March 7, 2025

A Message from the Superintendent

The RIH Newsletter is making a comeback this month, spearheaded by our new Coordinator of Content and Communications, Mary Moscarello. Watch for it on a bi-weekly basis to remain updated on all things Ramapo Indian Hills, and be sure to follow us on the social media platforms noted in the newsletter.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Matthew Bouldin as the permanent School Business Administrator for the 2025-26 school year. He brings a plethora of experience and knowledge in this field, with the last 5+ years serving in this position with the Princeton Public Schools. His focus on future planning and promoting efficiency, communication, and collaboration aligns well with our team’s values and our district’s trajectory. Mr. Bouldin’s start date will be July 1, 2025.

The preliminary budget for the 2025-2026 school year will be presented at the next Board of Education meeting on March 17th at 8 p.m. in the Indian Hills High School Auditorium, with formal approval scheduled for April 24, 2025. Additionally, we are finalizing contract language with the RIHEA to align with the forthcoming block schedule. Once approved, it will pave the way for detailed communication on the transition steps that will lead us to our rotating drop block schedule in September.

Kick back, and read on, RIH! So much is happening and it’s all highlighted here!

Yours in Education,

Shauna DeMarco

Our newsletter overflows with great content!

Click 'View Entire Message' at the bottom so you don't miss out.

Tonight the Ramapo Jazz Band kicks off three upcoming performances!

The Ramapo Music Department Showcase (formally Cabaret Night) happens this evening, March 7th in the cafeteria at 7pm. The Jazz Band gets their groove on first. Students will lead groups building to a crescendo from the student/faculty band “MC2”

Athletic Training Excellence

March is New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Athletic Trainer's Month. Each week in March, the NJSIAA recognizes an exceptional athletic trainer. Ramapo's athletic trainer, Lisa Estrella, is being recognized by the NJSIAA for the first week of March. Lisa has been an athletic trainer at Ramapo for seven years and provides the very best to all of Ramapo's student-athletes!!! Congrats to Lisa Estrella!!

NJSIAA Home Page

Getting a Family Perspective on

World History

Info on the Armenian Genocide

Yervand Froyan brought his family's personal experience to campus recently.

His father was a survivor of the Armenian Genocide. Froyan is grandfather to Indian Hills student Murad Avanesyan.

He spoke to the freshmen in Ms Durfee’s World History classes and senior UP classes about what his father went through during the Armenian Genocide.

Shedding Light on the Subject

Some very bright Woodshop Home Repair students applied electrical wiring skills they have learned to a recent project. They successfully created a powered outlet, switch and light fixture. Shine on!

Ramapo College hosts DECA

Ramapo Indian Hills DECA attended their first competition of the year at Ramapo College.

Ramapo Indian Hills DECA also won the Thrive Level Chapter and Membership Campaign, winning them leadership positions for ICDC.

The RIH DECA State Delegates have emerged victorious from their competition there this week. These students will now have the opportunity to represent our district and our state at the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Florida in April.

Stay up to date with them on their Instagram ihhs_deca

Congratulations FLOW Performers

Our Indian Hills Choir, promoted our music offerings to the incoming 8th graders of the 3 sending districts.

These talented students performed "Mary Did You Know" and "One Day More" from Les Mis among other pieces.

A Productive Professional Development Day

District Faculty and Staff participated in an afternoon filled with professional development and learning opportunities aligned to our District’s Professional Development Goals. Workshops were offered by both District Faculty and external experts, Erin Tashian of The Whole Learner, and THRIVE Alliance, and focused on AI, holistic wellness, and de-escalation techniques, as Collaboration Sessions focused on articulation, and co-teaching.

The RIH Art Department hosted a full afternoon of workshops for 40+ Bergen County art teachers. Eight different workshops were hosted by District Faculty and external experts, including Dale Clifford-Dean of School of Fine Arts, School of Visual Communication, and School of Foundation Studies, and Vivian Davis- Director, Bergen County Teen Arts, Department of Parks, Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs. These workshops covered various K-12 curriculum topics, special education in the art room, AI management, storage and studio spaces, SEL in the arts, hands-on art techniques, and many other topics art educators cross throughout the school year.

A huge “shout out” to our District Faculty, Michael Paravati, Rich Burton, Karen Davidson, Sean Quirk, Traci Maturo, Lisa Higbie and Lauren Gibson, who shared their successes with colleagues and inspired us all to continue to work towards creating the best classroom teaching and learning environment possible.

The PD afternoon wrapped with our District Faculty and Staff Wellness Fair. A huge thanks to our HR Staff for making this possible, and to Denise Pellegrino for her coordination and leadership.

Our Faculty and Staff enjoyed a great afternoon filled with professional development and learning, collaboration, and the opportunity to make tangible connections to better our programs, schools, and District.