Wall High School Knightly News
WHS Knightly News

February 2026
Principal's Message
Dear Wall High School students, families, and staff,
Report Cards for Marking Period 2
Report cards for MP 2 were posted today and are available for viewing in the Genesis Parent Portal and Student Portal. Click Grading after you have logged in to view the report card.
Scheduling for the 26-27 School Year
Counselors will be meeting with students in February and March to finalize course requests. If you have questions about the scheduling process or course requests, please reach out to your child's school counselor.
See the Counseling Department section further down in the newsletter for more information regarding Monmouth County Vocational School Shared Time Programs if you are interested in applying for one of those programs.
Athletic Night of Insight
Students, Parents, Booster Clubs, and Community Members: Please join us on Wednesday February 11, 2026 at 6:00pm in the Wall HS Auditorium to find out everything you need to know about Wall Crimson Knights Athletics for WHS. More details in the Athletic Section below.
Academic Night: Flying the Nest
We have scheduled an Academic Night for families on February 24th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, titled "Flying the Nest." This event will cover essential topics to help both students and parents prepare for the transition ahead when students go off to college. We will discuss building a solid foundation and the college search.
In March, a second night will be held, "Beyond the Nest," that will continue the conversation!
To make the evening even more enjoyable, food will be served, and there will be prizes awarded throughout the night. The event is sponsored by the WTEA. See the flyer in the School Counseling section below.
- Mr. Davis
Dedication of Hollander Hall
On Thursday, January 22nd, during the Band Concert, we formally dedicated and renamed the music hallway in honor of Mr. Les Hollander. Mr. Hollander retired earlier this year after 55 years of teaching music at Wall High School.
There is a plaque in the hallway that reads:
Hollander Hall
Dedicated in Honor of Mr. Leslie Hollander - Teacher at Wall High School from 1970 to 2025
Mr. Hollander built the foundation of music education at Wall High School, developing the district’s instrumental music program, inspiring generations of students, and defining excellence in the arts.
Mr. Hollander transformed music education in Wall Township, and left an enduring legacy of learning, artistry, and commitment.
In gratitude for his remarkable contributions to Wall High School and the Wall Township Public Schools.
Congratulations to Our Governor's Educators of the Year!
Superintendent Search
📆 Important Information
Don't Forget to Order Your Yearbook!
Yearbook is now $120
Link to order: Buy Your Yearbook
Please consider joining us for our Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meetings. These meetings will offer you a chance to hear information regarding school programs and other important information directly from the High School Administration. The PAC meeting schedule can be found by clicking the button below.
🏅 WHS Military Wall of Honor
Join the PTO and Support Our School
The Wall High School Parent-Teacher Organization plays an important role in building a strong school community and supporting programs for both students and staff. PTO funds help provide classroom resources, student events, teacher appreciation activities, and more. We encourage every family to join the PTO for the 2025–26 school year and pay annual dues—your participation directly benefits our school. Membership information and payment options can be found through the link below. Thank you for helping us make this year exceptional for our students.
Meeting Dates
Meeting times will be 6:00 p.m. in the Wall High School Media Center (location subject to change)
- September 17, 2025
- November 12, 2025
- January 14, 2026
- March 11, 2026
- May 13, 2026
🎒 Student Spotlight
Congrats WHS Students of the Month!
Dylan Iachello - 9th Grade
Cylas Coyne - 10th Grade
Paige Cera - 11th Grade
Patrick Freud - 12th Grade
Congrats WHS Knights of the Week!
John Grasso, Henry Plevier and Jenna Guditis
Congratulations to the WHS Honors Ensemble Students
Rebecca Girardy - Region II Symphonic Band
Joshua Clark - Region II Symphonic Band
Justin Lee - Region II Wind Ensemble
Liv Perry - Region II Symphonic Band, All-State Symphonic Band
Eamon Nelson - All-Shore Jazz Ensemble
Congratulations WHS All Shore Orchestra Students
Julia Bowen - All-Shore Orchestra
Lauren Tremblay - All-Shore Orchestra
Kelly Puzo - All-Shore Orchestra
Gianna Zanette - All-Shore Orchestra
🎆 Staff Spotlight
Congrats Teacher Knight of the Month!
