Carusi Summer Update #2

• New Student Orientation - Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 6:30 PM
• Title I Info Session - Wednesday, 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

• The renovations at Carusi are progressing and we thank you for your patience as we navigate through our construction process. Our building is going to be ready for our staff to work in their classrooms beginning the week of August 19 and we look forward to having our students back in our hallways on September 3rd.

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.

Why & What Does This Mean For My Student?

The Why:

• Research shows that student use of wireless communication devices in schools, particularly cell phones, has negative effects on academic performance, focus, and mental health, including higher levels of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders in students.

• Devices distract students from classroom instruction, resulting in unnecessary challenges, smaller learning gains, and suboptimal test scores.

What Does This Mean For My Student?

• Students are prohibited from using wireless communication devices during instructional periods.

• For clarity, “instructional periods” are those academic courses or classes that meet any of the following:

• Bear credit

• NJ State Learning Standards (NJSLS) are being taught

• Grades are entered

• Activities are teacher-led, including by a substitute

• Students may use wireless communication devices during lunch, recess, between classes, while on school buses, or during co-curricular activities, however the Principal can elect to prohibit such use during lunch.
• Students shall keep their wireless communication devices silenced and in a secure place, such as the student’s locker or a closed backpack.
• Students are prohibited from recording audio or video at all times.

Exceptions

Students with an Individualized Education Plan; a 504 Plan or Individual Health Plan that documents a need for their device, are permitted to have their wireless communication devices on them at all times. Your grade level counselor, the school nurse or case manager will inform the teachers of this need.

What Can You Do to Support Your Child?

-courtesy https://parentandteen.com/7-ways-parents-can-help-teens-manage-phone-use/

1. Model good phone habits.

2. Establish smartphone rules together.

3. Turn off phone notifications.

4. Help your teen recognize when they've been on their phone too long.

5. Help your teen identify features that make apps hard to turn off.

6. Ask your teen about feelings surrounding phone use.

7. Limit screen time to 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

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.