It is with great excitement that we welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope you had an awesome summer filled with fun and memorable times with friends and family, along with opportunities to relax, recharge, and regroup. As we begin a new school year, we are excited to welcome our students back through the doors of New Albany School and look forward to another outstanding year of teaching, learning, and growing together.
At New Albany School, we remain committed to providing a positive, nurturing, and engaging learning environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to do their best. Our schoolwide positive behavior expectations—“Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe”—will continue to guide us each day as we work together to create a school community where students can learn, grow, and thrive.
Our goal is to provide every student with meaningful opportunities to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated staff who are passionate about children and committed to making a difference in the lives of our students. We cannot wait to see our classrooms filled with curious minds, smiling faces, and the excitement that comes with a new school year!
We also extend a very special welcome to all of our new New Albany families! We are thrilled that you are joining our school community and hope you quickly discover what makes New Albany such a special place. We look forward to partnering with you throughout the year and watching your children learn, grow, and make wonderful memories.
If you have not already read this, please take a moment to read through the Welcome Back Parent Letter, which contains important information to help your family prepare for the start of the school year. We are excited for all that the 2026–2027 school year has in store and look forward to welcoming our Pirates back on Wednesday, September 2nd! Here's to a year filled with learning, laughter, friendship, and success!
With Pirate Pride,
Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Oliver & Mr. Digney
Mark Your Calendars
September: Hispanic Heritage Month
September 2: First day of school for students
September 7: Labor Day - NO SCHOOL
September 10: ELL Family Night 4:45 PM
September 10: Back to School Night 6:00 PM
September 11: 9/11 Observance
September 11: CEHASA Welcome Back Family Gathering 5:30-7:00PM @ New Albany recess fields
September 15: Single Session Day (early dismissal for students)
September 15: Referendum Vote 2-8 PM
September 22: CEHASA Public Meeting 6:00 PM @ NAS Library
September 28: School Store Fundraiser begins
September 29: BOE Meeting 7:00PM @ CMS
Looking ahead...
October 5-9: Week of Respect
October 9-19: Scholastic Book Fair
October 20: Picture Day
Meet Our New Staff!
We are so excited to welcome these amazing professionals to the NAS family!
Camryn Kitchin
Kindergarten LTS
Abby LePage
1st Grade LTS
Ashley Harland
1st Grade Teacher
Isabella Castells
1st Grade Teacher
Emily McDevitt
2nd Grade Special Ed Teacher
Janine Hickey
2nd Grade Teacher
Leslie Drakos
Kindergarten Classroom Assistant
Mikayla Coates
Lunch/Playground Assistant
Audrey Barbuto
2nd Grade BSIP Classroom Assistant
Cynthia Lamon
1st Grade BSIP Classroom Assistant
Cindy Choyce
Attendance Secretary
Shannon Smith
Permanent Building Substitute
September 11th Observance
Each year on September 11th, we pause to remember and honor the lives forever changed by the events of September 11, 2001. We remember the innocent lives lost and the families, friends, and communities who continue to carry their memories. We also honor the survivors and the courageous first responders who selflessly served others in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
The people we lost were so much more than names and numbers. They were parents, children, siblings, spouses, friends, teachers, coworkers, and neighbors. They were people with dreams, hopes, talents, and futures ahead of them. Each life was unique and irreplaceable, and each person left behind a story and a legacy that deserves to be remembered.
More than two decades later, the sadness of that day remains, but so does the strength, compassion, courage, and unity that emerged in its aftermath. As we remember, may we continue to honor those we lost by choosing kindness, helping others, appreciating the people in our lives, and coming together as a community.
Today, and every day, we remember. We honor. We will never forget.
#NeverForget
CEHASA Welcome Back Family Picnic
Our Home & School Association is excited to invite all New Albany School families to join us for our annual Welcome Back Family Picnic on Friday, September 11th, from 5:30–7:00 PM on the New Albany School recess fields!
Come kick off the new school year with an evening of fun, friendship, and community! This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to enjoy some playtime, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones while families get to know one another.
Bring your smiles and your best dance moves—there will be fun music to get your boogie on! 🎶
We hope you and your family will join us as we celebrate the start of another fantastic school year at New Albany School. We can't wait to see you there!
Arrr you ready to have some fun, Pirates? 🏴☠️
Hispanic Heritage Month
From September 15 to October 15, we proudly join the nation in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a special time to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans whose heritage is rooted in Latin American countries. Throughout this month—and all year long—we celebrate the history, achievements, and lasting impact of Hispanic and Latino communities, past and present. Their stories and contributions continue to inspire us and enrich the fabric of our school, community, and nation.
Back to School Night
Back to School Night will be held on Thursday, September 10th from 6:00-8:00 PM.
