Wallington is a small community of approximately
12,000 residents located in the south west section of Bergen County, New
Jersey. The town is approximately eight miles south of New York City and
borders the Passaic River as well as the Boroughs of East Rutherford,
Wood-Ridge, Carlstadt, and Garfield. It is less than one Square mile in
area and is relatively densely populated.
The community is ethnically defined by a strong
Slavic heritage. Approximately 60% of the residents are of Polish descent.
The Polish immigrants were originally attracted to the area by its rural
environment and its proximity to the textile factories in neighboring
Passaic. More recent immigrants have come to Wallington to join their
families or to live among those who share a similar background and
culture. Its downtown stores offer such traditional delicacies as homemade
kielbasi, pierogi, and chrusciki, a popular pastry. Customers are greeted
in Polish. At both the Polish National and the Roman Catholic Church
services are regularly conducted in Polish. Many Slavic customs are still
practiced. The schools have a large bilingual/English as a Second Language
student population. This citizenry has developed a strong patriotic
feeling and a commitment towards America and its ideals.
The community has three public schools. They can be
referenced at http://www.wboe.org/.
They are Jefferson School (Grades K - 3), Frank W. Gavlak School (Grades K
- 6), and Wallington Junior - Senior High School (Grades 7 - 12). There is
also a parochial school, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (Grades Pre K - 8).