HTPS EXCELLENCE SPOTLIGHT

It’s hard to believe we are already nearly two months into the school year, and what a ride it has been! Routines are becoming easier, expectations are established, and our classrooms are buzzing with top-notch learning experiences. Day after day, our teachers are helping students Learn with Purpose. Foster Curiosity. Build Character. while bringing Excellence in Action to life across HTPS.

October has also provided many opportunities to reinforce the importance of making positive choices and caring for one another through the Week of Respect, School Violence Awareness Week, and Red Ribbon Week. And we’re not done yet! We look forward to capping off the month with some spooktacular Halloween festivities later this week.

As we continue moving HTPS forward, I am grateful for the Board of Education’s continued support and commitment to our schools. We recognize that meaningful change is a process, and sometimes that process can come with a few bumps along the way. But we are moving full speed ahead as we bring our Strategic Plan to life and continue building an even stronger future for our district.

Most importantly, thank you to our families for your partnership, trust, and investment in your child’s educational journey, and to our teachers, staff, and administrators who continue to go above and beyond for our students each and every day.

Two months in, the momentum is building. Let’s keep putting Excellence in Action!

Mrs. Healy’s class enjoyed a fun-filled fall activity right in front of the school! The students went apple picking and then got creative by using their apples to paint colorful and festive artwork. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the season while learning, creating, and having fun together!

As part of our Week of Respect celebration, Bee Meadow students put character into action by decorating our walkways and blacktop with colorful, uplifting messages inspired by the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Through creativity, collaboration, and school spirit, our students transformed our school grounds into a vibrant reminder of the values that make Bee Meadow a truly TRFCC (Terrific) School!

As part of this activity, students were paired across grade levels: fifth grade with kindergarten, fourth grade with second grade, and third grade with first grade. Working with their partners, students discussed the meaning of tolerance before listening to a read-aloud of The Judgmental Flower by Julia Cook. Following the story, partners worked together to select washable marker colors to decorate coffee filters, which they transformed into flowers and butterflies. After spritzing the filters with water, students watched as the colors blended together to create beautiful, unique designs. The finished flowers and butterflies will be displayed on a garden bulletin board, celebrating the beauty of our differences and the importance of tolerance, kindness, and working together.

Students strengthened and applied their math skills through an engaging game of Capture the Flag. Working through a series of math task cards, students were challenged to solve problems accurately and demonstrate their understanding of the concepts being practiced. Each time a student correctly solved a task card, they earned a flag, adding an element of friendly competition and motivation to the learning experience. This interactive activity encouraged students to think critically, apply problem-solving strategies, and take ownership of their learning while providing an opportunity to reinforce math skills in an enjoyable and collaborative environment.

One of the most exciting things happening in our fifth-grade classroom is the growing enthusiasm for reading! During reading instruction, students regularly listen to engaging mentor texts as their teachers model fluent, expressive reading. A student volunteer, taking on the role of teacher during a read-aloud, demonstrates student leadership, ownership of learning, and active engagement. The student has an opportunity to model fluent reading, guide classmates through the text, ask questions, and facilitate discussion to support comprehension.

Bee Meadow fifth-grade students partnered with their kindergarten buddies for a fun and engaging reading experience! This special activity provided our youngest learners with an opportunity to enjoy stories alongside positive role models while helping our fifth graders develop leadership skills and a love of reading. Through shared stories, conversation, and meaningful connections, students across grade levels strengthened their reading skills, built friendships, and created lasting memories. Our Reading Buddies program is a wonderful reminder that learning is even more meaningful when we learn together!

As part of our Week of Respect celebration, Bee Meadow students put the pillar of Citizenship into action by participating in Student Council elections. Students listened to speeches from their peers and thoughtfully considered each candidate before casting their votes for the individuals they felt would best represent their classmates and school community. This experience provided an opportunity to practice responsible decision-making, respect different perspectives, and understand the importance of having a voice in the election process. Through this meaningful activity, students learned that good citizenship involves being informed, making thoughtful choices, and contributing positively to their school community.

Feeling Lucky to Read! Our Kindergarten students were all ears (and dancing feet!) during their first author assembly with Miss Jolie, who shared her book, Searching for Good Luck. Thank you to the MTV PTA for making this memorable event possible and for helping build excitement about reading.

In Mrs. Pratola’s computer lab, MTV students of all ages are proving that great problem solvers are great teammates. Under her skilled direction, students in various grades tackled tricky STEM challenges that called for teamwork, clear communication, and laser focus.

