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𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐍𝐨. 𝟒 𝐔𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝

𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙻𝚂 -- With about 60 excited fourth-graders looking on, Linden School No. 4 proudly unveiled its brand-new playground during an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 2. The transformation of an unused space into a vibrant hub of joy, creativity, and adventure was celebrated by board members, Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins, district administrators, Principal Dr. Suzanne Olivero, teachers, staff, local community leaders, and, of course, the students. Together, they marked the completion of a two-year project that symbolizes the district's commitment to putting children first.

𝐀 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Principal Dr. Olivero, brimming with pride, kicked off the ceremony by expressing gratitude to those who helped make the playground a reality. "This wasn't just me or the teachers," she said, acknowledging business administrator John A. Serapiglia, Jr. for spearheading the project and maintenance supervisors Mr. Jason Andersen and Mr. Rolando Ramirez for ensuring its completion. "I hope this playground becomes a source of joy, creativity, and adventure for our students."

The new playground, now bursting with vibrant colors and exciting equipment, replaces what was once a simple blacktop and field. Now, it's a place where fun, friendship, and creativity can thrive.

𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐞
Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, a proud alum of School No. 4, shared his connection with the school. "We've never had anything as nice as this," he said, recalling the simplicity of the playground when he was a student. The mayor expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort that made this transformation possible.

"This is what happens when we put our children first," he noted, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the needs of the community's youngest members.

The mayor also highlighted Linden's growing diversity, likening the crowd of students to a "United Nations" of future leaders. He hoped that today's children would grow up to make the world more inclusive, urging them to "respect each other, respect your parents, respect your teachers, and have fun while you're doing it."

𝐀 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Superintendent Perkins brought her personal touch to the event, sharing fond memories of her time at School No. 4 as vice principal and a young student.

"This was my first elementary school," she said proudly, recalling her days in pre-kindergarten. Visibly excited about the new playground, she even admitted being tempted to go down the slide herself. "It brought back memories from when I could just play and not worry about anything," she said with a smile.

Perkins encouraged the students to make the most of the playground and create memories that would last a lifetime. "This day is for you," she told them. "Keep on roaring and be the best that you can be."

𝐀 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥
Board of Education President Dr. Marlene Berghammer expressed her enthusiasm for the project and the district's future plans. "A year ago, this place didn't look like this," she remarked, reflecting on the transformation of the space. Dr. Berghammer praised Business Administrator Serapiglia's leadership in ensuring that every elementary school in the district will soon have its own playground.

"We've only got two more schools to go," she promised, ensuring that more students will soon enjoy the benefits of dedicated play spaces.

She also commended Mayor Armstead's selfless leadership, sharing her admiration for his dedication to the community. "Every time the mayor asks me to do something, it's because he wants to help someone," she said, urging the audience to appreciate the collaborative spirit that made the playground possible.

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧
Board member Lymari Cintron emphasized the importance of play in education, noting that it is just as vital as academics for a child's development. "Playing is a part of education just as much as academics," she said. "It's about the kids socializing and having a great time together."

𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐨𝐲y
For Principal Dr. Olivero, seeing the students finally enjoy their new playground was a dream come true. "This has been a long time coming," she said, explaining how the project began two years ago and faced delays, particularly with the rubber surface being on backorder. The excitement had been building for months, but now that the playground was complete, the students' joy was undeniable. "They love it," she said. "The kids are excited; they love coming out here every day."

Many students have witnessed the project's progress since its inception, making today's celebration even more meaningful. "They saw this from the beginning, and the anticipation has been building up to today," she added.

𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
As the ribbon was cut and the students rushed to explore their new playground, their joy captured the true spirit of the day. This playground isn't just a place to play—it represents the collective efforts of the school, the city, and the community to create something special for the next generation. With vibrant colors, exciting equipment, and a strong sense of pride, the playground will undoubtedly be a source of inspiration, creativity, and joy for years.

For the students of School No. 4, the playground is a reminder that their community believes in putting them first—and that anything is possible when a community comes together.

