This Month at the WIS

Dear Parents & Guardians,

As summer begins to wind down, our team at WIS is eagerly preparing to welcome our students back for a fantastic school year ahead. Throughout the summer, our staff has worked diligently to finalize schedules, plan instruction, and prepare our classrooms and facilities. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to our assistant principals, counselors, administrative secretaries, custodians, and maintenance team for their hard work in getting our school ready.

Please review the important operational details and upcoming dates below to ensure a smooth start to the school year.

Internet Enabled Device Usage (cell phones / smartwatches)

As we welcome our students back, we remain committed to keeping our schools focused on deep learning and meaningful social engagement. In compliance with recent state legislation, New Jersey has enacted a statewide "bell-to-bell" cell phone ban for all K-12 public schools, taking full effect for the 2026–2027 school year. To that end, our expectations for personal internet-enabled devices, including cell phones and smartwatches, will apply consistently at every grade level. Helping the students be free of digital distractions gives them the space to connect face-to-face and stay focused on their learning. As in the past, students at WIS will be expected to keep their cellphones in their lockers during the school day. This aims to foster a more focused, engaged, and distraction-free learning environment for all students.

Scheduling & Bus Information

• Action Required: Parent forms must be reviewed and acknowledged in the Genesis Parent Portal before you can access your child’s schedule. Please complete these mandatory forms as soon as possible.

• Schedule Release: Student schedules will be available in the Genesis Parent Portal beginning at 10:00 AM on August 21st.

• Transportation: Your child’s assigned bus route details will also be viewable in the Genesis Parent Portal.

School Arrival & Dismissal

• Morning Arrival: We strongly encourage students to utilize school bus transportation. The morning drop-off line often causes significant traffic delays and student tardiness.

• Timing: Doors open for students at 7:50 AM, and homeroom begins promptly at 8:10 AM.

• Afternoon Dismissal: Dismissal occurs at 2:50 PM on regular school days. Please note that for safety and capacity reasons, students are only permitted to ride their designated bus and may not ride home on a friend's bus.

Breakfast & Lunch Programs

• Service Start: Both breakfast and lunch service will begin on Thursday, September 3rd.

• Account Funding: Please fund your child’s lunch account via PaySchools Central. All remaining balances from the previous school year will automatically roll over. Cash and checks are also accepted. Checks are made payable to Wall Food Service.

• Free & Reduced Lunch: The free and reduced lunch application can also be completed through PaySchools Central. Only one application is required per household for all of your children in the district. Paper copies are available upon request from the Food Services Department or the WIS main office.

School Supplies & Chromebooks

• Supply Lists: The recommended grade-level supply lists have been posted directly on our school website for your convenience. 26-27 Supply List

• Chromebooks are required to be fully charged and brought to school each day. Chromebooks must be kept in their protective case. If a student forgets their chromebook, parents will be called and asked to drop the chromebook off. If this is not possible, borrowing a chromebook from the main office is available, and the chromebook must be returned at the end of the school day. Please note that our supply of loaner chromebooks is limited, so daily preparation is greatly appreciated.

Important Dates

• Sept. 2nd: 6th Grade Orientation & Pizza Party (3:15 PM – 4:30 PM)

• Sept. 3rd: First Day of School (Full Day)

• Sept. 3rd: Students in 6th grade only, may return to school with a parent or guardian to decorate and/or organize lockers. (3:00 PM - 5:30 PM)

• Sept. 4th: Early Dismissal

• Sept. 7th: School Closed (Labor Day)

• Sept. 16th: Back to School Night at 7:00pm

• Sept. 21st: No School (Yum Kippur)

• Sept. 24th & 25th: Fall School Pictures

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

We encourage all families to join and support our PTO. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated PTO whose commitment to our students enriches our entire school community. Their fundraising and volunteer efforts fund many of the field trips, special presentations, assemblies, and events our students enjoy throughout the year.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to seeing your children very soon.

Sincerely,

Eric Laughlin

You are invited to Ready, Set, Belong: Where Wall Means All, an evening of dining, learning, and connecting with Wall Township Public Schools.

Join us on Thursday, September 10, from 5:30–7:00 PM at West Belmar Elementary School to learn about the resources, supports, and strategies available to help your child start the school year with confidence.

To further embrace the Wall Means All spirit, families who attend Ready, Set, Belong are invited to continue the evening by cheering on the Wall High School football team as they take on Manalapan. Complimentary adult and child admission tickets will be available for families who wish to attend the game. The evening has been planned so attendees can leave at approximately 6:40 PM and arrive at Wall High School in time for the 7:00 PM kickoff.

We hope to see you there! Please view the event flyer HERE and use the link provided to RSVP by Thursday, September 3.