HTPS EXCELLENCE SPOTLIGHT

Winter is still holding on, and as Punxsutawney Phil predicted at the start of the month, we were in for 6 more weeks of it… and he certainly wasn’t kidding. The storms seem to keep on coming, and I want to extend a special thank-you to our incredible Buildings & Grounds team for their tireless work clearing snow, salting walkways, and preparing our campuses after each round of winter weather. Their behind-the-scenes efforts ensure our schools remain safe and ready for learning.

We are now officially in the second half of the school year, and the momentum inside our schools continues to build. Our elementary grade-level shows have kicked off, showcasing the talents and confidence of our students. In classrooms across the district, teachers are delving deeper into the curriculum while providing engaging, meaningful learning experiences each day. Even though winter may feel never-ending, there is certainly no shortage of energy, creativity, and fun happening in our schools.

I hope you enjoyed celebrating Valentine’s Day and had a meaningful Presidents' Day Weekend, taking time to connect with family and reflect on the history and leadership that have shaped our nation.

Behind the scenes, our District Administration has been working diligently and collaborating with the Board of Education to prepare the 2026–2027 budget. While we recognize that these are challenging fiscal times for many districts across the state, we remain focused on thoughtful planning that supports our students and sustains the high-quality programs our community deserves. The proposed preliminary budget will be presented to the community next month, and we look forward to sharing more details at that time.

To those who recently celebrated the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse, Happy New Year!

Here’s hoping the next forecast calls for warmer days ahead—and no more snow.

Fourth-grade students culminated their study of electrical circuits with an engaging, hands-on project in which they created their own paper circuits. As a final demonstration of their understanding, students first designed an original illustration, thoughtfully planning where their light would appear within the picture. They then applied their knowledge of circuitry by using copper tape, a battery, and a small light bulb to construct a closed circuit. Throughout the process, students tested their connections, problem-solved when the circuit did not initially work, and made adjustments to ensure proper contact and polarity. When successfully completed, the light illuminated within their artwork, providing an exciting and visible representation of how a closed circuit allows electricity to flow. This project not only reinforced key science concepts but also encouraged creativity, perseverance, and critical thinking.

To coincide with the excitement of the Winter Olympics, Bee Meadow School’s school counselor, Mrs. Dakak, launched a schoolwide initiative titled the Good Character Olympics. This engaging program was designed to promote positive behavior, school spirit, and strong character traits throughout the building. Throughout the two-week event, classes had the opportunity to earn points in a variety of areas that reflect both academic responsibility and citizenship. The Good Character Olympics not only generated enthusiasm similar to the Winter Games, but also reinforced Bee Meadow’s commitment to fostering responsibility, inclusivity, and compassion. Students were motivated to work together, support one another, and contribute positively to the school community, making the initiative both meaningful and memorable.

The Bee Meadow School PTA brought the Skydome Planetarium to Bee Meadow School, providing students with an unforgettable and immersive educational experience. Inside the inflatable dome, students were transported on a captivating journey through the stars, exploring constellations, planets, and other fascinating features of our solar system and beyond. Thanks to the generosity of the BMS PTA, students were able to experience a hands-on, memorable lesson that inspired exploration and a greater appreciation for the universe around them.

The Annual Super Saturday fundraiser was another tremendous success for the Bee Meadow School community. The event offered a wide variety of games and activities that kept students of all ages engaged and entertained. From classic carnival-style games to interactive challenges, there was something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the games, families enjoyed an assortment of food and refreshments. Beyond the fun and festivities, Super Saturday once again demonstrated the incredible support of our families, staff, and PTA. The fundraiser not only provided a memorable experience for students but also helped support valuable programs and initiatives that benefit our entire school community.

We were thrilled to welcome members of the Interact Club from Whippany Park High School to MTV as part of their Breakfast Bag initiative! These dedicated high school volunteers worked alongside our first and second graders to design and decorate bags that will hold donated items collected through their service project. Many of the Interact students are former MTV learners, making it especially meaningful to welcome them back home. It was a joyful visit filled with creativity, connection, and the true spirit of service!

Pajamas, prizes, and Eagle pride filled the halls at our annual MTV Student Council Bingo Night! On a chilly February evening, students, staff, and families came out in droves for a night of laughter, friendly competition, and wonderful camaraderie. Led by our enthusiastic advisors, Mr. Pomel and Mrs. Lisewski, alongside our dedicated Student Council Officers, the event was a tremendous success. Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening of community, connection, and fun — a great time was truly had by all!

Learning and laughter were on full display during our MTV morning and after-school enrichment programs! From practicing mindfulness and spreading kindness to creating arts and crafts and sharpening math skills, our students were engaged, inspired, and having fun beyond the regular school day.

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Lauren Beretin for organizing these meaningful opportunities for our students, and to our dedicated staff members — Mrs. Marrese, Mrs. Desai, Mrs. Gervasio, and Mrs. Wylie — for sharing their time, talents, and enthusiasm. We are so grateful for the extra care and creativity that make MTV such a special place to learn and grow!

Before the first bell rings, some MTV early bird staff is already building teamwork, boosting wellness, and showing off some impressive pickleball skills! They bring their energy to Workout Wednesdays by meeting together in the gym for some sport and laughs.

Our newly revised Grade 2 “Get Up and Grow” Celebration was a beautiful showcase of creativity, confidence, and growth! Our second graders proudly enjoyed crafts and games with special family members and friends, and closed the event with some classic MTV singing to highlight their learning and talents. With an incredible turnout and so many proud smiles, it was truly a joyful celebration of how much our second graders have grown.

MTV students and staff had an amazing time celebrating the 100th day of school! Classrooms across the building marked 100 days of learning, growing, and achieving. In Kindergarten, students proudly celebrated 100 days of hard work and new discoveries, while our second graders (and their teachers!) had everyone smiling as they dressed up as 100-year-olds.

The highlight? A slow—but very cheerful—second-grade parade around the school that brought laughter and joy to all! We are so proud of our students for 100 incredible days of learning and can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

From Kindergarten to fifth grade, our students are engaged, curious, and hard at work! Fifth graders took a deep dive into analyzing famous works of art, sharpening their critical thinking and observation skills. Third graders put their STEM knowledge to the test with storm drainage design challenges and explored the fascinating science of magnetism.

Our Kindergarteners enjoyed hands-on learning with creative snowman activities, while students across grade levels tackled math challenges and centers that stretched their thinking and problem-solving skills. First graders built background knowledge through lessons on Groundhog Day and the importance of healthy habits like proper handwashing.

Across every classroom, Mountview students are collaborating, creating, experimenting, and growing—one engaging lesson at a time!

Various student representatives from grades 3, 4, and 5 recently met with our partners at Maschio's Food Services to share feedback on our new school lunch program. Students had the opportunity to test-taste menu items and thoughtfully discuss what they enjoyed and what could be improved. They shared their ideas with honesty, respect, and a true sense of responsibility—demonstrating leadership and pride in helping make Mountview even better. We are so proud of our students for using their voices in such a meaningful way and grateful to Maschio’s for valuing their input. When students and staff collaborate, great things happen!

Our Kindergarten and Grade 5 students shared a special day of kindness and connection during their Valentine’s Day activity. Grade 5 students stepped into leadership roles, thoughtfully supporting and guiding our youngest learners every step of the way.

We are extremely proud of our fifth graders for leading with patience, compassion, and care. A perfect reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference, especially on a day dedicated to caring!

We are proud to celebrate our success in the Kids Heart Challenge with the American Heart Association, and even more proud to share that we met our fundraising goal!

A special thank you to Mrs. Mead and Mr. Nakonechy for leading the way and inspiring our school community to stay active, eat healthy, and care for those who need heart health support.

We are deeply grateful to all members of our school community for your generosity and support. Together, we showed that when we work with compassion and purpose, we can truly make a difference.

What a fantastic evening at our PTA Bingo Night! A heartfelt thank you to the Salem Drive PTA for organizing such a fun and memorable event for our school community.

Special appreciation to Mr. Cashen and Mr. Pomel for their energy and enthusiasm that helped make the night extra special. We also loved the surprise appearance from our very own mascot, Jagger!

With laughter, prizes, and plenty of bingo excitement, it was a wonderful time together as a Salem Drive family.

What an incredible showing from our Salem Drive School community during the SOUP-er Bowl! Together, we donated 1,889 items, earning the top spot in Hanover Township in a friendly competition with other schools.

A huge shoutout to our Grade 5 students, who led the way with 932 items, earning G.O.A.T. status and proudly wearing their well-deserved medals!

Our Student Council Officers, alongside their advisors, Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Gavin, made a special field trip to the Interfaith Food Pantry to deliver these donations.

Way to go, Salem Drive Jaguars! Your generosity and teamwork are inspiring.

We were thrilled to welcome the WPHS Junior Achievement Program to work with our 5th graders!

The high school students spent the day in each 5th-grade classroom, teaching important lessons about financial literacy and sharing real-world insights. It was especially inspiring to see former Salem Drive students returning as leaders and role models for our current Jaguars.

Thank you to WPHS and all the students for helping our 5th graders build skills and confidence for the future!

We were excited to welcome our literacy coach for a series of professional development sessions with our Grades 3–5 teachers!

Pictured here, Grade 5 teachers observed and assisted as Mrs. Fagan modeled a lesson. A special thank you to Mr. Wasserman for bringing us this wonderful opportunity and for collaborating with our Salem Drive teachers.

A fantastic experience for our staff to grow together, and for our students to benefit from innovative, engaging literacy instruction!

On January 29th, Memorial Junior School proudly hosted its Winter Band Concert. The evening featured outstanding musical performances by our talented student musicians and was met with a wonderful turnout from family and friends. It was a fantastic celebration of the hard work and dedication our students have shown throughout the winter season.

Our 8th Grade Character Education Program recently wrapped up its Pennies for Puppies fundraiser in support of The Seeing Eye Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of our school community, Memorial Junior School raised an incredible $1,335.10 to help puppies receive the training they need to become future guide dogs.

We are thrilled to welcome a new addition, Artie, who Mrs. McDonough is helping to raise. Artie and Pepper, who recently broke her leg but is quickly on the mend, are becoming fast friends and are enjoying working alongside our students and staff.

Memorial Junior School students and staff recently participated in the Soup-er Bowl Food Collection for the Interfaith Food Pantry. Together, our school collected 1,626 food items to support families in need. Across the district, a total of 5,441 items were donated, with Salem Drive School earning top honors for contributing the most. This friendly competition highlighted the generosity and community spirit of our students and staff.

On February 5th, Memorial Junior School held its first Food Advisory Committee meeting. Nine student committee members met with representatives from Maschio's Food Services to share feedback about the lunch program and suggest new menu items. A highlight of the meeting was sampling some exciting new pizza options, including Buffalo Chicken and BBQ Chicken, giving students a hands-on role in shaping their school lunch experience.

Students at Memorial Junior School have been busy engaging in a variety of hands-on activities that spark creativity and learning. From transforming classmates into mummies and programming robots to designing motivating bulletin boards, learning magic from Mr. Falgares, completing science experiments, and exploring their creativity in the after-school crafts club, our students are experiencing learning in exciting and interactive ways.

Our continued focus on strengthening literacy instruction, particularly as we continue to implement the new program in Grades 3–5. This month, our literacy coach, Cindy Healy, spent time working directly in classrooms—modeling highly effective instructional practices while engaging students in meaningful reading experiences.

In addition, several teachers have volunteered to serve as “lab sites,” opening their classrooms so grade-level colleagues can observe lessons in action and receive targeted feedback from our literacy coach. This collaborative model allows teachers to learn from one another, refine their practice, and build confidence as they continue implementing the new program.

It has been inspiring to see the growth taking place in this first year of implementation. Our teachers continue to stretch themselves professionally, reflect thoughtfully, and “spread their wings” in ways that are directly benefiting our students. We are grateful to have so many wonderful professionals and educators in our schools!

Our Strategic Planning Core Team met again this month as we continue this important work for Hanover Township Public Schools.

If you would like to stay informed throughout the process, you can visit our Strategic Planning page on the District's website. We continue to post updates after each monthly meeting so the community can follow our progress.

We look forward to many more meaningful discussions as we work together to shape the future of HTPS!

• Calendar prepared in accordance with BOE Policy #8210 – School Year

• Collaborated with HP Regional HS Superintendent, Maria Carrell, to ensure alignment

• All Hanover Township students (K-12) begin school on the same day

Registration for the 2026–2027 school year is still open for Kindergarten!

If your child turns five (5) years old on or before October 1, 2026, they are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten for September 2026. Parents/guardians can access and complete the online pre-registration and learn more about the process by visiting our District Website.*Available for your review is the HTPS BOE policy on Entrance Age (Policy #5112).

At the same time, we are pleased to launch Preschool registration for the 2026–2027 school year. Families interested in our preschool program can find additional details and registration information HERE.

If you know a neighbor or community member with a child eligible for Kindergarten or Preschool in September 2026, please help spread the word. Thank you for supporting our growing HTPS community!

Tuesday, February 24

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Friday, March 13

Early Dismissal for Students - Staff PD Session

MJS @ 12:15pm & Elementary @ 12:45pm

Tuesday, March 17

Preliminary 2026-2027 Budget Presentation (Tentative) @ 5:30pm

MJS Media Center

Tuesday, March 24

Board of Education Meeting @ 7pm

MJS Media Center

Friday, April 3

Good Friday - Schools Closed

Monday, April 6 – Friday, April 10

Spring Recess - Schools Closed