As the crisp fall air settles in, Kearny students and faculty are energized and ready to embrace a new season of learning, growth, and success.

On September 3, 2024, the third annual Faculty Field Day brought our educators together for a day dedicated to wellness, connection, and personal growth. This year’s theme, Teacher Wellness, underscored the importance of nurturing our well-being to better serve our students and communities.

The event began with a powerful keynote address by Dr. Katie Peters, a former Ohio Teacher of the Year and current Compassion Consultant. Dr. Peters captivated the audience with her heartfelt stories from the classroom, emphasizing how acts of kindness, empathy, and intentional connection can transform both our teaching and personal lives. Her message of building happiness from within resonated deeply, setting an inspired tone for the day.

Following the keynote, faculty participated in a variety of wellness activities designed to rejuvenate the mind and body while fostering meaningful relationships. From yoga and walking to painting, yard games, and cooking workshops, the team building activities provided something for everyone. These activities not only promoted self-care but also strengthened team bonds and cultivated a sense of social-emotional support among colleagues.

The day concluded on a high note with a spirited performance by the all-faculty pop up band, Appetite for Instruction. The talented group—featuring Marlaina Melker on vocals, James Sickinger on guitar, John Kubowicz on keyboard, Jeremy Gorin on saxophone, and Salvatore Coffaro on drums—brought energy and joy to the crowd with their energizing set.

Teachers and staff left feeling refreshed, connected, and ready to embrace a new academic year. Faculty Field Day was a celebration of growth, collaboration, and the vital role of wellness in education. With renewed enthusiasm and a strengthened sense of community, our educators are poised to inspire and guide students through another impactful year.

Here’s to a year full of exciting partnerships, meaningful connections, and the pursuit of knowledge!

In early September, students at Garfield, Washington and Schuyler School embraced Start with Hello, a national program developed by the parents of Sandy Hook to raise awareness about social isolation and teach students how to prevent it by forming social connections and creating a school-wide sense of belonging. Throughout the week, students engaged in activities designed to foster kindness, connection, and inclusivity.

At Garfield, Students watched videos about being a good friend, heard uplifting morning announcements that highlighted the value of developing meaningful friendships, and brainstormed creative ways to brighten someone’s day.

Washington School Students started with hello by wearing name tag stickers and using "conversation starter" cards at lunchtime to generate friendly conversations.

As a highlight of the week, Schuyler 6th graders took to the sidewalks, decorating them with colorful chalk greetings of “hello” written in a variety of languages—a vibrant reminder of the power of a simple word used to create connection.

Through Start with Hello, our students learned that small acts of kindness can make a big difference in ensuring that everyone feels valued, seen, and included. It is a lesson that will resonate far beyond a week of activities, helping to build a stronger, more compassionate school community.

Red Ribbon Week is an annual campaign in the United States that promotes drug awareness, prevention, and education, typically observed during the last full week of October. It is the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the country and encourages individuals, schools, and communities to make commitments to live drug-free lives.

LMS art students, along with art teachers Mr. Merlo and Ms. Morrison, collaborated with the Kearny Prevention Coalition for Red Ribbon Week. The students used their artistic talents and passion for prevention by painting inspiring, heartfelt messages on local shop windows. Their creative talents promoted discussions on the effects of substance abuse and the power of positive messages.

The 6th Grade Junior Peers helped to spread substance abuse awareness through an in informational bulletin board and inspiring Chalk the Walk event. The bulletin board aimed to educate youngsters about the harmful effects of drug abuse, promoted healthy decision making, and encouraged the school community to live healthy, drug free lives. Outside, students engaged in writing positive messages aimed to promote inclusivity, pledging their commitment to a drug free lifestyle, and raise awareness about the importance of mental health awareness.

The students also accompanied Ms. Figueroa on class visits to talk about decision making and goal setting. The 6th graders engaged in interactive activities, discussions, and lessons with their younger peers to increase awareness at all grade levels.

In honor of Red Ribbon Week, Washington School students participated in a week long series of activities designed to promote substance abuse awareness and promote positive decisions. The students wore red, completed classroom team-building activities, and held engaging active discussions. Thank you to the Kearny Prevention Coalition for providing our schools with resources and materials to raise awareness about substance abuse and promote positive thinking throughout our district!

The messages and information about addiction and recovery helped encourage their fellow students to make good behavioral decisions and build a sense of school community and pride.

On the morning of September 11th, a solemn flag-raising ceremony was held on the front lawn of Franklin School to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during the tragic events of 9/11. The ceremony included participation from the Franklin School Student Liaison Team and staff members. To mark the occasion, the entire student body dressed in red, white, and blue as a tribute to the significance of the day.

