As May unfolds, the energy and excitement throughout Hanover Township Public Schools is undeniable. The month began with School Principals’ Day, a chance to recognize and thank the district’s dedicated principals who consistently go above and beyond to lead their school communities with care, vision, and purpose.

Celebrations continued with Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, offering a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the impact educators have had in shaping lives. Teachers and support staff play a vital role in creating a nurturing, engaging environment for students, and none of us would be where we are today without the guidance and encouragement of those who serve in our schools​.

Across all buildings, the entire staff continues to embody the district’s commitment to excellence. Their dedication, day in and day out, drives the success of Hanover Township’s students and schools.

Academically, students in Grades 3–8 are engaged in the NJSLA state assessments, allowing them to show what they know and demonstrate the growth they’ve made this year. Meanwhile, schools are coming to life with culminating events, spring performances, and celebrations that showcase student talent, hard work, and creativity.

This month also includes special recognition of the district’s Teachers of the Year and Excellence in Service Award recipients—individuals who exemplify the best of Hanover Township’s commitment to inspiring excellence.

With just weeks remaining in the school year, the focus remains on making each day count. The district looks forward to a strong finish to the 2024–2025 school year and celebrating all that has been accomplished.

As we look ahead to Memorial Day next week, we pause to honor and thank the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

(Each school recognizes one teacher)

(Four support staff members are recognized from across the district)

In Podcast Club, students took on the exciting role of content creators by developing their very own podcast series. Guided by Ms. Maloney and Miss Calhoon, members began by selecting topics that sparked their interest—ranging from current events and pop culture to personal passions and school-related themes. After conducting research to gather facts, opinions, and engaging details, they carefully scripted and recorded each episode, learning valuable skills in communication, collaboration, and digital media production. The result is a unique and student-driven podcast series that reflects their creativity, curiosity, and voice and was broadcast within homerooms.

Working in the outdoor classroom, Kindergarteners used hands-on measurement to measure and compare the length and height of various objects in our outdoor classroom! Additionally, Kindergarten students explored geometry hands-on by creating 2D and 3D shapes out of Playdoh—turning math into a fun, tactile adventure!

Mrs. Phillips’s class has been actively exploring the plant life cycle as part of their science curriculum. To bring their learning to life, students planted sunflower seeds and are now observing each stage of growth firsthand—from germination to sprouting, and eventually flowering. This hands-on experience not only reinforces their understanding of plant biology but also nurtures a sense of responsibility and curiosity as they care for their growing sunflowers day by day.

1st grade students are beginning their exciting journey into space science with an introduction to the planets and our solar system. Through interactive reading and discussion, students are building foundational knowledge about astronomy while fueling their natural curiosity about the universe beyond Earth. This unit lays the groundwork for future exploration and inspires young learners to ask big questions about the world around them—and beyond.

Third graders from Bee Meadow visited the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, where they got a firsthand look at the daily life of one of the world‘s most renowned inventors. They had a chance to see Edison‘s original groundbreaking inventions and even used a telegraph to send their initials. Additionally, they were able to measure the amount of electricity in their bodies. Electrifying!

Mrs. Healy's class went on a great field trip to The Sensory Forest in East Hanover! They were able to play in a ball pit, climb in a playhouse, go on a bear hunt, and engage in lots of pretend play!

Students engaged in an exploration of classic literature by dissecting the elements of a particular fairy tale. To bring their story to life, students created detailed 3D models that visually represented the essence of their chosen tale, showcasing their creativity through hands-on design.

In a separate project focused on biography and historical research, students selected a well-known figure to study. As a culminating activity, students transformed a simple bottle into a personalized figure of their chosen individual, using art and craft materials to creatively depict their appearance, personality, and historical significance.

Students in Grades 3-5 attended a presentation on Tourette Syndrome. The main message was delivered by a student with Tourette Syndrome and was an informative and thoughtful presentation, offering valuable insight into the neurological condition. The student presenter shared key facts about its symptoms, causes, and common misconceptions, helping to raise awareness and promote understanding among classmates. Students had the opportunity to engage with the presenter with their questions.

The presentation not only educated the audience but also encouraged empathy, acceptance, and open-mindedness—making it a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved.

The Volleyball Club offers 4th and 5th grade students an exciting opportunity to stay active and build teamwork outside of the classroom. Designed as a fun and educational extracurricular activity, the club focuses on teaching students the fundamental rules and techniques of volleyball in a supportive environment. Participants practice serving, passing, and teamwork while learning the importance of sportsmanship and collaboration.

