Field Day 2026 was the best at Byrd! A huge thank you to Mr. Parsons and the parent volunteers who made the day one to remember. It was a celebration of teamwork, competition and having fun in the sun!

Please click to read the June 1, 2026 BOE Meeting Highlights in our enewsletter, The Glen Rock Board Brief: https://app.smore.com/n/vghsy

At the June 1 Board of Education meeting, the district and BOE proudly recognized the 2026 Teachers and Educational Specialists of the Year. The dedication, passion, and commitment of these educators make a lasting impact on our students every day. Presented by Dr. Damali Robinson, BOE president, and Mr. Gregory Van Nest, Acting Superintendent, congratulations are extended to: 🏆 Byrd School – Mrs. Lauren Carter, School Counselor 🏆 Central School – Mrs. Crissy Feifer, Special Education Teacher 🏆 Coleman School – Mrs. Susan Zisa, Reading Specialist 🏆 Hamilton School – Mrs. Jessica Falkenstern, School Counselor 🏆 Hamilton School – Mrs. Kimberly Castelli, School Nurse (Posthumous Honor) 🏆 Glen Rock Middle School – Ms. Lisa Limongelli, English Teacher 🏆 Glen Rock High School – Ms. Anna Lilikas, Choir and Orchestra Director 🏆 Glen Rock Middle/High School – Ms. Caelie Batelli, Wellness Counselor

At the June 1 Board of Education meeting, Glen Rock Public Schools proudly recognized 13 outstanding educators and staff members for 25 years of service to our students, schools, and community.

For a quarter century, these dedicated professionals have made a lasting impact through their commitment, compassion, and excellence in education. Their contributions have helped shape generations of Glen Rock students, and we are grateful for all they have done and continue to do.

Congratulations to:
⭐ Mrs. Lisa Brown, Special Education Teacher, GRHS
⭐ Ms. Dianne Carpenter, School Psychologist, GRHS
⭐ Mr. Kenneth Cavanagh, Health & Physical Education Teacher, GRMS
⭐ Mr. Anthony Cece, Special Education Teacher, GRMS
⭐ Mrs. Keri Holmgren, Grade 1 Teacher, Byrd School
⭐ Ms. Vanessa Hurley, Special Education Teacher, GRHS
⭐ Mr. Christopher Kelley, Latin Teacher, GRMS
⭐ Mr. James Kurz, Health & Physical Education Teacher, GRHS
⭐ Mrs. Cathleen Mitchell, Intervention Strategies Coach/BSI Math Teacher, Coleman School
⭐ Ms. Stephanie Nerney, School Nurse, GRMS
⭐ Ms. Susan Stevens, Preschool Teacher, Early Childhood Program
⭐ Ms. Tracy Tellis, Special Education Teacher, GRMS
⭐ Mrs. Elizabeth Wanagiel, Special Education Teacher, GRMS

Thank you for 25 years of supporting and empowering our students. Your dedication and care have helped make Glen Rock Public Schools the exceptional district it is today!

The Byrd Art Show celebrated the year with installations from the Art Pop program and Jason Naylor’s Open Heart Project. The school showcased student projects highlighting their creativity during art instruction led by Ms. Eftimoski and even had student musical performances to add to the event!

The Glen Rock Superintendent Search Online Stakeholder Input Survey closed on May 22, having garnered 330 participants.

Thanks to all who engaged in our in-person input sessions and completed the online survey. All outcomes will be compiled into an internal document which will guide our consultant, Ms. Helewa, and the Glen Rock Board of Education throughout the search process.

The information from our stakeholders will be of vital assistance in determining which candidates will be selected for interviews, and in the formulation of interview questions at each stage of the search (preliminary, first-round, second-round, and final interviews).

Please be advised that the results of the sessions and surveys will not be made public during the search, in order to ensure an authentic vetting and interview process.

Thank you for your support of the Glen Rock Board of Education during this process. Visit our Superintendent Search page for more updates: https://www.glenrocknj.org/o/grpsd/page/superintendent-search

As the GRBOE begins the search for our next Superintendent of Schools, we value the perspectives of all stakeholders in helping identify the qualities and leadership priorities most important to our community. We look forward to your participation in our live input sessions on Thursday, May 21, and are also pleased to offer a completely • confidential online survey • for all school stakeholders from May 14-22, 2026.

The survey is being wholly administered by our search firm, Kathleen Helewa Educational Consultants, LLC, NOT the school district. All responses will be reported to the Board in full, but contributors will remain anonymous.

Please take a few moments to thoughtfully participate in this brief survey, which will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 22. Click to access the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NRNS6JW

We appreciate your support of the GRBOE in this crucial undertaking!

The Glen Rock Board of Education needs the perspectives of all stakeholders as we begin the search for our next Superintendent. The GRBOE is seeking what is most important to stakeholders as the first step in recruiting the most suitable educational leaders who can lead our district in line with our community’s unique needs and aspirations.

Search Consultant, Kathleen Helewa, will be spending a day in our District on Thursday, May 21 to listen to our stakeholders in a series of in-person input sessions. Ms. Helewa will be meeting with administrators, teachers, and staff during the day, and with Glen Rock families and community members in the evening. These sessions will not be meetings of the Glen Rock Board of Education and Board members will not be present.

We urge our families and community members to come and meet Ms. Helewa in the MS/HS Cafeteria from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Glen Rock Middle School/High School Cafeteria to share your perspectives. Additionally, an anonymous online input survey will be available for all of our school stakeholders from May 14-May 22.

To follow along the Superintendent Search process, please visit our designated page at https://www.glenrocknj.org/superintendent-search.

The final Federated HSA meeting of the school year, open to all district parents, is on Friday, May 8 at 9:30 a.m. at Central Elementary School. Click on the link in bio for more information on the GR HSA Federated website.

Byrd’s 5th annual Multicultural Night was a beautiful celebration of our diverse community.

From the vibrant Parade of Nations to incredible student performances showcasing cultures through music and dance, the evening was filled with pride and joy. Families came together to share their cultural heritage through delicious food, traditions and new friendships. We are proud to celebrate the many cultures that make Byrd a special place!

We proudly recognize and celebrate our incredible paraprofessionals at Byrd! Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our students and staff!

Let’s hear it for the Byrd 5th graders! Twenty-four students took part in an OPTIONAL W.I.N. time activity and submitted an original short poem to the Arts Council of Glen Rock poetry contest. They had to research to learn about all different types of short poem types (haiku, cinquain, tanka, etc.) and craft their piece independently during class time.

These four amazing writers were selected as finalists and their poems will be on display at the GRAC exhibition in April! Congratulations!

Byrdies were welcomed back from Spring Break with a visit from furry friend, Stella, the therapy dog! Students enjoyed cuddles, smiles and a little stress relief while spending time with Stella.

Congratulations to Mrs. Lauren Carter on being named Richard E. Byrd Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year!

As the school counselor, Mrs. Carter positively impacts the lives of all Byrd students each and every day. She supports not only their social and emotional well-being, but also their academic growth, helping every child feel seen, supported, and successful.

Mrs. Carter’s dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment make her truly invaluable to Byrd’s school community. Your colleagues, students, and parents are so proud to celebrate you—congratulations, Mrs. Carter!