Elizabeth Public Schools

The June 18 Elizabeth Board of Education business meeting at Donald Stewart Early Childhood Center School No. 51 opened with a moment of silence for the recent passing of retired Elizabeth High School House Director James Joseph Feehan, Jr.

Before going through the agenda, the Board acknowledged two Elizabeth Public Schools team members with over 85 years of combined service to the district who are retiring from the district at the end of June. The Board first presented a resolution to Chief of Operations Francisco Cuesta, who started at Elizabeth Public Schools in September 1977 as a Spanish teacher and member of the inaugural faculty at the newly opened Elizabeth High School and also served as a vice principal, principal, house director, and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources during a 44-year career. A resolution was also presented by the Board to Elizabeth A. Krutis, who began her professional career at Elizabeth Public Schools in July 1980 immediately following high school graduation as a 12-Month Secretary/Stenographer in the Word Processing Center of the Superintendent’s Office, and would later serve as an Administrative Secretary II in the Division of Secondary Instruction and Curriculum, an Administrative Secretary III in the Office of the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, and ultimately as Confidential Administrative Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools during a 42-year career.

While the Board was in private session, a video was shown of Elizabeth Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer presenting the community updates for June.

William F. Halloran School 22 proudly presents the National Honor Society for Dance Arts and International Thespian Society induction ceremony.
Led by NHSDA chapter advisor Ms. Ally Ferry and ITS troupe leader Mrs. Jensyn Modero, the students were recognized for their achievements in dance and theatre as well as their leadership on and off the stage.
As the only middle school in the district to offer these national and international recognized honor societies, School 22 provides students with unique opportunities to be recognized for their dedication to the performing arts.

2026 Graduation Ceremonies and 8th Grade Promotions

On Tuesday, June 16th, Juan Pablo Duarte - Jose Julián Marti School No. 28 hosted “Once On This Island JR”. Directed and Choreographed by Mr. Will Horner, Musical Direction and Costumes by Ms. Marta Ortega, and Set Design by Ms. Kirsten Woodfield & Mr. Anthony Anozier, this was the school's first full production since 2019. This Caribbean-inspired musical follows the journey of Ti Moune, a peasant orphan who was saved by the Gods and is taken on a journey to find the one she loves most. The show tells a story about love, courage, hope, and discovering that even small acts of kindness and bravery can change the world. The middle school students of Mr. Horner's drama class and Ms. Ortega's chorus class showed their talents having only one rehearsal a week per class, highlighting the dedication, talent, and hard work of our students. Join us in congratulating our stars in the making!

Elizabeth Public Schools proudly celebrated the achievements of our student-athletes during the annual Athletic Signing Night, an evening dedicated to recognizing those who have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Surrounded by family, friends, teammates, coaches, and district leaders, our athletes officially signed their letters of intent, marking an important milestone in their educational journey.

A highlight of the evening was hearing from coaches, who shared reflections on the dedication, perseverance, leadership, and character demonstrated by each student-athlete throughout their high school careers. Their remarks highlighted the lasting impact these athletes have had on their teams, schools, and the Elizabeth Athletics community.

The event was expertly coordinated by Ms. Tatiana Gallego, whose efforts helped create a memorable and meaningful celebration for all in attendance. Representing the athletic department were Supervisor of Athletics Marthelly Luc and Supervisor of Physical Education, Health and Public Safety Jairo Labrador, who joined families and coaches in honoring the accomplishments of these outstanding students.

The Elizabeth Public Schools Athletic Department extends its sincere gratitude to the Elizabeth Board of Education for its continued support of student-athletes and athletic programming throughout the district. We also thank Superintendent Dr. Olga Hugelmeyer for her unwavering commitment to providing opportunities that foster excellence in academics, athletics, and personal growth. Special appreciation is extended to Director of Athletics Ben Candelino for his leadership and dedication to advancing athletic opportunities for our students and supporting programs that help them succeed both on and off the field.

Athletic Signing Night serves as a testament to Elizabeth Public Schools’ commitment to excellence in academics and athletics. We congratulate all of our student-athletes and wish them continued success as they embark on this exciting next chapter of their educational and athletic journeys.