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Branchburg Central Middle School

BCMS Friday News 4.17.26

Posted Date: 04/17/26 (03:00 PM)


Branchburg Central Middle School logo featuring an eagle graphic and text.

BCMS Friday News

4/17/26

BCMS Family Update

Dear BCMS Families,

This week, our 7th grade students showcased their work at the Oral History Fair, and it was truly something special. The projects reflected not only strong research and presentation skills, but also meaningful connections to family stories, community experiences, and historical events from around the world. It is always impressive to see the level of thought, care, and pride our students bring to this work. Thank you to our students and the 7th grade Language Arts team for making this such a powerful learning experience.

We also wrapped up the third marking period today. It's hard to believe how quickly the year is moving. Report cards will be available to families in Genesis by the middle of next week. As always, we encourage you to review your child’s progress and reach out to teachers or counselors with any questions.

We are already beginning preparations for the 2026–2027 school year. Next week, I will be meeting with current 6th and 7th grade students to review course offerings and help them begin thinking about their selections for next year. Students will officially select their courses in school on Monday, April 27th.

As a reminder, Take Your Child to Work Day is on Thursday. If your child will be participating and absent from school, please be sure to enter the absence in Genesis so we can account for their attendance.

Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support.

Warm regards,
Beth Stanton
Principal, BCMS

Important Dates & Calendar of Activities

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

Important Dates

APRIL
22 - Student Council Panera Dine to Donate Fundraiser
23 - Take Your Child to Work Day

MAY
4-8 - Teacher Appreciation Week
6 - Spring Choir Concert - 6:00 P.M.
7 - NJSLA Testing - Writing
8 - Music in the Parks: Band & Strings
11 - NJSLA Testing - Math
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 4/20
Student Council Admin. Committee Meeting - 7:00 A.M.
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Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Away Game @ Montgomery - 4:00 P.M.
Drama Club Teen Arts Rehearsal - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Home Game - 4:00 P.M
Mindful Life Club - 3:00 - 4:45 P.M.
Softball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Volleyball Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Tuesday 4/21
Chord on Blues - 7:00 A.M.
Jazz Band - 7:00 A.M.
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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 Home Game - 4:00 P.M

Wednesday 4/22
Chamber Orchestra - 7:00 A.M.
Falcon Gazette - 7:00 A.M.
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Baseball Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Away Game @ Readington - 4:00 P.M.
Culture Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Girls Lacrosse Home Game - 4:00 P.M
Softball Home Game - 4:00 P.M
Volleyball Club - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.

Thursday 4/23
Chord on Blues - 7:00 A.M.
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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.
Unified Sports Club - 3:00 - 4:30 P.M.

Friday 4/24
Morning Management Club - 7:00 A.M.
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Baseball Away Game @ Bridgewater - 4:00 P.M.
Boys Lacrosse Home Game - 4:00 P.M
Girls Lacrosse Practice - 3:00 P.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Softball Away Game @ Bridgewater - 4:00 P.M.

Student Recognition

BCMS Boys Baseball Victory

The BCMS boys baseball team is on a roll this season with 3 straight wins. On Friday, 4/10 they played Somerville and had a chance to take a photo with the Somerville team. Many of the these players will become teammates with our Branchburg players when they join the SHS squad.
A youth baseball team, the Somerville Falcons, poses for a group photo on the field.
 

7th Grade Oral History Fair

A special thank you as well to the 7th grade Language Arts team for an outstanding Oral History Fair. As always, the projects were a powerful display of student learning and highlighted meaningful connections within our community, across history, and around the world.
Students present projects at a science fair in a gymnasium with basketball hoops overhead.
A woman smiles at a table set up in a gymnasium with various displays and information posters in the background.
Students and a teacher stand near display boards at a school event in a gymnasium.
Students present projects at a school fair in a gymnasium with basketball hoops.

News & Announcements

Autism and Awareness Spirit Week

Autism Awareness & Acceptance Week schedule for Branchburg Central Middle School, April 20-24, 2025.
 

Student Council Dine to Donate Panera Fundraiser - Wed. 4/22

Student Council is excited to announce that we will be hosting a Dine to Donate Fundraiser at Panera in Raritan on April 22, from 4pm to 8pm. 

Please see the flyer attached for more details!! Enjoy a night out at Panera, and support BCMS Student Council!

We are looking forward to using all money raised to continue to benefit the community-building events that Student Council hosts at BCMS, as well as the charities that we support.
A Panera Bread flyer announces a fundraising event for BCMS Student Council on April 22, 2026, from 4-8 PM at 300 Route 202, Raritan, NJ.
 
A woman with short brown hair smiles, resting her chin on her hand. She wears a colorful tie-dye jacket over a yellow t-shirt.
Vote Debbie Glick for America's Favorite Teacher to win an assembly with Bill Nye The Science Guy.

America's Favorite Teacher Contest - Vote for Ms. Glick!

I made it to the Top 5!!! Thanks to everyone's support, I am now in the Group Finals.  Voting for this round ends Thursday 4/23 at 10pm EST. I am still in 3rd place, and only the person in 1st place from this group at the time voting ends will advance to the Quarter Finals. Free votes have helped me get this far. Now I am asking for "Donation" votes to put me in the lead. All donations go to raising funds for the Planetary Society and for every $1 donated, I get a vote!

The Planetary Society is the world's largest nonprofit space organization, inspiring discovery through education, innovation, and a passion for the cosmos. The competition supports The Planetary Society because of its unparalleled commitment to exploration, education, and innovation. As the world's largest nonprofit space organization, it was founded by Carl Sagan in 1980 and inspires discovery in our solar system and beyond, earning an impressive 99/100 Charity Navigator score.Their mission is to increase discoveries in our solar system and beyond. I feel my journey in this competition resonates even more with the recent successful Artemis II mission which has brought the public eye back to the excitement of space exploration. People may not realize that the more we study the cosmos, the more we learn about our own planet. The Planetary Society lobbies to keep Congress from cutting NASA's budget, and works to protect our planet from future asteroid collisions.

Remember, every $1 donated to The Planetary Society is 1 vote for me. Please consider supporting a great charity AND help me win that awesome assembly with Bill Nye for our school!


Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all of your support!

Have a great weekend!!
Ms. Glick the Science Chick
 

MindFul Life - Yoga, Meditation and Journaling Club

Permission slip is linked here.
Poster for 'MindFul Life - Yoga, Meditation and Journaling Club' held Mondays & Wednesdays in April & May.
 

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 Dinner Dance - Register Now!

Hello 8th grade parents!

The 2026 8th grade dinner dance will be held on Saturday, June 13th in the BCMS gym

  • Please register if your child plans on attending the 8th grade dinner dance, via this link Register for 8th Grade Dinner Dance @ BCMS Gymnasium
  • Parents will have the opportunity to take pictures from 5:30pm–6:15pm. The dance will be from 5:30pm-9:30pm. Reminders and updates will be shared with parents prior to the event.
  • This event is planned and partially funded by the Branchburg PTO, but we need your help to make the evening special for our 8th graders.  We are asking for a suggested $35 parent contribution to cover a portion of the costs of the food, entertainment, and decorations.
  • If you are able to contribute a little more, any additional donations would be greatly appreciated and will help us make the night even more memorable for the students.

In addition, there will be volunteer opportunities to assist with decorating the night before/day of the dance.  More details will be shared soon.

Thank you in advance and thank you for your support! 

Dance Chairs:
Ana Warren
Melanie Colasurdo
Michele Boone
 

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.