EMS Weekly Newsletter

As we wrap up another fantastic week, I am thrilled to share that our school is officially hits its stride! Classes are ramping up, academic expectations are set, and our daily routines are taking strong shape across all grade levels. A central focus of this week was building community and setting a shared vision for our school culture.

During our grade-level assemblies, we unpacked what it means to "Live the Code and Be a General". We discussed our shared commitment to respect, personal accountability, and digital citizenship We reminded students that our handbook expectations exist not as roadblocks, but as guardrails to ensure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn. We also held our very first Advisory period today, giving students dedicated time to connect with peers and staff, reflect on their goals, and strengthen the sense of belonging that makes Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School so special.

Building a strong, positive culture takes all of us, students, staff, and families. Thank you for your continued partnership as we establish these routines and support our Generals in owning their growth this year!

Survey results from last week... EMS is a big fan of campfire cooking and look forward to hiking on their camping trips.

Remember that Fridays are Generals Pride Days. Wear your Generals/EMS gear every Friday in the School Year.

Congrats to Charli on this amazing performance!

Ever dreamed of running your own business, launching a product? Now is your chance! TREP$ 2026 is officially here, and it’s time to unleash your inner entrepreneur.

Mark Your Calendars:

• When: Registration opens online during FLEX on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2026.

• Where to Sign Up: Visit the TREP$ 2026 Website to register and get all the details!

Spaces go fast, so start brainstorming your ideas now and get ready to launch!

Attention Eighth Grade Parents:

It is hard to believe your students are in their last year at Eisenhower Middle School. I am

enclosing a list of dates so you are aware of upcoming programs to check out to help you and

your student determine high school choice for next year.

Open House for Ramapo High School - October 8, 2026 7pm-9pm

Open House for Indian Hills High School- October 15, 2026 7pm-9pm

I would consider going to both to have a good sense of each school. Following the open houses

the Ramapo Indian Hills district will open registration for parents to register their child. You will

need to verify your residence as well as provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate.

Directions to complete this process are on the RIH district website.

If your child is considering a parochial school, please download the release of records and have

your child bring to me in guidance. Students are required to take an assessment, the

COOP/HPST as part of their application. This test date is November 6th. You can find

information on this at njcoopexam.org

If your child is interested in the Bergen County Technical Schools including Bergen Academies

and BCTS at Teterboro the online application is due on November 8, 2026. The Paramus

school is due January 31, 2027. Your student will need to have transcripts and teacher

recommendation forms completed by January 4, 2027. Our office will provide that once you

authorize the release of information to BCTS. Please check out the BCTS website as there is

much information there. You can find out information about their programs and open houses at

bergen.org

If your student requires a recommendation, they should speak to the specific teacher/s they

require a recommendation from. The Bergen Tech schools have been given teacher emails so if

they are listed on the application the teacher will be notified. It is expected that a student let a

teacher know that they are requesting the recommendation.

I have in my office “Brag Sheets.” This is a form students should fill out prior to a teacher giving

a recommendation so that the teacher has a fuller picture of the student beyond school

performance. It includes service hours and outside of school activities.

Course recommendations for ninth grade are typically completed by teachers by the middle of

January. These recommendations will determine class/course placement for high school. I will

be going into classes to explain the recommendations and schedule at the high school in late

October or early November.

If you have any questions, please email me or phone me. I typically have a parent meeting to

discuss the transition to high school in January. I will email you information about this when I

have a date.

Sue Dobson

8th Grade Counselor

Your child's name will appear with their portrait in the EMS Yearbook. We will use the names that are in Genesis for the yearbook, unless a request is made through the form below. Only first and last names will be used in the yearbook. If you would like to request that a different first name (other than the one that is listed in Genesis) be used in the yearbook for your child, please complete the form below by Friday, October 9, 2026

Yearbook Name Change Request Form