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Ilmie Xhaferi

Ilmie Xhaferi, Staff Editor

Mimi Xhaferi is a Pascack Valley junior and has been a part of The Smoke Signal since her freshman year. This year, she is excited to be working as a staff editor and looks forward to what is to come.

All content by Ilmie Xhaferi
The first research essay written by Research Club member Bridget Coyle explains what mutations are and how they affect coronavirus vaccines.

[Photo] The effect of mutations on COVID-19 vaccines

March 4, 2021
Panthers set to become Pascack Valley’s new mascot

Panthers set to become Pascack Valley’s new mascot

February 25, 2021
Ilmie Xhaferi

Ilmie Xhaferi

February 24, 2021
The Board of Education held an in-person on Monday night at PV and virtually on Zoom. During the meeting, the final three mascot options were presented to the BOE.

Mascot Selection Committee reveals final three mascot suggestions

February 22, 2021
The Pascack Valley Mascot Selection Committee has chosen three mascot names after its meeting Wednesday afternoon on Zoom and in the PV auditorium, according to committee student representative Delia Collis. Collis and student representative Vasili Karalewich declined to reveal the three suggestions.

Mascot Committee declines to reveal final three mascot names

February 11, 2021
The PV Mascot Selection Committee shortened its list of mascot names from 11 to six after its fourth meeting Wednesday afternoon on Zoom. Committee student representative Delia Collis said that she is “excited” to narrow down the remaining mascot nicknames to three.

Mascot Committee shortens list of nicknames

February 3, 2021
The PV Mascot Selection Committee has narrowed down its list of mascot names from 53 to “10 to 15 names” after holding its third meeting Wednesday afternoon in PV’s auditorium and on Zoom, according to committee student representative Vasili Karalewich.

Mascot Selection Committee narrows down mascot nicknames

January 27, 2021
The PV Mascot Selection Committee has narrowed down its list of mascot names from 53 to “10 to 15 names” after holding its third meeting Wednesday afternoon in PV’s auditorium and on Zoom, according to committee student representative Vasili Karalewich.

Mascot Selection Committee compiles new nicknames

January 21, 2021
The Board of Education held an in-person meeting on Monday night at PV. It discussed a wide range of topics, including the state of each school's mascot.

Indians and Cowboys mascots still “on the table”

January 18, 2021
The History Club presented civil rights activist and educator Theodora Smiley Lacey as a guest speaker on Wednesday, Jan. 13. She spoke to the district from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. through Zoom to discuss her activism, and the event was open to both PV and Pascack Hills students and faculty members.

Civil rights activist speaks to district

January 14, 2021
Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education held a reorganization meeting followed by a regular meeting in which they discussed the mascot selection process, PV’s principal search, and PV’s school closing.

BOE holds reorganization meeting

January 4, 2021
2020 Pascack Valley Timeline

2020 Pascack Valley Timeline

December 23, 2020
The Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education bid farewell to board members Brian Hallowell, David Steinberg, Arnold Scher, and Kenneth Ralph during Monday night’s BOE meeting held in-person at Pascack Valley and on Zoom.

BOE bids farewell to retiring members

December 14, 2020
District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said district nurses will meet with representatives from the Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission to determine whether students can return to school on Monday, Dec. 14.

Superintendent shares school reopening process

December 7, 2020
District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said that all in-person school activities until Dec. 14 will be suspended or held remotely due to the increasing positive COVID-19 cases in the district. This was announced during the Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education meeting held Monday on Zoom. 

In-school activities to be held remotely until Dec. 14

November 30, 2020
After 13 years working at Pascack Valley, English and Journalism teacher Bill Rawson was named the 2020-2021 PV Teacher of the Year.

‘I didn’t necessarily [take] the same path as a lot of other teachers’

November 19, 2020
The Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education held its first in-person meeting of the 2020-21 school year on Monday night in the Pascack Valley cafeteria. The BOE discussed the mascot selection process, the principal search, and some members commented on the increase in coronavirus causes.

BOE hold their first in-person meeting of the 2020-21 school year

November 16, 2020
Gini Varghese, Kristin Martin, Michael Weaver, and Kelly Blundy have been elected to the Pascack Valley Regional High School District Board of Education. The four new members will take their seats on Jan. 4, 2021.

