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!
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!
What a fantastic Field Day at Central School!
From relays and nine square to granny pants races and plenty of laughter, students enjoyed an action-packed day filled with fun, teamwork, and school spirit. The celebration wrapped up with a dance party and popsicles—the perfect ending to an unforgettable day!
A huge thank you to Mr. Walsh for organizing such a tremendous event, and a special shoutout to the talented student who designed this year’s Field Day t-shirt.
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
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
Central School’s first graders had an awesome trip to Flat Rock Brook Nature Center! Students explored the woods, pond, and aviary while learning about different animals and their habitats along the way. A big thank you to the chaperones who joined the adventure and helped make the day so special!
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 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.
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.
On Friday, May 1, our 4th Grade G&T students from all four Glen Rock elementary schools headed to Bergen County’s Makerspace Day! Hosted by Waldwick Public Schools and organized by the Bergen County Consortium of Teachers of Gifted, this day was all about creativity and critical thinking. Our students teamed up with peers from across the county to tackle a major challenge: using the Engineering Design Process to build flood-resistant house prototypes.
We are beyond proud of how our students:
🤝 Collaborated with new friends.
💡 Innovated unique solutions.
💪 Persevered through every design hurdle.
Way to represent Glen Rock! 🪨🐾❤️
On April 29th, Central School Intervention Strategies Coach, Mrs. Jami Hahn, teamed up with teachers, Ms. Ashley Baldeon and Mrs. Catherine Vernam, to host a dynamic “Lunch and Learn” on the Dr. Jennifer Lempp Math Workshop framework.
After seeing Dr. Lempp in person earlier this year, these three educators brought her vision to life for Central staff. Math workshop features number sense routines, small group math instruction tailored to student needs, and rich, engaging math stations that build collaboration, fluency, and reasoning.
Our teachers didn’t just hear about it; they got to experience it! The session featured hands-on opportunities for staff to experience math through a student’s eyes, an estimation station with prizes, and a delicious pot-luck salad bar.
Huge thanks to our coaches and teacher-leaders for making job-embedded learning so collaborative and fun!
After seeing Dr. Lempp in person earlier this year, these three educators brought her vision to life for Central staff. Math workshop features number sense routines, small group math instruction tailored to student needs, and rich, engaging math stations that build collaboration, fluency, and reasoning.
Our teachers didn’t just hear about it; they got to experience it! The session featured hands-on opportunities for staff to experience math through a student’s eyes, an estimation station with prizes, and a delicious pot-luck salad bar.
Huge thanks to our coaches and teacher-leaders for making job-embedded learning so collaborative and fun!
Ms. Johnson’s first graders at Central celebrated the 100th day of school with math games! From number grid puzzles and base ten exchange to 100 letters in our names. Happy 100th Day in your 100th year, Central!
In honor of the 100th day of school during Central’s 100th birthday year, students donated 100 books! Pictured are the littlest “100-year-olds” joining in the celebration!
Congratulations to Central Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, special education teacher Mrs. Crissy Feifer! Mrs. Feifer has dedicated 14 years to the district, including the past five years at Central School. During her time there, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to her students and their success. Colleagues describe Mrs. Feifer as someone who truly goes above and beyond for every child she works with. She is known not only for her expertise and dedication, but also for her compassion, positivity, and strong work ethic. Her ability to connect with students and support their individual needs leaves a lasting impact both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to her work with students, Mrs. Feifer is a valued and supportive colleague who contributes to a positive school culture. She is always willing to collaborate and lend a helping hand. Please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved honor!
