Superintendent’s Report

Dr. Johanna S. Ruberto, Interim Superintendent

April 10, 2025

Volume 11 Issue 8

Board Seeks Input for Superintendent Search

Our Board of Education invites families and members of the public to an input session for the search for a new permanent superintendent. The session will be Tuesday, April 22, at 6 p.m. the Piscataway High School Anthony Commons. Other sessions will be held in school buildings to gather input from staff members. Information is available on our website about our district’s search for a new superintendent. Updates will be posted as more information becomes available. Our Board of Education appointed Dr. Johanna S. Ruberto as interim superintendent at its March meeting.

Schor Student Needs Help in Brave Fight

Schor Middle School 7th grader Omar Danso is fighting end-stage renal failure and is in need of a kidney transplant. To raise awareness about Omar’s battle and celebrate his bravery, his family is hosting a Day of Fun at Riverside Park in Piscataway on Saturday, April 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a fun run, music, food, prizes, and information about organ donation and other health care issues.

Permanent Art Show Highlights District’s Talents

Congratulations to all the students who were selected for this year Permanent Art Collection. A student from each K-8 school and several from Piscataway High School were celebrated on Thursday, March 13, along with their families in a ceremony at our Administration Building. The event displaying their beautiful artwork was hosted by Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts Rebekah Sterlacci and attended by the Board of Education, district administration, and the students’ principals and art teachers. The artwork will hang for the next year in the Admin Building’s Board Room, after which it will find homes throughout the district.

Board Members Hone Skills at Leadership Conference

Thanks to our Board of Education members who attended the New Jersey School Boards Association Women’s Leadership Conference on Friday, March 21. This empowering one-day event at Mercer County Community College offered training sessions and connections to help attendees strengthen their resilience, confidence, communication skills, and more. From left are Board members Inieka Stafford, Vice President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, and Dr. Gayle Nelson.

Celebrations of Reading Open Books and Minds

Our students took adventures of imagination through books during Read Across America Week March 3-7. Young students enjoyed hearing stories from guest readers, who included school and district administrators, parents, and visiting students from middle school and Piscataway High School.

2 Conackamack Dancers Part of National Title Team

Congratulations to two Conackamack Middle School students who are part of a national championship dance team. 7th grader Lillian Wilkins and 6th grader Aria Rogers are members of the Jersey Girls All Star Dance Team of Middlesex, which took first place in the 2025 All Star National Championship in the Junior Jazz Small Division. The competition took place in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Disney World on March 7-8.

Schor Explores Options for Future on Career Day

Schor Middle School students got a diverse and in-depth look at career options at the school’s annual Career Day on Friday, March 28. Over 60 distinguished presenters – including parents, friends, children of employees, and community members – volunteered to showcase their jobs and companies. They included a NASA scientist, a Broadway costumer and set builder, business professionals, chefs, entertainers, and much more. Students were excited to learn about careers that they had never considered. The event, which has been held annually for more than 10 years, was organized by school counselors Uma Patel and Nancy Arvizzigno.

SAIL Program Collects Supplies to Feed the Hungry

Students in the SAIL program at our Administration Building did a wonderful job collecting canned goods and non-perishables for the annual food drive for the Replenish Food Bank of Middlesex County.

Coming Up

April 14-18: Spring Break, schools closed for teachers and students

April 24: Board of Education budget meeting, 6:30 pm

May 1: Report cards available in Genesis Parent Module

May 1: Policy / Legislative Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm

May 1-2: PHS Theatre Fest, 7 pm

May 6: Schor Band Concert, 6 pm

May 7: Fiscal Planning & Operations Committee Meeting, 7 pm

May 8: Board of Education meeting, 6:30 pm

PHS Scholars Share Science Fun with Younger Students

More than 150 of our elementary school students had a blast at Science Night hosted by the Piscataway High School Science National Honor Society. On Friday, Feb. 21, the PHS students got experience being science leaders and explaining scientific phenomena, while the elementary students and their families got to experience science together. Both the older and younger students were engaged and enthusiastic while exploring and understanding scientific core ideas together. SNHS is guided by adviser Dr. Janet Mrotek.

Arbor Hosts Broadway Star for Music/History Lesson

Students at Arbor Intermediate School were inspired when singer and actress N’Kenge visited on Thursday, March 13, for a musical assembly focusing on the life and work of Dorothy Dandridge in honor of Women’s History Month and Black History Month. N’Kenge plays the legendary performer in “Dorothy Dandridge: The Musical” on Broadway. This special event by N’Kenge and her colleagues also included discussions of mindfulness, healing, and financial freedom. Her visit was arranged by teacher Neal Bennington.

