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Ellie Kim

Ellie Kim, Editor in Chief

Senior Ellie Kim joined the PV Student Publication in her freshman year and became managing editor her junior year. This year, she is co-editor in chief and hopes to provide Pascack Valley with the latest news and compelling stories.

All content by Ellie Kim
The PV Student Publication sent a Google Form to the Class of 2021. The publication reached out to a few individuals from the form who are pursuing uncommon majors.

[Photo] Ever heard of these majors?

June 10, 2021
Where is the Class of 2021 heading?

Where is the Class of 2021 heading?

June 6, 2021
Furniture taken out by the maintenance team Wednesday afternoon in the lower cafeteria in preparation for the possible merging of both cohorts. At a Special Board of Education meeting held on May 13 in-person and virtually through Zoom, the BOE decided to keep the hybrid schedule for the remainder of the school year.

[Photo] District to continue using hybrid schedule for remainder of school year

May 13, 2021
The PV Logo Selection Committee held its first meeting Thursday, April 15. Director of Technology and Communication Paul Zeller outlined the meeting and process in an email sent to the PV Student Publication.

PV Logo Selection Committee holds first meeting, outlines process

April 19, 2021
The PV Student Publication has been announced a recipient of the National Student Press Association’s 2021 Online Pacemaker Award. The NSPA Pacemaker is considered scholastic journalisms preeminent award, and a total of 13 publications received it this year.

PV Student Publication receives 2021 Online Pacemaker Award

April 10, 2021
The PV Logo Selection Committee held its first meeting Thursday, April 15. Director of Technology and Communication Paul Zeller outlined the meeting and process in an email sent to the PV Student Publication.

Logo Selection Committee to hold first meeting

March 18, 2021
Members of the PV Student Publication take part in an editors meeting. The 2020-21 school year is the first time that the publication has been nominated for the Online Pacemaker award.

PV Student Publication named finalist for 2021 Online Pacemaker award

March 16, 2021
Ellie Kim

Ellie Kim

February 25, 2021
The final three mascot options– Panthers, Green Wave, and Hawks – were presented to the Board of Education at its meeting Monday night. Pascack Valley students and faculty will be given the opportunity to vote for the mascot on Thursday, Feb. 24.

Mascot Committee provides mascot selection rationale

February 23, 2021
Members of the PV Student Publication 2019-2020 Editorial Board at last years Garden State Scholastic Press Association conference. The publication won 52 awards, including 24 honorable mentions in the GSSPA annual award contest for last school year.

PV Student Publication takes home Overall Online Excellence among 52 awards

February 18, 2021
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the PV Music Departments 2020 Winter Concert will be held virtually. It will take place on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and be available for viewing free of charge.

PV Music Department to host first virtual Holiday Concert

December 17, 2020
PV faces similar mascot situation to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

PV faces similar mascot situation to Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School

December 9, 2020
District to remain fully remote until Dec. 14

District to remain fully remote until Dec. 14

November 25, 2020
A picture of the Pascack Valley marching band in the 1966 edition of The Warrior. The uniforms featured images of Indian style teepees.

[Photo] The truth behind Native American myths in pop culture

November 24, 2020
The current version of the Indian mascot in the 1966 PV yearbook, The Warrior.

[Photo] How the PV Indian came to be

November 16, 2020
Copy of cleveland indians (1)

[Photo] Native American mascots in professional sports

October 30, 2020
The Board of Educations decision to retire the Pascack Valley and Pascack Hills mascots and nicknames was faced with backlash and support from the community. Several petitions were created in the months that followed.

Response from the community

October 26, 2020
Discussion surrounding the PV Indian mascot has been going on for years, according to district Superintendent Erik Gundersen. Several clubs and community members spoke out in favor of removing it in the months leading up to Junes Board of Education meeting.

The retirement of the PV Indian

October 23, 2020
A PV student wears an Indian headdress during a football game in the 1963 yearbook. A group of staff writers created a package looking into the history behind PVs mascot and the use of Native American imagery.

What’s in a Name?

