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Branchburg Central Middle School

BCMS Friday News 3.13.26

Posted Date: 03/13/26 (02:58 PM)
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Branchburg Central Middle School logo featuring an eagle graphic and text.

BCMS Friday News

3/13/26

BCMS Family Update

Dear BCMS Families,

Over the winter months, we have seen a significant increase in students bringing fidget toys to school, including items such as squishies, stress balls, Nee-Dohs, and various 3D-printed fidget objects.

While some fidget tools can be helpful when used appropriately to support focus, the current use of these items has become a noticeable distraction throughout the building. We are seeing students playing with them during class instead of completing their work, throwing them, taking them from one another, and in some cases breaking them. When liquid-filled items break, the gel or lotion inside can damage school materials, furniture, and students’ clothing.

For these reasons, beginning Monday we are asking that all toys remain at home and not be brought to school.

We ask that families please take a moment this weekend to review this expectation with your child. Students were also informed of this change in today’s morning bulletin.

If a student brings a toy to school:
  • They will be asked to place the item in their locker and take it home at the end of the day.
  • If the item continues to appear in class or is used in the hallways, it may be confiscated by staff and student may pick it up in the office on their way home for the day.

Please note that students who use small, quiet fidgets as part of an IEP or 504 Plan may continue using those items as long as they are used appropriately and in accordance with their plan.

Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a focused and productive learning environment for all students.

Warm regards,
Beth Stanton
Principal, BCMS

Important Dates & Calendar of Activities

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

Important Dates

MARCH
13 - Shrek the Musical Jr. - 6:00 P.M.
14 - Shrek the Musical Jr. - 2:00 P.M. & 6:00 P.M.
15 - Shrek the Musical Jr. - 2:00 P.M.
20 - Harlem Wizards Event - 7:00 P.M.
26 - 8th Grade Graduation Document Due, Student Council Celebrity Scoops Fundraiser @ Rita's Bridgewater (By Wegman's)
27 - Single Session - Staff Professional Development
30 & 31 - SCHOOL CLOSED - Spring Break

APRIL
1-3 - SCHOOL CLOSED - Spring Break
16 - End of Marking Period 3
15 & 16 - Spring MAP Testing

MAY
6 - Spring Choir Concert - 6:00 P.M.
8 - Music in the Parks: Band & Strings
12 - Spring Band Concert - 6:30 P.M.
15 - Music in the Parks: Choir
19 - Mid-MP4
19 - Spring Strings Concert - 6:30 P.M.
22 - Single Session - Staff Professional Development
25 - SCHOOL CLOSED - Memorial Day
27 - Incoming 6th Grade Parent Orientation - 6:30 P.M.
29 - Incoming 6th Grade Student Orientation, 8th Grade Mixer at Somerville High School

JUNE
3 - 8th Grade End of Year Trip
11 - BCMS Field Day
16 - 8th Grade Picnic
17 - 8th Grade Graduation Ceremony - 4:30 P.M.
18 - Last Day of School
 

Student Athletics/Clubs Calendar

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


Monday 3/16
Student Council Full Meeting - 7:10 A.M.
--------------------
Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Drama Club Cast and Crew Party - 3:10 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Practice/Tryouts - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Softball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Sports Club - 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.
Volleyball Club - 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.

Tuesday 3/17
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
Yearbook Club - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Softball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Wednesday 3/18
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 A.M.
Falcon Gazette - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Culture Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Odyssey of the Mind State Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:40 P.M.
Softball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Yearbook Club - 3:15 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Thursday 3/19
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
Peer Leaders - 7:15 A.M.
--------------------
Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Odyssey of the Mind State Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:40 P.M.
Softball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Unified Sports Club - 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.

