Casino Night & Silent Auction

Saturday, November 8th, 7:00 p.m.

Senior High School

Enjoy an exciting evening with casino tables and professional dealers for all skill levels, live music from a fantastic band, and delicious food catered by the Chesapeake Inn. Don't miss this unforgettable night of fun and fundraising - mark your calendar now!

CADY Photography will be here on Wednesday, October 8 from 9:00am-12:00pm for absentee/retake picture day.

If you preordered photos, the retake photo will be used in place of the original and a full order (exactly replacing original order) will be shipped to families at no cost.

If you did not purchase a package on or prior to underclass picture day on September 10, you can log in at CADY  to view and order your 2025-2026 school pictures today! 

Bring Change to Mind, along with PALC, FCA and Sean's House clubs are sponsoring a Mental Health Awareness event on Friday October 10th from 6-8:30pm (with prompt student pick up).  This event is for NCHS students only in grades 9-12.  

The event will include TONS of games and activities meant to bring our school community together and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.  Concession stands will be open, a Kona Ice truck will join us and our favorite service dog, Remi will hang out with students for the night!

Sean's House, Charlie Health and Newport Academy will also be on hand with student resources. 

Come out and help us Spike the Stigma!

Please look below for some important reminders about the upcoming PSAT for juniors to be held at NCS on Thursday, October 9.

No official sign-up is necessary since all juniors are automatically registered, and the exams are paid for by Newark Charter. This is a national testing date and Newark Charter does not have a choice over date selection.

As listed in the weekly bulletin for several weeks, this exam will be a digital exam per the state contract with the College Board.

REMINDER: 

What You Need to Know about the October 9th PSAT at Newark Charter

These items will be addressed during the students digital readiness check that will take place this week in their ELA classes.

All juniors will receive a digital copy of the PSAT Student Guide prior to the test date, which includes an introduction to the digital test as well as information on the National Merit Scholarship Program. All students completed a digital readiness check on their Chromebooks using the BlueBook testing app with their assigned log-in information. The BlueBook app contains full-length practice tests. We encourage all students to take a full-length practice test this weekend.

ATTIRE

Normal NCS uniform attire. Layers are encouraged in case your testing room is not your preferred climate.

ARRIVAL TIME

Juniors can use their usual modes of transportation.* The preferred arrival time for juniors on October 9th is by 7:20 am, and juniors must be in the building and at the doors of their testing location by 7:25 am at the very latest. 

*Please note, if your bus is often late by a significant amount of time (20-minutes or more), we encourage you to plan for being a car rider that day (if possible) to limit any likelihood of arrival after the exam has started. If buses are significantly delayed, testing coordinators will make adjustments.

TESTING LOCATION

Students will be broken into two large groups for testing. Students testing location was given to them during the digital readiness check. Students with College Board-approved accommodations should report to their assigned testing rooms. 

POST-EXAM PROCEDURES

When the exam room has completed testing, students will go to activity period before eating lunch. Students will also attend the last block of the day (B4). The large group testing should conclude by no later than 10:30 a.m. Students are not permitted to leave school at the end of testing. Should a student need to leave early for an appointment, family matter, please follow NCS’s procedure for an early dismissal.

Students testing College Board-approved extra-time accommodations should end no later than Noon. These students will eat second lunch.

REQUIREMENTS

Students will need to bring the following to the testing room:

Writing utensils: students will need writing utensils for their scratch paper.

PREPARATION

It’s essential to follow some basic advice about preparation for the PSAT. Please refer to the PSAT Student Guide and Presentation (+ BlueBook Practice Tests).

Rest and Nutrition

• Get at least eight hours of sleep before the exam.

• Eat breakfast before arriving at school on test day. See some nutrition suggestions here.

• You will likely spend nearly 3 hours in the testing room (or 6 hours if testing with extra time), so the energy from breakfast will not last the entire time.

Bring a substantial snack and drink for break time.

• The snack/drink can only be eaten during scheduled/announced breaks away from testing surfaces.

• No food or drink (including water bottles, travel containers, etc.) are allowed on a student’s table during the exam sections.

NO PENALTY FOR GUESSING

Students will not be "penalized" for incorrect answers. As a result, you should always pick an answer for all multiple-choice questions that you are unable to address properly due to time constraints.  

So if you're running out of time and there are several questions remaining on a

 multiple-choice section, try educated guesses via the process of elimination or, if time is completely running out, pick a letter and fill in those bubbles! For more refined strategies, view this article here which addresses the SAT, but the same logic essentially applies to the PSAT.

