Superintendent's Corner Column

Transforming Tomorrow: The Year We Look Closely

August 28, 2026

"Every child deserves a champion – an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." Rita Pierson

Welcome back. Our buildings have been busy all summer, but a school is really about the people inside. Next week, 1,200 staff members return to our ten schools, and on September 8th, 5,600 students will bring them to life with their energy and excitement. We have been preparing for their arrival since June.

Our Goals: Transforming Tomorrow Last night, the Board of Education approved our district goals for 2026–2027, following the theme Transforming Tomorrow. The three goals are Empowering Pathways to Excellence, Cultivating Belonging and Community, and Building Sustainable Foundations. We created these goals with your input, and they guide all our decisions. This year, each goal has clear objectives and checkpoints, so you can see our progress as the year goes on.

Here’s what this means for your child. This fall, we will set an academic starting point for every student by October 30th and check their progress again in the spring. This way, you and your child’s teachers can clearly see how they are doing. Each school will start new activities based on its own climate survey results, chosen by the people who know the school best. Belonging grows school by school. Our Five-Year Facilities Plan will be updated and included in next year’s budget, so the classrooms, gyms, fields, and shared spaces we promise are the ones we provide. These buildings serve not just our students, but the whole community.

We Begin by Listening On September 2, our whole staff will come together for Convocation at Fair Lawn High School. This year, I am skipping the usual superintendent’s speech. Instead, staff and students will share what belonging means in our schools, based on their real experiences. This is the best way to start a year focused on looking closely. What our community will remember is not my words, but the people they see.

Ready Buildings, Ready People Our Buildings and Grounds team completed many projects across all ten schools this summer, including the A Gym renovation, new bleachers at the high school, and updates such as painting and new flooring in every building. We also welcomed about 50 new staff members to Fair Lawn, who came together in August for new staff orientation to learn about our schools, our goals, and the community they now serve. During their interviews, what stood out was not just their qualifications, but their interest in our students. People who ask thoughtful questions pay attention, and this year, paying attention is our focus.

Students return on Tuesday, September 8th. Your building principal will share information about back-to-school night and all the details for the first week, including arrival and dismissal times. Please read those messages carefully. When everyone knows the plan, the first week runs smoothly.

Our Partnership Every September, I ask the same things of you, and I am asking again now: talk with your child about their day, reach out early if something seems wrong, and assume good intentions on both sides of the conversation. This partnership, more than any other program, helps children grow.

Enjoy these last days of summer. When school starts, we will be ready for every student, every day.

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Dionisio

Superintendent of Schools

STUDENT USE OF INTERNET-ENABLED DEVICES

As we prepare for the upcoming 2026–2027 school year, we are writing to share an important update regarding student digital wellness and a new cell phone policy. In alignment with recent New Jersey legislation and guidance from the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE), the Fair Lawn district has adopted a comprehensive "bell-to-bell" restriction on personal internet-enabled devices.

Beginning on the first day of school, students will be prohibited from using or accessing personal internet-enabled devices—including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, and smart glasses—from the initial arrival bell through final dismissal.

Why This Policy is Necessary

The purpose of this requirement is to:

Maximize academic focus and student engagement in class.
Encourage authentic, face-to-face social interactions among students during lunch and breaks.
Foster a safe, supportive, and respectful school environment.

How the Policy Works Day-to-Day

To enforce this policy consistently across our buildings, the following will be implemented for the school year:

Cell phones must be turned off or silenced and stored in a student backpack or locker during the school day.
Cell phones, headphones, earbuds, and other internet-enabled devices may not be carried or used during instructional periods, passing time, or in the lunchrooms/cafeterias on campus.
Students may use school-issued technology (such as Chromebooks) and non-internet-enabled devices as approved by their teachers.
Parents and guardians who need to contact their child during the school day should do so through each school’s main office. Students who need to contact a parent or guardian may utilize the main office phone.
Students who have documented medical needs and require access to an internet-enabled device will continue to have access as outlined in their health care plans and in coordination with the school nurse and administration.

Communicating in an Emergency

We understand that parents naturally worry about reaching their children during the school day. Please be assured that in the event of an emergency, school safety protocols and staff directions will take priority. If you need to reach your child urgently during school hours, or if your child needs to contact you, please do not text or call their personal cell phone. Instead, contact the school’s main office directly, and our staff will immediately relay messages or assist your child.

A Shared Approach to Follow-Through

Our goal is to help students build healthy habits, not to catch them in mistakes. Any cell phone use violations will be addressed through progressive discipline under Regulation 5516 and the district’s code of conduct. Should a student have difficulty following these expectations, staff will respond using the progressive, supportive steps described in Board Policy 5516, Regulation 5516, and each school's code of conduct. We invite you to review these with your child before the first day of school.

We appreciate your partnership and support in building a focused, healthy, and distraction-free learning environment for all of our students.

About the Fair Lawn Public School District: Fair Lawn Public Schools, where excellence in education meets the vibrant spirit of our community. With a population of over 35,000 residents, Fair Lawn is a thriving hub of diverse cultures, ideas, and talents, and our school district reflects this rich tapestry. Comprising ten schools from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, we are committed to providing a comprehensive and inclusive educational experience for approximately 5,700 students. Our dedicated team of 1,200 staff members works tirelessly to cultivate an environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

The leaders of tomorrow attend Fair Lawn schools today. We believe in nurturing the unique potential of each learner, fostering a love of learning, and preparing students to become compassionate, confident, and contributing members of society in classrooms that are dynamic spaces where personalized instruction, innovation, and collaboration flourish. Fair Lawn Public Schools is a place where students discover their passions, unlock their potential, and embark on a journey of lifelong learning.