At Garfield School, students and staff also wore red, white, and blue to honor the memory of those lost and to pay tribute to the heroes who sacrificed their lives to save others.

At Kearny High School, the school community held its 23rd annual 9/11 Flag Raising and Remembrance Ceremony as part of its Friday, September 6th pep rally. Led by Marty Nystrom and attended by the families of Kearny residents who lost their lives in the attacks, the ceremony provided a poignant moment of reflection. The high school community came together to honor the memory of the victims and to show that we will never forget.

Schuyler School students in Kindergarten through Second Grade celebrated their literary adventures with a Summer Reading event. They explored a variety of fiction and nonfiction books while keeping track of their reading progress. The celebration featured cozy reading nooks, literary-themed games, collaborative puzzles, and opportunities to illustrate meaningful passages. Prizes were awarded to students who read the most or had the most diverse reading lists, while all participants enjoyed activities promoting literacy and a love for books.

Garfield School celebrated its students' dedication to summer reading with a tropical Luau-Themed Summer Reading Celebration. The event honored all students who completed their summer reading assignments, showcasing their passion for reading and learning.

Students were encouraged to supplement the festivities with colorful leis, as they shared their favorite summer reads alongside tropical snacks. The festive celebration included fun activities like creating friendship bracelets, designing bookmarks, engaging in arts and crafts, and even playing with Legos. The event not only rewarded students for their hard work but also fostered creativity, collaboration, and a passion for reading.

Kudos to all the students for their commitment to reading and a huge thank you to the staff who made this memorable event possible!

Congratulations to our Learning Ally Summer Reading Contest winners! Students who utilized the Learning Ally program for summer reading were entered into a contest. Users who read the most pages and logged the most time reading were presented with an official certificate and special prize! Thank you to all of our participants and we hope you continue to foster your love of reading throughout the year.

Students were awarded gift cards and certificates for their outstanding performance in the i-Ready Summer Math contest. Their hard work and dedication throughout the summer really paid off!

On September 27th, Washington School came alive with vibrant colors and cultural pride as students celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a school-wide parade. Students proudly walked around the school holding flags from various Hispanic countries, showcasing the rich diversity within the community.

To culminate the week, students were treated to a special Peruvian dance performance, which added an exciting educational element to the festivities. The lively dance highlighted the richness of Peruvian culture and was a joyful conclusion to the celebration. The event fostered a sense of unity and pride, making it a memorable highlight of the month.

Ms. Afayee's Newscasters, a formation of 5th and 6th grade students, recently started their own YouTube Channel to broadcast highlights and information related to Washington School events. In an effort to foster their budding media journalism skills, the students were invited by Mr. Ryan Miller of Kearny High School to tour the KHS broadcasting suite. While there, the Washington kids participated in a broadcast, and engaged in a discussion with the KHS students about the importance of lighting, tips on stage direction, and toured the editing suite. All of the students were delighted to put their skills to use and creatively produce a feature broadcast.

You can catch the latest from KHS Broadcasting here: https://www.youtube.com/@KHSBroadcastingDPT

Subscribe to the Washington Newscasters YouTube page here: https://www.youtube.com/@washingtonschoolnj

Washington School welcomed their new principal, Mr. John Adamski, and new assistant principal, Mr. Alberto Ruiz this year!

Mr. Adamski, the new principal of Washington School, has worked in the Kearny School District for 19 years, previously teaching social studies at the high school. Now leading as principal, he fosters a student-centered, data-driven environment. Published in two books on education and a few research journals, Adamski is slated to complete his doctorate in teacher development next year. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Montclair State University and New Jersey City University, contributing to their education departments. He lives in Kearny with his wife and three children.

Adalberto Ruiz, better known as Al, was born in Manhattan, NY, but grew up in the nearby town of Harrison. An early affinity for sports led to a high school career in football and basketball, eventually earning a spot on the Marist College football team.

Ruiz boasts a degree in special education followed by a Master’s in Educational Leadership. He began his teaching career as a middle school special education math teacher in Harrison while coaching various sports. His passion for coaching led to a spot as the basketball coach at St. Peter’s Prep.

Ruiz’s teaching journey continued to Pompton Lakes High School, where he worked as a teacher and coach before transitioning into administration as an assistant principal in the Morris Plains district. Al is proud to have returned to his Hudson County roots, serving as an administrator in the Kearny School District.

For the second year, Kearny High School’s ceramics class partnered with the Franklin Preschool classes for a creative and unique project. Preschoolers in Ms. Murray, Ms. Bauer, and Ms. Kearns's classes designed monster drawings in September, which Ms. Donnelly’s talented high school students transformed into whimsical clay sculptures.

