Carusi Summer Update

• New Student Orientation - Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 6:30 PM
• Title I Info Session - Thursday, August 28, 2024 at 6:00 PM
• Student Schedules available in Parent Portal - on or about Thursday, August 22, 2024 - Genesis Forms must be completed before receiving schedule access. The link for the Genesis forms will be sent out district-wide on Monday, August 19, 2024.
• First Day of School - Tuesday, September 3, 2024
• Back to School Night for 6th Grade - Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 7:00 PM
• Back to School Night for 7th and 8th Grades - Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM

District Calendar

As pictured Left to Right:

Christina Franco, Principal

Michelle Smith, Assistant Principal

Aaron Edwards, Assistant Principal

Our new administration team is excited to meet our students and their families! Our Carusi teams (administration and staff) have been meeting and working to hire staff, schedule students, update curriculum, and clean classrooms in preparation of the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

• The renovations at Carusi are moving along. I will attend a construction meeting on August 7 to get further updates to share. Thank you for being so patient as we navigate through this process.
• While Administration and Secretarial staff are at the building, we ask that you you hold off on coming to the building until further notice. This means you may hold on to any paperwork that you may have to submit including physical forms.

Summer Reading for students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grades: please make sure that by the start of school students have completed their summer reading responsibilities for their grade level. The Summer Reading site can be found HERE.

Transportation information will be visible in the online Parent Portal on or about August 22, 2024.

A detailed presentation will be shared at a later date and reviewed with students.

A brief summary regarding the new policy:

Research shows that student use of wireless communication devices in schools, particularly cell phones, has negative effects on academic performance, focus, and mental health. These devices distract students from classroom instruction, resulting in unnecessary challenges, smaller learning gains, and suboptimal test scores. Increased use of such devices contributes to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in students. The Board of Education has determined that use of cell phones and other wireless devices by students during school hours should be limited. This means that students are prohibited from using wireless communication devices during instructional periods. Students will not be able to access their phones in the hallways or restrooms during class time. Students will not be allowed to use their devices between classes, while on buses, and during Lunch/Homeroom. Students with Individualized Education Plan (IEP); a 504 Plan; or an Individual Health Plan will be permitted to use their wireless communication device for the purpose(s) documented within one of the plans mentioned above.

So, what does this mean?

With the understanding that students most likely have had their device with them at all times this summer, as we get closer to the start of school you might work with your child to practice being able to silence the device and put it down/away/out of their sight for the length of our typical classroom period or school day. Having the students being comfortable with doing this will help with the adjustment once school starts and reduce the chance that they will receive a disciplinary consequence aligned with the School Code of Conduct.

Fall Sports Registration for Middle School was opened on July 17th

All CHPS High School and Middle School Registrations for the upcoming Athletic Season will be completed through the Genesis Parent Portal under the Forms tab. The Health History Update Form must also be completed.

Athletic Registration Page - Cherry Hill Athletic Registration

To be “Cleared” for participation in athletics students need the following:

• Completed Online Registration – Genesis Parent Portal
• Completed Health History Update – Genesis Parent Portal
• Student Activity Fee Paid - PaySchools -https://payschoolscentral.com/
• Medical Eligibility Form - Medical Eligibility Form

***NEW PROCEDURE**

The New Jersey Department of Education HAS CHANGED THE SPORTS PHYSICAL SUBMISSION PROCESS. THE SPORTS PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FORM NO LONGER NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE STUDENT’S SCHOOL DISTRICT. A MEDICAL ELIGIBILITY FORM will still be required. The Medical Eligibility Form should be in the ORIGINAL form. Please do NOT EMAIL.

New Jersey State Law requires that all students who plan to participate in the after-school Athletic Program in Middle School and High School have a physical exam. **THIS EXAM IS TO BE KEPT BY THE STUDENT’S HEALTHCARE PROVIDER WHO COMPLETES THE PREPARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION. **

Please hold on to your Medical Eligibility Forms until we provide further information on a drop-off process.