September 27, 2024

A Message from the Superintendent

Thank you to everyone who made our 60th Anniversary Celebration at Indian Hills High School a success! The event was a wonderful showcase of our school community's spirit and enthusiasm.


Under the guidance of Athletic Director Jon Duncan, a simple concept for a football game and fireworks display evolved into a vibrant community celebration that reflected the best of the FLOW Community.

We also want to express our gratitude to our staff, students, and families for a smooth and successful September. Your cooperation with traffic flow processes, timely arrivals, and positive attitudes have made the transition back to school seamless.


Please note that our schools will be closed on Thursday, October 3, for Rosh Hashanah. We will also have a minimal day on October 7 for staff professional development. Don't forget to mark your calendars for our district school open houses on October 10 (RHS) and October 17 (IHHS).


Yours in education,


Shauna DeMarco

Superintendent of Schools

Fireworks, Football and Fun: Braves Kick Off 60th Anniversary Celebration

Indian Hills kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration on September 21 with a day filled with fun for the whole family, starting with rec football games in the morning. The main event, the varsity football game against Fort Lee, kicked off at 7 p.m. While the IHHS team didn't come out on top, it was a fantastic game that showcased the incredible talent and sportsmanship of our athletes.


Before the big game, visitors enjoyed bounce houses, an obstacle course, an alumni tent, delicious food, music, and exclusive swag. The day concluded with a dazzling fireworks display and a drone show.


A special highlight of the event was the Class of 1973 alumni tour. It was a great way to reminisce and connect with fellow graduates.


Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate!

RIH Wellness Breaks: Time for a Recharge

To support student well-being and academic success, the Ramapo Indian Hills High School District observes homework-free RIH Wellness Breaks throughout the school year.


Dates for the 2024-2025 school year:

  • Thanksgiving Recess: November 28-29
  • December Recess: December 23-January 2
  • Winter Recess: February 17-21

During these breaks, students can enjoy a well-deserved rest from homework. No tests, quizzes, or long-term projects will be due immediately after the break. Assignments may be due on the third day following the break.

Students Show School Pride at Pep Rallies

The Fall pep rallies at Ramapo and Indian Hills were a blast as students enthusiastically displayed their school spirit. The events celebrated athletics and student organizations, creating a positive and energetic atmosphere that inspired student support for their teams and school.

Share911: A Vital Tool for School Safety

Ramapo Indian Hills is committed to providing a safe and secure learning environment for our students and staff. As part of our ongoing efforts, we utilize the Share911 emergency alert system, a powerful tool that enables rapid communication during critical situations.

When activated, Share911 sends a mass communication message to our faculty and staff, as well as police officers from Franklin Lakes, Oakland, Wyckoff, the State Police, and the Bergen County Emergency Communications Center.


All staff members have access to the Share911. Regular drills help us familiarize ourselves with the system and ensure a swift and effective response in case of an emergency.

In Our Classrooms

At Ramapo, Mrs. Michels’ SUPA: Introduction to Creative Nonfiction class delved into Terry Tempest Williams’ “Why I Write.” After analyzing the piece’s literary techniques, students contemplated writing’s transformative potential. They then penned their own “Why I Write” essays, channeling Williams’ style, and displayed them on the bulletin board.

Ramapo's climbing program had a successful start to the season. Ms. Stephen's High Ropes class successfully scaled the 30-foot wall element. Just a few days later, students Jack Grogan and Abhinav Sisodiya reached new heights on the climbing wall, showcasing the program's dedication and students' determination.

Ms. Vitale's AP Computer Science Principles class explored the importance of programming languages through a hands-on Lego activity. Indian Hills students designed Lego creations and wrote detailed instructions for rebuilding them. By swapping Lego sets with classmates, they learned firsthand the value of clear and concise programming.

Indian Hills horticulture students added a touch of autumnal beauty to our Braves campus by planting mums. Under the guidance of Ms. Miller and Ms. Murphy, the students' hard work transformed the school grounds with vibrant fall colors.

Students in the specialized Modern US history class for special education social studies have been learning about the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Watch flat cardboard come to life! Ramapo students in Sculpture 2 with Mrs. Gibson learned the art of transforming 2D into 3D.

On Our Fields/Courts

The Ramapo Raiders are off to a strong start this season! Girls tennis standout Cadie Sauter and Arielle Gomberg both placed second in the Bergen County Tournament. (Pictured above with Head Coach Mitch Hausman). Both girls soccer and boys soccer teams have impressive records, with recent wins over Northern Highlands and other top opponents. The girls volleyball team is undefeated, while the gymnastics team has a 3-1 record. Football has faced some tough losses but is looking to bounce back. The cross country team is also gearing up for a competitive season.

Indian Hills Football kicked things off with a thrilling home win against Tenafly, and while recent games have posed challenges, the young team is learning and showing resilience as they prepare for upcoming matches. Cheerleading is energizing the crowd and boosting school spirit at every event, playing a vital role in supporting our teams. The girls soccer team is thriving with a 5-2 record, demonstrating strong teamwork despite some injuries. Meanwhile, the boys soccer team is focused on bouncing back from a tough start due to injuries, with Coach Mayer keeping spirits high. Cross country is having a fantastic season, with personal records being set and the boys team sweeping their first meet. The girls team, though small, is also performing impressively. The girls volleyball team is improving steadily through hard work, while the girls tennis team recently claimed 3rd place at the Bergen County Tennis Invitational. Lastly, our gymnastics team, under new coach (alumni) Kyra Cox, is bringing energy to their meets and aims to make a strong impact this season. With dedication and teamwork shining through, we’re excited for what’s ahead! Go Braves!

Update from the Office of Curriculum, Instruction & Articulation



2024-2025 Assessment Schedule

The Fall NJGPA testing window for the 2024-2025 school year is scheduled from October 8-11, with makeup dates available from October 15-19. Letters were mailed to participating students and their parents this week, providing important information about the testing process.


Additionally, NJSLA Individual Score Reports (ISRs) have also been mailed to students and parents. A presentation on the NJSLA (ELA, Math & Science) Assessment Report is scheduled for the October 14 Board of Education Meeting. The presentation will also be available on the district website.


For parents and students interested in learning more about the district's offerings, Open House events are scheduled for October 10 at RHS and October 17 at IHHS, both starting at 7 p.m.

Click Here to View the Full Assessment Schedule

Counseling Corner

RIH Student Handbooks


The RIH Student Handbooks are a great resource for understanding expectations of students including the code of conduct and attendance obligations. Information on the Bell Schedules, Emergency Procedures and Athletic Eligibility are outlined. National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society eligibility criteria are important to review. Please take the time to read the Student Handbook!

Fall College Visits


Junior and senior students at Indian Hills and Ramapo high schools have the opportunity to learn about colleges firsthand during fall visits from college representatives. These information sessions are scheduled at times that students can view in Naviance.


To attend a college visit, students should present their teacher with a printed document from Naviance for their signature. Please note that allowing a student to miss a class for a college visit is at the teacher's discretion. Students are not permitted to attend information sessions if they have an assessment scheduled during that time.

Click Here to View the September Guidance Newsletter

RIH in the News

Congratulations to our talented students who have made headlines recently!


Anella Cavalieri and Maddie Kincel, two Indian Hills gymnasts, were recently featured in Wyckoff Living Magazine. Additionally, the Indian Hills Girls Soccer Team was featured in the Bergen Record, earning a spot in the North Jersey Top 25 rankings.


We're so proud of their determination and dedication. Keep up the great work!

Upcoming Events

Monday, September 30

Ramapo Music Parents Association Meeting - 7:30 p.m.

Ramapo High School Media Center


Wednesday, October 2

RHS Clubs/Activities - During Lunch Periods


Friday, October 4

Community Service Fair - 10 a.m.

Indian Hills High School


Saturday, October 5

SAT Exam

Indian Hills High School


Wednesday, October 9

APTS Meeting - 9 a.m.

RHS Outdoor Classroom (Weather Permitting)


Thursday, October 10

Ramapo High School Open House - 7 p.m.

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