On October 30th, the high schoolers visited the preschool classes to deliver each preschooler’s clay monster. The students participated in a read aloud of How to Catch a Monster and led a fun sticker monster activity, guided by Mrs. Astrella and Ms. Donnelly. The day ended with a gallery walk showcasing the unique creations before the preschoolers took their monsters home.

This heartwarming collaboration combined creativity and connection, leaving smiles on every student’s face!

Franklin School’s ABA students enjoyed a thrilling and enriching Trick-or-Treat event, combining festive fun with meaningful learning. Organized by our dedicated ABA teacher Heather Klein, the celebration gave students a chance to practice essential life skills in a joyful and inclusive setting.

The event featured ten Halloween-themed stations throughout the school, where students excitedly walked the halls to visit the Junior Peers. Using their communication devices, they practiced social phrases such as “trick or treat,” “Happy Halloween,” and “thank you,” fostering confidence and real-world communication abilities.

This heartwarming activity was a true team effort, with Junior Peers and the following classes contributing to its success: Ann Marie Polites, Ally Abrams, Catia Bento, Lynzi Kolheffer, Julliane Cardaci, Jennifer Louro, Kristie Khoe, Alejandra Zavala Guaman, and Nicole DeJoseph.

The smiles on the students’ faces said it all—this event was a resounding success, filled with sweet treats, life skill milestones, and unforgettable Halloween joy. Special thanks to everyone who made this day possible!

The Junior Peers from our elementary schools demonstrated incredible dedication to charity and service this season by hosting a district-wide Thanksgiving Food Drive. These young leaders collected cases of perishable and non-perishable food items and donated them to the Knights of Columbus, ensuring that families in need could enjoy a warm and fulfilling holiday.

This year’s drive was especially fruitful, marking the highest number of donations in recent years. The generosity and hard work of our students reflect the spirit of giving and their commitment to making a difference in the community.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to the Junior Peers, their families, and The Knights of Columbus who contributed to this amazing effort. The Kearny School District is grateful for the philanthropy of our amazing students!

Climate change is a pressing issue, and students at Lincoln Middle School are taking action. Sponsored by Eco-Schools, the school's 7th and 8th graders have launched an initiative to raise awareness about climate change within their community. Through a series of projects, they are spreading the word about the importance of conservation, sustainable living, and the impact of our ecological choices on the planet.

Most recently, LMS 8th graders hosted the Tenafly Nature Preserve and were treated to a demonstration and discussion of contributing factors that affect natural habitats in New Jersey. Special guests Rufus, a yellow rat snake, and Star, a 60 year old box turtle, helped propel the discussion and shed light on the 60+ endangered species in New Jersey. After the demonstration, the students headed back to class to create a New Jersey inspired endangered species coloring book. The coloring book will be shared with our elementary school students to help further awareness of conservation and local endangered species.

Their efforts highlight what young voices can achieve when they come together to stand up for our planet's future. Stay tuned for more updates as these students continue to make a difference in the fight against climate change.

The SAVE club at KHS is on a mission to collect 1,000 lbs of plastic films to be recycled through a company called TREX, which turns the plastics into outdoor decks and furniture. If they reach their goal by the end of the school year, TREX will send Kearny High a bench made from recycled plastics to put on the school grounds. As of this week, the club has "SAVE"d 224 pounds of recyclable plastics from entering landfills!

You can help by dropping off plastic bags labeled with a 2 or 4, Amazon packaging, bread/produce/ice bags, and more into one of the GREEN recycling cans located in the Kearny High School main office.

A school wide donation challenge is scheduled for March 18th in honor of Global Recycling Day.

Together we can "Turn that stench into a bench!"

The Kearny High School K-Birds recently delivered a powerful performance of the National Anthem at the Town Hall "Hometown Heroes Dedication Ceremony," paying tribute to local veterans on Wednesday October 16, 2024. In a proud moment for the high school, vocal music director Ms. Gonzalez, accompanist Ms. Crispo, and the K-Birds were recognized with citations from the New Jersey State Senate and General Assembly for their exceptional musical contributions to Kearny's Inaugural Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. This honor highlights their dedication to both music and community.

The KHS Marching Band achieved a historic victory at the Tournament of Bands Competition, earning the title of Regional Champions for the first time since 1985. Under the guidance of Mr. Caravella, Mr. Conde, Mr. Pamaar, Ms. Chen, and Mr. Diaz, the band swept the awards, placing 1st in their division, 1st in Visual, and 1st in Music. This incredible accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire group—congratulations to all!

Additionally, four KHS Concert Band students—Allany Quinones, Mario Valles Monzombite, Rossy Ramirez, and Sarah Fonseca—have been accepted into the prestigious TCNJ Honors Wind Ensemble. They will perform alongside students from over 50 high schools on November 24 at 4:00 PM at TCNJ.

