Hawthorne superintendent highlights registrations, events and student awards

The Hawthorne Public School District superintendent outlined family-facing programs and upcoming events Tuesday night and invited the public to register and participate.

Kindergarten registration for September 2026 is open and begins remotely through the district website, the superintendent said. Families are asked to upload required documents to start the process; the district will provide follow‑up information to complete enrollment. The superintendent also reminded the community that Read Across America events will take place in early March.

The superintendent promoted two larger community events: the Hawthorne Police Department leadership camp for current fifth‑grade families, scheduled for Aug. 10–15 at Lincoln Middle School with registration opening March 1, and Hawthorne's multicultural night on Feb. 25 at Hawthorne High School. "This year's theme, Strong Roots, Many Branches, 1 Hawthorne," the superintendent said, noting school activities tied to the theme in classrooms across the district.

Board members also celebrated student achievements. Mr. Pazookane invited four students to accept citations after the district learned they had been honored in the Passaic County poster contest. The citation read by Mr. Pazookane came from State Senator Kristen Corrado and named Sarah Durgash, Esmeralda Franceschi, John Tolentino Jr. and Mila Day.

The superintendent thanked counselors and staff for recent work during National School Counseling Week, congratulated student athletes finishing their winter seasons, and noted a student performance at Carnegie Hall by Faith Martinez. The board encouraged families to monitor weekly school announcements and to participate in district activities.