November 2024 Bulldog Bulletin

If you attended back-to-school nights, watched “Word from the Superintendent” videos or sat in on a recent PTA meeting, you’ve heard me discuss “The Anxious Generation.”

The eye-opening, research-based book outlines a national mental health crisis for adolescents. Major depressive episodes among American teens have more than doubled since 2010. And at least 30 nations have seen a decline in teens’ educational performance.

"The Anxious Generation” has sparked discussion and action among educators, political leaders and parent advocacy groups.

Author and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt suggests the only available explanation for similar issues across many nations is that “play-based childhood” was replaced by the “phone-based childhood.” Specifically, children and adolescents began to spend much more time on smartphones, social media, and video games, and much less time involved in healthy developmental activities such as face-to-face interactions with friends and family, sleep, exercise, and reading books.

The author makes very specific recommendations to help end the youth mental health crisis and improve academic performance. I felt compelled to share them with you. It will take collective action from parents and schools to help support our children as they move through an incredibly sensitive and important phase in their development.

1. “No smartphones before high school. Parents should delay children’s entry into round-the-clock internet access by giving only basic phones (phones with limited apps and no internet browser) before 9th grade (roughly age 14),” Haidt suggests.
2. “No social media before 16. Let children get through the most vulnerable period of brain development before connecting them to a firehose of social comparison and algorithmically chosen influencers,” Haidt says.
3. Phone-free schools. Rutherford schools were ahead of the curve on this recommendation: Students from elementary through high school store their phones and any other personal devices that can send or receive texts in lockers, cubbies or phone caddies during the school day. High school students can use their phones between classes and during lunch.
4. More independence, free play, and responsibility in the real world. These are the best ways for children to develop social skills, overcome anxiety, and become self-governing young adults.

We feel strongly about supporting students’ well-being and partnering with parents toward that goal. I encourage you to learn more by attending upcoming Parent Academy workshops about “The Anxious Generation.” Look for dates and details in this newsletter or for previous academies on the website www.rutherfordschools.org/blog/category/parent-academy/.

With care,

Jack Hurley

Superintendent of Schools

As the Board of Education President, an educator and school administrator myself, and a proud parent of two Rutherford graduates, I am excited to share our district's new Profile of a Graduate. This initiative highlights the attributes essential for our students' success: communication, critical thinking, character, creativity, collaboration, and citizenship.

Communication is vital in all parts of our life. We are dedicated to equipping students to express ideas clearly and listen actively, preparing them for diverse interactions. Critical thinking is a cornerstone of lifelong learning. Our curriculum challenges students to analyze, evaluate, and create solutions, fostering independent thinkers. Character forms the foundation of integrity and resilience. Educational opportunities are afforded to our students to engage in ethical decision-making and empathy, which strengthen students’ ability to lead with honesty and compassion. Creativity and imaginative thinking drive innovation and inspire students to explore new ideas and approach challenges with a fresh perspective. Collaboration is essential in our interconnected, global world. Our programs promote teamwork and mutual respect, ensuring students learn to work effectively with others to achieve common goals. Citizenship instills a sense of responsibility and community through service projects and civic engagement, all of which cultivates students who make a positive impact locally and globally.

As a parent, I've witnessed the growth and success this comprehensive approach fosters. My children, Jules (Class of 2021) and James (Class of 2024), are proof of the positive outcomes of these principles, all of which I believe have existed in our schools for some time, and are now being memorialized in this Profile of a Rutherford Graduate. Formalization of these values will enable faculty, staff, and administration of all grade levels to center their programmatic and curricular focus, and will allow the Board to ensure that the district is equipped to execute on these profile’s six tenets.

As a Board, we look forward to seeing the Profile of a Rutherford Graduate lived through every student's experience in Rutherford schools.

Sergio Alati, Ed.D

President, Rutherford Board of Education

Mrs. Ratta’s first-grade students at Lincoln School hear about the Profile of a Rutherford Graduate competency of critical thinking during a visit with Mr. Hurley.

Rutherford Public Schools hosts Parent Academy workshops as part of its efforts to strengthen and maintain an effective partnership with parents. Throughout the school year, the Parent Academy will host workshops on a wide variety of topics. District-run programs will be recorded and posted on the Parent Academy page on our website. Additional information will be shared as we add workshops to the program.

Anxious Generation: Nov. 15, 8:15 a.m. at Pierrepont School MPR
(Part 1-Cell phone/social media use for parents of children grades 4-12.)

Anxious Generation: Nov. 22, 8:50 a.m. at Lincoln School Library
(Part 1-Benefits of free play and skill development for parents of children in grades K-3.)

The Digital Generation: Nov. 25, 7 p.m. at Pierrepont School MPR
(My Life OnLine presents how to be responsible online, for parents of children in grades 4-12.)

Phonics Instruction: Dec. 6, 8:50 a.m. at Lincoln School Library
(Phonics instruction and dyslexia, for parents of children in grades K-5.)

Anxious Generation: Jan. 31, 8:15 a.m. at Pierrepont School Auditorium
(Part 2 - Executive functioning and the impact of over-supervision of children. For parents of children in grades 4-12.)

Anxious Generation: Feb. 7, 8:50 a.m. at Washington School Library
(Part 2 - Making a plan for cell phone/social media use, for parents of children in grades K-3.)

The newsletter you are reading is officially a winner!

