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  • Care Plus Parent Presentation

    Hello New Milford Parents & Staff,  We would like to cordially invite you to our next LIVE Parent Workshop that will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 6:00pm-7:00pm .  Our presenters will discuss  "Supporting Mental Health Through School Transitions".  This workshop will focus on some of the challenges faced by youth at school, strategies for coping with school changes and resources that can be helpful in supporting youth mental health at schools.  Please see the attached flyer for additional information.     The live presentation can be accessed by clicking here:   https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83381011695? pwd=bxzhhkctsTaCuI3fjbkmbeidn6lYVK.1   Meeting ID: 833 8101 1695 Passcode: 904819 All families can access educational workshops through our school-based website. Parent Workshop topics include school avoidance, the impact of social media, grief and loss, and supporting executive functioning. In addition, all live workshops are recorded and accessible at a later date through the school-based website.   Families can access all parent workshops using the following link and passcode at:   https://careplus-schools.org/parent/   Password: PW24-25 

    Friday, Jan 10 2025

  • December Newsletter: Office of the Superintendent

    DECEMBER NEWSLETTER Dear School Community, As we officially begin our winter break, the staff and I extend our warmest wishes for a happy holiday season and a truly restful break spent with your loved ones. Please enjoy the extra time with your children as I am realizing first hand that time moves way to fast. I am contending with the fact that one of my daughters next year will be going to College (somewhere), and with her departure, even though I will still have 2 more children in the house, it just will not be the same without her. Even when she is being a stereotypical teenager, as challenging and perplexing as that may be, I just take a deep breath and still try to appreciate the time I have left with her as an everyday resident of the household. Please use the winter break and holidays as a perfect excuse to enjoy your family. The past month has been filled with wonderful moments within our District, from the excitement of Santa's helicopter landing, to the bittersweet farewells of cherished retiring teachers. This newsletter highlights some of these special events from December. We hope you enjoy your break. Happy Holidays! Sincerely, Peter Galasso Superintendent of School DISTRICT UPDATES Mrs. Jane Schwartz and Mrs. Ruth Beiner Retire Mrs. Schwartz has been a Music teacher in the New Milford School District, focusing on Chorus and Mrs. Ruth Beiner was a Family and Consumer Science teacher. Both teachers were excellent educators in their classrooms, but their contributions went far beyond their everyday curriculum, as they were involved heavily in the co-curricular aspect of education, i.e. chorus and musicals. For decades these teachers have been helping shape student lives and the appreciation for these educators was on display December 12 as alumni came from all over the country to honor them. Pictured below is the final choral song, with alumni spanning beck decades.  Santa Helicopter Landing The New Milford School  District and the Borough have an excellent working relationship and on December 14th it was nice to see that all come together to celebrate the Holidays for the children. Santa was flown in on his helicopter as the District hosted a Holiday breakfast with Arts and Crafts.  Thank-you to Mrs. Bernardo and all the teacher/student volunteers, the Mayor, NMPD, NMFD, DPW, and the PTO for working together to make this event possible.  Inside the Schools DEO Holiday Community Service David E. Owens Middle School students made Holiday cards for the Seniors at CareOne in New Milford. If that was not enough, they then hand delivered them to the residents at the facility. This is part of the Service learning opportunities that are embedded into the schools offerings. We are proud of the students who contributed and volunteered their time.  NMHS Holiday Concert The New Milford High School Concert Band performed along side the Orchestra and Chorus as part of the Winter Holiday Concert. The Musical Arts extends from twelfth grade, all the way down to the Elementary Schools. Students can start playing an instrument as early as 4th grade and singing is part of the everyday music curriculum and part of a formal chorus at every level. It is our hope that all students will find an outlet in the Musical Arts weather it is playing a stringed instrument, the drums, a brass or woodwind, or singing in the Chorus.  New Milford has exceptional talent as many of our students also qualify for the Bergen County Chorus in both in Middle School and High School.  The Holidays at Berkley and Gibbs: In the Elementary School the days prior to winter break are festive to say the least. Each school has parties and concerts for the students. At Gibbs they have a school wide sing along where teachers lead the way (pictured below).   This year Berkley celebrated the Holidays with a video full of Holiday Spirit.  Berkley Holiday Video 2024 Gingerbread Houses at the NM WINGS Program The New Milford School District proudly provides Continuing Education for students 18 -21 years of age in our WINGS program, which helps transition young men and women for success after High School. We have students working around the community and practicing life skills on a daily basis as part of their academic transition program. Our WINGS students worked together this winter to build a Gingerbread House for the Holidays, which is on display to the left.    UPCOMING EVENTS:  (visit the school webpages for more specific information) January 2  - School Resumes (please be on time) January 9 - NMHS National Honor Society Induction (7:00pm in the NMHS Auditorium) January 15 - David E. Owens Middle School Spelling Bee (During the school day) January 15 - Gibbs Winter Concert (6:30pm in the NMHS Auditorium) January 16 - Berkley Winter Concert (7:00pm in the NMHS Auditorium) January 17 - Short Session for students / Professional Development for teachers January 20 - Martin Luther King Day (Schools Closed) GO KNIGHTS

    Monday, Dec 23 2024

  • Care Plus Parent Presentation

    Hello Members of Care Plus NJ's School Based Parent Collaborative, We would like to cordially invite you to our next LIVE Parent Workshop that will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 6:00pm-7:00pm .  Our presenters will discuss "Supporting Mental Health Through School Transitions".  This workshop will focus on some of the challenges faced by youth at school, strategies for coping with school changes and resources that can be helpful in supporting youth mental health at schools.  Please see the attached flyer for additional information.     The live presentation can be accessed by clicking here:   https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83381011695? pwd=bxzhhkctsTaCuI3fjbkmbeidn6lYVK.1   Meeting ID: 833 8101 1695 Passcode: 904819 All families are able to access educational workshops through our school-based website.  Parent Workshop topics include school avoidance, impact of social media, grief and loss and supporting executive functioning, just to name a few.  In addition, all live workshops are recorded and accessible at a later date through the school-based website.   Families can access all parent workshops using the following link and passcode at:   https://careplus-schools.org/parent/   Password: PW24-25   We wish all families a happy & healthy Holiday Season!  Anastasia Agramonte, LCSW Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Herself  (Why do I mention this?) New Milford Public Schools School Based Clinical Program Manager 

    Friday, Dec 20 2024

  • November Newsletter: Office of the Superintendent

    NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER Dear School Community,          November proved to be an interesting month, not just with the unseasonably nice weather, but also with the prolonged drought, the wildfires in North Jersey, and of course, the Elections. I always wonder how students react to these types of things, especially the younger ones. When I ask kids about certain topics, I am still always surprised with how much they are actually aware of---they are aware of a lot. As a parent I have to remember even with my own children, that these events serve as opportunities to talk to our kids. It is a great way for parents to share their perspective, their wisdom, and their values. After all, if we do not, Tic-Toc, Instagram, streaming TV, Blogs, and Social Media, will all certainly get their attention and unfortunately guide them in their own way. As parents, we are an important source of information and perspective for our children.       On another note, Thanksgiving is here. To those that cook for this great holiday, please know that those of us who do not cook, appreciate you - we know it is not easy. Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays because it has nothing to do with the pressures of buying gifts or presents. Rather, Thanksgiving is simply about spending time with family/friends, eating great food, watching football (if that is your thing), and of course, being thankful.  I am thankful for many things in my life and being part of New Milford is certainly one of them. Please enjoy the time off. In this Newsletter are some Highlights from October-November, as well as, upcoming   events. Sincerely, Peter Galasso Superintendent of Schools DISTRICT UPDATES New Milford School District Assessment Presentation Results from the 2023-2024 State Assessments The New Milford School District held its annual Data Presentation at its October 16th Board of Education Meeting. Results from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA), as well as, the Dynamic Learning Maps Assessment (DLM) were presented for comment. As always there are positive takeaways, but also areas of growth that the District must target. The Presentation contains a lot of data that pertains to your child(ren)'s Individual Score Report (ISR), which was mailed home. As always, if you have any questions about your child's progress, please reach out first to your child's teacher.   2023-2024 State Assessment Presentation (NJSLA & DLM) Morning Drop Off Procedures Morning drop offs at schools can be challenging, but this is the case for every school in Bergen County. Our four schools range from 450 - 600 students being dropped off  in a 20 minute time span.  Please use the outlined drop off procedures at your child(ren)'s respective school.  Also, please obey the traffic laws including; posted no drop off zones, designated one way streets,  do not K turn in driveways and on streets, or block resident driveways while dropping off students. The more everyone follows the rules the safer  and more efficient drop-offs will be.  Lunch Coordinator Position Available Berkley School is very much in need of a Lunch Coordinator. The role is a great part time position that works from 10:00am to 2:00pm every day. The position helps organize the lunch count and helps facilitate distribution of the lunches to the students. Please contact Dr. Chrisomalis, the Berkley Principal, at cchrisomalis@nmpsd.org for more details. Your help would be appreciated.  Inside the Schools NMHS Fall Drama - 12 Incompetent Jurors The High School students, under the Direction of Mr. Preet and Ms. Korzelius, performed the play " 12 Incompetent Jurors " which is a parody of the acclaimed film,  12 Angry Men . The cast and crew worked extremely hard preparing for the drama and it paid off as they brought comedy and light-heartedness to the stage during their 3 night performances this past week. David E. Owens Part of Education is providing opportunities for students take part in a cause greater than themselves. Community Service is essential to any healthy community. I am happy to see that at DEO there are plenty of opportunities to 'get involved', from Food Pantry Collections, to a Pink out to raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer, or simply writing letters of support to Flood Victims down south. Also in David E. Owens News; we would like to congratulate 3 students who tried out and were selected to the Bergen County Middle School Band and Chorus, which is made up of the top musicians/vocalists in the County.  The County Band and Chorus performed at Ramsey High School last Sunday. Charlie Gensler (Tuba), Kiana San Pedro (Voice) and Anika Thomas (Voice) all performed with their respective ensembles. The District is proud of them for their hard work and willingness to perform at the highest of levels.  NMHS Sports Review: As the fall season comes to an end, we are happy to say that a number of our sporting teams at the high school level won games in the state tournament and even won a league Championship.  Cross County Champions : Cross Country won its first league Title under the leadership of Greg Kelly. Girls Volleyball: The team made it to the second round of the State Tournament by defeating Kinnelon in the first round. Head Coach, Sheila Clancy, also picked up her 200th career win this season. Even though the team lost in the second round of the state playoffs, they fought right to the end.  High School Football : The Knights finished their season with a 7 win and only 3 loss record. The Knight's made it to the North 1, Group 1 semifinals. Gibbs School Detective Spina and his K-9 named 'Gucci' visited BF Gibbs on Monday, November 18. Gucci showed the students how he works closely with Detective Spina to help keep our community safe. Needless to say, the students were excited to watch Gucci perform, illustrating how well trained the dogs of the K9 unit are.   Gibbs also hosted a visit from a Robotics Club which showed our elementary students how the team members work together to build a functional robot and then compete across the state against other Robotics Clubs.   Berkley Veteran Letters Mrs. Gitto, a Berkley 4th grade teacher, spearheaded a student card drive to send to Veterans residing in the Paramus Memorial Home. It was a wonderful way to honor our Veteran's service and a great learning experience for our students. The cards were distributed to the Veterans Home and days later the school received an official thank-you letter from the Supervisor stating " We are most grateful to you for helping to enhance the quality of life for our Veterans." We can all agree our veterans deserve to be celebrated and I am glad the Berkley School is making time for just this.  UPCOMING EVENTS:  (visit the school webpages for more specific information) November 21   - NMHS and DEO Report Cards Released (available online) - please review with your child(ren) November 28-29  - Thanksgiving Recess December 4  - Board of Ed Meeting (7:00pm in NMHS Media Center) December 5  - Post Secondary Planning Night for NMHS Juniors going to be Seniors (6:30pm - 7:30pm) December 12  - NMHS Winter Concert (7:00pm in the NMHS Auditorium) December 17  - DEO Winter Concert (7:00pm in the DEO Cafeteria) December 23 - January 1  - Winter Break, no school for students Congratulations to the grade 5 and 6 Football Team as they are Super Bowl Champions.  GO KNIGHTS

