JAMES M. REINA, SUPERINTENDENT

GREATER EGG HARBOR REGIONAL FAMILY UPDATES 2025/26
 NUMBER 2: JANUARY 30, 2026

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Hello Greater Egg Families!

As we continue through the 2025/26 school year, we wanted to share some important updates regarding our district operations, student services, and upcoming deadlines.

Please be advised that school will now be in session on March 16 and May 22 (previously identified as RESERVE DAYS on our SCHOOL CALENDAR. March 16 will be a “D” day, May 22 will be an “A” day; the day missed is duplicated on the RESERVE day for scheduling purposes. As some have asked, please be aware that remote learning is not an option for public schools on weather cancellation days. Current NJ Law (since Covid) prohibits us from using remote instruction for this purpose.

Additionally, the calendar for the 2026/27 school year is now available for your planning purposes. Please note that because of when the Labor Day Holiday falls, students will be reporting to school PRIOR to that weekend. 

Our Guidance department is currently working with students on course selections for the 2026/27 year. The Curriculum Guide can be found HERE. Timelines for those meeting are:

Juniors are currently finishing their selections.  

Freshman and Sophomores will undergo this process throughout the month of February, and into early March.

We encourage you to speak with your student about both their goals for the remainder of their high school careers and their desires or goals for their time after high school. Some important points to look at / discuss include dual enrollment courses, which can save both time and money in college, career or vocational courses that can prepare for entrance into the work force in a desired area, and even how to build your schedule now to create the opportunity for a shortened (half) day their Senior year (to work, take classes at a local college, or even assist with care for a family member.  

Monies Owed: Please ensure all outstanding obligations / balances are paid. Common items creating a charge include such things as technology fees, athletics (e.g. lost uniforms), and food / lunch balances. Failure to settle balances can impact a student’s ability to attend functions such as Proms or Senior trips, and may restrict the distribution of Diplomas on Graduation night. To check balances, please utilize the Genesis Parent Portal to your students account, where you can also make online / digital payments. Should you wish to discuss special circumstances, please contact your school's Principal or your child’s Guidance Counselor.

If Lunch Balances are a concern, we highly encourage families to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch Application; though qualification is not guaranteed, some are surprised to learn they qualify. Utilization of this program can not only eliminate continued food expenses, but also provide opportunities for reduced / eliminated dual enrollment tuition fees, reduced fees for some standardized testing, such as SAT, and qualification for college scholarships.  

Support Services: Each one of our buildings maintains a Care Closet that can provide a wide range of items for students in need, from daily toiletries and hygiene products to clothes. For those that can provide assistance, our Care Closets are always accepting donations; please contact your building Principal or Guidance Counselor to inquire about donating…and THANK YOU.

Maintaining good attendance is vital to student success. We understand illness happens, sometimes a “mental health day” is needed, family commitments are priorities, and things such as college visits are needed; to that end, the District has clearly laid out our Attendance expectations, consequences, and processes (such as excused vs unexcused absences) on pages 10-13 of our Student-Parent Handbook. The first step for students who have missed time and are concerned they are falling behind or struggling academically is to visit their teacher during their ZeroPeriod hours (2 out of every 4 days, each teacher is available specifically for help / make-up). Students who have accrued excessive missed class-time risk being denied “credit” for the class, regardless of their grade. In this case, students may be required to file an Attendance Appeal and “make up” time. Utilization of ZeroPeriod to work with teachers throughout the year (make sure your students sign-in through Turnstile) in those classes will positively impact decisions made related to missed time. 

Google Classroom stands as the classroom management system for all courses; students can track assignments and grades there (they have been provided ALL codes by their teachers). Families should discuss assignments that may be missing or incomplete in Google Classroom if there are grease concerns.

Smart-Glasses - A growing number of students have begun to utilize “smart-glasses”, some with prescription lenses and some without. Families must understand these will be treated as a smart-device, such as a smart-phones. Specifically, they will not be permitted to be used during any assessments (unless the teacher has specified students can use their devices), and may be restricted during assignments/tasks. This approach is in line with national organizations, such as College Board, who have banned the devices during tests such as the PSAT and SAT, and many colleges and universities. If you have specific questions, please contact your Building Principal. 

Our Principals will be providing you with more updates in early March (as we enter the third Tri-Mester), and look to warmer temps and longer days to take us through the end of the school year.

Thank you for your continued partnership in your student's education. If you have any questions regarding these updates, please contact me, your school's Main Office, or Guidance Department.  

Always stay connected and up to date by downloading our Greater Egg Harbor Regional App. 

School Contact Information

GREATER EGG HARBOR REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

1824 Dr. Dennis Foreman Drive, Mays Landing, NJ 08330-2206
609-625-1456 • Fax 609-625-0045 • www.gehrhsd.net