Let's Talk TPS
February 8, 2023

Short but Action-Packed Month!
Happy February and Happy Lunar New Year to all of our families who celebrated! Our schools welcomed the new year through a host of special programs, and I had the pleasure of attending some of these outstanding events.
We are also celebrating Black History Month by participating in a variety of educational programs and activities. Be sure to follow our Tenafly Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts where you will see posts of these and other special school events all month long.
Next, I want to thank the community members who attended this past Monday's "Dialogue with the Superintendent and Interim Assistant Superintendent" event. Dr. Gorman and I had a robust conversation with our participants where we covered important topics concerning our students, staff and future district programs.
Lastly, a simple reminder regarding our upcoming winter break. All TPS schools will be closed from Friday, February 17th through Tuesday, February 21st, with students and teachers returning to school on Wednesday, February 22nd. The district office will be closed on Monday, February 20th for Presidents Day.
We hope you enjoy the long "winter break" weekend and return refreshed for the remainder of the school year.
Yours in Education,
Bruce Watson
Interim Superintendent
Happy Lunar New Year!
TPS welcomed the Lunar New Year with many cultural activities across the district. Special thanks to all who helped in creating these special programs for all to enjoy!
Our Spelling Bee Champ Moves On
Congratulations to 7th grader Alex Plutzer who won the TMS 2022-2023 School Spelling Bee held on January 27th. Alex's correct spelling of the word "crepuscular" won him the title of TMS School Spelling Champion. Alex has now been invited to compete in the 2023 North Jersey Spelling Bee. This spelling bee is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14th at 6:00pm and will take place at the Technology Building at Bergen Community College. The winner of 2023 North Jersey Spelling Bee will go on to represent North Jersey in May at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington D.C.. We wish Alex the best of luck!
Budget Retreat - February 22nd (Special Time: 6 pm)
Regular Public Meeting - February 27 at 8 pm
All are welcome to attend in person or by Zoom.
Meet THS' Class of 2023 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Yesterday, THS Principal Morrison called two students down to the guidance office to share some wonderful news. Jayden Ko has been named Valedictorian and Iris Sung is Salutatorian for the Class of 2023. Interim Superintendent Watson, Interim Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gorman, Vice Principal Yoo, the two students' guidance counselors (Marley Goldman and Courtney Weissenborn) and Director of Guidance, Jayne Bembridge, joined Principal Morrison in extending a hearty congratulations to these two outstanding students. We can't wait to see what they do next!
Award-winning Artists & Writers
The 2023 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards were recently released naming nine Tenafly High School students among the regional winners. Congratulations to Karis Cho, Kayla Cheng, Junhyoung (Edward) Kim, Elliot Lee, Eunhyo Park, Gia Shin, and Liam Tenenbaum for their respective writing awards, and to Katelyn Liao, Eunhyo Park, Euihuan Um for their award winning artwork.
Swimmingly Successful!
Tenafly High School's swim teams are having quite a year! At the Big North Patriot League meet, the boys secured their 4th league championship in four years by winning all 8 individual events and two out of three relays. The girls team secured a second place finish with a few individual wins. Special congratulations goes out to Aaron Baltaytis, who was just named "NorthJersey.com Male Athlete of the Week"!
THS Winter Concert
Reminders from the Nurses
Dress for Cold Weather
- Please dress your child in layers as students will continue to go outside for P.E. and recess when possible. Warm winter coats, gloves, and hats are encouraged.
- Label your child's items with their name so it is easier to identify in case it gets lost. Our lost and founds are overflowing!
Illness
- There are several illnesses throughout the community, especially COVID, RSV, and the flu. If your child is exhibiting symptoms such as runny nose, cough, and fever, we ask that you do not send them to school and continue to monitor their symptoms. We are trying to minimize the spread of illness throughout the District and need your help.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
In order to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all of the children in our TPS Community, we ask that your child be kept home if they are exhibiting certain symptoms:
- A fever over 100.0 degrees, controlled without a fever reducer. Students must be fever free for 24 hours prior to returning to school.
- Any vomiting or diarrhea during the night, in school 24 hours before or in the morning before school.
- Crusty, itchy, draining, red eyes.
- Any undiagnosed rash. Contact your physician if your child has a rash, skin irritation or skin lesion. Doctor's note on return to school that child is not contagious.
- Severe cold, sore throat or cough symptoms, with thick discolored drainage from nose.
- Students who are being treated with an antibiotic must complete 24 hours of treatment and be fever-free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
Special Education Advisory Committee (SEPAC) Meeting - March 1st
The Special Education Advisory Committee (SEPAC) meeting will be held in-person and virtually for those who wish to attend by Zoom on March 1st at 8:45am. The in-person meeting will be held at Central Office, 500 Tenafly Road.
Give a Little, Get a Lot
Looking to work for just a few hours or days a week? Tenafly Public Schools needs substitute nurses! We post when we need you and you decide if and when you can work! Need more details? Contact ddiaz@tenafly.k12.nj.us.
From the Community: Tenafly Nature Center Winter Nature Camp Events
An online fillable version of the form is available on the TPS website.
Questions/Concerns
- Mackay School - hchizzik@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Maugham School - jferrara@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Smith School - dgeorge@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Stillman School - glander@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Tenafly Middle School - jfabbo@tenafly.k12.nj.us
- Tenafly High School - jmorrison@tenafly.k12.nj.us