This night provides a valuable opportunity to learn more about your child's classroom experience. You will have the opportunity to meet your child's teacher and learn about your child's daily schedule and classroom procedures. Any questions pertaining to your child's daily activities or teacher procedures can be addressed at Back to School Night.
We ask that you please refrain from "conferencing" with your child's teacher at this time. If you need to schedule a time to meet with a teacher, please send a quick email and they will be happy to speak with you one on one.
More detailed information will be provided prior to this open house.
A Message from Nurse Ormsby
Should your student require medication during school hours, please contact Mrs. Ormsby to obtain the necessary medication forms or visit the district website under the "School Nurse" tab. All forms must be completed and signed by both a parent/guardian and the student’s physician prior to any medication being administered at school. All medications must be delivered directly to the Main Office by a parent/guardian or other responsible adult. Students are not permitted to bring medication to school.
If you need to submit your child’s updated immunization records and/or physical examination forms, please email them to Mrs. Ormsby, send the documents to school with your child or drop them off to the Main Office during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
For more information, you may visit the nurses' page on our website:
Tuesday, September 15th will be a single-session day for all students.
K–2 Dismissal: 9:06 AM–1:25 PM
Lunch will be served. 🍎
Please make sure someone is available at your child’s bus stop to receive them when they arrive home.
Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and smooth dismissal!
School Hours
Please take note of our school hours:
Full Day
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd - 9:06 - 3:34
Single Session
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd - 9:06 - 1:25
2 Hour Delay
Students will be picked up 2 hours later than normal.
Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd - 11:06 - 3:34
Student Arrival & Dismissal
Our # 1 priority, at all times, is the safety of our students. Arrival and Dismissal times are a hectic time of day as we ensure that our 640+ students get to where they need to go. We are requesting your cooperation and assistance during this time, so that each one of our students enters and exits the school building and returns safely home or to their afterschool care.
Please take note of these important procedures:
* ALL dismissal changes for the day must be communicated to the main office no later than 1:30 PM. Those changes should be emailed to nasmainoffice@cinnaminson.com and the office staff will note the change on the daily dismissal form. After 2:00 pm, call the office at (856) 786-2284.
*If you need to pick your child up from school at any time before dismissal, please let the main office know via phone or email. Any student getting picked up after 3:15, without prior notification to the office, will be dismissed as a walker.
Anyone picking up a student at the end of the school day (between 3:00 and 3:25 PM) must park on New Albany Road and walk up to the school via the footbridge and sidewalk. Students marked as "walkers" are dismissed to their designated locations and signed out to you from the kindergarten or library door. Please note that the kindergarten door is to the left when facing the building and the library door is to the right just past the main entrance.
STUDENT ARRIVAL/AM DROP OFF
The driveway and parking lot layout at New Albany School are not designed for cars and buses at the same time. Since the majority of students ride a school bus to and from school, during arrival and dismissal, cars must stay clear of the bus lanes and are NOT ALLOWED to enter the school parking lot.
Please do not bring children to school before 8:50 AM, as our staff does not report for bus duty until that time. Parents dropping off their students by car must adhere to the following:
Park along New Albany Road and walk children across the footbridge or up the sidewalk along the driveway.
Students should NOT be let out of the vehicle alone. You are required to walk your child to the canopy area near the main entrance. There will be staff on duty to help your child enter school once you reach the canopy area of the school.
After 9:06 AM, parents may drive around the loop in front of the school and drop off to the main office. Please be aware that at this time, you child will be considered late.
Students arriving late must stop in the main office so attendance can be updated.
STUDENT DISMISSAL/PM PICK UP
Students who are picked-up by a parent or guardian on a regular basis will be dismissed before the buses leave. Kindergarten students will be dismissed at the Kindergarten exit, located to the left of the building. All 1st, and 2nd grade students will be dismissed from the library exit, located to the right of the main entrance doors.
Once students are checked in by our staff, they will be dismissed to parents/guardians. All designated daily walkers should have a yellow card that can be brought to school by the parent/guardian and shown to the staff at pickup. If you arrive by 3:25 PM, you may park along New Albany Road and walk up to the building and form a line at the side entrance to the library or by the kindergarten door to the left of the building. You may enter the parking lot with your vehicle only after the buses have departed.
Families are expected to adhere to one pick-up/drop-off schedule for the duration of the school year. Students who attend SAC on a part-time basis will be transported to their home or another predetermined location on the days they aren’t scheduled to attend SAC. To minimize safety concerns associated with last-minute transportation changes, all pick-up and drop-off schedule changes must be made within 30 days advance notice. Emergent situations (i.e. - change of job, illness, etc.) will be handled on a case-by-case basis as they arise. Parents will still be able to take advantage of SAC on half days.
Please arrange through the office staff if a child is to be picked-up every day or a certain day(s) of the week. If you plan to pick-up your child earlier by coming into the building, you must sign them out in the main office no later than 3:15 PM. After that time, “pick-ups” will be at the Library and Kindergarten exits. At no time are parents/guardians permitted to take a child out of a line or off the bus without first signing him or her out in the office.
We will not allow our students to leave school property without proper supervision. Students are dismissed to buses or must be picked-up by a parent/guardian, or a responsible person, age 18 or older, and approved by a parent/guardian.
A STUDENT WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO ANYONE OTHER THAN A DESIGNATED GUARDIAN UNLESS THE OFFICE HAS AN EMAIL OR WRITTEN NOTE STATING WHICH INDIVIDUAL WILL BE PICKING UP YOUR CHILD. THE PERSON PICKING UP YOUR CHILD MUST BE PREPARED TO SHOW PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.
Cinnaminson Referendum
Learn more about planned improvements to New Albany School as a part of the Referendum Vote on September 15th. Click on the QR code for more information.
The cost of a student lunch is $3.05 and milk is 0.65 cents. 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.
In order to create your child's Lunchtime School Payment Portal account, you will need their student ID #. You can locate the number on the Genesis Parent Portal or call the main office. For more information on the Lunchtime School Payment Portal, Click Here.
Breakfast will be offered to students who choose to participate in the breakfast program. Please note that the cost for breakfast will be $2.00. Those students receiving Free/Reduced Lunch will be eligible for free breakfast. To complete an application, please see the link here: Lunch Application.
A menu will be posted on our website here: Menus for Breakfast/Lunch. Upon arriving at school each day, students will report to their homeroom and then to the cafeteria to receive their breakfast.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, and pursuant to P.L. 2025, c, 195, New Jersey requires public school districts to implement new bell-to-bell expectations for student use of personal internet-enabled devices during the school day for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12. This includes, but is not limited to, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, etc. The state law is intended to reduce distractions, promote student learning and engagement, and support student well-being.
The accompanying graphic provides a quick overview of what families and students need to know, including Cinnaminson's expectations across grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Please note that students will not be permitted to use internet enabled devices on the bus, on school grounds (befre or after school), during activities during the school day (field trips), or activities outside of the school day (clubs, tutoring).
Please take a few moments to review this information with your child before the start of school. Understanding when the devices must be turned off and stored-and when their use is permitted-will help students begin the year prepared and avoid violations of the code of conduct.
Silenced and Away — from arrival through dismissal.
It is expected that all internet-enabled personal devices (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart glasses, etc) are turned off and stored in the student’s backpack during school hours. Devices may not be carried on a student's person or accessed during the school day. Students will regain access to their devices following dismissal.
The expectation will apply throughout the entire school day. The purpose of this change is straightforward. Personal devices have increasingly become a source of distraction from instruction and face-to-face interaction. Our goal is to establish one clear, consistent schoolwide expectation that allows our teachers to focus on teaching and our students to focus on learning, relationships, and participation in the school community. The proposed policy specifically identifies minimizing distractions, supporting student well-being, improving engagement, and maximizing instructional time as central objectives.
We also understand that families may have questions about communicating with their children during the school day. Parents and guardians who need to reach their child during the school day should contact the NAS Main Office at 856-786-2284. Likewise, students who need to contact home will be provided an appropriate means to do so through the school should the need arise.
There will also be appropriate exceptions when device access is necessary. These include documented medical needs, emergencies or perceived threats, approved translation or caregiver needs, and accommodations contained within an IEP, Section 504 Plan, or health plan. Parents with specific questions about special eligibility should contact their child’s school counselor.
NAS Schoolwide Universal Expectations
📣 New Albany School 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.
Pirate Coins/Pirate of the Month/Golden Ticket Lunch
Students will have many chances to be recognized for doing the right thing and living up to our schoolwide expectations. When students show respect, responsibility, and safety, they can “get caught being good” and earn a Pirate Coin for being a positive member of our school community.
In addition, NAS staff may select students as the Pirate of the Month, celebrating those who consistently go above and beyond. Students may also earn a Golden Ticket Lunch, a special opportunity to enjoy lunch with the principals each month.
Remember—when you follow our schoolwide expectations every day, you are not only being an excellent student, you are also helping to make New Albany School the best place to learn and grow!
Attendance Matters! Every Student, Every Day!
Chronic absenteeism, missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason (excused or unexcused absences), can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school. Many students may miss a few days of school each year without long-term consequences. However, when students miss too many days, the effects are almost always negative. Every day a student is absent is a lost opportunity for learning.
We are continually working to make our school environment a place where everyone is safe, healthy, and ready to learn. Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school and themselves. Families can start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that students go to school on time, every day. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and in their careers. Unless your student is running a fever, vomiting, or has diarrhea, it is very important that they are at school each day.
Help Your Child Succeed in School: Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early. School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
Facts About School Attendance
Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance throughout the school year. Half the students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.
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.
Absenteeism and its ill effects start early.
