Middle School Parent Message
September 18, 2020
Good Afternoon:
Opening School: Our very unique school year began this week. We want to thank everyone for their assistance getting it underway. All students should be attending their classes according to the bell schedule. Homeroom is connected to the first class of the day and students should log on by 7:30 am. If there are any issues joining a video conference, please contact the classroom teacher.
Chromebooks: If there are any issues with the Chromebooks issued by the school, please contact the main office 609-298-3900 x4013 or contact Mrs. Russo (prusso@nburlington.com) for assistance.
Daily Screening Process: As we prepare for the gradual physical return of students to the school beginning September 28, it will be important that they are ready to complete the daily health screening process and temperature check. Any student who is not feeling well or has a fever should not attend school in person.
Any time students physically attend school, they will need to complete the health questionnaire as part of the screening process to enter the building. The screening is done using an online application and directions are listed below. Having this done in advance will greatly speed the process of bringing students into the building. Students may practice completing the form this next week, even though they will not be coming into the building.
Here is a short video to illustrate the process and more detailed directions are below.
For Students with a Smartphone:
Download the DOCS HealthWorks App from either the Google App Store or the Apple App Store (the app icon should appear orange & Android OS must be v.8 or newer)
On the DOCS HealthWorks App - Create an account: fill in your name, contact information, student ID number (NOTf your ss#. Student ID #s are listed in PowerSchool and begin with the graduating year 2026 or 2025) and the location code for the Middle School 5NOU (the letter O)
Each day you visit the district the COVID-19 health assessment will need to be completed prior to entrance, if everything is within normal parameters you will receive a QR code for identification (this QR code is good for 1 day).
For Students using their Chromebook:
On the DOCS HealthWorks website fill in your name, contact information, student ID number (NOT your ss#. Student ID#s are listed in PowerSchool and begin with the graduating year 2026 or 2025) and location code for the Middle School 5NOU (the letter O).
Each day you visit the district the COVID-19 health assessment will need to be completed prior to entrance, if everything is within normal parameters you will receive a QR code for identification (this QR code is good for 1 day) The QR code can be printed from home and brought to school.
If your phone doesn’t support the app or the website didn’t work from home – we will have a Chromebook available at the screening stations
When You Arrive at School:
Follow the directions of the adults at the entrance who will direct you to present the QR code to the CapScann device for identification.
The CapScann device will then instruct you to place your wrist in the device opening aligning it with infrared light crosshairs for a precise temperature reading (look for the label on the kiosk).
Once the CapScann device reads the QR code, CapScann will provide 3 acknowledgements that include a green light indicating a normal temperature reading and authorization to enter the building.
The screeners will provide assistance throughout the entry process.
* Any individual presenting with a potential concern will be escorted to a rescreening area and further evaluated by medical staff.
Ordering School Lunch for Pickup During Remote Learning: Students who are receiving instruction remotely, or their parents/guardians, may pick up meals (three to five meals at one time) for those days they are receiving remote instruction. *
As with the Spring 2020 meal distribution, the pick-up location is near the Middle School’s rear entrance (Middle School Door C-3 that leads into the teachers’ lounge). NB has established MONDAY through THURSDAY for pick up of meals for the remote learning days. Meals may be picked up between the hours of 12:15 PM and 1:15 PM at the Middle School entering via the Island Road entrance and taking the 1st left to go toward the back of the school (look for signage). For social distancing purposes, NB will limit the number of people entering the middle school facilities.
*We ask that you complete the Google Document below for Remote Learning Students to sign up for these meals for pick up on Monday thru Thursday.
https://docs.google.com/forms/...
COVID-19 Update: Please see this letter from the superintendent about a COVID-19 case in the district.
Instructional Model: Our Office of Academics created an introductory video for parents and students which explains the expectations during remote and hybrid instruction. The link to the video can be found here. It will also be posted in each Class of 20XX Google Classroom.
Cohort Assignments: Cohort assignments are now listed in PowerSchool. The assignments will be important once students begin attending school in the hybrid model the week of September 28. Students are divided up into cohorts A, B, C, D, and E. Students who are in cohort E have signed up for remote instruction through the first marking period.
For students who are signed up for the hybrid model, they will attend school based on the calendar at this link. Students will all “attend” school virtually, but students participating in the hybrid model will physically come to school on a rotating basis beginning September 28.
During the weeks of September 28 and October 5, the district will have 25% of the hybrid students physically attend school by turns. One cohort will attend at a time. This will introduce students back into the building gradually as well as to the social distancing and mask wearing protocols
Provided the return of students goes well, beginning the week of October 12, the district will have 50% of the hybrid students physically attend school on an alternating basis.
Again, all of this is outlined in the calendar.
At the conclusion of the first marking period, this will be reviewed with an eye toward gradually increasing student time in school.
School Supplies: The middle school supply list can be found on the web page at this link. A few notable changes. Students will not be issued lockers, but will be permitted to use their school bags during the school day. Also, students will not be issued lockers for physical education class. Accordingly, they should dress appropriately to participate in fitness activities, including appropriate footwear.
NHS Tutoring: Is your child in need of some extra help? NHS tutoring is here to assist! Virtual tutoring will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30-2pm beginning on September 22nd. All you need to do is have the student who in need of help email the NHS adviser at jnewman@nburlington.com and then the student will receive a link to the virtual tutoring session.
COVID-19 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.
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:
Parent Consent Form and
Emergency Information & Trip/Activity Medical form.
Here is a video tutorial on how to access your PowerSchool account. If you cannot access your Parent Portal account, please contact your child’s counselor for assistance. Thank you!
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. We are pleased to announce that we are one of the few schools in the area offering informal, intramural type competitions after school. Transportation will need to be provided to and from practices and inter-squad games. The start date for all middle school practices is September 21st, 2020.
Students who want to participate will still need to complete the Sports Physical Packet. Families may wish to consider community sports as an alternative, based on availability.
It’s Flu Season 2020-2021
Q: When is it too late to get a Flu Shot?
A: When you’re sick from catching the flu ☹
The Burlington County Health Department offers residents free seasonal flu vaccines, and many Doctor’s offices, Urgent Care Centers, and pharmacies like CVS & Walgreens also offer free or low-cost Flu shots.
The convergence of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the start of flu season means some people can become infected with both illnesses, as well as put more stress on an already stressed-out health system.
“While not as deadly or transmissible as COVID-19, influenza still sends at least 100,000 people to the hospital each year,” said Health Department Director Dr. Herbert Conaway in a statement. “Getting a flu shot also helps conserve potentially scarce health care resources during this pandemic.”
The vaccines will be available every Thursday at the BCHD (See flyer) starting on Sept. 24 through January at clinics throughout the county.
http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/355/Flu-Information
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2020-2021.htm
Important Dates:
September 21 to September 25: Remote Learning All Students
September 28: Beginning of Hybrid Learning @ 25>#/p###
October 12: Staff Development Day/No School for Students
Have a good weekend.
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal