BELLEVILLE POST VOL. 36 NO. 18
JULY 2025
ESSEXNEWSDAILY.COM
Get to know BHS Class of 2025 graduates your officers
Very special deliveries
— See Page 3
Bucs going to colleges
Matthew De Fede
— See Page 26
Photos by Steve Ellmore
Family, friends and relatives watch Belleville High School’s 128th annual commencement ceremony at Municipal Stadium. Below, the graduates stand for the salute to the flag. See additional photos and a list of graduates inside.
The Nutley Pulse Podcast Coming Soon on You Tube
Ella Benenati
— See Page 2
The Belleville High School Class of 2025 had the wind at their backs and the sun overhead as they received their diplomas on Doc Ellis Field at Belleville Municipal Stadium. The ceremony began with a salute to the flag led by senior Ariannas Navarrete, president of the Student Government Organization. Singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and the Belleville High School Alma Mater followed under the direction of Carol Lomardi, a music teacher at the school. Mikaela Rose Lupaz Cinense, an honor student and president of the senior class, welcomed guests to the event before Navarrete returned and spoke. The Senior Choral Ensemble, directed by Lomardi, gave a performance of “For Good” from “Wicked.” The lyrics include the following verse: “I've heard it said That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you” Salutatorian Candie Dong, a member of the National Honor Society and a recipient of the state Seal of Biliteracy, was introduced before addressing her classmates. She was followed by Ethan Duong Nguyen, who was named Valedictorian. Nguyen, a tennis player and honor student, addressed his classmates before turning the microphone over to Principal Caleb Rhodes. Rhodes spoke before presenting the class to Interim Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Perrapato and Board of Education President Gabrielle V. Bennett-Meany for official acceptance.
2 — July 2025 — Belleville Post
Walking to school and getting to know the officer on the beat
Photos Courtesy of BPD
The Belleville Police Department participated in its last Walk to School with Belleville P.D. of the school year on June 11. The weather seemed like it might not cooperate at first but the sun came out and so did the kids to make the event a success. The kids walked alongside officers, sharing laughs, high-fives, and learning valuable safety tips to keep them alert and protected on their daily walk to school.
Belleville Post — July 2025 — 3
Belleville hires its first Latino superintendent of schools BELLEVILLE — Belleville’s newly appointed superintendent of schools says he’s not the sit-in-the-office type of administrator. He’s already busy visiting the district’s schools and getting to know students and staff members before the summer recess. Erick Alfonso – selected for the job from a field of 35 candidates – will officially take over July 1 as the superintendent of the Essex County school district that includes 10 schools, about 5,000 students and an overall budget of about $140 million. He will succeed Nick Perrapato, who had been serving as the interim superintendent. Alfonso, 37, brings a decade’s worth of experience as a school administrator and educator, having most recently served as the superintendent of schools in Secaucus. His hands-on approach focuses on being a visible presence in the schools’ hallways. His drive stems from his desire to act as a champion for each student, ensuring no one falls through the cracks. Alfonso knows first-hand about obstacles in the educational journey, especially for the children of first-generation Americans. The son of immigrants from Cuba, Alfonso was an English as a Second Language learner as a kid growing up in Union City. He was placed in special classrooms through second grade while he learned the language. “In this exciting new role in Belleville, I will draw upon my own experiences as a public school student,” he said. “I have a great opportunity to help these students – all students – reach their goals and achieve their dreams.” The first Latino superintendent of schools in Belleville history has been shaped by growing up in a household where both parents worked hard to make ends meet; he didn’t have a pair of shoes that fit him until he was 13. At heart, Alfonso considers himself fiscally responsible, knowing that every nickel counts. During his time at Secaucus, he spearheaded efforts to secure more than $5 million in competitive grants and state/federal aid programs. He is especially proud of securing $1.67 million in federal education funding to launch districtwide Universal Pre-K programs and nearly $500,000 to institute diverse school programming that expanded the educational resources and opportunities of students. So adept has Alfonso become at identifying and securing grant money that he founded his own company, ALIGN Consultant Group, in 2024 to help other school districts navigate the red tape involved with winning additional state and federal revenue to support the budget.
