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Greenskies Clean Focus Completes 1.62 MW Solar Portfolio for Hackensack Public Schools in New Jersey
Greenskies Clean Focus (Greenskies), a national leader in renewable energy solutions, is proud to announce the successful completion of a 1.62 MW portfolio of solar energy projects for the Hackensack Public Schools (HPS) in New Jersey. The portfolio includes eight solar systems installed across seven sites, including all four elementary schools, the middle school, the high school, and the board of education administration building. While most systems were installed on rooftops, Hackensack High School features a combination of rooftop and carport solar arrays. Together, these systems encompass more than 3,600 solar panels.
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Seeds of Change: Hackensack High School's Rain Garden Blooms Into Community Symbol
What started as an ambitious dream to transform a patch of Hackensack High School campus has blossomed into something extraordinary.
On June 10, as clay plant markers caught the midday sun and wildflowers swayed in the breeze, Hackensack Public Schools officially unveiled its high school’s new rain garden—a vibrant fusion of environmental science, community partnership, and student creativity that promises to educate and inspire for generations to come. -
Hackensack High School Baseball: Season Highlights & Future Prospects
There are plenty of positives the Hackensack High School baseball program can take away from the 2025 season.
Including this: when the Comets lost a game, or a few games in a row, they bounced right back to capture a meaningful victory.
“The two contests that stand out to me the most are the games at Pascack Hills and West Orange,’’ Hackensack head coach Frank DiLorenzo said. “We needed to win the Pascack Hills game to make sure we qualified for the (NJSIAA) State playoffs. Pascack Hills is always an outstanding team and we knew it would be difficult. We had a 5-1 lead and after they rallied to tie the game at 5-5, we went on to win 8-5. -
Hackensack Public Schools Celebrate Linguistic Excellence
In a ceremony that celebrated both academic excellence and cultural diversity, 36 exceptional high school seniors received recognition for earning the coveted New Jersey State Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating their commitment to breaking down language barriers and embracing global communication.
This distinguished group of graduates represents the epitome of academic achievement and cultural appreciation, with 35 students earning their seal in Spanish and one in Italian. For the lone Italian language learner, Camilla Rodriguez, her journey into Italian language study began at age 11. She initially started with Spanish before discovering her passion for Italian culture and cuisine. -
Hackensack Students Explore Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Students from Hackensack Public Schools' My Brother's Keeper (MBK) and My Sister's Keeper (MSK) programs recently embarked on an inspiring educational journey to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, exploring prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and historical landmarks.
The trip provided students with firsthand experience of college life at Howard University and Morgan State University, where they explored academic programs, campus facilities, and student activities. The educational adventure also included visits to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the National Mall, home to several iconic monuments. -
Three Senior Baseball Captains Are Hackensack Comet Diamonds
The tough opposition the Hackensack High School baseball program faces on the field this spring is relentless.
But, it’s important to note that the Comets, led by the three senior captains on the roster, are relentlessly searching for ways to improve in the great sport.
Jorden Garcia, Thomas Ingallinera and Christian Pelaez are the captains for the 2025 Hackensack baseball team. -
A Legacy of Love: Hackensack Honors Visionary Educator Lillian K. Whitaker
In a powerful display of remembrance and gratitude, the Hackensack Public Schools community came together to honor the extraordinary legacy of former Principal Lillian K. Whitaker, whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to students profoundly shaped the Nellie K. Parker School and the broader community.
The afternoon began with the dedication of a new vestibule at the school's entrance at 261 Maple Hill Drive, creating a permanent tribute to a woman whose presence continues to inspire all who enter the building she once guided with such dedication. -
Finding Their Stroke: Hackensack's Hidden Rowing Renaissance
In the tranquil waters of Overpeck Creek in nearby Leonia, the rhythmic splash of oars cuts through the afternoon mist as members of Hackensack High School's rowing team push themselves toward excellence. This dedicated group is part of something bigger—the Bergen County Rowing Academy, a not-for-profit organization bringing the joy of rowing to students across the county.
Founded in 2014 by Clemens Reinke, the Academy now encompasses six schools: Hackensack, Bergen Tech, Saddle River, Leonia, Frisk, and Dwight Englewood. With 50 rowers total, the program has become a cornerstone of athletic achievement in an often-overlooked sport. -
Hackensack Red Oak Is Rooted in Legacy
In a touching tribute that intertwined environmental stewardship with community remembrance, the Hackensack Public Schools partnered with the Hackensack Shade Tree Advisory Committee to honor a beloved educator while celebrating the City’s 33rd annual Arbor Day.
As morning sunlight filtered through the leaves of existing trees, all 525 elementary school students gathered on the grassy field at the corner of Club Way and Maple Hill Drive. There, a Northern Red Oak sapling—New Jersey's official state tree—was planted in memory of beloved former Principal Lillian K. Whitaker, whose impact on the school and community had been as enduring as the mighty oaks that symbolize strength and wisdom. -
Please VOTE NOW for Martin Rojas Ortiz!
Let's go Comets! Our very own Hackensack High School music student, Martin Rojas Ortiz (a junior), has been selected as a finalist for the NJ Shout Down Drugs contest! He needs our help to win. We NEED you to vote for Martin. As a bonus, you can listen to his original composition and check out his lyrics! Martin is the first Hackensack music student to become a finalist in this competition. Let's help this talented musician win!
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Arbor Day in Hackensack: Celebrate Memory of Lillian Whitaker
The public is invited to Hackensack’s 33rd Arbor Day Celebration at Nellie K. Parker School to honor the memory of Lillian Whitaker with a tree dedication.
The Arbor Day Celebration is scheduled for Friday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m., 261 Maple Hill Drive.
Lillian, who died suddenly late in 2024 and was known as the “Mother Teresa of the Class”, was a beloved principal whose dedication to education profoundly impacted the community, according to city officials. -
Hackensack Baseball Defeats Wood-Ridge, 9-5
A five-run second inning put Hackensack into the lead, as the Comets defeated Wood-Ridge, 9-5, in an independent baseball game on Saturday morning in Hackensack. Hackensack is now 4-4 on the season, and Wood-Ridge is 5-5.
Wood-Ridge jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as Lucas Mendoza led off the game with a single, and moved to second on Jake Wall’s single. Nick Mabel bunted the runners over, and Mendoza scored on Dominick Buonomo’s ground out. -
Hackensack Middle School Honors “Women of Worth”
n a touching display of community spirit, Hackensack Middle School recently hosted its third annual “Women of Worth” celebration, bringing together students, educators, and district leaders for a morning of recognition and inspiration.
The event, which has grown from a simple essay contest into a full-fledged celebration of female leadership, featured a delicious breakfast, student performances, and heartfelt tributes to the influential women who shape the district's educational landscape.
The celebration was the brainchild of Jessica Cruz, a former Hackensack student who returned to her alma mater as a teacher four years ago. -
From Sidelines to Spotlight: Hackensack's Flag Football Comets Soar
In just its second season, Hackensack High School's girls flag football team is making its mark under the leadership of Dr. Simoné Edwards, a passionate athlete-turned-coach with an impressive sports pedigree. Ranked 22nd in the Super Football Conference League with a 2-1 record, these determined young athletes are breaking barriers and changing the culture of female sports participation.
“Athletics are my passion,” says Dr. Edwards, who joined Hackensack as a student assistance counselor in December 2022 before taking on coaching duties. Her impressive background includes playing professional women's football for the Philadelphia Phoenix and founding the New Jersey Titans, which claimed the Women's Football Alliance championship in 2012. -
Hackensack Baseball Looking To Keep The Positive Momentum Going This Spring
If the excitement and optimism that the coaching staff, led by experienced and winning head coach Frank DiLorenzo carries over the student athletes on the roster, which is quite likely, then this should be another highly productive year for the Hackensack High School baseball program.
The Comets are scheduled to host Paramus on April 7. -
Fairmount School Awarded $10K Grant to Advance Green Initiatives
Fairmount School was awarded a $10,000 Sustainable Jersey for Schools grant funded by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA).
Thirteen $10,000 grants and twenty-seven $2,000 grants were distributed to support a diverse range of sustainability initiatives, including outdoor gardens and classrooms; composting, waste reduction and recycling programs; student health and wellness; inclusive, diverse and equitable school environments; biodiversity projects and student safety. -
Chasing Greatness: The Rise of Hackensack High's 4x400 Relay Team
In the world of high school track and field, where fractions of seconds separate legends from footnotes, four young men from Hackensack High School are crafting a legacy measured in broken barriers and shattered records.
