Dear Millburn Staff and Families,
Board of Education Meeting Review
There were several presentations at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
Architects from Parette Somjen shared plans for the renovation of the High School Auditorium. This project is part of the 2023 Referendum. We are excited to see the auditorium plans come to fruition this summer
Director of Language Arts and Reading, Oona Abrams, and MHS English Department Chair, Dr. Jessica Siegel shared a presentation on the course pathways for students in LAR in our schools.
Cheryl Schneider, Business Administrator, updated us on the Budget process for the 2025-2026 school year. The state aid information was released yesterday, so Ms. Schneider is incorporating those numbers into the Preliminary Budget that will be presented to the Board and public at the March 10 BOE meeting, followed by submission to the state for approval. The final Public Hearing on the Budget is scheduled for the May 5th BOE meeting.
We thank the staff at the Middle School, Hartshorn, Deerfield, and Glenwood Schools, for sharing their desired qualities and skills for their school principals with Dr. Diskin and Mr. Connolly. A Google form has been sent for additional input and to gauge staff interest in joining the search committees.
The next step is to screen resumes and candidates for in-person interviews. Committees with staff and administrators will work to find the best school leaders for our district. Parents can share their thoughts during the rescheduled Parent Principal Input Sessions in the week of March 3rd or via this feedback form.
As of the February 14th application deadline, we received 65 applications for the middle school principal position and 86 for the elementary positions from internal and external candidates. We are on track to complete interviews and submit recommendations to the Board of Education by late April or early May. Thank you to everyone for their input as we select the best principals for our schools.
🌟 Essex County Unsung Hero Awards Announcement and Ceremony
Essex County has selected 46 Unsung Heroes for 2025, recognizing students who have made significant, often overlooked contributions to their schools and communities. These students, chosen by Essex County high school administrators, have had a lasting impact through their unique and outstanding contributions to their schools and communities. They deserve recognition, praise, and celebration for their efforts.
Congratulations to Millburn High School student Greta Clausen on this remarkable achievement. The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Orange Preparatory Academy of Inquiry and Innovation in Orange.
🌟Robotics Teams Reign!
The Middle School teams secured a best robot design award at the Livingston Tournament on February 8, coming in 1st out of 24 robots and qualifying that team for the state tournament (Team 7144S - Samir Sukhatme, Aaroh Mehta, Adithya Balakumar).
The teams competed again in Long Hill on Feb. 16 and secured 1st place in the teamwork matches (Team 7144X - Oliver Legasto, Changu Kim, William Xu), securing yet another spot for one of our teams in the state tournament at NJIT on March 16.
All 5 of Millburn High School's Robotics teams are also going to States after Robotics Team Millburn Riptide 7405R won the Vex Tournament last weekend in a field consisting of over 60 teams.
🌟 Science Stars
Congratulations to three MHS Science Research students who participated in the North Jersey Regional Junior Science & Humanities Symposium (JSHS) on Wednesday.
Neel Ahuja secured first place in the oral presentation competition for his project titled "Reducing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Water Contamination with Mycorrhizal Hydroponics Plants and Constructed Wetlands.
Daniel Han earned third place in the oral presentation competition for his project titled "Mathematical Modeling of T-Cell Mediated Oncolytic Virotherapy for Glioblastoma Treatment.
Paridhi Tyagi achieved second place in the poster competition for her project titled "Investigating the Role of Mutant CHCHD10 in ALS Pathogenesis Through Mouse Models.
All three students qualified to advance to the National JSHS Symposium, which will be held in Virginia in April.
