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BCMS Friday News 1.9.26

Posted Date: 01/09/26 (04:38 PM)
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Branchburg Central Middle School logo featuring an eagle graphic and text.

BCMS Friday News

1/9/26

BCMS Family Update

Dear BCMS Families,

This week kicked off January in a great way here at BCMS. On Monday, Mr. Captain and I met with students by grade level to review building expectations and help everyone reset after the winter break. These conversations focused on keeping our school safe, respectful, and focused on learning as we move into the second half of the school year.

We are also excited to share that several new clubs will be starting soon. Please be sure to review the information below to see if your student may be interested in getting involved. Clubs are a great way for students to explore interests, connect with peers, and build a sense of belonging.

In addition, our 8th Grade Leadership class has been hard at work planning upcoming Falcon Foundations lessons and an assembly scheduled for the end of January. As part of their planning, they are seeking a few supplies to support these activities. If your family is able to help, please see the details below for more information.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and a great week ahead.

Warmly,
Dr. Stanton, Principal

Important Dates & Calendar of Activities

A stylized blue hawk with outstretched wings, ready to swoop.

Important Dates

JANUARY
13 - Chipotle Dine to Donate Fundraiser for BCMS Music Dept.
14 - VoTech Student Testing, Somerville HS Freshman Night
15 - Winter MAP Testing
16 - Winter MAP Testing
19 - School Closed - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
22 - Philadelphia Orchestra Field Trip
23 - VoTech Application Due
30 - Last Day of MP2, SALA/SMSA Applications due
 

Student Athletics/Clubs Calendar

**Late Bus leaves at 4:45 P.M. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. **

Monday 1/12
Student Council General Meeting - 7:10 A.M.
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Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Cheer Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
D&D Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M
Dance Team Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Drama Club (Shrek Jr.) Scenes 3 & 4- 3:10 P.M. - 4:35 P.M.
Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
MathCounts - 3:10 P.M. - 4:35 P.M.
Wrestling Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Tuesday 1/13
Chord on Blues - 7:00 A.M.
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
Yearbook Club - 7:00 A.M.
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Boys Basketball Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Cheer Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Dance Team Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Girls Basketball Away Game @ Clinton - 4:00 P.M.
Wrestling Home Match- 4:00 P.M.

Wednesday 1/14
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 A.M.
Falcon Gazette - 7:00 A.M.
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Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Cheer Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
D&D Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M
Dance Team Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Drama Club (Shrek Jr.) Scenes 5 & 6- 3:10 P.M. - 4:35 P.M.
Fiber Arts Club - 3:05 P.M. - 4:35 P.M.
Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Odyssey of the Mind - 3:10 P.M. - 4:40 P.M.
Wrestling Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Yearbook Club - 3:15 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Thursday 1/15
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
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Boys Basketball Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Cheer Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Dance Team Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Girls Basketball Away Game @ Readington - 4:00 P.M.
Odyssey of the Mind - 3:10 P.M. - 4:40 P.M.
Wrestling Home Match- 4:00 P.M

Friday 1/16
Morning Management Club - 7:00 A.M.
MathCounts - 7:05 A.M.
--------------------
Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Cheer - No Practice
Dance Team - No Practice
Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Wrestling Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

BCMS Student Activities

Student Council NJASC Winter Leadership Conference

Student Council Members traveled to The College of New Jersey on Wednesday 1/7 to attend the 100th annual Winter Leadership Conference! Students heard from keynote speaker, Tei Street, and then attended several breakout sessions focused on how to run successful events throughout the school year. Members are excited to implement what they learned at BCMS!
A diverse group of students sits in rows of white folding chairs, watching an event.

News & Announcements

Chipotle Dine to Donate Music Dept. Fundraiser - 1/13/26

A Chipotle burrito wrapped in foil is shown with the text 'DO GOOD WITH CHIPOTLE' above it.
 

8th Grade Leadership Class - Supplies Needed

An announcement from an eighth-grade leadership class requesting empty paper towel, toilet paper, and wrapping paper rolls for a lesson.
 

Chaperones Needed Winter Formal Dance - 2/6/26

Hi BCMS Families!

Student Council is hosting the Winter Formal on Friday, 2/6! We are in need of chaperones to help us monitor the event and run different stations (bathroom, raffle baskets, etc.) and we are asking for your help!

Please complete the form here if you are available on Friday 2/6 from 6:15-8:30 P.M.. Reach out to Advisors Samantha Holt or Jacqueline Martoccia with any questions.
 

Intramurals and Sports Club

Are you looking for a fun way to stay active after school? Click here!

Intramurals 6th grade only
Sports Club 7th and 8th grade only
 

Spring Sports Physical Paperwork Due 2/6/26

Spring Sports Physical Paperwork Deadline February 6, 2026

In order to be eligible to participate in spring sports, students must have all physical paperwork handed into the school nurse no later than February 6th. 
 

Yearbook

Snap It. Share It. See It in the Yearbook!
Yearbook Photographers can't be everywhere, so we want your best photos from school events, games, and fun moments. 

Send in your own photos to Yearbook Snap! → Staff, Parents, and Students!
 
Visit Yearbook Snap and enter the access code “Branchburg25”. 
Alternatively, you can download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. 
It's easy; submit your photos today!

*Please Note - Submitted photos are not guaranteed a spot in the yearbook.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The 2025-2026 Yearbooks are officially on sale!
 
Celebrate the highlights, achievements, and fun moments of our students by ordering your yearbook today. Don't miss out on this keepsake that your child will cherish for years to come.
 
Yearbooks will be sold online only for $36.00, before personalization and add-ons.  This is an early bird special! The deadline for ordering at this price is January 27, 2026.
 
 

Free/Reduced Lunch Application

A friendly reminder, the free/reduced lunch application must be re-submitted each year and does not automatically renew. A copy of the application can be found on our district website at : https://www.branchburg.k12.nj.us/student-lunch-forms
 

PTO Spirit Wear Store

The BCMS PTO spirit wear store is now open year-round! Orders will be delivered to your child's homeroom teacher on a bi-monthly basis.


STORE UPDATE: The store will be taking a Holiday Break after Thanksgiving to allow for orders to be delivered before the holidays! Make sure to place your orders by December 1st for delivery in time for the Holidays! AND be on the lookout in January for our new designs!
 

Reminders/Quick Links

8th Grade Announcements

***ATTENTION 8TH GRADE PARENTS, BABY PHOTOS WANTED***

Oh Baby! – Attention all 8th Graders!
 
We are collecting baby pictures for 8th Grade Students ONLY!
 
Please upload your child’s baby picture to Yearbook Snap, following the directions above. 
Make sure the name of the file is your child’s full name, OR write your child’s name in the “Add a Note” section of Yearbook Snap after uploading the picture. In Yearbook Snap, there is a specific “Baby Pictures” folder for you to add to.  The deadline for uploading your baby picture is February 6, 2026.

Any questions? Contact Mrs. Borkowski aborkowski@branchburg.k12.nj.us 
 

Important Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Vo-Tech Admission Testing
Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School admission testing will take place at BCMS during Periods 1 and 2 for students who have applied to Vo-Tech programs. Students should arrive to school as usual and be prepared for testing during the school day.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 – Somerville High School Freshman Night
Somerville High School will host Freshman Night from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This evening is designed to provide families with information about academic programs, course offerings, extracurricular activities, and the transition to high school.
- Entrance: Parents should enter through the auditorium entrance on Orchard Street, located on the side of the school.
Poster for Class of 2030 Incoming Freshmen Information Night at Somerville High School Auditorium on Wednesday, January 14th, 6:30pm - 7:30pm.
Friday, January 23, 2026 – Vo-Tech Applications Due
All Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School applications must be submitted by January 23. Families are encouraged to ensure all required materials are completed and submitted on time.

Friday, January 30, 2026 – SALA/SMSA Applications Due
Applications for the Somerville Academy of Liberal Arts (SALA) and the Somerville Medical Sciences Academy (SMSA) are due by January 30.
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High School Transition Google Classroom
To support students and families throughout the transition to high school, our school counselors have created a Google Classroom that will serve as a central hub for important information, timelines, resources, and updates.
Families and students can join the Google Classroom using one of the following options:
Join using this link:
Or join using the class code:
akvb2pc6

We strongly encourage all 8th grade families to join the classroom to stay informed and up to date as we move through the application and transition process.

If you have any questions or need assistance with applications or accessing the Google Classroom, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s school counselor. We appreciate your partnership as we support our students during this important next step.
 

Transition to High School Presentation

The 8th grade Back to School presentation is linked here. Please review it for important information regarding the transition to high school for your 8th grader.

Branchburg Community Bulletin Board

Please click here to check out the Branchburg Community Bulletin Board on our district webpage.
 
Text lists the values of Falcon PRIDE: Preparedness, Responsibility, Integrity, Diligence, and Respect.