This Year’s Theme: Retro

Spirit Week: October 20-24

Spirit Week days are as follows: 

Monday: Patriot Day 

Tuesday:  Dress Your Age

Wednesday: Neon vs. Tie Dye

Thursday: Iconic Comic/Game Characters

Friday: Color Wars - Pep Rally!!

Please remember that all students should dress in SCHOOL-APPROPRIATE attire and should NOT insult anyone or wear anything that is culturally offensive or overly revealing. 

Click here  for directions on how to dress for each day. 

Homecoming Hangout (Thursday Oct. 23rd)

For those of you not familiar, this is an event that the Freshman Class hosts and includes games, activities and food. All students are welcome. This year, the event will take place on Thursday, October 23rd immediately after school from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM on the new practice field. 

Homecoming Dance (Saturday Oct. 25th)

It’s that time of year again! Newark Charter’s Senior High Homecoming will be October 25th, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM in the high school cafetorium. 

The dance is held indoors, with an outdoor option outside of the cafeteria. For the safety of all students, students will not be permitted to leave and re-enter the dance. No food will be sold at the dance, but water bottles will be available for purchase. 

Guests

Students from other schools are allowed to attend, but guest forms must be completed and submitted back to the office by Friday, October 17th. Students must provide photo identification for their guest (driver's license or student ID), and the form must be signed by administration BEFORE buying a ticket for the guest. Guest forms can be picked up from the main office or from Mrs. Bart in room 246 starting October 3rd. Students must ensure all parts of the form are filled out completely before submitting to the office. 

Remember: forms must be approved by Mr. Bastianelli BEFORE October 17th and BEFORE the guest ticket is purchased or the guest cannot attend.

NOTE: This is one week BEFORE the HOCO dance! DO NOT wait until the last minute!

Dance Ticket Sales

Tickets will be sold online and are $25 per person. Tickets are non-refundable if you do not attend and space is limited for this dance.

Online sales will take place from Monday, October 6th to Friday, October 17th. Online ordering can be found by clicking the Online Ordering link under Parents on the NCS web page or click here to access the online ordering page. 

If there are still tickets remaining after the online portal closes, in-person ticket sales will take place at both lunches October 20th and 21st with a final in-person sale date of October 21st. No tickets will be sold after that date! 

In short, buy your ticket early as we cannot guarantee that all students will get a ticket.

Attire and Personal Items

The attire for the dance is semi-formal. Shoes are required throughout the entire dance, so plan accordingly and bring flat soled shoes if desired. 

Coats, purses, back packs and other large items will not be allowed inside the dance. Personal belongings will be checked in at a coat check room during the dance where students can pick them out on their way out.

Homecoming Court 

This year there will be a homecoming court for each grade. Only pairs of people may sign up, no individuals will be allowed. (The pairs need not be couples, they can just be friends!) Both members of the pair must complete and sign the homecoming court form below.

 HOCO Court Form  

Students are NOT permitted to sign other people up without their permission. You must use your school email to sign up and emails will be recorded.

All nominees will be acknowledged at the Pep Rally during Spirit Week. At the Homecoming Dance, each grade will have one pair chosen as the official Homecoming Court for their grade. Seniors will be recognized as Homecoming Royalty. 

The Sign Up Ballot will close October 17th.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Bartkowski (stacy.bartkowski@ncs.k12.de.us) or Ms. Hingston (heather.hingston@ncs.k12.de.us)

Remember to check the STUCO Webpage  for more details: 

Attention Parents of High School Juniors

We are excited to announce that Jostens will be at our school on Tuesday, October 28 to meet with the junior class for a special presentation.

During this presentation, students will learn about class rings—a time-honored tradition that represents achievement, school pride, and lasting memories of high school. Class rings have been a meaningful symbol for generations, and this is a wonderful opportunity for your student to begin thinking about how they would like to celebrate their journey and accomplishments.

Please be on the lookout for important information your student will bring home after the presentation. We encourage you to talk with them about the significance of class rings and what this tradition could mean for them personally.

Thank you for supporting your student in making the most of this milestone year!

Parent/Teacher Conferences will take place on Thursday, October 30. The majority of the parent conferences will be scheduled through Mrs. Wolfe.

Parents of 10th-12th grade students who are not scheduled for a conference are able to stop into teacher's classrooms from 7:00-8:00 p.m. For an informal meeting. 

An Unforgettable Night of Mind-Blowing Entertainment Awaits! 

Get ready to have your thoughts read, your reality twisted, and your jaw on the floor as Judge Mentalist and Bernardo Rodriguez bring you:

Between 2 Minds 

A thrilling fusion of mind reading, comedy, and hypnosis that will leave you amazed, laughing, and wondering “How did they do that?!”

Friday, December 12 | 7:00 PM |Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center

This high-energy, interactive show isn’t just entertainment — it’s an experience you’ll talk about long after the final curtain falls. Best of all, the night supports a great cause: Proceeds benefit the International Thespian Society and the Performing Arts Department, supporting the next generation of young performers take center stage.

Seats will disappear fast — grab yours now and be part of the magic! Between 2 Minds — where comedy meets the impossible.

Get ready for drama, intrigue, and a fresh twist on a classic!

Newark Charter Senior High School is proud to present a modern retelling of Hamlet — a bold, reimagined version of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. Don’t miss this unforgettable performance brought to life by our talented cast and crew!

Show Dates:

October 16th - 7pm

 October 17th - 7pm

 October 18th - 7pm

 October 19th - 2pm

All shows will take place at the Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center at Newark Charter Senior High School (200 McIntire Drive, Newark, DE).

 Tickets are on sale NOW!

Grab yours before they’re gone!

Purchase your tickets via our website:

Hamlet Ticket Link  

Please research the show prior to purchasing your tickets to determine whether or not this show is appropriate for your child.

Attention all actors and actresses and musicians alike!  We are thrilled to announce auditions for the 2026 High School Production of The Drowsy Chaperone! Our production of The Drowsy Chaperone will take place on January 30th, 31st, February 1st, 6th, and 7th, 2026.  

Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving send-up of the Golden Age musical, featuring one show-stopping song and dance number after another. With the houselights down, a man in a chair appears on stage and puts on his favorite record: the cast recording of a fictitious 1928 musical. The recording comes to life, and The Drowsy Chaperone begins as the man in the chair looks on. Mix in two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theatre producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan and an intoxicated chaperone, and you have the ingredients for an evening of madcap delight. The Drowsy Chaperone is a masterful meta-musical, poking fun at all the tropes that characterize the musical theatre genre. With its many featured roles and hilarious script, it was hailed by New York Magazine as "The Perfect Broadway Musical."  

We will be holding auditions on Wednesday, October 29th from 2:45pm-5:00pm and Saturday, November 1st from 3:00pm - 6:00pm for all students interested in auditioning. 

Students in grades 9 - 12 who would like to audition must come prepared to sing 24-32 bars of a Broadway style song. You need to provide a karaoke track or sheet music accompaniment for your audition. You will also need to prepare a short, choreographed dance video following instructions that will be posted on Schoology.  

More information will be available on our Schoology page.  Please sign up for a time and complete the audition form (including your dance video) by Monday, October 27th.  The sign-up and audition forms will be posted on the NCHS Musical Schoology group (access code: SW8B-DNJD-C2P8P)

Parents and Guardians:

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable and incredibly important evening! On Monday, October 20 at 6:30 PM, join us in the Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center for a powerful presentation by Cara Filler, America's leading speaker on traffic safety and peer pressure.

As a nationally recognized youth advocate and dynamic storyteller, Cara brings humor, heart, and hard-hitting truths to the stage — empowering students and families alike to make smart, safe choices. Her message resonates deeply with teens, especially around the challenges they face on the road and with peers.

Why attend?

✔️ Gain insight into the pressures your teen faces

✔️ Learn tools to start meaningful conversations at home

✔️ Be inspired by a story that has changed thousands of lives

Don't miss this chance to experience one of the most impactful speakers in the country — and to help make a difference in the lives of our students.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday, October 20

6:30 PM

Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center

Let’s come together to support safe choices and bright futures.

Students and Parents/Guardians: Be sure to bookmark the Student Council (STUCO) website for information about all STUCO Activities such as Homecoming, Patriot Games, etc.

STUCO Website 

United Way of Delaware is proud to partner in sharing this opportunity, and Delaware 211 will follow up with applicants to connect them with related resources and no-cost Stand By Me financial coaching. Together, these supports with Energize Delaware help ensure families not only receive immediate energy relief but also have access to tools for long-term financial stability.

Help is now available for Delaware households struggling with energy bills. The Delmarva Power Customer Relief Fund (for Delmarva Power customers) offers up to $300 in one-time bill assistance for income-eligible families. Funds are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For non-Delmarva Power customers, Energize Delaware has established the Delaware Energy Fund providing up to $300 in one-time bill assistance for income-eligible families. 

