In the Middle

On Tuesday, October 1st, Garfield Middle School’s MD (Multiple Disabilities) program proudly hosted a “Coffee with a Cop” event in the school courtyard, bringing together students, staff, and local police officers in a relaxed and welcoming setting.

The goal of the event was simple but powerful: to break down barriers between police officers and the community they serve. With cups of coffee in hand and smiles all around, students and officers had the chance to engage in open, distraction-free conversations.

“Coffee with a Cop” is part of a nationwide initiative designed to foster trust and communication between law enforcement and the public. At Garfield, it offered a unique opportunity for students—especially those in the MD program—to ask questions, share experiences, and get to know the officers who work in their neighborhoods.

“These events are important because they allow our students to see police officers not just in uniform, but as people who care about them and their safety,” said Principal Rigoglioso.

Community policing has long been seen as a valuable way to build positive relationships, and this event helped reinforce that idea right here on campus. By talking, laughing, and learning together, students and officers took meaningful steps toward mutual understanding and respect.

Garfield Middle School is proud to be part of a community that values connection and inclusion. The success of this event is just one more example of how we can come together—one cup of coffee at a time.

Every October 2nd, schools across the country celebrate National Custodians Day—a time to recognize the hardworking individuals who keep our buildings clean, safe, and welcoming every single day.

Our custodians are the behind-the-scenes heroes of our school. They arrive early, stay late, and make sure classrooms, hallways, and restrooms are ready for students and staff. Whether they’re fixing a leaky faucet, cleaning up after lunch, or setting up for special events, custodians do it all with patience and dedication.

On this special day, let’s take a moment to say thank you to our custodians for everything they do. A simple smile, note of appreciation, or “thank you” in the hallway can go a long way to show how much we value their work.

Our school wouldn’t shine as bright without them—literally and figuratively!

On October 3rd, members of the Blue Star Club took an exciting field trip to the LG Exploratorium, a hands-on science and technology museum that encourages curiosity and creativity.

During the visit, students explored interactive exhibits covering topics such as physics, robotics, and environmental science. They participated in experiments, observed live demonstrations, and even tried out virtual reality stations that made learning feel like play.

“The Exploratorium was amazing! It made science come alive,” said one Blue Star Club member. “I loved getting to try things we’ve only read about in class.”

The trip gave students a chance to see science in action and connect classroom learning with real-world discoveries. The Blue Star Club plans to continue exploring new ways to bring STEM experiences to its members throughout the year.

During the Week of Respect, our school came together to celebrate kindness, inclusion, and positive relationships. Throughout the week, students participated in activities that promoted respect for themselves and others—reminding everyone that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

One of the highlights of the week was the Wall of Respect, where students signed their names to show their commitment to treating others with care and understanding. By signing the wall, students pledged to help create a safe, welcoming environment for everyone in our school community.

The Week of Respect was a great reminder that respect isn’t just a theme for one week—it’s something we can practice every day.

Congratulations to Josie B. (8th Grade) Karissa H. (7th grade) and Zoe G. (6th grade),

our GMS September Students of the Month! These outstanding students have gone above and beyond in the classroom and around the school, showing leadership, kindness, and dedication to learning.

Each month, teachers nominate students who demonstrate our school values—respect, responsibility, and a positive attitude. The September honorees stood out for their hard work, helpfulness, and willingness to go the extra mile.

We’re proud to recognize their achievements and celebrate the example they set for others. Keep up the great work, Students of the Month—you make our school a better place every day!

Great news for Pathways students! This year, the Garfield Rotary Club has generously agreed to sponsor our group, covering the cost of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) T-shirts for all 40 participating students.

Last spring, Principal Rigoglioso, Ms. Kutarnia & Mr.Leonard met with the Garfield Rotary to discuss possible support for the Pathways program. Their efforts paid off—Rotary members voted to donate $600 to fund the shirts, ensuring every student can proudly represent our school during college visits.

In previous years, students paid for their own shirts, so this sponsorship is a huge help. “We’re so grateful to the Rotary for their generosity and community spirit,” said Mr. Leonard.

The timing couldn’t be better—Pathways students will wear their new FDU shirts during the first college visit of the year this Fall. It’s sure to be a great start to another exciting season of exploring future opportunities!

Everyone faces challenges—but with the right support and opportunities, anyone can develop positive behaviors. That’s where Winter4Kids comes in. This unique program gives participants a chance to learn and grow through outdoor experiences. With a focus on fun, values, and engaging activities, Winter4Kids helps young people build better attitudes toward Self, Health, Opportunity, Mastery, and the Outdoors.

The program’s core values make that transformation possible:

• Welcoming: Creating a safe space where everyone can be their authentic self.

• Empathetic: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others.

• Embracing: Valuing and appreciating each person and idea.

• Belonging: Ensuring everyone feels included, valued, and respected.

Throughout this program, Winter4Kids helps youth develop confidence, teamwork, and a lasting love of the outdoors.

By offering a safe, welcoming environment full of fun and adventure, Winter4Kids continues to help students discover strength, confidence, and belonging—one snowy trail at a time.

During lunch this week, students took part in a fun lunchtime poll that tackled one of life’s most important breakfast questions: Do you pour the cereal first or the milk first?

The results sparked some lively debate in the cafeteria! Most students agreed that cereal should go first, saying it helps you control how much milk to add and keeps the cereal from getting soggy. A few brave students, however, insisted that milk first is the way to go—they claimed it helps avoid spills and makes the process more efficient.

No matter which side you’re on, one thing’s for sure: everyone loves a good bowl of cereal! The poll proved that even small choices can make for big conversations—and maybe even a few laughs with friends.

Results:

Those who prefer to put milk first, then cereal - 208

BUT those who prefer to put cereal and THEN milk - 422

Over DOUBLE the amount of people polled preferred to put their cereal first!

Didn't to vote? Vote below. Polls are open until 11/1/25

Middle school friendships, secrets, and a few unexpected twists—The (Almost) Perfect Guide to Imperfect Boys by Barbara Dee has it all. This fiction book follows two best friends, Finley and Maya, who come up with a clever (and slightly risky) way to understand the boys at their school.

Using the stages of an amphibian’s life cycle, the girls rate the boys as tadpoles (immature), croakers (in-between), or toads (mature). But when their secret system is discovered, things quickly spiral out of control, testing their friendships and forcing them to face the consequences of their actions.

I really enjoyed this book because of its plot twists and the way it explores how rumors and labels can affect relationships. It’s both funny and heartfelt, with moments that feel very real for anyone who’s been through the ups and downs of middle school.

At its core, the story reminds readers that categorizing people is unfair and often inaccurate—and that true friendship is about understanding, not judging.

If you enjoy realistic fiction with strong characters and a mix of humor and heart, this book is definitely worth reading!

The New Jersey School Boards Association’s 2024–25 STEAM Tank Challenge received an impressive 578 team applications this year—the second-highest total in the competition’s history!

STEAM Tank inspires students to create innovative solutions to real-world problems such as climate change, sustainability, and community issues. Teams design projects, present their ideas to judges, and compete for top honors.

This year, Garfield Middle School stood out among entries from more than 100 schools across 19 counties. After winning both the regional and final rounds, GMS is now heading to the Grand Finale at Workshop 2024 on October 22.

Winners will receive a share of $15,000 in prize money to support STEAM programs in their schools. Congratulations to GMS and good luck in the Grand Finale!

Email: abugge@gboe.org
Location: GMS, 175 Lanza Ave, Garfield NJ 07026
Phone: 973-272-7020