Let's Talk TPS

As my tenure as Superintendent with Tenafly Public Schools nears its close, I am happy to have been a part of such a strong, impressive group of staff and students. Our most recent athletic accomplishments in volleyball and marching band, the success of our philanthropic activities during this season of giving, and most importantly the academic accomplishments of our students make it easy to see why Tenafly is the incredible place that it is.

Our Interim Ass't Superintendent Dr. Jeff Gorman started with us on October 31st and hit the ground running, meeting with supervisors and staff and studying the curriculum across the district. I know that you will hear more from Dr. Gorman in the coming weeks and months, and I wish him the best as he continues the great work already in progress throughout our schools.

On December 2nd, we will welcome Bruce Watson as Interim Superintendent. I know that all of you will give him a warm Tiger welcome.

I want to thank everyone for their support over the last five years. We have had a mixture of incredible accomplishments and made wonderful academic strides while also weathering several situations that tested us, but I believe that we did and continue to show that we are all lucky to be a part of Tenafly Public Schools.

As we near the holiday season, I wish everyone a healthy and happy Thanksgiving and all the best in the new year.

Yours in Education,

Shauna C. DeMarco

Superintendent Tenafly Public Schools

As you know, the Tenafly Board of Education is poised to begin its search for our new Superintendent of Schools. We want and need your input to ensure that we identify an individual that best meets the specific needs of our District.

Matt Lee, NJSBA Search Consultant, will oversee the process for the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Details on an upcoming information session, the associated date and time, and additional ways in which you can provide input will follow later this week. Thank you for your anticipated support.

With more than 35 years in public education, Dr. Jeff Gorman is looking forward to serving and sharing his experiences as the new Interim Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction for TPS.

Dr. Gorman earned his doctoral degree from Rowan University where he defended his dissertation on the effects of differentiated instruction on student achievement, and he has been a pioneer in the area of technology integration into public schools. A member of the AASA’s Transformational Leadership Consortium network, he is involved in viewing and sharing best practices in digital content and personalized learning at a national and international level.

Dr. Gorman has also worked with some of the most heralded experts in both curriculum & instruction and diversity, equity & inclusion. He served as an AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) staff developer, acting as a presenter and contributing to curriculum while also serving as a District Director for the college and career readiness system in two states. He has presented at several national conferences on a wide range of topics, ranging from professional coaching to improving leadership. He is at the forefront of transformational reform with an emphasis on improving STEAM education, literacy, mathematics, and multiple pathways to graduation.

We are excited to welcome him to Tenafly Public Schools and look forward to his leadership and innovation in the coming months! Welcome Dr. Gorman!

Congratulations to our Love Sick Cast and Crew! An entertaining laugh-out-loud play that gave us all a fun night out with family and friends! Take a bow!

TMS presents the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble! Tickets are on sale now! This is an event you will not want to miss! Dancing! Music! Stiltwalker! Authentic African Food! And so much more!

Menu items are all nut free and the cuisine is authentic Guyanese! Enjoy Egushie soup * Jollof rice * Waayke * Goat and chicken stew * Fufu/banku/rice balls * Grilled tilapia * Fry whiting * Sweet plantains/ Kelewele * Turkey tail * Beans stew * Spinach stew * Fry yam * Puff puff/donut * Wings African style!

For more details and to purchase tickets, visit A Celebration of African Culture.

A strong but mighty group attended the One Book, One Community event to share their thoughts on Wishtree, a book by Katherine Applegate. Students and parents from Mackay, Maugham, and Smith Schools, and staff members from those schools and Central Office attended the event, which really began during the Celebrating Diversity event held last spring. Wishes were hung on trees designed and created from recycled plexiglass by students in THS teacher Allen Hubbard's Robotics and Stem Clubs. The trees can be seen at each of the elementary schools and at Central Office. Couldn't make the event? We recommend the book and invite you to place your wish on your school's tree.

“Seeing how they’ve all progressed [since middle school], not only skill-wise but being tough players,” Tenafly head coach Jeff Koehler said. “All the hard work, all the screaming and getting here on time was all worth it.”

On Tuesday, November 8th, 7th and 8th graders at TMS welcomed Army Veterans Major Linette Palladino and SSG Kyle Abourizk to their classes where they spoke with the students on the importance of service, their experiences, and why they chose to serve. Two incredible presentations in honor of Veterans Day. Thank you to all Veterans!

TMS student Soeun Lee was named a Community Ambassador for Write the World, a community of young writers aged 13-18 from across the globe. Through Write the World, Lee created a writing portfolio and competed and won in global competitions. As an Ambassador, Soeun creates writing prompts, provides writing reviews, and provides inspirational writing examples for other writers. Way to lead, Soeun!

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 - hchizzik@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