Positive messages and acts of kindness permeated the halls of our elementary schools in January, as students strove to stamp out bullying and facilitate a culture of kindness by participating in themed spirit days, classroom activities, dances and assemblies, all designed to promote positive relationships and uplifting messages.

Franklin School hosted a week of spirit days, including: joining the Kindness Team by wearing an athletic jersey, dressing like a rock star, because Kindness Rocks, and wearing bright and glittery clothing since Kindness is a Bright Idea. In addition to themed dress days, Garfield students brought their visions of kindness to life by decorating Cups of Positivity as encouraging messages shared during the morning announcements bolstered the positive atmosphere. Special congratulations are extended to Roosevelt School, who is once again recognized as a Certified Kindness School for 2024! Roosevelt's Peer Leaders designed a bulletin board to encourage students to participate in Kind Conversations. Schuyler's PTA generously sponsored a Someone Special Dance, allowing our kids to culminate the week with a celebration with friends. At Washington School, kids created Positivi-Tees with encouraging and uplifting messages, and were also given the opportunity to visit Ms. Afayee's Appreciation Station where they could find notes and coloring sheets to give to their friends. Our schools capped off the week with an assembly from Kearny's favorite superhero: Omegaman!

Held at Franklin, Roosevelt, and Schuyler Schools, the Omegaman assembly encouraged kids to “Don’t be a Dream Breaker, be a Dream Maker” and stamp out bullying by being a H.E.R.O. (helping everyone respect others). Omegaman demonstrated unbelievable feats of strength, showing the true power of positivity.

In Mrs. Gawronski-Smyth and Mrs. Lucia's class, Washington’s little learners experienced the joy of cooking as part of their Tree Study curriculum. The students created delicious homemade applesauce, extending their lesson beyond just any cooking session; it was a lesson in measurement, collaboration, and exploration.

The preschoolers eagerly measured and mixed ingredients, their faces lighting up with excitement as they observed the transformation of raw ingredients into a delightful treat. This experience highlighted the invaluable role parents and guardians play in a child's development, as we extend our gratitude to two of our parents for playing a hands-on role in this event. By actively participating in their children's education, whether through cooking adventures like this one or other activities, parents enrich the learning journey and create lasting memories.

The Kearny High School Dental Assisting students visited the Pre-K classes across the district and celebrated Dental Health Month with a visit from our Dentist! The kids learned about the importance of dental health, why we need to take care of our teeth, and tips for brushing. Jack Hornung of Roosevelt School is pictured here showing off his smile with Dental Assisting students Catherine Dimase and Verina Sorial, and Ms. Jennifer Mead, Coordinator of Health and Wellness.

Students from around the district collaborated in the spirit of coding and technology during National Computer Science Education Week. In a collaboration between the elementary schools and the high school, Mr. Torre's KHS AP Computer Science classes visited Mrs. Davis' 3rd graders at Franklin School to engage in a prism-inspired coding assignment on behalf of the Hour of Code. The AP Computer Science students also met up with Ms. Curry's KEEP students at Garfield School, who also participated in Computer Science Education Week by learning how to program KIBO robots, with special thanks to Montclair State University PRISM for Garfield School's new tech devices. Mr. Torre's classes also teamed up with Ms. Marshall's history classes to complete a breakout room activity in the media center. This experience provided an amazing opportunity for students to come together to explore technology and work together to achieve common goals.

Garfield students from third, fourth, and fifth grades converged in the library for an innovative STEM activity, tackling the challenge of constructing a roller coaster capable of guiding a marble safely into a waiting cup. Armed with the principles of the engineering design process, these young innovators dove headfirst into the task, working together in groups to brainstorm, design, and build their roller coasters.

Assigned to various roles within their teams, each student embraced their responsibilities. With roles including Challenge Caption, Chief Architect, and Materials Master, every role played a crucial part in the project's success. Additionally, the Testing Coordinator oversaw the trials, ensuring each coaster met the rigorous standards set forth, and the Rapid Reporter documented the process, capturing insights and breakthroughs along the way.

During the showcase event, students eagerly presented their roller coasters, discussing the intricacies of their designs and sharing lessons learned and engaging in thoughtful dialogue, exchanging ideas on how to refine and enhance their creations further.

Through this hands-on STEM activity, students not only honed their engineering skills but also cultivated essential teamwork and communication abilities. As they reflected on their experiences and contemplated future improvements, it became clear that the journey of discovery was just as exhilarating as the destination. With minds buzzing with newfound knowledge and hearts brimming with enthusiasm, these students are primed to tackle the next challenge that comes their way, armed with the power of collaboration and the thrill of innovation.

