HTPS EXCELLENCE SPOTLIGHT

May has been another exciting and memorable month across Hanover Township Public Schools as we continue our march toward the finish line of the 2025–2026 school year.

A major highlight this month was the successful completion of the NJSLA assessments for students in Grades 3–8. This year marked a significant shift as the State transitioned to a new adaptive testing format, making the process an even larger undertaking than usual. I want to commend our students for their focus, perseverance, and effort throughout the testing process. I also extend my sincere thanks to our District Testing Coordinator, Mr. Stark, along with our administrative team, for their careful planning and coordination to ensure everything ran smoothly. Most importantly, thank you to our teachers for their tireless efforts throughout the year in preparing students to do their best and show what they know.

This time of year also allows our performing arts programs to truly shine. From concerts and performances to our larger ensemble showcases, it has been wonderful to see our students sharing their talents and confidence on stage. We are incredibly proud of our music teachers and all of the staff members who help bring these performances to life.

As we reflect on this past Memorial Day weekend, we continue to honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and selflessness allow our students to come to school each day to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams, while all of us can enjoy the freedoms and opportunities we so often cherish.

Tonight, we also look forward to recognizing our 2025–2026 Governor’s Educators of the Year and Excellence in Service Award recipients at the Board of Education meeting. These outstanding individuals truly represent the very best of Hanover Township Public Schools and inspire excellence each and every day. Special thanks to Mr. Camean for coordinating and leading this meaningful recognition program for our District.

With less than one month remaining in the school year, we are officially heading into the homestretch. While summer is quickly approaching, there is still so much to look forward to in the weeks ahead. Let’s savor each day, celebrate the moments that make this time of year so special, and make the most of our remaining time together before the school year comes to a close.

The last day of school will be Tuesday, June 23, with early dismissal days scheduled for June 22 and June 23. In addition, we look forward to celebrating the MJS Graduation Ceremony on Monday, June 22 at 7pm.

Students had an exciting time participating in the annual kickball game against the BMS staff! The 5th grade was divided into four teams, with each team getting the opportunity to take on the teachers in a friendly and spirited competition. While teams waited for their turn on the kickball field, students enjoyed playing volleyball games against one another, keeping the energy and excitement going throughout the event. The day was filled with laughter, teamwork, and school spirit, as students showcased their athletic skills and enthusiasm. This year, the students truly dominated the competition, completely clobbering the teachers and making the event one to remember!

As part of a special PTA Tricky Tray drawing, one lucky student earned the exciting opportunity to be the “Art Teacher for the Day!” The student stepped into the role with enthusiasm, creativity, and confidence, helping lead activities and assist classmates throughout the day. Mrs. McLaughlin shared that the student did an amazing job taking on the responsibilities of the position and truly embraced the experience.

Throughout the month of April, staff and students proudly participated in Autism Acceptance Month by taking part in a variety of themed dress-up days. These activities helped promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion while encouraging meaningful conversations about understanding and celebrating individual differences. The school community showed tremendous support and school spirit as everyone came together to recognize the importance of kindness, empathy, and acceptance for all. The themed days brought excitement and unity to the school while reinforcing the message that everyone’s uniqueness should be valued and celebrated. Bee Meadow closed out Autism Acceptance Month by decorating puzzle pieces to celebrate all of our differences, yet showing how we all belong together!

Students in the aftercare program worked together to create a beautiful quilt as a collaborative project. Each student contributed their own unique design and creativity, making every section of the quilt special and meaningful. The activity encouraged teamwork, patience, and self-expression while giving students the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents. Once completed, the quilt became a wonderful representation of the aftercare community and the creativity and cooperation of the students involved.

The Morris County Council of Education Associations (MCCEA) recently held its annual calendar contest, inviting students to create original drawings to be featured throughout the calendar year. We are proud to share that one Bee Meadow School student was selected to represent one of the months in the calendar! This recognition highlights the student’s creativity, artistic talent, and hard work. Congratulations to our talented student on this wonderful accomplishment and for representing BMS in such a meaningful way.

