Superintendent's Report June 2026 text only

Superintendent’s Report

Erskine R. Glover

June 11, 2026

Volume 12 Issue 10

 

A Promise Fulfilled for Arbor Readers

Superintendent Erskine R. Glover visited Arbor Intermediate School recently to make good on a promise he made in March. Mr. Glover visited the 4th-grade classrooms of teachers Maria Aguillo and Erika Khan during Read Across America Week and read students the book, “The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read.” It’s the true story of an African American woman who learned to read at the age of 116, proving it’s never too late to learn. Mr. Glover and the students were so taken by the book’s theme of lifelong learning and a love of reading that he promised to get a copy of the book for each of the students in the two classes. Mr. Glover returned to Arbor on Friday, May 29, with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. William Baskerville and gave each student a copy of the book.

 

3 National

Awards for

Community

Outreach

Piscataway Township Schools has earned three national awards and an honorable mention from the National School Public Relations Association for its communication and community outreach efforts. The honors are part of NSPRA’s annual Publications and Digital Media Awards and came in the categories of Calendar, Newsletter, and Video Series, with an honorable mention in Photography.

Awards of Excellence: 2025-26 School Guide & Calendar, and Superintendent’s Report newsletter.

Award of Merit: “Building for the Future” video series

Honorable Mention: Photograph of Piscataway High School girls wrestling team celebrating their first team win.

 

PHS’s ‘Urinetown’ Honored Among Best in N.J.

Congratulations to Piscataway High School junior Lilliana Fay for winning the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Central Jersey Marquee Awards. Liliana was recognized on Monday, May 18, at the Carteret PAC for her outstanding performance of Penelope Pennywise in the PHS Drama Club’s production of “Urinetown.” “Urinetown” was nominated for 11 awards and received 3 Honorable Mentions from the Marquee Awards, which celebrate excellence in high school musical theater across Middlesex, Somerset, and Mercer counties. “Urinetown” was also nominated for 5 Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Awards and received two Honorable Mentions, including for Best Overall Production. Rising Star Awards rated 114 musicals around the state and is essentially the Tony Awards of NJ high school theatre. Congratulations to Director Mike Yoson and the entire cast, crew, and production team.

 

Piscataway on the March

for Memorial Day Parade

Thanks to our Board of Education and Piscataway High School Superchiefs Marching Band for doing such a great job in representing our school district in the Piscataway Memorial Day Parade.

 

Welcome to Pway

Greetings to the newest members of our staff

Congratulations to four new administrators who were approved for their new jobs at our May 14 Board of Education meeting.

They were welcomed into their new positions by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, and Director of Human Resources Colleen Pongratz, as well as their new supervisors.

• Keeva Potts will be a new assistant principal at Children’s Corner Preschool, and was welcomed by Principal Jen Sernotti.

• Kyle Gurkovich, currently a teacher Quibbletown Middle School, will be assistant principal at Randolphville Elementary School, and was welcomed by new Principal Stacy Mingo.

• Shantel Dabady will be the new assistant principal at Martin Luther King Intermediate School, and was welcomed by Principal Andrew Kehoe.

• Evelyn Okparaeke will be the supervisor of World Language/ESL for Grades K-12, and was welcomed by Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. William Baskerville.

 

Conackamack Students

Put Genghis Khan on Trial

Congratulations to students at Conackamack Middle School who took part in a mock trial of Genghis Khan to learn about the legal process as well as Medieval China. Seven students in the social studies classes of teacher Sean Demarest discussed the project for the Board of Education at its May 14 meeting and were honored by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan. The prosecution charged Genghis Khan and his descendants as uncivilized conquerors. It was up to the defense to refute the charges, and the jury to decide guilt or innocence. The students were supported at the meeting by Principal Dr. Matthew Ritchie and Assistant Principal Kimberly Blanshaft.

 

6th-Graders Honored for

Excellence in Essay Contest

Congratulations to two of our outstanding 6th-graders who earned first and second place in the U.S. District Court essay contest. Amare Xavier Brillant of Quibbletown Middle School and Leyla Vargas of Conackamack Middle School were honored at the May 14 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan. They were supported by their families and Principals William Gonzalez of Quibbletown and Dr. Matthew Ritchie of Conackamack. The contest was open to schools throughout Central Jersey, which makes it even more special for Piscataway to have the top two finishers. Their essays addressed the question, “Does the U.S. Constitution address the grievances in the Declaration of Independence?” which aligns with their civics lessons.

