𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲!
𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐘
The County of Union is pursuing three grant projects to enhance our County Park Playgrounds and preserve historic landscapes – and we need YOUR input!

Your ideas will help shape the future of our parks system, making it better, more inclusive, and a celebration of our rich history. ✨

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐘
Complete the surveys today to share your thoughts and be part of these exciting planning efforts:
👉 ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/

Together, let’s make Union County Parks a vibrant, welcoming, and timeless treasure for all.

#UnionCountyParks #CommunityEngagement #InclusiveParks #HistoricPreservation ... See MoreSee Less

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𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞: 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐭 '𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞' 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲
𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘗𝘦𝘱 𝘙𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘭𝘦𝘴

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- On Wednesday, January 8, classrooms and offices across Linden Public Schools traded their usual hustle and bustle for something different—an intentional focus on wellness, connection, and community.

The district’s first-ever Tiger Pride Wellness Day invited students, teachers, and even administrative staff to step back, breathe, and embrace the idea that taking care of yourself is the key to giving your best to others.

The day kicked off in roaring fashion at each school with high-energy, pep-rally-style assemblies designed to ignite Tiger pride and set the tone for the day ahead. Packed gyms and auditoriums came alive with music, cheers, and motivational messages, as students and staff celebrated the Linden community. The excitement was palpable, with chants of "Our Tigers ROAR!" echoing through the halls, creating a unifying sense of belonging.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲
Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins spent the day connecting with students and staff, visiting schools across the district to engage firsthand in the activities and conversations that defined Tiger Pride Wellness Day.

At School No. 4, for example, Superintendent Perkins took school spirit to a whole new level, zipping through hallways and classrooms on a motorized scooter decked out in full Tiger Pride flair. Outfitted as a tiger, she turned heads and sparked laughter, stopping by classrooms and the gymnasium to rev up the energy with students and staff. High-fives, chants of "Our Tigers ROAR!" and bursts of laughter followed her every move, embodying the joy and connection that the day was all about.

In the central office, Perkins brought the spirit of wellness to administrative staff, ringing a bell as she visited each department to share messages of encouragement and hand out healthy treats. Accompanied by Assistant Superintendent Dave Walker, who pushed a food cart filled with snacks, Perkins reminded staff that wellness is just as important for them as it is for the students.

𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬
𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐌. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐲, Supervisor of Student Services, played a vital role in the success of Tiger Pride Wellness Day, emphasizing the collaborative efforts that brought the initiative to life.

“Our Student Services Department partnered with students, staff, and building administrators to design activities that were both meaningful and impactful,” Devaney said. “The collaboration we saw was truly inspiring.”

Spending the day visiting schools across the district, Devaney witnessed the planned activities in action. “Walking the halls and stepping into classrooms, seeing students engaged in genuine dialogue and activities that fostered social-emotional growth, was magical,” he remarked.

Devaney highlighted the district’s dedication to mental health and well-being, calling it a cornerstone of their mission. “Mental health matters,” he said. “Tiger Pride Wellness Day showcased how our collective efforts can change lives and create a thriving school community.”

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
After the rousing start, students and staff transitioned into a variety of classroom activities focused on wellness. Instead of the usual hum of lessons and lectures, classrooms buzzed with restorative circles, lively Kahoot competitions, and heartfelt conversations about what it means to feel good—mind, body, and spirit.

Early childhood students sang I Am Special and discussed what it means to be a good friend. Older students reflected on their “happy places,” with one child sharing, “A happy place for me is out of the country. I haven’t been there, but I imagine it, and it makes me smile.”

At other schools, spirited Kahoot competitions showcased teamwork and camaraderie, with students cheering for their peers regardless of the outcome.

𝗔 𝗥𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀
The response to Tiger Pride Wellness Day was overwhelmingly positive, with students, teachers, and administrative staff already looking forward to the next opportunity to pause and reflect.

“Our Tigers roared this week—not just with resilience, but with imagination, joy, and pride,” said Superintendent Perkins. “This wasn’t just a break. It was a reminder that wellness is the foundation of everything we do.”

