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Paramus School District

District News

There's a lot happening in our vibrant school district! We’ll include all the latest district news on this page. Make it your first stop when you visit our website to stay updated on all the latest.

Stony Lane Collects for RBARI

The Stony Lane student council recently collected food and supplies for homeless pets. Everything collected was donated to the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge.

Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge building A line of students bringing in food and supply donations
Nick Bruel Visits Ridge Ranch

What an awesome day it was on March 19 at the Ranch with Nick Bruel. K–4 students enjoyed a fun-filled day with the Bad Kitty author and illustrator.

Students with author Nick Bruel
Ridge Ranch PJ Party Story Time

Ridge Ranch students and their families participated in a Pajama Party Story Time at the Paramus Public Library. Mrs. Amato and Ms. Chiaramonte read aloud “Elephant and Piggy,” while students enjoyed a story and craft in their PJs! It was a great way to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday during Read Across America Week!

Students in their pjs
Ridge Ranch Valentine's Day Teacher Treats
Happy women next to cart with hot chocolate and treats for teachers

How sweet it is to work at Ridge Ranch School! Sunshine provided hot chocolate and a cart filled with sweets to show love for the teachers on Valentine’s Day!

Ridge Ranch Celebrates 100 Days of School
Happy first grade students dressed up to celebrate 100 days of school

Ridge Ranch first graders celebrated the 100th day of school by imagining what they would look like when they are 100 years old!

Parkway Kindergarten Teacher Swap

On Wednesday, March 13, the Parkway School kindergarten teachers surprised their students by switching classrooms and reading a favorite story to new faces. It was a fun springtime surprise!

Treacher reading a book to students Teacher reading a book to students sitting on the floor Teacher reading a book to student sitting on a carpet
Parkway Celebrates Black History Month
Photo collage celebrating black history

Parkway Elementary School hosted two black history laser shows celebrating African Americans’ contributions to our nation’s history. Students from kindergarten through fourth grade transported through time as the engaging laser light show entertained and educated with a fun soundtrack. The program took the audience on a musical journey highlighting the contributions of African Americans to our culture and country’s rich past, providing students with an important opportunity to enhance their comprehension of and engagement with black history.

Black history laser show Students enjoying a musical journey highlighting the contributions of African Americans Kindergarten through fourth grade students enjoying black history laser show
Parkway Celebrates 100 Days of School
Students lined up showing back of t-shirts with numbers

Parkway had a twist on the 100th Day of School celebration. Everyone wore something with a one or two-digit number on it so they could find all the ways to reach 100!

Two woman wearing numbered football jerseys Two girls smiling wearing 13 and 87 jerseys Three students showing back of numbered jerseys
Parkway Valentine's Day
Second graders holding paper hearts

Parkway’s 2nd graders in Mrs. McElroy’s class celebrate a heartfelt Valentine’s Day together!

Midland Celebrates Family Multicultural Night
View more photos of Midland Celebrates Family Multicultural Night

Midland Elementary School’s second annual Family Cultural Night was another huge success! It was a wonderful night of food, games, music, and traditions shared by Midland’s amazing community. This new tradition of getting families together to learn about and share their rich and diverse cultures has become a favorite.

Thank you to all of the generous families that hosted and those who came to enjoy; you made this very special night come to life!

Teacher of the Year
Ms. Katie Rodgers, Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Ms. Katie Rodgers, special education teacher and Midland School’s teacher of the year! Ms. Rodgers is amazing at her job, and the entire Midland School Community is so happy to celebrate her and this well-deserved honor!

Memorial Multicultural Festival

On March 13, Memorial Elementary School hosted its first-ever Multicultural Festival. Students and families toured the world enjoying food samples, music, dances, crafts, and traditional dress from across the globe.

Family enjoying the beautiful India display at the festival Family enjoying the Cuba and Iran table displays at the festival Pretty girl in a festive dress in front of the Dominican Republic display
Memorial Students Dress as Book Characters

Memorial Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Week from March 4–8, 2024! On Thursday, March 7, students brought books to life by dressing up as their favorite book characters.

Student dressed up as Thing 1 Student dressed up as a book character wearing a mask Three students dressed in character outside Group of students dressed book characters in a line Boy dressed up as a book character
Memorial School at Powerhouse Studios

On February 29, Memorial School fourth graders competed in game show-style competitions, pied each other in the face, had an epic dance battle, and much more at Powerhouse Studios in Paramus!

Four Memorial School fourth grade students posing in front of Powerhouse Studios wallMemorial School fourth grade students on stage at Powerhouse StudiosTwo students smiling at the camera after one student has been hit in the face with a pieMemorial School student hitting another student in the face with a pie
Educator of the Year
Mr. Craig Mandeville, educator of the year with principal and vice principal

The East Brook Middle School educator of the year is Mr. Craig Mandeville! Mr. Mandeville is the lead teacher of LEAP at East Brook. Mr. Mandeville’s dedication to his students’ growth and learning is an inspiration to many. His genuine care for every student and commitment to their academic excellence are noticed day in and day out. His profound impact extends beyond the classroom.

Congratulations, Mr. Mandeville!

Pictured with Mr. Craig Mandeville are Mr. AJ Bianco, vice principal (left) and Mr. Ryan Aupperlee, principal (right)

Students Accepted to All-State Intermediate Orchestra
Grace and Kan, on their acceptance into the NJ All State Intermediate Orchestra

Congratulations to West Brook students, Grace and Kan, on their acceptance into the NJ All State Intermediate Orchestra!

Both students auditioned along with sixth- through eighth- graders from all over New Jersey for the opportunity to be a part of this orchestra. They will be participating in a series of Saturday rehearsals and will perform in a concert on Saturday, May 11. Grace and Kan are an amazing representation of the West Brook music program!

West Brook Students Perform in Region I Concert
Happy orchestra students at the Region I Orchestra Concert

On Sunday, February 18, West Brook orchestra students, Clair Han, Grace Lee, Kan Ota, and Sam Sleeper performed in the Region I Orchestra Concert. This concert showcased some of the best music students in northern New Jersey, and these students did an incredible job!

PHS String Quartet Places 2nd at Quartet Fest!
Paramus High School String Quartet

The Paramus High School String Quartet clinched Second Prize at the American String Teachers Association, NJ Chapter, Quartet Fest 2024!

On March 18, 2024, the talented ensemble from Paramus High School, led by PHS Orchestra Director Mrs. Yoonhee Roberts, delivered a dazzling performance showcasing their dedication, precision, and artistic flair. The PHS String Quartet displayed not only individual talent but also true collaboration and teamwork creating such powerful music.

  • Violin I - Angela Kim ’27
  • Violin II - Sienna Tang ’26
  • Viola - Nicole Choo ’26
  • Cello - Daniel Chung ’25
PHS DECA Competes in Atlantic City
Forty-two students attending DECA competition

Forty-two students recently competed at the DECA State Career Development Conference in Atlantic City. The students, advised by Mr. Marc Jenkins, participated in role plays, written events, and formal business presentations. Eight students advanced to the next level of competition at the DECA International Career Development Competition! Big congratulations to:

  • Netra Mehta & Yahvi Shah: 1st Place Entrepreneurship Team Decision Making
  • Netra Mehta & Yahvi Shah: 2nd Place Franchise Business Plan
  • Sofia Lee & Kristianna Akroush: 2nd Place Startup Business Plan
  • Hana Weisinger: 4th Place Entrepreneurship Innovation Plan
  • Asad Gilani & Raj Modi: 7th Place Marketing Management Team Decision Making
  • Shyla Mirwani: 7th Place Personal Financial Literacy
  • Aiden Gershengoren: Top 12 Finalist Business Finance Series

View More Photos From DECA Competition

PHS Junior Accepted to NJAJE Reg. 1 Jazz Band
Gideon Chu

Congratulations to PHS junior, Gideon Chu ’25, who was accepted to the NJAJE Region 1 Jazz Band on drum set! Gideon is the first-ever PHS drummer to be accepted to the region jazz band.

