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HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – Led by Hasbrouck Heights Mayor Ron Kistner, town residents gathered at the Firemen’s Memorial off the circle on The Boulevard Thursday night to remember the 24^th anniversary of the September 11^th attacks.

Mayor Kistner welcomed those who were in attendance, and noted that in talking to other Mayors around the county, many towns had stopped holding memorial services due to low turnout. He noted he was proud that Hasbrouck Heights was not one of those towns.

Reverend Kajetan Klein of Corpus Christi Church gave the invocation.

Euclid Lodge Chaplain David Meredith was the first of the speakers who gave his reflections on the day, and where we have come since then. He noted that in the aftermath of the attack, Americans put away their differences and looked to help each other.

He contrasted that with the division the nation is now going through, and expressed hope that we could get back on a path to mend that division.

Rabbi Shlomie Segelman of the Chabad of Hasbrouck Heights spoke next.

“9-11 was a day of destruction,“ Rabbi Segelman stated. “What followed was a wave of unity that swept across our country. People of all backgrounds, faiths, and beliefs came together, strangers helped strangers, communities opened their arms. We stood united, not because of what divided us, but because of something greater, our shared humanity."

“And yet,” he continued, “when we reflect today, let us ask ourselves ‘Must it take a tragedy to bring us together? Must we only find our common ground in sorrow?’”

He spoke about how we were in the month of Elul in Judaism, which is a month of reflection and preparation. He then blew a shofar, a ram’s horn, which is blown as a call to the spiritual soul. Blown in three segments, it is used to capture a full emotional range of hope, grief, urgency and renewal.

Pastor Rutendo of Christ First United Methodist Church spoke in her first appearance at the annual memorial service. She acknowledged she was not here on that day, but remembers the images, and the remembrances of those who spoke of the shock and silence of the days following.

Pastor Eric Dammann of the Bible Baptist Church, who is also the Chaplain for the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department spoke. He recalled how he was working in construction at the time, at the Indian Point Power Plant, and how law enforcement evacuated them from the site with a sense of urgency.

An urgency that he felt, as he knew that the Tappan Zee Bridge would be closed quickly, and that it was his mission to get over that bridge before it did, as his wife and six-month child were at home.

He, too, commented on the division within the country currently, and how that division needs to be corrected.

The Reverend Susan Nelson-Colanieri, Pastor of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church gave the benediction, which was followed by a playing of a recording of America the Beautiful, with those in attendance joining in.

Hasbrouck Heights High School band member Deha Gurcan concluded the ceremony by playing "Taps."

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ - Hasbrouck Heights Schools open for the new school year on Tuesday, September 2. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jillian Torrento has penned a letter to the parents and community.

Dear Members of the Hasbrouck Heights School Community,

With summer vacation coming to a close, we hope all of our Aviators are enjoying the long, temperate evenings and the ease of these final August days. The cool breeze is a reminder that fall is near, and with it comes the energy and excitement of a new school year.

As we begin the 2025–2026 school year, the Board of Education and district administration remain deeply committed to providing each student with an optimal learning experience, one that engages their individual interests and challenges them to reach new heights.

Throughout my first year as Superintendent, I have come to know Hasbrouck Heights as a truly special community, one filled with supportive families, dedicated community members, an incredibly hardworking staff, and amazing students who continue to impress us in every way. This year, the Hasbrouck Heights School District will continue making meaningful strides across all areas of instruction, innovation, and student support.

I would like to take a moment to formally introduce our new Director of Technology, Mr. Andrew Kramar. Mr. Kramar joins the Hasbrouck Heights School District with over two decades of experience as both an educator and administrator. Since officially starting in late June, he has taken the lead in ensuring that all technological systems are accessible, functional, and fully prepared for the return of our students and staff. In addition, Mr. Kramar has overseen the complete development and implementation of our updated district website. We encourage all families to visit the website: www.hhschools.org, where you will find important information such as parental permission forms, the district calendar, school-specific events, and grade-level details. In the coming months, a survey will be shared with the school community to gather feedback on the website’s design, usability, and content. Please join us in welcoming Mr. Kramar to the Hasbrouck Heights family. We are excited about the expertise and vision he brings to our district’s continued growth in technology.

In the late spring 2025 rankings of the top 358 high schools across New Jersey, we are proud to share that Hasbrouck Heights High School ranked #90—a significant climb over the past five years. This recognition closely follows the release of the New Jersey School Performance Reports, which highlighted exceptional academic progress throughout our entire district. In addition to the high school’s impressive performance, Lincoln School demonstrated remarkable gains across all tested areas, the Middle School performed on par with some of the top middle schools in the state, and Euclid School ranked in the top 10% of elementary schools statewide.

