Dear Intermediate North Dolphin Families,

This week our students and staff turned over a new marking period. Students began their new activity classes for Marking Period 3 and have now met all of their new teachers. Parents, the 2nd marking period grades are now posted, so please be sure to check the status of your child's grades on the Parent Portal.

TRIN's Administration, Guidance, and the School Safety Team kicked off a new program called Staff “Shout Out” Of The Month in January. To recognize the hard work, commitment and passion our school staff have, TRIN students will have the opportunity to nominate a staff member to be recognized for making a difference and positive impact for our students.

At the end of January, we recognized our first month of "Staff Shout-Outs!" We are extremely excited to announce we had over 180 students make nominations for recognizing the positive impact our staff has on their journey here at TRIN.

Congratulations to our staff for making a positive difference in our students' journey and school community. All nominations are placed in a raffle for a special prize for both the teacher and the nominator. This month's winner of our "Staff Shout-Out" nomination is Mrs. Mabie and one of her math students.

We hope as families you can continue to encourage your child to participate and join us to launch this new program and help make it a huge success.

We are also currently working with our guidance department and new SRO, Mr. Kazonowski, in developing a positive student recognition program as well. More details will be coming.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Fronzak

Principal

Lifetouch will be taking student spring pictures. Students will have their pictures taken during their Health or Phys. Ed classes. Please see the list of gym teachers to determine which day your child will have their picture taken.

Thursday Friday

February 24 February 25

Ms. Bado Mr. Lang

Mr. Clause Mr. Peck

Ms. Gustimbelli Ms. Macho

Mr. Muir

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Congratulations to 7th grader Caroline Yoon and 8th grader Sabrina Roselli for being accepted into the All Shore Intermediate Orchestra. They are performing this Friday at 7pm at Wall Intermediate School and proudly representing Intermediate North alongside other students from Ocean, Monmouth and Middlesex Counties. Congratulations Girls!!

We would also like to congratulate 7th grader, Soteria Stathoudakis, who was accepted on mallets for the All South Jersey Region Band. What an honor for Soteria!

Deadline for submitting in spring sports physicals to our school nurse is February 25. This date has been extended from the previous date of Feb 18th. TRIN's Spring Sports include boys' and girls' track and field ,baseball and softball. Tryouts and practices will begin on March 14th. Coaches will be conducting informational prior to the start of the season. More information and details of the meetings will be forth coming.

Our Spring Bowling Club will be starting soon. If your child is interested in participating, please see the important links below for more information. The number of participants is limited as we are only afforded a set number of lanes from the cooperating bowling alley.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YPIhRVCyAjon-isok95ODEJHCm3KzGXneBxyLjtziys/edit?usp=drive_web

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10EGoY7JyF9dmTA2PqOrheAtD02JAm_fmor8k6HoFtt4/edit?usp=drive_web

How Protective Factors Can Promote Resilience

A number of different factors — some biological or psychological, others social or environmental — can give people greater protection from or increase their risk of experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. Effective reduction of mental health and substance use challenges focuses on bolstering protective factors and reducing risk factors.

***Wednesday, February 9th - HSN Guidance Department 8th Grade Cycle Visit - counselors from HSN will meet with cycles to review the information shared at the parent virtual night with the students at TRIN.

***Wednesday, March 23rd - HSN Guidance Department 8th Grade Student Visit - counselors from HSN will meet individually with students to review their schedules for 9th grade.

Remember, we understand the transition from middle school to high school can be intimidating, but there is strength in numbers and this is not a journey you will ever walk alone. We are all here for you.

https://www.adlit.org/topics/social-emotional-issues/ensuring-successful-student-transitions-middle-grades-high-school

We have been busy working on the 2021-2022 Toms River Intermediate School North yearbook and are really excited about it! The yearbook will be packed with student portraits, events, sports, candids, and activities and is the best and most permanent way for your student to remember this school year.

To be 100% guaranteed to have a yearbook for your child, you must purchase by February 27, if you have not already. After that date, yearbooks may be available for purchase later, but you take the risk of the school selling out and your child missing out on the yearbook. We want every student and family that wants a yearbook to have one, so please make sure to purchase by February 27 by clicking this link;

https://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A05196550

Below is for 8th grade Graduates only:

The Recognition Ad deadline has been extended until February 17th by Jostens. This is the last day to order these. Link is below:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/jcom/router.mvc?affiliateId=1056301

This year Girl Scouts is celebrating their 110th birthday on March 11th. Please have your child wear their uniform or troop shirts to school on that day to help celebrate.

Atlanta Bread has partnered with Anchor Family Success Center of Ocean County, a division of the Children's Home Society, in an effort to help feed families in need by supplying free bread. Pick-up is on Tuesdays from 9:30am-1:30pm. Please follow the link below for more information regarding this generous service.

https://www.chsofnj.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Atlanta-Bread-Pick-Up.pdf

From our SAC's Desk:

The Middle School Message: Delay, Delay, Delay

By Amy Paturel, MS, MPH

Chase Moore started drinking in seventh grade. A star athlete with a promising baseball career, Moore got involved with the wrong crowd and began a downward spiral that culminated in his death at age 23.

Moore’s introduction to drinking isn’t unique. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, one out of every three eighth graders has tried alcohol.

