Superintendent's Report July 2026 text only

Superintendent’s Report

Erskine R. Glover

July 9, 2026

Volume 12 Issue 11

 

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

Piscataway High School honored the Class of 2026 on Thursday, June 18, at an impressive 66th Annual Commencement Ceremony at Jersey Mike’s Arena on the Rutgers campus. The 526 graduates finished their high school careers before thousands of friends, family members, and Piscataway educators in a grand celebration where the recurring themes were overcoming adversity and hope for the future.

 

Congratulations to the Conackamack, Quibbletown, and Schor middle schools Class of 2026. The eighth-graders were celebrated on June 18 in promotion ceremonies by their families, teachers, administrators, and Board of Education members.

 

Board Wishes Dr. Baskerville

Well in His Retirement

Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. William Baskerville on his retirement. Dr. Baskerville, center in black suit, was honored by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and the entire Board of Education at their June 11 meeting. Dr. Baskerville joined our district in 2006 as a math teacher at Conackamack Middle School. He was assistant principal at Schor Middle School for 2 years, before finding a home at Grandview Elementary School. He was principal there for 10 years and created the “Grandview Greatness” slogan. He has been assistant superintendent for 7 years, leading the district’s team of supervisors and overseeing curriculum. We thank him for his endless dedication to Piscataway students and staff, having mentored countless teachers, administrators, and colleagues. Dr. B will be missed and we wish him “greatness” in retirement.

 

Video Shows Success Story of Piscataway Schools

Piscataway Township Schools is a diverse learning community offering countless opportunities for our students to find success, from preschool through high school and beyond. A new video produced by district staff and featuring Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and students highlights what makes our school district stand out as one of leading learning environments in New Jersey. You can see the video on our district website or on our @PwaySchools YouTube Channel.

 

SAIL Graduates Celebrated

by Families and Staff

Congratulations to the students who graduated from our amazing SAIL program on Tuesday, June 16, at our Administration Building. SAIL stands for Students Achieving Independent Life Skills and is a program that introduces students 18-21 with autism or developmental or cognitive disabilities to workplace skills, while beginning the process of transitioning to adult life. The students were celebrated by their teachers, administrators, staff, classmates, and families in an emotional ceremony hosted by Special Education Supervisor Melissa Voigt and Director of Pupil Services Theresa Edmondson. The graduates are Joshua Davis, Micah Efodili, Keithley O’Conner, Marcus Pinto, and Ankit Samal. Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Board of Education member Prashant Patel awarded the students their diplomas and gave heartfelt thanks to the families and SAIL program staff for giving our students valuable life skills.

 

Retirees Honored for

Years of Service to District

Congratulations to all our retirees, who were honored by district leaders during a ceremony on Thursday, June 11. The staffers who have given many years of service to our district were congratulated by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, Board of Education President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, Director of Human Resources Colleen Pongratz, and Piscataway Education Association President Joe Toma. They were applauded by district administrators, colleagues, and family members. A special video featured all of their principals and supervisors sharing why they will be missed and wishing them well in retirement. Everyone was entertained by a Piscataway High School jazz quartet known as The Savian Adeva Combo, featuring Savian Adeva on saxophone, Jasper Christie on bass, Vir Mehrotra on drums, and Josh Laureano on keyboard.

 

Coming Up

Aug. 3: Curriculum Committee Meeting, 6:30 pm

Aug: 13: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 pm

Sept. 1: Teacher In-Service Day

Sept. 2: First Day of School for Students, Early Dismissal, Teacher In-Service Day

Sept. 3-4: Early Dismissal, Teacher In-Service Day

Sept. 2: Fiscal Planning & Operations Committee Meeting, 7 pm

Sept. 3: Policy / Legislative Committee, 6:30 pm

Sept. 7: Labor Day, Schools Closed for Students and Teachers

Sept. 10: Board of Education Meeting, 6:30 pm

 

PHS Grads Earn $14.5 Million

in Total Scholarship Offers

The Piscataway High School Class of 2026 earned a total of $14.5 million in scholarship offers. That total includes scholarships from civic organizations, alumni, and other community groups, as well as funds offered to them from institutions where students were accepted. Students were honored with two Senior Awards ceremonies on Wednesday, June 10, where they were recognized in all subject areas for outstanding academic achievement, and received $143,500 in community scholarships. A full list of awards and scholarship winners is on our district website’s News page.

 

Staff Members of the Year

Applauded for Dedication

Congratulations to all of our Staff Members of the Year, who were honored on Thursday, June 11, with a ceremony at Conackamack Middle School. Teachers of the Year, Education Service Professionals of the Year, and School Supports of the Year were honored by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, Board of Education President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, Director of Human Resources Colleen Pongratz, and Piscataway Education Association President Joe Toma. They were applauded by administrators, colleagues, and family members.

