The Champions' Chronicle

Dear School Community,

This holiday season has been filled with song, celebrations and efforts to support our neighbors in need. We have come together to share the spirit of the season in more ways than one. Each gathering showcases one of our undeniable strengths as a district, which is our true sense of community.

There is a reason why “Community” is among our Lodi Public Schools core values. When we come together, we are stronger, whether that’s in a holiday performance or through the impact we can make in service to others.

As superintendent of Lodi Public Schools, I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this school community. I am reminded daily, but especially this time of year, of the genuine care and concern our teachers, students and families have for one another.

We have a one-of-a-kind school environment here that fosters individual and collective growth. I am excited to see what the new year brings and what we can do together to reach greater levels of success in 2025.

Enjoy the holiday break with your loved ones. Take time to rest and recharge. We’ll see you next year!

Very truly yours,

Frank D’Amico

If a holiday tune is filling your home this season, you likely have Elementary Instrumental Music Teacher Louis Ricco to thank.

Ricco leads a new after-school elementary band program for fourth and fifth-grade students across the district. Young musicians are responding enthusiastically to the opportunity to take what they learn in lessons to “the next level” to become performers.

In lessons, students work on their own instruments, but in the band program, they are exposed to the other instruments and work together to create a band. The bands from each Lodi elementary school enthusiastically performed at holiday concerts at their respective schools. In the spring, they will come together for a districtwide spring concert.

"With the implementation of the after-school program, I've seen the skills increase exponentially in the students," Ricco said. "This program has allowed students who picked up the instrument as recently as seven weeks ago to perform at a concert with their peers for their parents and families – and with great success."

There are 41 in the band at Washington, 34 at Columbus, 23 at Roosevelt, 22 at Hilltop and 18 at Wilson.

In 2021, the district created a program that allowed Ricco to work with fourth and fifth graders at all five district elementary schools. Previously, students received instrumental music lessons weekly for only 25-30 minutes. The new after-school band program allows students to rehearse together after school once per week at their respective school as well as longer 45-minute lessons where they learn rudimentary basics, including how to read music, properly hold and maintain the instrument, produce sound, manipulate the instrument change in pitch (if applicable) and how to listen to the music they create and critique it.

The importance of an elementary band program in a school district is undeniable, Ricco said. "Music is an art that contains every element of what we learn in school – math, science, language, social studies. Having the option to learn to play an instrument from fourth grade gives the child eight years of instruction from elementary to high school."

Superintendent Frank D'Amico said the addition of the after-school elementary band program "has been a transformative experience for our students. It enhances their musical abilities and builds essential life skills like teamwork, discipline and perseverance. The sense of accomplishment they gain from learning an instrument and performing together has had a positive impact on their confidence and sense of belonging to the school community."

In the brief period since the band program’s inception, D’Amico said the district has "seen an increase in student engagement, a renewed enthusiasm for learning and a tremendous amount of growth from our students. We look forward to seeing this success continue and watching the students' progress throughout the year."

Washington School Principal Kevin Dowson commended the new band program, its director and the impressive 41 Washington fourth and fifth grade students participating, considering the program is still in its infancy. “Mr. Ricco has done an excellent job thus far not only as director of the elementary band program, but also as a recruiter and champion of music education,” Dowson said. “Student participants in band are treated to an experience that is equal parts academic, social-emotional learning and enjoyment.”

Wilson Principal Dr. Christie A. Vanderhook said the after-school band program provides students with numerous benefits that extend beyond music. “Learning to play an instrument enhances cognitive development, strengthens memory and improves math and reading skills,” she said.

Additionally, the program boosts self-confidence as students showcase their talents during performances and nurtures creativity and personal growth, Vanderhook noted. “Students who participate often report feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment, and many develop a lifelong appreciation for music.”

Thao Hansen, who graduated Lodi High School in 1992, also launched her career in the district as a chemistry teacher. Today, she serves as the high school supervisor of science, a role she has embraced in a way that demonstrates her commitment to the district and her passion for education and science.

Under her leadership, the department has shown tremendous growth, observed Superintendent Frank D’Amico. “She has helped develop and implement highly innovative programs that provide our students with unique opportunities to explore careers in Engineering and Construction Technology, Biomedical, Exercise Science, Computer Programming and other STEM-related career paths.”

Hansen also guided the introduction and implementation of several extra-curricular activity programs including the Pre-Med Club, Agriscience Club, Green Technology Club, Engineering and Construction Technology clubs, the Robotics Club, Red Cross Service Club and Ecology Club, he said. She also helped students secure internships with Hackensack University Medical Center with trauma surgeons and medical researchers to further extend their learning beyond the classroom.

But, in the classroom, Hansen is also incredibly effective, D’Amico said. “Her classroom is highly engaging, and she inspires students to reach their full potential.”

He added that Hansen, who has worked in the district for 17 years, serves as a positive role model and a life coach for many of her students. Former students even reach out to her for advice as they navigate college and career choices.

Teacher Virginia Fasulo, a Milken Award winner, said Hansen is one of the best bosses and is always looking to make things better. “Thao Hansen is an absolute force of nature,” Fasulo said. “A master of her subject, she is also a master teacher, and her influence in Lodi High School goes beyond the classroom. She is constantly looking for ways to improve the school, her team and her community.”

Hansen is equally beloved by staff and students, according to those around her. “She is the kind of person who wants to take work off your plate and give you support whenever possible,” Fasulo specified. “She has personally been responsible for so many of the programs at our school, including the pre-med program and our engineering program, as well as many of our extracurricular clubs, including Agriculture Science Club, which includes our famous chicken habitat.”

Teacher Roxanna Banks also praised Hansen: “Thao truly puts her teachers first, always looking for ways to make our lives easier while staying deeply committed to how decisions affect student learning. Her open-door policy fosters trust and open communication, making it easy to approach her about anything. Her dedication and thoughtfulness make her a truly remarkable leader.”

Former student and Lodi High School alumnus Oliver Tan credits Hansen for inspiring him to pursue a career in chemistry. “Mrs. Hansen is a wonderful teacher and mentor,” said Tan, who graduated from MIT with a degree in biochemistry and is a second-year Ph.D. student at New York University studying Computational Chemistry. “I had her for my AP Chemistry class, during which she demonstrated mastery over the subject and communicated the material easily and understandably.”

Students enjoy her class because she pushes her students to work hard and pursue opportunities that will benefit them, Tan said. “Whenever I think about stepping outside my comfort zone or attempting challenges that are slightly above my ability, I am always reminded of her encouragement to reach as high as I can and explore my full potential.”

What do you like about working at Lodi Public Schools?

I love the supportive and collegial environment among the staff members with a shared vision of helping students achieve success in all that they do, as well as the family atmosphere in my department where my folks have a strong sense of connection, support, and camaraderie...We (students and teachers) all look out for one another. I have never considered reporting to school each morning as work. It is my second home.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in education?

At first, it was just more conducive to raising young children compared to running my own business. I had a degree in chemistry and at the suggestion of my many teacher friends, I took the alternate route to become a science teacher. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made. I cannot imagine any other career that would align as well to my personal values, or anything else that would be as fulfilling.

What do you like best about science?

Everything. It fuels our curiosity and answers our questions about the natural world around us. It helps us make sense of how and why things work and allows us to make predictions and develop new technologies that improve our lives. It holds no prejudice and is a universal language among all cultures; and it’s respected by all. We may not get along as well as we should on Earth, but scientists from all different countries can work cohesively in the tight quarters of a space station because they are doing science.

What do you enjoy most about your current role as science supervisor?

I am passionate about teaching and science and strive to instill that appreciation of science in my students. As a teacher, I have the ability to impact students' understanding of science and foster a love of learning through collaboration and experimentation, but I can only make this impact on a defined group of students each year. As a supervisor, I can directly contribute to a greater number of students by supporting my teachers and sharing instructional strategies and my passion and enthusiasm with them, connecting them with resources and helping them fulfill their visions. I can help shape new teachers and enhance their success, ultimately benefiting a greater student population. I also enjoy the collaboration with other supervisors to increase our pool of expertise and ability to support all our students at all levels.

Nearly 30 years ago, Donald Nicoletti, retired officer of the Closter Police Department, started the Police Benevolent Association/Santa Response Team Toy Drive. What began with several departments collecting toys for the local hospitals and military service members deployed has since grown into the largest toy drive in the county. Lodi Public Schools started collecting in 2013 when Nicoletti was a School Security Officer.

Every year, teachers, staff and students bring unwrapped new toys to Lodi’s schools to collect for those in need.

“It is such an inspiring day at the drive to see the police and agencies throughout our county give back to our military, children's hospitals and agencies in need,” said Thomas Jefferson Middle School Principal Michael Cardone, who helps coordinate the drive within Lodi Public Schools.

Each November, the Washington School community takes part in a wonderful humanitarian enterprise organized by the Just Love (JL) Group.

Blessings in a Backpack is a charitable endeavor created to aid the homeless men, women and children of New Jersey and New York. This philanthropic undertaking was first introduced to Washington School seven years ago by former School Security Officer Bill Byrnes. The idea is simple but incredibly impactful.

Washington school staff, students and their families as well as students and staff from TJMS, Columbus and Roosevelt schools, donated supplies for the backpacks including winter hats, gloves, socks, blankets, toiletries and non-perishable food and snacks. The JL group collects the backpacks stuffed with provisions and distributes them locally to those most in need.

For the third year in a row, the Polar Express has taken over Washington School. Pre-K students participated in an immersive experience that began with the hallway transformed into an iconic scene from the Polar Express. Students then listened to the book “The Polar Express,” by Chris Van Allsburg.

The fun continued with students creating their very own conductor hats, participating in a small group activity counting marshmallows and completing a letter and sound identification project using words and pictures from the book.

Through its engaging storyline and illustrations, the story fostered imagination and creativity while introducing key concepts such as the importance of belief, the magic of kindness and the value of tradition. The book also encouraged children to explore themes of hope, wonder and generosity, which are essential for emotional and social development.