From the Superintendent of Schools ...

Dear School Community Member:

I hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving recess. The next few weeks are always a great time to work in schools. The energy and excitement in the classrooms and hallways that builds until the holiday break is palpable.

Today was the first day the new locker rooms were open to students at PRHS. After 16 months of construction, it was great to finally be able to share these new spaces with your children. As I mentioned last month, we should be ready to open the weight room and fitness center by the end of December.

During last week, we announced all of the 2024-25 Teachers of the Year. And we also are recognizing a Support Person of the Year in each school. The recipients are all noted below. Please be sure to congratulate them when you see them.

At the BOE meeting on November 18th, the Board approved the 2025-26 PRSD calendar. A link can be found in the newsletter below. Once again, students will start after Labor Day in September.

Speaking of the BOE, Amara Wagner will be leaving the Board in January. She served for six years, including the last year as BOE President. On behalf of the school community, I want to thank her for her leadership and service. She was a dedicated volunteer who always kept the best interests of students in mind when making decisions.

Lastly, I want to wish all of the members of the school community a happy and healthy holiday season. Best wishes for a positive and productive 2025!

Owls Together,

Robert M. Gamper, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

From the Desk of Julie Worgul ...

Supervisor of Special Education, Special Programs, and Student Services

I hope this message finds you well! I am excited to report that our students have had a successful start to the 2024-2025 school year. As we have completed the first marking period, it’s a great time to reflect on our progress and share important updates from the Special Education department.

This year, we are delighted to welcome three exceptional new staff members: Ms. Jaqueline Sheehy, Mr. Steven Gross, and Megan Gallow. Ms. Sheehy is dedicated to our LLD (Learning and Language Disabilities) classroom, where her passion and expertise significantly enrich the support we offer our diverse learners. Mr. Gross brings a strong background in both Science and Special Education, enhancing our educational offerings. Additionally, Megan Gallow has joined the High School Child Study Team as a new Social Worker, equipped with extensive experience in this role.

We are also thrilled to continue expanding the Pathways to Success program this year. This innovative initiative is designed to prepare our students for independent living and life beyond high school. The Pathways to Success curriculum focuses on four essential components: daily living skills, self-determination, interpersonal skills, and employment skills. By utilizing a life skills approach, we tailor our instruction to meet the individual needs of each student, enabling effective preparation for the real world. 

This year, we are particularly excited to offer a half-day internship component within the Pathways to Success program. This opportunity allows some of our seniors to engage in real-life vocational training at local job sites on a weekly basis. The hands-on experience they gain is invaluable and helps bridge the gap between education and the workforce.

In addition to Pathways to Success, our special education department has launched a therapeutic classroom. This unique space provides a supportive environment for students to continue their education while focusing on their emotional and social well-being. Our aim is to create a nurturing atmosphere that fosters both academic progress and personal growth.

Finally, TEAMM (Together Everyone Achieves More with Mentoring) is an organization committed to enhancing the educational, emotional, and social well-being of all children while fostering an inclusive environment for children with special needs and their families. This year brings a host of exciting activities for the program. These activities enable children with special needs to engage in recreational activities alongside student mentors.  The High school mentors are being trained on how to effectively guide younger students and provide appropriate support for those with special needs. They also play a crucial role in planning events, collaborating with their advisor, Mrs. Sarah-Kate Maskin, to ensure successful execution. Among the highlights of this school year are monthly classes at Aeon Fitness and Gymnastics, Halloween Party, Breakfast with Santa, Pajama Party, Sports Showcase, Clinic with High School Owl Athletes, and more! 

Looking ahead, we will continue to assess and adapt our programs to better serve our students. We are committed to ensuring that each child receives the support they need to thrive both in school and in their future endeavors. As always, we encourage open communication. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment for all our students at Park Ridge High School.

2024 National Honor Society Induction

Congratulations to the 2024 National Honor Society inductees! The induction ceremony took place on Wednesday, November 20th. Making it into the PRHS National Honor Society chapter is an amazing accomplishment and we are so proud of our inductee’s efforts. Students at PRHS become eligible to apply for the NHS at the start of their Junior year. Details and requirements of the selection process can be found on page 31 of the student handbook.

PRSD Winter Concerts

• PRHS Vocal Concert - Wednesday, December 4th @ 7 PM (Little Theater)
• EB Vocal Concert - Tuesday, December 10th @ 7 PM (MPR)
• PRHS Instrumental Concert - Wednesday, December 11th @ 7 PM (Little Theater)
• WR Vocal Concert - Thursday, December 12th @ 7 PM (MPR)
• EB Instrumental Concert - Tuesday, December 17th @ 7 PM (MPR)
• WR Instrumental Concert - Wednesday, December 18th @ 7 PM (MPR)

East Brook & West Ridge -> Parent - Teacher Conferences

In early December, you will notice 3 consecutive 1pm dismissals for "Conference Week." Please see the breakdown below...

