After earning his Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Seton Hall University, Mr. Crespo got his start in education as a high school teacher of social studies and Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology. “One of my main goals as I transitioned to administration was to make sure I never forgot I was a teacher,” Mr. Crespo says. As an assistant superintendent in Paterson, he worked closely with the teachers’ union there to create academic services and special programs. “I always have my teaching hat on, and remember what a teacher goes through,” he says. “And I am in the classrooms a lot.” Mr. Crespo earned a Masters of Arts in education administration and supervision from St. Peter’s University. His doctoral dissertation is on the effectiveness of professional development in schools. He expects to receive his doctoral degree in K-12 education leadership from St. Peter’s in the spring of 2020. So far he has made a positive impact on the staff, as a stable and even-minded educational leader.

On September 11, 2019 WHS alumnus and 9/11 survivor, Donald Jodice, was invited to speak to the student body to discuss the infamous day. In addition, local reporter Jim Hague, who covered the day's events was also invited to recant his article on Jodice's escape from the 82nd floor, a mere 20 feet below the impact area.

After a brief newsreel video, and comments from Principal Ferullo, Mr Hague re-read the account as students silently listened. The silence became deafening, as Jodice, re-told his escape. As students sat mesmerized by the tale Jodice, a cancer survivor who made the journey essentially on one good leg, as he lost his left limb to the disease, spoke emotionally about the heroes who helped him and his co-workers escape; and how they sacrificed their own life doing so. He openly wept as he recalled the images of the fire-fighters going up the stairs to try and fight the fire, but in effect they were marching to their impending doom. The more he spoke, the more the young students in WHS began to truly understand why 9/11 is such an important and gut-wrenching day in our nation's history. They may not have been alive, but through Jodice and Hague, they were able to live it. But the day was not all gloom.

After concluding his story, Mr. Jodice was able to take some fantastic questions from our students. But I am sure his favorite was what 9/11 means to him today. As fate would have it 9/11 holds a new and beautiful meaning for Mr. Jodice. On September 11, 2018, his beautiful granddaughter was born. And although the date will always resonate painful memories, the courage of others has afforded Mr. Jodice to get some joy from this September the 11th, and many more to come.

Led by the outstanding Delany Rice, as well as the emergence of Ivana Sanchez, the team (literally) raced to the title. With WHS records falling on a regular basis and a young nucleus, the girls are poised to contend for years to come. Although overshadowed by the Girls championship, the Boys team has had a stellar campaign earning 2nd place in the NJIC, led by Collin Shevlin and Abdourahmen Diouf. It seems as though the rest of the conference now has to keep pace with Weehawken.

Weehawken HS is pleased to report an 18% increase in the percentage of total AP students with scores of three (3) or better in the Spring 2019 scores compared to the Spring 2018 scores. Still boasting a large number of total AP student participants (151) and a large number of exams (251), WHS students scored (3) or higher at a whopping 47% clip.

The 151 students taking AP classes and tests account for almost 45% of the student body. Exposure to the classes and tests will help students become better prepared for college, and the success on the test is an excellent barometer.