Let's Talk TPS
February 28, 2024
Women's History - Elizabeth Cady Stanton
You may have seen Tenafly’s historic Elizabeth Cady Stanton House located at 135 Highwood Avenue; but how much do you know about its namesake who lived there from 1869 to 1887? In honor of Women’s History Month which begins March 1st, let me share some of what I have learned about a woman whose most active years as a women’s rights activist were during her time in Tenafly.
Historian Eleanor Flexner referred to Elizabeth Cady Stanton as “the leading intellectual force in the emancipation of American women.” The house - designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975 - was where she, Susan B. Anthony (yes - that Susan B. Anthony!) and Matilda Joslyn Gage co-authored the first three volumes of The History of Women Suffrage. According to The League of Women Voters of Tenafly, she and Anthony even made a futile attempt to vote at the Tenafly polls in 1880. But their resolve remained strong as they delivered speeches and gave interviews throughout the U.S. in their unrelenting efforts to secure equal rights for women.
As two of the early leaders of the Women’s Rights Movement, Stanton and Anthony wrote many papers together. During this Women’s History Month, I encourage you to look them up and learn more about their writings. Perhaps your interest will be piqued when you learn that these papers have titles such as, “When clowns make laws for queens.”
Interestingly, the day before she died (October 26, 1902), Stanton wrote to Theodore Roosevelt, “Surely there is no greater monopoly than that of all men, in denying to all women a voice in the laws they are compelled to obey.” The 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920 - 18 years after Stanton’s death.
This March, let’s honor Tenafly’s own Elizabeth Cady Stanton and all of the women who bent the arc of history.
Yours in Education,
Michael Ben-David J.D./M.Ed.
Superintendent of Schools
You're Invited! Attend in person or by Zoom
Quest to Set World Record for Special Cause
Dashel Prywes, TMS 6th grader, was born with chronic kidney disease, but he doesn't let that stop him from doing what he loves, which includes rock climbing. In an effort to raise awareness for his condition, Dashel is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the tallest Magnatile structure. On Friday, Feb. 16th, Dashel, with the help of his Dad and fellow students, did a test run inside the TMS auditorium. As you can see from the image at the top of this newsletter, he achieved his first goal!
Be sure to check out the full NBC news story HERE!
Student Spotlight: Alexa Cuevas
Alexa Cuevas, Tenafly High School senior, was recently recognized in NorthJersey.com’s Student of the Week poll (second place, Feb. 2). She is President of THS' Spanish Club and an active volunteer with organizations such as the New York City Hemophilia Chapter. Having a family member with hemophilia B, she has learned so much about the disorder, and enjoys helping children from the Latino community who have severe forms of hemophilia requiring infusions regularly.
Recently, Alexa participated in the chapter’s “Washington Days”, an advocacy event to speak to elected members of the U.S. Congress. “I didn’t know much about the legal aspect of this and I got to meet people from chapters across the country. We were looking for support for HTCs (Hemophilia Treatment Centers within specialized hospitals) as well as better insurance policies because many of these medicines are very expensive.”
With plans for a degree in architecture starting this fall, Alexa Cuevas is just getting started. “Community service is very important to me. It’s important to give back and to care about other people. That’s how we become better ourselves.”
You can read more about Alexa's journey HERE. We can't wait to see what she does next!
Class of 2024's Valedictorian & Salutatorian Announced
Sometimes, getting called to the Principal's office can be a good thing! That was the case for two THS seniors when they learned that they were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian for Tenafly High School's Class of 2024. Congratulations to Helen Hui, Valedictorian, and Adityan Swaminathan, Salutatorian. Helen will be heading to Princeton University this fall. Adityan is still deciding but plans to pursue a degree in engineering. We are very proud of these two Tigers!
Yuanning (Helen) Hui, Valedictorian
Adityan Swaminathan, Salutatorian
New Integrated Preschool Program - Space Still Available!
On February 13th, the district announced that we will be offering Tenafly students an opportunity to participate in an Integrated Preschool Program scheduled to start this September (2024-2025 school year). Two classes will be offered five days per week at Stillman Elementary School - a morning class for Pre K-3 (8:50 -11:30 AM) and an afternoon class for Pre K-4 (12:20 - 3:00 PM).
