Attendance at our Open House event will help to alleviate anxiety regarding the transition to 6th grade. Your child will have the opportunity to walk their actual schedule, meet various staff members, and learn more about student expectations and life as a 6th grader at Newcomb Middle School.

See the designated times below which identify the session your child is assigned to:

9:00am: Student Last Name A-K Presentation

10:30am: Student Last Name L-Z Presentation

5:30pm: Evening Presentation. The evening session is available to families unable to attend the day sessions.

Please feel free to contact the school if you have any additional questions or concerns. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you on August 26th.

In order to obtain your child's schedule on August 26th and prior to attending Newcomb Middle School’s Open House, it is important that you log into Genesis’ Parent Portal to complete all electronic forms. If you need assistance or have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call the Main Office at Newcomb Middle School at 609-893-8141 extension 1149.

As you prepare your child to enter 6th grade in the very near future, we would like to take this opportunity to also provide you with important information about the expectations for the dress code at Newcomb Middle School. Please click on the attached letter below for specific details.

I hope you are enjoying your summer and that you are getting to spend quality time with friends and family. I also hope that you are doing some daily reading to keep your brain sharp while also increasing student motivation and leading yourself to improved academic performance. All students should have received a summer reading book (Because of Mr. Terupt By: Ron Buyea). If you have not received your book, please contact Newcomb Middle School at 609-893-8141 ext. 1149. The summer reading and math assignments are posted in the Newcomb Students and Staff Google Classroom and are posted on our website but can also be accessed by clicking the image below. Summer Reading and Summer Math assignments are due no later than Friday, September 13, 2024.

All 5th grade students were sent home with a Chromebook from 5th grade. If your child is in need of a Chromebook, they will be assigned one during the first week of school.

1:1 Program (Chromebooks) and Expectations:

• We are a 1:1 school

• Every child is assigned a Chromebook

• All core courses have a digital curriculum.

• The Chromebook is used daily and must come to school fully charged each day.

• All damages must be reported by completing a tech ticket: https://tech.pemb.org/new/. Intentional damages will be reported to the principal and investigated. Students are encouraged to treat the device with respect as it will remain assigned to them for the next few years.

VERY IMPORTANT:

For the health and safety of your child there are state mandated health requirements for school attendance and participation in athletic activities. The state enforces the mandatory immunizations and Preparticipation Physical Evaluation form for sports.

Immunizations Requirements:

• All students 11 years of age or older and entering the 6th grade must submit proof of a Tdap and meningococcal vaccination. It may be sent to the school nurse by paper, fax, or email.
• We would appreciate your submitting proof prior to or on the first day of school September 7, 2024.

• For those students who have not yet turned 11 years old, proof of immunization must be submitted 2 weeks after their 11th birthday.

*If you need help obtaining the vaccinations the nurse is here to help. Please contact Mrs. Caruso at jcaruso@pemb.org or call 609-893-8141, extension 1152.

Medications:

For students that need medications in school for asthma, allergies, ADHD, diabetes, or other reasons, here is a list of what is needed each school year:

• An order from a medical doctor, PA, or APN.
• Signed parental permission.
• Medications must come in the original container labeled by the pharmacist.
• Parents must bring the medication to the school nurse with the exception of life-saving medications- asthma inhalers, epipens, and diabetic medications.
• The prescriber and parent must approve the student to self-administer.
• It is a good idea to have your student carry their life-saving medication and have a backup at the health office.
• Forms are available on the Newcomb School Website.
  

If you need help obtaining the vaccinations, have questions about your physical, or have specific questions/concerns regarding medication, our nurse, Mrs. Jennifer Caruso, is here to help! Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Caruso at jcaruso@pemb.org or call 609-893-8141, extension 1152.

Athletic Requirements:

• All students wishing to participate in sports must submit the NJ State Preparticipation Physical Exam Form (aka Sports Physical).

