Home of the Hornets
Based on our current in-person class sizes, Passaic Valley has decided to combine Cohort A and B beginning March 1, 2021. Hybrid students will attend classes four days a week for the remainder of the 3rd marking period, following all district health and safety protocols.
After 40 years in education, Dr. JoAnn Cardillo, Superintendent of Passaic Valley High School, is retiring in June. PV families and community members can complete the survey linked in this article to help with the search for the next superintendent.
Last summer, junior Christopher Perez was accepted into the distinguished Columbia University Science Honors Program. His acceptance is a result of Perez’s hard work and dedication to not only the science field, but all his classes.
The National Art Honors Society made their annual holiday cards and conducted their canned food drive, the Student Senate used their fundraising proceeds to help the First Reformed Church of Little Falls, and the Culinary Club gave back to a fellow student's family.
The Valley Echo spoke with some of the over 35 PV alumni currently working at the school to discuss what Hornet Pride means to them and the changes Passaic Valley has undergone throughout the years.
The Passaic Valley Education Association and the Teen Center have teamed up to run the Snowflake Storytime Program from January 4th to February 12th. Each day, a member of either the Interact Club or National Honor Society reads to 10 pre-K to 2nd grade students from the three sending districts via Zoom.
On Tuesday November 3, Senior Taylor Hill was awarded the Heisman High School Scholarship. The Heisman Scholarship awards promising student athletes financial aid based on not only their success in sports, but their involvement in their schools and communities.
The 2020 Winter Play, "What the Elf?", premiered on YouTube and Vimeo on December 22nd. The full play is embedded within this article.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the annual fall play, Everything Seems Like Maybe, was filmed at home by the student actors and actresses for the first time. On November 19, 2020, the play was broadcasted for one day only on Passaic Valley's Vimeo channel for members of the community to view.
Due to proposed budget constraints in the New Jersey DCF, the Passaic Valley Teen Center and Teen Centers throughout the state were recently at risk of being cut over the summer. However, due to the outstanding determination from school communities across the state, including Passaic Valley, the state was convinced to reverse their decision.
Three students have been recognized for their academic achievements by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation for their scores on the PSAT for 2020: Raima Islam '21, Elizabeth Dubov '21, and Daniel Dransfield '21.
Due the increased demand during virtual teaching, the Tech Team has provided assistance to students and staff, created tutorials on programs used during remote learning, and streamlined their Help Desk in order to ensure a smoother transition into the virtual classroom.
PVTV has been hard at work delivering the morning announcements to the Passaic Valley community while staying safe. Teacher Ms. Stephanie Roberts and her students have been uploading Good Morning Hornet to the school's YouTube and Vimeo channels while filming and editing segments at home.
One of the ways Passaic Valley has adapted to the COVID-19 educational landscape was to move Back to School Night to a virtual format. Teachers uploaded presentations and videos of themselves for parents and guardians to view in place of the in-person Back to School Night experience.
PVHS Drama Club will release a virtual performance of Everything Seems Like Maybe on Thursday, November 19th. The production will stream for ONE DAY ONLY on Passaic Valley's Vimeo page. A link to the production and a password will be provided through the website and social media outlets.
With Passaic Valley moving to a virtual model, students and staff are becoming more creative with their work spaces. Both teachers and students have invested time and resources to convert and build their home offices.
The Yearbook Staff has begun preparations for this year's Valley Green. However, due to social distancing policies and safety precautions, this year's Valley Green will look differently than years past. The Yearbook Staff has had to change the way they operate, challenging them to be more creative.
Senior Chelsea Nakhleh joins the Valley Echo as a writer for the 2020-21 school year. With a passion for writing, Nakhleh hopes to use her skills and take on the responsibility of being a journalist for the community.
The Valley Echo welcomes three senior writers this year, eager to deliver the news to the Passaic Valley community. They will be joined and mentored by returning reporters Arcangelo Iurato and Devyn DiPasquale.
Nick Busciglio is one of three new seniors to join the Valley Echo staff this year. Busciglio was extremely interested in taking the class, since he feels it not only will help him improve his writing skills, but also provide a glimpse into what professional journalism is like.
Performance Arts teachers have found new, creative ways to tackle issues with live performance through a screen and fully embraced technology in the virtual classroom.
