From the Superintendent of Schools ...

Dear School Community Member:

Happy November! I hope everyone is enjoying their Halloween treats. The weather was perfect for trick or treating yesterday, maybe even a little bit too warm.

At the PRSD we continue to enjoy the typical fall events for this time of year. The elementary school students have been enjoying a variety of assemblies and events thanks to the PTO's at each school. The fall athletic season at PRHS has been competitive and enjoyable. And, it would not be November without the annual Fall Drama at PRHS. This year the Little Theatre Players are performing "Hamlet," which will definitely evoke a Shakespearean mood for all in the audience.

The HS locker room construction project is complete. We are only days away from a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), which will officially allow us to occupy these new spaces. During the month of November, we will be repairing the main gym floor for the upcoming basketball season. At the same time, we will be moving supplies, furniture, equipment and the necessary technology into these new spaces. If all goes as planned, student use of the locker rooms for PE classes and after-school athletics will start on Monday, December 2nd. At the moment, we anticipate opening the weight room and fitness center to students and staff at the end of December. Please see more detailed information below.

This can be a stressful time of year for our HS seniors. Having three daughters who all applied Early Decision or Early Action for college admissions has given me clear insights on the entire application process and the strain it can cause on students and their families. Please remember that regardless of the outcome, many more factors far beyond an acceptance letter will determine your success in the months and years ahead.

According to the calendar, daylight savings time ends this weekend. Please don't forget to "fall back" on Saturday night.

Owls Together,

Robert M. Gamper, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

From the Desk of Stacy Casatelli ...

Supervisor of Science, Visual & Performing Arts, And Computer Education

Park Ridge High School Celebrates Exciting Programs in Science, Art, Music, and Computers

Our students at Park Ridge High School have had an exciting start to the school year, diving into hands-on, innovative projects across multiple disciplines. In Engineering & Design, students have been hard at work building earthquake-proof structures. In September, they competed to see which models could withstand simulated earthquakes on PRHS’s very own Earthquake Table. This month, they explored the science of parachutes and skydiving by designing parachutes capable of safely delivering an egg “cargo” and tested them out in our very own cafeteria. Upcoming field trips this winter and spring promise even more learning adventures, with Honors Anatomy students preparing to view a live open-heart surgery at the Liberty Science Center, 9th-grade Biology classes investigating ecology at the Bronx Zoo, and Environmental Science students focusing on real-world conservation efforts at the NY Aquarium.

In the arts, both our Music and Art departments are shining. As we approach winter break, our Music department is enthusiastically preparing for the Winter Concerts, with the Vocal Concert on December 4th and the Instrumental Concert on December 11th. We are proud to announce that three vocal students were accepted into the Bergen County Choir: Ayden Lasser (Gr. 12), Justin Larghi (Gr. 12), and Vianna Mattson (Gr. 10). Additionally, 8th-grade trumpet player Sam Abraham was selected to join an elite group of nine trumpeters across Bergen County. Meanwhile, the Art Department continues to produce stunning pieces, while encouraging students to submit their work to the Bergen County Teen Arts Festival this spring for recognition.

The PRHS Computer Department is also making strides with the introduction of Cybersecurity. Cybersecurity offers students a hands-on approach to implementing and monitoring security for network and computer systems, providing a solid foundation for careers in this ever-growing field. At PRHS, we’re proud of our students’ dedication and excited to watch them grow through these exceptional programs. We look forward to seeing what they accomplish next!

From the Desk of Melissa Ballaera ...

Supervisor of Elementary Education

We are excited to share that the implementation of our new Amplify Reading program for students in grades 1-6 is going well! Amplify is a research-based reading curriculum designed to help students improve their literacy skills through engaging, personalized learning experiences. During the first few days of school, our teachers participated in a comprehensive six-hour Amplify training session to get familiar with the program. Teachers and students are actively engaging with it, and as we continue using the program, we are learning more about its various features and becoming increasingly familiar with its structure and resources. With interactive lessons, games, and stories, Amplify Reading keeps students motivated and helps them develop the literacy skills necessary for success. We look forward to watching the Amplify reading program support our students' growth.

From the Desk of John Diomede ...

Director of the PRHS Marching Band

The Park Ridge Marching Owls have had a very busy and successful season. This year, the band has participated in 6 competitions, Steinert Music in Motion at Steinert High School, Saturday Knight Lights at NVOT, Ramsey Colors in Motion at Ramsey High School, Ludwig Musser Classic at MetLife Stadium, The Bergen County Invitational at Bergenfield High School, and The Northern Highlands Marching Band Festival at Northern Highlands High School. Out of the six competitions, the band took home four first place trophies! At Ramsey, Bergenfield, and Northern Highlands, we also took home the caption awards for Best Music, Best Visual, and Best Overall Effect. Besides these awards, the band also ended the season with the highest score received since 2017! On 10/27, the band participated in the 77th Annual North Jersey Band Festival at Clifton Stadium. This prestigious event includes eighteen high school marching bands from North Jersey, and culminates with all eighteen bands gathering on the field and performing “America the Beautiful” together. The band recently performed in town at the Annual Ragamuffin Parade, leading the children of Park Ridge into the Halloween season.

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 Little Theatre Players

Park Ridge High School’s Little Theater Players are taking on an original adaptation of The Tragedy of Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare. With a Steampunk backdrop and thoughtfully edited language, this is a highly accessible adaptation that maintains the most classic and timeless words of Shakespeare while pacing the story for a modern audience. 

Come fall in love with Shakespeare and the Park Ridge Little Theater Players with seniors Bennett Adel as Hamlet, Caroline Sheridan as the Queen, Jacob Brickman as the King, Gianna Rohrbacher as Horatio, Justin Larghi as Laertes, and Jay Kamath as Polonius.

Evening performances are Thursday, November 14th, Friday, November 15th and Saturday, November 16th @ 7:00 PM.

Plus a FREE Senior Citizens’ Matinee on Wednesday, November 13th @ 1:00 PM

Park Ridge High School, 2 Park Ave, Park Ridge, NJ 07656. 

Purchase tickets at prhsltp.booktix.com or at the box office on the night of the performance. 

Special incentive for online purchases:

• Students can buy tickets, 2 for $15 using the code: Hamlet15
• regular single ticket purchase for students is $10
• Adult tickets are $15 each

Show merchandise will be available online and at the performances!

PRHS Locker Rooms & Fitness Center Update

Construction of the new locker rooms and fitness center is complete. Final inspections have concluded and a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) should be issued next week. Unfortunately, the main gym will be closed from November 12th - 24th to repair the floor (water damage) and prepare it for basketball season. While the main gym is closed, we will prep the locker rooms, trainer's room and offices with supplies, furniture and the necessary technology. If all goes as planned, student use of the locker rooms for PE classes and after-school athletics will start on Monday, 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 2024-25 Athletic Complex Update

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 2024-25 School Calendar

On November 20th, the BOE approved the 2024-25 school calendar. Please be advised that school will open for students after Labor Day. The calendar is available at the link below:

2024-25 School Calendar