NBCMS

February 18, 2022

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Here are the weekly updates from the middle school:

Middle School Student Course Selections:  All course selections are done electronically through PowerSchool.  The Parent Portal opens on Wednesday, February 23rd for current 7th grade students (Class of 2027) to select their courses and will close on Friday, March 11th. The instructions for course selection can be found here.

For our current seventh graders, the middle school counselors will begin meeting with students individually on Monday, March 14th to finalize their selections.  Students will be sent a pass from their counselor with an appointment time.   

Spirit Week and Food Drive:  We appreciate all the spirit our students demonstrated during our Spirit Week.  In particular, we want to thank all who were able to donate to the food drive for their generosity.

Black History Month Activities:  Our Black History Month door decorating contest is drawing to a close.  We are looking forward to seeing the final designs the different homerooms have come up with this month.  Good Luck to all!

 

FFA Week Begins Tuesday, February 22: FFA Week is celebrated annually nationwide the week of George Washington's birthday to bring awareness to this youth agriculture and leadership organization. Northern Burlington Middle School has one of three middle school chapters in the state of New Jersey. Nationwide there are over 8,800 chapters for both middle and high school students. To celebrate FFA Week, there is a billboard on Route 206, the high school will have tractors on display, and there will be daily themes for attire. The middle school themes are:

 

  • Tuesday, February 22:  Go Green:  Wear Green

  • Wednesday, February 23:   CraZy Socks Day

  • Thursday, February 24:  Wear Flannel/Plaid

  • Friday, February 25:  Wear Blue & Gold

 

Chromebooks:  It is extremely important that students bring their chromebook with them to school everyday and that it is charged.  We do not have enough “extra” chromebooks to provide loaners.  When students forget their chromebook, we are having them call parents to bring it into school for them.  Save yourself an extra trip in the morning, help your student create a system to ensure the  chromebook (fully charged) comes to school everyday.

 

Book Fair: The PTSC is excited to be hosting a Spring Book Fair coming up the Week of February 28 to 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

Family Math Night:  Add details, link registration and explain by invitation only and then open if seats remain. Registration deadline 8am Monday, 2/21

The NJ Earned Income Tax Credit:  NJ Treasury Department is holding a statewide campaign to raise awareness about New Jersey’s Earned Income Tax Credit (NJEITC).  Taxpayers stand to receive anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars between the state and federal program. Unfortunately, it is estimated that roughly 25 percent of eligible taxpayers fail to apply for this valuable program, leaving hard-earned money on the table.  Use these links(English/Spanish) to see if you qualify for this program.

COVID Precautions:  As you saw in the message from the Superintendent last week, 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.

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. Please report all absences to the MS attendance line - 609.298.3900 ext. 4060.

 

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. 

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

  • February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.  Every February advocates educate young people nationwide about dating violence, healthy relationship skills and the devastating cycle of abuse. This annual, month-long push helps to stop dating abuse before it starts.  According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Teen Dating Violence is devastatingly common, with approximately 1.5 million high school students in the U.S. that experience physical abuse from a dating partner.  The CDC also developed resources (link to resources) that describes strategies and approaches based on the best available evidence for preventing intimate partner violence, including teen dating violence:

 

  • Teach safe and healthy relationship skills

  • Engage influential adults and peers

  • Disrupt the developmental pathways toward partner violence

  • Create protective environments

  • Strengthen economic supports for families

  • Support survivors to increase safety and lessen harm

 

  • See pages 15 to 44 for the above strategies and approaches.

 

If someone you know has been the victim of dating violence, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day through the National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 and website: https://www.loveisrespect.org/https://www.loveisrespect.org/

 

  • The Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) trainings are being held through Partners For Kids and Families, in 2022.  Here is the 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. 18:  No School for Students/Staff Development Day

Feb. 21:  School Closed for Presidents Weekend

Feb. 23: Family Math Night (By Invitation and then open if seats remain)

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 

March 18:  Early Dismissal of Students/Staff Development Day

Have a good weekend.

Sincerely,

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal