MS Parent Message August 20, 2020

August 20, 2020

Good Afternoon,

Here are a few updates from the middle school:

Superintendent’s Message To NB Parents:

As we prepare for the start of school in September, it is clear that this year continues to demand that we remain agile and willing to adjust to ever-changing circumstances.  NB’s Reopening Task Force, which includes administrators, teachers, support staff and parents presented  NB’s Strategic Plan for a Safe and Successful School Year during a Public hearing on Monday, July 27th.  According to the plan, NB would start the school year with in-person, hybrid instruction as 70% of the parents surveyed indicated they would prefer this model to the 100% remote model.   There were also follow-up presentations at the August 10th and August 17th Board meetings.     However, more recently, the Superintendent and the Board have received correspondence from our teachers and parents expressing deep and sincere concerns for the health and well being of the faculty, staff, and students.  All are asking the Board not to begin the school year in a Hybrid in-person instruction model.  Instead, they are asking the Board to offer the 100% remote option only.  

I am writing to advise you that the Board has scheduled a special meeting on Monday, August 24th at 7:30 PM to review and discuss our plans.  Also, during this meeting, I will provide the Board with an update on the status of the comprehensive building project and on the district’s readiness to begin hybrid instruction.   Information regarding this Board meeting is on the district’s website.   I will share any updates as soon as possible.  I appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we continue to work to provide a safe learning environment for our students, faculty, and staff. 

Please understand that all concerns are being carefully considered.  These are very difficult times for us all.  

Sincerely,

James Sarruda, Ed. D.

Yearbooks:  For those students who were in the middle school last year, the yearbooks are in!  They will be available for pick up when families pick up their Chromebooks (see below).  Students who ordered a yearbook should have received an email from the yearbook advisor with details for pick up.

COVID-29 Information:  As we approach the start of school in September, we remind everyone of the steps we can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19.  Handouts with this information can be found on our website.

Cohort Assignments:  As you know, we are preparing to implement a hybrid model of instruction that was presented at the board meeting on July 28 and is described on our web page (see below).  Those students who are part of the hybrid program will be assigned to different groups based on what days they will physically attend school.  

We plan to have that information available late next week.  Once finalized, the cohort/group your student is assigned to will be available in Power School and we are in the process of checking to make sure family members in the district are assigned to the same group.  

Opening of School Forms:  The typical opening of school forms that had to be completed by hand are now available to complete through PowerSchool.  Please log on to your Parent PowerSchool account and complete the two electronic annual forms: 

  1. Parent Consent Form and 

  2. Emergency Information & Trip/Activity Medical form

Both of these forms need to be completed no later than Friday, August 21st.  Students who do not have completed forms cannot pick up their Chromebook and will not receive their schedules in September. 

If you cannot access your Parent Portal account, please contact your child’s counselor for assistance. Thank you!

Chromebooks: On Monday, August 24th through Thursday August 27th NBC will distribute Chromebooks to the families of the district from 8 AM to 3PM, with an evening opportunity on Wednesday, August 26th from 3 PM to 8 PM. Each student will be issued a Chromebook for use during remote / virtual / or in-person instruction.  If there is an issue with your child’s Chromebook, please contact Ms. Russo at 609-298-3900 x 4013 or prusso@nburlington.com.

 

Everyone will need to pick-up a Chromebook and must sign up for a time slot in the ChromeBook Link.  Chromebooks will be picked up from the Middle School Media Center.  A parent or guardian will enter through the Island Road entrance, park in the Middle School Bus Lot, and enter the Middle School Media Center that way from the outside of the building.  The parent or guardian will need to wear their facemask to enter.

 

Please be sure to read the outlined procedure below PRIOR to coming to the school:

  1. Read NB One to One Technology use form on school website, under parent/student resources

  2. You will need to acknowledge on the Student/Parent Consent form that it has been read, which will be available through Powerschool (see “Opening of School Forms” above).  

  3. On the designated date and time, parents will drive to the Middle School Bus Lot and come into the Media Center through the entrance door(which will be marked). Six feet social distancing markers will be placed on the sidewalk leading up to the entrance.

  4. The parent or guardian will enter the Middle Center through the labeled door and Chromebook(s) will be distributed.

  5. Exit through the exit door that is marked

It is imperative that you come at your designated time,  follow all procedures for pick-up and drop-off of items and practice social distancing.

It is important that students have their NB chromebook and are ready to start school Tuesday, September 8th. 

Start of School:  As the district has planned for the start of school in September, the school web page has been the main place for information on the plans and what the upcoming school year will look like.  If you have not done so already, be sure to check the web page, www.nburlington.com, for information and the latest updates.

Middle School Sports:  Middle school sports will be scaled back as a result of the pandemic and, unfortunately, we will not be able to offer interscholastic competitions.  While not certain, we are hopeful to be able to offer informal, intramural type competitions after school and transportation may need to be provided to and from.  The tentative start date would be September 21.  Students who want to participate will still need to complete the sports physical packet that can be found here.  Families may wish to consider community sports as an alternative, based on availability.  

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely,

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal