PCSST K-12 Parent Bulletin

Lead Person's Message

As we enter the final month of the 2025–2026 school year, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the many exciting events, achievements, and learning opportunities that took place across PCSST during April and May.

The spring months were filled with meaningful experiences that extended learning beyond the classroom while strengthening our school community. Across all campuses, scholars participated in academic competitions, literacy celebrations, cultural events, career exploration activities, field trips, performances, athletic competitions, and community service projects that showcased the many ways PCSST prepares students for success.

At our elementary campuses, students continued to build strong academic foundations while engaging in hands-on learning experiences and special events that promoted literacy, creativity, and character development. Families joined us for school-wide celebrations and recognition programs that highlighted student growth and achievement.

Our 4–7 Campus provided students with numerous opportunities to explore future careers, celebrate cultural diversity, and demonstrate leadership. Events such as Multicultural Night, career-focused activities, academic enrichment programs, and student recognition ceremonies reflected the vibrant, supportive learning environment across the campus. Our 7th Grade Washington, D.C. Trip was an unforgettable educational experience, giving scholars the opportunity to explore our nation's capital, visit world-renowned museums, and see historic landmarks firsthand. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our parent chaperones for generously volunteering their time and helping ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable trip for our students.

At the High School Campus, students continued preparing for college, careers, and life beyond graduation through dual-enrollment opportunities, certification programs, career exploration experiences, and advanced coursework. Our seniors also continued to receive college acceptances and scholarship offers as they prepared for commencement.

Throughout both months, our athletic programs continued to excel. PCSST student-athletes demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, teamwork, and competitive success, including championship performances by our middle school basketball teams and strong showings from our high school athletic programs. We were also honored to receive recognition from the athletic community for our commitment to education-based athletics.

Our extracurricular programs also continued to shine. Scholars participated in robotics competitions, Junior Achievement programs, JROTC activities, leadership initiatives, performing arts productions, and a variety of enrichment opportunities that allowed them to discover and develop their unique talents and interests.

May also marked an important testing season for many of our students. We are grateful to our scholars, families, teachers, testing coordinators, and support staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the assessment process. Their collective efforts helped ensure a smooth and successful testing experience across the district.

We were also proud to celebrate Staff Appreciation Week, recognizing the educators and support staff whose dedication makes a difference in the lives of our students every day. Additionally, we congratulate our Governor's Educator of the Year recipients, Mr. Donato and Mr. Palestina, who were recognized at the Passaic County Educator and Educational Services Professional Recognition Breakfast for their outstanding contributions to education.

As we look ahead to the final weeks of the school year, we thank our families for their continued partnership and support. Together, we have created a school community where students are challenged academically, supported socially and emotionally, and provided with opportunities to grow as responsible, self-directed learners.

We look forward to celebrating many more accomplishments as we finish another successful school year strong.

Warm regards,

Mr. Riza Gurcanli

Lead Person

April & May Events and Activities

K-1 Campus

2-3 Campus

4-7 Campus

8-12 Campus

Important Reminders & June Calendar

K-12

Monday, June 22nd - End of 4th Marking Period & Last Day of School for Students
Friday, June 19th- Juneteenth - District Closed

K-1 :

Tuesday, June 2nd - Attendance Winners of The Year- Trip to Urban Air; Kindergarten Orientation at 5:30 pm
Monday, June 8th- 1st Grade Vocabulary Parade
Monday, June 22nd- Kindergarten at 2pm

2-3 :

Tuesday, June 2nd - Liberty Science Center- Field Trip; Attendance Winners Field Trip Urban Air
Wednesday, June 3rd- Gifted and Talented Field Trip/ Paws and Purpose 2nd grade
Thursday, June 4th - Paws/ Purpose 3rd Grade
Friday, June 5th - Turtleback Zoo Field Trip- 2nd Grade
Monday, June 8th - Field Day
Tuesday, June 9th - 4th Grade Orientation at 4-7 Campus for current 3rd Graders
Wednesday, June 10th- Carnival
Thursday, June 11th- Spelling Bee Final
Friday, June 12th- Last Day for Boys and Girls Club
Monday, June 15th -Wednesday June 17th- Early Dismissal for Scholars
Thursday, June 18th- Early dismissal for Scholars/ 3rd Grade Step- Up Ceremony/ Last Day for Lion Pride AM care

4-7 :

Monday, June 1st- Trip to Turtle Back Zoo
Friday, June 12th - 4th Grade Vocabulary Parade / 4-7 Grade Art Exhibition
Monday, June 15th- Early Dismissal for Scholars/ Curriculum Enhancement
Tuesday, June 16th- 7th Grade YMCA Trip/ Early Dismissal for Scholars/ Curriculum Enhancement
Wednesday, June 17th- 7th Grade Send - Off Celebration/ Early Dismissal for Scholars/ Curriculum Enhancement
Thursday, June 18th- 4-7 Grade Talent Show/ Early Dismissal for Scholars/ Curriculum Enhancement

8-12 :

Wednesday, June 3rd - Gifted and Talented Field Trip
Thursday, June 4th- Perfect Attendance Trip
Wednesday, June 17th- 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony

Athletics Department's June Calendar

Athletic Department Calendar

April & May Athletes of the Week

Parent -Teacher Organization (PTO)

PTO Information:
Our PTOs play an important role in supporting our school community. We encourage all families to get involved in upcoming meetings and events.