Using everyday activities as their starting point, our young engineers learned that the best solutions rarely come from working alone. Whether they were debugging, building, or brainstorming, they listened to each other, shared ideas, and kept trying until everything clicked (no error messages required!).

Team building is at the heart of computer science and STEM, and our MTV students are building skills that will take them far. Great work, Mountview, you’re really wired for success!

Mountview Road School was buzzing with kindness during Week of Respect, thanks to the hard work of school counselor Mrs. Desai, who planned a week of activities built around our six traits of good character. Our students didn’t just talk about respect; they lived it!

The Chalk Walk turned our sidewalks into a canvas of positive messages, and spirit days brought the fun. Students wore yellow to follow the golden rule, blue and white to show off our MTV colors, and mismatched outfits to prove that being different is something to celebrate. Across grade levels, students teamed up for a read-aloud and art activity and a social game, making new friends along the way. At lunch, our Dicebreaker activity encouraged everyone to mix it up and sit with someone new.

The message rang out loud and clear: include others, treat people with respect, and do your part to make our MTV community great. Mountview, you rolled the dice on kindness, and everybody won!

Get ready to stack, sprint, and strategize! Students put their teamwork and fitness skills to the test in our Double Track Cup Stack Challenge. Working together, students raced around the track while taking turns stacking cups to build the tallest tower possible. Students had to communicate, encourage their partners, and make quick decisions while balancing speed with accuracy. This energetic activity was a great way to combine teamwork, cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and problem-solving into one exciting PE challenge!

Service with Spirit! MTV fifth graders, joined by parent volunteers, spent a beautiful day cleaning up Malapardis Park. Trading pencils for gloves and garbage bags, the students made a difference in their community and strengthened their bonds as a class. Back at school, another group of volunteers stayed after hours to assemble Boo Bags for the fifth grade fundraiser, which supports their end-of-year festivities. A spooktacular time was had by all!

Hot Stop: Kindergarten Edition! Our youngest firefighters-in-training had a fantastic time on their first field trip to the Cedar Knolls Fire Department. After learning about fire safety in school, they got hands-on with the real experts, and the excitement was off the charts! Thank you to our fire department friends for being such wonderful community connections.

September spirit day at MTV was a sea of blue and white! Students arrived decked out in their favorite MTV gear, and the pride was impossible to miss. From the hallways to the playground, our Mountview Eagles wore their school spirit loud and proud.

Our school song says it best: Mountview students are the best! Raising the banner of blue and white, our students showed what it means to be part of the MTV family and to pledge to do what’s right. Every smile, every spirit shirt, and every cheer proved that this community knows how to show up for each other.

Thank you, students, for bringing the school spirit and making our building a little bluer and a lot brighter. Go MTV!

Campaign season came to MTV in early October, and our Student Council Elections were a hit! Fourth and fifth graders had the chance to compete for four positions: President, Vice President, Spokesperson, and Corresponding Secretary. With guidance from our Student Council Advisors, Mr. Pomel and Mrs. Reynolds, students learned how the election process works, and those who were interested tossed their hats in the ring.

Candidates got right to work creating persuasive posters that were hard to miss and writing speeches to share their vision for our school. Then came the big moment: delivering those speeches in front of our third, fourth, and fifth grade students. Standing up in front of your peers takes real courage, and our candidates did it with poise. After the speeches, students headed to the polls to cast their votes.

Every single candidate did an amazing job, and we are so proud of them for putting themselves out there. When it comes to courage and leadership, they are all winners! Congratulations to everyone who ran, and thank you to our voters for making their voices heard. The future of student leadership at MTV is looking bright!

Our MTV classrooms had a special guest this month: district literacy coach Cindy Healy! Cindy works with students and teachers across grades K-5, and her visits are always student-centered, so the learning (and the fun) stays front and center.

Our Kindergarten and second grade students were captivated during interactive read alouds, where they got to think, talk, and jump right into the story. Cindy also spent time with our fourth grade students and staff, sharing ideas that bring reading to life through guided reading. Along the way, she offers our teachers helpful literacy and pedagogical tips they can use long after she’s headed to her next classroom.

We are always happy to have Cindy at MTV, and our students enjoy every visit. Thank you, Cindy, for helping us write a great story of literacy success, one page at a time!

Our youngest MTV students had some very special visitors this month: Whippany Park High School’s Interact Club! Many of these high schoolers are MTV alumni, and it was a joy to see our former students, all grown up, walking the halls of their old school once again.

