December 8th
vol. 12
Dear Parents:
I hope that this communication finds everyone well. Happy Hanukkah to all those that celebrate and we wish you joy during this Holiday season. As the cold weather sets in, I hope you find comfort in the small joys of life. Yesterday, on my way to work, I looked up at the morning sky (photo shown on the right), wondering if any of you saw the same thing. It is moments like this that I try to pause, stop, and embrace the present. I hope each of you has a moment to do that as well.
It was a pleasure talking to and seeing you last weekend at our production of "Game of Tiaras." Our musical theatre department here in Summit is "top-notch," our students and faculty did a great job in their three performances. I want to give a special shout-out to Julia Cicchino, our theatre director, for doing an incredible job with our students.
8th-Grade Challenge Day Follow Up
On Wednesday, December 6th, 100 8th-grade students participated in "Challenge Day"- an experience to create an environment full of powerful love and belonging, connect across lines of difference, and move toward making the culture they want in their school. When asked how they would describe their experience, one student described it as "a very moving experience that shifted my perspective about many of those in our school and helped me feel safer with our school community". Another stated that, "It was such a powerful experience that I could not even put it into words. I think that it really brought out some important things, and it also made me aware of not just other people's lives but also my own life. It taught me that running away from or ignoring your problems does not make them disappear."
We are very grateful to the LCJSMS PTO for making this impactful day possible. The goal is for the 100 participants to spread the positive feelings they gained to the rest of the school population through acts of kindness, understanding, and respect. We are excited to expand this program in the future after seeing the positive feedback from both staff and students. We encourage families to continue the conversations and check in with their children if they were a part of the experience to help fully reflect on what they have gained. We thank you for allowing them to have this opportunity.
Through various games, trust-building activities, and presentations, students were given a unique opportunity to see themselves and the people around them through a new set of eyes. The overall goal is to increase personal power and self-esteem, to shift the dangers of peer pressure to positive peer support, and to eliminate the acceptability of teasing, bullying, and all forms of oppression. Previously, it has been highlighted on MTV, Oprah, and CNN. The feedback from both students and staff members was incredible, and this is a program that we hope to embed in our curricular programming for years to come!
Anti Bias and Empowerment
Last week, I mentioned that we had our check-in assemblies and discussed concepts of "Hate Speech" vs. "Free Speech" with our student bodies. This week, our message continued to be rolled out in our social studies classes through lessons on misinformation on social media/Artificial Intelligence and religious bias as it relates to both the rise of antisemitism and bias-related incidents in our society against both Jews and Muslims. As a school community, we continue to focus on creating an inclusive school environment where bias, intolerance, and discrimination have no place. That message will be a recurring theme in our work with students.
Picture Day
Make-up day is approaching on December 14th and we encourage anyone who was absent or retaking their image to please see our photographer on this day. We have re-opened your school’s pre-pay code and have attached an updated email blast with your school’s make-up date.
*If your student plans to retake their picture (with or without an order), you MUST email Mrs. Priolo at mpriolo@summit.k12.nj.us by Friday, December 8th for her to put your child(ren) on the retake list.
Absentees?
Please use the pre-pay code provided in the email blast to place your order. THIS CODE IS ONLY FOR ABSENTEES. This allows you take advantage of the same packages we provided during original day.
Retaking an Image without an order?
At this time you are only able to view your original day image online. Once your image has been replaced with your re-take you may go online and place an order using your personal web code we provided to you on your Last Chance form.
Retaking an image and already placed an order?
Students MUST bring in original package and provide it to our photographer. We kindly ask parents to write any concerns on the FRONT of the envelope. Your order will be replaced using your new image.
8th Grade Holiday Toy Drive
The 8th grade class will be running a holiday toy drive to benefit the 55 children at the Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside. Collection will run from November 27 - December 15, 2023
GUIDELINES
All items must be new, with original packaging and not wrapped (no gift wrap).
Unable to accept any stuffed toys (animals), dolls with hair (ex. Barbie Dolls) and handmade items.
All gifts will be collected in students’ period 1 classes
🖍️The list of suggested items can be found here.
*This is for the 8th graders only!
Yearbook
YEARBOOK SALE REMINDER. Please don't forget to purchase the LCJSMS Yearbook before the price goes up in January! Yearbooks are not guaranteed at the end of the school year.
To purchase a yearbook please go to:
https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/ Code: 13140
Summit Boosters
Vinyard Vines
Shop online and/or in store at the Short Hills Mall on TUESDAY, December 12th to support the Summit Boosters Association. Follow the online order instructions below. Every dollar counts.
Please remember we have to complete the order in store in order for it to count towards the Boosters total!
1. Visit vineyardvines.com and create an account at the Sign In prompt.2. Select pieces to purchase and add to your shopping cart.
3. Add in address and credit card information where prompted.
4. Email shorthillsmanagers@vineyardvines.com or call us at 973-564-6101 and let us know you have an order ready to complete. Please include a phone number in your email. Do Not Complete the order until we have spoken to you.
5. They will contact you as soon as possible, adding in promotional codes and ensuring your purchase is added to your total for the day. Your order will be mailed to your home address--no need to come to the store to pick up!
Happy Shopping!!!
8th Grade Community Service Opportunities- Supporting Civic Engagement In Summit
Women in the Workplace Interview Project
Ask a student to interview you about your work experience! The Women in the Workplace Interview project is a video compilation composed of students interviewing significant women in their lives. The project showcases women across various occupations and highlights their contributions. A video compilation of the interviews will be shown in an advisory lesson next year. While any student can submit an interview, eighth graders can earn up to three hours of community service. Students can learn more about the project and submit an interview using the Google Classroom code, jo3ifrx.
Deadline January 19, 2024
*more community service opportunities can be found in the daily announcements.
Student Identification Badges (Student IDs)
Our school district is placing a strong focus on school safety and security. As such, we are intensifying our focus on students wearing their student IDs at all times throughout the school day. Students who are not wearing their IDs could incur disciplinary consequences, after a certain number of infractions (3 or more per month). We would appreciate the support of our parent community in emphasizing that message at home.
If your child(ren) have lost their student ID, please have them fill out this google form or go to the fishbowl during homeroom. Students are expected to be responsible for the management of their student ID.