• This form must be approved by the school physician prior to practices and games. It may be sent to the school nurse by paper, fax, or email.*
• Any student interested in participating in Middle School Fall Sports - boys' soccer, girls' soccer, field hockey, cross country and flag football - MUST have an approved physical turned into the nurse's office by Friday, August 23, 2024.

• PARENTS: Please read the attached notification regarding sports physicals for students entering grades 6 through 12. Updated forms are attached (click on pictures below), as well a letter explaining the State's changes. These changes take effect immediately, so please read today!

Student arrival time is 7:55 am. Be please advised that we do not offer before-school or after-school care as an option at the secondary level, however, there will be opportunities for students to get involved in extra-curricular activities and athletics throughout the year. Safety is our utmost priority, therefore, students may not enter the building until 7:55 am each morning to ensure that we have adequate supervision in all classrooms. Parent pick up at the end of the day is from 2:40pm to 2:55pm. All parent pick-ups will require a photo ID.

Once schedules are available, you will see the following courses on your child's 6th-grade schedule:

• English Language Arts (ELA) - (2 periods daily-full year)
• Math- (2 periods daily- full year)
• Science (2 periods daily- one semester)
• Social Studies (2 periods daily- one semester)
• Physical Education & Health (1 period daily)
• Interventions (RTI) or Enrichments (Previously known as WIN- What I Need)- Students will attend RTI or Enrichments every other day on "A" Days (1 period).
• Electives (Art, Coding, Music, & Spanish; Some students elected to take band full year while others elected to take chorus full year.)- Students will attend electives every other day on "B" Days. Each student will take one elective per quarter/marking period (1 period).
• Lunch

The duration of each class period is 40 minutes, however, ELA, Math, Social Studies and Science are 80 minutes each.

By clicking the document below, you will be able to view the Regular Day, Early Dismissal and Delayed Opening Bell Schedules. Please note that there is a special schedule for the first three days of school (September 6-10) that is also included in this document.

Our counselors are ready to welcome you to 6th grade! Ms. Murray and Ms. Savage are here to help students as they transition from childhood to adolescence. Middle School is the perfect time to learn how to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime, but it's also the perfect time to learn how to use problem solving skills and advocate for themselves. Our counselors get to know their students and help to provide them with both academic and social-emotional support throughout the year. At Newcomb Middle School, we encourage students to use a growth mindset and be the best version of themselves each and everyday!

• Be present in school every day!

• Always do what is expected of you!

• Try your best!

• Work Hard!

• Exhibit good character

• And yes...DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

• Develop a routine and find a spot that’s best for you to complete your homework!

The Newcomb Middle School Staff would like to welcome you to 6th grade. We look forward to meeting you and getting to know you! To set you up for success, students will need the following supplies for the first day of school:

• Backpack with two straps (student will receive a backpack during our Open House or on the first day of school).
• Pencil pouch
• Pencils
• Expo markers
• Yellow highlighter
• Earbuds (Please place earbuds in a ziploc bag and label them with your name. Inexpensive earbuds are suggested.)
• Small reusable plastic water bottle

Tips for the First Day of School:

• Get a good night of sleep so you are ready to wake up nice and early for your first day of 6th grade!

• Eat a nutritious breakfast before getting on the bus or determine whether you will purchase breakfast once you arrive.

• Remember to bring a reusable water bottle with you and your first-day school supplies.

• Transportation information will be released from the Transportation Department prior to the opening of school. Please know your bus number and transportation information (example: bus stop locations).

• Please bring a book bag with two straps to carry with you during the day as we will not be using lockers at this time.

• Bring your Chromebook to school with you fully charged!
• Schedules will be released prior to the opening of school. (Students attending Newcomb's Open House will receive their schedule during their reserved session.)
• Please try to remember your first-period class location (which is also your homeroom).
• Arrive at your bus stop early.