Friday 3/20
Morning Management Club - 7:00 A.M.
--------------------
Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Softball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Student Activities

3GNJ - Holocaust Education Speaker

Thank you to Ms. Elyse Wolff from 3GNJ - Descendants of Holocaust Survivors, for sharing her personal, family story of survival and resilience during the Holocaust with our 7th grade students. 3GNJ is an educational nonprofit organization founded by grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. Special thanks to Mrs. Kepner for coordinating this for our 7th graders.
A presenter stands before a screen displaying 'My Grandmother's Story of Survival' to an audience.

News & Announcements

The logo for Shrek The Musical Jr. features the iconic green Shrek ears and title on a blue, sparkling background.

Shrek The Musical Jr. - Performances This Weekend!

Performances On:
  • Friday, March 13 @ 6:00pm 

  • Saturday, March 14, Matinee @ 2:00pm *A children’s meet & greet with characters will take place immediately after this performance. 

  • Saturday, March 14 @ 6:00pm 

  • Sunday, March 15 @ 2:00pm 

***Runtime is approximately 90 minutes. There will be no intermission.***


Ticket purchases can be made online: https://www.ticketsource.us/bcmsdramaclub

All tickets are $12.00 in advance
At the door tickets will be $15.00
Teacher/Faculty/Staff/Admin: $0
Youth ages 3 and younger: $0

  • Tickets are nonrefundable. All proceeds to support the future BCMS Drama Club Productions.
  • Online ticket sales will end one hour before showtime. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Ticket sales at the door will be by check only. Checks are to be made out to BCMS, memo: Drama Club.
  • Doors will open 15 minutes before the performance.
  • Seating is on a first-come basis at each performance. 
  • Reserve seating is for handicapped attendees only. Don't hesitate to get in touch with Ms.Mileto if your guests require handicapped seating (kmileto@branchburg.k12.nj.us).
  • If you are a volunteer collecting or selling Tickets at the door or at our sundry table, you will receive free admittance to the show of your choice (as you may miss the first 15 minutes of the show you are working on). Thank you for your above-and-beyond support.
  • If you are a volunteer Backstage parent, you will receive one free ticket to a show of your choosing (you will not see the show you are working on). Thank you for your above-and-beyond support.
 

Spirit Week 3/23/26-3/27/26

BCMS Student Council will be hosting a Spirit Week in the days leading up to Spring Break. Please see the flyer attached for themes and descriptions!  
Spirit Week announcement for March 23-27 with daily themes and dress-up instructions.
 

Student Council Celebrity Scoop Fundraiser - 3/26/26 @ Rita's Bridgewater (by Wegman's)

BCMS Student Council is incredibly excited to share information about this year's annual fundraiser benefiting the Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation.

We will be hosting a "Celebrity Scoop" Fundraiser at the Bridgewater Rita's which is located right next door to the Wegmans at 726 US-202 #300, on Thursday, March 26 from 3-9pm. We hope that you will join us in this yummy kick-off to Spring Break and benefit a great organization at the same time!
Poster for 'Rita's Celebrity Scoop' event presented by Student Council, featuring teachers scooping ice cream.
 

Harlem Wizards Tickets Now Available for Purchase!

Tickets for the highly anticipated Harlem Wizards Event on 3/20/26 are now on sale to the general public!


Thank you for supporting the Branchburg PTO!
 

Somerville High School Softball Clinic - 3/14/26

Poster for the SHS Softball Spring Kick Off Clinic on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Somerville High School Gym.
 

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

8th Grade Graduation Document - Due 3/26/26

The 8th grade graduation document is now live and accepting responses! This year's ceremony will take place on Wednesday June 17, 2026 in the BCMS Main Gym.

Parents, please complete the linked graduation document no later than Thursday 3/26/26. This document is where you will request graduation tickets, any special seating, provide your child's graduation gown size and confirm the printing of their name on their diploma. Thank you for your help in completing this document, we look forward to celebrating your child on June 17th!
 

Save The Date - 8th Grade Dinner Dance 6/13/26

Poster announcing the PTO 8th Grade Dinner Dance on Saturday, June 13th, with "Save the Date" in large red letters.
 

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.