The Weekly Update #4

It is hard to believe that we have already completed the second week of school and are now fully immersed in the academic year. We are excited to announce that next weekend, our 6th-grade students will embark on their much-anticipated STOKES experience, marking a great start to their autumn adventures.

Additionally, we are pleased to report that our cafeteria is nearing its completion. We anticipate that our students will be able to enjoy their meals in the new space beginning Monday, September 23rd.

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm as we move forward into this vibrant season!

We are excited for another great year for our Advisory Program. LCJSMS’s Advisory Program has been running for over 25 years. It is an intricate part of our school culture and climate. The Advisory Program provides early adolescents with the stability needed for them to cope with the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical changes experienced during the middle school years. The purpose of the program is to provide a point of security for every student in the school environment by building a positive relationship with at least one adult, other than their school counselor, who is known as their advisor.

Our sixth graders kicked off their first lesson with an introduction to the Advisory program and The Social Institute. The Social Institute (TSI) is an online platform that has a variety of topics and lessons that are interactive and incorporate both technology and SEL (Social Emotional Learning). This program is an excellent enhancement to our existing curriculum. Today’s lesson (Taking Control of Your Health, Happiness, and Future Success) focused on striking a balance, having a growth mindset, communication, and demonstrating empathy.

In seventh grade, each homeroom (Advisory group) took time to make connections with each other through icebreakers before reviewing the three rules of LCJSMS. Students then explored the importance of community and how they can help foster a positive environment both in and out of the classroom. To close the lesson, each homeroom was given a 7th-grade Survival Kit, which was created by last year's seventh grade homeroom. Be sure to ask your child what was in the survival kit.

As the oldest in the building, our eighth graders are familiar with the Advisory program. For their first lesson, the students reviewed the norms and purpose of Advisory, discussed our community service requirement (Ryder’s Challenge Program), and got to play an interactive game called Password. This year, through the Advisory program, the students will be faced with discussion opportunities with group members that embody the theme of “Be the Change”. The goal for our 8th graders is to cultivate a culture of empathy, kindness, and understanding as they are the leaders in our building. In addition to the lessons we have created, we will also be using The Social Institute, which was implemented last year.

After each Advisory lesson we will post a blurb in this newsletter about each grade level’s lesson. The continued conversations at home about these lessons is very important. We encourage families to engage your children in conversations about the lessons and their takeaways. We are looking forward to another great year!

When dropping students off in the morning, please pull all the way into the designated drop-off zone to ensure efficient traffic flow. For example, stopping by the 8th-grade door when there is space to move forward can cause congestion on Morris Avenue.

Additionally, kindly avoid parking in the teacher spots, as we have limited spaces available for our staff.

Sixth graders can also enter the building from the door on Oakland Place in addition to the door at the corner of the building. This will help alleviate the long line of sixth graders entering from the front of the building.

Next week, we will begin administering the I-Ready Diagnostic assessments. I-Ready is an important instructional tool that helps us measure and track your child's growth throughout the school year. Students will take these assessments three times a year, giving us valuable insights into their progress compared to their peers both within our school and across the state.

In addition to the scheduled testing dates listed below, teachers may also use I-Ready periodically in the classroom to tailor their instructional practices. The end-of-year I-Ready results are also considered when determining course placements for specialized programs like Independent Study. Our teachers will be emphasizing to students the importance of doing their best on the I-Ready assessments to ensure we have the most accurate picture of each student's abilities and needs

Beginning of Year- Assessment

Diagnostic 1: 9/17 & 9/18 Math
Diagnostic 1: 9/24 & 9/25 ELA

Mid Year- Assessment
Diagnostic 2: 1/7 & 1/18 ELA
Diagnostic 2: 1/14 & 1/15 Math

End of Year- Assessment
Diagnostic 3: 5/19 & 5/20 Math
Diagnostic 3: 5/22 & 5/23 ELA

In Summit, we take suicide prevention very seriously all year long. Suicide is a challenging topic to discuss and navigate with children. As we start a new school year, we thought this was a great opportunity to highlight some key information about this important topic for parents.

• Ask: Research shows that those who struggle with thoughts of suicide often find comfort when asked how they are feeling. Sometimes, the best and most productive way to help is to ask. Use open-ended questions that allow for conversation and remember that it is vitally important to keep an open mind to what may be brought up.

• Be There: Those struggling often feel better when they have a safe place and person to talk to. Whether it’s providing your child with a safe space to be themselves or a safe space to cope with what they are dealing with, this judgment-free zone can be a huge help. Your presence in your child's life can have a great impact on their success.

• Keep Them Safe: Keeping kids safe extends far beyond the realm of just knowing your child. As our children continue to grow, we have taught them the importance of not putting their hands on a hot stove or going off with a stranger, but we also need to help them learn how to stay safe in the evolving world around them. Keep an eye on their internet presence. Make sure you know where they are located and who they are with. Keep risky items out of reach (i.e. controlled substances, weapons, etc.). And most importantly, keep educating your children on how to keep themself safe.

• Help Them Stay Connected: Isolation is a big sign of someone struggling. By keeping our kids connected with our community and its resources, we decrease the risk of suicide. This means getting them involved in a positive sports environment, having them involved in clubs, and even going further and connecting them with outside mental health resources if needed. Reach out to a Counseling staff member for referrals within the community.

• Follow-up: Suicide is not a one-time conversation. Follow-up is vital to continue to convey our care to our students. Check-ins, open communication, and continued care can be great supports for our students to catch and prevent any future issues.

• Learn More: For more information, check out the suicide prevention website and this informative article on teen suicide prevention.

In the event of a crisis, quick action can help save a life. Call 911 or 988 for any emergencies.

Thanks to the generosity of SEF, the middle school has access to The Social Institute and its #WinAtSocial program. As part of the school's partnership with The Social Institute, you receive exclusive access to the Social Toolkit, which includes a full library of content specifically for families. All co-created with students and experts around the country.

Platform Playbooks feature expert breakdowns of the most popular apps and platforms and offer tips on how students can use them positively. TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, ChatGPT, Fortnite... the list goes on and on!

Family Huddles help you reinforce the important modern-day life skills that your child is learning at school. These topics align with #WinAtSocial Lessons to extend discussion beyond the classroom and encourage students to huddle with their families.

Use your Social Toolkit School Code and activate your free account today.

Activate Your Account or Log In

Our Social Toolkit School Code: 2760D6C62940E9

Questions? Email Nicole Finnegan at nfinnegan@summit.k12.nj.us

9/19- Coffee with the Principal (Library)

9/26- Back to School Night 7 PM