Monday Morning Brew
November 2, 2026
A Special Note of Thanks: Community Engagement Roundtable on Short-Term Facilities Solutions
I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to all of our parents, guardians, staff members, and community stakeholders who joined us on Monday, October 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Hoboken High School Cafeteria for our Community Engagement Roundtable on Short-Term Facilities Solutions.
As our district continues to experience significant enrollment growth, we recognize the importance of thoughtfully exploring potential solutions that address our evolving facilities needs while remaining focused on providing the highest-quality educational experiences for every student. The evening was designed to bring our school community together to examine possible short-term facilities options, ask questions, exchange perspectives, and engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our schools.
I am incredibly grateful to everyone who dedicated their evening to participating in this important process. Your thoughtful questions, insightful observations, willingness to listen to different perspectives, and genuine commitment to our students and schools made the evening both productive and meaningful. Community engagement is not simply about sharing information; it is about creating opportunities for collaboration, transparency, and shared understanding as we navigate complex decisions that will shape our district's future.
Please be on the lookout later today for a comprehensive recap of the evening, which will provide an overview of the possible short-term solutions presented, an FAQ associated with each possible solution, and feedback gathered from participants as we concluded the roundtable.
Thank you once again for your continued partnership, engagement, and unwavering support of the Hoboken Public School District. Your voices matter, and your participation is an essential part of this important work.
1. Hoboken High School's Production of Animal Farm
The Theatre Department would like to invite you to attend our fall production of Animal Farm and provide you with a complimentary ticket to the show of your choice. Based on George Orwell’s classic novel, Animal Farm follows a group of farm animals who overthrow their farmer in hopes of creating a fair and equal society. As new leaders rise, those ideals begin to unravel, revealing how power and manipulation can threaten the very freedoms the animals fought to gain. Our production brings this thought-provoking story to life with original music, exploring leadership, equality, and the importance of questioning authority.
Performance Dates:
Nov. 13 at 7:00 p.m., Nov. 14 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Nov. 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Important Information About the Production
This production contains mature themes and is intended for a mature audience.
The audience will be seated on the stage for a fully immersive theatrical experience. Audience members will be close to the action, and cast members will perform certain moments within and around the seating areas.
The production runs approximately 90 minutes without an intermission.
You may purchase tickets online by clicking here: hhsnj.booktix.com
Please save the confirmation email. You will need it to show your tickets at the door.
Tickets may also be purchased at the door, but seating may be limited.
2. Apollo 13 Astronaut Captain Fred Haise Connects with Hoboken High School Aviation Students
On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, students in Hoboken High School's Aviation Program had an extraordinary opportunity to speak with Captain Fred Haise, NASA astronaut and Apollo 13 Crew Member through a virtual workshop. During the two-hour discussion, Captain Haise shared stories and firsthand experiences from his remarkable career as a military aviator, experimental test pilot and NASA astronaut. Students gained insight into his journey through aviation and aerospace, including his experiences aboard the historic Apollo 13 mission. Beyond his accomplishments in aviation and space exploration, Captain Haise shared valuable life lessons about perseverance, discovering one’s strengths and pursuing personal interests with passion and dedication. He encouraged students to find something they excel at and strive to reach their fullest potential. Throughout the discussion, students had the opportunity to engage directly with Captain Haise, asking thoughtful questions about his career as a test pilot, his experiences during the Apollo 13 emergency and how those events shaped his life and career afterward. The virtual workshop provided students with a unique opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, hear firsthand accounts of one of NASA’s most remarkable missions and gain inspiration from an individual who helped shape the history of American space exploration.
- Aviation instructor Mr. Anderson said "This experience was an opportunity of a lifetime for our students. The ability to talk with an Apollo 13 astronaut and to be able to ask questions was such an eye opening experience. Each student took something from that presentation and each student will remember it."
- Sophomore Adam Kohl said "Listening to Captain Haise was a great experience because it made me realize how much problem solving, communication, and teamwork goes into the space program. What made this meeting really unique was the fact we got to hear directly from someone who was a big part of history in the space program and I learned a lot from it. "
- Junior Anay Verma added "The talk with Captain Fred Haise was an amazing experience. I learned a lot about his aerospace career that I wouldn't have known otherwise, which gave me some life lessons to take away."
- Junior: Corinna Wilder "It was a truly special opportunity to get to talk to captain Haise and hear about his experiences. Being part of the aviation program, the opportunity gave us a real-world connection to the history and principles we study."
The Hoboken High School Aviation Program extends its sincere gratitude to Captain Fred Haise for generously sharing his time, experiences and wisdom with our students. Special thanks also go to Logan Jaeren for facilitating and organizing this unforgettable educational experience.
3. Hoboken Public Schools Introduce Marble Health
The Hoboken Public School District is proud to partner with Marble Health to help students and families access high-quality, affordable mental health care when needed. Marble Health provides virtual therapy for children ages 6+, teens, parents, and families, making it easier to get support for challenges like anxiety, depression, stress, emotional regulation, grief, trauma, relationships, and more. Through this partnership, Hoboken Public School District families can access:
No waitlists: Get connected to care quickly, with intake appointments typically available within 2–3 days.
Flexible appointments: Therapy is available after school, in the evenings, on weekends, all year long.
Affordable care: Therapy is free for families with Medicaid, and Marble accepts most major commercial insurance plans.
Multilingual therapists: Support is available in 10+ languages to help families find care that meets their needs.
Ongoing support: No fixed limit on therapy sessions, so students and families can continue receiving care for as long as clinically appropriate and/or desired.
Marble's licensed therapists work closely with families and, with your permission, can collaborate with your child's school counselor or social worker to provide coordinated support. Getting started is simple! Reach out to your child's school counselor or social worker to learn more about Marble Health or get connected to care. Be sure to check out the Parent Workshops. To access Marble Health, you can get started here!
4.Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) Meeting
5. Hoboken High School’s HHS Harvest: Growing Skills, Cultivating Success, and Connecting with Our Community
6. Hoboken High School Student Government Invites Community to Honor Veterans Through 2026 Field of Heroes
In recognition of Veterans Day, the Hoboken High School Student Government is once again inviting students, families, staff, and community members to participate in a meaningful tribute to the brave men and women who have served our nation. Through the 2026 Field of Heroes, the grounds in front of the Louis M. Taglieri, Jr. Stadium will be transformed into a patriotic display of American flags, each representing a member of the United States Armed Forces, past or present. Read more... [To access the Field of Heroes form, click here]
7. The Hoboken Public Education Foundation Needs You!
The Hoboken Public Education Foundation (HPEF) is calling on our school community to help support two exciting opportunities that will make a meaningful difference for our students! First, through its Libraries Without Limits initiative, HPEF is working to fill our district’s new school libraries with books that will inspire a love of reading and expand learning opportunities for students. If you have connections to book publishers, companies that offer bulk book donations, or businesses with corporate giving programs that could support the purchase of books, HPEF would welcome an introduction. Once funding is secured, a district representative will coordinate the selection of books to ensure they meet the needs of our students. Please note that individual book donations are not being accepted at this time. HPEF is also seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join its Communications Team and assist with posting prepared content on Facebook and Instagram. No previous experience is necessary, and the commitment is approximately 30 minutes on days when assistance is needed, rather than every day. Whether you can help connect HPEF with a potential book donor or lend a hand in sharing the foundation’s wonderful work, your support can have a lasting impact on our schools. To get involved or learn more, please contact Nicole at nicole.jala@gmail.com.
8. Athletic Roundup: Week of October 24th
The Hoboken Middle School Tigers and Hoboken High School Redwings enjoyed another exciting week of fall athletics, highlighted by impressive team victories, outstanding individual performances, and tremendous displays of teamwork and determination. Read more about our middle school and high school teams...
9. District's New Strategic Plan
The Hoboken Public School District is proud to introduce its new 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, a comprehensive four-year roadmap that reflects our collective vision for the future of teaching, learning, and student success. Developed through a collaborative planning process that engaged hundreds of stakeholders, including staff, parents, guardians, students, and community members, the plan is grounded in our commitment to inspiring and empowering young people to become productive citizens of the future. The plan is organized around seven strategic focus areas: Student Achievement; Future Readiness; Well-Being, Safety & Learning Environment; Talent Acquisition & Capacity Building; Community Partnership & Engagement; Fiscal Management; and Facilities Planning. It establishes clear goals, meaningful commitments, and progressive annual performance indicators to guide our work and measure our success over the next four years. At its heart is our Portrait of a Graduate, which defines the essential knowledge, skills, and character traits we aspire to develop in every student. More than simply a planning document, our Strategic Plan represents a shared commitment to continuous improvement, educational excellence, equity, innovation, and transparency. It provides a clear direction for our district while ensuring that every decision we make remains centered on the needs, opportunities, and future success of our students. Peruse the flipbook here...
10. NJ QSAC: Hoboken Public Schools Identified as High Performing
I am very pleased to share some important news regarding the Hoboken Public School District. We recently received official notification from the New Jersey Department of Education that, following our most recent New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) review, the Hoboken Public School District has once again been designated a “high performing” school district. Read more...
The Coffee’s On: Open Office Hours with Dr. Christine Johnson, Superintendent of Schools
Parents, guardians, and staff are invited to pull up a chair and join me for a cup of coffee and conversation. The Coffee’s On is an opportunity to make an appointment to stop by, share what’s on your mind, ask questions, offer input, or simply have a conversation about our schools. No formal agenda is needed. Just bring your thoughts, questions, or ideas. Staying connected and hearing directly from the members of our school community is important to me, and my door is open. To schedule an appointment, please contact Nory Velazquez at nvelazquez@hoboken.k12.nj.us or 201-356-3602.