Contact Information:

K–7 PTO: Ms. Scott – 973-333-4729, krishana.scott@pcsst.org

8–12 PTO: Mr. Lightner – 973-247-0600, william.lightner@pcsst.org

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to learn more about how you can participate.

Other Websites and Resources for Parents

Academic Support

Khan Academy (khanacademy.org): Offers free lessons in various subjects to help students get back into the academic rhythm.
Scholastic (scholastic.com): Provides reading challenges, book lists, and tips to re-engage with literacy.
IXL (ixl.com): Interactive practice in math, language arts, science, and social studies tailored to each child’s level.

Time Management & Organization

Cozi Family Organizer (cozi.com): A free app for organizing family schedules and school assignments.
Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org): Offers resources to set digital boundaries and manage screen time effectively.

Mental Health & Emotional Adjustment

Child Mind Institute (childmind.org): Provides expert advice on helping children transition back to school routines.
GoZen (gozen.com): Offers tools and programs to help children build resilience and cope with stress.

Routine & Sleep Reset

National Sleep Foundation (thensf.org): Provides tips for getting children back on a healthy sleep schedule.
HealthyChildren.org (healthychildren.org): Offers advice on creating a balanced daily routine.

Building Motivation

Understood.org (understood.org): Provides strategies to motivate kids, especially those with learning differences.
PBS Kids for Parents (pbs.org/parents): Encourages learning through play with resources and games for younger children.

Parent Support Networks

Parent Toolkit (parenttoolkit.com): Helps parents understand what their children need to succeed academically and socially.
Facebook Groups and Local Forums: Many communities have local parenting groups that share tips and support for school adjustments.

Other Websites and Resources for Parents

Here are additional resources for parents to support their children in K-12 schools

Common Sense Media: Provides age-appropriate media recommendations, tips, and resources for parents to guide their children's learning through movies, games, and apps. https://www.commonsensemedia.org
Prodigy: A free, curriculum-aligned math platform offering engaging math games for students. Parents can use this to track progress and help their child improve math skills. https://www.prodigygame.com
National PTA - Family Resources: Offers resources for parents to get involved in their child's education, including tips on fostering a positive school-home partnership and advocacy. https://www.pta.org/home/family-resources
Parent Toolkit: An all-in-one resource for parents to track and support their child’s social, emotional, and academic growth from pre-K through high school. https://www.parenttoolkit.com
ABCmouse: Provides a comprehensive early learning platform for children ages 2-8, offering interactive lessons across reading, math, science, and art. https://www.abcmouse.com
IXL: Offers personalized learning in math, language arts, science, and social studies. Parents can use the platform to reinforce skills with tailored recommendations. https://www.ixl.com
Starfall: A free public service for early literacy skills, offering interactive reading and phonics games designed to engage young learners. https://www.starfall.com
Parents.com (Parenting Education Resources): Offers expert parenting tips and education resources covering topics from early childhood to high school. https://www.parents.com
NWEA Family Toolkit: Provides insights into MAP Growth testing, explaining how parents can support their children’s progress with targeted strategies. https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit
Learning Heroes: Provides parents with actionable information to support their child’s academic success, including readiness checks, skill-building tips, and personalized learning tools. https://www.bealearninghero.org

These resources cover a wide range of subjects and age groups, offering practical support to help parents engage with their child's learning at home.

FAQs for Parents

Student Database System:

How can I access my child(ren)’s assessment results, grades and attendance as well as discipline records 24/7?

Yes, if you log on the Genesis Student Database, all the information is on your finger tips.

I don’t know how to access the Genesis Database. What should I do?

You can reach out to school secretary or any of the admins and request your username and password.

I do not know how to navigate the database, Where can I receive help?

Please watch the online training video or check out the manual.

What do you need to do if you want to update your child’s information on the database?

Reach out to you campus Secretary and provide the updated information and necessary documents if asked.

Transportation:

How can I get information on School Transportation?

Please visit our transportation webpage to learn all about transportation at PCSST.

Food Service:

How can I check school’s daily breakfast and lunch menu?

All our campus lunch information can be reached for our Food Service provider Maschio’s website.

Anonymous Reporting:

How can I report an incident anonymously?
You can report any incident that is a concerning you but you do not want to be identified, you can use our school’s “STOPit” platform to report and get rapid respond from a school administrator.

PCSST 2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Disclaimer: The information in this bulletin is accurate at the time of publication and is based on entries provided by each campus. In the event of any differences, updates communicated directly by building administrators should be considered the most current and accurate information. Please check your building administrator's emails regularly, as events, activities, or details may be adjusted throughout the week.

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