Hi folks,

It's been nice popping in and out of classrooms this week to listen in on classroom conversations and see what our students are learning. From the 6th grade historical fiction book clubs to the 7th grade worm lab to the 8th grade discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we are off to an excellent start to the second trimester.

A huge thank you to Mrs. Concklin and all of our staff and students who participated in yesterday's Youth Activation Summit. We are proud to be a Unified Champion School and partner with the Special Olympics to help build a community of inclusion at NBJH.

These last two mornings have quickly reminded us that colder weather is upon us and we need to remind students to dress accordingly. We know middle school students like to shun coats for hoodies and sweatshirts, but it's important that they have what they need when they are outside for mask breaks, PE or recess. Our Lost and Found collection down near the cafeteria has grown significantly in recent weeks. So if your child is missing a lunch bag or water bottle or sweatshirt, encourage them to check out our Lost and Found to see if their items are being held there.

Here are some other news and notes:

We're excited to hold our fall parent-teacher conferences this Monday and Tuesday, November 22-23. Online registration has closed, so hopefully you've reserved your times through our pickAtime system. Conferences will be held virtually; please use this corrected link Zoom Link Directory to access the teacher Zoom links at your assigned times. Conferences will be held in 8-minute time slots from 12-8pm on Monday and from 8am-1pm on Tuesday. 

Here is Issue Four of The Trojan Times. This digital publication is created during Publishing with Purpose, one of the 6th grade exploratory classes. Each issue highlights submissions from two terms; this is the first issue of the 2021-2022 school year. This publication addresses everything from Outdoor Ed to the Constitution Test and local shops to wacky pets....and everything in between. We hope you enjoy it!

The NBJH Builders Club is once again partnering with Youth Services to spread some holiday cheer to local families in need. We are encouraging X-Blocks or other NBJH groups to create a Box of Joy for a family in need. Click on this flyer Box of Holiday Joy for more information.

Give your child the gift of a great read this holiday season with personalized book recommendations from the NBJH Library staff. Complete this form to receive personalized, developmentally appropriate book recommendations based on your child's interests and past favorites. Please contact Claire Greene with any questions.

Reminder! Get your student lunch orders in for the week by Noon Sunday! (deadline extended one day). Review the menu, which is published every Tuesday, then place the order by noon Sunday.

If your child has lost an article of clothing such as a jacket, hat, P.E. uniform, a book, folder, lunch bag, water bottle, etc., please have them check in the Cafeteria lost and found. There are quite a few items there!!!

The Gift Card Plus sale is back! Get a jump on holiday shopping and support PTO programs at the same time. To purchase gift cards simply complete the paper form and e-mail your school rep, complete an online order with the District 28 Enrollment Code BD68CB5E55861 or download the RaiseRight app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

Paper forms are due to your Gift Card Plus Reps and online orders must be placed by November 26th. We are expecting gift cards will be available for pickup by Dec. 10. 

NBJH GCP REP- Lisa Raju

Download the Gift Card Plus Form for more detailed instructions and a paper order form.

Fresh Midwest is an online grocery delivery service focused on bringing the best of fresh to you. We cut out the middleman to connect you directly with farmers, restaurants and artisans. Use D28HOH and 3% will go to college scholarships for D28 grads. Click for details.

Therefore, the CrisisGo Daily Health Check questions will be updated as of Nov. 29 to align with this guidance that no longer specifies restrictions based on the orange and yellow states. Review the Health Check Questions on the Travel Guidance Page.

The district is maintaining a COVID dashboard to publish more detailed information on positive cases and student quarantines for close contact and travel. The dashboard is updated daily with newly reported positive cases of both students and staff as well as student quarantine daily averages.