October 20, 2020
PV individual tests positive for COVID-19

PV individual tests positive for COVID-19

October 14, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-09-14 at 11.58.26 AM

[Photo] Blast from the past

September 23, 2020
Students comment on Pascack Valleys reopening

Students comment on Pascack Valley’s reopening

September 14, 2020
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[Photo] Students return to school amid pandemic

September 4, 2020
District Superintendent Erik Gundersen and Assistant District Superintendent Barry Bachenheimer presented the districts reopening plan for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Students can opt for hybrid or remote learning and will be able to switch from one to another during the first week of each month, according to Gundersen. Bus transportation will be provided and fall sports are scheduled to proceed.

District presents and approves reopening plan

August 17, 2020
In-person graduation held for the Class of 2020

In-person graduation held for the Class of 2020

July 9, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Leanne Ruoff

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Leanne Ruoff

June 30, 2020
The Smoke Signal Instagram has limited comments on its recent posts following requests from the district. A post announcing the Board of Educations decision to remove the Pascack Valley and Pascack Hills mascots received over 1,800 comments.

Smoke Signal disables Instagram comment section

June 25, 2020
During its virtual meeting held on Zoom this morning, the Board of Education faced many comments and questions from community members regarding its decision to remove the mascots. District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said that the decision to remove the mascots will not be changed.

District faces backlash, support regarding mascot removal

June 25, 2020
A peaceful rally and march will be held in Woodcliff Lake this Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event was organized by the District Equity Team with the help of a group of alumni.

District Equity Team and PH alumni to hold peaceful protest

June 24, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-06-23 at 10.38.49 AM

[Photo] Community expresses opinions on mascot removal

June 23, 2020
The removal of the PV and PH mascots was voted on and approved by the Board of Education at its virtual meeting tonight held on Zoom. The decision to establish new mascots and what those mascots would be will be made by the Board following its retreat Thursday.

District approves removal of PV and PH mascots

June 22, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Kenny McGlone

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Kenny McGlone

June 19, 2020
Graduation parade held for the Class of 2020

Graduation parade held for the Class of 2020

June 17, 2020
A goodbye to our senior editors

A goodbye to our senior editors

June 16, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Cassaundra Gehan

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Cassaundra Gehan

June 15, 2020
Class of 2020 to participate in graduation parade

Class of 2020 to participate in graduation parade

June 15, 2020
In-person graduation to be held July 8

In-person graduation to be held July 8

June 11, 2020
Screen Shot 2020-06-09 at 10.30.26 PM

[Photo] ‘Fangirl’: Another masterpiece for young adults

June 9, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Mitchell Hirsch

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Mitchell Hirsch

June 8, 2020
Seniors Angelina Giustra and Jennifer Pulsiano donated money they raised from their public policy project to the American Legion. A poppy sale would have been held in front of the school, but due to the pandemic, the fundraising plan was altered.

Poppy seed project

June 6, 2020
Residents met at Veterans Park in Hillsdale at 4 p.m. on Thursday to show support for the black community and intolerance against racism and police brutality. This gathering, along with protests across the country, are happening in the wake of George Floyds death, a 46-year-old black man who was killed on May 25 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck.

Peaceful Black Lives Matter gathering held in Hillsdale

June 4, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Erin Cuite

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Erin Cuite

June 3, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Alex Moore

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Alex Moore

May 27, 2020
New Jersey schools can hold outdoor graduation ceremonies that comply with social distancing beginning July 6, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced Tuesday via Twitter. A hybrid ceremony will still take place, but an additional in-person ceremony may be a possibility.

District to hold potential in-person graduation

May 27, 2020
SAT exam administrations were cancelled for the months of March, May, and June due to the coronavirus. Students who have yet to take the exam or are unsatisfied with their score must take the exam at a later date.

[Photo] SAT, ACT tests cancelled poses problems for juniors

May 25, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Julianne Darcey

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Julianne Darcey

May 21, 2020
Due to the pandemic, students are taking virtual Advanced Placement exams May 11 to May 22. While the College Board released a practice demo for submitting responses, students faced complications and may have to retake their exams.

