Garfield recognizes December student of the month; student government outlines winter spirit week and coat drive as music program faces staffing questions

The Garfield Board of Education on Dec. 16 presented the December student-of-the-month award and heard a student-government report that outlined a winter spirit week, a suggestion box for student feedback, standing and temporary committees, a coat-and-blanket drive and plans for a career night featuring alumni.

Patricia Ochanska, identified by the board as Garfield High School's December student of the month, received remarks from an AP Calculus teacher who praised her academic consistency, leadership and community service. The teacher noted she has an unweighted 4.0 GPA, is an AP scholar in multiple subjects and is on track to earn an associate degree from Bergen Community College by the end of the school year. Patricia told the board she plans to study finance in college and thanked her nominators and family.

Student government presentations

- Isabelle, a senior and student-government secretary, described a winter spirit week with daily themes and fundraisers and said the schedule was the product of suggestion-box input and Instagram polls.

- Jesus, student-government treasurer, said the coat-and-blanket drive began Dec. 2 and will continue through Dec. 20 with drop-off locations at Garfield High School, the public library and Garfield Recreation Center; the items will be distributed in early January.

- Andrej Pradworski, a junior representative, said the student government is planning a career night and has already recruited alumni volunteers.

Music program and staffing

Community member Nancy Classen thanked administrators and the board for attending the middle-school holiday concert and congratulated the performers. She noted the middle-school music teacher, Miss Francica, announced her retirement after 25 years and praised her work. Classen said the district recently secured a grant that will provide 35 instruments for the middle school but raised concerns that elementary schools currently lack an instrumental-music teacher, which she said limits students' readiness for middle- and high-school ensemble work. Several trustees and the superintendent said strengthening the music program is a priority and that the district will work to add music instruction into school schedules next year.

Ending: Trustees and administrators praised student leaders, honored the student of the month and said they will continue work to expand music offerings across elementary and secondary schools while supporting student-government initiatives.