Carusi Newsletter

This week, Carusi students will engage in a special week of service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Under the dedicated leadership of Mrs. Schaeffer and Mrs. Spencer, every student can contribute to meaningful projects that give back to the community.

The week starts with a heartwarming Tuesday initiative, where students will volunteer to assemble snack packs for the Ronald McDonald House. These packs will support families staying at the facility while their children receive medical care.

On Wednesday, students will channel their creativity and compassion to create birthday cake kits for the Cathedral Kitchen. These kits will bring joy to individuals and families who might not otherwise have the means to celebrate a loved one’s special day.

The week concludes on Thursday with students preparing comfort kits for The Unforgotten Haven. These kits are designed to provide essential items and a touch of kindness to those in need, demonstrating the power of collective action and care.

Participating in service and giving back to the community has been a long-standing tradition at Carusi. It is an initiative that students and staff hold close to their hearts. This week of service not only honors the enduring legacy of Dr. King but also empowers students to take an active role in fostering positive change within their community.

Through these acts of service, Carusi students exemplify the values of compassion, unity, and social responsibility, echoing Dr. King’s vision of a better world. It is a week that inspires hope and reminds everyone of the importance of giving back.

Congratulations to all our Carusi band and orchestra students on their outstanding performance last night at West! Thank you to everyone who attended and to all the friends and family who came out to the performance. We have been told over 900 guests were in attendance, making this the largest concert in history of our school! Thank you for your support and for supporting such an important part of your student’s education!

In House 6-3 we are learning about rational numbers. Students interacted with the number line by “plotting” non-integer rational numbers and their opposites. We played “Guess My Rational Number” using the rules for playing 20 Questions, asking only Yes/No questions!

As we continue to journey through the winter months, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone about an important health issue that tends to circulate during this time: norovirus (C-Diff), as well as other common seasonal illnesses like the flu.

Norovirus, in particular, is highly contagious and can spread quickly in school settings. Symptoms typically include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, which can lead to significant absenteeism if not managed properly. To help prevent its spread and ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, please keep the following tips in mind:

1. Encourage Hand Hygiene

• Remind students and staff to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after coughing or sneezing.

2. Clean and Disinfect

• Ensure that high-touch surfaces (such as doorknobs, light switches, desks, and faucets) are cleaned and disinfected regularly to help minimize the spread of germs.

3. Stay Home If Sick

• If a child or staff member is experiencing symptoms of norovirus, they should stay home for at least 24-48 hours after symptoms resolve to avoid spreading the virus. For respiratory illnesses, stay home until 24 hours after being fever-free without any fever-reducing medication.

CHPS Spring Sports Registration is Open today January 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** Please Read

Medical Eligibility Forms can be dropped off to the nurse’s office during the school day.

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 that 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. **

If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to contact the Athletic Office at the school.

• 1/20 No School
• 1/21 Community Discussion at HS West 7 PM
• 1/23 HS West Open House at 7 PM
• 1/28 Skate Night 6-8:30 PM
• 1/29 No School (Staff In-Service)
• 1/30 HS East Open House at 7PM
• 1/31 End of MP

• The school day begins at 8:00 AM
• Students are dropped off by buses and family drop off between 7:30-7:55.

• The school day ends at 3:00 PM

Guardians will enter off Roosevelt, proceed to the right, and drop off their child on the right side of the building via Door 3. Staff members will be present to assist.

For our walking and biking students, Surrey Road remains available. However, please note it will not serve as a secondary drop-off location at this time.

We truly appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

Your child should be at the bus stop at least 5-10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time. When notified in advance, the Transportation Department will attempt to send an automated message for individual route delays of 20 minutes or more. School buses are scheduled to depart approximately 10-15 minutes after the end bell time. Please allow for some fluctuation in pick-up and drop-off times, particularly during the first three weeks of school as students become familiar with boarding the buses and Drivers at the Middle, Elementary, and Preschools work to secure seating charts.

Throughout the school year, daily pick-up and drop-off times may fluctuate due to weather, traffic, construction, etc. We thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have any questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 856-489-5851. For late bus runs at the Middle and High School, please contact the appropriate transportation contractor for Late Route inquiries. (West, Beck, and Rosa are Hillman’s 856-753-1123/East and Carusi are First Student (Berlin) 856-753-0222)

• All visitors must enter through the main entrance
• Visitors may not accompany students to classrooms
• Visitors will need:
• student ID #
• Photo ID (guardian or authorized person as listed on Genesis)
• Campus Police: Officer Donlon