NBCMS

February 11, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Here are the weekly updates from the middle school:

Mask Mandate Update:  Please see the following message from our Superintendent:

Dear Parents and Faculty:

Earlier this week, Governor Murphy announced that he would be lifting the Executive Order that requires our students and faculty to wear masks while in the school buildings.   This memo is to address NB’s planned response to this announcement.  

First, a brief history is appropriate.  Prior to the Governor’s issuance of Executive Order 251, the district’s “Road Forward” Plan allowed parents to make the choice regarding whether their child should wear a mask in school.  However, when Executive Order 251 was implemented, it required all students, educators, staff, and visitors to wear face masks inside of school buildings, regardless of vaccination status.  Therefore, as we welcomed back our students and faculty in September of 2021, NB’s ‘Road Forward’ Plan recognized the Executive Order and included the mandatory wearing of face masks for all students, faculty, and visitors.   

In anticipation of the Governor’s announcement that he will be eliminating the mask mandate on March 7th, this notice is to advise our parents, faculty, and community members that as soon as the mandate to wear masks is eliminated, NB will not require students, faculty, and visitors to wear face coverings.  NB will support and implement the “optional” use of face coverings while in school buildings.   

As the specific guidelines from the State are developed and shared, NB will make appropriate plans and the administration will notify the community.   As always, thank you for your patience during these difficult times.

Dr. James Sarruda

Superintendent 

COVID Precautions:  As you saw in the message from the Superintendent, masks will become optional in the school building beginning March 7.  This will not apply to school buses, as masks will still be required on these vehicles.

As we move toward this next stage it is important that students recognize that each will make their own choice regarding whether they wear a mask or not, and it is important that we respect each others’ choices without bullying, harassment, or other unkind actions.

Regardless, it is good to see our COVID case numbers decline and we are hopeful of more progress towards “normal.”  That being said, we still want to continue 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.   That was true even before the pandemic; students who are ill should stay home.

Any questions, please contact our school nurse, Ms. Pugliese tpugliese@nburlington.com.  

Food Drive:  As you see in the article below, we are holding a food drive next week.  It is part of our spirit week events, so students have the opportunity to show school spirit, help their team in the spirit competition, and help the community, all at the same time.  Students are invited to bring in non-perishable food items (please no items past their expiration date).  The food collected will be donated to a local food bank to assist those in our immediate area.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Spirit Week:  Looking ahead, this coming week is 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 💗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, mentioned above.  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.

Book Fair: The PTSC is excited to be hosting a Spring Book Fair coming up the Week of February 28 - March 4!!  If you have any time available, please consider signing up for a shift using the link below.  Remember, we would not be able to run the book fair without our generous parent volunteers!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0849A9AC2BA0FB6-spring1

Parent Resources Workshop Recap:  Last evening we hosted a parent resources virtual workshop. Teacher presenters provided guidance on Google Classroom, PowerSchool, learning calendars, and other various resources. We are pleased to share the presentation and recording of the event for future reference. 

KN-95 Masks: The school district has been provided with a supply of KN-95 masks that we will make available to the students and staff.  If a student would like a KN-95 mask, they simply need to stop by the main office during their lunch to pick one up.  These masks are designed to be reused multiple times.  However, as students need replacements, they should stop by the main office again.

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. 

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 (by March 1).  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 Orders:  Here is the link to order a 2022 Middle School Yearbook 

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

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. 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

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

March 1: Make Sure Sports Packets are in for Spring Sports

March 14: MS Spring Sports Begin 

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely,

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal