Dr. MLK Jr.Middle School

Dear MLK Families,

It is with great excitement that we welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School! We are thrilled to welcome our new students and families to our school community, as well as our returning students and families.

Since MLK's establishment, we have experienced continued growth and improvement each year, and we are confident that this tradition will continue this school year. Our commitment is simple: we will care for your children as if they were our own while challenging them to succeed academically, grow socially, and become confident, responsible young people.

At MLK, we believe that students are most successful when they know that the adults around them believe in them. Our staff will work every day to create a school environment where students feel safe, supported, challenged, and valued. We will celebrate their successes while also holding them accountable to high expectations.

As required by New Jersey state law, students are not permitted to have cell phones out or in use during the school day.

Each morning, students will place their cell phones into a Yondr pouch, which they will keep with them for the duration of the school day. Students will not have access to their phones during the instructional day. At dismissal, students will unlock their pouches and retrieve their phones.

We appreciate your support in reinforcing this expectation at home. Our goal is to ensure that students are focused on learning, building relationships, and being fully present in school.

Students are required to use clear backpacks. The school will provide a clear backpack to each student. Families may also choose to provide their own clear backpack as long as it meets our school requirements.

Every student will receive one school binder. Students will use this binder throughout the year to organize and maintain their classwork, notes, and important materials.

We will continue to follow the AVID process, with a strong emphasis on organization and high-quality note-taking. Students will be taught how to take meaningful notes, organize their learning, and use their notes as a resource for studying and academic success.

These organizational habits are important skills that will benefit students well beyond middle school.

The school will provide students with many of the materials they need to be successful. Families who would like to purchase additional supplies for their children may consider the following:

• 3-hole loose-leaf paper
• Pencils
• Pens
• Sticky notes
• Assorted-color highlighters

These supplies will help students stay organized and support the AVID strategies and note-taking skills that will be emphasized throughout the school year.

Please be on the lookout for important school information arriving in the mail next week. Student schedules and additional information to help families prepare for the upcoming school year will be included. We encourage all families to review the information carefully and reach out to the school with any questions.

Please mark your calendars for our upcoming Student and Parent Orientation for all incoming 7th graders and new 8th graders.

Wednesday, August 26

5:00 PM – Spanish Presentation

6:00 PM – English Presentation

School tours will follow each presentation.

This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet members of our staff, learn more about MLK, review important expectations, and become familiar with our school.

We are incredibly excited about the year ahead and cannot wait to welcome our students back into the building. Together, we will continue building on the progress MLK has made each year and make 2026–2027 our best year yet!

Thank you for trusting us with your children. We are honored to be part of their journey and look forward to partnering with you throughout the school year.

Welcome to MLK! We are ready for an incredible year!

Sincerely,

Mr. Farnath
Principal
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Ms. Gamboa
Vice-Principal
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School