“There is a ton of competitive funding out there that most people don’t even know about,” Alfonso said. “In Belleville, we will work hard to bolster the district’s educational initiatives with grant money and aid. That money can make a big difference in the education of our students, while providing some relief to taxpayers.” While Alfonso may be considered a young superintendent, many have already taken note of his hard work and vision. For example, he was nominated for an award called the Life Changer of the Year through a Vermont-based insurance company, National Life Group. And although he didn’t win the national award, dozens of people from across the Bogota school district, where he was serving as a middle school principal at the time, and others posted almost 70 heartfelt messages of support. “Erick is the most caring, outstanding educator and person I know,” read one message. “Dr. Alfonso prides himself on being the hardest worker in the room and it shows every day in the way the kids and staff react to him,” read another. The most emotional message was posted from an anonymous former student who described Alfonso as a guardian angel and shared a story for the award judges. Here it is: One morning, Alfonso – a state certified anti-bullying specialist – instinctively recognized that the student was shaken. It turned out that events happening in the student’s home were so serious that police were ultimately notified. “At the end of the school day when I went to see him, (Alfonso) walked me home,” read the message. “He walked me home for a couple weeks so that I felt safe. I’m not sure he really understands how much that meant to me because, for him, it seems like a normal thing to do. People like Alfonso don’t come around too often.” He began his career as a physical education and health teacher at Englewood on the Palisades School, followed by two years as a physical education teacher with the Union City Board of Education. He gained leadership experience as the dean of students and programs with the Hoboken Board of Education in 2018 and 2019, followed by four years as a high school vice principal and middle school principal for the Bogota Board of Education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Kean University, a master’s in educational leadership from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a doctorate in educational leadership from Seton Hall University. He returned to Ramapo as a graduate professor in 2020 and earned his MBA there in 2023. Alfonso and his wife, Joselyne, met in Belleville and make their home in Hoboken.
Photos Courtesy of Sons of the American Legion
The Sons of the American Legion brought Girl Scout cookies to the V.A. hospital in East Orange and delivered them with some help from a Girl Scout and a Young Son from Belleville Squadron 105.
Sons of the American Legion bring cookies to the hospital For the fourth year in a row, the Sons of The American Legion (SAL) Detachment of New Jersey ran a “Cookies for Vets” program, delivering Girl Scout cookies to “make our veterans lives a little sweeter.” The Detachment, or state-level SAL organization in New Jersey, this year donated $2,264 of cookies to both the Lyons and East Orange Veterans Affairs Campus, through it’s Children and Youth Commission. A total of 348 boxes – or 32 cases – of Samoas, Tag-a-longs, Thin Mints, and Trefoils made their way into the hands of our hometown heroes undergoing care at the two facilities. Funding for this project comes from donations from across the state and begins in November. The cookies get purchased in February, and are delivered in April, which is American Legion Children and Youth Month. The state-level project is part of the Sons of the American Legion’s commitment to two of its core pillars – Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, and Children and Youth. From fundraising and buying the cookies, to having the Scouts and Young Sons deliver them, to the vets getting a surprise tasty treat, this project embodies the spirit of what the Sons of The American Legion is here for, according to a press release from the Sons. “This project is something near and dear to my heart,” said Children and Youth Chairman Rusty Myers. “It is just a small way we can say thank you to our vets – and let them know we’re thinking about them.” A few days before Easter, the cookies were dropped off by a Girl Scout from Troop 20122, and a Young Son from Belleville Squadron 105 – plus adult members of the Scouts and the Sons. “We believe that through an organization such as the Girl Scouts we can achieve greatness and teach leadership, courage, and kindness” wrote East Orange VA Executive Medical Center Director Patricia O’Kane in a letter to the SAL. “It is through efforts of community partners like you that allow us to continue the quality care and services that we seek to provide for our veterans.”
4 — July 2025 — Belleville Post
Belleville Police Department names Officer of the Month for May Officer Brendan Sim was named the Belleville Police Department’s Officer of the Month for May 2025. Sim displayed compassion and heroism in two separate incidents during the month. In one case, he went above and beyond to care for a young child whose guardian was in crisis—personally buying diapers to ensure the child’s comfort and donating them to the family. In another, he responded to an unconscious man with no pulse and immediately began CPR. Thanks to his quick action and training, the man regained a pulse and was transported to the hospital for further care. These actions, combined with Sim’s perfect attendance and unwavering dedication to the community, make him an outstanding example of what it means to serve as a Belleville Police Officer.
CHAMBER SPOTLIGHT
Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce ~ Serving Bloomfield, Belleville and Glen Ridge Businesses ~
CHAMBER ANNOUNCES SUMMER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE $125 SMALL BUSINESS NEW MEMBERS ONLY (For a Limited Time, NEW members Only under 50 employees can SAVE $75 for a one - year membership.)
It’s a great time to join the Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce and see the value and benefits of chamber membership. Call the chamber office for additional information 973-748-2000. Please visit our website www.SuburbanEssexChamber.com. BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! THANK YOU! Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce 256 Broad Street, Suite 2F Bloomfield, NJ 07003 973-748-2000 – admin@suburbanessexchamber.com Visit our website www.SuburbanEssexChamber.com Suburbanessexchamber.com; facebook.com/pages/suburban-essex-chamber-of-commerce
PLEASE PATRONIZE OUR LOCAL MEMBER BUSINESSES!
Donna M. Pietroiacovo, Exec. Admin. • www.suburbanessexchamber.com
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Nutley Journal - BP — July 2025 — 5
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