Linden NJ - City Government Linden Mayor's Youth Commission Linden High School Soehl Middle School School No. 1 McManus Middle School School No. 8 School No. 10 School No. 10 School No. 5 School No. 6 School No. 2 ... See MoreSee Less

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𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝

𝙻𝙸𝙽𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙿𝚄𝙱𝙻𝙸𝙲 𝚂𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙾𝙻𝚂 -- On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Linden School No. 2 welcomed a bustling crowd of eager parents, enthusiastic teachers, and excited students during its vibrant Back to School Night. Hosted by Principal Peter Fingerlin, the event was more than just an introduction to the new academic year—it celebrated the strong bond between the school, its families, and the community.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥
"This is one of my favorite nights of the year," Principal Fingerlin shared with a smile. "It's a night where we connect home to school. Parents get to see what their children experience each day, meet the teachers, and, most importantly, make genuine connections that lay the foundation for a successful school year."

The attendance was impressive, with roughly 50% of the school's 640 students represented by their families. Fingerlin emphasized the significance of community involvement: "Whether it's an academic night or a fun event like bingo, our parents always show up."

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
Before parents and children broke off to meet with teachers in classrooms throughout the sprawling building, Principal Fingerlin, Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, and Board of Education President Dr. Marlene Berghammer addressed the standing-room-only crowd in the school gymnasium.

Principal Fingerlin set a positive tone for the evening, encouraging collaboration between the school and families. "We must work together as a community to support our children's success," he said, inviting parents to remain actively engaged throughout the school year.

Mayor Armstead reflected on his time at School No. 2. "I started right here at this school," Armstead told the crowd. "Now, I stand before you as the mayor. This town is a place where anything is possible, and I want all our children to know that they, too, have the opportunity to succeed."

𝐃𝐫. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
Dr. Marlene Berghammer, President of the Linden Board of Education, delivered an engaging and practical message focusing on understanding how children learn. "Our children are going to see to learn, hear to learn, taste to learn, and touch to learn," she explained, encouraging parents to incorporate learning into everyday life. She shared examples like teaching children about the height of bridges or the depth of tunnels during family drives.

Dr. Berghammer also emphasized the importance of early college planning, advising parents to start applying for scholarships while their children are still young. "Every year, you get more information, and that knowledge can help you get $5,000, $10,000, or even $20,000," she said, highlighting the benefits of early preparation.

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬
As the event transitioned into classroom visits, parents explored resource stations throughout the cafeteria, offering information on everything from breast cancer awareness fundraisers to free and reduced lunch programs. The evening also featured a well-attended book fair, a favorite among students and parents alike.
Principal Fingerlin expressed excitement about the new addition of the book fair to Back to School Night. "Normally, we run the book fair during parent-teacher conferences, but we're trying it out tonight to see how it goes," he explained.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞
In an interview during the event, Principal Fingerlin reflected on the success of the evening. "It's always a great night," he said. "Parents get a chance to see what their kids are doing each day, meet the teachers, and make genuine connections."

He also shared how deeply he values the strong community spirit at School No. 2. "We have very vested parents," he noted, pointing to the turnout and the engagement at various school events. "Our bingo night last time had about 150 people."

Fingerlin, who has been the principal at School No. 2 for four years and has spent 22 years in Linden, emphasized how much he enjoys his work. "The kids make me happy. I know I'm making a difference and seeing my staff grow and fulfill their goals. It's gratifying."

Despite a long commute, he shared that his passion for education makes it worth the journey. "It doesn't bother me because I come to work in a job that I truly enjoy," he said.

Looking Forward to a Successful Year
As the evening drew to a close, Principal Fingerlin expressed his gratitude for the event's success. "You always have butterflies on these nights, but once things get rolling, you see the smiles, the excitement—it's just a beautiful day."

With a supportive network of parents, teachers, and staff, Principal Fingerlin is confident that School No. 2 is set for another successful year. ... See MoreSee Less