January 5th, 2024
Vol. 14
Happy New Year - 2024
Dear Parent community,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful holiday break. It is hard to believe that we are now in 2024. The New Year brings a renewed sense of peace, solitude, and happiness. On Tuesday, when our students returned to class, I reminded everyone of the power of goal-setting and the importance that this can have in aiding us to be our best selves as humans. With so much uncertainty and anxiety in the world today, I hope each of you can find time for what gives you enjoyment in life.
From The Nurse
Please read this communication from the nurse regarding Operation Smile by clicking the link provided. Please click on the picture to the right for a list of providers.
Sixth & Seventh Grade Lunch
I want to share the rationale regarding some of the changes we made in the 6th and 7th-grade lunch the week before Winter Break. At LCJSMS, we take pride in our motto, "We Give Respect, We Take Responsibility," and we model the rules to "Take Care of this place, ourselves, and each other."
When I assumed the role of Principal, I felt strongly that students should have agency when deciding where to sit at lunch. I still believe in this and stand by my decision to move to an open-seating model. As administrators, our primary responsibility is to enforce the building's safety, management, and orderly operations, including the cafeteria. We are transparent, communicate our expectations with the students daily, and continue to support them as they grow through their middle school experience. We want our school to be an inclusive space where students feel safe and can enjoy their time with our staff and each other.
That being said, we have to make decisions that are in the best interest of student safety and orderly management of our cafeteria. Many of our 6th and 7th grade students are not adhering to our cafeteria space's safety and organizational needs. Some of the troublesome behaviors we are contending with include disrespect to cafeteria staff, lunch aides, and faculty, not adhering to the rules regarding running, exclusionary behaviors at their tables, and the responsibility of cleaning up after their messes. In addition, important communication is often disseminated over the loudspeaker during lunch, which is our primary method of communication with our students. We continue to stress the need to be able to hear announcements and the importance of listening as a matter of safety and security. We will be conducting safety drills during lunch over the next few weeks, and it is critical to student safety that students can quickly comply with this safety rule. These are things we are stressing as part of the daily behavioral expectations for all students in the cafeteria.
Of course, we would like to return to an open seating model in 6th and 7th grade. We aim to reinforce adherence to these requirements as a benchmark for returning to open seating. We are actively working with our cafeteria staff to assist students in preparing for when we can move back to open seating. We are considering different methods of managing that transition and scaffolding the return to open seating with supports that might mitigate some issues. Please help us to reinforce our expectations at home. Your support at home will undoubtedly help us. Thank you!
Spring Athletics
Please follow the steps below in order to be cleared to participate on the first day of try-outs or practice.
ALL FORMS ARE DUE BY 3/1/2024. No late submissions will be accepted.
There is paperwork due for everyone regardless of whether or not you have participated in a prior season.
If you are unable to get an appointment with your doctor, many urgent care facilities or CVS Minute Clinic will perform a physical and complete the paperwork for a fee.
All forms can be found in the parent portal in Genesis under “Spring Sports LCJSMS”
If you are not sure what you need to hand in please check the athletics tab in the parent portal to check your child’s “sports eligibility” or contact the nurse (908) 273-1190
The forms will be reviewed by the school nurse then sent to the district physician for final clearance. Please note it can take up to 2 weeks for forms to be processed once received and reviewed by the nurse.
Ms. McDonald will create a list of every student that is cleared to participate and share this with the coaches. NO student can begin participating in any sport until their name is on the list.
Please scan forms to msathleticforms@summit.k12.nj.us
Meeting dates and other information can be found on the table below.
From the Counseling Corner
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is on January 11th. Please look over the signs associated with human trafficking and be an eye out for anyone who may need additional support. For additional support, please call the hotline at 888-373-7888.
Executive Functioning
7th & 8th Grade Parents:
We have a series of classes scheduled called "Get Organized" and "Active Listening" starting next week. Please be advised that there is a class limit and students can only be signed up for once class per topic.They are first come, first serve, and you must sign up in advance.
Please fill out this form in order for your child(ren) to attend the class. "Get Organized" and "Active Listening" will be held from 3-4 p.m. after school on the following dates:
Wed., January 10th - Get Organized
Thurs., January 11th - Get Organized
Wed., January 17th - Get Organized
Thurs., January 18th - Get Organized
Wed., January 24th - Active Listening
Thurs., January 25th - Active Listening
Wed., January 31st - Active Listening
*All who submit a request will receive a follow up email before their scheduled class regarding registration status.
Summit HS Girls Flag Football Store
Please view this link for the Summit HS Flag Football Store.
5th Grade Parent Night Schedule
Upcoming Dates
1/11/24- 5th Grade Parent Night
1/17/24- Coffee with the Principal (In Spanish) 7:00 PM
1/18/24- Coffee with the Principal 8:30 AM
1/25/24- FBI Presentations for Parents 7 PM
1/30/24- 6th Grade Winter Concert 7-8 PM