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The Official Newsletter of the Park Ridge School District
January 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
- January 6 - WR Instrumental Winter Concert (7 PM)
- January 19 - Schools Closed (MLK Jr. Day)
- January 26 - BOE Meeting (7 PM)
- February 16-20 - Schools Closed (Winter Recess)
- February 23 - 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 New Year! I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and found time to spend with family and friends. It looks like the beginning of 2026 is going to be filled with a variety of winter weather. Please review the information below regarding schedule changes or closings to our regular school day.
This time of year is extremely busy in the classroom. With minimal distractions and long stretches of uninterrupted schooling, students are able to remain focused on instruction, while teachers continue to navigate through our curriculum. These winter months, especially March, are an extremely productive part of our academic year.
We are moving closer to bidding for our HS Theater renovation. This project will provide a much needed facelift to our current proscenium and backstage area. Our student performers will greatly appreciate a new audio system and enhanced stage lighting during shows and performances. Construction is still scheduled to begin at the end of June and will continue through September of 2026.
The Park Ridge Board of Education has recently sworn in three new members. Recently elected Rosemarie Malloy and Matt Rozzi officially joined the Board last night at the annual BOE Reorganization meeting. And in December, Amara Wagner returned to the BOE by filling the vacancy created when Robert Fisher resigned in September. Please join me in wishing these newest members the best of luck as they start (or continue) their journey as Board members.
Lastly, our winter sports teams are off to great start! As a former basketball coach, I always enjoy leaving my office and watching games in the gym. Our students and coaches on all levels never disappoint in the way they represent Park Ridge. If you have time, please be sure to cheer on our student-athletes. Go Owls!
Owls Together,
Robert M. Gamper, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
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East Brook 2025-26 Teacher of the Year
Mr. Luke Ostrow
K-6 Vocal Music Teacher
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West Ridge 2025-26 Teacher of the Year
Ms. Erin O'Brien
Grade 2 Teacher
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PRHS 2025-26 Teacher of the Year
Mr. John Fogarty
Social Studies Teacher
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PRHS 2025-26 Support Person of the Year
Ms. Jaime DeBenedictus Athletic Trainer
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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 SAT Prep Course
The 2025-2026 SAT evening review course starts up this month. The program will run weekly on Thursdays, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm, beginning January 29, 2026, and ending on March 12, 2026. The deadline to register is January 22nd. Please see the FLYER for more information.
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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. Kindergarten Orientation is for parents only.
West Ridge Elementary School Orientation and Registration
Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 6:30 PM, in Room 2.
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 Orientation and Registration
Kindergarten Orientation will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Media Center.
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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PRHS Midterm Exams
This is just a reminder to mark your calendars. Mid-term exams will take place on Friday, January 23rd, and Monday, January 26th, from 7:50 am – 12:15 pm. Tuesday, January 27th, will be a half-day of instruction, with the afternoon reserved for make-up exams and conflicts. For details and procedures regarding each grade level, please refer to the memos sent on December 12, 2025.
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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 locations:
District Website: www.parkridgeschools.org
District X (Twitter): @parkridgesupt
Channel 7 – ABC7NY
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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