March 2026

Old Tappan Public Schools

The Core is the monthly newsletter for families of the

Old Tappan Public School District.

Community  |  Curiosity  |  Courage |  Creativity  |  Commitmentt

Message from the Superintendent

 

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s):

                       

We are looking forward to the spring weather ahead of us! To date, we have used two (2) of our three (3) emergency closure days. Next month, you will be sent a revised school year calendar showing the return of our unused emergency closure day at the end of June, solidifying our last day of school, which is now Tuesday, 23 June 2026.

 

This March edition of The Core highlights events over the past month, as well as information about upcoming happenings — most notably, news about an Addition Project to begin at TBD.

 

TBD Addition Project Need

Due to the increase in enrollment over the years, there is a need to add additional instructional space at TBD. The TBD Addition Project will address the special-area classes that are now on carts, the specialized classes without spaces, as well as allow for the removal of the trailer, which always was intended to be a temporary structure. 

 

Project Details 

The TBD Addition Project will add four (4) full-size classrooms and two (2) small-group classrooms. Weaving together the existing interior and exterior aesthetic and architectural elements, this Addition Project will run parallel to the current first-grade wing; however, it will not run the full length of the existing wing. 

 

Click to see the renderings and the aerial view! 

 

In addition to this project, two sets of student restrooms will be renovated, and the school boilers will be replaced inside TBD during the summer months. 

 

Project Timeline 

The TBD Addition Project was shared with the Old Tappan Planning Board last month and was approved by the Department of Education earlier this month. We expect to go out to bid for this project next month. 

 

A couple of changes will begin to be noticeable at TBD this spring. In April, the trailer will be removed from the grounds. In June, a construction fence will be erected around the construction site.  

 

Construction will begin once school is dismissed in June. All inside work, such as the restroom renovations, will be completed during the summer months. The full Addition Project will run from the summer of 2026, through the 2026-2027 school year, and through the summer of 2027. Completion is anticipated for Back-to-School in September of 2027.

 

Project Impact

Starting in June, once the construction fence is erected, certain classrooms will be assigned different dismissal doors. If your child’s dismissal door will be affected, Ms. Boyce and the classroom teacher will let you know. 

 

Project Communication

As a means of providing you regular communication about this Addition Project, each edition of The Core will include an update. As a reminder, all editions of The Core are posted on our District website for your reference. 

 

Thank You!

Projects, like this classroom addition, are possible because of the Board of Education’s long-term planning and financial stewardship. Over many years, the Board set aside funds in the District’s Capital Reserve, specifically for future facility improvements. As a result, this project can be completed without the need for a referendum and without raising additional taxes.

 

As we embark on this project that will impact the footprint of TBD, thank you for your continued partnership. On behalf of the Board of Education, faculty, staff, and students, we appreciate your continued support. Our schools will continue to be wonderful places for Old Tappan’s children to learn and grow!

 

Respectfully, 

Danielle M. Da Giau, Ed.D. 
Superintendent of Schools
Old Tappan Public School District

COMMUNITY

Let's Partner! Parent Series

 

We are continuing our Let's Partner!: Parent Series with our seventh offering on Wednesday, 4/1, at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Dr. Da Giau and Dr. Polizotto, our Supervisor of Pupil Support Services, will be facilitating a session entitled "Conditions for Motivation and Attention" for all interested parents in the Board Conference Room. Read more here. 

 

On Wednesday, 4/22, at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Dr.

Da Giau and Ms. Boyce, TBD's Principal, will be facilitating a session entitled "Supporting Literacy Development." This session is open to all K - Grade 3 parents. The session will take place at TBD. Read more here.

 

We value home-school partnerships. Please do not underestimate the power of showing up!

CURIOSITY

Learning from Visiting Experts

 

The TBD first-grade students enjoyed a program offered by visiting water experts from Veolia's Educational Outreach Program. The students learned about the importance of water through the program entitled “All Living Things Need Water.” This program aligned with our regular classroom instruction. The students learned about the importance of clean drinking water and the dependency we have on clean water.

