January 21, 2022
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Here are the weekly updates from the middle school:
High School Course Selection for Next Year: Today, Friday, January 21, the Directors of Instruction visited the 8th grade science classes to go over course selection for high school. In addition, representatives from our Air Force JROTC visited 8th grade physical education classes to talk about that program. Over the next several days, following the presentations, students are to select courses using PowerSchool. This course selection process is completed online and parents are encouraged to sit with their children and go through this process with them.
The 2022-2023 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:
Students in Grade 8: Monday, January 17 through Friday, January 28
Students in Grades 7: Select courses at a later date: Stay tuned.
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 is posted on the HS Counseling page of the website.
Looking to Spring Sports: We are now accepting Athletic Participation packets for the Sprinter/Spring Seasons. A link to the packets can be found here.
The anticipated start date is March 14, 2022 for spring sports. Packets must be submitted and approved by our school doctor before students are permitted to participate. This process can take several weeks due to the volume and the medical review of each one. Please plan to submit the packets at least three weeks in advance. Several sports in the spring have tryouts. Students who are not cleared in time, will not be able to try out. It is important to plan accordingly.
If your child’s physical exam is current and does not expire 60 days prior to the start of the season, 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.
COVID Precautions: Having students or teachers home sick is an outcome we want to limit as much as possible. We have layered safety measures at school, Wash Up (hand hygiene), Cover Up (when sneezing or coughing), Mask Up (self explanatory), and Back Up (social distancing when possible). These layers help to limit the possibility of transmitting an illness, but, of course, we are focusing on COVID.
Please check your children daily for any symptoms before sending them to school. When in doubt, students who are sick should stay home. Students who come to school sick will be sent home by the nurse (she would have done this in 2019, too). 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.
Any questions, please contact our school nurse, Ms. Pugliese tpugliese@nburlington.com.
Burlington County COVID Vaccination Sites: 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.
If you need it, the Burlington County Health Department is offering walk-in testing for COVID. Please follow this LINK for location and information.
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.
Yearbook Photo Donations: https://images.jostens.com/416224500
Last year, we had so many people generously donate photos from their lives at home. Submissions this year are much lower than we anticipated. We would love to have you share photos with us from life outside of the school building (July 2021-present). We are especially in need of photos of summer vacation, pets, celebrations (birthdays, holidays), and hobbies, but would appreciate all photos. Deadline: February 1, 2022
Yearbook Orders: Please take note that January 28, 2022 is the final date to order a yearbook with a personalized cover and/or accessories. https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09873596
Yearbook Parent Ads: Good news! Parent Ad sales have been extended until February 10, 2022! This is the final deadline! Recognize your child to commemorate their achievements and important milestones. Purchase and design your ad at the link below. See link below for information.
Clinical Corner Spotlight
The Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) training sessions are being held through Partners For Kids and Families, in 2022. Please see link for the flyer - NHA calendar link. All training sessions are virtual. For those who need a refresher on what NHA is: “The Nurtured Heart Approach consists of a set of strategies that assist children and adults in further developing self-regulation and has been found to be effective with individuals of all ages. It focuses on transforming the way someone perceives themselves, and the world around them.”
JANUARY 2022 - Lunchtime mental health check-ins for students - Mental health check-ins will be available at the High School on Tuesdays (room 107) and in the Middle School on Wednesdays (counseling conference room), during ALL lunch periods 7, 9, 11, and 13 for any student that wants 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 3:30pm
Middle School: Every Wednesday starting February 2nd to March 23rd from 2:40 to 3:35pm
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
Are you or your children in need of winter coats? Generations has new winter coats available in sizes 2T to adult XL. Please call 609-267-4001 to make an appointment to come in & pick up coats.
Looking for parent support for your child with special needs? The Mom2Mom Helpline connects parents of children with special needs to our trained counselors who are also parents. Talk to someone who understands you and your family. Call 1-877-914-MOM2 (1-877-914-6662).
Important Dates:
Jan 25: PTSC meeting 6-7pm, virtual: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77323527596?pwd=0-XopqEha2LSmt2LokiipPSe9Nny3Y.1
Jan 26: Early Dismissal of Students/Professional Development (DISTRICT CALENDAR CHANGE)
Jan. 27: End of the Second Marking Period/First Semester
Jan. 28: Semester 2/Marking Period 3 Begins
Have a good weekend.
Sincerely,
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal