Congratulations to Mrs. Betty Hou – VHS’s VFEE Inspiring Excellence Educator of the Year for 2026!
Mrs. Jia-Pei (Betty) Hou is a Mandarin teacher at Verona High School who inspires students to develop strong communication skills and a deep understanding of Chinese language and culture. In addition to teaching, she advises the VHS Chapter of the National Chinese Honor Society and the Mandarin Club. She also co-advises the World Language Academic Competition Club, providing students with leadership opportunities and support in academic competitions.
Mrs. Hou consistently prepares students for local, statewide, and national contests. Her students have earned two Bronze Awards in the national Poster Contests organized by the Chinese Language Association of Secondary-Elementary Schools (CLASS) and achieved second place at the 15th NJCCSF Chinese Cultural Project Contest. It is a statewide competition focused on researching and presenting Chinese cultural topics. She has also guided students in the 汉语桥 (Chinese Bridge) Speech Contest, earning multiple third-place awards. Mrs. Hou has facilitated participation in summer programs in China through the Confucius Institutes at Rutgers University and the University of Massachusetts Boston, as well as the American Ambassador Summer Program in New Jersey (IPERC).
Beyond the classroom, Mrs. Hou actively promotes cultural engagement in the community. She has supported a special education life skills summer program by teaching students and staff to prepare Chinese dishes while introducing cross-cultural food traditions. She collaborates with district teachers, school staff, student organizations, and local partners, including the Verona Township Public Information Officer and the Verona Community Center to organize large-scale Lunar New Year and AAPI celebrations attended by hundreds. Through these initiatives, Mrs. Hou strengthens school-community connections and empowers students to become cultural ambassadors.
Mrs. Hou believes that learning is a lifelong journey and that each student brings unique talents and strengths to the classroom and the community. She will always cherish her time at Verona High School and the wonderful community that became a second home in her life.
CONGRATULATION Mrs. Hou and Thank you VFEE!
INCLUSIVE SCHOOLS WEEK COLLAGE CONTEST
Inclusive Schools Week Agenda
We are happy to extend a warm welcome to your child in the Verona Public Schools' kindergarten program. Kindergarten is an essential milestone in your child's educational journey, and we are excited to be a part of this important chapter.
Our kindergarten program is designed to provide a solid foundation for your child's academic and social development. During the school day, we offer a comprehensive curriculum that includes media skills, formal art, music, and physical education. It's a time for learning, forming new friendships, collaborating in groups, and acquiring fundamental academic skills.
Important Information:
*Children must be 5 years of age on or before Oct. 1, 2026, to enroll
*Kindergarten session hours: 8:30 am to 2:45 pm.
*The Montclair YMCA's aftercare program is available from 2:45 to 6:00 p.m. For more information, Contact Yasmin Pego at 973-415-6133 or ypego@montclairymca.org.
Kindergarten Round-Up: January 12-16, 2026
This week, we will identify eligible students for the upcoming September class and initiate formal registration. Please download the enrollment packet and review the required Kindergarten. Please complete these forms during Round-Up week and return them to your home school office.
Grade 4 Registration Packet: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OwbobcypCTY3DQIf6Es7_E2DGbVE_vSK-_H8d-Vglos/edit?usp=sharing
If you know parents with eligible kindergarten children who have not received this information, please encourage them to contact the school office.