PHS's 'Newsies' Makes Headlines

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Paramus High School’s Performing Arts Department proudly presented Disney’s 'Newsies' from March 14–16, 2024.

Audiences watched in awe and found out what happened when the Newsboy Union takes on the richest and most powerful kingmakers of New York. The cast and crew of PHS made headlines with four outstanding performances. Congratulations on another incredible PHS Performing Arts production!

Paramus High School’s Performing Arts Department presenting Disney’s 'Newsies' Cast of  Newsies on the stage Students on the stage performing a scene from Newsies
World Studies Students Visit the Met
Three world studies students at the Met

During a field trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, Ms. Katty Lee’s World Studies students explored, learned, and connected their history lessons with works of art of the past. It was a wonderful experience for everyone!

View More Photos From the Met Visit

PHS Valedictorian Announced

Paramus High School is proud to announce that Ian Park is the 2024 PHS Valedictorian!

From left to right in the photo are Mr. Kiem, PHS Principal; Ian Park ’24; Mr. Gencarelli, PHS School Counselor; and Mr. Montuori, PHS Vice Principal, after informing Ian of this incredible accomplishment and lifetime achievement. Congratulations, Ian!

 Mr. Kiem, PHS Principal; Ian Park ’24; Mr. Gencarelli, PHS School Counselor; and Mr. Montuori, PHS Vice Principal, after informing Ian of this incredible accomplishment and lifetime achievement
PHS Wind Ensemble Performs at NJMEA Convention

The PHS Wind Ensemble put on an amazing performance for other music educators and college music students at the NJMEA convention in Atlantic City! It was an honor to be selected for this opportunity, and the PHS students made Paramus proud.

Paramus High School Athletes Sign to Colleges
Paramus High School student athletes signing day

On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 7 two Paramus High School senior athletes officially signed to their chosen colleges and universities. Huge congratulations to Daniel Elyash ’24 who will be wrestling at Davidson College (Division I) and Aidin Xheraj ’24 who will be playing football at Pace University (Division II).

The afternoon began with Mr. Derek England, Paramus High School director of athletics, welcoming families, friends, teammates, and coaches to the event. Thank you to the Paramus High School administrators, staff members, and students for attending the celebratory signing day, and congratulations to Paramus High School’s two outstanding senior athletes as they continue their journeys at the collegiate level!

View More Photos From Signing Day

Paramus Public Schools/Littogether Learning Communities Host Hannah Schneewind for Reading Skills Workshop
Hannah Schneewind speaking to the attendees

The Paramus Public Schools and the Littogether Learning Communities proudly present community learning workshop days. On January 18 the workshop, led by author Hannah Schneewind, was entitled “Teaching Readers and Teaching Reading: Strategies for Centering Students While Supporting Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension.”

Teachers of grades k–5 inside and outside the Paramus district attended the full day workshop at Memorial Elementary School. Schneewind is co-author of a book called Trusting Readers: Powerful Practices for Independent Reading which focuses on integrating reading skills into instruction that teaches the whole child. The workshop explored how to introduce strategies for getting to know readers, specific language to use while giving them feedback, and how to balance focusing on the reader with focusing on the skills associated with reading.

Presentation on the screen for the reading workshop

Mr. Tom Marshall, principal of Paramus’ Stony Lane Elementary School and founder of Littogether Learning and the New Jersey Literacy Leaders’ Network, explained, “Sometimes we think that being a good teacher of reading means paying attention to the nuts and bolts of the language, and sometimes we think it’s about the meaning-making that happens when reader meets text. It’s really not one or the other. Being an effective teacher means being able to teach both the reader and reading. We need to be prepared to give feedback about metacognition and attribution as well as to give feedback about decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills.”

Staff members sitting at a table to listen to the workshop Hannah Schneewind speaking to a student on the floor Hannah Schneewind speaking to another student on the floor and writing something down on a notepad