News and events

January 3, 2023

Happy New Year. I hope that all of you had a restful break. We are excited to welcome students back and hit the ground running. January is not one of our busiest months, however, registration for next year takes place early on in the month. Blaine High School will provide information to our 8th grade students for high school next year starting January 6th. 7th grade students will get information on January 4th and 6th grade will get information on January 5th. Please be on the lookout for registration materials that students will bring home to review with you regarding class registrations for next year. Please feel free to contact the school with any questions you may have. We will also have two nights of conferences on January 19th and 23rd. More information on these nights will be shared soon.

January

2 - District Closed, Holiday

16 -District Closed, Holiday

19 - Conferences 3:30 - 6:40 (virtual)

23 - Conferences 3:30 - 6:30 (virtual)

Northdale Community Education has a number of activities starting in January. You can register online or pick up a registration form from the Community Ed Office.

Young Engineers ROBOTICS & STEM Program - Enormous Machines - Starts January 10

We are excited to bring internationally acclaimed Robotics and STEM learning program taught in 40+ countries by e2 Young Engineers, a Europe based company and accredited by Harvard and Carnegie Mellon school. In this session, your child will learn about STEM and Programming concepts and will be challenged to build up to four (4) different motorized Robotic and Engineering models using patented building and programming kits. Your child will learn about the Science of Germination, Power and Speed Gears, Transmission Mechanics, Renewable Energy, and Elastic Energy. During the class, your child will build working motorized models of a Farming Plough, Lift Bridge, Robotic Conveyor Belt and Robotic Wind Turbine and others.

Girls Basketball Gr 7/8 - Starts January 17

In this competitive basketball league, players will learn the skills and strategies of basketball with an emphasis on participation, teamwork and safety. Based on registration numbers, A and B level teams will be formed based on each player’s skill level. Teams practice after school and compete against other Anoka-Hennepin middle schools. Activity bus available.

Performance Cheer - Starts January 17

Performance cheer is an athletic event that involves cheering, stunting, tumbling and dancing. The performance cheer squad will participate in an Anoka-Hennepin Schools middle school show at the completion of the season. The district cheer show is Thursday, February 16th at Coon Rapids Middle School at 6 p.m. Student athletes will need black shorts, mostly white tennis shoes and to come to each practice with athletic attire.

Chess - Starts January 18

Challenge yourself! Play chess! Exercise your brain! This is an excellent opportunity to develop better chess skills. Impress your opponents and increase your IQ while having fun playing chess. All chess levels are welcome.

American Sign Language - Starts January 28

Would you like to learn how to talk with your hands? Learn the art of sign language as an important form of communication. Don't miss this great opportunity to understand the alphabet, common words, symbols, numbers, and songs; all just by using your hands!

Viking Gaming Club - Starts January 30

Calling all “gamers”! Join the NMS Gaming Club. Here is a list of some of the games we may be playing in this club: Trading Card Games (TGG) Living Card Games (LCG) such as Magic: The Gathering, Yu-gi-Oh, Pokemon, Chess, Settlers of Catan, Apples to Apples, Flux, Ninjaburger, Pictionary, Trivial Pursuit.

Viking Service Club/Youth for Change - Starts January 30

Do you want to join a club to feel more involved in the community and school, make new friends, design service projects for your fellow students and work with High School students? Then join the Viking Service Club. We will be working with high school service club members for a Round Table discussion and brainstorming session.

Basic Needs Drive - Thank you!

Thank you for your donations to our basic needs drive! In total, we were able to serve 19 families in need. They are truly so grateful for such outpouring of kindness.

Thank You!

Thank you for 700 hours of time given so far this school year! Thank you to the dedication, kindness and generosity that you bring to Northdale and the support you provide to our staff and students. Thank you for making our special events in the month of December memorable for our students.

All our current volunteer opportunities are available for sign up on our website. It is never too late to sign up to be a Northdale volunteer. Just complete a volunteer application and criminal history release form to become a Northdale volunteer. If you have questions regarding volunteering, reach out to our volunteer coordinator, sara.evans@ahschools.us. Happy New Year!

Northdale Middle School Winter Conferences will be held Virtually. You will join with the Google Meet Link that will be sent to you after you sign up for each conference. They all may be embedded in one email from My Conference Time. Save these emails to access on conference night. Each teacher will have a different Google meet link.

Dates:

Thursday, January 19th (3:30-6:40)

Monday, January 23rd (3:30-6:30)

Each conference is 10 minutes long.

After 3:00 pm on Monday January 9th, you will be able to sign up for the conference.

Click on this link: NMS Virtual Conferences: Parents: How to Sign up step by step instructions/link

If YOU NEED A LANGUAGE OR ASL INTERPRETER,

• Please make sure you indicate this when signing up for conferences
• Make sure you sign up for All your conference times before Thursday, January 12th at 3:00 pm to ensure one can be provided.