 

Students at both TBD and CDW learned about instruments and music-making from visiting musicians. PROJECT Trio visited our schools and taught students about musicianship and craft. Using a classical repertoire, these visiting experts exposed students to instruments, their sounds, and complementary auditory tones.

 

Our TBD students enjoyed an informative, interactive presentation from author, Anna Kang, and illustrator, Christopher Weyant. Together, they shared the importance of creativity and imagination, as well as the long and fruitful process of drafting, redrafting, editing, and sketching before celebrating a final product. 

COURAGE

Growing from Feedback

 

In alignment with our District's three-year Blueprint for Growth and Development, we are in the process of being evaluated for the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence recognition.

 

The evaluation process is extensive, as our schools are being assessed across 120 indicators, within nine (9) performance categories. 

 

In addition to off-site reviews, TBD and CDW will undergo multiple days of on-site evaluations this spring (dates to be determined).

 

Prior to the on-site evaluations, we will be sending families a survey link to provide feedback about our schools to the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence evaluators. Expect to receive more information about this feedback opportunity mid-April! 

 

Thank you, in advance, for your collaboration with us on this endeavor. Regardless of the recognition outcome, we look forward to learning and growing from the experience!

CREATIVITY

Theater Program: 'Everybody cut footloose!'

 

The CDW students collaborated on stage to perform Footloose - Youth Edition. After many weeks and hours of practice, the cast delighted audiences with three shows that highlighted the lessons of empathy and forgiveness and the value of community.

 

The cast, comprised of fifth graders through eighth graders, took to the stage with confident speaking roles, powerful singing, and energetic dancing. Enjoy the short videos that highlight scenes from the show!

 

The crew, an equally-talented group, created all of the scenery and props and magnificently commanded the stage with scene changes, as well as spot-on lighting and sound. Our students worked alongside high school students, as they learned about sound and projection with the stage equipment.

 

Thank you to the cast, crew, teachers, and returning high school students for their dedication and time spent preparing! Productions are possible because of our students’ hard work, as well as that of Ms. Osbahr, Ms. Cooke, Ms. Melillo, Ms. Santa, and Mr. Lee. We especially thank our school families, who value these arts experiences for our students.

COMMITMENT

Classroom Addition Project at TBD

 

As a means of providing you regular communication about the TBD Addition Project, this section of The Core will include a monthly update. 

 

TBD's Addition Project will add four (4) full-size classrooms and two (2) small-group classrooms. In addition to existing student restroom renovations and boiler replacements, this Addition Project is expected to be completed by our Back-to-School in September of 2027.

 

Take a look at the renderings and the aerial view.

 

On behalf of the Board of Education, faculty, staff, and students, thank you to our supportive community for your commitment to our schools!

INFORMATION & REMINDERS

Quick Links

 

• Parent Portal

• Contact Us

• Board of Ed

• Calendar

• TBD

• CDW

• PTO

 

We are always available to help you and your family! 

 

Dr. Da Giau, Superintendent

   

Ms. Boyce,

TBD Principal    

       

Ms. Santa,

CDW Principal 

 

Mr. Lee,

Assistant Principal 

Calendar

 

April 1

Let's Partner! Parent Session 

1:00 and 7:00 PM

 

April 1, 8, 22, 29

Walk or Bike to/from School Wednesdays

 

April 3

No School

 

April 6

BOE Meeting

 

April 13-17

No School

 

April 22

Let's Partner! Parent Session 

1:00 and 7:00 PM

 

April 27

BOE Meeting

 

 

 

Important  Reminders

 

School Budget for 2026-2027

 

The 2026-2027 School Year Budget Hearing will be held at the Board of Education Meeting on 27 April 2026, at 7:30 PM, in the Board of Education Conference Room. Budget highlights will be shared. As in previous years, this year’s 2026-2027 budget will allow our District operations and programs to be maintained. The budget process is extensive, and we thank our dedicated Board Members for their sensibilities in balancing all budgetary items.
 

Kindergarten Registration

 

If you have an incoming kindergarten child,

please contact TBD as soon as possible to begin registration. This will ensure our proper planning.