Our district's schools welcomed parents and guardians for engaging Back to School Night events, filled with informative presentations, community connections, and student achievements.

At Lincoln Middle School (LMS), Back to School Night was held on September 12th, where parents enjoyed a highlight reel of student accomplishments created by Mrs. Kliszus.

Over at Franklin School, the event took place during the second week of September and saw an impressive turnout of 400 parents. Dr. Cali opened the evening, discussing various district programs, followed by PTA President Victoria Lydeker, who encouraged PTA membership and discussed school events. Mr. Kubowicz also introduced the school’s music program. All presentations were translated into Spanish to ensure inclusivity. The evening was divided into two sessions to accommodate families with students in multiple grades. Franklin’s PTA hosted a membership table, while "Right At School" and Pomptonian food services answered parent questions.

Garfield School hosted a Back to School Night where parents visited classrooms and met teachers. Parents also accessed various school and community resources such as the PTA, KSD Immigrant Social Worker Patricia Tellez, Pomptonian Food Services, Right at School, and the KPSUE: Kearny Public Schools Uniform Exchange.

At Roosevelt School, the Peers and Student Council contributed to preparing the school by decorating bulletin boards and welcoming guests, adding a warm touch to the event.

Schuyler School had a month full of events, including PreK Parent Orientation, Back to School Night, and the PTA’s Back to School Bash, all aimed at fostering community engagement.

Washington School hosted its Back to School Night with an auditorium full of parents and students. Parents had the opportunity to meet the new administration and their children's teachers. Many parents also visited tables in the main hallway, which featured information about various programs and the opportunity to join the PTA.

Each school's event was a success, reflecting the strong partnership between parents, students, and staff as we embark on a new academic year.

Roosevelt School recently hosted a memorable Back to School Night, marked by the enthusiastic participation of our Junior Peers, who helped transform the school into a warm and inviting space for families. In preparation for the evening, the dedicated students adorned the halls and walls with bright school colors, showcasing the ever welcoming atmosphere of Roosevelt.

As families arrived, they were greeted not only by the colorful displays but also by our renowned teachers, principal, and volunteers. Their efforts showcased the pride and enthusiasm that our students feel for their school, making the event even more special. Parents had the opportunity to tour the school, meet teachers, and learn about the curriculum and resources available to support their children’s learning.

The Back to School Bash provided a platform for parents to connect with staff and fellow families, strengthening the school community bond. It was a night filled with information, interaction, and inspiration, setting a positive tone for the school year ahead. Thank you to our Junior Peers, teachers, and staff for making this event a resounding success! We look forward to continuing this spirit of collaboration and engagement throughout the year.

Schuyler School started the year with two exciting events designed to bring students together and build community. The PTA-sponsored Back-to-School Bash welcomed students and families with a lively celebration full of activities and opportunities to reconnect with friends after the summer break. Set outside on the blacktop, families enjoyed cooking, company, and connection as games and a special appearance by Tommy the Tiger entertained the students. The event set a positive tone for the year, creating an atmosphere of fun and togetherness for the entire school community.

Additionally, Schuyler School held its first annual Welcome Back Activity Day for the 6th graders, who kicked off their final year of elementary school by forming new friendships, reconnecting with their friends and creating lasting memories. The day featured friendly competitions in pickleball, kickball, and dodgeball, fostering teamwork and school spirit.

Both events highlighted the importance of connection and collaboration, setting the stage for an exciting and successful school year at Schuyler!

Kearny School District hosted its Preschool Parent Orientation in early September, offering families a warm introduction to their respective schools. Parents had the opportunity to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and learn about the curriculum. Each school provided essential information on school routines, communication channels, and the various resources available to support student success.

This orientation helped parents acclimate to the district, ensuring a smooth transition for both families and students as they begin their educational journey in Kearny. It was a great start to fostering strong school-home connections!

On a perfect fall day at Washington School, preschool students were filled with excitement and smiles as they had the chance to pick out their very own pumpkins, courtesy of the Kearny PBA. The students especially enjoyed seeing their outdoor spaced transformed into a pumpkin patch, which made for the perfect transition to the autumnal season.

Special thanks to Mr. Adamski, Mr. Ruiz, the dedicated Washington staff, and the district instructional coaches for their hard work and support in making this event a huge success. This wonderful initiative not only brought joy to the students but also fostered a sense of community as families and staff came together to celebrate the season. We look forward to more exciting events like this in the future!

The Kearny School District is proud to unveil their brand-new webpage, designed with sports enthusiasts in mind! Head on over to https://kearnykardinalsathletics.com/ to catch the latest in college signings, schedules, photos and streaming! Our sports shop is open and items are available to purchase!

You can find all of our schedules, results and team information at our new website: