We are pleased to share information about the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at Lincoln Middle School. NJHS is a nationally recognized organization that recognizes students who demonstrate excellence not only in academics, but also in service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Membership is an honor and a responsibility. Students selected for NJHS are expected to maintain high academic standards while demonstrating a commitment to helping others, contributing to their school and community, and serving as positive role models.
NJHS Five Pillars
Scholarship – Maintaining a cumulative average of 90% or above in all subjects.
Service – Completing at least 10 hours of meaningful community service.
Leadership – Demonstrating responsibility, initiative, and the ability to positively contribute to school or community activities.
Character – Consistently demonstrating respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, and good judgment.
Citizenship – Actively participating in and contributing positively to the school and community.
Application Requirements
Students interested in applying should be prepared to provide:
A completed NJHS application
An application essay
Teacher input forms
Documentation of community service hours
A letter of recommendation
A disciplinary record that meets NJHS expectations
Evidence of maintaining a 90 or higher in all subjects
Students and families should carefully review all requirements and deadlines when beginning the application process.
Informational Meeting for Students
The first NJHS informational meeting will be held: Wednesday, October 7
Students will receive information about the application process, eligibility requirements, expectations, and important deadlines.
What Does NJHS Involvement Look Like?
NJHS members participate in meaningful service and leadership opportunities throughout the school year. Projects may include activities that support our school, such as improving the school library, organizing service projects, and contributing to community initiatives.
Membership is more than academic recognition. Students are expected to actively participate, fulfill service responsibilities, and represent Lincoln Middle School with integrity and responsibility.
Additional Information
NJHS Website:
https://lmsnjhs.my.canva.site/
NJHS Information Slides:
https://gamma.app/docs/NJHS-pck6oogwu4ln9v1
We encourage parents and guardians to review this information with their students and discuss the expectations associated with NJHS membership.
Thank you for supporting our students as they develop the leadership, service, character, and responsibility that NJHS represents.
Being responsible is part of being an NJHS member.
Attendance Matters.
Regular attendance is an important part of every student’s success, and we appreciate your partnership in making school attendance a priority.
As a reminder, our Marking Period Incentive Days recognize students who demonstrate strong attendance and meet our eligibility requirements. We understand that students do get sick and that a doctor’s visit is not always necessary or realistic. For this reason, students may have up to 4 unexcused absences per marking period and remain eligible for the incentive.
Students who have 5 or more unexcused absences during a marking period will not be eligible to participate in that marking period’s incentive day. I have attached a document listing all of the requirements to be eligible for incentive day via email.
If your child will be absent for multiple consecutive days due to illness, please provide medical documentation whenever possible. Developing strong attendance habits now is especially important as students prepare for high school, where unexcused absences may impact course credit.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership!
I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! We’ve had a great first eight days of school, and we truly appreciate the cooperation and support from our families. Thank you to the many who attended our Back to School Night! If anyone has any concerns you may always contact our main office at 201 955-5095 or email me at JHempel@KearnySchools.com. There is no concern too great or small. Please refer to our weekly calendar sent out each Friday for special events, dress downs etc.
As we begin a new week, please keep these important reminders in mind:
The Dreaded Tardy Detentions Begin: Students must be in their Period 1 classrooms by 8:10 AM.
Student IDs: All students must wear their school ID and keep it visible throughout the day.
Locker Locks: Please make sure your child brings a lock for their locker. We will begin securing unlocked lockers with zip ties in accordance with school safety procedures.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping us keep LMS safe, organized, and ready to learn each day!
Mr. Hempel
I hope everyone is enjoying their Sunday! We’ve had a great first eight days of school, and we truly appreciate the cooperation and support from our families.
As we begin a new week, please keep these important reminders in mind:
The Dreaded Tardy Detentions Begin: Students must be in their Period 1 class by 8:10 AM.
Student IDs: All students must wear their school ID and keep it visible throughout the day.
Locker Locks: Please make sure your child brings a lock for their locker. We will begin securing unlocked lockers with zip ties in accordance with school safety procedures.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in helping us keep LMS safe, organized, and ready to learn each day!
Mr. Hempel
As you know attendance is very important to us at LMS. Please take a moment to complete a brief survey regarding your child's attendance. Links have been sent to your email, thank you!
Hello,
LMS Back to School Night – Tuesday, September 15
Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. to allow parents time for parking and arrival. See attached flyer and use link for brief video presentation.
Principal's Presentation parents at 6:30 p.m. sharp in the auditorium. Following the meeting, parents will follow their child’s single-session A-Day schedule.
The first session will begin at 7:00 p.m.
PD 1: 7:00-7:10
PD 2: 7:15-7:25
PD 4: 7:30-7:40 (this period includes 3/4 and 4/5 classes)
PD 6: 7:45-7:55
PD 8: 8:00-8:10
After meetings are done all are welcome to see the club fair in the gym.
Dear LMS Students and Families,
We are excited to welcome all of our incoming 7th and 8th grade students to Lincoln Middle School this Tuesday, September 8th! We are looking forward to a great start to the school year.
Please review these important reminders:
Arrival: Students may enter the building beginning at approximately 8:01 AM.
7th Grade: Enter through the 121 Beech Street entrance.
8th Grade: Enter through the Kearny Avenue entrance.
Beech Street: Please note that Beech Street will be closed to through traffic. Drop-off will only be permitted when there is a medical need or approved accommodation.
Schedules: Students should arrive with their class schedule printed or written down, the first day of school is an A day.
Lockers: Students should bring a lock for their locker. Locker numbers are listed on each student's schedule. Cell phones and all internet enabled devices are to be stored in lockers.
PD1: The school day begins promptly at 8:10 AM.
Any students who are not showing a schedule on the Genesis portal will receive a schedule on Tuesday.
If your child has a question, needs assistance, or requires an accommodation, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help make the first day as smooth and successful as possible.
We can't wait to see everyone Tuesday. Welcome to Lincoln Middle School.
Sincerely,
James Hempel
Principal
Lincoln Middle School
Thank You to Our Students
We would like to thank all of the students who attended our orientation today at Lincoln Middle School. We were very happy to welcome you and look forward to a great school year!
Students received important information and tips to help them be successful at LMS. Some key reminders included:
Respect one another and, just as importantly, respect and appreciate our differences.
Get involved! Students learned about the many clubs, activities, and opportunities available at LMS.
Cell phones and "internet-enabled devices": Students were reminded that all cell phones and "internet-enabled devices" must be placed in their lockers upon arrival at school and remain there throughout the school day.
Students were given ID's with locker information. Any students who did not receive their ID will receive it once we return to school.
Students also received one last tour of the building before we school begins on September 8th.
We are excited to welcome everyone back and look forward to a safe, successful, and rewarding school year!
We are excited to welcome our incoming 7th graders and any students new to the Kearny School District entering 7th or 8th grade!
Please join us for Lincoln Middle School Orientation on Thursday, August 27th, beginning at 9:30 AM. Students will have the opportunity to meet with the Principal and Vice Principal, learn important information about the upcoming school year, and take a guided tour of our building.
The orientation will conclude at approximately 11:00 AM.
We look forward to welcoming our newest Jr. Kardinals and helping students feel comfortable and prepared for a successful year at LMS! This event is for students only. See you there!
James Hempel
Principal
Lincoln Middle School
🗓️ Monday, June 22, 2026
🕖 7pm
📍Kearny High School: 336 Devon Street.
The public is welcome to attend.
Reminder: Tonight’s LMS Promotion Ceremony will begin promptly at 6:30 PM at the Kearny High School Stadium. Please allow yourself time to find parking, you may enter through both sides of the stadium.
If weather conditions require us to move the ceremony indoors, all families will be notified no later than 5:30 PM and each student has 2 tickets for entry. We recommend bringing light rain gear or an umbrella just in case as we DO NOT want to move the event indoors.
Please note that if light rain develops after the ceremony has begun, we will continue with the event as scheduled, so please come prepared.
The Ceremony will be livestreamed via youtube on the KEARNY BOE Livestreaming Page.
Attention 8th Grade Families:
As we prepare to celebrate the Lincoln Middle School Class of 2026, please review these important dates and events for promotion week and the end of the school year. We encourage families to save this post for easy reference.
📍 Important Reminder for Tuesday, June 16:
Students should report to Lincoln Middle School as usual. During Period 1, students will be escorted by LMS staff to Kearny High School for promotion practice.
June 17: Yearbooks will be distributed during the school day, with designated times and locations for students to sign them.
🎓 Promotion Ceremony Reminder – June 17:
Students should arrive at the front entrance of Kearny High School (336 Devon Street) by 5:15 PM to prepare for the ceremony. The Promotion Ceremony will begin at 6:30 PM.
☔ Weather Reminder:
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors. Families should watch for any updates if the weather becomes a concern.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support throughout your child's middle school journey. We are grateful for our Lincoln Middle School families and look forward to celebrating this special milestone with the Class of 2026.
Lincoln Middle School students were recognized as honorees at the 2026 "History Happened Here" Expo at Rutgers University, where they showcased award-winning multimedia projects created through their "Revolutionary Roots" initiative.
Stepping into the roles of researchers, writers, podcasters, artists, and civic leaders, students explored Kearny's history through the RevolutionNJ and America 250 initiatives. The interdisciplinary project connected local stories to the broader American experience, earning statewide recognition for their creativity, scholarship, and community engagement.
We’ll have concessions available with light refreshments, along with special performances by some of our talented middle school students. We hope to see you there for an exciting afternoon of soccer, school spirit, and community!
Students in grades 3-6 collaborated to create inventions designed to engage, inspire, and make everyday life a little more efficient. From coding with Twister, to a sip counter, to a mood-tracking lullaby stuffie, Garfield’s young innovators demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving at every turn. 💡✨