 

Knollwood Field Day Filled with Smiles, High Fives, Fun

Knollwood Elementary School students had a spectacular day for their annual Field Day on Friday, June 5. The weather was perfect, the energy was high, and our students brought their best team spirit. Everyone enjoyed classic sack races and an inflatable obstacle course. The school grounds were filled with laughter, cheering, and high-fives all day long. Students cheered each other on, demonstrating fantastic sportsmanship, and enjoying being active together. Thank you to Knollwood’s physical education staff, teachers, custodians, and parent volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the day run so smoothly.

 

Conackamack ESL Students

Explore Princeton Campus

Nathaniel Sullivan’s English as a Second Language class at Conackamack Middle School enjoyed an exciting field trip on Thursday, May 28, to the Princeton University Art Museum and campus. Students participated in guided tours of the museum’s Ancient Mediterranean and Mesoamerican wings, where they completed scavenger hunts and created their own artwork inspired by the exhibits. The class also visited the Creativity Lab, where students designed food-themed art connected to their own cultural backgrounds. The trip provided a wonderful opportunity for students to explore art, history, creativity, and cultural expression while experiencing the campus.

 

The Many Flavors of Eisenhower

Students and families celebrated the many cultures and countries that make up the Eisenhower Elementary School community at the school’s annual Foods Around the World event. Attendees on Thursday, June 4, enjoyed sampling traditional foods from around the world while learning about different traditions. The event concluded with students proudly performing cultural dances that reflected their heritage. A special thank you to Eisenhower teacher Janelle Burley for organizing.

 

Randolphville 2nd-Graders Get a Taste for Gardening

Students in Alyssa Bubnick’s 2nd-grade class at Randolphville Elementary School have been busy growing a classroom garden using a Gardyn plant tower. As they cared for their plants, students observed how different vegetables and flowers grow from seed to harvest. They also enjoyed taste-testing a variety of fresh lettuces and vegetables. Comments included: “I loved eating what we grew!” and “It was so fresh!”

 

3rd-Graders Excited by Gift of Dictionaries from Rotary Club

Thank you to the Piscataway Rotary Club for continuing their wonderful tradition of providing personal dictionaries to all of our district third-graders. Rotary members Nancy Ostrowski (who was a longtime Piscataway High School teacher), the Rev. Roy Carryl, and other Rotary members visited the schools in May and June to personally deliver the books to our students as they gathered in the school cafeterias. Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Lottmann stopped by to help the students thank their visitors and to hand out books. The Rotary’s dictionary giveaway tradition stretches back more than 20 years.

 

Art Show Highlights Talents

of Budding Artists in K-8

The gallery was packed with art lovers for the district’s K-8 Art Show at Piscataway High School on Friday, June 4. Family, friends, and community members were grateful for the opportunity to enjoy our students’ art, seeing what is possible as they move through the Piscataway visual arts programs. Thank you to our art teachers for engaging students in the creative process and for sharing their work with the community.

 

Special Visitors Carry Arbor

Students Over the Rainbow

Students at Arbor Intermediate School were over the rainbow when two visitors from the Land of Oz brought the theatre to them. Micaela Martinez, who is currently in the Broadway company of “Wicked,” and Sheherazade Holman, who plays Glinda the Good Witch in the national tour of “The Wiz,” led assemblies for the 4th and 5th graders on Thursday, June 4. The two sang for the students and spoke about their journey to the heights of musical theatre, sharing insights into their experiences in the performing arts. Thanks to teacher Neal Bennington for arranging this special visit.

 

PHS Scholar Gets In-Depth Look at Federal Government

Congratulations to PHS graduating senior Fatima Chughtai, who was selected as student representative from N.J.’s 6th Congressional District to participate in the annual Johnson & Johnson Scholars Program. Fatima traveled to Washington, D.C., in May for a week of civics-related programming, including a comprehensive tour of the Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery, and monuments commemorating America’s history. Fatima met with Sen. Andy Kim and representatives from the New Jersey delegation and observed a committee meeting to better understand the technical elements of lawmaking. Scholars concluded their week by participating in a Mock Congress to employ parliamentary procedure and debate legislation, where Fatima was voted Best Debater.

 

Art & Fun at Randolphville Artcade

The annual Artcade at Randolphville Elementary School was a fun-filled evening where families got to enjoy art and games created by students. Creative art and designs from Jasmine McGinnis’s art classes adorned bulletin boards, hallways, and display cases throughout the schools as families browsed their students’ art pieces at the Thursday, May 28, event. 3rd graders in Digital Literacy teacher Da’Shawn Reynolds’ classes constructed arcade games made of cardboard and were responsible for demonstrating how their games worked for K-2 students and families.

 

Musical Celebrations Cap the Year

Congratulation to the PHS band, orchestra, and choir programs for putting on beautiful end-of-year banquets to celebrate their talented students. It was a great way to recognize graduating seniors and scholarship winners, and to cap off the school year with evenings of celebration for students, families, and community members.

 

Randolphville 3rd-Grader’s Cupcake Art is Tastiest in N.J.

Congratulations to Randolphville Elementary School 3rd grader Aurelia Eck for winning the elementary division of the NJASBO Student Art Contest this year. The contest is sponsored by the N.J. Association of School Business Officials, whose members voted for the winner at their annual conference. Thank you to Supervisor of Visual & Performing Arts Rebekah Sterlacci for submitting Aurelia’s work for consideration. District Business Administrator David Oliveira visited Aurelia at Randolphville to present her with a $100 gift card. Aurelia was congratulated by Ms. Sterlacci, Mr. Oliveira, Randolphville Art Teacher Jasmine McGinnis, and Randolphville Acting Principal Megan Messina. Aurelia’s piece showed cupcakes and emulated the paintings of artist Wayne Thiebaud.

 

Police Youth Week Activities

Benefit 7th and 8th Graders

We are proud to support the Piscataway Township Police Department’s Youth Week. The program offers Piscataway 7th and 8th graders a new insight into how police officers perform their duties and serve the community, including patrol functions, team building, drill and ceremony, investigations, crime scene processing, traffic laws, K-9 Unit, and Aviation Unit. Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Lottmann were proud to offer school facilities and help to promote the program. They joined Mayor Brian Wahler and police officials in kicking off the program on Monday, June 22.

 

Student Representatives to Board Finish Successful Term

Thank you to our student representatives to the Board of Education. Senior representative Tyler West and junior representative Derek Lopez Chirinos were honored by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan at the June 11 Board meeting. Congratulations especially go to Tyler, who finished his two-year term and will be attending Ohio State University on an academic scholarship. He was honored along with his family for his contributions to the Board and to PHS.

 

Five PHS Students Promote Self-Advocacy at Conference

Congratulations to five PHS students who were keynote speakers at the Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference held at Rutgers University. Zechariah Green, Jazmine Williams, Savannah Jenkins, Darius McKenzie, and Mustafa Ellsheikh are a part of Matthew Cecchini’s Vocations class, who presented strategies they have learned to promote self-advocacy and leadership. The students shared examples of successfully using their self-advocacy skills during their high school experiences as well as how their accommodations have helped them to be successful. Darius, Zechariah, and Savannah were honored at the June 11 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover and Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan. They were supported at the meeting by Director of Pupil Services Theresa Edmondson, Principal Chris Baldassano, and Mr. Cecchini, who the students praised for his love and support.

 

Up Close with Team Senegal

Piscataway students enjoyed an amazing experience on Friday, June 12, when they attended a World Cup training session for the Senegal national team at the Rutgers soccer complex. Students from Piscataway High School and Conackamack, Arbor, Eisenhower, and Grandview schools who are members of the Piscataway Soccer Club watched the Senegal team run through their training exercises, then got to meet players, take pictures, and get autographs.

 

Did You Know: The Genesis Parent Portal will not be available starting Tuesday, July 14, until late August 2026. Print out any information you may need from the Genesis Parent Portal before Tuesday, July 14.

 

U.N. Association Recognizes

PHS Student for His Service

Congratulations to Piscataway High School rising junior Zachary Robinson, who won a Merit Award in the National Community Service Awards from the United Nations Association of the United States. These awards put emphasis on connecting personal service with progress toward the global goals. Zachary committed 62 hours toward service to others in the area of Quality Education. Zachary was recognized for the honor, along with his parents, at our June 11 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, and PHS Principal Chris Baldassano.

 

PHS Grad Wins Scholarship from 100 Black Women

Congratulations to recent Piscataway High School graduate Autumn Nelson, who received the Central Jersey Education Scholarship from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women. She was celebrated by her parents and Superintendent Erskine R. Glover at the group’s 2026 gala on Friday, June 19. Autumn will be attending Temple University.

 

Welcome to Pway!

Greetings to the newest members of our staff

Congratulations to Dr. Najla Solomon, who was confirmed by our Board of Education to be our new Assistant Superintendent. Dr. Solomon was welcomed to the district at the June 11 Board of Education meeting by Superintendent Erskine R. Glover, Board President Nancy Salgado-Cowan, and Director of Human Resources Colleen Pongratz. Dr. Solomon previously served as an intermediate school principal in the Trenton Public Schools for 10 years.

 

The Board also confirmed Piscataway High School social studies teacher Ryan Wernlund, top left, to be the social studies chair for PHS, and Marissa Nagy, bottom left, to be a preschool teacher at Children’s Corner Preschool.