Principal's Message

We come together for a variety of reasons throughout the year including: games, performance events, PEP Rallies, our student-run Relay for Life that this year will reach an overall total of $2,000,000.00 raised in the American Cancer Society’s effort to fight cancer, and for our Stigma Free Walk-and-Talkathon to normalize the seeking of help for mental health concerns. On all of these occasions we show that our “Unity is Our Strength”. We were excited to pull our learning community together last Friday for Mr. Willever to receive the Milken Educator Award. The day was part Pep Rally, thanks to the cheerleaders, part parade, thanks to our drumline, part vision communication and recognition thanks to Dr.Repollet (the Commissioner of Education), and thanks to the Ram Jams part musical celebration.

We often refer to the learning opportunities that we strive to create for students as an effort to prepare them to perform on the “BIG STAGE”. The “BIG STAGE” could be a game in a State Championship run, performing in Rome, Italy for their New Year’s Day Celebration, like our Big Blue Marching Band will do this year, proposing a solution to a major issue in New Jersey to representatives of both houses of government, like our Design Thinking class did last year (Thank you treasured alum and RHS Professional in Residence Holly Schepisi), and the list goes on. Unfortunately, despite all the efforts of our teachers to help students to be the best version of themselves, there are not many opportunities for our teachers to step up on the BIG STAGE and be recognized Nationally. Thanks to the Milken Family Foundation there is some recognition for teachers who strive for excellence and make a difference. The Milken Foundation recognizes teachers who “seek to discover and advance inventive, effective ways of helping people help themselves and teachers who encourage those around them lead productive and satisfying lives.”

Mr. Willever represents the “Profile of a Ramsey Educator”. He has a growth mindset in thinking about his students, and he has innovated as an educator by teaching Design Thinking and World Challenge, two courses central to our efforts to evolve the High School experience. He is a Tennis Coach, Mock Trial and History Club Advisor, he serves as a Technology Leader and he has connected with alumni and community members to partner with us as we learn with and from each other. We are proud to have Mr. Willever on staff, and we are even more proud to point out that he represents the caring, innovative, and dedicated staff we in Ramsey. Please check out this article to get a better sense of the incredible day our learning community had.

As always... Proud to be a Ram... Go Rams!

Michael J. Thumm, Ed.D.

• Principal

Ryan Esdale

• Supervisor of Education Grades 9-12 & Student Welfare