February 13, 2026
“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” W.B. Yeats
Fair Lawn High School Named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll
Huge congratulations to Fair Lawn High School, recently named to the 2025 Advanced Placement (AP) Program School Honor Roll, earning Bronze distinction as well as the AP Access Award. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs deliver results for students while broadening participation. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
Last year, a total of 325 unique AP students were enrolled across the school’s 29 courses and 851 exams were administered. A whopping 96% of AP-enrolled students earned a 3 or higher on exams with an average score of 3.9 out of 5.
The AP Access Award is an additional honor, recognizing schools that encourage underrepresented students to take AP classes, ensuring this coursework is equally available to all students no matter their background.
“We are so proud of the accomplishments of our Advanced Placement students,” says Principal Mr. Paul Gorski. “Our teachers have worked tirelessly to prepare our students for success on these rigorous assessments, and as we expand this opportunity to include more of our students, they are rising to the occasion!”
Valentine’s Day Crafts and Events Link Students, Senior Citizens
How sweet it is… to connect Fair Lawn residents young and old ahead of Valentine’s Day!
Students at Memorial Middle School hosted their annual multigenerational Valentine’s Brunch & Conversation Cafe Wednesday. Partnering with the Fair Lawn Senior Center, Fair Lawn for All Ages, and the MMS PTO, this longstanding school tradition gives students the chance to sit down with borough senior citizens to connect over crafts, snacks, and kind-hearted chats.
At the elementary level, Radburn and Warren Point broke out the colored pencils, markers, and endless stickers to contribute to Rep. Josh Gottheimer’s “Valentines for Veterans” initiative. The lawmaker even stopped by Warren Point earlier in the week to check out the creative card-making in Ms. Soule’s third grade class. Gottheimer’s team tells us they plan to drop off thousands of cards (and spread some joy) at local senior centers, nursing homes, as well as the Paramus Veterans Home ahead of the holiday.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day @ FLHS
“It gives extra onus and responsibility to us to bear witness – to learn the lessons of the Holocaust – to be able to carry that forward for those who will not be able to.” – Fair Lawn Schools Social Studies Supervisor Mr. Derek Khoudja
Last week, Fair Lawn High School recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a full slate of presentations via students in Ms. Alayna DeFuria’s Holocaust & Genocide course. Although the UN-designated day falls on January 27, FLHS holds their event a few days later following midterms. Juniors and seniors enrolled in this course – who are eligible for dual credit via Kean University – examine the nature of genocide and the profound devastation it has caused throughout history, with a central focus on the Holocaust. Ms. DeFuria says interest in the yearlong class continues to grow and she hopes to add additional sections in the future.
Broadway, Hollywood Actors Engage With Students
The halls of Thomas Jefferson Middle School and FLHS are shining a bit brighter after some visits by stars who light up the stage and silver screen.
TJMS Drama students welcomed actor Andrew Kober for a masterclass surrounding their upcoming Beetlejuice, Jr. production. Kober, who has played the eponymous character in the Broadway and National Tours of the Tim Burton classic, went over songs and scenework and passed along important notes as staff and students prepare for opening night in early March.
Over at the high school, Business of Sports and Entertainment classes met with actor and Fair Lawn resident Teddy Coluca for a look at life in Hollywood and dig a little deeper into his career. Coluca, best known as the doorman in Only Murders in the Building, says he started out by working sales at the Bergen Record while doing standup on the side. When he realized his biggest sales pitch needed to be himself, the offers for roles started to roll in.
