WTPS

District Newsletter

November 14, 2025

WAY Better in WAYne Township Public Schools

IMPORTANT DISTRICT DATES:

calendar

Click here for the District Calendar

Wednesday, November 26: Minimal Day - Start of Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28: Schools Closed - Thanksgiving

Wednesday, December 3 & Thursday, December 4: Preschool/Elementary Minimal Days ONLY - Parent Conferences

Thursday, December 4: BOE PWS Meeting @ 50 Nellis Drive

Thursday, December 18: BOE Regular Meeting @ 475 Valley Road

Review the District Calendar and add no-school and other important dates to your personal calendar!

 

School Events

November

  • November 14, & November 15: Wayne Valley Fall Production of Almost Maine
  • November 15: Turkey Trot - Sponsored by WTPS Unified Sports @ Wayne Hills High School
  • November 19: 7th & 8th Grade Open House @ WHHS & WVHS
 

Turkey Trot 2025!

REGISTRATION ENDS 11/15 at 9AM!

Be a runner! Be a sponsor! Be both! All proceeds benefit our Unified Sports. Scan QR Code or click HERE

Turkey Trot

Wayne Valley HS Production

Purchase tickets: https://www.waynevalleyathletics.com/HTtickets

 

Keep up with Wayne Hills!

instagram: @waynehillshs

WHHS Athletic schedules🏐🏈

WHHS online ticket purchasing 🎫

WHHS Patriot Press📰

Keep up with Wayne Valley!

instagram: @waynevalleyhs

WVHS Athletic schedules🏐🏈

WVHS online ticket purchasing 🎫

WVHS Smoke Signals 📰

 

Open Houses at Wayne High Schools!

Calling all 7th & 8th Grade Students!

Attend the scheduled Open House at Wayne Hills or Wayne Valley and learn about the school, faculty, programs, activities and more!

*Students should attend the open house for their resident high school.

**If there are any questions about which school is your student's resident high school, please reach out to your middle school.

 
 

😜 Newsletter Riddle: What kind of shoes does a lazy person wear?👞👟👡🩰*answer at bottom 

 

Veterans Day at Lafayette Elementary

Special visitors in 3AA at Lafayette! Miss Allen’s brothers — PVT Allen and PFC Allen — stopped by for an early Veterans Day visit after graduating from Marine boot camp! 🎖️ 3AA was their pen pals during training, and today the kids finally got to meet their Marine buddies in person, ask questions, and say thank you for their service! ❤️🤍💙

 

Lafayette Students also celebrated one of our favorite Veterans, our CPA Mr. Bill! Thank you for your service!

 

Students also made cards for Veterans, participated in a Read with a Veteran read aloud, and learned about Veterans Day at Lafayette Elementary School.

 

4th graders at Theunis Dey Elementary celebrated Veterans Day

 

Packanack Celebrates Veterans Day

 

Anthony Wayne Salutes Veterans

 

Pines Lake Veterans Day Wall of Honor

Students and staff at Pines Lake Elementary School wanted to make Veterans Day very special by creating a Wall of Honor for our Veterans.

Both students and staff honored our many Veteran family and friends by bringing in pictures along with the name, branch of military, and years served that are hung up throughout the main hallway of the school. Some students also created banners that hang proudly along with the pictures to show our love and appreciation for all Veterans.

This little activity is our way of letting our Veterans know how much we appreciate the service and sacrifices they give/gave to us and our country.

 

Veterans Day at Schuyler Colfax Middle School

SCMS proudly honored our incredible veterans with a heartfelt ceremony of gratitude and respect. We are thankful for the bravery and sacrifice of all who have served our nation.

A special thank you to Ms. Fedkenheuer, Mrs. Adamo, Mr. Puzak, Mr. Vogel, our custodians, Mrs. Weinstein, and Mrs. Rodriguez for their tremendous support and dedication in making today’s event so meaningful. We’d also like to give a big shout-out to our Student Council officers, band, and chorus students for their leadership, talent, and enthusiasm in helping us pay tribute to our heroes.

Together, we stand united in appreciation of those who have served and continue to serve our country with courage and honor.

 

Veterans Day Celebration at George Washington Middle School

 

Twinning for Veterans Day at James Fallon Elementary ❤️🤍💙

 

AW's Pink Out

💖 Think Pink, Show Strength, Together We Fight! 442 pink participants took part in the Pink Out festivities at Anthony Wayne Middle School. 💕

 

Theunis Dey students Help Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Brownie Girl Scout Troop 98935 held a heartfelt Breast Cancer Awareness Party to honor and support local women who are breast cancer survivors and fighters.

The girls created hand-painted rocks and handwritten cards featuring uplifting messages, which they shared with all attendees. Guests also enjoyed a variety of pink-themed desserts, adding a festive touch to the evening. They were delighted to welcome Mayor Vergano and Senator Corrado, who joined the celebration and showed their support.

The evening was filled with music, dancing, and community spirit as the girls celebrated with their friends and guests. In addition, the troop extended their outreach by delivering painted rocks and new hats to cancer patients at Chilton Hospital.

We are incredibly proud of our Theunis Dey students and families for their kindness, creativity, and dedication to spreading hope and positivity throughout the community.

 

Pumpkins! Pumpkins! Pumpkins! 🧡

🎃✨ It’s all about the pumpkins in the lower wing of Randall Carter Elementary School! From creative carvings to perfect STEM lessons, our teachers and students turned ordinary gourds into magical moments. 🧡🍂 The school is bursting with fall fun and pumpkin pride! ✨🎃

 

Sound the Alarm for Fire Safety at Ryerson!

Ryerson students in K-2 had an exciting visit from Wayne Fire Company #2! The visit came to life by coordinated efforts of Ms. Rosa Martorano and the family of one of her students, who are longtime volunteer members of Station #2, including their Fire Chief.

On a chilly October morning, a team of 5 firefighters came to our school to share important lessons about fire safety. During the visit, kids learned about creating and practicing home evacuation plans, checking smoke alarms regularly, and staying calm and safe during emergencies. They also had the chance to explore the fire truck, see the firefighters’ gear, and learn how these local heroes protect our community.

Students were encouraged to take what they learned home and share it with their families, with the goal to help everyone stay prepared and safe. It was a fun and memorable way to celebrate fire safety, and remind our community that learning and practicing safety can save lives.

Ryerson is deeply grateful to our community helpers for the positive impact they make and for their dedication to teaching the next generation the vital importance of fire safety.

 

The APT Team!

 

Fallon Family

 

PECC Costume Parade

 

October Students of the Month at George Washington Middle School

 

Student Support Services Staff Recognition for November 2025 

Ms. Jaclyn Calafiore - PECC

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Jaclyn Calafiore for her unwavering hard work and dedication to the students of Preakness Early Childhood Learning Center. Jaclyn  consistently goes above and beyond, always prioritizing the needs of her students and providing exceptional additional support. Her commitment not only positively impacts her students but also makes her an invaluable part of our team. We wholeheartedly commend Ms. Calafiore on this well-deserved achievement and celebrate her continued excellence in fostering a nurturing and supportive learning environment.

Ms. Susie O’Sullivan - PECC

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Susie O’Sullivan for her exceptional dedication to the students of Preakness Early Childhood Learning Center. Susie’s unwavering commitment and tireless efforts in supporting and uplifting our students have made a remarkable impact. She consistently goes above and beyond expectations, fostering an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to thrive. Her compassion, professionalism, and steadfast dedication to student growth, well-being, and achievement truly exemplify the spirit of excellence within our school community.

 

Ms. Emma Phillips - PECC

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Emma Phillips for her dedication to the students of Preakness Early Childhood Learning Center. Emma’s outstanding dedication to supporting student success through meticulous data collection and the thoughtful use of reinforcers that effectively motivate students. Her commitment to going above and beyond has made a significant impact in understanding individual student needs and driving positive outcomes. This dedication reflects a passionate commitment to empowering students and helping them thrive, making Emma a valued member of our team and a true advocate for student growth.

 

Ms. Allison Parks - Pines Lake

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Allison Parks for her passion for teaching and dedication to her students at Pines Lake Elementary School. Ms. Allison Parks consistently demonstrates excellence in her teaching by providing instruction that thoughtfully adapts to her students’ developing abilities. Her lessons are purposeful, engaging, and designed to foster both independence and a love of learning. She has cultivated a strong sense of community within her classroom, where students and paraprofessionals work together in a supportive and inclusive environment. Additionally, Ms. Parks collaborates closely with families to ensure that each student receives the individualized support they need to thrive. Her dedication, compassion, and professionalism make a meaningful difference in the lives of her students.

 

Ms. Johnelle Mannie - Pines Lake/APT

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Johnelle Mannie for her outstanding dedication and hard work in support of the students at Albert Payson Terhune and Pines Lake Elementary Schools. Johnelle consistently goes above and beyond, offering invaluable assistance to both her students and administrators each day. Her commitment to fostering strong relationships with students and their families has made a lasting and meaningful impact on the school community. We commend Ms. Mannie for her exceptional commitment to the students of both APT and Pines Lake, and their families. We deeply appreciate her positive contributions and unwavering support.

 

Mrs. Michelle Spirock - Pines Lake/APT

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Mrs. Michelle Spirock for her outstanding dedication and perseverance in supporting the students at Pines Lake and Albert Payson Terhune Elementary Schools. Michelle consistently goes above and beyond, offering invaluable assistance to her students and administrators every day. She has developed strong relationships with both students and their families, advocating for their needs and always keeping their best interests at heart. Michelle is always willing to do anything she can to help students and families. She is one of the first to respond when a student is in need of support and provides everything she can to help the student feel better. Her thoughtful and collaborative approach puts families at ease and fosters a sense of trust and care. We commend Mrs. Spirock for her exceptional commitment to the students and families of Pines Lake and APT.

 

Ms. Lidia Stanek - Ryerson

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Lidia Stanek for  the outstanding work she has done with all of her students at Ryerson Elementary School. The positive feedback we have received directly from families speaks volumes about the care, effort, and dedication she puts into her teaching each day. Her commitment to her students’ growth and success is evident in the strong relationships she builds and the progress her students make under her guidance. We truly appreciate her hard work, passion, and unwavering dedication—thank you, Ms. Stanek, for making such a meaningful impact!

 

Ms. Bonnie Dwyer - Randall Carter

Student Support Services would like to recognize Ms. Bonnie Dwyer for her exceptional dedication to the students at Randall Carter Elementary School. Ms. Dwyer’s impact is so profound that her own students nominated her for this recognition — a true testament to the positive influence she has in their lives. In their words, “Mrs. Dwyer is an amazing support to all at Randall Carter Elementary School. She has been very generous to the students, donating a classroom library for the Resource Center students, three bookshelves, and class sets of all the Battle Books. She helps students with their classwork and provides tools to support their success. She demonstrates kindness, is aware of others’ feelings, and ensures a safe environment for everyone. Mrs. Dwyer spreads kindness each day and encourages students to be their best selves.” Student Support Services is proud to celebrate Ms. Dwyer for her generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to student growth and well-being.

 

Ms. Kelly Caslander - Fallon

Student Support Services would like to recognize Ms. Kelly Caslander for her exceptional dedication and support at Fallon Elementary School. Ms. Caslander consistently goes above and beyond in her role—always ready to assist with the before and after school programs, and actively supporting student arrival and dismissal each day. Her reliability and visible presence contribute greatly to the smooth operation of the school. Ms. Caslander was also a tremendous help during the Fairview Lake Trip, where she did an outstanding job chaperoning her assigned group and ensuring their safety and well-being. A true team player, she is always willing to volunteer her time and lend a hand with building and classroom needs. Her commitment and positive attitude make her an invaluable member of the Fallon Elementary community.

 

Ms. Colleen Vassalo - Fallon

Student Support Services would like to recognize Ms. Colleen Vassalo for her outstanding dedication and teamwork at Fallon Elementary School. Ms. Vassalo consistently goes above and beyond in supporting both students and staff. She plays an essential role in the before and after school programs and is always present to assist with student arrival and dismissal. Her commitment was especially evident during the Fairview Lake Trip, where she ensured the safety and well-being of the students in her care. Ms. Vassalo is a true team player—always willing to volunteer, lend a hand within the building, and offer support in the classroom. Her positivity and reliability make her an invaluable member of the Fallon community.

 

Ms. Kelly Tornbene - Theunis Dey

Student Support Services is proud to recognize Ms. Kelly Tornbene for her flexibility and dedication to the students at Theunis Dey Elementary School. Ms. Tornbene is always attentive to her students’ needs and consistently provides support both inside and outside the classroom. Her willingness to step in and assist whenever needed, especially when paraprofessionals are short-staffed, demonstrates her teamwork and commitment. In addition, Ms. Tornbene serves as the school’s door greeter each morning from 8:35 to 8:55, welcoming students with kindness and positivity to start their day on the right note. Her reliability and caring presence make her an invaluable member of the Theunis Dey community.

 

Ms. Mary Ondrof - John F. Kennedy

Student Support Services would like to recognize Ms. Mary Ondrof for her passion and dedication to the students at John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Ms. Ondrof consistently demonstrates flexibility and a strong commitment to meeting the needs of her students. Her caring nature and willingness to adapt ensure that every student she supports receives the attention and guidance they deserve. Her dedication makes a meaningful difference in the school community each day.

 

Learn about the Wayne Police Officers serving and protecting in your schools! @waynepolicenj

SLEO Brent Cannon has been protecting JFK School for several years. Prior to that, SLEO Cannon was a WPD Officer for 25 years. He served 8 years in the Traffic Bureau before retiring as a Corporal. SLEO Cannon is a pinball wizard with a passion for classic arcade games.

 

 WEF TREP$ POP UP SHOP

Students from ALL nine elementary schools participating!

TONIGHT! Friday, Nov. 14 5:30 - 8:30pm @ Wayne Community Center

Trep$
 
 

Ripley explored a local landmark. Can you name it? Email to newsletter@wayneschools.com

 

Daisy - appreciating some of the new artwork on display at the WTPS Central Office from Lafayette Elementary School students 

 

😜 Riddle Answer: Loafers! 👞👟👡🩰

 

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Phone973-633-3000
50 Nellis Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 USA
www.wayneschools.comWebsite: www.wayneschools.com

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Wayne Township School District | 50 Nellis Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470 | 973-633-3000