Tag: jersey city

November Plans 🍁 Fun Events for Students in JC + Online! 😊

November is here, and there are plenty of ways to get out, try something new, and learn something along the way! I’ve put together a few events and activities for students to check out this month, both in person and online. There’s something for everyone!

#1. International STEM Day – STEMpower + Inspiring Girls USA

Ever wondered what a future in STEM could look like? 🚀 You don’t have to know what you want to do in the future to join. Just come curious!

Event Flyer + QR code for registration

Hosted by STEMpower, a New Jersey-based organization, in collaboration with Inspiring Girls USA, a global nonprofit dedicated to inspiring girls to explore their futures, this FREE virtual panel of Women in STEM celebrates International STEM Day!

Follow @stemp0wer for updates and future events!

📅 Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
⏰ Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Zoom Link – Inspiring Girls USA x STEMpower: Role Model Talk
🎓 Age: Middle and high school students

#2. SJC Youth Eco Ambassador: Climate Fresk Workshop

SJC Youth Eco Ambassador Presentation: Climate Fresk Workshop
Date has been updated to November 7th

Interested in climate change and protecting the environment? This interactive workshop helps students understand climate science, connect the dots between environmental issues, and explore ways to make a difference. It’s specifically listed for high school and college students, with limited spots available.

📅 Date: Saturday, November 7
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
📍Location: Jersey City City Hall, 280 Grove Street – SJC Youth Eco Ambassador Presentation: Climate Fresk Workshop Tickets
🎓 Limited to 24 high school and college students

#3. Teen Programs at Jersey City Free Public Library

Teen Volunteers Wanted at Communipaw Branch Library
Teen Etiquette Workshop at Miller Branch Library

Looking for something to do after school? The library offers teen activities that give students a place to hang out, play games, get creative, and connect with other teens. Check the November calendar for specific sessions and activities!

📍 Location: Variety of Libraries around Jersey City – November Results – Events Calendar – Jersey City Free Public Library
🎓 Age: 12–18
💸Cost: Check individual event listings for cost and registration requirements.

#4. Rutgers 4-H Science Saturday: Planet Superheroes

Want to learn how science can help protect our planet? Join Rutgers 4-H and learn about current Rutgers research that is making our communities more resilient to climate change. And find out how you can get involved!

📅 Date: Saturday, November 7
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Location: Rutgers University, Cook Campus Greenhouse, New Brunswick, NJ – Rutgers 4-H Science Saturday: Planet Superheroes
🎓 Age: Grades 3-7 ONLY
💸 Cost: $25

Date has been updated to November 21st

#5. Rework Your Wardrobe: Sweater Weather Workshop

Bring an old sweater or sweatshirt and give it a fresh look with patches, fabric paint, and other decorations. No sewing experience is required.

📅 Date: Saturday, November 21
⏰ Time: 12:00–3:30 PM
📍 Location: SMUSH Gallery, 340 Summit Avenue, Jersey City – Rework Your Wardrobe: Sweater Weather Workshop | Jersey City
🎓 Age: 16+
💸 Cost: Check registration

🍂 That’s it for November! There are plenty of ways to make the most of the month!

📌 Save this post for later, share it with a friend, and check the event links for the latest details, registration requirements, and any updates before heading out.

Hope you find something fun to do this November! 😊🧡

Here’s a short list of free upcoming events that are worth going to 😊☀️

Summer is finally here! I’ve listed a few events that students could learn from and will definitely enjoy. Also, if you have a series you’d like us to do, please comment or send us an email. 

#1. “Memories by Kromacolor”

Art Show by Mia Woodard – Go see Mia’s senior thesis art show! You can see all the details on this flyer.

Location: Gallery 14C, Suite 407, 157A 1st Street

Date/Time: June 11 from 3:30 – 6:30

#2. HPNA Movie Night

Hamilton Act I on June 19

#3: Eco-Youth Art Exhibition (Opens June 1)

Students are exhibiting environment-themed art works at NJCU’s Visual Arts Gallery this week. The public is invited. See the poster for information. A reception will take place Saturday, June 6, from 3:30-6 pm, with awards announced at 4:30.

Monthly Update for March 2026 🍀

Hi all! Here’s the update for March. Right now, Jersey City Public School students are about halfway through Marking Period 3, which ends April 15.

Important Dates:

  • March 19: Half Day (Staff Professional Development)
  • March 20th: Eid-al-Fitr (Public Schools will very likely be closed, tentative though)
  • For students taking an Advanced Placement (AP) course, there are 9 weeks left until May, when AP testing begins!
  • For a step-by-step guide on how to view your child’s grades, visit here.
  • For families whose children play a sport right now, you can access stats and schedules on the nj.com website.
  • To see the full calendar for this school year, click here.

Monthly Update for February 2026 💕

🎉 Welcome to February! 🎉

A new month means fresh goals, important dates, and lots to look forward to.

Key Dates for February:

  • January 30 – Marking Period 3 Starts
  • February 10 – High Schools Open House 1:30-3pm (In Person)
  • Feburary 1`1 – Elementary Schools Open House 1:30-3pm (In Person)
  • Februrary 12 – Middle Schools Open House 1:30-3pm (In Person)
  • February 16 – Presidents’ Day Observed (District Closed)

✨ Make sure to mark your calendars and stay updated. February is short, but it’s packed! For families whose children play winter season sports, you can access the stats and schedule on the nj.com website. 🏒 🏀

Monthly Update for January 2026! ❄️

🎉 Welcome Back! 🎉

Welcome back, students and families! We hope everyone had a safe, restful, and joyful winter break. ❄️✨ We are excited to welcome students back to support a successful start to 2026! 📚💙

Here’s the update for January for all Jersey City Public School students. To see the full calendar for the school year, click here.

January 1st: New Year’s Day—District Closed 🆕 🎉

January 2nd: District Closed (continuing winter break) ❄️

January 5th: Classes Resume 📚

January 19: Martin Luther King Jr. Day—District Closed

January 30th: Marking Period 3 Begins

📌 Reminder:

Students and families should continuously check Infinite Campus for grades, attendance records, and schedules at any time. It’s a great way to stay up-to-date!

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As always, thank you for being an important part of our community and Happy New Year.

Monthly Update for December 2025! ☃️

Hi everyone! ☺️ Here’s the update for December for all Jersey City Public School students. To see the full calendar for this school year, click here.

December 23rd: Half Day (12:45 Dismissal)

December 24th – January 2nd: Winter Break (9 days)

  • Marking Period 2 ends January 28th! Students can check their grades and schedule on Infinite Campus. For any parents that want to see a step by step guide on how to view your child’s grades on the Infinite Campus website, click here.
  • For anyone wondering about Jersey City Public School Attendance Policy, click here.

For families whose children play winter season sports, you can access the stats and schedule on the nj.com website. 🏒 🏀

Infinity and McNair Applications for Fall 2026 Entrance Now Available

The application process for McNair Academic and Infinity High School is now open to 8th and 9th-grade students seeking admission! The application process is only open to students residing in Jersey City. Online applications can be accessed here. Applications opened on November 26, 2025 and completed applications must be submitted by Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at 11:59 pm. Note that a PSAT score is still a required part of the application. You can view our posts on McNair and Infinity to see how PSAT scores affect how applications are evaluated.

As of now, Infinity and McNair High School’s plan is to begin sending out acceptance letters in late February.

How to Prep for College Before Senior Year

How to Prep for College Before Senior Year

Hi everyone! 😊 Here are four steps to take before the end of junior year to prep for the college application process. It’s never too early to start doing these things so I recommend that freshmen and sophomores also read this! ☀️

Your junior year summer will likely be filled with SAT prep and narrowing down the list of prospective colleges. Thinking ahead now will lighten your load later, and your future self will be grateful you did.

  • Start early with SAT prep. Starting SAT prep during junior year gives you the flexibility to study at a steady pace rather than cramming the summer before senior year and during the first marking period. It also helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses. By starting early, you’ll have more time to focus on improving the sections that need the most work, increasing your chances of a higher overall score.
  • Explore your career interests. During your junior year, try exploring careers to discover what interests you. It could be through a part-time job, volunteering, job shadowing, and more. If you enjoy the work, consider joining a related club at your school to keep building on that interest. The earlier you start volunteering or interning, the more time you have to grow in the role—and possibly take on leadership (eventually becoming a club leader, for example), which looks great on college applications.
  • Start exploring prospective colleges. Begin building a list of colleges you might be interested in during your junior year. The summer after junior year is a great time to attend a few college campus tours or virtual info sessions. Niche is a helpful tool to organize and compare the colleges that interest you.
  • Get serious about volunteer hours. As of 2025, students at Jersey City Public High Schools must complete 25 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. Note that this threshold can change from year to year. Students are responsible for tracking their own hours (it can be during the school years and / or the summers), which includes obtaining a letter that lists the hours completed from the organization you volunteered with. I recommend following Jersey Cares if you are looking for volunteer opportunities, and specifically seeking opportunities that align with your interests. The Jersey Cares website features a Volunteer Opportunity Calendar, which can be filtered by location to reveal hundreds of ongoing events near you. Ideally, there should be a theme—for example, if you are in healthcare, you might volunteer at Jersey City Medical Center.

Feel free to comment or email us directly if you have further questions! 😊

County Prep & High Tech Application Now Open (Fall 2025)

Applications for High Tech High School opened on Sunday, October 5, 2025 and close on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM. High Tech High School and County Prep High School share a single, joint online application as they are both part of the Hudson County Schools of Technology system. Click here to apply!

High school application results are typically returned in the spring, usually in late winter or early spring. Please comment or send an email if you have any questions for us! ☺️

Separately, McNair and Infinity applications will open soon! I’ll also post information for the two schools when the applications open (they will likely open the week of November 24th).

Jersey City Schools Enforce Districtwide Classroom Cell Phone Ban

The New Jersey Department of Education is aiming to create an “unplugged” classroom setting starting this school year. Many other districts and states are in the process of adopting stricter in-school device policies to reduce distractions.

What the Policy Says

  • The Jersey City Board of Education unanimously passed the ban on personal communication devices on September 18, 2025, to take effect October 1, 2025.
  • This includes smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets. This rule might extent to personal laptops, which means students would start using school-issued chromebooks only in classes (I will update this page if so!)
  • Under the new policy, students must have their phones in backpacks, lockers, or in the pouches provided by the school during class time.
  • Use of devices is allowed during noninstructional times, such as in the hallways and at lunch.
  • There are exemptions for students with an IEP (Individualized Education Plan), IHP (Individualized Health Plan), or under Section 504 accommodations.
  • Repeated violations may require students to turn over their device each morning (this just depends on your school)

Potential Benefits

  • Reduced distractions
  • Improved focus and engagement in classrooms
  • Better social interaction among students
  • Supports policy alignment — consistency across all 39 public schools in the district.

This is definitely a big change! For any students who are bummed about it, it might be helpful to know that even the presence of your phone reduces memory recall. A study with undergraduates found that those who had their smartphone nearby (even if turned off) had poorer recall accuracy on memory tasks compared to those without their phones. So, this policy might benefit you more than you’d think! 😊😊