Middle School Parent Message
November 13, 2020
Good Afternoon:
Parent Forum: On Tuesday, November 17 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm parents are invited to join district administrators for a virtual discussion on NB’s schedule. The discussion will include a review of the survey results regarding the first marking period of in-person and remote instruction and share plans for marking period 2. 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 About Health Measures: The state of New Jersey has seen a growth in COVID-19 cases as cold weather approaches. We appreciate the students' work in following school safety practices designed to limit the chance of the spread of this virus. As the fall and winter holidays approach, It is appropriate to echo the a reminder to follow the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention promoted safeguards, such as:
Staying home when you are sick;
Washing hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds;
Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;
Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);
Wearing a face covering while in school; and
Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms.
Following these practices increase our chances of keeping everyone healthy both in school and out of school.
Travel Advisories: 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 Past Due: 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 soon as possible.
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.
Middle School Food Drive: The Middle School Student Government Club will be conducting the annual Food Drive beginning Monday, November 16 through Monday, November 23. The winning grade level will earn an ice cream party! Students may place donations in the marked boxes inside the front door when they are being dropped off, or just inside the bus doors, as they head to the scanner. Due to Covid-19 concerns, we ask for CANS ONLY.
Middle School Classes of 2025 and 2026: Come join our Dine-Out Fundraiser for Wednesday, November 18 from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm at Villa Mannino in Bordentown. Here is the flyer that you will need to support Northern Burlington.
FROM THE YEARBOOK STAFF: The yearbook staff needs YOUR help gathering photos from this year. Photos of students working from home. Photos of students relaxing at home. Please consider helping us by uploading a photo or two each month to https://images.jostens.com/415623968. Thank you!
Link to order a 2021 yearbook: http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09873596
Student Chromebooks: As a reminder, student Chromebooks have tracking software installed, GoGuardian, to help ensure the technology is used appropriately. These devices should be used exclusively for school business.
Wednesday Expectations: The district has put together the following handout to clarify activities on typical Wednesdays during hybrid instruction. That information can be found at this LINK.
Parent Teacher Conferences: Thank you to all of the parents who were able to join our teachers this last week for conferences. Thank you for your partnership in promoting your children’s educational achievement.
Picture Day is Coming: Please mark your calendars. Lifetouch will be at the middle school on December 7 through December 11 to take student pictures. Students in Cohorts A through D will have their photos taken during PE/Health class. More information will follow in the coming weeks.
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. |
 | Accessing PowerSchool as a Student Ms. Rachel Friedman walks students through the process of navigating powerschool. |
Winter Sports:
We are now accepting Athletic Participation packets for the Winter Season. Winter season practice will start approximately December 1, 2020. 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. As a courtesy, our Boys/Girls Basketball, Wrestling, and Cheerleading coaches have set up Zoom meetings for student-athletes and parents. Those meetings will be held on November 17th, 2020, at various times. Please see the 2020 - Middle School Student/Parent Zoom Meeting for links and password information to these various informational sessions. 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.
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.
Ordering School Lunch for Students: Please note that Lunches are FREE through the month of June 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 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.
Clinical Corner Spotlight: Take a Breath! With so many new anxieties in the world today, achieving a healthy frame of mind can seem more challenging than in years past. Having a daily moment of intentional quiet can go a long way toward a better outlook. Practicing this five-minute meditation on a regular basis will help you build a positive mindset, supporting you as you go about your daily life with all its ups and downs. Please click this link to access the full article and the 5 minute meditation routine:
https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/02/health/5-minute-meditation-stress-reducer-wellness/index.html
Important Dates:
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.
Enjoy your weekend.
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal