Secaucus Middle School

Dear Middle School Families,

It’s hard to believe we’ve entered the final month of the school year! June is always a special time filled with celebrations, reflection, and excitement as we prepare to wrap up the year.

As we head into these final weeks, I encourage our students to stay focused, finish strong, and enjoy every moment—from classroom activities to end-of-year events. Let’s continue working together to make this a positive and memorable finish.

• June 2: SMS Dance Club Performance @ 6:30 p.m.

• June 9: SMS Evening of the Arts @ 5:00 p.m.

• June 11: NJHS & A.L.P.H.A. Induction Ceremony @ 6:00 p.m.

• June 12: 8th Grade Breakfast & Pool Day (rain date 6/13/25)

• June 16: PTO End of the Year Block Party 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

• June 20: No School ~ Juneteenth Observance

• June 23: One Session Day ~ 11:40 a.m. Dismissal

• June 24: One Session Day ~ 11:40 a.m. Dismissal

• June 24: 8th Grade Graduation @ 6:00 p.m. (Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center)

• June 25: One Session Day ~ 11:40 a.m. Dismissal (LAST DAY OF SCHOOL)

Thank you for your ongoing support. Here's to a great month ahead!

🌟 Congratulations to our Patriot's of the Month! Keep up the great work! 🎉👏

6th grade - Hailey Hawxhurst

7th grade - Vida Williams

8th grade - Valeria Becerra

Yesterday, our Environmental Club had the amazing opportunity to welcome two guest speakers from Veolia Water Company! Students learned all about watersheds—how they work and why they’re essential to our environment.

Through hands-on activities, club members built their own watershed models and explored the effects of point-source and non point-source pollution. It was a fun and eye-opening experience that helped our students better understand how human actions impact local water systems.

Huge thank you to Veolia for sharing their time and expertise with us!

Mrs. Wassong’s 8th grade English class visited the Anne Frank Exhibit in NYC, where they explored a full-scale recreation of the Secret Annex. The powerful experience deepened their understanding of the Holocaust and the importance of tolerance and human rights.

https://edl.io/n2070654

Our 6th grade Multilingual students brought science and literature together in the most creative way while reading the graphic novel A Wrinkle in Time!

As part of their learning, they created beautiful “galaxies in a bottle” — a hands-on project that demonstrated how oil and water don’t mix due to differences in density and molecular properties. Students also explored how light behaves differently as it travels through each substance, tying it all back to the story’s themes of space, time, and imagination.

The results were out of this world, and the students loved every moment of it! Check out their stunning creations below.

#AWrinkleInTimeme #multilinguallearnerss #HandsOnLearning #STEMinELA #SecaucusSchools #GalaxyInABottle #sciencemeetsliterature

On June 2nd, our middle school students will have the incredible opportunity to attend a motivational assembly featuring Jordan Toma alongside students from Huber Street and Clarendon! Jordan Toma is known for inspiring young minds with his powerful message about perseverance, confidence, and overcoming obstacles. Let’s get ready to be inspired! 💙

Our SMS Band's Spring Performance has been rescheduled to June 9 and will now be part of our very first Evening of the Arts!

When: June 9 | 5:00–7:00 PM

Where: SMS Cafeteria

Come enjoy live music from our talented 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands, admire beautiful student artwork, and check out crafts and fun activities for the kids!

Bring the whole family—this is an event you won’t want to miss!

On Friday, June 13, 2025, all 5th grade students will participate in a “Patriot for a Day” assembly at Secaucus Middle School during the regular school day.This student-only event is designed to support a smooth and confident transition to middle school.

Students will:
✔️ Meet SMS Patriot Ambassadors
✔️ Learn about a typical day at SMS
✔️ Hear from school leaders
✔️ Participate in a Q&A session with our School Counselors

We look forward to helping our future Patriots feel prepared and excited for this next chapter!

🏀 Calling All Future Basketball Stars! 🏀

The 2025 Secaucus Girls Basketball Camp is open for registration!

📍 Location: Secaucus Recreation Center

📅 Dates: June 30 – July 3

⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

👧 Who: Rising 3rd–8th grade girls

💵 Cost:

• $100 for 1 child

• $150 for 2 children

• $200 for 3 children

Led by legendary Coach John Sterling, with over 697 career wins and 25 “Coach of the Year” titles, this camp focuses on fundamentals, defense, shooting, ball-handling, and building confidence on and off the court.

✅ Learn essential skills

✅ Build a winning mindset

✅ Train with one of NJ’s most accomplished coaches

📩 Register by mailing the form and payment OR sign up in person on Day 1!

Checks payable to: John Sterling

📬 Mail to: 16 Filippone Way, Woodland Park, NJ 07424

📄 Forms available now — don’t wait to reserve your spot!

Attached Files

• 2025 Secaucus Girls Basketball Camp Brochure - Sheet1.pdf
• 2025 Secaucus Girls Basketball Camp Registration Form - Sheet1.pdf

Secaucus Middle School's Graduation will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center.

All students are reminded to be in proper dress code each and every day which includes wearing the proper bottoms (khaki pants or sweatpants with the appropriate logo). Please see below for a point of reference.

The middle school main office is also collecting gently used uniform items. All donations are greatly appreciated!

As per the SMS Student Code of Conduct, all students are permitted to wear knee-length shorts in a docker style in navy, tan, or khaki from Sept through Oct 31 and from May 1 to the close of the school year. Athletic or stretch shorts are not acceptable.

Please note that the 2024-2025 school calendar was updated at the March 18, 2025, Secaucus Board of Education monthly meeting. The following changes have been made:

• Primary Election Day (June 3, 2025) – School will be in session

• Juneteenth Observance – The scheduled day off has been moved to June 20, 2025.

• Secaucus Middle School Graduation – Rescheduled to Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Arthur F. Couch Performing Arts Center.

• Last Day of School – The school year will now end on June 25, 2025.

Please mark your calendars accordingly! Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Best regards,

Dr. Danielle Garzon

Secaucus Middle School Principal

Mr. Christopher Innis

Secaucus Middle School Assistant Principal