Patricia Hester-Fearon's Future Engineers Club at Lincoln Middle School visited Rutgers University in October 2023 to film a Data Literacy Initiative as part of the Click2Science Professional Development Series at Rutgers, in which students were able to engage in STEM challenges and facilitate conversations about the positive effects of data literacy

The students were invited to participate in a research grant program held at Rutgers University for a day of filming. The kids learned about ocean robots, called Autonomous Underwater Vehicles, that collect data in Antarctica and worked with the on-site engineers, who oriented the kids with activities designed to promote data literacy. The students collected data about penguin species living in Antarctica, including their daily habits and migration patterns. After analyzing a series of data sets, including learning about environmental and climate issues, they then debriefed their findings in a roundtable discussion, using their findings as evidence. They concluded the session with a data-jam, artistically showcasing their findings and synthesizing connections of the penguin habitats and other environmental factors .

Hester-Fearons Click2Science Data Literacy Initiatives series can be viewed here, as well as on the Click2Science Youtube Channel.

Kearny High School (KHS) proudly opened its doors to the incoming 8th graders for an Orientation event on December 6, 2023. The school community was thrilled to witness a tremendous turnout, indicative of the enthusiastic engagement of both students and parents.

The event garnered overwhelming support from parents of Lincoln Middle School (LMS), whose active participation contributed significantly to the success of the evening. Kearny High School extends its heartfelt appreciation to these parents for their invaluable support and dedication to their children's education.

KHS also extends sincere wishes of gratitude to our administrators for their assistance and collaboration in organizing the orientation, emphasizing the collective effort invested in ensuring a smooth and informative transition for the incoming students.

Behind the scenes, the dedicated team at KHS played a pivotal role in orchestrating a memorable event. The staff, teachers, security guards, and custodians worked together, creating a welcoming atmosphere and providing essential support throughout the evening. Counselors and administration opened the event with presentations, which included a faculty-produced showcase film. From there, student docents walked groups of parents and prospective freshmen through the halls of Kearny High. Classroom teachers provided an overview of their courses and a tour of their classrooms, and clubs convocated in the gymnasium to host meet-and-greets. Their commitment to excellence truly shone through, reflecting the strong sense of community within Kearny High School. The invaluable contributions of our students and staff not only facilitated the smooth running of the orientation but also exemplified the spirit of Kearny Pride and the Kearny Strong mentality.

As the evening concluded, the prevailing sentiment was one of optimism and excitement for the journey ahead. With the unwavering support of parents, the dedication of school staff, and the vibrant spirit of student volunteers, Kearny High School is poised to welcome the incoming 8th graders into the Kardinal Nation with open arms, nurturing their potential and fostering a culture of excellence.

The holiday spirit was abundant and bright in December, as our students and staff showed up and showed out, engaging in friendly competitions, cozy read-alouds, and contests galore, resulting in true Kearny pride! Holiday-themed dress up days included Winter Wonderland Day, Ugly Sweater Day, and Pajama Day. Our classroom doors became even more festive and inviting with schoolwide Door Decorating Contests at Lincoln Middle School, Roosevelt and Kearny High, in which our students and faculty collaborated to build the best and brightest doors in the halls. Congratulations to all of our winners and special thanks to all of our participants to adding a cozy and festive feel to our schools.

Garfield School hosted their annual Virtual Read Aloud week, consisting of four different guest readers every night at 7:00 pm, including special guests: Mayor Carol Jean Doyle, Superintendent Flora Encarnacao, Assistant Superintendent, Aliki Bieltz, Principal Donna Masters, Ed.D., Directors Melissa DeLima, Karen Pichinin, and Steven Way, Supervisors Barbara Biondo, Mary Goffredo, and Sofia Levchak, Ed.D., PTA Treasurer Sofia Brasil, and teachers: Lauren Berbarian, David Tchalabi, Kristin Mazurkiewicz, PhD, Kathy D'Elia, and Danielle Curry.

Washington school fourth grades hosted the Candy Cane Olympics, a spirited day of friendly competition and team building events. Congratulations to Mrs. Ricca, taking top honors and a commemorative Trophy!

Franklin School's Ugly Sweater Contest proved once again to be a fun and festive way to bring merriment to the already bright atmosphere; Schuyler School put their own spin on dress up days, hosting a "Grinchmas" for the staff.

In December, our superintendent shared her passion for reading across all elementary schools. She set off on a literary tour, starting at Garfield School, where she captivated Mrs. Mancuso's second graders with the adventurous tale of The Gingerbread Pirates. The story quickly became a classroom favorite.