BMS kindergarten students had an exciting hands-on learning experience as they received a dozen eggs to observe and watch hatch throughout the course of the week. Students eagerly monitored the eggs each day, learning about the life cycle of chicks and the hatching process. The excitement grew as the chicks began to hatch, creating a memorable and engaging experience for everyone involved. Once the eggs hatched, each student had the special opportunity to gently hold a chick, making the activity both educational and unforgettable for our young learners.

The annual MJS Volleyball Tournament was a fun-filled evening that brought together school staff and former students, now in 8th grade, for a friendly and spirited competition. The event provided a wonderful opportunity for staff members to reconnect with former BMS students and celebrate the strong relationships built throughout their elementary school years. Laughter, teamwork, and school spirit filled the gym as everyone enjoyed the exciting games and positive atmosphere. A special thank you goes out to all of the BMS staff members who came out to support and participate in this memorable event. Pictured are some proud BMS alumni who enjoyed the evening and seeing their former teachers.

The annual 4th and 5th Grade Spring Concert was a wonderful showcase of our students’ musical talents and hard work. The evening featured performances by both grade-level bands, orchestras, and chorus groups, with students demonstrating the skills and confidence they have developed throughout the year. From instrumental selections to choral performances, each group entertained the audience with their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm for music. The concert was a memorable celebration of the arts and a testament to the effort of our students and music teachers in preparing such an outstanding performance.

From eggs to ducklings, our Kindergarten students experienced an unforgettable hands-on learning adventure this spring!

After weeks of patiently incubating the eggs in their classrooms, three adorable ducklings hatched on Cinco de Mayo — making the celebration even more special! With help from our school community, the ducklings were lovingly named Cocoa, Salsa, and Taco.

Over the past few weeks, the students and ducklings have become fast friends. From observing the hatching process to learning about growth, responsibility, and animal care, this experience brought learning to life in the most meaningful way. These are memories our students will carry with them for years to come.

A very special thank you to Mrs. Marrese for taking the lead on this incredible project and creating such a joyful and enriching experience for our Kindergarten students!

Our courtyard garden is growing beautifully thanks to the support of a WholeKids grant, the generosity of our MTV families, and the leadership of Mrs. Pratola and other staff!

Students across multiple grade levels have been hard at work preparing the garden beds, planting fruits and herbs, watering, and helping maintain the space throughout the season. This hands-on learning experience has given students the opportunity to connect with nature, learn about gardening and sustainability, and experience the excitement of watching their hard work grow.

Students are enjoying watching the garden grow while continuing to learn valuable lessons in responsibility, teamwork, and care for the environment. We are so proud of all of their hard work and enthusiasm!

Our Kindergarten students absolutely shined during their end-of-year Superkids Show!

Throughout the year, our students have grown tremendously as readers through the Superkids program, and this special performance was a wonderful celebration of all they have accomplished. Dressed as their favorite Superkids characters, the students delivered an adorable, energetic, and impressive performance for a large audience of proud and loving guests.

From building confidence to strengthening their reading skills, it has been incredible to watch their growth this year. We are so proud of their hard work, enthusiasm, and the joy they brought to the stage!

Featured, also, were MTV alumni … are good number of Whippany Park High School Class of 2026 members, who surprised us with a visit back to their roots. They demonstrated their MTV pride by joining our Kindergarten students, on stage at the end, to sing our MTV school song. It made for a very special memory.

Our MTV staff felt incredibly loved and appreciated during Teacher Appreciation Week!

This year’s beautiful flower-themed celebration, organized by our amazing MTV PTA, reminded us that helping children bloom is one of life’s greatest joys. Throughout the week, our staff was showered with thoughtful messages, generous treats, special gestures, and so much kindness from our school community.

We are deeply grateful to our PTA, students, and families for making the week so meaningful and memorable. Your generosity, support, and appreciation mean more than words can express. Thank you for helping our staff feel so celebrated all week long!

We are also excited to congratulate and celebrate Mrs. Lisa Clarke, our 2025–2026 Governor's Educator of the Year MTV recipient. Mrs. Clarke was completely surprised by our whole-school assembly, where students were able to guess, through a series of clues, our winner. The honor is well deserved and was applauded by our entire school community.

