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The Official Newsletter of the Park Ridge School District
February 2026
“Owls Together: Community, Friendship, and Kindness”
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The Owl Mission
The Park Ridge School District is committed to educating and empowering all students to think critically and creatively to express their full potential. We cultivate a community of lifelong learners and nurture all students to be kind, ethical, and responsible citizens, as well as independent, productive members of an increasingly complex and interconnected world. As a district, we embrace individuality and value cultural diversity, equity, and mutual respect.
The Owl Vision
We are dedicated to creating a culture and climate of collaboration and acceptance, where all members of the district are encouraged to challenge themselves and learn from their experiences. We recognize the importance of interconnection and encourage development of multiple intelligences and divergent thinkers. We strive to support our students as they grow academically, socially, physically, and emotionally, and recognize that this process is enhanced through collaboration within the larger community. The Park Ridge School District strives to advocate for the individual needs and goals of every member of the school community, by fostering an environment where growth and well-being are paramount.
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Upcoming Dates
- February 16-20 - Schools Closed (Winter Recess)
- February 23 - BOE Meeting (7 PM)
- March 13 - EB & WR Only - Early Dismissal (Parent - Teacher Conferences)
- March 16 - BOE Meeting (7 PM)
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Important Reminders
BOE Test Score Presentation
At the BOE meeting on October 14th, Dr. Bernardo presented our 2025 NJSLA/DLM Spring administration results to the public. The complete presentation can be found at this link Click Here
2025-26 K-6 Student - Parent Handbook
Please be sure to review the information contained in the handbook Click Here
2025-26 Statewide Assessment Schedule
The assessment schedule for the current school year can be found at this link ... Click Here
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From the Superintendent of Schools ...
Dear School Community Member:
Happy Super Bowl Friday! I hope everyone is going to enjoy the big game with family and friends. It is hard to believe that the New England Patriots are back for their 12th Super Bowl appearance.
Back in Park Ridge, it looks like cold and wintry weather will remain in place for the foreseeable future. It is important to note that all school-related closings, delayed openings and early dismissals are made in conjunction with surrounding districts. The superintendents from Pascack Valley, Emerson, Westwood, Montvale, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake and Hillsdale collaborate the night before or the morning of a significant weather event to decide if a closing or alternate schedule is deemed necessary.
On Thursday, the students at East Brook and West Ridge will celebrate their 100th day of school. It is hard to believe that we have already passed the midpoint of the school year. In just a few months we will be planning our end of year activities, celebrations and graduations, which is always a highlight for our students and staff.
As we enter the home stretch of the school year, planning has already begun for the summer and next year. Please be advised that our Extended School Year (ESY) program and Kindergarten Hoot Camp will run from July 6th through July 31st. The registration link for the Hoot Camp will be included in a future newsletter.
At the next BOE meeting (February 23rd), I will be placing several new courses on the agenda for approval. AP Business, AP Cybersecurity and Guitar II are all being added to our course catalog for students in grades 9-12. These additions will increase our Advanced Placement offerings at PRHS to twenty (20) different classes.
That's all for now. Enjoy the game!
Owls Together,
Robert M. Gamper, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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PRHS AP School Honor Roll
We are proud to announce that Park Ridge High School earned a place on the AP School Honor Roll! This award is established to award schools that enhance college culture and readiness by supporting the AP program and broadening our offerings to students. While PRHS is overall at the Bronze level, we were awarded Gold for College Credits and Silver for our overall opportunities (College Optimization)! Last year we had 78 students take a total of 139 AP exams, with over 98% of our students getting a college-credit qualifying score of 3 or above. We are very proud of the hard work of our students and staff members to achieve this distinction. Way to go Owls!
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Superintendent Search
The Park Ridge Board of Education has contracted with the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) to conduct their superintendent search. Information regarding the search can be found under District Highlights on the PRSD website. Please click on the links below to view the job posting and the search calendar:
Job Posting
Search Calendar
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PRHS 2026-27 Student Schedules
February marks the start of the scheduling season at PRHS. We will be holding grade-level meetings with students over the course of the next two weeks. During these meetings, we will review with the students the scheduling process and discuss our elective offerings with them for the next school year. A letter specific to this process, with directions on how to view the course of studies for next year, will be sent home under separate cover in the next few days.
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East Brook & West Ridge - 2026-27 Kindergarten
Park Ridge children who will be 5 years old by October 1, 2026, will be eligible for full day Kindergarten Registration for the 2026-2027 school year.
Children living west of Pascack Road will attend West Ridge Elementary School. Children living on or east of Pascack Road will attend East Brook School. Please attend the orientation where your child will be registered.
West Ridge Elementary School
Kindergarten Registration will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, through Friday, April 10, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
East Brook Elementary School
Kindergarten Registration will be held Monday, February 2, 2026, through Friday, February 6, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
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Winter Weather Reminder
The Park Ridge School District has contracted the services of Finalsite (reverse 911) to notify the school community about school closings, early dismissals, delayed openings or other emergencies. Depending on the contact information you have provided, the system will send out a voice message, text and/or email to all parents/guardians. If warranted, this notification will be sent out in the evening, prior to the impacted school day. If not, the notification will be sent at 5:45AM on the morning of the impacted school day.
In addition to the Finalsite notification system, you can find school closing, early dismissal and delayed opening information in the following location:
District Website: www.parkridgeschools.org
Early Dismissal Schedule
- West Ridge: 8:35 AM - 1:00 PM
- East Brook: 8:35 AM - 1:00 PM
- Jr-Sr High School: 7:50 AM - 12:13 PM
- Owl House: 8:35 AM - 1:00 PM
Pre-School Early Dismissal Schedule
- Morning Session: 8:35 - 10:40 AM
- Afternoon Session: 11:00 - 1:00 PM
Delayed Opening Schedule
- West Ridge: 10:05 AM – 3:20 PM
- East Brook: 10:05 AM – 3:20 PM
- Jr-Sr High School: 9:15 AM – 2:44 PM
- Owl House: 10:05 AM - 3:20 PM
Pre-School Schedule for Delayed Opening
- Morning Session: 10:05 AM - 12:30 PM
- Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM - 3:20 PM
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PRHS Little Theater Update
The BOE is moving forward with a plan to renovate the HS theater proscenium and backstage area. The project includes new drapery, lights and audio system. In early 2026, the project will be bid, with the hope that construction will begin by July 1st. Please see the design schematics below:
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2025-26 Park Ridge School Budget
On May 6th, the Park Ridge BOE held its annual Budget Hearing and approved their budget for the 2025-26 school year. Please feel free to review the documents below to gain an understanding of what is included in this year's PRSD budget.
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Laptop Refresh 2025
The Park Ridge School District has invested in the most recent version of MacBook Air laptops for our 1:1 program.
Please remember that when you come to pick up your laptop, every student must have a copy of the Laptop Agreement Form signed by a parent/guardian.
Laptop Agreement Form
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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
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PRSD School Calendar
On November 18, 2024, the BOE approved the 2025-26 school calendar. The calendar is available at the link below:
2025-26 School Calendar
On November 17, 2025, the BOE approved the 2026-27 school calendar. Please be advised that school will open for students before Labor Day. The calendar is available at the link below:
2026-27 School Calendar
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