The Interact Club members began with a presentation for our Kindergarten and First grade students about the importance of helping others in our community. Then it was time to get creative! Students and high schoolers sat side by side coloring Color a Smile posters, which will be shared with others in need to brighten their day. Lots of crayons, lots of smiles, and plenty of kindness went into every one.

It was heartwarming to see the positive connections between our oldest and youngest students, and our little learners clearly looked up to their big-kid role models. Community connections like these are important, and they are always welcomed at MTV. Thank you, Interact Club, for coloring our day and spreading smiles far beyond our walls!

The MTV PTA Fall Book Fair was a page-turner! Our PTA volunteers partnered with Scholastic to bring a fun and diverse selection of books to our school, and students had a blast browsing the shelves in search of their next great read.

We are so lucky to have such wonderful volunteer participation. Parents were on hand to lend a helping hand, answer questions, and help our students find just the right book. Every student left with a book and a smile, which is the best kind of happy ending.

Reading is so important, and events like this remind us why. They give our students access to books and help spark a love of reading that lasts a lifetime. Thank you, MTV PTA and all of our volunteers, for helping our students find their next adventure. We can’t wait to see what chapter comes next!

On October 23, the MTV parking lot transformed into a Halloween wonderland! With over 25 themed trunks, each one more creative than the last, our students and families had a frighteningly good time. Costumes were on full display, and our students looked absolutely fantastic.

More than 200 guests joined the fun, trying their luck at the duck hunt and collecting candy and other treats. The weather cooperated beautifully, the mood was festive, and the smiles were everywhere you looked.

We are so lucky to have the support of the Whippany Park High School Interact Club, who pitched in in so many ways. Many of these helpful high schoolers are former MTV students, and it was great to see them back in the building (well, the parking lot) lending a hand. Additionally, we are grateful to the various community sponsors who provided candy and prizes.

Thank you to our amazing MTV PTA and all the trunk participants who made this night so special. It was Halloween fun at its best, and I have a feeling some are already plotting next year’s trunk! Boo-yah, Mountview!

Our fifth graders have been putting their engineering skills to the test! As part of their technology and engineering studies, students explored the science behind air resistance and drag by designing, building, and testing their very own parachutes. Working within specific time and material constraints, students used creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to bring their designs to life. These young engineers really soared!

What an incredible week celebrating RESPECT at Salem Drive School! From our Social Afternoon and Chalk Walk of Respect to Mix It Up at Lunch, students enjoyed meaningful opportunities to connect, build friendships, and celebrate the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. We also came together for a special whole-school assembly, where students learned how our very own mascot, Jagger, Chooses Respect! A huge thank you to our wonderful school counselor, Mrs. Jacobson, and our entire staff for making this week so special and leading by example each and every day. We are incredibly proud of our students for showing that respect isn't just something we talk about—it's something we put into action! Way to go, Salem Drive!

Election Day came to Salem Drive as our students experienced the democratic process firsthand through our Student Council Elections! From campaigning and sharing ideas to casting their votes at our very own polling location, students learned valuable lessons about leadership, civic responsibility, and the importance of having a voice. A huge thank you to our wonderful Student Council advisors, Mrs. Carey and Ms. Murphy, for organizing this incredible experience, and to Mr. Cashen for his assistance! A special shoutout to our amazing parent volunteers for transforming our space into an authentic polling location and helping everything run smoothly on Election Day. It was truly a memorable experience, and we couldn't be prouder of our students for the incredible school spirit, enthusiasm, and respect they demonstrated throughout the process. Democracy was alive and well at Salem Drive!

What an incredible evening bringing our Salem Drive families together for our PTA Block Party! From dancing and enjoying great music to relaxing with a movie under the stars, it was a wonderful night filled with laughter, friendship, and school spirit! It was especially heartwarming to see some of our former Salem Drive students stop by to reconnect and join in the fun! Once part of the Salem Drive family, always part of the Salem Drive family! A special shoutout to Peppy Pomel and Crazy Cashen for keeping the energy high and the music playing! Most importantly, a HUGE thank you to our amazing Salem Drive PTA for making this memorable evening possible. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to bringing our families together are what make our Salem Drive community so special. There's nothing better than spending time together as one big Salem Drive family!

What a spooktacular celebration with our Salem Drive families! Our Trunk or Treat was filled with creativity, excitement, and plenty of Halloween spirit! We were absolutely blown away by the imagination, effort, and dedication our families put into decorating their trunks. From spooky surprises to clever themes, each trunk was truly something special! A big congratulations to our trunk contest winners and a huge thank you to EVERY family who helped make this event such a success! Of course, a special thank you to our incredible Salem Drive PTA for bringing our school community together for another unforgettable evening of treats, laughter, and fun. Our Salem Drive families truly make the magic happen!

