October 2026 Message to Community
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership as we move through a productive fall season. Last week, our schools celebrated the NJ Week of Respect, engaging students in activities focused on character, kindness, and positive school culture. October is also Fire Prevention Month, and our schools are emphasizing safety and awareness throughout the month. Below are key updates, upcoming events, and achievements from around our district.
📅 Coming Up
Our schools continue to celebrate literature with exciting author visits! Following last month's visits from the character Dogman of bestselling author Dav Pilkey's series, we are thrilled to welcome Lucille Colandro to Washington School this week, followed by author and actor Henry Winkler visiting Lincoln School next month. This week, our district recognizes School Violence Awareness Week with age-appropriate activities focused on safety and community.
Please keep these important upcoming dates on your calendar: our next Board of Education meeting will take place on November 2. Schools will be closed on November 5–6 for the NJEA Teacher Convention, and closed for students on November 9 for Parent-Teacher Conferences. Additionally, minimum days are scheduled for November 16 and November 25, with a delayed opening on November 17.
📚 Academic Updates
Official New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) score reports will be mailed home next week, so please watch for your child’s envelope.
Our 2025–2026 State of the District report is now available on the district website. Aligned with our 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, the report reviews key progress across academic achievements, curriculum updates, facility enhancements, and school safety measures from the past year. Thank you to our staff, students, and community partners whose efforts continue to support our schools' growth and success.
In response to community feedback from our Spring 2026 parent and staff surveys, we have identified balanced technology as a priority this school year and have established this as one of our district goals. Alongside recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, our Balanced Technology goal prioritizes instructional balance across all grade levels. We are emphasizing paper-first learning, reducing passive screen time use, expanding GoGuardian controls, adjusting i-Ready goals to target one to two passed lessons per week, restricting free-time device use, and enhancing parental transparency through our new Digital Tool Directory. To ensure alignment across the district and guide our long-term instructional framework, the Board Policy Committee is reviewing and updating our district technology policies this school year.
⭐ In the Spotlight
We are thrilled to share that five Eisenhower Middle School students auditioned for the Bergen County Chorus, and all five were accepted following a highly competitive audition process! Congratulations to 8th graders Justin K. and Sebastian F., and 7th graders Luke M., Stella S., and Nina M. Under the direction of Vocal Music Director Catherine Savery, these talented vocalists will perform in a special countywide concert this November. Please join us in celebrating their hard work and achievement!
In administrative news, Patricia Salvati will retire on December 31 following 10 years of dedicated service as our Business Administrator. On October 5, the Board appointed Michael Rinderknecht as Interim Business Administrator and Board Secretary, effective January 1. Mr. Rinderknecht brings over 20 years of New Jersey school business experience and will oversee our business office operations until a permanent successor is selected and in place.
🎨 Arts and Athletics
In athletics, the EMS soccer and volleyball teams are wrapping up their regular seasons with strong records. Good luck to our student-athletes and coaches in their remaining games. Meanwhile, fall clubs at EMS are now fully underway, alongside co-curricular studio art programs and chorus in our elementary schools.
🏛️ Community News
The Wyckoff Public Library remains a vibrant hub for our community, offering an exciting slate of fall programs designed to inspire readers, creators, and learners of all ages—from youth book clubs and hands-on makerspace workshops to public speaking clubs and guest author visits. To explore the full schedule and register for upcoming activities, visit wyckofflibrary.org.
Photo credit: Michael Patanella