Create custom issue statuses

I've created a new custom Issue status for my group that equates to New. I was surprised to see that the requestors could see my status and was notified when we moved it to this new custom status. I was thinking that since it equates with a status of New they wouldn't receive an email notification or see it. Is there a way to keep the Requestors view as New rather than seeing my new custom status thus stopping the additional email notification? thanks!