PVRHSD Financial Aid Presentation 2027-2028

On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Jim Anderson, Director of Financial Aid, Montclair State University presented to the Pascack Valley Regional High School District's parents and caregivers. The financial aid presentation can be found by clicking here.

Thursday, Oct 15 2026

September 28, 2026 BOE Meeting Summary

  PASCACK VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Dirk Phillips Interim Superintendent of Schools PASCACK VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT  BOARD OF EDUCATION  September 28, 2026 BOE Meeting Summary BOE Presentations The BOE meeting began with recognizing the achievement of several staff members 25 Years of Service:  Rick Attanasio, School Psychologist at Pascack Valley HS Promotions: Robyn Blumberg: Assistant Business Administrator Valentina DeSantis: Executive Secretary, Pascack Valley Guidance Armen Hagopian: Network Manager Lisa Leili: Executive Secretary, Pascack Hills Main Office Christine Pollinger, Pascack Hills Principal President’s Report BOE President Debra Stephans reported out on the Board’s September 19th Retreat. The board members were led in an activity titled, “How to be an Effective BOE Member” by an NJSBA representative. The Board then worked on developing its 2026-2027 BOE goals. Lastly, the Board discussed the upcoming superintendent search. Superintendent’s Report Mr. Phillips announced that Pascack Valley and Pascack Hills each had a student named a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. He congratulated: Pascack Valley:  Luli Soohoo Pascack Hills:  Jooyoung Oh Mr. Phillips stated that work has already begun on the 2027-2028 school year. The District is starting next year's budget early. He shared the recent news that State Health Benefits will increase by 34%, making the budget process more challenging for our district and districts statewide. In addition, the  2027-2028 District Calendar  was on the agenda for BOE approval. The calendar currently does not include the professional development days because the District is monitoring adjustments to this year’s professional development days. The District will add professional development days to next year’s calendar later this school year. Mr. Phillips stated that repairs to Pascack Hills caused by the water damage that occurred just before the school year opened are progressing. The District replaced ceiling tiles and lights, built a new trophy case, painted the locker rooms, and is redoing the floors. The District also replaced a number of water-damaged items.   Mr. Phillips informed the public that four administrators attended NJQSAC (DOE monitoring) training last week. The District will compile information and self-score in the areas of Instruction and Program, Governance, Personnel, Finance, and Operations. The scores will be presented to the BOE in October. The State will visit the district, review evidence of our scores, and then calculate a final score for the district. The visit will occur at the start of the new calendar year. Committee Reports and Presentations The following committees reported: Steering Committee Policy Committee Negotiations Committee Finance and Facilities Committee Governance and Personnel Committee Dr. Mark Russo, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, presented the 2025-2026 Graduation Results and the 2026-2027 District Goals. His presentation can be seen at  PVRHSD BOE Presentations . Regular BOE Agenda Highlights The BOE approved the  2027-2028 District Calendar The BOE approved the 2026-2027 District Goals Goal 1:  Expand choice-driven and authentic learning experiences to increase engagement and support the diverse needs and interests of all learners.  Goal 2:  Cultivate a learning environment where technology is purposely integrated to enhance teaching and learning, empowering students with the digital literacy and self-regulation skills for responsible use.  Goal 3:  Strengthen a positive, inclusive, and connected school culture by fostering strong relationships, promoting participation, and ensuring that all members of our school community feel safe, respected, and supported.  The BOE approved the 2026-2027 BOE Goals Goal 1: Superintendent Search & Governance   To conduct a comprehensive, transparent search for a new superintendent that implements clear checks and balances separating governance (the Board) from daily administrative operations (the Superintendent/Administration).  Goal 2: NJSBA Board Certification (3-Year Timeline)   To engage in structured, continuous group professional development to strengthen team cohesion, completing all requirements—including accumulating 16 group credits, passing a policy Wellness Check, and holding full-day retreats—to achieve official New Jersey School Board Association Certification by the end of the 3-year cycle.  Goal 3: Post-Secondary Pathways & NJ-Compliant Career Internships   To sustain and expand the district’s post-secondary pathway choices and Structured Learning Experiences (SLE), ensuring internship programs comply with New Jersey laws while boosting student readiness for college and careers.  The BOE approved the first reading of the revision to Policy 5756 - Transgender Students The BOE approved the second reading of the following policies and regulation: Policy and Regulation 5516 - Student Use of Internet-Enabled Devices Policy 8660 - Transportation by Private Vehicle - To and From School Related Activities Policy 8662 - Transportation by Private or District-Owned Vehicle - To and From School Revision of Policy 5240 - Tardiness  The BOE approved hiring NJSBA to lead the superintendent search. The BOE accepted the following donations: Date Donor Amount or Item Club or Group 8/19/26 Wegmans $500 PH - Robotics Team 8/19/26 Wegmans $1000 PV - Girls Soccer The BOE approved a dual enrollment agreement with Syracuse University. Board of Education Public Meetings The PVRHSD BOE’s agendas can be accessed at:  BOE Meeting Agenda Video recordings of the BOE meetings can be viewed at:  BOE Meeting Video BOE presentations can be viewed at:  BOE Presentations Social Media Just a reminder that we highlight athletics/academics on our social media sites: District Instagram District Facebook PV Insta PH Insta Upcoming Events October 3: SAT Exams at Pascack Hills 12: 12:30 Student Dismissal 13: Financial Aid Night - 7:00 Pascack Hills 15: College Fair Night at Northern Valley Old Tappan 6:00 16: PSAT test at Pascack Hills 22: 8th Grade Open House at Pascack Valley 7:00 p.m. 22: NHS Inductions at Pascack Hills 7:00 26: 9:30 a.m. Arrival for Students 26:  BOE Meeting 7:30 at Pascack Valley 29:  8th Grade Open House at Pascack Hill Sincerely, Mr. Dirk Phillips Interim Superintendent of Schools   28 West Grand Avenue, Suite 2 Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7004 www.pascack.org

