Happy Holidays!
From the Bergenfield High School Learning Community
December 2023
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we reflect on all the wonderful programs and activities we have at Bergenfield High School, our learning community would like to wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season.
Bergenfield High School students and faculty are proud to share that for the 8th year in a row, US News and World Report has recognized our high school as one of the best high schools (top 4%) in the nation. Bergenfield High School has also been recognized by the Jay Matthews Challenge Index, formally known as the Washington Post, as one of America’s Most Challenging Schools last year. In 2015, TheBestSchools.org recognized Bergenfield High School as one of 50 Inspiring Schools Meeting the Challenge. In 2014, BHS was named one of America’s Top 500 Public High Schools by the Daily Beast through Newsweek Magazine. We look forward to continuing to share our success with you in the future.
For the first time in school history, Bergenfield High School has earned a place on the College Board's AP School Honor Roll for the 2022-2023 school year. In doing so, the high school earned Gold recognition - the second-highest distinction given by College Board. In addition, BHS was further recognized with the AP Access Award. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that have done outstanding work to welcome more students into AP courses and support them on the path to college success. To qualify for the Honor Roll, schools must meet or exceed the criteria for a given recognition level in three metrics. BHS achieved Gold-level criteria for college culture and college credit metrics, and achieved Platinum recognition for college optimization. The AP Access Award honors schools that provide all students the chance to participate in AP, including students of underrepresented populations.
The College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP ®) gives students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school. A 3 or higher on an AP exam has multiple benefits for students, including earning college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on AP Exams, saving them time and money. Research shows AP students are better prepared for and more likely to enroll and remain in college, do well in classes, and earn their degrees on time. Each exam is developed by a committee of college and university faculty and AP teachers, ensuring that AP Exams align with their high standards.
Our philosophy at BHS is to challenge each and every student academically. In 2023, BHS students improved their scores on the NJSLA and NJGPA! This year, we have 453 students enrolled in AP classes and 923 AP tests will be taken in May; 37% of our total student body is currently enrolled in at least one AP course. Of our class of 2024, 71% have taken at least one AP class during their four years at BHS. Bergenfield High School had an overall total of 122 students receive AP Scholar recognition through the College Board; these awards include 27 AP Scholars with Distinction, 19 AP Scholars with Honors, 71 AP Scholars, and 7 students receiving an AP Capstone Diploma. BHS also continues to offer dual enrollment courses through agreements with FDU, Rutgers, Syracuse, and BCC, for which our students receive college credits for passing our college preparatory courses and exams. We have 2023 graduates at Princeton University, UPenn, NYU, MIT, Fordham University, Purdue University, Rutgers University, Bucknell, and many others. We are proud of the Class of 2023 graduates!
For the tenth straight year, Bergenfield High School has signed on with the College Board to give all juniors the SAT for free during the school day on March 20, 2024. All students who are taking the SAT are encouraged to review the College Board website and access free Khan Academy resources for the SAT, making it easier than ever for all students to achieve their personal best. These online resources generate individualized practice recommendations that meet students right where they are in their learning and help them grow. Please access these resources at https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/sat. Along with the online resources, Bergenfield High School will continue to offer PSAT and SAT prep classes after school and in the evenings beginning in January at no cost to students. If your child is interested, or if you would like more information, contact Mr. Ragasa at rragasa@bergenfield.org; the next prep session will start in January.
The STEM program is in its fourteenth year with 47 students involved. Our STEM advisors are excited about the most rigorous curricular program that we offer and look forward to the four graduating seniors’ final thesis presentations in May. Program coordinator Mrs. Thadani held an informational meeting for parents of current 8th graders on Thursday, December 14th, and had a nice turnout.
