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Sarah Buttikofer

Sarah Buttikofer, Staff Editor

Sarah is a sophomore, and this is her second year on the PV Student Publication. She is excited to grow as a student journalist, work alongside the staff, and spread news in the PV community.

All content by Sarah Buttikofer
Junior Julia Conjour getting ready to pass the ball to a teammate during the speedball tournament at the Valley Cup. The PV tradition took place on November 24 at 11.

November 2021 Thanksgiving Valley Cup Highlights

November 25, 2021
The Board of Education held an in-person meeting Monday night at Pascack Hills. They discussed overnight trips and concerns for the 2021-2022 school year.

District discusses concerns regarding overnight trips

September 27, 2021
Class of 2021 Graduation held on June 16

Class of 2021 Graduation held on June 16

June 16, 2021
After 27 years of working in the Pascack Valley Regional High School District, Superintendent Erik Gundersen is resigning. His resignation becomes effective on June 30.

‘It’s time for me to take on new challenges’

June 11, 2021
PV nurses (from left to right) Sandra Hroncich and Diane Fallons schedules have been altered due to the coronavirus. Both of them have had to adjust to the new circumstances and take on new jobs and challenges after working for years at PV.

[Photo] ‘I don’t think I could have pictured it to be this way’

June 10, 2021
Seniors (from left to right), Steven Bussanich, Nicole Buldo, Kathleen Disalvo, and Christian Downey will be attending colleges that have made the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for the fall. Rutgers was the first to announce this mandate with a string of other colleges following quickly behind.

Seniors’ thoughts on COVID vaccine requirements

June 9, 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.

District to continue using hybrid schedule for remainder of school year

May 13, 2021
Seniors walk runway at annual fashion show

Seniors walk runway at annual fashion show

May 12, 2021
The theme and logo for the 2021 Senior Fashion Show is Mask-erade. The show will take place on May 11 at the Rockleigh Country Club.

Senior Fashion Show to take place May 11

April 27, 2021
Andre Dabaghian filming with Mike Blackgrove. They created a documentary on his brother, John Blackgrove, to share his story called Two Way Player.

PV graduates release documentary on school’s all-time leading boys basketball scorer

April 7, 2021
The Board of Education approved Joe Blundo to be BOE Vice President during its Monday night meeting held in Pascack Valley’s cafeteria and virtually on Zoom. The BOE also discussed concerns over the mascot selection process.

BOE approves new vice president

March 22, 2021
The 2020-2021 interim principal Glenn deMarrais sitting in his office.

PV principal search underway

March 18, 2021
Sarah Buttikofer

Sarah Buttikofer

February 24, 2021
NJ New Voices helps to protect student journalists First Amendment rights.

‘Our opinions matter’

February 24, 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
The Pascack Valley Regional Board of Education held an in-person and virtual meeting on Monday night. During the meeting, PV Mascot Committee student representatives shared updates on their ongoing mascot search.

PV Mascot Committee gives update on selection process

February 8, 2021
Towey and The People

Towey and ‘The People’

January 25, 2021
Lucy and Josie as Emily Schroeder outside their trailer filming Boardwalk Empire. This show later won a SAG Award and Josie and Lucy traveled to L.A.

Take Two

January 20, 2021
Senior Toby Shapiro interns at Threads, in Westwood. One of her responsibilities is to organize clothes on the shelves.

Seniors take on internship during the pandemic

November 20, 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
PV Choir Board to host Halloween Talent Night

PV Choir Board to host Halloween Talent Night

October 29, 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
The dodgeballs lined up before a match.

Executive council proceeds with Valley Cup despite coronavirus challenges

October 19, 2020
PV athletes express gratitude for coaches

PV athletes express gratitude for coaches

October 6, 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 Valleys 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
PV Theatre abandons fall play due to political controversy

PV Theatre abandons fall play due to political controversy

September 18, 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
Contributed by Jessica Doyle Michelle Boccellari, shown in the middle, was a 2002 PV graduate. She was found stabbed to death in her apartment in Dumont on June 16.

Remembering Michelle Boccellari

June 26, 2020
Community expresses opinions on mascot removal

Community expresses opinions on mascot removal

June 23, 2020
Senior James Allmers prepares to throw a ball during the dodgeball game.

Final virtual Valley Cup videos released

June 13, 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 Educations 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
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
Black Lives Matter protests planned across N.J. this weekend

Black Lives Matter protests planned across N.J. this weekend

June 4, 2020
Senior Gianna Rowe has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and is working towards receiving the Gold Award. Rowe continues to try to find alternative ways of completing her required service hours, while following social distance precautions.

Girl Scout perseveres despite coronavirus challenges

May 28, 2020
Celebration of the Arts to be held virtually May 28

Celebration of the Arts to be held virtually May 28

May 22, 2020
A classmate and Pascack Valley alum Ryan Novakowski at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Novakowski hopes to be commissioned into the Navy for five years.

‘We’re fighting and training to eventually become leaders’

May 18, 2020
Many have started to criticize and shame others on social media for not following social distancing guidelines or wearing masks and gloves. However, freshman Sarah Buttikofer believes that education is the only way to end the spread of the pandemic.

Put an end to pandemic shaming

May 12, 2020
Pandemic Patrol

Pandemic Patrol

May 5, 2020
Juniors watch a lip sync battle during Novembers Valley Cup. With school shut down due to the pandemic, the Executive Council has decided to host a Valley Cup virtual on Wednesday.

Virtual Valley Cup to be held Wednesday

April 28, 2020
Some Paws-itivity

Some Paws-itivity

April 11, 2020
Activities to do at home during quarantine

Activities to do at home during quarantine

March 26, 2020
The girls PV STEM League competed at the AIA NJ Architecture Tower Challenge and won “Best Seismic Performance” for their engineered spaghetti and marshmallow tower in a simulated earthquake.

All-girl STEM team wins ‘Best Seismic Performance’ at competition

February 10, 2020
Pascack Valley senior Dani Menendez presented a powerpoint on causes of anxiety in teens and coping mechanisms for her Girl Scout Gold Award at the River Vale Community Center on Nov. 14. She decided to focus this project on mental health from her own experiences.

[Photo] Girl Scout spreads mental health awareness

December 19, 2019
Pascack Valley senior Dani Menendez presented a powerpoint on causes of anxiety in teens and coping mechanisms for her Girl Scout Gold Award at the River Vale Community Center on Nov. 14. She decided to focus this project on mental health from her own experiences.

Girl Scout spreads mental health awareness

December 19, 2019
PV students, faculty respond to Sandy Hook commercial

PV students, faculty respond to Sandy Hook commercial

October 9, 2019
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Sarah Buttikofer