The Storybook After-School Club is a mentorship program that pairs enthusiastic 5th graders with kindergarten students. Each session, the older students take on the role of reading buddies, sharing picture books and engaging in early literacy activities with their younger partners.

Students’ cultural backgrounds and traditions were celebrated in the annual Grade 1 performance, Celebrate the Differences. As part of the event, students were encouraged to dress in attire that reflected their heritage and shared stories about their family traditions. We were so proud of their stage presence, confidence, and enthusiasm!

For the second year in-a-row, MTV Kindergarten students explore the life cycle of ducks through hands-on learning and observation—sparking curiosity and wonder about the natural world. They watched the ducks develop from eggs to live, swimming ducks.

Incoming MTV Kindergarten families gathered in the Media Center on May 14 for the third step in their transition process. While the kindergarten students, accompanied by staff, enjoyed a neighborhood bus ride and explored a kindergarten classroom, parents remained behind to learn about "A Day in the Life of Kindergarten" and meet the school staff. The students were enthusiastic and excited about their visit!

"Show Up and Glow Up!" was the theme of the recent MTV PTA Talent Show—and our students truly shined! More than 100 students participated in a wide range of individual and group performances, culminating in an exciting Grade 5 finale. From dancing and breakdancing to poetry, piano, and singing, each act showcased incredible talent and creativity. MTV staff joined in the fun as well, with a fun“Sync or Swim” routine and a surprise Pokémon-themed rock performance. We are so proud of our students and deeply grateful to our amazing MTV PTA for making this unforgettable event possible for our school community.

The District Coordinated Services staff hosted the annual District Spelling Bee at Memorial Junior School on Monday, April 28. All of the participants performed exceptionally well. Mountview was especially proud to take home the championship trophy for the first time in over 20 years—with a clean sweep of the top three spots! When the winning students returned to Mountview, they were met with cheers from the entire school and an impromptu celebration parade.

Mrs. Pratola and Mrs. Quirk were awarded a $3,000 grant from the Whole Kids Foundation to support a STEM-focused garden club for MTV students, located in our interior courtyard. A heartfelt thank you to our Maintenance Department for preparing the space, to MTV families for donating much-needed materials, and to Progressive Gardens for their generous support with gardening supplies. Pictured are MTV staff, students, and parents who stayed after school to help set up the garden beds. We've made incredible progress in just a few weeks and are excited for students to (literally) get their hands dirty while learning about science.

MTV students across all grades showed their love and appreciation for their moms by creating heartfelt gifts. Pictured are Grade 1 students pouring their hearts into a special STEM-inspired activity made just for Mom!

Grade 4 and 5 instrumental and choral students took to the big stage at MJS on May 15 for their end-of-year spring concert, impressing the audience with their talent and hard work. Orchestra, band, and chorus students performed a diverse selection of songs, keeping the packed audience engaged from start to finish. We are incredibly proud of their effort, enthusiasm, and musical growth. Bravo to all the students and to our dedicated and talented music staff for making this a truly special showcase!

The MTV Crew has been busy with various happenings around the district and the community. You can see them representing at the HTEF 5K and the MJS 8th Grade Volleyball Game!

A special day filled with heart and joy! Our Grade 5 students shined in their character education play, sharing powerful messages with our school community. We wrapped it up with a wonderful family picnic full of smiles, laughter, and connection.

In Science class, fourth graders have been observing the structures and behaviors of mealworms. They have made a plan to test if the temperature has any affect on their growth or behaviors.

Kindergarteners at Salem Drive School have had some excitement! A farmer came in with a rooster and a hen to teach about their life cycles. Students had the extraordinary opportunity to observe chicks hatching from eggs. They loved having the chicks in our classrooms to learn and play with.

The annual MCCEA Poster Design contest is back! This year's inspiring theme was "In my public school, we achieve our dreams by..." One of our very own Salem Drive students was selected as a winner. Congratulations! Thank you Mrs. Sussman for challenging our students to share their artwork.

Thank you, Officer Mancini, for your dedication and positive presence in the Salem Drive School community. Your contributions have made a lasting impact, and we wish you all the best in everything you do!

Bravo to our amazing orchestra and band, led by Mrs. White, and our talented chorus, led by Mr. Pomel! The spring concert was a beautiful showcase of hard work, dedication, and musical talent. We’re so proud of all our performers!

Families enjoyed special moments together at the SDS Spring PTA Book Fair! A huge thank you to our amazing PTA for sponsoring this wonderful event and to all of our volunteers for helping make it a great success!

Our Student Council is leading by example with a heartfelt drive for CASA, showing us all the power of helping others. Kudos to our amazing advisors, Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Gavin, for guiding and inspiring our young leaders!

