Elizabeth Public Schools

On September 22, representatives from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture visited Juan Pablo Duarte–José Julián Martí School No. 28 during Farm to School Week. Farm to School is a program that connects K-12 schools and early care programs with local farms to serve fresh food and teach children about agriculture and healthy eating. During this week, participating schools plan activities that incorporate the principles of the program.

Mrs. Naomi Montalvo, School No. 28's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program Coordinator, led a presentation that highlighted the progression of the school garden, which is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. The School No. 28 Garden provides students, families, faculty, and community members with the opportunity to directly connect with freshly grown food.

Garden Club students led a scavenger hunt around the garden, where visitors were able to see how the school incorporates lessons on growing fresh fruits and vegetables into the curriculum. Participants ended their visit by taking part in planting seeds for the Tower Garden, an aeroponic system used to grow food indoors.

Congratulations to Coach Eugene Kline, named the New York Giants’ Lou Rettino High School Coach of the Week! The Minutemen are 4-0 for the first time since 2015 after a 62-35 win over St. Joe’s Metuchen. Coach Kline, his staff, and our players are bringing EHS football back to its winning ways and carrying on a proud tradition. Go Minutemen! Click on the link to view the article https://www.giants.com/news/giants-name-elizabeth-s-eugene-kline-coach-of-the-week

A Day of Hope and Healing

ATTN: High School students (Grades 9-12)

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For more scholarship opportunities, please visit:
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The September 17 Elizabeth Board of Education business meeting at Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center School No. 51 opened with the Presentation of Colors by Admiral William F. Halsey Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy MCJROTC. Board Member Rosa E. Moreno-Ortega led the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Board Member Stephanie Clervoyant-Noel, who read the Pledge of Ethics.

Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer presented the community updates for September, which can be found on the Elizabeth Public Schools website. Following the community updates, Dr. Hugelmeyer, presented the district’s promise goals, graduation rate and pathways data as well as data from the Spring administration of the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment.

The Board reviewed the agenda items and then went into private session before returning to approve the agenda and adjourn the meeting. Board President Maria Z. Carvalho ended the meeting by thanking all of the departments that helped to make the opening of schools a success for the 2026-2027 school year.

The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), along with Elizabeth Public Schools and City of Elizabeth officials, hosted a beam signing ceremony to celebrate the construction progress of the new Joseph Battin School No. 4. Since the groundbreaking ceremony held at the site in April, construction has continued to advance, bringing the project one step closer to its anticipated opening in 2028. As part of the ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to sign a structural steel beam that will become a permanent part of the school building. Once it is placed, the beam will serve as a lasting symbol of the many individuals who played a role in this important milestone in the school’s construction.
Those who were on site to sign the beam for the new state-of-the-art school facility were SDA Chief Executive Officer Manuel M. Da Silva, Senator Joseph P. Cryan, City of Elizabeth Mayor J. Christian Bollwage, Elizabeth City Councilmen Kevin Kiniery (Ward 3), and Nelson Gonzalez (Ward 2), Elizabeth City Councilwoman-At-Large Patricia Perkins-Auguste, Elizabeth Board of Education President Maria Z. Carvalho, Elizabeth Board of Education Members Charlene Bathelus, Iliana Chevres, and Stephanie Clervoyant-Noel, Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer, EPS Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Jennifer Cedeño, EPS Assistant Superintendent for School Rafael A. Cortes, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Daryl Palmieri, EPS Assistant Superintendent Judy Finch-Johnson, EPS School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Harold E. Kennedy, Jr., EPS Director of Plant, Property, and Equipment Luis E. Milanes, Jr., Joseph Battin School No. 4 Principal Jerika Fernandez, and 5th and 6th grade students from School No.4 who may have the opportunity to attend the new school when it opens its doors.