- Hackensack Public Schools
- HPS in the News
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Paint for Social Justice Night Brings Together Art and Activism In Hackensack
Dozens of students and their families recently gathered at Nellie K. Parker School for a Paint for Social Justice night, continuing a tradition of uniting art and activism in the community.
The evening featured a collaborative butterfly-themed art project honoring the favorite symbol – the mariposa – of the late Lillian Whitaker, the beloved principal who died in December 2024. -
Hackensack High School Academic Decathlon Team Crowned Regional Champs
Hackensack High School’s Academic Decathlon team has secured a remarkable victory, clinching the Regional Championship and punching their ticket to the state competition on March 1.
Currently, ranked second in the state, the team is setting its sights on a potential return to the National competition in Des Moines, Iowa. -
Hackensack school board appoints new member to fill vacant seat
Melanie Alston-Balaputra, a longtime city resident and a vice principal at Bergen County Technical Academies in Paramus, will fill the city Board of Education seat vacated in December by Scott James-Vickery.
The school board voted to appoint Alston-Balaputra at a special meeting Wednesday night after hearing from her and another candidate, Kiyomi Campbell. A third candidate had applied for the seat but withdrew her name before the meeting, board members said. -
Team Captains Are Leading Hackensack Bowling To Substantial Success
This has thus far been a productive and enjoyable season for the Hackensack bowling program and a major reason is the leadership capabilities of the three senior captains Alyssa Cavallo, John James and Joey Parrilli.
“Each one has their own strengths and shows leadership, the other team members gravitate to them for conversation and encouragement,’’ Hackensack head coach Nancy Wallace said. “They are always helping out to improve the team for success by being my additional eyes.’’ -
Honoring a Legacy: Hackensack High School Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.'s Transformative Journey
Hackensack High School paused last week to honor a king. They proudly illuminated the extraordinary life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., transforming a commemorative event into a powerful testament of resilience, hope, and ongoing social justice.
Students from the black studies classes and dance team meticulously traced King's remarkable journey, from his early life to becoming a pivotal civil rights leader. They revealed fascinating details about his personal history, including how he was originally named Michael King Jr. before his father changed both their names to Martin Luther, inspired by the German Protestant reformer. -
Diving into Unity: How Rival Swim Teams Found Strength in Collaboration
When high school swimming faced a potential downturn, two rival programs discovered an unexpected solution: joining forces. Hampered by declining participation after losing swimmers from neighboring Maywood, Hackensack and Teaneck high schools, they have merged to create a more competitive and resilient team.
Hackensack Head Coach Scott Davis, a 16-year veteran of the sport, recognized the critical moment. "We lost several guys, and our numbers were too low to be competitive," he explained. Instead of watching their beloved program sink, they chose to make waves differently. -
Registration Made Easy: Hackensack Public Schools Launch Online Pre-K Enrollment
Hackensack Public Schools is modernizing pre-K registration with a new online system launching February 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. This user-friendly platform streamlines the enrollment process while ensuring accessibility for all families in our community.
In-person support will be offered at Central Office, 191 Second Street, the day of the kickoff for those families who do not have a computer or internet access. The district’s goal is to make this process as smooth as possible for every family. -
Warmth on Wheels for Hackensack Students
When the community comes together to support our students, amazing things happen. A huge thank you to our incredible partners at the Strength and Honor NJ Motorcycle Club who showed their hearts are as big as their engines by donating dozens of coats for our students at Jackson Avenue School. Their generosity will help keep our kids cozy through the winter months!
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Hackensack BOE Seeking Candidates for Open Seat
The Board of Education is seeking a candidate to fill a vacancy left by former board president Scott James-Vickery, who had one year left on his three-year term.
The vacancy is through December 2025.
The Board will be holding interviews during a Special Meeting at 6:15 p.m. on February 5, 2025 at the High School Media Center, 135 1st Street. -
Equity in Action: Hackensack District Educators Chart Bold Path to Transform Schools
The Hackensack Public Schools District Equity Team (D.E.T.) gathered in the Hackensack High School Media Center yesterday, marking their second meeting of the 2024-2025 school year. The air was filled with purpose as members charted the next chapter of their vital mission to create a more equitable educational experience for all students.
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Hackensack’s Early Childhood Development Center Partners with ShopRite to Promote Healthy Eating Habits for Preschool Families
he Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) of Hackensack Public Schools recently hosted a Family Engagement event focusing on nutrition. The school partnered with Registered Dietitian Julianne Gallo, MS, RD, from ShopRite of Lodi.
The interactive session connected preschool families with expert nutrition guidance and practical meal planning strategies. -
Hackensack Schools Announce Half Day in Memoriam of Principal
The public school district will observe a half-day on Friday, January 10, 2025 “to provide the community with time to process and reflect on the profound loss of its beloved Principal Lillian Kelly Whitaker, whose leadership touched so many lives within our school family,” Superintendent Dr. Thomas McBryde said in a statement to the community.
Whitaker, who was the principal of the Nellie K. Parker Elementary School, passed on December 31.
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Hackensack City Council Honors Passing of Principal Lillian Whitaker
The City Council held a moment of silence for Principal Lillian Whitaker, who passed on December 31.
“She will be missed by many,” Mayor John Labrosse said at the January 7 council meeting. “She always had a smile on her face and wanted to talk.”
“She took the school (Nellie K. Parker Elementary School) to another level; she went above and beyond; it wasn't just about educating children, it was really about taking care of our kids,” Labrosse said. -
Holiday Heart Celebration Brings Magic to Students
The Hackensack Middle School Media Center transformed into a winter wonderland of generosity as local education partner DMR Architects of Hasbrouck Heights delivered holiday joy to nearly 60 students across the district's seven schools through their annual “Holiday Heart” celebration.
"The joy of giving is what Christmas is all about," Superintendent Dr. Thomas McBryde, Jr. said. “When you see the tremendous outpouring of support from our community partners like DMR, it really makes you believe in holiday miracles.” -
HPS Celebrates Architects of Student Success
The public school district announced its Governor’s Teachers and Educational Service Professionals of the Year.
"Our Teachers and Educational Service Professionals of the Year are more than educators—they are the architects of possibility," Superintendent Dr. Thomas McBryde, Jr. said. “Each of these remarkable individuals goes above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences that challenge, inspire, and support our scholars.” -
Comet R.I.S.E. at the Different Breed
A gym in New Jersey is giving its clients much more than treadmills and free weights.
Trainers are giving them the skills they need to hold their own in the boxing ring.
The special training in Teaneck is a space and place for young adults to be themselves and show they are capable of great feats of strength and durability.
The Different Breed gym in Teaneck offers special training for folks with special needs. -
Hackensack High School Culinary Club Dishes Up Delight Throughout School Year
TAPIntoHackensack profiles Hackensack High School's Culinary Club program.
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Comet Ambassadors Are There with a Helping Hand at Hackensack High School
Clubs at Hackensack High School are a part of “curriculum enhancement,” and Principal Jim Montesano brought up several students to talk about their experiences from various clubs at the November 20 Board of Education meeting.
“I think it's really great when you have a large, comprehensive high school, and the clubs and activities do play such an integral role in developing the students' personal, social and academic achievement,” Montesano said. “The importance goes beyond the classroom setting, but it also functions as extracurricular engagement.” -
Hackensack Takes Down Teaneck in 90th meeting of Thanksgiving Football Rivals
Rain and mud played a factor in Thursday's Thanksgiving bowl between Hackensack (5-5) and Teaneck (5-5), but it surely didn't effect the effort level. Both teams a gritty, smash-mouth level of football.
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Not Just a Preschool, but a Launchpad for Lifelong Learning
Tucked away on Main Street, between Euclid and Ross Avenues, a hidden educational treasure is quietly transforming the lives of young learners. Bright Adventures, a newly established preschool, is redefining early childhood education with its innovative approach and commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
Since August 28, 2024, Hackensack Public Schools has partnered with Bright Adventures to offer a tuition-free comprehensive educational program for 75 students, which includes five classes for three and four year olds. The center isn't just another preschool—it's a carefully crafted learning environment where curiosity meets structure, and play becomes a powerful tool for development. -
Hackensack Student-Athletes Stood Out In Fall College Sports
The season is now over for many sports in the world of fall collegiate athletics and there are several local student-athletes who made names for themselves for all the right reasons in their chosen athletic endeavor.
Let’s take a closer look at local standouts who competed at the college level this past fall season. -
Tradition Runs Strong at Fairmount's Mini Marathon
The streets around Fairmount School came alive on November 6 with the pounding footsteps and jubilant cheers of students, parents, and staff participating in the school's beloved Mini Marathon—a cherished tradition that has been getting kids moving and hearts pumping since the mid-1970s.
Leading the pack was Hackensack Police Detective John Mora, who kicked off the festivities atop his motorcycle, though he nearly had some unexpected company. The enthusiasm of the third and fourth graders was so electric that they almost caught up to him at the starting line, their energy setting the tone for what would become a memorable afternoon of community spirit and physical activity. -
From Trauma to Triumph: Motivational Speaker Inspires Students
You should be yourself because everyone else is already taken," exclaimed Dr. Javar Godfrey, CEO and Founder of Healing My Emotions, as he took the stage at Hackensack High School earlier this week. “Be yourself because everyone else is already taken!”
These empowering words resonated with students, who were captivated by Dr. Godfrey's presentation on managing thoughts, triggers, trauma, and ultimately, triumphing over life's challenges. -
Hackensack Superintendent Spearheads Student-Driven Discussions
The public school superintendent is fostering dialogue in a new initiative to “bridge the gap” between administration, students and community.
Superintendent of Hackensack Schools, Dr. Thomas McBryde, Jr., through a series of open dialogues, “is actively seeking to understand the daily experiences and concerns of those who matter most - the students.”
A group of a dozen high school students approached Dr. McBryde last week asking for a sit-down. -
Three Hackensack Schools Attain Sustainable Jersey Status
Three schools in the Hackensack School District have met the requirements to achieve Sustainable Jersey for Schools certification and Digital Schools Star recognition, bringing the total number of certified schools across New Jersey to 375.
Fairmount Elementary, Hillers Elementary and Nellie K. Parker Elementary all achieved Sustainable status, along with Digital Schools Star recognition. The schools were recognized recently during an awards ceremony at the New Jersey School Boards Association’s Workshop 2024.