Weekly Wildcat Newsletter - Apr. 23

There are several updates in this week's newsletter. Please be sure to read carefully so you don't miss anything.

If you have any questions, you can email me directly at petersonj1@fultonschools.org.

Have a great weekend! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone back on Monday!

Dr. Looney has shared Fulton County Schools plans to offer three options for families regarding face-to-face or virtual instruction for the upcoming academic school year. Face-to-face instruction will be the default option for all students when Fulton County Schools return in August of 2021. FCS will also have two virtual options, including the Fulton Academy of Virtual Excellence (F.A.V.E.), where students enroll in a permanent, full-time virtual school. The second option is through Fulton Virtual, where students remain enrolled in their current school and take advantage of virtual course offerings. Fulton Virtual enrollment is part-time enrollment, with a maximum of 1/2 of the school-day schedule for high school students. Course offerings vary by grade level, a full list can be found on the FCS website. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for the face-to-face and virtual options for 2021-22 is available here.

Superintendent Mike Looney shared that Fulton County Schools will be taking a measured, cautious approach to relaxing COVID-19 protocols, which includes updating COVID-19 restrictions and mask mandates in phases. There are several factors spurring these changes, including Governor Brian Kemp’s lifting of restrictions on group sizes and ending a ban on large gatherings. Also, vaccines are now readily available to those 16 years of age and older. In this new phase, employees and students who may have been exposed to COVID-19 but have been fully vaccinated will not have to quarantine providing they are symptom free.

Beginning Monday, May 17, 2021:

• While engaged in outdoor activities, masks will be recommended but not required for students in grades PK-8 and employees. All other safety protocols will remain in effect for this group of individuals.
• School Leaders, in consultation with their respective community support organizations, may schedule and host outdoor end of year celebrations to honor the achievements of students without restrictions on group sizes.

All other existing COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies will remain enforced for the balance of the 2020-21 school year. This includes requiring all staff, students, and visitors to wear a mask while inside an FCS facility, and adhere to recommended social distancing, surface sanitizing, and handwashing. More information on the new mask mandate can be found here.

Welcome to Moe’s School POP-UP!

$5.00 from each kit sold goes to your school for 1 to 50 kits sold!

$10.00 from each kit goes to your school after you reach 51 kits sold!

Moe’s Southwest Grill will be delivering to Northwestern Middle School on Thurs. 5/13 at 5:00. Order and pay online in advance, drive up to 12805 Birmigham Pkwy. (car rider line), and we will put the order into your car and off you go.

Moe’s Taco Kit- Feeds 4 to 6 people

White Meat Chicken, Ground Beef, Black Beans, Rice, Shredded Cheese, Shredded Lettuce, Sour Cream, Pico, Salsa, Queso, Chips, 12 Flour Tortillas

ALL ORDERS MUST BE PLACED BY: Wed. 5/12 by 4:00PM

Here is the link for ordering: https://form.jotform.com/210705922602144

We are excited to announce plans to host a Block Party for our 8th grade students on Monday, May 24 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Mr. Peterson will be working with our PTO to sponsor this event.

This will be a fun, outdoor event with food, games, a DJ and more! Permission slips will be required for 8th grade students to participate. Stay tuned for more details!

We have a plan to celebrate our 8th grade students in a safe, fun, and memorable way. We will honor our 8th grade students with a drive through ceremony that will take place on Tuesday, May 25 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.

Mr. Peterson will host a Microsoft Live Teams Event with 8th grade parents and students on Thursday, May 20 at 6:30 pm to discuss details and preparation for the 8th grade celebration.

The NMS Administration and teachers will host a separate event this year to present the annual 8th grade student awards. This will be a Microsoft Live Teams Event during the school day on Monday, May 24.

Details and link to follow.

April 30: Algebra I EOC

May 3: Physical Science EOC & 8th Grade Science EOG

May 4: 8th Grade Social Studies EOG

May 6: 6-8 Math EOG (Part 1)

May 7: 6-8 Math EOG (Part 2)

May 11: 6-8 ELA (Part 1)

May 12: 6-8 ELA (Part 2)

May 13: 6-8 ELA (Part 3)

Students must ensure their school issued device is fully charged the night before each test session.