Middle School Math Feasts on Pi Day Competition

Students from our three middle schools celebrated Pi Day (3/14) with creative math-inspired projects. Individually, they designed unique pi cityscapes, incorporating the digits of pi into their artwork. Schools also competed in a Pi Day Mural contest, with Quibbletown Middle School taking the top spot by showcasing an impressive 303 digits of pi using stacked pi symbols along a hallway. The event was a fun and engaging way to blend math, creativity, and school spirit.

Schor Students Re-Create Artifacts of Ancient China

As part of their study of ancient China, 8th graders in Michael Simko’s social studies classes at Schor Middle School created beautiful Chinese cultural artifacts. They including clay dragons, replicas of Buddhist temples and of the Great Wall, Katana swords and shields, Chinese landscape paintings with calligraphy, rattle drums, dioramas, and more. Students displayed their creative projects during a Gallery Walk in which classmates learned about the cultural significance by reading accompanying cards with research about each item.

HOSA Competes & Networks at Regional Conference

Congratulations to Piscataway High School students in HOSA Future Health Professionals for taking their first trip to NJHOSA Central Regional Conference in February at Kean University. Nearly 40 students competed, enjoyed lunch, and networked with other chapters and state officers. Piscataway HOSA aims to continue to embrace the spirit of competition by expanding its presence in future HOSA events.

Jazz Ensemble Earns Group and Individual Awards

Congratulations to the Piscataway High School Jazz Ensemble for earning a Gold rating at the Livingston Jazz Festival. Congratulations also for earning Best Overall Rhythm Section and to senior trumpet player Gabe Hernandez and junior vocalist Katherine Inigo, who were chosen as Outstanding Soloists. The students are directed by instrumental music teacher Ken Zampella.

Wind Ensemble Impresses Music Educators Festival

Congratulations to the Piscataway High School Wind Ensemble, which received a Gold rating when our students performed at the Central Jersey Music Educators Association Festival in West Windsor on Thursday, March 20. The students are directed by instrumental music teacher Dr. Christopher Sumner.

Practice, Practice, Practice Gets Honors Choir a Big Stage

Congratulations to the Piscataway Honors Choir for making its debut at Carnegie Hall on Monday, March 17. Our students sang beautifully among the Masterwork Festival Chorus, where they performed with students and adults from across the country, as well as the Montclair University Choir. The students performed with joy and passion and carried themselves with maturity and professionalism, allowing Piscataway families in the audience to experience a special moment in one of the most historic and prestigious concert halls in the country. Thanks to vocal music teacher Megan Suozzo for working to make this once-in-a-lifetime experience happen.

PHS Gives 3rd Graders a Taste of Musical Opportunities

Our Piscataway High School vocalists and musicians did a wonderful job introducing new opportunities to our third-graders at their “Musical Petting Zoo” on Tuesday, March 25. Instead of meeting and greeting animals, our younger students got to learn about the growing number of musical options available to them starting in 4th grade. The night was organized and operated by students in the PHS Tri-M Music Honor Society, who demonstrated various instruments and voice parts as they engaged and spread joy to 3rd-graders and families from across our district. The Tri-M Music Honor Society adviser is Rebekah Sterlacci, supervisor of visual and performing arts for our district.

Artists Honored by Teen Arts NJ

Congratulations to our Piscataway High School artists who are having their work recognized by Teen Arts NJ. Senior Sofia Rojas had her work selected for the cover of the Middlesex County Teen Arts Festival brochure, and Sofia Rojas and junior Ellie Poole had their artwork selected for the NJ State Festival.

PHS Musicians Enjoy Trip to Watch Philly Orchestra

Students in the Piscataway High School orchestras recently had a powerful experience when they traveled to see the Philadelphia Orchestra for an open rehearsal. Thanks to instrumental music teacher Dr. Christopher Sumner for arranging this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Rutgers Engineering School Hosts Middle Schoolers

Students from our three middle schools got a chance to learn about the cutting-edge engineering programs at Rutgers University during a visit on Friday, March 28. The Alpha Advantage Youth Engineering Summit, hosted by Rutgers and the Central Jersey Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, gave our students the opportunity to participate in project-based learning assignments led by Rutgers students, followed by a tour of Busch Campus. During the tour, the group ran into Piscataway alumnus Alexandra Sinckler, a PHS graduate Class of 2024, who is now a Rutgers student. For some of the middle school students, it was their first time visiting a college campus. Thanks to Dr. C. Alex Gray, our district’s director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Student Engagement, for arranging the visit, and to counselors Maria Balint of Schor, Mawiyah Husbands of Quibbletown, and Dr. Kelvin Rogers of Conackmack for accompanying the students.

Pway Fast Fact

Did you know:  Our district launched ParentSquare as our main communications platform on March 10, and over 4,000 staff and parents have registered. Register at parentsquare.com/signin using the email you have on file with our district. Download the ParentSquare app onto your mobile device for the best way to stay connected with your schools.

Schor Mentorship Program Celebrates Positivity

Schor Middle School students and staff had a great time at the Golden Hawks Mentorship Program Spring Celebration. The mentees and mentors gathered Friday, March 21, for a fun Social Emotional Learning scavenger hunt, where the mentees answered questions recognizing positive things in their school environment, such as a helpful teacher, a comfortable place for studying, or a positive classmate. The group then celebrated mentees’ progress toward their goals by having breakfast together. Thanks to behaviorist Maria Balint and Spanish teacher Jessica Corrales for organizing the event.

M.L. King Students March to the Beat of the Dictionary

Students at Martin Luther King Intermediate School showed the power of words at their Vocabulary Parade on Friday, April 4. All the students in the school selected a vocabulary word, then created a costume or display to embody that word for a parade around the school, putting the students’ love for words and creativity on display. Fifth-graders led off, marching through the fourth-graders in the gym, then outside in front of an assembly of parents, families, and friends. The fourth-graders followed behind, finishing up the event by parading for the fifth-graders in the auditorium. Thanks to teacher Marina Fonzetti for leading this initiative.

PHS Future Educators Begin 3rd Grade Lessons at Knollwood

Members of Future Educators Association from PHS got valuable experience leading a classroom when they visited 3rd graders at Knollwood Elementary School on Friday, March 28. The older students led their younger peers in grade-appropriate lessons about money and finance with engaging activities. PHS Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA) students have previously delivered financial lessons to our intermediate schools as part of Junior Achievement’s High School Heroes Program, but this is the first time PHS students brought lessons to 3rd graders. Visits are being planned for all of our elementary schools. The PHS students are guided by Future Educators Association adviser Jillian Alonso.

Senior Athletes Honored for Academics, Sportsmanship

Congratulations to our five senior athletes at Piscataway High School who were honored with postseason scholar athlete and sportsmanship awards. From left are Chiemeka Chukwu (GMC Scholar Athlete), Alisha Dhillon (GMC Sportsmanship Award), Vaughn Turner (GMC Sportsmanship Award), Mira Kehair (GMC Scholar Athlete), and Elitsa Mileva (NJSIAA Scholar Athlete).

Junior Wrestler Places 5th in State at 157 Pounds

Congratulations to Piscataway High School junior Sean Love, who paced 5th in the state in the 157-pound weight class at the State Wrestling Championship in Atlantic City on March 9.

Boys Basketball Coach Earns Coach of the Year Honor

Congratulations to PHS boys basketball coach Bob Turco for being named Home News Tribune Coach of the Year. At 24-6, the Chiefs tied a team record for wins, reached the championship game of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, and reached the quarterfinals of the North 2 Group 4 playoffs in Turco’s first year at the helm.

4x200 Relay Team Set New County Record with NYC Gold

Congratulations to the PHS boys winter track team on their outstanding performance Tuesday, March 4, at the Eastern States Indoor Track Championships in the New York City Armory. The 4x200 meter relay team of Jamari Atkinson, Niles Thony, Devonte Headd, and Noah Grant became Eastern States Champions and set a new Middlesex County indoor record time of 1:28.9 seconds. Noah Grant also placed 2nd in the open 200 Meters and Niles Thony placed 4th in the 55 meters. They are coached by Pete Buccino.

FBLA Members Earn Honors at State Leadership Gathering

Congratulations to the PHS Future Business Leaders of America for an outstanding showing at the State Leadership Conference in Atlantic City, March 10-12. Over 100 students competed in events, including entrepreneurship, public speaking, marketing, and business ethics. PHS FBLA President Kritin Ganesh placed first in the highly competitive Scholarship Event. Seventy-five members earned Top 10 placements, and 31 individuals finished in the Top 4, advancing to the National Leadership Conference in Dallas in May.

PHS Student Media Sharpen Skills at Press Convention

Fifteen student media contributors from PHS learned new techniques and met colleagues from across Central Jersey on a trip to a student media convention at Delaware Valley Regional High School. Students from the Chieftain student newspaper, the Sentenia literary magazine, and the PHS yearbook met on Thursday, Feb. 27, with more than 50 other students for workshops on improving student interviews, managing social media feeds, and modernizing yearbook layout. The conference featured speakers from the Garden State Scholastic Press Association, NBC Sports, and Fox Sports Radio. Our students were accompanied by Chieftain adviser Adrian Lojko and yearbook adviser Lydia Collins.