District News

It’s Good to be Home!

After two years of temporary relocation, the Elizabeth Forward Theater Arts Program was able to move back to the school district to perform Hadestown: Teen Edition on April 3- 6, 2025. The cast and crew were excited to be closer to home as they performed at the renovated middle school auditorium.

When a fire destroyed the high school’s auditorium in February of 2023, the cast and crew of the show in production at the time were in shock thinking they may not get to perform. The community rallied around them, and within days the company had an offer of space from Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as costumes, props, and equipment from schools across the region. With the help of the community, the students knew the show would go on.

Thanks in no small part to crowdfunding, the Elizabeth Forward School District has been able to renovate and update the middle school auditorium to make it more suitable to hold the kind of larger-scale productions done by the high school. Fresh paint, new seats, and equipment upgrades have created a great space for the cast and crew to work.

“These kids have been through a lot,” shared the director for the musical, James Benedek. He was amazed at how hard they’ve worked and the way they took all the changes in stride. “I’m proud of all the students.”

For Senior Sidney Thomas, who played Eurydice, the last few have been a roller coaster ride. She admits to being upset when she heard about the fire and overwhelmed by the community support. Ultimately, she said, “It’s made us stronger as a department and a school.”

Edward Denney, a junior playing Hermes, echoed this thought “As a group, we are pushing through,” he said, “We’re in this together.”

“It means a lot to have the community support us,” the junior who played Orpheus, Oliver Moore said. Knowing that people both inside and outside the school district were there to help, helped them believe they could get through anything.

If you need proof of just how supportive the community is of the Elizabeth Forward  Theater Arts Program, the production sold out two of the four performances with the other two being nearly sold out. A rare feat for high school musicals

Once again, the community supported Elizabeth Forward’s students, this time through thunderous applause. It was good to be home.

The Elizabeth Forward School District was buzzing with excitement during the visit from the League of Innovative Schools, which was part of their Spring Convening. Administrators from school districts across the United States toured Central Elementary and the Middle School to explore the innovative programs and technologies used at Elizabeth Forward to engage students and improve learning outcomes.

Guests were warmly welcomed by the Middle School Cheerleaders, Student Ambassadors, and members of the band and orchestra. Following remarks from Keith Konyk, the District Superintendent, visitors enjoyed lunch before breaking into groups to visit both Central Elementary and the Middle School.

During the tours, attendees were able to see how technology is integrated into the curriculum to enhance lessons on subjects ranging from reading to playing the ukulele. They explored the use of virtual reality, gaming, and iPads, which are employed by Elizabeth Forward to captivate, educate, and prepare students for life beyond school.

“The League of Innovative Schools visit was an incredible success! It was truly inspiring to see our schools come together to showcase the innovative, student-centered learning experiences that make Elizabeth Forward stand out,” said Dr. Mary Carol Perry, the district's Assistant Superintendent. “Our visitors were amazed by the creativity, dedication, and forward-thinking approaches happening in our classrooms. We have so much to be proud of, and it is exciting to be recognized on a national stage.”

In addition, visitors learned about the trout being raised, the chickens being hatched, and the school’s flock of chickens cared for by students. They were also offered eggs and greens grown in the elementary school’s hydroponic system. Middle School Esports participants answered questions and demonstrated games for guests. Videos on activities and programs at all of the schools in the district were produced by students in the high school and were played as part of interactive displays.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who contributed to making the League of Innovative Schools’ visit a resounding success. The hard work and commitment of students, teachers, and staff across the school district truly shone through, culminating in a day filled with inspiration and pride.

Elizabeth Forward School District continues to demonstrate its dedication to fostering innovative learning environments that prioritize student engagement and success, and this visit was a testament to that commitment.