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News and events
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October 2, 2023
A Message From The Principal
We have had a great first month of school. By now, students and teachers are settling in and digging deep into their curriculum. October will bring our first chance to welcome families to meet with teachers for conferences. We will be holding scheduled virtual or in-person conferences on October 12th from 3:30- 8:00. Please see below for information on how to sign up for these conferences. On October 17th from 3:30 - 8:00, we will host in-person conferences. This evening, teachers will be in the gym and parents are welcome to stop in between 3:30 -8:00 to meet with teachers. Please choose an option that works best for your family.
This is also a good chance to remind you of the benefits of having a Parent-Vue account. This app allows you to see your student's grades and attendance in real time, and easily contact teachers. It is a great way to stay up-to-date on your student's progress. I look forward to seeing many of you in the upcoming weeks.
Northdale Fall Conferences
Northdale Middle School Conference will be held In-Person AND Virtual via Google Meet on October 12, 2023. You must choose one option when registering for conferences.
Please scroll down and select the teachers you would like to conference with. Click on the links for more detailed instructions.
DATE: October 12, 2023 (3:30-8:00)
· Each conference is 7 minutes long since some conferences will be in-person and others virtually.
· It will be VERY important to be on time and keep to your scheduled time.
· Thanks for your understanding and consideration of others.
DATE: October 17, 2023 (3:30-8:00
- Conferences will be in-person only.
- Teachers will be in the gym, parents are encouraged to stop by between 3:30-8:00 and meet with their student's teachers.
- No need to sign up, just stop in.
If you need a Language Interpreter for the 17th
· Please make sure you email Ms. Sweeney at melissa.sweeney@ahschools.us to let her know
· Make sure you tell her the time you will be at school before Thursday, October 11 at 11:59 pm to ensure one can be provided.
HOW TO SIGN UP FOR CONFERENCES: You may begin registering after 3:00 pm on Monday, October 2.
· Click on this link if you need help signing up: NMS Virtual Conferences: Parents: How to Sign up step by step instructions/link
· Make sure to select your TYPE of conference: In-person or virtual via Google Meet
NEED AN ASL OR LANGUAGE INTERPRETER?
If you need an ASL Interpreter, please contact Cindy Hagle (Cindy.Hagle@ahschools.us) at your earliest convenience.
If you need a Language Interpreter
· Please make sure you indicate this when signing up for conferences
· Make sure you sign up for All your conference times before Sunday, October 8 at 11:59 pm to ensure one can be provided.
WHAT TO DO ON THE NIGHT OF CONFERENCES:
· If you are meeting In-Person, please bring a copy of your student's schedule with you. When you arrive you will pick up a map which shows room locations.
· If you are meeting virtually via a Google Meet Link, you will be sent an email after you sign up for each conference with the Google Meet Link. Please save these emails to access on conference night. Each teacher will have a different Google meet link.
· Click on this link: NMS Virtual Conferences: Parents: How to Join A Google Meet
Hope you have a wonderful meeting either In-Person or Virtually.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP? PLEASE CALL (763) 506-5400
Northdale 8th Grade Choir to Sing National Anthem at Blaine Football Game
Northdale 8th Grade Choir will be singing the National Anthem at the Blaine High School Football game on October 6th. We are so excited to join the Blaine High School and Roosevelt Middle School Choirs to perform in front of the audience in attendance for this game! Performance starts at 6:55 sharp on October 6th. Hope to see you there.
Donations for Staff Meal Before Conferences Needed - October 12th
Message Our Volunteer Coordinator
I am looking for donations to provide staff with a soup and salad meal prior to conferences on Thursday, October 12th. Donations need to be sent to school by 2:00 pm on October 12th. Nonperishable items can be sent in at any time. Items can be dropped off in the main office. If you are sending perishable items with your student, make sure they drop them off in the office first thing in the morning. Sign Up
Kaleidoscope Families Together for Equity Group
This parent group will work together to expand the equity work and elevate parent voice at Northdale by sharing experiences and working collaboratively.