We've started something new this year to recognize and celebrate our staff at WHS. The Knight of the Month award recognizes Wall High School staff members who go above and beyond in serving our students, colleagues, and community. One is nominated by colleagues and another is chosen by the Senior Student of the Month. Congrats to our two staff members recognized for November!
Congrats Mrs. Penn!
Congrats Mrs. Hatch!
Monmouth County Vocational School District Share Time Programs
Monmouth County Vocational School District offers numerous shared time programs for juniors and seniors at Wall High School. Shared-time programs provide an opportunity for students to enroll in a career and technical education course while attending their home high school. The shared-time classes are a half-day in length and the student continues with their regular course of study at their home high school the other half of the day. Most programs consist of two years of study in which the student learns skills that will qualify them for entry-level jobs or prepare them for further education in their chosen career and technical education field.
Please click the button below for more details including links to the MCVSD website, links to the application and more. If you have any questions, please reach out to your school counselor.
Scoir: College Platform
Scoir is a solution for students, supporters, counselors, and colleges focused on finding the right fit through a unified college search and planning network. This platform connects students to a powerful set of tools to help them identify their talents, search for their college fit, plan with their supporters, and apply when ready. As a parent/guardian, you play an integral role on Scoir by providing your student(s) with college suggestions, financial information, and general guidance.
9th-Grade YouScience Aptitude Assessment & 7 Mindsets Lesson
On October 22nd, our 9th graders completed the YouScience aptitude assessment, a series of engaging brain games that highlight students’ natural strengths and learning styles.
On November 14th and 18th, students revisited their results during a 7 Mindsets lesson focused on “Passion First.” They learned how to access their one-page summary and full aptitude report, completed a reflection sheet, and discussed how their strengths can guide future academic, college, and career planning. Reflection sheets were sent home.
Families can view results by logging into their student’s YouScience account. Select Aptitude & Career Discovery → Discover Aptitudes → Download Results to access the one-page summary and other reports. Additional tools—career matches, college and major exploration, and conversation prompts—are also available. We are excited to use these results to help guide future conversations about coursework, career exploration and post-secondary planning!
For more information, visit the YouScience parent page.
Please reach out to Mr. Tarantin if you have any questions or would like support reviewing your student’s results.
🎭 Clubs & Activities
🔴🔵🔴🔵 Get Involved and make this year count 🔴🔵🔴🔵
Everyone should try to join at least one club!
Take a look at the club and activities website and email the clubs advisor if you have any questions.
Valentines Day Fundraiser - We Need Your Help!
The WHS Peer Leaders will be spreading kindness this Valentine’s Day by collecting items for the pediatric patients at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune, New Jersey. The following NEW items can be dropped off to Ms. Lucas by 2/10: Play-dough, bubbles, coloring books, UNO cards, markers or colored pencils, fidget toys, and stress balls.
Wall High School Peer Leaders spread kindness and holiday cheer to the patients at Care One!
Adriana McLaughlin, Kylie Garabadian, Maggie Houston, Kate Tiedemann, Eden Bonny, Emily Richards, Taylor Knight, Heath Reinhardt, Molly Thorn, Sailor Leslie, Claire Campanelli, Amelia Auch, Max Katsouris, Ana Gallinari, Avery McKee, Devyn Lecorchick, Ladai Velazquez, Sawyer Ochel, Maeve Donovan, Delany Mitchell, Charlotte Switze,r Mason Thorn and John Dean
Small Items, Big Impact: Peer Leaders’ Soap Drive for S.A.C.K.
Wall High School Peer Leaders truly demonstrated the Live to Give mindset through their recent community service efforts. By collecting over 275 bars of soap to support S.A.C.K. (Supporting A Community with Kindness), they helped address a real need for basic hygiene supplies among people experiencing hardship. S.A.C.K. is a grassroots nonprofit that inspires volunteers to donate bars of soap—often paired with handmade soap sacks—to homeless shelters, food pantries, veteran clinics, relief efforts, and social service agencies, helping ensure that essential toiletries reach those who might otherwise go without them. Their dedication reflects generosity, compassion, and a commitment to serving others, making a meaningful impact in the community while embodying what it means to live with kindness and purpose.
Susan Twidle of MCREA, Joseph Trainor, Claire Campanelli, Maggie Housten, Lily Rafferty, Lois Lyons of MCREA, Michael D'Alessio and Stacy Wiener, Founder of SACK
On January 15, 2026, WHS students Lily Rafferty and Lindsay Cory attended a virtual Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) Youth Activation Committee meeting.
This committee educates and activates youth to be agents of change for respect and inclusion. As part of the broader Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools strategy, the committee brings together young leaders from across the state, with and without intellectual disabilities, to work collaboratively. Members organize inclusive events, promote acceptance, share meaningful stories, and develop leadership skills, all with the goal of fostering a more inclusive school culture and community.
During this particular meeting, the committee’s agenda included discussions on the Coca-Cola–FIFA Future Career Academy, planning and promotion of Inclusion Spirit Week activities, Youth Summit initiatives, and preparations for the SONJ Summer Games.
Dance Club Field Trip to NYC
The WHS Dance Club went on a field trip to New York City on December 19th. Our first stop was Steps on Broadway, where we took a private, professional-level Jazz class with John Leggio. We learned a combination and got feedback on what choreographers look for in auditions and how to make the best impression. Our next stop was the Museum of the City of New York for the exhibit Urban Stomp: Dreams and Defiance on the Dance Floor. We learned about how social dance in NYC has changed over time, from the waltz to swing to hip hop and vogue, due to cultural influences and changes in societal norms. We saw costumes and learned dance moves from each era, then got to practice on the dance floor!
Battle of the Classes
In an effort to spread out school spirit throughout the year, the Wall High School Student Council is sponsoring a Battle of the Classes. Students can earn points for their class at the Pep Rally, Volleyball Night, Hall Decorating, and by attending various school events each marking period. For more details or to stay up to date with Battle of the Classes events, check out @WallStuCo on Instagram.
🗽Celebrating 250 Years of America
Join us in celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary with events and activities all year. This section will share district celebrations, announcements, and ways our school community can honor this historic milestone.
📰 District News
WTPS BOE Meeting | 2.17.26 | 7:00pm | WHS Auditorium
Presidents' Day
WTPS will be closed Monday, February 16th in observance of Presidents' Day. #WallTogether #PresidentsDay
Upcoming Registration Dates: Mark Your Calendars!
It's time to start planning for the 2026-2027 school year! Please take note of the upcoming registration dates for our youngest students:
- Kindergarten Registration: Monday, February 2, 2026
- Preschool Registration: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Children are registered in their neighborhood schools in the order that completed registrations are received. Please be advised in the event that grade-level capacity is reached, incoming students may be assigned to another WTPS elementary school.
Registration Questions?
Do you have questions or need assistance with the registration process? Please follow this link to the district website or contact Kerrin McGowan, our District Registrar, with all your questions and inquiries.
- Email: kmcgowan@wallpublicschools.org
- Phone: 732-556-2658
💗 Student Wellness
Finding Stability
If your family is experiencing economic challenges or homelessness, visit the McKinney Vento webpage for essential information and guidance on available resources.
District Homeless Education Liaison
Tiffany Steiner
tsteiner@wallpublicschools.org
732.556.2647
WTPS Food Assistance
CRIMSON KNIGHTS ATHLETIC NIGHT of INSIGHT
Wednesday February 11, 2026 at 6:00pm in the Wall HS Auditorium
STUDENTS, PARENTS, BOOSTER CLUBS, COMMUNITY: Please join us to find out
everything you need to know about Wall Crimson Knights Athletics for WHS.
- NEW Turf Stadiums
- UPDATE on Athletic Facilities and impact upon Spring 2026 Athletic Season
- Meet our Coaches
- Sports Available
- Athletic Seasons
- Requirements
- Registration Process
- Athletics Philosophy
- Parent Booster Club Information
- Policies and Procedures ….plus much more!
Please be sure to visit the Wall Athletic Website for more information.
It's Time to Register for 2026 Spring Sports!
🍽️ Lunch Information
Message Regarding Doordash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, etc.
Please be advised, WHS will not accept food deliveries from services such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber Eats, etc. for students in our school. While we understand the convenience these services provide, they create significant disruptions within our main office. More importantly, allowing outside food/lunch deliveries raises concerns about the safety and security of our students and staff.
Please note: Parents and guardians are still permitted to drop off lunch for students who may have forgotten their meals. However, we ask that you coordinate these drop-offs directly through our main office to ensure a smooth process.
Thank you for your understanding and support as we prioritize the well-being and security of our school community.
Mr. Davis