This calendar includes all the dates for Georgia Milestones exams as well as 8th grade course specific end of semester exams. All classroom exams will be scheduled no later than Friday, May 21.

We will follow a revised bell schedule when all three grade levels are testing for Math and ELA on May 6, May 7, May 11, May 12, and May 13.

We will follow our normal bell schedule on all other days, including April 30, May 3, and May 4 which are testing days for 8th grade students only.

Students who have opted out of testing may stay home on the Math and ELA EOG testing days until 10:50 am. Students who have opted out will have an approved absence on testing days from 8:55 am -10:50 am. Students should report to school in time for 1st period which starts at 10:55 am on Math and ELA testing days (May 6, May 7, May 11, May 12, and May 13).

8th grade students who have opted out of testing can also stay home on 8th grade only testing days (April 30, May 3, and May 4). We will use our normal bell schedule on these days and 8th grade students who have opted out of testing should arrive to school by 10:11 in time for 3rd period.

Students who have opted out of testing and are at school during the test sessions will report to the cafeteria until the testing window is completed. Students in the cafeteria will use this time as an extended study hall.

If you have any questions about opting out of Georgia Milestones testing this school year, please contact our Testing Coordinator.

Ellen Mayo

470-254-2879

mayoellen@fultonschools.org

Parents, FCS staff and other community stakeholders are invited to learn more about the school district’s development of a Facility Plan and to provide feedback. During the week of April 26, four community meetings will give participants an opportunity to be involved at their comfort level, either in-person or completely online. Dates, times and other background information can be viewed on the Facility Plan website, www.fultonschools.org/facilityplan. A special Facility Plan survey also will go live that week to collect input on planning priorities.

Medications may be brought to the school. Prescription medications must be in the original container and labeled. All medications must be accompanied with proper medical forms. Please go to https://www.fultonschools.org/Page/7525 for forms and healthcare plans. Medications will be accepted by appointment only. Please call Mary Crandall at 470-254-8514 or send an email to crandall@fultonschools.org.

• In the event that your student has been exposed to Covid please inform an Administrator and your concern will be forwarded to Student Health Services for further evaluation.

• If your child develops a fever while in school, they will be isolated and you will need to pick them up immediately.

The Fulton County Board of Health and Fulton County Schools have developed an on-line portal for FCS parents/guardians to report student COVID-19 related cases. The portal has been updated for Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. FCS parent/guardians will find a dropdown at the top right for translations. www.fultonschools.org/ReportCOVID Please make a report to the FCBOH when your student is COVID-19 positive, has a pending COVID-19 test result, or has been in direct contact with a COVID-19 positive person. Also, please use this resource for official reporting rather than alerting the school and/or teacher. If you must engage the school/teacher, please do so after you have made an official report to the FCBOH. Lastly, to ensure the protection of our school community, please do not allow your child to attend school or school-sponsored events when he/she is ill and/or has any of the above COVID-19 concerns.

Northwestern is excited to offer a variety of clubs and activities this school year. Please visit the NMS website’s Quick Links and select Student Clubs and Activities to learn more about our offerings.

The Cambridge High School Band is excited to be able to bring back our popular Music Under the Moon Jazz Band night this year! It's been a challenging year for everyone so we're really looking forward to enjoying an outdoor performance with our amazing jazz ensembles including a special appearance by the Northwestern Middle School jazz band. In keeping with COVID protocols, the event will be moved to the student parking lot to allow for adequate social distancing.

Bring friends and family and make a fun evening of it! Families are encouraged to bring their own chairs/table for set up at their designated space. Make it a "No Cooking Night" - Pre-order a pizza or two and have it delivered to you once you’re settled in your space. In addition, we’ll have light concessions for sale at the event.

Music Under the Moon Jazz Night

Saturday, May 1st from 6-8pm, CHS Student Parking Lot

VIP tables (limited to 20) - $75 (seats up to 6, admission included)

Reserved spaces (limited to 20) – $50 (up to 6, admission included)

General Admission space - $30 (up to 6, admission included)

Tickets can be purchased at www.CambridgeBand.org.

