During September 2021's regular board meeting, Newark City Schools honored 4 students, a staff member and a community member from Ben Franklin Elementary with Wildcat Spotlights. Congratulations to students Jackson Batten, Khloe Britton, Teagan McClain and Ayvah Strawser; also teacher Renee French and community member Loretta Buchanan. The Board will honor Wildcat Spotlights from different schools each month during the school year.

The online back-to-school forms for the 2021-22 school year are now available for families to fill out. Please visit bit.ly/ncsregistration to find the online forms. The username is your student's school ID (or lunch) number; the password is your student's birthdate in MMDDYY format. If you do not know the school ID number, please contact your child's school.

It's almost August, and the first day of school for the 2021-22 school year is quickly approaching. The first day of school is set for Thurs., Aug. 19 for grades 1-5, 6 and 9. The rest of middle and high school will begin on Fri., Aug. 20. Kindergarten will have screening dates during the first three days of school, followed by a phase-in during the next three days.