6 events in Passaic County with a date

New year brings big changes to schools

By: Amanda Wallace
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... As summer winds down, the 2025-2026 school year has arrived. Some North Jersey districts started classes as early as August 25. [2025]
..... While first day jitters and back-to-school shopping typically remain the same, kicking off a new school year often comes with changes.
..... The start of the 2024-2025 school year brought several changes and new programs, from revisions to the state learning standards for English language arts to additional preschool funding, unprecedented access to mental health support and more.
..... The upcoming school year also includes some new developments as North Jersey students make their way back into the classroom.
..... From April through May 2026, New Jersey students in grades 3 to 9 will take the new adaptive learning assessment test in English language and math.
..... Students in 11th grade will take the adaptive graduation proficiency test in March. [2026] these assessments will consist of computerized tests in which each student sees different questions based on their response to previous questions, marking a significant shift from the current format of the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment for younger students and the Graduation Proficiency Assessment for 11th graders.

Cell phone bans in schools

..... Several North Jersey schools are taking action to control student cell phone sues as they await the approval of a statewide ban.
..... Governor Phil Murphy called for the ban during his State of the State address in January, [2025] resulting in bills S3695/A4882. However, will only instruct the state commissioner of education to develop guidelines within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
..... In the meantime, some schools districts and even counties have taken the matter into their own hands.
..... In Montclair, for example, an "off and away" policy is being initiated this fall, [2025] designing a location where turned-off phones must be stored securely in bins or lockers, not in the student;s pocket or backpack.
..... Sussex County has adopted a policy for all of its school districts requiring cell phones to be powered off and stored throughout the instructional day. Phone usage on a bus is also prohibited.
..... Ramsey began district-wide cell phone restitutions in January. [2025] High school students are required to place their phones in security pouches that automatically lock upon entering the building and can be unlocked only remotely at specified stations and when leaving the building.

School funding victory

..... The Trump administration reversed its decision to freeze $158 million in K-12 and other education-related spending for the state.
..... This reversal came after 23 states attorneys general, including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, and two state challenged the move.

Newest school in Clifton will get its first students this fall

..... Clifton's newest school, Maple Valley Middle School, will welcome its first classes in September. [2025]
..... This will be the district's third middle school, joining Woodrow Wilson and Christopher Columbus middle schools. It stands at what was formerly the Paterson diocese's Paul VI High School. The building on Valley Road is expected to open in September [2025] with rising fifth graders from schools 5, 8, 14 and 17.

North Jessey districts entering year with new superintendents

..... Some North Jersey school districts enter the school year under new leadership. The Hackensack Board of Education appointed Andrea Oates-Parchment as acting superintendent on June 18, [2025] just shy of a week after the board suspended Superintendent Thomas McBryde.
..... Before being named acting superintendent, Oates-Parchment was Hackensack's assistant superintendent and previously worked in the district as a teacher and a principal.
..... Hector Montes, former principal of Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School in Bridgewater Township, was appointed superintendent by the Prospect Park Board of Education in May, [2025] with the resolution to approve his employment agreement being passed by trustees on June 27. [2025]
..... Other districts will welcome new administrators as well.

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