Family Knightline
Friday, October 17, 2025
Wake Up Inspired and Go Home Fullfilled
SMART Device Policy
We’ve noticed an increase in challenges related to SMART device use during the school day. These devices have become a growing distraction for students. For example, some students have been communicating through SMARTwatches and attempting to take cell phones out near dismissal. In some cases, SMARTwatches have gone off during class.
We completely understand that SMART devices can offer convenience and peace of mind for families. However, during the school day, these devices often interfere with learning.
If you believe your child must bring their devices to school, know that they must remain in their bags and not be used during the school day. This helps ensure that all students stay focused, engaged, and fully present in their learning, and that our classrooms remain free of unnecessary disruptions.
See the Family/Student Handbook for Additional Details (Go to "Telephone Calls and Smart Devices")
Thank you for your understanding and partnership in helping us maintain a focused learning environment for all students.
Fair Funding Committee -- Meeting 10/23
Hi All,
Welcome back to another school year. I hope that you are still interested in being a part of the fair funding committee. If not, just email me and let me know and I will take you off the distribution list.
The first Fair Funding meeting of the year will be Thursday, October 23 at 7pm online only. Please join to help plan for the rest of the year. As this is our first meeting back for the school year, I believe it will be slightly longer than usual so try to block a full hour if you can.
Please take a moment to follow us on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/FairFundingCH), Facebook profile (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009956927311), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fairfundingchps/) so that you can share out upcoming meetings and Call to Actions.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8065492973
Meeting ID: 806 549 2973
Passcode: ffchps
Ilana Yares
she/her
Fair Funding Committee Chair
732.742.9941
NJSLA - Adaptive (ONLY for Parents of 4th and 5th Grade Students)
October 2025
Dear Parent/Guardian,
On August 22, 2025, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) announced that the NJSLA and NJGPA will transition to adaptive assessments. To support this transition, the NJDOE has partnered with Cambium Assessment Inc. (CAI) to develop a new testing platform where questions automatically adjust in difficulty based on a student’s previous responses.
As part of this process, all New Jersey public school districts are required to administer a mandatory field test this fall. The purpose of the field test is not to measure individual student performance, but rather to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of new test questions. This important step ensures that the NJDOE can confirm the assessments are fair, valid, and accurately reflect students’ mastery of New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Please note that results from the fall field test will not be shared with Cherry Hill Public Schools or with parents/guardians.
Students in Grades 4–12 will participate in the English Language Arts (ELA) and/or Mathematics assessments. The field test will draw upon content taught during the 2024–2025 school year and will take place between October 27 and November 14. Participation in the fall field test will also help familiarize students with the new testing platform, as well as the format and types of questions they will encounter during the spring administration.
For more information about the adaptive assessments, please review this Frequently Asked Questions document or visit the New Jersey Assessment Portal. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we prepare for this important advancement in the state assessment process.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kwame Morton, Sr.
NJSLA Individual Score Report (ONLY for parents of 4th and 5th Grade Students)
October 2025
Dear Parent/Guardian:
In the spring, your child participated in the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) administration to measure their academic performance in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and science as defined in the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). Evaluating the results from statewide testing can be a helpful tool in measuring your child’s success in school. For decades, New Jersey has used statewide assessments as a valuable instrument for assessing our students’ annual progress.
In your Genesis account under the Documents tab, you will find one Individual Score Report (ISR) for each content area in which your child tested. The reports illustrate how your child performed on each test. There are also charts and graphics that show you how your child performed in relation to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and how your child’s performance compares to other students in their school, district, and the state.
Your child’s ISRs are also available in the New Jersey Parent Portal. The online portal includes your child’s scale score, level of performance, and a video explanation of the score report. The video report communicates information from the ISR through animations and a voiceover in New Jersey’s top five languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Portuguese, and Arabic. The Parent Score Interpretation Guide is also available in those five languages on the portal. The portal allows you to track your child’s scores from year to year, beginning with spring 2019. If this is the first time you will be accessing the online portal, you must create an account using the unique claim code that is located on your child’s ISR, which can be found in Genesis. Additional resources to support your child can be found on the New Jersey Assessments Resource Center under Parent Resources.
