March 3, 2023
Middle School Parent Message
Good Afternoon,
Here are the updates from the middle school:
Extended Learning Schedule Update: This week we completed the second pilot of the extended learning/block schedule. Thank you to our students for their help in implementing the new schedule and for providing feedback. We are looking to next year and using what we have learned to implement this new way of organizing the school day in the best way possible.
Course Selection for the Class of 2028: Middle School Program of Studies for 2023-2024:
The 2023-2024 Middle School Program of Studies is available on the Middle 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 7: Thursday, March 2nd - Sunday, March 19th
Students in Grade 6: Will select courses at a later date.
Middle School Counselors will meet with current 7th graders in late March to confirm their course selections.
High School Counselors will begin to meet with our current 8th grade students to review their course selections starting March 13.
Spring Sports: Spring sports registration is open.
https://northernburlington-ar.rschooltoday.com/
If you already have an account, there is no need to create a new one. Log in with your username and password to register your child for the 2023 Spring Sport Season.
Please be sure that all current physicals are uploaded into the registration portal (STEP 4).
If you have any questions, please contact Michele O’Neill, Athletic Department Secretary at moneill@nburlington.com or 609-298-3900, ext. 2093.
Students who do not submit the sport registration information will not be cleared to practice or try out for a spring sport. The School doctor must review all of the applications so do not wait to submit the registration since the process can take time between the submission and final approval.
PTSC News: Book Fair is coming to the Middle School next week! Be sure to load your student's eWallet or send in money.
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/content/fairs/how-ewallet-works.html?fairId=5239551
We are still in need of volunteers for the book fair next week. Please sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0849a9ac2ba0fb6-2023#/
Check our website (www.nburlington.com/page/ptsc) for more information.
Pesticide Application: Please see this NOTICE regarding upcoming pesticide application on the fields surrounding the school.
Clinical Corner: While the last Clinical Corner discussed boundaries, what goes hand in hand with that is how passive, assertive or aggressive a person is. In an article by kidshealth.org, it explains how assertive is the “just right” between passive and aggressive. However, this style of communication doesn’t come easily for everyone whether it’s one’s personality, their experiences, or habits that get in the way. The article gives these guidelines to define assertive behavior:
You can give an opinion or say how you feel
You can ask for what you want or need
You can disagree respectfully
You can offer your ideas and suggestions
You can say no without feeling guilty
You can speak up for someone else
It goes on to explain how people who are more passive often feel taken advantage of, hurt or resentful. People who are too aggressive often have trouble making or keeping friends. The article gives helpful case examples of people exhibiting all three styles. The good news is that you can become more assertive if you feel you are falling too much to the left or right of the continuum. If you are more passive, they recommend trying to get in touch with what you want or need as well as trying to avoid saying “I don’t know”, which allows others all too easily to make decisions for you. The article also gives specific examples on how to word things to make it easier to be assertive. If aggressiveness is your norm, one can do things like asking someone else’s opinion and listening more. Another mindful thing to do is to notice if you interrupt, if so, apologize and let the person finish.
We are all works in progress. Helping your child/student figure out which style they are and how they can move closer to being more assertive will help them feel more confident and in control of getting their needs met. For more examples and information on this topic please click here.
A Message from your Northern Nurses: Following data from the Burlington County Health Department, we are seeing a downturn in the number of Flu, COVID and all respiratory infections.
Please continue to do your part by carefully monitoring your student and keeping him/her home for any sick symptoms. Worrisome symptoms are cough, fever, breathing difficulty AND 2 or more symptoms combined such as congestion, headache, sore throat, muscle aches etc.
Please do not send students with sick symptoms to school and either:
Take to your doctor for clearance OR
Use a home COVID test (ideally 1 negative test and a second 48 hours later)
AND - Please communicate with your student's school nurse.
We must track the number of COVID and Flu cases in our community and we will work with you and Administration to ensure students home sick have excused absences.
Contact our school nurse with any questions, tpugliese@nburlington.com.
Relay for Life: From May 20th at 6:00 p.m. to May 21st at 6:00 a.m. we will gather on the football field to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society! The night is spent celebrating survivors, supporting cancer patients, and remembering friends and family. There are also events and games all night long, and you can spend the night hanging out with your friends and family. All are welcome!!!!
Meeting Schedule:
March 21, 2023 - 6:00 PM (Room 110)
April 4, 2023 - 6:00 PM (Room 110)
April 26, 2023 - 6:00 PM (Room 110)
May 9, 2023 - 6:00 PM (Room 110)
May 20-21, 2023 - Relay for Life (6:00 PM to 6:00 AM)
If you have any questions or you would like to be a part of the Relay for Life of Northern Burlington Committee, please contact Lori Nadolny (lnadolny@nburlington.com ) or Dr. Sally Lopez (slopez@nburlington.com ). If you would like to participate in Relay for Life by creating a team or joining a team, please visit the website: https://relayforlife.org/NB
Reminders:
Student Pickup: In the event that a student must leave school before the conclusion of the school day they may only be picked up by a person that is listed in PowerSchool as a parent, guardian or emergency contact. All persons will need to present picture identification prior to the release of a student. Any changes to this information must be completed IN WRITING PRIOR to the day of implementation.
School Closure/Delayed Opening due to Inclement Weather: In the event that school must be closed or the opening delayed by 90 minutes due to inclement weather, announcements will be broadcast via twitter @nbcrsd, posted on our website www.nburlington.com or please follow me at @NBC_MSPrincipal.
Important Dates:
Mar. 6: PTSC Book Fair Begins (March 6 to 10)
Mar. 12: Daylight Saving Time: Clock Springs Forward 1 Hour
Mar. 15: PTSC Meeting, 6:30 pm, HS Media Center
Mar. 17: Early Dismissal of Students/Staff Development Day
Mar. 31: MP3 Ends
Mar. 31: Middle School Musical, 7:30 pm
Apr. 1: Middle School Musical, 7:30 pm
Apr. 6: Early Dismissal
Apr. 7 to Apr. 14: School Closed for Spring Break
Have a good weekend.
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal