The Smoke Signal

ATTENTION PASCACK VALLEY STUDENTS

Have you filled out our survey yet about our Indians nickname and logo?

We’re planning a huge in-depth package on the topic, and you can weigh in with your thoughts here.

District to present reopening plan to the state

Ilmie Xhaferi, Izzy Zuluaga, and Abby Shapiro

July 23, 2020 • No Comments

Assistant District Superintendent Barry Bachenheimer presented three plans for the reopening of school at Thursday morning’s virtual Board of Education meeting held through...

In-person graduation held for the Class of 2020

Ellie Kim and Spencer Goldstein

July 10, 2020 • No Comments

Community holds Racial Equity Rally

Abby Shapiro, Sarah Shapiro, and Emily Moy

June 27, 2020 • 1 Comment

Members of the Pascack Hills and Pascack Valley community gathered in Woodcliff Lake to peacefully march in support of racial equality this morning. The rally was organized...

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PV Life

The next chapter

Ilmie Xhaferi, Staff Editor

June 18, 2020 • 3 Comments

When district Library Media Specialist Margaret White first decided that she wanted to become a school librarian, she felt that she could "fit in" with the job. “I...

Seniors react to conflicting graduation date

Spencer Goldstein, Sports Editor

June 18, 2020 • No Comments

After months of uncertainty regarding the status of a potential in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, the district announced one for July 8. However, the selection...

A goodbye to our senior editors

Ellie Kim, Ilmie Xhaferi, and Izzy Zuluaga

June 16, 2020 • No Comments

With Editors in Chief Rachel Cohen and Katie Mullaney, and Photo Editor Victoria Donofrio graduating, The Smoke Signal 2020-2021 Editorial Board wanted to thank the senior...

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Photo of the Week

Ava Kim, Photographer

June 11, 2020

The death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis, has sparked many protests throughout the country. Local citizens...

Photo of the Week

David Harnett, Photographer

June 4, 2020

After the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who was killed at the hands of a white police officer, many across the United States have been protesting. Community...

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COVID-19

Honoring Valley's Heroes: Leanne Ruoff

Ellie Kim and Ilmie Xhaferi • June 30, 2020

(Editor’s Note: With help from science teacher Alison Petaccia, The Smoke Signal has created a series to pay tribute to graduates who are currently healthcare workers or are studying to become one during these unprecedented times. Below is...

Graduates celebrate the culmination of their high school careers by attending a car parade held on held on Tuesday, June 16. District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said that the in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 will still be held on July 8 despite concerns from seniors and parents who argue that the date interferes with “Beach Week,” a student-organized event in which graduates spend the week at the beach.

District to keep selected in-person graduation date July 8

Ilmie Xhaferi, Staff Editor • June 22, 2020

District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said that the in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 will still be held on July 8 despite concerns from seniors and parents who argue that the date interferes with “Beach Week,” a student-organized...

Honoring Valley's Heroes: Kenny McGlone

Ellie Kim and Ilmie Xhaferi • June 19, 2020

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Sports

New coach, no problem for PV graduates’ “Last Dance” team

BJ McGrane, Sports Editor
July 15, 2020

With all the controversy surrounding the removal of the mascots for the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, it didn’t take long for Jake Lutz and his fellow PV Class of 2020 teammates to come up with a nickname for their team in “The Last Dance” baseball tournament. “The team my dad started when I was six years old was the Jersey Storm,” Lutz said. “For him, we decided to be the Valley Storm.” Rick Lutz, Jake’s father, passed away in March due to cancer, so his son...

How high school fall sports will be impacted by the coronavirus

Nolan Wasserman, Sports Writer
June 9, 2020

“Following New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s May 4 announcement, the [New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association] has officially canceled New Jersey’s 2020 high school spring sports season.” With this statement from the NJSIAA, the spring sports season formally came to an end. The unusual season lasted just six days, with many teams having just finished tryouts. The absence of a spring season is disappointing in itself, but that is now history. The only question remaining...

Pascack Swimming holds senior drive-by

Izzy Zuluaga, Staff Editor
June 6, 2020

Team members, alumni, and past coaches of Pascack Swimming joined together in a senior drive-by through Montvale, Woodcliff Lake, River Vale, and Hillsdale at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The event was organized by Pascack Valley captains Jen Malocha, Tyler Marzano, and Sean Fei and Pascack Hills captain Kate Kavashanksy to show their support for the graduating Class of 2020 swimmers. Videos of the drive-by are below.

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Opinion

Goodbye Smoke Signal, thanks for the best four years

Rachel Cohen, Editor in Chief
June 15, 2020

‘Fangirl’: Another masterpiece for young adults

Minche Kim, Staff Writer
June 9, 2020

In only 427 pages, Rainbow Rowell succeeds in conveying a complicated story of an everyday college freshman. While other authors prefer eye-catching characters to go along with their dramatic plots, Rowell, a bestselling author, chooses to catch the readers’ attention with an ordinary main character. “Fangirl” tells the story of Cath, a student who attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln....

‘It was a key to her livelihood’

Olivia Jones, Isabella Tjan, and Mel Brentall
June 8, 2020

Following the abrupt leave from school on March 13 per New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s orders, our AP Spanish class — like every other class — was forced to adapt to a new digital learning environment. This presented particular challenges for language classes, which emphasize constant practice of the target language in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Our understanding of various...

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(Editors Note: Although it is not a Smoke Signal product and has no affiliation with our publication, as a service to our community we display PVTV episodes which are produced by the Advanced Video Production classes.)