Winter e-Newsletter

Roosevelt School’s pajama drive was a wonderful success, resulting in the donation of 188 new pairs of pajamas to Clara Maass Medical Center, a trusted hospital serving families across our region. This initiative brought comfort to children and families who needed it most and gave our students a meaningful way to give back as a school community. We are especially grateful to The Women’s Club of Arlington EMD, The Women’s Club of Arlington Daytime Division, and the Alpha Delta Kappa sorority for their generous support, and we thank all participants for their kindness and contributions in helping keep our families warm this winter season.

Roosevelt School students, guided by Mrs. Pabst and Mrs. Nolan, have been engaged in meaningful, hands-on learning focused on environmental stewardship. Sixth-grade students wrapped up their study of water systems and pollution by partnering with the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission (PVSC) for a cleanup along the Passaic River, collecting 12 bags of trash. Students also examined microorganisms in partially treated wastewater under a microscope to gain a deeper understanding of how water is cleaned and safely returned to the environment. Additionally, students in grades 4 through 6 attended an assembly led by Mr. Brooks from PVSC on the Passaic River Restoration Program.

These efforts continued through January with a school wide recycling initiative launched in partnership with the Kearny High School S.A.V.E. Club. Students in grades 4 through 6 worked to collect plastic as part of a goal to earn a recycled plastic bench for the school and support Roosevelt’s journey toward EcoSchools certification. To build momentum, Roosevelt School held a recycling contest during December and January, recognizing students who demonstrated outstanding commitment.

Together, Roosevelt School and Kearny High School have collected more than 500 pounds of plastic, proving that when students learn about environmental responsibility, they are ready to take action.

Mrs. Humphrey and 10 Schuyler KEEP students joined Lincoln Middle School’s Digital Literacy & Communication class for a hands-on media experience. LMS student mentors guided the Schuyler students in recording podcasts, filming interviews, and creating social media videos.

The collaboration gave Schuyler students a chance to explore new media skills in a real-world setting, while also learning from older peers. The experience highlighted the power of mentorship and creative teamwork across schools.

Washington School is proud to celebrate the success of our English language learners on the MODEL Assessment, an evaluation of students’ English language proficiency. More than 20 students successfully passed this important exam, demonstrating their hard work, perseverance, and continued growth in language development.

This achievement reflects the strong support students receive through Washington School’s hybrid ESL/Bilingual model and the dedication of our ESL and bilingual teaching team: Ms. Varela, Mrs. Parreiras, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Onnembo, and Mrs. Spang. Their commitment to supporting students academically and linguistically plays a vital role in this success.

Washington's 3rd and 4th graders brought the holiday spirit to life through the 5th annual Thanksgiving Eve Balloon Parade on November 26th. This beloved tradition continues to be a highlight of the school year, with students and staff enjoying the festive atmosphere and creative balloon displays. Principal Adamski and Assistant Principal Ruiz were on hand to spectate the exciting event, while Mr. Burzynski captured behind-the-scenes moments for everyone to enjoy. The parade culminated with a special visit from Santa, delighting all the young participants. This event showcases the wonderful community spirit that makes Washington School special.

Check out the video from the event here:

The PBSIS Team sponsored an innovative Prismatic Magic Program that combined science, technology, art, and music to address bullying prevention. Through stunning laser visuals and interactive messages, students learned to recognize bullying both in person and online. The engaging presentation helped reinforce the importance of positive character and respectful behavior. Students left the assembly understanding their role in creating a safe and inclusive school environment. This creative approach to character education made a lasting impression on our entire school community.

Beginning in the fall and continuing into the winter season, Garfield School students have been lighting up the school with the fun and engaging tradition of Flashlight Fridays: a creative twist on reading and connection that has become a highlight of the week for many grade levels. During these special events, lights are dimmed and students bring flashlights to enjoy books, stories, and seasonal literature together in a cozy, shared setting that sparks excitement for literacy and learning.

Flashlight Fridays have brought multiple grade levels together in meaningful ways, from Mrs. Gerbasio’s and Mrs. Isabella’s 6th graders reading holiday stories with kindergarten students to older students serving as role models for younger learners in collaborative reading activities. These shared experiences have helped build friendships across grades, fostered a love of reading, and given teachers a fun platform to strengthen classroom community and motivation. Students look forward to these Friday events as a chance to unwind with a good book, connect with peers, and enjoy the playful atmosphere created by their teachers’ creativity and enthusiasm. 🔦🤝📖

At Franklin School this December, students, staff, and community members came together to spread joy throughout the holiday season. Our Junior Peers, Student Council, and Safety Patrols partnered with the Senior Citizen Center for a celebration filled with laughter and meaningful interaction. Students and seniors played bingo and cheered as prizes were won. Seeing students and seniors enjoy each other’s company reminded us all how powerful kindness and community can be.

Franklin School also embraced the spirit of giving through a holiday fundraiser organized by the Child Study Teams. The initiative provided gifts for special education students in need and created joyful moments for students across the school. The kids participated in festive activities, including making holiday cards with help from Santa’s elves and practicing communication skills with supportive devices. The excitement reached a peak when Santa himself arrived on a DPW truck to greet our PreK through 2nd grade students, who chanted with pure delight at his grand entrance.

Lincoln Middle School recently hosted two exciting student showcases that celebrated creativity, engineering, and student-driven learning. At the Semester 1 Robotics Showcase, the Media Center was filled with robots, design boards, and innovative thinking as Jr. Kards enrolled in Mrs. Hester-Fearon’s Project Lead The Way Robotics elective presented their VEX robots and tri-fold displays, demonstrating months of problem-solving, hands-on STEM learning, and collaboration.

During the third annual iExplore Showcase, led by instructor Nick Bush, students turned passion projects into reality, applying design thinking, creativity, and critical thinking to explore topics that matter to them and share what they’ve learned. The class provides students with the opportunity to delve into subjects with a personal connection, from cooking to cultural explorations, to animals, photography, and art. Both the Robotics and iExplore showcase events highlight Lincoln students’ dedication to innovation and lifelong learning, and the district is proud to spotlight their talent and hard work.

Lincoln Middle School student writer Alice Silva earned top honors in the VFW Patriot’s Pen contest, winning both the local Kearny competition and the Hudson County District 3 title. She was recognized at an award ceremony, where she received a plaque in addition to her local award.

The ceremony was attended by Silva’s parents, District Commander Tony Goodson, members of VFW Post 1302, and selected Auxiliary members. Her winning essay on patriotism demonstrated strong writing skills and thoughtful reflection, earning her recognition at both the local and county levels.

Congratulations to Haley Felix for an outstanding performance at this year’s NJ Poetry Out Loud Region 6 competition: Hudson, Bergen, Passaic Counties.

Haley made it to the third and final round and did an amazing job reciting her three poems. Her hard work and dedication to this unique opportunity landed her a spot in the top ten. This was no small feat as the NJ P.O.L. representative pointed out that this year’s competition was a tight race and the most talented she had seen in her five years of holding the position. One of the judges was originally from Kearny and she made sure to go up to Haley and let her know that she did a great job representing Kearny High School. We are very proud of Haley and all of the students that participated in poetry Out Loud’s special 250th Americana themed competition this year.

Our 6th grade students had an incredible opportunity to visit Kearny High School's broadcasting studio as part of the K.E.E.P. program. Under the guidance of Garfield School Media Specialist Mrs. Curry and hosted by KHS Broadcasting teacher Mr. Miller, students received hands-on instruction with industry-standard equipment including audio mixers, video switchers, microphones, and cameras. This comprehensive tour gave our students a valuable introduction to the district's Media Arts program and future Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities. Students left inspired and excited about the possibilities that await them in high school. This experience demonstrates our commitment to exposing students to real-world career pathways.

Roosvelt sixth-graders completed the annual Gingerbread House challenge, an exciting event that emphasized teamwork and creative problem-solving. Students worked collaboratively to design and construct their gingerbread creations, allowing them to apply their creativity while strengthening friendships and classroom bonds. The challenge showcased the talents and imaginations of our middle school students. Congratulations to all sixth graders for their outstanding participation and wonderful creations!

December truly embodied the season of giving at Schuyler School! Our Junior Peers kicked off the month with an impressive pajama drive, collecting and donating 100 pairs of pajamas to families in need. Throughout the month, our staff went above and beyond by sending over 20 gifts to the Salvation Army Angels program, and several of our students participated in the Kearny Police Department's Shop with a Cop program. Our school community also celebrated together with special events including the PTA Holiday Sale, Cookies and Milk with Santa, and a magical Polar Express experience for our kindergarten students. These initiatives reminded us all of the importance of caring for one another and spreading joy during the holiday season.

Thirty exceptional students competed in the 2026 Lincoln Middle School Spelling Bee, tackling more than 50 challenging words in an engaging and spirited competition. Congratulations to this year’s top finishers:

First Place: Danny Consuegra – LMS Spelling Bee Champion (2025–2026)
Second Place: William Jibaja
Third Place: Lucas Moreira
Fourth Place: Ava Taggart
Fifth Place: Dominic DeRosa

Danny will represent Lincoln Middle School at the Hudson County Spelling Bee on February 7, 2026, hosted by the Hudson County Schools of Technology. In recognition of his achievement in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee Program, Encyclopædia Britannica has awarded Danny a complimentary one-year subscription to Kids.Britannica.com.

We extend our sincere thanks to our District Instructional Coaches and LMS Media Specialist for serving as judges and scorekeepers: Stephani Estrella-Tran, Kelly O’Hara, Andrea Regan, and Robert Romano. Their time and dedication were instrumental to the success of this event.

Congratulations to all of our participating scholars. Go Jr. Kards!

Shop with a Cop 2025 gave students from across the district the chance to enjoy some holiday shopping at our local Target while building meaningful connections with the Kearny Police Department. The program was a true success, and we are thankful to our Mayor, Superintendent, KPD officers, faculty, staff, and students for coming together to make it happen.

KHS Success students brought holiday joy to the Kearny community by singing festive songs at locations all around town. Their stops included the Kearny Board of Education Office, Schuyler School, Washington School, the Kearny Police Department, Firehouses #2 & #3, Lincoln Middle School, Kearny Bank, the Board of Health, and Kearny Town Hall.

After sharing their holiday spirit, the students celebrated with lunch at Mr. Nino’s. This annual tradition has become a favorite for our Success students, who look forward to brightening the season and connecting with the wider Kearny community each year! 🎶✨

Kearny High School celebrated a major achievement in student writing as 89 students enrolled in the Junior Short Story classes were selected for publication. The accomplishment reflected both the depth of student talent and the strong instructional support within the program.

Among those recognized, 16 students earned the additional distinction of being published in two separate anthologies—an uncommon honor that underscored the quality and originality of their work. The scale of this year’s success was especially notable. While 34 student entries were submitted and published last year, a total of 104 entries were submitted this year, making the results a meaningful milestone for the program.

The group of published authors also represented the rich diversity of the KHS student body. Many of the students selected for publication were members of the school’s ESL and Bilingual classes, highlighting the power of multilingual voices and the inclusive nature of the writing program.

Faculty shared their pride in the students’ accomplishments and the growth they demonstrated through their work. With so many emerging authors recognized this year, Kearny High School looked ahead with enthusiasm to continuing to celebrate student voices and future publication successes.

Kearny High School recently held their annual National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony, honoring students for their academic achievement, leadership, service, and character. New members were officially welcomed into the NHS, joining a proud tradition focused on integrity, community, and giving back.

Family, faculty, and administrators convened in celebration of the the accomplishments of these extraordinary students. The event was hosted by NHS Advisor John Policano, with remarks from Principal Curtis Brack and Vice Principal Richard Tietjen. Guest speaker Stathis Theodoropoulos shared an inspiring message about leadership, service, and striving for excellence, leaving attendees motivated and proud of the newest NHS members.

The Kearny High School SAVE Club has reached an inspiring milestone in its sustainability efforts, collecting over 1,500 pounds of single-use plastic since September 2024 through weekly sorting and tracking as part of an expanded recycling initiative that now includes Roosevelt Elementary. Their hard work not only helped divert significant waste from landfills but also earned one recycled plastic bench for the campus. The club is excited to announce that they are only 500 pounds away from earning a 2nd bench. This effort has contributed to the district’s EcoSchools gold designation, showing how small actions can create meaningful environmental impact.

To learn more about this impressive initiative and how to get involved, check out the video linked here:

From student spotlights to classroom happenings, Franklin School's student-run newspaper is filled with school news, creative student voices, and fun features from around the halls.

From profiles of new staff to student-of-the-month highlights and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Read the latest issue here:

Check out the November & December event highlights here: