Let's Talk TPS
June 5, 2024
September 17th Referendum
Tenafly Public Schools are among the premier and highest-achieving open-enrollment school districts in New Jersey and the nation. The engine behind Tenafly’s rich history of academic excellence is a strong partnership between schools and families, and a steadfast commitment to high standards. At the center of this mission is also a keen focus on the student experience, and its impact on growth and achievement.
Where a challenge exists, however, is in the condition of our schools. Mackay, Maugham, Smith and Stillman elementary schools are all over 70 years of age. Respectively, our middle school and high school are 66 and 52 years old. So, while we pride ourselves on high achievement, and quality instruction and programming, our facilities are at the point where they are beginning to impact performance.
Today, school budgets have increasingly become a battle between instructional costs and everything else. And – unfortunately – New Jersey’s system for funding schools has made it almost impossible to service capital improvement needs inside an ordinary school budget. However, the state does help school districts pay for capital improvements, and it does that with your tax dollars! This funding is distributed only to school districts that use bond funding. A voter-approved referendum on September 17th would bring your tax dollars back to Tenafly.
I encourage you to learn more by visiting our website - tenaflyschools.org/vote - and by attending our upcoming Community Forums on August 5th (virtual) and September 9th (in person at TMS).
Yours in Education,
Michael Ben-David J.D./M.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools
THS' Science Research Symposium
THS' 12th Annual Dr. Helen Coyle Science Research Symposium was held on May 22nd (see image of this year's seniors at top of newsletter). This end-of-year event celebrates the collective work of the Science Research Honors Program. The four seniors who gave oral presentations of their research projects - Cindy Pyo, Elliott Yoon, Kayla Cheng and Hongju Choo - presented college-level material.
Additionally, The Love of Science and Love of the THS Community award was presented by the Coyle family in memory of Dr. Eleni (Helen) Coyle. This is an annual scholarship award of $500 given to two THS students who embody the examples set forth by Dr. Helen Coyle: eager and enthusiastic participation in many science academic and extracurricular activities, and while participating in these activities, exhibit true caring and concern for everyone. This year's recipients were Kai Song (Grade 12 - see image) and Edmund Hod (Grade 11).
Congratulations once again for an outstanding science competition season, and a wonderful symposium. To our seniors, we wish you much success as you head off to very prestigious colleges and universities!
TMS Students Perform at Lincoln Center Young Ensembles Concert
The music program at TMS is second to none - which is why it's no surprise that we have students who are performing at extremely prestigious venues.
In this particular case, we had three 7th grade students - Anna Lee (violin), Sua Park (violin), and Hamin Kim (cello) - recently perform the Borodin String Trio at the Lincoln Center Young Ensembles Concert. Anna, Sua and Hamin were selected after sending in a video audition of their trio performing. The judges chose the best groups in the NY metro area (only 12 groups selected this year) and then each group is assigned a Lincoln Center professional chamber musician as a coach before they perform. As expected, our students shined during their May 23rd concert performance (see image)! Congrats to each of them and their orchestra teacher, Mr. Rzonsa.
What a Season!
Tenafly's Boys Lacrosse had quite a season - making it to the State Tournament after being a "start up" just 10 short years ago. During the tournament, the team defeated their first opponent but unfortunately lost to Randolph last week. This team has much to be proud of, which includes:
Head Coach, Eric Quaranti - selected by his peers as the Bergen County Coach of the Year!
David Levine - First Team All State and First Team All Bergen County
Dylan Reichel - First Team All Bergen County
Jason Cherezov - First Team All Bergen County
We are wishing our seniors - several who will be playing lacrosse in college - all the best next year!
Student Art Displays - Part II
As mentioned in our last issue, the halls of our schools have been showcasing a wide array of artwork created by our talented students! The images shown here were on display at Maugham and TMS.
Special thanks to their art teachers - at TMS Ms. Lanni, Ms. Stevens, and Ms. Kinnery (Digital Art), and at Maugham, Ms. Williamson. And let's give a round of applause to all of the students for their beautiful work!
Summer Readings and Assignments
It's that time of year when summer readings and assignments are listed on our website. Be sure to visit the Parent/Summer Readings & Assignments section of our website - and continue to do so throughout the month of June - for the latest information listed by grade levels and/or specific class courses.
Tenafly Summer Enrichment Program
June 24 - July 23, 2024
Classes are filling fast! Registration closes in just a few weeks so be sure to Register Now!
Some of the excellent featured classes this summer are:
- Video Production and Photography: Kid Content Creators - Mrs. Alicia DeJoseph - Grades 2-9; Students will learn to spark the imagination through use of visual storytelling. They will also learn the basics of photography, and how to create and edit videos.
- Junior STEM Scientists – Ms. Claudia Guerrero - Grades K-2 This course allows students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) through children’s literature books that guide inquiry. After each read aloud students will be creating & constructing hands-on activities that correspond with the topic/book each day.
- (NEW) Musical Theater - Ms. Susan Vardy - Grades 6-9 - Musical theater combines the skills of acting, singing, and dancing in the telling of a story, making it a very unique performance experience! This course will cover all the skills that encompass a well rounded musical theater performance while working on scenes and songs from popular musical theater shows. Includes vocal technique, acting technique, basic choreography, ensemble work, connecting scenes to songs, and learning to tell the story in a song. A celebration of students' work will take place at the end of the summer session.
- (New) European Art History for Kids – Ms. Beatriz Pelaez-Martinez – Grades 5-8; Weeks one & two: Greek and Roman Sculpture (Mythology); Weeks three & four: Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Leonardo. Crafts relative to each of these artists will be created to have them gain a better understanding of why these artists are significant.
Tenafly Fire Department Open House June 8th
The Tenafly Fire Department will be hosting an Open House on Saturday June 8th at the Tenafly Fire House, 100 Riveredge Road in Tenafly, from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. There will be hands on firematic activities for the kids, such as a smoke house and fire extinguisher simulator. Fire Departments from all over Bergen County and beyond will be displaying both new firetrucks and historic firetrucks.
Come see what we do - there will be activities for all ages!
Adults - please visit our recruiting table if you’re interested in volunteering and children can participate in our Cadet/Junior program for those students ages 14 to 18.
