4-29-2026

Hear ye, hear ye! Our fourth-grade Program for the Academically Talented of Hawthorne (PATH) students from Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Washington stepped back in time today after diving into medieval history—bringing their learning to life at Medieval Times! From knights and castles to epic battles and royal feasts, it was a day fit for kings and queens. Learning has never been so legendary!

Hawthorne High School’s Peer Leaders recently took part in the annual “Dinner and a Show” evening, a community event sponsored by the Mayor’s Office and the Municipal Alliance. The program welcomed local senior citizens to the high school for a shared night of food, conversation, and entertainment. Peer Leaders served dinner to guests and spent time engaging in meaningful conversations, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the evening. Following dinner, attendees were invited to enjoy the dress rehearsal of the spring musical, Anything Goes, performed by HHS students. The event highlighted the strong sense of community in Hawthorne, bringing together students, senior citizens, and local leadership in a positive and memorable way. The Peer Leaders consistently express how much they value the opportunity to connect with community members, while senior citizens enjoy meaningful conversations with students who are actively contributing to the town they call home.

Registration for the September 2026 kindergarten class is now open on the district website. Please complete the online pre-registration process via our district website. https://www.hawthorneschools.org/registration/kindergarten-students.

Parents and guardians who are unable to complete the process electronically should make an appointment by going to Hawthorneschools.org >BOE>Appointment Request to complete the registration process.

• 5/25 - Memorial Day; Schools Closed
• 6/2 - Session One Day/Early Dismissal Election Day
• 6/16, 6/17 & 6/18 - Early Dismissal Days
• 6/17 - LMS 8th Grade Graduation
• 6/18 - HHS Graduation / Last Day of School

• 8/27 & 8/28 - Orientation: All Staff
• 9/1 - First Day for Students
• 9/4 - Labor Day Weekend - Schools Closed
• 9/7 - Labor Day - Schools Closed
• 10/12 - Professional Day: Schools Closed for Students

• 4/30 - Gold Tassel Dinner HHS
• 5/1 - Spirit Day WES
• 5/1 - Drama Production LMS
• 5/2 - Wizard Event RES
• 5/4 - Drama Production for 5th Graders @ HHS
• 5/5 - Concert & Art Show LMS
• 5/7 - Open House RES
• 5/8 - Dance & Theater Concert HHS
• 5/14 - Open House JES
• 5/14 - School Play WES
• 5/15 - Spirit Day RES
• 5/15 - Circus or Talent Show RES
• 5/19 - Spring Concert HHS
• 5/21 - Zumba - RES
• 5/21 - Art Show HHS
• 5/22 - Field Day JES, RES, & WES
• 5/22 - LMS Superstars @ HHS (rain date 5/28)
• 5/28 - Scholarship Night HHS
• 5/29 - 5th Grade Junior Olympics @ HHS
• 5/31 - HHS Senior Athletic Brunch

What a FUN-tastic day at Jefferson Elementary! Our Apex Fun Run was the exciting culmination of a two-week leadership fundraiser that ended with an energetic, joy-filled lap running event! With the sun shining and spirits high, our students ran their hearts out while music played and proud families cheered them on every step of the way.

The Apex Fun Run isn’t just about fitness. It’s a program that combines fun, movement, and meaningful daily lessons focused on leadership and strong character. Over the past two weeks, our students have grown not only as runners, but as leaders!

Thank you to our incredible PTO that brought this amazing experience to Jefferson Elementary. The support of the PTO helped make the day unforgettable!

Way to go, Jefferson students! We are so proud of you!

We welcomed some very special visitors for Bring Your Child to Work Day at Jefferson Elementary!

Our classrooms were filled with extra smiles, curious minds, and lots of excitement as students got a glimpse into a day in the life at school alongside their families. From joining lessons to exploring classrooms, it was a day full of connection, learning, and unforgettable moments.

Our littlest stars at Jefferson Elementary took the stage for a beautiful evening Spring Concert! Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students filled the room with joyful singing, energetic dancing, and big, bright smiles. From start to finish, their excitement and confidence truly shined!

A special thank you to our talented music teacher, Mr. Sheridan, for leading and inspiring our students every step of the way. Your passion for music brings out the very best in our young performers!

We are so proud of our students for sharing their talents and spreading a little extra sunshine this spring!

What an incredible concert performed by our Roosevelt Elementary kindergarteners and 1st graders—all about family & friends! Their energy, smiles, and sweet voices made it such a special event.

A big shout-out to Mrs. Van Der Eems for always putting together the very best concerts for our Roughriders. We appreciate all the time, creativity, and heart you bring to these performances!

Happy Administrative Assistants Day to two of the very best, Mrs. Lodato & Mrs. Oostdyk.

Roosevelt runs on teamwork—and a whole lot of magic from these two! Thank you for keeping everything organized, answering a million questions, solving problems before we even know they exist, and always doing it with a smile.

We appreciate you more than words can say—Roosevelt wouldn't be the same without you!

Our Roughriders celebrated Earth Day and discussed ways to keep our planet clean and healthy.

Great job to our students, and a big thank-you to our teachers for supporting and encouraging participation in Hawthorne's Cel-Earth-Bration. It was amazing to see all of the creative projects inspired by Hawthorne. Together, we can make a difference!

Our Washington Elementary 5th grade students truly brought history to life during their Wax Museum experience! Each student demonstrated incredible dedication, creativity, and pride as they researched and portrayed influential figures, impressing all who attended with their knowledge and presentation skills. Their hard work was evident in every detail, and the event was a wonderful celebration of learning. A special thank you to our 5th grade teachers for their guidance, support, and commitment in helping our students shine throughout this meaningful project!

The LMS Sidekicks visited Washington School's 4th grade for their third visit. This marks the completion of another successful partnership. Washington School thanks Mrs. Aschenbrand, the LMS administration, and the Sidekicks for this program. Our students love it and truly look forward to it!

Thank you to Mr. Al Iannacone from the Hawthorne Historical Society for coming to Washington School to teach our 4th graders about the history of Hawthorne. The students have a great time and learned so much about our community!

As part of our ROAR program, the Washington School 5th grade got to meet Dave, an Emotional Support Dog. We were so grateful to the Paterson Police Department for visiting our school. Their presentation helped educate our students and staff about the important role emotional support animals can play in providing comfort, building connections, and supporting emotional well-being.

Washington School's 5th grade also worked with our ROAR officers by wearing special goggles that simulated what it was like to be intoxicated. Students learned how it impacted their reaction time, and the ability to perform basic activities.

Lincoln Middle School Student Council recently hosted an exciting after school Speedball Tournament under the advisement of Mr. Ferraro. Students signed up to participate and enjoyed a fun and competitive event filled with teamwork and sportsmanship.After several hard-fought matches, one of our 6th grade teams emerged victorious and earned the championship title in a very competitive final round.

The LMS Marking Period 3 Experience gave each grade level an opportunity to celebrate the conclusion of the marking period with an afternoon of fun, teamwork, and school spirit. Students competed in teams as they answered trivia questions and participated in a variety of exciting team challenges. During the trivia portion, students faced off in five-question Kahoot games, selecting from 16 different topics including Baseball, Music, and “All About Mr. Burd,” featuring questions about LMS’s Assistant Principal. Team challenges brought plenty of energy and laughter as students raced to complete activities such as “Go Fetch,” where five team members searched the building for random items including lint rollers, LMS sweatshirts, a teacher’s shoe, a flower, and an ID badge. Other competitions included stacking boxes, balancing cups on their heads, tricycle races, balloon passes, the Noodle and Cup Game, Musical Plates, and the always hilarious challenge of opening and correctly putting on a frozen t-shirt. Throughout the event, students demonstrated teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm while enjoying some friendly competition. The MP3 Experience was a memorable day filled with trivia, laughter, and silly challenges for all students involved.

Battle of the Books is a popular reading incentive program at LMS that encourages students to develop a love of reading through teamwork and friendly competition. Students from all grade levels form teams of 4–6 members and work together to read more than 15 novels throughout the program. Teams then compete against other LMS students by answering questions based on the books they have read. The top two 6th grade teams, along with the top 7th and 8th grade teams, advance to a county-wide competition. LMS proudly hosted this year’s county competition two weeks ago, welcoming schools from across the area. Our students represented LMS with great enthusiasm, teamwork, and knowledge of the novels. Congratulations to our 6th grade team for earning an impressive third-place finish in the county competition!

Hawthorne High School hosted the Hawthorne Shade Tree Commission for its 2026 Arbor Day tree planting ceremony. The event served as both a beautification effort and an educational opportunity for our students. Student groups, including ARCH, AP Environmental Science, and Broadcasting, participated and helped make the experience meaningful and engaging. This year’s planting featured two cherry trees placed on either side of the flagpole near Parmelee Avenue. The event was attended by members of the community, including Mayor Lane and Council members, the Board of Education, the Shade Tree Commission, and representatives from Columbia Bank, who generously donated one of the trees. Special thank you to all attendees, participants, and donors for their support of this meaningful tradition and for contributing to the continued beautification of our school grounds.

Thank you to everyone who helped make “Bring Your Child to Work Day” such a memorable experience. It was a pleasure welcoming your children into our building and seeing the energy, excitement, and joy they brought to our school community. A special thank you to Ms. Pasquale for her leadership in organizing and facilitating the event. We also extend our appreciation to Ms. DiGeronimo, Mr. Miller, Ms. Dockray, Ms. Ambrogio, Ms. Corbett, and Scotty for planning and leading engaging, hands-on activities for our young visitors. Your efforts made the day truly special and are greatly appreciated.