Photography and Design classes, instructed by Ms. Melanie Vasa and Ms. Lori Demsey, have made a smooth and astute transition into the virtual classroom, providing students with the necessary software, whilst allowing them a creative outlet to showcase their work.
During Passaic Valley's first asynchronous snow day on December 17th, Mr. William Goodman's Climate and Weather course participated in a Snow Depth Analysis activity.
As classes have moved online, Passaic Valley's classical arts classes have adjusted in creative and ingenious ways. Teachers have teamed together and gone out of their way to provide students with the materials they need to make the transition.
Passaic Valley welcomes four new staff members this year: Mr. Nicholas Andriani, Teacher of Physical Education and Health, Mr. Max Wassel, Teacher of Math, Ms. Larisa Zulic, Teacher of Italian I, and Mr. Christopher Clementi as Systems and Network Technology Coordinator.
Physical Education classes have undergone a massive transition during remote learning. By administering lessons online over Google Classroom, Health and Physical Education teachers have been offering students a variety of tasks utilizing technology to keep track of their physical activity.
The Contemporary Issues Through Videoconferencing (CITVC) class is an elective course available to juniors and seniors. CITVC allows for students to design their own learning experiences and be active in what they learn.
During health-related school closures, Mrs. Stephanie Roberts' Broadcasting classes have developed a series of PSAs informing viewers on the best practices to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. These videos are designed teach viewers about the coronavirus and what to do if it is contracted.
Now in its eighth week, remote learning continues for schools across New Jersey. Passaic Valley administration has responded to concerns within the community by revising the model for the third and fourth marking period.
On March 16, students and teachers began the transition to remote learning, in following the proper safety precautions of social distancing. Teachers have been working harder than ever to ensure students are continuing to succeed academically, even when not in the traditional classroom setting.
With various visual components and online assessments, schools across the country are managing to make online learning work. Passaic Valley administration and teaching staff has been working hard to continue to offer students the same opportunities they were granted when coming to school.
Passaic Valley students and staff have been participating in online learning since March 16, 2020. To slow the spread of COVID-19, schools around New Jersey closed to ensure the safety of their students and staff.
Both students and teachers are adjusting to the new remote learning model, which requires students to sign-in to their homeroom before noon and complete assignments throughout the day via Google Classroom.
Since March 16, Passaic Valley has turned to the Remote Learning Model during the public health-related school closure. The new method of instruction tasks teachers with crafting daily online lessons for students to complete through Google Classroom.
Jumping into the new system of learning from home has been a significant change for students, teachers, and administration. The transition to the remote learning model in response to COVID-19 has required patience and ingenuity to maintain the rigorous levels of instruction PV offers.
Due to COVID-19, Passaic Valley took the precaution to move to remote learning. Since March 16, students have been learning and doing their work from home through Google Classroom. There have been some challenges, but the program has been successful providing students with quality instruction.
Since 2016, senior have been placed as interns at Little Falls School No. 2 to explore a career in early childhood education, an opportunity offered through the Hornet Helping Hands Program. This year, the program has expanded, sending interns to Beatrice Gilmore in Woodland Park as well.
Dr. Susanne Iobst was awarded the New Jersey Governor's Teacher/Educational Professional of the Year award after being nominated by her colleagues. The annual award is voted on by a faculty and administrative committee.
Recently, Passaic Valley was recognized by College Board for their students' high performance on the Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Passaic Valley is among just 21 high schools in New Jersey and 800 in America and Canada to make the AP District Honor Roll and receive this acknowledgement.
PV announced its new course offerings and expanded partnerships for the 2020-2021 school year. The Program of Studies was debuted at PV during an evening event to welcome the incoming class of 2024.
On November 2nd, the Girls Cross Country Team took home the Big North Conference Championship for the first time in twenty-four years. The team raced against Wayne Valley, East Side High School, and John F. Kennedy High School, defeating them and winning the elusive league champion title.
After a successful return to sports this fall, Passaic Valley is now gearing up for the upcoming winter season. The fall season brought many new restrictions and regulations. Coaches, players, and fans can expect the same for the winter season.
Twenty-two of Passaic Valley's talented athletes have signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. This group of graduating athletes is the largest since Passaic Valley began the College Signing Day tradition four years ago.
The boys' Varsity Soccer team has had an astonishing run this season, accomplishing a 9-3-1 record and becoming the Big North Independence Division Champions. Taking the top seed in the County Tournament, the team will face Passaic High School this weekend at home.
On February 13, Taylor Hill scored her 1,000th point as a Hornet in a home game against West Milford. Varsity Girls Basketball Coach Marc Salvatore originally planned to honor this incredible achievement at the end-of-year Basketball Dinner. When this was cancelled, Coach Salvatore got creative.
Winter Track and Field had a particularly successful season. The team has broken several school records, some of which have stood for decades. Upperclassmen and underclassmen teammates collected medals and improved their skills throughout the season.
Spring sports are now in session and, for some athletes, it will be their last season in high school. For one senior baseball player, Carlos Morales '17, his final season is also his fourth consecutive year on the varsity squad, a rare and prestigious achievement.
Passaic Valley congratulates its very own Passaic Valley-Cedar Grove (PVCG) Hockey Team on being Big North Bronze Cup Division Champions. PVCG shutout Clifton 2-0 in an exciting championship game at Floyd Hall Arena.
Senior Christie Ack became Passaic Valley’s first ever Fencing County Champion at the Passaic County Tournament in February. Placing first in epee, her achievement was the perfect capstone to Christie’s final season.
Mr. Max Wassel will take over as the Head Football Coach following the retirement of Coach Chet Parlavecchio. Coach Wassel has plenty of coaching experience, including coaching the Freshmen Football Team in 2017 and serving as Assistant Football Coach for the past two years.
Passaic Valley’s Head Football Coach Mr. Chet Parlavecchio has announced his retirement from the sport. As head coach for the Hornets for a total of 10 years, Coach Parlavecchio is recognized for his dedication to Passaic Valley students and his leadership of the program.
As the 2019 fall season draws to a close, we recognize the Girls' Varsity Volleyball Team for their exceptional season. The Hornets finished 17-7, made it to the county final, and qualified for the state tournament for the first time in years.
Every October our Hornet sports teams hold Breast Cancer Awareness games to honor those impacted by the disease. Girls' Soccer hosted their annual game against Cedar Grove on October 5th to emphasize that, in October, our teams play for an additional goal.
It has been a very exciting start to the school year for Mr. Stephen Smith. The new history teacher was also named head coach for freshman football. The freshman team has grown immensely as a result of Smith’s experience as a football player and all the work he has put into this team.
Three senior Hornet athletes participated in local All-Star Games this spring. Antwan Rodgers, Matthew Jaeger, and Steven Nitch contributed significantly to their respective teams and represented the prestige of Passaic Valley Sports.
On June 7th, the 3rd annual Athletic Signing Day was held for twelve student athletes on their way to collegiate athletics. The presentation was held during 2nd period in the Senior Cafe, in which the students were joined by their families to rejoice in their accomplishments.
Each year, PV offers its Summer Sports Camps for local students from grades 3-8. The camps give students the opportunity to try out a sport and reinforce their skills and abilities.
On Wednesday, May 8, Catherine Bennett ‘19 made PV history with her 200th career goal. In an intense game against Clifton, the girls’ lacrosse star and senior captain became the first Hornet to achieve this remarkable accomplishment.
Colby Sellitto '21 has already managed to make a name for himself in the athletic and academic world. He has an impressive wrestling record and was chosen to be a student ambassador for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, all while maintaining his impressive 4.65 GPA.
This Indoor Track season was particularly memorable for the Freshmen Boys 4x800 Relay Team. They displayed their athleticism, heart, and considerable potential at each meet. At one point in the season, they came in 1st for three consecutive meets.
The Passaic Valley Theater community frequently adopts traditions from Broadway. One of which, the Legacy Robe, was awarded to Alex Paese '21 this year for her contributions to the theater community throughout her high school career.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, Passaic Valley Summer Theater (PVST) cancelled their highly anticipated mainstage play Beauty and The Beast and their junior production Moana. In response, PVST cast and crew decided on an entirely original idea, filming a documentary called Ghost Light.
