High School Parent Message
January 14, 2022
Important Dates
Jan 17: School Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Jan 26: Early Dismissal of Students/Professional Development (DISTRICT CALENDAR CHANGE)
Jan. 27: End of Marking Period 2/Semester 1
Jan. 28: Semester 2/Marking Period 3 begins
Feb 3: Marking Period 2/Semester 1 grades finalized
Students’ First Week of 2022 in Person:
It used to be fairly routine to reopen school after winter break, but it has been one of many things impacted by COVID. This past week we were open in person. There were definitely times when we were stretched thin, but our teachers came through and we had classes covered. Our goal is to remain open. Please be mindful that as we move forward through this current surge around us, there may be days when we will need to combine classes. It is not ideal, but our goal is to keep school open for all of our students and this is a measure we may need to employ.
Revised Department of Health Guidelines:
We believe that the recent changes to the contact tracing process will substantially reduce the number of people identified as close contacts. This is good news! Close contact now means contact with a Covid positive person on days 1-5 of their isolation period. This means that close contact in school is far less likely because individuals are rarely in school on Day 1. Cases are usually identified on Day 0. Close contact is more likely to occur between people in the household.
Masks
With the revised guidelines for isolation and quarantine, the proper wearing of masks becomes more critical. Please note that the message below has been in the parent message for months now. Unfortunately, we continue to have students who are not wearing their masks properly. With the revision in guidelines, it is crucial that everyone in the building wears their masks properly and we will be closely monitoring this. Please be advised that students may receive disciplinary consequences for continued non-compliance of proper mask wearing.
Students, staff and visitors are required to wear masks while in school. We are grateful for the attention given to this requirement and 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
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, staff and visitors may not wear bandanas or gaiters as a mask while in school. Disposable masks will be provided for those who do not bring an acceptable mask to school. Students who do not comply with proper mask wearing will be sent home.
Stay Healthy
COVID Precautions: We continue to need your help to limit the spread of COVID. Please take the necessary precautions at home and reinforce the safety measures we have in school, such as social distancing (when possible), hand hygiene, and mask wearing. No one precaution is absolute, but layering the different measures helps to reduce the chances of COVID transmission.
Please check your children daily for any symptoms before sending them to school. The nurse’s are looking for the following symptoms with regard to COVID screening:
Any one of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of smell or taste.
OR
Any two of the following symptoms: fever (measure or subjective), chills, rigors (shivers), muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion, or runny nose.
Students who come to school with a combination of these symptoms will be sent home by the school nurse and require a negative COVID test before they can return to school. So save yourself the trouble and simply keep your child home if they have any of these symptoms. You can report your child’s absence on the attendance line: 609.298.3900 x 2029.
Any questions, please contact our school nurses, Ms. Crane & Ms. Nocon mcrane@nburlington.com gnocon@nburlington.com please include both nurses in your email. Sometimes they must deliver bad news. Please know that the directions given are based on the information they have from the public health authorities. Please be patient as they navigate these many challenges and work to keep our school a safe place to be for everyone. Thank you :)
If you need it, the Burlington County Health Department is offering walk-in testing for COVID. Please follow this LINK for location and information.
Burlington County COVID Vaccination Sites: Of course, the CDC continues to recommend vaccination as the best way to prevent the spread of COVID. Please see this LINK regarding more information on vaccination sites in Burlington County.
SAT Prep Program Registration
NB’s own 6 week SAT Prep program continues in-person on Saturdays from March 12-April 30, 2022. The program is contingent on sufficient enrollment of at least 17 students. An afternoon session will be added if needed to meet all registration requests. The registration deadline is Tuesday, March 1, 2022 2022 SAT Prep Program Registration.
High School Program of Studies and Course Selection for 2022-2023:
The2022-2023 High School Program of Studies is available on the High School Counseling Department web page. Course selection will occur electronically via PowerSchool as it did last year. Please review these instructions and contact your student’s counselor if you have any questions. The PowerSchool Parent Portal will be accessible according to these timelines:
Current HS students: Monday, January 10 - Friday, January 21
Students in Grade 8: Monday, January 17 - Friday, January 28
Students in Grades 7 will select courses at a later date
High School Counselors will be meeting with students in grades 11, 10, and 9 to confirm their course selections starting in late January. The counselors will start with rising seniors and then meet with rising juniors and sophomores. High School counselors will meet with students in grade 8 in the middle school in early-mid March.
Here is the recording of the High School Program of Studies Information Session hosted by the Offices of Academics and Counseling on Wednesday, January 5th which will also be posted on the HS Counseling page of the website.
Wooden Race Car Competition Camp
(Free for all Northern High School Students)
Do you enjoy problem solving? Are you good at building things? Creative? Maybe you’ve always wanted to try your hand at woodworking but have never had the opportunity to try. If so, this is the camp for you! No experience necessary.
https://docs.google.com/docume...
Magic the Gathering & Tabletop Gaming
(Free for all Northern High School Students)
Do you enjoy problem solving and strategy? Do you like games like Hearthstone, Chess, Magic the Gathering, Risk, and Catan? If so, this is the camp for you! No experience necessary.
https://docs.google.com/docume...
