Let's Talk TPS
September 25, 2024
Tenafly v. Paramus & The Pavlovian Response
I’m really excited about the next few weeks. First, it’s fall—my favorite season by a mile. I so enjoy the crisp nights, the lack of humidity, and the changing colors of the trees.
Fall also means America’s purest of pastimes, high school athletics, is back. And this year in particular, we have a treat for the Tiger faithful—a soccer game at Red Bull Arena on October 1st against Paramus.
Now, whenever I hear Tenafly v. Paramus, it triggers a Pavlovian response. The year was 2006, and I was sitting in the bleachers at Ramapo High School watching what I would argue was the most one-sided soccer game I’d ever seen. Tenafly was playing Don Bosco in the quarterfinals of the Bergen County Soccer Tournament. The Tigers, coached by our own legendary Bill Jaeger, had a “nice” team; Don Bosco, the tournaments #1 seed, had a great team.
From the start, Tenafly was under complete assault by the Ironmen. They kept attacking, Tenafly kept defending, and the clock kept running. The score was 0-0 for the first half. The second half was more of the same. In fact, the game was so one-sided that to this day I’m not sure Tenafly had a single shot on goal.
And yet, when time expired, the score was still 0-0. The Tigers, playing the role of David, had kept Goliath at bay. One of the reasons for Tenafly’s success—other than the size of the goal posts 🙂—was a goalie from Tenafly named Ben Pearl, who played as well as any goalie could possibly play.
I still remember watching the parents of the Don Bosco players, despondent that this game was going to go to soccer's version of a coin flip – penalty kicks. Yes, they knew the unthinkable might actually happen. And happen it did. Tenafly won. And one of the giants of Bergen County Soccer fell to a brave group of Tenafly players.
The following week, Tenafly would move on to play Paramus in the semi-finals of the Bergen County Tournament. But that, my friends, is a story for another day.
Please join me on October 1st at 7:30 pm at Red Bull Arena (see below for more details). Go Tigers!
Yours in Education,
Michael Ben-David J.D./M.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools
Governor's Educator of the Year Nominations Open
The annual Governor's Educator of the Year award nomination season is here!
Do you know a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring, and making a difference? If so, please take the time to recommend this person for the Governor’s Educator of the Year Program, by completing a nomination form and returning it to the respective building principal by Friday, October 25th. Administrators, staff members, students, parents, and community members are encouraged to participate. Nominations will open tomorrow (Sept. 26) and can be found on your school website homepage under "News & Announcements." You can find additional eligibility criteria HERE.
Week of Respect: October 7 - 11
October is here and it's a time for pumpkin lattes, apple picking, and leaf gazing. It's also the time when we designate a "Week of Respect" as part of New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Law - which has now been in place for 13 years! This year's “Week of Respect” will run October 7th through the 11th, and our schools will once again focus on promoting the characteristic of respect for others as we strive to create welcoming and supportive learning environments for all. Check your student's school calendar and notifications for specific activities and theme days.
Maugham Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing and thanks to their HSA, Maugham students were treated to Young Audiences' "Mexico Beyond Mariachi". The visitors gave our students a look at different parts of Mexico from hundreds of years ago to more recent times, which exposed them to cultures, customs, and music that helped tell incredible stories about Mexican culture.
Smith School's New Playground
A Week of Kindness at Stillman
Stillman School celebrated a Week of Kindness by "Starting with Hello!" Students received smiley face buttons, wrote and shared shout outs for "upstanders," and ended the week by celebrating the International Day of Peace, which was officially held on September 21st (see image at top of newsletter). Each student created their own pinwheel with words, colors, and designs to promote peace. It was a great week of events to show Stillman pride!
Referendum Results - Too Close to Call
You've probably heard that after the polls closed on Sept. 17th, the margin between “yes” and “no” votes was too close to indicate a result. As of Friday, Sept. 20th, we had 1,148 votes opposed and 1,130 in favor. Mail-in ballots received after election day and provisional ballots will continue to be counted, and the election will be certified by the county on October 2nd. You can check the Bergen County Clerk’s website for live updates.
We understand everyone is eager to learn the outcome. We will share the final vote tally once the election has been certified. In the meantime, we thank all our community members for taking the time to learn about the proposal and vote.
