Bobcat Blast

We hope everyone is enjoying a great summer!

SUMMER UPDATES:

Beck is buzzing with activity after a great summer hosting the Extended School Year program. Our buildings and grounds staff are busy preparing the building and classrooms for the 2024-2025 school year. Due to our cleaning and repair schedule, the building will not be open for tours. We encourage any new students and families to attend our New Student Orientation on August 28.

We've updated our Frequently Asked Questions document and you may find it HERE.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Thursday, 8/22/2024 - Student schedules & Bus assignments available in Genesis Parent Portal
• Wednesday, 8/28/2024 - New Student Orientation, 6pm-8pm (RSVP by clicking the picture)
• Tuesday, 9/3/2024 - First Day of School 😎
• Wednesday, 9/4/2024 - Fall Sports Information released
• Wednesday, 9/11/2024 - Grade 6 Back to School Night
• Monday, 9/10/2024 - Fall Sports Tryouts (schedule TBD for each sport) & Late Buses begin
• Wednesday, 9/18/2024 - Grades 7 & 8 Back to School Night
• Thursday & Friday, 9/27 & 9/28/2024 - Student Picture Days

The Why:

Research shows that the use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices (smartwatches etc) in schools have negative effects on student performance. 7th and 8th grade parent/guardians may recall the video shown at Back to School Night last year (LINKED HERE) and we can all admit as adults, cell phones are distracting to us as well! Research also points to the negative impact excessive phone use can have on mental wellbeing and an increase in peer conflicts via social media.

What Does This Mean For My Student?

For returning 7th and 8th graders, not much is changing! For 6th graders, we will provide guidance and direct instruction on the expectations for cell phones and other devices.

• All students will participate in educational lessons in Advisory about the policy change and the Code of Conduct.
• Students will be prompted when they arrive and throughout the day (as per the policy) to store their phones/wireless devices in their bookbags and lockers during the day.
• Students will be afforded the opportunity to check their phones during a locker break or before dismissal for any messages from the parent/guardian.
• A student who needs to call a parent/guardian will be directed to the School Counseling Office to use the phone.
• Phones will not be accessible in the lunchroom and may not be taken into the bathrooms. No wireless airpods or earbuds are permitted at any time.
• As students know from last year, students who do not comply with adult directions around wireless communication devices could be subject to disciplinary consequences included in the Code of Conduct.

Exceptions

Students with an Individualized Education Plan; a 504 Plan or Individual Health Plan that documents a need for their device, are permitted to have their wireless communication devices on the persons at all times. Your grade level counselor, the school nurse or case manager will inform the teachers of this need.

What Can You Do to Support Your Child?

-courtesy https://parentandteen.com/7-ways-parents-can-help-teens-manage-phone-use/

1. Model good phone habits.

2. Establish smartphone rules together.

3. Turn off phone notifications.

4. Help your teen recognize when they've been on their phone too long.

5. Help your tenn identify features that make apps hard to turn off.

6. Ask your teen about feelings surrounding phone use.

7. Limit screen time to 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

School supplies are on sale! Be sure to check the list for your specific grade and/or program. The list is on the Beck website and linked HERE.

Summer is the perfect time to dive into a great book! We want to nurture lifelong readers and learners, so there is a variety of thought-provoking books for middle schoolers to enjoy. These summer reading assignments will help sharpen the skills they’ve developed all year. Check out the middle school reading lists and resources to make this summer’s reading fun and engaging!

Middle School Summer Reading 2024

Fall Sports Registration is Now Open for All Middle School & High School Students!

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**

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. **

Medical Eligibility Forms can be dropped off to the school nurse’s office Monday through Thursday 8am-3pm throughout the summer.

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

Clubs and activities will begin in September. Check out all of the clubs and activity flyers by visiting the Activities webpage and the Clubs & Activities slidedeck.