    Wednesday, Nov 27 2024

  • Parent Collaborative November Workshop

    Hello Members of Care Plus NJ's School Based Parent Collaborative, We would like to cordially invite you to our next LIVE Parent Workshop that will be held on  Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 6:00pm-7:00pm .  Our presenters will discuss "Connected Conversations: Creating a Supportive Family Atmosphere".  This workshop will focus on healthy communication skills, boundaries, and connecting in meaningful ways.  Please see the attached flyer for additional information.     The live presentation can be accessed by clicking here:   https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83381011695? pwd=bxzhhkctsTaCuI3fjbkmbeidn6lYVK.1   Meeting ID: 833 8101 1695 Passcode: 904819 All families will be able to access all educational workshops through our school-based website.  Currently, this site has 10 Parent Workshops available for viewing with topics ranging from school avoidance, grief and loss and supporting executive functioning, just to name a few.  In addition, all live workshops are recorded and accessible at a later date through the school-based website.   Families may access all parent workshops using the following link and passcode at:   https://careplus-schools.org/parent/   Password: PW2024   -- Michelle Defreitas, LCSW Pronouns: She/Her/Hers/Herself  (Why do I mention this?) Clinical Program Manager Care Plus NJ School Based Programs At Hunterdon Central Regional High School 908-284-7237 (Office) michelleh@careplusnj.org careplus-schools.org  

    Tuesday, Nov 12 2024

  • October Newsletter: Office of the Superintendent

    Dear School Community,             September is officially behind us and hopefully we have all settled into the school routine again, which can be hectic at times. I even watch my own household routines in the morning, and I give my wife a tremendous amount of credit for getting all my kids dressed, fed, and off to different schools on time with a lunch --- in fact she should get all of the credit. I am deliberately out the door at around 6:45 am, so that morning rush all falls on the shoulders of my wife. Routine is so important as it adds consistency to what we do, makes things predictable, more efficient, and in the end, less stressful. We all need less stress in our lives. I am hoping your family's routine is working, and if not, don't be afraid to tweak it, map it out and try new things. I thank-you for working to get the kids to school on time, fed, and ready to learn. It is no small task and is very much appreciated by my entire staff.  School attendance is one of the biggest contributing factors to a student's success in school and builds great habits for their post-school career.              As we head into October let's keep the positive momentum going. The staff are dedicated to your children and the students have brought great energy to the schools, which makes for a nice learning environment, as well as. a fun place to come to work everyday. Below you will find some information about the happenings and highlights going on in the District. I want to thank-you again for being an integral part of the school community. New Milford has proven to be everything I thought it was; an excellent town and school system. In fact, the New Milford High School was ranked in the top 25 High Schools in Bergen County, which you can read about below. If you ever have any questions, please reach out to any of our District staff. We are always here to help. Please enjoy your weekend. Sincerely, Peter Galasso Superintendent of Schools DISTRICT UPDATES New Milford High School Ranked in the top 25 Best Public High Schools in Bergen County According to the Daily Voice, Niche, which is a company that provides in depth profiles, reviews and ratings of schools, ranked the 25 best public High Schools in Bergen County. The rankings were based on a combination of; Academics, Culture and Diversity, Surveys, Teachers, Clubs and Activities, Resources/Facilities, and Sports. A list of the rankings can be found here:  Top 25 Public High Schools in Bergen County Link District Assessment Schedule Link Assessment Schedule All parents have a right to know what District assessments are being administered to their children. To that effect, every year school districts publish a District Assessment schedule which indicates the name of the assessment, grade levels assessed, sample problems, testing dates, parent resources, etc. If you have any questions about an assessment, please reach out to your child's teacher or counselor.   DEO has 2 National Winners 2 students pictured left, Eden Clark and Sebastian Camaj placed in a National Contest in the InvestWrite Stock Market Game. Eden placed FIRST in the entire nation, as well as, FIRST in the State of New Jersey. Sebastian took THIRD place in the entire nation. Pictured with them is their proud teacher, Mrs. Daley-Picardo who has been participating in this competition for over 20 years. This is the first time she has had two winners in the same year.  New Election Workers: NMHS students will serve the Borough New Milford High School, in a joint effort with the Borough and the County, trained some of our High School students to help run the election polls this November. Over 30 students participated and will be instrumental in working the polling stations. Students also get paid based on their age as much as $300 for the day. The voting process is not as simple as it used to be and this is one time where our younger generation being technology savvy, makes them very valuable to the community. Pictured to the left are the machines that the students worked with to help learn how to register voters.   Knight Mascot Visits Gibbs Mrs. Torre and the Gibbs School opened up the year with an assembly that included the Knight Mascot, loaned to the school from the Athletic Department. The Mascot was the star of the assembly, but the message given to the students about school rules and expectations will lay the foundation that will carry us through the entire year.  Pictured to the right is a selfie of the Mascot with the Principal, Mrs. Torre.  A Berkley Classroom Berkley School students have new tables that promote group learning and state of the art Smart TV's, that are touchscreen, but can also serve as its own computer. The TV's are much better than the projector SmartBoards of yesteryear because they are brighter, more responsive, and much easier to use. We are lucky to have the resources we do in New Milford and thank-you for your support. It is very much appreciated.   UPCOMING EVENTS:  (visit the school webpages for more specific information) October 9  - Elementary Parent Academy (SEL) : 6:00pm                                - College Family Night (For Seniors: 6:30pm) October 14  - 1/2 Day for Students October 15  - Board Meeting (Work Session) October 16  - Board Meeting (Regular Session): 7:00pm October 24 - The Art of Healing: 6:00pm, NMHS October 29  - Domestic Violence Awareness Symposium October 31  - Halloween; 1/2 Day for Students November 1  - School's Closed (Diwali) Bike Safety Event: 10/5/24 - 11:00AM There will be a special bike safety presentation by the New Milford Police Department on October 5th, 2024. This is an important event for all students who routinely ride their bicycle to and from school, but also on the weekends. We have had several incidents already where students are getting struck by cars while riding their bicycles and/or scooters. Walk, Bike, Talk - Safety Event Flyer GO KNIGHTS

    Friday, Oct 04 2024

  • Office of the Superintendent - New Milford School Di...

