NBCMS

 February 4, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Here are the weekly updates from the middle school:

Evacuation on February 4:  As you know from the text message this morning we had to evacuate the building due to a malfunction in one of the motors in a classroom heating system.  It was a less than ideal situation.  However, our students handled the circumstances well.  The teachers were very complimentary of how the students conducted themselves.  So thank you to our students for their help during this situation.  

Parent Resources Workshop:  Please join us on Thursday, February 10th from 6:30-7:30pm via zoom for a parent resources workshop virtual evening event. Teacher presenters will discuss Google Classroom, PowerSchool, learning calendars, and other various resources. RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link the week of the event:  Click here to RSVP no later than February 8th.

Door Decorating:  In honor of Black History Month we are having a door decorating contest in homeroom.  Each homeroom is selecting a particular notable African American to represent in their door decoration.  We are looking forward to seeing how the students put together their ideas and come up with unique designs during the course of the month.  Thank you to our STAT and No Place for Hate clubs for organizing this event.

Spirit Week:  Looking ahead, the week of February 14 is our annual Spirit Week.  The week is a Blue Grey Competition.  We divide the students in half, roughly.  Those with last names beginning with the letters A-K are the Blue Team and those with last names beginning with the letters L-Z are the Grey team.  Throughout the week there will be in class competitions where the teams can earn points.  There will also be dress themes for each day and students can earn points for their team by dressing in the theme.  

  • Monday, February 14: I đź’—Spirit Week:  Wear red or pink

  • Tuesday, February 15: Crazy Hair/Hat Day:  self explanatory (No hair paint please)

  • Wednesday, February 16: MISMATCH:  again, self explanatory

  • Thursday, February 17: Blue  (A-K) and Grey (L-Z) Day:  Wear blue/grey

Of course, all dress for the days must be school appropriate.  No hair coloring or face paint.  We learned the hard way that those just make a mess.

Finally, part of the competition will be a food drive.  Students are invited to bring in non-perishable items that will be donated to a local food bank (no expired items, please).  Of course students can earn points for their team for each item they donate to the food drive.  

We look forward to the week and to determining which team is the winner.

Thanks to our student government and advisors for organizing the event.

Medical Emergencies: When medical emergencies arise during the school day, administrators, faculty, and nurses quickly respond.  The district handles a variety of medical emergencies almost daily. When appropriate, the administration will communicate information as necessary.     

 

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 on the first day of practice for their specific sport, 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.  

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.

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1125152/Northern-Burlington-County-Regional-Middle-School/

Yearbook Orders:  Here is the link to order a 2022 Middle School Yearbook 

https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A09873596

COVID Precautions:  Like the rest of the state of New Jersey, we are watching as our COVID numbers go down.  We are hopeful for the future.  That being said, we still want to take our precautions to limit the spread of COVID, and we have our reminders to our students to wash up, cover up, mask up , and back up.

Also, Please check your children daily for any symptoms before sending them to school.  When in doubt, students who are sick should stay home.   

 

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. 

Clinical Corner Spotlight

  • Communicating Love Clearly to Teens – by Ken Ginsburg MD, MSEd - While we mark Valentine’s Day on the calendar as a day to show our love, it’s an emotion that we shouldn’t hesitate to express any day of the year.  Love is timeless and everlasting. We can never be reminded too often of the impact it has in our children’s lives.  Our love is perhaps the most protective, enduring force we offer our children. Why? Because it makes our children know that they are worthy of being loved.  There are so many ways we demonstrate love for our children. All of them are meaningful and protective. Click the link to access the full article: Communicating Love Clearly to Teens

  • The Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) trainings are being held through Partners For Kids and Families, in 2022.  Please see link for the flyer - NHA calendar link.  All trainings 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.”

  • 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:

Feb. 10:  Parent Engagement Workshop:  Virtual Meeting

Feb. 14 to 17:  Spirit Week and Canned Food Drive

Feb. 18:  No School for Students/Staff Development Day

Feb. 21:  School Closed for Presidents Weekend

Coming Soon: Feb. 28 to Mar. 4:  PTSC Book Fair (10 am to 1 pm)

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely,

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal