NBIS Newsletter
Important Information and Updates
Upcoming Dates
4/18/24 Incoming 6th Grade Parent/Guardian Orientation 6:30 PM
4/29/24-5/3/24 NBIS SBA State Testing
4/30/24 PTO Meeting 6:00 @ NBIS
5/1 Early Dismissal PD and District Art Show - see flyer below
5/6-5/10 Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week at NBIS
5/15 Early Dismissal PD
5/21 NJHS Induction Ceremony - details to follow those applicable
5/22 NBIS Spring Concert
5/24 High Note Festival Field Trip - Jazz, Select, and 8th Grade
5/29 6th Grade Student Only Orientation at NBIS
5/30 Field Day and Walkathon (6/4 Rain Date if needed)
6/5 8th Grade Trip
6/7 8th Grade Dance 6:30-8:30 PM
6/10 8th Grade Promotion (Auditorium) 5:30-6:30 PM
Message
A Message from Dr. Welch
Good afternoon Families,
As you receive any version of the newsletter, please scan/read it in its entirety. Even some of the familiar looking sections are updated with new and changing information.
1) Please check your student's lunch account. We have several families with large balances and we are looking to ensure all bills are paid prior to the end of the school year. If you are experiencing financial hardship or feel you may qualify for support, please see "Food Service" at the end of this newsletter. Also, please continue to discuss your plans/wishes for your child and their lunch choices, some may not be aware of your child accumulating a bill if you are not checking myschoolbucks or speaking with your child. Please check your accounts and pay any outstanding bills asap. Thank you!
2) Please see below for the letter regarding state testing. Smarter Balanced Testing will occur 4/29-5/3 for all students and the 8th grade science test will occur on 5/16. As you are likely aware both testing participation and testing performance at each school factor into how our schools are ranked and how we as a school district are rated/categorized by the state. We appreciate your collective support of testing and helping ensure your children perform at their best.
3) Updates/information on Year End Events/Activities:
- Teacher Staff Appreciation runs 5/6-5/10 - feel free to show your appreciation with emails, notes, gifts, support in any way you choose. PTO is sponsoring a luncheon for staff on 5/8
- 5/29 Incoming 6th grade student orientation (current 5th graders travel from TVES to NBIS)
- 5/30 Field Day and Alan Davis Walkathon Event. PTO may be looking for a few additional parent volunteers in the morning of this day.
- 6/5 8th grade trip
- 6/7 8th grade dance 6:30-8:30 PM
- 6/10 8th Grade Promotion to be held in the Auditorium - details will be coming to families soon
4) Reminders as we we head into the last 8 weeks of school:
- Please remind your children to continue to work hard in their classes and finish strong academically, we do not want any student to have to attend summer school due to an end of the year slide.
- Please continue to prioritize consistent attendance - we do not want any student to have to attend summer school due to extensive absences.
- Please continue to review and discuss proper attire in accordance with the dress code - attached below.
- Please continue to collaborate with teachers and staff so that we all finish this year on a positive note and enjoy the fun activities that come with May/June and the end of the school year.
** Please note there will continue to be ongoing work done at NBIS due to the roof repair work happening. This will impact some of the parking, grass areas, and access that we have. This work will continue to lead up to June, and right after school gets out, the extensive work will continue in the summer with our new raised roof expected to be completed in July sometime.
Contacting the School
Our main office phone line (484-1500) is open from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on regular school days. You may leave a voicemail message at any time. Please do NOT call the main office to report an absence or tardiness. Our special Attendance Line (484-1247) should be used for that purpose.
School Website
Our school website https://nbis.northbranfordschools.org/en-US continues to be updated and has helpful information for you including announcements, upcoming school events posted on our Google calendar, athletic event info, teacher website links and contact info, and links to forms/materials.
NBIS State Testing - Please read the attached letter
2024 Washington DC Trip Fundraiser - Benefitting All Students
PTO Information/Fundraisers
NBIS Tee Shirts(order form attached)
$20/$23 each
Choose shirt color, size and logo. Add name on the back for Additional $5
Order Deadline 4/19
Delivery 5/10
Lyman Pies for Mother's Day (order form attached)
Link to order: https://my.mcmfundraising.com/signup/FG8B
Order Deadline is 4/8
Delivery 5/8 in NBIS Cafe
District Art Show
Chorus performing at Bridgeport Islanders Hockey Game on 4/20 - see below
All choral students at NBIS are invited to sing the National Anthem at the Bridgeport Islander's Hockey Game on this Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 7PM. Purchase your tickets through this link to support NBIS or scan the QR code on the flier. Make sure to purchase all tickets together so that you will be seated together, as seating is assigned. Tickets are on sale until the day of the event but may sell out!!
Financial Literacy and Statistics Awareness Month
Celebrate Financial Literacy and Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
April marks an important month in education. This month we celebrate both Financial Literacy Month and Mathematics and Statistics Awareness. This is an opportunity for schools to encourage students and their families to engage in learning that sets the foundation for a bright future. It is critical for students to be financially literate and to understand mathematics and statistics as important drivers in our current world. The Connecticut State Department of Education encourages districts, schools and informal education partners to promote this month by visiting the Personal Financial Management and Financial Literacy (ct.gov) and the Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month webpages. Together we can increase financial knowledge and emphasize the crucial role that financial literacy, mathematics and statistics in K-12 education can make in the lives of students. To promote and understand financial literacy and statistical literacy, districts and education partners can utilize the Financial Literacy and Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month PD Playlist.
NBIS Cafeteria Menu
NBIS Athletics
Athletics - Spring Sports
Be on the lookout for updates for spring sports registration. If your child will be participating in any sport at NBIS, they must have a physical exam on file that has been performed within the last 13 months of the start of the season. Information regarding spring sports will soon be available on FamilyID and listed below in NBIS clubs/athletics.
We are using FamilyID for our NBIS students and athletics. This allows you to complete paperwork and register your child online. The system is user friendly and mirrors that of NBHS. Please use this link to access FamilyID:
NBIS Spring Sports Registration
You do not need to create a new account (registration) if you child already registered on Family ID. You can update previous registration.
Forms/sign offs on FamilyID must be completed prior to participation:
*Physical Exam (within the last 13 months)
*Parent’s Permission form for Athletics
*Concussion Consent Form
*Sudden Cardiac Arrest Form
Any questions regarding NBIS athletics program can be directed to our Athletic Director, Mr. Shaw at rshaw@northbranfordschools.org.
Clubs, Activities, Athletics
After School Coverage Support: Athletics and Clubs
As shared last week, thanks to some amazing staff, we have established some after school support for those looking to participate in clubs, athletics and activities.
Mondays 2:00-4:00 Ms. Slocum
Tuesdays 2:00-4:00 Ms.Conte
Thursdays 2:00-4:00 Ms. Conte
Late buses continue to run on these days at 4:00 PM, teachers above or club/activity staff provide them and security and administration work together to ensure students make the buses each day.
8th Grade Dues/Trip Letter
Student Conduct
PRIDE and the Davis Way
You will continue to learn more about PRIDE - Productivity, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Empathy and our whole school PRIDE program.
Additionally, you will learn about the "Davis Way" a foundational philosophy that permeates our entire school. The Davis Way, named after longtime educator and administrator in North Branford - Alan Davis - (a truly wonderful man I was fortunate to have as a teacher, mentor, and colleague and who helped to shape the adult I am today), embodies integrity, humility, and the symbolic meaning of the hawk itself: wisdom, focusing on the task at hand and using the power of observation.
In addition to these attributes, the Davis Way affirms that school is a place for learning, growing, laughing, belonging, and generosity of heart. You will learn that these are not just words, but a way of life and a way of being that ensures we all treat each other with respect, care, and acceptance.
NBIS Dress Code
Please continue to review this dress code information at home and with your child. This dress code and pamphlet were created with the support of NBIS student leaders. We appreciate your continued support with these expectations.
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
Buses/Drop Off/Pick Up
Bus Assignment
All students will have a bus assignment provided to them. Bus assignment information can be accessed via PowerSchool. It is highly recommended that students take advantage of the school provided transportation. Students are only permitted to ride to and from school on the bus they are assigned. Please be sure to make all daily afternoon transportation arrangements ahead of time with this in mind. Bus
AM Arrival and PM Departure
There is no access road between NBHS and NBIS.
- Buses will continue to drop off students near the auditorium and at NBIS. NBPS staff will be in place to supervise, guide, and make sure our students get to NBIS safely.
- At the end of the day, students will return to their buses in front of the auditorium and NBIS and NBPS staff will be in place to supervise, guide and make sure students get to their buses safely.
- As the NBHS construction project progresses, we will continue to review this procedure to ensure we utilize the best and most efficient system possible.
Drop Off/Pick Up
With NBHS construction continuing, we anticipate that there will continue to be some congestion during drop-offs and pick-ups. We encourage you to utilize the school bus transportation for your student. However, if you plan to drive your child to or from school, please use the designated drop-off/pick-up area on the side of the building.
Morning Drop-Off Process
Students are not to be dropped off in the auditorium parking lot side of NBIS, as this will interfere with bus traffic. We will have supervision for students at the drop-off area, which is on the side of the NBIS building (by our flagpole), beginning at 7:00AM. Excluding inclement weather, students will not be allowed in the building prior to the 7:15 bell. Students who are not in the building by 7:30 will be considered “tardy” and must receive a time stamped pass from the security desk, in the lobby. Afternoon Pick-Up Process
The NBIS dismissal process starts at 1:57PM. Parents/guardians picking up students at the end of the day must stay in their cars, and remain in the pick up line. Students will NOT be allowed to cross the street into the parking lots to get to parents/guardians waiting in cars. A note is not required. Parents/guardians are not required to come in the NBIS lobby as long as their vehicles are parked in the pick-up loop on the side of the building. When the dismissal bell rings at 1:57, the students may exit the building through the south-side lobby doors, then proceed directly to their vehicle. We advise parents/guardians who are picking up their child to wait until 2:05 to arrive on campus. At that time, it is more likely that you will avoid any wait and traffic, then if you arrive earlier. Please be patient and drive carefully!
Text Messaging
Text Message Communication
See the information here to learn how to opt-in to receiving text messages from the district and...a convenient and efficient way for us to communicate important reminders or urgent updates with all of you.
Food Service
It is important, for households who may qualify, to submit a free and reduced-price meal application to determine a student’s eligibility for the school year. A new application is required each school year. This application and related information can be found on this page. Please view this helpful parent video on How to Fill Out the Application for Free and Reduced-price Meals or Free Milk.
As an additional note, families may qualify for free and reduced meals through the school meal application process or through the direct certification process managed by the Connecticut State Department of Social Services (CT DSS). The direct certification process coincides with food assistance programs extended by the CT DSS to families in need of this qualified assistance. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance (TANF) and Medicaid.
If you have any questions please contact Krystyna Prunier, Food Service Supervisor at: kprunier@northbranfordschools.org
Link to Food Services Website
https://www.northbranfordschools.org/en-US/food-services-a2114cc4
Important Contacts
Principal - Carter Welch - cwelch@northbranfordschools.org
Assistant Principal - Tracy Wootton - twootton@northbranfordschools.org
Dean of Students - Jen Tzetzo - jtzetzo@northbranfordschools.org
Nurse - Taylor Erickson - terickson@northbranfordschools.org