    New Milford Public Schools       Office of the Superintendent  ----------------------------------------------------------------- September 7, 2024 Dear New Milford Parents and Guardians,   I hope the first few days of school went well for your family. The students bring a very welcomed energy to the hallways and classrooms of our buildings. Sure, quiet schools in July and August are a nice little breather, but we did not get into the business of education to work in empty schools. The students are what make this profession all worthwhile.    As excited and fortunate as we are to have had a smooth opening of our schools in New Milford, other districts have not been so fortunate. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to the school in Georgia and now in Maryland, as senseless violence continues to impact schools across the country. I cannot imagine what those communities are experiencing right now. The frequency of these events is alarming; according to an Education Weekly analysis, in 2023 alone, over 30 school shootings have resulted in death or injury.   These maddening events serve as a catalyst for conversation and reflection for our district leadership on how we keep our students safe in our own schools every single day. I want to assure you that we are dedicated in our commitment to providing your children a safe and secure learning environment. Even after only being here several weeks, it is reassuring to hear all that New Milford has in place regarding the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff.  We are fortunate to have a strong partnership with the New Milford Police Department, who are equally dedicated to keeping acts of violence out of the community. We currently have two School Resource Officers (SRO’s) who are assigned to the High School and David E. Owens Middle School, as well as, Special Law Enforcement Officers (SLEO’s) assigned to both elementary schools. All of these officers are visible inside and outside of our buildings, and interact with our teachers and students daily, fostering relationships as they monitor the schools. With the officers, our administration and teachers conduct security drills regularly to be prepared for any scenario that may present itself. Our buildings and procedures surpass state recommendations for security, for example; our building and grounds are equipped with High Definition cameras, all visitors are required to enter through the main entrances of our buildings and are screened by trained staff, and buildings are equipped with a Lockdown Emergency Notification System (LENS), that gives staff the ability to lockdown the schools immediately while simultaneously alerting law enforcement should such a threat arise.    We recognize that communication with our students is also a principal tenant in keeping our schools safe. We have dedicated counseling and wellness staff available throughout the day to provide support to our children. As part of our preparation and training we also have threat assessment teams established to swiftly evaluate and implement measures as needed. Furthermore, the district has structures in place to monitor student communication on all our devices that alert staff immediately to any potential threat so it can be investigated.    With all that being said, it takes a partnership with the community to keep our students safe. Please help us continue to keep our schools safe by; Abiding by all school entry procedures and safety protocols for each building. Being aware and involved in the happenings of your child(ren)’s lives both in and out of school.  Talking with you child(ren) and encouraging them to reach out to any adult (teacher, counselor, administrator, coach) if they have any information regarding potential harm to themselves or others. We have a District Student Assistance Counselor (SAC), Mrs. Doreen Zacher, that can be contacted should you have questions, concerns, or just need advice regarding a situation. The SAC serves the entire district to address the social emotional needs of our students. Mrs. Zacher’s email is dzacher@nmpsd.org .  I hope this letter gives you some reassurance and a better understanding of some of the security and safety measures we have in place in the New Milford School District.  Even before education, safety is the number one priority in all our schools.  On a brighter note, we have our first full week of school starting on Monday, September 9. I look forward to seeing all the students spirited and excited to come to school.  Have a nice rest of your weekend. Sincerely, Peter Galasso Superintendent New Milford Public School District

    Saturday, Sep 07 2024

  • Superintendent Introduction - New Milford School Dis...

    New Milford Public Schools       Office of the Superintendent  ----------------------------------------------------------------- August 16, 2024           As I officially begin my tenure as Superintendent of the New Milford School District, I want to introduce myself and express my excitement about the opportunity to lead our schools. New Milford has always been a special place for me personally since I started my career here as a teacher 21 years ago. Though some things have changed over the years, there are others aspects that are ingrained in the character of New Milford and remain the same today. Then and now, New Milford is a town that embodies hard work, diversity, and a strong sense of community ---- such things can be hard to find elsewhere. There is no doubt in my mind that working together we can use these attributes to build on prior successes and enrich an already special school district.            When my 10-year-old son found out that I was going to be a Superintendent, he was not too excited as he had no idea what a Superintendent does, or who his district’s Superintendent was. That is not what I want for the New Milford School District. The strength of New Milford resides in its community. My goal is to be a full member of this community, working together in the best interests of our children so they can be successful post-high school in whatever path they choose. As parents, as educators, and as a community, preparing our children for the future is our fundamental priority, second only to ensuring that they are safe while under our care. Our work together must continue to reflect these common goals.            While working together doesn’t mean that we always agree, it does require us to be open to listen to each other. Examining each other’s perspectives, learning about others’ experiences, and showing empathy will not only strengthen us individually, but also sustain us as a community. I look forward to listening and continuing to learn more about our school district, our community, and our students. I have already started meeting with key stakeholders in the town as well as the school district, and plan to continue doing so in the coming months.            I would also like to gain as much feedback as possible about your own family’s experiences in the school district. In the coming days I will be sending out a brief survey that will allow me to gather more perspective about our district and help shape our plans for the future. Please be on the lookout for this brief survey; I would greatly appreciate your feedback.            Until then, please know that all district staff are working hard to prepare for the opening of school in September. Please enjoy the remaining weeks of summer with your family as the time will certainly fly by. The staff and I are looking forward to a productive and rewarding school year.  Sincerely, Peter Galasso Superintendent New Milford Public School District

    Friday, Aug 16 2024