Wednesday, Sep 30 2026

Welcome Back PVRHSD

  PASCACK VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Dirk Phillips Interim Superintendent of Schools September 3, 2026 Dear Pascack Valley Regional High School District Community, Welcome back! I hope our students, families, and staff had an enjoyable and restful summer. As we begin a new school year, it has been wonderful to see our schools once again filled with the energy and enthusiasm of our students and staff. The opening of school is always a time of adjustment as students settle back into their daily routines, reconnect with classmates and teachers, and become accustomed to new schedules and expectations. This year, that adjustment also includes our new  bell-to-bell restrictions on student use of cell phones and other personal internet-enabled devices . We appreciate the cooperation of our students, staff, and families as we implement these new requirements and work together to create an environment that promotes engagement, meaningful interaction, and a greater focus on learning. Strong communication between our schools and families remains an important part of a successful school year. I encourage parents and caregivers to stay informed by regularly reviewing communications from the District and our schools and by visiting our  webpage . These resources provide important information about programs, events, schedules, policies, and opportunities available to our students and families. This school year, the District has also established designated  Days of Interest  to recognize dates that may hold special significance for members of our diverse school community. On these designated days,  no homework will be assigned, and no assessments or projects will be due the following day . We believe this practice provides students and families with the opportunity to observe and participate in days that are meaningful to them without the added concern of next-day academic obligations. As we begin the year, I want to thank our families for their continued partnership and our staff for their dedication to our students. Most importantly, I wish all of our students a successful year filled with academic growth, meaningful experiences, and new opportunities. Sincerely, Mr. Dirk Phillips Interim Superintendent of Schools   28 West Grand Avenue, Suite 2 Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7004 www.pascack.org

Thursday, Sep 03 2026

First Day of School - September 1, 2026

  PASCACK HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Christine Pollinger Principal  August 31, 2026 Dear Parents and Guardians, What a wonderful start to the year it has been! This morning we welcomed the Class of 2030 to Pascack Hills for Freshman Orientation, and it was such a treat to have our Marching Band and Peer Leaders on hand to welcome our 9th graders into the Hills herd. We can't wait for tomorrow, when our entire student body returns and the 2026–2027 school year officially begins! To help things run smoothly (and safely) in our parking lot during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup, we wanted to share a few helpful reminders: Your child is welcome to be dropped off early or picked up late. They can wait comfortably in the cafeteria, media center, or one of our hallway seating areas. The lot typically starts filling up around 7:40 each morning and is usually clear by about 3:10 in the afternoon. When entering the lot, please pull all the way up along the main driveway so we can fit as many cars in as possible.  Drop your child off along the curb  rather than in the left lane. You're also welcome to pull into the main lot and drop off at the bottom of the stairs, or use the upper lot off Akers Avenue near our athletic fields — this is a great option if the driveway is backed up and you're looking to get in and out quickly. At dismissal, cars won't be allowed up the main driveway until 3:00 pm, once the buses have exited. Please note that, per town ordinance, parking on Akers Avenue or the surrounding streets for pickup is not permitted. To avoid the busiest congestion in the lower lot between 2:53 and 3:10, consider parking in the upper lot near the athletic fields instead. For everyone's safety, please do not drop off or pick up your child across the street. Crossing Grand Avenue or Spring Valley Road is dangerous, and we want to keep all of our students safe . There is nothing quite like the energy of a school coming back to life - friends reuniting in the hallways, and classrooms filling with excitement for a new year of learning. We have missed our students and are so looking forward to seeing all of them walk through our halls tomorrow. With Hills Pride, Mrs. Christine Pollinger Principal     225 West Grand Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7020 • hills.pascack.org

Monday, Aug 31 2026

Bell-to-Bell Device Policy: What Families Need to Know

  PASCACK HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Christine Pollinger Principal  August 28, 2026 Dear Pascack Hills Families, As we begin the new school year, I want to share some important information about our Bell-to-Bell Internet-Enabled Device Policy. Under New Jersey law (P.L. 2025, c.195), every public school in the state is now required to prohibit student use of personal internet-enabled devices. At Pascack Hills, that means smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, smart glasses, and any other personal internet-connected device must be powered off and stored away from the first bell until the dismissal bell — including passing periods, lunch, and Pascack Period. This represents a meaningful shift for our school community, not only for students but for parents and staff as well. We have grown used to constant access to our children, and to their constant access to us. Letting go of that, even for the length of a school day, will take some adjustment at first. That adjustment is to be expected, and we don't anticipate it will feel effortless right away. We are committed to standing alongside you and your child through that adjustment, and to supporting our students' focus, connection, and well-being together. HOW THE POLICY WILL BE ENFORCED Our Student Handbook and Disciplinary Code lay out a graduated, progressive response — this is not a one-and-done suspension policy. It starts light and only escalates with repeated violations: 1st offense : Device collected by staff, held by administration, and returned to the student at the end of the school day. 2nd offense : Device collected and held by administration, returned to the student at day's end, plus two administrative detentions. 3rd offense : Device collected and returned only to a parent/guardian by administration, along with a parent conference, one day of in-school detention, and a mandatory counselor meeting. 4th offense : Same as the 3rd offense, escalated to a one-day in-school suspension. 5th offense and beyond : Handled at administrative discretion. Refusal to hand over a device when asked is treated as insubordinate behavior and will result in additional consequences. EXEMPTIONS We recognize that for some students, an internet-enabled device is not a distraction but a genuine need.  Under the law, exemptions may be granted if device access is necessary to support an IEP or 504 plan accommodation, translation services, or a documented health plan. To request an exemption, please submit a completed  Exemption Request Form ,  including a  Medical Release Form , and supporting documentation to your child's guidance counselor.  All requests are reviewed by administration after all necessary documentation is received.  PAYING FOR LUNCH We know that many students have relied on Apple Pay on their phones to pay for lunch in the past, so we want to address this directly. Students are still permitted to briefly tap their phone to pay at checkout. However, we are encouraging families to move away from phone-based payment this year in favor of cash,  MySchoolBucks , or a physical tap-to-pay card. The fewer reasons a student has to power on their phone during the day, the easier it will be for them to keep it off and stored away as the new normal takes hold. If your student currently pays for lunch using Apple Pay or a similar app, we'd encourage you to set them up with MySchoolBucks, send them with cash, or a physical card instead. HOW WE NEED YOUR HELP AT HOME This policy will only work if school and home are sending the same message, so we're asking for your partnership in a few specific ways: Please talk with your child about the policy and why it exists, and reinforce that devices are to remain off and stored away for the entire school day. Please do not text or call your child's personal device during the school day for non-emergency reasons. If you need to reach your child, please email them directly at their school-issued email address — this is the fastest and most reliable way to reach them without disrupting their day. Please consider setting your student up with  MySchoolBucks , a physical tap-to-pay card, or cash for lunch, so they don't need to power on their phone at checkout. Please understand that a call or text going unanswered during the school day is a sign the policy is working, not a cause for concern. Your children's safety and well-being will always come first, and this policy does not change that. In a true emergency, please call the school's main office directly rather than reaching out to your child's device. Our office staff will make sure the message reaches your child right away, and your child will always have access to a telephone in the main office if they need to reach you. We recognize this is an adjustment, and we don't expect it to feel effortless in the first weeks of school. We hope that, with fewer distractions, Pascack Hills will be a better place to learn. Thank you, as always, for partnering with us. With Hills Pride, Mrs. Christine Pollinger Principal     225 West Grand Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7020 • hills.pascack.org

