North Central News

October 6th: Run for the Schools

October 9th: PSTO Meeting (11:30 am - 12:30 pm Main Office Conference Room)

October 11-15th: No School

October 13th: Stadium Cleanup (7:00am Kinnick Stadium North Endzone)

October 17th: Parent Teacher Conferences (4:15 pm - 7:45 pm in person NCJH upper gym/cafeteria)

October 23rd: Parent Teacher Conferences (4:15 pm - 7:45 pm Virtual)

(sign up link will be sent to parents via email)

October 25: End of 1st Quarter

October 28: 2nd Quarter begins

Oct 31: No School

In AVID students will be learning about college and career readiness. This month they learned about career interest categories, took a few interest surveys to match with careers, and chose one career to research. Then students researched their career using two-column Cornell notes. Using the information from their Cornell notes they created a one-pager project to share with the class. Students were able to go around and view other one-pagers and gather information about a variety of careers. Here are a few career one-pagers from Hex 1 AVID.

6th grade students in Ms. Robert's science class attended a farm to school field trip to the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm on September 17th. This is designed to give students a deeper understanding of the history of agriculture in Johnson County, community farming practices, and the joy of harvesting fresh produce. Other 6th grade students will have the opportunity to go at later dates this year.

A huge thank you to the PSTO (Parent Student Teacher Organization) and all of our families for stocking the NCMS workroom pantry with grab & go snacks and beverages for the staff. This was a wonderful surprise for the staff and they are grateful for all of the support.

PSTO Information: https://www.iowacityschools.org/domain/1340

Please bring in your HyVee receipts to the main office to help support North Central. See the attached flyers for more details.

Attendance Procedures for North Central Middle School:

If your student is going to be late to school, needs to leave school early or will be absent from school, please make sure you have reported this to the NCMS Attendance Office by 9:00am on the day of the absence. You may call the attendance line at 319-688-1210 or enter the absence in the Attendance Request section of Infinite Campus. Please give the date(s) and reason for the absence. (**Early releases requested in Infinite Campus must be done at least 2 hours before the student is to leave NCMS)

If a student needs to leave school early, please give the time the student is to be picked up from NCMS. Your student will be given a pass to leave their class and meet parents/guardians in the main office. Students are not permitted to leave class until the parent/guardian has contacted the attendance office directly.

Communicating absences to teachers directly or texting your student is not considered a communicated absence. The attendance office must be made aware of all absences.

Please note: Parents/Guardians will now be receiving automated attendance calls at the end of each period a student has an uncommunicated absence.

Students are not allowed access to the building before 8:30am. Students wanting to meet with teachers, must get permission from the teacher prior to the meeting, to be let in to the building before 8:30am. The office will not allow students in to the building before that time unless notification from the teacher has been given to the main office. Students will not be allowed up to meet with teachers before 8:15am unless that has also been clearly communicated with office staff.

At North Central, a major component of being READY to learn is having a charged chromebook at school every day. Please discuss this with your student and create a plan for ensuring your student charges their chromebook each night and brings it to school each day. We have charging carts in the Library and Bolt Space if students need to charge their device during the school day

All food and drink, other than water bottles, must remain in the cafeteria. You may not consume food in your classrooms, unless it is provided by a specific teacher for their class only. There is to be no food or drink in hallways or classrooms. Only water bottles may be taken in hallways and to classrooms. If a staff member sees you with food or any drinks other than water, you will be instructed to throw the item away.

Cell Phone/Personal Technology Policy & Confiscation Procedures

Cell phones: Students may use cell phones during passing time and at lunch while school is in session. All phones must be put away, and ringers silenced before entering the classroom. Phones in use or view during class time may be confiscated by staff (this includes using phones to listen to music). Students who refuse to comply will be subject to additional school consequences. Additionally, students are not allowed to have headphones/earbuds on or in their ears during class. At North Central Middle School the following steps will be used to enforce the policy:

1. At the beginning of class all teachers/staff will say “secure your phones”

2. Students should have their phones put away and out of sight.

3. If the phone is out or being used, the teacher will confiscate the phone and deliver it to the main office where it will be secured until the end of the day.

4. If a student is refusing to give up his/her cell phone a counselor or administrator will be called and escort the student to the office where the phone will be secured.

5. If a student’s cell phone/device is confiscated three (3) different times, it will be held at school until a guardian comes to school to pick it up. A conference will be requested with student/guardian/admin to discuss possible solutions and/or additional consequences such as:

a. Multiple-day cell/device detention;

b. Trimester long cell/device detention;

c. Yearlong cell/device detention

Email: MILLER.COLBY@IOWACITYSCHOOLS.ORG
Website: https://www.iowacityschools.org/NorthCentralJH
Location: 180 East Forevergreen Road, North Liberty, IA, USA
Phone: 319-688-1210
Twitter: @NCMSLIGHTNING

It is the policy of the Iowa City Community School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact:

• Laura Gray, Director of Diversity and Cultural Responsiveness (programming), gray.laura@iowacityschools.org
• Eric Howard, Director of Equity and Employee Relations (employment), howard.eric@iowacityschools.org, 1725 N. Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa 52245, (319) 688-1000; or
• If you are unsure how to proceed or would like assistance in discussing your options, you may also contact Janet Abejo-Parker, Ombuds, ombuds@iowacityschools.org or (319) 688-1312.

Ombuds Office

Students, Families, and Employees - The Ombuds Office is here to help! Visit www.IowaCitySchools.org/Ombuds to learn more!