EMS Weekly Newsletter

As we begin a new calendar year, I want to wish all of our EMS families a very happy, healthy, and hopeful New Year. The start of January is always a natural moment to pause, reflect, and look ahead with optimism.

Just before the holiday break, as I was leaving EMS one afternoon, I looked back and saw a rainbow stretching over our school. I snapped the photo because it felt like more than just a beautiful moment. It felt symbolic of moving into a new and prosperous year. Rainbows remind us that brighter days follow challenges. That you need to move through the storm sometimes to get to new opportunities. The image perfectly represents our school community's resilience, supportive environment, and how well we move forward together.

As we move into this new year, there is much to look forward to. Our students are excited for upcoming Teen Canteens, the winter dance, and the launch of new clubs this spring. We are also planning special events that will celebrate and honor our Class of 2026 as they continue their final year at EMS. These moments are what make our school such a vibrant and connected community, and we look forward to sharing them with you in the months ahead.

Last Weeks Survey Results... I hope you all survive and thrive in the new year! That's the new year resolution for the majority of our community.

To ensure the safety and accurate attendance tracking of all our students, please remember that all absences must be reported through the Genesis Parent Portal.

If your child will be missing school for any reason, please log in to your account and submit the absence notification as early as possible. This streamlined process helps our office staff stay informed and ensures your child’s records are kept up to date.

Need Assistance?

If you encounter any technical issues with the portal or have trouble logging in, please don't hesitate to reach out to the main office. We are happy to assist you in getting everything sorted.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school community safe and organized!

As a reminder, all students should report directly to the designated waiting areas near the entrance doors when arriving at school in the morning. For safety reasons, students should not walk through the parking lot or cross in front of buses or cars in the drop-off line.

We have also noticed some students congregating in areas outside of the designated arrival zones. To ensure proper supervision and student safety, all students must remain in approved, supervised areas upon arrival. A diagram is included below to help clarify appropriate drop-off and waiting locations.

Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and orderly start to the school day.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Joseph Asaro to our faculty, a history teacher and former head hockey coach with an extensive background. Mr. Asaro holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership and a Master of Arts in Teaching. He is highly skilled in tailoring instruction to meet diverse learning needs and is known for integrating executive functioning strategies, such as time management and task prioritization, directly into his curriculum to help students succeed.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Asaro brings a wealth of leadership experience as an Eagle Scout and a United States Army Veteran. During his service as a Cavalry Scout Sergeant in Afghanistan, he earned multiple Army Commendation Medals for his performance and mentorship. Whether leading a team in the field or coaching students on the ice, Mr. Asaro is dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic learning environment. Even more importantly, he is a big Devils fan! We are thrilled to have his expertise and unique perspective in our school community.

This coming week, our school health team will conduct health screenings during physical education classes. In accordance with New Jersey Department of Education guidelines, these routine screenings may include checks of height, weight, vision, hearing, blood pressure, and posture. The purpose of these screenings is to help identify potential health concerns early and support students’ overall well-being. Families will be contacted by the health office if any follow-up is recommended.