Third grade students are beginning an exciting journey as they explore their instrument options for next year! They recently attended an engaging assembly with Mrs. White, where they had the opportunity to see and hear each instrument up close and learn what each one sounds like.

This introduction helps students make thoughtful choices as they prepare for their next musical adventure. Students will then have the chance to try instruments firsthand at “Meet the Instruments Night” on Monday, June 1 at 6pm at MJS. All third grade students are invited to attend this free and fun event as they take their next step into the world of music!

Our fourth and fifth grade orchestra, band, and choral students truly shined in a wonderful showcase of music and growth!

The performance highlighted just how far our students have come this year. They looked and sounded fantastic, performing with energy, excitement, and confidence as they shared their hard work with families and guests.

We are deeply grateful to our talented music teachers for their dedication, guidance, and passion in preparing and inspiring our young musicians throughout the year. Their commitment is evident in every performance.

A special thank you as well to MJS for the use of the auditorium—a beautiful space that allows our students to shine on stage and experience the joy of live performance.

Congratulations to our select Grade 3, 4, and 5 students from MTV, BMS, and SDS who participated in the national online Perennial Math competition! Students worked collaboratively to solve challenging math problems as quickly and accurately as possible, showcasing their critical thinking, perseverance, and teamwork. We are so proud of their hard work, determination, and outstanding efforts — they did a fantastic job representing our schools!

Our MTV staff volleyball team was proud to participate in the MJS 8th Grade Volleyball Tournament for Charity! It was such a fun experience to play alongside — and against — many of our former students while supporting a great cause.

What an exciting day at the District Elementary Spelling Bee hosted by our Coordinated Services Team at Memorial Junior School!

After winning their individual school spelling bees, six representatives from each elementary school came together to compete for bragging rights and possession of the coveted spelling bee trophy. We are proud to share that Mountview Road School once again earned first place and will retain the championship trophy!

Featured are our fifth grade district champion, along with the two impressive runners-up — a fifth grader from MTV and a fourth grader from BMS. We are incredibly proud of all of the students who participated and amazed by their outstanding spelling skills, confidence, and perseverance throughout the competition.

Also featured are some fun moments from the celebratory welcome parade as Mountview students and staff cheered on our champions when they returned home. It was a wonderful way to celebrate this exciting accomplishment together!

Congratulations to our MTV first and third grade students who were recognized as class leaders for helping our school earn recognition as a monthly state champion through Prodigy! 🎉

Prodigy is an engaging online math platform that combines learning with adventure-style gaming, motivating students to strengthen their math skills while having fun. Our students earned this recognition by answering the most questions correctly, demonstrating outstanding dedication and perseverance.

While Prodigy is used during the school day, much of this impressive practice took place independently at home — a true reflection of our students’ hard work and commitment to learning. As a reward, students received exciting Prodigy swag including stickers, bracelets, and trinkets, while also earning the opportunity to compete nationally for additional prizes and potential technology grants for our school.

We are so proud of our students for their enthusiasm, determination, and academic success! Hard work truly does add up to success!

Congratulations to our 4th and 5th Grade Orchestra, Band, and Chorus students on a wonderful Spring Concert! It was a special night for our performers, and we are so proud of their hard work, talent, and dedication. Kudos to Mr. Pomel, our vocal music teacher, and Mrs. White, our instrumental music teacher, for preparing our students and helping them shine.

The Hanover Township Public Schools Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Service recognition program celebrates outstanding staff members who make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and contribute so much to our school communities.

This year, Salem Drive School is proud to recognize Mrs. Protasiewicz, Grade 1 Teacher, as our Teacher of the Year, and Mrs. Millichap, Special Education Aide, as our Excellence in Service recipient. We are grateful for their dedication, kindness, and many contributions to our school community, and we look forward to seeing them formally recognized at the May 26 Board of Education Meeting.

Our Kindergarten students had a wonderful hands-on learning experience through our Kindergarten Chicks program. Students learned about the life cycle of a chick, observed the hatching process, and developed a deeper understanding of how living things grow and change. This special program sparked curiosity, excitement, and meaningful conversations as our youngest learners connected their classroom learning to the world around them.