Questions? Email president@cambridgeband.org.

Spring 2021 Cross Country Meeting

Date: April 20th

Time: 6:00pm

Link to the Virtual Meeting:

https://youtu.be/KTYHvfdicjc

All Parents and runners interested in learning more information about the amazing Cross-Country Program at Cambridge High School are welcome to attend! We will be conducting the meeting via YouTube Live so please join us at the link provided above.

Some highlights for the meeting:

· Learn about the program

· Hear about the summer running

· Meet the Coaches

· Sign up for volunteer opportunities

Come hear about the state championship program and supportive community that is cross country! Go Bears!

Questions: please contact BoosterClub@CambridgeXC.com

Teacher of the Month: Ms. Amy Deal - 7th grade ELA

Professional of the Month: Ms. Rhonda McMichael - Front Office PA

PLC of the Month: 6th Grade Math - Ms. Katie Blanco, Ms. Stacy Gordan, Ms. Tara Romero, Ms. Mari Grace Parillo, Ms. Rebecca Yun, Ms. Robin Reid.

Last Week the PTO celebrated our Assistant Principals with gift cards to Crabapple Tavern and a peppermint plant.

This week the PTO showered our Professional Assistants with mini–Charcuterie Boards in a box.

Don’t miss the opportunity to order your 8th grader a yard sign. Only $20.

Follow this link to order and tell your friends. Deadline is this weekend!

There are only 175 yearbooks left and once they’re sold, they’ gone. Order yours today via this link https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home

All teachers love Flair pens, help us make that wish come true. Follow this link to donate https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/71441 Flair Pens to our teachers as part of a Teacher Appreciation gift. Shhhhh don’t tell them, it’s a surprise.

Need something to do this weekend? How about having your kids interview you for the career fair? Kids don't want you to appear even virtually in the school because you will clearly embarrass them? How about reaching out to your network of professionals and friends and asking them to contribute a video? Cold calls only get us so far; personal connections make the difference. Please help us put together a collection of 3-5 minute videos that can help show the seventh graders a broader world. For questions to get you started and submission information, please contact michcard74@hotmail.com or hintonj@fultonschools.org.

For information about how you can help PTO celebrate our teachers, please click this link:

https://northwesternpto.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/71441

The NMS PTO invites you to be a part of our Wildcat family. Please consider a role with our PTO, we have a few open positions on our PTO board for the upcoming school year; Co- president, secretary, VP of Ways & Means, VP of Student Services. There are also committees that need a team to support them; Yearbook, Parking Liaison, Business Partners, Straight A Ice Cream Recognition, Student Enrichment, Website Management, Volunteer Coordinator. There is something for everyone. We encourage you to join us as we support our teachers, staff and students at Northwestern. Grab a friend and volunteer together!

Email northwesternmspto@gmail.com with questions.

Do You Own Your Own Business?

or Know Someone Who Does?

Northwestern Middle school invites you to partner with us to enhance the educational experiences of our students and support the needs of our teachers. Become a Business Partner and your financial donation will be greatly appreciated. In return, the NMS PTO would display your business logo to our NMS families in various communications, websites and on campus throughout the year. Click HERE to learn more about our Business Partner levels and ways to partner with us.

Home of the Wildcats!

Email: nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org
Website: https://www.fultonschools.org/northwesternms
Location: 12805 Birmingham Highway, Milton, GA, USA
Phone: (470) 254-2870
Twitter: @TheNMSWildcats

Our front office is staffed Monday-Friday from 8:25 am to 4:25 pm. From 4:25 pm to 5:00 pm an Administrator is on duty and available for phone calls in the front office.

Outside of these hours, you can send an email to our front office staff at nmsfrontdesk@fultonschools.org.

Thank you for your continued support of Northwestern Middle School!

Sincerely,

Joel - Principal

Northwestern Middle School: Teach Hard, Love Harder - The Wildcat Way!