Tenakill Times

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Dear Tenakill Families,

November is a natural time to pause and notice the good things around us, and here at TMS, there is so much to be thankful for.

I’m grateful for our students, who come through the doors each day with energy, curiosity, and a smile. Middle school is a time of big changes, and we are proud of how our kids are learning to be kind to one another, take on new challenges, and keep going when things get hard.

Thank you to our teachers and staff, who put their hearts into this work every single day. And thank you to you, our families. Your support at home makes all the difference.

In recognition of Veterans Day, we will host a special assembly on Wednesday, November 11th to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s Veterans. This annual event reminds our students of the importance of gratitude and respect for those who have served.

December 1st and 2nd bring conferences, and I hope you’ll take the chance to connect with your child’s teachers. These conversations are one of the best ways we can work together to help every student grow.

As we head into the Thanksgiving break, I hope you get some time to rest and be with the people you love.

Sincerely,

Christi Cipollini

Across all classes, students have been engaging in reflection and goal-setting activities in preparation for December conferences. Students in grades 6-8 will engage in student-led conferences which will take place on December 1st and 2nd. During these conferences, students will take the lead in sharing their progress, learning goals in alignment with Profile of a Closter learner, and personal growth reflection with both parents and a teacher facilitator. Throughout November, students in grades 6-8 will develop their presentations during advisory sessions. Please note that for grades 6-8, parents and students should attend the conference together. Sign-up information will be shared by one of your child’s teachers via email later this month.

Parents of students in grade 5 will receive an invitation for a parent-teacher conference. This is a parent only conference. Sign-up information will be shared by one of your child’s teachers via email later this month.

Senior Series is an authentic conversation between current NVD seniors and 8th-grade students from our sending districts. Seniors will share their experiences and answer questions about life at NVD, including Theatre, Band, Chorus, Athletics, co-curricular activities, AP and Honors courses, and more. During lunch and recess throughout the year, 8th grade students have an opportunity to join this program to learn more about NVD!

Dates: Nov. 20th, February 26th, and April 30th

We are thrilled to share some exciting news! TMS was selected as a recipient for the Yearbook Excellence Award for 2026! The publishing company, Irvin Simon, in collaboration with Pictavo highlighted the 2026 yearbook for standing out for its creativity. From capturing meaningful moments to telling the story of the school community, TMS Yearbook Club Students & Advisor Ms. Dunn created something truly special; a keepsake that will preserve memories for students, families, and staff for a lifetime.

Our 8th graders will soon embark on an exciting field trip to one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States — the Statue of Liberty. While they’ve been learning about Ellis Island and the story of immigration in social studies, this trip will give students the chance to experience Lady Liberty up close. The visit will deepen their understanding of freedom, identity, and the American experience while connecting classroom learning to the real world. We’re looking forward to an inspiring day of exploration and discovery!

Trip Date: November 24, 2026

Any questions, please contact Mr. Lewis (lewiss@nvnet.org)

During the month of October our school participated in the week of respect. TMS took the NJ Goes Gold and Blue Pledge and received recognition for our participation. The recognition acknowledges a strong commitment to fostering a positive school climate and advancing the prevention of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).

In October, students in Mr. Bomzer's Period 3 math class received a hands-on lesson in smart money management, thanks to a visit from two Northern Valley Demarest High School seniors (including a proud Tenakill Middle School graduate!). The guest speakers led an incredibly engaging presentation on the essentials of financial literacy, breaking down the core differences between spending, saving, and investing.

Our students walked away with practical insights on budgeting short-term necessities, setting aside savings, and understanding the power of long-term growth. They learned that by investing funds not needed immediately into diversified index funds, they build the opportunity for major financial growth in their future. Thank you to our visiting seniors for inspiring our future investors!

Mrs. Fineman’s eighth-grade students recently completed a memoir-writing unit in which they transformed meaningful personal experiences into engaging narratives. They strengthened their writing skills by incorporating descriptive details, dialogue, pacing, and reflection, while considering how their experiences have shaped who they are. Through this process, students had the opportunity to share a piece of their own stories and reflect on the moments that have made a lasting impact on their lives.

In Grade 7 Mandarin, students learn through an engaging approach called Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS). Instead of beginning with long vocabulary lists and grammar rules, students learn new words and sentence patterns through short, engaging stories, pictures, teacher questions, and repeated exposure to meaningful language. As they listen, respond to questions, discuss story details, and read familiar stories, students gradually develop their ability to understand Mandarin and recognize words and sentence patterns in context. This approach is especially helpful for beginning learners because it makes Mandarin more accessible, builds confidence, and allows students to develop comprehension before being expected to produce more language independently. These experiences provide a strong foundation for Grade 8, when students transition toward more practical, real-life communication and prepare for more advanced language learning. By building understanding step by step, students develop the skills they need to use Mandarin with greater confidence and independence. Take a look at some examples of our students' classroom work below!

This November, students across all grades are using Advisory time to pause and reflect on their journey so far this school year. Students are taking an honest look at both their academic progress and their everyday learning habits, evaluating their growth through the lens of the Profile of a Closter Learner.

This reflective work ties directly into our schoolwide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) theme of becoming a self-directed learner. Building independence and taking charge of one's own education relies heavily on key SEL pillars:

• Self-Awareness: Identifying personal strengths, recognizing areas for growth, and evaluating how daily habits impact learning outcomes.

• Self-Management: Setting realistic goals, organizing time, and taking proactive, intentional steps toward self-improvement.

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By taking ownership of their academic habits and mindsets, our students are actively embodying the core qualities of a Closter Learner and discovering that true academic and personal success comes from taking the driver's seat in their own growth.

Bring the Conversation Home

• Parent Prompt: Ask your child, "Looking back at the school year so far, what is one habit you are proud of, and what is one goal you want to focus on for the rest of this trimester?"

• Recommended Resource: Explore the PERTS Mindset Kit (mindsetkit.org) or CASEL’s family resources (casel.org/families) for practical guides on fostering a growth mindset, reflective habits, and self-directed learning at home.

• Note: Next month, we will continue our CharacterStrong lessons during Advisory, so be sure to look for further updates in the CharacterStrong section of the December Tenakill Times!

8th Grade Important Dates:

• Bergen Tech Schools Application closes November 8, 2026 (except BCTS Paramus, which closes January 31)

• The Entrance Test for BCA and BCTHS-Teterboro will take place on November 21 and 22, 2026

NOVEMBER 2026

11/2-11/4 – Grade 6 Fairview Lake Trip

11/5-11/6 – School Closure / NJ Teacher’s Convention

11/9 – Winter Sports (Basketball) Physical Forms Due

11/11 – Veterans Day Assembly (In School)

11/11 – Grades 5 & 6 Change Specials for Marking Period 2

11/19 – TMS Group/Sports/Club Photos & Picture Retakes

11/19 – Board of Education Meeting @ 7:30 PM

11/24 – Grade 8 Statue of Liberty Trip

11/25 – Early Dismissal @ 12:20 PM

11/26-11/27 – School Closure / Thanksgiving

DECEMBER 2026

12/1 – Early Dismissal @ 12:20 PM / TMS PM Student Led Conferences @ 1:30 PM-3:00 PM

12/2 – TMS Evening Student Led Conferences @ 6:00 PM

12/3 – Trimester 1 Ends

12/4 – Trimester 2 Begins

12/10-12/11 – PTO Holiday Boutique

12/10 – Trimester 1 Report Cards Released at End of School Day

12/10 – Board of Education Meeting @ 7:30 PM

12/15 – TMS Winter Concert @ 6:00 PM

12/16 – Grades 7 & 8 NVD Winter Concert Trip

12/23 – Early Dismissal @ 12:20 PM

12/24-1/1 – School Closure / Holiday Recess