Middle School Parent Message
September 25, 2020
Good Afternoon:
Message from the Superintendent: Please see this message from the superintendent about the opening of school.
Opening School: Monday is a big day as we begin to welcome students back to the campus based on their cohort. Here is the schedule for their gradual return:
Cohort A September 28 and 29
Cohort C October 1 and 2
Cohort B October 5 and 6
Cohort D October 8 and 9
The 2020-2021 school year is like none other and we have some special reminders, especially related to COVID safety. Most importantly, students should not come to school if they are sick. The remote option is available on a day to day basis if a student has any symptoms on the day he or she is supposed to attend school in person but can still attend school at home. If you have any medical questions, please contact our school nurse at extension 4030.
Here are the main points when students are in school:
Wash Up: Students are to practice hand hygiene. This includes routinely washing hands when sinks are available, using the hand sanitizer when entering classrooms, and as needed.
Mask Up: Students are to wear masks at all times while in the building and on the bus. Masks are to meet CDC guidelines and cover both the mouth and the nose.
Cover Up: Students are to sneeze/cough into an elbow, even when wearing a mask.
Back Up: Students are to exercise social distancing whenever possible.
Teachers will review classroom procedures to support these safety procedures.
In addition, students should bring their Chromebooks, fully charged, to school. In a change of our school policy, students may carry a bookbag with them throughout the school day for school supplies, including their Chromebooks.
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 weekend, 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 (NOT 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.
Student Bussing Information
Student bussing information is now posted on PowerSchool for those students who signed up for bussing as part of the hybrid model.
Log onto PowerSchool (parent login)
Go to the button on the left hand side labeled “Transportation Info”
The button looks like this
If there are any questions, please contact the Transportation Department (ext. 2230).
As a reminder, students are gradually returning to school with only 25 % attending for the next two weeks on any given day. Students should only attend when their designated cohort is scheduled to be in school. See the calendar for more information.
Meet the Teachers: In place of our traditional “Back to School Night,” the teachers are preparing for Meet the Teachers. Like so much else in the COVID-19 world, we are making some changes. So instead of a crowded evening and rushing between classes, the teachers will be providing you with short video introductions of themselves and their classes. These links will arrive by email the afternoon of October 1 and you will receive one from each teacher. You may watch them at your convenience and if there are any questions, the teachers will provide contacts for any follow up.
Ordering School Lunch for Students
Students learning remotely: 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. Ordering ahead of time is required:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSCfgxym6WPcJofHaCxJa5lS1jTZzsRyr2-UUxGsXWCpnxbg/viewform
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) via the Island Road entrance and taking the 1st left to go toward the back of the school. NB has established MONDAY and TUESDAY for pick up of meals. Meals may be picked up between the hours of 10:00 AM and 11:15 AM. For social distancing purposes, NB will limit the number of people entering the middle school facility at one time.
Students Present in the building: Students attending class will order their lunch in the first class of the day via a link the teachers will share in class. Orders for these must be placed by 8:00 AM. Students will be dismissed to pick up their lunch in the cafetorium prior to exiting to the bus or parent pickup locations.
Calendar Change: The board of education approved a calendar change. As a result, October 12 will be a school day for students. Please refer to this calendar for information about when specific cohorts will attend school.
Here is the link to the school calendar. (need to update once web page is updated)
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. 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.
Clinical Corner Spotlight: Worried Your Kid Is Falling Behind? You’re Not Alone. When do we need to start panicking about our children falling behind? Deborah Stipek, Ph.D., a professor at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education, said that may not be the right question to ask. “I think a more useful one is, ‘How do we ensure that our children get the best possible opportunities to learn under these challenging circumstances?’” she said. Anxiety and stress can be a major driver of kids falling behind, said Bruce Fuller, Ph.D., a professor of education and public policy at U.C. Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education. When parents lose their patience or don’t listen, said Dr. Fuller, children can start to shut down emotionally, in turn disengaging from reading and rich conversation inside the family. “Children’s cognitive learning is built on a secure emotional foundation,” he said. “Kids are resilient and they’ll undoubtedly get the content knowledge they need,” said Estes a public school teacher. “Right now, our main focus should be making them feel loved, secure and safe amidst these disruptions. Learning can’t occur until those things are in place.” Please click below for the full article.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/30/parenting/online-learning-school-coronavirus.html?smid=em-share
COVID-19 Information: Students will be returning to school next week. 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.
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
IPM Notice: The annual Integrated Pest Management Notice and Letter are now available.
Important Dates:
September 28: Beginning of Hybrid Learning @ 25>#/p###
Have a good weekend.
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal