HTPS EXCELLENCE SPOTLIGHT

As we approach the grand finale of the 2025–2026 school year, it is hard to believe that just one week remains before we turn the page on another memorable chapter in Hanover Township Public Schools.

This June feels especially significant. With the World Cup underway (Go, Team USA!), and an historic summer ahead as our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of America and our community marks the 350th Anniversary of Whippany, there is much to celebrate and look forward to.

This year, our district embraced the theme of "Aspire to Inspire Excellence," and there is no question that our students, staff, and community rose to the occasion. Whether in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or through the countless moments that happen each day across our schools, there have been achievements worth celebrating at every turn.

As we enter the final week of school, I encourage everyone to take a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the year that was. Every school year brings its share of challenges and triumphs, ups and downs, successes and setbacks. Through it all, Hanover Township Public Schools continued to move forward, grow stronger, and build upon the foundation that makes our district so special. We are proud of the progress we have made and excited for what lies ahead.

A special congratulations to our 5th-grade students as they prepare to move on to middle school, concluding a chapter that represents nearly half of their lives thus far. We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to our 8th-grade students as they graduate from Memorial Junior School and begin the next stage of their educational journey in high school.

With just one week remaining in the school year, we are officially approaching the grand finale of 2025–2026. While summer is right around the corner, there is still much to celebrate in the days ahead. Let’s savor each day, reflect on the memories made, and make the most of our remaining time together before the school year comes to a close.

We are also excited to begin our summer programs, with Extended School Year starting on June 26 and Camp HTSACC opening on June 29, ensuring our schools remain busy hubs of learning and activity throughout the summer. In addition, we are pleased to welcome our friends from Madison Public Schools back to Bee Meadow School for another summer as they continue their STEAM Academy and Extended School Year programs.

Thank you for your continued partnership, collaboration, and trust throughout the school year. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to our teachers, support staff, administrators, Board of Education, PTA leaders and volunteers, and families for making this such a special year. Together, we truly are a Community That Inspires Excellence.

Wishing you and your family a relaxing, enjoyable, and safe summer. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in September for another outstanding year!

Bee Meadow School had a new Principal for the Day! As the winner of the BMS PTA Tricky Tray raffle, our special guest spent the day assisting Mr. Stark with a variety of important responsibilities. The day included classroom visits, helping with lunch and recess supervision, making special announcements over the PA system, and even introducing the Kindergarten Superkids dress rehearsal performance to the entire school. Our Principal for the Day did an outstanding job and was a great assistant from start to finish. Thank you to the BMS PTA for helping create this fun and memorable experience!

Bee Meadow School students and staff came together for a meaningful cause during our Student Council Walk-a-Thon benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. In celebration of Bee Meadow School's 50th anniversary, participants challenged themselves to complete 50 laps around the soccer field in recognition of the school's 50 years of excellence. The event was a tremendous success, with students and staff demonstrating outstanding enthusiasm, perseverance, and community spirit.

Through their collective efforts, Bee Meadow School raised an incredible $6,340 to support the important work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and its mission to provide care and hope to children and families facing serious illnesses. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the BMS PTA for providing water to all participants throughout the event and helping to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, and supporters for making this event such a memorable success and for demonstrating the generosity and compassion that make the Bee Meadow community so special.

Our Kindergarten students put on an exciting and fun Superkids Show for family and friends! The students proudly shared a variety of songs featuring the Superkids characters they have come to know throughout the year. Their enthusiasm, confidence, and joyful performances filled the room with smiles and applause. We are so proud of our young performers for all of their hard work and for showcasing their learning through music and song!

Our fifth-grade students shined during their Project Peace performance, showcasing the character, empathy, and leadership skills they have developed throughout their years at MTV. The meaningful program celebrated their social growth and character education journey, and families loved every moment. We are incredibly proud of our students for their thoughtful reflections and outstanding performance!

Innovation, creativity, and teamwork were on full display all year at MTV! Through a variety of engaging, hands-on STEM activities in computer class with Mrs. Pratola, students collaborated with peers, explored different technologies and media, and tackled exciting challenges that brought learning to life. Additionally, hands-on indoor and outdoor science explorations throughout the year allowed the students to get their hands dirty (literally) and engage with the environment. Our students’ enthusiasm, curiosity, and problem-solving skills made our classrooms a place where amazing things happened all year long. Very cool, indeed!

Our Grade 2 students put on a truly special performance of Celebrate the USA, honoring America while showcasing their tremendous growth throughout the school year. The celebration extended beyond the stage as the entire school embraced America 250 with patriotic spirit days, fun activities, and plenty of red, white, and blue! We are so proud of our young performers for delivering a heartfelt and beautifully executed show that families and staff will long remember.

What a fantastic FUN DAY at MTV! With an America 250 theme, our students enjoyed a full day of fun, laughter, and school spirit led by Mr. Bartel. Despite the summer heat, smiles were everywhere as students participated in America-themed games throughout the morning, followed by the always-exciting 50-yard dash in the afternoon. The day concluded with the beloved fifth-grade water balloon toss, a perfect ending to an unforgettable event!

A huge thank you to our amazing MTV PTA for providing red, white, and blue shirts, patriotic decorations, and countless helping hands throughout the day. We are also grateful to Maschio’s for treating everyone to delicious red, white, and blue Firecracker ice pops. It was a day filled with joy, teamwork, and memories that will last a lifetime. What a wonderful way to celebrate our school community and America 250!

Our Grade 4 and 5 choral students rocked the Prudential Center on June 3 as part of the American Young Voices Concert! Students had an incredible time performing alongside thousands of young singers in a truly unforgettable experience. A special thank you to Mr. Pomel and our dedicated chaperones for making this amazing opportunity possible. The concert finale featured Kool & the Gang's Celebration—and a celebration it certainly was!

Congratulations to our talented Mountview artists whose artwork was selected to be featured in the Whippanong Library's 17th Annual Petit Gallery! Representing multiple grade levels, these students showcased their creativity, artistic skill, and unique perspectives through their beautiful pieces. At the end of May, students were honored during a special recognition ceremony attended by family and friends, celebrating their artistic achievements and contributions to this wonderful community exhibit.

A special thank you to our district art educators—Mr. Rockland, Mrs. McLaughlin, and Mrs. Sussman—for inspiring our young artists and supporting this meaningful event. We are incredibly proud of our students and the outstanding artwork they created!

Our Mountview Kindergarten students recently enjoyed a special visit from students in the Whippany Park High School World Language Program! The high school students shared the story Con Pollo by reading it aloud in Spanish, giving our youngest learners a fun introduction to another language and culture. After the story, the students worked together on a hands-on art activity that sparked creativity, conversation, and lots of smiles. Thank you to our Whippany Park seniors for creating such a meaningful and engaging experience for our kindergarteners—we loved having you at MTV!

Our fourth-grade students put their engineering skills to the test during the exciting Egg Drop Challenge! Working as budding scientists and problem-solvers, students designed and built protective carriers to keep a raw egg from cracking when dropped 90 feet from a fire ladder. The creativity, teamwork, and perseverance on display were impressive, and the entire school, as well as our guests, enjoyed cheering them on. Kudos to our future engineers for doing an “eggcellent” job!

Mountview staff truly go above and beyond for our students! Throughout the year, our teachers and staff can often be found cheering from the sidelines at games, attending recitals and performances, and supporting students at special events outside of school. Featured here are two of our third-grade teachers celebrating at a student's baseball championship game, and another third-grade teacher who organized an early-morning bike ride with students and families. These moments reflect the caring relationships that make Mountview such a special place. We are fortunate to have a staff that is so deeply invested in the lives of our students!

Congratulations to our Salem Drive School student artists who were recently recognized for their creativity and artistic achievement! This includes our students selected to have their artwork featured in the annual student art exhibition sponsored by the Whippanong Library, as well as our Salem Drive 5th-grade winners in the MCCEA poster contest entitled, “In our public schools, today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders!” We are so proud of all of our students for sharing their talents, creativity, and school pride.

A special thank you to our wonderful art teacher, Mrs. Sussman, for inspiring our students and helping showcase their talents. Her dedication to the arts continues to give our students meaningful opportunities to express themselves and shine.

At the May Board of Education meeting Salem Drive School was 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.

A special shoutout to the Salem Drive staff, students, and families who came out to show their support. It was such a great night celebrating two wonderful members of our Salem Drive family!

Salem Drive kindergarten students enjoyed a special visit from Whippany Park High School World Language students and staff. The WPHS students read books and led activities with our kindergarteners in French and Spanish, creating a fun and engaging learning experience. Our kindergarten students loved the visit, and we are grateful for the continued partnership with Whippany Park High School!

Salem Drive students had a wonderful time participating in Fun Day, led by our PE teacher, Mr. Nak. Students enjoyed a day filled with friendly competition, teamwork, and school spirit. A special thank you to Mrs. Layman, our PTA President, for recruiting so many volunteers, and to all of our volunteers for doing such a fantastic job supporting the day’s events.

We are so proud of our students for showing their competitive spirit while also demonstrating great sportsmanship. Their fairness, teamwork, and positive attitudes helped them earn their “Fairness” brag tag!

Our 4th and 5th-grade chorus students had a special opportunity to participate in the American Young Voices Concert at the Prudential Center. This exciting music education experience brings students from many schools together to perform as part of a large student choir. Students joined together in an arena-style concert with thousands of other young singers, accompanied by professional musicians, lighting, and sound.

Thank you to the Salem Drive staff members who chaperoned this special evening trip, and a very special thank you to Mr. Pomel for organizing all of the details and inspiring our young singers along the way. Our students sang their hearts out, danced the night away, and represented Salem Drive beautifully. It was such a special evening!

Incoming kindergarten families joined us for Kindergarten Orientation, the third phase of our process to welcome families and provide helpful information about Salem Drive School. Our future kindergarten students had the chance to take a quick bus ride and visit our kindergarten classrooms, where they participated in a lesson with our teachers. It was a wonderful opportunity for students and families to become more familiar with our school community. We are so excited to welcome our newest Salem Drive families in September!

Salem Drive School enjoyed a wonderful America 250 Celebration filled with learning, school spirit, and community pride. Our fourth-grade students led the way by teaching our school about New Jersey during a whole-school assembly. Staff members also participated in a fun trivia game, and students were excited to see their teachers share their knowledge during some friendly competition. The entire school closed the assembly by singing “Fifty Nifty United States” together.

In the afternoon, students and staff also worked together to create a Salem Drive School American flag to represent our unity and pride. We can’t wait to see the finished product! A special thank you to the HTEF, in collaboration with our PTA, for providing an ice cream treat for students and staff at the end of the day.

The day reminded us that American pride is about coming together, learning from one another, appreciating our shared history, and celebrating the many people who make our school, community, state, and country so special.

Our Grade 3 students enjoyed a wonderful field trip focused on salt marsh and ocean ecosystem exploration with the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. Students had the opportunity to learn more about coastal habitats, marine life, and the important role these ecosystems play in our environment.

One of the highlights of the trip was seining, where students used a net to explore the shallow water and observe different types of marine organisms up close. This hands-on experience helped bring their science learning to life as they investigated the animals, plants, and natural features found in salt marsh and ocean environments.

It was a meaningful and engaging day of outdoor learning, curiosity, and discovery for our third graders!

Sixth-grade science students recently completed an engaging unit on Earth’s atmosphere and weather. In Ms. Urso’s classes, students investigated how light interacts with the atmosphere, learning why the sky is blue and sunsets appear red and orange through hands-on experiments with light, prisms, and atmospheric models. In Mrs. Talbert’s classes, students explored the atmosphere’s role in protecting Earth by comparing temperatures on Earth and the Moon and showcased their learning through Severe Weather Project presentations. These activities provided students with a deeper understanding of the science behind the world around them.

Congratulations to our 7th and 8th-grade Band, Chorus, and Orchestra students on their outstanding performances at the High Note Adjudication Festival. The Band earned a Superior rating, while both the Chorus and Orchestra received Excellent ratings. These achievements reflect the hard work, talent, and dedication of our student musicians, as well as the time and preparation provided by our music department. After their performances and evaluations, students celebrated their success by spending the day at Dorney Park. We are incredibly proud of how well our students represented Memorial Junior School and congratulate them on a successful performance season.

Memorial Junior School was honored to be recognized on the Interfaith Food Pantry’s Giving Tree in appreciation of our school community’s generosity and commitment to helping others. During 2025, MJS students, staff, and families donated an incredible 2,030 pounds of food to support local families in need. This recognition reflects the caring spirit, compassion, and dedication to service that are hallmarks of the Memorial Junior School community.

Memorial Junior School students showcased their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills at the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Conference at the end of April. Competing against students from across New Jersey, several MJS teams earned top honors and qualified for the TSA National Conference, which will be held next week in Washington, D.C. Their accomplishments reflect countless hours of hard work, collaboration, and dedication. We are incredibly proud of our students and wish our national qualifiers the best of luck as they represent New Jersey on the national stage.

Our 8th grade students recently enjoyed a memorable class trip to Frogbridge Day Camp as they celebrated the end of their middle school experience. Students spent the day taking advantage of a variety of activities, including batting cages, miniature golf, boating on the lake, basketball, and swimming in the pool. With temperatures soaring into the 90s, the pool and unlimited icy slushies were especially popular. Students also enjoyed an all-you-can-eat lunch featuring hamburgers, hot dogs, and other favorites. The trip provided a fun and well-deserved opportunity for students to relax, make memories, and enjoy time with their classmates before moving on to high school.

As a friendly reminder, please complete the 2025–2026 School Climate Survey. Your feedback is a critical part of how we evaluate and improve our schools.

Survey Link: climate.htboe.com/FpRupm

The survey asks about your perceptions of your child's school in areas such as safety, teaching and learning, communication, relationships, and overall satisfaction. Your responses will help us identify what is working well and where we can focus our improvement efforts.

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 were notified on 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

Check the Genesis Parent Portal starting tomorrow to sign up!

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

As part of our transition to Genesis, our new Student Information System, all families were recently emailed instructions to create their Genesis Parent Portal account. If you have not already done so, please take a few moments to activate your account before the school year ends.

Throughout the summer, Genesis will become the hub for important back-to-school information, including transportation forms, required Return to School Forms, teacher assignments, schedules, and more.

Please be sure to check your inbox for the account activation email and stay tuned for additional communications throughout the summer.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we move to Genesis!

Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is still open for all grade levels.

If you know of any families who have just moved to Hanover Township or would like to enroll their children in our schools, please encourage them to visit our District Website.

Thank you for supporting our growing HTPS community!

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

Friday, July 3

Independence Day Observed - District Closed

Saturday, July 4

Independence Day

America 250

Tuesday, July 14

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Tuesday, August 25

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Monday, August 31 – Tuesday, September 1

Teacher/Staff Professional Development Days

Wednesday, September 2

First Day of School!