New Albany Parent Connection
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February Focus is on ADHD Awareness
February is Black History Month
February is National Canned Food Month
February 1-28: Kids Heart Challenge Fundraiser
February 1: NAS Day at The Rink
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 2-6: National School Counseling Week
February 6: National Wear Red Day
February 2: Kindergarten Registrations Opens
February 12: 100th Day of School (see info below)
February 14: Valentine's Day
Fenruary 15: National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day
February 16: President's Day - NO SCHOOL
February 17: National Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 17: Lunar New Year
February 17: BOE Meeting 7:00PM @ CMS
February 19: Harlem Wizards Game 6:00PM @ CHS
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New Albany School is excited to welcome Mr. Brian Belsky to the administrative team as the new Dean of Students. Mr. Belsky brings over 26 years of experience in education, having served as a teacher for 22 years in Cinnaminson and as an administrator in Burlington and Cumberland counties for 4 years. Mr. Belsky is a graduate of the American College of Education, with a Masters in Leadership and Curriculum and Instruction, along with a Bachelors from Rowan University in Music Education. He is passionate about supporting students, partnering with families, and helping schools create positive, engaging learning environments. Outside of school, Mr. Belsky is an avid Philadelphia Eagles fan and proud season ticket holder. He enjoys playing music and loves traveling whenever possible. |
Black History Month is a time for our school community to celebrate and honor the achievements, contributions, and resilience of African Americans who have shaped our nation’s history and continue to inspire us today. Throughout the month, students will learn about influential leaders, artists, inventors, and everyday heroes through age-appropriate lessons, read-alouds, and activities that highlight themes of courage, fairness, creativity, and perseverance. By recognizing these important stories, we help our students develop respect for diversity, a deeper understanding of our shared history, and an appreciation for the values of inclusion and kindness that strengthen our school community. |
National Canned Food Month highlights the importance of helping others and supporting families in our local community who may be facing food insecurity. Canned foods are nutritious, long-lasting, and easy to share, making them a valuable resource for food pantries and community organizations. This month provides a meaningful opportunity to teach students about kindness, gratitude, and giving back by encouraging them to think about how small acts—like donating a can of food—can make a big difference. Together, we can help our students learn the importance of compassion while supporting those in need.
In connection with National Canned Food Month, the Kindergarten Team will be organizing a service project where students will discover the answer to the question, "What Can ONE Can Do?" Throughout the winter, students will be discussing the difference between wants and needs and learning about the power of teamwork, reading powerful stories like The Power of One, and the heartwarming story, Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen. We are asking each child to please donate ONE (1) canned food item by February 24th. Students will have an opportunity to see how much food will be donated to the local food bank when all classes bring their contributions together. We are excited to provide students with this learning experience and would like to emphasize the importance of ONE so students can feel the impact of collaboration and teamwork.
Canned foods are some of the most in demand food items due to their long shelf lives, high nutritional value, and can be easily added to a variety of dishes. Food drives play a vital role in hunger relief efforts, serving as a simple, proactive, yet fun way for the community to get involved in our mission to give back. All of the food you donate goes right back out into our community, providing food, hope, and care to neighbors facing hard times. 🧡🫂 Together, we can enact meaningful change in our community, one can of food at a time! 💫
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Hi New Albany School families!
February is Heart Month! This year, we are once again excited to participate in the Kids Heart Challenge, which is a fundraiser that benefits the American Heart Association.
This year, we have set a school goal to raise $8,000! Information and reminders will be sent home via ParentSquare and posted on New Albany School’s social media pages throughout the month of February.
Donations will be accepted throughout the entire month of February, with the fundraiser concluding on Friday, February 27th. All prizes earned will be distributed to students at the conclusion of the fundraiser. Mr. Roberto, Ms. MacNair and Mr. McMillan will distribute prizes to students as they are delivered by the American Heart Association (typically these are delivered 4-6 weeks after the fundraiser has concluded).
In addition to the fundraiser portion of the program, New Albany students will spend time in PE and health classes learning about all of the different ways they can care for their hearts and the hearts of others! We stress to students that even though we may not all participate in the fundraising portion of the program, everyone will learn the importance of caring for their hearts and the hearts of others.
New Albany Elementary School is helping kids with special hearts through Kids Heart
Challenge. We want as many families as possible to learn about heart health and the
lifesaving skill of Hands-Only CPR. You can help by completing Finn’s Mission. When
your student completes all the steps, they’ll earn a Lifesavers Cape and earn a chance
to win two tickets to Super Bowl LXI in 2027! Sign up today at
**Students that sign up will earn this year’s wristband; a special Heart Hero charm; and the chance to win a “Victor” charm!
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to email one of us.
Mr. Roberto, Ms. MacNair & Mr. McMillan
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Wow! Can you believe the 100th day of school is already here? It feels like the school year just started! Students will have lots of fun celebrating in their classrooms with special 100th Day activities. All staff and students are invited to join the fun by dressing like a 100-year-old to celebrate the wisdom and amazing lives of people who are 100 years old. It’s going to be a fun and memorable day for all! 🎉💯
Our kindergarteners are especially excited to wear their creative 100th Day hats and take a parade through the hallways the day before on February 11th to show them off to students and staff.
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Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. We wear RED to be seen, to be counted, to be heard, and to make an impact. Women at every age, stage and season of life need our support as we take on our greatest health threat – cardiovascular disease. On Friday, February 6th, National Wear Red Day®, let’s GO RED together - wear your RED attire.
Women play many important roles in their world - family, community, workplace and beyond. This February, American Heart Month, the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women wants every woman, parent, friend, and co-worker to be armed with the knowledge, skill and confidence to be ready to save a life. This includes learning CPR because chances are, the life that needs to be saved will be the life of someone you know and love. Learn how at Heart.org/Nation. Knowing CPR is one of many ways you can connect and support other women in February and beyond. Find all the ways you can get connected at GoRedforWomen.org.
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National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day gives us a special opportunity to say thank you to those who help keep our school safe every day. We are grateful for Officer Tom Lillagore and his dedication to protecting our students, staff, and school community. His presence helps create a safe and welcoming environment where students can learn, grow, and feel secure. We truly appreciate Officer Lillagore’s commitment, care, and service, and we thank him for all that he does for our school! |
February is ADHD Awareness Month here in Cinnaminson! Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an estimated 6 million youth (aged 6-17) in the United States according to a study facilitated by the CDC. ADHD is often associated with difficulty paying attention and an inability to focus, along with hyperactivity and impulsivity.
Please click the button below for more information on ADHD.
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National School Counseling Week is February 2-6, 2026. This week focuses attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.
At the elementary level, our counselors assist students with emotional regulation, behavior support, mental health challenges, anti-bullying efforts, navigating friendships, and much more. Our counselors also provide counseling related classroom lessons, help connect families with outside resources, and work with students in various groups.
Counselor's jobs are more important than ever because many students struggle with maintaining social emotional well-being. We are truly grateful for Mrs. Devon Miller and Ms. Aja Jones and the many wonderful things that they do for our students, families, staff, and school! They bring a wealth of information and resources to New Albany and help our students achieve success academically, socially and emotionally.
Please join us in sending a special "Thank You" to Mrs. Miller & Ms. Jones this week!
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Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14-20, 2026. Every year, The Counseling Department encourages students to find ways that they can spread kindness within their community. We are excited to continue to collect items for our Birthday in a Bag service project.
The Birthday in a Bag service project involves creating bags filled with birthday essentials for children who may not otherwise be able to celebrate with a brithday party.
The Counseling Department is still collecting the following items for the "Birthday in a Bag" schoolwide service project: cake mix, frosting, birthday cards, candles, decorations, balloons, party hats, napkins, forks, and a small gift. If you are able to help, the deadline for the items has been extended to February 12th. All items will be assembled into individual party bags and then donated to The Unforgotten Haven in Blackwood on February 16th.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity!
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Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the Jump Into Reading Challenge sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton. I am so proud of all of you!
Special Congratulations to Violet Miller (1st grade), Caroline Sheker (2nd grade) and Christina Monroy (2nd grade) for being the top readers in our school. These students read over 700 books combined!
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IS YOUR CHILD IN NEED OF DENTAL CARE?
Give Kids A Smile is designed to offer FREE dental care to children who otherwise do not see a dentist. Dental services and event dates may vary by location.
SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR CHILD TODAY
Burlington County
Esposito Family Dental, Moorestown (856) 235-6561
Morrone, Kaye & Yucha Orthodontics, Moorestown (856) 234-4044
Rowan College, Mount Laurel (856) 291-4215
Tooth Patrol Pediatric Dentistry, Moorestown (856) 316-1616
We would like to welcome Dr. Ami Gupta to town! She has recently opened Tooth Town Pediatric Dentistry, Cinnaminson's first pediatric dental practice focused on providing compassionate, high-quality care for children in our community. To learn more about this dental office please visit Tooth Town Pediatric Dentistry.
FEBRUARY IS HEART HEALTH MONTH
Heart Healthy Tips:
- Limit Screen Time - to less than 2 hours a day. Substitute leisure time with physical activity.
- Enjoy more outdoor activities - sports, walking, hiking, swimming, etc.
- Get children involved in sports/activities that provide routine physical activity.
- Heart Healthy Diet/Food - cut down on saturated fat and sugars and push more fiber.
- Increase water intake - cut down on sugary drinks.
Feel free to reach out for more resources on keeping your child and family heart healthy!
PEDICULOSIS (HEAD LICE)
As the colder months settle in, we want to remind you to be vigilant in monitoring your child for head lice. Close contact indoors and increased hat and scarf use can create opportunities for lice to spread. Please check your child's hair regularly and encourage them to not share personal items like hats, combs or headphones. If you suspect or confirm the presence of lice, please complete treatment and notify the school nurse so we can work together to prevent further spread while maintaining a healthy school environment. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our students safe and healthy!
CLOTHING
Spring cleaning is just around the corner! As we work toward the warmer months, please feel free to donate any gently used clothing items, such as shirts, sweatpants, leggings and shorts. In addition, the nurse's office is always in need of new socks and underwear (Sizes 4/5 through 10/12).
Spills and bathroom accidents happen. Please take a moment to update your child's emergency clothing bag to include weather appropriate items, such as underwear, shirts (long or short sleeve), pants or shorts and socks.
♥️ Nurse Ormsby
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*** REGISTRATION for 2026-27 WILL OPEN on February 2, 2026 ***
Eligibility: Children must be residents of Cinnaminson NJ, and be five (5) years old on or before October 1, 2026
Kindergarten registration is now completed online.
Kindergarten Testing will be held in person at New Albany School.
NOTE: Kindergarten testing will not be scheduled until all completed registration materials are received.
Please see the information below:
PLACE: In-Person Appointments
DATES: May 18 - 21
TIME: BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
CONTACT: Tracy Reed, District Registrar 856-829-7600 X 2899 to schedule an appointment AFTER you have submitted all registration materials
Mark your calendars for Kindergarten Orientation, which will take place on Thursday, August 20, 2026.
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The most recent federal data show that in the 2020-21 school year, at least 14.7 million students nationwide were chronically absent. This means that chronic absence has almost doubled from the more than 8 million students, pre-Covid-19, who were missing so many days of school that they were academically at risk. Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused and unexcused absences—can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school. While chronic absence presents academic challenges for students not in class, when it reaches high levels in a classroom or school, all students may suffer because the resulting classroom churn hampers teachers’ ability to engage all students and meet their learning needs. It is important for schools and families to work together to determine the cause of chronic absenteeism, and implement approaches that address barriers to getting to class. By working together, we can ensure all children can get to school every day so they have an opportunity to learn, flourish and realize their dreams.
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Students had a blast meeting Harlem Wizards player, David Paul, on Friday, January 16th. Students had so much fun participating in the assembly, with a few very lucky students winning tickets and jerseys!
Below please find the link for the Harlem Wizards vs Cinnaminson Teachers game, which will take place on February 19th at 6:30 pm at Cinnaminson High School.
We hope to see you there!
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Registration is now closed, and our inventors are officially underway! We are so excited to see students diving into the invention process. If you need any help, please register for an upcoming mentoring session here: https://forms.gle/YBk4PA1PTZdMMb4p7
Please remember—this experience is about the process, not the product. Our youngest inventors are building creativity, problem-solving, communication, and critical-thinking skills that truly matter. In a constantly changing world, there is real value in being human—and our students’ creativity counts.
I’m here to support you every step of the way, and can’t wait to celebrate our inventors on March 3!
- Ms. Coker
Mentoring Sessions:
• 2/2 NAS | 5:00–6:00
• 2/11 Virtual | 6:00–7:00
• 2/17 NAS | 5:00–6:00
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February Breakfast & Lunch Menus -
Check out the Sodexo News Bites Newsletter here: News Bites
Daily school breakfast costs $1.85 and lunch costs $2.90 this year. You may send in cash or a check, made payable to Cinnaminson Lunch Program. Please mark the envelope containing the cash or check with your child's full name and homeroom teacher OR you may use our online lunch system to make a credit card payment. You will be able to view your child's lunch purchases, account balance, and amount due on the Lunchtime School Payment Portal.
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Please have your child check the lost and found bin, located right outside of the main office, if you think they may have misplaced an item. It is always a good idea to label all of your child's items so that we can return them safely to the owner. |
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Congratulations to New Albany's January Faculty Member of the Month, Mrs. Christi Quinn. Ms. Christi consistently brings a positive attitude, a warm and comforting smile, and a wonderful sense of humor that brightens even the toughest days. Thank you for all you do to make New Albany a better place!
Don't forget...You can nominate a staff member any time for our Staff Member of the Month! Please use this link and share why this person is so deserving of this honor!
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📣 New Albany Student Recognition
Good character is important for students and adults. It is shown through our thoughts, words, and actions. At New Albany, we stress respect, responsibility, and kindness by following our schoolwide expectations:
Be Respectful - I will use good manners and treat others in a way that I would like to be treated. I will be kind, express gratitude, forgive others, and help those in need.
Be Responsible - I will do what I am supposed to do and be accountable for my actions. I will try my best in all academic areas.
Be Safe - I will respect school property and make smart choices, doing my best to keep New Albany School a safe and clean place to learn.
Throughout the school year, students and staff will continue to learn ways to display good character traits through counselor and teacher lessons.
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We are so excited to announce the January Pirates of the Month. These students exhibited the schoolwide expectations consistently throughout the month, earning Pirate Coins from their teachers, support staff, administrators, and bus drivers.
Nolan Torres, Kindergarten
Adrian Derkits, First Grade
Cecelia Evangelista, Second Grade
Emma Nixon, Specials Star Student (not pictured)
Congratulations on a job well done!
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Battle of the Classes
Congratualtions to Mrs. Vermes' kindergarten class for securing the WIN with a whopping $900 in donations! Mrs. Vermes' students look forward to celebrating their win with a special Chick Fil A party.
The fundraiser was a huge success and it was incredible to see how families rallied behind their children's classes. The generosity shown across all grades made this such a fun experience for our school community. Congratulations to every class that participated!
Phillies Night Out
Once again CEHASA will be holding Cinnaminson Schools Night Out with the Phillies! The game is scheduled for May 18, 2026 against the Reds!
Details:
-Tickets are available in sections 326-333. If you would like to be seated with a particular party, please purchase as a group in bulk
-Tickets are being sold at face value—no upcharge!
-Ticket sales will close 3/29/26
-Approximately one week prior to the game, all tickets will be sent to the email address provided when the order was placed. If an MLB account already exists, they will populate right in the app.
Bundt Cake Fundraiser
We are happy to announce our Nothing Bundt Cake fundraiser! These delicious cakes will be in your hands just in time for Easter...so no rushing around trying to get your sweets!!
Orders close on 3/11 & pickups will take place on 4/1 from 4-5:30 p.m. at 2111 Chestnut Lane, Cinnaminson.
Click here to order:
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Happy Valentine’s Day to our amazing Pirate families! ❤️🖤 Today we celebrate kindness, friendship, and the many ways our students show care for one another—whether through a smile, a helping hand, or a kind word. Valentine’s Day at our school is about making every child feel valued and appreciated. As we spread Pirate pride, we’re also proud to see our students adhering to our schoolwide expectations each day by choosing to Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Wishing all of our families a joyful Valentine’s Day filled with connection, kindness, and Pirate spirit! 🏴☠️
Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Oliver & Mr. Belsky
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