A Message from Caleb Herbst, President of the Board of Education
Dear River Edge Community,
What a roller coaster of a year it has been. A year ago, when we were planning for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, no one could have predicted that school and family life would look the way it does today. But, throughout it all, there are quite a few lessons I have learned. As we are now a few months into the 2020-2021 school year, I would like to reflect on a few of those lessons.
3. Always remember your heroes. And there have been a lot of them this year. From our doctors and nurses fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines, to our teachers and custodians bravely facing the day to educate our future generations, we must remember and honor their continued bravery and efforts. We must also remember our personal heroes; for me, that would be Congressman John Lewis, who once said “If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take the long hard look and just believe that if you're consistent, you will succeed.” I can’t think of a better mantra for this year.
4. Don’t be afraid to cry (or ask for help). If you haven’t cried or asked for help at some point in this past year, you might not be human. This has been a difficult and trying year for everyone. While I constantly hope that things are getting better, we must not forget that it is okay to not be okay.
So, as we continue on this roller coaster of a year, remember to wear masks, social distance, and keep safe. If we do so, maybe our plans for Thanksgiving and the December holidays in 2021 will look a lot more normal.
In health and harmony,
Caleb Herbst
President, River Edge Board of Education
With immense gratitude for:
Dimitirios Papiris - Parent
Heather McRae - Parent
Erik Shumar - Parent
Dr. Daniel Katz - Parent
Tara Cho - Parent & SEPAG President
Stefanie Butler – Parent and Roosevelt School PTO President
Jen Kim – Parent and Cherry Hill School PTO President
G P Aroldi - Grade 6 Teacher, Roosevelt School
Melissa Gant - Grade 3 Teacher, Cherry Hill School
Kelly Dent - Music Teacher, Cherry Hill School
Katie O’Reilly - Kindergarten Teacher, Cherry Hill School
Caroline Church - Grade 5 Teacher, Roosevelt School
Kara Cuadra - Instrumental Music Teacher
Joanne Haggerty - Grade 5 Teacher, Cherry Hill
Stephanie Rosenblum - CST member
Risa Louda - Speech Therapist
Karen Willick - Occupational Therapist
Ashley Garguilo - Preschool Inclusion teacher
Nicole Elmera - District Behavior Analyst
Janel Blake - Pupil Assistance Counselor, Cherry Hill School
Alrick Douglas - Roosevelt School Pupil Assistance Counselor
Michael Masangcay - Technology Support
Victor Tee - Technology Support
Susan Miele - Grades K-2 Technology Coach
Sharon Cardia - Grades 3-6 Technology Coach
Sabrina Johnston - Nurse, Cherry Hill School
Tara Vernieri - Nurse, Roosevelt School
Maritza Vega - New Bridge Center School Nurse
Sandra Gotiangco - Roosevelt School PT Nurse
Arlene Faustini - River Edge Town Health Nurse
Nevin Werner - Math/Science Instructional Coach & Supervisor
Beth Rosen - Literacy Coach & Instructional Supervisor
Christine Moran - Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction
Rosemary Kuruc - Supervisor of Special Services
Stan Stevens - Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds
Eric James - Assistant Principal, Roosevelt School
Denise Heitman - Principal, Cherry Hill School
Michael Henzel - Principal, Roosevelt School
LuAnne Napolitano - Business Administrator
Dr. Tova Ben-Dov - Superintendent
Eun Kang – Parent and River Edge Board of Education Member
Sheli Dansky - River Edge Board of Education Vice President
What a roller coaster of a year it has been. A year ago, when we were planning for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, no one could have predicted that school and family life would look the way it does today. But, throughout it all, there are quite a few lessons I have learned. As we are now a few months into the 2020-2021 school year, I would like to reflect on a few of those lessons.
- 1. Maintaining social distancing doesn’t mean that you can’t grow closer to people. I have attended more district-related meetings in the past few months than in the rest of my life combined. But on those calls I did not see teachers, parents, administrators, or nurses. I saw human beings, all of them going through the darkest of times, sharing their pain, but still coming back bravely to face the day. The resilience that I continue to see on a daily basis-- from River Edge families, teachers, custodians, and more-- is a stronger lesson in humanity than anything I can share with you in this message.
3. Always remember your heroes. And there have been a lot of them this year. From our doctors and nurses fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines, to our teachers and custodians bravely facing the day to educate our future generations, we must remember and honor their continued bravery and efforts. We must also remember our personal heroes; for me, that would be Congressman John Lewis, who once said “If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take the long hard look and just believe that if you're consistent, you will succeed.” I can’t think of a better mantra for this year.
4. Don’t be afraid to cry (or ask for help). If you haven’t cried or asked for help at some point in this past year, you might not be human. This has been a difficult and trying year for everyone. While I constantly hope that things are getting better, we must not forget that it is okay to not be okay.
So, as we continue on this roller coaster of a year, remember to wear masks, social distance, and keep safe. If we do so, maybe our plans for Thanksgiving and the December holidays in 2021 will look a lot more normal.
In health and harmony,
Caleb Herbst
President, River Edge Board of Education
With immense gratitude for:
Dimitirios Papiris - Parent
Heather McRae - Parent
Erik Shumar - Parent
Dr. Daniel Katz - Parent
Tara Cho - Parent & SEPAG President
Stefanie Butler – Parent and Roosevelt School PTO President
Jen Kim – Parent and Cherry Hill School PTO President
G P Aroldi - Grade 6 Teacher, Roosevelt School
Melissa Gant - Grade 3 Teacher, Cherry Hill School
Kelly Dent - Music Teacher, Cherry Hill School
Katie O’Reilly - Kindergarten Teacher, Cherry Hill School
Caroline Church - Grade 5 Teacher, Roosevelt School
Kara Cuadra - Instrumental Music Teacher
Joanne Haggerty - Grade 5 Teacher, Cherry Hill
Stephanie Rosenblum - CST member
Risa Louda - Speech Therapist
Karen Willick - Occupational Therapist
Ashley Garguilo - Preschool Inclusion teacher
Nicole Elmera - District Behavior Analyst
Janel Blake - Pupil Assistance Counselor, Cherry Hill School
Alrick Douglas - Roosevelt School Pupil Assistance Counselor
Michael Masangcay - Technology Support
Victor Tee - Technology Support
Susan Miele - Grades K-2 Technology Coach
Sharon Cardia - Grades 3-6 Technology Coach
Sabrina Johnston - Nurse, Cherry Hill School
Tara Vernieri - Nurse, Roosevelt School
Maritza Vega - New Bridge Center School Nurse
Sandra Gotiangco - Roosevelt School PT Nurse
Arlene Faustini - River Edge Town Health Nurse
Nevin Werner - Math/Science Instructional Coach & Supervisor
Beth Rosen - Literacy Coach & Instructional Supervisor
Christine Moran - Supervisor of Curriculum & Instruction
Rosemary Kuruc - Supervisor of Special Services
Stan Stevens - Supervisor of Buildings & Grounds
Eric James - Assistant Principal, Roosevelt School
Denise Heitman - Principal, Cherry Hill School
Michael Henzel - Principal, Roosevelt School
LuAnne Napolitano - Business Administrator
Dr. Tova Ben-Dov - Superintendent
Eun Kang – Parent and River Edge Board of Education Member
Sheli Dansky - River Edge Board of Education Vice President
