I hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable Spring Break and had the opportunity to recharge for the important stretch ahead. As we return, we enter the final phase of the academic year—a true marathon that will carry us through to the finish line. As we look ahead to NJSLA testing and our academic Boot Camps, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible energy, achievement, and milestones that have defined our district over these past several weeks.
Across all our campuses, we proudly celebrated Read Across America Week and Black History Month with an inspiring array of activities. Our elementary campuses welcomed many guest readers, including Mayor Sayegh, Senator Wimberly, the B.U.I.L.D. Club, NHS scholars, and even the Cat in the Hat, reinforcing the joy of literacy for our youngest learners. We were also deeply moved by the Rhythm and Soul Night at our high school, the HBCU performances at the 2-3 campus, and the vibrant cultural assemblies at our 4-7 campus. Furthermore, our community came together for the 4th Annual Guardian Gala: The Masquerade Ball, creating a beautiful evening of family bonding, as well as multiple Book Fairs across our campuses.
This season has been marked by achievements that speak to our district's bright future. We held our Annual Admissions Lottery and saw a record-breaking number of applications—nearly 2,000 total, with more than 700 for the 9th grade alone. This tremendous interest is a strong testament to the profound trust you place in us. We also proudly opened the doors to the Lion's HUB. Developed in partnership with CarePlus NJ, this comprehensive, school-based behavioral health clinic on our 8-12 campus expands access to critical wellness services for our students and families. In addition, we focused heavily on student futures by hosting our Annual Career Day, welcoming back PCSST alumni and Paterson-raised professionals to share their journeys and inspire our high schoolers.Â
Our students continue to amaze us. The PCSST Drama Club recently put on spectacular performances of Annie Jr., and our 6th-grade scholars engaged in hands-on financial literacy learning at Junior Achievement BizTown. Meanwhile, our Gifted & Talented "Wave Makers" demonstrated exceptional compassion by organizing a Food Truck Festival. We are incredibly proud that 100% of the proceeds were donated to Oasis - A Haven for Women & Children to aid local food distribution efforts. Additionally, we celebrate our 12th-grade scholar, Bianca Corrales Duran, who was honored as PCSST's 2026 Unsung Hero for her quiet leadership. Athletics & Staff Recognition: A Standard of Winning
Our athletics program reached historic heights this season. PCSST was honored with the Neil Rosa Athletic Program of Excellence Award by the DAANJ, recognizing our strong commitment to education-based athletics. On the court, our Middle School Girls Basketball team captured the championship after an undefeated season, while our Unified Bowling team made school history with a 4th place finish at the NJSIAA State Championships. Our Middle School Boys Basketball Team secured a massive back-to-back championship victory at the Barclays Center, cheered on by our dedicated middle school cheerleaders. Equally important to our athletes are the staff who support them. We are incredibly proud to recognize our Building and Grounds Coordinator, Edzevit Selman (Mr. Eddie), who was recently honored by the Passaic County Coaches Association as an Athletic Honor Recipient for his continued support of our athletic programs.Â
As you know, the upcoming NJSLA-Adaptive state assessments will be taking place soon. It is extremely critical that you support and encourage your child to take these assessments seriously and to follow the school's guidance. Your partnership at home is essential to ensuring our scholars approach testing days with the focus and confidence they need to succeed.
As we move forward into this final phase of the year, let us continue to support one another and maintain a strong focus on instruction, attendance, and student achievement.Â
Thank you for your continued partnership, support, and dedication to making PCSST a place where our scholars thrive.
Warm regards,
Mr. Riza Gurcanli
Lead Person
K-12Â
Friday, April 3rd- Good Friday- District Closed
Monday, April 6th - March 10th - Spring Recess- District Closed
Wednesday, April 22nd - Earth Day- Administrative Professionals Day
Friday, April 24th - Guardian Gala
Monday, April 27th- Early Student Dismissal / Staff in Service
Wednesday, April 29th - You are What You Eat Game Show
K-1 :
Tuesday, April 14th- Half Day for Students / 3rd Marking Period Report Card Night
2-3 :
Thursday, April 16th- Parent Teacher Conferences
Friday, April 17th - March Attendance Winner's Pizza Party
Monday, April 20th- Spring Scholastic Book Fair Week
Tuesday, April 21st- 2-3 Garden Club Field Trip- Botanical Garden (Bronx)
Friday, April 24th - Gifted and Talented Field Trip/ 2-3 Spring Jam/ Scholars of the Month Principal Lunch
4-7 :
Monday, April 13th- Spring Scholastic Book Fair Week
Wednesday, April 22nd - Scholar Breakfast & Honor Roll Certificate Distribution
Thursday, April 23rd- Poetry Slam
Friday, April 24th - 6th- 7th Grade Spring Dance / District Multicultural DayÂ
8-12 :
Tuesday, April 14th - Voter Registration Drive
Wednesday, April 15th- History Field Trip/ Voter Registration DriveÂ
Thursday, April 16th- College Trip/ Voter Registration Drive/ Kentucky Raiders Comp
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  Â
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to learn more about how you can participate.
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.
State assessment season—especially with the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) in its adaptive format—can feel stressful for families, but the right support at home can make a meaningful difference. Below are simple, parent-friendly tips organized by grade span to help students feel confident, prepared, and successful.
Focus: Building comfort, routines, and confidence
Keep a consistent bedtime so your child is well-rested each day
Make mornings calm and predictable—avoid rushing
Read together daily, even for 10–15 minutes (stories, signs, labels—everything counts!)
Practice basic math in everyday life (counting objects, simple addition/subtraction)
Encourage your child to try their best—effort matters more than perfection
Talk positively about the test so they feel safe and supported
Pack a healthy snack and ensure they eat breakfast before school
Focus: Stamina, independence, and basic test-taking habits
Help your child get comfortable reading questions carefully before answering
Encourage them to take their time—remind them it’s not a race
Practice math facts and problem-solving in real-life situations (shopping, cooking, etc.)
Create a quiet homework/study space at home
Remind them it’s okay to skip a question and come back later
Limit screen time the night before testing days
Reinforce confidence: “You’ve learned this—you’re ready.”
Focus: Organization, focus, and managing pressure
Encourage your child to review notes or complete assigned practice—not cram
Talk about strategies: rereading questions, eliminating wrong answers
Help them plan ahead—bring charged devices if required, pencils, etc.
Emphasize the importance of focus and avoiding distractions during testing
Encourage breaks and healthy routines after school (exercise, downtime)
Keep communication open—check in on how they’re feeling, not just how they’re performing
Reinforce a growth mindset: mistakes are part of learning
Focus: Ownership, mindset, and long-term perspective
Encourage good sleep habits—this has a major impact on performance
Remind them to read prompts carefully and manage their time wisely
Support them in balancing test prep with other responsibilities
Encourage healthy habits: hydration, nutrition, and stress management
Keep expectations realistic—focus on effort and progress
Remind them these assessments are one measure, not the whole picture
Offer encouragement and trust in their preparation
Stay positive—children pick up on adult stress
Celebrate effort, not just results
Keep routines steady during testing weeks
Communicate with teachers if you have concerns
Ensure attendance—being present and on time matters
A calm, supportive home environment goes a long way. When students feel confident, rested, and encouraged, they are far more likely to show what they truly know.
Here are additional resources for parents to support their children in K-12 schools
K-3 Parent and Family Resources : The resources provided by the New Jersey Department of Education reflect current research-based practices and support efforts to implement learning experiences for New Jersey students that are developmentally informed, rigorous, and aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS).
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.
Student Database System:Â
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?Â
You can reach out to school secretary or any of the admins and request your username and password.Â
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:Â
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.
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.