[Photo] Students face AP exam complications

May 20, 2020

Video, parade planned for Class of 2020

May 18, 2020
A hybrid graduation is planned for the Class of 2020 on June 16. Superintendent Erik Gundersen announced the districts plan Friday afternoon.

Gundersen announces hybrid graduation

May 18, 2020
Honoring Valleys Heroes: Mike Villegas

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Mike Villegas

May 13, 2020
Gundersen addresses graduation concerns at BOE meeting

Gundersen addresses graduation concerns at BOE meeting

April 28, 2020
Junior Elise Schicker struggles with chronic depression, but has found ways to maintain her mental health amid the pandemic. She shares her strategy of sticking to a daily routine.

Coping with mental health amid pandemic

April 20, 2020
The Board of Education held its virtual meeting Monday night on Zoom. At the meeting, Glenn deMarrias, the current Pascack Hills principal, was approved as Pascack Valleys principal for the 2020-2021 school year.

Gundersen: ‘He is well versed in our district vision and mission’

April 14, 2020
Due to the coronavirus, colleges have shut down their campuses and moved tours and admitted student days online. Seniors Anna Urrea and Justine Tarabocchia share their challenges with picking a college.

[Photo] Seniors face uncertainty in college decisions

April 6, 2020
Junior Ellie Kim has lived in the United States her entire life. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, she addresses the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Stop calling it the ‘Chinese virus’

March 29, 2020
Director of Curriculum Barry Bachenheimer addressed virtual learning, SATs, and AP testing questions due to coronavirus concerns at the Board of Education meeting Monday afternoon. Community members were given the opportunity to watch the meeting on a YouTube livestream.

Director of Curriculum: ‘Unprecedented times’ in education

March 17, 2020
The announcement to postpone the spring musical, 1776, was made on Mar. 13. The show is one of many affected by coronavirus concerns.

Concerns of coronavirus affect PV events

March 13, 2020
Computer science and math teacher, Nancy Ricca, was awarded as Governors Educator of the Year. Ricca has been teaching at PV for 20 years.

A global approach to education

March 8, 2020
Editors in chief Rachel Cohen and Katie Mullaney, along with adviser Bill Rawson, spoke on an expert panel at the Bergen LEADS conference on Tuesday, Jan.7. They answered audience members questions on student journalism in Bergen County.

Smoke Signal speaks at Bergen LEADS conference

January 10, 2020
Bergen LEADS is a program of locally knowledgeable people who are familiar with the issues and trends of Bergen County. Around 25 to 30 members are a part of the program each year.

Program dedicated to leadership

January 9, 2020
Two viewers watch Life with Layla.

Smoke Signal hosts ‘Life with Layla’ screening

November 6, 2019
PV alumni Ken Spooner co-directed and co-produced 2019 documentary Life with Layla. The film will be screened at PV on Nov. 5.

Behind the scenes with NJ filmmaker

November 1, 2019
Pascack Valley math and computer science teacher Lauren Johnson won the grand prize on Wheel of Fortune Thursday night. She now has a 10 day cruise through the Panama Canal, a Ford Edge, and $7,000.

PV teacher wins car, trip on ‘Wheel of Fortune’

September 14, 2019
Pascack Valley math teacher Lauren Johnson stands on the set of Wheel of Fortune. The episode will be airing Thursday Night on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 7.

PV teacher spins her luck

September 11, 2019
Junior Ellie Kim stands with two children outside of the Cheyenne River Youth Project building. She addresses the importance to give back to communities in need following the service trip to South Dakota.

Support for South Dakota

September 9, 2019
We should give back

‘We should give back’

January 6, 2019
A tree located in the Sapienza Gardens near the PV tennis courts. The Environmental Club has been helping to keep the environment clean and raising awareness to the impacts of pollution.

Environmental Club raises awareness against Climate Change

June 11, 2018
Illuminae, written by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, is set in year 2575 where two megacorporations are at war over a planet. The third book, Obsidio, will be released this March, following the book Gemina.

“Illuminae” is a captivating and untraditional read

February 13, 2018
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Ellie Kim