*AP Exams - May 11-15
5/11 - Athletic Boosters Meeting 6:30pm Senior High Professional Learning Center
5/11 - Senior High Steel Drum & Jazz Band Concert 7:00pm Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center
5/15 - Last Senior Day / Senior Sunset 7:00pm Gore Stadium (Seniors only)
5/18 - Class of 2026 Graduation 6:00pm Bob Carpenter Center
5/18 - DeSSA Testing
5/19 - DeSSA Testing
5/19 - Board of Directors Meeting 7:00pm Senior High Professional Learning Center
5/20 - Piano Recital 6:30pm Senior High Room 440
5/22 - Schools and Offices Closed
5/23 - Delaware Interscholastic Cycling "Try It" Event
5/25 - Schools and Offices Closed
5/27 - Engineering Shark Tank Presentations 6:00pm Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center
5/29 - Finals Begin Grades 9-11
5/29 - Spirit Day
If your child is not returning to Newark Charter School for the 2026-2027 school year, please send an email to NCSHSOffice@ncs.k12.de.us. Thank you.
Attention Families of Seniors
All seniors must turn in all school issued materials and pay all fees by Friday, May 15. This includes: Lunch Works balances, Chromebooks and chargers, textbooks, library books, athletic uniform/equipment, etc.
Also, please make sure that your senior has filled out the graduation survey and the graduation fee has been paid by May 15.
As a reminder, students with unmet obligations will not receive their graduation tickets until all obligations are cleared.
This year our finals schedule has changed. This new schedule will allow students to take their finals in their classrooms with their teacher. In order to be able to accomplish this, we need to make a few adjustments to the schedules for Friday, May 29th and Monday, June 1st.
Friday, May 29th and Monday, June 1st:
Students will take Finals in the first two blocks of the day. They will follow their regular scheduled classes, but the times are adjusted slightly to make enough time for the tests.
After the finals, the students will go to 3rd block/lunch and follow the regular schedule
for the rest of the day.
If students do not have a final in block 1 or 2 of that day, the student should still report to school and will attend their scheduled classes. What they do in class that day will be determined by the teacher.
Attendance is required for both of these full days of school.
Tuesday, June 2nd and Wednesday, June 3rd:
Students will take 2 exams and then be dismissed at 10:50 am.
If a student does not have an exam for one of the blocks, they do not need to attend.
If they do attend due to ride restrictions, they will be sent to the cafeteria.
Thursday, June 4th:
Students will only attend if they have missed a final and need to make it up.
If your student qualifies for extended time and weas unable to finish a test during the other days, they will be informed that they need to attend on Thursday.
The Senior High faculty and staff would like to thank our families for our Roots lunch! We truly appreciate the generosity of our community!
We would also like to thank our amazing Student Council for making us feel so special this week!
What is a mountain bike "Try-It"? This free event is an opportunity for students (middle and high school) to discover mountain biking through fun games and activities led by licensed mountain bike coaches and Delaware Interscholastic Cycling League staff. No mountain biking experience is required.
The Delaware Interscholastic Cycling League is offering a "Try It" event, hosted by NCS, at Paper Mill Park on May 23rd (9:00-10:00). Any 7th-12th Grade student is welcome to joing Mr. Mester and the NCS students to experience what the program has to offer. Newark Charter School will start a team in the 2026-2027 school year.
AP Exams continue the week of Monday, May 11, 2026. Please see below for important information regarding the exams.
Arrival Times: Morning exams always have an arrival time of 7:25 am (at the testing room). "Afternoon" exams can have varying arrival times. The arrival times vary for good reason!
Accommodations Room Location - Main Office: Students testing with College Board accommodations (e.g., extra time, small group, etc.) should report to the main office for testing, instead of the room location listed on the full schedule.
Accommodations Approx. End Times: The approximate end times listed on the schedule do not apply for students testing with accommodations. If a student is testing with extra time and uses that time, their approximate end time will vary from the end of exam time up to 2 additional hours.
Dress Code: Students are required to be in school uniform.
Early Dismissal/Late Arrival: Students may leave school early after a morning exam or arrive late to school for an "afternoon" exam Students' parents must complete this digital form for students to be able to leave early/arrive late The permission slip is linked below.
Please use the link below to RSVP
Please use the link below to RSVP
All students currently taking Biology and all Juniors will be taking the DeSSA test during their scheduled Biology or U.S. History class on Monday, May 18 or Tuesday, May 19. Students should be well rested and have a good breakfast the day of testing. Students should make sure their Chromebook is fully charged.
Attention Juniors, Sophomore, and Freshmen:
The last day for you to check out material from the library is Friday, May 15th.
ALL library materials are due back by Friday, May 29th.
If you have any questions, please speak to Mr. Mills in the library ASAP.
Please join us on Wednesday, May 27th, from 6 PM to 8:30 PM in the Performing Arts Center for our Engineering Exhibition Presentations!
For the first time, we are opening this event up to the public to celebrate the efforts of the third-year engineering students, who will all be presenting the problems and solutions they developed for their yearlong, capstone engineering projects.
Please consider bringing family and friends, as our students present to a team of local engineering professionals and professors. The engineering students have chosen 6 teams amongst themselves for special recognition, and to receive direct questions and feedback from our "sharks".
Programs will be provided on site, and we hope to see you there!
The International Thespian Society proudly presents THE SECRET GARDEN!
Newark Charter ITS students are proud to present The Secret Garden! This beloved classic will take the stage at the Otello Meucci Performing Arts Center on May 29 at 7:00 PM, and May 30 at 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, and 7:00 PM. Seating is very limited—secure your tickets today before they sell out!
Tickets can be purchased online via our website: https://sites.google.com/ncs.charter.k12.de.us/theatreatncs
Spirit Day - Friday, May 29
Students may wear any top that is affiliated with NCS or a club activity that is connected with NCS. Tops must be Newark Charter School affiliated, so plain red, white, & blue tops are not acceptable.
Students are welcome to wear any bottoms that are appropriate for school. This includes jeans, athletic wear, shorts etc.
The following are not included and cannot be worn: pajama pants (including NCS pajama pants), leggings/spandex shorts, or any ripped jeans/pants.
Students are permitted to wear athletic shoes and other shoe types on dress down days. They are not permitted to wear the following: flip flops or slippers.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated annually in the United States throughout May to recognize the history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Please check out the following video to learn more.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
We are so excited to release the April-May issue of the Patriot Press, our school's student-run newspaper. We post opinion pieces, keep you updated on Newark Charter News, and give you all the insights in what's happening around the school.
Check out our website to read the latest issue with editorials on the The Theatre Department, the Mystery of Eels, pieces on the Sophomore Fieldtrip and Alysa Liu's Olympic Gold Metal!
Seniors and Parents/Guardians of Seniors:
Please remember to pick up any medications that are at the health office by Friday, May 15th. Any medication that is a controlled substance must be picked up by a parent or guardian. Any medications not picked up by the end of the school year will be discarded.
Medication Pick Up for the End of School Year - Grades 9-11:
All medications are to be picked up by June 3rd from the health office. Any medication that is a controlled substance must be picked up by a parent or guardian. Any medications not picked up by the end of the school year will be discarded.
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
Food that's in...when school is out!
The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides healthy meals and snacks to children when school is not in session.
The SFSP is a federally funded program operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is managed locally by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The goal of the SFSP is to ensure that children receive the nutrition they need to continue to grow, learn and play throughout the summer months!
If you are interested in finding an open feeding site in your area:
~ Call 211
~ Call 1-866-348-6479 or 1-877-842-6273 (for Spanish speakers)
~ Visit this website for locations
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender
One of our longtime uniform vendors, RUSH Uniforms, has changed ownership. The company is now Cramers Uniforms.
What’s staying the same
• 101 Harrison Ave, New Castle
• Friendly, familiar staff
• Open all year in Delaware — uniforms always available
What’s new
• Lower prices — most items 10–15% less thanks to Cramer’s buying power
• New website with easy online ordering
• In-store pickup or home delivery options
• More inventory on hand and faster restocking
If you or your Patriot is in need of NCS Spirit Wear, we have an online store open all year that ships directly to your home. The weather is getting cooler, and it might be a good time to pick up a new NCS hoodie.
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.
Juniors:
The links above are also housed in the Class of 2027 School Group under Resources
Juniors:
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
Seniors applying to colleges, have you completed the FAFSA with a parent/guardian yet? The clock is ticking, and you are now approaching the point of being "late" in this process, which could jeopardize your opportunity to receive maximum financial support to help pay for college. Please note that even families with incomes exceeding $200,000 per year can still qualify for financial aid at many institutions, provided they complete the FAFSA.
FAFSA Action Encouraged + Additional Financial Aid Tasks
Gather required documentation if not already prepared; check the following link for more information about FAFSA and the college financial aid process.
Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) now (use 2026-27 version, NOT 2025-26)
Who fills out the FAFSA? The student (with direct parental/guardian assistance) and then a parent (or, in rare cases, two parents) electronically "signs" the form, along with the student's "signature." If there is any uncertainty, for assistance with deciding which parent should assist the student with completion, please consult this chart and consider using this "wizard" from the federal government.
Research CSS Profile requirements for your specific colleges and complete the Profile (if applicable) - the CSS Profile App went live October 1st
Check for additional institutional forms that individual colleges may require (e.g., tax returns, supplemental forms, etc.)
Virtual FAFSA Completion Assistance Opportunities
via financial aid specialists from Stand By Me
These optional sessions listed below are not required to complete the FAFSA, but feel free to consider signing up for an individual completion appointment if it can help you!
Link to Schedule FAFSA Completion Session (virtual) Sign up (in English)
Link to Schedule FAFSA Completion Session (virtual) Sign up (in Spanish)
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.
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/
Military-Connected Youth refers to a student who has an immediate family member, including a parent, step-parent, sibling, or any other person residing within the child's housebold, who is on active duty, serving in the reserves, or is recently retired from a US Branch of the United States Armed Forces.
In being compliant with Delaware Admin Code 932.3.1 and 932.3.2, districts and charter schools shall include a military-connected identifier as part of its annual enrollment process.
If your child qualifies as a Military-Connected Youth, please contact the school and notify our administrative assistants in the office.
For more information on Military-Connected Youth, please visit the following links provided by the Delaware Department of Education