Rutherford Public Schools’ Bulldog Bulletin was recognized by the New Jersey School Public Relations Association, winning Best in Class, Award of Excellence in newsletter publications.

This e-newsletter was created last year to boost communication within the Rutherford school community, following the positive feedback the district received about the print newsletter that is mailed to the community two to three times a year.

The NJSPRA feedback on the e-newsletter included this note from judges: “Well balanced with district information and entertaining articles. Layout is simple and visually pleasing. Excellent publication. The photos showcase your people well and draw the reader into the publication. Graphics are eye-catching and informative as well."

Rutherford Public Schools began the 2024-25 school year with a new member of its leadership team. Matthew Whitford became the district’s business administrator on August 1.

Mr. Whitford previously worked with Weehawken Township School District and while with that district, was selected as one of 20 national recipients of the 2024 Emerging Leaders in School Business Award/Rising Stars Scholarship by the Association of School Business Officials International.

He succeeds longtime business administrator Joe Kelly, who received the Distinguished Service Award from the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials earlier this year.

You have seen the new Profile of a Rutherford Graduate signs in and outside our buildings. Now see how the initiative comes to life in our schools: The Profile of a Graduate website, rutherfordschools.org/profile, explains the connection to our district’s values and instructional practices.

The website also includes examples of students taking part in activities that reflect the Profile of a Rutherford Graduate competencies: Communication, Critical Thinking, Character, Creativity, Collaboration and Citizenship.

Check back regularly for updates on Rutherford activities!

Superintendent Jack Hurley has been selected as the 2025 NJ Superintendent of the Year by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA).

Mr. Hurley's passion for education sparked many successful initiatives in the Rutherford district and now, a statewide distinction.

The NJASA named Hurley as New Jersey's Superintendent of the Year on October 28. The American Association of School Administrators will choose the National Superintendent of the Year in March from among the statewide winners.

“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Mr. Hurley's recognition as New Jersey's Superintendent of the Year,” said Rutherford Board of Education President Sergio Alati. “His unwavering commitment to our students and exceptional leadership have truly elevated our district. This award is a testament to his dedication, vision, and the collaborative spirit he fosters within our schools. We are excited to continue building on the strong foundation he has created for our community.”

Read the full story on our website.

The Rutherford Education Foundation (REF) awarded teachers $73,676 in grants, with $4,635 coming from the Casadonte Family Fund.

Teachers received the grants at a presentation with Superintendent Jack Hurley, Board Vice President Denis Mazonne and Board of Education members. At the far right is Teresa Casadonte, representing the Casadonte family, and Kathleen Braslow, Vice President of the REF.

Rutherford Public Schools is excited to be moving into the forefront of curriculum design and lesson planning. We have partnered with an innovative team at Atlas and are in the first stages of transitioning our curriculum from Google Docs to a cloud-based platform that will allow teachers to see updates and changes in real time.

A robust committee of 36 teachers and supervisors began the process in September and met with the team from Atlas on Oct. 14, a professional day to study the best practices of curriculum design.

Mrs. Boyer and Ms. Bregman, who played guitar, led the entire student body at Washington School to teach the staff a brand-new song, “We Are All a Family Under One Sky” at the first All School Sing assembly. This heartwarming moment brought the school community together, celebrating their unity as students actually taught the staff! Students proudly demonstrated the “Words of the Week” and showed their understanding of important character education traits. In doing so, students worked on communication and creativity skills highlighted in the Profile of the Rutherford Graduate initiative.

Washington School hosted a “Walk for Washington” event, raising funds for the PTA while promoting a healthy lifestyle. The school community came together for a day filled with walking, dancing, and singing, capped off with a spirited performance of the school song. It was a fantastic event aligned with Week of Respect that embodied the values of Profile of a Rutherford Graduate showcasing citizenship, character and collaboration, as students, staff and families worked together to build a sense of community.

RHS students from Mrs. Baumann’s Advanced Textiles class and the FCCLA club visited the Kindergarten Center to work with the students on managing their emotions. The high school students read “The Very Hungry Worry Monsters,” a book about monsters who eat up your worries! They helped the kindergarteners draw their own Worry Monsters, and the high school students in the Textiles classes will work on making all the kindergarteners’ Worry Monsters come to life in stuffed-animal format.

Mr. Stracco’s Honors 400 English 400 classes participated in a Human Bingo game as a review of their summer reading, “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom.

Human Bingo is an interactive icebreaker designed to help participants get to know one another in a fun, casual setting. Each player receives a bingo card, but instead of numbers, the squares contain different prompts related to the novel.

Participants move around the room, asking questions to find someone who matches each prompt. When they find a match, that person signs or initials the corresponding square. The goal is to fill a row, column, or diagonal line with signatures, calling out “Bingo!” once completed.

The game encourages conversation, builds connections, and creates a lively atmosphere, making it perfect for team building, networking, or a review of information.

Read the full story here.

A small ensemble from the RHS Concert Choir, under the direction of Mrs. Blanchard, performed at the Borough of Rutherford 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony in Lincoln Park.

During the ceremony, the Borough honored the memories of the six Rutherford residents who died in the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Additionally, seniors in Miss Rizzi and Dr. Porto’s English 400 classes participated in a station activity on the remembrance of 9/11. Students were able to analyze visuals, videos, and personal accounts from the day of the attacks and took part in meaningful discussions with teachers and with each other. The students handled the experience with respect and sincerity.