MS Parent Message October 30, 2020

October 30, 2020

Good Afternoon:

 

Next Week’s Schedule:   

Monday, November 2

ALL STUDENTS VIRTUAL LEARNING, Periods 1 to 8

Tuesday, November 3

ELECTION DAY:  SCHOOL CLOSED

Wednesday, November 4

ALL STUDENTS VIRTUAL LEARNING, Periods 10 to 17

Thursday, November 5

NJEA Conference:  SCHOOL CLOSED

Friday, November 6

NJEA Conference:  SCHOOL CLOSED

If a student is planning to travel out of state please check the following:

New Jersey’s Travel Advisory Form 

COVID Cannot test out of Quarantine   

COVID-How-Long-Isolate-Quarantine

Federal Impact Aid Survey Due Today!:  The Northern Burlington County Regional School District must receive an annual signed survey from ALL parents or guardians for EACH student in order to receive the federal funding of military affiliated students.

Please note that even if you are not active military or a civilian working on federal property, it is essential that ALL parents and guardians complete and sign this form as of October 15, 2020 and submit by October 30, 2020.

Click here to log into your PowerSchool parent account. Once logged in, click on the link on the left side of the webpage that says Forms. Choose the “Title VIII Federal Impact Aid Survey 2020-2021” to complete the form electronically. A form needs to be submitted for each student, however if submitting for multiple students, please click the arrow up key next to the submit button. This will allow you to submit the form for each student without having to reproduce each survey selection.

Thank you for your continued support of the Northern Burlington County Regional School District. If you have additional questions, please contact Kristie Worrell, Administrative Assistant, extension 2003 or Richard Kaz, School Business Administrator (609) 298-3900 extension 2080.

Clinical Corner Spotlight:  The 2020 Presidential Election is quickly approaching and as we know, one of the most tumultuous in our history, bringing out intense social controversy and emotions, as well as questionable behavior, that may be confusing and/or upsetting for our children.  In the midst of the pandemic, as well as fighting for racial justice, this election may be particularly difficult for parents to navigate, as families adapt to the many “norms” COVID-19 has brought on.  Rachel Buchholz, National Geographic Kids’ Editor in Chief, has some good advice.  Please click the link to access the video:

 https://kdvr.com/news/talking-...

Additionally, you can check out National Geographic’s Family Hub for future content and resources for parents to better navigate these crucial times!

Virtual Bookfair: The PTSC’s scholastic book fair is up and running next week at the following link  https://www.scholastic.com/bf/northernburlingtonregms.  Don't forget to check it out!

Parent Teacher Conferences:  This is a copy of a special email sent earlier this week to schedule virtual parent teacher conferences.  Conferences will be offered November 10, 12, and 13 in the afternoon (12:40 pm to 2:40 pm) and November 12 in the evening (6:30 pm to 8:30 pm).   Please note there are a limited number of appointments during each conference session. Appointments are scheduled in 10 minute intervals.

As a follow up to last week’s parent message, this email is to provide parents/guardians with the necessary information for scheduling parent teacher conferences.  Please note that ALL conferences will be held remotely via Zoom and appointments are scheduled in 10-minute intervals.

 The sessions will be held on the following dates: 

  • November 10      12:40 pm to 2:40 pm

  • November 11      Veteran’s Day:  School Closed

  • November 12      12:40 pm to 2:40 pm and 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

  • November 13      12:40 pm to 2:40 pm

Conferences are scheduled online via PTC Wizard.  While the conferences are open to all parents, there are a limited number of appointments available.  If you are not sure if a conference is necessary, feel free to contact the teacher directly.   For parents who are interested in a conference they are encouraged to register as soon as possible.  If you are unable to meet during conferences or feel that you may need more than the 10 minutes allotted per appointment, we invite you to contact your child’s teacher or counselor to make alternate arrangements.

 How it works: 

  • Parents create an account in PTC Wizard.

  • It is helpful to have a list of the student’s teachers handy.

  • Once logged in, Parents choose:

    1. which set of conferences they prefer and

    2. the teachers they wish to see from a staff listing of all middle school teachers.