Our Kindergarten students did a wonderful job shining on stage during The Kindergarten Show! Our young learners shared a beautiful message about family, our school family, working together, and being all you can be. We are especially proud of the message of unity, kindness, and care for one another that they shared so beautifully. Their smiles, voices, and confidence made the performance extra special, and we are so proud of the heart and joy they brought to this memorable event.

Thank you to all of our Salem Drive families for helping make Teacher Appreciation Week so special. Your generosity, support, and genuine care for our staff were felt throughout the entire week.

A special thank you to our wonderful PTA and Teacher Appreciation Committee for planning such a thoughtful and memorable celebration. From the creative themes to the special treats and daily surprises, every detail helped show our teachers and staff how much they are valued and appreciated.

It was truly a special week for our Salem Drive Family!

Thank you to our Student Council members for helping clean up our school grounds and make Salem Drive look its best in preparation for our upcoming Fun Day. We are proud of them for showing the important character education traits of responsibility and citizenship while taking care of our school community.

Congratulations to all grade levels for showing their school pride during our Student Council Color Wars! Students came together in their respective colors for a fun and friendly competition filled with creativity, enthusiasm, and Jaguar spirit. Thank you to our Student Council for leading the way, and congratulations to our 5th graders for winning the contest and earning an extra recess period!

Our SDS Volleyball Team represented Salem Drive School with pride while competing in the Memorial Junior School 8th Grade Volleyball Tournament. We thank MJS for hosting such a wonderful event and are grateful for the opportunity to participate alongside district staff and 8th graders, including some of our former Salem Drive students. It was truly a special day for a great cause!

Congratulations to Salem Drive School for winning the trophy in the Hanover Township Public Schools dress down contest supporting the HTEA Scholarship Fund! We are proud of our staff for participating in this friendly district competition for such a meaningful cause. Kudos to the HTEA for their continued support of our students and for helping provide scholarship opportunities for MJS graduates.

Thank you to our students in Grades 3-5 for taking pride in their school community and showing ownership through the “Hopes for Hanover - Wishes for Whippany” contest. Our Grade 3 students made a grade-level quilt, Grade 4 students wrote poetry, and Grade 5 students created posters to celebrate their community.

We are proud of our students for recognizing the important role they play in making their community a great place to live, learn, and be a part of.

PACT students stepped into the world of law and civic responsibility during a hands-on visit to the New Jersey Law Center for the You Be the Jury event, where they experienced mock trial winning cases from this year’s state competition. Serving as jurors, students actively engaged in evaluating real-world scenarios and courtroom presentations, deepening their understanding of the legal system and the role of civic participation. The experience provided a fascinating and meaningful extension of classroom learning, bringing concepts of justice and civic responsibility to life in an authentic setting.

MJS spring sports include boys baseball, girls softball, and boys and girls track and field, with student-athletes continuing to demonstrate commitment, teamwork, and school pride throughout the season. Boys baseball and girls softball both concluded their seasons last week following hard-fought efforts in the Morris County Tournament, where both teams battled competitively against strong opponents. Meanwhile, the track and field teams are now focused on preparing for the upcoming championship meet on June 1, continuing to build momentum as they train and refine performances for a strong finish to the spring season.

Students, staff, and families filled Memorial Junior School on Friday night for the annual 8th Grade vs. Faculty Volleyball Tournament, an event that combines spirited competition with a meaningful fundraiser supporting clean drinking water initiatives in rural Tanzania through the Maji Movement. Eighth grade students took the court in teams that faced off against faculty and administrators from Memorial Junior School and Hanover Township elementary schools, with strong student participation and school pride on full display throughout the evening. In an exciting finish, the 8th grade boys team, Yahoo’s Minions, captured the championship title after defeating the Salem Drive faculty team, capping off a night that highlighted teamwork, energy, and a shared commitment to service learning and global impact.

On Tuesday, May 5, MJS proudly recognized Tyler Sorresse as this year’s recipient of the Morris County Middle School Leadership Award at a ceremony held at the Hanover Manor. Sponsored by the Morris County Association of School Administrators, this prestigious honor is awarded to one eighth grade student from each middle school across Morris County and celebrates exceptional leadership, character, and service. Tyler was celebrated alongside fellow honorees from across the county for consistently demonstrating integrity, responsibility, and a strong commitment to his school community.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this year’s theme, More Good Days Together, is focused on fostering connection, optimism, and a supportive school environment. Each Friday in May during lunch, students have had the opportunity to write responses to positive prompts on paper strips, sharing messages of encouragement, gratitude, and kindness. These strips will then be linked together to create a growing chain displayed in the school, serving as a visual reminder of the uplifting words and collective positivity of the MJS community.

MJS proudly hosted its Spring Choral and Orchestra Concert and Spring Band Concert during the month of May, showcasing the incredible talent, growth, and dedication of our student musicians. The performances reflected the countless hours of practice and hard work students invested throughout the school year, resulting in an evening of outstanding music and school pride. For many of our 7th and 8th grade performers, the concerts also served as a final tune-up as they prepare to represent MJS at the annual Music in the Parks Adjudication later this month.

As shared during the recent 2026–2027 Budget Presentation, the district is planning to offer a subscription busing program beginning next school year. This change is connected to a proposed revision to Board Policy #8600 – Transportation, which increases the transportation eligibility requirement from 1.5 miles to 2 miles (excluding hazardous routes).

Some students who currently receive courtesy busing may no longer be eligible for district-provided transportation beginning in September 2026. Families impacted by the proposed change in eligibility requirements will be notified by June 1.

To continue supporting families who may still wish to utilize district transportation services, the district plans to offer subscription busing, provided space is available on an existing route. In addition, the program will also be open to families who are otherwise not eligible for transportation services.

Subscription rates are as follows:

• 1 child: $700
• 2 children: $900
• More than 2 children: $1,000

Additional information regarding enrollment procedures, payment details, and program specifics will be shared with families in the coming weeks.

Follow us! We're excited that Hanover Township Public Schools is now officially on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

We'll be sharing positive stories that highlight student and staff accomplishments, school events, and day-to-day moments that make our schools so special. These platforms will offer our community a closer look at the great work happening every day across the district.

Please follow the accounts, celebrate alongside us, and help spread the good news by liking, commenting, and sharing posts. Feel free to tag us in your posts from school events!

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

Over the past several months, Hanover Township Public Schools has been working diligently to transition to a new Student Information System (SIS), Genesis. As the leading SIS platform used throughout New Jersey, Genesis is fully aligned with New Jersey state reporting requirements and offers strong integration, communication, and data management tools to better support our schools and families.

Families will receive additional information before the end of the school year regarding account setup and login credentials. In addition, our annual “Return to School” forms will be completed through the Genesis Parent Portal beginning in August 2026.

Additional support resources and guidance will be provided over the summer to help ensure a smooth transition for families.

Please stay tuned for additional email communications and updates with important information and instructions related to this transition in the coming weeks.

A special thank-you to our Director of Technology, Mr. Michael Falgares, for his leadership and coordination in helping move this important initiative forward.

Our Implementation Team met again this month to finalize the Year 1 action plan ahead of the 2026-2027 school year, which will begin the important work toward achieving our 5-year plan.

If you would like to learn more about the process, you can visit our Strategic Planning page on the District's website. We will be presenting the finalized plan to the public at a future Board of Education meeting.

The future of HTPS is bright!

Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is still open for Kindergarten!

If your child turns five (5) years old on or before October 1, 2026, they are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten for September 2026. Parents/guardians can access and complete the online pre-registration and learn more about the process by visiting our District Website.*Available for your review is the HTPS BOE policy on Entrance Age (Policy #5112).

If you know a neighbor or community member with a child eligible for Kindergarten or Preschool in September 2026, please help spread the word. Thank you for supporting our growing HTPS community!

Tuesday, May 26

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Tuesday, June 16

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Sunday, June 21

Father's Day

Monday, June 22

Early Dismissal

Elementary @ 12:45pm

MJS @ 12:15pm

Monday, June 22

MJS Graduation @ 7pm

MJS Auditorium

*Ticketed Event*

Tuesday, June 23

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

Early Dismissal

Elementary @ 12:45pm

MJS @ 12:15pm

Friday, June 26

Extended School Year (ESY) Begins

Bee Meadow School

Monday, June 29

Camp HTSACC Begins

Memorial Junior School