Extension of our Learning Community
On the BHS website, you can find the 2023-2024 edition of Collage, our Literary Arts Magazine. The Drama Club produced our fall play Clue earlier this December and, in the spring (March 7th, 8th, and 9th), they are partnering with the BHS Music Program to run a musical production of Once on this Island! The Chess Club continues to meet every week, while our Model UN, DECA, and Academic Decathlon Teams are preparing for tournaments in 2024. Our TEEEM Club continues to lead awareness of underprivileged countries while raising money to assist their youth. The Thrive Club donated holiday gifts to children in the Bergen County foster system. The 2023 edition of the Crossroads yearbook earned a statewide and national silver medal rating critique from the Garden State Scholastic Press Association. Our senior class has raised money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of New York, as well as holding a coat drive for the homeless in the fall. Student Congress has partnered with the BHS Health Occupations Student Organization (HOSA) to host a blood drive at BHS in the spring. Our Culinary Club has been cooking up fantastic dishes and our RISE club continues to spread Bear Pride throughout the school every day. We are all looking forward to the annual Dancing with the Staff on Friday, February 23rd, and the BHS Talent Show on Friday, April 26th. We offer so many clubs and activities for our students; there is something for everyone at BHS!
Athletics Updates and Winter Schedules
In 2023, our girls' softball team were the Big North National Division League Champions! Just last week, our Esports team won the Overwatch Eastern Conference Championship in only their second year in existence!
The BHS boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will be keeping busy during the holiday break! The boys’ team will be playing in the Jack Reilly Fort Lee Holiday Tournament and our girls' basketball team will be hosting a Holiday Tournament right here at BHS in the Anthony J. Saraceno Gymnasium. Our wrestlers will be hosting the Duals for Danny Fundraiser Wrestling Tournament for Organ Donation on Saturday, December 30th, beginning at 10:00 am. The winter track team will travel to the Ocean Breeze Sports Complex on Staten Island on Thursday, December 28th, to compete in the Coach Glynn Holiday Relays at 9:00 am. Our bowling team has been working hard for their upcoming season and our competition cheerleading team begins their tournament season in January. Please root on our BHS Dance Team as they will compete in the Dance Team Union National Competition at the Hyatt Regional Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, in February. Please check the athletics website at https://bergenfieldbears.bigteams.com/ for times and schedules. Come out and show your Bear Pride for our student-athletes. Go Bears!
There is a great saying in which I believe strongly:
“There is a big difference between going to school and being a student. Going to school means you’re enrolled. Being a student means you’re involved. Get involved!” - Dr. Robert Gilbert
On Wednesday, December 20th, the Bergenfield High School Music Department will perform its annual Holiday Concert. There will be a show beginning at 1:15 pm, and another beginning at 8:00 pm in the evening. Tickets should be purchased in advance online at bergenfield.ludus.com.
The school will be closed for winter recess from Monday, December 25th through Monday, January 1st.
Our next in-person parent conferences are on Thursday, January 4th, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Once again, we are asking parents to make appointments with their children’s teachers through PTCfast for that evening.
The Bergenfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee will host the induction ceremony for the Class of 2024 Hall of Fame inductees on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Seasons in Washington Township, NJ. For more information about this exciting event, please contact Tania Charalambous, Athletic Department secretary, at tcharalambous@bergenfield.org. The following student-athlete alumni will be inducted:
- Greg Butler, BHS '78, baseball player and coach
- Anthony "Tony" Defeo, BHS '59, longtime contributor
- Roland Desonier, BHS '71, football and track
- Charles Gambino, BHS '43, baseball
- Larry Gangi, BHS '53, basketball
- Ed McDonnell, BHS '69, baseball and track
- Scott Macfie, BHS '87, football and wrestling
- Craig Malaney, BHS '83, football and basketball
- Rich Torres, BHS '11, wrestling and football
- John Zarubnicky, BHS '66, basketball and baseball
- The 1982 championship football team - Coach Chris Olsen
Reminder to parents of seniors: any senior who has not completed their requirements, or has exceeded the attendance limit, or needs summer school to graduate will not be permitted to walk in the graduation ceremony.
The holiday season is a time to enjoy your family and spend time with the people who mean the most to you. It is extremely important to hug, love, and be supportive of your children. Tell them that you love them every day, and thank them for all the joy and pleasure they bring into your life. Have a wonderful holiday and know that the BHS staff enjoys working with your children.
With Bear pride,
James M. Fasano, Principal
Robert Ragasa, Assistant Principal
Bergenfield High School
Bergenfield High School
Email: jfasano@bergenfield.org
Website: www.bergenfield.org/Domain/59
Location: Bergenfield High School, South Prospect Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ, USA
Phone: (201) 385-8600
Facebook: facebook.com/bergenfieldsd
Twitter: @bergenfieldsd