Friday, Aug 28 2026

Introducing Dr. Tara Skiba, Assistant Principal

  PASCACK HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Christine Pollinger Principal  August 28, 2026 We are pleased to welcome Dr. Tara Skiba to Pascack Hills High School as our new Assistant Principal. Dr. Skiba brings 17 years of experience as an educator and school leader, most recently serving as Assistant Principal for the Hackensack School District, where she oversaw daily operations, staff evaluation, instructional support, and the coordination of statewide assessments. Her earlier career as a high school English Language Arts teacher, along with her ongoing role as part-time faculty at Rutgers University's School of Communication and Information, gives her a deep and current understanding of both secondary instruction and the evolving needs of today's learners. Dr. Skiba holds a Doctorate of Education in Design of Learning Environments from Rutgers, along with New Jersey certifications as a Principal, Supervisor, and Teacher of English. She values open communication, shared responsibility, and building trust across the school community, and she is looking forward to getting to know our Hills family. It became clear throughout the interview process that Dr. Skiba embodies a warm and approachable presence, and I am confident in her ability to turn district priorities into meaningful, well-executed action that will serve our students, staff, and families well. Please join us in giving Dr. Skiba a warm welcome to Pascack Hills. We are excited for the leadership, energy, and heart she will bring to our school community. With Hills Pride, Mrs. Christine Pollinger Principal     225 West Grand Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7020 • hills.pascack.org

Friday, Aug 28 2026

Welcome Back from Pomptonian

Read the attached Welcome Back flyer from our food services provider, Pomptonian.

