On Monday night, the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education (BOE) addressed MLK Beloved Community Day, internship opportunities, and religious holiday considerations.
Superintendent Sarah Bilotti gave her monthly report on Business and Social Studies supervisor Joseph Orlak’s internship team and the district’s third annual Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Beloved Community Day. She explained that the district’s curriculum supervisors would elaborate on the drastic successes of these excellent student involvement opportunities.
BOE President Gini Varghese provided the Governance Committee Meeting report, clarifying any consequences regarding extended board member absences and their outcome. She also highlighted cultural celebrations and their impact on the district’s student calendar.
“The idea was that even if Diwali was not a day given off from school, it should be a day where everyone gets to learn about Diwali…there should be presentations happening in the schools for more awareness,” she said.
Additionally, Varghese reported on the regional meeting with the sending districts planned for March 20. It intends to discuss the eighth-grade entrance process into high school.
Board Member Stephanie Huang delivered the PFO Liaison on the district’s recent theater department collaboration. She discussed auditorium construction and proposed whether each school plans to return to its productions after completion.
“At Hills, they have their theater practice in the evenings, so that they could have sports practices immediately after school. And this is something that Valley doesn’t do,” she said.
Huang also referenced the sending districts’ encouragement of prolonged music department involvement for incoming freshmen and midterm schedule modifications. She expanded upon budget adjustments, approval of district retirees, an AI information session for parents, Junior post-secondary conferences, and upcoming student events.
Student BOE representative Andrew Varian reported on school events such as entrepreneurship class business proposals, personalized stock portfolios for Hills faculty, and the French National Honors Society collaboration with preschool students in early childhood classes.
Varian commended culinary class cultural dishes, DECA’s regional competition at Ramapo College, numerous debate team wins, and the MLK Day Of Service. For sports, he acknowledged the undefeated record-breaking win for the boys’ basketball team, girls’ and boys’ track, and the bowling team’s match wins.
District Math Supervisor Dr. Mark Russo summarized the district’s participation in its third annual MLK Beloved Community Day on Jan. 20.
“Despite the snow and cold weather, we had faculty and students volunteer at 25 sites, located at Hills, Valley, and throughout the larger Pascack Valley area. In an incredible point of pride, despite being an off day for students, we had 185 students sign up to volunteer, which is more than double our number from last year,” he said.
River Vale resident and Hills Principal Tim Wieland recognized Math Supervisor Mark Russo’s passion and determination to contribute to Beloved Community Day.
Social Studies and Business Supervisor Joseph Orlak presented on internships and career readiness, developing soft skills, and networking connections. He elaborated on student core requirements for graduation and impeccable life experiences post-secondary education.
Several internship program representatives and student interns spoke about past student opportunities, flexible scheduling options, valuable professional expertise, and future career exploration. They explained the matching process and their subsequent levels of satisfaction.
“Most of our students, when they are placed somewhere, it’s awesome because they retain that position whenever we place them because our mentors see their value, and instead of hiring an intern from college, they just keep our students on,” a representative said.
Hills senior Eli Miller spoke to the board about his experiences interning at Pascack Valley Medical Center during the conventional morning time frame of class periods.
“In terms of your resume, it looks incredible. It is such a unique and special experience, and I do attribute a lot of the success I’ve had to college, specifically pre-health programs,” he said.
BOE President Gini Varghese guided the board through agenda policy, presenting the meeting schedule for 2025-2026, and revealing the switch from Valley to Hills this upcoming summer in July.
She also expressed gratitude towards Dr. Barry Bachenheimer and Joseph Orlak in their effort to obtain an artificial intelligence education grant from the New Jersey Department of Education. This will only supplement the district’s role in pursuing new technological endeavors.
The meeting ended with a Hills sophomore Zahraa Islam, co-president and co-founder of the Muslim Student Association, expressing her concern for improving cultural awareness within the district’s community. She suggested implementing specific school days as off for religious celebrations as a solution. She also requested excused absences during cultural observance when school is in session.
“I think this is important because, for example, last year, I did miss three…days for Eid-al-Fitr, and it was really difficult to catch up on school, and the day I came back, I had a math test, and it was just very stressful. So I think having this would be very relieving for students,” she said.
For a full viewing of the BOE meeting, click the link below.