As the 2023-2024 academic year draws to a close, we want to reflect on a year filled with remarkable achievements, heartwarming events, and a shared commitment to education and community. Let us take a journey through the highlights that defined our year, celebrating the moments that made us proud to be Beavers, Bees, Huskies, Panthers, and Wildcats.
First Days of School
Our journey began on August 28th with all our New Jersey campuses buzzing with excitement as they joyfully welcomed back their students. Our dedicated staff from Bergen, Passaic, Paterson, and Hudson set a vibrant tone for the year by greeting students with decor and cheerful pictures, signaling a year brimming with growth and learning.
Similarly, on September 7th, our Bronx Beaver students and staff were all smiles, as they were eager to embark on a new academic journey filled with learning and laughter. A heartfelt thank you to all our New Jersey and New York administrations for making the first day back a tremendous success.
Feast of Giving
In the spirit of giving, this annual Thanksgiving dinner celebration united our iLearn Schools community across Bergen, Bronx, Hudson, Passaic, and Paterson districts. With a remarkable turnout of 1,450 attendees, including families and staff, this cherished tradition encapsulated the very spirit of the season, embracing gratitude and togetherness. It was a momentous occasion where the warmth of shared meals mirrored the warmth of our shared connections.
To see the gratitude expressed by our families, check out our Feast of Giving video and this photo album.
Be Grateful 5K
On November 23rd, we held our third annual Be Grateful 5K event at Saddle River County Park. This fundraising run witnessed a great turnout with over 120 participants running and walking to raise money for the iScholar scholarship program, which promotes the further education and career advancement of graduating iLearn Schools’ students through financial assistance. Our dedicated runners, volunteers, donors, and supporters made the event’s success possible, and we extend a special thank you to Costco and Tulpehocken Water for their continued support.
To see how our community expressed their gratitude on Thanksgiving Day, please check out this video along with these photo highlights.
Phil Patire Teacher of the Year
On December 14th, Mr. Matthew Famularo, a Physical Education and Health teacher from Bergen Arts and Science Charter Elementary School, was honored with the Phil Patire Teacher of the Year award for the 2022-2023 Academic Year.
This prestigious award, named in memory of Mr. Philip Patire, stands as the highest honor for teachers within iLearn Schools, acknowledging outstanding leadership and dedication in education.
We also applauded the remarkable achievements of our second and third-place finalists, Ms. Kathleen Lopez, a Special Education Teacher from Paterson Arts and Science Charter Elementary School, and Ms. Dhanushi Mendis, a Math teacher from Paterson Arts and Science Charter Middle School, for their inspiring dedication to education.
To view the celebration of Mr. Famularo’s Phil Patire Teacher of the Year achievement, please visit this link. For additional information on the Phil Patire Teacher of the Year process and to view past participants of the Phil Patire Teacher of the Year program, please visit this link.
School Choice Week
From January 22nd to January 26th, all our New Jersey and New York campuses came together to celebrate the importance of School Choice Week, emphasizing the unique opportunities and educational options available within our school community!
During this special week, our students and staff showcased their love for their campus through various activities and events, fostering a sense of pride and unity. It was a vibrant celebration of the power of school choice in shaping unique educational experiences for our students across all our iLearn locations.
Read Across America
Throughout the week of March 3rd to March 6th, our young scholars from our New Jersey and New York campuses had the opportunity to have special guest speakers read aloud to them.
Guest speakers ranged from authors, parent volunteers, high school students, and iLearn Schools supporters and partnering companies such as State Farm, Fair Lawn Main Street, Nexthome New Beginnings, Alexena Consulting, Daily Money, and Maxwell Leadership.
With the help of our guest speakers and our dedicated teachers, this week-long event helped foster a love for literature and brought the community together in a joyous celebration of storytelling and imagination.
To see how we celebrated Read Across America, please watch this video.
Solar Eclipse
On April 8th, our students and educators seized a unique learning opportunity by observing the wonder of the solar eclipse firsthand and integrating this rare event into their lesson plans.
Students from kindergarten to high school seniors delved into astronomy, exploring the science behind eclipses through interactive lessons and hands-on activities. The excitement peaked on the day of the eclipse as students, equipped with solar glasses, witnessed the celestial event, making science come alive in a way that textbooks and lectures could never replicate.
iLearn Schools Honored as Charter School Champion of the Year
A proud moment came on April 18th, as iLearn Schools was named the 2024 Charter School Champion of the Year at the New Jersey Public Charter Schools Association Gala. This honor recognizes our advocacy efforts and dedication to educational excellence, inspiring us to continue shaping the future of education and positively impacting our students’ lives.
