Math

Mathematics Highlights and Special Programs

Welcome Mr. Ricky Santana to Passaic Valley High School

Passaic Valley is excited to welcome the newest addition to the staff in the mathematics department. Mr. Santana is very excited to join the team at PV. He brings a wealth of mathematical knowledge and over 10 years of professional experience in teaching high school mathematics (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, AP Statistics) in different districts within the NJ and NY area. He is looking forward to bringing that experience to PV. Mr. Santana likes to use humor and have fun in teaching his lessons because he wants to make the content approachable and less intimidating in a way that brought him joy in learning mathematics.

Mu Alpha Theta continues to grow at Passaic Valley

To promote interests in the fields of mathematics and foster mathematical activities, Passaic Valley has formed a chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national mathematics honor society. It is sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the American Mathematical Society, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. PV had over 40 students who were eligible to become members of Mu Alpha Theta. Members have had the opportunity to participate in numerous competitions including Rocket City Math League, the Association of Mathematics Teachers of New Jersey (AMTNJ) competition, the NJ High School Math Meltdown, and the 2025 Steven's Math Olympiad.

Mu Alpha Theta’s Co-Advisors are Mrs. Ennely Thornton and Mr. Sal Sileo. They were excited about bringing Mu Alpha Theta to PV and look forward to planning additional events such as guest speakers/professionals whose careers are heavily dependent on mathematics.

FREE Math Tutoring at Passaic Valley

If you are struggling in your math class, there is no need to worry. The members of Mu Alpha Theta can help you and it is completely free. All tutoring is done on the Passaic Valley campus during the lunch periods. Contact either Co-Advisor, Mrs. Thornton or Mr. Sileo. Email them your name, math class you have, and what period you have lunch. They will set you up with a student tutor.

Cross-Curricular Teaching at Passaic Valley

Mathematics teacher Mrs. Heather Goethe joined forces with art classes for interdisciplinary learning. Art classes are working on a project focusing on color schemes, dimensional analysis, and positive and negative spaces. Mrs. Goethe’s Honors Geometry classes will discuss the various mathematics concepts (Volume, Surface Area, Probability, etc…) that are ingrained in the art project.

Music or Math Lesson? You Decide…

English playwright and poet William Congreve wrote "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." In Mr. Matthew Youngberg’s math classes, music not only calms his students down, but he uses music as an essential learning tool to teach important mathematical concepts. Check out Mr. Youngberg’s (better known as Mr. YB) Youtube page. Here you will find about 7 different songs to hear. All 7 songs are original pieces of music written by Mr. Youngberg. He is also responsible for singing and playing the instruments on these musical mathematical masterpieces. Many of his students can be found using these songs, sometimes singing them out loud, to help them remember the math.

CONTACTS

Kevin Haimowitz Assistant Principal

Email Kevin Haimowitz x2544
Salvatore Sileo Lead Math Teacher

Email Salvatore Sileo