Monday, Aug 24 2026

Freshman Orientation Information

  PASCACK HIGH SCHOOL Christine Pollinger Principal  August 21, 2026 Dear 9th Grade Students and Parents/Guardians, I am beyond excited to welcome the Class of 2030 to Pascack Hills High School! Hills is a wonderful community with many opportunities for all students to be involved. We are fortunate to offer a freshman orientation program to introduce you to Hills and to familiarize you with our staff, our facilities and your class schedule. ORIENTATION Freshman Orientation will take place on  Monday, August 31 from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.  Busing is available for those who are eligible. The orientation program will begin in the cafeteria.  Please have your class schedule PRINTED out  (it should have your teacher’s name and room number listed).   You can use this   Pascack Hills Schedule Template   to organize your schedule. The schedule for Freshman Orientation is linked  here .  The Peer Leaders will lead students through a scavenger hunt and there will be time for students to run through their schedules. It's a busy morning that hopefully relieves some of the anxiety you may feel as you enter 9th grade. BUSING Our school district provides bus transportation for students who live more than two and a half miles from Pascack Hills. Information about bus routes and eligibility was sent to qualifying families last week. If you believe your student qualifies for busing and have not received any information, please contact Ms. Lohrmann at  jlohrmann@pascack.org . LOCKERS   Students who want a locker should stop by the main office after orientation to be assigned one.  Hallway lockers are equipped with built-in locks. It is recommended that you purchase your own lock to secure your belongings in the gym locker room.  All gym locks must be removed after each Phys. Ed. class. BELL SCHEDULES All eight classes will meet each day during the first week of school.  We will begin our rotation schedule on Tuesday, September 8th. See our bell schedule below. Week One - September 1-4, 2026         Tues., September 1 ALL 8 Wed., September 2 ALL 8 Thurs., September 3 ALL 8 Fri., September 4 ALL 8 8:00 – 8:41 Period 1 8:00 – 8:41 Period 1 8:00 – 8:41 Period 1 8:00 – 8:35 Period 1 8:45 – 9:28 Period 2 8:45 – 9:28 Period 2 8:45 – 9:28 Period 2 8:39 – 9:15 Period 2 9:32 – 10:13 Period 3 9:32 – 10:13 Period 3 9:32 – 10:13 Period 3 9:19 – 9:54 Period 3 10:17 – 10:58 Period 4 10:17 – 10:58 Period 4 10:17 – 10:58 Period 4 9:58-10:33 Period 4 11:02 – 11:53 Lunch 11:02 – 11:53 Lunch 11:02 – 11:53 Lunch 10:37 - 11:24 Lunch 11:57 – 12:38 Period 5 11:57 – 12:38 Period 5 11:57 – 12:38 Period 5 11:28 – 12:03 Period 5 12:42 – 1:23 Period 6 12:42 – 1:23 Period 6 12:42 – 1:23 Period 6 12:07 – 12:42 Period 6 1:27 – 2:08 Period 7 1:27 – 2:08 Period 7 1:27 – 2:08 Period 7 12:46 – 1:21 Period 7 2:12 – 2:53 Period 8 2:12 – 2:53 Period 8 2:12 – 2:53 Period 8 1:25 - 2:00 Period 8 2:05-2:53 PEP RALLY REQUIRED FORMS AND PHYSICALS Don’t forget to fill out all the required forms in Genesis and to submit your physical to our school nurse by visiting the  nurse’s page  on our website, under the “Services” menu.   All incoming 9th graders must submit a physical form to the nurse, even if they don’t plan on participating in sports . MEDICATION Medication can only be administered in school by the school nurse with a doctor’s order.  If your child requires medication during school hours, please complete the  Medication Authorization Form  and return it to the school nurse. All medication must be delivered directly to the nurse. STUDENT MORNING ARRIVAL The main entrance is the only point of entry at Pascack Hills.  We ask that students arrive at school with ample time to be seated in their classroom before the 8:00 start bell. It is strongly recommended that students arrive between 7:30 and 7:45 to avoid the heavy traffic and congestion in the driveway. Students who arrive after the 8:00 bell will be marked tardy. Please check the  PHHS Student Handbook  for associated consequences related to tardiness. ATTENDANCE School attendance is of utmost importance in high school. Please make every effort to ensure your child’s attendance is a priority; schedule doctor’s appointments after school, if possible.  Family vacations should be avoided while school is in session.  Excessive school absences may result in loss of credit in a class. Please refer to the  PHHS Attendance Page  for more information. SCHOOL PICTURES School picture day will take place on Thursday, September 3  during students’ Phys. Ed. classes. Students will receive an ID card on picture day which they should carry with them each school day. They will need it to enter the building and other areas of the school building. INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICE POLICY As mentioned in my earlier communication, students are required to store their cell phones and other internet-enabled devices in their backpacks or lockers.  All phones must be turned off throughout the entirety of the school day. Parents needing to contact their child for non-emergency reasons are encouraged to communicate via their child’s school issued email address.  LUNCH Our cafeteria will be providing lunch starting on the first day of school.  Payment can be made via cash, My School Bucks, or a credit or debit card with “tap-to-pay” at the register. Information regarding our lunch program can be found  HERE .  Lunch forms  are available on our district website under the “Business Office” tab, should you wish to access them. BACK-TO-SCHOOL NIGHT Back-to-School Night is scheduled for Thursday, September 17 at 6:30 pm .  We strongly encourage carpooling, as there is limited space in our parking lot.  More information will be distributed closer to September 17th. SCHOOL SPIRIT AND FALL ACTIVITIES The Pascack Hills PFA generously provides each incoming 9th grade student with a Pascack Hills Class of 2030 t-shirt at orientation. Students are encouraged to wear their shirts at the first  school pep-rally which will take place on Friday, September 4  at the end of the school day.  Our  first home football game  will be held at 7pm that evening. Come out and support the team. Go Broncos! I encourage all students to get involved with an activity to start building connections with their schoolmates.  To that end, we will hold a  club fair in the gym at lunchtime on Monday, September 14 .  Students can visit a variety of tables with club information and student leaders. Be sure to sign up for at least one! STUDENT GOVERNMENT Finally, I’ve attached a welcome letter from our Student Government Association Executive President, Eitan Rosenberg.  He shares some wise words in his letter, so be sure to have a look. I look forward to seeing you all on campus in just about a week!  With Hills Pride, Ms. Christine Pollinger Principal     225 West Grand Avenue, Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7020 • hills.pascack.org

Friday, Aug 21 2026

Graduation Video Links

View Pascack Hills 2026 Graduation Ceremony Click Here . View Pascack Valley 2026 Graduation Ceremony Click Here .

Saturday, Jun 20 2026

PVRHSD’s First Ever End of the Year Newsletter

  PASCACK VALLEY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT Dirk Phillips Interim Superintendent of Schools June 17, 2026 Dear PVRHSD Community, We are excited to share Pascack Valley Regional High School District’s first ever End of the Year Newsletter, celebrating the incredible Class of 2026 and the many accomplishments from across our district. This special edition highlights our graduates’ top college choices, valedictorians and salutatorians, BCSBA Unsung Heroes, student achievements, and more. It is a wonderful snapshot of the pride, talent, and hard work that define PVRHSD. We hope you’ll take a few minutes to read and celebrate the Class of 2026 with us! Click here to read. Sincerely, Mr. Dirk Phillips Interim Superintendent of Schools   28 West Grand Avenue, Suite 2 Montvale, NJ 07645 Main: 201-358-7004 www.pascack.org

Wednesday, Jun 17 2026