Clayton Middle School

Dear Parents/Guardians: This year parent conferences will be held IN PERSON on the following dates: Monday, December 2nd; Tuesday, December 3rd; Wednesday, December 4th; Thursday, December 5th; and Friday, December 6th. You may schedule a conference with all of your child’s teachers on one of those days. While conferences are not mandatory, we encourage you to take this opportunity to meet with your student’s teachers to discuss your child’s progress. If you do not have the Parent/Teacher conference form you can get it on our webpage under important documents. https://www.claytonps.org/o/cms/page/important-documents See you soon!

Make your nomination for the 2024 EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR! Clayton Public School District is accepting nominations for the 2024 Educator of the Year. Nominations can be submitted through our online form, using the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd3RHiGX0tEMuhTDvcd0IRNHj3ESN77qcCgqEjYR_uQrham6g/viewform We are excited to shine a light on those who inspire, motivate, and shape the future through their passion for teaching. The deadline for submissions is November 22nd, so be sure to recognize that special educator in your life who goes above and beyond. Note: Parents, guardians, students, educators, and community members are all welcome to nominate an outstanding educator!

Clayton Public School District celebrates Native American Heritage Month in November as a time to recognize the culture, history, and achievements of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.

In recognition of Veterans’ Day, Monday, November 11th, Clayton Public School District would like to honor and thank all who served.

The Clayton Public School District Education Foundation is looking for board members. Clayton's Education Foundation aims to support innovative educational programs and special projects designed to enhance the quality of education and enrich the minds and bodies of students in Clayton schools. Members will be asked to: attend monthly meetings; assist with the planning of events (such as the Spring Spectacular); and share ideas about new projects that support our mission. Please submit a brief letter of interest to claytonpsdef@gmail.com no later than Monday, November 11th.

Clayton Public Schools will be closed on November 6th, 7th, and 8th. *There is a District-wide “Teacher In-Service Day” scheduled for November 6th. *The 2024 NJEA Convention will be held on November 7th & 8th at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Clayton's Board Members showing their support at last night's "Fright Night!" The event was a spectacular success, filled with spooky decorations and a lively atmosphere that brought the community together.

Clayton Public School District wishes everyone a fun and safe evening! In Clayton, the Trick or Treat hours are set for tonight from 4 PM to 8 PM.

Congratulations to Valerie Dzindzio on her retirement from Clayton Public Schools! Valerie has been the Administrative Assistant for the Clayton Child Study Team for 27 years! Have a great retirement Val! You will be missed!!

Tomorrow, Clayton High School & Middle School will continue celebrating Red Ribbon Week with a "Wear Red" Day. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear red! ♥️

CLAYTON CLIPPERS COMMUNITY ONLINE STORE is now open until 10/30/24 Shop Now: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/9mUoDSzpWa

Sign-up now for Clayton Twp. Basketball (K-8th grade.) See flyer for more information.

CLAYTON ATHLETICS & ACTIVITIES PRESENTS: “FRIGHT NIGHT!” Come join us for a fun night of Trick or Treating (indoors) and a Haunted Trail! Date & Time: October 30th 6:00 PM - 7:30 pm Location: Clayton High School COME DRESSED IN COSTUME! All children ages 12 and under are welcome to come and trick or treat. Note: Entrance will be at the set of doors adjacent to gymnasium parking lot. Everyone will exit from the Performing Arts Center. Haunted Trail at PAC! No charge for the event. Please bring any canned good donations to the door to assist us with our local food drive!!!

Congratulations to our amazing September Clippers of the Month at Clayton Middle School! We are proud of you! Keep working hard and setting a positive example! Well done, Clippers!

Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every year to honor and recognize the centuries of achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. It occurs in October to overlap with the federal holiday of Columbus Day, which is celebrated on the second Monday of each October. Italian American Heritage Month was first celebrated in 1989 by a special proclamation of both Congress and President George H. W. Bush.  Over 5 million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 2000. Currently, there are over 26 million Americans of Italian descent residing in the United States. This makes Italian-Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in our nation. Each year Italians around the country take time to celebrate their heritage, history, and culture with festivals and parades. (Order Sons and Daughters of Italy In America (https://www.osdia.org/commission-for-social-justice/italian-heritage-month/)

HELP US REACH 100% COMPLIANCE! This year, the State has new guidelines requiring all families to submit an application for the Free and Reduced lunch program. SUBMIT YOUR FORM ONLINE TODAY! https://mealapp.lunchtimesoftware.net/ Note: If you do not wish to be considered for reduced meals, you are still required by the State to return your signed form with the option of “checking the box” that indicates you do not wish to be considered. Please have your form completed by 10/13/24.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Schedule your screening now- Early detection saves lives!

Clayton, NJ -- Yesterday, Assemblyman Dave Bailey Jr. announced that he had successfully procured $250,000 in additional funding for the Clayton Model Pilot Program in the FY 2025 state budget. The Assemblyman joined administrators, teachers, and students from throughout Gloucester County in celebrating the occasion at Herma Simmons Elementary School in Clayton. The Clayton Model is a trauma-informed social-emotional learning program that was developed by the Clayton Public School District. The program focuses on early intervention for students struggling with mental and behavioral health issues, and provides them with emotional support and learning strategies to help them succeed. “One of the first local meetings I held after joining the legislature was at the Child Connection Center at the Herma Simmons Elementary School,” said Assemblyman Bailey. “When the district staff presented me with the data supported by the Walter Rand Institute for Public Policy and showed me the testimony from teachers and parents, I knew this was a program I needed to support. I have spent my professional career working with youth who have experienced trauma and struggle with mental health, and early intervention is so crucial in helping these young people succeed. I want to thank Senator John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Heather Simmons for joining me in support of this resolution.” “I’m proud of the work that our teachers and administrators have done to build a social emotional learning program that is inclusive, agile, and most importantly, empowers our staff, students and families,” said Clayton Public Schools Superintendent Nick Koutsogiannis, “I am grateful that our legislative partners recognize the importance of supporting educational models that meet the social and emotional needs of students.” “Educators, parents and communities are seeing how our children are in need of mental health services more than ever,” said Clayton Model Program Coordinator Kate Hallinan. “It is through state funding that not only are we able to sustain the work we have been doing the last 12-plus years throughout Gloucester County, but we are able to expand.” The Clayton Model began at Herma Simmons Elementary School in 2009, and is now used in ten elementary schools throughout Gloucester County. Legislation passed in 2021 by then-State Senate President Steve Sweeney created the Clayton Model Pilot Program with the intention of expanding the program into public schools throughout New Jersey.

Tonight's Football Game, Friday 9/20/24, is postponed to Monday 9/23/24 at 6pm, Haupt Field.

Clayton Middle School Back to School Night 9-19-24 https://youtu.be/1snFGzOfMuY