Melissa Murray Cavins, Ed.S.

Principal, Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School

“Administration” is derived from the Latin words ‘ad’ and ‘ministiare’ which means “to serve”.  My role as administrator is to serve the students, staff and community of Ridgefield Park and Little Ferry.

A 1997 graduate of Ridgefield Park Junior-Senior High School, I continued my love of languages (that began in Mrs. Farnum's class back in 1992) and earned a BA in Spanish Language and Literature with an Italian minor, followed by a M.Ed. in Teaching English as a Second Language from The College of New Jersey.

Through continued postgraduate study at Rutgers, New Jersey City University, I earned Supervisor and Principal certifications, as well as an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Educational Leadership, Management and Policy from Seton Hall University.

I started my teaching career right here at RPJSHS and later served as Supervisor of the World Languages, ESL and Mathematics departments. After a few years gaining administrative experience in another district,  I am thrilled to be back home in Ridgefield Park to serve my community as the principal of the school I love!

My goal is to cultivate an atmosphere of inquiry, inclusion and support where all students and staff are empowered to achieve their full potential - and carry a sense of Scarlet Pride with them always!

“It’s a Great Day to be a Scarlet!”