If you have any questions, please contact your building principal.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kwame Morton
Superintendent
Attendance
Each day counts—every absence adds up.
When students attend school consistently and arrive on time, they start the day feeling confident, connected, and ready to learn. Good attendance builds strong routines and lifelong habits for success.
Why showing up matters:
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Learning happens every day—when students miss school, they miss key lessons that build on each other.
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Consistent attendance helps students stay engaged and confident with their classmates and teachers.
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Good habits now create dependable, responsible learners for the future.
We know that mornings and schedules can be challenging. If your family is facing barriers to consistent attendance, please reach out—we’re here to help.
Thank you for making every day of learning a priority. Together, we can help every student make the most of each school day!
Attendance Letters
I wanted to take a moment to make you aware of our district’s attendance policy. Attendance letters are sent home when a student reaches certain absence milestones: after four, seven, and ten days of missed school.
No need to panic if you do receive a letter. If I have questions regarding your child's attendance or I feel a conversation would be helpful, I will reach out to schedule a time to meet and discuss things further.
Please know that I understand extenuating circumstances do arise—students get sick, families take vacations, and medical issues can occur. We absolutely take those situations into consideration. However, the letters are a required part of our district’s communication process and are sent to help families stay informed about their child’s attendance record.
Academic Supports for Home
Did you know? Our Amplify CKLA program offers families some terrific resources to support your child at home.
Online Boost Reading Program for Students:
Go to google.com
log in using student ID & password (studentIDnumber@chclc.org and then student password)
Go to Clever Bookmark
Click on Boost
ST MATH AT HOME
Are you looking for ways to support your child's mathematical understanding at home? Jiji the penguin is here to help. ST Math engages students in activities which strengthen their spatial-temporal reasoning skills. All students can access their ST Math journey at home by logging into their Clever Account using their school username and password. Please let your child's teacher know if you need assistance logging in.
Calendar at a Glance
October:
Hispanic Heritage Month
Italian-American Heritage Month
- 10/20: School Closed for Students - Diwali / Teacher In-Service Day
- 10/24: 5th Grade Hayride (8 - 10 pm)
- 10/29: PTA Meeting (7 - 8 pm)
- 10/30: ARK Trunk or Treat (5:30 - 7 pm)
- 10/31: Halloween Parade and Party (2:00 - 3:15 pm)
November:
- 11/6 & 11/7: School Closed - NJEA Convention
- 11/26: 1 PM Dismissal Day
- 11/27 & 11/28: School Closed - Thanksgiving Break
December:
- 12/5: PJ Day (Chop Fundraiser)
- 12/8 to 12/11: 1 pm dismissal days (parent/teacher conferences)
- 12/12: 1 pm dismissal day (Teacher In-Service)
- 12/18: Winter Concert for 4th and 5th Grade Families (1:30 pm)
- Door Open at 1:15 pm
- 12/23: Holiday Parties (10:30 to 11:30 am)
- 12/23: 1 pm dismissal day
- 12/24 to 1/2: School Closed for Winter Break
January:
- 1/6: School Closed --- Teacher In-Service
The district's calendar can be found here.
Parent/Teacher Conferences
- December 8: 2:20 - 4 pm
- December 9: 6 to 8 pm
- December 10: 2:20 - 4 pm
- December 11: 6 to 8 pm
ARK PTA Information
Anything PTA related can be found with a click of the button below.
A. Russell Knight Elementary School
Email: epark@chclc.org
Website: www.knight.chclc.org
Location: 140 Old Carriage Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
Phone: 856-428-0830
ARK PTA Facebook and Instagram
Knight's vision is to create a community where every member wakes up inspired and goes home fulfilled.
ARK Knights strive to live out the following core values: respect, responsibility, empathy, service, perseverance, effort, citizenship, and teamwork.