Superintendent's Corner Column

Champions of Character: A Spring Season Worth Celebrating

June 12, 2026

“Sports do not build character. They reveal it." - Heywood Hale Broun

As another school year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what our Fair Lawn High School student-athletes accomplished this spring, and more importantly, who they became along the way. From record-breaking performances to first-time championships, our Cutters competed with toughness of mind and tenderness of heart, pushing themselves in pursuit of excellence while lifting up teammates, opponents, and one another.

The scoreboard tells only part of the story. The fuller truth lives in the early morning practices, the resilience after hard losses, and the camaraderie on display at our first home Unified Track meet. Our young people are ambassadors of what schools could be, and their coaches deserve our acclaim for honing not just athletic skill but lasting character. We invite you to read on and rejoice with us in a spring season our community will remember for years to come.

All my best,

Dr. Rui Dionisio

Superintendent of Schools

Flag Football Soars with Spectacular Winning Season

The momentum around girls flag football continues to grow locally, statewide, and across the nation… and our team is right in the middle of the hype. Congratulations to girls flag football for an incredible 13-2 run, including a post-season leap into the playoffs. Coach Brian Walis tells us the team clinched the Patriot Red Division and wound up ranked #12 in the state. On top of that, sophomore Alyssa Patino was named one of The Record’s Athlete of the Week and six athletes were named first all-league team members. With the NJSIAA voting to make flag a varsity sport next spring, we can’t wait to see where the team goes from here.

Boys Volleyball “Sets” the Stage for League Championship & Beyond

Undefeated at the league level and finishing with a 23-6 overall season, it’s safe to say it was a good spring for boys volleyball. That league stat means the team captured the Big North - Independence championship and had strong momentum leading into the Bergen County semifinal as well as North Group 3 quarterfinal. Coach Peter Zisa says there were additional honors to be had, with two athletes named 1st team all-county and six 1st team all-league.

History in the Making: Girls Lacrosse Sustains

Strong Season

Grab a pen and write it down in the record books. Coach Mike Carti says girls lacrosse checked two major items off their list this spring: their highest ranking in both the county tournament and state playoffs in program history! Wrapping up with an 11-8 overall record, this team saw a handful of players make 1st, 2nd, and 3rd team all-league. Keep making history, we’ll be cheering you on all along the way!

Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard Dance and Dream at Competitive New Heights

Crafty choreography and imaginative instrumentals are the name of the game with Fair Lawn Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard, who saw a number of successes with each of their competition seasons. FLIP found themselves undefeated in their local circuit, wowing judges with their show “If I Could Escape,” even nabbing a trophy as National Circuit East Regional Champions. Dancing through a storm with their show “Rain,” members of Winter Guard pushed themselves and grew as they shifted to a higher competitive class this season.

Golf Perfects Their Game

It was a stellar spring on the green for FLHS Golf. After 22 matches and a team scoring average of 169, the team participated in the Big North Tourney and additionally qualified for the Bergen County and State Sectional Championship Tournaments. All-league honors go to Thomas Van Why & Sourish Rikkala (1st team), and Julian Lisboa & James McGill (2nd team).

Grand Slam Season for Varsity Softball

A strong showing for our lady Cutters, varsity softball hit a sweet spot by snagging the Big North - Independence league title for the first time since 2018! The team also greatly improved their record with 19 wins. A total of eight athletes earned all-league honors (three 1st team, three 2nd team, 2 honorable mention) as well as three individuals who snagged all-Bergen County honors.

Last but certainly not least, huge congratulations to Coach Sue Benjamin for being named all-league coach of the year!

Baseball Delivers Pitch-Perfect Runs and Records

Much like their softball peers, varsity baseball also surpassed a 2018 record with 15 wins 147 runs scored this season. Highlighting the mound, Coach Jack Winters reports an incredible no-hitter versus Wayne Hills and a 1-hitter against Wayne Valley. The team won four Bergen Invitational games and also made an appearance in the Championship. Four athletes were named all-league (two 1st, two 2nd) as well as one athlete earning a 2nd team All-County spot.

Tennis Earns Tourney Wins and More

Coach Matthew Markman notes a strong overall season for tennis, wrapping up 12-5 overall and 8-3 in league play. The team was named Bergen County Spring Invitational Co-Champion, with Ben Osmer winning a 2nd Singles Champion title. Seven athletes earned all-league honors and made it to the quarterfinals of the state tourney

Track & Field Leads the Pack With Numerous Honors

Rounding the corner in lanes 1 and 2, boys and girls track set the pace this spring season. The team laced up their shoes and hit the ground running, racking up six all-league honors, a state group qualifier, and hit a new school record in triple jump (via Aydan St Louis) at the Bergen County Meet of Champions.

Unified Track Shares Camaraderie,

Love of Sport With All

Now in its second season, our unified track team returned ready to compete! On top of away meets, FLHS Unified held their first home meet on May 7 with five other teams in attendance. It was a highly-spirited day and incredible to see every athlete support one another.

Unified Sports brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together as teammates, training and competing side by side. Through shared athletic experiences, students build friendships, strengthen leadership and confidence, and promote a culture of inclusion and mutual respect.

Boys Lacrosse Scoops Up Spring Wins & Honors

Making headway this year, Coach Matthew Haemmerle tells us boys varsity lacrosse greatly improved their record this spring season. The team saw 9 wins overall, including two big overtime victories versus DePaul and Saddle Brook. Five athletes earned all-league team honors and two were named all-county.

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.