Continuing the read aloud series, Superintendent Encarnacao made a stop at Franklin School, engaging Mrs. Wilkinson's second grade class with the same delightful tale of The Gingerbread Pirates and generously gifted them a copy for their classroom library, fostering a lasting love for reading.

Next on her itinerary was Schuyler School, where she shared a cozy storytime moment with Ms. Rocha's second graders, creating a warm atmosphere filled with imagination and wonder.

Journeying onwards to Roosevelt, Mrs. Muy's classes were treated to a reading session, brimming with joy and laughter. The superintendent's presence added an extra sparkle to their holiday festivities.

At Washington School, the holiday spirit was palpable as Superintendent Encarnacao joined Mrs. Crawford & Mrs. Tallarida's 2nd grade class for an enthusiastic read-aloud session of The Gingerbread Pirates.

Throughout these visits, the superintendent's love for reading ignited excitement and inspiration, leaving a lasting impression on both students and teachers alike.

Our district preschool program underwent a rigorous evaluation by the GrowNJ Kids program in June 2023. The Roosevelt, Schuyler and Washington School Pre-K programs were each awarded the distinguished honor of a 4 star rating by the by the New Jersey State Department of Children and Families, Education, Health, and Human Services. The program underwent an extensive review, evaluating the curriculum implementation, classroom environment, and developmentally appropriate practices. Moreover, our teachers experienced thorough, hands-on training and coaching to provide the best experience for our youngest learners. Congratulations and special thank you to all of our preschool teachers and staff for your dedication and commitment to excellence in our schools.

Lincoln Middle School held its first-ever Spelling Bee sponsored by Scripps National Spelling Bee on January 17, 2024. Every student in seventh and eighth grade participated in a classroom Spelling Bee, with the winners moving on to the school championship. Ten students participated in the school Spelling Bee spelling words in a contest held in front of their peers. Eighth-grader Aaron Toledo Cadillo won the Spelling Bee and represented Lincoln Middle School at the county Spelling Bee on February 3 at High Tech High School. More than 80 students from schools throughout Hudson County competed in the tournament. Aaron represented Kearny proudly and finished in the top 10.

Our middle and high school students have more opportunities than ever to delve deeply into special interest academic courses. Lincoln Middle School and Kearny High School introduced a host of new courses and electives for our students this year, focusing on enriching academic growth through innovation, creativity and 21st century topics. With courses ranging from aeronautics to ceramics, students have brand new avenues to explore their identities and focus on their future careers.

Mr. Bush's iExplore classes showcased passion projects and hosted guest speakers connected with talents and professions of the students' future interests. District administrators and LMS classes were invited to the Lincoln Middle School Library, where the students presented their projects, clarified questions, and immersed their peers in a day of exciting learning opportunities.

Passion projects included a positivity-themed website, cookbooks, planners, and gaming! The iExplore Speaker Series included Arben Gasi of LeFrench Dad bakery in Montclair; KHS teacher Kevin Mehnert, Steven Paladino, Architect with James S. McNeight, PC; ASL Professors Jennifer Perlis and Lisa Napoli from Montclair State; KHS alumni Olivia Clifford, publisher for Oxford, and former New York Times journalist Harvey Araton. Each speaker presented an overview of their professional backgrounds, anecdotes from the field, and entertained questions from the students. This valuable series allowed students to fuel their passions and ignite an interest in future careers and specialties. Special thanks to Nicholas Bush for coordinating the presentations.

The KHS Broadcasting courses were visited by Ms. Gab Varano, Associate Social Video Producer for NBC News. Ms. Varano spoke with students about the day-to-day tasks of the position producing content for NBC News' TikTok account, which boasts over 4 million followers.

Varano then showed the students examples of her work and co-facilitated a discussion on the ever changing landscape of media and the rise of short form content. Topics included human interest stories, entertainment, current events, and news.

After the presentation, students worked on a brainstorming activity to use the knowledge from the workshop to create supercut videos of their own. Students also had the opportunity to ask Varano questions in a Q&A session about her past internships and career development as well as the demanding yet rewarding nature of a job in news.

At Roosevelt School's family engagement night, WinterFest, students and their families came together for an evening of educational festivities. The event began with an engaging session of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) read-alouds, creating an atmosphere of unity and understanding. Families then worked on hands-on STEAM activities and created their own snowball launchers and marshmallow snowflakes. From snowflake suncatchers to watercolor snow painting, families truly showed their creative side. The evening was educational but was also a heartwarming celebration of community spirit at Roosevelt School.

Our multilingual learners and their families came together in celebration of Valentine's Day at our Title III Family Paint Day Event. Our students came together in colorful creativity and celebrated the many languages and cultural backgrounds in our community. Against a vibrant backdrop of diversity, our students painted beautiful masterpieces, spending a warm and cozy evening with their loved ones.

Schuyler School students participated in January's Winter Reading Challenge. Our most avid readers dived into their literacy journeys, reading their favorite books and accumulating points towards prizes. Our newest literature fans celebrated their dedication to all things mystery, fantasy, sci-fi, and nonfiction with a celebration at the Schuyler School library! Our scholars culminated the friendly competition with games, activities and bonding over books!

LMS Families joined teachers Lisette Gomez, Nicole Esposito, and Patricia Hester-Fearon for a night of fitness, fun and coding with robots! In addition to mindfulness sessions, LMS families also had the opportunity to conduct basketball drills with Finch robots. The robots were coded to play basketball with the participants.

To start a discussion on the impacts of sugar and additives in popular soft drinks, Isabella Villafana, our LMS wellness liaison, and Ashley Moreno, an LMS student, facilitated a 'rethink your drink' activity in which they created an activity offering various drink choices and had participants answer questions on micro bits coded by the LMS tech club. In addition, the ladies helped families create an alternative fruit infused tea bag for water.

Families were also challenged to "can"struct a structure using 58 cans, which were then donated to the Kearny food pantry. After that, the families engaged in mental gymnastics with a Kahoot trivia game. Special thanks to our coordinators and families for a memorable night!

Kearny High School (KHS) proudly hosted its inaugural Health & Wellness Fair on Friday, February 9th, in honor of the American Heart Association. The school community came together with local community stakeholders for a day dedicated to promoting heart health and overall well-being.

To kick off the event, KHS organized a dress-down day, encouraging everyone to wear red in solidarity with the cause of supporting healthy hearts. All proceeds pledged to the American Heart Association to further their vital work in cardiovascular health. Throughout the day, students from Physical Education and Health classes had the opportunity to visit various informational tables, learning about important aspects of maintaining good health and preventing heart disease. Moreover, building staff were invited to join during their lunch and prep periods, ensuring that everyone in the KHS community could benefit from the wealth of activities and resources available.

The fair took place in the gymnasium from 8:20 am to 2:30 pm, offering a wide array of informative and engaging activities. Students had the opportunity to discuss overcoming obstacles with Fernando Cohelo, KHS alumni turned activist, participate in gaming with the Video Game Club, write notes of positivity with the Unified Physical Education Classes and Self Advocacy Club, engage with Sophie, the Therapy Dog, courtesy of activist Karen Profenna, and visit a multitude of booths dedicated to wellness. A web page was created to represent all participants, providing attendees with easy access to essential information about the event.

The success of the Health & Wellness Fair was made possible by the collaborative efforts of numerous clubs, advisors, teachers, and vendors who generously contributed their time and resources. Their collective support and commitment to promoting health education and awareness were truly commendable and greatly appreciated.

As the day drew to a close, the KHS community reflected on the significance of coming together to prioritize heart health and overall well-being. The inaugural Health & Wellness Fair marked a meaningful step towards fostering a culture of wellness within the school and beyond, embodying the spirit of care, compassion, and support that defines the Kearny High School community.

Estephany Marquez, Violette Gonzalez Mendoza, Jayleen Diaz, and Isabella Torres embodied the essence of Kearny spirit as they swiftly responded to an emergency situation. Their decisive actions and immediate willingness to aid a fellow student in distress epitomize the profound courage and unwavering compassion that define the heart of our Jr. Kardinals community. In a critical moment, these remarkable individuals demonstrated not only their readiness to assist but also their profound commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all members of our school community. Their exemplary display of leadership and empathy serves as a shining beacon of inspiration for us all, reflecting the very best of Kearny's values and ethos.

Ms. Klein and her class extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the realization of their new playground! The generosity and support of our benefactors have made a significant difference in the school community. A special shoutout goes to Mr. Bruscino and his dedicated crew for their hard work and dedication in bringing the playground vision to life. Thank you all for helping create a space where our students can learn, grow, and play safely.

Washington School would like to recognize Mr. Rich Ribeiro for his very generous donation to our School Store! Mr. Ribeiro, a former alum of Washington School, utilized a staff grant from the Turrell Fund in Montclair to secure this donation and we are extremely thankful to him for choosing us!

Schuyler School sends a special thank you to the Kearny Police Department for donating two bikes and other prizes for our new Tiger Bucks Store!!