on October 23rd from 7–9 PM! Enjoy music, dancing, games, and a costume contest for just $5 per child!

🏀Youth Basketball League

Basketball season is almost here at the Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne! Register your 3rd–8th grader for a fun and competitive season, with player evaluations beginning the week of November 30th!

🍂November Fun Club

School's out, but the fun doesn't stop at the Boys & Girls Club! Join us November 3rd, 5th, and 6th for exciting activities, games, and a full day of fun for grades K–8!

🏀Basketball Clinic

Get ready for basketball season with our Wednesday night clinics for boys and girls in grades 3–8! Starting October 28th, players can sharpen their skills, build confidence, and get back on the court for just $35 per player!

🎹Dueling Pianos

Join us for our 2nd Annual Dueling Pianos Night on Saturday, November 14th. An unforgettable evening of music, laughter, and high-energy entertainment! Your $65 donation includes admission, delicious hot hors d'Oeurvres, and soft drinks. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Click here for the monthly calendar of children's events