Tuesday Sept 9/9 is Curtis High School's Parent Back to School Night - Please Join Us!

Good afternoon Curtis High School students and families,

I hope this message finds you well.  We have enjoyed a very smooth and positive beginning to our 2025-26 school year at Curtis High School.  Our students have been amazing.  They have engaged with us and each other consistently and we love having them back at school with us. 

I wanted to remind everyone that this Tuesday, 9/9 is our annual Parent Back to School Night.  Please come see our school, visit each of your student's classrooms and meet each of your student's teachers.  Students are welcome and encouraged to attend as well.

Our evening begins with my presentation at 5:00 PM in the Theatre.  This presentation is organized to meet your needs and includes information on the teen brain and development, cell phones & social media, vapes, sugar, and we offer some tips, resources and strategies for parents with each topic covered.   I will introduce our student support team, review school resources / programs and data.  For your scheduling purposes, the teen development portion of the presentation begins at 5 PM, and the school information slides begin about 5:40 PM.  The presentation ends at around 5:50 PM to enable parents to get to their student's 1st period class by 6 PM.

This is the 5th year of this presentation and it has been very well received.  It is open to all our parents but is not required to attend Back to School Night.  

We also have several parent supports and resources available Tuesday, including: 
-Voter registration forms available in the foyer to facilitate voter registration.  We have two upcoming elections that directly affect UPSD - please vote in both elections.  November 4 is the General Election with two UPSD School Board seats on the ballot, and February 10 is a Special Election to support schools.  
-Our Career & College Readiness Center opens at 5 PM to share information on Financial Aid and FAFSA, college applications and scholarships and volunteer opportunities for students.  
-Representatives from our PTSA will be in the 100 Mall.
-Our guidance counselors will be on site to support any/all questions you may have.  
-Our Jazz Band students will be playing throughout campus during the evening.
-Our Leadership students will be on campus to collect food, hygiene and clothing donations to support our local families and students in need.
--> I encourage us all to bring items for our drive Tuesday to support those in need in our community.  
*Hygiene products are needed, including feminine hygiene products, razors, hair ties, shaving cream, toothpaste, floss, hair brushes, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner.  
*Food items in need include peanut butter & jelly, sugar, butter, bread, spices/salt/pepper, flour, mac & cheese, ground coffee, salad dressing, condiments and cereal. *Clothing items in need include coats, pants/jeans, shirts, socks, packages of unopened and new boys and girls underwear, bras and shirts.  

We will collect items at both parking lot locations, including our upper lot near Sunset and 40th St and our main school entrance.  Please bring items to share with those in our community who are less fortunate. 

Our goal is to provide many services and opportunities for you at one time so you have less nights out.  Please visit our school and meet each of your student's teachers. *Please check Skyward Family Access for a copy of your student's schedule; we will be able to print schedules for you Tuesday if needed.  

Our schedule for Back To School Night is as follows:
5:00 - Parent Presentation and Principal Address, CHS Theatre (optional)
5:45 - 0-hour classroom visits (Health, NJROTC and Jazz Band)
6:00 - 1st period
6:15 - 2nd period
6:30 - 3rd period
6:45 - 4th period
7:00 - 5th period
7:15 - 6th period

Our doors open at 4:40 PM this Tuesday, Sept 9 for my presentation in the Theatre.  Please contact Assistant Principal Amy Stapleton at astapleton@UPSD83.org for further information and details regarding Back to School Night.  If I can answer any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at tadams@upsd83.org.

Warmly and with gratitude,

Tom Adams
CHS Principal
Go Viks!