May 19, 2023
Middle School Parent Message
Good Afternoon,
Here are the updates from the middle school:
8th Grade Class Night:The eighth grade class night is scheduled for Friday, June 2rd from 6 pm to 8 pm. The event will be a picnic type event that includes food, music, and games, and the dress is casual. The event is open only to Northern Burlington 8th graders and tickets will be sold in advance only. The tickets will be $20 per person and will be on sale during homeroom on May 22, 23, and 24.
PTSC Clothing Drive: The PTSC annual spring clothing drive is underway. This is a chance to clean out your closets of unwanted household items and help others. The clothing drive is now until May 22 (by 12 pm). Please tie items in trash bags and drop them off at the Middle School pole barn (next to the bus parking lot on access rd off Island Rd). Signs are posted.
Acceptable items:
• Clothing for men, women and children
• Shoes (bag separate from clothes)
• Clothing accessories: belts, hats, scarves, handbags, gloves etc
• Soft household items like towels, blankets, bed sheets, pillows, quilts, comforters and curtains
• We take small toys (2 ft. or less)
• Stuffed animals, bikes and scooters
• Strollers
State Testing: 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: Throughout this school year I have given examples of mindfulness with the breath. “Focusing on our bodily sensations helps anchor us to the present moment. Since we always have our breath with us, it is something we can always use as a focusing point,” states the authors of DBT Skills in Schools, Mazza, Dexter-Mazza, Miller, Rathus, and Murphy, 2016, p.93. DBT, or dialectical behavior therapy helps people find ways to accept themselves, feel safe, and tolerate their emotions to help regulate potentially destructive or harmful behaviors. This breathing technique can help calm you so you don’t act impulsively and also helps relieve anxiety. Here’s how it works: For one to two minutes, and with a “soft gaze”(looking down at nothing in particular), count 1 on the in-breath, then 2 on the out-breath, 3 on the in-breath and 4 on the out-breath, all the way to 10. When you get to 10, stop and begin counting at 1 again. If you lose count, just notice it and begin back at 1. If you notice that all of a sudden you are at 11, 18 or 24, just notice it, let it go and begin back at 1 again. If you notice your thoughts are drifting away from your breathing, just notice it and gently bring your attention back to your breath and counting.
It’s almost just as important to notice when we are distracted as it is to stay focused on counting the breath. This way we strengthen that observer muscle that can help bring ourselves back to the task at hand whether it be at school, home or at work. Even if you only have time to breathe and count to 10 one time, you should feel calmer, more centered and like you just hit a pause button in your day, which is what we all need sometimes.
A Message from your Northern Nurses: The US COVID public health emergency has been lifted and that means beginning in 2024 a shift away from federal funds for free COVID testing and vaccines, instead those costs will be handled through private insurance.
Our school guidelines, with regard to infection control and preventing illness in school, have not changed.
Please continue to keep students home for any sick symptoms.
Please continue to report any positive COVID infections and Flu infections to your school nurse.
Nursing will work with you and Administration to ensure that students home sick have excused absences.
While COVID infection incidence is low, boosters are still reformulated for variants and recommended.
The Burlington County Health Department has announced their next round of immunization clinics. Please see the information HERE for times and location.
Make sure if you are receiving mail from your Health Insurance program that you are promptly responding so you do not have a loss of health insurance coverage
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!!!!
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: Here is the link for all online athletic registrations: https://northernburlington-ar....
Summer Fitness Club: Online registration is NOW OPEN for any student, grades 9 through 12 in the 2023-24 school year, students wishing to participate in Summer Conditioning must complete the online registration form. https://northernburlington-ar....
Fall Cheerleading and Football (2023-24 grades 9 - 12): Online athletic registration is NOW OPEN. The remainder of the fall season sports (2023-24 grades 9 - 12) will open on Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
For Middle School Fall Sports (2023-24 grades 7 & 8): Online athletic registration will open on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.
If you currently have an account for the online athletic registration, please do not create a new one. Please call the athletic office for assistance at 609-298-3900, ext. 2093.
Working Papers: Beginning June 1, 2023, the state of NJ is taking over the submission of Working Papers. You can find the forms and information from the state at this link: https://www.nj.gov/labor/youngworkers/find-a-job/working-papers/
Important Dates:
May 22: PTSC Clothing Drive Ends at Noon
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: 6 pm to 8 pm
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