Kearny School District

Ms. Klein's class went on a field trip to LifeTown in Livingston, NJ. LifeTown is a 53,000 square foot inclusive facility that offers life-skills experiences for students. While at the facility, the group visited the bank, rode a bike on the street, made a t-shirt, went to the pet store to visit the therapy dogs, birds, and guinea pigs, and also took a trip to the doctor and dentist! The students, who use augmented and alternative communication methods, were also able to work on their communication skills with their devices to make transactions and have conversations. There was also an amazing sensory room and playground that was awesome. They had an amazing time and did a fantastic job.

On June 4th, Kearny High School Broadcasting students were invited to Univision's TV Studio and Radio Station in Teaneck for a tour of the facility. Students were given a behind the scenes look at the control room, various stages of production, and both studios.

They were also given a shoutout live on the radio by the DJ and received the opportunity to watch a live newscast.

Students were inspired when they identified similarities between their production process and the equipment at Univision and their own coursework here at KHS. So much so, that they recorded, edited, and produced a recap of their trip! Thank you to Superintendent Encarnacao for setting up this incredible visit!

Preschoolers at Washington School, along with their teachers Ms. DaSilva and Mrs. Gawronski-Smyth took a trip to Turtle Back Zoo to study wildlife. While they were there, they visited attractions including interacting at the touch tank, saw the prairie dogs, took a train ride. Afterwards, they enjoyed an outdoor lunch.

Students were able to see all different types of animals from different areas of the world and even got a peek into what the different habitat needs are of each.

LMS 7th and 8th graders became junior scientists for the day at the Meadowlands, testing water samples for pH, salinity, and turbidity. Accompanied by Mrs. Hester-Fearon and LMS legend Mrs. McCarthy, the students relished in the opportunity to learn more about our environment and the effects of climate change on our local lands, testing the PH balance of the waters in the estuary and diving into environmental science.

Fourth and fifth grade students from Mrs. DeMatos' class at Franklin School were excited to attend an enriching field trip to West Hudson Park for an immersive gardening experience! The students were able to participate in a hands-on activity as they delved into the intricacies of gardening, exploring essential gardening techniques and discovering firsthand the nutrients crucial for plant growth. With hands deep in soil and hearts eager to learn, our students cultivated both knowledge and appreciation for the natural world around them. This hands-on adventure not only fostered a deeper understanding of horticulture but also planted seeds of curiosity that will continue to bloom in their academic journey.

On April 25th, Kearny School District educator-parents opened the doors of their second homes to their children for a day of joy and insight into their daily routines. The kids of our faculty and staff indulged in a variety of activities, explored their parent's workplaces, and even had the chance to step into the classrooms alongside their parents and peers. Pride radiated through the halls as educator-families and district students came together for a memorable day. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated staff and administrators whose efforts made this event possible, as we were able to see our careers unfold through the eyes of the children.

Registration for the Kearny Adult School will begin on September 10, 2024 at Kearny High School. Please note that registration will take place in person only. For a complete list of course descriptions, as well as contact information, schedules, and pricing, please visit the Kearny Adult School website, or click on the link below to access the brochure.

On Thursday, May 30th, the Kearny community was treated to a captivating auditory and visual experience at the annual district Kaleidoscope Concert. The KHS K-Birds, soloists, KHS Jazz & Concert Band, LMS Choir & Band, and Elementary choirs performed under the talented direction of instructors Ms. Bernal, Mr. Burzynski, Mr. Caravella, Ms. Chen, Mr. Conde, Ms. Connelly, Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Gorin, Mr. Kubowicz, Mr. Pamaar & Mr. Seaver.

Their hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence was truly evident by the awestruck reaction of the enthralled crowd. Many thanks to our staff for their efforts, and congratulations on a successful Kaleidoscope '24 concert!

Our district band and choral vocalists rocked their auditoriums at the annual Spring Concerts. From medleys to melodies, our kids demonstrated their hard work and dedication to the performing arts for their schools, friends, families. Special thanks to Mr. Gorin, Ms. Bernal, Mr. Burzynski and Ms. Chen, Mr. Conde, Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Paamar and all our performers for an amazing Spring Concert!

Roosevelt School families were ready to get down and groove at their Groovy Family Involvement Night! Families enjoyed a far-out and fun-filled evening with activities that included tie-dyeing, "Flower Power" planting, making positivity bracelets, and even crafting their own lava lamps. The night was a wonderful opportunity for parents and children to connect and create lasting memories while celebrating the spirit of togetherness and creativity.

With upbeat music and vibrant decorations, the event transported everyone back to the 60s and 70s, promoting a sense of community and fun. The hands-on activities were not only entertaining but also educational, allowing families to explore new skills and express their creativity in a relaxed and supportive environment. The Groovy Family Involvement Night truly embodied the spirit of collaboration and joy, leaving everyone looking forward to the next family event!

Garfield families participated in a fun educational night with math movement activities such as bowling math, roll the dice counting game, "solve it" using large playing cards, and domino math. They also participated in hands-on STEM lessons including creating a crystal, coding, life cycle of a bee and ladybug, and starch reactions in food. There were informational giveaways on how to make learning fun at home and snacks for our families to enjoy.

Students and their parents joined for a family fun night of baking cookies and sharing sweet memories.

Mrs. Berberian's 4th graders hosted their first annual Wax Museum Showcase. Students dressed as popular and historical figures and posed as if they were wax statues. When a "button" was pressed, the students brought their characters to life, speaking for a few minutes about their lives, achievements, and even provided a fun fact. The event was well-attended by parents, students, and staff, who were all impressed by the presentations. Special thanks to Mrs. Berberian for her hard work and effort in organizing this amazing event!

Mrs. Nolan's 6th graders showed off their investigative skills at the annual Roosevelt School 6th Grade Science Fair. Held on April 27th, the students set up and presented stations based on solving real-world problems. Science Fair participants eagerly learned about practical topics including hydraulic forces kinetic energy, chemical reactions with household solutions, as well as bacteria growth and robotics. The students presented their engaging topics with colorful materials while enthusiastically interacting with science fair participants, answering questions and providing fun facts to a captive audience. Special thanks to Mrs. Nolan for all her hard work and efforts in a truly transformative experience!

Third graders at Schuyler School culminated their poetry unit by with a very special presentation of original work. Transforming the auditorium into a cozy cafe, the students performed their prepared poems to a captive audience. Donning thematically poetic clothing and enjoying savory treats added an ambiance and a personal touch to the poetic mood. The students bonded over the descriptive elements and sensory details of their poems while making core memories and lasting friendships that transcend the power of literary imagination and language.

Ms. Bird's 2nd grade KEEP students from Washington built lemonade stands as part of their hands-on economics study. Not only did they design and craft their own stands, but they also delved into real-world business concepts. They learned about producers and consumers, supply and demand, and the cost of running a business. Each student put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by setting up their stands and selling lemonade to classmates and staff.

To deepen their understanding of business operations, the students engaged in a data tracking activity to monitor their sales. They recorded the number of cups sold, tracked expenses for supplies, and calculated their profits. This practical exercise not only made the economics lessons come alive, it also provided valuable insights into managing a small business, making the experience both educational and enjoyable.

Students from Grades K-6 had an amazing time bouncing in the inflatable houses, savoring delicious ice cream treats, playing a variety of games, and winning fantastic prizes. The event was a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and enjoy a day filled with laughter, fun, and camaraderie. Thank you to all the volunteers and organizers who made this day possible!

On May 30, the World Language Department hosted its Induction Ceremony for the four foreign languages taught at Kearny H.S., French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. Inducted into their respective honor societies were 36 students. The induction was held in the auditorium with the participation of our Superintendent, High School administrators and guidance counselors, the World Language department teachers, and many families. The guest speaker was a senior AP Italian student, who spoke about the beauty and the importance of studying and practicing a foreign language. Afterward, the entire group moved to the Media center for delicious refreshments prepared by KHS Culinary Students and their teachers.

Kearny High School is proud to present our Valedictorian, Alessandra Zulueta Nieto and our Salutatorian, Ivan Zhang at the Thirty-Fifth Annual Hudson County Academic Achievement Recognition Program in Secaucus, NJ. We are so proud of them! Alessandra is slated to attend Stevens Institute of Technology and Ivan will matriculate at Rutgers this fall. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment and best of luck as you both continue your academic careers.

KHS recently came together to celebrate and recognize the multilingual abilities of our graduating seniors at the Seal of Biliteracy Awards, in which participating students were awarded medals for their multilingual abilities. There were 53 Spanish, 16 Portuguese, 3 Polish, and 1 Ukrainian Seal awarded.

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award granted to graduating seniors through the State of NJ in

recognition of students who can demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages by

their senior year of high school. Recipients of the Seal will receive a certificate from the State of NJ, and the award is noted in the student's transcript.

Congratulations to all our Seal of Biliteracy recipients!

Kearny High School celebrated 71 outstanding students at the 41st annual Academic Excellence Awards ceremony. Senior William Mullins represented the talented group as their speaker. Fernando Coelho, a distinguished alum from the Class of 2000, served as the honored guest speaker. The event, organized by Mrs. Dorian Fasciano, concluded with a reception in the atrium, catered by the Culinary Arts department, celebrating the students' achievements with their families.

Thanks to the hard work of Media Specialist Danielle Curry, Garfield Elementary School was one of 200 schools from 40 states across the country to receive a $5,000 grant through the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries. This year, the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries awarded $1 million in library grants. Garfield School will use the funds to update and diversify their collection.

Ms. Curry plans to update the nonfiction section with more current resources for research purposes and to allow students to explore their curiosities and interests across different topics. The fiction and graphic novel book collection will be expanded to reflect the diversity of the members of our school community and beyond. Please visit bushcenter.org/laurabushfoundation to learn more about the foundation and check out the 2024 summer reading list.

Congratulations to the KHS Performing Arts Department for their remarkable performances at the Hudson County Teen Art Festival in April!

On Tuesday, April 16, KHS K-Birds, vocal soloists, duets, and a piano soloist took to the stage at the Hudson County Alliance of Teen Arts event held at NJCU. The students delivered exceptional performances, with Mr. Pamaar and Ms. Crespo providing accompaniment for the K-Birds in the Margaret Williams Theatre. Ms. Gonzalez conducted the K-Birds in the Large Group Vocal Ensemble.

Under the leadership of Ms. Gonzalez, several groups earned Judges Awards at the festival on Wednesday, April 17. The Small Group performed "Mama Will Provide," and the Large Group delivered "When You're an Addams."

In addition to group awards, several individual students were recognized:

• Haley Felix received a Judges Award for her solo performance.
• Josephine Brizuela and Bolivar Suero won a Judges Award for their duet.
• Jovan Lira and Paulo Acevedo were awarded Top Honors for their duet.

At the state level, Jovan Lira and Paulo Acevedo performed "My Best Friend" under Ms. Gonzalez's direction, achieving an Exceptional rating in vocal tone, diction, technique, and interpretation. Brandon Maddatu-Wong, a student of Mr. Conde, played Debussy’s "Snow is Dancing" on the piano, receiving an Excellence rating for technical skills, accuracy, expression, and presentation.

Due to their success at the Hudson County Teen Art Festival, the KHS Concert Band, directed by Mr. Danny Conde, soloist Brandon Maddatu-Wong, and the duet of Jovan Lira and Paulo Acevedo, directed by Ms. Gonzalez, advanced to the NJ State Festival on June 5. The Performing Arts Department earned the highest accolade, "Exceptional," at the State Competition at Middlesex County College.

The KHS Concert Band, also under Mr. Conde’s direction, performed "After the Storm" and "Oceanport Overture," achieving exceptional ratings across all categories including dimensions, technical skills, accuracy, expression, and presentation.

This year's achievements highlight the KHS Performing Arts Department's dedication and talent, setting a high standard for future performances.

The district extends heartfelt gratitude to this year's retirees for their years of dedicated service and unwavering commitment to our students and community. Their passion, wisdom, and hard work have made a profound impact, shaping countless lives and leaving a lasting legacy.

Their presence will be greatly missed, and their contributions will always be cherished. The district wishes them all the best in their well-deserved retirement and hopes they enjoy the many opportunities and joys that lie ahead.

During the week of June 10-15, Kearny School District PreK4 students celebrated an important milestone, as they marked the end of their preschool days and the beginning of their elementary education journey. Congratulations to our littlest graduates - may your dreams be big and your futures be bright!

Special thanks to Franklin School parent Hector Solano for contributing photos to our slideshow. Click on the video link below to check out our highlight reel!

Lincoln Middle School 8th grade graduates celebrated their moving up ceremony and academic awards on June 20, 2024. Special recognition to Mia Moreno for receiving the Highest Average Award (99.3) and the Algebra Award. Congratulations to all and best of luck in high school!

Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have led you to this incredible milestone. As you step into the future, may you keep the Kearny Spirit with you and carry the confidence to achieve all your dreams. Here’s to the amazing journey ahead!