Our third graders became budding scientists as they explored the fascinating world of seeds! During this hands-on science investigation, students examined seeds found inside different fruits, carefully observing and comparing their size, shape, color, and other physical properties. Through thoughtful discussions, students shared their observations, identified similarities and differences, and discovered that seeds come in all shapes and sizes! This engaging investigation encouraged curiosity, critical thinking, and scientific exploration while giving students an opportunity to learn through firsthand experiences. What a wonderful way to plant the seeds of curiosity.

Our Salem Drive fourth graders made a splash as they put their scientific thinking and investigative skills to the test! Working collaboratively, students explored how water interacts with different materials and surfaces. Using droppers, our young scientists carefully observed what happened when water came into contact with waxed paper, writing paper, aluminum foil, and paper towels. Through hands-on experimentation, thoughtful discussions, and careful observations, students discovered that some materials absorb water while others repel it! This engaging investigation encouraged curiosity, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving as students explored science in action. Who knew a few drops of water could lead to so much learning?

Safety is always a top priority at Salem Drive School! All of our students recently participated in bus evacuation drills, providing an important opportunity to learn and practice safe bus behavior and proper emergency evacuation procedures. Students reviewed the importance of following directions, remaining calm, and being prepared in the event of an emergency. These hands-on experiences help build confidence and reinforce the importance of making safe, responsible choices when riding the bus. A huge thank you to our Director of Transportation, Mr. Santiago, and our dedicated transportation team for helping ensure our students are informed, prepared, and safe! At Salem Drive, safety is everyone's responsibility!

What a wonderful day of kindness, compassion, and giving back at Salem Drive! We were thrilled to welcome members of Whippany Park High School's Interact Club and their advisor, Mr. Shore, who visited our kindergarten and first-grade students to share the importance of helping others and making a positive difference in our community. Together, our students participated in a special Color A Smile activity, creating cheerful, colorful pictures to brighten someone's day and spread a little happiness! It was especially heartwarming to see some of our very own former Salem Drive students return, all grown up and serving as wonderful role models for our youngest learners. A huge thank you to Mr. Shore and the Interact Club for reminding us that you're never too young to make a difference, and even the smallest acts of kindness can bring the biggest smiles!

Our Salem Drive students continue to shine as they demonstrate what it truly means to be TRRFCC! Whether it's showing kindness, lending a helping hand, including others, or simply making good choices, these everyday actions make a BIG difference in our school community! We are incredibly proud of our students who have been Caught Being TRRFCC and recognized for going above and beyond to set a positive example for others. A special thank you to our entire staff for continually encouraging, modeling, and celebrating these important character traits!

The first full week of October brought our annual Week of Respect to MJS. Students and staff participated in daily spirit days designed to promote kindness, inclusion, and respect for others. From wearing yellow to celebrate the Golden Rule and team apparel to show that we are all on the same team, to comfy clothes representing comfort and kindness, hats to put a lid on bullying, and blue or MJS apparel to show unity, our school community came together to send an important message. Throughout the week, we reminded our students that respect is more than what we say. It is reflected in how we treat others every day. Thank you to our School Climate and Safety Committee for helping organize the week's activities and to our students and staff for showing their Viking pride while spreading a little extra kindness throughout MJS.

Our 6th graders had an amazing time on their Outdoor Education Trip. A total of 130 students, 36 parent chaperones, and 15 staff members made the trip a success. Despite a little rain, the weather did not dampen anyone's spirits! Students had the opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, work together, build friendships, and create lasting memories with their classmates and teachers. A trip like this takes a tremendous amount of planning and teamwork, and we are grateful to our parent chaperones and staff members who helped make this experience possible. It was a fantastic few days filled with adventure, laughter, and plenty of fun for our sixth-grade students.

As our students begin thinking about the next step in their educational journey, we were excited to welcome representatives from Morris County Vocational School District and Whippany Park High School to MJS. Both seventh and eighth graders had the opportunity to learn more about the programs, courses, and experiences available to them as they prepare for high school. These conversations give students an opportunity to explore their interests, ask questions, and begin thinking about the many possibilities that lie ahead. We are fortunate to have such outstanding educational opportunities available to our students and look forward to supporting them as they take this exciting next step.

Fall is a great time of year to get outside, enjoy the beautiful weather, and compete for MJS! Our Vikings were busy this season participating in boys and girls soccer, field hockey, and boys and girls cross country. Whether competing on the field or running the course, our student-athletes had the opportunity to challenge themselves, work together, and experience the excitement of our sports program. We are proud of our students for their hard work, teamwork, and school spirit. We wish them the best of luck as they compete in their season-ending tournaments.

On Columbus Day, our staff came together for a districtwide professional development day centered on Inclusive Practices, Exceptional Outcomes. The day’s learning directly aligned with goals identified within the Teaching & Learning portion of our district’s Strategic Plan and our continued commitment to strengthening instructional practices and creating learning environments where all students have the opportunity to thrive.

Teachers participated in sessions focused on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and Tier 1 Supports and Inclusive Mindset and Co-Teaching. Through these sessions, staff explored practical strategies for proactively addressing diverse learning needs, strengthening core instruction, and building inclusive classroom environments designed to support all learners.

We were also pleased to have many of our paraprofessionals participate in the day’s professional learning. As part of their experience, they engaged in a breakout session with our district’s Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) focused on strategies and best practices for supporting students. The session also provided an opportunity for our paraprofessionals to ask questions, collaborate, and gain additional tools and resources to help them in the important work they do with students each day.

Staff also had dedicated time for professional responsibilities, including lesson planning, professional development plans, required training, and the review of benchmark and student data—providing an opportunity to connect the day’s learning with ongoing instructional planning and student needs.

Our professional learning continues well beyond dedicated PD days through our ongoing literacy coaching initiative. Coaching and classroom support for our Grades 3–5 teachers continues to build momentum, providing opportunities for collaboration, reflection, modeling, and job-embedded professional learning. As this work progresses, we have also begun shifting our focus to Grades K–2, expanding this support and continuing to strengthen literacy instruction and alignment across our elementary schools.

We are grateful for the continued commitment of our teachers, paraprofessionals, and staff to learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Through intentional professional learning and a shared focus on inclusive practices, we continue working toward the exceptional outcomes we envision for every student.

*Please note that the calendar reflects the revised version that was Board-approved in August 2026.

Our Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) offers a welcoming opportunity for parents and caregivers of students with disabilities to connect, share ideas, ask questions, and provide input on our district's special education programs and services.

SEPAG serves as a collaborative bridge between families and the school district, promoting communication, understanding, and continued improvement of special education services. Whether you are new to special education or have been navigating the process for years, your voice and perspective are valuable.

We invite all interested parents and caregivers to join us at our next SEPAG meeting on 11/24/26 at 5:30pm.. Come meet other families, learn more about special education in our district, and share your thoughts and questions. Our group is twofold. We connect families to support one another and provide feedback to the district on our programming. You can participate by joining the parent training series or contacting Mrs. Koeppen (sherry.koeppen@htboe.org) to join our HTPS group.

Are you following Hanover Township Public Schools on social media? Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see Excellence in Action across our schools!

Throughout the year, we'll share student and staff accomplishments, school events, important updates, and everyday moments that showcase the great things happening throughout HTPS.

Follow along, join the celebration, and help us spread the good news by liking, commenting, sharing, and tagging us in your posts from school events!

Stay connected—there's so much to celebrate! #HanoverTwpSchools #HanoverProud

Q: What is state aid, and how would it offset local costs?

A: If voters approve the Jan. 26 referendum, New Jersey would contribute approximately $23.7 million in state aid, covering about 34% of the total project cost.

All projects qualified for the maximum amount of state aid available under the current state funding formula.

Hanover Township residents already contribute to this funding through state taxes. Voter approval is required to bring these dollars back to Hanover Township Public Schools and apply them toward the proposed improvements.

Learn more about referendum funding at www.hanovertwpschools.com/referendum/financials.

We also invite all community members to join us at our upcoming referendum information sessions:

• Virtual Forum via Zoom: Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.

• In-Person Forum and Building Tour: Jan. 6 at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Friday, October 30

Halloween Observed

Saturday, October 31

Halloween

Sunday, November 1

Daylight Saving Time Ends

Monday, November 2 – Wednesday, November 4

Elementary Fall Conferences

Early Dismissal (Elementary Only @ 12:45pm)

Tuesday, November 3

Election Day

Thursday, November 5 – Friday, November 6

Schools Closed - NJEA Convention

Wednesday, November 11

Veterans Day

Tuesday, November 24

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Wednesday, November 25

Early Dismissal - Thanksgiving Break

Elementary @ 12:45pm

MJS @ 12:15pm

Thursday, November 26 – Friday, November 27

District Closed - Thanksgiving Break

Tuesday, December 1

Bond Referendum Virtual Community Forum @ 6-7:30pm

*Stay tuned for the Zoom link*