December 1st
vol. 11
Dear Parents,
I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend. Hopefully, you had some extra time surrounded by those important people in your lives. As you know, the holidays are a wonderful and exciting time of year, but can also be a painful time for many students and families, often reminding us of our loved ones who are no longer present with us or other similar stressors. For students struggling with this, please reach out so that our school counselors can aid with support. Additionally, please see the link to resources below.
Helping Your Teen Manage Holiday Stress
Finally, I hope many of you will consider joining us this weekend for our production of "Games of Tiaras" at one of our three performances. As you know, we have a very talented arts program here in Summit, and we love all the support that we can get from the community. Tickets can be purchased here. Hope to see you there!
Q2- Check In Assembly
Yesterday, Ms. Muller and I held our Quarter Two check-in assemblies. During this time, we reinforced many school rules and procedures, while also recognizing our students of the month. Additionally, we discussed the differences between "Free Speech" and "Hate Speech," the impact of hate speech in our society, and how it pertains to students at Summit Middle School. Among the discussion included the rise of antisemitism and bias-related incidents against both Jews and Muslims as a result of the terrorist attacks in Israel. As a school community we continue to focus our efforts on creating an inclusive school environment where bias, intolerance and discrimination have no place. That message will be a recurring theme in all of our work with students this year.
Unfortunately, at times, we see a few of our students mirror some behaviors they are exposed to on social media and television. These incidents have resulted in some H.I.B. investigations. The school will continue to work to shed light on these issues. Students will continue to study these themes in their social studies classes and partake in advisory lessons on acceptance, compassion, and empathy.
Parents, I encourage you to talk with your children about the impact of "hate speech" and the problems that can arise when one utilizes social media in an unhealthy manner. In this time of misinformation, we want our children to be healthy media consumers in a growing digital world.
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
The holidays are right around the corner! Using our code FUNDRAISESUMMIT, you can get 20% OFF all your Minted holiday card & gift purchases. For every order placed, Minted will donate 15% back to the Summit Boosters Association which supports both middle and high school sports!
*Mondo in town will be stocked with new summit hoodies and holiday flannels. Please go check it out for some holiday shopping and support the Summit Boosters which is the primary source of funding for Middle School and High School athletic programs.
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.
Lunch IDs
If your child(ren) have lost a lunch id, please have them fill out this google form. This will help to reduce the long lines at lunch time. Always be sure to check the accuracy of your student's payschool account if they have lost a lunch id. If you feel that there are incorrect charges or have trouble accessing the payschools account, please reach out to the Pomptonian Manager Pat Smith at psmith@summit.k12.nj.us.
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.
Washington DC Trip
8th Grade DC Trip
As many know, our trip to Washington, D.C., was reinstated. As was communicated at the coffee, the cost of the trip has increased because of transportation and lodging. We are adjusting to make the trip more attainable for all our students. Our PTO parent community recently started a GoFundMe to help subsidize the cost of the trip. Please see the link below and consider sharing it with your families, friends, relatives, and loved ones. Thank you for your continued support.
Washington D.C Trip Dates:
Wednesday, May 29th- Thursday, May 30th.
Executive Functioning
6th-Grade Parents:
We have another series of classes scheduled called "Study Strategies" and "Task Prioritization". 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. "Study Strategies" and "Task Prioritization" will be held from 3-4 p.m. after school on the following dates:
Thursday, December 14 - Task Prioritization
*Courses for 7th & 8th graders will begin in January 2024.
*All who submit a request will receive a follow up email before their scheduled class regarding registration status.