To qualify, households must meet income guidelines and take part in a free Energize Delaware energy efficiency program like the Home Energy Checkup. This step ensures families not only receive financial relief but also save on future energy costs. Please share this information with friends, family, or neighbors who may benefit. Additional information may be found here: https://www.energizedelaware.org/delmarva-power-customer-relief-fund/

How to Schedule a Meeting with a Counselor

12th Graders (Seniors): 

Last Names A-K: Mrs. Halfen (College & School Counselor)**

Last Names L-Z: Mrs. Potter (College & School Counselor)**

Various: Mr. Mitchell (College Counselor)*

The above links (for seniors) are also listed in the "Resources" section of the Class of 2026 student Schoology Group.

**Remember that if you are submitting a drop/add request, you need to fill out the paper form in the main office instead of the links above.

*If you're scheduling a meeting with a college counselor, please schedule it with your assigned college counselor for senior year. If you don't remember who your college counselor is, please check your Naviance account!

9th-11th Graders: 

There are forms located in the main office for students to request a meeting with their assigned counselor.  We ask that students fill out the form and leave it in their counselor’s bin, and they will be scheduled as soon as possible. If it is an emergency, students should go to the main office, and a counselor will address the concern.

Grade 9:

Mrs. Huynh-ba - all students

Grade 10:

Mrs. O'Connor - last names A-K

Mrs. Huynh-ba - last names L-Z

Grade 11:

Mrs. O'Connor - all students

All Grades:                                 

Dr. Breanne Prisco - 504s, MTSS, and attendance contracts

Focus: Activities/Honors Sections & Supplemental Essays

Activities & Honors Sections: Paint Your Complete Portrait

Your application systems (e.g., Common App, Common Black App, etc.) have activities and honors sections that require strategic presentation to effectively communicate your impact and engagement. 

Essential Activities Section Guidelines (in Common App or other application systems):

• Use Print Preview to see exactly what admissions officers will view

• Don't feel constrained by text box labels—be strategic with your descriptions since headings don't appear in the final view

• Spell out all acronyms consistently

• Use consistent formatting conventions throughout (periods, semicolons, capitalization)

• Prioritize recent and most significant achievements

• Include specific details and quantifiable impact where possible

• Link to work products when relevant (use clear, professional titles)

• Use appropriate verb tenses: past tense for completed activities, present tense for ongoing, present tense with "-ing" for newly started

Quick Reference Guide: Consider our one-pager with common questions and advice (plus samples).

Honors Section Strategy: Apply the same principles as activities, with additional considerations for impact presentation. Be genuine and strategic in your presentation.

Additional Résumé Upload Decision: Generally, the answer is NO. The Common Application's built-in sections are designed to capture your complete profile effectively. Only upload an additional résumé if you have truly exceptional circumstances that cannot be captured otherwise. Exception: UT Austin strongly prefers a résumé upload (along with PSU's BS/MD Program [and there may be other exceptions]).

Supplemental Essays: Specificity, Detail, and Reflection Win

Thoughtful Supplemental Essay Strategy:

• Identify ALL supplemental questions early—don't underestimate the time investment required

• Compile questions from all colleges to see the full scope of your writing workload

• Research each college thoroughly for "Why Us" questions: investigate academic departments, unique programs, strategic plans, and specific opportunities

• Avoid copy-and-paste approaches—each essay must be genuinely specific to that institution

• Remember: many colleges weight supplemental essays MORE heavily than your main Common Application essay

Research Process for "Why Us" Essays: Look beyond surface-level information to find specific academic centers, faculty research, strategic initiatives, and unique curricular aspects that genuinely connect to your interests and goals.

Overall Portrait Consideration: Ensure all your written pieces (Common App essay, supplemental essays, short answers, activities descriptions) work together coherently. Avoid redundancy and disparate voices—create a unified narrative that authentically represents you.

Helpful Resources:

• Supplemental Essay Compilation Template: https://tinyurl.com/NCSessays

• Activities/Honors verb suggestions: Tinyurl.com/verbs4apps

• College Essay Guy's activities list guidance

• College Essay Advisors and CollegeVine for supplemental essay approaches/contexts of understanding

Critical Reminders from Earlier Launch Week Sessions

Naviance Deadline Management - Verify Immediately

Ensure all your college deadlines in Naviance are accurate with correct dates from official college websites. This is the ONLY way counselors and teachers can send transcripts and recommendation letters. Remember our one-month advance notice requirement for all deadline changes.

Remember: Applications and supporting documents (transcripts, recommendations) are processed separately by colleges. You don't need to wait for recommendation letters before submitting applications.

Test Score Strategy Reminders - Ideally Finalize Decisions by Sunday, September 28th and if uncertain, check with college counselors during upcoming activity period(s) this week, if necessary!

If you haven't completed your test score research and decision-making for each college, this must be finalized immediately. Remember:

• Research each college's specific policies (required vs. test-optional)

• Verify policies using college websites and https://www.compassprep.com/college-profiles/

• Determine HOW each college wants to receive scores (official sending vs. self-reporting vs. portal upload)

• Use the score management template: tinyurl.com/ManageScoresNCS

• Send official scores well before application deadlines—processing takes over a week

Thank you for reading and accessing these resources. Please note that you can also view previous full detail action item emails sent during Launch Week below in this same thread.

Note: Every student may be at a different level of comfort regarding their place in this process of applying to college and setting off on careers, and that is completely okay and expected. This is why we host sessions like Launch Week and why college/career counselors are here to assist during this coming week's open activity period sessions, future group sessions, and ongoing individual meetings throughout the year. Whether students are uncertain about college lists, careers, military options, application system/submissions, test score reporting/sending decisions, financial aid (including scholarships), Naviance, STAR, or Common App questions, we're here for the class of 2026!

 Sample of SAT Test Preparation Options Beyond Bluebook Practice Tests & Khan Academy* (This list is not exhaustive)

Please note that test preparation is not a requirement; however, SAT preparation is critical to maximizing score potential.

· Diana Freccia SAT/PSAT Tutoring 

Call: (516) 457-7470

Email: diana@makeitrealsat.com

· Kim Calvetti

Email: alemab8@verizon.net

Cell: 302-383-5871 (please text or email instead of calling)

· Huntington Learning Center – Newark (can specialize in SAT/ACT tutoring but also with any content-specific or time management and study strategy tutoring as well)

   Call: (302) 737-1050

Other sample options include: Mind the Test, Y2 Academy

*A Note on Khan Academy (free and valuable)

Several years ago, the College Board joined forces with Khan Academy (online learning platform) to offer free SAT prep via online videos and practice tests/quizzes that students can access from any device with internet connectivity.

Some students take full advantage of this opportunity and see significant growth with disciplined habits on Khan Academy, but because tutoring or tailored in-person SAT prep class sessions (and completion of corresponding assigned homework) are considered the best possible test preparation options for the SAT—and to keep students accountable and attentive throughout the duration of test prep—we consider the Khan Academy resources as the “minimum” preparation and have listed some other optional fee-based test prep options above.  Khan Academy quizzes/tests can also be helpful supplements to these optional test prep programs.

Linking Bluebook SAT Practice Tests with Khan Academy

Steps to Link Your Practice Tests:

1. Take a Full-Length Practice Test in Bluebook:

- Download and install the Bluebook app from the College Board (or it’s already installed on all NCS-issued Chromebooks).

- Sign in and navigate to the 'Practice and Prepare' section.

- Select and complete a full-length digital SAT practice test.

2. Access Your Scores and Review:

- After completing the test, log in to My Practice (https://mypractice.collegeboard.org) using the same credentials.

- View your scores and detailed breakdowns of your performance.

3. Link to Khan Academy for Targeted Practice:

- From your score report or the 'Score Details' page, click the 'Practice on Khan Academy' button.

- This will direct you to a customized course on Khan Academy, providing detailed explanations for each question and linking to lessons that cover the necessary skills.

- Visit https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/practice/khan-academy for more information.

Parents/Guardians of 9th Grade Students

If you haven't sent in a recent health physical (done within the past two years) or updated immunizations (that includes a tetanus booster and one dose of meningococcal vaccine), now is the time to do so as this is still a requirement for 9th grade.  Thank you to all the parents/guardians and students who have already submitted their information!

Asthma, Allergy, or any Medical Action plans: 

If your student has asthma or a life-threatening allergy or a medical concern that requires an action plan, please don't forget to get an action plan completed for this school year. You can find the forms for asthma or a life-threatening allergy on our NCS Website .

Medical plans for diagnoses such as seizures or diabetes or recurrent/ongoing migraine headaches (just to name a few possible diagnoses), please contact us and we will provide a form for you. If you want your child to be able to carry their inhaler or epinephrine pen please make sure we have written permission from you to allow them to do so. Thank you for all who have done this already!

Students may not carry any medication in their bookbags or keep in their lockers except for rescue inhalers or epinephrine pens or insulin and only if there is a medical plan in place with the school nurse. 

If you have any health or medical questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our high school nurses: Karen Pennington RN and Erin Porter RN at NCSHighSchoolNurses@ncs.k12.de.us