Four new members to serve the BOE

November 13, 2020
Eight candidates are running for the Pascack Valley Regional District Board of Education on Nov. 3. Each candidate is highlighted below .

Board of Education Candidate Cheat Sheet

October 26, 2020
Pascack Valley Athletic Director Shawn Buchanan and Pascack Hills Athletic Director Phil Paspalas presented their plan for the new mascot selection process to the Board of Education during Monday night’s BOE meeting held virtually through Zoom. Assistant Superintendent Barry Bachenheimer also showcased the 2020 Assessment Data Presentation.

BOE introduces mascot selection process

October 26, 2020
PV to remain remote through Oct. 28

PV to remain remote through Oct. 28

October 16, 2020
Director of Technology and Communications Paul Zeller said that he and Pascack Hills intern Samantha Goldman plan to use social media to improve communications between the Board of Education and the public during Monday night’s BOE meeting held virtually through Zoom. Goldman said that the most “efficient” way to communicate with parents, educators, and students is through social media platforms.

BOE announces plans for better communication

October 12, 2020
Blast from the past

Blast from the past

September 23, 2020
The Board of Education addressed many topics at the Board of Education’s virtual meeting Monday night held on Zoom. These topics include the concerns of Pascack Valley's and Pascack Hills' cheerleaders attending other districts' football games, the change in dates for the PSAT test, and a score report for the HIB self-assessment given by the New Jersey Department of Education.

BOE addresses uncertainty regarding cheerleaders at football games

September 21, 2020
The Board of Education discussed how students and faculty felt returning back to school. The district also approved three new clubs for the 2020-21 school year: the Society of Women Engineers, the STEM League, and the Technology Student Association.

District reflects on reopening plan

September 8, 2020
The district has welcomed back all students from grade 10 through 12 in Cohort A on Sept. 3 and Cohort B on Sept. 4, while an orientation day for freshman was held on Sept. 2. With students returning, the district has taken several safety measures to promote social distancing including the placement of green and white tape down the center of every hallway.

Students return to school amid pandemic

September 4, 2020
The Board of Education discussed the final details of the reopening plan before school begins on September 3. The district approved new curricula, a temporary change in course credit for all full year science courses, and new faculty for the 2020-2021 school year.

District puts finishing touches on reopening plan

August 31, 2020
Assistant District Superintendent Barry Bachenheimer presented three plans for school reopening at Thursday’s virtual Board of Education meeting held through Zoom. It consisted of all on-site classes, 100% remote learning, and a hybrid schedule.

District to present reopening plan to the state

July 23, 2020
Honoring Valley's Heroes: Leanne Ruoff

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Leanne Ruoff

June 30, 2020
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

June 22, 2020
Honoring Valley's Heroes: Kenny McGlone

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Kenny McGlone

June 19, 2020
District Library Media Specialist Margaret White has been working for the district for 20 years and PV instrumental music teacher Joe Zajac has been a band director for 40 years. Both have retired at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

The next chapter

June 18, 2020
A goodbye to our senior editors

A goodbye to our senior editors

June 16, 2020
Honoring Valley's Heroes: Cassaundra Gehan

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Cassaundra Gehan

June 15, 2020
Assistant District Superintendent Barry Bachenheimer and his daughter, Lea Bachenheimer, continue to volunteer with the South Orange Rescue Squad during the coronavirus pandemic. While Lea’s shift lasts Sunday evenings from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m, Bachenheimer is on duty from 6 p.m. Sunday night to 5 a.m.

A dynamic duo

June 10, 2020
District Superintendent Erik Gundersen said that the district intends on hosting an in-person graduation on July 8 if New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy increases outdoor capacity during the Board of Education's virtual meeting Monday night held on Zoom. During the meeting, Director of Curriculum Barry Bachenheimer was also approved as assistant district superintendent and Cynthia Ackerman as assistant business administrator for the 2020-2021 school year.

In-person graduation ceremony intended to be held July 8

June 8, 2020
Honoring Valley's Heroes: Mitchell Hirsch

Honoring Valley’s Heroes: Mitchell Hirsch

June 8, 2020
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Ilmie Xhaferi