Let's Talk TPS

It's been a productive six months since Tenafly voters approved our referendum, and we're actively planning and scheduling the upcoming work. Here are the projects set to begin in spring and summer 2025 (exact start and completion dates may vary):

• Security vestibules at all six schools
• Ceiling replacements at elementary schools
• Elevator and flooring replacements at Stillman
• Gym upgrades at TMS and THS, including new flooring, bleachers, and wall mats
• Locker replacements at TMS
• Unit ventilator replacements at THS

Several additional projects are in development, with anticipated start dates in late 2025 or 2026. These include: the Smith drainage project; elementary additions and related improvements, Maugham boiler replacement; elementary and TMS HVAC and unit ventilator replacements; TMS cafeteria expansion; TMS and THS auditorium upgrades; TMS and THS locker room renovations; THS multi-sport field; Geissinger fieldhouse; and track, roof and window replacements (including window film) district-wide. We'll continue to keep you updated as progress unfolds.

The next two summers will be especially busy as we work to complete the majority of our planned construction. We appreciate your patience and support throughout this process!

Yours in Education,

Michael Ben-David J.D./M.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools

Adoption of Preliminary Budget/Regular Board Meeting - Monday, March 17, 2025

Final Budget Hearing/Regular Board Meeting - Monday, April 28, 2025

For the Board Agenda, click HERE. For the Zoom link, click HERE.

Last week was Read Across America Week and our elementary schools celebrated in a big way! Mackay planned a fun-filled week of activities that included dressing up as your favorite book character or superhero (see top newsletter photo), and classroom readings of Principal Chizzik's favorite books. Ms. Herbst (Maugham's Library Media Specialist) read a Dr. Seuss book to their students and planned a cup balancing activity that had everyone smiling. At Smith, Ms. Griffiths (Library Media Specialist) dressed up as the Cat in the Hat while the younger students listened to their 5th graders read Dr. Seuss' "I Can Read with My Eyes Shut". Stillman opted for a pajama party with their families filling the school's book-themed hallways with blankets, books, and breakfast carts (sponsored by their HSA). The photo seen here is Principal Lander rapping the book, "One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish"! Now that's a breakfast treat!

Read Across America Week - which starts with Dr. Seuss' birthday - is a nationwide event that aims to encourage reading while educating on the benefits of reading, especially for children and young adults.

Congrats to all of the participants and winners of last Friday's 46th annual THS Olympics! The Class of 2025 was the decisive winner; but their youngest classmen were chosen by staff for the sportsmanship award. Nice job, Class of 2028!

Special thanks to those who put this day together and those who helped to judge, manage, and organize the many activities and events. Be sure to check our social media (@TenaflySchools) for many more photos and videos!

The TMS RAPP (Reaching All Peer-to-Peer) students hosted their fourth annual breakfast to show appreciation for our Crossing Guards. These 8th grade students are selected peer leaders, and they enjoyed interviewing the men and women who help get them to and from school safely - no matter what the weather is outside! We are so fortunate to have them!

Tenafly Middle School Band students took the stage at the NJSMA Region 1 Intermediate Concert on March 9th at Randolph High School. The Intermediate Bands are made up of 7th, 8th and 9th graders from across northern NJ. TMS had the highest number of musicians on the stage in both bands, as well as the most students in the principal, or first chair, positions. The students were treated to a program of challenging and fun music over the course of 20 hours of the rehearsal.

Symphonic Winds (first photo)

Standing: Adrian Shim (flute), Alex Park (clarinet), Dohyung Kim (clarinet), Sean Yoo (mallet percussion), Jackson Park (trombone, 1st chair), Dr. Burja; Seated: Jeevan Patel (mallet percussion, 1st chair) and Alyssa Liu (clarinet, 1st chair and concert master, 2nd year in a row)

Concert Band

Louie Kim (clarinet), Ayden Lee (timpani), Catherine Chun (flute), Alexa Na (alto saxophone), Chelsea Cha (flute), and Dr. Burja; not pictured, Claire Xin (flute)

THS has also had recent success for several of their band students:

North Jersey Intermediate Region Band

Helen Xie, grade 9 (euphonium)

North Jersey Region Band (photo can be seen on the district website)

Audrey Hahn, grade 11 (clarinet), Andrea Koo, grade 11 (clarinet), Mathew Jun, grade 9 (clarinet), Edward Lee, grade 10 (clarinet), and Siddant Sharma, grade 10 (piano)

All-State Band

Siddant Sharma, grade 10 (piano), Audrey Hahn, grade 11 (clarinet), Eric Liu, grade 11 (oboe), and Edward Lee, grade 10, (clarinet).

As we celebrate Music in Our Schools Month, we are proud to recognize the many accomplishments of our talented musicians. Congrats to all!

THS students from Ms. Williams', Ms. Osborn's, and Ms. Peláez-Martínez's French, Spanish, and Italian 3 classes recently participated in a World Heritage Fair at the high school - a culminating activity to the thematic unit on UNESCO World Heritage sites. These three teachers also represented Tenafly High School as they presented this unit as a best practice at the Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (NECTFL) in New York City on Feb. 28th.

It's that time of year when we are thinking and wearing green - but how about Going Green?! That's exactly what Smith School's Green Team brainstorms at their weekly meetings. One initiative that these conscientious students recently launched is their Terra cycle program. With the generous support of their HSA, they were able to create Terra cycle receptacles to recycle materials that can't go in the normal recycling stream (e.g., your favorite chip bags). The Green Team began by creating a presentation about Terra cycle to distribute to all grade levels. The collection has begun, but these receptacles are quite expensive, so this team is always looking for more help...hint, hint! 😉If you are interested, please contact Ms. Katherine Fritz, the club's organizer.

You are invited to attend the March Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting, which has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 18th, at 8:45 am. The agenda topic is: Seclusion & Restraint. The April meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 2nd with an agenda topic: Inclusion & Professional Development. For more information about these meetings, visit HERE. For more information about SEPAC, be sure to also follow us on Facebook - @Tenafly SEPAC (private group)!

During this Women's History Month, we are sharing "Herstory" each Thursday on our social media - @TenaflySchools (Facebook & Instagram). Make sure to read about these special NJ trailblazers!

Tenafly Middle School is proud to present this year's musical, Mean Girls Jr., at the Dr. Alan Van Poznak Auditorium. Ticket sales are open now! https://tms.seatyourself.biz

General Seats $10, Premium Seats $20

Be sure to register for the 27th TEF Tenafly 5K Run & Dog Walk on Sunday, June 1, 2025. The highlight of this annual community-based event is the 5K Run, one of the largest road races in North Jersey, which welcomes runners of all ages and abilities. The run is followed by the 5K Dog Walk – where you can participate with your furry friends!

The day also includes a variety of family-friendly events for everyone - including a 1-mile Fun Run, a Tiger Cub run for the 6-and-under crowd, a Dog Parade, and inflatable bouncy houses to entertain the kids! In addition, we invite you to visit our Family Health & Fitness Fair to meet our sponsors and share some snacks and beverages. Visit www.tenafly5k.com for more information and to register!

If you have a story idea for this newsletter, please contact Ms. Terry Corallo. Please provide at least two weeks advance notice.

If you have have a question or concern related to your student, please first contact their teacher. For additional support, you may contact your building principal:

• Mackay School - Principal Chizzik
• Maugham School - Principal Ferrara
• Smith School - Principal George
• Stillman School - Principal Lander
• Tenafly Middle School - Principal Fabbo
• Tenafly High School - Principal Morrison