“The goal is to delay initiation of alcohol and other drugs as long as possible,” says Elizabeth D’Amico, Ph.D., senior behavioral research scientist at Rand Corp. This is difficult, given the middle school social order.. A study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health linked drinking with popularity during the middle school years.

What are the Consequences?

Early decisions are critical. The developing brain of a child processes and encodes information differently than an adult brain. The reason children learn more quickly is because their brain is more malleable, Swartzwelder explains. Like a sponge, the adolescent brain easily absorbs information, as well as foreign substances like alcohol and drugs.

The younger a child is when they experiment with drugs or alcohol, the greater their likelihood of experiencing devastating long-term effects, including addiction.

Studies show that drinking translates to poor performance on memory tests and deficits in attention and spatial skills. Repeated exposure to alcohol in adolescence may even affect learning and memory later in life. “The adolescent brain is changing so much that repeated exposure to a substance could alter the trajectory of that development in a way that causes brain circuits to go awry,” Swarzwelder says.

For example, there’s no evidence that using marijuana after age 20 damages the brain, but a growing body of research suggests that adolescent pot-smokers not only have lower IQ scores than their drug-free counterparts, but they’re also more likely to develop psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

Inhalants—glue, aerosols, paint, and paint thinners—may be equally detrimental. They’re inexpensive and readily available, and they reach the brain in record time, causing brain damage, falls and even death.

How Can We Prevent Adolescents From Turning to Drugs and Alcohol?

Adolescents are less likely to use drugs and alcohol in middle school when their parents are involved in their lives. Experts recommend taking advantage of teachable moments long before drugs or alcohol enter the picture to help middle schoolers understand that what they put into their bodies matters. “It doesn’t have to be some big, hour-long discussion,” D’Amico stresses. “The key is on-going, developmentally appropriate communication.”

You can even make it a game, she suggests. Pose the question: What would happen to the brain after a daily diet of donuts?

Also stress that you are strongly opposed to recreational drugs and underage drinking.

Research shows that parents who articulate that these substances are off-limits are much more likely to have children who refrain from trying them. That said, middle schoolers may still experiment and make mistakes. Some may even get into trouble. But, a strong support system and parental involvement could distinguish the child who gracefully navigates adolescent challenges from the child who turns to drugs and alcohol to reconcile difficult emotions.

Yes, it is hard to believe, but we are starting our orders for 8th grade graduation gowns.

Please see the link below for your on-line orders.

https://varsityclubproducts.com/product-category/toms-river-intermediate-north/

Thank you for supporting our Jersey Mike’s Dine to Donate last Tuesday. We hope your subs were delicious! Our next Dine to Donate is on Tuesday, March 1st at Surf Taco! That’s right, TACO TUESDAY! Mention the fundraiser when you come to any Surf Taco from 11am-9pm. Please come out and support a local restaurant and help to support the PTO.

This week kicked off our “Flower Gram Fundraiser'' pre-sale . Students purchased flowers during their homerooms. Flowers were $2 each and will be delivered on February 14th. We look forward to all the “ LOVE” that will be in the air on Valentine’s Day.

The PTO is gearing up for another “SWEET” sale. We will be running our annual Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Fundraiser. Sale will start mid February so be on the lookout for the ordering forms. Online sales will be welcomed as well.

The PTO will host the Scholastic Book Fair from 2/28-3/4. Students will get the opportunity to come to the fair with their Language Arts classes.

We will continue to take apparel orders! Print and send your order form along with payment to the main office. Click on the link for the order form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqSolUGqfkzvjuO4pVmoA-KImeX9QIbkZhdJv0yQr6E/edit?usp=sharing

Love is in the air at Toms River Intermediate North. Students bought Flower Grams last week and they will be delivered on Monday in the Homerooms.

The PTO is gearing up for another “SWEET” sale. We will be running our annual Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Fundraiser. Sale will start on February 16th and will run for two weeks. If you would rather buy online you can choose to send your candy to the school for free shipping or for a small fee, it can be sent to a home address. TOP SELLERS IN EACH GRADE WILL RECEIVE A TD GIFT CARD!!!!

Get your TRIN car magnet!!! The PTO is selling Dolphin car magnets. Click on the link for the ordering form. The magnets are $10 each and cash or checks will be accepted. Just print out the form and send it into the main office along with payment and we will send it home with your child. Let’s show our school spirit and add a magnet to our cars! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AFOe3gwGgnFLj4fH_07AqEqeIjPVDwqHXEzeHXWAVHY/edit

The PTO will host the Scholastic Book Fair from 2/28-3/4. Students will get the opportunity to come to the fair with their Language Arts classes.

Our next Dine to Donate is on Tuesday, March 1st at Surf Taco! That’s right, TACO TUESDAY! Mention the fundraiser when you come to any Surf Taco from 11am-9pm. Please come out and support a local restaurant and help to support the PTO.

We will continue to take apparel orders! Print and send your order form along with payment to the main office. Click on the link for the order form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZqSolUGqfkzvjuO4pVmoA-KImeX9QIbkZhdJv0yQr6E/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions or concerns please email them to trinpto@gmail.com. Thank you for your continued support! ~ TRIN PTO

Parents and Guardians,

Please visit our district page frequently for the most up to date information about our students' safe return to school and district procedures regarding COVID-19. A link below has been provided for your convenience.

https://www.trschools.com/community/tr-safe-return