• Afternoon Conference (1 PM Dismissal) – Wednesday, 12/4/24 
• Afternoon & Evening Conference (1 PM Dismissal) - Thursday, 12/5/24
• 1 PM Dismissal (Students & Staff) – Friday, 12/6/24

New HS Graduation Requirement - Class of 2025 through 2027

For PRHS graduating classes of 2025 through 2027, each graduating high school senior is required by law, as part of New Jersey’s new graduation requirement P.L. 2023, c.295, to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application (NJAFAA) in order to receive a diploma.

The FAFSA gives students access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or vocational school. Through completing the FAFSA, students can be considered for federal financial aid, including Pell grants, work-study programs, and loans. In addition, many states and colleges, as well as some private financial aid providers, use FAFSA information to determine students’ eligibility for aid.

The FAFSA is an opportunity to have access to the resources that are needed to consider and enter postsecondary education – whether it be 2-year, 4-year, or technical school. In addition, students who are NJ residents but do not meet the requirements for FAFSA may consider the NJAFAA as an option. The NJAFAA enables students to receive state financial assistance to support their post-secondary college and career goals.

If you do not qualify for the FAFSA/the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application or you wish to request that your student be waived from this graduation requirement, parents/guardians should complete the FAFSA/NJAFAA Waiver Form.   The form must be submitted to the Guidance Office by May 1st of your student’s senior year.

FAFSA completion benefits ALL students:

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid provides more than $120 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year to help pay for college or career school. Visit StudentAid.gov today to learn how to pay for your higher education. The FAFSA must be completed to apply for grants, loans, and work-study. All financial information is kept confidential. Many students are eligible to receive financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college or career school. Age, race, or field of study will not affect eligibility for federal student aid.

Many college/university websites and fafsa.gov provide a financial aid estimator to estimate how much financial assistance students may receive. Financial need increases with college cost and some colleges can cost more than $65,000 a year. Many of these colleges, state agencies, and scholarship foundations require the FAFSA to award scholarships and grants to middle- and upper-middle-class students attending expensive schools. The most generous private colleges, for example, award need-based aid to some students from families earning more than $200,000 a year. FAFSA is a prerequisite for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, Grad PLUS Loans, and Parent PLUS. These loans are available without regard to demonstrated financial need and have lower interest rates than private loans.

NJAFAA may be an option for some students:

Complete the NJAFAA application if you are not a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and meet all of the following criteria:

• Attended a New Jersey high school for at least three (3) years
• Graduated from a New Jersey high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma in New Jersey
• Registered for Selective Service (male students only)
• Are able to file an affidavit stating that you have filed an application to legalize your immigration status or will file an application as soon as you are eligible to do so

Important Links:

General FAFSA information: https://studentaid.gov/

FAFSA filing and eligibility requirements: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/ requirements

FAFSA Application: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

NJAFAA Application: https://www.hesaa.org/Pages/NJAlternativeApplication.aspx

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority: https://www.hesaa.org

If you do not qualify for the FAFSA/the NJ Alternative Financial Aid Application or you wish to request that your student be waived from this graduation requirement, parents/guardians should complete the FAFSA/NJAFAA Waiver Form.   The form must be submitted to the Guidance Office by May 1st of your student’s senior year.

PRHS Locker Rooms & Fitness Center Update

Construction of the new locker rooms and fitness center is complete. The work to repair the main gym floor finished on schedule, the furniture for the offices has been installed and the locker rooms were open to students on December 2nd. It is important to note that the equipment for the weight room and fitness center will be delivered and installed throughout December. We hope to open this space to students and staff prior to the holiday recess.

Click here to view Design Schematic

PRHS Online Cashless Payment Options for Lunch

Attention PRHS Parents/Guardians: 

Parents now have the option to prepay for cafeteria meals online, via credit card or ACH Electronic Checking, using Pay Schools Central. For more information click on the link below:

Cashless Payment

PRSD School Calendar

On November 20, 2023, the BOE approved the 2024-25 school calendar. The calendar is available at the link below:

2024-25 School Calendar

On November 18, 2024, the BOE approved the 2025-26 school calendar. Please be advised that school will open for students after Labor Day. The calendar is available at the link below:

2025-26 School Calendar