May 5, 2023
Middle School Parent Message
Good Afternoon,
Here are the updates from the middle school:
Teacher Appreciation Week: Notes of Appreciation: Teacher Appreciation Week is from May 8 to May 12. School Nurses’ Day is on May 10th. This would be a perfect time to recognize our teachers/nurses with an encouraging email to express our gratitude for their efforts. Staff emails can be found on our website or via powerschool or you can fill out the form below for each person you would like to recognize and a note will be generated and sent to them: Teacher Appreciation Form
Spring Concert Season: The spring concert season is nearly upon us. Both the choral and instrumental music programs will be holding their annual spring concerts. Both are open to the public and will be held in the middle school cafetorium with a start time of 7 pm.
Chorus Thursday, May 11
Band Wednesday, May 17
Hope to see you there.
Warm Weather and Appropriate Dress: It is that time of year when the temperature begins to rise, and students put away their hoodies and sweatpants. Students still need to make appropriate clothing choices with the warmer weather. They should refer to the student handbook’s guide to proper dress. Generally speaking, hemlines should not be above one’s hands when the hands are held at the side, midriffs should not be exposed, clothing should cover the back. If there is any doubt about an outfit, we recommend changing into something else and save that outfit for the weekend. Students who do not meet the guidelines for school appropriate attire will be required to change before going to class and that may require a telephone call home. Students can save everyone time and awkward conversations by choosing clothing with the guidelines in mind.
State Testing: This past week our students completed both the math and ELA portions of the state testing. It went smoothly and we thank our students for their help in making it so. We will have one more round of testing On May 25 and 26 when only the eighth graders will be completing the state science test.
Clinical Corner: Confidence can be elusive to maintain in the teen years, with body image insecurities and trying to get a solid sense of identity. Adults know it is often difficult to keep confidence consistent even in the adult years but a firmer foundation should help. An article from verywellfamily.com, written by Amy Morin, LCSW, shares good tips that people at any age can use to develop confidence. Here are the tips to start using if you are not already with your student/teen:
Promote self-improvement-accept flaws while striving to get better
Praise effort instead of outcome-they can control their effort but not always the result
Teach assertiveness skills- allow them to say no to some things they don’t want to do
Encourage new opportunities-like a new club, musical instrument or job/volunteer work
Model confidence-watch your own self talk and show that you can try hard things too
Build self-worth-help them live according to their own values not someone else’s
Balance freedom with guidance-if you believe they can figure it out they will too
Help develop positive self-talk-remind them that not all thoughts are true
Positive self-talk leads to a positive sense of self. Saying to yourself, “This math class is hard and I am doing the best I can,” is so much better than letting your inner critic win and put yourself down. Give these tips a try for a month for yourself as well as your student/teen and see the difference it makes.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP: YOUR MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
Presenter: Dr. Bobbie Downs
Target Audience: All School Staff, Parents/Guardians
PARENT/GUARDIAN/COMMUNITY TRAINING: May 16, 2023 5:00-9:00 pm
About the Workshop: Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health of addiction challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 50 step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance abuse, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
All participants that attend will receive a nationally recognized certification and will be registered in the Youth Mental Health First Aid national database.
About the Presenter: Dr. Bobbie Downs is currently the Director of the Child Study Team, Related Services, and Educational Services Unit of the Burlington County Special Services School District. She also facilitates the Burlington County Professional Development Institute and Burlington County School Crisis Response Team. Dr. Downs decided to pursue a career in education after serving as a teacher and administrator in a school for Sudanese refugees in Cairo, Egypt. Since that time, Dr. Downs served in the role of teacher and administrator at the Burlington County Alternative School before being named Director of the ESU. Dr. Downs received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Master's Degree in Teaching from Drew University. Later, Dr. Downs earned her Master degree in School Leadership and her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Dr. Downs also holds a Graduate Certificate of Autism Education. She is a certified mindfulness instructor for Mindful Schools and an instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid. Dr. Downs is an active member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and the Council for Exceptional Children. She also works for the Korean War Legacy Foundation and the World History Digital Education Foundation with the goal of helping educators teach more about the war and the past, present, and future development of Korea.
PARENT/GUARDIAN/STAFF TRAINING: May 16, 2023 5:00-9:00 pm
BCSSSD Media Center
Offered at no cost to parents/guardians in Burlington County
Please click here to register.
A Message from your Northern Nurses: With the onset of Spring, hopefully we will continue to see declining numbers of sickness in our community. Please continue to carefully monitor your student and keep him/her home for any sick symptoms.
Please do not send students with sick symptoms to school.
Even though the community incidence rates are lower, the state requires that we track the number of COVID and Flu cases in our community and we will work with you and Administration to ensure students that are home sick have excused absences.
The Burlington County Health Department has announced their next round of immunization clinics. Please see the information HERE for times and location.
Contact our school nurse with any questions, tpugliese@nburlington.com.
Northern FFA Spring Plant Sale: The Northern FFA Chapter will be holding its annual Spring Plant Sale days during the month of May. Horticulture students have been hard at work seeding, planting and transplanting in the greenhouse. This year we are happy to offer an expanded selection of plants to our customers. We look forward to seeing you again during this year's plant sale days!
Click HERE for more details. To see the price list, click HERE.
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:
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.
From the Athletic Department: Online registration is now open for the Summer Fitness Club. Any student, grades 9 through 12 in the 2023-24 school year, wishing to participate in Summer Conditioning must complete the online registration form. https://northernburlington-ar.rschooltoday.com/
Please contact Mrs. O’Neill in the Athletic Office at moneill@nburlington.com if you have any questions.
Important Dates:
May 8 through12: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 8 through 22: PTSC Clothing Drive
May 11: Middle School Choral Concert
May 17: Middle School Instrumental Concert
May 25 & May 26: NJSLA/Early Dismissal of Students
May 29: School Closed for Memorial Day
June 2: Early Dismissal of Students/Professional Development
June 2: 8th Grade Closing Event: Details to follow
June 9, 12, & 13: Early Dismissal of Students
June 13: Last Day of School for Students
June 14: Last Day of School for Teachers
Have a good weekend!
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal