From the Office of the Superintendent
Enjoy thrills and chills at HVCHS this weekend with "Haunted Hallways" and "Ghost Stories"!
Haunted Hallways and Food Drive at Central High School! Friday, Oct 25th & Sat., Oct. 26th
- Fri. 4:30pm-6pm: Family Friendly Stories & Crafts and Games for All Ages!
- Sat. 6pm-7pm: Ages 12 & Up Only! You will be scared!
- Friday Night Only! -- TMS STEM students are bringing some spooky fun to Haunted Hallways! Swing by our booth, where kids can craft their very own Halloween catapult and launch some frightful fun. Also, our STEM crew has been hard at work designing amazing costumes for students with assistive devices, all for a fundraising competition called Hallowheels. Cast your vote for the best costume at our booth for just $1, or https://hallowheels.org/vote/
- Canned goods & non-perishable items will be collected for donation.
"Ghost Stories" at the HVCHS PAC! Friday, Oct 25th at 7pm & Sat., Oct. 26th at 8pm
- Purchase tickets HERE
- HVCHS is proud to present their fall play "Ghost Stories!" a new adaptation of a classic legend
- Watch a band of intrepid ghost hunters determined to try to uncover the truth behind the legend of Bloody Mary. This show promises plenty of scares and lots of fun, just in time for spooky season!
Sports Fest 2024: All elementary school students are invited to join the HVCHS Athletes for Sports Fest 2024, a fun-filled afternoon of sports and other activities designed to raise money for hurricane relief for our partner high school, Mountain Heritage High School in Burnsville, NC. The students and staff of Mountain Heritage High School have been without power, running water, or cell service for since they were devastated by Hurricane Helene, and school remains closed without an anticipated date to reopen. HVCHS is committed to helping to meet the needs of Mountain Heritage High School, and we need your help! Please sign up using the QR code on the flyer by October 28!
Princeton University Teacher Prep: In collaboration with Leadership in Science we invite you to join the Winter Administrators' Institute on Dec. 12th & Jan. 14th at Princeton University. Give yourself time to prepare for the second half of the school year with a fresh mindset and vision for science instruction. Whether you are a Vice Principal, Principal, Curriculum Director, Science Supervisor, Department Chair, Instructional Coach, or aspiring leader you'll gain key insights for supporting high-quality science instruction.
The Higher Education Assistance Authority (HESA)
- Behavioral Healthcare Provider Loan Redemption Program, offers $50,000 towards outstanding student loan balances in exchange for every two years that a professional has worked for an approved employer — including community providers of behavioral and mental health services, school districts, nonprofits, and any local, county, state, or federal agency. Applications are being accepted through Oct. 31st
- Going to College in NJ? The NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application is open for NJ Dreamers attending college in Fall 2025. Please click on link for info and upcoming webinars (in English/Spanish).
Princeton Parent Partnership is a free, support group for parents dealing with a child, of any age, with a Substance Use Disorder. Parents find comfort sharing their stories and struggles with others who have dealt with very similar situations. What is difficult to speak about outside of the group, is more easily shared among your peers. While we can't advise or guide another family, in sharing our personal experiences, we do learn from each other.
- Monday, October 28th is a speaker meeting which will include a young, local man, who will kindly share his story of years of addiction and into recovery. The meeting will be held at St. Paul's Church, 216 Nassau Street, Princeton from 7:00-8:15pm. Park in the back and walk down the ramp to the church basement. All are welcome! Questions? Contact Michelle King, mokingnj@gmail.com
Please see "Community Events" for upcoming programs!
- Congratulations to the HVCHS Girls Soccer team and Coach John McGinley on their division title! They will be playing in a CVC Championship game on Sat. Oct 26th at 4:30pm.
- Congratulations to Coach Aaron Oldfield and the Boys Cross Country Team and Coach Karen Walker and the Girls Cross Country Team on their CVC division titles! Yesterday, both teams finished 3rd at the CVC Invitational. Next week both teams will compete at the State Sectional Meet.
HVCHS Updates: Please see the October edition of HVCHS Updates from Ms. Riley.
Hurricane Relief: HVCHS is partnering with Mountain Heritage High School, located outside of Asheville, in Burnsville NC to provide them support. We're hoping to raise money to for generators, portable heaters and dehumidifiers. Currently, the Athletic Council is hosting Sports Fest 2024 and the Service Learning Pathway is working on two fundraisers, but we want to make this a schoolwide effort. If interested in being involved, please reach out to Ms. Riley or make a donation to our fund. Let's bring some hope from Hopewell Valley to Mountain Heritage High School. Thank you!
Conferences: We will continue with student-caregiver-teacher conferences this year; since students are expected to attend, please consider their schedules when arranging for conferences. Please see the email from Ms. Riley with additional information.
HVCHS Winter Sports: Registration and medical forms are due by WED., NOV. 6th!. Please click here to access the registration page and print medical forms. Any student who is not registered and does not have either a physical form or health history update form on file with the school nurses will be unable to try out or practice.
The U.S. Department of State offers scholarships for American high school students to study abroad from two weeks to an academic year. Students live with host families, engage with local schools, and gain skills to be competitive in the global workforce. Previous language study is not required for most programs. Domestic exchanges are also options to gain international perspectives without leaving the U.S.
Absences, Late Arrivals, & Early Dismissals: Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number 609-737-4003, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence or late arrival. Please provide a note if your child needs to be dismissed from school early. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors MUST be signed out by a parent or guardian before leaving the building. Please also review our attendance procedures for details about the district policies. *As a reminder, students must be in school for at least four hours in order to participate in all athletic or extra-curricular activities and events*
What’s Happening at HVCHS? Please follow us on Twitter: @HVCentralHS and Instagram: hopewell_valley_central_hs for pictures, updates, and fun facts. Our daily morning announcements can be found on the school website and via this link. Fundraising activities from our classes, clubs, and teams can be found on our fundraising calendar. Also, check out our HV Student Publications Network page for student-created podcasts, digital videos, and more! If you are a graduate of HVCHS, and you would like to join our Alumni Directory, please complete our Database Form and indicate what type of information you would like to receive from HVCHS.
6th Grade Night Out - 3:00-5:00pm - today!
$10 admission, Lawn games, pumpkin decorating, pop culture trivia, snacks and more!
Pick A Pop: During 6th grade night out and recess in all grades, Monday 10/28-Thursday 10/31
for $1 you can chooses and eat a lollipop. If it has a colored stick you win a prize!
Help support kids who need assistive technology. All donations and be used to vote for the TMS costumes in the assistive technology Hallowheels contest!
Red Ribbon Week is being observed at TMS through 10/31:
Red Ribbon Week highlights the importance of living a drug-free life. Students are encouraged to display their involvement by wearing these items of clothing in support of the prevention goals.
Activities include:
● Daily Video morning announcements from the Timberleaders sharing an
important fact about substance use prevention and reminders for the theme days
● On Friday 10/25: Students will have the opportunity to sign pledges in the cafeteria
promising to say “yes” to life and “no” to an artificial high
● On Monday 10/28: NJ4S, an organization dedicated to student’s mental wellness, will
provide games and giveaways to promote substance use prevention at lunches
● Staff members will wear red ribbons throughout the week to support substance
use prevention
● RR Week 2025 Theme Contest: students are encouraged to create a slogan for next
year's Red Ribbon Week- this can be a slogan or a slogan with art work and is due by
November 18th.
Happy Halloween! We will be inviting students to dress for Halloween if they are interested on Thursday 10/31. We’ll have lots of fun activities during the school day, including a costume contest, door decorating contest, and more. Please note for costumes:
-Costumes must be school- appropriate
-No weapons, no guts
-Masks must be removed after initial judging
-No suggestive or revealing costumes
-If you are unsure about your costume, ask an administrator
12u girls' travel basketball is back at the YMCA!
We will be holding open tryouts for girls in grades (5th & 6th) to join the 12u travel basketball team. Tryouts will be held on Monday, November 4 from 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm at Bear Tavern Elementary. For more information and to register, please click the above link.
Pretzel Day - Monday 11/4 Pretzels will be sold at the end of the day for $2 cash.
Veterans Day Ceremony- This year we will have our second annual TMS Veterans Day Ceremony at school. On Monday, November 11th, we will invite Veterans who are connected to Timberlane (parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors) to come to school to be celebrated. Our Veterans celebration and their TMS connection will participate live, and the rest of the school will watch a video stream from their classrooms. We will then have light refreshments and a chance to connect and mingle for our Veterans. The ceremony is planned for the media center.
Please email christopherturnbull@hvrsd.org with questions. Click here to RSVP for a special Veteran to attend or be honored on 11/11
Winter Sports Registration Is now open! Winter sports will start on Monday, Nov. 25th.
- Boys and Girls Basketball - (Open to grades 7th & 8th Only)
- Wrestling (Open to all grades)
- Winter Cheerleading (Open to all grades)
- All medical paperwork and registration must be completed by November 6th!
The Harlem Wizards Are Coming to Town - On 11/13 @ 6:00 pm (TMS school gym). Save the date for a fun-filled community event. Click here for ticket information.
Governor’s Educator of the Year - Please nominate one of our outstanding TMS teachers or staff members for the Governor's Educator of the Year (GEOY) program! This award honors exceptional teachers and educational service professionals
Governor’s Educator of the Year Nomination (Google form)
Eligible Certification Areas for Educational Services Professionals
Support Professional Nomination (paraprofessional, secretary, custodian, maintenance worker, bus driver, van attendant, or technology specialist.
Please return nomination forms directly to Principal Turnbull by Nov. 15, 2024.
Absences, Late Arrival & Early Dismissal: Parents should call our TeleSafe # 609-737-4004, Ext 2, by 8:00 am, to report an absence or late arrival. If your child is leaving early, please be sure to send in a note when possible. If the need occurs after the start of school, please call the Main Office. Please be aware Timberlane Drive is closed between 2:30 - 3:00 for TMS and CHS dismissal.
TMS Updates: For additional information about TMS, please visit our webpage, or follow us on Twitter @Timberlane_HV, or instagram @timberlane_timberwolves
TMS Spirit Wear - New Gear is Here!
The Timberlane ``Principal's Page" on the TMS Website
*Dates To Remember*
10/23-10/31 Red Ribbon Week
10/31 - Halloween!
11/1 - Diwali - Schools Closed
11/4-11/6 Early Dismissal at 12:00pm - Parent Teacher Conferences
11/7- Schools Closed: NJEA Convention
11/8 - Schools & Offices Closed, Veterans Day Observed
11/11- Veteran's Day Ceremony during Pack
11/13 - Harlem Wizards at TMS!
BT Scholastic Book Fair - Students will have a chance to preview the sale and create their wishlists before shopping begins on October 28th. Shopping will run through parent-teacher conference times in the first week of November so stop by and do some holiday shopping.
BT Storybook Pumpkin Patch - The pumpkins on display must be taken home on October 31st. Thank you!
The BT Halloween Parade is on Thursday, October 31st. We will continue our tradition of having our parade in the morning. Families are invited and can park AFTER arrival and head to the blacktop. Please click here for more information.
BTPTO Spirit Wear - Brand new Spirit Wear will be available shortly. It will include hooded sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, T-shirts, shorts, and even pajamas; look for more upcoming information about how to purchase soon.
BT Staff Appreciation Dinner 11/4 - If you would like to donate to the Staff Appreciation fund, please click here.
The Harlem Wizards Are Coming to Town - 11/13 at 6:00 pm (TMS school gym). Save the date for a fun-filled community event. Click here for ticket information.
BT 5th Grade Griggstown Pies Fundraiser - Pot pies can provide a leisurely dinner, and fruit pies are perfect for the upcoming season. The pies arrive frozen uncooked and come with heating instructions. Orders are due by Friday, November 15th. Pie pickup will be Thursday, November 21st, from 5:00-8:00 pm
Please stop by Bear Tavern's Lost and Found. We have an extensive collection. All Items will be donated on Friday, November 15th. Please remember to label articles of clothing; this helps return them to the right student. Pictures are posted on Facebook under the BTPTO page.
Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Nominations Are Underway!
Please nominate one of our outstanding Bear Tavern educators for the Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Program. This award honors exceptional teachers and educational service professionals. Click here for the Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Nomination Form. Click here for the Support Professional Nomination Form. Click here for Eligible Certification Areas for Educational Services Professionals. Nominations are due to Principal Billy by 11/15.
School Lunch Information: Please click link for the 2024-2025 information.
Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number:
609-737-4005, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you.
Changes In Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home (pick up, take the bus, after-school program, etc.), please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4005 btmainoffice@hvrsd.org
*Dates To Remember*
10/28 - Scholastic Book Fair
10/31 - Halloween Parade AM
11/1 - Schools Closed/Diwali
11/4 - 11/6 - Parent/Teacher Conferences
11/7 - Schools Closed: NJEA Convention
11/8 - Schools and Offices Closed, Veterans Day observed
11/13 - Lifetouch Picture Day/Harlem Wizards at TMS!
Kindergarten/1st Grade’s Monster Mash Costume Party - Tonight! 6:00-7:30PM HES Cafeteria!
For Kindergarten and 1st-grade students and their families.
Check out the flyer HERE for more details!
The Principal’s latest Newsletter - Hopewell’s Happenings is on the HES Website. Hopewell’s Happenings is a monthly update with links to information and activities
Hopewell Borough’s annual Halloween Parade will take place on Sunday, October 27th at 12:30 PM. Check out the flyer HERE for more information.
Barn Dance - 2nd - 5th Graders and their Families are invited on Tuesday, October 29th, from 7:00-8:30 PM in the HES Cafeteria for a lively Barn Dance featuring music from the HES Advanced Orchestra. A goodbye dance for Ms. Mills, who is retiring after 35 years of teaching in Hopewell Valley!
Halloween Parade - Our annual Halloween Parade will take place on Thursday, October 31st, from 9:15am to 9:55am. We encourage all HES Families to join us for the festivities! More information will follow in a separate communication as we near this date.
Tab Collection for Ronald McDonald House Charities - Let's pull together and help HES collect aluminum tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick, NJ! Bring in your tabs and help your class win the competition for the most tabs collected!
Picture Day Update! We are excited to partner with a new vendor, Irvin Simon, for our school pictures and yearbook. After pictures have been processed, student proofs will go home with your child along with directions regarding order placement. We anticipate proofs to arrive in the coming weeks.
Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Nominations Are Underway! Please consider nominating one of our wonderful Hopewell Elementary educators for the Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Program. This award honors exceptional teachers and educational service professionals.
- Educator-of-the-Year Nomination Form
- Support Professional Nomination Form
- Eligible Certification Areas for Educational Services Professionals.
Nominations are due to the HES main office by 11/15.
School Lunch Information: Please click this link for the 2024-2025 information.
Absences & Late Arrivals - Parents/Guardians should call our TeleSafe number, 609-737- 4007, Ext 2, by 8:00 a.m. to report an absence or late arrival. Thank you.
HES Changes in Students’ Dismissal - If there is a change in how students will be going home (pick up, take the bus, after-school program, etc.), please be sure to call or email the main office at 609-737-4007 hwmainoffice@hvrsd.org
The Principal’s latest Newsletter - Hopewell’s Happenings is on the HES Website. Hopewell’s Happenings is a monthly update with links to information and activities
Cold weather is right around the corner. Be sure to LABEL your children’s coats, hats, and other clothing!
Dates to Remember:
October 25th - Kindergarten/1st Grade Monster Mash (6:30-8:00PM)
October 29th - Barn Dance - 2nd -5th Grade Families (7:00-8:30PM)
October 30th - Kindergarten Farm Day
October 31st - Halloween Parade (9:15AM)
November 1st - Schools Closed/Diwali
Nov 4th - Nov 6th - Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM - Conferences
November 7th: Schools Closed, NJEA Convention
November 8th: Schools/Offices Closed, Veterans Day Observed
Trunk or Treat! The SB PTO is looking forward to a great Trunk or Treat tonight, 6-8pm in the big SB parking lot. This event is for SB families only. Didn’t pre register? That’s ok, pay $7 at the door per child, adults are free. Priority admission for children with sensory needs at 5:45pm, general admission at 6pm.
Walk & Roll to School Wednesdays - Please join us on Wednesday the 30th for our last walk or bike to school!
Halloween Parade! The Halloween Parade will take place at 2:45pm on Thurs, Oct. 31. Please click here to view parade details. Click here to inform the school of any dismissal changes that day.
All Star Donation Drive - While the prize raffle is now closed, you can still donate to the All Star Donation Drive! Click here to donate.
Picture Day - Make up Day for yearbook pictures will be on Wednesday, November 13th.
The Harlem Wizards Are Coming to Town - 11/13 @ 6:00 pm (TMS school gym). Save the date for a fun-filled community event. Click here for ticket information.
Griggstown Pie Fundraiser: pies are great for any season! Our Pot Pies can provide you with an easy dinner for a family of four, and or our Fruit Pies are perfect for holiday parties or to enjoy at home with your family. The pies make the perfect gift for any occasion. All proceeds with benefit the 5th Grade Committee. Orders due by Nov. 6th.
Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Nominations Are Underway! Please consider nominating an exceptional teacher and/or educational service professional fot the Governor’s Educator-of-the-Year Program.
- Educator-of-the-Year Nomination Form
- Support Professional Nomination Form
- Eligible Certification Areas for Educational Services Professionals.
Nominations are due by 11/15 to the Stony Brook Main Office.
School Lunch Information: Please click this link for the 2024-2025 information.
Absences, Late Arrivals & Changes In Students’ Dismissal.
- Please call our TelSafe line at 609-737-4006, Ext 2, by 8:00 am to report an absence, late arrival or last minute change in your student's dismissal.
- When possible, lease email the main office in advance at sbmainoffice@hvrsd.org about a dismissal change.
- Please refer to our Attendance Procedures for details regarding school absences, late arrivals and early dismissals.
Membership Toolkit - Click here to register for volunteer opportunities, class lists & apparel. Contact StonyBrookPTO@gmail.com with any questions.
*Dates To Remember*
10/25 - Trunk or Treat
10/30 - Walk & Roll to School Wednesday - Last One!
10/31 Halloween Parade at 2:45pm
11/1 - Diwali observed - schools closed
11/6 - Griggstown Pie Orders Due
11/7 - Schools Closed, NJEA Convention
11/8 - Schools/Offices Closed, Veterans Day observed
11/13 - Picture Day Make Ups/ Harlem Wizards at TMS!
Toll Gate Grammar School Website
Toll Gate Grammar on Instagram
Email the Toll Gate Main Office
Principal Lauri’s Monthly Newsletter: Click here to view the October Newsletter.
Our Halloween Parade will be on Thurs. 10/31 at 9:15 am. Please send your child to school in their costume. The students will march from Curlis Avenue to the corner of Main Street and around the front loop of the school. We ask that families stay out of the front loop so we can maintain the safety of our students as they march through. Parents, guardians and family members are welcome to join us at the end of the parade in the back of the school on the blacktop to take pictures before the students go back into the building. Thank you to all of our class parents who will be volunteering their time to coordinate class parties with our teachers. We are looking forward to a fun day!
Trick or Treat with UNICEF with the Toll Gate Student Council. All students received a copy of a DIY label to create their own Trick or Treat collection containers. UNICEF has helped save and meaningfully improve more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. Visit Trick or Treat with UNICEF to learn more. Please send in your collected donations by Wednesday, November 5th.
The Toll Gate Green Team is sponsoring a Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day on the third Thursday of every month. Lace up your sneakers or strap on your helmets to get to school instead of riding in a car. By walking or biking to school, you will help reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles. To learn more about the health risks of pollution, visit https://www.epa.gov/haps. The next Walk, Bike, or Roll to School Day will be on Thursday, November 21st.
Book Smiles Bin - Toll Gate Student Council and Green Team will be collecting gently used adult and children's books to help irrigate book deserts throughout the Philadelphia/NJ area. Drop your gently used books into the BookSmiles bin located in the Toll Gate Media Center. Thanks to donations from Pennington Boro Public Works and Toll Gate PTO, our Student Council and Green Team members were able to obtain the materials needed to become a permanent BookSmiles donation site. Ms. Roskiewicz and her Art Enrichment students created and painted the beautiful artwork!
Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held on Monday, November 4th (afternoon and evening) and Tuesday, November 5th (afternoon). All of our conferences will take place in person, however, we are happy to offer a zoom meeting if you would prefer. To book an appointment for a conference with a teacher, please view the conference links here. If you are a parent of a 4th or 5th grader, please also view this letter for information on how 4th and 5th grade conferences will be scheduled this year. We look forward to seeing you all during conferences.
Governor’s Educator of the Year- Each year, the Hopewell Valley Regional School District participates in the Governor's Educator of the Year (GEOY) program. The intent of this program is to recognize the hard work of outstanding teachers and educational services professionals. Below you will find a nomination form along with the criteria that you should consider, if interested in nominating an educator. You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google form, or you can print and write on the pdf attachment. Please return nomination forms directly to Mrs. Lauri by November 15, 2024.
- Governor’s Educator of the Year Nomination (Google form)
Eligible Certification Areas for Educational Services Professionals
Support Professional Nomination (paraprofessional, secretary, custodian, maintenance worker, bus driver, van attendant, or technology specialist)
The Harlem Wizards are Coming to HVRSD on Wednesday, 11/13 in the TMS gym @ 7:00pm (doors open at 6:00pm). Save the date for a fun-filled community event. Click here for ticket information.
Our Lost and Found is growing! Please take a look at this Lost and Found Folder to see if anything belongs to your child. Special thanks to Eva McKenna-Tramontana for folding and organizing all the clothes and for taking the photos! Email tgmainoffice@hvrsd.org to claim any of the items.
Dates to Remember:
Thursday, 10/31: Halloween Parade at 9:15 AM
Friday, 11/1: Diwali (Observed) - Schools Closed
Monday, 11/4-Wednesday, 11/6: Early Dismissal at 12:45 PM - Conferences
Thursday, 11/7: School Closed - NJEA Convention
Friday, 11/8: Schools/Offices Closed - Veterans Day (Observed)
Wednesday, 11/13: Harlem Wizards at TMS!
Monday, 11/25: Lifetouch Picture Retake Day