To see how iLearn Schools was recognized as Charter School Champion of the Year, please check out this video.
Make Things Happen
On Saturday, April 27th, Passaic ASCS Clifton Middle School hosted the annual Maker’s Festival, Make Things Happen, sparking creativity and innovation among students and families through interactive STEAM activities.
This year for Make Things Happen, politicians from our New Jersey Legislature sent our iLearn Community encouraging messages of support for the free Maker’s Fair, emphasizing the importance of STEM education and innovation in New Jersey. The video also paid tribute to notable inventors from New Jersey, highlighting the state’s rich history of innovation and expressing pride in the students’ potential to follow in their footsteps.
To experience Make Things Happen’s day of creativity and innovation, please watch the event video and check out the photo album.
Teacher Appreciation Week
From May 6th to May 10th, we celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week across all iLearn Schools campuses. This week-long celebration was a heartfelt tribute to our educators, who shape the minds and hearts of our students every day.
Color-A-Thon
On June 1st, our Color-A-Thon event at Garret Mountain Reservation filled our students, families, staff, and iLearn supporters’ day with color, fun, and community spirit. This joyous event allowed our iLearn community to come together to create colorful memories and support our students. This event was a tremendous success, showcasing the dedication of our runners and volunteers who, through their amazing efforts, helped create brighter futures for our deserving students.
To relive the fun of the Color-A-Thon event, please view this photo album.
School-Based Teacher of the Year
Throughout the month of June, the School-Based Teacher of the Year award celebrated and acknowledged excellence in classroom education. It served as a platform to highlight and showcase outstanding iLearn Schools educators who have made significant contributions to the field of education.
These honorees were recognized for their exceptional efforts and exemplary teaching methods that have not only inspired their students, but have also had a positive impact on their colleagues and the communities they serve.
We applaud the remarkable achievements of the following School-Based Teachers of the Year:
- Daisy Illescas from Bergen ASCS Primary
- Joseph Giordano from Bergen ASCS Elementary
- Sydney Feinberg from Bergen ASCS Middle
- Emily Star from Bergen ASCS High
- Parbattie Khalawan from Bronx ASCS Elementary
- Veronica Hernandez from Hudson ASCS Elementary
- Adem Tairi from Hudson ASCS Middle
- Georgeanne Letson from Passaic ASCS Primary
- Valeria Ceballos from Passaic ASCS Elementary
- Tyika Walker-Agu from Passaic ASCS Middle
- Gicella Sanchez from Passaic ASCS High
- Elisa Wassel from Passaic ASCS Clifton Primary
- Irisvette Palacios from Passaic ASCS Clifton Elementary
- Adam Tonner from Passaic ASCS Clifton Middle
- Vasilios Ikonomidis from Paterson ASCS Primary
- Gianna Esposito from Paterson ASCS Elementary
- Jillian Plotkin from Paterson ASCS Middle
- Stephany Ojeda from Paterson ASCS High
Graduations
This year, we celebrated numerous graduations across our iLearn School campuses, marking important milestones for our students. Our Pre-K step-up ceremonies were heartwarming events where young learners were celebrated for their achievements and readiness to enter elementary school. Similarly, our elementary and middle school graduations recognized the hard work and dedication of our students, preparing them for the exciting challenges ahead in their educational journeys.
A historic milestone was reached on June 11th with our first-ever joint high school graduation ceremony, held at the Rothman Center, otherwise known as the Bogota Savings Bank Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
The event celebrated 209 graduates from Bergen, Passaic, and Paterson Arts and Science Charter High Schools, marking a significant moment of unity and achievement. Inspiring speeches from valedictorians, educators, and local leaders highlighted the graduates’ potential to make a positive impact. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
To view the High School graduation festivities, please check out this photo album and Class of 2024 Celebrations of Memories video.
As we close this chapter and look forward to the future, we are grateful for the dedication of our staff, the support of our families, and the enthusiasm of our students. Together, we have created a year filled with learning, growth, and community spirit at iLearn Schools. Here is to another year of excellence and achievement!