SENIORS
Senior Yearbook Ads
Good news! Senior ad sales have been extended until 2/10/22!
This is the final deadline! Recognize your child to commemorate their achievements and important milestones. Purchase one at https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1057651/Northern-Burlington-High-School/
Please see this flyer for information.
Cap & Gown Orders- Seniors received an invitation to order their cap and gown on the Class of 2022 Google Classroom, They will order through Jostens’ website. The site has been updated to accept payments for the caps and gown units. They will be delivered to the school directly for distribution. All other items ordered through Jostens will be delivered to the address attached to the order.
SENIOR TRIP-
Disney World
April 27-30, 2022
COVID WAIVER FORM - due prior to room selection. A Parent/Guardian must sign the form, even if the student is 18 years old. Return to Room 111. Find the form HERE.
Room Selection - signups will begin next week. Procedures will be listed in google classroom - Class of 2022. Students MUST bring a printed copy of their ID that will be used for travel.
Early Dismissal of Students
Please be advised that no student under the age of 18 can sign themselves out from school early even if they are drivers. As per our Board of Education Regulations:
5230 LATE ARRIVAL AND EARLY DISMISSAL
No pupil under the age of eighteen shall be released from school before the end of the school day except in the presence of the pupil's parent(s) or legal guardian(s) or an agent of the parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
Spectators
Our region in the state of New Jersey has been moved into the “Very High” category of COVID cases. As a result, spectators at school events are limited to two per participant.
Charging Chromebooks
Please make sure your child is bringing his/her chromebook to school on a daily basis and that it is charged in the evening. It’s 2022, coming to school without a charged chromebook is like coming to school in 1985 without a trapper keeper and a pencil.
2021-2022 Yearbook
Pre-order the 2021-2022 yearbook at jostensyearbooks.com
2020-2021 Yearbook
Limited copies of last year's yearbooks are still available for purchase. Please contact Tina Kim, tkim@nburlington.com for details.
PTSC
PTSC and Amazon Smile: The Parent Teacher Student Connection (PTSC) has an Amazon Smile account for any community members who would like to support the PTSC while shopping online. Simply go to http://smile.amazon.com and search for the "Parent Teacher Student Connection" in the list of organizations (it is listed as being in Columbus, NJ) and then go through that portal to do your Amazon shopping. Amazon will donate 0.5% of all purchases to the PTSC. Please email nburlingtonptsc@gmail.com with any login questions.
Assessment Schedule 2021-2022
During the course of the school year, students will participate in various standardized assessments. Assessment Information and NB’s Assessment Schedule is available on the website: http://www.nburlington.com/o/nbc-rsd/page/student-assessment--3
Clinical Corner Spotlight:
Why Things Shouldn't Go Back to Normal After COVID-19: Dr. Ken Ginsburg discusses how this time can build a generation of incredible young individuals, through conversations promoting positive messaging and by recognizing the importance of human connection and unity. Click the link for the quick video: Video link
JANUARY 2022 - Lunchtime mental health check-ins - Mental health check-ins will be available at the High School on Tuesdays (room 1 07) and Middle School on Wednesdays (counseling conference room), during ALL lunch periods 7, 9, 11, and 13 for any students that want to attend. This allows for a small group of students (15 max, first come first serve) to drop in and have lunch with peers and a counselor. This is an opportunity to safely talk about mental health concerns in a relaxed setting. Students can bring their lunch with them to the room. We welcome students that are genuinely interested in participating.
Group Counseling for students after school starting FEBRUARY 2022: Northern Burlington School District has collaborated with First Children Services (FCS) to provide therapeutic mental health services in-person to our student via group counseling. This is a free 8-week group in-person after school support group for students to engage with a licensed clinician and their peers to discuss various topics in a safe space setting. The main topics will include anxiety/stress management, emotional regulation, gaining self-awareness, self-esteem, friendship and relationship issues, communication skills, and coping skills. If you are interested in having your child participate (students that have not done this group previously) or have questions about the group, please contact your child’s School Counselor. Spaces are limited. After school transportation will be available (exception – choice students). Deadline to enroll: Friday January 28, 2022. Please see group dates below:
High School: every Tuesday starting February 1st to March 22nd from 2:30 to 3:30 pm
Middle School: every Wednesday starting February 2nd to March 23rd from 2:40 to 3:35 pm
Care Solace helps our Northern Burlington community find mental health care providers and substance use treatment centers. Their Care Companion™ team is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and 365 days per year to quickly connect you to carefully verified providers in your community. Students, staff, and families may access Care Solace services in two ways:
Call (888) 515-0595 at any time. Support is available in 200+ languages. A dedicated Care Companion™ will help you every step of the way to research options, secure appointments, and follow up to make sure it is a good fit.
For an anonymous search, answer a few questions to get matched with an extensive list of care providers at https://caresolace.com/site/nbcrsd
Enjoy the holiday weekend as our nation marks the memory and contributions of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. If anyone is engaged in community service and wants to share, please tag the high school Twitter or Instagram accounts @nbc_hsprincipal.
Sally López, Ed.D.
Principal
Follow the Principal on twitter @nbc_hsprincipal
Follow the Superintendent on twitter: @NBCSUPER
Webpage at www.nburlington.com