Lots to catch up on this week, from an eighth grader’s petition reshaping a districtwide policy conversation to Upper Montclair’s first music festival still looking for hands on deck. Here is what you need to know.
8th Grader’s Petition Pushes Montclair to Reexamine Its Middle School Dress Code
Glenfield Middle School eighth grader Phoebe Chaffin started a Change.org petition after watching classmates get pulled out of class and sent to the principal’s office over what they were wearing, and in less than two weeks it drew more than 240 verified signatures and a direct response from Board of Education President Yvonne Bouknight, who said the board takes seriously concerns about “student dignity, privacy, equitable treatment, and a safe and supportive learning environment.” The dress code itself is not unique to Glenfield; it is part of Montclair Public Schools’ middle school handbook and also applies at Buzz Aldrin. The district says it’s reviewing the policy and how it’s being communicated and enforced. Read the Pod’s full report on Chaffin’s petition and the district’s response, including how this echoes a nearly identical 2015 protest at Montclair High School.
Montclair Center BID Executive Director Steps Down for Health Reasons
Cesar Claro has resigned as executive director of the Montclair Center Business Improvement District, citing health reasons, roughly two months after starting the role. BID board president Ernst Goldman said Claro “leaves with our full support and appreciation,” and the board met this week to address the leadership transition and figure out how to maintain continuity in its downtown work. No interim director has been named. Claro is the BID’s third executive director in about two years: Jason Gleason resigned in 2024, Abhishake Shah then served as interim and later permanent director, and Claro succeeded Shah this July. Read the Pod’s full report on Claro’s departure and what it means for the BID’s leadership.
Blue and White Athletics Club’s Freshman Sports Fundraising Isn’t Over
The Montclair Athletics Blue and White Club has raised close to $200,000 since saving freshman sports from elimination last spring, closing in on a bigger $350,000 annual goal it says the athletic department needs for long-term stability, not just one season. “I feel amazing,” said club co-founder Laura Quiros. “We leaned in and freshman sports are up and running.” The bigger question hanging over the effort: with Montclair Public Schools posting a positive fund balance of about $1 million at its August 5 board meeting, a reversal from the $12.7 million deficit reported a year earlier, should the district be funding this itself rather than leaving it to a parent-led nonprofit? Quiros didn’t take a side. “That’s a question for Dr. Turner,” she said. Read the Pod’s full report on the club’s next fundraising push.
Town-Wide Yard Sale Rescheduled Due to Rain Forecast
Montclair’s town-wide yard sale, originally set for Sunday, has been postponed because of the rain forecast to Sunday, Sept. 27. The fall edition is organized by Valentin Guerin, who launched the first town-wide sale this spring after his son’s disappointing solo lemonade stand turned into an idea for pooling driveways and front yards across town. Sellers register through a Google form, and organizers publish an interactive map of every participating address a few days before the event, posted on Instagram and Facebook.
Uptown Sound Music Fest Requests More Volunteers
Uptown Sound, Upper Montclair’s first annual music festival, takes place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Anderson Park, closing out headliner Waterbury Road, and organizers are still looking for volunteers to help throughout the day, with multiple shifts available and free food provided. Anyone interested in volunteering can reach organizers on their website. Read the Pod’s background on the festival for the full story of how the festival came together.
