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BCMS Friday News 1.16.26

Posted Date: 01/16/26 (03:00 PM)
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Branchburg Central Middle School logo featuring an eagle graphic and text.

BCMS Friday News

1/16/26

BCMS Family Update

Dear BCMS Families,

As we wrap up the week, I wanted to share a few important updates and reminders.

No School on Monday
Please note that there will be no school on Monday in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We hope our students and families enjoy the long weekend.

Update to Student Item Drop-Off Procedures
As part of our continued efforts to enhance school security while also streamlining daily operations, we are implementing an update to our student item drop-off procedures.
We have placed a designated shelf inside the front vestibule for parents and guardians to drop off forgotten student items such as lunches, water bottles, instruments, or school projects.

Moving forward, please follow these steps when dropping off an item:

Ring the bell at the front door.
Inform the main office staff member that you are dropping off an item, and provide:
  • Student’s name
  • Grade level
  • Description of the item
You will be buzzed into the vestibule only.

Place the item on the shelf and attach a post-it note with the student’s name and grade.
  • If the item is too large to fit on the shelf, please place it on the floor underneath the shelf.
Parents/guardians no longer need to sign into the building for standard item drop-offs, as access will be limited to the vestibule area only.

If the item includes confidential materials, medication, or is overly large or heavy, please notify the office staff. In those cases, you will be asked to sign in and bring the item directly to the main office.

Our office staff will check the drop-off shelf at regular intervals and will continue to follow our established timeline:
  • Items dropped off before 9:30 a.m. may be accessed immediately
  • Items dropped off between 9:30 a.m. and lunch will be available on the student’s way to lunch
  • Items dropped off after lunch will be available for after-school use (such as sports equipment or uniforms)

These procedures help minimize classroom interruptions and limit access to the interior of the building, supporting a safe and focused learning environment for all students.

As a reminder, when picking up students from the office, parents/guardians should remain in the visitor sign-in area while waiting for their child and should not enter the main office.

Celebrating Our Staff
Finally, I am excited to share that Mr. Brian Bodnar was recognized today by 98.3 as a “Teacher Who Makes Magic.” This is a wonderful and well-deserved honor. A link to the radio announcement recording is included below for those who would like to listen.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yAUOSWchxr-yRPKh8X9m3oPdX0tH3udr/view?usp=drive_link

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We wish you a safe, restful, and enjoyable three-day weekend.

Warm regards,
Beth Stanton
Principal, BCMS

Important Dates & Calendar of Activities

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

Important Dates

JANUARY
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

FEBRUARY
6 - 8th Grade Baby Photos for Yearbook Due, Spring Sports Paperwork Due, Student Council Winter Formal 6:30 P.M.
12 - PTO Sky Zone Event for 6th & 7th Grade - 6:30 - 830 P.M.
13 - Single Session Staff Development
16 - School Closed - Presidents' Day
17 - Somerville High School Honors Applications Due
 

Student Athletics/Clubs Calendar

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

Monday 1/19

SCHOOL CLOSED - MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Tuesday 1/20
Chord on Blues - 7:00 A.M.
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
Yearbook Club - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Boys Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Cheer Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Dance Team Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Basketball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Wrestling Away Match @ Bound Brook- 4:00 P.M.

Wednesday 1/21
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 A.M.
Falcon Gazette - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
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.
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 1/22
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
Peer Leaders - 7:15 A.M.
--------------------
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 Rehearsal - Songs: Big Bright Beautiful World & Story of My Life- 3:10 - 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 Away Match @ Readington - 4:00 P.M.

Friday 1/23
Morning Management Club - 7:00 A.M.
MathCounts - 7:05 A.M.
--------------------
Boys Basketball Away Game @ Franklin - 4:00 P.M.
Cheer - Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Dance Team - Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Girls Basketball Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Wrestling Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

BCMS Student Activities

7th Grade Design Tech Glider Launch

Ms. Schwarz's 7th grade Design Tech students launched their balsa wood gliders on 1/13 and 1/14. Students applied their knowledge of principles of flight and aerodynamics in their planning, designing, and construction of their gliders and this was the culmination of all their hard work.
Students stand in a line outdoors, holding papers and looking towards two instructors.
A group of students stand in a line outdoors, holding clipboards and looking towards the front.

Staff Recognition

Congratulations to Mr. Brian Bodnar - A Teacher Who Makes Magic

Congratulations to Mr. Brian Bodnar, who was selected as a Magic 98.3 Teacher Who Makes Magic! Mr. Bodnar's story was read on air on Friday 1/16 where he was acknowledged for all the wonderful things he does here at BCMS. Congratulations again and thank you for being a wonderful part of the BCMS community!

News & Announcements

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. 
 

Sky Zone Event for 6th & 7th Grade

Private event for the BCMS 6th and 7th grades ONLY 

DATE: Thursday, February 12th 
TIME: 6:30-8:30pm  
LOCATION: Sky Zone in South Plainfield GRADES: 6th & 7th ONLY!

 

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.
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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.

 

Reminders/Quick Links

8th Grade Announcements

Important Upcoming Dates

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.

*NEWLY ADDED* Tuesday, February 17, 2026 - SHS Honors Applications Due - Incoming Freshman Honors Application 
 
*NEWLY ADDED* - The Incoming Freshman Honors Application is now open and accepting responses. All applications are due no later than February 17, 2026.

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.
 

***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 
 

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.