John A. Carusi Middle School

Cherry Hill Public Schools offers a senior internship program to seniors at both East & West. This year the district has 17 partners providing internships to 42 seniors from CHHS East and West. Partners include Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, Environmental Resolutions, Inc., South Jersey Dental Studios, Strong Bond PT, Cardinal Kids OT, and CHPD. Jefferson Health is the largest partner, providing opportunities for 12 students (10 healthcare interns and 2 facilities management interns) with clinical experiences in nursing, operating room, radiology, lab, pharmacy, and rehabilitation (PT/OT). The week of September 21 was the first week for many internships.

On September 17th, the Coles Program welcomed families to Back to School Night, giving parents and guardians the opportunity to meet their students' teachers, follow their child's schedule, and learn about the year ahead. Staff shared classroom expectations, course goals, and this year's program-wide focus on Presence—being consistent and showing up for students every day. Families were introduced to new staff and updated classroom procedures, including teacher-set cell phone limits. The evening reflected the collaboration between staff and families that the Coles Program relies on to help every student feel supported, known, and ready to succeed.

Intramural program starting the week of 9/21 for students who did not make the soccer, field hockey, and cross-country teams. Details to be provided in next week's newsletter.

Video message from the Special Education Parent Advisory Group

4:00 PM

School-Age Child Care (SACC) registration for Grades K-5 for the 2026-2027 school year opens Wednesday, July 1st at 4:00 PM. Date and time are subject to change. For additional information, visit www.chclc.org or call the SACC office at 856.429.6564.

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services mandates that all children in childcare and all preschool students must receive a flu vaccine by November 30, 2026. After vaccination, parents must send a doctor's note with the date to the school nurse. Students without documentation cannot attend school beginning December 1, 2026. No extensions will be granted by the Department of Health.

In accordance with New Jersey law and district school policy, personal internet-enabled devices are prohibited during the school day. This includes cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, smart glasses, earbuds, and other internet-enabled devices. During the school day, devices must remain turned off and out of sight. Students must use district-provided Chromebooks in all classrooms and halls.

Beginning with the 2026-2027 academic year, New Jersey State statute prohibits personal internet-enabled devices (PIED) from being used in schools throughout the entirety of the school day, from bell-to-bell. Phones are expected to be off and away during the school day to support student focus and face-to-face engagement. Parents are asked to help support this policy.

Students must keep wireless communication devices (cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, wireless headphones) silenced and in a secure place during instructional periods. Smart watches may be worn but only for timekeeping. Students are prohibited from recording audio or video at all times. Exceptions apply for devices documented in IEPs, 504 plans, or Individual Health Plans with prior School Nurse permission. Discipline for violations is governed by the Student Code of Conduct.

On Friday, October 9th, there will be a Pep Rally following an abbreviated schedule, beginning around 1:50 PM. For early dismissals occurring after 1:15 PM, an Express Sign-Out option is available for those who qualify. All early dismissals must be entered in the Genesis Parent Portal by 12:30 PM on October 9th. The person picking up the student must be listed in Genesis as an approved contact and present a government-issued ID upon arrival. Student drivers may only drive themselves from campus if they have an approved vehicle with a valid East parking pass.

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

Guardians will enter off Roosevelt, proceed to the right, and move into the staff parking lot loop up to the gym lobby doors to await student dismissal. Staff members will be present to assist. Please drive slowly through the lot as students will be crossing.

The ONLY approved drop-off site is through Roosevelt Avenue. Cars will go to the RIGHT of the main entrance and drop off at the GYM. Family drop-off begins at 7:30 AM (best to avoid traffic). Guardians will enter off Roosevelt, proceed to the right, and drop off their child on the right side of the building via B-wing doors (field side of building) or Gym Lobby. Staff members will be present to assist. Surrey Road is NOT an approved drop-off location. The school day begins at 8:00 AM. Students are dropped off by buses and family drop-off between 7:30-7:55 AM.

District paperwork will be sent out electronically on August 26 by 9:00 AM. Families whose paperwork is complete will be able to access teacher assignments, bus information, and schedules (at the secondary level), beginning August 28 by 9:00 AM.

The online Carusi Spiritwear store has been extended to 9/8. Order today at the link provided.

NJ Week of Respect observance.

Cherry Hill Public Schools introduces the early literacy universal screening process for students in kindergarten through grade five. The screening assesses students' reading skills at least twice a year as required by New Jersey law; Cherry Hill will assess three times a year to track student progress. DIBELS 8 will be used as the screener, administered by a teacher or staff member in no more than 10 minutes. Families will receive a Family Report detailing their child's literacy screening results and information about available support services including reading intervention programs.