Passaic Valley’s Theatre Program continues to rehearse, while innovatively adhering to social distancing guidelines. Staff and cast members of this year's The Little Mermaid have turned to online conferencing technology for preproduction.
Film Photography student Sam Droney’s photograph was selected for the 2020 Fresh Perspectives art exhibit. Photography Teacher Ms. Melanie Vasa was pleased to hear the news as being accepted is an impressive achievement. “I am so happy for Sam. He is a wonderful person and deserves this,” Ms. Vasa said.
Throughout the month of January, the National Art Honor Society collected 20 grocery bags worth of canned goods, which were then donated to the Human Needs Food Pantry, in their eighth annual Soup-er Bowl Canned Food Drive.
March is Music in Our Schools Month (MIOSM). To commemorate MIOSM, the Valley Echo is highlighting Passaic Valley's involvement in the The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) Honors Festival for the first time.
On January 11, 2020, students and teachers participated in the Speech and STANJ competition at Montclair State University. Throughout the night, Passaic Valley took home Best Play and Best Musical awards.
On December 17, 2019, the annual Variety Show took place in the Schneider Auditorium at Passaic Valley. Presented by the Drama Club, the Variety Show gives students who may not be a part of the Theater or Music program a chance to shine on the PV stage.
On Thursday, December 19, the Passaic Valley Band, Choir and Hornet Harmonics hosted their annual Winter Concert to celebrate the upcoming holidays and winter season. Both gave strong performances for students, staff and community members in the Schneider Auditorium.
Passaic Valley's Theater Department announced the annual winter holiday production, Charlie Brown's Christmas Spectacular. The musical marks the first time an original script, written by Mia Preziosi '20 and Mark Huggins '20, is being produced for the stage.
Passaic Valley Theater is wrapping up its rehearsals for their annual Fall Show Lend Me A Tenor, on stage October 24th, 25th, and 26th. The comedy is Director Ms. Pia Vanderstreet's first play in that role.
Passaic Valley Summer Theater put on two fantastic plays this summer: Zombie Prom and Shrek Jr. Maggie and Mike Lavagno directed the production of Zombie Prom, with Ms. Pia Vanderstreet as Musical Director. Mr. Michael DeLuccia and directed Shrek Jr.
On May 18, Stevens Institute of Technology hosted its annual Stevens Math Olympiad. This was the first year PV students participated in the event. The participants included Elizabeth Dubov ‘21, Betul Koc ‘21, and Lia Trewhella ‘22 accompanied by Mrs. Thornton, Mrs. Kurtishi, and Mrs. Robeson.
On Wednesday, May 22, the Environmental Club, in collaboration with the Engineering Club, hosted a representative from Tesla to discuss the company and their role in making environmentally efficient vehicles.
The Marching Band performed at Wilmore Road Park to kick off Memorial Day Weekend. The following day, the band, joined by the Color Guard, honored and remembered US veterans in the annual Memorial Day Parade, hosted by The American Legion Singac Post 108 & The Township of Little Falls.
Students with a passion for art were recently allowed to show off their talents and PV pride thanks to Gelotti's Ceiling Tile Contest. The tiles will be displayed in the newly renovated Gelotti's in Paterson.
The Drama Club and Theater Department debuted the annual spring musical, Addams Family: The Musical, in Schneider Auditorium on May 9th, 10th, and 11th. The Spring Musical was very successful and the most well-attended musical at PV in the last four years.
This year’s eleventh annual Hey Jude concert is set to take place Friday, May 31st. Audiences can look forward to seeing bands made up of both students and teachers coming together to raise money for Saint Jude’s research hospital.
On April 4, the Theater Department traveled to New Hope, Pennsylvania for their annual Bucks County Playhouse field trip. This year, PV brought home 3 awards - Best Vocal Performance: Gabriella Volonnino ‘19, Best Comedic Actor: Marc Garcia ‘19, and Best Musical Ensemble.
The Addams Family hits Schneider Auditorium on Thursday May 9th, and additional showtimes include Friday May 10th, and Saturday May 11th. Performances begin at 7pm each night. The audience can look forward to an amusingly peculiar show about your not-so-average family.
PVHS Restart and Recovery Plan to Reopen School
4 Year Strategic Plan
