DISTRICT - Inaugural Heritage Night BBHS - NHS induction ceremony CMS- Students attend leadership conference SMALLEY - Bulletin boards unite school LAFAYETTE - Kindness & Black History Month LAMONTE / ANNEX - Olympic reading challenge DID YOU KNOW - Register for Pre-K ICYMI - Celebrating Coach Melesurgo's 400th win
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Bound Brook School Community,
The month of February signifies an important time where our students and staff proudly honor Black History Month and Random Acts of Kindness Month by celebrating the resilience and contributions of Black leaders while fostering compassion in our community.
It is a time to educate, reflect on the past, and actively build a more equitable, inclusive future through intentional acts of kindness. When I walk through our schools, I see that constantly being reflected in the values we share and continue to develop.
As you read through this newsletter, please join me in recognizing the wonderful #BoundtoAstound wins taking place across our schools. From hosting the first-ever Heritage Night at Bound Brook High School to building a kindness wall at Lafayette Elementary School, every member of our community is contributing to what makes our Bound Brook community so special.
Let’s continue to uphold these values as we step into the spring season, welcoming warmer weather and sunnier days.
Truly, Alvin L. Freeman, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools Use this form to tell us about the Bound Brook moments that define your story: https://forms.gle/bugUJryuNhJy46vv9.
BOUND BROOK SCHOOL DISTRICT
Bound Brook School Districts' first Heritage Night celebrates culture and community bonds
Bound Brook School District proudly celebrated its inaugural Heritage Night with students, families, staff, and the community hosted by Bound Brook High School (BBHS). From music to food, dancing and vibrant displays, the memorable evening honored the diverse cultures that make our district unique.
BBHS Sophomore Sophia Portillo and her mother Melissa Portillo were inspired to create an event that celebrates diversity. They brought their idea to BBHS Assistant Principal Christine Larson who helped bring the event to fruition.
“I’m from two very different places, Honduras and England, and I appreciate and enjoy representing both of their traditions. That’s where the idea for Heritage Night came from,” said Sophia. “And we had a similar event when I was in middle school that I not only loved but it also opened up conversations in the community – so I knew this would be a great fit for our district.”.
Music and the aroma of delicious foods filled the air as guests explored traditions, connected with one another, and celebrated the richness of our community. Guests enjoyed a variety of authentic dishes and snacks including dumplings, ají de gallina (a classic Peruvian comfort food), Irish soda bread, Zambos (a popular plantain chip brand), and Yipy (a Costa Rican wafer cookie). The food offered a taste of the many backgrounds represented across our district.
Sophia and her mother created posters to solicit participation and partnered with school clubs to get volunteers that represented a variety of cultures.
“In the future, I hope the event will become a staple not only for the district, but the celebration expands to include more Bound Brook community members,” said Sophia.
The program featured lively performances including a high-energy salsa dance and an impressive Irish step dancing performance. BBSD staff members led attendees in an interactive salsa dancing workshop. Both performances highlighted the beauty of cultural expression through movement and music.
This celebration reflected our commitment to honoring where our students come from while supporting where they are going, as part of our year-long theme, Your Story Begins in Bound Brook. Your story begins here: in our schools, in our community, and in the experiences that help shape bright futures.
BBHS Assistant Principal Christine Larson was proud of the work that went into the event and the overwhelming support from the school community.
"Thank you to everyone who attended, performed, volunteered, and helped make Heritage Night such a successful celebration of our community’s diversity," she said. "I’m incredibly proud of how this event reflected everything that makes Bound Brook such a welcoming and supportive place for our students, staff, and families as we learned about each other's cultures."
BOUND BROOK HIGH SCHOOL High-achieving learners recognized during NHS Induction ceremony
The Bound Brook High School chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) recently held its annual induction ceremony to celebrate and recognize students who demonstrate academic rigor and outstanding excellence to the school and to the community.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply for membership based on their cumulative grade point average and commitment to the four pillars of NHS, including scholarship, leadership, character, and service.
Once inducted, NHS members must perform at least 25 hours of civic volunteerism through the course of the year and maintain their academic standing and good character.
Congratulations and welcome to our new National Honor Society members!
Current NHS officers: President: Madison Petrusky; Vice-President: Luka Musson; Secretary: Harrison Musson; Treasurer: Cassidy Wilson
Newly inducted NHS members include:SENIORS: Beatriz Arruda, Kiara Chac, Gisselle Delgado, Andrew Gonzalez; JUNIORS: Parker Clarida, Shelly Diaz, Ashley Ferrel, Lanny Morales, Sandra Moran, Lauren Polakiewicz; SOPHOMORES: Jonathan Baker, Diego Dionicio, Sonia Hinnawi, Sophia Portillo, Danna Rodriguez, Leonella Tonche, Julianna Vargas
COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL CMS students develop leadership skills at statewide conference
A rewarding trip to the New Jersey State Elks Path to Leadership Conference introduced plenty of opportunities for Community Middle School students to build their leadership skills, encourage positive life choices and responsibility, and become well-rounded peer mentors.
The conference, run by the NJ Elks Association, is aimed at empowering middle school students to build decision-making skills, develop self-confidence, and learn peer support tools and community service awareness.
CMS School Counselor Brianne DiBetta organized this year's trip, taking members from the eighth-grade student council and the National Junior Honor Society. The conference is specifically designed for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students in New Jersey, with over 600 middle schoolers attending the conference this year in Long Branch.
"It's incredibly meaningful that our students got to broaden their experiences," said DiBetta. "Many of our students do not often have opportunities to travel beyond our community. I'm proud our district can afford our students the chance to explore new places, connect with peers from other schools, and simply enjoy being kids."
Students listened to guest speaker Jesse LeBeau who discussed how students can turn obstacles into assets, and take ownership in their choices, mindset, and actions. LeBeau also touched on topics like drug awareness and the effects of social media. Students were given the opportunity to be vulnerable and speak on their own personal life experiences. In addition, students received the chance to network and connect with students from other schools through a series of team building exercises. They learned about the different programs offered by the NJ Elks Association as well as the different scholarship opportunities available when it is time to start applying to colleges.
"It was great to see the students put themselves out there and be vulnerable to people they have never met before," said DiBetta. "A bonus was getting to be down by the beach and see the ocean even if it was 10 degrees!"
SMALLEY SCHOOL Bulletin boards around school campus build connections
Hallways across the Smalley School campus have turned into vibrant galleries this month for student artwork and research, as bulletin boards showcase both academic inquiry and school spirit.
Student research are on display in honor of Black History Month highlighting influential figures including the first African American first lady Michelle Obama, renowned NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, and popular culture icons Steve Harvey and Juice WRLD. Students shared biographies and reflections on the lasting impact of these leaders, creating colorful displays that blend art, history and current events. The projects invite passersby to reflect on the achievements that have shaped the world we live in.
Other bulletin boards build excitement for the annual Smalley Olympics, which coincided with the Winter Olympics, adding an extra layer of enthusiasm to the festivities on campus. Teams represent a wide range of countries – designing signs, creating chants, and dressing in their country's colors. During physical education classes, the students compete in a variety of athletic challenges for points. Teams also receive points for good sportsmanship toward referees, opponents, and teammates, reinforcing character and communication skills.
The bulletin boards capture the energy of the school community and tell a broader story about student engagement – one where students feel a strong sense of belonging and empowered to learn and participate.
LAFAYETTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lafayette leads with kindness and recognition of inspiring figures
Celebration, learning, and heart were common themes at Lafayette Elementary School throughout the month of February.
In honor of Black History Month, students and staff kicked off each morning on a high note by playing iconic songs from famous Black artists as students entered the building. They also recognized notable Black leaders and changemakers during the morning announcements, sharing their stories and accomplishments, and establishing an inspiring tone for the day.
In addition, these influential figures were displayed in the hallways throughout the school, giving students the opportunity to read, reflect, and learn as they move through the building.
Lafayette also fully embraced February in the spirit of Kindness Month. Staff, students, and families were given the opportunity to share acts of kindness and post them on Lafayette’s growing Kindness Wall.
