Clifton Public Schools

Dear School Community,

The State of NJ will issue a one-time Summer EBT amount of $120 ($40 for June, July and August) to each eligible child (6–16 years old). Families who qualify for Federal free or reduced price meals for the 2025-26 school year will be eligible. Please note that families who qualify for free meals under the NJ eligibility guidelines will not receive the $120 Summer EBT.

If you have not completed a 2025-2026 meal application in the parent portal, we encourage to do so. If you qualify for Federal free or reduced meals, you will automatically receive a Summer EBT card at a date to be determined by the State.

If you have moved, please make sure that the school district is aware of your current address. Summer EBT cards will be mailed to the address on record. We are not responsible for cards mailed to the wrong address.

A new application for the 2026-2027 school year must be completed in August or September. A notice will be sent when the Parent Portal is available to complete the application.
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Estimada Comunidad Escolar:

El estado de Nueva Jersey emitirá un monto único de EBT de verano de $120 (40 dólares para junio, julio y agosto) a cada niño elegible (de 6 a 16 años). Las familias que califiquen para comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido federales para el año escolar 2025-26 serán elegibles. Tenga en cuenta que las familias que califiquen para comidas gratuitas según las pautas de elegibilidad de NJ serán elegibles no recibirá el EBT de verano de $120.

Si aún no ha completado la solicitud de comidas para el curso 2025-2026 en el portal para padres, le animamos a que lo haga. Si usted reúne los requisitos para recibir comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido a nivel federal, recibirá automáticamente una tarjeta EBT de verano en una fecha que determinará el estado.

Si se ha mudado, asegúrese de que el distrito escolar conozca su dirección actual. Las tarjetas EBT de verano se enviarán por correo a la dirección registrada. No nos hacemos responsables de las tarjetas enviadas a la dirección equivocada.

La nueva solicitud para el año escolar 2026-2027 deberá completarse en agosto o septiembre. Se enviará un aviso cuando el Portal para Padres esté disponible para completar la solicitud.

Last night, June 8th, 2026, Clifton High School’s production of Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812 came out on top of over 70 other high schools for the BergenPAC High School Musical Award for Best Lighting Design!

This award marks the first time a CHS production has been awarded state wide recognition and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. Justin Maria, the production’s Lighting Designer (CHS Class of ‘15) has been vital to the success of the Spring Musical Production since his time as a CHS student and has now set the bar to a new height. His work was bold, creative, and just plain phenomenal this year resulting in a visual spectacle for the Clifton community. Justin was taught by and now works alongside Mr. Jeff Horn, CHS’ Technical Director and Network Coordinator who leads the, now state recognized, CHS Audio and Visual Club. This award would not have been possible without the tireless hours put in by the current student membership of the CHS AV Club. This was a Clifton student produced achievement through and through.

The production did not go without other achievements this year as senior Nikita Shchekotikhin was nominated for Best Actor in a Featured Role for his portrayals of Andre & Old Prince Bolkonsky and junior Melissa Garth was nominated for Best Actor in a Female-Identified Leading Role for her portrayal of Natasha. Melissa was asked to perform for the awards ceremony and this year’s nomination marks her second in the Lead Actor category. CHS Choral/Musical Director Leonid Weismantel was also asked to be a part of the inaugural BergenPAC industry panel, citing his commitment, passion, and dedication to directing Clifton's productions.

Clifton receiving this recognition is a major accomplishment for the program and only furthers the One Clifton ideal pursuing theatrical success for the students, teachers, administrators, and Clifton community.

The Clifton Board of Education's Legislative Committee discussed the district’s need for assistance regarding rising health care costs, inflated rates of out-of-district placements, and flexibility of virtual days. Assemblywomen Bagolie and Collazos-Gill provided input on these topics and shared ideas at the state and local levels that could assist the district. The committee will determine a recommended course of action at the next meeting.

Yesterday, our HOSA student members had the opportunity to participate in an engaging and interactive presentation led by Dr. Mary Ellen Brucato. Dr. Brucato is a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon with Brucato Foot & Ankle Surgery. During the meeting, Dr. Brucato conducted a skin suture lab where students learned how to place sutures on simulated skin and then practiced proper suture removal techniques. The students were highly engaged throughout the session, asked thoughtful questions, and demonstrated a strong interest in the hands-on learning experience. Overall, it was a very successful and educational meeting for our HOSA members. We are excited that Dr. Brucato has agreed to return next year to provide additional training focused on fracture management, which will align well with the trauma training experiences available to our students.

2025-2026 District Governor’s Educator of the Year Award recipient Rafat Ewais and Paraprofessional of the Year Janette Hughes. Congratulations!