Parents in our group last year gave invaluable input as we supported our students during Ramadan. We are looking forward to expanding our group to include other parents that are underrepresented in our staff.
Our first meeting will be this Tuesday, October 3rd, at 5:30. We will meet virtually! Here is the link for our meeting : meet.google.com/qou-aqak-jws
Questions? Please contact Peace Mitchell, 763.506.5435 peace.mitchell@ahschools.us
Come to the Scholastic Book Fair
We’re excited to announce our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair which is our first of three book fairs for the school year. This fair is an opportunity for students to build their home libraries and stock up on books for independent reading. As always, all purchases benefit Northdale. Dates/Times: October 12-13 & October 16-17 during school October 12 & 17 - Evening Event from 3:00-7:30 pm Where: Media Center
The book fair accepts cash, credit card, checks in the exact amount to Northdale and ApplePay. If you are interested in a cashless payment option check out Scholastic's eWallet option.
Donations Needed for Upcoming Science Lab
Our 6th grade science department is looking for donations for an upcoming science lab. They are requesting white/vanilla frosting (store bought) and any flavor "Fruit Roll Ups". Donations need to be at school by October 25th. Supplies can be dropped off in the main office. Sign up to donate. If you have questions, contact Sara Evans.
BATTLE OF THE BOOKS!!!
Students that are interested in joining Northdale's Battle of the Books should contact Mrs. Leighton in Room 428 or email Jessica.Leighton@ahschools.us.
Battle of the Books for 2023-2024
Belly Up, Gibbs
Beyond the Bright Sea, Wolk
Boy Bites Bug, Petruck
Dress Coded, Firestone
Drums, Girls, & Dangerous Pie, Sonnenblick
Efren Divided, Cisneros
Elephant Secret, Walters
The Face on the Milk Carton, Cooney
Glitch, Martin
Inkling, Oppel
The Last Cuentista, Higuera
Length of a String, Weissman
The Line Tender, Allen
Linked, Korman
Long Lost, West
Millionaires for a Month, McAnulty
Planet Earth is Blue, Panteleakos
Play Like a Girl, Wilson
Remarkables, Haddix
The Smartest Kid in the Universe, Grabenstein
Starfish, Fipps
Swim Team, Christmas
Wildoak, Harrington
A Wish in the Dark, Soontornvat
A World Below, King
Dear Parent/Guardian
Healthy eating is so important for children. At Northdale, we work hard to ensure students receive a healthy breakfast and lunch each day to support their developing brains and bodies. Research shows that children who eat regular, nutritious meals are more likely to attend school and be engaged in learning.
We are excited to partner with Every Meal to offer a free weekend meal program to all our students.
Every Meal is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to fight child hunger through community and school partnerships. They strive to make a difference in children’s lives by focusing on food gaps like weekends, school breaks, and summer when they can’t receive food in school.
● Free for all families
● No qualifications required
● Students enrolled in the program will receive a 4-5 pound bag of nutritious, nonperishable food each week
● Every Meal does not collect information from families; privacy is protected
● Families may choose to participate in the program anytime throughout the
school year
● Families may choose from a variety of different weekend food bag options
● Please contact Sara Evans or Breanna Smith to participate or for more information.
To enroll in the Every Meal Program, complete this form.
Courage Retreat Volunteers Needed
Northdale Middle School 7th grade students will be participating in Courage Retreats on October 24 and 25th with Youth Frontiers. To make the event a success we are looking for volunteers to be small-group leaders. Small-group leaders establish the energy and tone of the retreat and have a major influence on its success. 7th-grade students will meet in pre-designed small groups for discussion three times during the retreat.
We are looking for 40 volunteers (adults and high school juniors and seniors) each day to commit to 8:00 am- 3:00 pm on October 24 or 25th. To learn more about Courage Retreat please go to Youth Frontiers.
If you are interested in volunteering please complete this form and complete the required Northdale volunteer application and criminal history release.
6th GRADE INVITED FOR SOME FUN THIS MONTH
COMMUNITY ED NEWS
Many After School and Evening Activities and Athletics Starting Soon
Register online today!
Intro to Acting - Evening class starting October 3
Learn Theatre basics onstage through Theatre games, improv, and scene work! Improve your understanding of the dramatic arts through various activities, including ensemble building, stage presence, and scenework. Each student will also choose a monologue or scene which they will refine and perform in the last class of the session for friends and family.
Chess - After school starting October 4
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.
Drum Lessons - Evening Class starting October 5
Gain a solid foundation in drum set performance and musicianship. We will focus on proper hand/foot technique, musical styles and reading basic rhythms. Amaze your friends with the ability to confidently play various drum beats and fills in multiple styles with a clear understanding of a path forward to intermediate playing. Practice pad and sticks provided. Note to Parents: Drum sticks and practice pads will be provided with an option to purchase to take home.
Viking Gaming Club - After school starting October 16
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 - After school starting October 16
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.
Girls Volleyball 6th Gr - After school starting October 23
This is a modified league that introduces girls to the game of volleyball. Players will learn the basics of volleyball with an emphasis on skill development. Teams are formed based on each player’s skill level. Teams practice after school and compete against other Anoka-Hennepin middle schools. Activity bus available M-Th.
Halloween Dance and Costume Party - October 27
The dance will be held at Coon Rapids Middle School, but Northdale Middle School students who live in Coon Rapids are able to register for this event.
Celebrate Halloween early! Bring your friends and dance the night away with a live DJ, musical games and prizes and a Costume Party! Come dressed in your halloween costume (school appropriate). Bring your camera and use our backdrops to create your own unique photo shoot (props provided). Price includes one piece of pizza, beverage and cookie.
Must be a middle school student that lives within Coon Rapids attending Coon Rapids Middle School or Northdale Middle School. Students must show school ID at the door. Must register online.
Wrestling - After school starting November 6
In this competitive wrestling league, wrestlers will learn the skills and strategies of wrestling with an emphasis on participation, teamwork and safety. Wrestlers practice after school and compete against other Anoka-Hennepin middle schools. Activity bus available.
Health Services
From the Nurse:
Seventh-Grade Immunization Requirements:
Minnesota state law requires seventh-grade students to receive updated Tdap and Meningococcal vaccines to enter seventh grade. Your student could need one or more vaccinations or a legal exemption to meet these requirements. You may check your student’s Immunization records in AH Connect. Please check with your private medical provider if you are unsure which immunizations your child is lacking. Letters have been mailed to your home if immunizations are required for seventh grade. Please contact your private medical provider for an appointment to obtain additional immunizations. Send or fax documentation of immunization shots your child has received to the Health Office at Northdale Middle School. Our fax number is: 763-506-5403. For other ideas on where to obtain vaccinations, please see MN Department of Health vaccination finder.
Minnesota state law requires the following immunizations for all students:
Hepatitis B – children must have received 3 doses of vaccine following the recommended schedule.
Varicella – children must have received 2 doses of vaccine following the recommended schedule. If a child had varicella disease prior to 2010, a parent or guardian may provide the month/year of disease. If a child had varicella disease after 2010, a provider’s signature is required.
Polio – children must have received 4 doses of vaccine following the recommended schedule.
DTaP – children must have received 5 doses of vaccine following the recommended schedule.
MMR – children must have received 2 doses of vaccine following the recommended schedule.
Tdap and Meningococcal – vaccine updates are required for all students entering 7th grade.
The covid vaccine is NOT a required immunization.
If your child has not received any of these shots for medical reasons or because of your conscientiously held beliefs, written proof of exemption is required. This exemption must be signed in front of a notary. The completed for should be brought to health services. For questions about this information please call the Northdale Health Office at 763-506-5404, check with your medical provider, or you can find information at the MN Department of Health.
This e-newsletter is published by Northdale Middle School. Questions, comments or concerns about the school e-newsletter? Contact us.