 

Coming Up

June 18: Last Day of School – Early Dismissal; Report Cards available in Genesis Parent Module

June 18: Promotion Ceremonies at Middle Schools, 8:30 & 10 a.m.

June 18: PHS Graduation, Jersey Mike’s Arena, 6 p.m.

July 9: Board of Education meeting, 6:30 p.m.

 

Congratulations!

Teachers of the Year

Education Service Professionals of the Year

School Support of the Year

Presented by Piscataway Township Schools and Piscataway Township Education Association

Administration Building

Special Education Aide Gail Malan

Special Education Teacher Dana Mutek

Pupil Services Secretary Jackie Ferretti

Piscataway High School

Social Studies Teacher Ryan Wernlund

Custodian Garfield Clarke

Special Education Aide Colleen Cere

Conackamack Middle School

Office Clerk Bonnie Hammerdahl

Social Studies Teacher Nicole Kragh

Support Specialist Brooke Walsh

Quibbletown Middle School

Office Clerk Denise Norona

Math Teacher John Zengerle

Child Study Team Agnes Kaminski

Schor Middle School

Spanish Teacher Maria Elster

Child Study Team Renee Amponsah

Counseling Secretary Donna Recine

Arbor Intermediate School

Custodian Trina Jackson

Literacy Teacher Neal Bennington

Behavior Analyst Ann Zullo

M.L. King Intermediate School

Speech Correctionist Julia Reyes

Spec. Ed. Teacher Lily Kaufman Frydman

Custodial Foreman Elizabeth Diaz

Eisenhower Elementary School

First-Grade Teacher Ashley Travis

Support Specialist Stacey Cukierski

Secretary Rebecca McBride

Grandview Elementary School

Office Clerk Tawan Thompson

Support Specialist Leslie Daise

Kindergarten Teacher Dana DeLair

Knollwood Elementary School

Child Study Team Terri Lynn Radigan

Music Teacher Jillian Corn

Custodian Dina Medina

Randolphville Elementary School

First-Grade Teacher Kristin Fugaro

School Psychologist Dr. Claudia Emmanuel

Custodian Amit Patel

Children’s Corner Preschool

Child Study Team member Jillian Figel

Secretary Sarah Maas

Preschool Teacher Alexis Schickner

Maintenance/Transportation

Maintenance Staff Blake Moran

Bus Driver Richard Aldrich

 

Conackamack Service Project

Helps Classmates to Cope

Congratulations to four Conackamack Middle School eighth-graders who created a community service project to help their fellow students cope with tough times. Krystal Corral, Giulia DeSantis, Erika Onyeani, and Lily Rydzy are working on a 50-hour service project to earn their Silver Award for Girl Scouts Troop 81096. Together these girls created “Mindful Smiles,” which aims to help kids who are feeling stressed or overwhelmed during the school day by providing them with “Smiley Kits” to assist with coping. Each Smiley Kit includes fidgets, texture strips, and coping/breathing techniques for emotional support.

 

Knollwood Ranks in Top 10 for County Food Drive Generosity

Congratulations to Knollwood Elementary School for ranking in the Top 10 among Middlesex County schools for the 2025-26 Replenish School Food Drive. Knollwood collected over 1,700 pounds of food for local food pantries to help feed families throughout Middlesex County. Because of the school community’s overwhelming generosity, Knollwood has been recognized for this achievement by the Board of County Commissioners. Acting Principal Kason Jackson and School Nurse Judy Collins, who coordinated the drive, accepted this recognition on behalf of the families of Knollwood.  Replenish, the countywide food bank, thanked everyone who participated in the drive throughout Piscataway Township Schools, reminding everyone that growing numbers of families are facing food insecurity.

 

Preschoolers Tend Hallway Garden with Creativity & Care

Children’s Corner Preschool nurtured their hallway garden display with artistic ability, love, and encouragement. Using rulers, tape measures, yarn, and classroom height charts, each child measured their own height to create the stem of their flower. They used handprints as the roots, and designed a flower with their smiling face. Classes explored creativity by including pompom caterpillars, milk carton birdhouses, and other unique touches in their gardens. Through this project, children learned about the parts of a flower, explored measurement concepts, and discovered how reused materials can be transformed into something beautiful.

 

Eisenhower Color Run

Delivers Fun and School Spirit

Students and staff at Eisenhower Elementary School had an afternoon filled with fun, fitness, and school spirit at their annual Color Run on Friday, May 15. Throughout the course, participants were showered with colorful powder while cheering one another and celebrating together. Thank you to staff members, families, and volunteers who helped make this memorable event a tremendous success for our students. Eisenhower PTO raised around $29,000 from the event.