“From helping a friend to lending a hand at home, the wall has become a beautiful visual reminder of the care and compassion that define our Lafayette family,” said Principal Deirdre Kehayas. “It has been an uplifting month filled with music, meaningful conversations, and lots of love, further proving that when we learn together and lead with kindness, amazing things happen.”
LAMONTE/LAMONTE ANNEX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
LaMonte’s goes for the gold in Winter Olympics reading challenge
This winter, LaMonte and LaMonte Annex students participated in a schoolwide Winter Olympics Reading Challenge designed to promote literacy, global awareness, and school spirit.
Each class selected a country to represent and proudly displayed a graph outside their doors which visually tracked their participation. For every book read together, students would add a “medal” to the graph. Schoolwide graphs track the total number of books read, building anticipation and excitement across grade levels.
A festive Opening Ceremony in early February kicked off the Olympics. Students wore their country’s colors, created class flags, and participated in a parade around the school. The energy and enthusiasm set the tone for the month-long challenge which takes place through March 6.
Classrooms continue to read together to earn gold, silver, and bronze honors. Winners will be announced March 9, celebrating not only top readers but the collective effort of all participating students.
Beyond the competition, students deepened their understanding of different countries, explored Winter Olympic sports, and strengthened data literacy skills by graphing and analyzing their reading progress. Most importantly, the event fostered a love of reading across the school community.
Bound Brook School District offers free, full-day preschool for residents
You can now enroll students in Bound Brook School District Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) program, starting with an easy online registration process. Pre-K is free, full-day, and available for both 3-year-old and 4-year-olds who reside in Bound Brook, NJ.
What is play-based learning? Play-based learning means students learn through activities and games that help them practice fine motor, math, literacy, and other academic skills. The state certified play-based curriculum allows students to also practice social emotional skills including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. All skills that improve student well-being and academic success and that the students will build upon during their educational careers.
How old must my student be to qualify? Students must be 3 or 4 years old on or before October 1, 2026 to enroll. If your child turns 5 years old on or before October 1, he/she is eligible to be enrolled in the kindergarten program.
How do I enroll my student in Pre-K? Enrollment is easy and begins online. Click the “Parents” tab on the district website and look for “Registration” to access the Genesis Open Registration. Answer the security question and complete the five tabs in the portal. Once complete, prepare the documents listed on the LaMonte/LaMonte Annex website for your appointment. Failure to present proper documentation may result in delayed enrollment, attendance, or proper placement of the student.
Please note that if the number of applicants exceeds the number of preschool spots, a lottery system will be used.
BBHS alum reaches 400th win as head basketball coach
January 20 marked a significant day for Bound Brook High School Head Basketball Coach Anthony Melesurgo. The BBHS Crusaders win 83-45 against Belvidere marked his 400th win after proudly serving as the head coach at Bound Brook for 22 years.
The victorious moment served as a beloved reminder to Melesurgo on his time at Bound Brook and what the promising future holds.
“I’ve been fortunate to coach many outstanding players and work alongside incredible assistant coaches,” he said. “Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to the program have made moments like this possible. I’m truly grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey, and I look forward to many more wins and memories with our players.”
As a former student and graduate of Bound Brook High School, Melesurgo says the town has always felt like home. He also said that he cannot put into words what being the Bound Brook basketball coach has done for his life.
“When our kids are struggling, I feel that pain right along with them,” said Melesurgo. “When they are succeeding, I feel their energy and excitement just as strongly.”
Together, alongside the community, he is proud of the accomplishments of the basketball program, consistently representing the town in a bright light.
In addition to serving as the head basketball coach at BBHS, Melesurgo is a teacher at Smalley Elementary School where he is grateful for the opportunity to build relationships with future players at an early age.
“I’ve been able to develop strong rapport with both the students and their families, and I’ve seen that foundation truly pay off once they reach high school,” he said. “Kids in our town grow up excited and motivated to play basketball at Bound Brook. That pride and anticipation is something I never take for granted as the head coach. It energizes me and motivates me every single year.”