We pride ourselves on our Core Values and encourage our students to respect themselves and others each and every day! Newcomb Middle School is proud to be a National School of Character! Learn about our Core Values and exciting opportunities to showcase students who are doing the right thing by watching the video below.

What Clubs/Activities are offered at Newcomb?

• Student Council

• Peer Mediation

• Yearbook

• Circle of Friends/Character Education Club
  

• Chorus
  

• Band
  

• Musical
  

• National Junior Honor Society
  

• Chess & Games Club
  

• Rogate/ Model UN
  

• Robotics Club

We are hopeful that by the end of September, late buses will be available to students who are staying after school for clubs and activities or tutoring. Additional details will be shared at our Open House on August 26th.

What intramural sports are offered at Newcomb Middle School?* Please note that there will not be tryouts for the following intramural sports for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Teams will not travel.

• Flag Football
• Basketball
• Soccer

What scholastic sports are offered at Newcomb Middle School?* Please note that tryouts are required for the following scholastic sports for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Teams will travel to other schools to compete:

• Soccer

• Field Hockey
  

• Basketball
  

• Wrestling
  

• Cheerleading (Home Games Only)
  

• Baseball
  

• Softball
  

• Track
  

• Cross Country

*Please note: All of the sports require a physical. Anyone interested in trying out for a fall sport must have their physical completed and submitted by Friday, August 23, 2024. Please see physical forms above.

• Listen.

• Be Supportive.

• Place value on education so students want to be present and learn.

• Encourage your child to be the very best version of themselves each and every day!

• Encourage your child to be brave, participate regularly, and ask for help when needed.

• Encourage your child to attend school each day to develop connections with their peers and teachers and prevent them from falling behind.

To help make sure your child has good attendance, here are some suggestions for parents from Attendance Works:

• Keep an attendance chart at home. At the end of the week, reward your child for attending school every day. Rewards could include a visit to the park, extra video game time or a special treat.
• Make sure your child is in bed by a certain time each night and the alarm clock is set.
• Don’t let children stay home unless they are truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomachache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make him/her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
• If your child has a cold but no fever (less than 100 degrees), send him/her to school anyway. If you don’t have a thermometer, purchase or borrow one.
• Identify a relative, friend or neighbor who can take your child to school if you can’t or if he/she misses the bus.
• Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

For more information, check out the Attendance Works website.

Attendance has a direct impact on helping your child read on grade level and increase their opportunities for success. Please take a look at this article from Parent Today: https://www.parenttoday.org/if-youre-not-in-school-youre-not-learning/

August:

• 23rd- Physicals due for students who would like to participate in a fall sport.
• 26th- Newcomb's Open House:
• 9:00am: Student Last Name A-K Presentation
• 10:30am:Student Last Name L-Z Presentation
• 5:30pm: Evening Presentation. The evening session is available to families unable to attend the day sessions.

September:

• 6th- First Day for Students + Special Schedule
• 9th- Special Schedule
• 10th- Special Schedule
• 13th- Summer Reading and Summer Math Assignments Due
  
• 25th- Back to School Night @6pm

October:

• 3rd- School Picture Day
• 7-11- Week of Respect
• 11th- School Closed (Teacher In-Service Day)
• 12th- PTHS Homecoming Football Game
• 14th- School Closed (Columbus Day)
• 21st-25th- School Violence Awareness Week
• 23rd- Newcomb Family BINGO Night @ 6pm
  

For your reference, there is a clickable link to access the 2024-2025 Pemberton Township School District Calendar in the top right corner of this section.

I am honored to be your principal and am excited about this upcoming school year. I look forward to working with you and getting to know you. At Newcomb Middle School, it is our priority to provide a safe place for students to learn. You are a valued part of this school community and together, we can create an environment where all students can be successful. Thank you in advance for your support and cooperation. We look forward to you being able to "Unlock your potential with Newcomb's Keys to Success!"

Sincerely,

Ashley B. Walulak

Newcomb Middle School Principal