Our Integrated Preschool Program differs from the other community preschools in that it incorporates the education of general education preschoolers (ages 3 and 4) with children of the same age having special needs. Applications are available online HERE. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until spots are filled. Please only submit one application per child. Spaces are limited. For more information about this program including tuition costs, please visit our website HERE.
Welcome New B.A. & Assistant Superintendent
At the February 12th Board meeting, our Board approved the hires of two new members to our district’s administrative team.
Mr. Stephen Frost III begins on May 1st as the district's new Business Administrator (B.A.). Stephen’s professional background includes working as the Payroll/Benefits Supervisor for the Glen Ridge Public Schools, and as the Assistant Business Administrator and Business Administrator/Board Secretary for the Randolph Township’s Board of Education. In Stephen’s current position in Randolph, he oversees the district’s finances, facilities, transportation, and security departments.
Stephen is a graduate of Montclair State University, where he also received an MBA. He received his JD from the Wake Forest University School of Law.
Ms. Brenda Yoo has been with our school district since 2005. From elementary teacher to literacy staff developer to elementary principal and now our High School Vice Principal, Brenda has been a valued member of this district for nearly 20 years. Effective July 1st, she will take the helm as our Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction.
Brenda has a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University and a Master's from Columbia University’s Teaching College.
We welcome Stephen and Brenda to these two leadership roles, which are critical to the success of our district.
THS Science Olympiad Team - Yale Invitational
On February 10th, the Science Olympiad team soared even higher at The Yale University Science Olympiad (YUSO), the last of the Ivy League invitationals for 2023-2024 year.
THS medaled in 9 events and placed 4th overall amongst the 57 participating schools:
Forestry: 1st place: Kiran Muttiah (grade 10) and Edmond Hod (grade 11)
Ecology: 1st place: Ganghyun Yoo (grade 11) and Edmond Hod (grade 11)
Forensics: 1st place: Andrew Lee (grade 12) and Insuh (Sarah) Baek (grade 11)
Wind Power: 3rd place: Derek Cho (grade 12) and Kai Song (grade 12)
Tower: 3rd place: Noah Jackson (grade 10), Harshu Shah (grade 10) and Ananjay Anchilla (grade 9)
Detector Building: 5th place: Derek Cho (grade 12) and Kai Song (grade 12)
Robot Tour: 4th place: Kai Song (grade 12) and Yuval Amitai (grade 10)
Chemistry Lab: 5th place: Derek Cho (grade 12) and Andrew Lee (grade 12)
Anatomy and Physiology: 6th place: Elliott Yoon (grade 12) and Jahe Hee (grade 11)
Congratulations to all on a stellar performance and for putting THS on the SciOly map!
THS Robotics Team Headed to State Championship Tournament
This past weekend, the THS Robotics team competed in the FTCNJ East Bergen Conference, Northern League Tournament, placing first out of 20 teams in the qualification matches, and won a first place Inspire Award (the highest honor ranks the team first in their league). Now they will head to the FTCNJ State Championship: "The Garden State Rumble" on March 17th. Quite an incredible feat for only their third season of competition! Congrats and best wishes at the state level!
Upcoming Events
SEPAC Meeting March 6th at 8:45 am
Join us at Central Office or by Zoom
Registration for All Grades Opens March 4th
Visit: REGISTRATION
From the Community
The 26th Annual Tenafly 5K Run & Dog Walk - Sunday, June 2nd
Registration is now open for the Tenafly 5K Run & Dog Walk which will take place on Sunday, June 2, 2024. LAST CHANCE: Early bird discounted pricing is available through today, February 28!
This annual event is a town highlight every year, bringing families together for a day of health and fitness while raising funds to benefit Tenafly Public Schools! This day has something for all ages and all abilities! Whether you and your family want to run or walk the 5K or Dog 5K, participate in the 1-mile Fun Run, or volunteer to help, we encourage you to participate! Our elementary schools compete for the TEF Cup while the Middle and High Schools vie for the TEF Master Cup, each awarded to the school with the most participation. More information and registration instructions are available at www.tenafly5k.com.
From the Editor
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 - hchizzik@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Maugham School - jferrara@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Smith School - dgeorge@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Stillman School - glander@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Tenafly Middle School - jfabbo@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Tenafly High School - jmorrison@tenafly.k12.nj.us