Secaucus Middle School

Dear SMS Families,

Happy New Year and welcome to January at SMS! I hope everyone had a restful and joyful holiday season. A new year brings a fresh start. A chance to set goals, build positive habits, and continue growing in confidence both in and out of the classroom.

As we enter the second half of the school year, I encourage families to review grades through the Realtime Parent Portal and have conversations about progress and next steps. Whether the goal is improving study routines, getting more involved in school life, or finishing the year stronger than it began, January is the perfect time to begin.

There is so much ahead - clubs, performances, Field trips, academic milestones, and moments still waiting to be created. Thank you for your ongoing support and the trust you place in us each day. Let’s make this next chapter a great one, together.

Proudly recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of NJ’s Best Middle Schools—a reflection of our students’ hard work and our community’s continued dedication.

Secaucus Middle School is proud to recognize an outstanding educator who embodies dedication, leadership, and care. This year’s SMS Educator of the Year is Mrs. Debra Demone. Mrs. Demone’s commitment to her students, her mentorship to colleagues, and the many opportunities she creates through programs such as NJHS and ALPHA make her an invaluable member of the SMS community. We congratulate her on this well-deserved honor.

The Patriot’s Pen competition, sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), is a nationwide essay contest for students in grades 6–8. The contest invites students to express their views on an annual patriotic theme.

The 2025–2026 theme, “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”, encouraged students to reflect on citizenship, service, and pride in our nation.

We are proud to announce the Secaucus Middle School local VFW Patriot’s Pen winners:
Leran Wang, Tvisha Dhir, Arjun Choudhury, and Aanya Mehta

Congratulations to these students on their outstanding achievement. We commend them for their thoughtful writing and are proud to celebrate their success.

At Secaucus Middle School, we’re focusing on strong, steady attendance all year. When students are here consistently, they stay on track academically, feel more connected, and build routines that help them succeed.

Strong attendance helps students:

• Build strong routines

• Stay on track in each class

• Strengthen friendships and social connections

• Feel prepared and confident throughout the year

We know absences happen, and we appreciate your communication when they do. If your child needs support with attendance in any way, please reach out—we’re here to help.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep students engaged and present each day at SMS!

Anthony’s Cheesecake is once again spreading kindness this holiday season by preparing and delivering 65 individual dinners and desserts to senior citizens who will not be spending the holidays with their families. This marks their 5th annual Santa for Seniors event, a wonderful tradition of giving back to the community.

To help make the deliveries even more special, our Patriot Ambassadors created 65 handmade holiday cards, each filled with warm and thoughtful messages to accompany every meal. We are proud of our students for sharing compassion, gratitude, and holiday spirit with those who need it most.

Congratulations to the December Patriot's of the Month! Your hard work and positive attitude inspire others and make SMS a better place every day.

6th grade - Liam Morrison

7th grade - Brianna Lopez De La Hoz

8th grade - Tvisha Dhir

Our Chorus Concert Assembly was a wonderful showcase of talent, hard work, and school spirit. The SMS Chorus delivered an outstanding performance under the direction of Mr. Ilias Siafakas, and we are so proud of our students.

To make the afternoon even more special, we surprised Mrs. Debra DeMone, our Secaucus Middle School Educator of the Year, with the presence of her family and friends. It was a heartfelt moment and a perfect way to celebrate an educator who means so much to our school community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this assembly such a memorable experience!

Our Annual Winter Concert was a wonderful celebration of music, talent, and community. Our students showcased months of hard work, dedication, and teamwork, filling the evening with creativity, confidence, and school spirit.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Sonnett for his continued leadership and commitment to our music program. Under his guidance, our students continue to grow not only as musicians, but as confident performers.

Thank you to our families and community members for joining us and for your continued support of the arts at Secaucus Middle School. It was truly a memorable winter evening!

Our recent Movie Night was a fun and successful event for our students! They enjoyed spending time with friends and being part of our school community.

Thank you to our staff volunteers for helping make the evening safe and enjoyable, and to our families for their continued support. We look forward to more events like this throughout the year!

Our staff brought the holiday spirit to life with some festive and fun contests this season! From creativity to school spirit, it was wonderful to see everyone participating and spreading cheer throughout the building.

• Wrap It Up Wednesday showcased creative wrapping and decorating ideas that added excitement to our halls.

• Ugly Sweater Day gave us plenty of laughs and festive flair.

• Door Decorating Contest transformed classrooms into colorful, holiday-themed spaces.

Thank you to all of our staff members who participated and helped make these activities so enjoyable. Your enthusiasm and creativity truly help make Secaucus Middle School a fun and welcoming place for everyone!

This is a reminder that the National Junior Honor Society offers open tutoring in all subjects. Take advantage of this opportunity to get extra help, review classwork, and strengthen your skills.

This is an important reminder that all students are expected to follow the dress code outlined in the Student Handbook to maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.

Key Reminders:

• No head coverings unless approved for religious or medical reasons.

• Shorts and skirts must reach fingertip length.

• Jeans, crop tops, tank tops, midriff, and off-shoulder tops are not permitted.

• Leggings, yoga pants, pajama pants, and biker shorts are not allowed.

• Shoes must be securely fastened (no flip-flops, slippers, or slides).

Students must arrive dressed appropriately, including those with first-period PE. Repeated violations may result in being asked to change before returning to class.

🛍️School Uniform items can be purchased in traditionally approved stores as well as our school store and on the Patriot Pop Up Shop website.

8th Grade Graduation Picture Day
📅 Tuesday, January 13, 2026
📍 Secaucus Middle School

Payment information will be shared this week. For questions, please contact the Main Office.

Secaucus Middle School is excited to welcome families to our Open House. Learn about our academic programs, student opportunities, clubs, and events while getting a feel for our strong school community.

Date - Thursday, January 15, 2026

Time - 6:00 PM

Location - Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center

Open to all families!

As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the main office or your child’s school counselor with any questions.

Best regards,

Dr. Danielle Garzon

Secaucus Middle School Principal

Mr. Christopher Innis

Secaucus Middle School Assistant Principal