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BCMS Friday News 2.6.26

Posted Date: 02/06/26 (03:40 PM)
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Branchburg Central Middle School logo featuring an eagle graphic and text.

BCMS Friday News

2/6/26

BCMS Family Update

Dear BCMS Families,

Congratulations, Girls Basketball!
Congratulations to our Girls Basketball team on their playoff victory against Warren Middle School! We are incredibly proud of their hard work, teamwork, and dedication. We wish them continued success as they move forward in the playoffs. There next game is a home game on Monday at 4:00pm.

Winter Formal Dance – Tonight
We are looking forward to a wonderful evening at tonight’s Winter Formal Dance. Please review the important reminders below to help ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all students:
Attendance Requirement:
  • Students must have been in attendance at school today in order to attend the dance this evening.
Tickets:
  • Tickets will be available at the door for $15
Event Timing:
  • Doors open at 6:30 PM (students should enter through the cafeteria doors)
  • Students must arrive by 7:15 PM to be admitted
  • Doors will close promptly at 7:15 PM, and students will not be admitted after that time
  • The dance will conclude at 8:30 PM
Pick-Up and Early Dismissal Expectations:
  • All students must be picked up in the main parking lot at dismissal
  • Students will not be permitted to walk to Baird Road, White Oak Park, or the side parking lot by the Board of Education
  • If a student needs to leave the dance early, they must communicate with a staff member, who will supervise their exit. Students must be picked up by a parent or guardian and may not leave the event independently.
Thank you for your support in helping us provide a safe and memorable experience for our students.

Report Cards
Marking period 2 report cards will be available for families to view on Monday, February 9th.

8th Grade Update: Somerville High School Visit and Next Steps
On Thursday, counselors from Somerville High School visited BCMS to speak with our 8th grade students about the transition to high school. During their presentation, they reviewed curriculum offerings, the wide variety of courses available, as well as opportunities to participate in athletics and clubs. They also discussed graduation requirements and what students can expect as they begin their high school journey.
The Somerville High School website contains comprehensive information about the Program of Studies and upcoming transition activities, and we encourage families to review these resources together.
Parents will receive additional information in late February regarding how to register for RealTime and begin the course selection process for next year. This will be an important step in planning your child’s 9th grade schedule.


Warm regards,
Beth Stanton
Principal, BCMS

Important Dates & Calendar of Activities

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

Important Dates

FEBRUARY
6 - 8th grade baby photos for yearbook due, Spring sports paperwork due, Student Council Winter Formal 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M.
9 - MP2 grades visible in genesis parent portal
9 - Club/Activity photos for Yearbook
12 - PTO Sky Zone Event for 6th & 7th grades - 6:30 P.M. - 8:30 P.M., District Wide Homework Free Night
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 2/9
--------------------
Cheer Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
D&D Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M
Dance Team Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Drama Club Rehearsal - Shrek Jr. Song: Freak Flag - 3:10 - 4:35 P.M.
Girls Basketball Home Game - 4:00 P.M.
Intramurals - 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.
MathCounts - 3:10 P.M. - 4:35 P.M.

Tuesday 2/10
Chord on Blues - 7:00 A.M.
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
Yearbook Club - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Cheer Practice if win on 2/9 - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Dance Team Practice if win on 2/9 - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Basketball Practice if win on 2/9 - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Wednesday 2/11
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 A.M.
Falcon Gazette - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Cheer Home Game if win on 2/9 - 4:00 P.M.
D&D Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M
Dance Team Home Game if win on 2/9 - 4:00 P.M.
Fiber Arts Club - 3:05 P.M. - 4:35 P.M.
Girls Basketball Home Game if win on 2/9 - 4:00 P.M.
Intramurals - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Odyssey of the Mind - 3:10 P.M. - 4:40 P.M.
Yearbook Club - 3:15 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Thursday 2/12
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Intramurals - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Friday 2/13
Morning Management Club - 7:00 A.M.
MathCounts - 7:05 A.M.
--------------------
Single Session Day

Student Recognition

CJMEA Region Band - Congratulations, Maisie A.

Congratulations to 6th grader Maisie A. on being selected into the Central Jersey Music Educators Region Band. Maisie auditioned on Saturday, January 31st and came in first out of all of the bassoons in Central New Jersey that auditioned. She competed against other students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Maisie will now attend rehearsals on weekends throughout February and March and will perform in the CJMEA Region Band Concert on March 8th at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School.  
A young person smiles while holding a bassoon in front of a wall of lockers.
 

