Dear Franklin Lakes Families,
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope you had a restful, rejuvenating summer filled with laughter, relaxation, and quality time with loved ones.
As we prepare to open our doors for the new school year, we want to share key updates regarding our district programming. Like many neighboring districts, our programming decisions reflect thoughtful, strategic planning as we balance our deep commitment to protecting high-quality learning experiences with current financial realities and rising costs. Throughout this process, our North Star has remained clear: protecting the quality of teaching, learning, and the close, individual attention and support every student receives in our classrooms.
Preserving What We Value Most & Celebrating Excellence
Through strategic and collaborative planning, we are proud to preserve the signature programs and support systems that make our schools exceptional:
- Academic Supports & Enrichment: Preserving Gifted & Talented (G&T), Academic Intervention Services, and Full School Enrichment programs (inclusive of Discovery and Curiosity Corner).
- The Arts: Continuing robust Performing Arts and Visual Arts programs, including Instrumental Music (Band and Strings).
- AMLE School of Distinction: Celebrating Franklin Avenue Middle School (FAMS) staff and students for earning the prestigious AMLE School of Distinction designation, reflecting an unwavering commitment to middle school excellence.
- Enhanced School Safety & Security: Transitioning from 2 School Resource Officers to 4 Class III Special Law Enforcement Officers—dedicating one officer full-time to each of our school buildings. Protecting our most valuable assets—our students and staff—remains our highest priority, and this expansion ensures dedicated, full-time coverage across all campuses.
District Programming & Schedule Adjustments
Elementary School Updates
- Special Area Lineup: Students will attend one special area class per day. The weekly rotation consists of two periods of PE/Health, and one period each of Music, Art, Library (Grades K–3), and World Language Exploration/Discovery (Grades 4–5).
- World Language & Culture Integration: We are shifting language acquisition to make it a more organic part of daily learning:
- Grades K–3: Language and cultural appreciation will now be organically woven into daily classroom experiences rather than taught as a standalone pull-out class.
- Grades 4–5: Students will engage in World Language Exploration for one marking period, with Discovery occupying the remaining two marking periods.
- Purposeful / Intentional Use of Technology: We are committed to a "high-tech teacher, low-tech student" approach that keeps authentic, hands-on learning and human connection at the center of the elementary experience. We are committed to safeguarding the full developmental experience of childhood as we evaluate and adopt educational technology. As such, digital tools will be integrated thoughtfully to support instruction, while ensuring students in Grade 3 and above build essential computer skills needed for mandated computer-based state testing. FLPS will continue to invest time providing instruction and practice in both handwriting (manuscript and cursive) and keyboarding to support how students learn, think, and communicate.
Franklin Avenue Middle School (FAMS) Updates
- New 6th Grade Cycle Course: Introducing Creativity Lab, led by Mrs. Marte, designed to foster creativity, divergent thinking, innovation, and hands-on problem-solving.
- 8th-Grade World Language Pathway: Students entering 8th grade who previously studied French will have the opportunity to enroll in Spanish I, ensuring a smooth transition and robust world language instruction.
- Refined Patriot Period: Our 30-minute daily Patriot Period will continue with refinements to offer targeted academic support, enrichment micro-courses, and weekly character education experiences.
- Optimized Teaming Model: Teacher assignments have been reconfigured to closely mirror our middle school teaming model, promoting better continuity, collaboration, and student support.
- Purposeful Use of Technology: As with our efforts in the elementary grades, mindful integration of digital tools to enhance instruction while maintaining a steadfast focus on authentic, student-centered learning.
We look forward to collaborating with you to make the 2026–2027 school year a highly productive, inspiring, and successful year for all our students.
With appreciation and warmth,
Gregorio Maceri
Superintendent of Schools
2024 -2025 District Goals
- Academic Excellence and Opportunity: The District will engage in professional learning activities to support prioritization of high expectations for learners and provision of rigorous instruction that deeply engages learners with grade-appropriate material and assignments.
- Staff Engagement and Professional Learning: Through embedded professional learning, the District will support educators in: use of valid and reliable assessments for all students, analyzing assessment results, adapting/ modifying instruction to meet student needs, and reassessing to monitor growth to all students.
- Partnering with our Community: Educators will engage in professional learning activities to support collaboration with colleagues, learners, and their families in support of learner development and achievement.
- Referendum Analysis: The District will analyze and prioritize facility needs at each building and appropriately allocate funds to meet those needs.
2023-2024 District Goals
1. In collaboration and partnership with their families, foster safe, supportive, and positive learning conditions and school communities for students in support of academic growth and social and emotional development.
2. In pursuit of academic excellence for students, foster educator leadership within and across the district in support of expertise development, positive working conditions, and collaboration in the schools, district and in the profession.
3. Continue the multi-year implementation of New Jersey Tiered Systems of Support (NJTSS) so as to ensure access to coordinated, responsive and needs-based academic, behavioral, wellness/health, and attendance supports for students.
District Goals: 2022 - 2023
- The District is committed to support improvements to Intervention & Referral Services / Tiered Systems of Support to ensure that data informs and drives the process. Improvements will assure access to coordinated, needs-based, and responsive support from academic, mental health, enrichment, behavioral and health services, while accelerating student learning and meeting needs in other areas. This goal supports initiatives in three major areas of instruction:
- Special Education
- General Education
- Supplemental Services such as
- Academic Intervention
- Gifted & Talented
This goal provides opportunities for certified staff to participate in professional learning activities to support improvements to I&RS and Tiered Systems of Support (Tiers I, II, III) and requires the collaboration of interdepartmental staff across the entire District.
- The District is committed to providing teaching staff with monthly opportunities to work within supportive, high-functioning Professional Learning Communities to build capacity and deepen expertise. The purpose is to engage in collaborative tasks and reflective dialogue that improves their teaching and their students’ learning. Professional Learning Communities can be:
- School-based
- Departmental
- District-based
- Subject Specific
- The District is committed to support each individual community school culture by engaging in school based initiatives and by supporting the continued development of the parent/school relationship, inclusive of:
- Supportive services that promote health/wellness
- Coordinated conditions of learning that will foster social and emotional well-being of students, families and educators.