Mr. Crimmel and AP Environmental Science students from Hawthorne High School attended an environmental workshop and career fair at PCCC. We attended workshops that focused on Earthquake-Proof Building Construction and Microplastics in Rivers. We wrapped up the day with a career fair, in which students were able to interact with professionals in different environmental fields. A few of these included the Clean Energy Jobs Program, Tenafly Nature Center, and Passaic County Parks and Recreation.

Daniele Ferraro

Mr. Ferraro is Lincoln Middle School’s Spotlight Teacher in recognition of his outstanding teaching, innovative instructional practices, and leadership within the school community. Mr. Ferraro creates engaging and rigorous social studies lessons that connect historical concepts to students’ everyday lives while emphasizing critical thinking and content-based writing through Document Based Questions.

In addition to his success in the classroom, Mr. Ferraro serves as an 8th Grade Advisor and Student Council advisor, where he is respected for his leadership, organization, and positive relationships with students, families, and colleagues. He is a strong team player who consistently supports both staff and students and is highly respected throughout the LMS community.

Oliver Balsam

Oliver Balsam, a 4th grader at Thomas Jefferson School, is a truly deserving Student Spotlight honoree who stands out for both his character and his commitment to excellence. Oliver consistently leads with genuine kindness, showing empathy and compassion toward his classmates and making sure everyone feels included and supported. A natural role model, he brings people together with his warmth and positivity while also demonstrating responsibility, respect, and strong sportsmanship. In the classroom, Oliver is creative, conscientious, and driven—he approaches challenges with determination and always strives to do his best work. His talents extend beyond academics, as he is an outstanding clarinet player in the Jefferson band and a dedicated athlete whose passion for basketball and lacrosse shines through. Oliver’s well-rounded strengths and uplifting presence make him a valued member of the Thomas Jefferson community.

William Gnade

William, a kindergarten student in Ms. Verrone's class, recently earned the Principal's Award at Roosevelt School. He was awarded this honor for always exemplifying fairness, respect and kindness. William loves puzzles and is a great wrestler and football player. He is a big brother to Tess and Walter and in his spare time loves to eat tacos! Roosevelt School is proud of William and the positive example he sets each and every day!

Alexa Vasquez

During the month of April, we are recognizing the character education trait of Fairness. One student who really stands out to us is Alexa Vasquez. She is incredibly thoughtful, caring, and kind to others. She consistently shows respect and consideration for others. Washington School feels she deserves a special shout out!

Gabriel Alcoser

Lincoln Middle School 8th grader Gabriel Alcoser exemplifies leadership, integrity, and school spirit in all aspects of student life. As president of the LMS Student Council, Gabe was elected by his classmates because they recognized his strong morals, thoughtful decision making, and ability to lead by example. Throughout the school year, he has proven to be a successful and respected leader who consistently represents the values of the LMS community.

In addition to his leadership role, Gabe was a member of the LMS Soccer Team this fall and participated in the Side Kicks program, where LMS 8th graders visited the Hawthorne elementary schools to teach younger students about peer pressure, perseverance, and making positive decisions. When asked about his favorite part of LMS, Gabe shared, “LMS is a community, and everyone is like family.” Gabe demonstrates integrity each day through his actions and the respect he shows others, making him an outstanding role model for all students at LMS.

Kiana Reyes

Kiana Reyes is a senior at Hawthorne High School pursuing a pre-med track and committed to attending Pace University. She aspires to build a future career in anesthesiology. Throughout much of her high school career, Kiana has volunteered with and become a core member of Rapha Healthcare Services, a mobile outreach program based in Paterson, New Jersey. The organization is dedicated to serving individuals struggling with drug addiction and those experiencing homelessness, providing compassionate, nonjudgmental care. Through her work with Rapha, Kiana helps distribute food, clothing, and essential supplies that can be life-saving. Her involvement has deepened her understanding of the complex needs within vulnerable populations while strengthening her ability to build meaningful relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, always treating others with dignity and respect.

Grades 1 -8 in September 2026

See flyer below for registration dates at the library.

Grades 1-8

Season begins August 2026

Register online for the Fall 2026 season

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here to learn more about the Summer Camp Programs at Boys & Girls Club of Hawthorne

SIGN UP NOW!

Print and complete your registration form prior to sign up arrival

Current Kindergarten and 1st Grade

Learn about being a Girl Scout and make friends with other Girl Scouts across norther New Jersey.

Click here for more information on the zoom sessions or scan the QR code below: https://www.gsnnj.org/MakeNewFriends

Kindergarten students entering in Fall of 2026

2026-2027 Kindergarten students - Make New Friends through the Girl Scouts!

Scan the QR code below to complete an Interest Form to connect with our Girl Scout Membership Team.

Join Cub Scouts

Cub Scout Pack 85

Hawthorne, NJ

K-5th Grade

Click here for the monthly calendar of children's events.