CJMEA Region Orchestra - Congratulations, Dabney C.

On Saturday, January 31st Dabney C. auditioned for the CJMEA Region Orchestra. Dabney worked hard to practice and prepare and competed against hundreds of students from across Central New Jersey. Mrs. Santangelo is proud to announce that Dabney was selected for the CJMEA Region Orchestra on the viola. Dabney will attend rehearsals over the next month in preparation for the CJMEA Region Orchestra concert in March. Congratulations, Dabney!
A young person stands holding a violin and bow in front of blue lockers.
 

Engineering Design PATH - Puppy Project

Engineering Design PATH students tested their prototypes for dog enrichment items this week. Student teams each completed a design challenge design and build a safe, fun enrichment item for a puppy using only recyclable materials.

Each project was required to have:
  • A movement feature (roll, bounce, spin, or move)
  • An interactive challenge (something for the puppy to figure out, like a hidden treat)

All groups worked through a seven step design process, culminating with a product testing session with Zelley and a peer review with suggestions for improvements.
A diverse group of students stands behind a table in a classroom, with various cardboard projects and a dog in the foreground.
A brown dog wearing a yellow harness investigates a homemade contraption with green balls.
A small, dark-haired dog wearing a yellow gingham harness rests its head on a small wooden box.
 

Cardboard Carnival

7th and 8th grade Engineering and Design students spent several weeks planning, designing, and building fun, interactive carnival attractions from the ground up! At the end of the Marking Period, students hosted their games at the Cardboard Carnival for their peers to play and enjoy! Each students' game/prize booth included at least one 3D printed or vinyl cut element, adding a layer of professionalism to their attractions.
Students collaborate on a science project, working with cardboard models and various materials.
Students work on a cardboard project in a classroom with a large screen displaying "Welcome to the BCMS Media Center."
Students gather around a table in a classroom, observing a cardboard game with red and blue cups.
Students collaborate around a table, examining a handmade game board with colorful pieces and cardboard structures.
 

News & Announcements

Popcorn Fundraiser for BCMS Music Department

The Music Department is having a Double Good Popcorn fundraiser that starts on 2/5 and ends on 2/9. 50% of the proceeds will be donated back to the music department. Thank you for your support!
Poster for the BCMS Music Department's Double Good Popcorn Fundraiser, featuring popcorn spilling from a container.
 

Student Council Winter Formal Dance - 2/6/26

Student Council will be hosting the BCMS Winter Formal Dance on Friday, February 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the BCMS Cafeteria. 

Tickets will be on sale during student lunches beginning on Monday, 1/26 and ending on Friday, 2/6. Students should plan to bring $10 (exact amount in cash is appreciated) to purchase tickets during their lunch, or $15 to purchase tickets at the door, on the night of the dance. 

Only BCMS students are invited to attend the Winter Formal. The dress code for the event is formal and should abide by all dress code rules as stated in the Student Handbook. Students should wear dresses, skirts, collared shirts, dress pants, jumpsuits or pantsuits. Students should plan to bring small amounts of cash if they are interested in purchasing activity tickets for snacks or raffle basket tickets on the night of the event.

Please reach out to Student Council Advisors Samantha Holt or Jacqueline Martoccia with any questions. 

Thank you.
 

Sports Club

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

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. 
 

District Wide Homework Free Night - 2/12/26

Poster announcing a DISTRICTWIDE Homework Free Night on Thursday, February 12th, 2026.
Poster announcing 'Free Homework Night' in Spanish, with school supplies graphics.
 

Cardiac Athletic Screening Event

Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health hospital, will host its annual Cardiac Athletic Screening on Saturday, February 7, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the hospital’s Cardiac Diagnostic Testing Department, located on the second floor of the main hospital on Rehill Avenue.
 
The free screening is available to young athletes ages 14 to 18 and is designed to help identify potential risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest.
 
Screenings will be conducted by RWJUH Somerset cardiologists, nurses, and technicians and include a cardiovascular history review, physical examination, blood pressure screening, body measurements, and an electrocardiogram (EKG). Echocardiograms will be performed when clinically indicated.
 
The cardiac screening is free of charge, but advance registration is required. A parent or guardian must accompany each student. To register, please call 908-685-2414.
 
For more information, click here.
 

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 $38.00, before personalization and add-ons.  
 
 

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

*Due 2/17/26* - 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.