MS Parent Message October 9, 2020

Middle School Parent Message 

October 9, 2020

Good Afternoon:

Parent Forum:  On Tuesday, October 13 from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm parents are invited to join district administrators for a virtual discussion on NB’s reopening of school.   The discussion will include a review of the first few weeks of in-person instruction and seek suggestions from parents on strategies to improve programs.  The format will be a Zoom conference and questions will be taken from those submitted in the ‘Chat.’   We look forward to meeting with parents and sharing ideas and information. 

Reminder:  Monday, October 12 is a school day.

Continued Return of Students:  Beginning Monday we will be having two cohorts attending school at the same time

Monday and Tuesday (October 12 and 13) Cohorts A and B 

Thursday and Friday (October 15 and 16) Cohorts C and D

As the number of students in the building grows, it is important to emphasize a few points with regard to health 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.  *Please note that the CDC guidelines identify certain requirements for masks and Northern follows these guidelines.  Please see the note below about masks.

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.

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.

Masks:  Students and staff are required to wear masks while in school.  We are grateful for the attention students give this requirement and their cooperation in this regard.  

 

More recent CDC guidelines regarding masks have been posted and these are noted below:

 

  • Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19

  • Wear the mask over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin

  • Masks should be worn by people two years and older

  • Masks should NOT be worn by children younger than two, people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance

  • Do NOT wear masks intended for healthcare workers, for example, N95 respirators

  • CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters or face shields. Evaluation of these face covers is on-going but effectiveness is unknown at this time.

Per the CDC guidelines, gaiters are not recommended at this time because of questionable effectiveness.  Furthermore, since masks must be secured under the chin, traditionally worn bandanas are not considered effective either.  As a result, students and staff may not wear bandanas or gaiters as a mask while in school.  Disposable masks will be provided for students to wear for those students who do not bring an acceptable mask to school.

Class Fundraisers: It’s super easy! Please help support our Northern Burlington Middle School Classes of 2025 and 2026.  Fundraiser proceeds will benefit the classes of 2025 and 2026.  The money they raise will be used to help offset the costs of class events from now until graduation from High School.  To participate, please follow the steps below to register online today.

When you register, we’ll know you’re committed to supporting our fundraiser and helping us reach our goals.

To help our organization even more, send 10 email invitations to friends & family and spread the word about our need for help.

With over 2,500 gift ideas, supporters can shop and check-off their holiday gift-list, all while supporting our important cause, the students.

*Please note that all of the orders will be shipped directly to the purchaser.  

Fundraiser starts TODAY until October 31st!

Step 1: REGISTER at www.charlestonwrapstore.com (use organization code: 11741)

Step 2: Use our Email-Invite Generator to invite out of town friends and family for support. Plus, share your unique invite links via text and social media.

Or click here for more information

Any questions?  Contact 7th Grade Adviser, Alison Zirilli, at azirilli@nburlington.com  or 8th Grade Adviser,  Kelle Rhodes,  at krhodes@nburlington.com 

 

Yearbook:  The 2021 NBCRMS yearbook is now on sale for $45.  Take advantage of our Back to School Sale (sale ends October 23, 2020).  Place your order by using the link below:

 

  http://jostensyearbooks.com/?R...

Share photos with the middle school yearbook by using this link:  

https://images.jostens.com/415...

MS Activity Fair:  Please take a few moments to review the various clubs and activities that Northern has to offer its middle school students.  Students from all cohorts are welcome to sign-up. 

https://docs.google.com/presen...

Joining a club is a great way for students to connect with other students who share similar interests.  

 

 

Federal Impact Aid Survey:  On October 15, 2020, Northern Burlington will again electronically solicit the US Department of Education's Federal Impact Aid Student-Parent Survey Form for the 2020-2021 School Year. This form is available through PowerSchool’s parent portal. This survey is important and determines the amount of Federal Impact Aid the district receives. Consequently, this form, one for each student, needs to be completed and submitted by you (student’s parent/guardian/sponsor) by Friday, October 30,2020. Please keep your eye out for this electronic survey form next week. Thank you! 

 

Daily Screening Process:  As students physically return to school, it is 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

  1. Download the DOCS HealthWorks App from either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store (the app icon  should appear orange & Android OS must be v.8 or newer)

  1. 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)

  1. 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

  1. Go to the  Website:  https://secure.dentrustocs.com/docs/covidscreening/weblogin

  1.  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).

  1. 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. 

  1. 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). 

  1. 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.

Travel Quarantine Update:  If a student is planning to travel out of state please check the New Jersey’s Travel Advisory Form 

Student Bus Information:  Student bus information is 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 50 % attending next week on any given day.  Students should only attend when their designated cohort is scheduled to be in school.  

See the calendar for more information.

Ordering School Lunch for Students:  Please note that Lunches are FREE through the end of December FOR ALL 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 their first class of the day via a link the teachers will share in class. Orders for these lunches 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 is a school day for students.  Please refer to this calendar for information about when specific cohorts will attend school.

 

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.

Student Assessment:  During the course of the school year, the students of Northern Burlington will participate in various standardized assessments.  Details are included on the district website.

Important Dates:

October 12:  School IN Session

October 12 & 13: Cohorts A and B come to school

October 13: Parent Forum (3:00 pm-4:00 pm)   Zoom conference 

October 12 through October 16:  Week of Respect

October 15 & 16:  Cohorts C and D come to school

October 16:  Mid Marking Period

Have a good weekend.      

                           

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal