NAMS Soar & Achieve Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

(Message from Kevin)

Warmest regards,

Mr. Kevin L. Freeman, Sr.

Principal

New Albany Middle School

Parent Teacher Conferences are an opportunity for parents to meet with teachers to hear about their student’s areas of strengths & weaknesses. Please use this link to sign up for a conference with a specific teacher. You do not have to meet with all of your child’s teachers. We recommend you prioritize the teachers of the classes where your child is struggling.

The 8th grade class will be traveling to Washington, DC October 31-November 3, 2023.

Registration: Secure your student's spot on this memorable journey now by visiting the following link, completing the online registration, and paying the $130 deposit: bit.ly/namsdc2023.

Roommate Selection: The roommate selection process will occur during the week of September 18th. Each room will accommodate four students. Students will have the opportunity to choose from three different options to express their roommate preferences.

Payment Deadline: To ensure your student's place on the trip, the full amount due must be received by Friday, September 22, 2023.

Parent Meeting: A meeting will be held in the MS cafeteria at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2003 for all parents of students registered to go on the 8th grade class trip.

We look forward to providing your student with an enriching and educational experience in our nation's capital. Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Gabe Heselton, the 8th Grade Class Trip Coordinator, at heselton.1@napls.us.

During the 2023-24 school year, we will recognize various cultural and commemorative dates. Our Building an Inclusive Campus Culture (BICC) committee will develop activities and/or displays as appropriate for our middle school students. Our focus will be on highlighting the significant contributions that these diverse groups of people have made to our world and further strengthening our culture of kindness, dignity, and respect.

The following cultural and commemorative dates & individuals will be recognized this year:

September/October: Hispanic Heritage Month
October: LGBTQ+ History Month
November: Native American History Month
February: Black History Month
March: Disability Awareness Month/Women's History Month
April: Asian American Pacific Islander Month
May: Mental Health Awareness Month

How we will recognize each month:

• A digital bulletin board will be displayed in the main office and will rotate among our other digital displays.

• A Famous Friday short video announcement highlighting the contributions of people who are being recognized during the month.

• These announcements will be curated by our BICC team and presented by a mix of staff and students.

• These announcements will take place during our study center periods on each Friday of the month.

Prior to each month, parents will receive information on how these dates will be recognized, along with a preview of the materials/information that will be shared with our students. This information will include the individuals being recognized as part of the Famous Friday announcements. Click here to view the individuals that will be highlighted on Famous Fridays during September.

Opt-Out

Parents can opt their student(s) out of these brief announcements. When opted out, students will report to the library for study center to view our normally scheduled announcements. Opt-Out Form

Free/Reduced lunch applications

Please make sure to have your Free/Reduced Lunch application submitted by October 1st. Click here for more information.

School Fees

Student school fees have been uploaded to PowerSchool and are due now.

Our goal is to partner with families to ensure each student is being successful. We know that school attendance is a vital component of student success. We do understand that various circumstances exist, but we want to be proactive in our efforts to communicate current attendance information for your student.

If your student reaches the 65 hours or more in a given school year, the school’s attendance officer will notify the child's parent or guardian after the date of the absence that triggered the notice requirement and an attendance intervention plan may be developed. Linked below is House Bill 410 that fully details attendance requirements through the Ohio Department of Education.

Chronic Absenteeism- HB 410

Planned Absence

If you know your student will miss school, please complete the planned absence form linked below and return it to the main office. Please see the specific requirements and details listed on the form.

Planned Absence Form

Early Dismissal

Linked below is the Early Dismissal Form and can be used as a method of communication to allow Mrs. Thiel know your student is leaving early from school. Students will only be released to persons listed on their “school pick up” list on PowerSchool. When picking up a student, the adult is required to come in the building to check out your student and must present valid identification.

Early Dismissal Form

Tardy to School

Any tardy student to first period should sign in at the main office and receive a tardy slip from Mrs. Thiel to enter the classroom. Please note, this does include bus riders and attendance will reflect late buses as TE (tardy excused) and will not be held against the student. Parents are not required to escort their students into the building.

Check it out...the Library has gotten off to a good start:

• All students have been placed with their ELA teacher in the Circulation System

• 733 books were checked out during the first 3 weeks of School

• Reading Incentives are in the works

Upcoming events~ This year's Author Visit is just around the corner.

Steve Sheinkin is the acclaimed author of fast-paced, cinematic nonfiction histories, including Fallout, Undefeated, Born to Fly, The Port Chicago 50, and Bomb. His accolades include a Newbery Honor, three Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards, a Sibert Medal and Honor, and three National Book Award finalist honors. He lives in Saratoga Springs, New York, with his wife and two children.

Mr. Sheinkin will visit the Middle School in-person on October 24 and 25.

Guest Speaker for the 7th Grade~ 10/30 or 10/31 TBD

Mrs. Kellett

NAMS/HS Library Aide

Constitution Day, is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. We will recognize it during Social Studies classes and students will receive a small booklet with a copy of the U.S. Constitution.

If your athlete is interested in playing winter sports, please make sure they are registered on FinalForms. Click here. Winter sports at NAMS are boys basketball, girls basketball, coed swimming/dive and girls and boys wrestling. For more information, there will be a MS Athletic Winter Meet and Greet on October 10, 2023. The meeting will be held in the high school and middle school cafeterias and will begin at 6:00 pm. Meet the coaches will begin immediately following the general meeting.

NAMS Fall Dance

Friday, October 6, 7-9pm

Middle School Gymnasium

New Albany Middle School students are invited to join us for a fun Western Themed dance to celebrate the beginning of the school year. Admission is $5/student and tickets may be purchased during lunch on the week leading up to the dance. Students will have the opportunity to purchase additional tickets at the door, which can be redeemed for Pizza, Dippin’ Dots or Western Loot!

Become a chaperone:

We are looking for 50 parents who would like to help our event run smoothly by volunteering to chaperone. You will arrive at 6:15pm to help set up and find what station/area you will be in charge of. Sign up HERE.

Donate items:

If you would like to help us create a fun atmosphere for the dance, purchase items to donate from our wishlist HERE.

Double check the shipping address at checkout to ensure items are shipped to NAMS PTO and save yourself a trip. Please deliver all items by September 29.

Go Eagles!

Coleen Barber- President

Secretary- Melissa Hoovler

Treasurer- Missy Evans

VP of Fundraising- Amy Wenker

VP of Programming- Terri Erlenbach

VP of Membership- Jenn Fuller

VP of Hospitality- Marice Brickner

VP of Hospitality- Kristen Pietro

Communications- Tracy Ellis

Early Dismissal Form

Pre Planned Absence Form

Lunch Menu

Final Forms

Pay Schools Central

• September 19 - Picture Retake Day
• September 17 - Constitution Day
• September 22 - Professional Development Day (No School)
• September 26 - Parent Meeting - 8th Grade Washington DC Trip
• September 21 & 26 - Parent Teacher Conferences
• October 6 - NAMS Fall Dance
• October 10 - Winter Athletics Meet & Greet - MS Cafeteria at 6:00 PM

Kevin L. Freeman, Principal

Laura Mejia, Assistant Principal

Ryan Grashel, Dean of Students

Leslie Wilson, Counselor (7th Grade)

Margie Thompson, Counselor (8th Grade)

Jill Hatten, Secretary

Erin Miller, Student Services and Athletics

Amy Thiel, Secretary

Email: news@napls.us
Website: www.napls.us/ms
Location: 6600 Dublin Granville Road, New Albany, Ohio 43054
Phone: 614-413-8500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewAlbanyMS/
Twitter: @napls_ms