Clifton Teachers and Educational Service Professionals were honored as recipients of the 2025-2026 Governor’s Educator of the Year Award at last night's BOE award ceremony.

Update: as of 1:00 PM, Clifton Public Schools Internet and phone systems are back online. Thank you for your patience during this unplanned outage.

Original Post: Please be advised that Clifton Public Schools are experiencing a network issue affecting Internet and phones. Inbound and outbound calls may not go through. District and school administrators can be contacted via email during this outage.

Clifton Public Schools Earns National District of Distinction Honor for Student Growth and Innovative Tutoring Program

Clifton Public Schools has been recognized nationally for its strong commitment to student achievement, earning the prestigious 2025–2026 Imagine Nation District of Distinction award from Imagine Learning. This distinction highlights the district’s exceptional implementation of Small Group Targeted Instruction and its measurable impact on student growth.

During the current school year, the district implemented a 15 week virtual tutoring program serving over 60 students in grades 3–5 in English Language Arts and mathematics. School counselors and prior participation in tutoring programs identified students, ensuring continued support for those with ongoing academic needs. District leadership oversaw sessions conducted by certified teachers through Imagine Learning. These sessions involved small groups of three to five students and took place between 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

The program was strategically designed around district defined areas of focus for each grade level and subject. This intentional approach yielded significant results with more than 85% of participating students demonstrated measurable growth from pre- to post-assessments, proving the effectiveness of targeted, data driven instruction.

Clifton’s success aligns with the broader criteria of the Imagine Nation Awards, which recognize schools and districts across the country for excellence in program implementation and student engagement. Out of more than 42,000 eligible institutions, only 293 were honored this year, placing Clifton among the top performing districts nationwide. The award reflects not only consistent program usage but also a deep commitment to instructional quality and student success.

District leaders are optimistic about sustaining and expanding these efforts. The district is currently seeking continued funding through the New Jersey Department of Education to offer the program again next year, aiming to build on this year’s strong outcomes.

This recognition affirms the collective efforts of Clifton’s educators, administrators, students, and families in driving meaningful academic growth.

Summer EBT Benefits Information

Clifton Families,

The State of New Jersey will issue a one-time Summer EBT card in the amount of $120 per eligible child (excluding preschool students). This benefit is intended to support families during the summer months and is distributed as $40 for June, July, and August to each eligible child.

Students who qualify for federal free or reduced price meals for the 2025–2026 school year are eligible to receive Summer EBT. Please note that students who qualify for free meals under NJEIE eligibility guidelines are not eligible for this benefit.

If you have not yet completed a 2025–2026 meal application through the parent portal, we strongly encourage you to do so. Families who qualify for federal free or reduced price meals will automatically receive a Summer EBT card. Distribution dates will be determined by the State.

If your family has recently moved, please ensure that your current address is updated with the school district. Summer EBT cards will be mailed to the address on file, and the district cannot be responsible for cards sent to an incorrect address.

Thank you for your attention to this important information.

Clifton Students Read Nearly 2 Billion Words in 2025–2026 Academic Year

Clifton Public Schools students read nearly 2 billion words during the academic period from August 2025 to March 2026. According to the district's recent reading report, 6,895 students across 18 schools completed a total of 590,286 books. Overall, the district showed a preference for nonfiction, which made up 61 percent of the reading material compared to 39 percent for fiction. Reading habits varied by age group, with second graders reading the highest volume at 140,584 books, averaging 195.3 books per student. Fifth graders recorded the highest average word count, reading 390,553 words per student. The preference for nonfiction peaked in the seventh grade at 70 percent, before dropping in high school, where students in grades 9 through 12 chose nonfiction for only 24 percent of their reading. Eleventh graders read the most complex texts, recording the district's highest average ATOS book level at 5.9. The district categorized reading materials into themes such as Recognizing Resilience, Authentic Spanish, and Futuristic Finds to guide student choices. Popular authors also shifted as students advanced; elementary school readers frequently chose books by Michael Dahl and D.L. Green, middle schoolers selected titles adapted by the Smithsonian, and high school students favored authors like John Green and Jason Reynolds.

The volume of reading recorded across the district supports the critical role of early and consistent literacy instruction. Strong reading skills form the foundation for academic success in all subjects, directly impacting a student's ability to grasp complex problems. Additionally, consistent reading builds vocabulary, enhances critical thinking, and develops empathy by exposing students to diverse experiences and cultures. Furthermore, targeted literacy programs are necessary to help students successfully transition from learning to read in the primary grades to reading to learn as they enter middle and high school, ultimately equipping them with the comprehension and analytical skills required for lifelong college and career readiness.

To view the full report, please visit the district’s website using the link below:

https://www.clifton.k12.nj.us/english-language-arts