HTEF 5K was a success! Big congrats to Salem Drive School for bringing home the trophy for most participants. Thank you to the HTEF for this fun experience and for supporting our schools!

Throughout May, MJS has been recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in meaningful ways. Each Friday, students and staff have worn green to show support. Weekly trivia contests, classroom visits from Ellie the Seeing Eye Puppy, and our “Positive Posts” activity helped build a supportive environment. Students shared kind messages on post-it notes in the cafeteria, encouraging one another to “give what you can” and “take what you need.”

Last Friday night, MJS hosted the annual 8th Grade vs. Faculty Volleyball Tournament. Eleven student teams and staff from all four district schools competed for the title of champion. The event raised funds for the Maji Movement, which provides clean water through filtration systems in Tanzanian villages. It was a great evening of school spirit and service.

This month, teams of teachers from Grades 3, 4, and 5 have come together for the important work of curriculum writing. Guided by our Curriculum Consultant, Sam Nash, and our Director of Curriculum & Instruction, each grade level has had a dedicated day to review resources, explore materials, and begin developing new units of study for Reading. (Grade 5’s session is still to come!) We are excited to be shifting our instructional focus to a reading workshop model, which will allow for more individualized support and greater student engagement to better meet the needs of all learners. While this work will continue over the summer months, we’ve intentionally started the process now to ensure ample time to thoughtfully develop the curriculum and set our teachers and students up for success in the upcoming school year.

In addition, the Mathematics Task Force recently came together to begin important conversations around flexible small-group instruction. The team explored concepts such as co-teaching, push-in vs. pull-out intervention models, and engaged in rich pedagogical dialogue about how best to meet the needs of diverse learners. These discussions are laying the foundation for future instructional shifts designed to strengthen math instruction and support student growth at all levels.

If you were unable to attend the meeting and/or recent training but would like to be involved, please reach out to Mrs. Koeppen directly at sherry.koeppen@htboe.org. We encourage all parents of students receiving special education services to stay tuned for upcoming SEPAG meetings and training opportunities. We look forward to working together to make a difference!

As a friendly reminder, We’re excited to invite all upper elementary families to our Grades 3–5 Curriculum Night on Thursday, May 22 at 6:30 PM in the Salem Drive Elementary School Media Center!

This informative evening will give parents a chance to explore some of the resources and instructional updates we’re preparing for the upcoming school year. You’ll hear from some of our talented educators as they present key components of our English Language Arts and Math programs.

Mr. Wasserman, our Director of Curriculum & Instruction, will also be there to provide an overview and follow up on the presentation he shared at April’s Board of Education meeting.

We look forward to seeing you there as we continue working together to support our students and inspire excellence at every level!

The District continues to make steady progress in preparing to launch the National School Lunch Program for the 2025–2026 school year. We have submitted all required paperwork and are currently awaiting final approval to advertise our Request for Proposal (RFP). Once approved, the RFP process will allow us to formally award a food service vendor. After Board of Education approval, we plan to bring the PTA Advisory Committee together to meet with the selected vendor, followed by an evening informational session for all families.

In addition to the RFP process, we are preparing to place the order for all necessary kitchen equipment. We continue to work closely with the District Architect, Buildings & Grounds Manager, and the Educational Services Commission​ to coordinate equipment procurement, secure permits, and schedule the required upgrades—with the goal of completing most of this work over the summer months.

While the end of the school year is near, we will continue to provide regular updates throughout the summer to help families know what to expect in September. As with any new initiative, there will be details to work through as the program rolls out, but we are excited about bringing an in-district food service program to our schools—one that will serve our students well for years to come.

Thank you for your continued support as we take these important steps forward.

Tuesday, May 20

BOE Meeting @ 7pm

Tuesday, May 20 - Thursday, May 22

NJSLA Math (Grades 3-8)

Wednesday, May 21

HT Mayors Wellness Campaign Mental Health Symposium @ 7pm

HT Municipal Building

Thursday, May 22

Upper Elementary (Grades 3-5) Curriculum Night @ 6:30pm (SDS Media Center)

Monday, May 26

Memorial Day - School Closed

Thursday, June 19

MJS 8th Grade Graduation @ 7pm

Early Dismissal (Elementary Schools @ 12:45pm & MJS @ 12:15pm)

Friday, June 20

Last Day of School

Early Dismissal (Elementary Schools @ 12:45pm & MJS @ 12:15pm)

Wednesday, June 25 - Friday, August 15

Camp HTSACC @ MJS

Friday, June 27 - Friday, July 25

Extended School Year Program @ BMS