May 26, 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 2 from 6 pm to 8 pm. Tickets were sold last week during the school day. No tickets will be available at the door.
NBCRMS 2023 POLARIS YEARBOOK: The final date to pre-order your yearbook is June 2, 2023 or when supplies run out. As of May 24, there are fewer than 40 books available. https://linktr.ee/nbcrmsyearbo...
If you are moving prior to June 12 and have ordered a yearbook, please email kgierman@nburlington.com with a valid mailing address.
Leaving our School District?: Please reach out to our registrars so that they can email you a withdrawal card to complete prior to registering in your new district. NJ school districts WILL NOT enroll a student without being withdrawn from their previous district.
Current 7th & 8th grade, please email sbaker@nburlington.com
Current 9th -12th grade, please email vsheppard@nburlington.com
*Please note, not completing this process will delay records being sent to your child’s new district.
Summer Enrichment Experiences: NB is proud to offer a variety of 4 day summer enrichment camp experiences for students. Please review the descriptions below and links for registration.
July 10-13
Graphic Novel and Comics Camp: Examine the history of DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Discuss how they have changed reading and movies forever. We will draw our own comic strips using the Marvel Method and Canva.
Design Your Own Spirit Gear!: Learn how to use Google Drawings and Cricut software/hardware to design and create your own Northern T-shirts or hats.
Student Organization & Mindfulness: Students will learn practical ways to simplify and organize their everyday lives. Topics include school material organization, time management, planning, and mindfulness.
Intro to Woodturning: Learn to use a wood lathe to turn a variety of items. Materials will vary from assorted woods to cast resins.
Art, Culture, and Travel: Students will be traveling around the globe through the world of art and the many different cultures that create it. You will learn how each culture interacts with art in a unique way from painting like an Aboriginal to using artistic expression to design Peruvian textiles. By stepping into the shoes of another artist, we are able to truly understand their art culture.
July 17 - 20
Home and 3D Design: Campers will engage in digitally designing homes and products. They will also be tasked with building scale models and 3D printing some of their designs.
Film Study 2023: We will look at a few great, monumental movies from the past and present, spanning different genres. In-depth, thought-provoking, Socratic-style post viewing discussions will be the norm. Possible titles: Citizen Kane, Toy Story, Malcolm X, The Dark Knight, The Empire Strikes Back, Double Indemnity, The Wizard of Oz, and The Hate U Give
July 24-27
Making of a Mystery: Students will have opportunities to put their detective skills to the test in a variety of ways. Scavenger hunts, Escape rooms, Who Dunn’it stories, and Clue the board game. This enrichment experience allows students to strengthen both their critical thinking and problem solving skills, in a fun and creative way.
Digital Graphic Design: Using their cell phones, a Chromebook, and a desktop PC, students will create a series of items in the high school Design Lab. Projects range from buttons, stickers, laser engraved items, and a printed T-Shirt.
July 31 - August 3
CAMPUS STORE CAMP '23: Students will be engaged in Hound Pound Set Up. Students will get a free camp shirt and snacks.
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.
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....
For High School Fall Sports (2023-24 grades 9 - 12): Online athletic registration is NOW OPEN.
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/
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.
Important Dates:
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
Enjoy the holiday weekend for Memorial Day as we honor the men and women who have given their lives in order to protect our nation and our freedoms.
Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.
Principal