Princeton Public Schools: Welcome To The New School Year From Principal Chmiel

Press release from Princeton Public Schools:

Aug 31, 2022

Dear PHS School Community,

Welcome! As summer winds down, I would like to welcome returning students and extend a particularly warm welcome to new ninth graders and students that are new to the district. Princeton High School is a wonderful, welcoming place

We have a wide variety of academic events, club fairs, social celebrations, music, and theatre planned for this school year. It is going to be a great year!

New Wing to Open: We had a terrific summer program at PHS that wrapped up in early August. Our custodians have been working non-stop waxing floors and cleaning classrooms so that the building will be impeccably clean in September. In addition to a clean building, we also have an expanded building. We are waiting for final approvals that will enable us to open a new wing that encompasses four new classrooms, and ample collaborative space in what I like to think of as our open-learning wing.

New Wing to Open:

Not only is the new two-story wing aesthetically pleasing but it will also provide a place where students and staff can collaborate on interdisciplinary projects.

In addition to classrooms, it includes a multipurpose fitness room, a studio for dance classes, and a spacious common area for students and staff with workspaces and a generous number of outlets for computer charging. We hope that we will be able to show off this beautiful new space during Back to School Night, which is scheduled for Thursday, September 29. More good news:We anticipate that we will have Back School Night in person for the first time since 2019!

Health Protocols: As you may know, the CDC and other health organizations have recommended significantly less stringent COVID protocols for schools this year. You will be receiving a detailed email about protocols, but I am happy to announce that we do not anticipate masks being required this year, there will be no CrisisGo screening, and while there will be some precautions for students and staff who test positive for COVID, there will be no quarantining for close contacts.

Princeton Public Schools continues to work with the Princeton Health Department and the school physician to monitor all public health concerns.

Improved Schedule: In 2018, Princeton High School was one of the first high schools in NJ to successfully implement a later starting time. As part of that change, PHS created a rotating schedule that involves letter days from A - D as well as block learning days, known as E and F days.

Last year, due to the pandemic and other factors, the letter-days needed shifting several times. We have made revisions to the schedule that now enables us to provide students and families with the letter-day schedule for the entire school year!

We feel that we have made just the right adjustments to maintain this letter-day calendar even if there are weather-related closings.

Feedback from students and staff advisory groups lead us to believe that our school community will appreciate the new system. In addition, I will continue my daily update, The Chmiel Spiel, which students can read on Canvas, and that will, as always, highlight the letter day. If you are the parent of a 9th grader or new to the district, please feel free to ask me questions at the New Parent Orientation Night on September 14 at 7 PM.

Spirit Wear and Homecoming: Students and families did a fantastic job last year revitalizing our Tiger spirit. We will continue to promote school spirit and a sense of belonging for all our students. Please wear the school colors (blue & white) on Fridays. Celebrating Fridays as Princeton Fridays is fun and connects us as a school community. We have an online student store where students and others can buy Tiger Wear if they desire. Homecoming is scheduled for September 23. Last year, we had a great week of homecoming events, and this year will be even better!

PTO: We greatly appreciate the support of the PHS Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) as it provides a plethora of resources for our school community. All PHS parents are automatically part of the PTO.

Health Protocols: Improved Schedule: The Chmiel Spiel Spirit Wear and Homecoming

Forms: Please complete the Media Consent Form, the Technology Acceptable Use Form, and the Code of Conduct agreement. At your earliest convenience, please review online PHS forms by clicking here and selecting the appropriate forms for your student.

We look to build on the strides we made last year, PHS School Community. I am grateful for your partnership and remain confident that whatever new challenges we face, we will accomplish more if we do it together!

Forms: clicking here

It is a privilege to serve as your Princeton High School principal and I look forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school, September 6th.

Sincerely,

Frank Chmiel Principal

Dates to Remember

• September 5: Labor Day, Schools and Offices Closed
• September 5:
• September 6: First Day of School
• September 6:
• September 7 - PHS School Picture Day
• September 14: New Parent Orientation Night and PTO Meeting. All parents welcome! 7 PM at the Performing Arts Center (PAC)
• September 14:
• September 23: PHS Homecoming
• September 23:
• September 26: Rosh Hashanah, Schools Closed
• September 26:
• September 29: Princeton High School Back to School Night
• September 29:
• October 5: Yom Kippur, Schools Closed
• October 5:
• November 8: Staff Development Day, Schools Closed
• November 8:
• November 10-11: NJEA Conference, Schools Closed
• November 10-11:

This press release was produced by Princeton Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.