Poor attendance can influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade or be held back.
By 6th grade, chronic absence becomes a leading indicator that a student will drop out of high school.
Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month and that’s known as chronic absence.
Students who live in communities with high levels of poverty are four times more likely to be chronically absent than others often for reasons beyond their control, such as unstable housing, unreliable transportation and a lack of access to health care.
When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating.
Attendance improves when schools engage students and parents in positive ways and when schools provide mentors for chronically absent students.
Project Graduation Volunteers Needed
Project Graduation is a volunteer-led committee dedicated to providing our graduating seniors with a safe, drug- and alcohol-free celebration following graduation. Throughout the year, the committee works to raise funds and plan an exciting and memorable event where our graduates can celebrate together in a safe environment.
We are currently looking for parents and community members to join the Project Graduation Committee. You do not need to have a senior—or even a student at the high school—to get involved! We welcome volunteers from all of our schools and grade levels.
While we are busy planning this year’s Project Graduation, this is an event that every Cinnaminson student will eventually have the opportunity to enjoy when they graduate. Keeping this tradition going takes the support and involvement of our entire community.
Whether you can help with fundraising, planning, volunteering, or simply bringing new ideas to the table, we would love to have you join us! Please email any questions to cinnaminsonschoolspg@gmail.com
Please join us for our first meeting!
📅 Thursday, October 1 at 6:00 PM
📍 Cinnaminson High School Library
Come learn more about Project Graduation, meet the committee, and find out how you can get involved. All are welcome!
Stay connected and follow Cinnaminson Project Graduation on:
ParentSquare: Click Here to Join(https://www.parentsquare.com/groups/join/jw4fncwh46)
Instagram@ cinnaminsonhspg
Facebook@Cinnaminson High School Project Graduation
Thank you for helping us continue this important tradition for our students!
A Special Thank You to Our Community Partners
A special thank you to our amazing community partners for the time, generosity, and dedication you give to making New Albany School such a wonderful place to teach and learn! We are incredibly grateful for your continued support and for all you do to bring our school community together.
A heartfelt thank you to CEHASA, Matty G’s Dogz Food Truck, Kinder Sips Coffee Cart for your partnership and for helping make our school events and celebrations so special. We truly appreciate you!
C.E.H.A.S.A
As we wrap up summer and get ready for another school year, CEHASA is busy getting ready for the Fall! We’re excited for the year ahead and look forward to working together to support our students, families, teachers, and schools. Here are a few upcoming opportunities and important reminders:
Spirit Wear Volunteers Needed
- Tuesday, September 8 – Middle School
- Wednesday, September 9 – Rush School
- Thursday, September 10 – New Albany School
We’re looking for volunteers to help with spirit wear sales at our Back to School Nights! No experience is needed—just a willingness to help families shop for their CEHASA spirit wear. If you’re interested in volunteering for spirit wear sales, please sign up here: cehasa.cheddarup.com
New Albany Welcome Back Picnic
Don’t forget to join us for the New Albany Welcome Back Picnic on Friday, September 11, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at the New Albany playground!
Dinner will be provided by a community partner, featuring Matty G’s Dogz food truck and Kinder Sips coffee cart. We hope to see lots of New Albany families there!
Keep Up with the Latest Events and Fundraisers
For the most up to date information on CEHASA events and fundraisers, please bookmark this page: cehasa.cheddarup.com
General Volunteers
Want to stay in the loop about volunteer opportunities? Sign up for our general volunteer email list to receive updates on CEHASA volunteer needs: cehasa.cheddarup.com
Next CEHASA Meeting
Our next CEHASA meeting will be Tuesday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the New Albany School Library. All interested parents are welcome to attend.
Thank you for supporting CEHASA and our schools! We hope to see you at Back to School Night, the picnic, and our September meeting!
Cinnaminson Elementary Home & School Association (CEHASA) is dedicated to enhancing the environment in our schools. Every parent/guardian is a member of the association. Getting involved benefits you, your children, our schools and our community. This is a opportunity to give back to our children through programs provided by Home & School during the school year. Volunteers are needed in order for these programs to run smoothly and efficiently. The success of the Home & School activities depend on the members who generously volunteer their time and talents. It doesn't matter how much time you have to commit. We are grateful for any amount of time that a parent can give. Think of all the good you can do by getting involved. You will help your children and our schools. You may even learn a little about yourself. You can use your talents to make a difference and make some new friends along the way. Any amount of time you can donate is appreciated and helpful.
CEHASA Apparel Sale
Need Spiritwear?
Please click on this link to purchase some cool apparel:
Join us on September 22nd from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Cinnaminson Chick-fil-A for a New Albany School fundraising event! A portion of the proceeds from the evening will directly support programs, activities, and special events for our students at New Albany School.
We greatly appreciate your continued support of our school community and hope to see you there!