Board-Approved 2025–2026 District Goals

At the August 21, 2025 Board of Education meeting, the following district goals were formally approved:

1. Elevate K–12 mathematics achievement by advancing into year two of implementing the SAVVAS enVision math program.

2. Strengthen K–12 English Language Arts (ELA) by grounding instruction in the Science of Reading and implementing the IMSE OG+ Phonics Program, the Heggerty Phonological Awareness Program, and other research-based approaches to foundational literacy.

3. Support students with disabilities by completing the NJDOE Tier II Special Education Monitoring process and evaluating the Preschool Disabled (PSD) program to ensure compliance, program quality, and improved outcomes.

4. Deepen content mastery through instructional technology and artificial intelligence, integrating digital tools meaningfully into everyday classroom instruction. These goals are designed to address current needs, close achievement gaps, and ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Academic Program Enhancements

The administration and Board of Education are excited to announce the district’s recent adoption of a new phonics program for our elementary students. This addition will enhance our English Language Arts (ELA) instructional program and allow us to monitor student progress while providing timely and effective intervention. Additionally, we remain focused on the implementation of SAVVAS EnVision, our math instructional program. We were extremely proud of our students' mathematics testing results following their first year of exposure to the program, and we look forward to continued growth and achievement. We are also deeply committed to meeting the diverse needs of our special education students, both within general education classrooms and in specialized resource settings. We strive not only to remain in full compliance with NJDOE standards, but to exceed expectations in delivering high-quality, inclusive education. Looking ahead, we will continue to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in our students’ lives. As we move forward, we are dedicated to ensuring that all Hasbrouck Heights students are equipped to maximize the tools available to them, empowering them to become successful learners and productive members of society, all in the most effective and responsible way possible.

Lincoln School Principal Update

On another note, earlier this summer, I shared with the school community the news of Mr. Joseph Colangelo’s resignation as Principal of Lincoln School. While his departure is certainly bittersweet, we now look ahead to the future as we begin a thoughtful and comprehensive search for Lincoln School’s next principal. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the many parents and community members who completed the recent survey, providing valuable feedback on the qualities and expertise you believe are most important for this vital leadership role. Due to the timing of the vacancy, it is likely that a permanent candidate will not be able to begin until mid-December. As a result, the district plans to appoint an interim principal who will serve from early October through the holiday season. The new permanent principal is expected to officially begin in January 2026. Please be assured that we are fully committed to selecting a leader who not only brings professional excellence to the role, but who also reflects the heart, vision, and dedication that define our Lincoln School community.

Final Thoughts & September Reminders

A new school year is just around the corner, and we are thrilled to welcome our Aviators back to school. We encourage all families to review the revised 2025–2026 district calendar, updated in July 2025, for important dates. As we prepare for the year ahead, we remain committed to living out our district motto: Aviators Fly Higher Together. We look forward to a school year marked by growth, collaboration, and success for every student, every staff member, and our entire Hasbrouck Heights community.

Wishing every Aviator a safe, enjoyable, and restful end to the summer.

Sincerely,

Jillian Torrento, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ – Coming off a 10-8 season in 2024, Hasbrouck Heights head tennis coach Suzanne Caines will be relying on three returning players as they all move up a spot in this year’s lineup.

First Singles will once again be the domain of junior Anna Christopoulos who returns to the spot after going 12-6 overall last season, 11-6 in the second singles spot. She went 4-8 as a freshman playing First Singles, and is being counted on to lead the team once again.

Second Singles will fall to junior Nur Turkmani, who spent last season playing doubles.

Junior Bianca Collins, a newcomer at the varsity level, will take over the Third Singles spot.

The First Doubles team will see senior Rinchen Choedon lead the team, after spending last season playing Second Doubles with Turkmani and other partners. She will be joined by senior Siena DeCandia.

The Second Doubles team is unsettled, as three seniors, Anna Zhu, Emma Acevedo, and Menitha Tagaram are competing for the final two positions.

Caines is pleased by the turnout the team had once again this season.

“Once again, we have a nice group of girls out for the team, with 21 players on our roster, who have all been really committed during our pre-season," Caines stated. "Junior Anna Christopoulos will lead our team, as both our captain and number 1 singles player. She's really been working hard on tennis in the off-season, playing and coaching at a local tennis club. Nur Turkmani and Bianca Collins, also juniors, will round out our singles roster, playing 2 and 3 respectively. “

“We're also really excited about seniors, Rinchen Choedon and Siena DeCandia, who have both improved since last season and have earned their spot at first doubles,“ Caines continued. “Although we're still figuring out 2nd doubles, we see strong play from three seniors and we may alternate them at this position.

"After a positive and productive pre-season, we're really starting to come together as a team,“ Caines said. “Anna is playing excellent tennis and is not only an incredibly smart player, but has proven herself to be an exceptional leader to our team. We think she's going to experience a lot of success at first. As always, we have really nice kids who are excited to play and continue to improve week by week. We're looking forward to a positive season and hope to be competitive in our league.”