MS Parent Message March 27, 2020

Good Afternoon:

 

Week Two

The second week of distance learning is coming to a close. We hope it was a productive week for your children.  We are certainly learning as well as we go through this process ourselves. Please continue to stay in touch with your child’s teachers if you have any questions or concerns.

 

District Communication and Web Page

The district web page continues to be a main point for information during this school closure and can be accessed at this address: www.nburlington.com.  It includes access to our School Closure Preparedness Plan (SCPP), copies of correspondence sent home from the start of the crisis, and well as other resources.  It is updated regularly as developments occur or new information becomes available.

 

FAQ

On our district web page (www.nburlington.com) there is a FAQ section regarding school closures.  As questions arise, please forward that to NBSCPP@nburlington.com.

 

Counselors and Support for Families

If a child needs access to his or her school counselor, they are available and can be contacted by email or by using this link

 

Clinical Corner Spotlight 

Coronavirus has turned our worlds upside down.  Parents and students alike are struggling to adjust to the new normal.  It is important that we take care of our loved ones, not only physically, but also mentally.  It is our responsibility to talk about what is happening in the world today with our families; specifically, in New Jersey.  The following resources will provide some guidelines on how to have open conversations and understand what is happening with your child.   Knowing the facts about the Covid 19 is also an important key to the conversation. It is important to validate feelings and ease uncertainty especially in those individuals that struggle with mental health issues already.  There are also tools to help regulate stress and anxiety. Along with activities for self-compassion, self-care, and mindfulness. We, Northern Burlington Regional School District are here to provide support to our parents, students, staff, and community members.  Please click the link below for details: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PQlfYCtYpWGXIvgdIT7v5yhJHCJDeBzMyCEma9XqWno/edit?usp=sharing 

Virtual Donuts with Directors

NB’s Directors will continue the Donuts with Directors program meetings virtually via Zoom on   Tuesday, March 31, 9am-10am. Zoom meeting code:   

 

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8723194666

 

We look forward to collaborative discussion about virtual learning, course selection, and college/career planning. 

 

Revised Academic Calendar: New Date for End of Marking Period 3

NB’s 2019-2020 academic calendar has been revised as follows:

  • Marking Period 3 extended until Thursday, April 
  • Marking Period 4 will begin Monday, April 20

Virtual Schooling and Communicating with Teachers

The primary platform for home instruction is Google Classroom.  The students use Google Classroom regularly during school and it is something they should be familiar with as we start virtual schooling.  Students should check into their different google classrooms daily and complete assignments, discussions, etc that are there within the due dates.  Generally, there are not specific times that students need to be on Google Classroom in the event there are limited devices in your home and students need to share.  However, students are encouraged to create a schedule of the various assignments to complete. Teachers are available to contact via email and they have “office hours” organized by department.

 

State Shut Down and School Building Closed

Consistent with Governor Murphy’s order, the school buildings are closed until further notice.  Students who had wanted to retrieve anything from a locker are no longer able to do so.  Students are to continue social distancing to limit the possibility of the transmission of the coronavirus and limit contact with their friends to online transactions rather than in person meetings.

 

Free and Reduced Lunch

Meals are available for any Northern Burlington high school or middle school student.  Please visit our website for more information or follow this link..

 

Course Selection for Students in Grade 8

This week there were several live sessions by the Directors of Instruction regarding course selection for students entering high school.  For those who were unable to join the Zoom meeting, there is a recording available here.

The following information may be useful as a reference to course selection.  Here is a link to the slides HS POS Presentation 2020-2021 and the high school program of studies.  In addition, there are a series of videos describing the different course options that can be found here.

NJSLA-Standardized Testing

State standardized testing has been cancelled.  Students will not need to complete the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) that had been scheduled for May.

Have a good weekend.

Andrew Kearns, Ed.D.

Principal