    3. Parents will then see which teachers are available for a given time slot, and signup for appointments

    4. Note:  If a teacher is fully booked, they will not appear as a choice for that day/time

  • PTC Wizard will send parents a confirming email that includes their schedule with the Zoom links for each of their appointments.

  • On or about November 9, PTC Wizard will send parents a reminder email with their schedule and Zoom links for their appointments.

 Instructions for PTC Wizard

To register for conference meetings, please follow the steps below:

 To Register:  Click here https://nburlingtonms.ptcwizar... then click the Create Account! button screenshot 1

  1. You will be redirected to a form - fill it out: (first name, last name, email address and a password you want to use screenshot 2

  2. Click Register, and then add one child only screenshot 3

  3. Click Save.

  4. You will be sent to a new screen and you will be asked to give your consent to receive emails from PTC Wizard (your schedules, notifications about appointments booked or canceled, etc.).

  5. To add more than one child, Click Account Settings (top right corner of the screen).

 

To Schedule Conference Meetings: Click the “Add a Meeting

  1. In the new screen click the checkbox next to the teachers that you want to meet with

  2. Click Continue

  3. Choose the times available for each teacher (the teachers are listed on top of the column)

  4. If you have more than one child, after you chose a time the system will ask you which child this is for

  5. Choose all the meetings and then click Continue

 Here is a video tutorial for parents' scheduling.

Any difficulties in scheduling, please contact the middle school main office at 609-298-3900 x4011 or email Mrs. Angela Harrison at aharrison@nburlington.com.

PowerSchool:  Quick Tutorials

As we approach the end of the first marking period, Ms. Rachel Friedman walks parents and students through the process of navigating PowerSchool: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PwM6jIJ_aJo&list=PLCyGy1Pqi_h2lGMBOcs5iPAEiMhoDAjln

Accessing PowerSchool as a Parent

Ms. Rachel Friedman walks parents through the process of navigating powerschool.

https://youtu.be/TizSZ1lJtOE

Accessing PowerSchool as a Student

Ms. Rachel Friedman walks students through the process of navigating powerschool.

https://youtu.be/PwM6jIJ_aJo

Winter Sports: We are now accepting Athletic Participation packets for the Winter Season.  Winter season practice will start approximately December 1, 2020. As a result of the pandemic, the situation remains fluid.  At this point, it is not clear what the season will look like and it is not likely to include interscholastic competitions.   

A copy of the packet can be found on the district web page and at this LINK.  If your child’s physical exam is current and does not expire prior to 12/1/20, please complete pages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 of the packet and submit them electronically to middleschoolathletics@nburlington.com .

If your child is in need of a new physical, please contact your physician’s office at your earliest convenience to secure an appointment.  Please take page 3, 5 and 6 of the packet with you so that your doctor can complete the physical forms.  Please submit the entire packet (pages 1-7) electronically to middleschoolathletics@nburlington.com

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. O’Neill in the Athletic Office at moneill@nburlington.com  or 609-298-3900, ext. 2093.

Class Fundraisers: Fundraiser is open until October 31st!  Please help support our Northern Burlington Middle School 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.  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.  

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 

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.

 

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.

Health & Safety Reminders: 

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. Covid Informational Flyers.

Important Dates:

November 2:  Remote Learning for ALL Students, Periods 1 through 8

November 3:  Election Day:  School Closed

November 4:  Remote Learning for ALL Students, Periods 10 through 17

November 5 & 6:  NJEA Convention:  School Closed

Nov 10: Afternoon Parent Conferences

Nov 11: Veteran’s Day: School Closed

Nov 12: Afternoon & Evening Parent Conferences

Nov 13: Afternoon Parent Conferences

November 18:  Early Dismissal of Students/Staff Professional Development Day

November 20:  End of Marking Period 1

November 23:  Marking Period 2 Begins

November 25:  Early Dismissal

November 26 & 27:  Thanksgiving Holiday/School Closed

If you haven’t already done so, please be sure to complete the 2020 Federal Impact Aid Form in PowerSchool.  

 

We fall back this weekend for daylight saving time. After you turn the clocks back an hour, please take a moment to check your fire/smoke/CO2 alarms.  Enjoy your weekend.  

                           

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal