April 2024 Bulldog Bulletin

In Rutherford Public Schools, we all anticipate this time of year like students look forward to recess. Of course, the spring weather is enjoyable, but a schedule filled with fun and celebratory activities is the real highlight.

The next several weeks will bring field days and field trips, spring concerts and end-of-year celebrations.

Rutherford elementary school students will display their skills at science fairs and art shows.

Both the middle school and high school will hold Evening of the Arts events to showcase students’ creative work. Our talented students will also perform in plays, including UMS’ Annie Jr. on May 17 and 18 and Pierrepont’s Aladdin on May 31 and June 2.

The Bulldogs are busy in spring sports, too – come cheer on our athletes as they compete in baseball, softball, tennis, track and field, and lacrosse.

We will soon watch the Class of 2024 celebrate milestones including prom, award ceremonies and graduation. We’re also excited to see our seniors commit to colleges and post-secondary plans as they prepare to take their Rutherford education out into the world.

Spring even brings a special opportunity to acknowledge our teachers. Be sure to say “thank you” during Teacher Appreciation Week from May 6 to 10.

The ability to share many of these events with our families makes them even more meaningful. Please review the calendar in this newsletter for district-wide and school events. We hope to see you in our schools soon!

Happy spring,

Jack Hurley

Superintendent of Schools

If you attend a Rutherford Board of Education meeting, you will often hear reports and see motions being put forward for approval that don’t require much debate. This is because much of the work is done behind the scenes in board committees, where thorough discussions, reviews and analyses take place to ensure the best outcomes for our district and its students.

Board committees play a crucial role in driving the strategic direction of our district. These committees serve as the backbone of our governance structure, allowing us to delve deeply into various aspects of district operations and ensure the highest standards of excellence in education.

Our Finance Committee oversees budgetary matters fastidiously, promoting fiscal prudence and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources. The Building and Grounds Committee ensures the safety, maintenance, and functionality of our facilities, creating optimal learning environments. The Policy Committee works thoughtfully to develop and review policies that uphold our commitment to equity and excellence.

Our Personnel Committee focuses on attracting and retaining top talent, while the Strategic Planning Committee guides long-term initiatives to enhance student success. The Curriculum and Instruction Committee is dedicated to the continuous improvement of our educational programs, aligning them with the latest research, state standards and best practices.

These behind-the-scenes efforts allow board members to dive deeply into the intricacies of district management, ensuring that every decision is made with the utmost care and consideration. Our board committees reflect thorough strategic thinking and planning that helps drive the district toward greater achievements and opportunities for all students.

Sergio Alati, Ed.D
President of the Rutherford Board of Education

Teachers and staff switched roles to play an April Fool’s joke on Lincoln students.

Third-grade students who walked into their classroom expecting to see Ms. Behnke were instead greeted by principal Dr. Velechko. Reading specialist Mrs. Risoli put on her sneakers to teach physical education while gym teacher Mr. Potor introduced Ms. Carr’s third-grade class to geometry.

Those switches and more kept students guessing – and laughing – all day!

Read Across America Day was a special celebration of literacy – with special guests visiting Lincoln and Washington schools.

Students from the Rutherford High School Future Teachers of America Club, along with the Rutherford Bulldog, read with students at Lincoln. The Future Teachers, along with the Public Speaking and Spanish clubs, also visited Washington students.

Colorful creations filled Union School’s cafeteria during the annual STEM Night. Students proudly displayed and explained their inventive projects, from intricate robotics to imaginative engineering designs.

The event provided a platform for students to demonstrate their prowess in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

STEM Night not only celebrated the achievements of our students but also fostered a spirit of innovation and curiosity within the school community, inspiring future generations of STEM enthusiasts. Ms. Ealey and Mr. Viola chaired the event.

After hearing the story “The Three Little Pigs,” students in Ms. Sayre's kindergarten class went to work building their own wolf-proof structures.

The students used problem-solving skills and their knowledge of length, shapes and balance to create their projects. All of them made buildings that could surely withstand the force of the Big Bad Wolf!

"Mighty Mike" Simmel, a former member of the Harlem Wizards basketball entertainment team, earned points with Pierrepont students during a recent visit to the school.

Simmel put on a display of basketball tricks, but also touched on more serious subjects. As the founder of the "Bounce Out the Stigma" youth basketball program for kids with developmental disabilities, Simmel advocates for acceptance and kindness toward all students.

Simmel spoke with students about healthy lifestyle choices and self-worth, and stressed the message to "simply be kind without a label." He also donated a copy of his book, "Mighty Mike Bounces Back," to the Pierrepont library.

Seventh-grade students recently explored chemical reactions in Mrs. Vidal’s class.

This hands-on lesson required students to identify various signs of a chemical reaction, as well as reactions that are exothermic (a process that releases heat) and endothermic (a process that absorbs heat and cools surroundings).

The students were asked to look out for sudden changes in color, temperature and odor, and whether bubbles formed.

Collaboration was key to the success of the experiments!

The RHS Irish Culture Club took a hands-on approach to helping feed those in need.

The club members boiled, buttered, filled and distributed 100 containers of pasta for homeless individuals and families in Paterson. The students worked together to develop an efficient system to prepare and package the pasta.

Lincoln School PTA arranged a special visit by Quiver Farms so students could watch chicks hatch from eggs. Farmer Jones brought a dozen fertilized eggs, and Max and Ruby, a rooster and hen. Preschool 3 students listened to the farmer talk about chicks and chickens, and all Lincoln students observed as the eggs started to hatch in the incubator.

Students then watched as the chicks learned to peck and huddled to keep warm. The chirping sound could be heard on the main floor. It was fun for the school to become a farm for a day!

Students at Union School recently joined in a day of fun activities that reinforced the school’s pillars of positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). The PBIS Mid-Year Celebration promoted respect, responsibility and integrity.

Students and teachers played can-toss games, corn hole and basketball, and competed in scooter racing and hula hooping.

Of course, the day also included discussions about the importance of good sportsmanship and behavior in the classroom and in the school community.

Rutherford High School hosted representatives from about 20 organizations at its inaugural Career Fair.

Counselor Mr. Scutti did a great job of planning the event, which was designed to help students explore their options after graduation.

Participating businesses and organizations included PSE&G, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Bergen Tech and Eastwick College.

Under the direction of Ms. Cherryl Bott and Mrs. Judy Leonard, Andrew Moller and Madison Lewis participated in the state-level Future Business Leaders of America competition in the Sports and Entertainment Management event.

The students placed fourth, which qualifies them to compete at the national level in June. The Sports & Entertainment Management category provides students with the opportunity to gain an understanding of sports and entertainment issues within today’s society. Through a combination of an objective test and a role-playing scenario, participants are challenged to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.

The Union School Service Club held its second annual collection for the Humane Society of Bergen County, gathering more than 150 items for the shelter.

Students enjoyed the opportunity to meet the animals at the shelter when they dropped off their donations. Under the direction of advisor Mrs. Ealey, the Service Club participates in outreach throughout the school year. The students look forward to visiting the K Center in May and doing a beach cleanup at Liberty State Park in June.

Rutherford’s baseball and softball teams are playing for Bulldog pride – and good causes.

On April 20, the baseball team participated in an Autism Awareness Tournament hosted by Weehawken High School. The softball team hosted the Breathe Easy Tournament to benefit cystic fibrosis, also on April 20.

Highlights from the winter season include:

• The boys swim team won the NJSIAA sectional championship for the first time in school history and was the Bergen County Team of the Year.

• The girls swim team placed second in the NJIC League.

• The boys basketball team entered the NJSIAA playoffs as the sixth seed.

• The girls basketball team made it to the semifinals of the NJSIAA tournament.

• The dance team put on routines at girls and boys home basketball games, and performed with the RHS drumline.

• The boys winter track team finished third in the NJIC Conference.

• The winter track girls team finished second in the NJIC Conference.

• The wrestling team won the NJIC Colonial Division Championship.