RAMAPO INDIAN HILLS 

REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 

Maximizing opportunities to meet the needs of all students for a meaningful life

The holidays mark a moment reserved for slowing down, enjoying time with the people that matter most in our lives, giving to others, and the season for expressing gratitude. Our recent holiday concerts showcased the talents and dedication of our students and staff while filling everyone with happiness and good cheer. You can watch the concert videos below under Spotlight. I am inspired by the acts of kindness and spirit of giving from our students and staff spreading joy in nearby communities. Our sense of belonging and giving is a testament to the care of our entire FLOW community.

The focus in our district remains with every student at the center of all of our decisions. I am grateful to be a part of our school district and excited for the opportunities and progress that 2022 will bring. On behalf of the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District and the RIH Board of Education, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season. We hope you enjoy a relaxing and well-deserved recess with family and friends. Wishing you a wonderful holiday and a happy new year.

All my best,

Dr. Rui Dionisio

Superintendent of Schools

The RIH Program of Studies for the 2022-2023 school year is now available on the District’s website!  The Program of Studies contains information on the District’s academic programs, course descriptions, student support services, and other related information.  New courses for the 2022-2023 school year include AP U.S. Government and Politics, Chinese 4H, Writing, Recording, Arranging, and Producing Music (That’s a WRAP!) CP, and the third year STEM Aviation program courses.  These new courses and other changes to the 2022-2023 Program of Studies can be found in the “Highlights” document also found on the District’s website.

Thank you to our families for helping us accomplish our goal to bring some holiday joy to students at Roberto Clemente Elementary School in Paterson, NJ. Po' Seniors dressed as elves and it was wonderful to witness the smiles on the little faces of so many children. The Roberto Clemente faculty and administration were thrilled and grateful for our visit. They expressed what a real difference was made in the lives of the Roberto Clemente children. All of your coordination and contributions mean so much to so many children.

Thank you to Mrs. Rodriguez, Mrs. Ferro, Mrs. Aylward and the APTS, and our amazing students, staff, and families for making the holiday season special for so many children.

Dear Ramapo Indian Hills Community:

Our goal is to continue to keep our schools open each day for in-person learning. In an effort to do so, we need your help and vigilance. In our continued efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we remind parents/caregivers, faculty, and staff to observe their children and themselves for signs of illness every day as you are on the front line for assessing illness in your household.

Students and staff who are sick should not attend school/report to work. If a situation arises where you are not certain if it is safe for you or your child to attend school, we ask that you please consult with your family physician in regard to COVID-19 like illness, close contact, testing, quarantine, or isolation.  

All visitors, staff, and students are required to wear a mask covering their nose and mouth while in our building. To help minimize risk, our visitor protocol continues to place strong limits on visitors entering our school during the pandemic. All visitors to our schools will need to have a confirmed appointment to enter the building. (If you require assistance, an appointment must be made after the start of the school day.) Visitors who attend after-school athletic and activity events do not need an appointment.

​​Important Reminders: 

Unvaccinated close contacts and travelers who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past 90 days are not excluded from school. However, the CDC recommends that individuals self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolate, and get tested if they develop symptoms.

Fully vaccinated close contacts and travelers are not excluded from school. However, the CDC recommends fully vaccinated individuals self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, isolate, and get tested if they develop symptoms.

Unvaccinated close contacts will be excluded from school for 10 days without a test (individuals are permitted to provide a negative PCR/Molecular test result collected between day 5-7 (but not earlier than day 5). Quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than day 7 (return on day 8 with negative test results and symptom free). 

All families, students, and staff are encouraged to follow the domestic and international travel recommendations from the CDC and engage in discussions with their personal health care provider in regards to close contact, isolation, quarantine, and testing. 

Our community is able to review school case activity by accessing the RIH COVID Dashboard or at https://tinyurl.com/RIHCovidDashboard. We will continue to monitor our school community COVID-19 activity and are prepared to implement enhanced measures to our health and safety protocols if necessary. 

Happy Holidays and Best regards,

Dr. Rui Dionisio

Superintendent

Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District

Dr. Gregory Vacca

Principal

Indian Hills High School

Travis Smith

Principal

Ramapo High School

The Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education recently implemented a new video streaming platform on our District webpage. RIH Board. ofEducation meeting may be viewed directly on our District website by clicking HERE or at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/RIHBOELivestream

Archived Board of Education videos may be accessed at the following link. Additional information is available on the District webpage under the Board of Ed tab at the top of the page.

Superintendent's Corner Column 

Welcome Dr. Paul Ward

RIH Interim Coordinator of Staffing for Human Resources 

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Paul Ward as the new Interim Coordinator of Staffing for Human Resources with the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District. Dr. Ward is retired from the Cranford Public Schools, where he served the community as the Director of Human Resources. 

Dr. Ward has extensive professional experience in central office school administration as a director of Human Resources for over thirty years. He was a social studies teacher for eight years and a high school principal for three, as well as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University for twelve years, teaching organizational behavior and school law in various master’s programs leading to school principal certification.

Dr. Ward earned his B.A. in history from St. John’s University, New York; an M.A. in history from the City University of New York’s Hunter College; an M.S. in industrial labor relations from a joint program of the City University’s Baruch College & Cornell University; and an Ed.D. in school administration and supervision from Seton Hall University. He holds social studies and school administrator certificates in both NJ and NY.

Dr. Ward is married, with five grown children and (currently) eleven grandchildren. His 12th grandchild is due in March. He resides in Belleville, NJ.

I had the great fortune of working professionally with Dr. Ward for three years as a colleague and fellow administrator in the Cranford Public Schools. I am excited to have him lend his expertise to Ramapo Indian Hills Regional and I am confident you will find him a worthy addition to our district. Please join me in welcoming Dr. Paul Ward to our learning community.

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