Like a perfectly synchronized storm, Devin DeCambre, Dustin DeCambre, Seven Garcia, and Jayden Desouza have become a force of nature on the track, their collective talent creating a tempest that few can weather. At the prestigious Nike Indoor Nationals held March 16, 2025, at New York's 168th Street Armory—an event that proudly bills itself as the road to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028—these four juniors clinched bronze in the 4x400 meters relay with a time of 3:19:68. -
Hackensack Schools Makes Reading Magical with Dual Celebration
In a whirlwind week of literacy and emotional growth, Hackensack Public Schools recently transformed their hallways into hubs of imaginative learning during their combined celebration of Read Across America Week and Social Emotional Learning Week.
Students across the district participated in the celebration of mind and heart, which included an array of creative theme days designed to spark excitement about reading. From “D.E.A.R.” (Drop Everything and Read) sessions where the entire school paused for literary adventures, to innovative "Mobile Book Swaps" that kept fresh reading material circulating among eager young readers, students had a blast. -
Hackensack Academic Decathlon Team Shines at State Competition, Punches Ticket to Nationals
In a stunning display of academic prowess, the Hackensack Public Schools Academic Decathlon team has established itself as an intellectual powerhouse in New Jersey, finishing as the Highest Overall Large School in the state and securing second place overall in the fiercely competitive state championships.
The achievement comes with a coveted prize – the team has earned one of only two spots representing New Jersey at the upcoming USAD National Competition in Iowa next month. -
Hackensack Softball Is Getting Ready For A Challenging Schedule
The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the 2025 high school softball program is real, and the Comets are scheduled to begin the regular season with a home game versus Mahwah on Saturday, March 29.
“I would like to see each player grow individually and get better each day," Hackensack head coach Brian Hooper said. “We have a lot of new starters, so it is about growing each day and competing.’’ -
A Night of Promise: Hackensack High's National Honor Society Induction
For the 27 students recently inducted into the E. T. Marlatt Chapter of the National Honor Society at Hackensack High School, some never thought they'd see that day. They were future innovators, entrepreneurs and problem-solvers who proudly took their places in
the ceremony.
The evening began with a heartfelt welcome from President Shruti Sangamkar, followed by a history of the chapter from chapter historian, Gracie Hart-Macapagal. Gracie noted that the chapter’s origin dates back to 1923 in the form of the Hackensack High School Honor Society. -
Hackensack School District Commits to Youth Empowerment
In a bold move to address opportunity gaps facing young people in our community, Hackensack School District has officially launched both the My Brother's Keeper (MBK) and My Sister's Keeper (MSK) initiatives.
These complementary programs aim to transform the educational and life trajectories of young men and women of color through mentorship, academic support, and leadership development. -
From the Brink of Tragedy to a Mission of Hope
The hallways of Hackensack High School hold countless memories for its graduates, but for 2017 alumnus Kyle Hewlett, they now represent something far more profound: a second chance at life.
Earlier this week, Kyle and his mother, Eugina Gilmore, also a Hackensack graduate, returned to these familiar corridors, specifically Ms. Medina’s classroom #233. But this time, they were not casual visitors, but bearers of a life-changing story that touched the hearts of all who heard it. -
Fairmount School Celebrates 100th Day Milestone with Epic Dance Battles, Festivities
The halls of Fairmount School erupted with excitement yesterday as students and staff marked their 100th day of school with an unforgettable celebration featuring dance-offs, parades, and even a mascot showdown.
The day kicked off with a generous gift from the PTA - commemorative T-shirts for every student to wear during school events. Lower grade students received extra royal treatment with crowns and upper grade rubber bracelets. -
Paint for Social Justice Night Brings Together Art and Activism In Hackensack
Dozens of students and their families recently gathered at Nellie K. Parker School for a Paint for Social Justice night, continuing a tradition of uniting art and activism in the community.
The evening featured a collaborative butterfly-themed art project honoring the favorite symbol – the mariposa – of the late Lillian Whitaker, the beloved principal who died in December 2024.
