A final shout out to our Governor's Educators of the Year! Thank you to all of these exceptionally skilled and dedicated classroom teachers and educational services professionals, we thank you for what you do every day. Pictured (L to R): Back Row: Kristian Kristan, Jacqueline Freiler, Lisa White, Luiza Herbst, and Front Row: Helen Kyriacou-Lambris, Grace Yi. LeeAnn Schaadt, Jennifer Jordan, Matthew Mirabito, and Elizabeth Farrell. (Missing from photo Amy Dwyer)

TPS Community -

I hope that each of you is able to take advantage of some of the wonderful winter events occurring in our schools. Winter concerts have begun and the much-anticipated return of the Madrigal Festival is this Saturday at 7pm. We hope to see you there.

Remember that the upcoming holiday break is “homework free” for students of Tenafly Schools. However, no homework does not necessarily mean there’s no work at home. This is the perfect time for students of all ages to reinforce skills that support independence like cleaning up after themselves, zipping jackets, tying shoes, preparing their own lunch, or assisting with household chores. A balanced blend of responsibilities and relaxation can help students return refreshed, re-energized and ready for success as they kick off a new calendar year.

No matter how you spend these days away from school, we hope that holiday time provides time for continued educational engagement of while offering quality time with family and friends.

Our break kicks off on December 23rd with an Early Dismissal schedule and continues through the New Year holiday. We will eagerly welcome students and staff back for a new calendar year on Monday, January 3rd.

Let's Talk TPS will take a week off next week as we all prepare to enjoy our winter break. Whether you stay home, travel to family or friends, eagerly await that first snowfall, or ring in the new year with a resolution or two, we hope that your break is a happy and healthy one. We wish all of our trustees, staff, students and families a joyous holiday season and a new year filled with health, peace and happiness.

Yours in Education,

Shauna C. DeMarco

Superintendent Tenafly Public Schools

Hear ye! Hear ye! The annual Madrigal Festival has returned and the curtain rises this Saturday, December 18th at 7:00pm. Come enjoy some seasonal favorites in this lighthearted performance. For tickets to this much-anticipated event, visit thstheater.com. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Please note: due to COVID precautions, no food will be served. To maintain social distancing, attendees will sit in chairs instead of the traditional table setting. All seating is General Admission. Proceeds go to the annual Madrigal Dinner scholarship. We hope to see you there! For a preview of past performances, visit the THS Performing Arts webpage.

As our five years and older students complete their COVID vaccinations, please remember to provide a copy of the student's vaccination card to the school nurse and principal. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or two weeks after the single Johnson & Johnson shot. All individuals are considered unvaccinated until they have provided a copy of their vaccination record OR documentation to support a positive COVID diagnosis within the past 90 days. Students' vaccination cards are to be emailed to the building principal and school nurse. The nurse should also be in receipt of documentation for any student who has been diagnosed with COVID in the past 90 days. For complete details, visit the TPS website. Thank you!

Traveling over the break? Please be sure to re-familiarize yourself with the COVID Exclusions, which outline when and if virtual instruction is provided. For those individuals who may travel outside of the country, please be aware of any travel restrictions that may be imposed due to rising COVID numbers. Individuals who cannot return to the states do not quality for virtual learning. The website provides both text and flowchart explanations.

The furniture is in and activity has begun at the new THS College Drop In Center. Whether completing a Common App , researching colleges, having a conversation about interests and goals, completing homework, or meeting casually with a guidance counselor, the new center is inviting and designed for all types of study and research activities.

The winter season and all that comes with it can be a season of joy, but for some, it can also bring added stress or anxiety. If you are looking for creative ways to fill time with your students, ideas on how to cope with the extra stress, or simply need to know where to go for support, visit our website. The CarePlus page and December newsletter are filled with tips and tricks for this busy season, and the TPS website puts a robust set of links and resources at your fingertips.

After a long year at home, it is easy to understand why certain behaviors creep into our every day lives. But we would love for some of them to creep right back out. Please remind your students of the school protocols that we need them to observe while in school. Not sure of all the protocols? Each school has a Code of Conduct to help us in our journey.

• Tenafly High School
• Tenafly Middle School
• Elementary Schools

Need Technology Support? Visit our Help Desk.

For instructions on how to enter a ticket, visit the TPS website.

Do you have questions or concerns related to your child? Please check the school/teacher websites for helpful information. Not finding what you need? Contact your building principal. They are here to help you and can be reached at:

• Mackay School - byoo@tenafly.k12.nj.us
• Maugham School - jferrara@tenafly.k12.nj.us
• Smith School - dgeorge@tenafly.k12.nj.us
• Stillman School - glander@tenafly.k12.nj.us
• Tenafly Middle School - jfabbo@tenafly.k12.nj.us
• Tenafly High School - jmorrison@tenafly.k12.nj.us

Follow Us!

Official District Twitter: @TenaflySchools

Official District Facebook: @TenaflySchools

Official District Instagram: @TenaflySchools

Just launched! Official District TikTok: TenaflySchools