The Weekly Update

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has some great resources on their website for parents. For example, they created The Three C’s to help you connect with your child around mental health and wellness. Here they are in a snapshot:

Get CURIOUS

Use these conversation starters to talk to your kids about what they are experiencing. Remember to listen with curiosity and empathize with them. Here are some examples:

-It seems you are sadder during the evenings. So let’s explore why that may be happening…

-I’ve noticed you seem less interested in some of your favorite activities. Do you notice that too?

-When was the last time you felt this way? What was happening around you?

Get CONCRETE

Check in with your child with some of these questions. NAMI calls it 10 Question Tuesday and the complete list of questions are on their website but here are a few to start!

-What has been taking up most of your mental energy these days?

-What’s your favorite way to relax or de-stress right now?

-What’s something you are looking forward to? What are you dreading?

-Do you feel you have too many responsibilities? Do you think you are managing your time well? What could support you?

Stay COMPASSIONATE

Use compassionate language to ensure your child feels seen, heard, and validated when discussing mental health and wellness. Here are some tips:

-Say “Thank you for telling me that” after they express their feelings.

-Get comfortable with silence as people tend to share more when we show we are listening without interrupting.

-Try to remain calm. If your child senses you are upset they may shut down or be less likely to share in the future.

-Practice active listening, saying things like, “What I am hearing you say is….”

For more parent/caregiver resources go straight to NAMI.org.

The Parent Teacher Student Connection (PTSC) is Northern Burlington's version of a Home and School/PTA group. All parents are invited to join and meetings are held throughout the year.

Please see this links for more information:

2024-25 Welcome Letter

Membership Form

The 2025 Polaris Yearbook is now accepting pre-orders! Take advantage of our Back-to-School special: $8 off (full price is $60) and FOUR FREE icons when you purchase personalization ($10). The Back-to-School special ends October 25, 2024. Payments are made online via credit card or PayPal and can be split into three installments, if preferred. Additional options such as a Parent Ad, plastic cover, and other accessories are also available on the website. https://linktr.ee/nbcrmsyearbook

Is your child in need of academic support? Members of the High School National Honors Society provide tutoring to all Northern Burlington students. Middle School students can attend tutoring after school on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Greyhound Learning Center. Interested students simply need to sign up during their lunch period.

During the course of the school year, students will participate in various standardized assessments. Assessment Information and NB’s Assessment Schedule is available on the Office of Curriculum and Instruction (Academics) website in the Student Assessment section.

September is National Preparedness Month! We raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies. By actively participating in National Preparedness Month, staff, students, and families can help protect their families, friends, and community members while fostering a culture of preparedness. Here are some simple steps everyone can take:

• Make A Plan: Families may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to create plans that outline how they will contact each other during an emergency.

• Build a Kit: Assemble emergency kits containing essential supplies like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and important documents. Ensure these kits are easily accessible and periodically updated.

• Ready Kids: Engage students in age-appropriate preparedness activities. Utilize FEMA’s “Ready Kids” resources to teach children about emergency planning.

Pet Preparedness: Pets are important members of families too, so they need to be included when making a plan.

The Northern FFA Chapter will be holding 2 Fall Plant Sales during the month of September. Please see the sale dates & times below. Horticulture students have been working hard over the summer propagating, planting, and growing fall crops - including mums & pansies!

Save the Dates!

Northern FFA Fall Plant Sale Dates & Times:

Saturday September 21st - 9am-12pm

A variety of plants to include:

Fall Annuals, Mums, & Pansies

Foliage Hanging Baskets - 10" & 12" baskets

Fall Veggies & Potted Herbs

Houseplants, Succulents & Indoor Plants

Various Mixed Combo/Decorative Fall Planters

Address:

Northern Burlington County Regional High School

Greenhouse Complex

Address: 160 Mansfield Road East

Columbus, NJ 08022

Contact: Brian Hayes, Teacher of Agriculture

Email: bhayes@nburlington.com

Congressman Kim would like to invite you to join his office for a very important webinar focusing on the issue of bullying in Grades K-12. With the school year in session, the Congressman believes it is vital to raise awareness of bullying, the responsibilities of school systems and understanding NJ State Laws.

We will be discussing:

• What are the school policies, responsibilities and NJ Laws when reporting a child being bullied?

• What do child experts know about the origins of bullying?

• How can we support children who are experiencing, witnessing or the cause of bullying?

Registration Information:

Understanding Bullying: A Guide to School Policy, NJ Laws and Support

Date: September 25, 12-1PM

Click HERE to register: must be registered to attend – please feel free to submit questions during registration

Be sure to have your child check the lost and found if your student is missing something. The lost and found is not always this neat, but there are always items students left behind.

From time to time during the school year the items in the lost and found are bagged up and donated, so be sure to check for a missing item sooner rather than later.