 

Schor Celebrates Diversity, Community

Schor Middle School families spent an evening sharing cultural heritage and diversity and building community at its second annual Cultural Heritage Night. The event on April 24 featured cultural performances from around the world, activity rooms including henna, face paint, Latin dance lessons, cultural board games, and arts & crafts. The night ended with a sampling of international foods donated by Piscataway families and restaurants. Thank you to the Schor Happiness Club and its adviser, School Counselor Uma Patel, for organizing this wonderful event.

 

Schor and King Teachers

Organize Region Honors Choir

Congratulations to two of our vocal music teachers for successful contributions to the Central Jersey Music Educators Association Honors Choir Day. Schor Middle School vocal music teacher Sarah Williams served as K-8 choir chair, and Martin Luther King Intermediate School vocal music teacher Danielle Kim served as treble choir manager. Thank you for sponsoring students to perform and for also making this event possible for students all over NJ.

 

PHS Juniors Accepted into

Selective Science Programs

Congratulations to two of our PHS science scholars who have been chosen for selective and prestigious science programs as they enter their senior years. Juniors Sophia Abdul and Kai Harrel were honored for these achievements alongside their families at the May 14 Board of Education meeting, by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, and Principal Chris Baldassano.

• Sophia Abdul has been accepted into the highly competitive Governor’s School of the Sciences at Drew University. This three-week, tuition-free residential program brings together some of New Jersey’s most talented high school students for an immersive experience in advanced science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research.

• Kai Harrel has been selected to participate in the highly competitive Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) Program at Rutgers University. This prestigious program provides students the opportunity to engage in advanced cancer research alongside leading scientists and practicing physicians.

 

AFJROTC Instructors Hailed

Among ‘Best of the Best’

Congratulations to two PHS aerospace science instructors who earned 2026 Outstanding Instructor Awards from the Department of the Air Force. Lt. Col. Richard Kerr and Senior Master Sgt. Chrissie Slifer were recognized among the nation’s “Best of the Best,” honoring their contributions and impact on cadets, schools, and community as they lead the PHS Air Force Junior ROTC. Headquarters Air Force Junior ROTC said Lt. Col. Kerr and Senior Master Sgt. Slifer “go above and beyond each day” and represent “the highest examples of the Air Force Core Values.” This honor comes on the heels of PHS earning the coveted Exceeds Standards assessment during its most recent inspection.

 

Three Seniors Surprised with $5,000 Scholarships from VRX

Congratulations to three PHS seniors who each received a $5,000 scholarship from the VRX Foundation. The recipients are Blake Naing, who will attend Cornell University; Fatima Chughtai, who will attend Rutgers University; and Jane Rodrigues, who will attend Wilkes University. The three were surprised with their awards during the school day on Wednesday, May 20, by VRX founders Rich and Kay Shah, who is a PHS alumnus. The winners were chosen from a pool of 77 applicants across four schools.

 

SADD Wins $1,000 Prize

as Runner Up in State Contest

Congratulations to the PHS Students Against Destructive Decisions for winning 1st Runner Up in the statewide You Got Brains Champion Driving Schools competition. PHS SADD won a prize of $1,000 while competing among 60 schools from around the state. The objective of the club’s yearlong project was to decrease teen speeding through a wide range of outreach efforts, including a continued partnership with Piscataway Township Police Department and consistent engagement in school activities.

 

High School Drive Registers

85 Students as New Voters

Student volunteers worked with community advocates to host a voter registration drive at PHS that registered 85 students. The Social Studies Department and the Rho Kappa social studies honor society partnered with the League of Women Voters of Greater New Brunswick and the National Association of University Women to host the annual spring event on Friday, April 24. PHS registered 85 students during the spring, which combined with 30 registrations from the fall drive to set a new record of 115 new voters, a 41% increase from last year.

 

King 5th-Grader Wins State Taekwondo Championship

Congratulations to Jadyn Dunkelman, a 5th grader at Martin Luther King Intermediate School, on his outstanding success in taekwondo. Jadyn won Gold at the NJ AAU State Taekwondo Tournament on May 9, and earned his Second Degree Black Belt on May 16 after completing a challenging training program that began on March 6. Good luck to Jadyn as he heads to Florida at the end of June to compete in the AAU National Taekwondo Tournament.

 

‘Wonder’ Helps Eisenhower Put a Face on Kindness

Third-graders at Eisenhower Elementary School were encouraged to demonstrated kindness and acceptance during an assembly based on the book and movie “Wonder.” The organization “myFACE” is dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of individuals with craniofacial differences. During the assembly, students participated in discussions about “Wonder,” which they were reading in class, as well as the importance of empathy and inclusion. The myFACE presenters encouraged students to lead with kindness, stand up for others, and recognize the value of celebrating differences. Thanks to Counselor Sara Haarburger for organizing.

 

Student’s Voice Helps Bring New Hoops to Grandview

Students at Grandview Elementary School were so excited at the recent unveiling of new basketball hoops on their playground – the result of student leadership and community teamwork. Earlier this school year, 3rd-grader Brandon Booth attended a Superintendent’s Forum and shared a request for a basketball hoop at Grandview. This May, that vision became a reality when two basketball hoops were installed on the Grandview playground. To celebrate the occasion, Principal Anne Papenberg, students, staff, and family gathered for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. Surrounded by excited classmates chanting his name, Brandon had the honor of taking the first shots on the new court. Thank you to the Board of Education, Business Administrator David Oliveiro, Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, and Piscataway resident Ralph Johnson for helping to make Brandon’s wish a reality.

 

Conackamack’s ‘Stoop’

Is the Talk of the Hallways

“Stoop Talk” is a new fake podcast at Conackamack Middle School conceived by media technology teacher Erin Torres and music teacher Amanda Jago, where students stop by to chat and answer questions such as, “Is a hotdog a sandwich?” or “Do you put your milk or cereal in the bowl first?” The stoop has brought faculty and students together as people stop by to laugh, talk through problems, introduce new prompts, share new hot takes, and check in with each other. Moving forward, students in Mrs. Torres’ class will learn to take the lead on “Stoop Talk.” They will use the stoop to become more comfortable with recording, interviewing, and creating their own podcast projects.

 

King Music Teacher Again

in Running for Grammy Honor

Congratulations to Dr. Elisabeth Sato, orchestra teacher at Martin Luther King Intermediate School, who has been recognized again this year as a Grammy Music Educator Award quarterfinalist for 2027. Dr. Sato was honored as a quarterfinalist for 2026, and is named this year as a Legacy Applicant. Semifinalists will be announced in September.

 

Conackamack Musician Earns Spot in All-State Orchestra

Congratulations to Conackamack Middle School eighth-grader Claire Duan, who performed with the NJ All State Intermediate Orchestra the weekend of May 9. Claire was accepted for this prestigious ensemble by auditioning alongside students from all over the state. Thanks to her orchestra teacher Grace Lee for sponsoring her.

 

3rd Grade Sees Possibilities

at PHS Musical Petting Zoo

Congratulations to the Piscataway High School Tri-M Music Honor Society on another successful “Musical Petting Zoo” for 3rd-grade families. The event on Tuesday, May 26, gave the elementary students a chance to see what opportunities await them as they move on to 4th grade. PHS students demonstrated their instruments for students and families, as their younger peers traveled around the PHS choir room with a musical passport with activities. Students also had a chance to craft their own homemade musical instruments. This wonderful event also gave our PHS students the chance to transform into music educators to give back to our community.

 

PHS Artist Earns 2nd Place

in Congressional Art Awards

Congratulations to Piscataway High School junior Sophia Lojko, center, for winning 2nd place at the Congressional Art Awards organized by the office of Rep. Frank Pallone. Senior Elizabeth Poole and junior Asiyah Sharif were both awarded Honorable Mentions at the awards ceremony on Saturday, May 16. The students received awards from Congressman Pallone, had their artwork on display, and Sophia spoke about her piece and the process of creating it. Thanks to PHS art teacher Dorothy Amme for providing this opportunity.

 

PHS Jazz Stars and Guests

Shine Brightly Indoors or Out

Congratulations to PHS musicians and vocalists and their guests on an incredible Jazz Under the Stars performance. Families, community members, and alumni turned out in large numbers, despite a rainy night that forced the performances indoors on Thursday, May 21. The vocalists, combo, choir, jazz ensemble, and Garden State Jazz Orchestra gave outstanding performances. Guest soloist Bria Skonberg delivered an amazing performance and gave our students the incredible opportunity to rehearse and perform with her. Thanks to PHS Instrumental Music Teacher Ken Zampella for creating a place for our community to come together with a shared love of music.

 

PHS Theatre Students Share

Talents with Grades 4 & 5

Congratulations to our Piscataway High School upper-level theatre students for their outstanding Theatre Production Workshop tour of our intermediate schools. PHS students wrote their own adaptation of “The Days the Crayons Came Home” and designed, produced, directed, and performed the production for our 4th grade students at Martin Luther King and Arbor schools. The theatre students became educators – designing  a collaborative art activity to make students part of the performance – while highlighting the impact that community and creativity have on our lives. Thanks to PHS theater arts teacher Mike Yoson for making a commitment to building connections with our younger students.

 

Jazz Ensemble Plays Iconic Club

Congratulations to the PHS Jazz Ensemble on an outstanding performance at the legendary Crossroads club in Garwood on Sunday, May 17. The ensemble was selected by audition to open for the One More Once Big Band. They also had an opportunity to perform with guest soloist Brandon Lee, and seniors Savian Adeva and Kai Veras were invited to play with the Big Band on a tune. Schor Middle School 7th grader Naya Herrera Rincon joined the Jazz Ensemble on vocals.

 

Farewell to Arts Academy Grads

Congratulations to our PHS Arts Academy seniors, who were honored at a Senior Sendoff. The seniors were honored on stage to receive their academy cords, a certificate, and a public sharing of their accomplishments at PHS and future plans. Keynote speakers were PHS Music Academy alum Arya Jeraled and Visual & Performing Arts Supervisor Rebekah Sterlacci.

 

Principals Association Chooses Outstanding Senior

Congratulations to senior Tyler West for being selected as the Middlesex County Secondary Principals Association’s Outstanding Student for PHS. Tyler’s leadership, maturity, and drive make him an exceptional student and community member. In our school community, his roles on the leadership boards for the Black Student Union, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and as our senior student representative to the Board of Education, he uses his voice to bring people together and to create change, all while taking numerous Advanced Placement and honors classes. His work with the SADD Safe Streets campaign video that earned a $10,000 prize is a testament to his creativity, initiative, and desire to make a meaningful difference. Tyler will be attending Ohio State University on a full academic scholarship. Outside of school he pursued his passion for broadcast journalism by participating in journalism programs at Montclair State Universityand Syracuse University. Tyler is pictured receiving his award from PHS Principal Chris Baldassano.

 

3 Senior Athletes Celebrate

Their College Decisions

Congratulations to three PHS senior student athletes who shared their college commitments at a signing ceremony on Friday, May 22.

• Ty Shon

Phillips – Eastern University (Football)

• Sean Love – Drexel University (Wrestling)

• Jane Rodriguez – Wilkes University (Wrestling)

They were celebrated in the PHS Anthony Gym by Athletic Director Rob Harmer, Principal Chris Baldassano, football coach Dan Higgins, wrestling coach Dan Smith, and girls wrestling coach Pat Morgan. They highlighted their athletes’ hard work, dedication, and talent to become part of the small minority of high school athletes who go on to play in college. These three athletes followed 14 Chiefs seniors who were celebrated at a signing day ceremony on Friday, April 24.

 

Junior Wins Gold Medal

in 110 Hurdles at Sectionals

Congratulations to PHS junior Jeremiah Wright, who won the gold in the 110-meter hurdles at the North 2 Group 4 sectional championships with a time of 14.9 seconds. Congratulations to the PHS boys spring track team for taking 7th place at the championship meet. In addition to Jeremiah, the following boys were medal winners and qualified for the NJ State Group IV Track and Field Championships on May 29 and 30 at Franklin High School.  John Jackson placed 3rd in the discus and 5th in the shot put; Mike Washington and Aden Wilson placed 3rd and 5th in the high jump; the 4x100-meter relay team of Devonte Headd, Tyzer Burr, Victor Kumoji, and Mike Washington placed 6th; and the 4x800 relay team of Samuel Rosario, Sherman Glasco, David Cousins, and Rishan Rajesh placed 6th. The Chiefs are led by Head Coach Pete Buccino.

 

Freshman Shot Putter Sets

New School Record for Girls

Congratulations to Piscataway High School freshman Chelsea Watkins, who set a new school record for girls shot put with a throw of 39 feet 0.5 inches! She beat the record of 38-8, which has stood since 2006. Chelsea’s record-breaking performance came at the State Group 4 Championships on May 29 at Franklin High School, where she placed 6th, advancing to the State Meet of Champions on June 3.

 

PHS Baseball Captures

GMC Invitational Tournament

Congratulations to the PHS baseball team for winning the championship of the Greater Middlesex Conference Ray Cipperly Invitational Tournament. The Chiefs beat Dunellen, 3-0, in Edison on Friday, May 22, with a great all-around effort. “It’s the most complete game I’ve seen them play,” said Head Coach Rob Stoddard. This is the program’s first major tournament win since capturing the 2003 GMC Tournament title with a team that included future Major Leaguer Eric Young Jr.