October 2026 Bulldog Bulletin

As the autumn season began, Rutherford Public Schools celebrated a major milestone in community partnership and district facility enhancement. This summer, Washington School’s new playground became a reality. Thanks to the tremendous support of the Washington PTA and the Rutherford Education Foundation (REF), the district moved forward with the renovation and provided our students with an exciting, accessible new space to play, explore, and learn.

Completing the Washington playground marked an important first step in our larger districtwide playground improvement plan. However, our work is far from finished, as Lincoln School and the Kindergarten Center are scheduled for upgrades in the summer of 2027.

The success of this effort will depend on the continued partnership and support of our entire school community. The REF Big Playground Bash, scheduled for February 11, 2027, will play a critical role in helping us accomplish this goal. Funds raised through the Gala will support all playground projects, including Washington, by helping offset construction costs and replenish capital funds that were redirected to make this summer’s Washington renovation possible.

As we celebrate the completion of Washington’s new playground, I also want to thank the Lincoln and Kindergarten Center PTAs for their continued support. They have already begun to raise money for the upcoming projects. These projects will require the same kind of partnership, enthusiasm, and community commitment that made Washington possible.

With the support of our three PTAs, the REF, our families, and the Board of Education, we can continue this work while remaining within the district’s allocated budget. I encourage everyone to support the REF Big Playground Bash and the PTA fundraising efforts throughout the 2026–2027 school year. Together, we can make sure that all of our students have playgrounds that are safe, accessible, engaging, and worthy of our schools.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our students’ success. Together, we are building a stronger future for every Rutherford student.

Regards,

Jack Hurley

Superintendent of Schools

Each year, the Rutherford Board of Education establishes goals for its own work. I've come to appreciate that the value of this exercise isn't really the goals themselves; it's the discipline they create.

This year, our goals focus on three areas: guiding the district’s strategic priorities, planning responsibly for our financial and facilities future, and strengthening governance and community engagement.

For us, that means staying informed about student achievement, technology and AI, and the Profile of a Rutherford Graduate. It means looking beyond next year’s budget toward the long-term health of our programs, finances, and facilities, particularly at a time when school districts navigate rising costs and financial pressures that aren’t always within their control. It also means continuing to learn as board members, communicating openly, listening to our community, and being present in our schools.

After a number of years on the Board, I’ve come to believe that good governance means keeping our eyes on the big picture: not running the schools, but setting direction, asking thoughtful questions, monitoring progress, managing resources responsibly, and giving our educators the trust and space to do their work on behalf of the students and community we serve.

Our goals give us a compass for doing just that – and most importantly, keeping students at the center of every conversation.

Sergio Alati, Ed.D

President, Rutherford Board of Education

Rutherford Public Schools has earned top placements in Niche's 2027 K-12 rankings, which recognize the district for its academics, teachers, athletics, and diversity. Niche is an online platform that ranks schools and districts using public data, including information from the U.S. Department of Education, along with reviews from students and parents.

As highlighted by New Jersey Family, Rutherford ranks No. 13 among the best school districts in New Jersey, No. 5 among districts with the best teachers in the state, and No. 10 among the best places to teach in New Jersey. In Bergen County, the district ranks No. 4 among the best school districts, No. 3 for districts with the best teachers, No. 5 among the best places to teach, No. 5 among the best districts for athletes, and No. 18 among the most diverse districts. Nationally, Rutherford ranks No. 94 out of more than 11,000 districts for the best teachers in America, placing it in the top 100.

The district thanks its teachers, staff, students, and families, whose dedication makes these results possible!

The Board of Education recognized the recipients of the Rutherford Education Foundation (REF) Grants for the 2026-27 school year. The Board and District thanked the REF for its ongoing support, which provided $74,968 in grant funding this year for local students and programs.

As a welcome-back activity, students in English 200 explored We Will Write, an online writing platform that turns writing practice into a short, collaborative classroom activity. Mrs. Muszynski and Ms. Rizzi chose the activity for the first day of school to help students get back into the groove of writing in a fun, low-pressure way.

This approach eased students back into the classroom routine without overwhelming them with a formal writing assignment. The activity gave everyone an opportunity to write, share ideas, and participate while establishing a positive writing environment from day one. It also allowed teachers to gauge students’ writing abilities and comfort levels as the new school year began.

Miss Monica Rizzi’s English 107 and 207 classes have integrated the tenets of the Profile of a Rutherford Graduate (PORG) into their coursework.

To introduce students to the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) format, a structure they will use for writing paragraphs throughout the school year, Miss Rizzi connected CER with the PORG competencies in an accessible, meaningful way. After reviewing the competencies, students completed a station activity where they collaborated to brainstorm how the PORG traits of communication, critical thinking, character, creativity, collaboration, and citizenship can be demonstrated both in school and in daily life.

Students will use these ideas as they begin their first writing assignment: selecting which PORG trait they believe is most important for a high school student and explaining why in a handwritten CER paragraph. This activity allowed students to make sense of the competencies collaboratively before connecting them to their own experiences in writing.

Rutherford High School is proud to recognize seven outstanding members of the Class of 2027 for their achievements in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. Five students have been named Commended Students, while two have earned the distinction of National Merit Semifinalist.

These honors recognize students who have demonstrated exceptional academic potential through their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, one of the primary qualifying measures for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Semifinalists: Nina Tavani and Dwarakanath Vemuri

Commended Students: Haolin Li, Kaito Pepito, Ryan Baik, Sophia Clossey, Andrew Calvo

The RHS Counseling Department met with ninth-grade students as part of the Ninth-Grade RHS Transition Program. Counselors offered students information about high school, including academic expectations, study habits, supports and resources, and much more. The presentation is available on the RHS Guidance website and the Class of 2030 Google Classroom. The department is excited to support the Class of 2030 as they begin their high school journey!

The RHS Guidance Department hosted Senior Parent Night to build on fall meetings with seniors about their post-high school plans, highlighting how college and career planning work best as a partnership with families.

Families also were invited to Financial Aid Night to learn about planning for college costs. The event included a presentation from Bergen Community College on the NJ STARS program for qualifying students. Guidance followed up with a Virtual FAFSA Night, where an advisor guided families through the application process step-by-step.

All presentations are posted under the College Information & Financial Aid links on the RHS Guidance website.

At Rutherford High School, Mrs. Herninko and the Tech Department launched a Tech Internship Program that provides high school students with hands-on experience while they build valuable technical and workplace skills. Interns help refurbish, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair Chromebooks used by students and staff across the district. Last year, the interns refurbished a complete set of Chromebooks for second-grade classrooms to ensure devices were fully prepared for use.

Through this meaningful work, students not only explore potential careers in technology, but also develop valuable skills in communication, citizenship, critical thinking, and collaboration in service of their school community.

Students in Mrs. Cafiero-O’Brien’s Fitness Through Nutrition class recently visited the Rutherford Farmers Market in Lincoln Park. During the trip, students spoke with Lentini Farms owners Corissa and Anthony to learn how they harvest the fresh fruits and vegetables offered at the market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Students also purchased fresh produce to prepare in class, making sweet potato fries as well as an Asian-inspired roasted red kuri squash with a maple ginger glaze.

Part of RHS Family and Consumer Science Department, Fitness Through Nutrition is a class that helps students take control and responsibility for the relationship between diet and exercise to keep the body healthy. The course is also offered with a dual enrollment option, allowing students to simultaneously earn college credits through Felician University.

For more information about the course, contact Mrs. Cafiero-O’Brien at rcafiero@rutherfordschools.org.

Four Rutherford High School Honors Accounting students spent part of their summer taking their business knowledge beyond the classroom through the inaugural RHS Summer Venture Builder Cohort, a hands-on venture-building experience supported by LoKI Consulting Group. This opportunity grew out of connections made during the RHS Career Fair.

Using Rutherford Junk & Co. as a case study, students worked in distinct business roles to develop a B2B support-services concept designed to help existing junk removal companies with lead generation, customer intake, market research, branding, outreach, pricing, and digital operations.

Each student took ownership of a specific area of the venture: Charlie focused on pricing and revenue strategy, Tom developed branding, social media, and outreach materials, Allex created lead-tracking and customer-intake systems, and Chloe conducted prospect and referral-partner research while assisting with early outreach.

The experience provided students with a chance to navigate the realities of building a business while putting Rutherford's Profile of a Rutherford Graduate (PORG) competencies into practice. Students used critical thinking to research markets and develop pricing and service ideas, creativity to craft branding and outreach materials, and communication and collaboration to share ideas, coordinate responsibilities and navigate the challenges of working as a team. Most importantly, the program fostered character through accountability, follow-through, and taking ownership of individual contributions.

Students finished the summer with tangible work they can use to demonstrate their skills on resumes, college applications, internships, and interviews. This experience provided a valuable bridge between classroom learning and the real world, establishing a strong foundation for future RHS Venture Lab opportunities.

Pierrepont School came together to remember Patriot Day and mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, with a series of meaningful activities focused on remembrance, gratitude, and service.

During morning announcements, students learned about the significance of Patriot Day, followed by a moment of silence and the playing of “Taps” to honor those who lost their lives and the first responders who served that day. Students also wrote thank-you letters to local first responders, expressing their appreciation for the courage and dedication of those who serve to keep the community safe.

Sixth graders participated in a special lesson about Welles Crowther, known as “The Man in the Red Bandana,” whose selfless actions during 9/11 helped save lives in the South Tower. To honor his memory and carry forward his legacy of courage and service, each sixth grader received a red bandana.

Through these activities, the Pierrepont community reflected on the importance of remembering history, honoring those who serve, and finding ways to make a positive impact on others.

The Pierrepont School community came together for an exciting Positive Behavioral Supports in Schools (PBSIS) pep rally focused on reinforcing the core expectations of respect, responsibility, and self-control. Students celebrated the positive choices and behaviors that help make the school a welcoming, supportive, and successful environment for everyone.

The pep rally featured a special guest appearance from the district's beloved Bulldog mascot, who brought energy and school spirit to the event. Students and staff also faced off in an energetic game of Four Square, generating laughter and friendly competition.

The event concluded by recognizing students who consistently demonstrate PBSIS expectations with the announcement of the Bulldog Buck raffle winners. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to every student who continues to show what it means to be respectful, responsible, and in control of their choices each day.

It was a fantastic celebration of the school community and a great reminder that positive behavior deserves to be recognized and celebrated!

Union School students in 3D Design class are creating plaster masks inspired by their favorite characters. As they shape and decorate their masks using a variety of materials, students make creative choices to capture each character’s most recognizable features. The project gives students an opportunity to practice creativity and critical thinking while sharing their ideas with classmates.

Students came together for a Positive Behavioral Supports in Schools (PBSIS) pep rally filled with interactive games and team-building activities. The event gave them opportunities to communicate, collaborate, and cheer on one another while celebrating positive behavior at school. Students also had a chance to earn Bulldog Bucks by demonstrating the positive choices that help make our school a welcoming place for everyone.

Washington and Lincoln school communities are proud to announce that elementary art teacher Mrs. Clossey has been selected by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to serve on the Visual and Performing Arts Standards Implementation Committee.

In this role, Mrs. Clossey will use her expertise to review proposed revisions to teaching standards in the visual and performing arts that will impact students across the state. The committee will also identify implementation opportunities and challenges while providing recommendations to the NJDOE on professional learning resources, instructional support, and implementation guidance to support statewide success.

Since beginning her career in Rutherford in September 1999, Mrs. Clossey has introduced thousands of students to the world of art through weekly classes where her enthusiasm for creativity shines. Her classroom remains a beacon of individual expression as Rutherford’s youngest students learn to channel their creativity into vibrant works of art.

Learn more about the committee here.

Lincoln School welcomed students back for the new school year with bright smiles and enthusiasm. A special thanks to the Lincoln School PTA for welcoming students with a beautiful lawn sign display to launch another successful school year!

Third-grade students at Lincoln School placed American flags on the school lawn to recognize and honor community heroes for Patriot Day. Through the activity, students reflected on the importance of remembrance, respect, and unity.

Third-grade students in Lincoln School’s Gifted and Talented Discovery program harvested fresh parsley, tomatoes, broccoli, and a unique lavender-tinted cauliflower from the school garden. Students enjoyed the fruits of their labor by using their harvest to make fresh salads and homemade dressings in class.

Lincoln School and the Rutherford Public Library continue their long-standing partnership to foster a love of reading. Children’s librarian Miss Jane visited preschool students to share wonderful stories, taking young readers on an exciting journey into a world of imagination and adventure. Students discovered new books and look forward to more story times with Miss Jane throughout the year.

Thanks to the generosity of the Washington School PTA and the Rutherford Education Foundation, students were welcomed back with a brand-new playground! The exciting addition features climbing structures, a slide, a tire swing, musical instruments, a basketball hoop, and a ricochet ring pole game.

Third-grade students explored the new playground and worked collaboratively to establish rules and expectations, ensuring a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone. By working together and listening to their peers' perspectives, the students applied key Profile of a Rutherford Graduate (PORG) competencies in a real-world context:

• Collaboration: Working together and valuing diverse perspectives.
• Communication: Sharing ideas clearly and practicing active listening.
• Critical Thinking: Identifying potential safety issues and developing thoughtful solutions.
• Character: Demonstrating responsibility, empathy, and respect for others.
• Citizenship: Taking an active role in establishing shared expectations for their school community.

The Kindergarten Center warmly welcomed the Rutherford High School Class of 2039! The first few days as a Bulldog were filled with exploration, play, and making memories to last a lifetime.

Students at the Kindergarten Center are settling into their new routines and having a wonderful time exploring, learning, and growing during these first weeks of school.

The Kindergarten Center hosted its annual "High Five to Hometown Heroes" event on September 11. Local first responders visited the school, where students and staff recognized and thanked them for their dedicated service to the Rutherford community.