Principal - Mr. Michael Cardone
michael.cardone@lodi.k12.nj.us
Welcome to the TJMS webpage. I am your principal, Mr. Michael Cardone. Our staff and I are eager for you to navigate through the areas of our school community.
Our History
We are extremely proud of the tradition set forth by the generations of our past. TJMS was built in 1933 and initially served as a Junior/Senior High School for the surrounding towns of Saddle River Township (Saddle Brook), East Paterson (Elmwood Park), Little Ferry, Wallington and Lodi. In September of 1973, the new Lodi High School was built and TJMS became a 7th and 8th grade school. Mr. Gary Carabin served as the first principal of TJMS. Mr. Carabin engineered the original structure of the middle school during his distinguished 39 year career. In 1999, we incorporated the 6th grade classes. Following Mr. Carabin's retirement in 1999, Mr. Frank Quatrone, Mr. Robert Sciolaro and Mr. Jack Lipari served as the building principals, each making a significant impact at TJMS. We have had many vice principals that performed exemplary duties including Mr. Phil Patire, Mr. Richard Albanese, Mr. Joseph Dispoto, Mr. Robert Sciolaro, Mr. Glenn Focarino, Mr. John Way, Mr. Kevin Dowson, Mr. Jack Lipari, Mrs. Fina Flores, and myself.
Presently
The teachers at TJMS are enthusiastic, professional, innovative, and the backbone of our building. Our staff is known for going "above and beyond" typical classroom instruction by making meaningful connections through lessons and leading by example. Our mission is simple: to serve the students of our district, guide them with character education, and inspire them to reach new heights in their educational endeavors.
The support staff of our guidance department is led by Mrs. Nancy Salerno, Mrs. Shannon Capadonna, and Mrs. Jodi Borometti. Each is designated to a grade level and follows students through their career from grade 6 - 8 at TJMS. We have 4 department supervisors: Mrs. Melissa Calabrese (special education), Mrs. Kellie Ettz (mathematics and science), Mrs. JacyLynn Mule (fine arts and foreign languages), and Mrs. Lisamarie Stancescu (ELA, social studies, and supervisor of curriculum and instruction) who facilitate best practices following the NJ Student Learning Standards. Lastly, but certainly not least, we are fortunate to have an outstanding Vice Principal, Mrs. Fina Flores.
Digital learning and integration is a priority at TJMS. Our school has a newly transformed Media Center and fully-equipped independent computer lab. Students are engaged in some of the most innovative technology using the Google Classroom platform. Our school has also acquired 6 Promethean Boards which utilize some of the latest software in the digital experience. Taking further steps to provide optimal and seamless learning, we are currently in the process of going 1:1 with Chromebooks for the student body.
At TJMS we offer a variety of diverse clubs and activities for every interest including Student Council, STEAM, Gaming, Drama, Yearbook, NJHS, Book Club, Poetry, Oz Club, and Chorus. We have Girls' and Boys' Basketball teams, and a Cheerleading team.
Our school also actively focuses on civic events to allow our students to give back to the community. Working with our TJMS family, we support JL Blessings, the PBA SRT Toy Drive, the Thanksgiving Food Drive, and a Coat Drive run by our dedicated Lodi Police Department.
Educationally Yours,
Mr. Michael Cardone and the TJMS Family