From the opening pep rallies to restorative circles and motorized tiger scooters, Tiger Pride Wellness Day left a lasting mark on Linden Public Schools. It’s a bold step toward a future where every member of the community—students, staff, and administrators alike—feels empowered to bring their best selves to the table.

As Perkins aptly put it, “When we feel good, we do good. And that’s when the magic happens.” ... See MoreSee Less

𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞-𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜

𝘉𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘈. 𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘬𝘪𝘴, 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘳
𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙻𝚂, 𝙽𝙹 — Dr. Marlene Berghammer, the top vote-getter in the November Linden Board of Education elections, was re-elected as board president during the reorganization meeting held on Monday, Jan. 6.

Rejoining her in leadership are re-elected board members Lymari Cintron and Antoinette Pino, who were administered the oath of office by Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden.

Malaysia Thomas, who has served as vice president for the past two years, was also re-elected to continue in her role.

They will continue serving alongside the remaining members of the nine-member board, which includes Samuel De La Cruz, Brianna Armstead, Sasquia Carillo, Kimberley Ullisse, and Maryam Elweshahy. Additionally, Sheyla Caly serves as the student representative on the board.

The meeting, convened shortly after 6 p.m. by Board Secretary and District Business Administrator John Serapiglia Jr., began with the formal announcement of the election results and the re-election of the three members for a three-year term. The official vote counts were:

• 𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫: 𝟕,𝟔𝟑𝟖 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬
• 𝐂𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧: 𝟕,𝟓𝟓𝟏 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬
• 𝐏𝐢𝐧𝐨: 𝟕,𝟓𝟕𝟖 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬

After reclaiming the gavel, Dr. Berghammer expressed her gratitude and reaffirmed her commitment to serving the district.

"I want to thank my fellow board members for the opportunity to serve another term," she said. "As we begin a new year filled with important work ahead, I promise to continue being fully committed. I will do my best to build on the progress we’ve made over the past few years."

𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden congratulated the re-elected members, commending their dedication and hard work on behalf of the district's students.

"Being a board member is often a thankless job, but your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. I urge you to continue putting children first and keeping them at the forefront of every decision," he said. "Always remember, this work is about improving outcomes and raising test scores in our district. Most importantly, it’s about our children. Keep working hard."

Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins echoed the praise, emphasizing the positive impact of the board's leadership.

"Congratulations to Dr. Berghammer, Ms. Cintron, and Ms. Pino on their re-election," Perkins said. "Your unwavering commitment to our students and community has made a significant impact, and I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure every student in Linden Public Schools has the opportunity to thrive. Your dedication inspires us all."

Reflecting on Progress and Setting a Vision for the Future
Dr. Berghammer took the opportunity to highlight the board’s recent accomplishments and outlined her vision for the district's future.

"Together, we have embarked on a mission to transform our school district. I am proud to stand before you today to share the incredible progress we have made," she said.

She detailed several key projects that have improved district facilities and enriched the educational environment:

• School No. 1: Renovations including new bathrooms, ceiling tiles, lighting, a playground, and roof repairs.
• School No. 2: New classrooms, bathroom renovations, and a newly renovated basement.
• School No. 4: An outdoor learning center, a new kindergarten bathroom, and a playground.
• Linden High School: A renovated weight room, an improved auditorium, and upgraded performing arts facilities.

Dr. Berghammer also emphasized the district’s achievements in opening a Welcome Center to support multilingual families and expanding the Special Olympics program, which has received growing community and corporate support.

"I am proud to say that we have accomplished all of this without raising taxes," she said, emphasizing the district’s fiscal responsibility while delivering meaningful improvements.

𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝
With a continued focus on collaboration, innovation, and student success, Dr. Berghammer said the board is prepared to lead the district into a prosperous future.

"Together, we are building a brighter future for our children," she concluded. "Let’s continue working to improve test scores and open doors for every student to succeed in the best colleges and universities."

School No. 1 School No. 2 School No. 4 School No. 5 School No. 6 School No. 8 School No. 9 School No. 10 Linden High School Soehl Middle School McManus Middle School Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden Linden NJ - City Government ... See MoreSee Less